The additional training sessions started the next morning.
Bright had posted a schedule in their quarters—detailed, color-coded, optimized for maximum skill development per hour invested.
Every squad member had specific focus areas identified, weaknesses to address, techniques to refine.
Mara's section included seventeen bullet points.
She read it twice, feeling something twist in her chest. This wasn't coaching. It was dissection. Clinical. Precise. Like she was a malfunctioning piece of equipment that needed repair.
Engagement timing: commits 0.4 seconds too early on average. Creates exploitable windows.
Footwork: favors left pivot, predictable pattern against observant opponents.
Blade transitions: clean but telegraphed. Requires misdirection training.
On and on. Every flaw catalogued. Every weakness exposed.
No acknowledgment of her strengths. No encouragement. Just cold analysis.
Duncan found her staring at the schedule, her hands trembling slightly.
