Free Fractured Mind Episode One (A Galactic Coalition Academy Series) by Odette C. Bell

be easily defeated,”
the trader explained.
    Karax couldn't help but laugh as he dropped
his hand from his neck. “That didn't feel like easily defeatable to
me.”
    “This is Sora's lowest setting. You can use
her in multiple ways and in multiple scenarios. With time, you will
become better at fighting her, but she will also adapt to your
methods. This is what you want, no?” The trader fixed his attention
on the admiral. “A program that will help you train like the Ornax?
Train, regardless of whether you know you will lose?”
    There was silence as everyone present
considered the trader's words.
    Finally the admiral nodded. “Yes, that's
what we're after. Thank you for this initial demonstration, but we
will require more before we agree to procure this product. We must
also assess whether it is compatible with current Coalition
holographic technology.”
    Both traders nodded. “Then let the
discussions begin.”
    The traders were led into another room by
the group of officers, as Admiral Forest hung back to hear Karax's
assessment.
    As soon as the doors closed and they were
alone, she rounded on him.
    She crossed her arms in front of her chest
and nodded at his neck. “Was that real, lieutenant? Or were you
holding back?”
    He didn't even have to consider her
question. He shook his head. He coughed past his raspy throat.
“Hell no, admiral. She almost crushed my throat.”
    “What's your initial assessment?”
    Again, Karax didn't have to pause. “That the
traders are right – that hologram was definitely different to any
I've ever fought before. It's not just the fact she's seamless and
solid, indistinguishable from a person, it's how she thinks. There
was true intelligence behind her moves. You could tell she was
adapting to the way I fought. Heck, I felt I could even see it in
her eyes.”
    “You couldn't see her eyes, lieutenant,” the
admiral corrected. “She had a helmet on.”
    “I can't put my finger on it, admiral, but
there was definitely something there.”
    “I agree. Though I wasn't the one fighting
this Sora, my observations concur with yours. This doesn't mean I'm
ready to commit the Academy to acquiring this technology yet. But
it's a step in the right direction.”
    He began nodding, but stopped. “Aren't you
worried about any security implications?”
    She lifted an eyebrow. “Security
implications?”
    “Do you really want to give a couple of
Corthanx Traders free access to our holo emitters?”
    “That was never on the cards, lieutenant.
They will be supervised wherever they go. However, if your initial
experience and my observations are correct, this is not a
technology we can pass up. It would revolutionize our ability to
train and properly prepare our cadets. It will show them not just
how to win, but how to survive.”
    Her exact choice of words shook through him.
It took a lot of effort not to visibly shudder.
    He stiffened his neck and nodded. “What
next, then, admiral?”
    “Next, I continue discussions with the
traders. I want you to begin work on devising a training program
that can put Sora through her paces. You may have to work into the
night. I want this in place for tomorrow.”
    He began to nod, but hesitated.
    She picked up on it. “What is it,
lieutenant?”
    “... Never mind.” For a moment – for a
single moment – he'd been about to ask the admiral for an hour's
reprieve to go and check on Sarah Sinclair.
    Which was mad.
    He'd done what he was obliged to do – pull
her aside and have a serious conversation with her. The rest was up
to her.
    ... Right?
    He shook his head as he pushed away his last
questioning thought. “I won't stop until I complete the training
program.”
    “I'm glad I have someone to rely on.
Alright, lieutenant, dismissed.” She snapped a salute, turned on
her heel, and marched out the doors.
    As soon as she left, Karax found his gaze
tugging instinctively back to the view beyond the plate glass
windows.
    It didn't take him long to