Turns out, training prep is our time to shower and change into fresh gear for the day. I grab a uniform and hit the showers long after the squad has already finished.

　　My stomach growls as I follow the smell of bacon and coffee to find the cafeteria. It`s more like a fancy restaurant. Instead of rows of tables with bench seating like the academy mess hall, there are tables of different shapes and sizes placed throughout the open space. The white table cloths match the plush padded chairs. The far wall is glass, overlooking the surrounding woods. With a couple of wide patio doors that lead to vine covered outdoor seating. A white marble fountain sits in the middle of the patio.

　　There`s no food serving line to wait in or trays to carry. I use my enhanced senses to make sure this cafeteria isn`t for officers only. The familiar steady beat of the captain comes from a table by the glass wall. She`s speaking with other officers, and I`m quick to push my powers back.

　　"There you are!" Addy bumps her body into my arm and bounces ahead, waving me to follow.

　　She skips and jumps through the room instead of walking. She looked like she was prancing and leaping more than running this morning. But I have to give it to her. She was right on Kane`s heels the whole time.

　　"Sit, sit." She urges, trying to push me into the empty seat next to Fletcher. She huffs when I remain standing. "Boo. You can`t be as immovable as Kane, you`re practically scrawny."

　　I look over to see Kane`s reaction at being compared with me when the rest of what she said hits me. Both Kane and I gruff in our disbelief.

　　"Ha!" She pumps her fist in triumph. "A two for."

　　A server comes over to me to take my order. Not knowing what to ask for, I go with my usual breakfast, oatmeal. Being last in line at the academy meant getting whatever they had left and nobody ever took the oatmeal.

　　"Really, bro?" Fletcher shakes his head in disapproval, shoveling another bite into his already full mouth.

　　"You can ask for whatever you want even if it`s not breakfast food. This cafeteria caters to the leaders of the nation so the sky`s the limit." Fletcher waves down another waiter as he swallows.

　　"Can you please bring Warrior Oren, the Fletcher special?"

　　Oh no`s and grumbles break out from the rest of the squad with looks of disgust and horror. One of the good things about a serving line was that I knew my food came from the same containers as everyone else`s. I have no idea what`s been done to my food when it`s served at the table. I`m used to keeping food and water supplies hidden in case I need to skip meals with others so I`ll scout some out later to hoard in my pod. But right now, I need to fuel my body.

　　I take the seat at the end, across from Kane, my eyes on the rest of the table. I`m on high alert, ready for whatever they might try. The server sets my oatmeal down in front of me and I examine it to see if it`s safe. If it looks halfway okay, I`ve got to eat it. I barely touched anything on my plate during the banquet.

　　I study the steaming bowl before me. It looks nothing like academy oatmeal. Instead of a mass of grayish-white sticky lumps, I see large tender oats. The center of the bowl has fresh fruit and nuts in an artful arrangement. A small silver tray with tiny glass containers of milk, sugar, and honey sits next to my bowl. I can`t tell if someone has tampered with my food but I really want to try some.

　　Looking over at the squad seated around me, I check their expressions, body language, and heart rate. A loud screech of a chair being shoved across the polished floor causes the entire room to go quiet. My abilities flare as I jerk my attention to the other end of the table, ready for an attack.

　　Luce stands, her muscles tightly bound as she looks down her nose at me. What`s her problem? I don`t see the gloat or anticipation of getting one over on me, so I don`t think this is about messing with my food. But she isn`t hiding her anger. Luce`s normal resting face is a ready threat, but right now she`s stone-cold aggressive. Her eyes narrow at me before she stalks off towards the doors. Her hair billowing behind her brisk pace like a trail of red flames. A smack sounds from next to me.

　　"Ow! What`d I do?" Fletcher moans rubbing his shoulder.

　　"What did you do to make Luce so mad?" Addy shakes out her hand.

　　"I did not just take a hit for newbie." Fletcher says pointing to me with his fork. "Luce was shooting daggers at him, not me."If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

　　Addy turns to look at me then back at Fletcher. Her forehead furrows and she pulls on the end of her blonde braid.

　　"Sorry bro." She whispers staring off in the direction Luce went.

　　Fletcher mumbles something about women around a mouthful of food. I need to get out of here. Being around others leads to trouble. I pick up all the tiny glass containers, empty them into my bowl, and start shoveling heaping spoons into my mouth.

　　It`s too sweet, but the nuts and milk help. I shouldn`t have used both the honey and the sugar, but I`ve never had all the extras before. The gnawing ache of my hollow stomach has me swallowing fast. Plus, I never know when a meal is going to be cut short by being tossed to the floor, spit in, or stolen.

　　"Holy shit!" Fletcher`s whispered exclamation draws my eyes to his wide round stare.

　　I shift my eyes over to Addy`s worried expression then to Kane, who rumbles deep. I even got Iva`s undivided attention, which is rare in my observations so far.

　　"Duuuude." Fletcher says, eyeing my empty bowl with eyebrows raised high. "If you`re worried about someone taking your oats, I can assure you we`re all about the eggs and bacon."

　　I push back from the table to leave, when I spot Buckler eating with several other officers by the windows. I don`t know what caused the squad`s reaction but if I leave now, I might get a chance to speak to Buckler again. I`ll wait in the hall for him to pass.

　　Rising to my feet, the air shifts behind me, and my hand snaps out on instinct to block the incoming arm. I stop at the last second when I catch a whiff of coffee mixed with laundry soap that surround all the servers. These Elites are making me too jumpy. I could`ve broke that poor man`s wrist just for trying to do his job.

　　I watch him remove my empty bowl. An ivory platter overflowing with eggs, at least four kinds of meats, and potatoes smothered in cheesy gravy sits in its place. It thuds down on the table with the weight of enough food to feed me for weeks.

　　"Yes!" Fletcher`s grin widens as his eyes go from the platter to me and back again. "The Doren Fletcher special. This is what every growing warrior needs to start the day and kick some&"

　　"Don`t." Addy cuts him off by landing a piece of cheesy bacon from the platter to his chest.

　　He peels the bacon from his shirt, shoving the entire messy strip in his mouth without missing a beat, giving his twin some serious side-eye. It`s hard to believe he and Addy are genuine. I know they`re giving me this false sense of calm before their storm. Buckler is saying his goodbyes to the officers and I walk to the exit to catch him.

　　"Well, that didn`t go as planned." Addy whines behind me.

　　Too bad for them, I`m a master at evading others plans for me. I duck into an alcove at the end of the hallway and wait for Buckler to get closer. I`ve got to be careful. It`s too much of a risk for him, or anyone, to be seen talking with me in the open. I`ll show him I can be discreet. I need to learn more about my family, and he is willing to talk.

　　My memories of them have faded to brief glimpses. It feels as if I`ve betrayed them to not remember. It was too hard to think about them in the beginning, when I was left as an orphan at the academy. I had to put on a brave face to survive. Dwelling on the past, remembering how my mother`s hugs would make me feel warm inside. How my father`s strength made me feel safe. The longing pierced my heart.

　　I had to make myself hard. This mask is a natural part of me now but it came at a high price. I don`t know if all the loving memories of my family were something that happened or something I wished for. But now I have someone who can tell me who my family was before. And I`m ready to face the truth, even if it`s bad.

　　Buckler walks toward me. I ease myself from the alcove to meet him. I want to appear approachable when he sees me, but I don`t know how to do that. It`s the exact opposite of what I trained myself to be. His eyes crinkle into a smile as he watches me advance.

　　"Ah, good morning warrior Oren. You look like a man on a mission."

　　I must`ve been straining too hard. I salute him, and he gives me a slight nod to at ease.

　　"Sir, I was hoping to take you up on your offer to speak with you when you have the time." My hands clasped tight behind my back waiting for his reply.

　　"Of course, son." He pats me on the arm and motions for me to walk with him.

　　I swallow and work to hide my relief as I slow my pace to match his.

　　"How are you finding your squad mates? Settling in okay?" Buckler keeps his head forward as we turn toward the wing that holds all the governing offices.

　　"Settling fine, sir."

　　"How about the captain? What do you make of your new commander?" He asks before pulling me to the wall to speak closely.

　　"It`s my first morning, sir."

　　I can`t talk about her without remembering what my powers did earlier.

　　"No need to be so formal with me when we`re by ourselves. But we should schedule a time to talk more. I`ve got to run to a meeting with General Targe."

　　My jaws clench at the mention of Cole`s father. What`s Targe still doing in Centrum? All the other regional generals left once the banquet was over.

　　"When might be a better time?"

　　"I`ll be away from Centrum for a few weeks. And besides, I expect the captain will keep you busy for some time too. I do miss the old days. The thrill of combat, the hunt. Some of my best times were by your father`s side."

　　I walk silently beside him, hoping not to disturb any other memories he might share. The sound of several sure footsteps ahead signal I`ve a minute or two before someone sees us together.

　　"I will check in with you in a few weeks then, sir." I salute him and hope he doesn`t take offense for me leaving without his dismissal.

　　I only have three weeks here, and he`ll be gone for most of it. At least I`ll have time to get my thoughts in order before I speak with him again. I know very little about who my family was other than the legends and histories passed down at home. But I`m here in Centrum now with access to the only place that houses our nation`s complete records. And I`m not going into my meeting with Buckler blind.