Chapter Six

Petra was outside sitting on the turf eating the second piece of cake, when Ezra joined her.

"Hiding away again?" he joked, nudging her. The fork slipped, and a piece tumbled out of the plate. They both stared at it for a moment, then Petra picked it up with the fork and put it in her mouth.

"Eeew! You're disgusting! I am ashamed to even know you!" he cried, scooting away from her. She laughed, crumbs falling out, some of the cake still stuck to her teeth.

"Honestly…" Ezra shook his head; a mixture of wonder and horror filled his grey eyes.

"Whaat, it's not like we get this stuff everyday!" Petra huffed, her trademark scowl returning.

"You know you're going to have to do double time in the gym tomorrow, right?"

"Totally-worth-it" Petra grinned, in between chewing.

"Also. If you keep scowling like that, you're going to resemble the Colonel" he said, his face a picture of seriousness. Petra gaped at him, pretending to spear him with the fork. Ezra laughed, his entire body shaking along with the sound. Petra watched him with cloaked delight. His laugh was something she had come to enjoy. Like one does the sound of rain, or the song of birds. When he stopped, they sat in silence while she finished the rest of the cake.

"So I was thinking…" Ezra began, then fell silent.

"Oh no, it thinks!" Petra threw back; a delayed retort. He picked at the green, trying to get a piece loose, giving half a smile.

"I'm serious, I'm next, from our group. My birthday comes next".

"Uhm, okay".

"Yea, I mean… it seems like we've been doing this forever. And what he said, Argon, about us fighting for a long time, is that something you want?" he looked up, his eyes wide, curious.

"Don't think about it much; this is what we were made for, so…"

"Yea, I know, but I still… I still want more. There's a whole world out there, and we haven't seen any of it"

"So what are you saying? You want a reassignment" Petra turned to him now. No one had Ever been reassigned, and she didn't even know if it was possible.

"I don't know, this whole party things got me thinking… Would it even be possible?" Ezra sighed, hanging his head. He lay on the ground, looking to the sky as if for answers. The little stars that remained, twinkled but offered no response. Petra didn't say anything. If Ezra left, what did that mean for her? It wasn't as though she depended on him, but he was her friend, and her team leader. What about the team?

"If… When I go, do you think you'll... you think you'll be okay?" he asked, a sad look crossing his face.

"Why wouldn't I be?" she asked, an unexpected hitch of anger creeping into her tone.

"You know why" he told her. Neither of them said anything for a moment, tension inching between them. Ezra broke the silence. He didn't want to have this conversation, but it was necessary.

"You keep too much to yourself, who would you talk to like this?" he started, a gentle look in his eyes.

"I happen to like my own company, thanks" she rolled her eyes.

"Even so, you need friends, especially if I'm not around. You have to work with the team" he continued, knowing this wasn't going to end well.

"What are you trying to say, I work with the team" Petra posited, her body poised for a fight. Ezra sat up and looked at her.

"What he means, is you need to be more cooperative" a voice came from somewhere behind them. Petra turned, agile in her movements. Fists clutched at her side, the voice intensifying her annoyance. Frekkin' Farrow.

He stood a few meters from where they were, arms folded across his wide chest.

"Farrow, not now" Ezra pleaded.

"Am I not cooperative?" Petra asked, her question directed at Ezra. She avoided looking at Farrow. Ezra breathed in, searching the right words.

"Have you met yourself? You're so utterly self absorbed. And if it wasn't for your own enjoyment, you'd have let your team down a long time ago" Farrow gave an empty laugh. Petra's face began to burn hot. Rage thrummed along to the rhythm of her hiking pulse. She opened and closed her fists, imagining how pleasing it would be to smash them into Farrow's face.

"Farrow…". Ezra warned.

"Your anger is way, waay out of control. And you alienate Everyone around you" he spat, hurling his words of disgust at her.

"Farrow! Shut it!" Ezra shouted this time, jumping up. They were both the same height, but Farrow, being leaner looked smaller than Ezra. They glowered at one another, and without a sound Petra charged.

She rushed Farrow, going for his legs and tackled him to the ground. She raised her metal arm, ready to inflict as much pain as she possibly could. He was quick, and grabbed her around the waist and rolled once with her. He was on top of her, his legs pinning her, he held her arms firmly to the ground.

"What did I say, no control, just like a mutt" his words loathsome. Petra squirmed, and struggled against his crushing weight, trying to break free from his vice-like grip. He was stronger, bigger, his muscles taut, hardened against her attempts. Wiggling, she freed her one leg, then the other; brought them back, and with all her strength kicked out. She found her target, making contact. Farrow hissed away the pain, and his grip loosened and Petra wiggled an arm free. She brought a fist to his face, hitting him hard on the jaw. Farrow grimaced, and in a flash grabbed her arm again. Once again, she was unable to move.

She tried to kick out, but he had better constrained, not allowing her even an inch. Petra fought, but it was pointless. Farrow had won yet another fight. She screamed out in frustration, again and again.

"Let her go" Ezra ordered, a firm hand on Farrow's shoulder.

"Are you sure she won't bite" Farrow mocked, his laughter dry. He moved with caution, releasing one limb at a time, almost as though he was afraid that she Would bite. Petra didn't move as defeat clung to her. She lay there, wallowing in endless humiliation.

"That was unnecessary" Ezra told Farrow, only loud enough for him to hear.

"I know…" Farrow replied, his voice breaking with remorse. Shoulders hanging, he walked towards the barracks. He didn't... couldn't turn back to look at her. As he entered the building, he heard Petra give another frustrated scream. Farrow stood in darkness, and punched at the wall in his quarters. He too wanted to scream, but instead he let out a pained laugh…