Issy knocks on the door once she reaches her destination. There's quiet voices on the other side and the door opens.

"Issy?" Lilah asks and Issy pulls down her hood. "Issy, are you alright?"

Issy lifts her head up and Lilah gasps at her tear stained cheeks and red rimmed eyes. "Please," She whispers as new tears fall. "I just want my brother."

Lilah quickly guides her inside. "Alec!"

Alec pops out from one of the rooms, grinning. The grin slipped from his face when he saw his sister and he held out his arms. Issy sobbed, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Shhh," Alec mumbled, stroking her hair. "It's okay." Alec moves them on the couch and Issy curls into him, sobbing into his shoulder.

Issy woke up the next morning in a room that wasn't her own. Her throat felt rough and her eyes stung every time she blinked. She looked around and saw Alec slumped in a chair by the bed, fast asleep. The door creaks open quietly, and Lilah pops her head around the door. She smiles softly at Issy when she notices Issy's awake, and quietly walks into the room.

"I'm guessing whatever Eric wanted you for didn't go so well?" Lilah asked as she climbed onto the bed next to Issy.

Issy nodded as her lip quivered. "I put in my request a couple of days ago and Eric withdrew it without telling anyone. He didn't discuss it with me at all, Lilah," Issy glanced up to her friend and Lilah was watching her with sad eyes. "And he demanded that I back out without telling me why."

"What did he do?" Alec whispered and the girls turned to look at him. His face was still crumpled from sleep and even through his narrowed eyelids, his golden eyes shone out to her. "He did something else Issy, other than hide stuff from you." Alec rubbed above his heart. "I can feel it."

Issy's head dropped and she avoided their gazes. "He called me a child…" Issy glanced up to see Alec's jaw clench. "I could tell he didn't mean it afterwards, it's just that he said it in the first place..."

Lilah wrapped her arms around Issy and pulled her closer while Alec squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. "Declan's gonna throw a shitfit…"

"Declan's not going to find out."

Alec's eyes flashed to her in surprise. "Issy –"

"No!" Issy pushed herself up and stared him down. Alec met her gaze and lifted his chin in response. "If Eric tells Dec then fine, but I don't want people knowing about this. Even if they are family. I can't – I don't –" Issy's shoulders slumped and she started whispering. "I don't want to be pitied again, not like last time after Reece."

Alec moves from his chair and lays on Issy's other side. "Okay. This stays between us."

Issy smiles as she laces a hand with Lilah and the other with Alec. "I love you guys."

Lilah squeezes her hand. "We love you too."

xXx

They were awoken by knocking late into the morning. Lilah and Alec were both laid either side of Issy were they all blearily woke up. Alec groaned into the pillow and Lilah reach over Issy to push him.

"Go see who it is." She said and Issy laughed when Alec swore at them.

He stood up and rubbed at his eyes. "If its Eric, I'll tell him I don't know where you are… That's if I don't slam the door in his face first."

When Alec wandered out of the room, Issy turned her head to Lilah. "Has he always been this cranky in the mornings?"

Lilah snorted. "I think it's gotten worse since coming to Dauntless. Alec doesn't really have a set schedule for work."

"Ass."

"Red's here Iss." Alec called from the other room.

Issy sighed and climbed out of bed. She pulled her hood up to hide how much of a mess her hair is before walking out.

Red sits on one of the chairs that Lilah and Alec have around their coffee table. He was frowning and the frown deepened when he saw Issy. "I saw you last night." Red said instead of greeting her. Issy's jaw slackened and she fell into the chair opposite him. Red seemed like he had slept in yesterday's clothes just like Issy had. His sleeves were shoved up to his forearms, leaving the red Chinese dragons sprawling up to his elbows on show. "Lani tried calling out to you, but I guess you didn't hear her. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Issy mumbled, not meeting his eyes.

Red huffed. "Don't bullshit me lass. My son may only be young, but I still know when a young'un is trying to hide something."

Issy sniffs, rubbing the tears away from her eyes. She hiccups as she explains what happened the night before. What Eric demanded from her, how Issy reacted and everything in between. Red listened quietly and gave her time to calm down when she finished.

"I'm sure he has his reasons lass." Red said quietly. "He's an idiot and could have gone about it better. You think you'll be alright for work?"

Issy nodded. "I need a shower and few clothes though."

"Don't forget we have an appointment with Chris to get our uniforms fitted at one, you and BD need to be at the garage at two for vehicle upgrades and we all need to be in the armoury after that for our new equipment."

She breathed slowly. "At least someone has their shit together." Red snorts but doesn't make any other comment. "Hey Red, how'd you know where I was anyway?"

"Hec followed you to make sure you got somewhere safe."

Issy groaned, slumping back in the chair. "Does the whole squad know?"

"Don't worry about us, worry about you." Red smirked at her before checking his watch. "Do you want me to walk you to your apartment?"

"Yes please." Issy stands up, moving to pull Alec and Lilah into a tight hug. Both of whom had been in the kitchenette and had been pretending they weren't listening. "Thank you."

Alec smiled at her and pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Thank you for not shutting me out again."

Issy smiled at him before pulling her boots on and turning to Red.

"Ready?" Red asks as he stands up. When Issy nods, he leads the way towards the door with Alec and Lilah following after them. "Thanks for letting me in." Red jokes as he lets Issy walk out of the apartment first.

Alec laughs. "You're welcome." Though before Red can step out too, her twin grabs his arm and whispers something. Red glances to Issy before nodding his head. When Red joins Issy in the hallway, Issy arches an eyebrow at him before looking to Alec. Both men shrug but say nothing.

"Later!" Red calls, gently pushing Issy in the direction of the lifts.

xXx

Just under an hour later, Issy and Red were walking to Christina's workshop for their new uniforms. Beforehand, Red had walked Issy to her apartment and waited outside while Issy quickly got showed and changed into jeans and a hoodie, before leaving for their appointment.

Issy tried not to curl in on herself when people started whispering and pointing to Issy as they walked through the Pit. She wondered if they knew what had really happened, or someone had just seen Issy collapse against Eric's door and spun a tale themselves. Red eyed each of them that pointed and when she felt someone come up to them, Issy tensed, half-expecting a random member coming up to demand answers from her. However, she was pleasantly surprised to see Bulldozer standing on her sixth. The others on her squad formed a wall between Issy and the members that clearly had nothing better to do than stare.

When Issy shot them all a thankful, but confused look, Lani winked at her. "We're closing ranks." Lani grinned. "Aren't we just so sweet?"

"Hey!" BD laughed, pointing to Lani. "Sweets! That's her nickname! Ya know because she's so sweet!"

That pulled a laugh from Issy and her squaddies grinned at each other with a triumphant glint in their eyes. "Sweets, huh?" Issy rose her eyebrow at the newest squaddie, who blushed. "I suppose it's better that Cutie Pie…"

"Oi!" Hector shouted at her as everyone else laughed. "There's nothing wrong with Cutie Pie!"

Rainbow laughed harder. "I knew it had grown on you!"

Eyes followed them – followed Issy – as they made their way higher in the Pit and Issy tried to shake it all off, deciding to throw herself into her work instead and try not to think about yesterday at all.

When they entered Christina's workshop, the guys shared nervous glances and Sweets snorted. There were many workers walking back and forth with many types of fabrics and some were sat at stations sewing pieces together. When Hector asked one of them where Christina was, he got ignored. Though Christina spotted them from the far end of the room and waved at them to come closer.

"Hello!" Christina grinned before shoving at uniform into each of their hands. "Strip."
"What?"

"Strip. I need to see if the materials fit to your forms or not."

BD glared at the smaller woman. "Fuck that! I am not stripping in front of these lunatics. Where's your changing rooms?" Christina huffed and rolled her eyes before pointing behind her. "Thank you!"

There were only a couple of changing rooms so the squadron took turns on getting changed into their new uniforms. BD, Red and Rainbow went first while the other stood outside and chatted between themselves.

Christina narrowed her eyes at Issy and frowned. "What's going on with you and Eric? I mean, not that there's not usually something going on between you two, but I –"

"ISSY!" Red called, stepping from one of the changing rooms and motioned her forward. "Room's free."

Issy breathed a quiet sigh of relief as Red saved her from an interrogation she really didn't want to have. The young captain shot Red a thankful smile and closed the door behind her. Red's clothes were folded into a neat pile in the corner of the room and Issy placed her new uniform on the small bench against the wall. She pulled off her own clothes and folded them into a pile next to Red's clothes. She pulled on the trousers first and was surprised at how tight the thick material was to her figure. Next was a long sleeve mesh top and a hard chest plate vest. Finally, the jacket with her squadron patch on the shoulder, which was made from the same material as the trousers.

She turned and looked into the floor to ceiling mirror and snorted as a thought popped into her mind. Welcome to Dauntless, where we protect the city from uprisings and look damn fine while doing it.

When Issy walked out of the small room, Sweets walked into the now free changing room and immediately Christina was on her, pulling at the fabric and pushing Issy's legs and arms out. She was thankful that Christina became professional and didn't ask Issy about her earlier question. Instead Issy rolled her eyes at Red, who stood in his own uniform with a grin, having already been prodded and poked by the ex-Candor.

"It seems all good…" Christina mumbled to herself before she looked up to Issy. "How does it feel?"

"Uh, how exactly is this bullet proof?" Issy questioned. "It feels too tight and a hell of a lot like I'm about to go to a club…"

Christina laughs lightly. "There's an exceptionally fine metal mesh in between two layers of leather that's bullet proof and designed by the Weapons Specialist Department. While it will stop bullets from penetrating your body, you'll still get bruises and shit from where the bullets would have gone. It doesn't make you invincible, just a little harder to kill." Christina motioned for Issy to remove the jacket and when Issy had, Christina started to tighten the straps on the vest until is fitted Issy's torso and wasn't hanging loosely. "The vest has the same material compound for the straps and has a thick layer made from the same metal as our trucks on the front, so you're a little more invincible on the front, especially when you've got the jacket zipped up." Christina nodded once as she stepped away. "As you can see there's a gun holster on each of your hips and a knife sheath on each of your calves. There are also many pockets and sheathes for different weapons on the jacket and vest, but you'll have to ask the guys down in the armoury about what goes where."

Issy fiddles with the collar of the jacket and frowns. "Why is there a small pocket here?"

Christina's smile drops. "It's a new edition on Max's orders. It's not been broadcasted to the Faction because he doesn't want to worry anyone but when the scouts go out, some of them have been captured and interrogated about Dauntless orders. The pocket's there so if your hands are bound, you can get to the cyanide capsule with your mouth."

Issy blanched and her jaw dropped slightly. She looks to the others that were already out and the only ones that didn't seem that affected were the older members. "Reasonable I suppose." Issy muttered to herself as she moved to join the others when Hec came out and Christina pounced on him.

It took a while for Cutie Pie, Sweets, Billy, and Geek got looked over by Christina and once the seamstress had finished, everyone took turns in getting changed back into their casual clothes. Christina gave them each a new rucksack with their squadron number and patch to use on their patrols, all of which were made from the same material as their uniforms, and they packed their uniforms inside.

Issy thanked Christina and her team for their hard work as she pushed her squad out of the workshop. BD and Billy, however, practically ran out of the room, loudly stating that they never wanted to go there again.

"Right, what's next?" Lani asked as she adjusted the strap of her rucksack on her shoulder.

"Apparently BD and I have the mechanics to meet about some changes to the truck and my bike," Issy looks to Red, who nods in confirmation. "The rest of you can chill for a bit or join us in the garage up until we're finished so we can all go to the armoury."

Hec held up his hand. "Which armoury is it? The big one or the small one in the SWALT room?"

Issy looked to Red, who rolled his eyes and answered. "The smaller one. Max has ordered for most of the stock to be moved from the main armoury and moved to a secure location, probably in the Weapons Specialist Department."

Issy pointed to Red. "What he said."

"Eh, I'll come with you guys." Geek said. "I want to know how to use the new tech."

The rest of the squad looked between each other before Billy started snickering. "I want to see them tell BD we need a new truck."

Bulldozer's head whipped around. "We won't need a new truck, will we?"

"Let's hope not…"

xXx

The whole squad joined them to the garage where Steve, Vinny and a few other mechanics met them at 226's truck. While none of them outright said to BD that a new truck was needed, they could hear the not so subtle hints were left about the suggestion when the mechanics tried to figure how'd they could upgrade the truck's roof so a top cover could be added without the additional weight causing the truck to collapse.

Vinny talked to Issy about suggestions for her bike, since BD refused to get a new truck no matter what anyone said. Instead the mechanic offered to consult with the Weapons Specialist Department about a way to cover all the necessary points so there are less chances of her bike getting flipped from incoming bullets like last time.

While Geek fiddled with the new radio systems that will connect them directly to the command room off of Four's office and Harrison's personal panel, the rest of the squad cleared out their lockers while also showing Lani – Sweets – hers.

Once Issy and Vinny had finished, she rolled her eyes and had to drag BD away from where he was arguing with one of the mechanics. He was still shouting even when Issy pushed him into the SWALT room and shut the door behind them. She raised an eyebrow at him with her hands on her hips.

"What?" BD asked. "We're not getting a new truck, I love that truck, she's my baby."

Issy just rolled her eyes, knowing that she can't say much otherwise she'd be a hypocrite… Geek slipped through the doors just as Issy started off towards the armoury.

"So BD," Geek started, a grin in his voice.

"If you start talking about the truck, I swear to god Geek!" Issy cut across him and glared. Geek just snickered.

Inside the armoury, Issy spotted Red and the others, and dragged BD and Geek along.

"BETA!" Two voices shouted as they got closer. Soren and Elliot popped out from behind one of the shelves and were waving like maniacs, causing Sweets to giggle.

"Hey guys, how're you liking the position? Harrison and Kim treating you well?"

"Oh it's great!" Soren grinned. "There's, like, a seriousness to the job but because it's just mostly me and Elliot, we just get through the hours making jokes and mini competitions."

Elliot took over and Issy had noticed they'd started doing that weird thing and she and Alec do when they finish each other's sentences… "Harrison's been great. He took us over to the Weapons Specialist Department to meet the crew there. We met your twin Beta, and your other brother, some funny fuckers they are." Elliot laughed, shaking his head. "We haven't seen much of Kim to be honest…" He looks over to Soren, who shrugs. "Sometimes she'll come in and just watch us work then leave but she doesn't stop to say anything."

"ELLIOT! SOREN!" Harrison called as he strode in and the pair of lads quickly made it look like they were busy. Sweets snorted. "You've both got a job to do and it isn't talking their ears off." Harrison smiles slightly as he rolls his eyes. The lads quickly scurry back into the store room and start bringing out the squad's new equipment. The Leader places his hand on Issy's shoulder and she turns to look at him. "I've assigned you to a squadron to shadow for the first couple of months, squadron 818 –"

Hector starts to randomly laugh, and everybody looks at him strangely. "Either this is gonna go really well or really weird…" He snorted when he looked around at all the confused faces. "Oh, right, yeah, you guys don't know. That's the squad my dad's apart of."

"Well, at least there'd be another person that could reign you back." Issy tried to joke, but the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. Red rubbed her shoulder and Rainbow pulled her into a hug. She could hear the words being echoed in each of her squaddies' heads. At least it's not Eric's squadron…

Harrison cleared his throat as the atmosphere became awkward. "Well, I'll let the boys guide you through your new kit. You'll meet Squadron 818 tomorrow at twelve in one of the conference rooms on the Leadership floor."

Issy's eyes slipped shut and she breathed deeply.

"So," Soren started and Issy reopened her eyes. "Being a part of the advanced squadrons gives you guys a bit more freedom. You won't need you rifles, and I think we've got all of yours anyway. There's a minimum of two hand guns and two throwing knives to go in the sheaths on your legs but you guys can literally pick whatever you want to use. If necessary, we'll provide the holster to attach onto your gear." Soren laughs a little. "Hell, I've seen one of the guys have these massive ass knuckle dusters… Let me tell you, I wouldn't wanna be the guy he punches with those…"

Elliot gestured to the odd chunky metal arm guards. "These have to be my favourite thing that's been made by the WSD so far."
"What is it?" Red asked, picking it up and turning it around so he could look at it.

"It's a shield!" Elliot grinned.

Issy's eyes widened. "That's a shield? The one my twin developed?"

"Yup!"

"The fuck?"

Both Elliot and Soren started laughing and clutching at their bellies. "Ma dude, your reactions are awesome! Just like everyone else that's been given these shields!" Soren slipped one onto his forearm and tightened the straps around his arm. "There's a small button on the inside and if you just push it –" Soren pushed the button and the chunky part of what Issy thought was an arm guard, slotted out and became a full body shield.

"What the fuck?" Issy whispered to herself. It was amazing to think that Alec had created such a thing.

"And it slots back with another press of the button." Soren demonstrated and the shield retracted. He pulled it of his arm and set it back on the side.

"Portable." Billy quietly remarked and several others nodded their heads.

Everyone picked up one of the shields and puts them in their new rucksacks.

"Two more things," Elliot gestured to the shelves behind them. "Tactical helmets. They have removeable face shields and an in-built radio that directly connects you to command and Harrison's panel." Elliot passes out a helmet each before he sighs and picks up what looks like to be a small test tube. The joking mood drops from Elliot and Soren. Elliot unscrews the cap and tips the contents into his palm before holding it for the all to see between his thumb and forefinger. "I hope none of you have use this." Between his fingers, he held what looked to be a teal pearl, but by the grim expression on his face, Issy knew what it was.

"Cyanide capsule." Someone whispered and Elliot nodded his head.

Elliot put it back in the test tube and screwed the cap back on, before handing it to Issy. "There should be enough for each of you. Anyway! If you guys could pick what weapons you want and we can get of this depressing moment, thank you!"