Free Breaking Through by D. Nichole King

level. The use of powers aren’t technically allowed until they master proper technique, but with Kray that’s not possible. He has no on/off switch.
    He points to his temple. “Against me, you’ll have to clear your head. I can hear everything you’re thinking.”
    Britta shoots down toward his legs, but Kray dodges her easily.
    “That’s not going to work on me. You can’t think about your move before you do it,” he tells her, instructing her. “Go on instinct.”
    “Listen to him, Britta,” I say, even though Kray isn’t following my orders. I hadn’t expected him to teach her, but I’m glad he’s taking the initiative. These five working as a team is half of what will make this mission successful.
    From the corner of my eye, I see Nautia murmur, “Take him down, Britta.”
    “I appreciate that, Nautia,” Kray hollers back.
    “Anytime, friend,” she yells. Then she pounds the mat to get the youngster’s attention. “Let’s go, Britta!”
    Britta strikes again, to Kray’s stomach—and she makes contact! She saw the opportunity to hit while he was distracted. That was lesson numero uno. She’s been paying attention.
    She’s not big enough to do much damage, though. Kray doesn’t even blink. He picks her up at the waist, her feet kicking in the air. She screams before he slams her to the mat and straddles her. Then he raises a fist to finish her off.
    “Not bad, spitfire,” he says, lowering his arm. “Fighting is primal. It’s action and reaction. Take my advice earlier next time: clear your mind.”
    “Nice work today, soldiers,” I say once Kray and Britta are standing again. “Lunch, then partner training.” My gaze lands on Nautia as I say it, and she looks away to peer at her partner, Haskal. After their incident on day one, and Nautia’s on day two, I’ve kept them apart. Today will be the first day they train together, and I’m hoping it goes well. I don’t need any more accidents.

    “Sir?”
    I look up to find Commander Sickles approaching me. “Admiral Melene on six for you, sir,” he says.
    “Thank you.”
    I turn my attention back to Kray and Britta, who’ve been training together for a week now. Britta’s trying, unsuccessfully, to perfect pronunciation with Kray.
    “If I can’t understand you, how can I translate what you read from them?” she asks, frustrated. Her voice comes out solid like a woman’s, instead of her whiny fourteen-year-old one. “Focus, damn it!”
    “Hey, spitfire. Just ’cause I beat your ass earlier doesn’t mean you have to go all she-bitch on me. It’s not like I’ve heard this language before six days ago.”
    “Work together ,” I emphasize. “Teamwork will make or break this mission. The two of you have to figure it out, or we’re just mice inside a trap.”
    “Yes, sir,” they mumble in unison.
    “I’ll be back later,” I say, before I walk out.
    The Closet, as the crew calls it, is on the top deck. The highest point of the Triton . I have at least one commander stationed inside at all times. Right now, Commander Ackley has the bridge.
    She nods when I enter. “Captain.”
    “Commander.”
    “Admiral Melene—”
    “I’ve been informed, Commander. Take fifteen.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    As soon as she leaves, I take a seat at the com. I swivel in the chair to the switchboard and flip to channel six. “Admiral,” I say. “Thank you for getting back to me. Did you find anything on Nate Olson?”
    “Not much, Barton. But I can tell you where he was stationed.”
    “Where?”
    “Thirty-three degrees north, one hundred thirty-five degrees east.”
    It takes me all of two seconds to figure out the coordinates. “That’s the Sea of Japan.”
    “Where you’re headed,” Melene answers.
    “Are you saying, sir, Nate Olson was part of TorpMissionOne two years ago? The one we’re finishing?”
    “That’s where he was stationed. If he was part of TorpMissionOne, it’s not in his file.”
    “Was anything else going