The next day, as requested, Mega set off the morning alarm bright and early. Sam had talked the other two into a bit of morning exercise and led them through drills, including the always loved “run laps” and “dribble while running through cones.”

  “Yeah, this sucks.” Nadia dropped down to the floor of the gym with a harumph.

  Win leaned against the wall, panting. “Sam, you’re my friend, but you might not be after this.”

  “Come on, you two. I guarantee you Mim is going to put us through a lot worse.” Sam tried to resist smiling smugly. He may not be as gifted socially as Nadia or as naturally smart as Win, but he could move around pretty well.

  He noticed Win close his eyes and grow still and guessed he was trying to use aether. He walked over and tapped his shoulder. “None of that. We’re doing this the old-fashioned way. Consider it payback for those late nights of studying.”

  Win groaned. “Oh, right, I helped you get good grades. I’m so terrible.”

  “He’s got pent-up resentment against both of us. Finally, the truth comes out,” Nadia supplied.

  Sam laughed, only a touch maniacally. “All right, all right. Back to it. We need to make a good first impression on the new recruits.”

  A couple of hours later, they had showered and dressed in freshly pressed uniforms, which apparently would be supplied by the droids daily. Mega had explained the uniforms were required for anything official, but they could wear their own clothes otherwise.

  Wendell knocked on their door to collect them on his way to the hangar.

  “So who’s joining us?” Nadia asked.

  “Let’s see, yes?” Wendell touched his wristband. It projected a hologram showing three faces.

  “Can ours do that too?” Win pointed at Wendell’s band.

  “Yes, but not yet. You’ll learn to use the more advanced features during combat sessions. So hmm, who do we have here? Looks like a contingent from Europe. Where are you three from again?”

  “The United States,” Sam answered.

  “Oh yes, yes. I suspect we’ll have recruits from all over your planet. So many different governments to placate. You really are a fractious species. Us Prixyt, we get along well, but then again having a common enemy will do that. What I wouldn’t give—” He reddened, clammed his mouth shut, and flattened his ears against his head, which Sam took as a sign of embarrassment.

  “Who is your enemy?” Nadia asked, missing the cue for subtlety.

  “Strike that, forget I said anything. One other tidbit for ya all is that we had to limit our recruits to those who speak English, to ease communication on the station. You can use aether to imprint languages directly into someone’s head, like I’ve done with English”—he tapped the side of his head—“but it’s never been used on humans before, and so that will be something we try out later.”

  “I had been wondering that, and do I sound like a broken record player if I ask, what do you mean, later?” Win asked.

  “Well, you’ll all need to know Liberated Standard to get by at the Arena, and I sure as Ebulon won’t be teaching you. Not my rodeo, teaching is. But back to the question at hand. All right, we’ve got Roisin from Ireland, Elias from Belgium, and Matteo from Italy.”

  The three all looked to be similar in age to Sam, either college age or not much older. Roisin had curly red hair and a lively open smile, while Matteo had wavy chestnut hair and a roguish smirk.

  It was Elias that caught Sam’s attention. Unlike the other two, he wasn’t smiling, his mouth flattened into a thin line. His expression was tired and a bit sad. He seemed unhappy to be here.

  “Wendell, is everybody going to be the same age? There are no veterans or athletes older than us who would be better able to compete right off the bat?” Win asked.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  “Aether is not my area of expertise, as I’ve shared already, but from what I know, there’s an age range where you’re old enough to grasp the intricacies of it while . . .” He paused, considering. “Well, to be honest, while you’re still impressionable enough that you can soak it all up quickly. And not challenge Tar and Mim regarding their authority. Maybe that last one especially.” He chuckled to himself.

  Win pursed his lips. “Understandable. They want us to learn quickly and do what they say. I appreciate your honesty.”

  Wendell gave a slight shrug. “The Editor doesn’t pay me to keep my mouth shut, so it’s nothing to me.”

  Mega’s cheery voice interrupted them. “Ship approaching. Please stay inside the enclosed viewing area while the landing process commences.”

  The saucer shuttle made a graceful entrance, its spindly legs touching the ground without a single wobble. In a repeat of the day before, the ramp extended, and the three new recruits cautiously made their exit.

  Roisin and Matteo came out first, peering around with eyes full of wonder. In contrast, Elias stared straight ahead, his expression neutral. He was as tall as Sam, which as usual made Sam wonder if he ever played basketball, but he also looked to be skinny in an unnatural way. Unlike the other two, he hadn’t changed into his uniform and was dressed in dark distressed jeans, a white shirt, and a denim jacket. His short, curly black hair was styled in a hi-top fade.

  Wendell made for the door to the viewing area. “Follow me, folks.”

  After Wendell gave his introductory spiel (and failed to mention Elias’s clothing-related act of rebellion), the group introduced themselves and shared a round of handshakes, though Matteo gave Nadia a cheek kiss, who took it in stride. Sam noted Win’s furrowed brow and chuckled to himself.

  Elias’s handshake was firm but rigid, and Sam took the occasion to search his face. He could see the same hints of sadness and pain he had gleaned from the portrait photo. Noticing Sam’s gaze, Elias frowned, and Sam quickly let his hand go.

  They awkwardly stood in place until Matteo asked, “How is your time on the station going so far? It is crazy to me that we are here.”

  Nadia leaped in with an answer. “You’re in for a treat. I found a good place to garden yesterday, over in Central Park. Then I sat under a waterfall and read a book. It was lovely.”

  Matteo smiled at her warmly. “That’s so nice to hear. I was worried they would put us in space boot camp.”

  Wendell chuckled. “I wouldn’t discount that possibility just yet. You don’t know what you’re in for.”

  #

  After the newcomers completed their tour and rejoined them for a conservation-filled lunch (minus the taciturn Elias), the rest of the day unfurled similarly to the last. Nadia chose to return to plant her garden, with Matteo and Roisin requesting to join her. Sam had elbowed Win and wiggled his eyebrows, but Win shook his head with a pained look on his face.

  Win accompanied Sam to the training hall. Once inside, Win took a deep breath and began to walk back and forth. “So you figured it out?”

  Sam couldn’t hide a smirk. “Seeing how much time we’ve spent together lately, it was hard to miss.”

  “Right. I suppose I haven’t hidden it well then.” Win rubbed the back of his neck.

  Sam gave Win’s shoulder a friendly pat. “To one as well-versed in the annals of love as me—I’m totally being sarcastic—but yes, the signs are pretty clear. But if I had to guess, Nadia has no idea. You’d know it if she did.”

  “I figured.” Win inhaled and looked down. “It’s best I put it aside anyways. Now isn’t the best time to be distracted.”

  Sam tilted his head, not fully conceding the point. “What if this whole situation is what gives you that extra motivation to succeed?”

  Win nodded slowly. “I suppose so. Does that mean . . . err, what I’m trying to say is . . . Damn, I give up.” He rolled his head back and groaned.

  Sam was charmed by Win’s uncharacteristic fumbling of words, and it took him a second to figure out the question. He slung an arm around Win’s shoulders. “For what it’s worth, I’d say go for it. You’re already like a brother to me. The last couple of semesters would have been hell without you. Don’t ever tell her I said this, but Nadia would be lucky to have you.”

  Win blushed. “Thank you, Sam.”

  “So you were eating breakfast at the diner and just happened to meet my sister, huh?” Sam lifted an eyebrow accusatorily.

  Win had the grace to look embarrassed. “It wasn’t like that. When we met, I didn’t know she was your sister. After I’d already gotten to know her well, I figured it out after you told me about your family. But, I would never do anything to put my client relationships at risk.”

  Win’s expression was so serious that Sam couldn’t help but snicker. Win frowned and threw Sam’s arm off him. “Why are you laughing? I’m being serious.”

  “I know, I’m sorry. I would never doubt your ethics. So then, wait, why are you with me and not out gardening?”

  “Because I’m terrible with plants! Last time I looked after my grandparents’ houseplants, three of them died. My grandmother has never let me forget it. It’s ridiculous how fickle those things are. Give me a mathematical proof any day.”

  Sam shook his head with mock concern. “All right then, well, you’re at a disadvantage already. What’s your plan then? Become the strongest aether user here and then run circles around the competition, eh?” He pretended to jab Win with his elbow.

  Win laughed dryly. “Here I was feeling grateful to you for being supportive, and now come the puns.” He walked over to the training circle. “Still, you’re on to something. I need to stand out, right? So are you going to show me your technique from yesterday or not?”

  “All right, fine, ruin my fun. Let’s get started. Sit in your best meditation pose. Time to empty your thoughts of all the incredible things you think about the Azza family.” A fist struck him on his shoulder. “Jeez, okay, I get it. Win is sensitive about matters of love. That’s going to leave a bruise, jerk.”