The games usually lasted between thirty to forty-five minutes. It was an action packed experience that left student drooling for more extreme feats. He loved the energy. He loved how worked up students would get about their favourite players. He loved the fights. He loved the gossip. He loved how delusional the students could get, blinded by something akin to religious zealotry.

This time…

This time the experience was different. It was slow, like sitting through history class kind of slow. With fewer players, Seth was playing the game carefully. In William’s opinion, he was playing way too safe. The game didn’t start off slow, but it was going to be remembered as being a snore-fest.

“He’s overcompensating,” the captain decided. Squad IV’s three viewing panels displayed a four panelled screen which showcased Squad VII’s player’s helmet cams view. At least the captain knew who to watch. “Look, he’s keeping the newb with him. He’s probably tying to get her a couple of wins under her belt. I never thought of Seth as a sell-out.”

The noob. Oh Astral. Yeah, that made sense, she’d slow him down. Still… she wasn’t doing too bad on the field for a noob. He’d seen worse for sure. Time was precious, with one bridge spanning the canyon, at least one unit needed to make it across and take cover in the valley of pillars. They would never make it. Any team foolish enough to try would find their units getting sniped. Game over on the bridge was considered dangerous. Falling from that height… William shuddered. If Astral ran across like the noob that she was, then that would put her in her place. Miss thinks-she-knows-everything. William grinned.

“My contact tells me that she outright said that she wasn’t going to share Omega tech or intel,” one member volunteered.

“She’ll change her mind once she get’s hooked on the wins.” Captain Clark leaned back in her chair and pulled up Astral’s student profile on her tablet. “It’s not a bad strategy, Wright, and so unlike you to use people’s egos as weapons. We can use her against him. Someone like her, a first year, they’re desperate to find their place. She’ll do anything for acceptance. All we have to do is shake her faith that she’s found a home with Squad VII. Remind her every so often that they’re just using her to boost their profile.”

It was a perfect plan. If they waited until their game against Squad VII, they could use her to secure a victory. Astral would go on record as being a traitor, and no squad in their right mind would have her. The only real victim in all of this was Seth, who didn’t deserve to have a traitor on his team. Why can’t he see her for what she is; some spoiled rich brat who’s just using him to entertain herself? Maybe he could warn Seth to watch out for her. Sure, the plan wouldn’t have the impact that they wanted, but it might enough, and it would score him points with Seth, which was always good.

At least, of all the people who were bound listen to him about Astral, Squad IV would be the group.

The whole situation with Seth and Astral bothered him. “It’s private training.” Sharing what he knew should get Captain Clark to lay off him a bit, maybe even get him in a game.

The Captain barely turned her head from the screen. “What’s that, Greenie?”

William cleared his throat. “Astral’s grandfather paid for private training. It’s just convenient for him to train her while he’s training his squad.”

The terrain projection refreshed with the Captain’s latest input, showing the players locations with white dots with a black streak for Squad VII and solid white dots for Squad VIII. A cluster of white and black dots were at the bridge, snipers were positioned to give the runners cover, and the remaining units were at ground level waiting for a chance to take on the enemy. On Squad VIII’s side, it was obvious that the captain didn’t care what they were doing.

“Looks like our princess has a path that’s been planned for her by good old gramps.” The captain set the tablet down. Seth and Astral slid down the steep incline toward the bridge, then climb beneath it. William watched slack jawed. He couldn’t believe no one had tried to use the bridge as cover before, at least as far as he knew. It was too risky! One bad move and one or both could end up at the bottom of the river and god knows what was in there!

“Your source have anything on her training?” The captain directed her question to the only other female on the squad.

“Not really. You know, he doesn’t tell me anything about their training regime. He just wants Seth out of the way. If we can pull that off, he promises us at least a second place standing.” The captain snorted. “Let him believe that we’ll accept the position and focus on getting as much as you can out of him.”

He couldn’t stomach watching Seth look back at Astral to make sure she was okay. Astral would look down to the raging river, then back to Seth, then to the few rickety boards ahead of her. She was making him nauseous. Just focus!

“Greenie, you know anything?”

William shut his eyes to control the nausea. The captain repeated herself, the cold snap to her order brought him back. “Aren’t you watching the same feed I am?” The captain’s jaw flexed as she bit back her rage. He’ll pay for his tone later, he was sure. “She’s just some prissy little wanna-be. She’s always bossing people around and never doing any of the work herself. There’s no way she’d survive a whole season.” Astral had hopped past the last board, making it to dry land. “Seth’s obviously compensating. He would have won the game by now.” He pointed to the clock in the lower right hand corner.

The captain nodded. “Through overpowering and domination. His style has changed, but I’m not sure how much that has to do with our princess. We will keep that variable in mind. What’s this?” Seth gestured to his helmet and both he and Astral removed their helmets, leaving them next to the pillar cradle they had used for cover.

“They’re going off grid!” The captain slammed her fists on her chair. “That’s illegal!”

“Actually…” The captain glared at the barer of bad news. “It’s technically not illegal. The rule says that the helmets are worn for safety reasons and assists in the monitoring of game activity. Should an illegal action occur, the Gaming Commission can use the helmets feed to assess the situation. Taking off their helmets just means that the school is not responsible for the injuries that they may incur; specifically to their heads.”

“You. Greenie. You find what all this is about. I expect a report by the end of the night.” Oh now he’s useful. He felt the swell of pride form in his stomach.

Truth was, he wanted to know what they were hiding too. He saw them together in their training gear often enough but always at the weirdest times. He’d catch them leaving the educational center during his morning jog, right before he had to run for the breakfast rush at the café. At the time he thought that Seth was just using one of the lesser used gyms. He thought it was weird that he could never find them on system. But if they knew how to get off-grid…

Now he knew they were hiding something. He was livid. Seth only just met her and now they were inseparable. He deserved to know all of Seth secrets, not some spoiled rich brat.

“Whatever you need.” Anything to take that brat down.