Polo's Safe Zone
Stone leaned against the wall, arms crossed. His cybernetic eye dimmed slightly, conserving power. "So. Tomorrow."
Polo sat on his bunk, methodically cleaning his dual pistols. His movements were precise. Mechanical. "We avoid them."
Stone's head turned. "What?"
"Julian Weiper and Javar." Polo's black eyes remained focused on his weapons. "We don't engage. Not tomorrow."
"You serious?" Stone straightened. "We had them right there! We could've—"
"Could've gotten eliminated." Polo set down one pistol, picked up the other. "The risks are too high."
Stone stared. "This coming from you? The guy who—"
"I'm swallowing my pride." The words came out flat. Cold. But there was weight behind them. "And my ego. Because tactically, engaging them again would be stupid."
Silence stretched between them.
"Even Jango," Polo continued, "who trained Weiper personally, indicated he's the top dog right now. Did you watch his ten-elimination sequence? Did you see how none of them landed a single hit?"
Stone's jaw clenched. "Yeah. I saw."
"Then you understand. We fight him tomorrow, we're rolling dice. And I don't gamble when I can strategize." Polo holstered both pistols. "Javar's aerial superiority combined with Weiper's close combat mastery creates too many variables. Too many ways it goes wrong."
"So we just... avoid them? Run away?"
"We survive. We accumulate points elsewhere. We make it to the finals." Polo's black eyes finally met Stone's. "The Crucible isn't the end goal. It's a filter. The finals are what matter. That's where I'll face him properly. One on one. No interruptions. No Graveltooths. No temporary alliances."
Stone was quiet for a long moment. Then he exhaled, disappointed. "I wanted that fight, man."
"I know." Polo's expression softened. Barely. "So did I. But not like this. Not when elimination is on the line."
"You really hate him that much, huh?"
Polo didn't answer. Just turned away, ending the conversation.
Stone shook his head. "Finals it is, then."
Kade's Safe Zone
Pam, Tessa, and Kade sat in a loose circle. The room was sparse. Functional. Three bunks, basic equipment, nothing more.
"Juli's fine," Pam said, addressing the unspoken concern. "I heard he's with Javar. Temporary alliance for the Crucible."
Tessa fidgeted with her rifle ball. "That bird boy seems nice."
"He is loud," Kade observed. "But competent. The alliance is strategically sound."
"Tomorrow will be harder," Pam continued, her silver eyes focused despite seeing nothing. "Most of the weak cadets are eliminated. The ones left? They're smart. Cautious. They'll be defensive now. Points won't come easy."
Kade's tail swished thoughtfully. "I possess exceptional tracking capabilities. My sense of smell is superior to most species. Tomorrow, I shall channel Resonance exclusively through my olfactory system. Heighten my tracking senses to their absolute peak."
Pam's head tilted slightly. "You can isolate Resonance to specific body parts now?"
"Indeed. Jango's training emphasized precision. Coating individual body parts with Resonance rather than flooding the entire system. It conserves energy significantly." Kade's golden eyes gleamed. "The concentration and control required are substantially higher, but the efficiency gains are remarkable."
"I learned it too," Tessa added quietly. "I can coat just my eyes and hands. Makes my aim steadier. My vision sharper." She paused. "Though holding it for long periods is exhausting."
Pam nodded. "Same. I focus mine on my ears and skin. Amplifies my sensory input without draining me completely."
"Tactical efficiency," Kade said approvingly. "This will prove advantageous tomorrow."
Tessa shifted, adjusting her position. "I'll position myself in the rocky mountain regions. Higher elevation. Better sightlines. I can provide cover from distance and utilize my sniping expertise to its fullest extent."
"McGee will likely employ similar tactics," Pam observed.
"I know." Tessa's grip tightened on her rifle ball. "I'll be ready for him."
Kade stood, stretching. His muscles rippled beneath his fur. "Before this Crucible concludes, I intend to encounter that Lyrielle individual."
The room went quiet.
Tessa's face flushed slightly. "W-why?"
"To assess her capabilities firsthand. Jango designated her as a top-tier threat. I must measure myself against such opponents to gauge my own growth."
"But..." Tessa's voice came out smaller. "Don't we make a better team?"
Kade blinked, confused. "Naturally. We function excellently as a unit. What does that have to do with—"
"Nothing!" Tessa's face went redder. "Never mind!"
Pam hid a smile behind her hand. "Oh my."
"I fail to comprehend the sudden emotional shift," Kade said, genuinely puzzled. "Did I articulate something incorrectly?"
"No, Kade. You're fine."
"Then why is Tessa's heart rate elevated?"
"KADE!"
"It is a simple observation! Her cardiovascular activity has increased by approximately—"
"Can we please talk about literally anything else?!" Tessa buried her face in her hands.
Pam's smile widened. Boys. Completely oblivious.
The Horizon
Dawn was coming.
The twin suns of Ashmar began their slow rise, painting the desert in shades of orange and pink. The safe zones would open soon. The second day would begin.
In the broadcast booth, Larry was already vibrating with energy.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! BEINGS ACROSS THE GALAXY! DAY TWO OF THE CRUCIBLE IS UPON US!"
Jango sat beside him, soda in hand, looking far more relaxed. "Yep. Here we go again."
"The remaining cadets have rested! They've strategized! They've prepared! And NOW—" Larry stood up dramatically. "NOW THEY RETURN TO THE ARENA!"
Across the galaxy, viewing centers filled to capacity. Families gathered around screens. Command centers watched with tactical interest. Billions upon billions ready to witness the continuation.
"We're going to count down together!" Larry announced. "Everyone! From ten!"
The galaxy responded.
In the Chrono Sector, C'luppo's home crowd started chanting.
In the Outer Rim, Juli's mother and Juno held hands.
In command centers, the silhouetted captains leaned forward.
"TEN!"
The safe zone doors began to glow, preparing to open.
"NINE!"
Cadets inside checked their weapons. Stretched. Focused.
"EIGHT!"
Juli cracked his knuckles, grinning.
"SEVEN!"
Polo's hands rested on his pistols.
"SIX!"
Kade's golden eyes burned with competitive fire.
"FIVE!"
Pam adjusted her glasses, her heightened senses already reaching outward.
"FOUR!"
Tessa clutched her rifle ball, breathing steady.
"THREE!"
Stone's cybernetic systems came online, humming with power.
"TWO!"
Lyrielle Xistrith stood alone, bow in hand, silver hair catching the dawn light.
"ONE!"
The doors opened.