"Earth to William," Sarah waved a hand in front of his face. They had chosen not to meet up at the usual place, opting for a light lunch in the courtyard outside while the weather would allow. "Did you hear anything I said?" She pouted.

"Umm, sorry, I was thinking about something Roger told me," William smiled. She rolled her eyes.

"I said: I told the project co-ordinator that I couldn't in good conscience support her little pet project as long as those freaks were working for her. I don't care how long we've been friends. Principles mean something, you know," Sarah repeated, pausing briefly to sip at her fruit juice. "Anyway, I expect you to stay clear from the place until that little issue is over."

"So you weren't punished or anything?" William wondered.

Sarah snorted. The look in her eye made him slide away from her for fear that she might take a swing. "Can you believe that they want me to work there!? To replace that freak of all people! It's not like people aren't trying to get a spot on the staff!" She shrieked incuriously. "Like I haven't got more important things to do! I told them where to shove their job, and I called my mother to sort things out. Oh my god! There's that little bitch that started this mess!" Sarah rose from her chair, tugged at her skirt and stepped out from behind the table.

"Don't," Liam commanded. "Sit down."

"Why? That little bitch needs to learn her place," she snapped.

"That, my dear Sarah, is our esteemed Lady Daamon," Liam informed her.

"Lady?" Sarah's rage dwindled. "Her? Really?"

"Call her over," Reginald insisted. "Sarah you will apologize." His sister scowled. "Think of it as building a healthy business relation between our families."

"Why don't I just marry her then?" Sarah retorted. Reginald chuckled much to Liam's dismay. "With all that money, quality breeders won't be an issue. I'm sure mom will be proud," the final statement oozed from her lips.

"That's not what I meant," Reginald snapped at his sibling.

William struggled to imagine Sarah flirting with Astral and achieving any degree of success. He wasn't even sure if Astral knew boys existed or if she ever had a crush. He was beginning to feel like the people around him knew more about his friend than he did, and he spent countless summers with her. He whistled, hoping to catch Astral's attention before she decided on a place to eat, or more precisely the wrong place to eat. The students around her all looked his way, but she didn't so much as glance in the direction of the sound. He was pretty sure that went against human nature.

"I'm going to go get her," William told the trio, knowing that neither sibling cared what he did.

The first lunch cycle had nearly run its course. First years were beginning to make their trek to the next test to meet with their senior mentors for instruction, leaving the street circling the education towers easy to navigate without being forced to walk around awkward groups.

Roger had Astral cornered, caught between a glass digital showcase featuring a promotional recruitment ad for Squad VIII and the smooth granite wall of the share club house. He towered over her, having to hunch over to speak with her. He had a lock of her hair in his hand, his thumb rubbing over it as though appreciating it's softness. His charming smile did little to reduce his predatory impression.

Astral's fingers felt their way against the building surface, searching for an escape; her body inching in the direction that her fingers had retreated. Her crystalline gaze maintained eye contract with her predator, as though blinking might cause him go for her jugular.

"You'd be helping a lot of us out of a tight situation," Roger told her in a soft lovers tone while leaning toward her. His muscular arm jutted out to casually lean against the wall, barring her escape.

The mask of the wide-eyed fearful girl flickered. The instant she took a deep breath, no doubt thinking of a polite way to reject Rogers intimate advances, she bore her teeth, and her gaze hardened. Her hostility vanished as quickly as it had surfaced. Roger remained oblivious to his threatening demeanour.

"Daamon," Seth peered from around his competition's massive figure. "Did you want that tour?" William counted his lucky stars that the squad captain hadn't noticed him watching her discomfort. Worst still, seeing that he was enjoying it.

"Why don't you come over to Squad IV's offices, they're just the same as these ones," Roger smiled and brushed his hand against her cheek, refusing to let his prey escape.

Astral pressed herself against the wall as though willing herself to liquefy just to be able to seep into the buildings crevices. Her delicate fists balled and her voice, much to William's surprise, remained caught.

"Squad VII doesn't need your help," he continued, his fingers sliding down her neck.

"What the hell do you think you're doing!" Seth snapped grabbing Roger's shoulder, breaking the predator's eye contact from his prey. Astral burst into tears, crying loudly as she sank to her knees. The mingling students had slowed down to stare; some careening their heads as though trying to take in every gory detail of an accident. None made any effort to intervene, preferring the spectator's seat over the spotlight.

William glanced back at his friends who had a clear view of the ordeal from the courtyard. They watched, filing away their betters' public breakdown under 'weakness'.

Roger stepped away from the crying girl, shocked that she would react in such a way to some of his best moves. Seth crouched down to check on her, positioning himself between Astral and her aggressor. She flung her arms greedily around his neck and continued to sob into his neck. 'Whore,' William thought bitterly as Squad VII's captain tenderly wrapped his arms around her and helped her to her feet.

"Hungry?" Seth asked the prey as he lead her to the shared club space, swiping his wrist over the panel by the door to deactivate the security field. William signalled to the confused Roger that he'd take care of it as he dashed past the squad member to the club door.

"Oh my god! What happened!" William exclaimed, hoping that it would be enough to trick Seth into letting him in.

The captain said something to the traumatized student, who nodded. The senior student deactivated the shield, allowing William through. He closed the space between them in seconds, avoiding the chance that Seth would have a change of heart. "Hi William," Astral chirped, wiping away big fat tears from her cheeks.

"You're such a faker!" William shouted and instantly regretted it. He could feel Seth eyes on the back of his head.

"She couldn't just hit the guy, now could she," Seth defended, arms folded across his chest.

"So you burst into tears and throw yourself at Seth! People are going to talk!" William shook a finger at her.

"Let them," the captain shrugged. "She'd be doing me a favour." William stared at the senior student, dumbfound. "I don't need the distractions," Seth explained, "and they can believe whatever superficial reason they want. Regardless of whether or not Astral joins my team, it's not a far stretch to believe that we're going to be seen together quite a bit. The rumours are bound to start anyway, might as well play into it a bit."

"This was staged?" William struggled to get his mind around Astral's reaction. It was out of character for her. She was the type to hold her ground and let the other person know in no uncertain terms that they were wrong and that they should yield if they knew what was good for them. Breaking down the way that she did, what good would that do? It made her look weak. Why would she want to look weak?

"No," Astral confessed, "It was an opportunity. I wanted out of there. I already told the guy that I wasn't interested. I tried the polite approach of 'I'll think about it'. I just gave up trying to compete with him wanting the hear the sound of his own voice. I was supposed to meet Seth anyway, so all I had to do was just had to hold out until he got there. I'm glad you weren't late, by the way," she redirected the last statement to the senior student who nodded.

"You'll need to file a complaint," Seth advised.

"He didn't do anything!" William gaped.

"That's a matter of perspective isn't it?" Seth shrugged.

"I'm sure once all this recruiting nonsense is over I'll just drop off their radar," Astral suggested. He wondered if this meant that she wasn't going to be reporting Roger.

"You shouldn't have to put up with that," the captain grumbled.

"When was the last time you reported the unwelcomed advances of a girl?" she challenged.

"That's different," he snapped. "He didn't take no for an answer."

"Neither are you," Astral countered, stunning Seth. He sagged. William knew that he was missing something from this conversation. Did Seth try to seduce her into Squad VII? He couldn't picture it. He was handsome and polite, but never used his position or charm to get his way. He was all around a great guy. Not at all the sort of guy who should be influenced by a spoiled brat like Astral. What was it that he saw in her? The mystery was driving him nuts.

He already denied the use of her influence and money, and time convenience didn't account for Seth's increasing protectiveness over the new student. Just watching the way they were communicating with one another in more than just words. Words were there to say one thing while their eyes, their gestures, their general body language said something else entirely. Watching them was like watching a living cipher for which only they knew the code. In simple terms, it was like the pair knew each other longer than they claimed. If he believed in such nonsense, he'd go as far as saying they were twin souls, or... he hesitated to think, genuine soul mates. He felt ridiculous for even thinking of it. "Tour!" William blurted. "I don't have to take my exam for another hour..." They were watching him, measuring him and his intent. He felt naked in front of them.

He worried that they would pull his motives out of his soul. First years got an hour session with their mentors before having to start the next exam. If he soaked up Astral's time, she wouldn't get the practice run. Short of doing the retake, she could use whichever of best scores for the day. It was like a free do-over.

"Would you like a tour?" Seth asked Astral. She looked around, taking in the large room. A clear digital console sat at the entrance, where they stood, inactive. Ten feet from the console were three steps leading into the pit, which was framed with cushions. Various large cushions were scattered in the belly of the pit for loungers and extra seating. Holographic projectors lined the floor surrounding the seating area to offer the spectators a larger than life viewing experience.

There were doors to the left and right, with a black banner hanging from either side with the teams' Roman numerals in white, proudly presented in its middle. On the left side of the door, a biometric panel controlled the admittance of students and personnel.

"Spectator's room for squad members and guests," Astral made a sweeping gesture indicating the room they were in. "War room," she pointed to the space beyond the door. "The space isn't large enough for equipment lockers and showers. Wouldn't make any sense to have those in close to civilians."

William snorted. "Only you would refer to regular students as civilians."

"We are trained combatants set against one another in a highly competitive game whose life rewards are well worth the risk," Seth offered. "She's right in guessing that it would be very dangerous to keep out equipment lockers so close to the residential areas of non-military students." He smiled at Astral, "You've summed up the tour nicely, and adequately demonstrated why I don't bother offering tours of the clubhouse."

William glared at Astral. 'Little thinks-she-knows-everything!' he fumed. "Yeah well, if you're so smart what's that for?" He gestured to the inactive console unit.

"Those are for game schedules and training schedules," Seth replied. "Game schedules are available to the public, but training schedules are restricted to participating squads. They activate once the registered student scores are in."

"Yeah, but she didn't know that," William taunted.

Seth ignored him. "Speaking of registered students, you both need to fill out an application for consideration." William felt his eyes bulge. He didn't expect Seth to remind him about registering. "They have to be submitted by noon Friday to be viable. You can limit your candidacy to particular teams if you're so inclined," he told Astral. Then his blue eyes settled on William, "But if participating in the games at all is your goal, I'd advise against it. There are sixteen squads, most of which have vacancies on them. There's no sense in limiting your chances."

Was he trying to tell him that he didn't stand a chance of getting recruited to Squad VII?

The second lunch bell chimed as the building's lights dimmed. "We should get to the testing grounds," Seth invited Astral to join him. "Best of luck, William."