THE ALL-PRO (Galactic Football League)

by Scott Sigler

  Yolanda nodded. “Does a loss like this impact the franchise in a negative way?”

  Quentin stood and stared down at her. He shook his head, then leaned in close again. “Nothing can stop us,” he said. “We’ll be back. The Ionath Krakens are on a collision course with a GFL title. The only variable is time. And you can quote me on that.”

  He started to gently push past her, but she stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

  “Look,” he said. “You’re the last person that I want to—”

  She turned off the recorder, put it in her pocket. She waved her hand inward, beckoning him to lean down so she could talk without screaming to be heard over the crowd. What was this?

  He wanted to ignore her, to get out of there, but her eyes — she needed to tell him something. She needed it desperately.

  Quentin leaned in close.

  “I know I made things bad for you,” she said. He felt her breath on his ear. It made the hairs on his neck tingle. “I will make it right. I have news about your sister.”

  He stood up straight, once again staring down at her. She waved him close again. He bent, he listened.

  “She’s safe,” Yolanda said. “I talked to her. I talked to Fred.”

  “Why won’t she contact me?”

  “It’s ... a little complicated,” Yolanda said. “Too much to tell you now, but she’s had men in her life that were rough with her.”

  Rough with her. Quentin had seen his sister just once in the last fifteen years and those words instantly made murder rage through his soul. Someone had hurt his sister? Then that someone would pay.

  “She’s had a lot of trouble in her life,” Yolanda said. “She said she saw what you did at Gredok’s dinner. She doesn’t know if she can handle knowing a brother that is capable of such violence.”

  Quentin closed his eyes. He’d snapped, tried to kill Gredok, beaten Vinje, ruined that HeavyKi’s eyes with a broken chair ... and his sister had seen all of that.

  “Just give her some time,” Yolanda said. “Fred will keep her safe. You just have to be patient, okay?”

  Yolanda’s face seemed beautiful once again. She’d found his sister, ended that mystery. At least for now. Yolanda didn’t have to do that. Or, at least, she didn’t have to do that off the record, not with such a dramatic story waiting to be published.

  Yolanda smiled at him. She turned and walked away.

  A weight had been lifted. His sister ... safe. She was afraid of him, though. That was bad, but he could fix it. Just give her some time. Out of all the betrayal he’d faced, all the hurt, it seemed he could still count on Frederico Esteban Giuseppe Gonzaga.

  A true friend.

  Just don’t let her get hurt, Fred. Protect her.

  Quentin headed for the locker room. So much emotion, hard to deal with it all. Later, he would think about how to handle the situation with his sister. It was critical, but even that couldn’t push away his raw feelings at losing to the Wolfpack.

  The loss hurt. Of that there was no question. His life-long quest was pushed out for another year, a year that seemed simultaneously a distant eternity and an enticing tick of the clock away. All that work and preparation, lost.

  No, not lost.

  Not at all.

  All that work and preparation had gotten them here, to this place, so that they could learn this lesson. Learn it from champions.

  They had lost 35-14.

  Not even close.

  That, too, was part of the lesson. He hadn’t led his team well enough to merit anything other than a humiliating 21-point defeat.

  Next year, Quentin Barnes would be ready.

  He would win a title for the fans, for his teammates, for his coach. The only variable was time. But he would also win a title for one more person.

  He would win it for himself.

  BOOK FIVE:

  EPILOGUE

  DIVISIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

  AND THE GALAXY BOWL

  From Galaxy Sports Magazine

  * * *

  DEFENDING CHAMPS MOVE ON, WILL FACE THEMALA

  * * *

  by YOLANDA DAVENPORT

  * * *

  WABASH, FORTRESS, TOWER REPUBLIC — It was experience versus youth and experience won out. With a 35-14 first-round win over the Ionath Krakens, the Wabash Wolfpack moved one step closer to defending their GFL title and becoming the first team to repeat as champions since the Jupiter Jacks did it in ’75 and ’76.

  Wolfpack QB Rich Bennett posted a career day, going 22-for-30 for 285 yards and four touchdowns. Bennett is known more as a game manager than a top-flight quarterback, but on Sunday he was at his best.

  “My receivers just got open,” Bennett said. “All I had to do was stay on my feet and complete passes. Ionath’s secondary is a little banged up and it showed.”

  Wolfpack fullback Ralph Schmeer had the team’s only rushing touchdown, scoring on a 3-yard scamper.

  Ionath quarterback Quentin Barnes, on the other hand, struggled in his first Tier One playoff game. Barnes threw for one touchdown but also three interceptions on 18-of-31 passing.

  “I guess the pressure got to me,” Barnes said. “I didn’t play well at all. We weren’t ready for the intensity of playoff football and it showed. We’ll be back next year and trust me — we’ll be ready.”

  Earlier this year, Barnes and teammate Ju Tweedy were cleared of any wrongdoing in the murder of Grace McDermot, a resident of OS1. McDermot’s real killer was arrested. The GFL absolved Barnes and Tweedy of any responsibility for, or related to, the murder.

  The Themala Dreadnaughts won a 22-20 thriller over the To Pirates, locking up the game on a 56-yard field goal from kicker Michael Bowen as time expired. Themala now travels to Wabash for the Solar Division title and a trip to Galaxy Bowl XXVI on the Planet Yall in the Sklorno Dynasty.

  In the Solar Division, the Neptune Scarlet Fliers manhandled the Bartel Water Bugs 23-17. The game wasn’t as close as the score would indicate, with the Fliers racking up 482 yards of total offense compared to the Bugs 156. Bartel scored their final touchdown with just 17 seconds to play. Neptune recovered the following onsides kick, ending the game.

  Also in the Solar Division, the Jupiter Jacks outlasted the Vik Vanguard in a thriller that saw the lead change hands five times. Jacks quarterback Shriaz Zia played like a Human possessed, throwing for 320 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.

  “Everything just clicked today,” Zia said. “Some days you have it, some days you don’t. Today I had it. Quite frankly, if we play this well offensively in the next two games I think we can go ahead and be fitted for a new ring.”

  The Vanguard managed to completely shut down wide receiver Denver, who had no catches on the game. Jupiter rookies New Delhi and Beaverdam filled the void, however. New Delhi had eight catches for 212 yards and a touchdown, while Beaverdam snagged six passes for 78 yards and one score. Denver’s output inexplicably dropped off in the last three games of the regular season, all losses for Jupiter.

  * * *

  “If we play this well offensively in the next two games I think we can go ahead and be fitted for a new ring.”

  — SHRIAZ ZIA, JUPITER JACKS

  * * *

  In the second round, Jupiter travels to their archrival Neptune. This is the third year in a row that the Jacks and the Fliers meet in the playoffs. Last year, Neptune won 14-10 in the opening round. In 2682, the Jacks won 21-10 en route to the GFL title.

  The winner of Jupiter/Neptune will face the winner of Themala/Wabash for the 2684 GFL title. ■

  * * *

  25

  DIVISIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

  THE MORNING AFTER THE GAME, the Krakens gathered in the dining deck. Not only the entire team of fifty-three players, also Captain Kate, her flight crew and several Krakens administration staffers.

  Coach Hokor had something to say.

  It seemed almost strange to see everyone in street clothes. A few orange and black T-shi
rts and sweatshirts stood out, but most sentients wore the clothes they might wear at home, for any nonfootball function.

  No need for uniforms. As of yesterday, the season was over.

  Even now, after so much time together, the Krakens players gathered in species-specific groups. They sat in their species-defined areas. Starcher and Tara the Freak stood off to the side, a strange group all to themselves, a friendship forged by their common outcast status. That status was fading, however — Tara had earned the respect of his teammates and George’s gloomy nature had mostly vanished. Next year, Tara and George would join Hawick, Milford and Halawa to give Quentin the best receiving corps in the league. Add in a certain All-Pro fullback who could catch spit in the wind, a veteran offensive line that had gelled into a dominant unit and the best running back in the game and Quentin knew no one could stop Ionath’s offensive attack.

  Quentin chose not to sit with the Human players. Instead, he walked to the Quyth Warrior section. A token gesture for forcing them to accept Tara. Choto, Shayat the Thick and Kopor the Climber welcomed him. Virak the Mean just glared. Had Quentin made an enemy of the dangerous linebacker/bodyguard? Only time would tell.

  Conversation died down as Hokor entered, walking side by side with Gredok the Splithead.

  As would be expected, Gredok spoke first.

  “Krakens, I wish to salute you on an exceptional season. We did not win the Galaxy Bowl, something that must be rectified. However, you won eight games, the most since our 9-3 season of 2675, nine years ago. It has also been nine years since we were in the playoffs at all, something else for which you deserve accolades. And, most importantly, you defeated the Wabash Wolfpack. I am not pleased you lost to them in the playoffs, but I can finally say that my team defeated Gloria Ogawa. For this, you shall be rewarded. I will allow you to be pleased and proud of yourselves. Next year, I will accept nothing less than the Galaxy Bowl.”

  Gredok paused, scanning the room, practically daring anyone to contradict him. No one did. The team believed as he believed, that next year in 2685, a Tier One title was theirs for the taking.

  “Galaxy Bowl,” he said again. “And to that effect, I turn things over to Coach Hokor. I must leave you now, Krakens. Know that Hokor has my full confidence and support. Do as he says. I depart to take care of some unfinished business.”

  Gredok turned and walked out. Quentin wondered if that unfinished business involved Frederico. Hopefully, the disguise-happy detective could stay hidden for awhile longer.

  At least until Quentin got his revenge on Gredok.

  “Krakens, attention,” Hokor said. “I will also give you credit for an excellent season. We were not prepared for playoff football. We were not used to a fourteenth week of practice. We were not mentally ready for the intensity. To help us prepare for next year, I will tell you now that our current season is not over.”

  He let the words sink in. The Krakens players looked at each other, confused. Quentin didn’t bother to look around — he already understood what Hokor was doing and he approved.

  “It would be a five-day trip home,” Hokor said. “Today is Monday. We would not arrive until Friday. The Wolfpack play the Dreadnaughts on Sunday, right here, on the planet Fortress far below our feet. Had we defeated the Wolfpack, we would be practicing right now. All week. And if we had defeated the Dreadnaughts in the second round, we would practice the week after that as well. That is exactly what we are going to do — we are going to practice as if we were moving on to the second round.”

  Quentin felt an unexpected thrill. He didn’t have to leave the Touchback yet. He could keep playing, keep practicing. Some of his teammates didn’t feel the same, as evidenced by moans and curses.

  “You all stay here,” Hokor said. “No exceptions. We will not practice full-contact, but we will practice every day as if we were still in the playoffs. We will travel down to Wabash stadium together, exactly as we would if we were playing. We will sit in the stands, together, we will talk to each other about what the teams are doing right, what we have to do right next year to be down on the field. And after Sunday, we will all stay on the Touchback and practice until it is time to travel to Yall, as if we were playing in the Galaxy Bowl. Again, we’ll go down to the surface of Yall together, just like we would for the real thing. We will watch the championship together. This will help us learn how to deal with the fatigue of an extra three weeks of playoff football. At this time next year, we will be ready.”

  The groaning continued. Players wanted to go home, see their families.

  Quentin stood. The moaning stopped.

  “This is a good plan,” he said to the team. “Coach is right. We lost to Wabash because we weren’t ready. For the next two weeks, you will all think of what it would feel like to still be playing, to be headed to the championship game. It’s two more weeks. And you better get used to a longer season, because next year?” He looked around the room, staring at each player for just a moment, using a long pause to catch every eye.

  “Next year, we’ll be ready. Next year, this will be for real. For now, we’ll practice, as a team. We’ll watch Wabash play Themala, as a team. And as a team, we’ll travel to the Galaxy Bowl on Yall ... together. We’ll watch that game ... together.”

  He looked back to Hokor, then sat, silently turning control back to the coach.

  “Thank you, Barnes,” Hokor said. “Krakens, go suit up, no pads today. Report to the practice field in thirty minutes.”

  From LeeKee Galaxy Times

  * * *

  Upsets pit Themala against Jupiter for GFL Title

  by KELP BRINGER

  WABASH, FORTRESS, TOWER REPUBLIC — A shockingly dominant defensive performance pushed Themala into the GFL title game. In Wabash, the Dreadnaughts didn’t give up a single touchdown en route to a 24-7 upset over the defending champion Wolfpack. Wabash’s only score came on an interception return by safety Mississauga late in the third quarter.

  “We soundly defeated their offense,” said Themala linebacker Tibi the Unkempt. “Our game plan worked well. They could not run. They could not pass. Therefore, we won the game.”

  In an inexplicable offensive meltdown, Wabash picked up only six first downs the entire game. The Wolfpack failed to convert a single third-down opportunity.

  “Our punter was our star player,” said Wolfpack coach Alan Roark. “Anytime you say that, you’re in trouble and doubly so in the playoffs. We’re going to have to watch the game-holo and figure out why we couldn’t make anything happen. We got whipped today and that’s that.”

  For the 2684 title, the Dreadnaughts face off against the Jupiter Jacks. Jupiter defeated archrival Neptune in a 36-33 double-overtime thriller.

  In what proved to be the longest game in GFL history, the Jacks finally won on a 17-yard field goal by kicker Jack Burrill, which was set up on a 42-yard pass from quarterback Shriaz Zia to wide receiver Denver. Denver was shut down for most of the game. She caught only two passes on the day, the other being for just one yard early in the second quarter. Denver has been under fire in the media as of late following her poor performances in the last three games of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs.

  “She got open when it mattered,” Zia said. “We snuck out of Neptune with a win and we’re headed to the Galaxy Bowl.”

  This will be Jupiter’s fifth appearance in the championship game. The Jacks have three GFL titles.

  This is Themala’s first-ever trip to the title game. The Dreadnaughts and the Wolfpack also met in last year’s Planet Division finals, a game Wabash won 17-7 en route to claiming the GFL title.

  * * *

  26

  GALAXY BOWL

  QUENTIN KEPT HIS EYES CLOSED. His hands gripped the puke bucket. He waited for the inevitable. Last week, John had decorated the golden bucket with a Themala Dreadnaughts sticker even though the Touchback had stayed in orbit above Fortress and hadn’t entered punch space. On Monday, after the Dreadnaughts had upset the Wolfpack
in the second round of the playoffs, John had added stickers for both teams in the championship game — Themala’s red, yellow and brown “TD” as well as the silver, gold and bronze logo of the Jupiter Jacks.

  As a team, the Krakens traveled to Planet Yall, to the city of Virilliville, home of Galaxy Bowl XXVI.

  “Hey, Q,” John said. “How’s that tummy?”

  Quentin kept his eyes shut. He shook his head. The shimmer was coming any moment now. He tried to concentrate, to see if this time he might avoid the motion sickness. “John, just shut up.”

  John breathed deeply through his nose. “Hey, do you smell that? Smells like ... like a Ki splatterfart hitting a wet, dirty ashtray.”

  Quentin’s stomach roiled. “John, knock it off.”

  “Oh! Now I know what it smells like,” John said. “Like rotten shushuliks in a hot, musty dumpster. Man, imagine how those would taste, Q.”

  Quentin was already throwing up when the shimmer hit.

  He coughed, wiped his mouth, opened his eyes.

  YOU PUKE LIKE A LITTLE GIRL scrolled across John’s smiling face.

  “John, you’re an idiot.”

  The big linebacker smiled with satisfaction. “He who laughs last gets the spoils, Q. Remember I said that.”

  “Oh, I will.”

  Quentin lifted the plastic bag, tied it off and set it back in the bucket. He looked to the observation deck’s crysteel windows.

  Like the last trip to Yall, excited Sklorno packed the left and right windows. They jumped, chirped, pushed and pulled at each other. They left the center window unobstructed, however — a kind gesture for their resident “Godling.”