Catman's Arc

Chapter 2 of 2

Catman needed warriors before the camp could function. Real bodies to test the training systems. The floating spheres orbited their fixed point, glowing hot in the dim light. But machines couldn't replace flesh. Fire Fang's forces were scattered across three outposts, each one guarding a different border. Catman pulled out a worn map and marked the closest outpost—half a day's march north. Ten fighters stationed there, maybe twelve. Enough to start with. The interrogation quarters sat empty along the far edge of camp. Those cells would fill soon enough once word spread. For now, Catman rolled up the map and secured it inside their armor. First step: recruit the warriors. Second step: put them through the spheres until they stopped missing. Everything had its order. The march north took six hours through rough terrain. Catman arrived at the outpost as the light faded. Thirteen warriors stood guard at the perimeter. Each one looked worn down from border duty. Catman explained the camp's purpose—train fighters for Fire Fang's final push against the Water Tribe. Seven warriors volunteered immediately. The others had patrol duties they couldn't abandon. Seven was enough. Back at camp, Catman set them against the floating spheres. They swung and missed, swung and missed again. Their breath came hard after only minutes. Catman stopped the drill and built a support pavilion at the training ground's edge. The structure held water containers and basic supplies. Warriors needed to stay sharp between rounds, not collapse from exhaustion. The pavilion stood ready. Tomorrow the real training would begin.