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She was tired.  It had been a long day at the Military Centre.  But she was not so tired that she couldn't detect the nefarious energy in the Brass Monkey.  Lecherous eyes, weird smells to the smoke, aggressive voices in the ambience - [Colour=Pink][i]Have I come to the right place?  Is this really it?[/i][/colour]

It was the place.  In a recpetion area adjacent to the tavern taproom, MacKensie found a wiry old man who looked her up and down with dispassion as he placed his hands on the desk.  MacKensie noticed the Source Crystal on the back of his left hand.

"What?"

[Colour=Pink]"Umm..."[/colour]  Clearly not the polite type.  [Colour=Pink]"I'm here to use the training grounds."[/colour]

"Class and Tier?"

[Colour=Pink]"Ranger.  Silv- no, Gold."[/colour]

A single eye of the old man narrowed with suspicion, but his expression told her that he quickly decided he didn't care if she was lying.  He waved his hand to follow and made for another door at the back of the reception room.  MacKensie tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear and tentatively followed.  They eventually ended up in a long hall that was much like a garden room extension of a house.  Through the long line of large windows, MacKensie could see the training grounds, the targets, the combat dummies, the obstacle courses and much more.  Within the hall, there were many machines and computers sporting that distinct Mytherian look: Stone blocks with magical screens overlaying them, gold plating and piping covering what must have been the wiring.  Even after being in Valhiem for this long, the french heiress was still in awe of it all.

"We'd ordinarily charge," the old man said.  "But the bosses are gone, the city's a hair's breadth from destruction and business has been shit this last week.  And most pertinently..." he looked at her grimly.  "...I'm bored."  MacKensie smiled nervously.  "So you're in luck."  She nodded eagerly.  He explained that he was about to set all electrical, mechanical and magical settings to Gold Class but warned her, "It won't be easy, if you're lying about being Gold Tier.  This place can and [i]will[/i] try to hurt you.  Kill you, if it can.  Are you sure you want Gold?"

[Colour=Pink]"Yes please,"[/colour] MacKensie answered.  Memories of Second Chance's last mission flashed through her mind - the Greater Wraith and the Listener. Zigmund the metal ninja.  Second Chance may be Silver Tier officially, but they were clearly more powerful than their rank suggested.  [Colour=Pink]"I think I'm up to the challenge."[/colour]

"Suit yourself.  Should make a good show, at least."

He turned to a stone computer and began inputting commands with his fingers on the strange screen that hovered a few millimetres above the surface.  When he was done, before he had a chance to speak, MacKensie went first.  [Colour=Pink]"I am MacKensie.  MacKensie Trydant."[/colour]  She offered her hand.  He looked at it for a second, then decided on giving her a weak handshake.

"Septimus the Soundless."

MacKensie gave a small smile of appreciation.  She was glad to know who she was dealing with, good etiquette ingrained in her upbringing. With a gesture, he showed her the door she was to go through and she obliged, stepping out into the crisp evening air of the yard.  There were a few branching paths from here, but the one that drew her attention was the most difficult-looking.  Her sharp eyes looked down what was an obstacle course of sorts, with balance beams along the course, hampered by swinging weights that would knock her off if she wasn't careful.  She also noted the pillars with bolt-firing mechanisms and the targets - both moving and stationary - dotted along the way.

This was exactly what she needed.  Those regular archery ranges at the Military Centre were nothing compared to this.

"When you're ready, MacKensie Trydant."  Septimus' words came from speakers in surround sound.  She looked back at him, seeing him at the computer, watching her through the window.  She nodded, then looked back at her chosen path with determination.

[Colour=Pink][i]Calm. Focus.  Don't forget to breathe.[/i][/colour]