"Alright you all, this is your new home," said the man who took care of Launchies. "And my name is Yekk, so don't forget. If you get lost, which is pretty easy to do at first, just find someone and tell them you're in Yekk's group and they'll take care of it. Got it?"

                There were murmurs of "yessir," and "got it," but Alex just nodded. She stood straight with her hands behind her back and her chin up. No hiding here, she'd have to earn her way with these boys. She was the only girl in the launch group, and something told her they wouldn't make it easy for her.

                Of course, her instincts weren't perfect.

                "So, you're the little kono?" said one of the boys, a tall, dark kid with amazingly bluish-green eyes. His tone was affectionate and teasing rather than annoyed, and she realized that with so few girls in the school, those groups who did have one may not trust them as much, but they did become protective of them. Because they think we're weaker, thought Alex. They think we can't take care of ourselves, much less anyone else. I guess that's ok though, I'll never have to worry about getting hurt or anything. I just have to prove to them that I'm good at what I do…

                "Yea, I'm the little girl. How ever did you notice?" she asked sarcastically. The boy laughed.

                "Because no boy is that pretty," he replied. She grinned.

                "Yea, whatever. I'm Alex."

                "Zane," he said, holding out a hand. She took it.

                "So, I hear your scores were pretty high. That's an understatement, by the way."

                "Oh…yea. I tied for second-highest score."

                "Interesting. Who's the rival?"

                "No idea. But hey, I'd rather not talk about it, neh?"

                "Eh."

                Alex loved the Battle School slang. She had caught on to it quickly, and it flowed off her tongue easily with a simple rhythm, like some endless tune that only the Battle School geniuses could play. Yekk instructed his group on choosing bunks—there was a rush to get one in the back away from the door---and palming their lockers open to reveal their desks and suits, which were basically overalls. Disgusted that they gave such childish clothing, Alex created her username and password, Alexia\\\1/2htwwlla. It was her little saying for herself, ½ hearted tiger who was lost long ago.

                "So, how 'bout we go meet the other launchies?" Aaron asked her when she had locked her desk up.

                "Sure."

                Together, she, Aaron, and Zane—who insisted on being called Inzane—began to talk to the other kids in the room. Most of the boys took to Alex quickly, and she decided her life might not be so hard here. She could earn the trust of these guys easily, and not a single one of them made a snide remark or nasty comment about her being a girl. I got lucky, she thought. In this whole group there's not one boy who dislikes me.

               After meeting all the others, the launchies trooped to dinner, which was quite uneventful, and then back to their rooms where they washed up and climbed into their bunks. Alex had gotten one in the middle across from Aaron, who had grinned when he saw where she was and gave a little wave. It would be easy enough to jump across to his bunk, and they could chat without the teachers noticing them out of bed. Most of the boys slept naked, or in just underwear or boxers. Alex, although only 6, had brought along simple sport bras for just this purpose. She changed into one and a pair of underwear then slipped into bed and listened as the boys all settled down into their bunks. She ran over the names of her launch group in her mind as she listened to the rustling of covers and soft breathing of her friends.

                Aaron Haes Tyler; Zane "Inzane" Zahi; Bakudan "Bloody" Ketsueki; Jay Weiss; Ash, or Smokey, Theis; Sani Kun, or San; Zión Zero, who was simply called "Zero"; Ahinco Rento; Raptor Lieon; Sess Sumah; Matsuro "Doom" Ketsurui; Ego Nebula; Partir "Flamer" Congeler; Lyft Leoht, called "Leo"; Ár Clcoh; Gouka Oni, who's name meant "Hellfire Demon" but preferred to be called Oni. And then there was Alexia Enrei, who they all now called Kono.

                We're an interesting group; I have to say that, Alex thought to herself. But there was something wrong, she realized. Quieting her thoughts, she listened closely: yes, there it was—crying? She sat up and looked around the room. Boys were turned on their sides, their bodies shaking with suppressed sadness. Alex bit her lip.

                Of course they're sad…they miss their families. How come I'm not crying? I'm supposed to be the emotional one!! She thought. She was worried. I can't let them suffer like that. I won't let them be alone anymore…

                She began to hum an old song from a Japanese show she had watched when she was younger. The music had been very pretty she remembered, and she had looked up the lyrics and memorized them a long time ago.

                "Oto no nai mahiru, Kaze wa tada akarui, Sukoshi nemutasou ni, Hanabira ga yureta, Nani ge nai kono omoi, Nee, hito wa donna kotoba de, Yondeiru no, Shiroi suna no tsuki, Toji kometa hanashi o, Hikari furasu you ni, Kikasete ne sotto, Itsuka shiru toki ga kuru no?  Mune no itami o, Soshite ima yori yasashiku, Naru no ne, Atatakai kono omoi, Nee, hito wa donna namae de, Yondeiru no. Shiroi suna no tsuki, Mabushikute mienai, Tooi mirai no koto, Kikasete ne sotto." She sang into the darkness, and she noticed the boys looking up at her, and several smiled at her, and some whispered along, particularly San, Sess, Doom, Oni and Bloody, who were all Japanese and knew the words from childhood. By the time she had finished, everyone was asleep except for herself and Aaron.

                "You have a nice voice," he commented in a whisper. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

                "Thanks," she replied quietly.

                "Done now?" he murmured.

                "Mmmhmm…" and the two drifted off into sleep.