“So...” Dan said, crossing each arm over his chest in turn to stretch them out. “All we have to do is protect an entire planet. Totally easy. No problem. Kid stuff.”

Andy chuckled. It was refreshing to see that despite the state of war they now existed in, Dan was still Dan. “No, we have to protect an entire city. It’s smaller, if nothing else. And it won’t just be us. There’ll be at least, hopefully, two other detachments.”

“I hope they’ll play well with others,” Roxanna commented.

She and Andy were circling each other with their hands up, each one in a defensive combat posture as their eyes—dark brown against purple—sought any signs of weaknesses, any little gesture that would broadcast an upcoming move or opening to take a shot. Jade was stalking a little around the outside, a potential new combatant who could go after either of them; it was an element of training to afford surprise.

Roxanna took the first shot from the right, which Andy dodged by leaning back before ducking the second. She returned the swings, but was evaded as well. They were equally well-trained, after all.

“Most of them do,” Andy said as they started circling again. Her eyes flicked to the outer ring, keeping track of Jade. “We are all Marines, after all.” She knew what they were thinking, but didn’t address it directly.

“We’re just protective of you, boss,” Dan said from the sidelines. “We don’t want any of them to get dumb ideas in their heads and give you a hard time.” He obviously had no issue with addressing it, but she didn’t mind. She also appreciated the sentiment.

“I appreciate that, Thomas, but I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.” Dodge. Step. Swing. Block. “Remember, I’ve been shot by lightning, twice, and survived. I’m a pretty tough woman. No one’s unkind words are going to put me down.”

That brought out a quiet chuckle from a couple of them. Anallin’s eyes just clicked.

Andy broke into Roxanna’s guard and got a leg in, putting the Selerid down—flipping her over her hip to put the other woman on her back. Before either had a chance to do anything, Jade joined the fray and nearly tackled Andy from behind. The major just managed to dodge getting caught in the grapple, but she did lose her balance.

She tossed herself forward, leaping over Roxanna and hitting the ground in a roll, coming back up and around on her feet. Andy had just barely sorted herself out to face the women when Jade was coming at her again. The girl, the youngest of their squad, had been picking up on her training quickly and was getting better by the day. Her confidence came in leaps and bounds too.