Jennifer came down the stairs, unsure what was in store for her. Today it was just going to be her and the two mentors. Theo had been back on Earth for a few days. Kelly was back training on the Rohastin Station, with Hope trying to pick up spotter details. Kelly and Hope had gone to be at the station before breakfast, on station time, which is when a few racers that lived on the station practised.

The last two days she'd had trouble getting to sleep. It had been rare for her to be alone in bed, and her body seemed to miss having the gentle rhythm of his breathing next to her. It was like they were part of each other, and even a few days apart was hard. She knew she had to get used to it. They couldn't spend every night together, no matter how much they wanted that. Their jobs would mean being apart sometimes, and they both knew it.

"Missing Theo?" Adelle asked kindly.

Jennifer nodded. It was pointless trying to hide the situation.

Adelle placed a tea in front of her. "I know it is going to sound cruel, but it is best to know that feeling now rather than on an investigation."

Jennifer held the mug, letting the warmth filter into her hands. "I know. I'm just surprised how much it's impacting me. I mean I used to sleep on my own before Theo without issue."

Adelle sat next to her. "You are part of each other. You know how much. You went through the Search of Finding."

Jennifer nodded. If she hadn't known before that Adelle had gone to Hayfield or one of the sister schools, the mentioning of one of their closely guarded rituals would have made it obvious. "I could have slept for days after that."

With a sigh, Jennifer straightened up and looked across at Adelle. "Why haven't I been assigned additional training?"

"Because you only need a refresher for the primary employment. For the second, that is taking time to arrange."

"I was worried I'd been forgotten."

Adelle nodded gravely. "No, but it is harder. We don't know if you being one of the Trinity will help or hinder. What does The Knot mean?"

"I don't know. The Oracle only mentioned it once, at my parents' wedding. He refused to say more. One thing he did say was that the Trinity was about the Rohastin, not about Earth. My parents told me to just be myself, not to let that sword hang over me. I try not to think about it, but it is always there. I see how some look at me, especially on the Rohastin Station."

"Having the weight of expectations must be hard. I won't mention it again."

"So, what is the real reason Theo is being trained as a Personal Assistant and why is he seeing Miss T?"

"It is a quiet and convenient place for him to learn. And stressful. She is a fair employer, but she is in the upper echelon. A good Personal Assistant can anticipate what their boss needs before they realise it themselves. He needs to get some grounding before learning that. If he can get the experience there, he will be halfway to being what he needs."

"Which is?" Jennifer asked, a bit exasperated.

"To work within the Rohastin Council. Georgina Harries has a personal aide, Rupert, but there is a deputy position that they have difficulty filling. It is long hours, and not many humans are comfortable with so many different aliens."

Jennifer was horrified. "You want to spy on the Rohastin Council?"

"No. But when something bad happens, the council hears about it and discusses it. He has a secondary job too, to protect Georgina and other council members if needed. The discussions he hears are never to be relayed."

"But that is the most secure area of the station."

"Yes, but the Yvestigans tried to assassinate Georgina Harries in the actual chamber. And some of the Earth Fist leadership have been released from prison and they want revenge."

Jennifer stifled a shudder. "Are my parents aware that some of them are free?"

"Yes, as are their security team. They aren't as vulnerable as they were ten years ago. You aren't there either. But you will need to be on your guard when you leave here."

"So, what is my cover job and my secondary job?"

"What was the style of work experience you did the last three years of school?"

"Tailor, dressmaker, designer and shop front."

"That is your front role. It isn't going to tax your brain. Currently the shops that sell clothes just cover their own species. You are going to sell clothes to all species. Alterations and bespoke items for added closeness."

"I'm just trying to imagine a Yvestigan in a pinstripe suit. Do you think they'll go for that?"

Adelle continued, "From soundings we've made, they may just. Your secondary role is a human interface. Not a smuggler. Not a fixer. But someone who can advise aliens on human culture and products. If someone wants a crate of Barolo, you will source and provide. You will be the go-to person. Someone they will be glad to know. Someone who gets invited places. Someone who hears things."

"But there is no currency on the Rohastin station and on a lot of the older races. I think out of the four we are starting with, only the Yvestigans still use money. Even Earth seems to be phasing it out. With the new abundance of power, robots and AI, they dabbled with Universal Basic Income. It was easier to just make certain things free."

"Yeah, the free electricity killed off cryptocurrencies. The economics of currency mining meant that the value plummeted. For you, information is your value, not money."

Jennifer had a sip of her drink and thought a bit about what Adelle had told her. "How much information do you have on the Rohastin Station?"

"What do you mean?"

"There are ramps for species to use, or the transport hubs. But are there older things? Maintenance corridors and back routes between floors?"

Adelle was perplexed. "Why?"

Jennifer shrugged. "Perhaps I've seen too many movies. There were always escape routes, or secret entrances people attacked from. Since the station is old it will have grown over time. There will be some parts it was simpler to just hide. You never see maintenance drones moving about, but I'm sure there are some keeping it clean and in good repair."

"I will enquire. Are you okay about sizing clothes for non-humans?"

"Mostly. As you know, little of human clothing is pre-made anymore. It was too wasteful. When you buy a design, it is loaded into the machine and made to your specific measurements. Manual tailoring is only needed for repairs of bespoke designs. I have been trained for that. The 3D body scanner and design patterns will need to have appropriate information. For instance, the way the arm moves on the Alphonians will need to be accommodated."

"That is already being taken care of. We want this to be a large catchment area. We are thinking about a store on the floor above hangar-two. You will get the widest variety in clientele. If we put you near the ambassadors, the range is more upmarket, but fewer people would go to that floor, and you might not hear as much."

"The other merchants aren't going to be happy," Jennifer mused, more to herself than Adelle.

Adelle shrugged. "You will be selling human designs to everyone. You aren't selling Reginadde designs."

"I could, though. Make it for everyone. I remember my Aunt Tina telling me she went into one of the shops because she liked the design. They told her they only made it for the single species. If I sold an Alphonian design to a Reginadde or a human, that is just as important. I'd capture those customers too."

"Oh, you're right. The other merchants aren't going to be happy. Perhaps start slow and then expand to all species. Give them chance to get used to you."

Jennifer nodded but wasn't convinced. When her ma removed a plaster, it was always best to remove it quickly and get it over with. Taking it off slowly just prolonged the agony.

"So, what are we going to do this morning?" Jennifer asked after a moment's silence.

"Today Alex and I are going to review your defensive combat skills. You will have one or both of us attacking you using different hand-to-hand styles or weapons."

"Oh great. Is building up my anxiety before the event part of your plan?"

Adelle nodded, her warm smile gone. "It's nice to see how you react under pressure. When you are on your own you might know you're walking into a trap. It's important you know how to handle that situation as much as a sudden attack."

"Theo likes those old Pink Panther movies that starred Peter Sellers. He had a sidekick called Cato who used to surprise attack him. I think that might be going too far."

"I think we will limit it to downstairs," Adelle agreed. "Though you never can tell. I'll see you downstairs."

Adelle left her and after a few seconds, Jennifer put her mug into the dishwasher and scarpered upstairs to put on her gym clothes. When she got to the basement, Adelle was waiting. She'd put on a tight-fitting outfit, which would make it harder to grab.

"I've turned down the automated safety," Adelle informed Jennifer. "Alex is monitoring as is someone back on Earth."

Jennifer nodded. She'd expected a training session based on what Adelle had said in the kitchen. Also on the side was a selection of blades, including the jewelled Reginadde blade which caused the safety alert. Adelle's phone was by the knives, and Jennifer placed hers next to it.

"Remember," Adelle continued, "You are defensive only."

Then, with no warning, Adelle lunged, catching Jennifer by surprise. Adelle swept Jennifer's legs from under her, and she was down.

"Hey, you didn't give me a chance to warm up," Jennifer complained as she warily got up.

"If someone attacks you, are you going to be given time to warm up?"

Jennifer realised this wasn't like school where she was learning the moves. Adelle expected her to know what to do, and to use what she'd been taught over the last six years.

There was no warning, no sound to scare her. One tick, Adelle was moving, and the next she'd turned and hit out, grabbing Jennifer and throwing her onto the mat.

Jennifer reminded herself to focus. Adelle had used two different techniques in two attacks. Be ready for anything. Getting up, she looked at the mentor. She just stood at the edge of the mat, assessing her student.

"Relax," Adelle said. "You're stood there like a tiger ready to spring."

"I wonder why?" Jennifer retorted.

Adelle had the temerity to laugh, and then lunged halfway through it. Jennifer sidestepped and tripped Adelle. She stumbled, but responded with a dive, and again Jennifer was on the floor.

"That's better," Adelle said, getting up herself. "I'm not made of china. A few bruises are expected. When you tripped me, you should have followed through. Remember to calm your breathing. You don't want to hyperventilate. You're unfocused."

Adelle came again. Jennifer saw her and remembered a move that Charlotte had taught her at Hayfield. She caught the attack and did a classic rugby tackle. Adelle hadn't expected that and wasn't able to react in time.

Alex appeared at the door. Without hesitation, Jennifer grabbed him and flipped him onto the training mat. The bottles of water fell harmlessly nearby.

"Do you want a drink?" Alex said, getting up. "Had I attacked? You're supposed to be defensive, not offensive. I could have been an innocent coming in to see what was going on, or I could have just been bringing some drinks. You were reacting to everything as if it were an attack."

"And if I hadn't attacked you?"

"I might have given you the drink, or I might have dropped them and attacked you. You'll never know."

A glint of light from a knife caught Jennifer's eye. She realised that Alex was distracting her and she dove to one side as the knife sailed past.

"Never stop observing just in case you're attacked again," Adelle chided.

"Have fun!" Alex called and left the two women to continue the exercise.

Adelle said, "I'd like to do something more structured for a moment, instead of us just duking it out. You impressed me with your total trust in Kelly, but I'd like to see how you'd react in that circumstance. I'm not going to use that fragile knife, but something a bit sturdier. When I grab you, I want you to disarm me. Put me on the floor if you can. Remember, the attacker might be stronger than you."

Knife training was always dangerous. There was more than a fifty-fifty chance someone would get cut, or worse. Jennifer needed to trust that Adelle would not seriously hurt her. Adelle also had to trust that Jennifer wouldn't do something stupid.

Adelle moved too quickly for the response Jennifer had planned. She was going to drive the momentum forward, but she didn't get a chance as Adelle's arm circled her. Instinct took over and she kicked back into Adelle's left knee. The only difference was a grunt. Since Jennifer was slightly smaller, she threw her head back, hitting Adelle's nose. That caused the knife hold to slacken for a more strategic disarming.

"Safety on," called Adelle and sank to the ground. "That was good. Alex will come in to treat me. Don't attack."

Jennifer moved back, to show that she wouldn't attack Alex, but she never took her eyes off Adelle or the entrance. Alex wasn't long, and he came in with a large red medical bag.

As Alex attended Adelle, he asked, "How is your head? That was a violent movement."

"It sounded worse for Adelle. Is she going to be okay?"

"A broken nose is probably the worst. The company doctor is on his way to check you both out. Training accidents happen. Training is suspended until you are medically cleared. Come and sit down. I don't like you hovering when you might have a head injury."

Jennifer's phone rang. It was the ringtone she'd selected to let her know it was Aunt Tina ringing. Carefully she took the phone and answered.

"Breathe and calm down," Tina said with authority. "You look like you are ready to attack. Training is suspended. Breathe."

Jennifer took the first calming breath and only realised then how quickly her heart was racing.

"That's it. Slow breathing ... Relax."

"I hurt her," Jennifer said in horror.

"No more than others have had in training. Why do you think we have protocols like this? Now keep calm and Dr Mike will be with you soon."

Tina ended the call. Jennifer put the phone back on the side and slowly made her way to sit next to Adelle. Her hands trembled as she tried to relax but made no effort to hide it. Adelle and Jennifer didn't apologise to each other, but at that moment Jennifer no longer feared being with Adelle and Alex.

"I need you to talk with us," Alex said to Jennifer. "We need to know you aren't delirious."

"That was more instinct than planning. I need to do better when restrained. I panicked a bit."

"You're analysing what happened?" Alex said in amazement.

"I've nothing better to do. Until Dr Mike arrives, I doubt you'll let me go anywhere."

"None of us are going anywhere," Adelle said. "Dr Mike has access to all training facilities. He knows where we are. It depends how quickly he can get a hopper. Who calmed you down?"

"Tina. I hadn't realised I was so entrenched in defence. Looking back, that is why I moved out of the way. I was still frightened that you or Alex might attack again."

"It isn't a bad attitude," Alex said. "You just need to learn to get out of the zone and analyse the situation in front of you."

"Just be careful when you spar with Kelly. We were kidnapped about ten years ago. She managed to kick the kidnappers in the balls. Her great-aunt taught her how to fight dirty. Kelly showed me that trick."

"You're all looking a sorry sight," a voice said from the door.

Jennifer looked up to see a tall man, with blond hair, bright blue eyes and an amused smile. He'd been speaking Hytuna. Was there a file somewhere that stated any visitors must only speak Hytuna?

"Dr Mike," Alex said in greeting. "I'm not sure if you've met Jennifer."

"I've not had the pleasure. Let me check all three of you out."

"I was next door monitoring," Alex said. "It's the other two you have to worry about."

"I worry about all of you. Let me start with Adelle."

The doctor opened his rucksack and extracted a portable imager.

"I was told you suffered a few heavy hits in the face and legs. These new imagers are great, so much better than the old X-ray machines. Let's see."

The doctor scanned Adelle all over. "I see your previous injuries are doing well. Your legs and knees are a bit bruised but nothing that needs my attention. Your nose though took the brunt. You've got a nasal bone fracture. I'll do a quick closed reduction and put a support strip on. You'll be sore, but you'll be fine."

He scanned Jennifer all over. "You have mild bruising in a few places, but no more than you'd expect when sparring. You have a mild concussion and a tiny non-displaced occipital hairline fracture. Nothing dangerous, but you're off training until the symptoms settle."

Finally, the doctor scanned Alex. "A few minor bruises. I thought you said you were monitoring."

"I brought in some drinks, but she foiled my surprise attack," Alex muttered.

There was no laugh from the doctor. It wasn't anything he hadn't seen before. The knives had him worried there might be more serious wounds, but not this time.

"Alex and Jennifer, why don't you go upstairs. Jennifer, sit on a settee, if you have one, but I don't want any napping. I want you to stay conscious for the next few hours. Adelle and I will be up once I've set her nose."

Jennifer and Alex went upstairs, and she sat on the settee. Alex seemed to hover a bit, and she wasn't sure how she felt about it. He was concerned, but she felt fine.

"Is training always like this?" Jennifer asked, trying to distract Alex.

"It isn't the first incident. It won't be the last. It's why we have a trauma doctor always on call for situations like this." He sat down on an adjacent chair. "That isn't a move taught at Hayfield. What made you do that?"

"It's something Kelly showed me when I was little. Years before Hayfield. We were kidnapped and she fought back when the vehicle stopped. It's something her great-aunt had shown her."

Alex shook his head slowly and let out his breath. "Okay. I think I recognised the style. When you are back in training, we'll get someone who knows that style to assess your level and fill in any gaps. You also went for obvious human weak points. I'm glad you didn't go for her eyes. You will need to learn the pain points for the common aliens."

"My arms were too constrained for me to get my elbows out to hit her eyes," Jennifer responded. After a moment she asked, "You're not mad at me for hurting Adelle?"

"No. I bet she thought you were going to yield. She will be mad at herself for not realising it when you kicked at her knees. You showed her you had training we weren't aware of. We can work with that. You were overwhelmed at the beginning. That isn't unusual and is a base to build from. This is the first day of physical training. You can't be expected to be an expert on day one."

Jennifer wondered how to explain her feelings. "This is no longer school. I got that soon after starting here. I just didn't realise how much of a gap there was between the protected atmosphere of school and reality."

Alex smiled. "We've all been there. Don't forget Adelle and I were Hayfield students once. Even worse, we were in the shadow of David, Helen, Tina and Luke. I'd offer you a congratulatory beer after that battle, but I doubt the doctor would approve."

As on cue, the doctor and Adelle came in. Her nose looked odd with the support strip, but if you didn't know what had been going on she would have been her normal self.

"If you were on the Rohastin Station, what would the normal treatment have been?" Dr Mike asked Jennifer.

"They would have put nanites in me. They would have kept watch for any complications. However, my location would be forever known. It would seriously hinder me taking part in future investigations."

Alex got up to put on the kettle, glad he didn't have to tell Jennifer the impact of nanite treatment. Adelle tutted but followed the doctor's orders and sat down. She didn't like relaxing when there was work to be done.

"How's the head?" Adelle asked kindly, which surprised Jennifer.

"I have a bit of a headache, but I sometimes get them after an adrenaline spike."

The doctor did a quick scan. "Your brain is no different from earlier. No signs of bleeds. I'm going to stay a few hours to make sure."

"How many were watching us spar?" Jennifer asked Adelle.

"Just Alex and one other. We only have those to give privacy but with the needed level of safety."

"So how did Tina know to ring me?"

"You weren't calming down. It went up your lifeline chain until someone was available to help. Tina was the first available."

"Lifeline chain?"

"People who know you and who can understand what's happening. They are your lifeline. It probably includes Theo, Kelly and Hope, but it seems it includes Tina. People who you can trust and who you will listen to. She wouldn't have seen what happened but would have been told there had been a training accident. She would have got access to the video feed for the length of time she needed to calm you."

The doctor was still there when Kelly and Hope came back. They were chattering away, obviously still excited at what they'd been doing. When they saw a stranger, they instantly stopped. They then saw Adelle and Jennifer all banged up.

"Jen," Kelly said, rushing across. "What happened?"

"There was an incident during training. Adelle has a broken nose, and I've got concussion. We have to take it easy for a few days."

"Does Theo know?" Hope asked, wondering what had happened in training.

"I doubt it," Jennifer said. "He is away in training. Even if he did know, he can't just come here. I know that when investigators are away, they have little communication home for their safety. I remember when I was kidnapped, Aunt Tina and Uncle Luke didn't find out until debriefing. When you're undercover, embedded with a bunch of criminals, your life depends on not being distracted. Most criminals would rather kill you than be found out."

When they'd eventually persuaded the doctor that all the patients would be okay, Jennifer crept off to bed. Alone, she had nothing to do other than reflect on the day. Sleep didn't come, and all that played on her mind was the sound of Adelle's nose as her head hit it, and the cry, warning her not to attack Alex.

After a few hours, her thoughts changed. Was that just training, and reacting as needed, or was she an animal? If someone held a knife to her throat like that, would she do it again? It was painful, but she knew she would. Her life depended on it. But she didn't know what that made her.