Fate Breakers

Chapter 11

For this round of the Aeolian Sector's Unit Test, old mines from deep within the Aeolian Mountains were cleared and secured, obstacles put in place. As usual, cadets were told nothing of the trials ahead of them. All they were told was to train as they saw fit. Many of the proctors had ideas in advance who would rise and who would fall.

Master Sergeant Orion Tallan observes all of the paperwork at his disposal. Maps, logs, data, but most importantly, the files of the cadets. In particular, Tallan is most interested with Unit 13.

Gannon Ramirez is half Astrapí, no other part listed. To Tallan, this is unacceptable. It explains his ability to control lightning, but lightning is but a small shred of what the Astrapí can do as a whole. Calvel Idalia is listed only as an Orange Oblivion, and likewise Vince Ravi is only listed as a Yellow Oblivion. Fire and lightning with portals, but again, this is unacceptable to Tallan. Oblivions are such an abnormal race, most do not fully consider them as such, the odd freaks of nature. Then there's Isla Cascade, the half Sea Siren, half Drákon. Tallan resented her for a different reason, but even with all of it staring right back at him, none of this information is satisfactory.

Tallan had only seen soldiers move like them before, in Flight Crew Unit 021. Tallan had dealt with them long ago. He would not let filth infect the Eunoian Military again. It had come too close to happening once. Once, and never again, not while he lives and breathes.

"Is there a reason you're looking through my unit's files?" Fox snatched the binder from Tallan, rearranging everything back how she had it: neat, organized, and away from Master Sergeant Tallan.

Tallan narrows his eyes. "Merely curious about the cadets in this round."

"Mmm, really?" Fox paid him no mind. For good measure, she grabbed Units 14, 18, and 23 along with Unit 13's. They were who she could protect, and she swore to the Gods that she would. She found Tallan's gaze and narrows her eyes right back at him. "All the proctors had their chance to interact with the cadets before this test."

"I was assigned at the last moment," Tallan answered back smoothly.

Too smoothly. "Right, given Makatza's absence." Fox crossed her arms over her chest. "That's no excuse. Had you used your time effectively, Master Sergeant, you would have had more than enough time to interact with the cadets of interest."

A muscle feathered in Tallan's jaw, his teeth grinding against each other. "I could have your patterns for your tongue."

"You can't." Fox leaned a hand on the table, keeping her eyes on Tallan. It's an effort to keep her body calm. Beneath, she wants nothing more than to beat Tallan into a pulp. But she can't, so she levels her voice, and steadies her breathing. "In case you need a reminder, Southern Aclon may be at your beck and call, but Northern and Central Aclon respect me. I made a name for myself here across all branches. The Sea Brigade, the Flight Crew, the Vipers, and the Balor all value my opinions. I can start and end missions all with the wave of my hand."

"So can I," Tallan cuts in, his palms digging into the wooden table dividing them. "You covered all your bases, but I have respect where it matters most. The Flight Crew as a whole is at my command."

Fox shakes her head, maintaining a cold expression. "That's the difference between me and you: you talk a big game, but you don't act or do what you're supposed to do. Your power, like Makatza's, comes from harnessing fear."

Tallan straightens his back. "Fear keeps people in line."

"People can only be afraid for so long," Fox answers, backing away from the table, and backing away from the conversation. "People find their greatest strength under the pressure of fear."