Chapter Three: The Admission Order from the Stars

" Ardent stepped closer. "But while you were unconscious, it maintained minimum power and protected your neural link. The doctors say that without it, your brain would have burned through." Leon said quietly, "It is not a normal mech." "I know." Ardent's voice cooled. "That is why we have trouble." The door slid open. Instructor Harren entered. He still wore his academy uniform, and his artificial eye flickered, but he looked as if he had not slept in thirty-six hours. When he saw Leon awake, he stopped for a moment. "Voss." Leon did not answer. Harren took the old cadet pilot badge from his pocket. It had been cleaned, though the missing paint along the edge remained obvious. "Your request for retesting has been approved."