Darren:

I look down at the watch on my wrist. 08:45 am. Combat Training at 09:00.

I feel the dread in the pit of my stomach, wondering what's going to happen. I've got a team that clearly aren't on my team. I think back to Mike, his hints and comments, his dripping sarcasm and perpetual smile. Damn it.

"You alright?" Jack asks from over the table. His breakfast bowl is empty. Nothing wrong with his appetite. I look down at mine, still full of the grey sludge they call porridge.

I nod, saying nothing.

"Eat your damn food. You'll need your strength if we're going to survive the training today." He says it with a half smile, trying to make light of a serious situation. I smile weakly in return.

"Not hungry." I say, pushing the bowl away. I don't feel like eating.

"We better get a damn move on then. Don't want to be late for your first training with the troops, captain." He gives me a mock salute. I laugh bitterly. It's not funny, really, but I appreciate he's trying to lighten the mood, make it a little easier.

Jack stands up, his chair scraping on the hard ground and I follow suit. I glance around at the bustling room, soldiers eating and chatting, apparently oblivious that anything is wrong. I wonder how many of them know, or suspect that it's not all as it seems. Most would dare not ask even if they thought it.

We walk towards to the door, and out into the hall, treading the familiar path to the combat training room. I glance at the city through the large windows as we pass by, I long to be back there, back before I came, back with my family. Regret washes over me, I feel a surge of heat behind my eyes and they start to water.

No, damn it. I think. I shake my head, clearing it, and force myself to think about the present. Now is not the time for weakness. These guys will tear me apart.

I walk into the combat training room, behind Jack. I get the feeling he's being a bit protective, going ahead of me. It makes me feel slightly better. The five members of my new team are already there, lounging around, waiting. The small, bald instructor is waiting at the front of the room, his brown eyes lock on mine for just a moment.

"Good mornin', captain." Says Mike.

There's a murmer of good morning's from the others. It sounds forced, like a class of young students early in the morning.

I look at the gathered men, apart from Billy the driver, who looks relatively normal and at least somewhat friendly, I don't feel like fighting any of these guys is a good idea.

Andrew is big and his short, cropped hair gives him an intimidating look. Percy is even bigger and looks like he's a strong as a tree. Frank might be easier, he's certainly thinner, though his tangled hair and beard and his flickering eyes give him a wild look.

And Mike. Well, Mike's something else. He's an unknown. But I don't fancy my chances.

The instructor speaks, "We're going to start with basic movements. Solo routine. Get in line please."

I sigh, a quiet sigh of relief. No hand to hand combat yet. I'm not going to get my hopes up too much, there's still time.

We go through the routines, following the instructor in his white robe. Punches and kicks, blocks and turns. It feels good to be moving, I can feel my confidence building as my muscles stretch and strain. Sweat forms on my forehead and I can feel the energy building up, adrenalin coursing through my veins.

I steal a glance at the others, they are all following the routine with ease. Every one of them is more advanced than me, and I suspect more advanced than Jack.

They taught us basic combat in the academy, of course. They taught us everything we needed to know, at least on a basic level. But when you're here the training is more intense, more skill comes into it.

The instructor stops us. "Take a break." He says.

I'm standing, panting slightly from the exertion, hands on my knees. Mike looks at his watch and nods at the instructor. I catch the movement out of the corner of my eye. What's going on there? Something's been prearranged by the looks of it. The confidence and calm I'd built up from the workout is dissipating rapidly.

"Well Captain." Says Mike. "I hope you don't mind. As we're a new team and we're likely to face hand to hand combat in our little mission, I organized a small group to come in so we can practice as a team. Us against them."

It's clear he couldn't care less whether I mind or not, that doesn't come into it. He's decided that's what is happening, so that is what's happening. It does seem like a good idea though, if we're going to be fighting together, it makes sense to practice fighting together rather than against each other. We've never used much hand to hand combat on hunts I've been on, but you never know what can happen. Better to be prepared.

I nod at Mike. "Sounds like a good plan." I say, looking purposefully into his eyes as I say it. It might be my imagination but I think I see a glint there. I wonder what that's about. "When can we expect our opponents?" I ask. I'm making an effort not to show any fear or worry, to keep my voice steady and commanding.

"Oh, I think about now." Says Mike, glancing at his watch again. As if on cue, the door swings open and people file into the room.

My heart sinks. John is the first one through the door, closely followed by Chuck, the tatoo'd driver. The other four I don't recognise.

John fixes his eyes on me. I see surprise on his face, as though he wasn't expecting to find me here. His eyes flick around the room, from Jack to Mike and the others.

"What's going on, boy?" He says.

"Look down at your watch, Johnny boy. What's it say?" Mike says, smiling at him. I see John's eyes flash in rage. I don't think he's used to being addressed like that. Chuck steps to his side, cracking his knuckles threateningly, staring at Mike as though he's crazy. Mike himself isn't as big as either of them, though I think his looks are deceptive. He can't have made it to head up the Director's guard on nothing. Plus, his companions don't look like they should be messed with.

The tension in the air is palpable. It feels like the air is buzzing with it. I'm worried it's going to burst on it's own, training forgotten.

The instructor breaks it. "Get in here and we'll continue the lesson." He says to John and his fellows.

"What's going on?" John says again, not moving from his position. "My watch says combat training. Who are these guys?" He's looking at me, clearly confused.

I'm about to answer but Mike cuts in again. "We're trainin' with you today, Johnny boy."

It sounds like he's trying to anger him, goading him, testing for a reaction. He's succeeding.

"Who the hell are you?" John says, his voice is almost a growl. His eyes are alight with anger and his body is tensed. He steps towards Mike.

"Gentlemen." Says the instructor. His voice carries throughout the room, demanding attention. "We are about to start the group to group combat lesson. Keep the aggression for the fight."

His tone is final, not to be disobeyed. Everyone in the room turns to look at him. He explains the principles of group combat. He stresses picking your opponent carefully, and disabling them as fast as possible. In an evenly matched group such as this, the first one to take someone out has the advantage almost immediately.

I look at John's group, weighing them up. I definitely don't want to fight John or Chuck. They are bigger than me and I already know John can out-move me. John has his gaze fixed on Mike though, anger and challenge in his eyes. I think I'm safe there.

"So, now we are going to try this out." The instructor says. "Remember, we're practicing, and we are not each other's enemy." His gaze flicks between Mike and John.

I've missed some of what he said. I was too busy worrying about who I'm going to fight. Damn. I don't want to ask now. Mike moves to the left of the room, and I see John and his companions gather on the right, nearer the door. I walk to Mike.

"Any specific plan?" I ask.

"Beat 'em." Mike says, smiling.

"Damn it Mike. How?" Jack says, scowling.

"Frank, you take the driver, the big one with the tattoo." Mike says. Frank nods his bald head and I see his huge body tense in readiness.

"I'm taking Johnny boy." Mike says quietly, a malevolent glint in his eye.

"The rest are free for all. Take 'em down, and take 'em down fast." He looks at me. "That alright captain?" He says.

I nod. Not sure what else to do. I doubt I can give better instructions.

"Now, gentlemen, are you ready?" Says the instructor. I nod at him and he looks over at John.

"Yes, we're ready." Says John.

"Ok. Remember, in this first exercise, when you go down, you're out. We're not trying to inflict damage, just practising basics."

There's a murmur of agreement from the room.

I've got my eyes set on a guy about the same size as me, he looks over at me and nods as though to acknowledge my thoughts of challenge. He has short, black hair, green eyes and his skin is dark, almost completely black. I always wondered, as far back as I can remember, how there is such a variety of different people in the city. It's one city, one location, one climate and yet many different colours and hues, looks and styles. I remember asking about it, but no one seemed to know. We don't learn what lies beyond our Island. No one comes and no one goes.

"Begin!" Shouts the instructor, his voice ringing out across the room. I move fast towards my selected opponent, readying my body for attack and defence as I move. I see him do the same. He can't be much older than me, but has at least one year on me.

He swings at me with his right hand, aiming straight for my face. I block it easily and move in with a kick to his stomach. He lurches back, avoiding my foot before it lands. I stumble slightly. He moves to take advantage of my hesitation, punching with his left hand. His fist collides with my shoulder, knocking me back. I'm still standing, but there's an explosive pain in my shoulder, my existing injuries are throbbing again, stronger than before.

He swings in with his foot, I catch it and try to knock him over. He pulls free and steps back, panting. My eyes are locked on his. I'm only vaguely aware of the noises around us, the grunts and thuds of the others. My attention is locked.

I dive forward, aiming with my left fist and then change at the last moment and land a punch to the side of his head. He stumbles back, but moves forward. I block his next blow with my arm, a shooting pain runs up to meet the throb in my shoulder. He's throwing punch after punch, fast, furious, without planning or caution. I move backwards, away from the onslaught, just managing to block them. The pain in my arms is building.

I watch his every move as I block, looking for an opening, a weakness, but I see nothing. I can't withstand this much longer. I'm aching, sweat is dripping from my head and I'm starting to feel dizzy.

Time seems to slow down, I see the fist coming for my face and my arm is not responding fast enough to block it, I see it moving and brace myself for the blow. I close my eyes, ready to drop. But nothing happens.

I open my eyes and see my opponent is lying on the floor. Percy, the tallest of my team has tackled him to the ground. I breath deeply in relief, wincing as the pains shoots through my body. I look around the room. Most of John's group are on the floor, given up and out. Frank is locked in a wrestling embrace with Chuck who's still standing. Their immense muscles tensing and strained as they battle, slick with sweat. None of my other soldiers are getting involved, Frank looks like he's doing alright.

Mike and John are circling each other. John is limping slightly, rage burning in his eyes. Mike's smiling at him, clearly enjoying himself.

"Gonna run to mummy, little Johnny?" Mike says.

John surges forward with a roar, straight at Mike. Mike steps out the way and lands a blow to his back. John falls forward, sprawling onto the floor.

"And... you're out." Mike says to John, chuckling as he says it.

I take my eyes off John for a moment and look round just as Frank throws Chuck to the ground, the last one to fall, the end of the practice session. Chuck stays down, panting and I see Frank put his hands on his knees to catch his breath.

Mike walks over to John and looks over at me. "I got him back for you captain."

I remember the feeling when John was repeatedly knocking me down, striking blows and I couldn't fight back, when I couldn't land a hit. I remember the boiling rage I felt, the desire for revenge. I guess I should feel happy to see him lying there, feeling the same. But I don't.

John starts to rise, slowly picking himself up. I see the fire burning in his eyes as he glares at Mike. "D'you want a hand, Johnny?" Mike says.

John launches himself forward, fast. He manages to catch Mike off guard and he tumbles backwards to the ground with John on top, raining punches down at him. Frank and Percy move forward quickly towards them. They each grab John by the arms and pull him off, throwing him backwards across the room. Mike jumps up fast, the smile is gone from his face, he looks angry, dangerous. The look on his face is one I have never seen before.

Chuck and the others move forward threateningly towards them, but Frank and Percy move to block their path. They are joined by Andrew, my other soldier, and Billy the driver, stopping them. The tension fills the room, like crackling electricity, so thick it's like sound.

The instructor moves to stand beside my soldiers, blocking the route to Mike and John. So much for an impartial instructor.

Mike walks to where John is lying. I see John's rage has been replaced with fear, his eyes looking at Mike and flicking around the room, looking for safety, for escape, but there's nothing.

Mike reaches down and grabs him by the shirt. He pulls him up and lands a punch to his face, letting him drop back to the floor.

"Johnny needs to learn a lesson." He says, voice heavy with pure, raging hate. He hits him again and let's him fall to the ground. I see John's eyes start to droop.

"Stop!" Says Chuck, trying to move forward, but he's pushed back. With the instructor also blocking them they won't break through and they know it.

Mike's drawing his fist back for another punch. Before I know what's happening I'm moving forward, towards them. I can't let this happen. I run forward and grab Mike's arm before he strikes again.

"Stop it!" I say, voice raised.

Mike drops John to the ground and slowly turns to look at me, rage in his eyes, all sarcasm and mockery wiped away.

I feel the whole room go silent and all eyes directed at me.

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