"Get up, Maya," Zen encouraged, watching closely. "Again."
Maya groaned, rubbing her shoulder. She scrambled to her feet, terrified but determined to show the bully, Val, that she wasn't a pushover.
As Valeria put Maya through grueling physical drills, Nyx approached, producing a sleek silver bracelet and sliding it onto Maya's wrist.
"Don't touch the clasp," Nyx ordered coldly, rapidly tapping a holographic screen hovering above her arm. "It contains a localised hard-light shield emitter. It will automatically deploy if a projectile breaks the sound barrier within three feet of your head. It also permanently masks your thermal signature."
"Thank you..." Maya breathed, looking at the bracelet in awe.
"I didn't make it for you," Nyx sneered quietly, ensuring Zen couldn't hear. "I made it so you don't instantly die and traumatise him. Try not to embarrass us in front of the Empress."
After two agonising hours, Maya was exhausted.
