Chapter 48 Into the Machine

The next day, the class gathered at the elevator, eager for their big day on the surface. This was the moment they had all been training for - their first real training mission with actual tank mechs. They were excited, especially Harry.

Aria, as usual, was calm. She stood at the back of the group, keeping a quiet distance. 

"Damn it! I forgot my access card! This will make us late!" West growled, pounding his fist on the side of the elevator. 

Aria quietly pulled her access card from her pocket and slipped it to West when no one was looking. She whispered under her breath, just loud enough for him to hear. 

"Use mine. Dyar just sent me mine yesterday. It’ll be faster."

 But Jacob, who had been quietly observing Aria all week, noticed the exchange. He had been watching her more closely than anyone realized, ever since the "tank mech incident" during training when she had so effortlessly stopped the mech's punch with a single hand.

Aria had just handed West an access card, and the only people who were authorized to have those cards were military personnel or pilots. No student, especially not one like Aria, should have one. And yet... there she was, slipping him her card like it was a normal thing.

West gave a loud laugh to cover up his earlier irritation.

 "Ha! Stupid me! I had it in the wrong pocket, haha! Let’s go!" he said, flashing a wide grin to the students.

The rest of the class seemed to buy it, chuckling along with him as the elevator doors opened and they filed inside. 

Jacob, however, couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. There was something bigger here - something Aria wasn’t telling them. His mind wandered back to the time he had spent in the VR simulations with her. She was a pilot prodigy, yes, but there was also the matter of her strange strength, her almost unnaturally calm demeanor under pressure, and the mysterious way she’d handled the tank mech during training. She had been holding back, no doubt. But how much?

He couldn’t help but wonder.

 "Who is Liana Hale really?"

On the top level, students filed out of the elevator, their eyes wide as they took in the sight of the tank mechs. The enormous machines, each towering over them, were lined up and ready to go.

West stood in front of them, looking even more serious than usual.

"Listen up!" he barked, his voice echoing across the bay.

 "Today is not like anything you’ve done before. You will be piloting real tank mechs, but they’re practice models! Don’t get cocky just because they look the part! These are NOT combat-ready! No armor, no ammo, no weapons! You will only have a tank knife, and you’ll be using that to get a feel for piloting, nothing more!"

"You will be heading out to the city ruins nearby," he said, gesturing toward the distant skyline visible through the massive bay doors.

 "It’s an area that’s been abandoned for years, but it’s still a good spot for you to get some hands-on experience. The goal is simple: get in the tank mech, get a feel for the controls, and move through the city ruins. You’re not there to fight, you’re there to learn. Do not engage in any combat!"

He paused for a moment, his voice lowering slightly.

 "You will be accompanied by a squad of real Combelt MK3s. These are combat veterans and real pilots, and they will be there to ensure your safety in case of an emergency. If mutants show up... and they could... you are NOT to engage them. You will retreat. Mutants are deadly. They will wipe you out without hesitation. Your job is to get out of there and let the real pilots handle the threat. Got it? Good!"

 "But don't get too scared! Wide area scans show no signs of activity anywhere nearby, so we should be in the clear. But, as always, you need to stay alert. Be smart. Follow the instructions of the real pilots. If anything goes wrong, your job is to get out, not to fight back."

He turned and motioned toward the row of tank mechs.

 "Now, go and board your tanks! Time’s wasting!"

West turned toward Aria, his tone softer than usual. 

"I’m sorry, Hale. But since you and Harry don’t have pilot partners, you two are going to have to pair up. I hate to put you in that position. I know you’re probably not thrilled about it, but if you’d rather sit this one out, I won’t hold it against you. It’s totally your call. No one will blame you."

"It’s fine. It’s just a basic drill. Besides, I’ve been wanting to feel the real cockpit of a tank mech again. Even if it means having to team up with Harry."

 "Ah, thank you, Hale. For sacrificing yourself and not pushing that burden onto someone else. You’re a real hero." 

 "Alright, no more distractions! Get in your mechs, everyone. You’ve got a lot to learn, and I’m not here to babysit. Move out!"

 Aria was one of the first to climb into her assigned tank. The controls felt familiar beneath her hands as she settled into the cockpit.

 West’s voice rang out through the comms, calling out to everyone one last time.

"Don’t forget what I said! This is a learning experience! If anything goes wrong, your priority is getting out alive. There’s no glory in dying today. Got it?"

The students shouted a collective, "Yes, sir!" 

The bay doors began to open, and the group moved out, making their way toward the city ruins. The objective was simple: find and retrieve various pieces of equipment scattered throughout the area. It was a straightforward task.

The real pilots, a squad of seasoned soldiers in their Combelt Mk3s, surrounded the area, keeping a vigilant watch for any signs of mutant activity. Aria moved with Harry, her eyes scanning the ruins with sharp focus. Harry, on the other hand, seemed more preoccupied with his surroundings than with the task at hand, eagerly glancing around.

"Keep focused, Harry. We’re just here to grab the items and head back. No need to get jumpy."

Harry’s voice came through a moment later,  "I’m not jumpy. Just... looking around, that’s all."

Harry guided mech through the remains of a collapsed building. The objective was just ahead - a small piece of tech wedged between two pieces of concrete. She reached for it, carefully extracting it from its resting place, when suddenly a low rumble vibrated through the ground beneath them.

"Did anyone feel that?" one of the nearby students on the comms asked.