Orion Protected

by J. N. Chaney

  We were nearly finished setting up our fighting pit when the first onlookers appeared. It was Meenaz and Doctor Allbright, the latter with a look of concern on her face, along with dozens of others.

  “You two know what you’re doing?” she asked. “I mean, we have enough issues without you two going at it and someone breaking a bone.”

  “It’s all in good fun,” I said, grinning cheekily. “I’m not going to hurt him... too bad.”

  “You two be sure that you don’t,” Doctor Allbright said with a scowl. “You think these medical supplies get delivered to us on a daily basis? We have a very limited amount.” While I understood her concern, I still wanted to go ahead with the fight, if only to provide a little entertainment for the colonists who led such austere lives.

  More and more people found their way through the tent alleyways to gather around us. Some of the tension about the upcoming mission left me and I felt a familiar thrill work its way through my veins.

  “Is Lou doing this?” I asked as people squeezed in, cheering and smiling as they tried to get a view of what was about to happen.

  “Oh yeah,” Meenaz said with a smirk. “He’s going tent by tent, telling everyone there’s about to be the fight of the century.”

  “He would have made one heck of a promoter on Earth,” John said with a huff. “Could have used him then.” We both chuckled at this assessment of Lou’s promoting abilities.

  “What’s going on here?” Stacy’s voice cut through the mob. “Dean, what are you doing?”

  Uh-oh. I winced when I heard her voice. Not because she was going to tell us to stop, but because she was probably right about it.

  Stacy appeared next to Meenaz and Doctor Allbright a moment later, her right eyebrow raised with a disapproving look.

  “Dean, is this what it looks like?” Stacy asked, hands on her hips.

  “Well, if it looks like I’m about to put your Civil Authority Officer over there in a world of hurt, then yes,” I said while John snorted with derision at the comment.

  More and more people pressed in, excited to see two gladiators go at it, a bit of nostalgia for them. It was the closest thing we had had to entertainment since we crash-landed.

  “Dean, I’m going to have to stop this,” Stacy said, shaking her head. “Officer Bowers, stand down. There’s not going to be a fight today.”

  At her words, the crowd started booing.

  Jezra appeared a moment later. To my surprise, the kooky old bat started a chant. That crazy Remboshi was always surprising me. She lifted a three-fingered fist in the air and led a chant of “Let the humans fight. Let the humans fight.”

  The survivors laughed raucously at the chant but soon joined in.

  I shrugged, looking over at Stacy questioningly with my eyebrow and the side of my mouth raised.

  “The people want what the people want,” I said over the chanting of the crowd. “Come on. One fight. We won’t do any serious damage.”

  Stacy rolled her eyes then looked at the eager faces and nodded in assent. “Okay,” she said reluctantly.

  A cheer went up from the crowd.

  “But,” Stacy said, lifting her hands, “if we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it right.”

  Everyone, including me, looked at her in confusion.

  “Follow me,” Stacy said. “I have an idea.”

  6

  Stacy didn’t just have an idea, she had a vision. The fight was moved over to the courtyard just inside the front gate. Word spread like wildfire until what seemed like every single colonist was gathered around us. From the catwalk on the wall to the ground around a rough pit that had been made for us, people packed in to see the spectacle.

  Everyone pitched in, eager to see a fight between two real gladiators. A few even remembered me, not by face but by name. “Steel Hands” had been a catchy title my coach gave to me as we came up in the industry. It was easy to remember and stuck with people.

  A pit was set up, lined with rocks as a border. I was provided with not only gloves but shorts to wear, as was John. Everywhere I looked, I saw excited faces filled with anticipation of the bout that was going to occur.

  Maybe you should have done this before, I thought to myself. With all that these people have been through, isn’t it worth it to provide a little entertainment? If you can make them forget the dire situation they’re in even for a few minutes, you should. You can give them that if nothing else.

  The twin suns still shone overhead. It was hot, but I had been getting used to it, my body acclimating to the heat.

  To my surprise, the head of the scientific department aboard the Orion, Doctor Wong, stepped into the ring with a whistle in one hand and a timer in the other.

  “Big fan of the fights,” he said, winking at me. “I’ve always wanted to be in the pit.”

  Before I could respond to that shocker of a comment, he announced in a loud voice so all could hear,” Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us in this exhibition fight. In the far corner, we have Civil Authority Officer John ‘Bones’ Bowers, protector of walls, defender against the legion, and hero of men!”

  The crowd laughed at the introduction and then cheered for John.

  “In the close corner,” Doctor Wong continued, “we have Dean ‘Steel Hands’ Slade, gladiator champion, chosen by the Remboshi and keeper of wolves!”

  More cheers. I could have sworn even Mutt let out a howl.

  “Rounds will go five minutes until we have a winner by knockout or submission,” Doctor Wong said, all business in the middle of the pit. “Gladiators, if you want to touch gloves, do so now and start swinging!”

  I looked over at Stacy, who gave me a wink, apparently caught up in the moment along with everyone else. I couldn’t detect any worry or anxiety in her expression and that pleased me. If this fight did that, even just for a little bit, it would be well worth it.

  I walked to the center of the pit, offering my gloves forward. John tapped them with his own.

  His face was serious and focused. He was determined. There was no doubt in my mind he was taking this fight seriously, as was I. We wanted to provide the best fight possible for the crowd’s sake, but also because we had each been professionals and took pride in our sport.

  I stepped back, calming myself. I needed to be focused and ready. This wasn’t any kind of pit I had fought in in a traditional sense, but it still felt like home.

  I lifted my gloved hands in front of me as Doctor Wong blew his whistle, signaling us to begin.

  I jogged forward lightly on my toes. I moved this way and that, studying my opponent. John was a trained gladiator and larger than I was. This wasn’t going to be easy.

  We traded a series of blows, measuring each other’s reach and power. Every time we did, the fans erupted in shouts and cheers. It was so loud Legion had to hear us outside of our walls.

  I hoped he could. I hoped he heard every shout of excitement, every laugh and cry of joy. If he thought he had crushed our spirits, this would tell him a different story.

  These thoughts were here one second and gone the next as John landed a left to my torso, then kicked out with a shot to the left side of my head.

  I moved my hand up in time to block the blow and moved away smoothly. The sport and all my technique came back to me, like an old friend.

  We went on like that for a few more exchanges until I felt confident I knew how far he could reach and how I was going to get inside his guard.

  Before I could make my assault, John came at me again. He disguised his take down with a series of punches then ultimately wrapped me around the waist and drove me to the ground.

  Instead of trying to fight to keep my feet, I let him slam me to the floor, focusing on gaining the position I wanted once we were down. John hammered me into the ground so hard, my teeth rattled.

  I secured his right arm with both of my own, twisting my body hard to get my leg across his chest and set up the arm bar.

  The colonists
cheered seeing me taken to the ground but went wild after I secured John’s arm. There were screams of my name and John’s as they took sides.

  The gloves we wore were padded on the knuckles but were left open for our fingers to poke through. John fought like a wild man to get back to his feet while hammering at me with his left fist.

  I took a hard blow across my temple and another to my left eye, which started to swell. My cut from earlier that day had broken open as well and a fresh wave of blood fell down my face, hampering my vision further as it fell into my eyes. John could hit me all he wanted, with all he had. I wasn’t going to give up—not easily, not at all.

  I could hear Mutt barking loudly and wildly somewhere in the crowd, as if he too was cheering me on.

  John staggered to his feet with me still holding onto his right arm. Both of my own arms secured his with my legs across his chest. This way, I could crank back on his arm, forcing him to give in.

  My plan was solid, except for the fact that John was stronger than I’d given him credit for. The large gladiator heaved me off the floor, while I was still holding onto his arm, then he slammed me down headfirst into the hard dirt ground.

  Stars exploded in my head as a wave of dizziness overtook me. I let go not by choice but by pure chance. My hands slipped off him, but not before I heard a pop. John roared in pain.

  I knew I had dislocated his elbow, but that didn’t mean the fight was over. I ignored the pain and stars exploding across my vision while gaining my feet once more, wobbling slightly as I stood up.

  John’s right harm hung uselessly by his side. He came at me again with his left, connecting with my body so hard the air was ripped from my lungs. I took the pain and laid into him, intent to win.

  I didn’t want to permanently injure the guy. I stayed away from his hurt arm and instead overwhelmed him with a flurry of punches to his jaw, temple, and gut.

  He was staggering by the time Doctor Wong blew the whistle.

  Another cheer went up from the crowd as I backed off. We were both a mess with cuts and bruises, but he had the more serious injuries between the two of us with his elbow out of joint. We both panted as we looked down at his arm.

  “Looks like a draw to me,” I gasped, placing my hands over my head in an attempt to put less pressure on my lungs. “If you fight half as hard against Legion, we’re not going to have a problem.”

  John looked at me sideways, then spat out a wad of thick blood.

  “For those of you who couldn’t hear, Dean has offered a draw to John!” Doctor Wong yelled. “He says they should save the fight for Legion!”

  For a such little guy, Doctor Wong had quite the voice when he wanted.

  John slowly nodded then grabbed my outstretched hand with his left.

  The crowd went bananas as we stood in the middle of the ring and both of us lifted our hands into the air together.

  Everyone rushed past the perimeter of our made-up ring, cheering. They understood everything. We could have gone at each other for a few more rounds at least, before someone gave in or was knocked out. Even with his elbow dislocated, John hadn’t been about to give up.

  A draw made the most sense all the way around. Besides, we both knew that I’d pulled my punches at the end. That was enough for me.

  Amidst the slaps on the back I received, I made my way over to Stacy. She was trying to hide her smile and feign irritation but failing miserably.

  I was sweaty from the fight with blood still coming down in a few different places on my face. I went to her with my arms wide.

  “No, don’t you dare hug me all sweaty—”

  Her words ended in a grimace as I wrapped her in a bear hug, deciding I didn’t care who saw.

  “You’re crazy. You know that, right?” Stacy asked, laughing out loud. “There’s something wrong with you.”

  “Oh, I know,” I said, releasing her. “I think there’s something wrong with all of us. Who signs up to travel to a different planet to start over?”

  Stacy didn’t have an answer, but in that moment, we were interrupted by a scream. Doctor Allbright set John’s elbow back in place as he bellowed to the open alien sky above.

  “The things we do to entertain others,” I said, chuckling a little at the expense of my friend and his pain.

  “Are you still going to be able to go out tonight?” Stacy asked. “I’ve been briefed on your plan. I’m going with you.”

  “I knew you would be,” I said, making my way from the courtyard through our tent city. “I’d like to take John and Lou also, if that’s okay with you.”

  “Lou?” Stacy asked as we smiled and waved to the well-wishers who had seen the fight. They waved back excitedly, reminding of the days when fans had acted similarly. “Why Lou?”

  “First of all, he was crazy enough to volunteer,” I said. “Also, he’s already proven himself reliable in the field.”

  “Okay, we’ll take Lou, John, you and I, Tong, and the Rung,” Stacy said, listing off the members of our group. “I’m going to make sure we’re supplied before we leave. Get yourself cleaned up and meet me by the vehicles.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I said.

  A quick shower and a run-through at the cafeteria tent later, I was on my way to meet Stacy and the others. The vehicles we brought back from the Cerberus Installation were located on the right side of our compound and placed under heavy guard.

  The ignition mechanisms were created so it would take a handprint to drive the vehicles. Still, Stacy didn’t want to take any chances that they might be stolen. They and the weapons were the best chance we had at defeating Legion. We couldn’t afford to lose a single one of them.

  The predators were large-wheeled vehicles with room for a driver and passenger up front. A heavy machine gun sat in the rear, where there was room for another gunner.

  If we were all going to fit into these vehicles, we’d have to bring two of them. I caught sight of Stacy gearing up along with Lou. Tong and the bound Sulk stood beside them. Tong had wrapped a cloak on Sulk to disguise him. There was no point in bringing more attention than necessary.

  Those inside the wall were in a good mood after the exhibition, but who knew how’d they react if given to access to a member of the race who created the Legion virus in the first place. These weren’t the times to tempt fate.

  Stacy and Lou put on the white Remboshi scale armor. Their helmets with the two breathing vents at the bottom clipped onto their belts. Stacy hefted a Judge handgun she placed in a holster at her hip.

  Lou stood by the crate of armor, doing his best to look like he knew what he was doing. It was the first time he’d worn the new armor and it looked like he was having some difficulty getting it on.

  “Need a hand?” I asked, heading over. Not waiting for him to say yes, I showed him how the vambraces were clipped onto his forearms.

  “Thank you,” Lou said, moving in the armor as he tested the weight. “It looks like it should weigh a ton, but I barely feel it.”

  “Remboshi technology,” Tong said with a slight smile. “The best there is.”

  The Rung spy, Sulk, laughed out loud.

  Tong and Sulk went at it in a verbal dispute, talking excitedly, with Tong waving his arms.

  I looked over at Stacy as I clipped on my own gear.

  “Tong, what’s he saying?” Stacy asked in a concerned tone.

  “He says the Rung have far superior weapons now, suits of armor that grant the wearer god-like abilities,” Tong said. “He says they were overrun before they were able to use them. If we can recapture them, Legion won’t stand a chance.”

  “Well, let’s get these god-like power suits back and take it to them,” John said, joining the group. “I’m ready for another fight.”

  7

  We took two predators, armed to the teeth. In one, John drove with Lou sitting next to him, and Stacy was on the Blood Shot 2000 mounted on the rear of the vehicle.

  In the other, I took the wheel with Sulk sitting hand
cuffed beside me and Tong on the Blood Shot. Mutt had tried to insist on coming, but I’d talked the big guy out of it. Things were stressed at best between us and the Rung. As much as I loved the dog, I realized he’d add another element of hardship to the mission.

  He seemed kind of pissed at first, but after a few belly rubs and promises I’d be back soon, he lightened up. The biscuit I saved for him from my midday meal might have helped as well.

  I knew Ricky and Boss Creed would look after him while I was gone. Not that Mutt needed much looking after to begin with. He was an extremely intelligent dog with finely honed survival instincts. He often looked after the humans on the planet, as evidenced by his actions upon the appearance of Sulk.

  We headed out from the compound as the twin suns disappeared over the horizon. John took the lead in his predator and I followed.

  Sulk was secured with a pair of cuffs on his wrists that connected to the dash in front of him. He’d made no protest to being restrained that I was aware of. Maybe he was cooperating because he knew we were there to help. At least I hoped so. I really was in no mood for any unhappy surprises.

  My senses were on overdrive. When we rolled out the twin gates of the compound, there wasn’t so much as a call or screech from the jungle to the north. I had no doubt in my mind Legion was watching us. What he was deciding to do with this turn of events was yet to be seen.

  We traveled quickly; the predators’ large off-road tires ate up the ground underneath us. Their heavy-duty lights cut through the darkness like a beacon and I swept my gaze from left to right searching for threats.

  Sulk said something in his language and Tong responded.

  “Hey, in English, so the non-gecko people can understand,” I said.

  “Sulk is giving us instructions on where to go,” Tong said with a heavy sigh. “He said there is a narrow canyon that cuts through the mountains to the east. How have we come to this?”

  “What do you mean?” I asked. If Tong was concerned, so was I. His opinion had become valuable and I trusted his insights, especially when it came to a member of the Rung.