Gate felt the adrenaline flush out of him as the klaxon-voice announced the cessation of combat, as though the shadowy officials running the exercise had pulled some plug from his brain. It was replaced by a weary warm glow in his muscles that was uncomfortably hot and did not make him feel any less anxious.

He did not know for sure how long the exercise had been. He remembered several salient events - the grenade burst, falling, opening fire - and used them to construct a rough mental timeline. Based on this timeline, he reasoned that the whole engagement must have been quite swift indeed. On one hand, he was grateful for how brief the experience had been and prayed that all future combat would play out similarly. On the other, he was deeply disturbed by how quickly he had been overcome by the stress and shock and rendered little better than an animal following Octavia and Tigranes. His quick wits were his best asset, and he couldn't afford to lose them every time he was put into combat.

The doors opening and the entrance of the officers was like a fresh breeze flowing into the room. It represented survival and a definite cessation of hostilities. Whilst he hated these men for so carelessly almost costing him his life, he was nevertheless overjoyed to see them. He tried to collect himself, and pressed together with the rest of the squad.

[i]“... my name is Colonel Harvar of the Cadian Seventy-Fifth. You have all proved yourself today, along with those other squads who competed here before you, and those that shall after. I would be most grateful to speak with the leader – or the person in command - of your squad, are they present?”[/i]

'And here we are', thought Gate, 'now the blockhead soldier will elect himsel--'

[i]"Your Excellency, that would be Octavia."[/i]

Gate blinked with surprise and let out a quiet dry gasp of laughter, quickly checking himself and returning his composure lest he offend the serious atmosphere.

'I suppose it's not all bad...', thought Gate with a smirk, 'with the mute in command, there'll be no one to bark orders at us'.