Sarhea sat in the vent opening overlooking the military training facility. It was much earlier than she usually showed up there, but she just could not bear to sit in her quarters any longer. There had not been much conversation with Aleena once they left the dining hall. She had sensed Aleena’s emotional turmoil but rather than question her friend, she had taken her leave. The whole situation had left Sarhea wanting to take her frustration and anger out on something-anything, but she could not go out hunting drones so soon. She needed to formulate a better plan of attack after the previous night’s failures.

So she had endued up here, watching and waiting to see if the area was in use. Surprisingly, the only signs of life were located back in the weapons range which was a safe distance from the raised combat platform where she trained with the wooden daggers. Before long, most of the lights went out, leaving the entire facility mostly dark. This normally did not happen until midnight. Sarhea took it as a sign the place was now empty so she dropped silently to the mats below.

The padded surface cushioned her landing. She fell to a crouch in the middle of the raised training platform, listening carefully for any signs of life. When none were detected, she stood and walked over to the rack of wooden weapons and took up the usual daggers she had been practicing with. They were nothing compared to her real weapons, but they served her purpose. She took the weapons to the center of the stage and began her workout.

Her movements carried her cross the platform and back, much like an elaborate dance. Each set of moves was punctuated by a series of jabs and slashes. The routine intensified the more time passed and she concentrated on pouring all of her frustrations and anger into her movements. She could feel the energy and the heat building, but this time, she did nothing to contain it. Holding it back had in part led to the pent up outburst that now flowed freely from her. Everything was a blur of motion and it felt good.

Sarhea did not know how much time had passed before she felt the bulk of the energy finally dissipate. Her movement began to slow, allowing the once blurred surroundings to come back into focus. A form she had ignored before began to take shape on the outer edges of the platform. Her motion slowed then finally stopped. In the shadows, she spotted a row of five straw targets. She looked down at the daggers in her hand as a malicious smirk formed on her lips. She felt the energy flash through her as she slung the first then the second dagger at two of the targets. She hit the bull’s eye on both. She quickly walked to the rack of weapons and took up three additional daggers of various sizes. She tossed the first and the second and prepared to toss the last.

“I’d really hate to know what you’re imagining as you throw those things,” came a voice from the shadows.

The unexpected sound broke her concentration as she released the last blade. It hit the wall behind the target and clattered noisily to the ground. Sarhea instinctively spun to face the hidden threat and dropped into a defensive crouch.

“Aww, such a shame. The other four were perfect hits. I’m impressed, Cassarian,” the voice continued.

She instantly recognized Nakyla’s smooth voice and soon, the Malkaian emerged from the shadows. Sarhea eyed the dark woman cautiously as she approached the platform.

“You can take it easy there. I’m not here for trouble, though I’d be curious to know how you gained access to this place.” Nakyla paused and silently observed her for a moment. “On the other hand, I sense a kindred spirit in you. Gaining access to otherwise inaccessible places is one of my specialties.”

Nakyla slowed as she reached the edge of the platform. “How is it that a Cassarian has such skills with knives? Most the ones I know are more interested in themselves and in wealth of any kind than weapons.”

Sarhea allowed herself to ease into a simple squat. “Where I grew up, you either knew how to protect yourself or you died,” she finally responded.

Nakyla grinned at the answer as she leaned casually against the platform. “As I suspected-a kindred spirit,” she replied as she pulled herself up and sat on the edge of the platform.

Sarhea was uneasy as the woman eyed her curiously in silence for a minute before finally leaning back on her hands.

“Forgive my curiosity, but I’m fascinated as to how you know Aleena. She’s quite far from the cloak and dagger type of girl. Yes, quite the opposite of you and I.”

Sarhea eyed the woman critically as she tried to decipher any hidden meanings behind the words, but the task proved to be quite the challenge. She finally shrugged. “Aleena befriended me even though I was not looking for a friend. I find her friendly demeanor and lack of judgmental tendencies quite refreshing. Too much cloak and dagger, as you say, tends to keep me in a bad frame of mind.”

Nakyla smirked to herself before shooting her a mischievous grin. “Bad frame of mind, huh? Is that what that was earlier today and just now with the knives?”

Sarhea scowled. She immediately had a feeling that Nakyla was going to be the nosey type. It made her respect Aleena all the more.

“Your teammate was harassing my friend. Then he had the nerve to think I would have any interest in a boastful little imp such as himself. And quite frankly, I had grown very tired of the way I’ve seen him treat others in general. How is it that a group with a reputation like yours allows one such as him to be a part of it?”

Nakyla snorted as she pushed herself to her feet and stood. “Oh, Kaden’s had his warnings plenty of times. He sticks around because he is the best at what he’s skilled in. No one can match his skill behind the controls of a ship, and like you, we stay loyal to those among our ranks. But I suppose that loyalty can be stretched fairly thin,” she replied as she walked over to the targets.

Sarhea easily caught the distaste in Nakyla’s last statement. She smirked as she watched the Malkaian retrieved one of the larger daggers from a target before turning back to her.

“Tell me, Cassarian. What is your name?”

Sarhea hesitated, but then figured if she did not answer, the woman would have her ways of discovering it. “I am Sarhea,” she finally replied.

“Sarhea. And I’m sure you know I’m Nakyla. I serve as Commander Raith’s weapons specialist, though like you, I prefer the simple weapons. Blades of any sort, actually. I was quite impressed with your earlier moves. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such dedication to the art of daggers. Most these days seem to prefer those fancy energy weapons. I’m curious. Would you be up for some friendly dueling?”

The question took her off guard. She was still winded from her earlier workout, but she could feel the energy building once again. She turned to give Nakyla a curious glance. “Friendly duel? I find the notion rather odd considering the trouble I nearly got into for fighting earlier.”

“And as I mentioned earlier-if you had been in any real trouble, you would have known it. Raith does not dismiss serious violations. I think he knew the confrontation was inevitable, and I think he may have even secretly admired your courage.”

Sarhea raised a brow as she stood and walked toward the first two targets and the daggers they held. “Admired my courage? That’s not what I read in his glare. It was more like he was labeling me as trouble. What is his deal anyway? The way I see others act around him one would think he was a god. What does one do to deserve such a reputation?”

Nakyla scowled as she eyed her critically. “Have you been living under a rock?” She paused briefly as she raised a brow then shook her head. “There is no one more dedicated to the continued survival of this city than Raith. I did not meet him until the day of that first attack. As you probably have seen, we Malkaians normally keep to ourselves and avoid outsiders. Raith did not care. He led me and a group of fellow Malkaians through the chaos and death to this city’s protection. He saved my life then ran straight back out into the destruction to save others. It nearly cost him his own life. I have no idea how things were on your world but where I come from, one that puts others’ lives above their own deserves as much praise as can possibly be given. Raith has continued to risk his life for this city every day since then.”

Sarhea stared silently at the targets, considering Nakyla’s words, before reaching over to remove the daggers. She turned back toward her waiting opponent and slowly met her in the middle of the platform.

“This is the first I have heard such a tale,” she finally replied.

“Oh? I find that strange considering Aleena was such good friends with Bud, who is Raith’s best friend. From what I hear, the trio was quite the group to be around, the life of the party.”

Sarhea frowned. She’d not heard that story either. She figured from Aleena’s subtle reactions that there was some history between the Kalatian and the Alpha team members, but Aleena had never volunteered the information. She caught a glimpse of Nakyla’s knowing smile.

“You know, perhaps you should do a little more digging into this city and its citizens instead of sneaking in to play with my knives. You may be surprised at what you discover.”

Sarhea was momentarily stunned by the suggestion. There was great wisdom in the Malkaian’s words. She had not put much effort into learning the city’s history or that of its key players. Perhaps her focus had been too much on staying secluded, figuring out the strange energy that surrounded her, and training for her new mission. She would have to reevaluate her priorities.

“Enough of this talk. Are you ready to duel? It’s been a long time since I’ve found anyone with the potential skill to challenge me,” Nakyla said with a gleam in her eye.

Sarhea shook off her distracting thoughts as an expectant energy rose within her. It had been a long time since she’d felt this way. She grinned as she took a defensive stance and readied the daggers.

“I’m ready when you are.”