The thunderous crash of two shields was audible over the roar of the group watching. I was straining against my opponent as he strained against me. Henry’s face was clear through his visor grinning like a madman. Sweat poured down his face like mine as we had been clashing hard for the last ten minutes. We were both breathing hard.

We were locked in a pushing match that was going nowhere. Both straining we were trying to push each other out of the ring that was on the floor. We are both dressed in training armour and weapons.

Henry had an inch in height but we are equal in weight. So, we are matched too well and neither was going to outpower the other. Time to get sneaky. I am left while he is right-handed so our training weapons are facing each other. If he tries to strike, I can block and so, can he. No advantage there.

Then it comes to me. I am close to the line. I suddenly shift my weight and turn moving to my right. This catches him off guard and falls forward. I hear him yell as he overbalances. I use my left leg to trip him and he crashes forward onto the floor mats leaving the training circle.

“Winner Harrington!” Lou calls out. The crowd erupts into groans or cheers.

I look around the training hanger located at UKZC. Base personnel and other operatives were standing around the mats talking about the bout. Oh, and no bets were being honoured of course as that was against base policy it was done quietly.

Henry clambered up from the floor and the tangled mess he was in. Swearing all the way.

“You son of a bitch! That was low man really low!” He told me after turning to face me scowling.

“Harrington outplayed you deal with it!” Lou told him as he walked up to us. Henry thought for a second and then shrugged.

“Next time dude. Next time.” He was smiling now. “I will prove that I AM DA KING!” He yelled holding his arms in the air turn slowly. He was working the crowd. Catcalls, cheers and groans come thick and fast from the remaining crowd members.

“Nice to see as humble as always.” Lou said laughing at his antics. I laugh as I slow my breathing back to normal. Henry our eternal joker.

“That was a good sparring match. The other operatives along with the newbies will hopefully have earned a few things from it.” Lou told us. Looking us both over for equipment damage.

It was mid-March and I was on base for regular training and fitness testing. I had not mentioned the additional visits to the shrinks as I was worried about the others starting to doubt me. As the RCT was here as well with a new class of trainee operatives Lou had organised a series of sparring matches. This was to show how experienced operatives fight and a little entertainment for the rest. Goldsmith had neglected to join in and disappeared.

The fights were random draws and pitted operatives against each other. For the most part, the older operatives dominated but some of the new ones had impressed. Henry and I smashed all of our opponents until we faced off at the end. The bouts were not just about skill and strength but the importance of stamina and brains.

We began stripping off the training equipment as I noticed that the other several operatives an all the trainees were hanging back. They were either waiting for Lou’s instructions or wanted to talk with Henry.

I grab my water bottle and began drinking. Henry did the same. We were both dehydrated from the day of bouts. It was late afternoon and nearly time for food. Which my body was telling me to investigate as soon as possible.

Throughout the whole thing, my anger was burning in my chest and I was using the breathing technics they had taught me in my sessions to control it. There were flashes of it during the bouts but I was able to handle it. So far so good.

“Good match their boys. Both of your technics looked good.” Lou was thinking over the bout.

“Well, we’re the best for a reason.” Henry gave his trademarked big grin. Lou shook his head. I stretched my body as it was now telling me about the aches and pains I had been ignoring.

“Alright, you lot get over here!” Lou ordered the group hanging around. They quickly shuffled over.

“What today was about is to show you that you always have to work on improving. Tomorrow you will be back in training to use what you have seen and experienced here.

Remember being fast and strong is good but fighting in zones is about endurance so no more complaining.”

We had pulled off the remaining equipment and loaded it all into a trolly to be taken away and cleaned. We were both standing in one-piece bodysuits covered in sweat. All the others were like us to different degrees. Lou had some of his unit grab the trolly and they disappeared.

Looking towards the big doors I saw a group of handlers. Like Gregson, they all gave me the same vibe. They were all assigned to the newbies as the others like mine were not present.

Henry was quickly pelted with questions. He quickly engaged with the group. I noticed that a few were holding back. Many were glancing in my direction. I ignored them.

Henry had his sleeves rolled up and was flexing to his admires. I shook my head and slapped him on the shoulder. He looked at me.

“What’s up?” He asked.

“Shower time. Then food.”

“Roger that! Sorry people showers are a calling then we eat!” We quickly broke up and headed to the showers. They were split on sex. All the males piled into the indicated shower facility.

We were all quickly stripped and showered. It was a group shower and the scars Henry and I had were on full display. That quietened a lot of the bravado that was present. The cost of duty was real and on display.

Soon we were at the cafeteria and eating. The group had reappeared around Henry. I was sitting away as he knew that I did not like large groups around me. I was not interested as the large plate of food was all-important at this time. I did notice the continuing glances in my direction.

I was just finishing up as Henry had the group laughing at some story when I noticed Walker entering the room. She was looking around and I knew it was for me.

Fuck!

She spotted me and headed over. Henry had also seen her and was now looking in my direction and had gone quiet, this attracted the attention of the others.

“Operative Harrington you are to report to briefing room C-14 tomorrow at 07:00hrs.” I nodded to the instruction. Odd that she was here in person delivering it when they normally just call or text. But it turns out she was not finished. “Trainee Hills you are also to attend.”

“Un...understood.” She replied.

Walker nodded and left the room. This was going bad already. I looked over at the trainee. I had noticed her earlier as she stood out. She was well over six feet in height and could easily be a professional basketball player. She was one of the group who glanced at me a lot and seemed awkward with the others.

She had blue eyes and long dirty blonde hair. She was attractive but not a great beauty. I got up and went over to her. She was in shock. The others were surprised as well. Things suddenly got real to them fast.

“Well, then trainee Hills see you bright and early tomorrow!” I say to her. Before she could say anything back, I turned and left. I am going to have to tell my mother I am going to be delayed coming home.

## ## ## ## ##

The next morning, I am in the cafeteria again. It is just after six in the morning and as I know the location of the meeting room I am in no rush. The odds are that by midday I will be in a zone.

I am having a packed breakfast as I know it will be all go after the briefing starts. I had seen the base personnel loading equipment crates as I head here. Good chance mine and the trainee were some of them.

Speaking of which I see her come into the hall. She is unsure and is almost hugging a wall. I had learned to recognise that in body language early on. As I knew the feeling. She was unsure and completely out of her depth. I thought and decided to act. As she was going into a zone with me, I need her ready.

I lifted my arm and caught her attention and waved her over. She quickly scampered over. Her height was impressive. As she came closer it was obvious, that she was way taller than I had thought at first.

As I had a mouth full of food, I pointed at the chair across from me. She quickly got into it. She had realised she was attracting attention and was becoming increasingly unsure. This was due to her height and the fact many knew she was being deployed today. These things got around here.

“Eaten yet?” I asked her before she could say anything.

“I…no.”

“Eat. Pack in as many calories as you can it’s going to be a long day.” I told her. She blinked and looked around. There was a full spread for us to enjoy. My plate was evidence of this when it was full.

I had finished but headed back for seconds. She followed and was eye the cereal and toaster section. Looking at it dawned on me that she had several inches on me. She seemed extremely self-conscious of this. Ok, I am going to have to try a peep talk here.

“How old are you Hills?” I ask. I am not known for subtly or tact. I get to what needs to be said.

“Nineteen.” Fuck she was younger than I thought!

“How are you here?”

“I was recruited when a zone opened next to a sports centre, I was in last year. I got out most people in there that’s when I was tested and deemed to be able to be an operative.” I nodded as she explained a standard tale for most of us.

“Let me guess bullied for your height and not a lot of friends?” She blinked at my question.

“Yes.” She said still unsure.

“Well, there’s a social pecking order around here too. But I completely ignore it. I suggest you do as well. You will find it is a complete waste of time. You will discover fast who you can count on in a zone. Trust them and fuck the rest. Now eat. A lot.” Peep talk over. My anger was stirring but I forced it down.

I left her with that.

I got another plate full and returned to my seat and began eating. She joined me with some fruit and cereal. I looked at it and shook my head. She was going to have to learn.

She tried to engage me in conversation but my grunting convinced her I was focused on what was in front of me. Because I was. I finished the second plate and was thinking about a third when I check the time.

“We need to move soon.” I saw it was twenty to seven.

“Alright.” She said. I looked and noted she had hardly even eaten anything.

“You will regret not eating later.”

“Sorry. I am just so nervous. I cannot eat anything.”

“I understand. But you should have anyway.” She needs to hear these things. It’s the small things that will get you killed in a zone if you ignore them.

We got up and dropped off our plates. Leaving the hall, we walked towards the building the briefing room is in. I look over to Hills she is afraid and is almost shaking.

“Focus Hills this is the easy part.”

“How are you not afraid?” She asks. I stop and turn to face her.

“Because this is not the time to be afraid. Like I said this is the easy part. The fear comes later when we face the zone” I don’t bull shit her. She is surprised by my words and follows as I enter the building.