[Erick Sanders]

When the light had been shed on the bloody end of the battle, the elementals had disappeared into the night. Mia, Jack, and I rested against the outside of the wall, a glass of wine in each of our hands as we waited for Keg and Samantha to return from their hunt. Our only indication that they had found their prey was a thin spout of flame that blasted over the treed to our south, thirty minutes ago.

“Really? Fixing his leotard?” Mia laughed over the rim of her cup.

“Yeah, his pretty pink one,” Jack chuckled.

“Fuck off! It was black and white you dickhead. I still maintain that it was a perfect stitch job too, absolutely flawless” I smiled, taking another drink.

“Did you… dance?” Mia ashed, suppressing her laughter.

“Gymnast,” I muttered.

Thankfully I was saved Jacks's further mockery by the return of Samantha and Keg. They crawled over the logs, their hands splattered with fresh blood.

“Good hunting?” Jack called.

Keg twisted to show a long burn through his shirt in a line along his back. “I got stung” He grimaced. Jack pulled a spray-on bandage the bag resting beside him and tossed it to Sam. “Spray that on him would you, I hate the smell of burnt hair.”

Jack didn’t let us relax, we had less than half a day waiting for the trial to end. I think I would have preferred to defend the stronghold from another attack, even with only the six of us remaining. Instead, we were subjected to Jacks insistence that we maintain a constant watch rotation, always vigilant and ready for another attack.

An attack that never came. I lay with my head resting on Jacks pack, staring up at the spinning clouds of the planet, colours twisting against the dark backdrop. Olivia and Jack stalked the wall together while Mia, Keg and Sam snoozed restlessly against the storeroom beside me. A shared talent among military trained people was the ability to fall asleep at the drop of a hat and wake up just as easily. Their eyes all popped opened as though they were never asleep at all when a low artificial hum rolled over the tops of the trees. A Ship skimmed low, dropping down between the walls of the stronghold, inches from toppling the bodies we had stacked. The bay door dropped open as it hovered, revealing Alaria standing on the precipice, one hand grasping a railing the other resting on her hip.

“Grab your things, You’re expected back at the central compound” She called down. We wasted no time, I grabbed up Jacks pack, tossing it to him as he jumped down from the tops of the walls. The others followed me up into the ship, sliding into seats beside me. “Don’t bother sitting, we’ll only be two minutes,” Alaria said, the ship jerked into the sky. “You lot did good work, Congratulations. Jackson Sanders, I was impressed by your creative solution. Samantha ___ your aggressiveness was inspiring, Mia you did a fantastic job teaching Olivia. Erick, you could have saved a lot of lives, you need to work on that.”

I was a little taken aback. If I had to grade myself on my performance I would have said I did pretty well. How could I have saved more lives?

We sat silently for the few minutes it took the ship to fly to the central compound, contemplating what Alaria had said, I think all of us were a little disappointed that there wasn’t more of a celebration when the trial ended. Personally I didn’t want a fireworks display, but it would have been nice. We shuffled out of the ship and onto the lawn of the compound. Three other ships were already parked and another was coming in low over the treetops, we followed Alaria through the doorways and into the cafeteria, the tables piled high with fresh roasted meats and vegetables. Keg immediately grabbed a bread roll, ripping it open and stuffing it with chicken as he sat down at the table with the rest of our section, they obviously hadn’t tried returning to the stronghold and welcomed us back with a nod. We all slapped James on the shoulder, I muttered a quiet sorry to him as I passed. Alaria’s words still stuck in my head, Could I have saved James from being cut down? I thought.

I slid onto the bench beside him, looking around at the tables. The other sections were already present, the Asian section sat quietly in the corner, the group from Japan and Korea avoided meeting our eyes. As they should, treacherous bastards, I thought, scowling at the backs of their heads. We began eating, two days of vacuum-packed meat had left me craving fresh vegetables, pulling as many onto a plate as I could. We were finishing up with the meal when Alaria took the stage with the other judges.

“Welcome back to all our champions. Congratulations. If your section managed to finish the trail in possession of a stronghold you will be awarded fifty thousand credits and two tokens for the vaults.” A few of us exchanged looks, not sure what she was referring to with the ‘vault’ but it sounded like loot.

“Now that you have eaten we will be reading off the list of the participants that we will be accepting into the Grey Scarred Company. Those of you that are accepted, please leave the room through this side door” Alaria said, gesturing to a metal door beside her. “If you are not called upon, remain seated until we are done, then you can proceed to the dropships outside, which will ferry you up to the transporter.”

She paused for a moment before tapping on her scanner, reading from a screen the rest of us couldn’t see. “ Felix Patel” A man from India slid from his seat and strode through the room, thanking Alaria as he passed before disappearing through the doorway. Next was Stephen Brown from the united states, then two men from brazil. As she read through the list, one by one, people stood up from their tables and walked through the room. Some getting congratulatory back slaps, while others receiving angry or jealous looks.

“Kegan Rogers” Alaria said, I couldn’t help but crack a smile as Keg stood up and strode from the room. Keg was followed by an Israeli woman, then Jackson's name was called and my heart sank. All this effort and time and I had been passed over, I swore inwardly, wondering why I wasn’t selected, was it my previous lack of training? Did walking into this with no long-range weapons or experience count against me, I knew that of everyone in this room in a one on one close quarter's fight I was likely to come out ahead, but I had to admit that I was limited in my skills.

I was just about to lower my head to the desk when Alaria spoke again “Erick Sanders” My head jerked up, and met her gaze. Fucking aliens not using proper alphabetical order, I thought. They must have called Jack first because he was the oldest. Still not sure why they did that, I pulled myself from the bench and gripped James’ shoulder. His name had been passed over. Unsure of when I would see him next I nodded to him and returned Mia’s smile before turning my back on them and strolling through the room. Catching the Chinese officer's eye I prayed that I wouldn’t have to see him again.

When I pushed through the doorway I was faced with a long room. In the center, Standing at attention was the tall man with four arms that had originally barred the way into the recruiting tent on earth. He smiled at me before reaching slapping a fist against his chest. “Welcome to the Scar, Can I see your scanner?” He asked. I nodded and stretched out my left arm. He took it and tutted at the device. “Old model, no good” Without a word of warning he reached down and ripped the scanner from my arm, the teeth pulling away from my skin. He produced a small antiseptic cloth with his second hand and wiped the droplets away. With the third hand, he sprayed a layer of bandage. Then with his final hand, he snapped an inch thick bracelet across my forearm.

It was a dark gunmetal grey, with a thick, gold encrusted scar and an embedded [GSC] in the center. It dug into my arm then vibrated lightly.

“There you go, that’s better, its all holographic, unless you have the adequate implants” He smiled again. “You can go on now. They are ready to get you back to the transport,” I nodded again, before stepping past the man, tapping the new scanner.

A pristine holographic screen sprang into existence, it followed my face regardless of where my arm moved. The settings were all similar to my last scanner, the main difference being that the top corner held a small icon of the Grey Scarred Company emblem. I tapped on the emblem and a small window opened up, [Grey Scarred Company Member #ES337629, Recuit] Neat, I now have an ID number, I thought. I always hated ID numbers, felt like I was being reduced to a one among many.

I walked on across the room and through another doorway and into a large lounge.

Unlike the other common rooms, bunk rooms and mess halls that we had previously been in, This one was lavish, showing a level of wealth that I hadn’t seen since the Carlton mansion on the slave lords moon. Thick grey carpets and Rich silk curtains hung around the room. An eighty-inch holoscreen showed a moving image of a beautiful planet, light blue oceans, and continents that looked in a perpetual fall season with golden moons orbiting around it. It was such high quality that it looked as though I was seeing the real thing.

Plush brown leather couches and armchairs were spread around the room, a long bar against the wall was manned by a robot butler. As I walked through the room I was met by Keg, who handed me a full glass of sweet red wine and slapped me on the shoulder, “Thank fuck. I was worried when Jack came through before you,” he said.

“They must have called him first because he was older,” I said, accepting the wine and taking a drink. I followed Keg over to the bar where Jack was leaning and having a conversation with the bartender.

“Fresh from earth? Yes please, pour me one of those!” Jack smiled and clapped his hands excitedly. Turning to me as I reached him he smiled again, “They have a wheat beer! Can you believe it? The perks of joining the Grey Scared Company aye.” He accepted the beer from the robot with a thank you. He looked around the room and smiled for a moment before all our eyes darted to the door as it opened again. Mia walked in. Jack and Keg gave a quiet cheer at four of us making it through, Mia didn’t smile until the door opened again and Samantha entered the room. Then the four of them really did cheer at that. Mia and Sams celebratory hug was broken up by Keg and Jack who handed them each a drink. Mia came over to me and squeezed my shoulder, “I thought they weren’t going to pick you.” she said. Everyone had the same thought that I had when heard Alaria say Jacks's name. I wiped the condensation from my glass and rested it on the bar.

“I’m glad we have the chance to work together again,” she said, smiling.

“Same,” I said, and I meant it. Mia gave me the same sense of comradery that Jasper, Tomas and Brennan did. I always felt like she had my back in a fight.

“Have you guys got a plan?” I asked when Jack and Keg walked over, Mia releasing her hand from my arm.

“Plan?” Jack asked.

“Yeah, you have orders right? What’s the plan?” I asked.

Jack looked at me seriously, “Bridge the gap, facilitate a dialogue between the Oceanic navy and the Grey Scarred Company. We’re authorised to offer a contract, up to thirty million credits if we have to, depending on what they can do for us.” He said quietly. He looked around the room at the other thirty people. No one was paying us any attention.

“What we can do for the oceanic navy, you mean? I said, cracking a small grin.

Jack chuckled, “Yeah, sure.”

We nursed our drinks and talked about what we could have done better during the trials until the fiftieth person walked through the doors. A young woman from Russia who was greeted by a man from her section. Our plan had worked, none of the fighters from China had made it through, nor had any of the ones from Japan or Korea that betrayed us. The woman only had a moment to celebrate before Alaria and the other judges walked through the doorway after her. Alaria ignored the others and moved through the room to us. “You five. With me,” she said. walking past us and out a side door. We all dropped our near-empty glasses on the bar and filed out after her, Jack taking the lead. After the door closed behind us Alaria began speaking as she led us down a long hallway. “You are the only ones from my section to make it through. Congratulations.”

“Where are we going? I was hoping to speak to you or your superior officer if you have one.” Jack said, catching up to her with his long strides.

“Yes, I know. You would like to petition us for assistance in your war.”

“Um, yes,” Jack said, a little taken aback by her insight.

“Don’t worry, We look after our own. But I want you to remember that shortly, you will no longer be part of the ‘Oceanic Navy’ or any earth faction. Our legal team is already working on paying off Earth's militaries to complete your services, thankfully Erick will not be costing us anything.” She said, pushing open a doorway and stepping into a tiled room.

“You will be given the opportunity you wish for, don’t worry.” She said, stopping in the centre of the room and turning to look at us. “They are currently transporting the failed applicants back to The Explorer, which is currently in orbit. Once they have been ferried. We will be transporting you, at which point you will be inducted into the Grey Scarred Company. You will get your chance to ask my…superior, for assistance on Earth. Though you are far from presentable.” She wrinkled her nose and looked down it at us. I had been so used to being filthy and bloody while on Scaratous that I hadn’t realised that I was still covered in mud and blood from the trial. We all were.

Jack smiled meekly, “Sorry about that.”

“Don’t apologies for something that isn’t your fault. There are baths and showers through here, and new uniforms that you will be required to wear. Your current attire will be laundered and moved to your rooms in The Explorer.” Alaria nodded to the open doorway beside her. Then she turned and took a seat on a bench against the opposite wall. Without saying anything, she made it clear that the conversation was done. Jack and the others acted as though they had been given an order. Without delay, they moved smoothly through the tiled doorway. I waited, watching Alaria as she tapped her scanner and began browsing a page on the holoscreen.

“Excuse me, Alaria?”

She sighed. “This is what happens when we recruit from outside of the military” she muttered without looking up, “What is it?” she asked.

“What rank are you?” I asked. There was no point trying to be polite when I wasn’t even sure if this was a rude question to ask, at least I wasn’t asking how old she was. I had been curious ever since I had felt how she radiated with my EM sense.

Alaria looked up at me, I watched the blood flow under her skin before she spoke.

“In this system, I am rank ninety-nine. But if I was scanned by an advanced system, it would likely tell us that I am ranked ninety-nine point nine nine, and then some.” She looked back at the holoscreen.

“How are you so high?”

“This system is in its infancy, you are all as children, fresh to the real world. You know nothing and understanding even less. The systems are partitioned. Instances if you will. Now go wash, I can smell you from here.”

I didn’t want to push my luck so I turned and moved into the bathroom.

“What the fuck,” I muttered, immediately averting my gaze. Keg, Jack, Mia, and Samantha were all completely naked, washing in a large and deep stone tub.

“What is it with you army fucks and being naked,” I swore. Before turning my back on them.

“Don’t be such a prude,” Mia laughed from behind me.

I stripped down, and as Mia tried to tease me, I began bathing, with my underwear still on.