Rebel Heart

"We come from two different worlds."

"I have a feeling this will be permanent."

Lana agreed silently. Even if she reached the Peace Command Center, the world wouldn't right itself. She'd hoped her burden would end there, and the secrets she kept could be turned over to someone who could fix things. She suddenly found these thoughts foolish.

She wished to talk to Guardian again, to hear his take on the world. He'd been her only friend. Her thoughts turned dark as her mind wandered to Brady. Their relationship had changed to one far more dangerous, less open.

"Elise, can I use your micro?" Lana asked suddenly, surprised to see the elite soldier had it at her waist.

"Later. We got something to do first," Elise said, standing. "I'm going to teach you some self-defense. The next time someone grabs you, you can take care of him. This afternoon, we're learning some basic survival shit, since it's clear you don't know any of it. All your fancy training won't …"

Lana half-listened to Elise's lecture, thinking about how she could hack into her micro with Elise's. She followed her friend to a portion of the underground site converted into a massive gym and training facility. A dozen or so of the PMF soldiers were present. Elise breezed by them, unaffected. Lana couldn't help but feel self-conscious at the lingering looks they gave her. She didn't have Elise's physique; she was clearly not one of the genetically altered warriors.

Elise peeled off her shirt to reveal a snug undershirt that outlined the shape of her muscular upper body.

"We'll start with how to break some general holds," Elise said.

"Brady said to help if you need it," a deep male voice said.

Lana turned to look at the speaker and craned her neck back. He was bigger than Brady by a head and one and a half times as wide. She felt like a flower next to a tree and stared, hoping Elise didn't take his offer seriously.

"Great!" Elise said with enthusiasm. "Put her in a choke hold."

Lana paled, expecting her day wasn't about to get any easier.