August 7, 2152
Despite a somber day yesterday, the girls all got up and ready for the day early. They decided the extra training and practice with Innes would only improve their skills, so it was important if the Mantoan invaded again. It was a quiet yet fierce session as if the announcement had lit a fire in all of them. Emory even accidentally destroyed her practice drone in a scuffle. When all of them finished, they went to the cafeteria for breakfast before splitting off to their combat classes. Surprisingly, Boyle was already there waiting for the students to arrive. Emory, Innes, and Sam were among the first to arrive and decided to wait around their normal area towards the back of the training room.
"Come closer, students in the back," Boyle yelled, "We're starting a new section today and I want you all to see the demonstration. And Innes Blindside, please join me on the stage for the demonstration today." Innes's darker face turned a shade of red that only grew stronger as he walked up to the stage.
Emory turned to Sam, "Why do you think she called him up there?"
"Well, she said last week that we were going to work on footwork now, right?" Sam postulated, "Maybe she just needs a good student to defend against."
"As far as fighting goes, he's probably the best in our class. Maybe you're right," Emory agreed. The rest of the class was not far behind the initial group, and by the time class was ready to start, it looked like most everyone had shown up. Boyle reminded everyone to move towards the front again.
"It looks like everyone is here who should be here, so we'll begin," Boyle boomed over the crowd, "Before we begin, I'm going to just say a few words about the announcement over the weekend. I know the threat of the Mantoan returning is terrifying but remember this: it is not like last time. We are better as a civilization than we were last time, which is clearest when I look at all of you. When the Mantoan attacked before, we were unprepared, without magik, and pretty much hopeless. Your instructors and I have all been to war before and will teach you to learn from our mistakes. Today, we will start our unit on footwork. Though I don't expect you all to be masters of every style, I do expect you to be proficient in the style of your choosing by the end of our three-week unit. Every day this week, we'll start off watching the different styles in a demonstration by myself and one of your classmates, then spending the first half of the class practicing the style of your choice and return to sparring for the second half of the class. I have Innes Blindside with me today doing the demonstration. Innes, I want you to come at me and try to hit me."
Murmurs started coming from the crowd as Innes focused his magik into a small flame that covered his forearms. He charged toward Boyle who simply took a few steps back and one off to the side to avoid his charges entirely. Innes tried this a couple times but couldn't even touch Boyle, let alone hit her. Of course, the point wasn't to embarrass Innes but to show the class her repeated dodge steps.
"Okay, Innes," Boyle raised her hand, "Take a minute to relax. Class, that was an example of linear footwork. As you can see, it's all about staying in the same line of attack and moving with straight motions. Next, I will demonstrate triangular footwork. Ready to go again, Innes?" She challenged him again with her hand motion. This time when Innes charged in, Boyle moved diagonally in an unpredictable manner. Innes seemed to be struggling more with this footwork because the angle she moved always put her at an advantage if she were counterattacking. After a few minutes, she raised her hand again to stop Innes.
"As you can see, though the triangle footwork may require more motion, it can set you up for a powerful retaliation maneuver. Finally, I'm going to show you circular footwork which involves even more motion but with even greater rewards," Boyle continued. When Innes went in to attack, Boyle moved into his blind spot. After a couple minutes, the situation deteriorated more for Innes as the class could tell that not only was Boyle always ending up in his blind spot, but she was also leading him into exactly the spot she wanted him to be. She raised her hand, and Innes was exhausted. Boyle directed the class to get back to their individual mats, and, once they were ready, she set up the drones for each of the students.
Since Emory planned on sticking with open hand strikes that required her to stay close, she decided to focus on circular footwork. It was the most difficult of the three to master, yet it would be the most rewarding to Emory. This style would also allow her to get better at avoiding hits instead of just taking them in a pinch. When the drone practice was done, Emory continued to restrict her movement to circular footwork techniques, even if it caused her to take a hit or two.
After battle class, the rest of the day progressed as normal, Homeroom class continued to talk about the battles of the last war with a bigger emphasis on what decisions would be made if the same situation arose today with the information and strength humans had now. During dinner, the group talked about their plans for the rest of the evening.
"Say, Emory," Innes began, "What are you going to do after dinner? I mean, since there's a war on the horizon, I want to get ready and planned on training at the holodeck."
"I planned on going back to the room and meditating. Would you be interested in working on our magik on the holodeck instead?" Emory replied.
"Does anyone else want to join in?" Innes offered to the group, "I know you lot have nothing better to do either."
Tana, with a mouth full of food, mumbled, "I was just planning on getting an extra run in, but I could practice magik instead." The others quickly agreed, even Gatrie, though he complained about the lack of relaxation the group took. After dinner, the group went to the holodeck and got in line to use the machine. Evening training was much more popular among the students than in the morning. While they were waiting in line, Innes noticed Gwen a few groups behind them.
He leaned down to Emory, "I see that girl that spared with you in class last week, the fast one, by herself. Should we invite her to join us?"
"Gwen?" Emory pondered for a moment, "Sure. With this line, it'll take forever for her to get a spot." Innes left the group for a couple minutes and returned with Gwen.
As she walked up, Gwen said, "Thanks for letting me join your group. Innes said you all were doing the same thing I planned to do, so it works out." She introduced herself to the group as the line moved forward. The group had a million questions for her once she revealed that she was initially from Earth. Out of the six original members, only Sam had been to Earth as she was born there, yet her parents moved to Mars shortly after that, leaving her with no recollection of it. Then, after fifteen minutes, they had finally reached the front of the line though it was another twenty minutes before a pod opened for them to use.
Emory and Innes set up to console to portray a mountainside valley with a brook running through the center. Replicated animal sounds filled the air, and a light breeze was coming down from the peaks. Emory showed them all how to take in as much magik as they could hold, holding it in for a little bit, and releasing in a concentrated blast outward that emptied their magik in one shot. After demonstrating a few times in front of the group, Emory got in line with the rest of the people. It was a calm, silent routine, but they practiced for two hours.
When they finished, they agreed to continue doing this exercise every weeknight, much to the chagrin of Gatrie. The group split up and returned to their dorm rooms for the evening. All the training throughout the day wore Emory out, but she knew this would help her sleep at least. Sure enough, she was fast asleep within minutes of putting her head down.