Then Jane frowned She wasn’t really sure what the differences between the Tiers really were besides that higher was better And all daddy and mom’s friends were higher Tiers while Uncle Hank spent most of his time helping out people who had lower Tiers But everybody talked about it often enough that Jane knew it was something she should pay attention to
Today’s lesson will focus on the 4 most powerful people in the UHF The voice continued Starting with Eric Todd Level 46 His class is Demolitions Maniac and he uses his control over remote Mana Detonations to trigger powerful and elaborate explosions destroying his enemies in a powerful display
On screen actual footage of the bomb man was shown and he threw out several bombs around an armored turtle Several exploded at key points knocking others in different spots that then exploded destabilizing the footing beneath the turtle Right when it stumbled a quick explosion sent a bomb quickly forward beneath the turtle’s vulnerable stomach Then the screen turned white as the man detonated his bomb
Jane’s eyes glazed over So boring
Next was the Hyper Pilot Level 44 Although she was the lowest Level of the Top 4 of the UHF she was the favorite of Ghost who delighted in making her new Exosuits to try
Then there was the Plasma Furnace a man who held two extremely large plasma miniguns Jane glanced around Most of the other kids were as blank eyed as she was But some were looking at the TV with serious longing expressions She shook her head sadly She had watched her Uncle Hank shoot an eagle out of the sky with a pistol once That was what strong people really did not all these explosions
Uncle Hank had been somewhat sad afterward but he had let Jane keep the feathers to make a crown Her mom eventually took it away saying she would get lice
Finally there was the Spartan Shock Trooper He didn’t wear a true Exosuit just a Manatech armor hybrid and carried just a standard looking plasma rifle But when he moved it was uncannily fast and he seemed to be able to detect the movement of enemies all around him even though it was impossible for the man to see them outside of his helmet
Not as fast as Uncle Hank ’ Jane thought with a sniff
Chapter 487
When Ezekiel was finally released Hank Howard was standing outside of the Containment Zone staring down at his watch as if he could peer through it into the spatial pocket dimension and figure out what the gift of the bike meant
The bike was a clear allusion to his fall from grace Yet coming from Ghost who had stripped him of his position as Vanguard Captain and reinstated him as a Sheriff what did it mean
Hank looked up to find Ezekiel looking at him with an amused expression
Take your time Ezekiel said shrugging as he massaged the spots on his wrists that had been tied with the refined plastic that was all but unbreakable I would prefer not to leave this place if I’m being honest I don’t do well in the outdoors
After opening his mouth to release a pithy retort Hank thought better of it and closed his mouth It was already all but guaranteed that at least Heath was going to be impossible to deal with A voice that sounded a lot like Alan convinced him to let this small smartass comment go for the greater good
Besides ’ Hank thought to himself eyes flashing a man like this in the wild there will be plenty of time to make up for small slights ’
Not that Hank was a particularly vindictive person but he would always remember that this man Ezekiel’s first instinct was to pick and belittle That impression would remain immaculate and untouched within Hank’s heart until enough evidence emerged to shift that assessment Based on the file that he had read through briefly describing the man chances of that were slim
It was just after midnight as Hank had left immediately from Alan’s to head to West Providence and retrieve Ezekiel The scientists there were so stuck up in their experiments that time of day meant little to them even less so after the System when most people only slept one to two hours a day
Even this much left Hank feeling a certain amount of exasperation as he hadn’t really felt the need to sleep aside from a bit of personal leisure and then only once a fortnight for a bit It was more to reassure the subconscious that had slept ? of its existence up until now Hank also knew that there were a lot of people that refused to sleep entirely considering it beneath them These were inevitably the Tier 3 or 4s who considered themselves something a little more than human
The less interaction Hank had with them the better Which was why this Heath situation
Ezekiel looked up sharply a fraction of a second before Hank’s own pupils dilated at the distant low thrum of an engine We have company
Curious that Ezekiel would detect it before Hank Perhaps this man would truly be useful on the reconnaissance mission they were assigned to Even though the chilling vibes given off by the man despite his smile convinced Hank that their true purpose was a bit darker than that
Over the next minute the engine sounds grew louder until a humvee roared up toward their location skidding to a stop inches from Hank Hank’s eyebrows rose
The doors on both sides opened and two men got out
Someone had apparently worked up the nerves to tell Mordecai Heath he was balding because his greasy black hair was freshly shaven giving him a competent militaristic look His skin was tanned but his eyes were beady and dark full of meanness His shirt wobbled holding back his bulging belly but even Hank wouldn’t underestimate the man for the shape of his body Hank had no doubt that when the man wanted to move he would do so and quickly
The other man was someone Hank didn’t recognize but by the jade pin in his collar he recognized him as a member of the Temple on the Hill This man was slim and Asian with expressionless eyes as he examined both Hank and Ezekiel At his side was a one handed sword
So Heath said his tiny eyes gleeful You’ll be working with me for the next few months What a distinct pleasure
Ezekiel snorted but said nothing Hank scowled
It was ma’ understandin’ that I would be in charge of our little detachment Hank said letting that old southern anger rise in him
Heath shrugged and to Hank’s surprise snapped his fingers I was hoping you’d say that
The back of the humvee folded upwards and a metal platform slid out of the overly large vehicle containing a power suit Immediately Heath leaped forward as the suit opened up like a blooming flower and he sank into it Within seconds it snapped shut encasing him in its protective layers
Hank watched it all impassive Without a doubt he was fast enough to have shot the man before he entered into his suit After all his Quick Draw Skill was at the Rare level and effectively gave him an extra 50 Agility when it came to drawing his pistol That advantage was one of the main reasons that Hank had been unbeatable towards the beginning of the Zone when bullets were enough to put a monster down
They were very different people but on this Hank and Heath agreed the easiest way to solve this was for one of them to beat the other into submission Hank would have been more circumspect in his attempt but Heath was running hot off their last confrontation where he lost It gave him a desperate air that destroyed that peanut sized bit of caution he possessed
Hank glanced at the Asian man You won’t interfere if I beat the shit out of him
The man didn’t bother to reply Not that he really had the chance because Heath’s voice modulated by the power suit boomed outwards Jiji if you fucking dare interfere I’ll crush your skull
At that the man finally showed a reaction a long crease running through his brow But still it seemed he had tacitly agreed to let it happen Hank turned and looked at Ezekiel
If you kill him I’ll say a beautiful eulogy But no I have no interest in leading this farce Ezekiel said shaking his head
Curious again Before turning back to Heath he asked Ezekiel How do you know I will win