Fated to be Together

Time for Squad Battles

Chapter 25

Time for Squad Battles

"Tap out." Rhiannon screams as a rider from Second Wing fights to drag himself forward as Liam holds him in a leg lock, forcing him into an impossible arch. Zara who was nursing a black and blue bruise on her check from a fight with a first wing rider stood holding Violet as they watch the fight. It was the last challenge in this portion of the Squad Battles. Bodhi and Garrick had come to watch Zara's fight with her opponent and disappeared after checking to make sure she was alright. Violet flight time was the slowest and Zara's was top 10 with Adish. Mikael cries out in pain. Liam was holding fast.

"Fuck me, that looks like it hurts." Violet mutters as the crowd pushes in the back..

"Yeah, he's not walking for awhile." Ridoc cringes.

"I think we got the win." Zara said as Mikael slams his palm into the mat three times.

"Yes! Go, Liam!" Sawyer screams as Violet and Zara jump with excitement, joining the cheering. Liam drops Mikael to the mat.

"We won!" Liam rushes us and Zara laughs as they are swept up into a tangle of arms and shouting. Imogen was among the hugging. Dain was also missing.

"Your winner!" Emetterio shouts, his voice ringing through the gym, quieting the crowd. Liam steps out of the hug. "Liam Mairi from Second Squad, Flame Section, Fourth Wing!" Liam puts up both hands in victory and turns in a small circle. Cheering comes through the crowd. Panchek steps onto the mat and Liam joins his squad.

"I know you were all expecting the last portion of the Squad Battle to happen tomorrow, but the cadre and I have a surprise." Panchek said. Everyone looks at Panchek, all silent. "Instead of telling you what the final, unknown task will be and giving you tonight to plan for it, your final task will begin this hour!" He smiles, turning around.

"Tonight?" Ridoc whispers.

"Dain isn't here. Neither is Cianna." Violet said. Zara looked out and saw Bodhi was missing as well along with Garrick. Zara reached for them and found they had shields up.

"Oh shit." Imogen said, looking over the crowd as well.

"As you may have noticed, your squad leaders and their executive officers have been... shall we say, sequestered with your section leaders and wingleaders, and no, before someone asks, your task is not to find them." Panchek said. He walks in a small circle, addressing each side of the mat. "You are to break into your squads and accomplish a unique mission this evening without the leadership and instruction of your squad leaders."

"Interesting." Zara said, earning some looks from her squad.

"Doesn't that defeat the purpose of having squad leaders?" Someone asked.

"The purpose of a squad leader is to form a tightly knit unit that can carry on with a mission after their demise. Consider your leaders... demised." Panchek shrugs with a gleeful smile. "You're on your own, riders. Your mission is simple: find and acquire, by any means necessary, the one thing that would be most advantageous to our enemies regarding the war effort. Leadership will serve as unbiased judges, and the winning squad will be awarded sixty points."

"That's enough to put us into first!" Rhiannon whispered, linking her arms with Violet and Zara. Zara smirked. "We could win the glory of going to the front!"

"What are the boundaries?" Zara asked.

"Anything within the walls of Basgiath. And don't you dare let me see you trying to haul a dragon back here. They'll incinerate you out of sheer annoyance." Panchek said. A squad mutters their disappointment. "You have." He pulls out his pocketwatch. "Three hours, at which time we'll expect you to present your stolen treasures in the Battle Brief room." Everyone stares at him in silence. "What are you waiting for. Go!" All hell breaks out