Rogue by Danny Lenihan

Author:Danny Lenihan
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781838476472
Publisher: Broken Earth
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

I went back to the dorm and grabbed my gym gear. I got changed, picked up my kit bag and hollotab, and headed back to Conditioning. Everyone was already there, and as I walked in Aoife wolf-whistled, which almost everyone laughed at. I joined in, only because I already looked a dickhead, so I might as well play the part. Of course, if I’d wolf-whistled at one of the girls I’d be immediately vilified and cast out as a sexist pig. What was good for these geese definitely wasn’t good for this gander, and alarm bells were ringing. I’d been with a few women over the years, but this level of attention was almost cloying.

I looked up and Hennessey winked at me from behind the group.

Fuck’s sake.

“This is assessment number three, Crew 41. I am expecting a step-change in your individual performances from this point on, but today we are going to collaborate to build your stamina, and help you learn to work effectively as a team. There are four activities in this room that you would usually undertake during your conditioning assessments; hydro-pool treadmill, cross-trainer, exercise bike and floor work—push-ups, sit-ups and jumping jacks. In a minute, you will discuss your relative strengths and weaknesses, and then Jaxon, you will allocate four of your crew to the four different modules. The other four will be there to take over from their teammates, as and when you deem necessary. There are some targets on the screen behind me—you will hit these today, and you will not leave until you have managed the entire program between you. Understood?”

“Yes, Sergeant.”

“Okay, you have two minutes to discuss. Go.”

I got straight down to it. “Laura, what’s your best module?”

She glared at me, letting me know I was a long way from forgiveness for something I hadn’t done. I tried again. “Laura, whatever is going on in your head, now is not the time. Your crew needs a strong start from a strong candidate. Now, are you up to the task or not?”

“Hydrotherapy pool.” She didn’t even look at me.

“Okay, that’s yours. Anyone else feel particularly strongly about the pool?” Everyone shook their head. I didn’t blame them; the hydrotherapy pool seemed fun to begin with, but it was a brutal assault on your stomach muscles, thighs and calves.

“Great. Who wants the cross-trainer?” Eloise, Libby and Jennifer all put their hands up.

“Rock, paper, scissors, on three—one, two, three.”

They shook their fists three times and then Eloise and Libby both chose rock, whilst Jennifer opted for scissors. “Eloise, Libby, you’re on the cross-trainer. Decide between you who goes first.”

“Exercise bike? Thank you, Amanda.” Her hand had shot into the air at once.

“Floor work—Aoife, Jennifer, it’s all yours.”

“What about you, Jaxon?” This from Eloise.

“Actually, Mark is next on the list.” He was so quiet and so reserved that it was almost impossible to remember he was there. “Mark?”

“I’ll back Laura up if that’s okay? I’m crap on the bike.”

“Sure. So I’ll back Amanda up on the bike, okay?” They all nodded, but without conviction.

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