Dragon Team Seven by Toby Neighbors

Author:Toby Neighbors [Neighbors, Toby]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mythic Adventure Publishing, LLC
Published: 2019-03-04T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

The gunnery sergeant roused them with a simple tap on the leg. Nick was surprised at how refreshed he felt after only five hours of sleep. His mind longed for more, but his body felt strong and energized. They got to their feet and followed Tveit out of their quarters. They made their way back to the gym at a fast walk and she led them out onto the jogging track without a word.

“Here we go,” Kal said.

“I can’t believe how good I feel,” Jules said. “I didn’t think I’d be able to move after yesterday.”

“What do you think is in that drink they gave us?” Ember said.

“I don’t know,” Ty replied, “but I’m not complaining.”

The jog turned into a run. Nick had been on his high school’s track team. He guessed that the track in the gym was half a kilometer long. They ran ten laps before individuals began to lag. Tveit was like a machine. She set an aggressive pace and didn’t waver. Ty followed her, his long legs eating up the distance easily. Jules and Kal followed closely behind Ty, but Nick stayed with Ember. She wasn’t faring as well as the others.

“I don’t know,” she said, panting. “I just...don’t feel any different.”

“You don’t think the energy drinks help at all?” Nick asked.

“I’m sure...they do, but...I’m dying here.”

Nick was tired as they passed the five-kilometer mark. He didn’t mind running, but he didn’t enjoy it. And while he considered himself to be in fairly good shape, he couldn’t help but wonder how hard Gunny Tveit planned to push them.

“Just remember what Tveit said the goal was,” Nick said, hoping to encourage Ember. “Functional strength and endurance. You can do this.”

“I don’t know,” Ember replied.

“I do, so just stay with me. Don’t worry about anything else.”

They fell farther behind, but they kept running. Tveit pushed them around the track fifteen laps. When she finally came to a stop, Ember groaned with relief.

“Come on,” Nick said. “Let’s catch up before we stop.”

“You’re...a slave...driver,” Ember said. Her face was red and covered in sweat.

Nick was hot too. Sweat ran down from his stubble-covered head and across his face. He was sure his body was sweating too, but the BIO-suit seemed to absorb it, and the springy outfit didn’t chafe or get uncomfortable the way Nick feared it might.

“Gracie, Nichols,” Gunny Tveit said as they finished the run. “You need to improve your pace.”

“Yes, Sergeant,” Nick said.

“We will grab chow, then the technicians will make adjustments to your suits,” Tveit ordered. “Let’s move.”

“Kill me now,” Ember said in a quiet voice.

“Don’t worry, you’ll feel better after we eat,” Nick said.

“Yeah, and you’ll get used to it,” Ty encouraged.

“Maybe it has something to do with your suit,” Jules suggested.

“What do you mean?” Nick asked.

“Well, if the technicians are going to make adjustments, it could be that her suit isn’t doing what it’s supposed to.”

“Mine feels good,” Kal said.

“Yeah, like a second skin,” Ty said. “I wonder if we’re supposed to shower with them on.

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