Space Odyssey: Spectre-Chapter 380: Doubt 2

Jace could hear their insults and voices on repeat. It was painful, these people were people who heavily impacted his life. Some would always be a part of his life. But it was their voices saying such hurtful things.

He was even crying, he could not believe he was crying. He had not cried for so long. He could not even remember the last time he cried. He does remember that after that day he vowed to never cry again. Not because of the pain from his wounds or their words. But because he would not show that weakness. Especially not in front of anyone.

At the moment he was not in front of anyone so it should be fine.

No it wasn't. Ever since the academy he has always been watched. There was always something paying attention to him. He was never alone anymore. Because the Nanosystem was always watching.

So he could not cry. Not even here in the security of his own mind.

Jace stood up fully and gritted his teeth. He then stepped down to the next step. This time the voices were from people he had never met. The step after that was mostly from his instructors saying he could not do it. He could not get farther than he already was.

He kept moving forward, a new determination to keep moving emerging in his mind. None of these people mattered. None of their opinions mattered. He should not waste thoughts on what he thinks people are saying. That would just be a waste of his energy and time.

He should keep moving forward no matter-

"Ahh!" Jace froze on a step as he heard a moan. This time instead of just a voice he could see a scene. The scene was of Salem and another man in bed. It should not bother him this much but it did. He knew they both had itches to scratch and they agreed to act single for the benefit of her mission.

But this was bothering him.

Jace gritted his teeth and shook his head. He just had to keep moving. He took another step and the room cleared up. The vision and scene disappeared. He was back in the basement.

Jace took a breath as he steadied his mind. The fog that was put in place in his mind was lifted again. But he was still shaken by the voices and vision. Even if he could pretend they did not fully impact them. He could not deny that they still impacted him.

After a few minutes he opened his eyes. He began assessing the basement he was now inside of. There were a few windows high up on the wall that led to the front and side yard. There sits a workbench and a number of tools around the room.

Sitting in the center of the room was a wooden hatch that was slightly cracked open. He could see a dark green fog leaking out of it. He felt an ominous feeling emanating from the hatch. It was not the source of danger he could sense. It was something else entirely.

He remembered seeing this hatch before. Back then, Cho said he was not ready. He still might not be ready yet. He looked away from the green fog and looked to a door. It is a metal door that was sealed with several locks on this side. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

But beyond that sealed door he could feel it. The danger he was sensing. The fight he was seeking. It was beyond that door. He needed to get beyond that door and to this fight he was sensing.

As he approached the door he could see red fog leaking out from under the door. Then the thoughts of doubt began.

Could he fight whatever was beyond that door. Would he just succumb to the pressure from earlier. Was he strong enough to even approach it? Did he even have a right to fight it? He did not even know who he was. He did not even know what he wanted to fight. Was it a person? Was it a thing? What was it?

He blinked and shook his head as these doubts filled his head. He was not a person that would second guess himself. He was never a person that would second guess himself. He was a man of action and resolution.

When he needed to do something he did it. There was no doubt. As soon as he made a decision he followed through. Only orders and common sense would stop him.

As the doubts began to leave his mind he looked at the door. His mind finally clear, he removed the first lock. Could he do this? Could he get through this door?

The second lock clicked as it was removed. What about those who were depending on him? If he failed here what happened to him?

The third lock took an extra moment as he removed some type of screw. What right did he have to-

"Shut up." Jace said aloud. "I know you are talking directly into my mind. I did not realize it at first. But now that I can tell. I can say it is rather annoying. So if you are not going to say something constructive then just shut the hell up."

With the third lock removed he spun the wheel in the center of the door and there was a loud thunking noise.

Oh? When did you realize?

Jace rolled his eyes and ignored the voice. "Just shut up and wait until I come in there and tear your head off your body." Jace informed the voice as he stepped back and pulled the door open. It was heavy as he pulled it open.

What makes you think you can do that? Many have tried and-

"Because I am Jace. The first fucking Spectre. I am the Stain of Steel. A ruthless warrior and a despicable person to my enemies. But more importantly…" Jace grinned as he looked through the red fog that was covering the entrance in front of him. "I know I can kill you so that is what I am going to fucking do." Jace walked through the door with his head held high and a grin showing off his teeth spreading across his face.