The more you sweat in training…

Ai was feeling good.

The shower had helped. The uniform did too, even if it wasn't her own. Showing up as a Nightstalker Cobra stealth operative would send all kinds of messages, most of them the wrong ones in this time and place. She wasn't sure how she had gotten back to this time where Jane Kelly was still a human female and the Matron she knew and loved was simply trying to cure kids who had been abused very badly. She was reasonably sure that the Maya who had been mentioned was someone she did know. That said? If this was really 2041, then the Maya who had survived X-Com's utter defeat did not exist yet, Maya had very nearly died in the alien inter-dimensional assault on Mega Primus, commonly called 'The Apocalypse War' because it had very nearly wiped out all life on Earth. Maya had been one of three survivors from that group, a pilot who had been shot down and hurt very badly in the process. Alley had rescued her, but Maya had lost her twin sister in the course of that war and had been a mess for a very long time. That said? A better combat flight instructor, Cobra could not have asked for. Maya had softened a bit, over the years under Alley's influence, but she still hated aliens with a passion that Cobra understood all too well. Only Matron Alley had ever gotten past the woman's hardened exterior and never for very long after Cobra had surfaced and taken the war back to the aliens. Maya had wanted to fight, but Alley had forbidden it. Ai harbored dark suspicions as to why, but they were only suspicions. She had never had the guts to ask.

Another target popped up in the holographic range and Ai aimed but held her fire as she saw a civilian outline instead of an enemy. Then it morphed and she fired even as her mind realized it had been a shapeshifter of some kind. Trained reflexes were trained reflexes and she had seen shapeshifters in Mega Primus. Apparently, the X-Com here had too or at the very least, some kind of disguises.

"Time." Torque called from the side and Ai lowered her rifle, dropped the magazine and checked the chamber to make sure it was clear before she recovered the magazine and then set the rifle on a table nearby. It was nothing like any of the weapons she had used. Its propellant was still housed in cartridges for goodness sake, but it was a firearm and she was good with all kinds of firearms. For firearms, she would have preferred her first weapon, an M4000, even as outclassed as it was by later Cobra weapons. Unfortunately, such was pipe dream in this time. Maybe not even that. Maybe just a speck in a designer's eye. A hundred years was a long time in firearms development. Torque eyed the Nighstalker but did not comment. Instead she looked to the side where another Chimera squad member was fiddling with the holo systems. "Well?"

"95." The hybrid who had gone to make Ai's uniform was shaking her head. Her accent wasn't one that Ai had heard before, bu tit was understandable. Most of the time. "Blueblood still holds the record at 97, but that was pretty darn good for someone who picked up one of our rifles this morning." She frowned at Ai, but it was thoughtful, not reproving.

"Blueblood sleeps with his pistol, Zephyr." Torque retorted and Zephyr nodded. Not a joke apparently. Then again, familiarity was the basis for proficiency. Blueblood had been the one tinkering with his pistol in the locker room and apparently, he was the team marksman. "You know he is trying for 100."

"And we will keep upping the difficulty." Zephyr nodded to Ai as the Nightstalker shifted her helmet a bit. It didn't fit quite right. "I can adjust that, I you want."

"I may take you up on that." Ai said after a moment's thought. "I don't know this equipment. You lot don't wear helmets." That had been a bit of a shock to the professional soldier. She had always been taught that if she lost her helmet, she would likely lose her head, but this team was different in many ways. They relied more on speed and sudden shocking force to overwhelm opponents than on armor. That said? Their armor was as tough as any Ai had ever seen and X-Com had apparently worked with force fields quite a bit. Each set of armor had head protection built in, but it wasn't visible. Ai had felt wrong without a helmet on, so Zephyr had made her one. "So I qualify?"

"Qualify, hell! That is 85. You blew that out of the water." Zephyr snorted as Torque looked amused. "Considering how carefully you listened to instructions, familiarized yourself with the weapon and zeroed it in less than ten minutes? In any other situation, Reclamation would want you as an instructor!"

"A soldier is supposed to be more than her gear, but often, she is only as good as her equipment allows." Ai replied calmly, but inside, she was pleased at the compliment. She patted the rifle on the table. "A fine weapon. Reliable and accurate."

"That is why they are still around." Torque was not looking at Ai, instead, she was staring off into space. "That design dates from the beginning of the Elder's invasion. X-Com standardized as much as they could. Not that it did them much good in the end."

"Anyone can be overwhelmed." Ai muttered, but she knew both of the others heard her. "For all their faults, X-Com never stopped fighting." Torque and Zephyr nodded. Ai gave herself a shake. "So… hand to hand?"

"Waste of time." Torque said with a snarl as Zephyr nodded. "We all watched the video."

"I agree." Zephyr said flatly. "That said? HQ wants it done by the book, since we have never had a recruit come in this way. They figure it might happen again. What I can say? 'I' don't want to fight her for real. Maybe she would win, maybe I would, but both of us would be hurt or dying at the end. Not really a win for either of us. Only the bookies would profit."

Torque snorted in response to Zephyr as Ai shook her head. These people had an odd sense of humor. Then again, they did bad things in very strange places, so, humor helped in such situations. Even the blackest of dark humor helped when the shit hit the fan as it had so often around Ai.

"If not you, then… Oh." Ai paused as memory flooded in. Torque had said on the barge that Zephyr could take her, but Axiom, the Muton had a chance too. He was three times her size, probably four or five times her mass and much better armored than Ai was even just in his fatigues. Ai took a deep breath. "Ah, now?"

"If you want, we can spar later, with Godmother as referee." Zephyr offered. Ai smiled. She would like that. Just watching the female hybrid move was impressive. From what everyone had said, Zephyr was the best on the team at hand to hand, so Ai hoped to learn from her. "But yeah. Every recruit gets in a ring with a Muton. Axiom is much faster than he looks." She warned.

"Only fools go into hand fights without expecting to get hurt." Ai replied and both of the others nodded. "I try not to be a fool. Where to, oh native guide?" She asked Torque who went stiff.

At that, Zephyr burst out laughing as Torque looked affronted. But then the Viper unbent a bit.

"You may fit in bit too well." Torque complained mildly.

"I likely won't be staying." Ai shrugged when the other two looked at her. "I um… Yeah, I likely won't be even after we kick the Cult's asses. I don't know what the future holds, but I am not a cop."

"Neither are we." Zephyr replied. "I just hope we never find ourselves on opposite sides."

"You and me both." Ai held out a hand that Zephyr shook and then Ai turned to Torque who looked a bit off. "Torque?"

"Nothing." Torque's reply was a bit brusque, but Ai took no offense. That was just how Torque was. "Come on. We have a ring set up and all the breakable stuff out of the way."

"If Axiom is fighting, you know stuff is going to break anyway." Zephyr snorted as Torque did, both sharing amusement at some memory. "Walls, floors, ceilings."

"We don't want him to break this building so we better not give him time to get bored." Torque said with feeling as she started off quickly, Ai following at a trot.

There really wasn't anything to say. AI had fought hand to hand on several occasions and the brutal training she had endured had taught her how to survive those. She had not enjoyed any of her hand to hand fights like a few of her peers had. Storm Shadow's people in particular relished pitting themselves against capable foes. For Ai, that was sheer insanity. If she could end the fight with a gun, why would she draw a knife or a sword and charge someone with a gun? That made no sense to the Nightstalker. It never had even with all of the training Storm Shadow had done for her and her sisters. Ranged weapons existed for a reason, to maintain distance from an opponent.

Ai was a soldier. She was trained to obey orders and accomplish missions. Most of her missions were against hostile forces so it simply made sense to maximize her advantages and minimize her disadvantages. To Ai, firearms were tools for her to accomplish her mission. No more. No less. She had never understood people who loved firearms to the point that they wanted to carry theme everywhere, even in the shower, and wanted to use them all the time. That struck her just as wrong as charging an enemy in the open with a sword did. There was an undeniable feeling of power that came from using a firearm. It made you feel powerful to be able to reach out and touch things at extreme distances, but it wasn't an addiction for her. It hadn't been for her sisters either. A few members of Cobra had fallen in love with their weapons and had then been sent for 'rehabilitation' because despite their name and the origin of the toys, Ai's Cobra was most definitely not composed of terrorists. They were soldiers. They existed to accomplish the mission that their high command set for them. Cobra existed to protect Mega Primus. Period. Any member of Cobra who threatened the safety or security of Mega Primus was dealt with very harshly. The Matron had laid down the law at the organization's inception and no one dared quibble.

Apparently oblivious to Ai's discomfiture, Torque moved to a door along the hallway they had been traversing and opened it, but then, the Viper stopped so short that Ai nearly ran into her. Both women went still as a voice sounded from inside the room.

"I said 'No'!" That was the Muton and he was not happy! The very walls rumbled with the massive alien's rage. "Stop calling me!"

"Axiom, I did not mean to give offense." Another voice. Deep, rumbling. Another Muton? The voice was not quite as deep as Axiom's. Female? Ai looked at Torque who shook her head, barring the way into the room. "I do not mean to give offense. I certainly did not mean to question your honor. Which I did. I apologize."

"Leave me alone!" Axiom snarled, still enraged.

"Axiom, no one else will even talk to me." The other was subdued now. "I… I messed up. Mark died in part because of me. I know it. I listened to someone I shouldn't have and I will pay for that. But… Please?" She begged.

Ai went still as something went 'crash' in the room and Torque slid into cover beside the door. Ai peeked into the room and there was one form in it. The Muton was standing in the middle of the room, the massive alien's very being seething with raw rage. In any other situation, Ai would have taken one look and either walked or ran away, but not here. Not now. His muttering was familiar and not in a good way. Ai had heard such many times before. She ignored the monitor on the wall that had a Muton fist sized hole in it.

"I see Mutons are just as single minded about that as humans often are." Ai started into the room. Torque hissed and tried to grab her, but Ai lithely evaded the Viper and strode to face the Muton who stared at her, his eyes almost shining with red rage. His skin was pockmarked with many scars. Some of them looked big and most of the wounds making said scars would have killed any human. "My sister Biyu simply cannot take 'no' for an answer in such either. Do you want me to talk to whoever that was? Maybe she will listen to me. Might be a bit less awkward."

That was highly doubtful, if the other was anything like Biyu had turned out to be. Nightstalkers were supposed to be quiet. Biyu was anything but quiet whenever she could get away with it. If she hadn't been so good at everything else, she would have been remanded to rehabilitation. And well, she never hurt anyone. She had six kids, so far and they had found good families. Biyu did bother all of her sisters, but she was dutiful and good at her job, so… Awkward.

"Her name is Riloa and she is a pest." Axiom snarled, but it was less thunderous.

"Yeah, Biyu is like that." Ai sighed deeply and shook her head. "Never rough, but never stopping either. And yes, we all took a bunch of punishments because of her proclivities. I will say that she takes her responsibilities to the kids that happen seriously, but oh my god, she is annoying!" She complained and the Muton on front of her barked a laugh.

"Riloa is exactly like that!" Axiom relaxed further. "As for the rest? It is complicated."

"Muton relationships are none of my business." Ai reassured him. "I like my health!" At that, Axiom chuckled and now, he was calm. "But, as I say, my sister is the same way. If I can help keep you from being aggravated by someone like my sister, I should. We are supposed to be a team. Teammates support one another." She smiled at Axiom who smiled back.

"I knew the moment I saw you that you were nuts, human." Axiom slowly shook his head. "But walking up to me while I am in a rage is a bad idea."

"Fighting you hand to hand at any time is not a good idea." Ai retorted as she set herself. "Please don't kill me."

"No promises." Axiom set himself and then, in a flash, his hands moved and Ai ducked to the side as arms that probably weighed as much as she did in full armor lashed out. The blow wasn't anything martial arts related or pretty. What the strike that hit the floor what Ai had just been was, was powerful. The floor literally shook underneath Ai as she darted away from the Muton, seeking an opening, leverage, a weapon, something, anything she could use! If that blow had hit her, she would have been a fleshy bag of broken bones, armor or no. Luckily, she had sparred with lots of people in her own training, so she knew how to stay away from such powerful blows. Unluckily? He was fast for his size and followed her evasive movements easily.

She could not remain defensive. She had to take the initiative or he would corner her and pummel her as one of the Dreadnoks had in training. She still remembered the humiliating defeat Buzzer had given her, but instead of demoralizing her, it gave her hope. The move she had finally beaten the arrogant creep with probably would not work on a Muton, but she had to try.

Axiom hit the floor again and this time, the massive impact almost stunned Ai, but she fought off the momentary paralysis and dove for the Muton, taking him by surprise. She slid right between his legs and spun to her feet, slamming into his back and climbing, trying to reach his-

Ai gave a totally un-Cobra-like squeak as she was plucked right off the Muton's back and hung in mid-air, danging from one of his pudgy fists. To hold her off the ground like this with one hand… She slumped and then nodded as she looked the Muton in the eye from where she hung.

"Best two out of three?" Ai managed a bright and cheery tone somehow and then she was buffeted by Axiom's humongous laughter.

"You got stones, human! I like you!" Axiom shook his head, admiration loud and clear. "Most people run away as soon as they see me wind up to hit."

"I ran!" Ai retorted. "I am not stupid!" Axiom chuckled at that.

"Could have fooled me. Trying to climb a Muton?" Torque said sourly from the door. She hadn't entered the room. Smart Viper. "Axiom?"

"She didn't panic. She took in the fact that she was over-matched and backed off, trying to find a way to win or a way out." Axiom slowly let Ai down to the ground, making sure she had her feet under her before he let go of her. She wasn't stupid enough to try anything when he did. She had no chance here. "As she says, Torque, she is not stupid. Ai? If you suddenly come face to face with someone like me in the field? What would you do?" He asked Ai who took several deep breaths to settle her nerves.

"If I don't have a gun? RUN!" Ai replied with heat and both of the other nodded. "Torque was blocking the door or I would have gone that way."

"She would have stopped you, not hurt you." Axiom replied, still thinking hard. "You will do." He nodded to Ai and started for the door.

"The offer stands." Ai said quickly and Axiom stopped at the door. "Like I say, my sister is annoying."

"I might take you up on that." Axiom heaved a sigh as big as he was. "I am no good with that kind of thing."

"Neither am I." Ai admitted. "But I do know how annoying it gets. Maybe a new voice will help."

"Doubt it." Axiom shook his massive head. "She is as stubborn as any of my people but this can't go on."

"Let me know if I can help." Ai offered and Axiom nodded to her, grateful. Then he was gone.

"You are nuts!" Torque said with a growl. "I would have let you out the door! You should have just run! That is what we all did when we had to go through that."

"Mutons have weak spots just like all sentient beings." Ai said softly. "I was going for his eyes." That was what she had done to Buzzer. She had blinded him. She had been reprimanded for that, but it as worth it! The creep had never been less than respectful to her after he got out of the hospital regeneration tank.

"And he knew it." Torque snapped. "Do not give me any more heart attacks today! Please?" She all but begged.

"No promises." Ai managed a credible copy of Axiom's deep voice and Torque just shook her head. Both of them stilled as a klaxon sounded, followed by Godmother's voice over an intercom.

"Chimera, we have an op! And yes, that includes you, Ai! Squad bay! Now!"

Ai followed the Viper as Torque took off. She was a member of Chimera squad now. Would it be enough? They would see.