The helicarrier's interior was all metal, bench seats lined both walls, storage compartments overhead, and a single window at the front showing nothing but sky.
The students strapped in as the carrier lifted off, the floor vibrating beneath their feet.
The seating arrangement happened naturally, almost unconsciously.
Combat students clustered on the left side while the Logistics students took to the right.
Huey found himself near the back, Willy sat beside him and wheeler perched on his cousin's shoulder.
Josephine had started toward them but was intercepted by Kenna, who looped an arm through hers and steered her toward the combat side.
Josephine shot Huey an apologetic look.
And he replied with an it's fine shrug
Across the aisle, Milo leaned toward Marco. "This is going to be a disaster."
"Don't start," Marco warned.
"I'm just saying, mixing combat with logistics is one thing. But putting us with..." She didn't finish, but her eyes trailed toward the logistics side."
"With what?" Marco's voice had an edge now.
"You know what I mean."
The door to the cockpit opened, and someone stepped through.
Huey recognized her immediately, even though he'd only seen her a handful of times in person.
Dr. Hermione Cross was early thirties and she looked like she'd spent most of those years not sleeping.
Dark circles under her eyes, black hair pulled back in a ponytail, and the signature lab coat.
She carried a metal case in one hand and a tablet in the other.
"Good morning, students," she said, her voice carrying exhaustion. "I'm Dr. Cross, Medical Legion. I'll be providing your field equipment and reviewing safety protocols."
Several of the combat students sat up straighter.
Brick's eyes widened. "You're Dr. Cross? The one who developed the pneuma stabilization technique?"
"That's me."
"I read your paper on Crest-related cellular degradation," Suzie said, practically vibrating. "Your methodology was incredible."
Hermione's smile was tired. "Thanks. Glad someone reads my work besides the review board."
She started distributing equipment from the case.
Pneuma scanners, sample containers, emergency flares and medical supplies.
When she reached Huey, their eyes met for just a moment.
She gave him the slightest nod.
He nodded back.
The exchange took maybe two seconds, but it was enough.
Everything was in place.
Hermione moved on to Willy next. "Here you go, cous."
"Wait," Kenna said. "You're related?"
"Do last names not mean anything to you people." Willy said, accepting his equipment.
"That explains the good looks," Brick said, grinning at Hermione.
Willy's body icked all over.
"I don't know how you intended for that to come off bro, but hell nah."
She didn't even look up. "You do know I'm old enough to be your instructor and way too tired to even be flattered."
Marco tried anyway. "Dr. Cross, if you ever need someone to help with your research...."
"I have three PhD candidates and a government grant. I'm good."
"What about dinner sometime..."
"I eat at my desk while reviewing autopsy reports."
The combat student gave up.
Josephine caught Huey's eye from across the carrier and smiled slightly.
He smiled back, less awkward this time.
Hermione finished distributing equipment and pulled up a holographic display from her tablet.
"Additional safety information," she said.
"The rift site is a former industrial area. Lots of unstable structures, potential chemical hazards, and approximately fifteen to twenty low-level Echoes still wandering around."
"Just Echoes?" Tamara asked. "Nothing higher?"
"According to the initial scan, yes. But scans aren't perfect, so stay alert."
Riva's voice cut through from the front. "Speaking of staying alert, students, listen up."
Everyone turned.
Riva stood near the cockpit door, arms crossed. "You'll be working in pairs. One logistics student, one combat student. This evaluates your ability to coordinate across specializations."
Josephine's hand tightened on her equipment case.
Huey could practically feel her hoping.
"The pairs are as follows," Riva continued, reading from her tablet. "Cross, Willy with DiMarco, Marco and milo. Martinez, Jonas with Volkov, Brick. Reed, Tamara with Santos, Kenna."
Josephine was gripping her case so hard her knuckles went white.
"Zhao, Xu with Rodriguez, Josephine."
Josephine's face fell.
"And Cross, Huegen with Veltman, Mira."
Of course.
Of course he got paired with the one person he'd been trying to avoid.
A few combat students exchanged glances. One whispered, "She got stuck with the....."
Marco turned and glared and they went silent.
Across the carrier, Mira's face had gone red again.
"Take a few minutes to introduce yourselves to your partners," Riva said. "Familiarize yourselves with each other's capabilities."
Huey reluctantly walked over to where Mira sat near the far wall.
She didn't look at him.
"Hey," he said.
Silence.
"I know this is awkward."
Still nothing.
Huey sat down next to her, keeping a respectful distance. "Look, I need to apologize...."
"You don't I was just being self centered back then and you did what you thought was right."
Mira's fingers curled into her cassock.
"Not that I agree with your methods"
Mira blinked.
Huey said again. "I'm sorry. Are we chill, pun intended by the way"
She studied his face for a long moment.
Then, quietly, "Your eyes are very blue."
"What?"
"When you're being sincere, they get brighter and it's pretty."
Huey had absolutely no idea how to respond to that.
Mira turned away, but her shoulders had relaxed slightly. "Fine, we have to work together. But if you peak at my underwear again, I'll freeze you solid."
"Deal."
Across the carrier, Josephine sat next to Suzie, trying very hard not to look at Huey and Mira.
"You okay?" Suzie asked.
"Fine."
"You don't look fine."
Meanwhile, Willy had found his partners, two girls who seemed like air heads more than anything else.
This time they were arguing about who would get a boyfriend first. Considering the fact they'd been at this school for over a year, It was clear they were not far matched.
On the other side of the carrier, Brick was explaining his abilities to Jonas.
"Basically, I hit things really hard and they stop moving. That's about it."
"That's not hard to understand." Jonas said.
"I'm a simple guy."
Kenna had attached herself to Tamara and was already talking a mile a minute about her dreams.
Tamara just nodded and ate the protein bar.
In the back of the carrier, away from the students, Riva leaned against the wall.
Hermione approached, pulling a cigarette from her pocket.
"Doctor, You smoke?" Riva asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Occasionally." Hermione lit it, took a drag.
"You're an Arcanum agent who's probably had to bend the rules a few times. My line of work doesn't directly determine what kind of person I am"
Riva's eyes shifted.
"Just an observation." Hermione exhaled smoke. "Speaking of observations, can you imagine a world where Achusoi actually have equal rights?"
"Why would I imagine something impossible?"
"Humor me."
Riva shrugged. "Honestly? No. The system's too entrenched. Crests determine worth, and worth determines opportunity. That's how it's always been."
"My brother has perfect grades," Hermione said quietly. "Top marks in every assessment. Impeccable behavior. And he's still stuck at Neophyte 1 because he doesn't have a Crest. Same with a lot of the other Achusoi at Virelia."
"That's unfortunate."
"It's reality." Riva's voice was flat. "They were unlucky enough to be born without grace. That's not something they can change. Fighting against it is just wasting energy on a battle they'll never win."
Hermione took another drag. "You really believe that?"
"I believe in accepting things as they are."
"How pragmatic."
They stood in silence for a moment, smoke drifting toward the carrier's ventilation system.
Then Hermione crushed the cigarette out and walked back toward the students.
Riva watched her go.
Three days earlier
Giacomo's office was organized chaos as always.
Riva sat across from his desk, tablet in her hand.
"I need the Nexus Key," she said.
Giacomo looked up from his paperwork. "The what now?"
"The Nexus Key. It contains comprehensive student profiles, academic records, psychological evaluations, Crest classifications. Everything Virelia has on its current enrollment."
"I'm aware of what it contains. I'm asking why you need it."
"Proper student assessment." Riva pulled up documentation on her tablet. "Arcanum is conducting advanced evaluations this semester. We're looking for more students with omega potential."
That word made Giacomo pause.
Omega.
The theoretical unlimited growth classification for Toplars.
"You're serious," he said.
"It's sanctioned by Division Chief Santos herself." Riva showed him the authorization. "I'll return it immediately after the field assessments are complete."
Giacomo studied the document.
Then he stood, held up his arm and materialized into his palm was
The Nexus Key.
He held it for a moment, then handed it to Riva.
"I'm trusting you with this," he said.
Riva pocketed the device and left.
Giacomo watched her go.
But orders from Division Chief Santos herself couldn't be ignored.
He returned to his paperwork and tried to forget about it.
Back in the carrier, the students were still getting to know their partners when Riva's voice cut through again.
"We're approaching the drop site. Five minutes to landing."
The carrier shredded slightly. They were beginning descent.
Hermione moved through the cabin one last time, checking equipment and making sure everyone was secured properly.
When she passed Huey, she didn't look at him.
But her hand brushed his shoulder for just a second.