Strange days

Kosh Lyson opens a new exhibit the next day, showcasing old Russian artifacts. Many people came to see all the historical items. Elsewhere in the city, two more victims are taken down by the sniper and another bank is robbed by the now dubbed Spectre. And not just that but a mini war between Mr. Grado and an unknown rival seemed to be brewing. Thomas Richards spoke eloquently about all the events, which were looking bad for the mayor but Bobby reassured people that all these problems were being taken care of. It would only be a matter of time. At the academy, Kevin decides to test one of the former trainees, Nick. Saying “I here you where damn near the best in your day. Well, I’m the best now, so let’s see who’s really number one.” Nick sighs but accepts. They take to the main ring, which was more like a big cement block fifteen square feet, four feet high. They trade blocked punches, chops, and kicks and sidestep lunges. Every throw is countered and re-countered, the other’s stand in silenced shock. Zackiria the only one who isn’t but is still pleased with the bout. Kevin goes for a sweep which Nick jumps over only to be greeted by Kevin’s other foot for a high roundhouse. A clever diversion Zackiara thought as he smirked. The fight was over and the rest go back to training. Zackiria comes to the students and congratulates the both fighters on an excellent fight, only upset that it didn’t last longer. Jacob was also fairly impressed but felt he could have done just as good. Two days after the fight, Zackiria awarded Kevin a star medallion. Claiming him as the top student to beat, hoping this would encourage competition between the others.

Much later at the academy, again, Zackiria sets everyone into a strategy game. This time, Risk. Obviously none of them would be plotting world domination or anything any time soon but it was still a heavily strategic war game. Next was Mah-jongg, again, anything to develop their mind was used. The new men from the police thought this was ridiculous. None of this would help them get inside the head of a man or woman pushed into violent actions. It might help them think faster at best but they needed something more along the line of the real task to really improve themselves.

Sometime later, Jack talks to the men at the precinct about the new action plan. “So, apparently we will have some help from a bunch of martial arts trainees. They will be getting trained alongside the rest of our men. I don’t know about you but it sounds crazy to me.” Nearly all of them are not happy about this. Joseph again calls Jack into his office “I would really appreciate it if you didn’t try to turn my men against me, Jack.” Jack held back saying ‘You’re doing that yourself.’ “I have never said the people being trained would go after the sniper, if that’s what you think. That’s what our guys are for. And so far they are doing a lousy job.” Joseph said. Jack didn’t like that it sounded as if Joseph thought they weren’t taking the threat seriously but walked away.

The next day at the academy, Jacob approaches Kevin and asks to see the medallion. “Sure, whatever.” Kevin said and held it out, Jacob looked it over “It’s pretty good quality…for a fake medal.” “What do you mean fake?” Kevin asked with a bit of annoyance “Well, for one you, don’t really deserve it. I’ve beaten you two out of three times.” Kevin stood “Maybe you want to fight for it then?” Jacob shook his head “That’s what Zackiria wants but I don’t really care about being the best here. If I can’t beat my enemies out there, something like that means nothing.” Kevin was getting more annoyed “Don’t undermined my accomplishment. And don’t belittle this achievement.” Jacob somewhat reluctantly nodded “Ok, maybe it will be good for moral and maybe everyone will come after you to prove they’re better. But I have more important things…and people, to deal with.” Kevin left him to his own devises and went to find his brother, at least he would be jealous.

Zackiria continues to train everyone in stealth, scouting, tracking and learning the city landscape. They then did testing. Working various hostage situations, how to talk to someone in this wired state of mind and even war scenarios. Next was disarming trials. Afterwards, they lined up for basic weight training; they needed to build up strength after all. Zackiria set up two hundred pound weights for everyone, a machine that worked both the arms and legs at once that he had Tetsu help design. Tetsu likely wasn’t expecting so much weight for the first go at it. Jessica looked at the contraption and all that weight and said, “I can’t do this!” Zackiria looked at her and said “Alright guy’s, the princess is going to sit out on this one, the rest of you get to it while I make her some tea.” begrudgingly she joined in with the rest. That comment really pissed her off but it worked.

Zackiria later sets up some stuff based on everyone’s individual fears. Based on psych testing, saying that they needed to train mind as well as body and if they can beat their fears they can beat anything. A few of them were actually looking forward to facing their fears and confronting them. In the west end, Mr. Grado’s men steal some material that Jean was looking to acquire which made him hate that group even more, telling his second in command and bodyguard, Marco to deal with the pests. He went back to work in his kitchen, out in the dining area customers wait and/or eat, one of Jean’s loyal customers comes in and is directed to the back room as usual. He is given a different kind of menu featuring the finest European guns, explosives and cars, anything a bad guy could want to build or maintain his organization. Tonight the man was looking for some entertainment in the form of women, of which there was a very nice variety.

Elsewhere in the city, some moments later. A shot rings out and an overweight woman is down. The police are soon on the scene, some make joke’s “Shouldn’t those almighty Star champions be looking over this crime scene?” and such. Elsewhere, Mayor Bobby D holds yet another press conference. Some reporters have heard rumours about the use of under-trained individuals and asks if the threat is being taken seriously. “Good people, if we need to train more individuals to handle such situations, then that’s what we’ll do. Now if under-trained individuals are actually handling the current situation then the blame falls squarely on police Chief Joseph Alexander.” he said. Joseph, when asked about it. Claimed he has his best men on the job, not admitting to the rumours. In honesty, it was true, most of the force was on this or the bank robbers with a few on watch duty for Mr. Grado’s gang. Joseph was obviously pretty peeved the media found out about his deal with Zackiria and wanted to know where the information came from. He suspects Jack, of course. He didn’t know why. Perhaps it was time to get some extra help on this sniper. Mr. Grado watches the news at home and laughs at the situation, thinking he should take down the sniper to show the mayor and police chief up, one of his men said “You could totally get that guy, Mandy, you got way better resources then the police.” Mr. Grado looked at him, grabbed him by the throat and asked him “Have I not made it abundantly clear, I hate my first name. Never mind the lack of respect you show me, now, again…What is my name?” he wheezes out “Mr. Grado.” he is then thrown into a wall, the mark from Mr. Grado’s hand still on his neck as he’s helped up by another goon.

Jacob spends an hour searching gangs in the city on the internet. He’s not happy with what he finds. He also looks up many articles about murder’s for hire and the like, he narrows the search. Finding as much information as would be allowed to the public. He’s somewhat dissatisfied but didn’t really expect a lot. He looked at a business card from an FBI agent, it looked fairly old but was still legible. Jacob closes his eyes, a gunshot rings out in his head, and he hears his young self asking an officer what happened. His brother getting worked up when they were not allowed to enter their house. Jacob opens his eyes again, no longer wanting to remember.

Before nightfall, Joseph goes to Rising Star, he watches the progress, it’s actually pretty good and these men and women will definitely help in extreme situations. Just not any time soon. “I don’t suppose any of these guys have an idea of where a sniper could be laying low in this city?” Joseph asks. Zackiria knows he’s under a lot of pressure “Perhaps you misunderstood, I never took on full responsibility for this. I said I’d train them for these situations. Never mind any other bomb threats, or whatever other act of terror might be going on next. But I didn’t expect you to not have men on the lookout in the meantime.” he said “I do, Zack. This is a sniper we’re talking about. I don’t expect these guys to bring him in but it would be nice if someone came up with a miraculous way to find him.” Zackiria reassures him that when he’s done, they will catch any kind of high risk criminal.