Chapter 4

Chapter 4 The Hot Box

The hot box is an unground wooden box room, large double doors leading onto the open field. Beneath the earth is heated lead piping which is made hotter by the furnace in the bunkered underground next to it. The hot box is a force of punishment to sharpen senses as the room is filled with darkness, this consists of strength and body training for forms of punishment for short periods of time.

Daisuke: “How long until we’re out?”

Resting his back against Tadashi’s, the three boys are partially huddled, sitting on a large wooden rack to keep them off the hot earth beneath them. Their senses shadowed in on them, the room filled with darkness. Shoto covers his ears, knees in an upright position as the slightest bit of light from the double wooden doors exposes their silhouettes.

Tadashi: “Not long enough apparently”

Daisuke: “30 Traits on the wall, only 30 Traits. One Glitch to take them all - we’re down to 29 Traits..”

Daisuke sings as he nudges and mocks Tadashi.

Tadashi: “Daisuke, don’t be..”

Shoto: “I think you like this punishment to become stronger.

Zero will keep throwing you in here if that’s it..”

Tadashi: “Do you even think I'm ready?” There's a questioning look in his eyes, his turquoise hues glimmering from the bit of light as he looks down at his hands fiddling with the lace of his boot.

Daisuke: “If you’re asking that, probably not”

The double door bursts open, light illuminating the underground hot box as the trio are joined by Nori once again.

Sergeant Toru: “Your turn.

Remember not to attack your own - the enemy is out there”

Nori: “Behold Giants and Traits, meet your maker!”

Nori splutters, panting heavy after finishing her bale run - whilst sneakily grabbing a chicken drumstick from one of the camps on the way past to the hot box.

Nori: “Why are you covering your ears?” she notices Shoto in the corner of the room on the rack before moving to join him, sitting across the wooden slats.

Shoto scowls through darkness as the double doors close once again.

Shoto: “None of your business. Why are you annoying?”

Nori: “Because I'm stuck with an idiot… or two… with no food, no water” she adds in the dramatics, slapping the back of her hand against her forehead. Grin spreads across her cheeks as she fumbles into her uniform.

Shoto: “Stop your moving, you’re moving the rack!”

Nori: “Shut up, idiot!”

The two struggle, nudging one another on the rack. Daisuke and Tadashi ignoring them.

Daisuke: “I’m coming with you to Liberty..

I... well…Me and Zero talked.” he pauses, narrowing his eyes through darkness.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“He wants us to do after hours training from now on”

Daisuke tilts his head back, his dark brown hair ruffling against Tadashi’s, his back against his. Tadashi jerks his body round to try and see him, knocking his head into his back, he grunts and rubs his forehead.

Tadashi: “I was meant to be on this mission alone.

You.. you weren’t part of the plan.” he began to protest, his voice starting to raise in concern “The plan was I was meeting with Kai and then I'll meet you and the team later when the plan is in motion..” he began to explain before being interrupted.

Zero: “Yeah. Well, plans have changed, Tadashi”

Zeros voice calls from the doorway as the double doors are pulled open.

Daisuke, Tadashi and Shoto keel forward for air.

Zero: “Rozou, Satoru. You’re with me.

Takao - go train with Kita.

And You…””

Zero stared at Nori, who had her back to him, munching on the chicken drumstick she had taken only lifting her head when she realised he was speaking to her, her cheeks swollen.

Zero: “What am I to do with you?

You think more with your gut and causing trouble than you do with your comrades.”

Zero's eyes narrow as he points towards the fields.

Zero: “Get out of my sight and go train with your team”

Nori has her mouthful with another bite before giggling and scuttering off.

Shoto is right behind her, evidently dripping with sweat and more than annoyed that Nori was in there not even half an hour! Shoto tries to grab at the drumstick she’s eating, causing them both to fight over it, only to drop it off onto the dirt. Nori frowns, bottom lip displaying.

Tadashi and Daisuke walk close, behind Zero.

Zero: “You’ve both been working hard with your training. It’s become evident what a good team you’ll make.

We need your infiltration to be successful.” he began, before continuing.

I would say that your tongue holds sway over people's hearts, Daisuke.” giving Tadashi a look.

Zero: “But your actions, Tadashi, keep convincing me otherwise.” he tuts before turning to look ahead.

We need the rebellion to expand over in Liberty and you’ve got one week to go.

So you NEED to take this seriously” he glances back at them again with a stern expression in his eyes, prolonging their eye contact as he stops in his steps.

Tadashi: “What if we get caught Commander, what about Kai?”

Zero: “A play by chance.

You get out” Zero offers them both a serious glare, eyes narrowing - a panel view of his mouth and eyes only.

Daisuke: “No-one gets left behind.

That’s what you told us!” Desperation seeping in his tone and features as Daisuke leans forward, ready to tug on Zero’s arm but he stops himself.

Zero: “Sometimes we cannot control a line of events that does not work in our favour”

Daisuke and Tadashi both look at eachother knowingly and nod their heads in silence as Zero carries on walking ahead.

Zero: “You’re the last shred of hope Tyranny has.

Do not let us down”

Stopping at one of the large barns, a boy runs out, goggles clung against his forehead and wild dark red hair entwined between the goggles, an excited expression painted over his features as he begins to jump up and down and point towards the barn entrance, leading them inside.

Kei: “Tadashi! T-Dash - Hey!

Look, Look! Okay, these models aren’t they glorious”

Kei runs over to a piece of tech laid out on the large grey slate surface.

The utility belt coming into view.

Kei: “It’s newly out of development”

Kei glances over at Zero excitedly.

Zero: “Kei has been anxious to show you what we’ve been working on.

Weapons are not the only piece of tech your Comrades will be using.

Items like this one will enhance their skill set and speed.”

Walking over to the slate, he ran his fingers along the leather straps, admiring the tech.

Zero: “Your Comrades will be trained during the start of your mission.

You both have one week Daisuke - this one is yours.

Keep up with Tadashi”

The sun is still brightly shining through the barn's windows, showing that it was midday.