Jim clambered awkwardly out of the speeder craft and stretched his back and legs. Something slammed into him from behind. The pale white arms locked around his chest gave him a fair indication of who had all but tackled him.

"Sy, I'm fine." Jim shifted in Sy's grip enough to wrap an arm across his shoulders. "I promise."

Sy was shaking. He refused to remove his face from Jim's shirt, though he spoke up in a quiet, fearful voice. "That felt so real. I forgot for a moment you weren't actually in danger." He drew back. His brilliant green eyes glistened as he glared up at Jim. "Don't ever do that again! Tu m'as fait peur!"

Jim squeezed Sy tightly. "I'm fine. You know I won't get myself into a situation I can't handle."

"That is the second time that you have officially died on a mission!"

"Technically the message should say 'your craft was destroyed' because I wasn't even in it when it exploded."

"Cela ne change rien! Don't be so reckless! One of these days it isn't going to be a simulation. You can't just do things like that, that's how you get yourself killed." Sy's jaw trembled slightly. "Je ne peux pas te supporter de mourir."

Braxton joined them, 628 on his arm. "Sy's right. That was a really stupid stunt." He grinned. "But oil and coal did it look like fun! Loop me in next time, I'll do it with you!"

"Braxton!"

Braxton laughed. "Relax Softspot, you should want me with Prince Charming. His chances of survival go way up when I'm around."

"I hate that you're right," Jim grumbled.

"Hawkins." Mrs. Parr stood at her desk, her arms crossed and a frown on her face. When she and Jim made eye contact she gestured him over.

Jim reluctantly released Sy. "I think I'm about to get another tongue lashing about those maneuvers. I promise Sy, I'm alright. Braxton and Matt will take care of you while I'm getting yelled at. I'll be back soon."

Sy squeezed Jim tightly one final time before he stepped back. His arms wrapped around himself as he watched his friend walk away. Sy had never looked smaller.

Jim straightened out his spine.

Determined to look relaxed so Sy wouldn't worry about this impromptu meeting with the teacher, Jim strolled over to the teacher's desk. He slipped past some shaking simulation pods as another group of youth worked through the mission together. A couple boys who's team had finished already sat and laughed at the snippets of conversation they could overhear from the control panels.

Mrs. Parr was waiting when he finally reached her desk.

"Yes ma'am?"

"It seems, Mister Hawkins, that no matter what limits we expect our programs to have, you somehow manage to find a way to break them. I thought I told you not to do that again."

Jim flashed her a grin. "What can I say? Some people are meant to go beyond infinity."

"Some beyonds result in death." Mrs. Parr answered bluntly. "You may think this is all fun and games, but we are preparing you for realities. Pulling a stunt like you did, you could have gotten yourself, or your teammates, killed."

Jim looked down at his shoes. "Sorry ma'am. I just, I saw an opportunity, you know? Our agent could have been killed and I had a chance to save him. Every life is worth fighting for and junk like that, right?"

Mrs. Parr crossed her arms. "Your sentiment, and junk like that, may be sweet, Mister Hawkins, but it lacks reality." She looked down at the young boy, her voice softening as she continued, "Lives may be worth fighting for, but sometimes sacrifices must be made. Everyone one of you boys here has sworn that if it calls for it, that sacrifice will be made. As has every one of our agents. Especially agents in a simulation."

Jim crossed his arms. "I'm not apologizing for what I did."

"I don't know if that worries or pleases me." The instructor pinched the bridge of her nose. "I don't know what to do with you right now, so I'm not going to do anything yet. But I am telling you, I mean it this time when I tell you to stick with the mission assignment from now on."

"I will," Jim answered softly. "Can I go back to my friends now?"

Mrs Parr waved him off dismissively. Jim did not give her a chance to change her mind.