Chapter 107

Years ago, on a training base on earth . . .

Anastasia finished third, just ahead of several other recruits in tiptop shape. She struggled not to pant, having sprinted the last half mile in order to secure her spot. She never did catch the guy from the wall who had effortlessly outpaced her. She found him, though, as she crossed the last hurdle.

Chatting with a pretty sergeant while sipping from a canteen, he didn't even appear as if he'd exercised. No heavy breathing or giant wet armpit stains. Not that she bore any either. Her antiperspirant was heavy duty and lathered on, but still, given he'd beaten her and the others by a fair stretch, he should have borne some sign of strain. The jerk.