"Alright class, it looks like everyone is in their small groups." Mrs. Parr's voice broke out over the sound of her students. "Second and third years, please brief your first years on the mission and what you know so far. You have ten minutes."

Jim turned towards Sy. "Thanks, um, you know. For still wanting to work with me."

Sy gave him a small smile. "You're my partner, Jim. I wouldn't back out on a commitment. Please, just give Mel a chance. He's a great guy. You really hurt him earlier with your comments. A lot of people are really cruel to him because he looks dangerous, please don't be just another one of them."

Jim sighed heavily. "No promises." He winced at the look Sy gave him. "But I'll try."

"Soooo," Snotlout awkwardly interjected. "Moving on from whatever that was, let's take a look at this mission! You're lucky to be on our team, kid, I'm top of my class! Sit down, I'll go over the information for you!"

The three boys plunked down on the floor in a semicircle so they could all see Snotlout's tablet. Snotlout pulled up the mission information from last class and started flicking through it. "Here's the base we found, we got some really good pictures, thanks to my excellent flying. I've had a lot of practice flying around on things."

Jim nudged Sy gently with his shoulder. Sy glanced up at him and gave him a small smile. The smaller cadet relaxed and settled in a little closer to Jim. Jim took it to be a good sign that the disagreement wasn't going to come between them.

"So we've determined that there's likely at least five jets that they can use for defense, scouting, whatever. We also suspect they may have a larger ship in a hidden bunker, but we haven't completely confirmed that yet." As he spoke Snotlout enlarged the corresponding areas.

"The organization isn't huge, maybe two hundred men total? I don't know, counting isn't my strong suit." Snotlout shrugged. "Anyway! From the pictures we took, they're mostly species that can pass as some sort of ursidae. There may be other species inside the hideout, but since they're on a planet with an ursidae base species, the ones that are out and about seem to be trying to blend in."

Jim bent his head down to whisper to Sy. "By we, he mostly means him. I just kinda nod along to his ideas, we get where we should be eventually. Or, at least, close to it."

Sy giggled and poked his ribs. "Be polite," he chastised softly. "It's not his fault he didn't see things he shouldn't have. Troublemaker."

"I may be a troublemaker, but you love it."

Sy went bright pink. Snotlout slammed a hand down between the two of them. Both boys jumped back. Snotlout beamed. "So since there's no questions, I think we're done!"

Sy gave a small, awkward laugh. "Great! We, uh, are ready for the next part then I guess!"

"Absolutely!" Snotlout turned towards the teachers.

Mrs. Parr stood with her arms folded. Mr. Da Silva watched the class with a bright smile on his face. He glanced up at the clock upon the wall then stepped forward and raised his arms in the air. As the class quieted he said, "Come, fly with me gahtinos!"

Mrs Parr took over the class from there. "Alright class, as you can see, we have our room configured a little bit differently today." She paused so the groups could look around the room. The majority of the simulation machines were configured into single unit pods. On the far side of the room, however, were what appeared to be control desks.

Satisfied that the students had sufficiently observed their current situation Mrs Parr continued. "You will have a lot of grouping and regrouping to do, so listen carefully and do not move unless I say to. Understood?"

The cadets around the room thundered, "Yes ma'am."

"I want you to get into groups of twelve. Stay in your trios and find three other groups to work with. I hope that you did a good job of briefing your first years, senior students, because you are going to be depending upon them for your equipment. Once you are in your sets of twelve I want my first years to come and see myself or Mr. Da Silva at the front of the room. We will give you further instruction at that time. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Very good. You may begin."

Braxton instantly spun towards his friends. "I called it! Who said we would be double partnering?"

"You didn't predict quadruple partnering," Matt countered, "so it seems like not you."

Braxton scoffed. "Please. It was my idea to group up with another quad of friends, so I get the credit." He smirked. "And since I won the bet, your dessert tonight as well."

"Hex that, you don't!" Matt turned to Varian. "You heard the bet, what do you say?"

Varian shrugged. "Sounded to me like neither of you won it. You didn't stay in pairs, and you didn't partner with only a second pair. I'd say Braxton got closest, though, so maybe half your desert?"

Matt grumbled. "Fine. He's lucky I know how to compromise."

Braxton reached up and scratched 628's ears. "You hear that buddy? We each get an extra quarter of a dessert today!"

Sy stepped past Jim and reached for 628. "Focus now. We have some more instructions to get. Aladdin, Mel, you two ready?" Sy let 628 climb around to cling to his back before he turned to take the lead. "Mel, I think you should be the one to give the senior cadets our directions," Sy's voice faded out as the three made their way across the room.