She was right. Though undetectable while the helmet was on, the modification was readily apparent when viewed from this vantage.
“Zur!” I beamed.
“Yes, Commander.”
“Spread this order. All training in this bay is to cease. All Warriors are to remove their echo helmets. Immediately.”
I passed the helmet to my staff and waited for the Warriors below to comply with my orders. Within moments, they were all standing with faces upturned toward our position. I stepped to the edge of the walkway.
“The trainer of this Warrior will present himself to me immediately,” I announced.
“Commander,” Tur-Kam said, quietly stepping to my side, “If there is to be a duel, I would request permission to represent the Empire. This incident is a reflection on all trainers and therefore on me. I would therefore ask preference of challenge.”
“I disagree, Commander,” said Zah-Rah stepping to my other side. “This Warrior is in my strike team. If preference of challenge is to be awarded, it should be mine.”
“Your opinions are noted,” I replied. “Return to your places..”
The trainer was approaching as they complied with my order. I took the echo helmet from Raht and passed it to her.
“Examine this helmet,” I ordered.
She took the helmet and examined it closely.
“With your permission, Commander?” she asked.
She stepped to the edge of the walkway and beckoned to one of the Warriors below, presumably her second-in-command.
We waited as the Warrior hastened to join us. The entire episode was potentially quite serious. The trainers are a privileged subgroup of the Warriors, but there is a price for their status. They are responsible for everything that takes place during training.