Indestructible

In the shadows of a muddy trench, I wait for any sign. Nothing but my labored breathing pierces the air, tense with excitement and an undertone of fear. The camouflage outfit I donned is ruined, weighing me down with pounds of slick mud. The only recognizable colour was that of the US flag sown to both sleeves. I grasp two specially altered machine guns in my hands, ropes tied to my arms to assure I don't drop them when I pull the trigger. A branch snaps, my chest tightens with anticipation. A memory flash of why I wait like the predator stalking the prey.1

We stand in the center of a circular room, polished floors maintaining no warmth for our reflections. Five of us, lined up for inspection, like cows about to be slaughtered. We had nothing in common except for the fact that we were all run down on our luck, searching for a way to feed our families. And so, we ended up here. The scientist jabbered on excitedly to his colleague, while the general regarded us with a trained eye, cold and unreadable. At once, all the talking stopped, and the scientists whirled to face us with a slightly mad look in their eyes.2

'You have made a choice today, men, that will change the course of the future. We needed men to aid our attempt to claim part of Africa, yes? You answered that call.' 3

Uneasy nods and wary glances suggested that we weren't all that keen on where this was going.4

'Advances in nanotechnology give us a weapon that no enemy could predict. It strengthens muscles, quickens reflexes, heightens senses and increases the amount of punishment the body can take. It can even reknit bone within a week! Do you know what this means, gentlemen?'5

Silence.6

'We can create an indestructible master of war.'7

Eyes widen in amazement and disbelief. Words are attempted, nothing but sounds come out.8

'We have enough for only five doses. Hence why there are five of you.' He grinned suddenly, that edge of insanity became more and more evident in his rising voice.9

'Come. Let us allow you to ascend into godhood.' 10

A jab into my spine made me curl my fingers into claws, realizing too late that his assistant had snuck up behind me. My groan of pain echoed into the room, warping the sound to make it sound more bestial than it was. I felt pressure as the liquid in the needle was released, and hot fire was released into my body. I screamed then, dropping to my knees and clawing at my skin to try and let it bleed out. I saw nothing, heard nothing, only the constant gripping pain that was chewing at my very core. Tears started to flow, and Gods it hurt so much. It seemed to devour anything in it's path, making my nerves sing with agony, and my voice join along with them. I wanted to make it end, anything to make it end!11

Then it stopped.12

I collapsed to the floor, tears still streaming down my face and breath coming in large pants. My whole body was twitching, as if merging with this unknown source. I could feel my muscles meeting with the silver liquid, the tiny nanobots forcing their way into the very fabric of my tissues. Chestnut eyes turning a deadly silver, I gasped as a final jerk signaled the end. They surrounded me, faces mixed with concern and wonder. The scientist stared at me as one would stare at a nuclear bomb he created that could blow any second.13

'We.. we did it.' 14

As the blackness descended upon me, the last thing I heard was the scream of another of my companions succumbing to the same fate as I. 15

Only one other made it through, and he turned blind from the godjuice, as we call it, entering his eyes. The others didn't make it through the night, this destroyed their bodies until they just couldn't repair themselves. My eyes flick up to the dense foliage, straining to hear the slightest sound. Sure enough, a stream of Dutch cursing rewards me. My whole body tenses, and I wait to strike.16

They noisily emerge, swatting at the bugs and trees with scowls. About 50 of them, marching through. It must be the people I was sent to 'dispatch'. I take a slow step back, leg muscles tightening. With a guttural roar, I launch myself clear of the trench, nanobots making sure that I get the height required. Guns flaring, I pull the trigger. In the fragile shell of light, chaos erupts. Cracking sounds burst from my barrels, bullets ripping through many and striking them down. The first row falls, and I land effortlessly on the shoulders of one still standing. Bounding off, I twist my body with cat-like grace, savoring the power I feel rippling beneath my skin. I hiss when a bullet twists through my shoulder, but I ignore it. Landing, I whirl in a circle, bullets spraying. Ducking back into the shadows, I observe the remaining soldiers.17

Many are clutching various wounds, cursing loudly and whipping their heads around to see what just hit them. Others lay dead in the mud, mouths wide open and eyes unseeing. I glance over to my wound, and nod in grim satisfaction when I see the muscles are already starting to twine themselves back together, bullet squeezed out onto the floor. Taking a deep breath, I leisurely stroll out into the edge of the light.18

'You know,' I casually begin while reloading my weapons. 'you might want to take one last look around while you're alive. It'll be the last place you ever see, start getting acquainted.' One, seemingly the leader, steps out of the huddled bunch.19

His accent is thick, but I can understand.20

'You are from America, yes?' I narrow my eyes and nod.21

'Well, we can offer you so much more if you help us fight against them. Surely when they turned you into..' He pauses. '.. this, that you realized what kind of a corrupted place it is.' 22

See, the thing is that when they injected me, after I got over the whole anger 'You-got-me-from-behind-when-I-wasn't-ready!' bit, I realized something. The US, despite it's many faults, is a place of wonder none can replicate. My 'changing' just showed it to me, and I'll be damned if I let them try and turn me over. My determination is incorruptible. They'll soon figure this out.23

The only answer I gave was a smirk, and a gaping hole through his chest. A collective gasp was heard, and a few Dutch words I couldn't identify, but sounded suspiciously like 'monster'. Leaping high in the air, the battle starts again.24

As the last one struck the ground, unmoving, I land in a crouch with some difficulty. Bullets riddle my body, and moving has become painful. Sure, it isn't blinding pain, but it sure as hell dulls my senses and limits my use. I watch as my body rejects the metal objects, pushing them out so I can begin the healing process. Heavily slinging my guns on my back, I start the long trek back to base, with nothing but the shadows of dead men to accompany me. I guess they were right.25

I am an indestructible master of war.26

There's no thought that could please me more.