Chapter 92 - Not So Different

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1 hour later. 

Since the successful operation against Manta thanks to the effort of the rail cannons and with the assistance of the Earth Warriors, the atmosphere has been as jubilant as of late, all thanks to the actions of the members involved as well as their bravery. The halls in the base are full of calls of cheers and shouts of celebration, with soldiers strolling around the halls while talking about the latest event or even news footage of the satellite explosions that detected Manta's destruction. Each victory would mean a step closer to liberating Los Angeles from the Zlocu's grasp at last. 

However, while a grand majority took the news with grand smiles on their faces, and with the company of other similarly cheerful people, not everyone shared the same sentiments. 

Near the mess hall, as others shared their drinks of water and cherry sodas and such, two particular figures sit at a table in the corner on the left. All of them with pinched mouths in form of scowls, crossed arms as well as flat and narrowed eyes with heavy and slow breathing in-between. And nonetheless, this is expected looks from both Walter and Ji-ae, all ever since that day in San Diego. 

"Look at them go, partying as if it's something worth celebrating... They're only cheering to a bunch of phonies," Walter said while sipping some water with his left hand. 

"So damn right about that. Why care to save a bunch of people that were too weak to hold guns and even run for cover? We only should have saved worthy of fighting in this war." Ji-ae takes a sip of her own soda yet still her gaze is focused quite intensively on the party around them, one in which she hasn't seen something like this for quite a while. "They think they should be saved just because they were greenies, and that's a lot of bullshit." 

"It is indeed. And for what, just they were just pretty to be chosen by whoever the fuck is in the stars or something? Have they forgotten the one rule of what could constitute one to become a full-fledged warrior on their own way instead of being given on a silver platter? It's also equally idiotic that they're happy over something they didn't do." Walter sips another drink as he groans as well. Maybe a bit of a drink could have helped soothe those thoughts inside of him. 

"Yeah. I don't even think they're honest with themselves either. I mean, look at how happy they are because otherwise, they wouldn't admit that they almost died because of how much of a pussies they were. Add that as another reason why I think we should have ner taken arms in the first place, we fucking suck at everything," Ji-ae replies, still with a scowl on her face. One who endured many battles even at such a young age, and even then, it's almost like there is something else that is needed inside of her. 

Something that makes her full again. 

But just then, as they are about to take another sip from their drinks, they spot a peculiar figure in one of the windows passing by in the corridor outside the mess hall, one with a particular brunette hair and a style similar to a lion. This alone makes them stand up from their seats as they walk to the door while maintaining a stiff posture, all while their scowls are amplified to a  degree as if there's something of the individual that bothered them for so long in their eyes. 

Outside, the figure walks in the hallways of the base, hands tight in the pocket of his pants while he wears a plain red shirt. It's been a while since Logan has looked that casual outside the missions, a leisurely walk around the base is a near habit of his unless it concerns his nightmares in the late nights. His face doesn't show much of anything in it, unless it concerns some matters inside his head that are better to keep for himself, for as he still knows that he saved a handful of people in the operation, that enough should make him proud. 

If only the three of them were around to see me for this... Perhaps not. 

He takes a turn to the left in a dimly lit corridor, which is nearly empty aside from two tan-skinned soldiers leaving the mess hall while going to the corridor in front of them, likely heading back to their barracks for some rest of something more important to attend to. For Logan, there's no concrete place to go at the moment, for his mind may be in bliss when in solitude, seeing if things may get better if he can think well without anything else stressing his mind. 

But just as he takes a turn to the left, one particular voice calls out to him. 

"Hey, asshole!" Coming from none other than Walter himself. This is enough to make Logan stop dead in his tracks while letting out a sigh in response. Guess someone has to interrupt a nice leisurely walk like his at the most unexpected time. But here it is, now having to contend with both Walter and Ji-ae for their supposed grievances with him, which makes him turn around to see both of them, still with scowls. 

"Is there something you need from me?" Logan asks with a relaxed tone, with a firm posture as well if it means that they don't get the wrong idea from him. 

"Why aren't you enjoying your own party? You know, the one where you did all the work for those greenies who couldn't even handle a gun in their lives?" Ji-ae barked back, which makes Logan furrow his brows for a bit yet he still maintains his posture. 

"It's the right thing you know. You just don't have to play everything like it's measured in how they fight and how they react," Logan replies, his expression still unflinching from their accusations. 

"Even if they wet their pants? They should have saved space for those who deserved to fight well in the future, but you interrupted the natural flow of things," Walter replies, fists clenched and such while Logan blinks for a bit. 

"Besides, I haven't done this all alone, my friends and others still contributed to the success of the mission because I honestly wouldn't have taken Manta by myself. Everyone needed their part to play," Logan says. 

"Oh, and why are they throwing it in your name and only a few of your friends have attended? Don't you feel selfish about that? Or wait, even better... Maybe it's because you want to compensate for something," Ji-ae replies, something that actually makes Logan flinch for a bit as he lets out a small gasp from his face, eyes widening and such. 

"What are you trying to say...?" 

"Rian Aguila, one of your companions right? You invite him almost everywhere as if he means something special to you, especially the day after he worked with us away from you. He told us everything we needed to hear." This makes Logan shake his hands for a bit, as the memory of the confrontation is still fresh in his mind, and even after that, it won't ever disappear from him, especially when it relates to other memories back in the day. 

"He seemed more comfortable with us, maybe he knows the truth about you!" Walter replies while almost raising his voice. 

"Have you even bothered to talk to him any further?" 

"Well, he's something of a loner anyway, but you can still tell who he prefers." 

"Oh, and what else, Logan? Maybe it's also to compensate those you failed to save?" This question by Ji-ae makes Logan nearly freeze in response, almost as if it ticked something in him for something he didn't want to hear. 

"Don't pretend you know me..." 

"Oh, I'm sure I do, because why else don't you make calls to your mom and dad? Could it be because you hated them? Or better yet, they all died while you stood and watched like a coward, just like when you failed to save Mehdi!" This further makes Logan grit his teeth as well as his lips curl while trying to contain his fists from doing something so dire to them, as much as he wants to. 

"I was away, I wasn't allowed to because of Sylvester... It was out of our control." This makes Walter growl in response as he approaches Logan with his fists clenched in front of him. 

"And why didn't you simply escape if you were oh so powerful?" 

"Actually, I got a better idea. Let me challenge you to a duel outside with our weapons. No guns or any of that shit, just the two of us, mano a mano," Walter says, which makes Ji-ae glance at him quicker than expected. 

"What if I win...?" Logan asks, still trying to keep his tone firm yet still on the verge of blowing up. 

"We will just accept you in the ranks, nothing more to be honest. Otherwise, you will be forced to apologize to everyone for not saving everyone they needed. You got that?" Walter asks while a sly grin forms on his as he towers above Logan. Logan is silent for a bit on this, unsure if he should be willing to a potentially deadly duel over something he's not that involved. However, he knows that of all the ways to ensure one can leave him alone, is to humor them. And this is no exception, as Logan only replies with a slow nod. 

"Alrighty then. We'll see you outside in thirty minutes. Be ready, rookie!" Walter says as he grabs Ji-ae's hands and heads to the corridor on the left, all while she still stares over this turn of events, even glancing at both Logan and Walter about it. Meanwhile, Logan stays in the spot for a bit, sighing as well while looking at the floor. If it's one way to make them leave him to be every time his team wins a battle, then it'll be everything he needs to do to make it happen. 

30 minutes later. 

Outside the base, where the sun still shines high in the deep blue sky, the rocky terrain outside the buildings makes for a perfect ground and space for those who wish to attend to peculiar matters outside the noisy halls in the modern buildings, settling on nature itself to settle debts and challenges away from any burden. And in this particular case,  it would be between the matter of two soldiers who would determine which of their ways would be the most acceptable for the UEF from then on. 

Walter is already outside, shirtless with noticeable and large biceps, shoulders and abs, with his dark green pants and boots while wearing the black handle of his nano axe. He takes short breaths while awaiting for Logan in the hot rays of the sun, a place that benefits people like him who can stand for it for many hours without ever drying up on it. Of course, this would also mean that Logan could provide some equal competition on fighting on his in the heat of the desert. A warrior's test in its perfect ground that is. 

After some silence, Walter slightly glances to his right as the sound of footsteps is heard within him, which is enough to give a slight smile on his face. Perhaps it's time to show Logan what he's made of for warriors in a battle like this one that happens from time to time. 

I'm gonna really enjoy this, Logan. Hope you can watch and learn. 

The footsteps stop, and near him, is Logan who is also shirtless with noticeable abs and shoulders, carrying the handle of his Coraggio in the belt of his black pants, only this time, he's barefoot compared to Walter. 

With one click, Walter's axe forms itself from the digital nanomachines, all while holding it with one hand. Logan, by contrast, detaches the sword from his belt and by placing it between his two hands for the Kendo stance, the green-colored blade of light emerges from it. The duel seems to begin by any second now, as both men stare at each other with furrowed brows, yet while Logan frowns, there is a small grin coming out of Walter, all while tapping the axe on the ground for a bit as he prepares himself for the duel.

As the sweat drops from Walter's arm, he sprints forward as he prepares to cleave Logan in front of him, but Logan proceeds to leap back as the axe impacts the ground. As Logan prepares for a series of slashes as he shouts, Walter raises his axe up and parries it away from Logan. Both men move around in circles as Walter starts another series of strikes by using his axe with just one hand in which Logan proceeds to block at ease with each turn of his Coraggio as he attempts some counterattack by slashing Walter vertically, which he evades by moving his head back and forth. 

In one instance, both men lock their blades with each other and then try to overpower each other with all their strength, all while gritting their teeth from the pressure they have from each other's force in trying to overpower the other. 

"Not bad!" Walter shouts as he pushes Logan forward, making him stumble backward for a bit which prepares a window for Walter's next strike as leaps forward while raising his axe. Logan however manages to jump to his right as Walter's axe impacts the ground once more. After a brief pause, Logan goes for some vertical slashes toward Walter who proceeds to parry a handful as well. With one attempted thrust, Walter kicks Logan back to the ground. 

But instead of going for another strike, he chuckles for a bit as he watches Logan slightly stand up while trying to keep himself under composure for the strike, less it costs him more than it needs to. 

"We are just getting started, rookie," Walter says as he readies his stance once more while Logan readies his as well, ready to take this duel to the next level in modern combat. 

"Why is it that you have a problem with me and my team, Walter?!" Logan asks as he blocks a few slashes coming from Walter who attempts some relentless strikes against Logan. 

"This has nothing to do with them. It is you four that need some answers on what you're turning our troops into." Walter then briefly grazes Logan's chest with one of the strikes he launches, which makes it bleed for a bit as Logan grunts in response. Despite this, he keeps his stance as he focuses on reading Walter's moves and blocking each of them by all means necessary. 

"Too slow!" Walter shouts as he parries one of Logan's vertical slashes, which makes him stumble backward for a bit. After regaining his posture for a bit, Logan sees Walter rushing toward him who proceeds to parry his thrusts and slashes once more, something that makes Walter grunt a lot. 

"Walter, you're not thinking straight!" 

"Oh, you must be talking to yourself right now. Because I know pretty well what went wrong that day and why Rian thinks of us as the better ones. So focus right fucking now!" Walter once more thrusts his way in the direction of Logan's chest, only for Logan to deflect it back with his katana. Logan goes for some slashes horizontally which Walter evades by leaping back for a bit and attempts some counterattacks as well. 

"It just bugs me. How did you even come to exist anyway?" 

"Exist? We came from the best of the best. Berat and the time he helped overthrow a government. Celina when she stole the entire secrets of her own country. Valentina when she stayed alive in the bell tower for five days with only a rifle and some boxes.  Mehdi when he blew up the largest industrial base and lost an eye in the process. Ji-ae when she killed everyone in her path without mercy in a village near China!" With each revelation, Walter strikes at Logan in very direction, grazing his arm for a bit in one, yet Logan still regains posture and stance. 

"And you? Killing some Taliban leaders with your own hands?" With this alone, Walter grimaces in response as he tightens his hold on his axe as he prepares to rush against Logan. 

"No. Killing my own commanding officer as well as a terrorist leader he tried to execute to get all the credit." This makes Logan's eyes widen along with his mouth agape, why would Walter execute his own commanding officer in a war like what he participated in before the Zlocu invasion? And as he locks onto Walter's axe once more, and once more trying to keep the pressure on each other. "Wouldn't you have tried the same if you were in my place?" 

"Why should I?! What did he do to you other than try to steal your thunder?" This only made Walter grimace even more while groaning in response to the applied pressure from the axe he pushes forward. 

"He degraded me the most in my unit, all for being who I am instead of following what society demanded. No medicine, not even water, only absolute hatred just for being myself!" With this, he ends the lock by parrying Logan's sword away and hitting his fist right in his cheek, which makes Logan stumble back for a bit while still trying to keep both hands on his weapon. "You would do the same if you too were degraded for being different, wouldn't it?" 

"Why won't you shut up instead?!" Logan shouts at the top of his lungs as unleashes a flurry of attacks against Walter, much faster and harder than before, and yet despite this, Walter manages to parry most of them, culminating in Walter managing to tap Logan's chest with just the tip of the axe, which makes him kneel to the ground as cover the bleeding with his hand, as well as wincing in response. 

"You see what I meant all this time? You lack the strength to deliver vengeance to those who wronged you!" But just as Walter prepares to do one last cleaving toward Logan, a familiar loud voice reaches his ears enough to make him flinch at the severity of it. 

"Stop! Goddammit, you two, just... stop for one fucking second and look at yourselves!" It's from none other than Rian, accompanied by an Amira, wrinkled brow and such while breathing heavily. This alone makes both Walter and Logan turn around to face Rian face-to-face. This alone makes Walter dedigitize his axe back to its basic form as Logan steadily gets up from the ground. 

"Hey, Rian, what's up? I was trying to teach the rookie some le-" 

"Rian, its not what you think, it's just that-" Logan interrupts Walter but Rian merely replies by simply raising his hand all while shutting up any of their attempt to speak up. 

"You know what? I'm not even gonna attempt to hear any of your goddamn excuses. Of all the things that you two assholes could fight for, it had to be that one moment between me and Logan? Really?! Am I really gonna be the fucking measuring stick for your hero complexes now?!" This alone makes both frown in response all with widened eyes over Rian's outburst, all while Amira goes to Logan and hugs him tightly. 

"Well, I think you're not right in the head kiddo, come on, let's go for a beer," Walter says as he tries to play reasonably. 

"Better yet, go drink that cheap-ass lager of yours from your own piss." 

"Hey, just an advice, kiddo, its what men settle for!" 

"I swear to motherfucking God, if you treat me like I'm some sort of object again, then I'mma just dip and leave y'all behind. I got no time for you elementary kids and your petty squabbles." With that, Rian walks off away from them and back to the base, leaving the three on their own once more as Amira scowls at

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