Artificial

Glimpse of the Future

Operator Velox

Ayala has brought us back to the podium, and addresses the Recruits once again.
"So, Recruits, why did these two crush your times, even when the course malfunctioned twice on them?"
One Recruit shouts, "How about because my partner's not a synthetic god with a powered exoskeleton?"
"A: He's not a god," I answer.
"And b," Evo finishes, opening his mask, "the exoskeleton comes with a number of tradeoffs. It's sort of slow, and incredibly heavy."
"It didn't seem too heavy when Velox was lifting you over her head."
"Yeah. You're right," Evo responds. "It didn't seem that heavy. But it was. Vel made it look easy because she packs an unbelievable amount of strength into that lean frame of hers."
"It's true," I add. " I've spent more time strength training alone than you've spent in basic."
"Well I guess that's fine, Wonder Woman, but I'm pretty sure I'd be doing pretty well too if I was in love with my partner."
Evo steps up before I can say anything.
"That's where you're wrong. Dead wrong. Do you know how hard it was for me to keep my eyes off her, when she's wearing that?" He demands, pointing to the form-fitting Kevlar bodysuit I chose over full body armor. I smile brightly, and blush. It does make my ass look good.
"No, Recruits!" Ayala interjects, laughing. She walks up to stand between Evo and I, then leans over to me.
"You are rocking that shit, honey," she whispers.
"I know. It's great."
She turns back to the crowd, smiling.
"Recruits, they are better than you because they've finished training! This is what you'll be performing at if you stick it through!"
"Well, you'll be pretty close, anyway," I comment with an arrogant smile.
"Of course, Vel," Ayala continues. "Anyway, to drive this point home, I've taken the liberty of inviting Fireteams Alpha and Bravo to join us in a training exercise.
Riot walks onto the stage, towering over me. He and Evo high five and fist bump, then stand side by side, each with an arm around the other's shoulders.
"Where's Reach and Shockwave?" Evo asks.
"I've got an idea," I say before jumping off of the stage and running off. I find the couple making out in the back of an empty dropship.
"Come on! Let's go! You can suck face after the training exercise!"