A/N Another update! Let me know what you think.

Rolling over onto my back, I stared up at the white roof above my bed. I can see there's a slight crack forming in the corners as well as a yellow water stain. Closing my eyes, I waited with the few minutes I had left in silence. But it wasn't long until I heard the buzz and the bright L.E.D lights flicker on like clockwork.

It's time to get up.

Pushing off the blanket I sat up and stretched out my right arm, it had gone to sleep while I was laying on it. Tying my hair up into a pony tail, I saw the other girls immerging from their own beds. We're all getting dressed into a black sports bra and thick leggings; our usual combat training uniform.

After making my bed, I followed the other girls and started heading towards the mess hall. Located at the end of the long corridor, it's a large room filled with metal benches and several guards in their black uniforms. Although we eat together, they of course keep separate from us and remain on the left side of the room. Every day they whisper in hush tones.

I wonder what it would be about this time.

Not a few weeks ago the guards were gossiping about how doctor Zeken, a biomechanics doctor was killed, his head twisted completely around. Even to this day I'm still curious about how exactly the incident had occurred. What was the reason for such violence? Then there's the fact that it would've taken a lot of applied force for it to be twisted so far.

Passing through the open door way, I stood in line as they served out our mandatory trays. The food is nothing more than a balanced diet of protein and essential vitamins; enough to keep our bodies full and functioning. Waiting, the few minutes had passed when I was handed my own tray and I turned to see my usual table empty in the corner.

Heading over, I sat down and began to eat the slice of bread when a shadow figure sat across from me. It was Rachel. Ignoring her, I continued to eat but she had yet to move from the table "You need to leave" I said but didn't look up.

"You told me I could come to you" she whispered quietly and clearly confused.

"Is it about your ankle?" I questioned.

"No, but –"

"Then you need to leave" I interrupted.

"Please. Please, I need your help" searching my face for a response, Rachel scratched her arm. I noticed it's a nervous habit of hers.

"I've helped you enough Rachael. If it's about your ankle then I'll look at it later, but make no mistake, I'm not your friend" picking up the plastic cup full of water I took a long sip.

Shuffling closer, she ignored me and continued "All I'm asking is that you pair with me today for training" this conversation is wasting my time but she's persistent, I'll give her that "I can barely stand"

"Complaining won't help you" I huffed "Find a table that isn't this one, sit down and stop whining. The more you talk about it the more chance you have of someone discovering your injury"

"Please, Katya. I need your help, just this once" I could practically hear the need dripping from her voice. She's going as far as to beg me. It was disappointing to hear. All this training and here she is whimpering around for my help. I'm surprised she's managed to survive all these years.

I sighed. It's just once, I thought to myself. But if I'm going to help her, it would need to be discreet and confidential. I don't need the others finding out I'm lugging around dead weight "This stays between us" I spoke firmly "No one knows anything. If they find out I'm helping you, there'll be consequences; not just for you but for me as well"

Rachel nodded her head and rose from her seat with her tray in hand "Thank you" she mumbled as she went and sat at another table.

Bright lights lit up the room as we stood waiting. The walls and floor are a grey concrete and spread out across the room are black mats for us to spar on. On the left of the entry is a single door that leads into the adjacent combat room. With our backs against the wall, we had our attention on our main Instructor; an overall broad man with defined muscles and a scar on his left brow.

"I want you all to get into pairs, now" he commanded with a raspy voice. Separating, I moved towards a mat at the back corner and waited for Rachael. I noticed she was still limping lightly but not enough for anyone to notice right away "Start with the basic for warm up"

Changing my stance and moving my arms into place, I waited for her to start. As we flexed our arms and practiced our moves, my body became less tense and more comfortable. Stopping after a few more minutes we lined up again and waited for further orders.

"Nina and Yelena, on the floor" called the Instructor "From now on there's going to be a new rule. No one is allowed to concede. You fight until someone wins" he said while looking down at his clipboard.

I could hear the sharp intake of breath from beside me. Today the Instructor is choosing the pairings which means Rachael has a slim chance of getting me. Its things like this that are going to make the next few months even harder for all of us. Standing by, we watched as Yelena easily pinned Nina to the floor. Her nose is bloodied and her lip split from the punch thrown to her face in the first assault.

It's gruesome, but it's nothing we haven't all seen before. As Yelena reached over, Nina threw her head back. It made contact with Yelena's chin, giving her enough time to get up. Managing to get a few lucky punches in, Yelena had gotten back the upper hand and the match was over. Laying curled on the floor, Nina clutched her ribs as blood oozed from her nose.

Hours had passed as couples were paired off one after the other. Blood and other fluids stained the floor a crimson red "Rachael, and Katya" called our Instructor. I tried not to snicker at the luck and mercy Rachel had received. Walking out onto the floor, I stood opposite to her. If this is going to be convincing, then she can't leave unscathed.

Not waiting until Rachel had gotten into the proper position, I had already punched her in the windpipe. Gasping, she bent over clutching her throat whilst coughing. Grabbing the back of her neck, I kneed her in the face. Falling down into the floor I felt the warm patch on my knee as the blood seeped through. She was now huddled over on all fours trying to collect herself and get up.

Pretending to lean down and hit her again, I whispered "You need to hit me"

It took her a second to register what I'd said before snapping her head up into my face and splitting my eyebrow open. Blood streaked down my face in a thick stream. Getting up from the floor she had her hands raised and threw a punch. Letting it connect with my jaw, I fell to the sparring mat. I was letting her finish the fight and with one last kick, my ribs let out a sickening crack.

After the training session was over, I made my way to the Facility Doctor to have my wounds assessed. My ribs ached and stung with a splintering pain, but I wasn't allowed to stop my training. If someone's trying to kill you out on the field, there not going to stop and let you heal. Waiting for the Doctor, I sat on the gurney and watched as the clock ticked over four-thirty.

"Alright" I heard a male voice call as he made his way over. Snapping on his gloves, he said "Lift your arms. I need to check your ribs" I did as he said and the Doctor ran his fingers over my bones, feeling just underneath where my sports bra started. I can feel the pain spike like a red hot fire, but I didn't let it show. Sighing, the Doctor told me "You have a fracture. It'll heal in a few days. Try to avoid getting hid there again"

Pushing up his rectangle glasses further up his nose, he reached behind him to grab a bottle of rubbing alcohol, a cloth and a kidney tray. Bending my head down, the Doctor began to clean the blood from my brow and cheek. He took of his gloves afterwards "Is that it?" I questioned.

"Yes. You can go now"

Getting up from the gurney, I made my way to the showers and afterwards, to the mess hall. Once I finished eating, I headed to our sleeping quarters before sitting down on the edge of my bed. I can hear a group of girls whispering, including Yelena and Mira as they were standing huddled in the corner behind me.

Staring ahead at the wall, I listened in but only picked up slivers of their conversation. There too far away to hear it all "Join us" they said "Won't regret it. Won't make it" I came to the conclusion that they must be grouping up after today's training. They got a good view of everyone's matches in the combat room and now they know who to look out for.

"Alright" came a familiar voice "I'll join" it was Rachel.

I loathed and I praised. She knows that I won't help her after today's session, so she's using her 'win' as an upper hand. Now that Rachel has initiated herself into their little group, she won't have to worry about them going hard on her. It's smart, until they figure it out. I sighed. Laying down on my bed, I continued to listen as they talked and mulled things over about strategy; who to focus on.

Lab 46

The room is cold and bright. There's several consoles and computers, and a large cryo tube stood mounted in the middle of the room "Sir, where ready" spoke one of the head scientist as he looked to his superior.

Walking forward, Krupin gazed through the frosted glass. He's just a man. Flesh and blood. Yet when the others in his organisation spoke his name, they shivered in fear. Even in this frozen and almost peaceful state the soldier appears dangerous, but not nearly as deadly when awake. Krupin swallowed. He's never seen the Asset up close and personal. He's only ever heard the tales of murder, the angry outburst and the deeds he's done for Hydra.

Krupin remembered that the scientist had spoken "Good. It's time for him to wake up. I trust that he'll be well looked after in your care" Krupin turned his body and watched the scientist as he began to fiddle with a few consuls.

"Yes sir. I'll make sure of it"

"Of course, I'll need him to be in peak condition if he's to start training my girls. What better way to learn, than from the face of Hydra itself?"