Tall grass swayed in tandem with the slow melody of the wind. It brushed the shining metal plates of the Armored Carrier, rustling in time with nature’s gentle song. A small, yellow furred rodent perched on the roof of the potato shaped truck. High ground, so it could watch for danger while its family foraged below.

It stretched up on its hind legs, sniffing the air. There was blood in the wind, growing stronger with each breath. It cried out and scrambled from its perch. The frantic action in the grass died down as Bridget emerged from the forest at a slow jog. The blood on her clothes was starting to crust over, and a few crimson streaks remained on her face.

She slowed to a brisk walk, her arms in a defensive pose while she surveyed the area. Chandra, Protius, and Newton emerged shortly behind, followed by Gordon and Elvira. Finally, Hitori cleared the forest edge, walking in a guarded posture, checking backwards periodically.

“Wow, not dead,” Gordon said. He forced a laugh. “Let’s never do that again.”

“Aw, got all tuckered out by a little stroll?” Bridget said. “I found it quite pleasant. Keeping you chumps alive almost made it a challenge.”

“Want a real challenge, try putting up with some stuck up—“

“It would be best not to linger,” Li said, emerging from behind Hitori. He jumped forward and flashed a glare at her. She hadn’t been there a moment ago. “Perhaps we can rest by the vehicle?”

“Who needs rest, I’m—“ Bridget bit her tongue when Li snapped her gaze towards her. A glimmer of white light flashed in her mouth. “Never mind, let’s go.”

Hitori remained in the back as they walked, keeping a wary eye on the forest. The rest of the group chatted amicably amongst themselves, save Chandra. She remained a ways apart, her eyes unfocused as they wandered over the horizon.

When they arrived at the Armored Carrier, Gordon jumped into the driver side door. Everyone else gathered at the truck’s rear hatch as it whirred to the ground.

“So, are we going to leave straight away?” Elvira asked. Hitori looked her over. She had a few cuts on her face that hadn’t finished healing. “What?”

“I think it might be best to wait about an hour,” Hitori said.

“Dead set on your inane training scheme?” Bridget laughed. “Why not spar with me instead?” She grinned. “I’ll keep one hand behind my back to make it interesting.”

“Haven’t filled your daily quota for showing off yet?” Hitori rolled his eyes.

“Showing off! Since when does saving your life count as showing off?”

“Does treating classmates like punching bags count as saving their life?”

“Some real training might!”

“It’s not ‘real training’ to knock someone out in two seconds!”

“They’d last longer than two seconds if—“ Bridget was cut off by Newton laughing.

“Aw, you two must be such good friends to argue like this,” Newton said, a big grin on her face.

“We’re not friends!” Hitori and Bridget snapped in unison.

“Oh, whatever, sort yourselves out,” Bridget said, turning away from the group. “I’m heading back to the school. Don’t forget to collect your weapons.” Bridget launched herself away from the truck, disappearing into the tall grass. Gordon popped his head out the back of the truck when he heard Bridget leave, giving her a rude salute.

“You kids are positively explosive.” Newton smiled.

“What are we, grenades?” Gordon said quietly.

“Kids!” Protius said. “Like you’re much older than us.”

“Aren’t you guys in your twenties?” Newton canted her head.

“Eighteen and nineteen, mostly. I’m sixteen.”

“I’m twenty one,” Chandra said. “How old are you?”

“I turned thirty this year,” Newton said. “Only a few days before….” She frowned. “Well, before I came here.”

“What are you doing here anyway?” Elvira said. “Don’t Southerners only come north to trade? I’m not sure those spiders were in the market for anything.”

Newton laughed. “I need some artewood for my work and I’m a little… sparse on funding, so I figured I could get it myself.”

“Oh, are you making something?”

“I’m designing a thermal regulator, to protect the domes from the cold and such.”

Elvira peered at her. “Wouldn’t that be easier to do down south?”

“That’s what I thought, but….” Newton frowned slightly as she gazed up and out of the way. “Apparently not.”

Elvira considered her a moment before turning to face Hitori. She motioned towards where Bridget disappeared. “So… there some kind of history between you two?”

“Not really.” Hitori shrugged. “We got in a fight once five years ago.”

“Yeah, and he won!” Gordon said, grinning wildly. “Dropped her in one hit.”

“It was a total fluke.” He sighed. “If I knew she’d get all weird about it I probably wouldn’t have bothered.”

“Don’t care if you tricked her into a meteor. Best moment of my life! Demanded he let me on his team after that.”

“And if I’d known he’d get all weird about it I definitely wouldn’t have.”

Elvira looked at him skeptically. “So she’s…?”

“Trying to get a rematch, but given she’d knock me out in two hits I don’t see the point.”

“Give yourself some credit,” Protius said. “I’m sure you’d last at least three.”

“What are your plans, Young Seishin,” Ms. Athens said. She slid from the top of the Armored Carrier. “I think Miss Ó’Hea is right about training here. Even if the sentries return, I don’t believe it will be safe to spar with them right now.”

“I wasn’t thinking of training, Ms. Athens,” Hitori said. “I just thought”—he turned his body away from Elvira—“well, that we….” He started reeling his hand.

Elvira looked at the abrasions on her arms and ran a hand over the bloodied cuts on her face. “You’re worried I’ll hurt myself if we ride back now, aren’t you,” she said in a muted voice.

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Hitori said, then smiled. “The weather’s nice today, and there’s some rations in the truck.”

“Oh boy, rations, my favorite,” Gordon said under his breath as he moved deeper into the truck.

“Really, there should be seats in there. It’s a pointless skill being able to stand while riding in one of those, and hells, we’re only good at it because Gordon drives like a maniac.”

“You should leave as soon as her cuts fade,” Li said. “More injuries immediately after her Vital Net has relaxed will encourage it to increase its density.”

I’ve always found torture to be an excellent training regimen.

“Can her Vital Net actually build more or does it have a fixed population like a Paladin?” Chandra asked.

“I think it builds them,” Elvira said.

“It does,” Ms. Athens said. When Elvira looked at her dubiously she added, “The Order provided us with a dossier on the Grey Net’s properties.”

“I’m not sure this is a great plan,” Hitori said. “And not just because she’s already plenty tough.”

Spoilsport.

“It’s fine, Hitori,” Elvira said.

“Well, okay,” Hitori said slowly. “I guess extra Vital Energy never hurt anyone.” He turned to look at Ms. Athens, “But what she really needs is techs. I think we’ll have to use the Inductor because, you know, we haven’t got a whole year.”

Then you do think torture is great? I’m so proud!

“That was our intention, although we weren’t sure she would be ready for the Field Exam,” the teacher said.

“Looks like you were right,” Elvira said under her breath.

“No, Miss Per— Elvira, your progress has been excellent.”

Elvira smiled. “Thanks, Li.” She gave her a hug. Hitori looked almost as surprised as Ms. Athens did. “I won’t let you down.”

When Elvira let go, the Nova instructor stepped back and coughed, covering her face with her hand. Her skin was a shade darker. “Yes, quite.” She coughed again, and quickly walked a few steps towards where Bridget disappeared earlier. Without turning back she said, “Young Seishin, I’ll talk to Master Foster about getting you and Miss Elvira a room in the Training Center tomorrow. Also, he might want to meet with you today, so don’t stay out late.” And with that she disappeared into the grass.

“Li’s so cute,” Elvira said. Hitori looked at her side eyed. She continued to look away as a hint of curiosity formed in her eyes. She turned to Hitori. “Was she wearing her uniform?”

“Yes?” Hitori said. Actually, asides from the blood, her clothes held up well. For some reason he had the idea they should have been frayed to pieces.

Elvira laughed. “Why am I not surprised that’s her only outfit.”