Sergeant Major Cotah took a step back. "The others will be here in a few minutes. Take the time to kit him out and instruct."

Rob nodded as the Sergeant Major left us. Then he looked at me. "You really want to make this your hill to die on?"

I nodded. "They're all going to think you're weak, because of me, no matter where I'm placed. I'll learn fast, I promise you."

"You're going to have to." Rob walked away, and I followed. "But we do get one good advantage for this."

"What's that?"

"We see Alpha271 go in first."

"I want the rundown," I said. "All of it."

"Each class is split into six groups of six. Usually four main, two reserves. We're judged on all performances throughout the year and are ranked."

"You hold what?"

"We've been struggling," Rob said. "We lost one of our team members, Akers, a month ago."

"Lost him? Like—"

"Family emergency," Rob replied as Sylvk joined us.

"Akers? No, he was a liability," Sylvk growled out. "That's just what's on the record."

"Oh, okay, so that explains why there's a spare spot. But no reserves?"

"Just out of luck, the class never filled. We've been sliding down the ranking since. We were in the top spots across the years classes, now, not so much."

"That's why you didn't want to take the back seat in this?"

"We need the points." He admitted.

"Then I'm glad I opened my mouth."

Rob stared at me. "Since I got the message last night from the LTC we had a new recruit. I knew there was no choice in where you were going."

"So the volunteering?"

"Always a test," he said. "Everything is. Just like—"

"Seeing if I was a coward out there."

"You're getting it." Standing before a set of lockers, Rob started to strip off. "Kit is usually a good size, copy me."

I didn't hesitate, and also stripped off.

<<Zero-G details,>> Doli said.

"God dammit," Kerry said, coming in after Sylvk. "Just what I wanted to see swinging in the wind."

Rob coughed. "Should have warned you, sorry."

"Team's become family, right?"

Sylvk was out of his uniform in a flash, and Kerry gave me a glance, then him.

I couldn't help but notice the scars running up and down his back. He had been through a shit ton of stuff. Why had he never had them covered?

"Yep," Kerry thumped Sylvk's shoulder plates.

The suit was easy to put on, and the boots. It all fit into place, like Rob had said. "Helmet's easy too, connect this," he pointed at the front piece where there was a small red line, and to the suit's red line at his neck. "To this first."

I picked up the helmet, it was light, and did as he instructed, connecting the lines then slipped the rest over my head. The helmet found its own purchase and with a sucking sound sealed me in.

Rob slapped something on my neck.

"Grav-settle patch—standard pre-float fix."

"Thanks," I said and ran a finger over it, I couldn't even tell it was there.

I never saw Kerry undress, but she was in front of me fully suited before Sylvk had his boots on. She tapped the side of her head.

Invite to Team Lynx (Beta271)

Accept - Y/N

I hit the accept.

<<System check?>> Rob asked.

<<All green,>> Kerry replied.

<<All green,>> Sylvk said.

User: Piotr Argassa

Status: Combat Suit Synced

Vitals: Stable

HUD Feed: Active

Suit Biofeedback Integration: 93%

Cognitive Load: Baseline

HUD Pane

Real-Time Display (tailored for a first-ever zero-g attempt)

Module ID

ZERO-G/Induct-01 – New-Cadet Orientation Maze

Scenario Map

1. Soft-launch tumble tube (1 rpm) 2. Orientation beacon checkpoint 3. Slow-turn corridor (30 m) 4. Tool-retrieval node 5. Exit hand-rail & mag-boot lock

Primary Goals

• Reach exit within 9 min • Orientation loss < 8 s per segment • No wall impacts > 0.5 g

First-Timer Assist

Cadet Fresh-Phase detected → Stabilizer ghost-grid ON (−5 % final score)

Live Telemetry

Roll / Pitch / Yaw ° s⁻¹ • Heart-rate • O₂ Sat • Inner-ear saturation %

Pass / Fail Gates

PASS: All five checkpoints + vitals green SOFT-FAIL: Orientation loss 8–15 s → mandatory dizzy-lab HARD-FAIL: Wall impact > 0.5 g or vitals red – auto-abort

Scoring Weights

Orientation time 40% • Path precision 30% • Tool-handling 20% • Biometric stability 10 %

Instructor Feed

Sgt M. Cotah (live) • AI proctor "STABLE-Zero" (voice hints)

Post-Run Outcomes

≥ 90 % → eligible for Zero-g Slalom module 70–89 % → standard progression < 70 % → motion-adaptation training (24 h)

Quick-Gesture Cheats

Double-tap visor – toggle vitals overlay Three-finger swipe down – engage 5-s stabilizer pause

Tip: Small moves, cadet. Momentum is currency—spend it slow.

Warning: Physical Strain Predicted – Toughness 3

With my HUD I accessed the suits intel network in a second. <<All green,>> I added.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

<<You do learn fast,>> Rob said. <<First time I tried to access that; it took me five minutes.>>

<<Extremely easy to read,>> Kerry said. <<Body stats to the left, and suit stats to the right.>>

I nodded, though that must have been hard to see.

<<You need to speak every action,>> Sylvk said. <<Even a basic—got it—understood?>>

<<Understood,>> I replied.

We then stood and watched as other trainees came in and dressed, there was a little excitement in the air.

<<What's our main objective?>> I asked.

<<Today?>> Rob questioned.

I nodded, but then also spoke, <<Yes.>>

<<Get you through the course. It doesn't matter about our timing, understood?>>

When I nodded this time, I again added. <<Understood.>>

<<They enjoy this?>> I asked.

<<They were wondering if you'd rise to the occasion,>> Kerry said. <<When you left the mess hall, you were the talk of the room.>>

<<Nothing like a debut out the gate,>> I sighed.

Sylvk slapped me on the back. <<Listen,>> he said. <<Once through the doors, we have few choices, it is a maze.>>

<<Rob stays in lead, that seems he's the dead spot, but he has the work to do, to decide which way we run,>> Kerry said. <<We fan out, explore and move only when the other has no exit point, and Rob calls it.>>

<<This is our tether to each other.>> Rob said and gave something a yank, I felt it pull though there didn't seem to be anything there. <<It's good for a few hundred meters, but if you get cut off—you and we are in trouble, we need all views of the surrounding areas to understand where we are in the maze at all times.>>

<<Don't get cut off,>> Kerry warned.

<<Got it.>> I said and felt for the tether to Rob.

Rob laughed <<No you don't, I'll show you.>>

A loud beep sounded. <<Alpha271's team is up.>>

I tried to get a better view, Alpha271 moved as one and went through the double doors in seconds.

<<This is what you'll see when you get inside,>> Rob sent an attachment over to my HUD Ident. I hit the accept and he carried on while I looked, this was just like at Dennison's but they didn't know that. I did, and I smiled internally.

<<You're happy?>> Doli asked.

<<This would have been extremely bad if I had never had that experience.>>

<<You should tell them.>>

<<Not yet.>>

<<The room can be any shape or size,>> Rob said. And he wasn't kidding, the images were insane, huge multi-layered mazes with intricate walls that seemed to stretch on forever. <<The tether is our guide. When everyone reaches the end of it, someone will have an exit point, the others are blocked. This is about speed and teamwork, spotting patterns and possible early exit points. All four of us spread out.>>

<<Only four cardinal axes at each node?>>

<<Yes, you'll see it. Listen to my instruction, sometimes we call it way before you're at the end of your tether. That decision is on me.>>

<<It sounds complicated,>>

<<It's not,>> Kerry replied.

<<Any idea how long the maze is?>>

<<Give or take a few minutes, can be upwards of a thirty-minute run.>>

<<Not today.>>

Rob stood next to me, <<What makes you say that?>>

<<Because I'm here.>> I sighed, this would be typical of every aspect of my life. <<This will be hard and fast, I'm betting on it.>> I was looking at Sergeant Major Cotah when I was saying this, and he was watching me as intently. I turned to Rob, <<What's it like, Zero-G?>>

<<Your inner ear doesn't work the same, you'll be initially disorientated. There is no direction. Up or down, left or right.>>

<<It will feel really weird,>> Kerry added. <<Keep calm, focus on your HUD and what you can see directly in front of you.>>

<<Every movement will matter. The slightest twist of your hand,>> Rob used his hand as an example. <<This is enough pressure for you to move,>> and he pushed on me slightly. <<Anything else and you'll spin out of control.>>

<<We're not going to be in there too long, but you might feel pressure in your head or be sick.>>

<<I won't be sick.>>

Two minutes since the other team went in.

<<Most important is stay calm,>> Rob said. <<You might feel confident, but we've seen a lot of people lose their lunch, right Syl?>>

<<Right.>>

<<Hence, I trusted you and gave you my pudding,>>

<<Duly noted.>>

<<Don't forget. We're right here with you, no matter what happens in there, understood?>> Rob asked.

<<Understood.>>

Five minutes had passed.

Kerry touched my arm, and I looked at her. <<You don't look like much, you've a few pounds around your middle. But you have a lot of core control.>>

<<Sliding in and around vehicles,>> I replied.

<<I think we'll be fine,>> Rob said.

<<Ready?>> Kerry asked.

<<As ever.>> I really wasn't. I was terrified, terrified that I'd still screw up.

<<Eleven minutes and fourteen seconds.>> Sylvk said as the other team came back through the double doors.

<<We'll take a full minute for Piotr to orientate himself inside.>>

<<Got it,>> came the unified reply.

The Sergeant Major nodded to Rob and then we were up. The small countdown on our HUDs ticking from ten to one. Fast, so fast.

Rob hit the doors, and we followed.

Walking past Alpha271 as they stripped off. Someone cat called behind me. "Better not trip over your own feet in there, newb."

The moment I stepped into the maze, the world flipped. My stomach lurched as gravity disappeared, leaving me flailing in a sea of walls and corridors that shot off in almost what felt like every direction. For a second, panic seized me—a desperate, primal instinct to fight against the weightlessness.

<<Breathe,>> Rob's voice came through my comms, grounding me. <<Small movements. You've got this.>>

What the hell am I doing here? I clenched my jaw, forcing my muscles to respond. The tether in my hand grounded me, a lifeline to the team I was already dragging down.

Calm. Focus. The words echoed in my mind, but they did little to steady the hammering of my heart.

Small movements. I tightened my core, testing the advice. A slight shift of my hand sent me spinning, and for a terrifying moment, I couldn't tell up from down.

<<Keep steady, Argassa,>> Kerry cut through my haze. <<You're not the first to mess up, but you'll be the first if you quit.>>

<<Quit teasing,>> Rob said. <<You good?>>

<<How on earth do you know which way to even start?>>

<<Practice,>> Rob said. <<You trust me?>>

<<Of course, you're the lead,>> it wasn't a lie, the other two trusting him that meant I could too, even if I didn't know him.

<<Good,>> he said. <<Concentrate. I trust you've got this too.>>

<<Why?>>

<<You wouldn't be here if someone didn't think you had talent.>>

That gave me a little confidence boost. And it didn't take me long to focus, another thirty seconds if that. I tested my movements through my core, as Kerry had said, and my body twisted and turned in on itself.

<<I'm good,>> I said. <<Go.>>

Neural Focus Lock Engaged

Mental Energy Stable – Peak Performance Duration: 6 mins

<<Moving forward,>> Rob instructed.

It wasn't slow at all. When Rob stopped and Kerry went right, Sylvk left, and I guess I moved forwards.

The maze was just that, there were so many twists and turns. I kept my tether in my hand, fully admitting I was a little afraid to get cut off, and listened in as Kerry and Sylvk called out what they were doing. It was easy to get the gist of it from there.

I started to call my own directions out. Listening to everyone.

<<Recall, then to Kerry.>> Rob said. We did so, the next time it was, <<Recall to Kerry,>> again.

Then to Sylvk, then to me, then to me again.

We were five minutes in the maze, and I was getting used to the movement, the walls, the way things would stretch out, then either I'd see I was blocked or there would be a way through. There really were patterns to it all. We had to find the flag in the next minute to have any chance of getting out.

Then, <<Recall to Sylvk.>>

There was the flag. Six minutes and seven seconds.

<<You think we can beat Alpha271?>> Kerry asked.

<<I'm not sure, but we can try, right?>> Sylvk asked.

<<Hell yeah we can,>> Rob bounced back.

<<Back the way we came?>> Sylvk asked.

<<No,>> Kerry and I said in unison.

<<You saw it?>>

<<Yes.>> Inside I was grinning.

<<Then you lead,>> Rob said.

<<Good job,>> she said. <<Now get us out of here in double time.>>

It was tighter this way around, but more fumbling. On my HUD they spread out around me, and I got a view of the maze that fascinated me. It was easier to see it, the pattern. But I still almost got a wrong call. <<Recall to Kerry.>> I paused, no, <<Sylvk.>>

Nine minutes and fifty seconds.

<<We're at least two minutes out.>> Kerry said. <<Pick up the pace guys.>>

<To Rob,>> I ordered. Then immediately, <<Follow Sylvk.>>

<<You're sure?>> Rob bounced back.

<<Trust me.>>

<<He's got it.>> Kerry's support meant a lot.

<<To Rob,>> I instructed them, <<Kerry. Then Rob.>>

Ten minutes and eight seconds.

<<Sylvk.>> We were all focused, our movements fast, collected. Calm, though my nerves were shot. So close.

Eleven minutes and five seconds.

Almost there.

<<Sylvk,>> I said. Then I paused. This was a trap point. I knew it, inside my gut was screaming at me. They fanned out as before, and I let them stretch their tethers almost as far as they could go.

It all looked the same. This was a pure judgement call.

I didn't have the experience to make this one.

<<Rob.>> I said. <<Recall to me.>>

Rob came back to me in seconds, and he took in what I saw. <<To Kerry.>>

Sylvk came flying around the corner and pushed the two of us faster than I'd ever gone, but I held myself together.

Kerry was in front of us, and then with one more turn, so were the double doors.

Twelve minutes and forty-one seconds.

We were through it and back on solid ground my feet gave way, my knees hitting the linoleum hard.

Endurance Threshold Reached – Muscle Recovery Required

Recommendation: Fluids, Protein Intake, 2hr Rest

Rob kneeled before me. <<Green?>>

I checked my HUD. <<Green.>>

Kerry slapped me on the back. <<I thought we weren't going to be anywhere near close.>>

Sylvk helped me to my feet, and we moved out of the way as the next team were getting ready for their run.

Whoever was the lead, held their thumbs up at us. Then they were gone.

The class buzzed with quiet conversation as we waited. My HUD glowed with notes, reminders, and a schedule that made my head spin.

I got to calm down some while the next team completed the maze.

When everyone was assembled back in the main hall. Sergeant Major Cotah stood before us. "Today's recon exercises showed some… mixed results." He said, calling the class to attention. "Especially Beta271."

My ears burned as a few heads turned in my direction. Great. Just what I need. Let's all blame the new guy.

"To their credit," Cotah continued, "Lynx's team showed excellent adaptability and cohesion, despite facing new challenges."

Rob glanced my way, offering a subtle nod. It was supposed to reassure me, but all it did was make the knot in my stomach tighten.

<<Good job, Argassa,>> Kerry whispered, leaning over. <<Don't let it get to your head.>>

<<Good job indeed,>> Doli also added. <<I knew you could do it.>>

<<I wasn't sure,>> I replied.

<<You might not have been, but they were, look at their faces.>>

Team Cohesion Metric: Improved

Peer Assessment Score: Pending Update

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.