Evaluation arrived faster than they would've liked. The cadets of the 71st Seeker Brigade would be assessed and reported to Commander Keith who'd apparently left for a mission. Needless to say, everyone was on edge. Even the ever reserved Alex hid a fraction of worry behind a mask of apathy.

Per usual, the cadets, after jogging around the base and eating breakfast, reported to the plateau. Commander Dorvan said nothing out of the ordinary, merely instructing them to continue with their respected exercises. 

Chase didn't receive the message at face value. He immediately detected the concealed connotations. Dorvan wanted to put them at a false sense of security. Perhaps it worked on some, maybe even all. 

He, on the other hand, abided. He zipped through the obstacle course in a hurry, a blur of white and blue blazing across the ring-shaped track. He passed everyone in his way. Nobody could keep up with him. Chase towered above his peers when it came to mobility. 

What do you think? Did I impress you? He subtly glanced at the instructors nearby. One held a holopad while his associate, a female, conversed with him softly. It didn't take a genius to understand they were discussing his performance. However, he'd no method of telling if they were satisfied or disappointed. Grinding his teeth, Chase amplified his velocity. You haven't seen anything yet!

In truth, he didn't care much for his grade. All that mattered was safeguarding his current status. If he got debarred he'd be separated from Rex. For his brother's sake, he'd to do his best. 

Speaking of Rex, Chase spotted him at the foot of The Climb conversing with Simon and Seth. He hadn't paid much attention to Rex but, from what he identified, he appeared to be somewhat confident.

"Outta my way, dammit!" Caiden shouted at Barry as he flew past him on the rock pillar course. "I'll beat my record for sure this time!!" 

Chase sighed. Caiden was too competitive for his own good. Then there was Alex, the mysterious redhead excelling in the same exercise as himself. Her skills matched his own. As far as he could tell, she was the sole person to provide him with a challenge. Chase shivered, recalling the many times when she'd humiliated him in both the obstacle and relay exercises. The girl was skilled, extremely so. Nevertheless, his concerns lingered on Rex. Everything and everyone else was irrelevant. Good luck, brother.

Seth kicked a pebble out of boredom. "You know if you fail you'll end up looking like complete idiots, don't you?"

"Not helping!" Rex grumbled. He stared at Simon, his friend trying to conceal his fear. "You ready?"

"I am . . . But what if we can't-"

"We'll win, trust me."

"They aren't exactly pushovers. They're two of the best cadets in our brigade. Do we really have a chance at beating them?"

"We've practiced for weeks. If anyone's capable of taking them down it's us!"

"Hey," Seth interjected. "If you're serious about this whole ordeal then he's the man to speak to."

He pointed at Commander Dorvan, the soldier stomping from Full Stop. Rex gulped, hesitating to advance. Had it not been for Seth's forceful nudge into his ribs he'd never overcome his newfound petrification. "C- Commander Dorvan, sir! I request a moment of your time!"

"Can't you see I'm busy," he grunted. "Get back to training, cadet! That's an order-"

"This is in regards to my training, sir!" Why the hell would I cut him off?! I'm seriously asking for it now! Soon, others started to gawk at them much to Rex's internal fury. Couldn't they just mind their own business? Ignoring the growing crowd, Rex said, "I request permission to challenge a pair of my fellow cadets to a relay match!"

A relay match? What's that moron thinking? Chase was rightfully struck with a wave of confusion. Why did his brother insist on making his life more difficult? He just needed to get through the day by following Dorvan's instructions. What did he gain from purposefully causing a scene? 

Dorvan crossed his arms, glaring down at the stiff seeker cadet. "A relay match, how interesting," he admitted, his lips widening into a grin. "What are your intentions for doing so? Considering you're track record, I figured you'd try to lay low until the evaluation had concluded."

"I- I want to show you how much I've grown!" Rex blurted.

Zeke's howling laughter echoed throughout the training grounds, tears cascading out his eyes. Every seeker instantly ceased their activities. Chase and Alex observed his odd behavior at the front of the obstacle course. Barry exchanged confused looks with Aaron. 

Rex, who stood a few feet from a fuming Commander Dorvan, wisely chose to stay silent. The only person who wasn't phased happened to be Seth, the boy nonchalantly picking his nose. Grunting, Commander Dorvan shot an annoyed glare at Zeke, the veins on the sides of his bald head pulsating. "Something funny?"

"Obviously!" The laughing commander strolled over to Dorvan and rested an arm over his shoulder. It looked like Dorvan wanted to strangle the drunkard, although, his foul death stares went unnoticed by Zeke. Wiping his eyes free from escaping tears, he grinned, "This is a first. I already thought this kid was an oddball! But today he completely caught me by surprise! How outlandish indeed! Right, Dorvy?!!"

"Shut your mouth!! This is exactly why I don't let you come here during evaluations! You never take anything seriously!"

"Huh?! I'm just stating what everyone's thinking." He leaned closer to Dorvan's ear, greatly adding to the commander's discomfort. "So, what's your answer? Will you permit it? I know Keith wouldn't have hesitated."

"I'm not Keith!" he growled, Rex flinching from his fit of rage. ". . . Despite that, this soldier demonstrated his initiative. We at the Seeker Corps promote this type of behavior. How can I refuse?"

"Ha! Great minds think alike after all!"

"Shut the hell up, Zeke!" The aggravated Dorvan glared at Rex, the boy petrifying on the spot once more. "Consider your request granted. Now you'll just need to choose an ally as well as a pair of cadets to race against."

"Yes, sir. I've already chosen Cadet Simon as my partner."

". . . Simon?" He glanced at the worried cadet who waved at him with a crooked smile. Sighing, Dorvan responded, "Very good. As for your opponents?" 

Chase's eyes widened when his brother directed a finger at him. He hardly knew how to react to such a request. He'd noticed Rex had acted strangely for the past few days. Had he planned this in advance? To use him as a component in his plan? 

"Who else?" grumbled Dorvan. 

Rex stopped himself. It was imperative he impressed the commander. What better way than by beating the top of his class? However, he was no idiot. He'd never be able to best Alex, the girl was too gifted. His next opponent was someone whom he couldn't stand, a person he utterly despised. He searched the crowd of fossilized seekers until his eyes rested upon him.

"You," Rex answered, his finger pointing directly at his desired opponent.

Caiden's right eye twitched. "Huh? The hell are you talking about? You want to challenge me?"

"Sure do, is that a problem?"

Caiden stomped over to him without a semblance of uncertainty. It went to exhibit his sanguine or rather cocky nature. "This some kind of joke? You're not seriously challenging me to a match, right? If your planning on disgracing yourself then this sure is the right way of doing it." 

He marched in front of Rex, his combatant and bully sneering down at him. They stared at each other for what felt like hours, neither of them backing off. Simon could practically see the line of electricity ejecting from their eyes and clashing in between them. 

"You're gonna regret this, loser. I haven't forgotten our many disputes in the past. Now's the perfect opportunity to settle the score, wouldn't you agree?" He cracked his knuckles and wore an alligator sized grin. "If we do this I'm going all out. I can't guarantee you'll walk away completely intact."

"Perfect, it'll make my victory even more satisfying," Rex smirked.

"Am I correct in assuming you accept his challenge?" inquired Dorvan as he stepped in the middle of the two boys.

"Hell yeah, sir."

The commander nodded in confirmation, turning to face Chase afterward. "What say you, cadet?"

". . . It's fine by me," he reluctantly replied, Rex meeting his brother's conflagrant gaze. "If he wants to play with fire, so be it."

* * *

Their evaluation was momentarily placed on hold as the remaining seeker trainees gathered at the relay course. Instructors and cadets alike were particularly interested in the race's conclusion. Despite the odds stacked against Rex and Simon, they gave the four combatants their undivided attention.

Chase checked his equipment, keeping a keen eye on his opponents. They stood at the starting line talking to each other in addition to Seth. He initially considered throwing the match so Rex could nab the win. Then a thought occurred. 

Should he defeat Rex it might potentially persuade Commander Dorvan to relieve him of duty. They'd be free to return to Sanctuary. Rex's safety would ultimately be secured. Now he was more determined than ever to win. "Caiden," he started, distracting his teammate from his stretching session. "We need to be cautious."

"The hell are you blabbering about?! Are you actually worried?! Those losers can't possibly beat us. Rex took nearly a week to master the most basic exercise while Simon is a natural clutz." he spat. "The chances of them winning is impossible. I'm only pissed off you aren't on the opposing team!"

Ignoring his overflowing hostility, Chase asked, "So, you think we'll win?"

"Of course!!" Caiden reaffirmed. "I'll handle Rex while you race Simon, got it? If I can't crush both of you then I'll settle for one. That moron's going to learn his place! Then it's your turn, Chase!"

"Do whatever you like," he sighed. "Just don't underestimate him. Rex may be simple-minded but when push comes to shove, he has a habit of surprising even me."

He hadn't a clue if the fired-up seeker heard his advice, Caiden preoccupied with sending hate-filled glares at the unobserving Rex. To him, this was hardly an issue. He'd the princess of Sanctuary to bail him out of trouble last time and considering Chase wasn't on his side, Rex lacked his most powerful ally. As far as Caiden was concerned, the outcome of this race had already been determined.

Striving to ignore Caiden's piercing glares, Rex took in long deep breaths. "We'll do it just like we practiced."

"R- Right," Simon stuttered.

"You're not nervous, are ya?" Seth yawned. "Emotions hinder the suit's performance."

"I know I know!" Simon shouted. "You won't have to worry about me! I'll do my best!"

At the end of the day, it was all any of them could do. As much as Rex wanted to believe they'd win, he didn't control fate. This might be a huge mistake. He could've very well set them up for failure. Until the race finished, he was none the wiser. Yet he wasn't discouraged. 

Standing there watching his brother and bully prepare to compete only served to invigorate him. The trio peered at the track, a single trail of dirt stretching two hundred feet toward the cavern wall. Hovering above the starting line was a silver metallic disc. It'd serve to assimilate the true victors of this relay race. 

Despite the cluster of stalagmites at its center, it differed not from the Full Stop course. Both of them were experts at clearing it, especially Rex. Taking in one more deep breath he heard Commander Dorvan's calls.

The time was nigh.

Simon and Chase took to their starting positions, Rex shooting a thumbs up at his friend as Seth peered through half-open eyes. Dorvan, standing adjacent to them, cleared his throat. "The rules are as follows: Head for the end of the track, place a hand on the cavern wall, and return so your partner can do the same. There are to be no acts of physical violence against your opponents, understood? The first team to finish are declared winners. Remember your training, gentlemen. Use anything and everything you've learned to your advantage." 

They glanced at each other, Chase's focused amber orbs staring into a stiffened Simon's soul. Shaking his head, Simon concentrated on his objective once more. 

"I want a nice friendly race. Anyone who breaks the rules will be disqualified! Have I made myself clear?!" The boys shook their heads simultaneously. "Very well, at your mark." 

The crowd cheered when Dorvan raised his arm. Alex, observing near the front, watched Chase. She was intent on further comprehending his skill set. Meanwhile, an excited Commander Zeke discharged a series of clamorous cackles alongside reasonably annoyed instructors. 

". . . Get set." Everyone went crazy yet Simon discounted the prominent elation, focusing solely on the role he played. "GO!!"

As Dorvan's arm dropped the seekers launched, dust blasting behind them. The blue flames of their shoulder engines boosted them. To the surprise of many, Simon claimed the lead. His surroundings were clouded with color. 

Intense winds bashed against his face. Tears dispersed out his eye sockets. His arms, which at a certain point loomed closely to his waist, flailed back as his body leaned vanward. He hardly paid attention to his opponent as Seth cemented the fact that should his worries linger elsewhere he'd only end up losing sight of his goal. 

Keep moving forward! The crowd cheered enthusiastically as Simon left Chase in his dust. However, this all came to pass when he arrived at the stalagmite sector.

Throughout their training, he'd made it quite clear evading wasn't his strong suit. While he'd progressed greatly uncertainty clouded Rex's head. Would his friend be okay? Soon he received an answer. 

Approaching the orange spires the impressive speed he'd accumulated drastically decreased. Had he not done so, however, he might've gotten skewered by a stalagmite. He cleared the obstacles to the best of his ability, teetering in all manner of complex directions. 

Commander Dovran noted this. No matter how a seeker improved there lied certain difficulties they'd constantly confront. To Simon's detriment, his current roadblock posed no threat to Chase. In fact, he didn't bother decelerating.

Caiden grinned. "Not bad, asshole."

Rex's brother zipped, swerved, and avoided any hindrance in his path. Within seconds he'd subtracted the distance Simon created, overtaking the seeker in a flash. Chase leaped from the stalagmite forest, proceeding to dash towards the road's end. Simon exited shortly after but only to spot his foe reaching the desired objective.

Dammit, he cursed. 

In a gust of speed, Chase jolted in the direction he came as Simon rushed at him, their eyes momentarily converging. For one moment, Simon felt like he'd already lost. Was there even a point in trying anymore? Then, shouting at the top of his lungs, he burst at the wall in a blaze of blue flames. This eruption of determination stemmed from the people who refused to give up on him. 

If they hadn't caved in why should he? Tapping the cavern wall he rushed for the starting line as fast as he could. No time for uncertainty! We need to stay focused! Right, Rex?!! His beaming smile emerged, Rex spotting it when Simon left the stalagmites a second time. He too smiled, believing his friend finally broke free of the chains of his past. Like him, he coveted to move head first towards the future. Truly, they were one and the same.

"Here we go," Caiden muttered beside Rex. Before he could respond Chase shot across the starting line, Rex's hair exploding from the wind's force. Prior to his departure, Caiden aimed a wild sneer. "I'm gonna enjoy this."

All Rex could do was let him begin the race alone. He closed his eyes, inhaling and exhaling. Sensing Simon's presence, Rex's eyelids unlocked. Catching his teammate's undaunted expression, Rex bolted after Caiden. 

The breeze whistled into his ears, the world around him devolving into foggy shapes and lines. Recollecting himself, Chase managed to view his brother's vault from the starting line. He'd provided Caiden a large gap, it was now up to him to grasp the vanquishment. 

Caiden was aware of this, assuredly smirking to himself while propelling at the stalagmites. Hot on his trail, Rex had been granted newfound speed from the shoulder engines. In a matter of seconds, he'd nearly reached Caiden. 

One after another they entered the stalagmite forest. Not only did Rex have to avoid them but the terrain worsened as well, becoming rough and jagged. If he was careless he might accidentally trip.

Caiden sideglanced at his competitor sneering, jetting free of the cluster thereafter. He merely had to reach the cavern wall and return. Given his great advantage, he already knew the match was over. Upon touching the rugged surface Rex only then escaped the stalagmites. His hopes of winning should've depleted. 

There remained zero chances of him finishing victorious. So why did he look so damn happy? Caiden couldn't understand Rex, he was an enigma in every sense of the word. Soon, however, Caiden found himself in a predicament. His eyes enlarged, the seeker nearly tripping over himself. Rex hastily advanced on a collision course baring no intention of stopping.

"So you wanna play rough, is that it?!!" Caiden growled.

Simon grabbed Seth by the shoulders. "The hell's he doing?!"

"No clue."

"Is that even allowed?!"

"Why are you asking me?!"

Neither did Chase nor Dorvan interject. Perhaps they were too interested in what Rex concocted. Nevertheless, everyone's attention sojourned on them. Rex indeed had something up his sleeve. A trump card he created when realizing Caiden would have the upper hand. The bully's dimpled grin extended from cheek to cheek. 

"COME AT ME!!" he roared. 

Just as Caiden was prepared to run over his foe with a shoulder charge, the outsider ceased his celerity. As he came to a rapid stop he dragged his left foot across the ground before kicking that same leg at the speeding lunatic. A cloud of dust and sand detonated in Caiden's face, the thick golden spray consuming them both. 

The crowd's sight became hindered, Dorvan attempting to identify the seekers within the enormous dust cloud. Seconds passed before Rex abandoned it, disregarding grains of sand compiling his teary eyes. 

Caiden also stumbled from it coughing and spitting. He'd hardly any time to compose himself, the boy making for the stalagmites in a disoriented fashion. At this point, Rex successfully reached his objective. His fingers kissed the cavern wall as he swiftly pivoted around and rushed for his opponent.

"He's not going to make it, is he?" Simon uttered.

Seth never responded. He'd a feeling Rex wouldn't forfeit. True to his assumption, he watched as Rex increased his speed. Azure infernos blasted from the engines, Rex targeting Caiden's nape. He started to clear the stalagmites as Rex desperately fished for ideas with an underlying fear of opening the Mind Cage. 

Amplifying his alacrity, the words of his friend echoed. Refusing to slow down Rex went faster and faster. The obstacle course approached yet he wouldn't stop his accelerated advance. Then, at the last second, he'd astonished everyone present. 

Emitting from the soles of his boots a pair of powerful air currents elevated the crazed seeker into the air. He witnessed his fellow soldiers shrink in size, the boy soaring across the heavens like a bird. An astounded Caiden glanced upward, his opponent taking their race to the skies.

For Rex, his perception of time altered, everything seemingly stalling. This strategy, as reckless as it may be, would be the ticket to his victory. He shouted furiously, overtaking Caiden while hurdling to the finish line in a blue trail of glory. 

The view was wondrous!