Katherine's backstory Part 3: The training.
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There was a process for each new reploid who wanted to become a hunter, the newcomers would get tested, their abilities and strength, to decide in what level they belonged, a new reploid who got approved to be a combat unit would be a rookie, and get a general training in weapons, classes to memorize protocols and answer properly to emergencies, who to follow and obey orders from, etc. This process would take a month of exhaustive training, and once passed that training, the rookies would be sent to continue their training being assigned to elder hunters with who they would share battle statistics.
Being a close combat reploid herself, it wasn’t a surprise Katherine got assigned to be Zero’s student.
The day Zero got to meet his new students, he smiled when he saw her between the other rookies.
-Alright listen up everyone! - said Zero, making the students stop their chatter and pay attention -I’m going to warn you from the start, I do not tolerate sloppiness in my unit, I’m very strict and I expect nothing but the best from all of you, do I make myself clear? -
-Yes sir! - all the students answered in unison.
Zero’s classes were tough, they practiced close combat with sabers (the rookies could only use metal rods to practice), the students tried their best to imitate the movements the red hunter made, starting to memorize patterns to attack and slowly moving in unison, until Zero didn’t had to guide them anymore and just walked around them, watching carefully and correcting if one was making wrong movements. They also trained close combat without weapons at all, throwing punches, kicks, using locks, etc, to quickly neutralize their opponent.
Katherine couldn’t help to be eager to learn, she had developed great respect for Zero, and looking how the red hunter was awesome and cool she wanted to learn as much as she could to be like him. She was always in time for his classes and did what the red hunter told without a second thought.
However, she started to notice something, and Zero noticed it too, she already had great experience in close combat, but for some reason, she had difficulty with the saber (metal rod). Sometimes it would just fly out of her hands and she would just lose grip on it and fail the patterns Zero was teaching, it made her gain a scold or two from the red hunter. But instead of getting mad or get disappointed, it just made her try harder, not wanting to disappoint Zero.
But no matter how hard she tried, she was still having problems with the saber, she thought maybe just needed more training. So, she started to sneak out the room she shared with the other rookies at night when they were sleeping, and knowing past midnight no one was in the training areas, she started to train alone. She was really making an effort to get better, for about a week she was sneaking out at midnight to train by her own.
It didn't take long for someone to notice her night sessions.
One particular night, angry shouts and struggling could be heard from the training room, Katherine repeated the moves that were taught by Zero, again and again and again, but with no improvement, she was really angry at that point, angry at herself, what was she doing wrong?
-You know, you're going to end up waking up the whole HQ if you keep doing that-
Katherine froze at mid swing of her metal rod, recognizing that voice, and sure enough, when she turned around, she saw Zero entering the training room.
-C-commander Zero!- she let go of the rod, letting it fall on the floor.
This was the first time since she started to train alone at night someone had managed to discover her. Was Zero going to be angry at her? Maybe it was forbidden and she broke a rule? Was she going to be punished? Many thoughts crossed her mind at that moment, making her nervous seeing the red bot approaching, actually making her take a couple of steps back.
-Commander i-i can explain- she started saying.
But Zero's calm demeanor told her he wasen't angry.
-Settle down Katherine, it's alright- he said -It is aganist the rules to be awake at this hour tho, you know you need your battery charged for the next day, what are you doing here?-
Katherine lowered her ears -Well i was just... training, sir-
-Training? More?- asked Zero.
-Yes... i have been coming here late for a while now, to practice with the saber... i'm still no good enough with it, while my classmates are advancing, i'm stuck, i still can't master it at all, and i don't know why!- she starts raising her voice in frustration, but lowers it again, still angry -It just keeps flying out of my hands, and i can't control it, what if i made a mistake wanting to do this? And join the hunters?-
-Now now- interrupted Zero, placing both hands on her shoulders -Don't start with that, you're just having a little bit of trouble-
-But...!- she tried to reply, but the elder bot prevented her from doing so.
-No buts... now take a deep breath and settle down- he instructed her.
Katherine looked like she wanted to argue but had no option but to obey, so she took a few deep and slow breaths, just like he taught her during her rehabilitation, until she was calm again.
-There's a good girl- he smiled at her -Now... i know the basic training for my class is to practice with sabers... but that isn't the only weapon of choice you know?-
Katherine blinked -it isn't?-
-Nope... i personally don't think having an only weapon is really wise, that's why i know to use a lot more than my saber- he explains -Maybe the saber is not the right weapon for you-
Zero walked over to the control panel of the training room, pressing some buttons and putting some commands, Katherine stood in her spot, watching curious and wondering what he was doing.
-Hmm... i have a feeling this could be the right one...- he said, pressing more buttons.
Then, from the wall where the training weapons were stored, Zero picked a rod somewhat different to the one normally used for training, this one looked more like some type of hammer, or like an axe.
Zero picked it up and tossed it towards the orange reploid -Try this one-
Katherine catches it, looking at the weapon a bit confused, it was different from what she was used to train with, but obeyed anyways, adjusting it with both hands.
-It feels different- she commented, looking at the weapon -But how am i supposed to--
Katherine's eyes widened when she heard the familiar sound of Zero's saber activating, and saw him charging towards her, with a surprised yelp, her instinct made her block with her new adquired weapon. There was a loud hit sound, she succesfully blocked the saber of the crimson hunter, she couldn't believe it!
-Now heads up Katherine, do what you learnt in your training!- he commanded, taking another swing at her.
-Y-yes sir!- she replied.
It was completely different from what she did during daytime training and midnight training, this time the weapon stayed in her hands firmly, her movements were more fluid and accurate, she barely had time to proccess the fact that she was moving much better and actually countering Zero in battle, even if it was just training.
After a while, Zero stopped attacking, Katherine just panted, eyes wide and with her weapon firmly gripped with both hands. Zero couldn't help to smile, both proud for her and amused at her surprised expression.
-You see?- he said -Not all reploids settle for one kind of weapon, and have to search for the right one... You can keep training with the axe from now on, of course, not right now, you must be tired--
-N-no, i can keep going- she told him.
-I still have energy left, i can keep training sir, i wanna be ready and able to keep up with your lessons... please-
Zero was a bit surprised, most rookies didn't let an oportunity to rest pass... and here he was, being asked for more... And of course, being him of all bots around, how could he let a chance for training slide? He smirked.
-Alright then, let's keep going, show me what you got!-
Battle sounds and hits could be heard from the training room for at least an hour more, the more time passes, the more fluid and accurate Katherine's moves become, Zero didn't let up, slowly increasing the heat, taking mental notes of what she could do, what she could not and what she can work on to improve.
After a while, Katherine ended with a knee on the ground, still holding the axe, she was panting hard. She tried to get up but couldn't.
-Heh~ i admire your dedication, but you can't do much with a low battery, kiddo- commented Zero, putting away his z saber.
-D-dammit- Katherine panted, letting go of the axe, putting both hands on the ground -just when i was doing it r-right...-
-Hey, there's no rush- he said while approaching her -I think you advanced pretty much tonight, you will do just fine in the next classes- he kneels by her side -Can you walk?-
Katherine tries to get up again but no avail, her response was a frustrated sigh.
-And there's another lesson Kath, you can't let your battery run this low, always check on it and avoid your current state at all costs, it can be fatal during a mission- he slighty scolded.
Katherine lowered her ears slighty -Y-yes sir, i'm sorry-
The door of the training room opened, Zero getting out, while carrying a ver tired Katherine on his back, towards the rookie's rooms. Katherine was having a hard time keeping her eyes open.
-Sir... can i ask you a question?- she said.
-How did you know i was going to do good with the axe?-
Zero hummed for a few seconds, still carrying her and walking.
-I had a feeling... while taking a look in your data back when you arrived, i saw all your past programming, about how you were built for rescuing missions... Of all the weapons i had... the axe was pretty similar to a pickaxe, which would be used to dig in concrete and rocks, when an avalanche or a collapsing building would require it... several parts of your programming can be used for missions actually, we just have to search a way to adapt- he explained.
Katherine remained silent as she prossesed what the older bot was telling her, she never imagined her older program could be used for combat, the doctor had altered it a bit, but, had to add new data to make her fight. The more she knew Zero, the more she understood why he was such a respected hunter, being able to come up with strategies like that...
Slowly her eyes drifted shut, hearing Zero talking about something like vibrations on the ground, but she wasen't listening anymore, her battery now very low... she went into sleep mode.
-...And who knows, you could even track enemies-- Katherine?- he was still rambling, but stopped both talking and walking at the lack of movement or response from her.
Zero turned to see, realizing she fell asleep leaning into him. But he wasen't surprised at all, he only sighed, a slight smile on his face as he entered quietly in the rookie's room.
-I'm glad you're trying so hard to do your part here- he commented quietly, opening a capsule and carefully laying Katherine inside -Moving on from what that maverick did to you...- he pressed some buttons on the panel, and the capsule closed, her battery starting to charge -... And i'll make sure to train you properly-
After that, the classes continued, now Katherine being able to keep up with her fellow classmates, sure it was weird she was the only rookie with a different weapon, but she did her job. They were training not only in weapons, hand-to-hand combat was also on the classes, so sparring was an usual sighting in Zero's lessons.
However, when the rest of the rookies were resting or doing other things that didn't require Zero's presence, Katherine started recieving extra lessons from the crimsom hunter.
One day, Zero took her to a special training room. When they entered, Katherine found herself in a big room half filled with packed snow.
-Ummm... sir? what are we doing here?- she asked, looking all over the room for something that gave her an idea, but she could only see snow.
-I want to test something Kath- he told her -and if this test is a success, this will be your new training... from what i gathered in your data, you were originally made for rescuing, in disasters like earthquakes, avalanches and landslides... you're supposed to be able to feel vibrations on the ground specifically to be alert of tremors after an earthqueake... also you're supposed to be able to listen when a human is trapped underground calling for help, am i correct?-
Katherine blinked, it was a while since she thought in her original programming, but not really understanding where he was getting at -yes sir-
-Alright then...- he looked towards the snow -Somewhere down there is a training dummy, right now is playing a human's call for help and mimicking their movements, i want you to find it and bring it up here- he ordered.
Katherine looked at the snow and walked over it, the ears on her helmet shot up and she froze, looking at the snow, picking up something... she slowly crouched and put her hands in the snow, her ears moving slighty in random directions until they just pointed towards a spot, her sight focusing there too... she gasped when she heard a very faint scream and felt movement in her hands.
-S-sir i think i found it!- she said out loud, without taking her eyes from that specific spot.
-Ok then go for it, use your claws if you need to dig-
Katherine noded, and activating her beam claws, she started to dig in that specific spot, slowly making her way to the bottom of the room, and when she came back out, she was dragging the training dummy by an arm. Zero smirked.
-Not bad Kath- he complimented her, making her smile -Now... for the crucial part of this test-
Zero pressed some buttons on a control panel, Katherine wondering what he was doing, but remained silent, she knew he was going to explain soon.
-Normally, when a human is trapped underground, they remain in the same spot... but why don't we try tracking something that can move underground?- he explained, finishing with the control panel -This time your target is a micebot, they are not bigger than your hand, and can move under the snow... is not going to remain in the same spot like the training dummy, so you have to figure out how to get to the micebot fast before it detects you and runs away to another spot... is up to you how to approach it-
-B-but sir i have never tracked something that was able to move, a-and that small? i don't know if i can...- Katherine started to say, nervous.
-Hey hey- he approaches her -settle down, i know you can do this Kath, i have seen your data... you can even detect a human's heartbeat under all this snow...also, this is just a test, to check if this method of training can actually work for you... it's okay if it dosen't succeeds, okay?-
Katherine gulped, ears lowered, Zero seemed really hopefull of this test, even after his words... she didn't want to dissapoint him, so she took a deep breath and noded.
-A-alright sir... i'll try my best-
The crimson hunter noded, and went back to his place.
Katherine focused on the snow again, her ears perking up in every direction, her hands on the snow to feel any vibrations. Soon enough she detected something, there was movement alright, she could detect it and pinpoint it... but now the problem was how to catch it before the noise of the digging alerted the micebot and made it escape...
And she started her tries, first she tried to dig with her beam claws as fast as she could in the snow just above the micebot, but it failed and scurried away.
Next, she tried to dig even faster, but it ended in the same result.
Next she tried to use her axe but the snow cushions the hit and slows it down, making it impossible to reach the micebot.
Zero watched her try several times, sighing, she could pinpoint it but wasen't able to catch it, so maybe it was going to be impossible to train her like that.
Katherine panted, glaring at the snow under her feet, raking her CPU trying to come up with a solution...
That's when an idea poped into her head... she already tried several times, so, one more couldn't hurt...
She did her thing, focusing on the sounds and vibrations, tilting her head slighty while watching a random point in the snow, her ears pointing in that direction... and then... she jumped.
Zero was caught of guard, watching her jump and activate her beam claws in mid air, then landing head first into the snow with enough force to get herself buried with only her legs sticking out the snow. Slowly she moved and forced herself out the snow... with the micebot clutched on one hand.
-I DID IT!- she shouted triumpantly, waving the little micebot so Zero could see it, smiling brightly -I did it sir! i caught it!-
Zero smiled, clapping a couple of times when the girl brought back the micebot -Great job Katherine, you took your time but you figured it out~ you see? i told you could it-
Katherine giggled a bit, very proud of herself -Does this means the test was a success?- she asked.
-Of course, now we can confirm it, we can use your old programming for missions, you can detect and track enemies hidden underground- Zero explained -And not only that, you could even find underground structures and enemy bases if you train enough, but of course, this will count as extra training not included in the regular rookie lessons, so, do you want to continue with this?-
Katherine didn't even stopped to think about it, she was so eager to be able to help and get better and better, to be able to be a valuable hunter recognized for her skills.
-Of course sir!- she answered without heistation -I'll do my best and put effort on this so i can be even better, i won't quit anytime soon!-
Zero smiled, quite proud and happy to see her willing to train and learn. He gave her a couple of pats on the head.
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