The crowd hushed. Commander Thalor’s name required no introduction. Few faces bore such recognition, and few officers held a title of such weight and brevity.

  Lance Thalor. Commander of the Stormrunner Corps. The man in charge of every single Stormrunner across all four Quadrants, in all sixteen provinces, in every single city of the Republic of Valeria.

  His presence confirmed the gravity of this crisis.

  “I am assisted by Major Beckett of the Capital’s Trooper Reserve,” Commander Thalor pointed at a Valerian officer weaving between the desks. At the sound of his name, Major Beckett approached the stage and gave a small wave. With a respectful nod at Commander Thalor, he retreated to his work.

  “Congrats, everyone, for making it this far. You have made your family proud.” Commander Thalor spoke in a quick monotone, as if rushing through a script. Then, he frowned. “We’ve got no time for this. Let’s talk about defense.”

  He rolled over a large blackboard, scaling six feet tall, covered by a detailed map of the Capital. A hundred or so cards were pinned onto different locations, a large number scribbled across each of them.

  “A cluster of storms is approaching the city wall from north, northwest, and northeast,” he continued, pointing at a dozen red crosses at the top of the map. “We have detected fifteen individual storms in the cluster, but more could show up anytime.

  “As the announcement said, the Northern Stabilizer is down. The Eastern, Western, and Southern Stabilizers are undergoing recalibration. The Stabilizers will take at least six hours to come online, and another two to clear the skies. We will defend the city until then.”

  A stack of paper made its way through the recruits. Shon took a sheet and located his name.

  “You will split into squads of three to six. Where possible, we have kept you in your Exam groups. Hopefully, you’ve already built up some teamwork chemistry.”

  Of course, Shon was put in the same squad as Zora and Damien. Squad 76. Even the squad number carried over from the Exam.

  “Your assignment is listed on the chart. The chain of command is simple. You will answer to whomever you are assigned to.”

  Shon took a closer look. Squad 76 was assigned to Squad Osprey, the most elite unit of the Republic. Shon’s heart raced. Back at the Exam, when Squad Osprey showed up, the crowd had vied for a chance to speak to them. Shon could still remember how Captain Lynx invited him and Zora to the center, and they talked about the Academy and the classes. The captain of Squad Osprey was so kind, so charismatic.

  On second thought, however, Squad Osprey always took on the most dangerous tasks.

  On the giant map, the number 76 was pinned right below the northern wall. A cluster of red crosses sat inches above, each one a raging storm. Shon was assigned to the frontline.

  Suddenly, a voice called out from the crowd. “Why are we assigned to Troopers?”

  Commander Thalor furrowed his brows. “Stand up when you speak to me, recruit!”

  A moment of hesitation, then a figure emerged from the back. A Valerian. Dressed in a lavish ball gown matching the opulence of the opera house. A group of other Valerian students surrounded her, all dressed in wealth.

  “Why are we assigned to a squad of Troopers, sir?” she said. “As Stormrunners, why can’t we work with other Stormrunners?”

  Commander Thalor stared at her in silence. He swallowed, as if grappling with the sheer incredulity of this question.

  “Tell me, kid, how many lives have you saved before?”

  “None, sir.”

  “Then what makes you think you are above the Troopers?” he roared. “These brave men and women save more lives in a day than you ever have in your life! It is your utmost honor to work with these brave souls!”

  “Sir, yes sir!” she faltered.

  “To be clear, this command system applies to all Stormrunners, not just new recruits.” Commander Thalor signaled the girl to sit down. “Troopers assigned to specific posts have elevated command privilege, hence, you will answer to them. In other circumstances, command defaults to the highest-ranked Stormrunner. Given that, you may also command the Troopers.”

  The crowd began whispering. The allure of command was strong, but Shon doubted many of these kids had ever assumed such a responsibility. He surely wasn’t ready for this.

  “I urge you to exercise responsibility and caution,” Commander Thalor added, noticing the whispers. “You are not only responsible for the Troopers’ lives, but also the consequences of your decision. Of course, blatant negligence and abuse of power will face court martial.”

  A few gasps, and the crowd hushed.

  “Before sending you off to individual briefings, one more thing. Stormrunners must never fear death, but given the extenuating circumstances, your survival means the continuation of the corps. You are under the strictest orders to keep yourselves safe. Fall back at the first sign of mortal danger.”

  With that, the recruits dispersed to different corners of the concert hall.

  At one station, a group of candidates clustered around an artillery gun, watching a Trooper flip the different levers. At another station Zora was heading to, an array of complex radio equipment sat scattered on the table. Damien followed some other Valerians to a makeshift armory, where they picked up energy blasters and loaded guns. Shon shuffled along to his own station, where bundles of thermal spears sat on the table.

  Stolen story; please report.

  Suddenly, a pair of hands snatched him from the crowd.

  “You, wrong way,” a Trooper moved him away.

  Shon followed the Trooper without protest, waiting to be shown the right station. However, he was led to an empty room. Shon stepped in, but the Trooper did not follow. The door shut behind him.

  “Shon, long time no see,” said a familiar voice. Shon looked up and gasped.

  “Mr. Xeta,” Shon stuttered.

  “Just Theo, please.”

  “Sorry, yes, Theo,” said Shon, kicking himself for forgetting that they were already on a first-name basis. “I just want to thank you for… all this. I mean, yeah…”

  “I am simply correcting an unjust disqualification,” Theo said. “But let me be transparent with you, Shon. Even though your original score would have placed you as a top recruit, it still took immense effort to reverse the disqualification.”

  Shon nodded his head. The Stormrunner Exam was the most protected ritual of the nation. Even President Valtora would not be able to alter the results. Despite Shon’s otherwise outstanding scores, Theo Xeta would have to burn serious social capital at all levels of the bureaucracy.

  “You are a promising young man,” Theo continued, “but there are political forces who do not see eye to eye with me. They are already moving against you, and they will not stop in the near future.”

  Shon was not surprised. He had broken the law by raising a weapon against Damien, a Valerian, even though it was to save him. As stupid as this may be, his legal and academic immunity would anger many powerful Valerians. He was an insult to the institution. Or worse, a threat.

  Not just Valerians. That Fraxian girl he had replaced, she hated him already. Should word spread, more Fraxians would be outraged. Shon could not blame them. For so many Fraxians, the Stormrunner Exam was the only way out, the antidote to generations of past struggles, the promise of generations of future stability. They had worked hard their entire lives, staking everything on this one shot. And now, that process was altered behind closed doors by a billionaire.

  In any other circumstances, Shon himself would have been furious about this.

  The outlook was grim. Shon had always dreamed of his induction as a moment of celebration, the culmination of years of sacrifice, rewarded by the ultimate prize of freedom and respect. But now, not only would others resent his joy, but factions from both sides would actively bring about his downfall.

  Where was the freedom in that? Where was the respect?

  “I don’t want politics to cloud your judgment, so I don’t mind shielding you from these forces, no matter how much it costs me. With your current performance, I have no regret with my choices.

  Shon was quick to hear the undertones.

  If he failed to meet Theo Xeta’s expectations, this protection would be retracted. The consequences were vague but intimidating. Would he still keep his rank in the Stormrunner Corps? Would he be devoured by the wolves of the higher echelons?

  “And I hope we can continue our fruitful collaboration in the future.” Theo Xeta extended his hand for a handshake.

  Numbly, Shon shook his hand. A fruitful collaboration. Theo Xeta needed someone on the inside of the Stormrunner Corps, someone who would have every incentive to carry out his tasks with utmost loyalty.

  Was this why Theo sponsored his candidacy in the first place? He remembered the impressed look on Theo Xeta’s face when he completed the thermal transfer test. That look was genuine, wasn’t it? He was scoring the top, right? Despite all the manipulation of the candidacy process, he was selected for his ability, not just because his circumstances made him a convenient puppet. Right? Right?

  Shon wanted to ask him, but he was afraid of the answer.

  But somehow, Theo Xeta seemed to read his mind.

  “I’m technically allowed to disclose this,” Theo lowered his voice. “For my thermal transfer test, only five candidates in the Capital earned an honorific mention. Out of these five, only two earned another honorific mention in their Stormrunning Simulation. You are one of them.”

  Shon looked up. Theo Xeta’s gaze was focused, a glimmer shining inside his eyes.

  “I don’t regret taking a chance on you. I’m proud of how far you’ve come.” Shon felt a hand clasp his shoulder. His eyes turned wet, and he tried to blink them away.

  “I have plans greater than either of us, greater than the Stormrunner Corps and the bureaucracy of our Republic,” Theo said. “So I’m asking you, are you willing to take a chance on me?”

  A storm of emotions surged inside Shon. Sure, he would be at Theo Xeta’s mercy. Sure, the freedom and autonomy he dreamed of would be gone.

  But did it even matter?

  Even as a Stormrunner, he was still just one man, shackled by limited resources and his chain of command. But with Theo — his intellect, his wealth, his reputation — the possibilities became endless.

  How many people had dreamed of the opportunity to work with Theo Xeta? Out of the thousands of candidates, he chose him.

  Theo Xeta needed him.

  Shon nodded. “So what would you like me to do?”

  “You won’t be able to do much unless you rise through the ranks,” said Xeta. “It’s not a coincidence you are assigned to Squad Osprey tonight. Go make a good impression with Captain Lynx.”

  Shon swallowed. Of course, Theo Xeta arranged it. As much as he valued this opportunity, he understood the danger. Squad Osprey always battled the toughest storms on the frontlines. Shon loved a challenge, but it was unfair that Zora and Damien had to be dragged into this.

  But his heart still raced. Despite the risks, the opportunity was once in a lifetime, and Shon could not let it go to waste. If he could impress Squad Osprey, he would kickstart his journey through the ranks.

  In fact, from now on, he must seize every opportunity in his way. If he could not rise through the ranks fast enough, he wouldn’t just be cast away, he would disappoint Theo Xeta.

  Shon nodded at Theo. He understood exactly what he asked of him.

  “One more thing,” Theo said. “That girl at Mill Row, Vye, are you close to her?”

  Shon had been wondering about the dynamic between the two — they had obviously met before. He remembered the look on Vye’s face at the mention of Theo Xeta. She did not seem afraid, but she did not look so eager either.

  “She was speaking with you, right?” Shon said, careful not to sound like he was poking in Theo’s business.

  “We had a brief chat. She’s on her way home now.” Theo’s eyes were still locked on him, expecting an answer.

  “I’m not close to her,” Shon picked his words carefully. It was difficult to gauge Theo Xeta’s opinion. “But she seems fairly personable.”

  “Well, I’m glad you think that way. If things go according to plan, you two will work together in the future.”

  Was that what they were discussing? Did he somehow convince Vye to work for him?

  “I don’t understand.”

  “In a couple of weeks, you will head north with a regiment to repair the Stabilizer. Vye will be there too, for some other purposes.”

  Deployment to the north. To be so close to the frontier, to where his father had died and where his mom and sister had aged, Shon was not sure how he would feel. A brisk excitement sparked within him, perhaps from the possibility of seeing Vye again, or from the possibility that he could at last do something meaningful, at last be part of something greater.

  But that anticipation had to wait. Right now, survival was the real problem.

  With his post at the city wall, he would face the unfiltered wrath of the storms. No recruit had ever been deployed to a level 7 storm on their first day, for good reasons. Even if Squad Osprey were to babysit him — which they wouldn’t — it would still be tough to escape the crosshairs of death.

  Theo seemed to have noticed the thoughts on his mind.

  “Good luck, Shon. I see your potential. I hope you can see it too.”

  With that, Theo Xeta left the room. Before Shon could process their conversation, another Trooper came over and ushered him to his briefing station.