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  “Challenge accepted,” said Josh, smiling. “Let’s see what you’ve learned since the last time we faced off!” He punched a button and a loading screen came up. After a moment his module appeared. Josh raced it around a small space station and caught site of Tor’s craft. Here we go, he thought, zooming in pursuit.

  Tor flew at Josh and fired a shot from max range, one Josh wouldn’t have considered wasting time on. But the beams flared past his module, nearly hitting it.

  Shit, thought Josh, swerving to the side. That almost landed! He clipped between two neutral ships, watching as Tor veered to cut him off. Bold, so bold. Tor’s not messing around today. A smile cracked on his lips. I guess he wants the title pretty bad. If only he knew Maya’s holding it.

  Josh slanted up and curled away. Tor’s craft bent after him.

  Oh, he’s really going to like this, thought Josh, narrowing in on a transport module. He gave his engines everything they had, bee-lining toward it. Just before impact, Josh shot under the transport from the right corner and looped back around it at an angle.

  Tor dove right instantly into a passive counter.

  Josh swung down on the chase, but from a much greater distance than he’d anticipated. Talk about Tor’s lucky day! he thought, much like he was muttering in his head. I don’t know how the hell he reacted that quickly—and picked one of the only maneuvers capable of surviving my ruse. He had to have been practicing night and day since graduation.

  Tor raced his craft into head-on traffic. Josh knitted through neutral modules, trying to keep on him. Upon swinging around one of the ships, he saw that Tor’s craft had disappeared. Oh, no, no, thought Josh, glancing at his radar. He eyed a dot he felt certain was Tor, and dived after it. You sneaky son of a bitch.

  A few seconds later their ships had leveled out. Tor had gained so much distance he was able to make a safe 180, and charged at Josh.

  There you go. Man up, Tor, thought Josh. He glanced at a screen and saw his old friend was still too far away to target.

  A couple seconds later, red light flickered from Tor’s craft. An orange light blinked on Josh’s simulator, indicating he’d been hit. What in the actual fuck? thought Josh. He punched a button and stared at a side screen with match details. Max distance! He sniped my ass from max distance! “That’s the most fortunate bullshit I’ve seen in a long time,” he barked. “You know we’re going again. This time I’m not taking it easy on you!”

  Josh heard his friend chuckle and then saw a challenge notification pop up on his screen. He jabbed a finger onto a key to accept.

  What followed was approximately three minutes of tense maneuvering and chasing throughout the same space map—until the orange light went off for a second time on Josh’s simulation machine. Another challenge message appeared immediately after.

  Josh accepted the third round battle—and didn’t even last a minute before suffering defeat yet again. This time it was he who offered a challenge for a fourth go around, with the setting being an asteroid field. Josh’s temper had burned from the heart of his chest to the top of his neck. I don’t understand how I’m losing these. I’ve got to fly better, trickier. Tor’s finally taking advantage of me using some of the same old moves.

  When the fourth sim started, Josh raced his module into the asteroid field, weaving from side to side and making quick cuts to avoid Tor’s pinpoint accuracy. Maybe they turned him into a cyborg or gave him some new tech to use, he thought.

  Josh swooshed his ship around a large chunk of rock and spiraled through another two, in counter to Tor making similar maneuvers from a front-side angle. Thoot! Thoot! They fired at each other repeatedly, threading through the asteroids into wild tangles. So, Tor’s a frickin’ natural after all, thought Josh, slamming his accelerator and blasting out of the asteroid field into open space.

  Right upon seeing Tor do the same—Josh cut the thrusters and yanked his controller, sending his module into an uncontrolled flip. He mashed the trigger with a vision of Pax running through his mind. The shot struck Tor’s craft. A green light went off instead of an orange one, as Josh wrestled to gain control of his module.

  And that is the ‘danger flip,’ Tor! Plus the start of my winning streak. I don’t care how good you’ve gotten—you’re not stopping that!

  An ‘accept challenge’ message popped up instantly. Then text saying: “Last one.”

  “No way, Tor! You owe me at least two more to get even.”

  His old buddy didn’t bother to reply.

  The map for the fifth simulation appeared on the screen. Open space, zero obstacles. About time, thought Josh. You’re history, Tor. He flew his ship out from a hangar and into a swift approach of Tor’s vessel. Almost within range. I’d better… Josh saw a faint flicker from Tor’s distant craft—and slammed his controller to the side. Orange light flashed on his screen.

  Josh released his lever and slumped in his chair in shock. He then shook his head hearing Tor getting up from his seat and walking around. Josh stood to meet him. His eyes brightened in surprise at seeing who turned the corner of the machine. “Dazzler…” he let out. The 2nd squadron natural, who exceptional pilots such as Kyle and Ace seemed to admire.

  Dazzler grinned at Josh, which was more pleasant than conceited. “That was a good match. The score doesn’t tell the whole story. A couple of those rounds could’ve gone the other way had I not been extremely careful. You’re as strong a pilot as everyone says you are.”

  Josh was stunned by his humbleness. “Thanks. I would’ve fought even harder if I knew it was you I was up against.” Maybe even taken you down. “You’re definitely as amazing as your reputation.”

  Dazzler nodded. “Kind words. My style is unorthodox, but through constant face-offs, some of the pilots in my squadron have gotten better at trying to counter it. Of course, the enemy would never get that kind of time.”

  “Tell me about it,” said Josh. “I’ve never seen anyone snipe from max distance as precisely as you.”

  Dazzler’s pleasant expression seemed even more amused. “Well, we’ve all picked something to master with our flying. Acquiring that skill was possibly the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, but even then my shots are not always as accurate as today.”

  Josh smirked. “Well, I’ll have you know I’m going to start practicing those as soon as this evening. And I’m going to work on it as long as it takes to be as good as you with the shot.”

  Dazzler gave a sole snicker while nodding his head. “That would be hell for the enemy. I’d love to see that happen. The ploy you executed on me in our fourth go was out of this world. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  Josh felt proud, his smirk renewed. “Danger flip—learned it from a savvy old pilot when I was shot down on Skurier. Extremely complicated shot, with an equally complex recovery.”

  “Clearly a sharp weapon to have at your disposal. Maybe I might have to start working on that.”

  Josh tilted his head, saying, “No stealing, Dazzler,” which drew a chuckle from his fellow pilot. “You know, you’re a lot humbler than I’d stereotyped you. I thought for sure you were another cocky S.O.B. running around the Rampage.”

  Dazzler’s lips drew back gracefully. “That attitude does little for me. I let my flying do the talking.”

  Josh nodded with his ever present smirk.

  “Come hang out with me and some of the other 2nd squadron guys. I’ll introduce you—buy ya a drink,” said Dazzler.

  “My apologies. I’m actually waiting for someone who should’ve been here by now, and will probably arrive any minute.”

  “All right. Well, it was nice meeting you, Josh. You and your squadron be careful out there. Tensions are still high, and we can never trust Mercen.”

  Josh offered his hand and said, “Will do.”

  After shaking it, Dazzler departed. Only seconds after his leaving, Tor entered the simulation room. “Sorry I’m late. I got hung up at a class with Rolly and the other recruits.”
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  “No worries. Let’s have some fun,” said Josh, placing a hand on his old pal’s shoulder.

  He won all but one of their ten sims.

  Later that night, Josh was resting on his bed with a book in hand, when Maya knocked on the door and walked in. She strolled over to a chair and sat down. “It’s nice having Tor back with us, isn’t it?”

  Josh lowered his book and said, “Yes, it is.”

  “Who would have thought,” she said, shaking her head, breathing out through her nose.

  “Is he in this hall with us? I didn’t get to check.”

  “No. He’s down the other hall. Rolly wanted it that way.”

  “That sucks.”

  “Not like he can’t just walk over here, or us over there.”

  “True.” Josh tapped his chin. “What do you think of the two other recruits?”

  Maya tilted her head from side to side before saying, “I’m really not sure about them. Jill seems kind of wimpy if you ask me. I found out she only joined Space League to pay for her schooling. She’s really smart. From the class before ours. She followed common advice and opted for the reserves, but told me she was surprised at being here and never thought she’d actually be called for duty.”

  Josh smirked. “Ouch. And she winds up on the M.N. Rampage of all places. Think she’ll last?”

  Maya’s eyes dropped doubtfully. “I don’t know. She said her scores were extremely high, but we both know that means shit out here by the Void Zone.”

  “She’s fucked, Maya. I can definitely see her choking in battle. We’re all going to have to do everything we can to mold her into a fighter.”

  Maya nodded.

  “What about that the guy? Sven, was it?”

  “Ven,” Maya replied. “I really don’t know about that one either. I don’t think his problem will be flying. He just seems like he could possibly be a bad apple.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “His attitude. Tor said on their way out here, Ven was bragging about knocking out one of his crewmates for commenting on his flying. Also how he hated all alien species and would blow them all away if he could.”

  “Damn. That’s a horrible outlook.”

  “Yep. I spoke with him for all of ten minutes and got the impression he truly only cares about himself. He showed me a tattoo on his shoulder of a water fountain, four-leaf clover, and a rainbow—then asked me if I wanted to kiss it for good luck.” Maya was looking at Josh sideways when she finished her sentence.

  Josh sat up on his elbow and said, “He really said that?”

  Maya nodded.

  “You want me to go kick his ass?”

  She laughed. “It’s not that serious.”

  Josh lay back down. “Let me know if he says anything else like that to you. I take it Hoss wasn’t around, huh?”

  “Nope.”

  “I know about you two,” said Josh, grinning faintly.

  “There’s nothing official, but yes, we like each other, Josh.”

  “I knew it. He’s a good guy. I think he’ll treat you right.”

  Maya smiled.

  The following morning, Officer Rolly woke the 3rd squadron two hours earlier than normal and rushed everyone down to the north flight deck. Josh and Maya had been reminded of the rookie ritual by Reena. The other vets expected the drill too.

  “Line up,” shouted Rolly, at the pilots’ arrival. “Ace will be leading this squadron to the Void Zone, where you all will be patrolling for seven hours. At that point you’ll be relieved by the 2nd squadron. Follow all orders. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, sir!” the pilots sounded.

  “Then go on, get out of here!” barked Rolly.

  The pilots moved hastily to their ships. Josh lingered behind long enough to hear Rolly say to Ace, “As you know, tensions are high. Your team is to keep extra passive, but don’t take no shit if those Mercens push too hard. Got it?”

  “I got it, sir,” Ace replied.

  Josh jogged to his striker and climbed inside. Gotta be on my best behavior. I don’t want to be responsible for another all-out-war. Funny how a month out here can change someone.

  The 3rd squadron blasted off, Ace taking the lead. “Split-trail formation,” the squad leader transmitted. “We’re going to be dividing up for short practice duels, then heading out to Void Zone to patrol. Two rounds, no more. Kyle, Josh, Jill, and Reena, you’re with me. Everyone else will fall in behind Nate. Let’s get to it. My team, break off!”

  Josh and the others named for Ace’s group bent right behind the squad leader. Nate led the remaining pilots toward an opposite direction.

  “Change to safe mode,” Ace transmitted to his group of five.

  Josh reached over and flipped a switch.

  “Kyle, you okay with sitting out the first round?” asked Ace.

  “Only if I get to face Josh in the second,” Kyle responded.

  “You got it,” said Ace.

  About frickin’ time, thought Josh.

  “Then it’ll be Josh versus me in the first round, and Reena versus Jill. Start it up,” said Ace.

  “And to think I thought you were ducking me,” Josh transmitted.

  “Not at all, rookie.”

  “I’m not much of a rookie anymore. Plus, that’ll only make things sound worse after I beat you.”

  “Not gonna happen. Call it, Kyle.”

  “Two-second break,” Kyle transmitted.

  Josh met up with Ace until they were flying parallel. He heard Reena say, “I’m switching Jill and me to a private channel. You boys have fun.”

  “Ready… Break!” said Kyle. He waited two seconds after the pair had split and said, “Fight’s up!”

  Josh cut back toward Ace and fired an immediate shot from max range.

  After seeing the miss, Ace slanted up into an inverted wind and made a wide curve to approach Josh from a different angle.

  Josh curled with the squad leader from afar, then fired another beam from max distance.

  Kyle laughed over the channel: “You’re not Dazzler. What the hell are you doing, Josh?”

  Josh heard Ace chuckle too. He smirked, thinking, Definitely going to need way more practice before making an ass out of myself with these long-rangers. Will have to do this the standard way.

  “We know about the ‘danger flip,’ Josh. Don’t even try it,” Ace transmitted.

  Son of a bitch, thought Josh, as amused as ever. He flew at Ace and started zagging when close.

  Ace corkscrewed and fired a shot before curling off in a different direction.

  Josh yanked his ship sideways until both wings were vertical, then he flattened out and bolted after the squad leader. This is a must-win, he thought. I can’t go down 2-0 to Ace.

  Ace tore up into a reverse loop.

  Josh swirled high in pursuit, which led into a roundabout tango.

  Thoot! Thoot, Thoot! Thoot! They fired at each other from awkward angles until Josh ripped out from their entanglement with Ace at his rear.

  “You know better than to give me your blind,” Ace transmitted.

  “You’re toast, Josh,” Kyle said over the channel.

  Doubt that, thought Josh, tilting his striker in one direction, then another in advance of twirling rapidly and slicing down to the right.

  Ace dove after him and fired a shot.

  Josh saw the beams flash past his striker and slammed up into an angled loop, before breaking off from it halfway in. He cut back in the opposite direction while rolling his striker into a tight hook—he jabbed the trigger, discharging twin beams of light that crashed against the side of Ace’s ship.

  The squad leader had tried circling in counter to Josh’s seeming intent, but was hit trying to adjust to his crewmate’s second thrust.

  “Yahoo! I got you too!” Josh howled over the channel.

  “That was impressive,” Kyle transmitted. “There’s no shame in losing to that. I think we’re going to have to admit Josh is an exception to almost e
very other rookie who has been assigned out here.”

  “That was a clean win. I’m not going to make any excuses,” said Ace. “I will make sure to get him the next time we face off. Good job, Josh.”

  “Thanks, Ace.”

  “All right, it’s my turn now,” said Kyle. “I’m going to kick his butt for you, Ace.”

  Josh chuckled. “This kid,” he said under his breath.

  “I told Reena and Jill to go another round with each other. Have at it, boys,” said Ace.

  “Okay, Kyle, you’ve had this spanking coming for a long time now,” said Josh, giving his trademark smirk.

  Kyle had flown over to where Josh was hovering and jerked his striker forward and to a stop in front of Josh’s cockpit. Then he rolled twice to the side before jerking again. “Remember this, huh?”

  “Yeah, and you remember what happened to the pilot who did that?”

  Kyle drifted rearward. “Ready?”

  “I am,” said Josh, gliding to Kyle’s side.

  “Two seconds, mid-speed. No break,” Kyle transmitted.

  Josh thought the format odd, but said, “You’re on! Ace, will you do the honors?’

  “On my mark,” Ace transmitted. “Set… Go!”

  Josh and Kyle shot off parallel at mid-speed.

  Two seconds passed before Ace called out, “Fight’s up!”

  The pilots continued streaking side by side well after Ace had given the word. Josh glanced at Kyle’s cockpit. Make your move, c’mon, he thought, not wanting to be the first to break off and give up his rear.

  Kyle waited another short moment as they ripped through space, and then said, “Here’s one for you, Josh.” He rolled his ship over Josh’s and came down parallel on the opposite side.

  “Oh, yeah?!” said Josh, feeling his juices flow, then shifting his controller and rotating his striker over Kyle’s in the same manner. “Too easy, Kyle. How many times do I have to tell you this?”

  Kyle grinned at Josh’s cockpit.

  Josh eyed him back.