A/n: Even more thanks for your reviews, guys. Those of you who thought the last chapter was a bit overplayed; the reason for Logan's reaction will be revealed in time…

But for now, we're back in present day Manticore…

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Chapter 15: Assault training.

The next morning, Sky could sense that something was wrong. The staff were all edgy, talking quietly among themselves. In the mess hall for breakfast, he focussed his hearing on two med techs deep in conversation not too far away.

"Did you hear about the security breach last night?" Said one man to the other.

"No, what security breach?"

"Someone hacked the computer system and downloaded all the files."

"All of them? That's impossible!"

"That's what I thought, but it turns out it isn't. The guys in info are trying to trace who it was, but they're not having much luck."

"I bet Renfro's pissed. When the committee gets to hear about this they'll want someone's ass."

"Yeah, and if the hacker can't be found it'll be hers."

The tech lowered his voice even further, so Sky had to strain to hear him. "Good thing if you ask me. That blonde bitch creeps me out."

"Yeah, me too", his friend agreed. "Give me Lydecker over her any day."

Sky whispered to Mark, his lips barely moving. "Did you hear that?"

"Yes. Looks like Manticore is under attack from someone."

"Must be a foreign government after our technology. They might try a military action next time; we should be ready."

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After breakfast, the X8s reported to the assault course for their morning's training. Lydecker himself had come to observe it; a rare event, since he was usually chasing across the country after the elusive rogue X5s. Sky looked up at the imposingly tall 100 foot climbing frame, long ropes dangling from it about eight feet off the ground, feeling the familiar twinge of fear in his gut.

The children formed up into five lines, one in front of each rope, and then the whistle was blown. Sky was second last in his group; only Mark stood behind him. He waited the required ten seconds and then followed the girl in front of him, running towards the rope and leaping up to grasp it.

He hated this part, hated it so much it made his head spin and his stomach clench. The sensation of hanging in the air for that instant, while he tried desperately to grab hold of the rope, terrified he might miss his hold and fall…

But Sky's tiny hands met the rough fibre of the rope, the sting of pain in his palms reassuring him that he'd caught it. Immediately he began to pull himself up, making way for Mark behind him. Ten seconds later he felt the rope jerk beneath him, as Mark caught it. Reassured that his friend was there, making sure he didn't fall, Logan's son climbed nimbly up the rope, trying to forget how frightened he was.

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So, what did you think?