Unity

Four: Initiation

New chapter! Two Mondays later, like I promised! Yes, this will be the new schedule, I will do this regularly, at least for this story. There was a point where I have to include bold text even though it was a different font originally but Wattpad doesn't do that. Anyway, been waiting forever to introduce these characters! My first set of antagonists! I love all their characters so I hope you have fun with them, they will get more into their backstories later. (In secret other news, I'm designing a new cover for this story on my drawing tablet. It might be done for the New Year!!) Enjoy!! - CatClio

The rest of that week went by uncomfortably fast. The next day we practiced hand-to-hand in the morning, Mallory and Lynette sparring and Chance and I sparring left Rex to train with Lautrec, who gave him no mercy. Then we began training with flammables and explosives, which left most of us confused and tired in time for dinner. I fell asleep with my head on my desk, trying to study specific combinations that can be used to create and explosion.

On Wednesday we started our Pre-Modern training, as they called it. In the morning we worked with blades (knives and swords) which, of course, Chance was an expert in as the sword was his weapon specialty. In the afternoon we focused on projectiles, including spears, bows and arrows.

Thursday we practiced infiltration techniques. After warm ups we went into the tropical zone, an area of the school near the north wing that was just a large room with a living tropical ecosystem within the biosphere, and exercised "stealth" by capturing a very alert, very fast bird through sneak attacks. After lunch we began learning about information collection. This skill covered hacking, going undercover and extracting knowledge from prisoners. We began with a lesson on how to get civilians to tell you what you need.

On Friday everyone was on edge. Chance was fidgeting more than usual and Lynette talked less and less. Mallory seemed like she had grown distracted from whatever agenda she had against me. Rex's lips began to bleed, I could tell he'd been biting them without thinking about it. No one payed attention to our morning lesson on poisons and after lunch we fell prey to many of our own creations during our instruction on trapping.

On Saturday morning we all woke early except for Lynette. Her door was locked and she wouldn't answer. We all wore the warmest clothes available but that wasn't much. All I had was a black sweater and long sleeve shirt. The Facility itself was in a tropical climate, previously known as Florida, so we weren't provided with many warm things. Special gear would have to be handed out by Supervisors.

None of us really felt like eating so we left at six for the arctic zone. It was the zone closest to our quarters, the entrance just down the hall to the left. Our steps echoed ominously in the hallway. None of us spoke. I could feel the icy chill between us before we even stepped foot inside the zone.

"Wait." I grabbed Chance's arm. Mallory and Rex turned. "Maybe we should stay with Lynette. This could end... really badly."

Chance's face had a flash of regret. It was his responsibility to take care of this team as our leader and I knew he didn't want to hurt us. At the same time he had to remain strong in his decisions.

"It could also be good for us." Chance said slowly, contemplating. "If we do what Aphrodite says she could be a very powerful and trustworthy ally. Her team is extremely strong and they have more experience than us."

My grip loosened, and my hand fell. Trusting the judgement of Chance and Mallory, we opened the metal doors.

A blast of wind hit us directly in the face. It stung, bringing crystals of ice with it. We pushed forward, the doors closing. Our black training boots crunched through the snow. Snowflakes stuck to our hair. We reached an icy area under a cliff top, adorned with a mass of snow. Aphrodite was waiting, but with only two of her entourage.