I start to count, something I haven`t had to do for weeks. Has it only been weeks since I left the academy? Fletcher steps to the side blocking Cole from my view. I`m propelled to the present, back at the tables covered in new gear. I learned how to manage Cole years ago and I can do it again.

　　Cole stands at ease next to his father already outfitted in an Elite training uniform. My eyes burn as I take in the embroidered surveillance specialist patch under his name badge. I got my ass handed to me day in and day out for weeks for my new badge. Cole bragged about joining the Elites at the academy. Like it was a done deal. And he was right after all.

　　Dr. Quinn`s wild hair weaves between the groups of technicians to stand by the general.

　　"General Targe." The doctor shoves his glasses up his nose and clutches his ever-present clipboard.

　　"Doctor." The general gives Quinn the floor.

　　"We have the arena set for a live combat test run of the advanced equipment. We`re ready to proceed once Warrior Targe has briefed the team." Dr. Quinn rolls back and forth, heel to toe, unable to hold his excitement.

　　"Live combat?" The captain asks.

　　"Oh, that`s not right." Quinn says. "There are no species in the arena, not combat. Forgive me. Only the Mist simulated terrain."

　　"Understood."

　　We have three days to test out this equipment and get Cole ready, they waste no time putting us to work. Everyone examines the new gear spread over the tables. The captain pushes Iva forward until he`s dead center, right in front of General Targe and Cole.

　　Iva`s knuckles turn white with a restrained grip on the table as he leans close to inspect each piece of tech. I stay to the back. It takes a conscious effort to shut down my emotions and make sure my mask is in place.

　　"Proceed Warrior Targe." The general falls back.

　　Cole clears his throat, "Thank you sir."

　　He was always bigger than life at the academy. Confident glare, confident stance, confident gait, confident words. He fidgets with his uniform collar, clears his throat again, and gestures with hands that shake. I sneak a glance at the general wondering if he notices, and stop myself from jumping when I meet his black stare. I give a nod of respect he surprisingly returns and turns back to Cole.

　　"You`ll be equipped with the latest advancements in covert technology designed to counter the conditions deep within the Mist." Cole`s voice is as sure and strong as ever, making me question what I think I saw.

　　"When stealth is of the utmost importance you need equipment that can pierce the dense atmosphere. This is why we modified the standard combat goggles with enhanced optics." Cole meets each warrior`s eye, except mine, as he holds up a set. "These will expand your visual equity from six feet to up to ten feet."The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

　　Iva picks up the set before him. They`re like standard issue goggles but four more feet of visibility is a huge advantage for any warrior. For me, it means any combat I engage in has to happen even further away from the squad now.

　　He pulls out a shiny silver multipurpose tool from his arm pocket and starts taking the goggles apart. That`s handy. I`ll lift it from him before the end of the day. The captain kicks his boot and he puts the goggles back down with a huff. He turns his attention to Cole and drills him with questions and tech speak I can`t follow. Cole answers with as much enthusiasm as Iva.

　　"Bunch of nerds." Fletcher mutters shifting in place earning an elbow from Kane.

　　"In addition to the added range, they have small thermal cameras." Cole points to small circular lenses embedded into the top right and left corners of the frames.

　　Dr. Quinn jumps in with a sparkle in his eyes. He parts with his clipboard letting it clatter on the table. "The demon you`ll track has a few unique qualities. This new species can radiate electrical currents, we believe, fuel its abilities. But unlike a heat signature, these cameras will pick up electrical impulses. All previous attempts to record video in the Mist have failed, but these cameras are meant to record ability signatures along the same frequency as the atmosphere for reduced interference." Dr. Quinn applauds the gear.

　　No videos in the Mist have always been my saving grace. It`s thought the electrically charged atmosphere of the demon territory is what distorts recordings. And this new tech tracks electrical signature which make me wonder about my own. Will mine register too?

　　"Please continue Warrior Targe."

　　Cole gives the doctor a nod and checks with his father before continuing. The slight inward curve of his shoulders straightens. Cole places the goggles down and picks up an earpiece.

　　"Your comm links will remain the same except for the high frequency tracker."

　　A tiny antenna rises up from the center of the earpiece but doesn`t extend past the outer edge. Again, Iva jumps in to ask about interference, turning Cole`s presentation into a private conversation between the two of them.

　　"Boring." Fletcher leans over to me to share his annoyance.

　　The captain`s eyes shoot over me and Fletcher. Kane`s muscles flex like he wishes he could punch something. Addy`s rigid posture tells me she`s about two minutes away from locking up if she doesn`t bounce around soon. And Luce is shallow breathing, frozen, watching Cole`s every move. Her angry scowl is smoothed out. The whites of her eyes are visible which never happens with her usual squinted glare. Guess she geeks out on this tech stuff too.

　　I give the table my attention as Iva`s questions die down. He gives the captain a head shake. Of course, she`d have him check out the gear. Everything about this mission is out of the ordinary and the captain is more suspicious than I am.

　　"Thank you, warrior." General Targe dismisses Cole and steps up to run the room. "Warriors, grab your equipment and let`s move to the arena."

　　None of the Elites move. I smile but keep my head down.

　　"Elites, gear up." The captain calls out with the authority she uses in the presence of officers.

　　We snap to and hustle to obey. The general takes a step toward us, jaw grinding like he might crack a tooth, his eyes beam in on the captain. I step forward to draw his attention.

　　"Don`t." Cole`s hoarse, rough warning is quiet at my side.

　　He brushes past me to follow the others. I swallow hard, grab my gear, and join them. Of all the people to stop me from doing something stupid, the last person in the world would be Cole. And the instinct to put myself in front of the captain is more unsettling. We move into the arena, back in our diamond formation, this time with Cole in the center next to Addy, wearing untested tech gear that may or may not reveal my abilities.