Chapter 7

  Sergeant Major Cotah took a step back, “The others will be here in a few minutes. Take the time to kit him out and instruct.”

  Rob nodded as the Sergeant Major left us. Then he looked at me. “You really want to make this your hill to die on?”

  I nodded. “They’re all going to think you’re weak, because of me, no matter where I’m placed. I’ll learn fast, I promise you.”

  “You’re going to have to,” Rob walked away, and I followed. “But we do get one good advantage for this.”

  “What’s that?”

  “We see Alpha271 go in first.”

  “I want the rundown,” I said. “All of it.”

  “Each class is split into six groups of six. Usually four main, two reserves. We’re judged on all performances throughout the year and are ranked.”

  “You hold what?”

  “We’ve been struggling,” Rob said. “We lost one of our team members, Akers, a month ago.”

  “Lost him? Like—”

  “Family emergency,” Rob replied as Sylvk joined us.

  “Akers? No he was a liability,” Sylvk growled out. “That’s just what’s on the record.”

  “Oh, okay, so that explains why there’s a spare spot. But no reserves?”

  “Just out of luck the class never filled. We’ve been sliding down the ranking since. We were in the top spots across the years classes, now, not so much.”

  “That’s why you didn’t want to take the back seat in this?”

  “We need the points.” He admitted.

  “Then I’m glad I opened my mouth.”

  Rob stared at me. “Since I got the message last night from the LTC we had a new recruit. I knew there was no choice in where you were going.”

  “So the volunteering?”

  “Always a test,” he said. “Everything is. Just like—”

  “Seeing if I was a coward out there.”

  “You’re getting it.” Standing before a set of lockers, Rob started to strip off. “Kit is usually a good size, copy me.”

  I didn’t hesitate, and also stripped off.

  “God dammit,” Kerry said, coming in after Sylvk. “Just what I wanted to see swinging in the wind.”

  Rob coughed. “Should have warned you, sorry.”

  “Teams become family, right?”

  Sylvk was out of his uniform in a flash, and Kerry gave me a glance, then him.

  I couldn’t help but notice the scars running up and down his back. He had been through a shit ton of stuff. Why had he never had them covered?

  “Yep,” Kerry slapped Sylvk’s ass. Interrupting my thoughts.

  “You don’t want me to slap your ass,” he groaned, but there was a twinkle in his eye. “Why do you get to slap mine?”

  She didn’t answer and finished dressing.

  The suit was easy to put on, and the boots. It all fit into place, like Rob had said. “Helmet’s easy too, connect this,” he pointed at the front piece where there was a small red line, and to the suit’s red line at his neck. “To this first.”

  I picked up the helmet, it was light, and did as he instructed, connecting the lines then slipped the rest over my head. The helmet found its own purchase and with a sucking sound sealed me in.

  I never saw Kerry undress, but she was in front of me fully suited before Sylvk had his boots on. She tapped the side of her head.

  Invite to Team Lynx (Beta271)

  Accept - Y/N

  I hit the accept.

  <> Rob asked.

  <> Kerry replied.

  <> Sylvk said.

  With my HUD I accessed the suits intel network in a second. <> I added.

  <> Rob said. <>

  <> Kerry said. <>

  I nodded, though that must have been hard to see.

  <> Sylvk said. <>

  <> I replied.

  We then stood and watched as other trainees came in and dressed, there was a little excitement in the air.

  <> I asked.

  <> Rob questioned.

  I nodded, but then also spoke, <>

  <>

  When I nodded this time, I again added. <>

  <> I asked.

  <> Kerry said. <>

  <> I sighed.

  Sylvk slapped me on the back. <> he said. <>

  <> Kerry said. <>

  <> Rob said and gave something a yank, I felt it pull though there didn’t seem to be anything there. <>

  Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

  <> Kerry warned.

  <> I said and felt for the tether to Rob.

  Rob laughed <>

  A loud beep sounded. <>

  I tried to get a better view, Alpha271 moved as one and went through the double doors in seconds.

  <> Rob sent an attachment over to my HUD Ident. I hit the accept and he carried on while I looked, this was just like at Dennison’s but they didn’t know that. I did, and I smiled internally.

  <> Doli asked.

  <>

  <>

  <>

  <> Rob said. And he wasn’t kidding, the images were insane, huge multi layered mazes with intricate walls that seemed to stretch on forever. <>

  <>

  <>

  <> I said.

  <> Kerry replied.

  <>

  <>

  <> I said.

  Rob stood next to me, <>

  <> I sighed, this would be typical of every aspect of my life. <> I was looking at Sergeant Major Cotah when I was saying this, and he was watching me as intently.

  I turned to Rob, <>

  <>

  <> Kerry added. <>

  <> Rob used his hand as an example. <> and he pushed on me slightly. <>

  <>

  <> I said.

  Two minutes since the other team went in.

  <> Rob said. <>

  <>

  <> I replied.

  <>

  <> Rob asked.

  <> I replied.

  Five minutes had passed.

  Kerry touched my arm and I looked at her. <>

  <> I replied.

  > Rob said.

  <> Kerry asked.

  <> I said, but I really wasn’t. I was terrified, terrified that I’d still screw up.

  <> Sylvk said as the other team came back through the double doors.

  <>

  <> came the unified reply.

  The Sergeant Major nodded to Rob and then we were up. The small countdown on our HUDS ticking from ten to one. Fast, so fast.

  Rob hit the doors, and we followed.

  Walking past Alpha271 as they stripped off. Andri cat called behind me. “Better not trip over your own feet in there, newb.”

  The moment I stepped into the maze, the world flipped. My stomach lurched as gravity disappeared, leaving me flailing in a sea of walls and corridors that shot off in almost what felt like every direction. For a second, panic seized me—a desperate, primal instinct to fight against the weightlessness.

  <

  > Rob’s voice came through my comms, grounding me. <>

  What the hell am I doing here? I clenched my jaw, forcing my muscles to respond. The tether in my hand grounded me, a lifeline to the team I was already dragging down.

  Calm. Focus. The words echoed in my mind, but they did little to steady the hammering of my heart.

  Small movements. I tightened my core, testing the advice. A slight shift of my hand sent me spinning, and for a terrifying moment, I couldn’t tell up from down.

  <> Kerry cut through my haze. <>

  <> Rob said. <>

  <>

  <

  > Rob said. <>

  <> it wasn’t a lie, the other two trusting him that meant I could too, even if I didn’t know him.

  <> he said. <>

  <>

  <>

  That gave me a little confidence boost. And it didn’t take me long to focus, another thirty seconds if that. I tested my movements through my core, as Kerry had said, and my body twisted and turned in on itself.

  <> I said. <>

  <> Rob instructed.

  It wasn’t slow at all. When Rob stopped and Kerry went right, Sylvk left, and I guess I moved forwards.

  The maze was just that, there were so many twists and turns. I kept my tether in my hand, fully admitting I was a little afraid to get cut off, and listened in as Kerry and Sylvk called out what they were doing. It was easy to get the gist of it from there.

  I started to call my own directions out. Listening to everyone.

  <> Rob said.

  We did so, the next time it was, <> again.

  Then to Sylvk, then to me, then to me again.

  We were five minutes in the maze, and I was getting used to the movement, the walls, the way things would stretch out, then either I’d see I was blocked or there would be a way through. There really were patterns to it all. We had to find the flag in the next minute to have any chance of getting out.

  Then, <>

  There was the flag. Six minutes and seven seconds.

  <> Kerry asked.

  <> Sylvk asked.

  <> Rob bounced back.

  <> Sylvk asked.

  <> Kerry and I said in unison.

  <> she asked me.

  <> I said and, on the inside, I was grinning.

  <> Rob said.

  <> she said. <>

  It was tighter this way around, but more fumbling. On my HUD they spread out around me, and I got a view of the maze that fascinated me. It was easier to see it, the pattern. But I still almost got a wrong call. <> I paused, no, <>

  Nine minutes and fifty seconds.

  <> Kerry said. <

  >

  > I said. Then immediately, <>

  <> Rob bounced back.

  <>

  <> Kerry’s support meant a lot.

  <> I instructed them, <>

  Ten minutes and eight seconds.

  <> We were all focused, our movements fast, collected. Calm, though my nerves were shot. So close.

  Eleven minutes and five seconds.

  Almost there.

  <> I said. Then I paused. This was a trap point. I knew it, inside my gut was screaming at me. They fanned out as before, and I let them stretch their tethers almost as far as they could go.

  It all looked the same. This was a pure judgement call.

  I didn’t have the experience to make this one.

  <> I said. <>

  Rob came back to me in seconds, and he took in what I saw. <> He ordered.

  Sylvk came flying around the corner and pushed the two of us faster than I’d ever gone, but I held myself together.

  Kerry was in front of us, and then with one more turn, so were the double doors.

  Twelve minutes and forty-one seconds.

  We were through it and back on solid ground my feet gave way, my knees hitting the linoleum hard.

  Rob kneeled before me. <>

  I checked my HUD. <>

  Kerry slapped me on the back. <>

  Sylvk helped me to my feet, and we moved out of the way as the next team were getting ready for their run.

  Whoever was the lead, held their thumbs up at us. Then they were gone.

  The class buzzed with quiet conversation as we waited. My HUD glowed with notes, reminders, and a schedule that made my head spin.

  I got to calm down some while the next team completed the maze.

  When everyone was assembled back in the main hall. Sergeant Major Cotah stood before us. “Today’s recon exercises showed some… mixed results.” He said, calling the class to attention. “Especially Beta271.”

  My ears burned as a few heads turned in my direction. Great. Just what I need. Let’s all blame the new guy.

  “To their credit,” Cotah continued, “Lynx’s team showed excellent adaptability and cohesion, despite facing new challenges.”

  Rob glanced my way, offering a subtle nod. It was supposed to reassure me, but all it did was make the knot in my stomach tighten.

  <> Kerry whispered, leaning over. <>

  <> Doli also added. <>

  <> I replied.

  <>

  I did so, and saw nothing but smiles. It made me feel top of the world.