We lined up.
Seventeen bodies plus Carmen, who was already drinking from her flask by the weight rack.
Braxton's eyes swept across us.
Paused on the cat sitting next to me.
"Nakano. Why is there a cat in my gym."
"Emotional support animal."
"This is a combat training facility, not a therapy session."
"She helps me focus."
"She?"
"The cat. Maki."
Maki meowed.
Loudly.
Carmen snorted into her flask.
Braxton pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Fine. Whatever. But if your emotional support cat pisses on my equipment, you're cleaning it with your tongue."
"Noted."
He moved to the center of the room.
Clapped once.
"Today we're running scenarios. Three-person teams. Randomized. You'll be given a tactical situation and sixty seconds to solve it without dying. Whoever fails gets remedial cardio until they puke."
Groans echoed through the gym.
"First team: Kuzmina, Cabana, Nakano."
Wait.
"Cabana?"
The door opened again.
Reyna walked in.
