Metcalf and Isabeau walked quietly to the preparation area, a separate room above and behind the seating area of the shooting range.  Often the challengers created quite a bit of noise while preparing for their matches.  Armor would bump.  Ammunition would fall.  The challengers would talk.  Behind the soundproof wall, they could do what they needed without disturbing the observers.

Once inside preparation area, they could relax.  Having been there many times, they knew exactly what to do.  The first thing was to select the height of the towers they were to stand on.  Taller towers were safer, of course, but made for harder targeting.  Metcalf selected the tallest tower setting, Isabeau did the same.

Then, they selected the weapons they would use for the challenge.  It was common for a student to have two or more different sets of weapons.  One weapon was never good enough for all situations.  When long distance weapons were used, they needed to be effective for the situation.

It was an easy choice for Metcalf.  Her short bow, Blue, was her primary distance weapon.  Its size was quite deceptive as the draw strength was unnaturally great.  She needed to use her motion energy skills to pull the string far enough to fire.

The Seeds, Metcalf’s collection of seed shaped throwing knives, were more for mid-range fighting.  Rasz and Black were dead weight in this case.  Keeping any of these weapons on her armor would only add unneeded weight.  They were better kept in her gear bag.

Isabeau’s choice in this matter was even easier than Metcalf’s.  She had only one long range weapon.  Her ash colored crossbow, matched her armor perfectly.  Hummer looked like any other crossbow except there was an empty space under the loading area.  The long hole was surrounded by a sliding contraption with two silver circles at the front.

The next matter was to select the students they wanted the training-bots to imitate.  The school kept track of each student’s fighting style and abilities.  The only thing different about the bots was energy abilities.  It was impossible for the bots to use them.  Wanting this to be a short battle, both Metcalf and Isabeau chose the most aggressive students they knew.

Preparations complete, they had a bit of time to wait while they stood in queue.  Metcalf was very curious about how Hummer worked.  Blue was quite basic, but Hummer seemed almost like old and new technology combined.  “I thought crossbows were only good at short ranges.”

Isabeau noticed Metcalf was interested in her weapon.  Taking ideas from another student’s design was natural.  Everyone in the training center wanted an edge, something to help them get to the next level.  “Most are, but this one is special,” she said as she gestured to trade weapons with Metcalf while they waited.  Metcalf agreed.  “Hummer’s draw strength is incredibly strong.  I need this machine to pull the string back.”  She pointed at the sliding contraption Metcalf noticed earlier.

“How did the Founders to approve this?”  Metcalf asked.  Hummer seemed too much like a gun.

It was the Grand Master’s philosophy that Protectors should use their skills in some way in almost every aspect of combat.  Guns and blasters required little to no skill, only steady hands.  Even a slightly trained Commoner can master their use.  Protectors were called in to save Commoners.  Commoners didn’t need the kind of help they could give each other.

“It was Forge Master Sef’s idea.  He said it was alright if I powered it myself.”  She held out her gloved hand.  The glove was covered in rubber everywhere except the top of her index finger and thumb, the two points that would be in contact with the silver buttons on Hummer.  Instead those fingers were tipped with silver.  With a brief amount of focus, she caused quite a very large spark between them.  “Something about a loophole in the rules,” she said smiling.  The spark lasted a half second more, then died.

“Nice,” was her immediate reaction, then she thought about the personal implications.  “Does it hurt?”

“Not really,” Isabeau stopped and corrected herself. “Yes,” she said definitely, “but when you expect the shock, you can brace for it.”  Isabeau took her time inspecting Blue, amazed at its simplicity.  For a short bow, Blue was surprisingly heavy, like really heavy.  She pulled at the string with all her might, almost to the point of looking comical.  Even at the point of breaking a sweat, she simply could not move it more than half a millimeter.  “I think Forge Master Lai designed some special armor for his great, great grand niece using the same type of technology.  Makes her faster and stronger.”

Metcalf thought back to Naoh and how fast she moved and how utterly she defeated her opponent in the three strike drill before, “Yeah.”

“Ok.  Last points of business.”

“Right almost forgot,” she said honestly.  They were having fun and almost immediately became friends.  However, they would not be there at all if they were not wagering Academy Points.  So what was the amount, twenty per target?  That would be recoverable if she lost.  Surely, a hundred points per target would have to be the most anyone would want to bet.  That would be a fantastic start for the day if she won.

“How does a thousand points sound?”

#1 – Lost and Found #5 – Lost and Found #7