Army life had slipped into a routine, comfortable order of things when the incident on the mats occurred. In the preceding weeks, Erin's mood had become more consistently dark and irritable, although she was not necessarily unhappy. Her temper quickened and she lost any patience she may have once had for both launchies and soldiers alike, more prone to snarl at and threaten strangers.

Erin was cooling down from a run on the mats, when taunts from Fiona and a soldier called Macker turned to derogatory remarks about Astra. What little she had of patience fled, and a solid punch found its way to Fiona's face. Chaos ensued --- somehow a boy named Andikin and a launchy got involved, trying to stop the fight from happening and winning Erin's hatred as a result. Macker stayed off to the side for the most part, tossing in carefully thought out remarks designed to turn the fight into an even more enjoyable spectacle for her viewing pleasure. Her specialty was instigating fights between other people and then slipping off unnoticed when a staffer arrived to resolve the conflict. She did this so expertly that generally; the two manipulated parties had no idea that she was doing it. This time, however, the teacher who discovered them caught all three unaware. Much to her chagrin, Macker was confined to a cell in the brig along with Fiona and Erin.

Erin's cell was a small, boxy room, painted a dull gray. It was empty, aside from a narrow cot covered by an orange blanket stained with god-knows- what. She was pacing restlessly when the swish of the opening door caught her attention. Cedion entered the cell, weary disappointment in his eyes. The disappointment stung her more than anger would, Erin reflected, bitterly. She refused admit to herself that she was sorry for what she did, much less to Ced, In the dark recesses of her mind, however, she did feel remorse,

Cedion raised an eyebrow at Erin, "Well, this'd be an interesting development."

Erin scowled sullenly as she saluted the older boy. He returned it, and then sighed. "Lass... for Alcar's information... how in tha blazes did ye manage ta get in here? Tha Dragon who was talkin' o' seein' a Phoenix dragged off this way didnae say."

Erin grit her teeth, and offered shortly. "Fiona and Macker. Fight." The words seemed forced from her lips, as if she didn't want to say them.

Cedion nodded. "Ah... an I donnae suppose you'd started it, would ye?"

Erin resisted the urge to stare floorward, and lifted her chin defiantly. "Well, I was provoked, but I did throw the first punch." She added, indignantly, "Ced, they were saying things about Astra."

Cedion sighed a second time. "Threw the first punch... somethin' I'd expect o' X-Com or Cypher... I'd thought you'd better self-control than that. Ah well, we all make mistakes, but on my word Alcar's not going to be happy 'bout this."

Erin bit back a response about being sorry she was caught, and allowed the shame to flood her chest. "I'm sorry," she offered, simply.

Cedion said, with a choking sort of kindness, "As I said, everyone makes mistakes... hopefully you'll nae be fer makin' tha same one again." He turned to go. "I'll be sure your teachers an' the army know you'll not be 'round for a bit."

Erin grimaced involuntarily. With Fiona and Macker around, that could be difficult. "Thanks. I'm only here for 24 hours, though. Less now."

Cedion said, "Good.. an Erin.. next time someone starts making insults..." He paused. "Just keep yer strikes ta words... let them take tha fall."

Erin sighed and forced the words out. "Yes, sir."

Cedion nodded. "See ya in a day or so."

Erin watched him leave without another word, sat down on the floor. She leaned back against the wall and pulled her knees to her chest. She felt suddenly claustrophobic, like she wanted to run, endlessly. But there was not enough room in the cell for any running, so she sat and closed her eyes, letting her mind drift freely as her body was unable to do.