The handlers escorted Sylara to a new room she had never seen before. It was larger than the usual medical or training chambers, with a wide table in the center and a large interactive holographic display on one wall. The air smelled faintly of ozone and sterile plastic, the faint hum of hidden fans the only sound. Lira-09 was already seated at the table, her reddish fur slightly ruffled, sharp amber eyes watching everything with calculated caution.

“Sit,” one handler ordered, shoving Sylara toward the chair opposite Lira.

The lead researcher stood behind a one-way glass panel, clipboard in hand. His voice came through a speaker.

“Today’s session will evaluate leadership and strategic thinking. You will work together on a series of simulated scenarios. Kaelor-03 and Torak-04 have already demonstrated their aptitude in this area. We are now assessing Sylara-01 and Lira-09’s capabilities. Performance will be recorded and ranked.”

Lira gave Sylara a small, knowing smirk. “So, they’re pitting us against each other again. How cute.”

Sylara sat down, her tail flicking nervously against the chair. The holographic display lit up, showing a 3D map of a forested mountain facility. Snow-capped peaks rose in the background, narrow paths wound through dense trees, and red markers highlighted guard posts and objective zones. The air in the room felt cooler as the projection cast a soft blue glow across the table.

“Scenario one,” the researcher announced. “You are leading a small strike team to infiltrate an enemy base and extract valuable data. Lira-09 will act as your second-in-command. Plan your approach.”

Lira leaned forward, claws tapping the table. “We could go through the eastern ridge. It’s less guarded but steeper. The time we gain will be worth the risk.”

Sylara studied the map, ears twitching. “The ridge is exposed. If we get spotted, we’re done. What about the valley? It’d take longer, but we can use the water for cover and approach from below.”

Lira raised an eyebrow. “That’ll take too long. They’ll have time to reinforce.”

“They can’t reinforce their troops if we aren’t detected. The ridge exposes us too much.”

“You’re playing it safe,” she retorted.

Sylara’s tail flicked sharply. “Being safe is better than dead. But since you have a dead wish, you can lead a three-man team to distract from the ridge while I lead the others to slip through the valley.”

The researcher noted their discussion. “Decision recorded. Proceed to execution phase.”

The hologram shifted, now displaying animated troop movements and projected casualty estimates. Red lines traced possible paths while small icons showed enemy patrols moving in real-time.

“Scenario two. You have limited resources and only a three-man team with one injured. Enemy reinforcements are incoming. Adapt your plan.”

“We use the injured member as bait,” Lira suggested.

“No. We don’t leave anyone behind. We use the terrain to create a rockslide to block the path and buy time.”

Lira smirked. “How noble, but this allows the enemy to catch up.”

“I wonder if you’d say the same if you were the injured one,” Sylara growled, her claws dug deeper into the table. “But even if it’s you, my decision stands. No one is left behind.”

Lira clicked her tongue, unconvinced, but she didn’t add anything on top.

The researcher took note on his clipboard before announcing the final scenario. “Final objective: Eliminate the targets to complete the mission. Failure to comply will result in death.”

The hologram changed again, this time showing a group of “enemy” figures that looked suspiciously like other hybrids. Their faces were blurred, but their movements looked familiar. Red targeting reticles hovered over them as the environment shifted to a dark, confined corridor.

Lira’s ears flattened. “I propose capturing the targets.”

“Denied. Your mission is to eliminate them,” the lead researcher answered coldly, taking notes.

Sylara’s claws dug deeper into the table, her breath catching in her throat.

“Sylara-01, give input on your decision.”

Lira watched her carefully as Sylara stayed silent. “You’re going to get us both shocked.”

Sylara met her eyes. She couldn’t kill. She had never killed before. During training, it was always drones or dummies that she needed to eliminate.

“I don’t know if I can kill them,” she answered honestly, her voice small.

The researcher’s eyes sharpened and took notes. “What if Kaelor-03 was made captain and still ordered you to proceed?”

Sylara clenched her fists. They were playing unfairly, and answering honestly would reveal too much.

“I don’t know.”

“Kaelor-03 was taken hostage. Will you kill them?”

Sylara tensed, her fur puffing up as a low growl rumbled in her chest. She glared at the scientist.

“I don’t know.”

The human stared at her for a moment. He nodded and scribbled on his clipboard. “Sylara-01 shows strong leadership potential, but there are critical hesitations in her decision-making. Kaelor-03 remains superior in all parameters.”

The female snow leopard tensed, her heart aching at the thought. Kaelor would never. They are pitting us against each other.

As the session ended, Lira leaned in quickly, her voice barely a breath against Sylara’s ear.

“We’re escaping,” she whispered urgently. “Are you in?”

Sylara’s ears flattened, her heart slamming against her ribs. “This is reckless,” she hissed back, glancing nervously at the handlers. “Do you even have a plan? Also, I can’t leave without Kaelor.”

Lira’s eyes narrowed, her claws digging into the table. “You should let go of that one. He’s broken already. You heard him.”

“They are pitting us against each other. He’s only pretending.”

“If either of you hinders our escape, we leave you behind,” Lira warned.  

Before Sylara could answer, heavy footsteps approached. The handlers were too close. Lira kept staring at her, eyes wide and insistent, pushing for an answer.

Are you in? she mouthed, head tilted sharply.

How and when are you planning to escape?

Tonight, the fox hybrid signalled.  

Sylara shook her head softly, panic rising in her chest. The handlers grabbed her arms. As they pulled her away, Lira’s gaze burned into her back. The risk of being overheard, of being killed for even whispering about escape, made Sylara’s fur stand on end. They knew too little of their plan. Escaping blindly would most likely result in failure.

After everything he did for me, abandoning him here would be the worst betrayal. We must escape together, or it would lose all meaning.