Awakening from her abyssal nap, Nadia opens her eyes- gasping for air as the sensation of life rushes through her body. The first thing she sees is Cassie, with her arms crossed and a satisfied grin peeled across her lips.
“Wakey Wakey,” Cassie smirks, “No napping in the arena,”
The memory of her mangled body ripples through her muscles and with a brief surge of hesitation, she spawns her energy whips and sends a sudden attack at Cassie’s head.
“Relax,” Cassie murmurs, evading the attack with a slight shift of her body, “Trainings over,”
In that moment she notices her left arm is stretched out ahead of her, Perfectly intact. The unrelenting pain throughout her body is but a ghost.
She eases the tension within, and disables her whips.
“Well done,” Cassie says, “The purpose of this training was to have you continue fighting. Even when you're fully prepared to die,”
“Pretty cruel if you ask me,” Julz shrugs alongside Dante.
“True,” Cassie responds, “But that's what the sim is for. Pushing us beyond our capabilities,”
“Didn't get me very far,” Nadia sighs as she slowly gets back up to her feet.
“With fourteen health points left, you still managed to catch me off guard and punch me in the face,” Cassie says, “That's more impressive than you think,”
“Why's that?” Nadia asks.
“Well, had the circumstances been different. You may very well have been able to kill me- For example, if you still had your left arm, or were higher tier and dealt more damage... It may sound obvious, but a fight isn't over until it's over,”
“Sure,” Nadia sighs, “I get it,”
Cassie gives Nadia a thumbs up, “You've improved a ton. Good work,”
It's hard to admit, but Nadia’s a little taken aback by Cassie's sudden shift to positivity. It's the opposite of what Nadia deserves right now, she should have done better. As it stands, she’s still a pathetic recruit.
“Alright, Julz,” Cassie says, excitedly clapping her hands together, “You're up,”
“Ah, I’d rather not, Heir” Julz blushes, “You seem a little… violent today,”
Before Cassie can rebut, the loud rumble of engines enters the camp as a series of vehicles drift to a stop.
A Woman with bright blonde hair, seemingly in her early thirties, steps out of the front most humvee, and walks towards Cassie with determination before furiously taking off her sunglasses.
“Oi, Runt!” The lady yells out, “You gonna keep breastfeeding your babies or are you going to get into the damn fight?”
“Runt?” Cassie scoffs.
Behind the blonde woman, Nadia spots three recruits, reminding her Squad Two-eighty was returning to the camp with the main garrison. She looks past the approaching soldiers to evaluate the garrison- more than half of which is still unaccounted for.
Cassie steps out of the arena, clenching her fist in an attempt to hide her anger and when the blonde woman gets close to her, she raises both arms and throws them over Cassie's shoulders- giving her a big hug and lifting her off the ground in the process.
“I've missed you so much!”
Nadia squints, surprised Cassie would allow anyone that close to her unless it was in a fight. With a blank expression, Cassie doesn't return the hug of course, and simply waits till the blonde lady puts her down.
_RANK: FIRST TIER ZO'AN (HEIR)
_ID: SABINA
_AGE: 35
_ABILITY: LIGHTNING BOLT
_SCORE: 3.4
_EXPAND FOR STATS_
“That makes one of us,” Cassie mumbles.
“There’s no time to catch up,” Sabina chuckles, “We have a serious situation on our hands,”
Her expression suddenly shifts, “The Krix are fifteen minutes out. The main Garrison is currently reorganizing to defend the camp. We have two drill beams, a gravity tank, and one EMP. All units of all squads are still active,”
“Thank god,” Dante says.
“No one gave you permission to break silence, Recruit!” Sabina yells, “Do you run a circus around here?” She glares at Cassie.
“What are our orders?” Cassie says.
“The eight of us are to provide support in the field, orders will come from Command once we arrive. Squad Five-four-two is ordered to be the last line of defense,” Sabina grins, “But the Krix won't get that far,”
“Recruits,” Sabina orders as the three recruits line up beside her, “Introduce yourselves,”
“Vikki, Fifth tier Zo’an,” a young woman salutes.
_RANK: FIFTH TIER ZO'AN (RECRUIT)
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_ID: VIKKI
_AGE: 22
_ABILITY: CHARM
_SCORE: 0.84
_EXPAND FOR STATS_
“Karr, Fifth tier Zo’an,” A young man beside her follows up.
_RANK: FIFTH TIER ZO'AN (RECRUIT)
_ID: KARR
_AGE: 23
_ABILITY: BEAM
_SCORE: 0.85
_EXPAND FOR STATS_
“Siya Kholo, Fourth tier Zo’an,” A young man salutes.
_RANK: FOURTH TIER ZO'AN (RECRUIT)
_ID: SIYA KHOLO
_AGE: 21
_ABILITY: MAGNETISM
_SCORE: 1.1
_EXPAND FOR STATS_
He’s fourth tier already? Her body jerks- in jealousy or surprise, she’s not sure. The other two recruits have a higher score too- who are these kids?
“Dante, Julz and Nadia,” Cassie wiggles her thumb at each of them.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Heir Sabina,” The recruits chant in unison.
“The pleasure is ours,” Sabina responds, “Their scores are looking a little low, no? You kids getting proper training from Cassie?”
“Of course,” Cassie whips, “They've got way more experience in the field than your chumpy recruits,”
“Ooh, it didn't take much to trigger your competitive side,” Sabina grins, “That's why I like you, Cass. You’re mean,”
“Permission to speak, Madame?” Siya requests.
“Granted,”
“I’m a huge fan of you, Heir Cassie. I've read about your battle in the basin over twenty times,”
“Thanks,” Cassie says, looking a little uncomfortable. “When do we move out?”
Sabina looks at her watch, then back at them, “Two minutes. Good thing you're all suited up,”
“Copy that,” Cassie says, “Get yourselves ready recruits. This is the first step to taking down that server,”
“Yes, Heir,” They all respond, getting a nod of respect out of Sabina.
“Maybe they aren't babies after all,” Sabina winks.
—--
A family that would take an ungodly effort to count, chaotically surrounds a dining table whilst children, teenagers and adults alike scramble for the rotating edibles as the chiming of traditional string instruments dances within the atmospheric noise.
With a sudden crash, the frantic energy comes to a halt as the perforated faces shift in search of the disaster.
“Kassian!” Yells Apa. “Give that back to your sister!”
“But Nadia took it from me first-”
“Kassiaaan,” His Father waves a finger.
Kassian begrudgingly droops his head whilst mumbling a few words that his parents fortunately never heard. He lifts his head, looking Nadia in the eyes with a look of disdain before giving Uncle Phil’s retired blaster back to Nadia.
A smile lights up across her face before her attention is drawn back to her Dad
“Nadiaaa, what do you say?”
She scratches the back of her head then tightens her grip on the blaster before raising her head and pointing at Kassian.
“Uncle Phil gave his blaster to me! Not you! Nya Nya Nya Nya Nya,” Nadia laughs before running out the room.
“Nadia!” Her mother yells.
“You little fart!” Kassian growls before chasing her.
Another lost memory, resurfacing before a battle as though her soul wants to remember for the last time.
She’d dissect it further, and try finding the reason for why that memory came to mind at a time like this. Maybe this is her family now… Squad two nineteen.
Maybe staring down an army of Krix spanning the length of the horizon is the new dinner table- with the feast yet to begin.
_OVERWATCH: ORDER FROM HEIR CASSIE
_DETAILS: Rally at the drill beam of Squad 2.1.9
It's strange. Her sense of self lately. It could very well be the intensity of her recent training, but that doesn't sit with her. Why does she feel… empty? No, that's not the right word. Stranded? A reef without an ocean.
She shakes the thoughts from her mind, returning to her senses as she realigns her focus to the Krix before her.
“Dante, Nadia, on me,” Cassie calls out as she leaps from atop the humvee to board the drill train.
“You doing okay?” Dante’s voice softly enters her mind.
She turns to look at him, immediately noticing that her own expression suggests she isn't. Then turns, and follows behind Cassie.
“I'm fine,” She mumbles.
“Look, I know we’re not really friends or anything… But we can try to be,”
“Sure,” She turns to him, putting on the best smile that she can. But it doesn't work any better, and his expression shifts to concern.
“The plan is simple. Defense,” Cassie says, “Since we did such a great job at it before, our orders are to protect the drill beam,”
“From out here?” Dante asks, “We won't be in the fight for a while,”
“Not quite,” Cassie looks at him with a glint of excitement in her eyes, “I'm thinking we go for more of an offensive defense,” She winks before opening the hatch of the drill cart and dropping in.
“Our guardian angels have returned,” Clint swivels in his seat.
“Glad to see you're all okay,” Rebecca smiles.
“Try not to bleed all over our floor this time,” Kabela adds.
“Our job requires more than just sweat,” Cassie pokes, “If you even do that much… Is that air conditioning I feel?”
“Welcome back,” Captain Hammond says as he drops through the hatch, “You three are basically a part of the drill team now,”
“It's a freelance position,” Cassie lightly punches his shoulder.
“Let me get you all up to speed. The train is going to be posted up on the ridge to the south east. Near the camp. It is the highest ground in a ten k radius and we aren't going to be moving unless we get pinned down,”
“I see,” Cassie pensively crosses her arms.
“The want us at an seven of ten, putting out as much damage as often as possible,”
“Where would you like us?”
“Wherever you want,” Hammond chuckles, “You Zo’ans just do what you do and I’m sure we’ll be fine,”
“If we take damage we’ll need another escort,” Clint mentions.
“If your recruits are up for it,” Kabela winks at Nadia.
“Sounds good to me,” Cassie nods. “Sound good, recruits?”
“Yes, Heir,” They both chant.