The soft hiss of pressurized air filled the room as the glass pod slid open.
Kyle stepped out into the dim blue glow of the simulation chamber. His body humming with that deep, satisfying ache.
The kind that only came from being pushed to the absolute limit.
He rolled his shoulders, feeling the tight pull of overworked muscle. Then cracked his neck with a slow tilt of his head. The sound was sharp in the quiet room.
Behind him. Two more pods hissed in unison, their seals breaking with a whisper of released pressure.
Reo practically spilled out of his. Catching himself on the pod's edge with shaking arms.
His brown hair was plastered to his forehead with sweat. His academy uniform clinging to his back in damp patches. His breath came in ragged gulps.
