The leaderboard was updated that day.
1. Agent Carolina
2. Agent York
3. Agent Georgia
4. Agent North
5. Agent South
6. Agent Maine
7. Agent Connecticut
8. Agent Wyoming
9. Agent Delaware
10. Agent Florida
A new freelancer, clad in green and yellow, had arrived to the Mother of Invention several weeks ago and today reported to the training floor where their scheduled match with Agent Maine was to transpire. He was a common opponent for recruits of higher expectations, and it had become a tradition for the top members of the leaderboard to place minor bets on the armor they'd be observing in action in the hours leading up to the match, since most newcomers were never seen until their debut combat sessions. More often than not the turnout was standard issue MKVI in some boring color and most bet accordingly, but the reward of being that one person who put their money on Recon shoulder plates or a Scout helmet was immense and the gutsy were eager to take that chance. That is to say, Georgia and South were eager to take that chance.
Today there were very few victories. This was one of the weirdest combinations they'd seen yet. Rogue helmet, Scout shoulders and a Mark VI chest plate? It didn't necessarily look awkward, but it had them squinting down at the figure from the observation deck. Carolina, leaning against the wall, hummed briefly to herself, feeling the shallowest and elementary of connections to the stranger below. Rogue helmets were pretty rare aboard the Mother. She had a good feeling about this one despite the fact that she'd never admit to such a thing.
"Commencing match between Agent Maine and Agent Delaware," F.I.L.S.S.' calm voice came over the intercom. "Round begin."
Delaware twirled the pugil stick a few times to get a sense of its weight, falling into a light-footed but stable stance as Maine didn't wait before charging at xem, readying his swing far sooner than he had to. It didn't take a genius to sum up Maine: heavy. Ducking to dodge the first hit, Delaware first slammed xyr weapon into the side of his helmet, disorienting him enough that xe had time to take out his knees and bring him to the ground.
Eyebrows were raised back up in the observation deck, hopes rising that they'd found a worthwhile new edition. "Pretty good," North commented, with all the optimism he held for every new recruit.
Maine didn't stay down very long, fists clenching around his pugil stick as he rose. This time it was Delaware to act first, utilizing xyr advantage in earnest by dancing circles around the larger agent, getting in small but meaningful hits and never giving him the opportunity to properly strike back. One compromising step and Maine found himself felled by his own body mass again, this time as Delaware brought down the stick hard onto his collapsing form.
"Round over. Point awarded to Agent Delaware. Pugil sticks training complete. Hand to hand combat beginning in five, four..."
"Makes sense," Carolina spoke up in her cocky-but-she's-earned-it-so-you-can't-say-anything voice, "Those armor pieces are all the least bulky parts that you can get your hands on. Delaware's after mobility."
"Well he's got it," York chuckled lightly. "Really, this guy's got it made up against Maine."
"Not a guy," South corrected, "Heard they were genderqueer. Not sure what the pronoun situation is, though." North nodded in acknowledgement and everyone else turned their attention back to the training floor.
I decided to split up the match against Maine in an effort to keep chapters short so that I can update more often. Feedback is appreciated; Thank you for reading!