Sorry for the late update...currently I'm busy with school. I'm also planning to write my own Champion epilogue, so hopefully I'll post the chapter by the end of the month!

Reviews:

Guest: Matthew is a character I made up last minute. Since Tess loses a few of her friends, I figured that there should be a character that would be Tess's friend during Champion/epliogue. Glad you like him :D

MarMuffin: To be honest, Tess isn't really my favorite character either. She actually annoyed me the first time I read the trilogy because she got in the way of my fav ship (DayxJune forever!) but when I reread the books a second time, I began thinking how Tess also loses so much and how she probably feels as if she's also going to lose Day to June. So basically one of the reasons why I'm writing this story is to express the POV of Tess, not to have her be pitied or anything, but for her to be a better understanded character.

legend2130 & Axolotl33: So happy you guys like my story! :D

I walk out from the dim hallway and into the living room. The early morning light burns my eyes. Kaede's still on the couch, snoring away while June is huddled on the couch, her eyes bright and alert.

" Day's awake," I say. You can see him if you want." June nods, standing up and walking past me and into the bed room. I glance over at Kaede. All the hard lines fade away from her face, making her seem younger. I grab a blanket from the other couch before spreading it over her body.

Rubbing my eyes, I take the elevator up to my floor. Frankie's in the room, also sleeping soundly. I climb onto the top of the bunk bed, careful not to make any noises. My eyes immediately flutter shut before my head hits the pillow.

"Tess. Tess, wake up." Frankie says, shaking me.

I groan, burying my face deeper into the pillow. "Five more minutes," I moan.

"I'll take care of it," says a deeper voice. I feel strong arms wrap around my body, lifting me from my warm bed.

"Nooo," I protest half-asleep, clinging onto my blanket. Baxter chuckles, throwing me over his broad shoulder. My blanket is dragging on the floor as Baxter begins jogging, Frankie at his heels. Frankie snickers at me as Baxter carries me to the Runner headquarters.

"Let me go!" I pound on his muscular back with balled fists. Baxter gently eases me to the floor, grinning.

About ten people in the room stare at us confused. Among the people is Matt, who has a smile curling up on the corner of his lips.

I'm still wearing the same clothes from yesterday. I shiver, wrapping the blanket over my shoulders like a cloak.

A Runner hands me a set of clothes that look like they've been smudged with dirt and grime. "You're too young to pass as a soldier so you have to dress as a worker," she says apologetically.

I take the clothes, heading to the bathroom. I quickly change out of my clothes before changing into the simple brown uniform. It surprisingly smells clean, maybe a bit like flowers.

When I get back, Matt is also tugging a brown uniform over his head. He rolls up his sleeves.

Razor is pointing at a digital map with a laser pen. "June will be staged her, where she will allow Republic soldiers to capture. Meanwhile, the first wave of workers and high ranking soldiers will board the R.S. Dynasty. The second wave will follow, portraying as cadets while Kaede will escort Day through a different entrance of the plane." He glances at his watch. "The first wave should be boarding in five minutes or so. Baxter, please escort Tess and Matthew there."

Baxter sends him a quick salute before turning to me. "Want a piggyback ride?" He asks, wiggling his eyebrows.

I take a step back from him. "No thanks," I say quickly.

"Suit yourself." He shrugs, leading me out the door. Matt follows behind us.

"I can't bring you all the way to the engine room or people might get suspicious. When we enter, you have to walk down and take a left. There's a stairwell a few paces away that leads to bottom of the ship. The engine room is two doors down from there."

We walk outside, the sun gleaming against the sleek metal of the impressively large ship. R.S. Dynasty is proudly displayed on both sides in bold white font.

"Make sure you watch out for yourself," he says.

"Why?" I ask.

"I honestly don't think this plan will go as planned," Baxter mutters in my ear. "Why is Razor trusting a Republic agent? How do we really know she won't turn all of us in?"

"Exactly! You're the first person who agrees with me!"

Baxter shakes his head. "Razor is so gullible and trusting. No one likes a traitor, even if it's theirs. A traitor will always be a traitor."

I nod, eating up his every word. We reach the entrance. "Remember, stairwell is on the left."

"I know," I say. "Thanks." Baxter turns the opposite direction as i take the stairs. It's only then I remember Matt was there all along.

"Is the room two or three doors down?" I turn around and ask him.

"Two," Matt replies.

I open the room, heat immediately warming my body. The pit is glowing molten red.

"What is that?" I ask.

"It's a burner. You have to put coal to keep it burning. This is an older model of a ship. The solar panels on the top are probably brand new."

"Ok..." I say, mimicking his actions by grabbing a shovel. He scoops a pile of what looks like black rocks before dumping them into the pit. I do the same. The plane engines roar and the floor beneath me rumbles. I grab a metal bar on the wall to steady myself as the plane rises straight up.

We keep shoveling in coal until Matt breaks the silence. "Why do you hate June so much?" He suddenly asks.

"What do you mean?" I ask innocently. "I don't hate her."

Matt snorts. "Cut the act Tess. I'm not deaf. I clearly heard you and Baxter talking trash about her a few minutes ago."

"So what if I hate her?"

"You should give her a second chance at least. June's a good person," he says.

I scowl. "Great. Another fan of June."

"I'm just saying, don't treat her so harshly."

"She's a traitor, Matt. A traitor. She betrayed both me and Day out on the streets. I wouldn't be surprised if she betrayed all of us this time."

Matt softens. "It could've been a mistake she made. You can't blame her for growing up believing the Republic."

"Well, she should've known better. Even if she wasn't hired to find Day...she can't just turn us in the second we began trusting her." My voice breaks a little. "Day was almost executed because of June. And you think I should give her another chance?"

"If you can't bring yourself to give her a second chance, than at least pretend that you don't hate her when she's around."

I angrily focus on the coals, scooping more into the pit. I lean my shovel against the wall. "Whatever. I'm going to take a break." I wipe the sweat off my brow with a towel before storming out of the engine room.