The steady hum of the treadmill beneath my feet matched the rhythm of my breathing, my legs burning as I pushed through the incline. The screen blinked at 12%—more of a hike than a run, but I liked it that way. Three miles per hour, slow enough to stay in control, but tough enough to make me feel it. I glanced up at the TV hanging in front of me, catching a glimpse of the news before quickly tuning out.

Dick was next to me on my right, his pace more relaxed, but his attention was locked on the larger screen. He was always alert, scanning headlines, waiting for something to go wrong in the world so he could jump into action. I smirked. Even on quiet days, he couldn't turn it off. Wally was on the other treadmill on my left just listening to music

I had YouTube running on my phone, earbuds in, listening to a random playlist—anything more entertaining than watching the endless cycle of grim headlines.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Gar and Vic, racing each other on the treadmills a few rows down, both grinning like kids on a playground. Every few minutes, they'd bump shoulders, making a competition out of it. In the corner of the gym, Kori and Donna were sparring, fluid movements that made it more dance than fight. Their laughter punctuated the air every now and then, mixing with the sounds of the equipment.

I hadn’t seen Garth in a bit but figured he was probably in the pool. Rachel had likely found some quiet corner to meditate in, staying out of the chaos for now.

It had been a quiet week at the Tower—no big missions, no emergencies—just training, routines, and the occasional bit of chaos among friends.