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From beside me, a tiny snigger escapes the lips of the soldier to my right. Swiftly, the sound of his boots shuffles towards the Kaleidian, my brother Danel.
“What’s so funny, soldier?”
Danel knows better than to own the truth. I see him flex his stance yet remain composed. He throws his voice in pitch. “Nothing sir. Awaiting your orders, sir.”
“That’s better soldier. And don’t you forget it.” The Sarge seems to approve and steps down the line for the day’s inspection.
When his back is turned, I see my older brother flash me a sly grin before snapping back into formation.
“Now listen up!” Sarge rounds back on the line to give us our orders for the day. “Today we run our final drills before trial 10 commences at 0600 tomorrow. You will see that your supply pack meets standards for this trial, do you understand?”
“Sir, yes, sir!” we all cry out in unison.
“You will omit all comms or alternative communication devices from your supply pack before the start of this trial. Am I understood?”
“Sir, yes, sir!”
“You have four days from the start point to find the jungle fortress at Rockall’s cliff. From there, you will claim your color-coordinated flag and return it to base camp at Fort Sounder. Take a look at the nine other faces in this line. Ten of you will enter, and four of you will emerge victorious. Best of luck to you all.”
“Thank you, sir,” we say in unison. When I think back on the rigor of boot camp, it all seems nostalgic from here. I may be a mercenary in training, but I started where we all do. A soldierboy with dreams of a paycheck that rivals the kills under my belt. LaCutta Corps made me an offer as soon as I passed muster, and here I am, just one more step before life becomes ‘have plasma gun, will travel’.
“Find your stations and make the most of this training day. It’ll be your last before we throw you into your duties. At ease.”
As we relax in unison and break into our groups, Danel meets me at my side to head to the mud crawl. I see that cheeky grin of his as he speeds in my direction.
“Don’t even think about it, baby brother.” He slides past me, making my steps quicken before I can stop myself.
I’ve learned thousands of things since training began. How to make the most of my Kaleidian gifts, how to camouflage under pressure, how to make my shot every time, and how to store almost endless energy within the tiny spines that protrude along my body.
The one thing I haven’t learned?
How to be any less of a brother.
He beats me to the mud crawl, grabbing a dummy rifle. Danel hits the ground on elbows and knees with me trailing at his ankles. I'm inching behind him, trudging as much mud as my own ornery boyishness. To think that I’d let him win without a fight.
Never.
My pace overtakes his in seconds. I spot the concentration on his face just as my torso inches up. Neck and neck I hear him chuckle through the mud across his face. Laughter’s great, but I’ll pass him no matter how funny he thinks it is.
“Too slow big bro.” I grimace as my body finally emerges past his.
“Heh! You got a head start.” That’s my brother. The best liar I know.
As his sarcasm hits me, a smile crosses the dirt on my skin inviting the grit from the ground below into my mouth.
“King of the liars, that’s you.” I jerk his chain as a splotch of mud splatters under my elbow, sinking me into the mess.
“At least I don’t cheat,” he says as the finish comes up ahead. Barbed wire nicks my scales as I tuck my tail close to my leg to keep it from shredding in the razor grip up above. It burns, but it’s just another day on the training grounds.
I’m the first to reach the finish. I didn't expect any less. Danel may be older in years, but in strength, we rose in the ranks at the same pace. Deep down, having him to compete with has been a motivator like no other. Who better to push me to limits I didn't know I had? Who better to test me?
After I emerge and wipe the mud from my eyes, I look back to see I’m alone. Danel was nipping my heels seconds before.
“Gah!” I hear from the course and look out to see the tip of his tail has lodged itself in the razor wire. There’s a struggle in his face, yet despite a natural inclination to aid him, my better senses kick in.
That’s not what he would want.
The other challengers pass him in the course one by one, but eventually Danel manages to free himself. As he comes crawling to the edge of the finish, I throw my hand down to help him up.
