Chapter Three: Not for Sale to Northport

Kovac grabbed his badge. The plastic clip snapped, and the card marked TEMPORARY fell to the floor. “I don't need a video clerk teaching me to defend.” “You don't need me. You need Vidal. When you step, he protects the space behind you. But you have to tell him when you're going.” “There's no time to chat during a match.” “Then say enough in training.” For six days, Veer placed Lin with the tactical video staff but gave him no title. Lin designed the dullest drill imaginable: no shots, no highlight duels, only repeated three-against-two transitions. Kovac stepped; Vidal covered. Vidal turned; Kovac stopped chasing. They shouted through the first repetition, used hand signals by the tenth, and no longer needed to look at each other by the