Their vehicles drift to a halt beside a series of large, camouflage tents. Commander Preston and Cal swing their doors open, stepping out whilst the engine is running and Dante follows suit. Taking in the magnitude of the abandoned, highrise buildings that rest like a mountain range beyond the camp.

"I'm not in the mood for that bullshit right now!" Yells a woman with hair so black it fades into the night sky with each blow of the wind. "I'll tear their asses up and still make it back for dinner,"

Behind the angry woman, another kid steps out of their vehicle- a kid that looks familiar to Dante but he isn't quite sure of his name. He was in one of the other classes and they would rarely ever mix.

"Preston!" The angry woman yells as she stomps over to their vehicle.

"You're scaring the new recruits," Commander Preston says in an attempt to tone the lady down.

"I'm heading out," She says, stopping beside Cal's vehicle and holding the palm of her hand out at the Commander. "Pill." She orders.

Dante is taken aback by the audacity of this lady to talk to the Commander in such a tone. Dante had figured the Commander must be quite a nice guy, considering his relationship with Cal and his willingness to explain everything that Dante isn't aware of- but he'd never imagine anyone would take it to this extent.

"Denied," Commander Preston responds, "But feel free to head out,"

The woman scoffs and waves her hand in dismissal of Commander Preston before she barks at the older woman who also stepped out of her vehicle. "Let's move. I've had enough of those goddamn scouts,"

In his shock, Dante remembers he can find out more about the lady and decides to bring up her profile-

_RANK: FIRST TIER ZO'AN (HEIR)

_ID: CASSIE

_AGE: 28

_ABILITY: ENERGY BLADES

_SCORE: 3.1

_EXPAND FOR STATS_

"Woah," Dante stammers aloud, shocked by her score and age combination. This is the youngest first tier he's ever heard of- and who knows if she didn't get it before her current age. Before they get out of range, Dante pops up the profile of the other woman who is heading towards the gate beside Cassie.

_RANK: SECOND TIER ZO'AN (HEAD OF ASSAULT)

_ID: MELINDA KAWASAKI

_AGE: 42

_ABILITY: ENHANCED STRENGTH

_SCORE: 2.8

_EXPAND FOR STATS_

"Hey, Newbie!" The scary woman- Cassie- yells from a distance. "Snoop on my profile again, and I'll kill you!"

Holy shit. Dante's mind panics as he subconsciously nods his head to avoid pissing Cassie off any further

"Don't mind her," Commander Preston chuckles, "We just set up camp here a few nights ago, so she's a bit on edge,"

"She’s the type who gets nicer as you get to know her?" Dante asks, watching as Cassie and Melinda head out the front gate.

"God, no," The commander laughs

heartily, "You'll just get used to it,"

Dante chuckles nervously, contemplating what Cassie's role actually is. 'Heir' isn't a role that the Academy had ever mentioned and considering she is a first-tier soldier, she must be quite important to the operation.

The third vehicle speeds into the compound a few minutes after Cassie and Melinda have left, and out steps a few soldiers along with a few recruits that Dante hasn't had the chance to see yet.

"Recruits, on me!" Commander Preston yells out as he steps towards the large tent in the centre of the compound. Dante and the kid who arrived shortly after him both stand in front of Commander Preston, waiting for those who'd just arrived.

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"I'm Taydo," The other recruit introduces himself to Dante, easing the tension of not knowing anyone here.

"Dante," He answers, returning a handshake.

"Class thirteen, right?" Taydo asks.

"Yeah," Dante stammers, "How do you kn-"

"All the teachers would rave about how we should try being like class thirteen," Taydo chuckles. "Class five," He adds, tapping his chest.

Class thirteen did have some of the highest performing students, and would often win the events that would pit the different classes against each other- Honestly, their only real rival was class twelve.

"Dante?" A familiar voice queries, prompting him to turn around to the sudden grip of a warm, tight hug and oceanic hair wafting in his face.

"Julz?" He stammers as he feels his heart rate increasing and his arms uncontrollably return her embrace.

"Fuck, I'm so glad we're together," She says, squeezing tighter.

"Of course, I'm surrounded by thirteens," The last recruit scoffs as she steps beside Taydo.

That's Nadia- Kassian's younger sister and a member of Class twelve. She got the highest score in the Academy this year and only beat her brother by three percent.

"That's enough of that," Preston says, prompting Julz to release the hug, "Reunions over,"

Dante feels rather cold now that she's let go- And not in the temperate kind of way.

"All of you are officially members of Squadron Two-one-nine," He continues, "There are a few house rules I must clarify before you go on to meet the rest of the team. First and foremost, you are beyond the wall now, and that means you don't eat, sleep or take a shit without my say-so. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir!" The recruits respond in sync.

"Second of all, and I've already told this to Dante, none of you will get a second of field time until your scores are at least a zero point five. That means you'll be spending most of your time in the sim until Melinda is certain you won't be a liability in the field. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Sir!" The recruits chant.

"Question, sir," Nadia says.

The Commander glances at her and passes her a nod.

"Will I only get field time once the others are a zero point five as well?"

Commander Preston raises an eyebrow and shares her profile to everyone's HUD.

_RANK: FIFTH TIER ZO'AN (RECRUIT)

_ID: NADIA MEHDI

_AGE: 19

_ABILITY: WHIP

_SCORE: 0.38

_EXPAND FOR STATS_

"Not a bad score for a recruit," Preston nods, "Keep in mind that a score of zero point five is the minimum. But if you think you'll be that far ahead, you can certainly join the field before the others,"

"Thank you, sir," Nadia announces.

"My last rule is similar to the first. Whatever orders Cassie gives you are to be followed through without question. Understood?"

The recruits briefly glance at one another before sheepishly responding, "Yes, sir,"

"Question, sir," Dante pipes up.

"About Cassie?" The Commander returns.

"Yes, sir. I saw in her profile that she is an 'heir'. But we were never informed of such a role in the academy,"

"The Academy is quite out of touch with what happens beyond the wall- And for good reason too. The role of 'heir' is selected by the Commander of every squad, and it is the first thing they do when they come into the position. In the event the Commander is no longer able to give orders, in cases such as death or illness, the role is passed on to their heir,"

"How does a Commander decide on an heir?" Nadia asks.

"A Commander selects the heir to their heir," He responds.

"Why?" Julz asks.

"That knowledge was lost a long time ago," Preston chuckles, "It is the most effective means of selection for unknown reasons. It’s believed that deviating from it will most likely result in the collapse of a squadron and I'd rather not find out,"

The recruits nod their heads in acceptance more so than understanding and Preston scans each of their expressions to conclude whether or not he should continue.

"My rules are simple. Do as you're told, and keep getting stronger. Deviate from these basic principles and I will kill you myself for putting the squadron at risk, is that clear?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Excellent," Commander Preston grins, "Melinda will handle all of your training. In the meantime, feel free to head into the cafeteria for dinner,"

Commander Preston turns and makes his way into the tent ahead of the other recruits as Taydo and Nadia both follow behind him. As Dante follows suit, Julz grabs his arm and pulls him close to whisper to him. "I thought I'd never see you again,"

"Me too," Dante says, still flustered by her being here. It's not like he doesn't want her here or anything like that, he just doesn't know how to feel considering he'd prepared himself to never see her again. On top of that, their relationship out here won't be the same and he knows a part of him is preemptively trying to change it before something else does.

"I know your mind must be racing," She says as she releases the embrace, "So I'll spare you from any further confusion," She adds as they head inside the tent.

She always knows when he's in his head. He loves that about her- it's as if she always knows what he's thinking.

I'm glad she’s here… right?