Special Defense Force

Episode 4: Family and Foes

A month. It had been a whole month since my first taste of what this life had to throw at me. I sipped my coffee and looked at the Dome from the Commissary. I sighed as I thought about it. I had accomplished the mission, held onto my morals and found an inner strength that I never had before. I smiled to myself, "And a great girlfriend to boot." "Talking to someone?"

I jumped out of my seat and crashed to the floor. I looked up at Bobby and Sharon and grunted, "Thanks for the heart attack." Sharon chuckled, "Oh Daniel, I knew you would fall for me sooner or later." Bobby rolled his eyes, "Yeah he fell like your face wrinkles." They both laughed until Sharon stomped on his foot. He cried out and I laughed, "Whole new meaning to the term watch your step." We all chuckled and took our seats.

We exchanged small talk until we heard someone dropping something. We looked over at a girl by the dining line. She was shorter then me, had shoulder length brown hair, and wore a light blue blouse with navy skirt and high boots. She was crouching down picking something off the floor as Robbie looked down from next to her. He adjusted his aviators and sneered,  "You should watch where you're going." She glared up quietly at him, "You ran into me." He scoffed, "That so?" He walked away and she returned to gathering her tray. She reached for an apple when I picked it up. She looked up, startled to see me kneeling next to her. I smiled, "You ok?" She watched me cautiously and slowly took the fruit. She looked down at her tray and sort of at me at the same time. She nodded but didn't say anything. I smiled again, "Hey no need to be afraid of me. I'm a friend." She sighed and let a tiny smile grace her face. I picked up her tray, "Most of your food got smashed. I'll get you a fresh tray." She shook her head, "No it's ok." I chuckled, "I know there's mashed potatoes, but I don't think foot mashed is as appetizing." I placed her tray on a trash can and gathered a fresh one, "Now come on. Whatcha having?" She hesitated for only a moment before walking to the line with me, "Thank you." I winked, "No problem. By the way, I'm Daniel. The new guy." She smiled, genuinely this time, "Daniel, I'm Courtney."

When she gathered her plate I carried it to the table for her. I placed it next to Bobby and sat by Sharon. Courtney sat and smiled at them, "Hi guys." Bobby scoffed and sipped his drink, "Man, what a jerk." Sharon nodded, "He's always been that way. Cold and uncaring." Courtney blushed and nodded, "Just my bad luck I guess." I smiled at her, "Hey look. Don't worry about that creep. Bullies never last." She grinned a bit, "I guess so." I looked at my watch and sighed, "Aw man." Sharon put her tea down, "What is it?" I stood, "I got so caught up in making a new friend that I almost forgot I have a training exercise today." Courtney stopped chewing and mumbled threw her apple, "Ith it fridday?" I raised an eyebrow, "What?" She gulped, "Is it Friday?" I nodded and she yelped, "Oh dear! I AM late!" She nodded at me one last time, "Nice to meet you again Daniel! Bye!" She ran off, leaving a light dust trail as I shrugged, "Bit of an odd one there." Sharon chuckled, "Maybe, but she's very strong inside." I smiled, 'I have no doubt. I'll see you guys later." I walked off and Bobby groaned. Sharon looked over, "And what's your problem now?" He sulked, "I didn't get to say anything." Sharon leaned back and laughed as my best friend stuck his tongue out.

I changed and walked into the arena. I began stretching as Dr. Sarah came on over the Intercom, "Good morning Daniel. How are you?" I waved, "I'm good Dr. Sarah." She chuckled as she sat at the observation bench, "Daniel, you have a choice today.  You can do a solo training test or a dual test and have another student free up a time slot." I shrugged, "I'll take the double down. Both of us get some practice time and they get some free time. Works for me." Dr. Sarah chuckled, "I appreciate your consideration." I waved when a familiar voice answered nearby, "I do too." I looked over and saw Courtney standing nearby in a training outfit.

I groaned, "Talk about fated meetings." I pointed at her and looked up at Dr. Sarah, "And what's the idea of making me fight girls all the time?!" She answered, "I know you're a gentleman Daniel, but you will fight women combatants you know." I sighed, "I know but I feel like a jerk." "You're not." I looked over at Courtney as she tied her hair in a loose ponytail. She smiled, "The way you helped me earlier, I can see what Emily has said about you is true." I chuckled, "It was my pleasure." She bowed slightly and then lowered into a relaxed stance. It was at that moment that I noticed her most prominent feature. A long katana on her hip.