Tw: Violence, injury.

Sorry for the lack of updates. I've gotten distracted by a library. I've read twenty books int he last week.

I have fifteen more on my shelf.

Anyone read A Court of Thorns and Roses?

Gotta say, Rhys...

Um, where was I?

Right.

Enjoy this chapter.

"Hello!" Karina brightly said.

The cadets murmured amongst themselves, looking around in confusion. Wolffe stood behind Karina, tense. Karina was out of the wheelchair now, healed enough to be back in crutches.

But if she pushed herself too far, Wolffe had Stunner's comm channel ready.

"I'm going to be training you!" Karina excitedly revealed.

"And in Coda's last session! This is the best way for him to leave!" Fizzle clapped Coda on the back. "This is going to be so much fun!"

"I thought we'd start with a team building exercise!" Karina told them. "So gather in a circle on the floor."

The cadets exchanged puzzled looks, but did as she said. She sat down in their group, shooing away a skeptical Wolffe.

"What's everyone most excited about for when you get to see the galaxy?" Karina prompted. "Let's go in a circle and share. I'll go first. I was most excited to see a beach when I left home."

"Have you seen one yet?" Scruffs asked.

Karina shook her head. "Not yet. But hopefully one day. Who's next?"

"I want to see trees!" Coda exclaimed. "Not just the artificial ones here; real trees!"

"You will, and they'll be beautiful," Karina assured him.

After everyone was finished (Karina had to force them to move on from Sparks' dream, which was... odd) they got up and Karina directed them to the battle simulations. She let them pick a setting on the training simulator and gave them their mission directive.

"You have to successfully get a blow on Wolffe!" Karina grinned at the commander who had unknowingly been dragged into it.

"I didn't agree to this," Wolffe protested. "I don't want these hyper cadets attacking me."

"So you're worried they're going to hurt you?" Karina summarized before shrugging and turning around.

"No! They won't even touch me!" Wolffe defensively said.

Karina stuck her chin up challengingly. "Then what's the problem?"

"Yeah, Commander!" Bones hollered. "What's the issue?"

"Fine," Wolffe snapped. "But don't come crying to me when you scrape your knee."

"You can come crying to me!" Karina told them. "I'll comfort you!"

Wolffe rolled his eyes. "You're being too soft on them."

"It'll balance you out," Karina sweetly said. She returned her attention to the cadets. "Is everyone ready?"

"Yes, ma'am!" Scruffs answered, bobbing his head.

"Get out there." Karina swatted at Wolffe with one of her crutches, herding him out onto the simulation.

Wolffe glared at her. "One day I'll have them go against you."

"With all the training I have? Great idea!" Karina sarcastically said.
Wolffe's stomach sunk.

She was right. She had zero training. And yet she was in the military? Her life would be in danger!

Not to mention how often she got injured.

"Anyway," Karina's voice broke him out of his thoughts, "let's hurry up and start this."

Wolffe slipped his helmet on, staring down at Karina through the visor.

She might not be actively part of the fighting, but he knew it was only a matter of time before she'd have to pick up a blaster. For some reason, he didn't like the idea of her putting herself in danger like that.

"Wolffe." Karina snapped her fingers in front of his face. "Did you not hear me?"

"Did you say something?" Wolffe didn't like how distracted he had been getting lately.

"I asked if you were okay with blasters or if you just wanted this to be weaponless." Karina furrowed her brow, slightly worried with how he was acting.

"They can do whatever to try and land a hit. It won't matter. If they fail, though, they have to do a thousand pushups tomorrow." Wolffe's eyes sparkled. "But if I lose, I have to do a thousand pushups."

"We have to win this!" Sparks exclaimed. "The stakes are high!"

"Wolffe gets a two minute head start to hide in the simulation." Karina ruffled Mistake's hair as he went up to hug her. "If you get him you win, but if he gets all of you he wins."

Wolffe stared at the cadets as they all swarmed Karina, practically begging for some kind of affection. "I'll start then."

He jogged away, forcing himself not to look back at her giving each cadet attention.

"Go!" Karina shouted once the two minutes were up.

She observed the cadets and they snuck through the training room, shouting praises at the most basic things. Wolffe kept rolling his eyes every time she would throw a compliment away.

"Great job climbing that wall!" Karina yelled, encouraging Scruffs and Bones, who had worked together to accomplish it.

Bones beamed at her, patting Scruffs on the back. "We try!"

"Wow, Coda! Nice job! You're getting so close to finding him!" Karina proudly said.

Wolffe scowled.

She's making them go soft.

Not to mention giving away where his hiding spot was.

Wolffe sprung out from his spot, wrapping his arms around Coda. He applied pressure to the cadet's throat until he tapped, and he was released. Wolffe slinked away, trying to find his next victim.

When Coda returned to Karina's side, she gave him a smile.

"You were so close!" Karina told him. "You're the closest so far."

Coda hung his head. "This was my last session before I go."

"And you did great!" Karina softly said, using a soothing tone of voice. "But he's been training for years. He's been in actual battles. He's a commander. You did very well against someone like that!"

Coda gave her a lopsided smile. "You think so?"

Karina nodded firmly. "Absolutely."

"He got me too," Fizzle grumbled and he limped over.

"What did he do to you?" Karina asked in horror as he hobbled over to her.

"I'm fine," Fizzle told her, wincing slightly as he sat on the floor next to her. "My ankle just went at a weird angle as I went around a corner, running."

Karina clicked her tongue disapprovingly. "You'll still go to Stunner."

Fizzle rolled his eyes. "Sure."

Karina looked up just as Bones tried to attack Wolffe. He launched himself at the commander, just to be thrown against a wall, his own momentum being used against him.

Karina cringed. "That must've hurt."

"Plastoid," Coda reminded her, rapping on his armour. "He likely didn't break any ribs."

Bones grinned as he jogged over, unharmed. "I was close!"

"Very close," Karina agreed, shifting uncomfortably. Her arms were starting to get tired.
Bones must've picked up on it, because he helped her sit down on the floor, taking her crutches and leaning them against the wall. He sat criss-crossed in front of her, dramatically retelling his story of how he just barely escaped death.

Karina nodded again, gasping at all the right moments. He slowly began to tire out, leaning against Fizzle. Eventually his eyes shut, and his mouth patted as he snored.

"He's gonna drool on me," Fizzle muttered.

"Let him sleep," Karina said. "You all need it."

"I wasn't gonna wake him." Fizzle moved slightly so Bones' neck was at a better angle.

Mistake joined them with a heavy sigh. "He surprised me from behind and I accidentally shot myself."

Coda pinched the bridge of his nose. "Of course you did."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Mistake popped his hip out and pretended to flip his hair. "We both know I don't make mistakes. The blaster was clearly faulty."

"Clearly," Coda dryly replied.

Mistake grinned and settled next to Karina, resting his head in her lap.

Karina's heart warmed at how they trusted her enough to be this open near her. She never had this kind of connection with her brother.

Mistake stared up at her with a small frown.

"Is something wrong?" Karina asked, cocking her head.

"Just thinking about the commander," Mistake said.

"What does that have to do with me?" Karina questioned.

Coda and Mistake made eye contact. Coda drew a thumb over his throat, and Mistake subtly nodded his understanding.

"Nothing." Mistake patted Karina's arm.

Karina glanced up just in time to see Scruffs barely miss Wolffe with a training bolt. "Go, Scruffs! Get him!"

"I don't want to do a thousand pushups!" Mistake screamed.

"The result won't matter to me," Coda gleefully said. "I'll be gone."

Sparks leaped from above, startling Wolffe, who was occupied with Scruffs. He ducked, and one of Scruffs' shots hit Sparks.

Scruffs was momentarily distracted and Wolffe used the opening to shoot his chest.

Wolffe faced the spectators as he holstered his blaster. "I win."

"You should've worked as a team," Karina told them. She reached out and gave Coda's shoulder a squeeze. "At least you don't have to do yours since you'll be gone tomorrow."

Wolffe cleared his throat, standing directly behind Karina. She jumped, having not realized he was so close. "Coda could do his now," Wolffe said, giving a self-satisfied smirk.

Coda cursed.

"Language," Wolffe sharply lectured.

"Sorry, sir," Coda automatically said.

Karina struggled for a couple of seconds to begin walking to the door. Wolffe noticed, and held out an arm to stop her.

"You okay?" he quietly asked.

"My shoulder just feels a bit strained. I'm fine," Karina assured him.

"I could carry you to your room," Wolffe suggested earnestly.

"I'll be okay." Karina shook her head.

"My ankle hurts. I'll take that offer!" Fizzle loudly said.

"Bones!" Wolffe snapped. "Carry Fizzle to Stunner, since he's apparently incapacitated. In fact, all of you should carry him down. Make it a team building exercise."

They all grinned and heaved Fizzle up, who protested and attempted to escape.

"The long route might be best," Wolffe casually said, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Past everyone in the cafeteria."

"No!" Fizzle shrieked. "Please!"

"Commander's orders." Coda shrugged, beginning to lead them out of the room.

They all chuckled darkly as Fizzle tried one last time to get out of their grip, but ultimately failed.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Wolffe asked once they were gone.

"I'm fine," Karina exasperatedly said. "How many times do I have to say it?"

Wolffe deactivated the training simulation, everything sinking into the ground. "Ready for dinner?"

"I might skip tonight, if it's alright," Karina lightly said. "I have plans."

"What kind of plans?" Wolffe frowned.

"I got asked to have dinner with someone else. I didn't think you'd mind since we eat together just so you know that I'm eating. I'll still be eating with him." Karina started for the hallway, Wolffe trailing behind her.

"Who are you eating with?" Wolffe scowled.

"Deto. He asked and I didn't want to be rude."

"Do you actually want to eat with him or did you feel pressured?" Wolffe sighed.

Karina kept walking in silence.

"I'll tell him no for you." Wolffe fell into sync by her side, catching up with her.

Karina grimaced. "I don't want someone fighting my battles."

"Please?" Wolffe begged. "Please let me deal with him? I hate him so much."

"Fine," Karina relented. "But Don't you hate a lot of people?"

"I don't hate you." Wolffe started sprinting ahead before slowing and glancing back. "Hurry up!"

Karina picked up the pace, entering the cafeteria. He fell into step behind her as they approached Deto at his chosen table.

"Hey, Karina," Deto greeted.

"Hi," Karina replied. Her eyes flicked to Wolffe, signalling that it was time for him to make his move.

"Karina can't have lunch with you right now," Wolffe bluntly said.

Deto's smile faded. "What?"

Wolffe put his chin on Karina's shoulder from behind. "She can't have lunch with you right now. Or ever."

Deto frowned at Karina. "Karina?"

"Sorry, Deto," Karina apologized. "But I have a previous engagement. I told Wolffe I'd eat with him."

"When are you free?" Deto asked.

"Never." Wolffe was filled with happiness at Deto's expression of shattered hope. "I eat with her every meal."

Deto stood up angrily, pushing his tray to the floor. "See you at work, Karina."

His tone was threatening, but Wolffe didn't notice. He was too busy inwardly gloating at how furious Deto was.

He couldn't explain it, but there was just something about the man Wolffe didn't like.

Karina shot Wolffe a worried look. "Wolffe?"

He hummed. "Yeah?"

Karina shook her head. "Never mind."