Cloud Association: Pretty Boy Psycho

Combat Practise

Geordie and Charlie are arguing again. We were supposed to be practising our combat skills. Our session has turned into all out civil war. No one agrees with anyone else so we're not getting anywhere save for massive debates which have been going around in circles for days.

"Can we be quiet and start over?" I stand in-between Charlie and Geordie. "Squabbling isn't making us any better at combat."

"Neither are his teaching methods. We can't all swing like thugs."

"I ain't swinging like a thug; it's skill."

"Your skill not ours."

"Drop and give me fifty. You could manage how I roll if you worked out."

"Most likely but that doesn't help Al. Besides why should I change my technique to suit you?"

"Because I can't teach you what I don't know. It's either my way or we quit practising, and you can die on our next assignment."

"Why do you have to be so controlling?"

"Danny tell them," I end up yelling myself. All I get is a shrug. Danny's that fed up he's given up. Is letting them two have it out forever. "Stop being mean and listen to me!" I scream. No one listens.

All this arguing hurts my head. I leave them to it to get some peace. If Master Hugo could see us now he'd be ashamed. We need him to teach us or we'll end up dead during an assignment. Master Hugo is dead himself so there is no helping us. No one ever listens to me because I am not authoritative enough. Lack oomph. Sitting on a rock by a path leading to main offices I slide a switchblade from my sleeve. Swish it open. Admire the shiny blade while thinking of what Master Hugo would advise me to do in this type of situation. Knocking sense into them is a no no. I couldn't punch a friend.

"What's with the glum face?" Jordan pauses his journey to main offices to join me in admiring my blade.

"Our team's dead."

"That's rather dramatic."

I shake my head. "Logistics want us out. Last week they sent us on a fake job in hope we'd fail in some way. Geordie was supposed to be giving us combat training to keep us from being an easy target but it's not working. Geordie is doing his best to teach but as you can imagine his patience levels are far from saintly. Our training has turned into a huge feud between Charlie and Geordie. Danny's given up and I'm caught in the middle. We're going around in a horrid tornado."

"I'm sure stuff will even out in time." He doesn't sound very convincing.

"Those last two years with Master Hugo were crucial, weren't they? We're dead... unless..." I look up from my blade and smile sweetly at Jordan, remembering that one off lesson he ended up giving us. There is a Master Hugo left in the world.

"Unless what? Have you had an oil lamp moment?"

"You could teach our team! Give us those two years we'd miss."

"Err no I couldn't."

"Why not? You're ever so talented. Danny was besotted with your teaching methods, and Geordie asked you plenty of questions which is the most positive of signs; he usually only grunts at teachers."

"Sorry I haven't the time."

I tilt my head a fraction. "Please Master Jordan."

"It's not allowed. Court said no special treatment. Even if I wanted to train you doing so would be too complex."

"You'd see me dead!" I exclaim. "You found me. Brought me to Cloud High. Doesn't that make you responsible for me?"

"Well err..."