While less painful and certainly less shameful than sword training, the formation drills were depressing and not in any way conducive to getting stronger. They didn't help my mental health, either.

I tried to find a way to squeeze in extra training, but our days were so tightly monitored, and accessing training swords when not on active training was more difficult than I'd have expected.

Another cycle passed, marking my sixth on placement, before a solution came to me. It came to us all, via a summons to the palace.

Our Cohort, along with the Fifth and the Eighth, were called in front of Prime Garazal. With no information given as to why, the speculation in the barracks began immediately.

Siroth uprising was the favorite among them, followed closely by House Besas finally overstepping the mark on some territory dispute or other.

I just hoped it would lead to a relief from the abuse and the monotony. Hope, that fickle thing.

Lieutenant Polvar met us outside the House Guard Headquarters and then led us in tight formation up to the wide gravel square at the front entrance of the palace.

We were followed up by the Fifth, and further back the Eighth Cohort. Each group stopped to form a perfect square like a Roman legion.

Once everyone was in position, Prime Garazal and a fully armored Warden Anso appeared from the entrance. Both radiated power, and a quick scan of Anso showed me he had gone up a level to 47.

Prime Garazal spoke.

"Union Command has requested Warden Anso act in his role as Union Marshal 2nd Rank. He is to assist in leading Union troops on a dangerous mission. In his wisdom, the Prime Sovereign has given me the honor of providing three Cohorts to support him." His voice didn't seem to suggest it was an honor.

"Their scouts have confirmed Xeo presence on Marnis 12." There was shuffling and sharp intakes of breath in those neat formations now. No one had guessed Xeo, despite all the rumors circulating.

"We do know that they have been pushing into Dross worlds, but until now, none of those has posed a significant threat. However, Marnis 12 has a great many resources and enough ambient Mana for its portal to open into Union Territory twice a year. For that reason, we do not want to close it off. But, needless to say, we cannot risk them contaminating the portal."

The fear among the soldiers was palpable and prompted a lizard smile from the Prime. "I understand your fears. The Xeo aren't just another enemy. They are a nightmare, and they are the single most dangerous threat to our noble houses. And the Union," he added as an afterthought.

His words said everything I needed to know about his true feelings.

"Marshal Olein will lead the mission and you will be deployed with three cohorts from House Parthen under Lieutenant Distal and finally a Union Peacekeeping Division. The 21st, led by none other than General, Aazi Stormfront."

A small murmur ran through the Cohorts at that, and it seemed morale had picked up a little at the mention of Ellaazi's father. That seemed crazy for the xenophobic assholes I was surrounded by. I hoped I got to meet him, and I doubly hoped he was as powerful as I'd heard, if we were going to face Xeo.

"The mission is full clearance. Sweep and purge. Engage without mercy, hesitation, or delay, and once they are gone, find their entry point and close it." He thumped his clenched fist into his open palm as if it would motivate.

Anso didn't blink. Didn't nod. Just stood there, arms behind back, expression carved from stone.

Garazal's eyes swept the ranks, and I could feel the weight of them as they passed over me. But there was no flicker of recognition for the Squire he'd pinned a medal to. No special nod for the Academy outlier he'd encouraged to perform.

After all their build-up of me, it seemed I really was still just another warm body with a weapon.

I didn't mind. As crazy as it was, I was just grateful to be leaving here. Maybe I'd meet some other soldiers who'd at least be civil. Maybe I'd get to meet Ellaazi's father, the great Aazi Stormfront. Maybe I'd survive long enough to get back to Ressa in six cycles. That was a whole load of maybe's and not a lot of hope to go with them.

"You are leaving in two hours," Warden Anso snapped out. They were the first words he'd spoken, and they hit hard. A time limit.

"Go and make your preparations. Dismissed."

Garazal turned and left, but Anso remained, watching as our Cohorts were led back down to the barracks. I managed to meet his gaze for a heartbeat. No nod. No scowl. Just that same unreadable stillness.

I gestured to try and catch his attention, and to my surprise he tilted his head to one side to beckon me over.

I slipped out of formation. The Fifth noticed. The rest of my Cohort marched on, oblivious.

"We are in a hurry Square Henshaw. What is it you need so badly?"

I could do quick. "No body talks to me in my Cohort. Anything I've learned I've had to figure out myself and …"

"I really do not have time for complaints right now. Didn't you hear? We must face the Xeo."

"Exactly," I growled. "You dumped me in this and all I'm asking is to get a fair crack of the whip. I need to make sure I have the right gear to go to this world with." I pointed at where my squad had been. "And they will not tell me what I can take. What I need. They'll let me go unprepared and they'll laugh when I die."

He frowned. "That bad?"

"Bad? The bastards continually set me up to fail. They ignore me completely and they beat the shit out of me in sword practice for their own amusement." I held up a finger before he could reply. "And I'm not complaining. I'm a survivor and I need no help. But if you're sending me to a planet full of Xeo… then fuck man. You owe me this much at least."

"I will send someone to speak with Brin immediately. Now go, catch up with your Cohort before he files another complaint against you."

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"Another?" I gasped.

"Oh yes. We get at least two a day. Elasin is not happy with you at all."

I shook my head, speechless.

"Go," he snapped. "We can sort this out once the mission is over."

I hurried off, glad I'd said something but wishing I'd gone further and asked for a transfer. The idea of heading into a dangerous war zone with a squad intent on seeing me fail had just become even less palatable, and I could only imagine whatever message Anso sent to Brin would make things worse.

Still, what was one more hurdle in this steeplechase of a life I led?

I caught up with the 4th as we reached the barracks, and I was pretty sure no one had noticed my absence.

Inside, Brin barked out cryptic orders about retrieving supplies from somewhere I hadn't heard of before. I tried to follow a group of the soldiers out to find out where they were going and what they were getting, but Brin saw me.

"Henshaw. Did I call your name to go to the quartermaster's?"

"I didn't hear you specify, Sergeant."

"Then listen now. When we're on this mission, you stay out of the way and…"

He trailed off. That's when I noticed Sheild Lieutenant Polvar standing in the door way listening. Once he'd been spotted, he marched down between the bunks and gestured silently for Brin to go in his office.

Both men entered, and the door closed behind Polvar.

It didn't take long before raised voices could be heard. I kept polishing my armor under the hate-filled eyes of my team mates.

Minutes later, Polvar marched out of the barracks and Brin shouted of me.

When I reached his office, he gestured at the door. "Close it."

I did as asked and he glowered at me until I turned back to him.

"We're just about to embark on a dangerous mission and you pull this shit. Are you mad?"

I stood eye to chin with him and looked up without fear. "I did it, so I don't end up dead due to your negligence, Sergeant Brin. You've all made it abundantly clear you don't care about my wellbeing. I owe you nothing and expect nothing in return."

"You think you're so clever, Earther."

"I think I care about my life and I intend to protect it. I just didn't think that would have to be against people I should be able to trust."

"You think you'll survive live action? You'll be dead in the first engagement."

"Why? Will you throw me to the Xeo? If you dislike me so much, then have me transferred. We'll all be happier."

"No transfers. You're mine till your academy re-starts or you die." He leered at me. "I know which one I'd rather see."

"Understood. Now tell me what I need to know about, like Lieutenant Polvar ordered you to do."

He bristled at me ordering him through someone else's words, but there was nothing much he could do about it. "Quartermaster's for supplies. They'll have what you need prepacked. Then straight back here."

I didn't give him the benefit of reply or salute as I left his office. Until now, retaliating had felt like an unnecessary risk. Where we were going, there wasn't much they could do to me that they didn't already have planned. I expected they'd try to get me killed, by accident.

The quartermasters stores reeked of oil and something burning. The quartermaster was a thick shouldered archon, with a more silver than gold in his hair and beard.

He didn't look up as I entered, but he was quick to speak.

"Name."

"Squire Adam Henshaw."

He looked up, frowned and then retreated into the rows of shelves behind him. He came back with a rod and slapped it down on the counter. "There you go. Good luck out there Henshaw."

I took it, about to go, but then thought better of it and turned back. "I'm sorry. But this is my first mission for Garazal. Can you give me a rough idea of what's stored in here? I'm not sure when I'll get a chance to look through it properly and nobody has told me what to expect."

"Then ask them. I've got a few hundred to outfit today. No time for stupid questions from lazy squires,"

I shrugged, defeated but not surprised. "If they'd tell me, I wouldn't have asked. But it's fine. I'm getting used to this kind of treatment now. I'll work it out or die trying."

I headed out, considering a detour to go through the rod in private and check what was stored in there. But if I was caught, just as we were about to go on mission, that wouldn't go down well. Why give Brin the extra ammunition.

"Wait," the quartermaster shouted after me.

I turned back and he gave me a strained smile. "We can be an unfriendly lot at times. Looking down on outsiders is in the blood, but it's my job to supply you all and make sure you have what you need. If you say that's a little knowledge, then I'm old enough and ugly enough to ignore my bigotry."

"Thank you. You might have just saved my life."

His eyes narrowed, but I didn't sense intent to harm me. "The rod contains a Garazal-standard field deployment pack. Infantry issue. You've got your primary weapons: Infantry lance, which is collapsible into three parts. It also has a Flame based rune set. Yours will be matched to your Harmony and overall level."

His eyes widened as he took in my Identifier for the first time. "Well sunder the Union, you're him. The Warrior Mage."

"Well, I'm definitely a Warrior Mage. Not that I've been allowed to practice magic since I've been here." I shrugged, annoyed with myself for complaining again when someone was actually trying to help me.

He ignored my pity-party, poking a finger at me. "I should have known. The one who rescued everyone on Velkyn?"

"I wouldn't say rescued everyone. I did my part."

He shook his head, wide smile. "You saved some good men that day with your charge. Can't believe the Warden dumped you with the 4th. The first would have had you back in a heartbeat, and they'd have treated you right."

I was surprised to get so much information, and even though I felt a little embarrassed from the slight fame, if it meant my odds of surviving went up, then I'd happily suffer it.

He pointed back at the rod. "Back to that. You got your primary blade, Estermite-core for durability and a x3 damage multiplier rune. You should get some good use out of that with your Harmony Score. Do you mind me asking what it is?"

"29, including the first mage class bonus."

"Nice," he grinned "Very nice." Then he fell back into list mode. "Next you've got five concussive rods. Snap and throw the active part. If in doubt, throw both parts," he chuckled.

"Then you've got one utility dagger, multipurpose. No runes."

"As for field supplies, there's an enchanted auto-form shelter, large enough for two at best. You've got your bedroll and thermal blankets. Three Glow Rods. A hundred yards of pernavin-cored rope. Four Emergency Flare Rods, two Alarm Rods. Ten Combat rations. Which are basically blocks of dried meat and fat. Ten Energy pouches. Bags of fruit-flavored syrups and a mild stimulant. There's a condensed Jagga pill for if you're dying and there's no hope of rescue. Might as well go out with a smile on your face."

The thought twisted my face. I might be an outlier, but the last thing I wanted when I was dying was to throw giant slugs into the mix. I kept that to myself.

"Is that everything?"

"Almost. There are five healing rods. And one foldable shovel."

I grinned at that. "You've gotta have a foldable shovel."

"Agreed. Good extra weapon if you're in a tight spot."

I gave him a little bow. "Thank you, Master Quartermaster. It might not mean much and I probably can't ever repay you, but I won't forget this."

He raised an eyebrow at that. "Don't think anyone's ever thanked me before. You know what Archons are like," he chuckled.

I was about to turn when his voice stopped me again.

"Here. Catch." I turned and on instinct caught what he'd thrown. A second rod.

"It's for the Mages. Says on my docket here you're only to be given a Warrior rod, but I reckon that's gotta be a mistake."

"Yep, Sergeant Brin seems hell bent on me not performing any Mage duties?"

He frowned and tapped the list in front of him. "Says here it's come from the Warden, but I can't see him getting involved in the basic gear of a squire. Like I say, looks like a mistake to me, but if you don't wave it about, I'll be alright with that as well."

I bowed again. "It won't see the light of day, unless I'm in desperate need. Just in case there's an issue."

He didn't respond to my promise, though I could see from his expression he appreciated the words.

"It has all the same field supplies as the last one, but in place of weapons it has combat enchantments. There's two defensive shield enchantments which cover a thirty yard area. There's five mana fatigue elixirs. Then you've got six flame and six water blast amplifiers. Single use, but you fire either power through them and you'll make a guaranteed mess of your target."

"I don't know what to say."

"Nothing," he replied, expression serious. "To anyone. Ever. Now go, get out of here before I change my mind."

I thanked him again and set off at a brisk pace, wondering why Warden Anso's had ordered only a Warrior Rod for me.

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