Jia was feeling pretty good about herself as she jogged toward the next checkpoint. They’d tied the score, and she was more confident this was an exercise in flexible thinking. That would play to her team’s skills. Erik had good tactical instincts and more experience, but they would only serve him so well in a battle against murder pandas and teddy swarms.
Movement to her side caught her attention. It was Erik and Kant, about fifty meters away.
“They’re close,” Anne noted.
“Race to the final checkpoint?” Jia mused.
She couldn’t take the chance, so she sped up, sprinting at full speed. Anne matched her movement. Erik and Kant quickened their pace, but while both men were fast, they were built for strength, not speed, which allowed Jia and Anne to widen their lead over several seconds.
