Captain Price walked beside the principal, his boots making a dull thud against the polished tile floor. The air smelled faintly of disinfectant and school lunches, a stark contrast to the environments he was used to. Students passed by, some stealing curious glances at the soldiers patrolling the halls, others too preoccupied with their own conversations to notice.

The principal adjusted his glasses as they approached the gym. "We’ve got the juniors and seniors lined up for the self-defense session," he explained. "However, one class will be late. Their teacher needed to speak with them privately."

Price gave a slow nod, his expression unreadable. "Any idea what it’s about?"

The principal hesitated. "Only the teacher and students know."

Price exchanged a glance with one of the nearby officers, but he didn’t press further, he had learned to read between the lines. Whatever it was, it wasn’t his business unless it became one.. "Alright. We’ll wait."

Inside the gym, a few officers and soldiers were already standing near the mats, their arms crossed as they waited for the session to begin. Some students were stretching, others whispering among themselves, clearly curious about what they were about to learn.

Leaning against the wall, Price crossed his arms, watching the empty hallway. Laswell’s voice crackled through his earpiece. "Looks like babysitting duty today, Price."

He smirked slightly, keeping his voice low. "Aye, but if it keeps ‘em alive, I’ll take it."