“Okay, start to brake,” Gucci instructed.

Kayla’s foot pushed forward on the pedal, and deceleration forced her into her seat as the vehicle slowed. Ahead, a plastic cone indicated the corner she was supposed to swing the armored SUV around, as though it were a go-kart.

“Ready on the handbrake,” Gucci intoned.

Kayla tensed, waiting for the maneuver.

“Hard over—lift the brake.”

Kayla’s hands whirled the wheel across, then pulled the lever as the vehicle veered to the left. There was a squeal of tires and smoke drifted off the rear window.

“Feather your accelerator.”

The whole car span like a top, juddering as it slid over tarmac to face the new direction.

“Now recover, and unleash some power.”

Kayla controlled the wheel and, as the tires began to regain traction, she pushed her foot back into the gas pedal. A delightful rush of adrenaline ran through her body as the car responded, surging forward smoothly. She floored it, and whooped as acceleration shoved her back into her seat.

Ahead of them, an identical vehicle pulled into an adjacent lane.

“Here comes the oppo, so let’s see you nail this move,” Gucci said.

“No problem,” Kayla replied, buzzing with energy.

She approached the other vehicle behind its rear quarter. Then she accelerated until her front bumper passed the lead car’s rear. Drifting closer, she caught the vehicle with a nudge to the side, and she tried to shove its mass around. Her knuckles went white on the steering wheel as conflicting forces fought to throw her own car into an unrecoverable spin. But Kayla maintained her leverage until the opposing force’s SUV veered wildly, smoking tires losing traction with the road. She breathed a sigh of relief as it slid out of control, drifting back in her rear-view mirror while she pulled away.

“Nice job,” Gucci said curtly.

Kayla only smiled. Her new driving instructor hadn’t been very friendly, though she had taught the Rangers an awful lot.

On Tyr’s vehicle testing grounds, the Raiders of Red Squadron had partnered up with Bravo company to teach them the basics of offensive and defensive driving. They had a small fleet of high-powered sports utility vehicles to smash up, and the previous few days had been an intense rush of tarmac, horsepower, and the smell of melting tires.

Urtiga grinned mischievously when she paired Kayla’s squad up with Gucci. For her part, the awkward super soldier lectured them monotonously on a variety of driving techniques, before taking them to the testing range’s vast blacktop to practice. The sessions went very well, and the Venomous Vipers were well on their way to being ready for what would be one of the most difficult operations in the unit’s history.

Fortunately, they had the best technology on their side. The modified car looked like a normal vehicle on the outside, but it sported a powerful engine, advanced brakes and suspension, together with reinforced internal armor and glasswork. There were discreet compartments for slotting weapons, magazines and first aid kits, an advanced tactical display for the driver, and controls in the back for the passengers to drop seats and windows in the event of a gunfight. The machines’ creation drew on experience from Valkyrie’s toughest covert operations. Now they were being turned over to a bunch of Rangers, who would have to perform way outside of their usual mission parameters.

Kayla was beginning to feel giddy with the training. Being able to unleash so much power and control was a heady sensation. Even better, not only were they going to destroy Rayker, but the task force would also give the despicable VennZech corporation a black eye.

Drowning in confidence, she steered the vehicle back to the gathered squad at the start line, and decided to do some button pushing on the way.

“Hey Gucci,” she said, and felt a little apprehension creep into her mind. This was a soldier vastly more capable and respected than her, after all.

“Yes?”

“If you wanted to ask my dad out again, I could totally set something up for you. He’s single, you know.”

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Kayla kept her face blank, and her eyes on the road. She couldn’t see, but she was sure Gucci had just broken out in a deep blush. There was a moment of silence.

“Ugh, I hate ‘tiga for sticking me with you,” Gucci said eventually.

Kayla frowned. “That’s hurtful.”

“You deserve it. Everyone knows you’re a goddamned troublemaker. Look at that smirk you’re barely holding back.”

“Oh, actually our squad has a member of high religious sensitivity, so I’ll have to ask you to keep your language clean.”

Gucci reached over and gave the steering wheel a sharp yank, forcing Kayla to fight to keep the car under control. Fortunately, there was nothing but empty tarmac around them.

“Is it an age thing?” Kayla went on, once she had calmed her nerves. “Are you shallow like that?”

Gucci inhaled deeply. “Okay you little brat, let me make something clear. First Jack broke it off with me, and it was a painful experience for both of us. Second, he needs a real-world woman in his life, but that won’t happen as long as he maintains his association with us, and he’ll keep that up as long as you’re here. So, his romantic problems are now officially your fault.”

“Oh,” Kayla said, now feeling less enthusiastic about the conversation. “I hadn’t thought about that.”

Gucci leaned forward, an evil expression on her face. “Please, let’s dissect your emotions on the issue. I mean, as long as it’s not awkward or anything.”

Kayla fought through the embarrassment, and her mind threw up an ace.

“My friend Christie has a girlfriend—a civilian,” she said earnestly.

“I don’t like gossips.”

“No, but… I mean, my squad leader was married. Girls obviously find ways to have healthy relationships in the real world, so that means Jack can too. We just need to find him someone, and help him make it work.”

“Was married?”

Kayla hesitated. “That’s not important.”

Gucci sighed. “The average marriage in the organization ends in divorce within four years, which entirely proves my point.”

Kayla waved a hand as she pulled onto the final straight. “I am officially announcing operation Calderan Romance. Consisting of one Ranger element (command), and one Raider attachment (support). Briefing material to be distributed.”

“I don’t think you could command a piss up in a brewery,” Gucci said. “And I have no interest in meddling with Jack’s life without his knowledge.”

Kayla glanced at her. “That’s not the Raider spirit we all look up to, you know?”

“Can you just please be a normal person for the rest of the training?”

“I can’t make promises.”

Kayla pulled the car up next to her squad and hopped out, with an annoyed looking Gucci not far behind. The Rangers stared enthusiastically at the vehicle, hoping to be the next in line. Unfortunately, Tian and Jess were giggling about something.

“Hernandez,” Kayla called, and waited a moment while she stepped forward. “What did I get wrong on my run?”

“Umm…” The young woman scrunched her eyes, obviously desperate to imagine an answer. “Too slow on the corner exit?”

Gucci shook her head. “Nah, she was fine there.”

“Umm…” Jess was quiet for a moment while she tried again, but came up short. “I’m not sure, Lance-corporal.”

“Is that because you weren’t paying attention in class, or while watching the session?” Kayla demanded with a hint of anger.

The Rangers were supposed to be watching each other for mistakes so that they could learn more quickly. But the rookie had obviously been distracted by another inattentive squad mate.

“While watching the session,” Hernandez said in a chastised voice.

“I’m sorry, what? Speak in full sentences.”

“I wasn’t paying attention to your driving session, Lance-corporal,” Hernandez repeated while the other members of the squad silently enjoyed the ritual humiliation that they had all been subjected to throughout their lives.

Kayla shook her head. “So, you missed the fact that I hit the oppo vehicle too quickly, and nearly span out of control. That’s valuable experience you have failed to absorb.” She jabbed a finger at the private. “You’re up next. Are you going to give Sergeant Kilpatrick your full attention, or are you going to waste her time too?”

“I will give her my full attention, Lance-corporal,” Jess repeated dutifully.

Kayla patted her on the shoulder as she guided her towards the waiting car. “Good, because if she complains, I’m going to have you run the twenty miles around the training grounds.”

The vehicle moved off, and, as the squad looked on, Kayla turned on Tian next. “A word, private Bao?” she said, and they moved away from the others.

“FYI,” Tian began carelessly, “I can chat and watch at the same time.”

Kayla reined in an escalating temper. “Uhuh? But you’re happy for Jess to be distracted whilst we’re preparing for one of the toughest missions we’ve ever faced? Why is that?”

Tian shrugged. “I thought she was on top of it.”

“She isn’t on top of anything because she’s drowning in information,” Kayla snapped. “And you’re setting a shitty example.”

“Oh, come on, don’t be like that.”

“Then stop screwing around. Can we get these sessions locked in? Can you be a little more professional?”

“I’m always professional. And this squad knows how to kick ass, especially when you do your thing.”

Kayla almost wanted to growl. Tian obviously wasn’t listening to her, and she had no patience for it. She could always pull rank, but that would likely be perceived as weakness, especially considering that Tian had more combat experience than she did.

“If I have to send Jess for a run,” Kayla said forcefully, “you’re going with her. Got it?”

Tian’s cheeks reddened. “Okay, I got it. It’s fine.”

They rejoined the squad, and Kayla caught Kes’s eye, and the vanishing smirk. It had been a setup. The squad leader had let the two Rangers get carried away so she could see what Kayla would do—if she would step up and take responsibility for her job.

Then Kayla wanted to kick herself. Of course Tian would be taken aback. On any normal day, it would have been the two of them chatting. On any normal day, they would be repeating the same maneuvers they had all memorized long ago. And, if she was being totally honest, Kayla would have made up for inattention by doing the most challenging thing herself, leaving the routine stuff to her teammates.

Now even more angry, this time at herself, she glanced back at Kes and caught a wink. They all had a lot more to learn.