Ji and Nate grumbled as they sat down in the common room, still frustrated from the game.
"Seriously, Sahaad? What is wrong with you?" Ji muttered, shaking his head. He was still rubbing his ears as the ringing sound from the earpiece haunted him.
Nate nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's like you never fight fair. Always sneaking around, setting traps. You never go head-on."
Sahaad chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair. "That's the point, guys. Why would I go head-on with someone who can literally bench-press a tank?"
"You can, too. You're supposed to show strength, Sahaad," Nate pressed. "Not just out-think us."
Zara stepped in, a smirk on her face. "That's exactly why he wins, though. He's not stronger or faster than us, but he knows how to play the game."
"Yeah, and remember, we're supposed to be warriors," Kato chimed in, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Brains over brawn. That's what's kept us alive this long."
Sia, still scanning through the game's feed, spoke without looking up. "It's why he's the leader. If it was just about physical power, any of us could lead. But it's Sahaad who keeps us all in check."
Nate shrugged, still a little miffed. "I just don't like losing to a guy who'd rather hide behind corners."
Ji huffed. "Yeah, it's not even about losing. It's about the way we lost."
Sahaad smiled, though a hint of weariness showed in his eyes. "Look, guys, I get it. I survived the way I did because I had no choice but to be smarter. The game is a game. In the field, you need every advantage. That's why we win."
The others nodded in agreement, even if Nate and Ji still nursed their bruised egos.
"Hey, next time," Zara said, standing up with a grin, "maybe we can team up and show Sahaad what real power looks like."
Sahaad laughed. "I'd like to see you try."
The next few days passed in a similar rhythm. The squad trained hard, competed even harder, and, when not preparing for missions, engaged in their regular physical activities. It was a necessary balance in the lives of the Imperators, a way to sharpen both body and mind.
On this particular day, the highlight was the wrestling match between Sahaad and Nate, a rivalry that had become a favorite among the squad. The others gathered around the sparring mats, placing bets, making jokes, and anticipating the outcome.
Sahaad, despite being the physically weaker of the squad, had always been able to hold his own, largely due to his intelligence, speed, and tactical thinking. Nate, on the other hand, was a powerhouse of raw strength, and it often felt like Sahaad had to claw his way through every match just to survive.
Today was no different. As they squared off, the atmosphere grew tense with excitement. The two fighters stared at each other, both stood at the same height, but Nate had a noticeable broader frame compared to Sahaad's slim, more agile body. The others watched anticipating which one would come out on top.
"Let's see what you've got this time, boss," Nate said, his voice dripping with playful confidence.
Sahaad rolled his shoulders and stepped into a fighting stance, his eyes sharp, already calculating his moves. "Just remember to go easy on me," he joked, though his mind was already racing through different strategies.
The match began, and Nate came at him with the usual aggressive approach. Sahaad sidestepped, ducking under a massive arm swing, and moved to the side, trying to keep distance. He knew he couldn't afford to let Nate grab him too early.
Nate laughed as he tried to corner Sahaad, his heavy footfalls shaking the mat. "You can't run forever, you know!"
But Sahaad wasn't running. He was biding his time. He darted forward unexpectedly, aiming low, trying to get under Nate's guard. For a moment, it looked like he might succeed—he hooked a leg behind Nate's and tried to sweep him off balance.
But Nate wasn't fooled. He shifted his weight and countered, grabbing Sahaad by the shoulder and yanking him forward. Sahaad felt the impact of Nate's strength, but instead of fighting it, he rolled with the momentum, twisting his body to escape Nate's grip.
The two danced around each other, Nate throwing his bulk into powerful grapples, and Sahaad using his agility to slip away, counterattack, and defend. Sweat beaded on both their foreheads, but neither was willing to back down.
Then Nate made his move. With a burst of speed, he tackled Sahaad, wrapping his arms around him and bringing him down to the mat with a thud. Sahaad grunted, feeling the impact in his bones, but he wasn't out yet.
Nate tried to pin him, using his superior strength to press him down. But Sahaad wriggled free, throwing his legs up and using them to create space. He managed to roll out from under Nate, barely avoiding a full takedown.
For the next few minutes, the two engaged in a brutal back-and-forth. Sahaad's endurance was impressive, especially considering the sheer power Nate was throwing at him. He countered every move he could, managing to stay in the fight far longer than anyone expected.
But the strain was showing. Sahaad's breathing grew heavier, his movements slower. Nate, sensing victory, closed in once more. He feinted left, then lunged, catching Sahaad off guard. This time, he didn't let go.
With a roar, Nate lifted Sahaad off the ground and slammed him back onto the mat, pinning him with his full weight. Sahaad struggled, but it was no use—Nate's strength was too overwhelming.
"Yield?" Nate asked, his voice still filled with amusement, though he was clearly impressed by how long Sahaad had lasted.
Sahaad lay there for a moment, catching his breath before laughing. "Yeah, I yield. For now."
Nate stood up and offered Sahaad a hand, pulling him to his feet as the others cheered and clapped.
"That was a good one, boss," Kato said, slapping Sahaad on the back. "You almost had him."
"Almost isn't good enough," Sahaad replied, grinning despite the loss.
"You're getting stronger, though," Zara added. "You lasted way longer than last time."
"Yeah, until he picks me up and tosses me around like a ragdoll," Sahaad joked, rubbing his shoulder.
Nate chuckled. "You'll get there. Just don't expect me to go easy on you next time."
Sahaad smiled, knowing that no matter how many times he lost these matches, he was improving, and the respect of his squad was clear. Even though he wasn't the strongest, his tactics and resilience earned him a place as their leader.
The next set of matches began, with Zara squaring off against Kato. Both were seasoned in their own way—Zara's polished precision against Kato's raw power. They circled each other in the training ring, Zara moving with the calculated fluidity of a seasoned fighter, while Kato radiated an intimidating presence, his muscled frame ready to pounce.
The match started with Kato lunging forward, attempting to seize Zara in a bear hug, his typical strategy of overwhelming opponents with brute strength. But Zara wasn't going to fall for such obvious tactics. She sidestepped with graceful agility, ducking under his outstretched arms and landing a quick jab to his side. Kato grunted but didn't slow down, pivoting to follow up with a sweeping kick aimed at her legs.
Zara leapt over his kick and countered with a spinning kick of her own, striking Kato squarely in the shoulder. The impact staggered him, but only for a moment. He charged again, this time more cautious, lowering his stance and using his bulk to block Zara's swift movements. Zara danced around him, looking for an opening.
She darted in to strike, but Kato caught her by surprise, using his weight to shift quickly and grab her by the wrist. With a mighty swing, he flung her to the ground, pinning her for a split second. Zara, ever nimble, twisted out of the hold, using his momentum against him. She was up on her feet in an instant, delivering a sharp elbow strike to his rib cage as she pulled free.
"Getting slow, Kato?" Zara teased, a smirk playing at her lips.
"Just giving you a chance," Kato grunted back, smirking despite the pain.
The fight continued with Kato trying to wear Zara down with sheer force, but her quick footwork and flawless technique made her a slippery target. The battle became a test of endurance and wits, Zara exploiting Kato's few weaknesses while staying just out of his grasp. Finally, after several grueling minutes, she managed to flip him over her shoulder with a well-timed throw. He hit the ground with a heavy thud, and Zara immediately followed up by locking him in an armbar, ending the match.
"Well done," Kato said begrudgingly as he tapped out. "You always make me work for it."
Zara smiled, offering him a hand up. "Someone's gotta keep you sharp."
Next up was Ji and Sia, their contrasting styles on full display. Sia, ever methodical, took a defensive stance, waiting for Ji to make the first move. Ji, on the other hand, was unpredictable as always, bouncing lightly on his feet, his gaze darting around as if already planning his next dozen moves.
Ji darted in with a feint, then flipped backward to avoid Sia's quick counterstrike. He grinned, clearly enjoying himself as he switched between high kicks, sweeping leg attacks, and sudden lunges. Sia blocked each one with near-perfect precision, though it was clear she was having to stay on her toes to keep up with his erratic style.
"You always dance around too much," Sia commented as she blocked a kick aimed at her midsection.
"That's because you're too predictable," Ji retorted, twisting out of her reach and going for a low sweep.
Sia blocked his leg with her shin and pushed forward, catching Ji off guard. She used his momentum against him, flipping him over and attempting to pin him, but Ji wriggled free, backflipping out of her grasp. He bounced on his feet, grinning, his energy seemingly endless.
The two went back and forth, Ji's freestyling keeping Sia on edge, while her solid, fundamental style prevented him from landing any decisive blows. After a long, exhausting exchange, Sia finally caught him in a grapple, using his own momentum to trap him in a submission hold.
However, Ji twisted his neck back staring directly at Sia. She stared at him in horror, before he headbutted her, breaking her nose. He placed her in his own headlock resulting in the win.
"Fuck, what the fuck was that," She yelled, rubbing her nose as it fixed himself.
"We're Imperators, not humans and we should not fight like one", Ji laughed, restoring his neck to its original position.
"You're too wild," Sia replied, though there was a hint of admiration in her voice.
With the matches over, the squad gathered around Sahaad, who had been watching carefully.
His voice was calm, yet authoritative—the way it always was when he took on the role of leader. The squad had come to trust his judgment, and today was no different.
"Alright, everyone," Sahaad began, wiping some sweat off his brow. "Good work today. But, as always, we can improve." He looked at each member of his squad, his gaze serious but encouraging. "Let's talk about where we can sharpen our skills."
He turned first to Zara, who was still catching her breath from the exhausting match against Kato. "Zara, your technique is impeccable. You've mastered the art of staying one step ahead, and that's your strength. But you've got to work on your endurance. Kato's power is relentless, and when it comes to drawn-out fights, you tend to slow down, and that's dangerous. Focus on building your stamina. If you can keep up your precision through fatigue, no one will outlast you."
Zara nodded thoughtfully, already considering ways to push her endurance during future sessions. She knew Sahaad was right—while her skill was unparalleled, Kato had forced her to use more energy than she was comfortable with.
Sahaad shifted his attention to Kato, the hulking powerhouse. "Kato, your strength is second to none. But you rely on it too much. When someone like Zara starts predicting your moves, it's easy for them to wear you down. You need to work on versatility—find ways to use your strength more creatively. Don't just charge in headfirst every time; mix things up. Maybe try some lighter sparring to focus on speed and adaptability. It'll make you less predictable."
Kato grinned, flexing his massive arms but nodding in agreement. "Guess it wouldn't hurt to switch it up a bit," he said, already thinking of how to integrate more finesse into his fighting style.
Next, Sahaad turned to Sia, who was still slightly winded from her close bout with Ji. "Sia, you're by-the-books, and that's great. Your precision and discipline make you lethal. But sometimes, sticking too rigidly to the playbook can make you predictable. Ji caught you off guard a few times because you didn't adapt fast enough. Try working on flexibility—learn how to shift tactics mid-fight. Your discipline is your strength, but if you blend in some unpredictability, you'll be unstoppable."
Sia pursed her lips, nodding thoughtfully. She had always prided herself on following the rules and strategies to the letter, but Sahaad was right—she needed to adapt quicker in the heat of battle.
Sahaad turned his attention to Nate, who had been quietly watching the others as they received their feedback. Nate was powerful, like Kato, but with a more strategic mindset. His fight with Sahaad had been close, but there was always room to grow.
"Nate," Sahaad began, "you're incredibly strong, and you've got a good head for tactics. You know how to use your power wisely, and that's a huge advantage. But in our match, I noticed that once you commit to a move, you hesitate when it doesn't immediately go as planned."
Nate raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
"You have a tendency to second-guess yourself mid-action. When I countered a few of your grapples, I could tell you were unsure whether to follow through or change tactics, and that gave me openings. It wasn't much, but it was enough to make the difference in our match. You need to trust your instincts more and act with conviction, even if things don't seem to be working right away."
Sahaad paused, making sure Nate was following. "You've got great instincts, Nate. Don't be afraid to lean into them fully, especially in situations where hesitation can cost you. Work on committing fully to your attacks, and if they're countered, adapt on the fly. You've got the tactical mind for it—just don't let doubt slow you down."
Nate nodded slowly, his usual calm demeanor hiding the gears turning in his mind. "Makes sense," he said, his voice steady. "I'll work on trusting my gut more. Appreciate it, boss."
Finally, he turned to Ji, the wildcard of the group. "Ji, your creativity is unmatched, and it's what makes you such a dangerous fighter. You won against Sia because she couldn't predict your moves. But you leave too many openings. When your improvisation works, it's brilliant, but when it doesn't, you're vulnerable. Tighten up your form, especially when you go for those unconventional strikes. You don't need to stop freestyling, just make sure you're not giving your opponent too many chances to counter."
Ji grinned his usual mischievous grin. "Got it, boss. I'll keep the creativity, but I'll try to add some structure."
Sahaad took a breath, then looked at the group as a whole. "We've all got something to work on, myself included. My fight with Nate was close, but I need to get stronger—no way around that. I'll be focusing on that. But as a squad, we're getting better every day. Don't let any loss weigh you down; learn from it. And don't let any win make you complacent. We've got another mission coming up soon, so let's make sure we're even better by the time it arrives."
"Remember most of the tactical knowledge and close quarter training we got was derived for Praetorians and human soldiers. We are more than that and it is up to us to improvise and improve on them."
The squad nodded, taking in his words. Each of them was a top-tier warrior in their own right, but they knew that there was always room for improvement. Sahaad's feedback was invaluable because he saw what they couldn't always see in themselves.
"Let's hit it harder next time," Sahaad said, giving a rare, encouraging smile. "We're Imperators. We have no limits."
The speakers in the facility came to life and requested the Imperators to head to the bay docks, indicating that a new mission had been assigned for them.