After lunch, Tirinia, Mikaen, and Jeronem headed toward the arena in the west wing of the palace. As they neared the entrance, Tirinia asked, “So you and the Cygros started this game on Earth?”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3c085crDj3
“Kind of,” replied Mikaen, raising his voice to be heard over the crowd, “It was more of a training exercise.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCjOnGEWH8
“I've never seen a slamm game before.” Jeronem yawned again; he had been sound asleep through most of the Council. “Not live, anyway.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnJUFkmjL1
“I have.” Tirinia said, her voice charged with excitement, “My mother played on the Akxeliv Alliance when Teria and I were little. She always thought I'd make a good blader, but dad thought I'd be great as guardian.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOerWkEoXX
“I bet so.” said Mikaen, eyeing her well-developed calf and arm muscles.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡsizL6XrLU9
She blushed, no doubt sensing the direction his thoughts lay. There was something else, though; something that had been bothering her since he picked her up to go to the game. He didn't know if it was an effect of the bond between them or just his intuition, but he was pretty sure whatever it was concerned her sister and One.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9xD4cYqwJ
Tirinia pursed her lips. “It's fine. I'm fine. Teria just needed to rest, that's all.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXxGou02SY
“I didn't say-”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lgz6nwy8q
Tirinia gave him a peck on the cheek. “You didn't have to. Don't worry, love. She'll get it worked out.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2AeGErE5Y
As they neared one of the ticket stall, the idestan vendor smiled at them. “Greetings, honored Council representatives. How can I help you?”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxVVekqfnj
“How much for three tickets?” Mikaen asked, digging in his pocket for some shards.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnEuWLStj0
The ticket-tender shook her head. “No charge. You'll be sitting in the Royal Box.” She spun on her chair and pointed to the doors of a nearby lift, saying, “Go to the fifth floor, go right, and take the fifth door on the left. It's the one with the guards, so it'll be hard to miss.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡU13vgK9Hpe
“Thank you.” Mikaen said politely.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNMCJ0W9fj
Once they were in the elevator, Jeronem nudged Mikaen in the waist. “She was checkin' you out, Mikey.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡttG8XDTP7d
Mikaen bristled. “Don't call me that.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2eUxuEHc4
“Why not? You were just thinking about it.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTRIvAIrKY
“He was just thinking about Maria.” Tirinia told Jeronem. “That's what she used to call him. Besides, Mikaen's engaged.” she grabbed Mikaen's arm and hugged it tightly to her chest.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdrsmp5gfd
Jeronem gave her an apologetic look. “Sorry about that, Tirinia, but didn't his old boss call him 'Mikey' too?”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5fI0MdEtq
“Syrin only called him that when they were in private, and only because they were close friends.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpjA7OaQfU
Jeronem crossed his arms, an offended look on his face. “So I'm not a friend now?”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡP18gtuGyKV
“Of course you are, Jeronem. I'm just saying that-”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe11W1NaGh
Mikaen let out a sigh. “I remember when I used to be involved in my own conversations.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡApGUZOI9FY
Tirinia blushed. “Oh! I'm sorry, sweetie.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uZbLsGr1q
“Hey.” He told her, rubbing her cheek. “You can call me Mikey if you really want … just not around the kid.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNEoOBpCM5
“Hey!” Jeronem's furry ears bristled as they kissed.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnuAhtpZD4
As they walked out of the lift into a lavishly decorated corridor, Mikaen asked, “So, how exactly is slamm played anyway?”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHzXTkqzMr
Tirinia gave him an odd look. “Don't you know? I thought you and Jyle invented the sport.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aeFy3hYF3
“We invented the training exercise, not the game,” he reminded her, “Back home, we had a game called football that originated from soldiers kicking around a severed head on the battlefield.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yqy8I2yHF
Jeronem's eyes went wide. “Awesome!”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFncDgx3Qk
Tirinia, on the other hand, looked a little disturbed.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQuJv2MM0r
“Centuries ago.” he assured her, “We didn't come up with that one.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ40hD9ZFHH
“Oh.” Looking a little relieved, she said, “Anyway, there are two teams, each team with at least ten members: typically three tekkers, four bladers, a guardian, and two watchers. The object of the game is to get one of the kyon into the opponents headquarters. Points are given depending who gets the kyon into the opposing team's HQ: bladers get three points, watchers seven, tekkers four, and guardians twenty.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡlknIx0Z43P
“Twenty?” Mikaen let out a whistle. “I guess it would be pretty hard for the goalie to score.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyGShcV4ZW
Tirinia nodded. “Bigger arenas naturally call for bigger teams, usually more tekkers and bladers, though more guardians are called in for arenas with multiple scoring areas. More kyons too. It can get pretty hectic.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡwP0x7DG7jo
Mikaen nodded. “Except for the point system, that's pretty much the same way we played it.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEIbnfbnkf
The royal box was a large covered balcony. As it was meant for royalty and VIPs, it was well furnished: lush, comfortable chairs, a full bar loaded with drinks of all hues, and large viewing panels set into the walls that currently were displaying 'The Muonsol Marauders' and 'The Balis Brigade'. There was also a large console with several headsets, presumably for the announcers. Given the extravagance of the seats in front of the console, Mikaen guessed that Jyle would be barking the match.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡdINTB56wa5
Letting Tirinia and Jeronem enter first, Mikaen said, “Still, I bet the arenas aren't the same as simplistic as-”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGVtd27U9q
As he stepped closer to the edge of the balcony, his jaw dropped. He grabbed the balcony with both hands, not believing what he was seeing. Beneath them stood the town of Bridges. Every dilapidated building, every ruined street sign, every detail of the city where Mikaen had first awoken after the Devastation had been perfectly reconstructed, right down to the unevenly placed streetlights.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY519shlPB
He jumped as Tirinia touched his hand.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2koWVu2rE
“Are you okay?” She asked, sounding worried.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ul3oy6vtg
“Tirinia,” he said, putting his arm around her shoulder and pointing at the city with his other hand, “This is a recreation of Bridges. I woke up here after the Devastation.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMe0Not5Jj
Now it was Tirinia and Jeronem who were staring eagerly at the city. In the center of the 'town' was the enormous Rip where he had awoken, his clothes in tatters and his past a mystery. Not too far away was the retail outlet that had been his home for almost a year.. Even the small gazebo where Mikaen had proposed to Maria had been replicated perfectly.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkm1JiXdlp
A surge of homesickness washed over Mikaen. He wanted to go back, to be at the real Bridges, back in Misakren, or even at that old supply station where he had caught Echu sleepwalking. For the first time in months, his desire to return was just as strong as his desire to stay.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtjcxHLEcf
He looked at Tirinia, who was still looking with interest at the arena. The chronoan seed pendant he had given her shone ever so slightly. His hand went to a lump beneath his shirt, where the pendant she had given him rested: an intricate bit of metalwork designed to look like feathers surrounding an orb of azure and jade that looked a little like a miniature Earth. It was all well and good to say he'd come back, but even the best plans sometimes went awry. What if it was years before he returned? Could he really put Tirinia through that?copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8199PxCUh
He heard the door slide open behind him. “Ah, fine day, isn't it?”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBChDlAAyW
Mikaen turned to see Jyle and King Iniagus. It was hard not to stare; for reasons best known to the Wenapaj King, Iniagus was now wearing a toga that appeared to have been tie-dyed, and his hair was sticking out wildly in all directions from beneath and above his crown. The more Mikaen looked at it, however, the more he realized that the hair had been set that way purposefully. It was Iniagus's magnificent red mustache that caught Mikaen's eyes the most, however.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqqjDX0pCd
“It is indeed a fine day, my friendly friend.” said Iniagus, the tips of his mustache wiggling as he spoke, “Tell me, is it always this nice here in Ircandesta?”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡExmFGvue8p
“Usually,” replied Jyle.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡw318lEtWe2
“Splendid. I'd like to arrange a trade for some of these nice days. Wenapaj is absolutely frightful this time of year. All that rain and muck … so unpleasant. I sent a letter to the Creator, you know, telling him how inconvenient the rain is, but the chap hasn't bothered to reply. I mean, really! After all the trouble I took chiseling the letter on a sixteen-foot slab of marble then blasting it into outer space.” Iniagus giggled in a most un-regal manner before adding, “Spectaculous! Simply spectaculous.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡSetix6gyvS
“Say, Mikaen, what's that building right there?” Jeronem asked, not noting the arrival of Jyle and Iniagus.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡMap9P6EkkN
Mikaen glanced where Jeronem was pointing. “Hmm? Oh, that's the old school. I went there a few times while I lived in Bridges. Good place to hide from looters and wild animals.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQRKZcpt9D
“Ah, yes,” said Jyle, glancing over at them, “Today's match will be in the Bridges arena. I thought you'd appreciate that, Mikaen.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1SZjp6AYC
Jeronem's grin quickly turned to a look of horror when he noticed Jyle's companion. “Ah! King Iniagus!”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLMSUCYzWj
Iniagus spun about, pointing at Jeronem. “Ah! Jeronem!”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡmG9dq8qQCz
With a yelp, Jeronem ran for the door. “Not the ears! Not the ears!”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8Bm7VMdvK
Iniagus chased after Jeronem, shouting delightedly, “Of course, of course! Today is a perfectly perfect day for a rousing game of tag!”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXvCQqeOZa
Once they had both disappeared back inside the palace, Jyle started laughing.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lQhzhq072
Shaking his head, Mikaen asked, “Is he always that strange?”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡABabYi6KwB
“Iniagus? Yeah, never a dull moment around him. Don't worry; his wife, at least, takes her position seriously.” Jyle looked out over the field, a satisfied smile on his face. “Nice job on the recreation, isn't? Took me months to get it right.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmz1Yprceq
Glancing at Mikaen, he added, “It's only a holographic simulation, or course. We used this same space as a ballroom when Julia and I were married. Today's match is at the school, but it can technically be held anywhere in town. We even had a city-wide match once … twenty players for each team.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmMdDmv4mD
“Really?” Mikaen looked back over the recreated city. “Wish I could have seen that.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Wfi8dAfY7
As the players began to walk onto the field, the crowd roared loud enough to make the glass rattle in the windows of the royal box.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡQttqvrQWE4
Mikaen watched the players with interest; in addition to what he recognized as tek-boots, the players were wearing sleek, brightly colored protective gear, a far-cry from Mikaen's crude plate armor.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1r9e5vK9S
Jyle gave him a sly grin. “Ah, you like the armor, eh? I designed the basic slamm suit myself. The plating is lighter and harder than steel, and contains portable shield emitters to boot.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡogPDzXRacQ
Even as he spoke, glowing fields sprang to life around each player.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3kKuPckLQ
In addition to their unique armor, each player wore a pair of gauntlets. Some were bulky and reminded Mikaen of One's Headache while others were little more than elbow-length gloves.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9RQi6VOQ5
“Tek gloves.” Jyle said in answer to Mikaen's unasked question, “I made those too. See, when I started trying to spread the word about this game, I came under attack from about a dozen different agencies.” He let out a snort. “Some nonsense about safety concerns.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfmwTVtL5G
“Yeah, well it was a training exercise for knights.” Mikaen reminded his friend, “We both got our lumps back home.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmKV7eKjyw
Jyle rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, I remember. Anyway, I put some thought into it and came out with the Impact series slamm gear.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YF0OY6KNX
He pointed to a red player taking position on the top floor of a three-story apartment. “See that tekker? His gauntlets are little more than arm-mounted cannons … surprisingly accurate, too. The skinny kid next to him is one of the Jenkins twins. He's a watcher. Each of his gauntlets can produce a low frequency energy blade. It's not very powerful, but it is strong enough to knock the kyon out of another player without seriously harming them.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡQudc068uRe
At that moment, Jenkin's gloves both produced a blade of energy about two feet long. He took a few warm-up swings before deactivating them and scratching his nose with the back of his glove.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡasBUoI891H
“Bladers have one of those, and one 'force glove' which lets them absorb and pass the kyon.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbFmcukje7
“What do you use for a kyon?” Mikaen asked curiously.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5BuhCAq6s
The crowd fell silent as two similarly armored men, one wearing black and the other white, walked out onto the field, each carrying a glowing orb in a see-through canister.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgVfbjXktZ
“Super-charged stream plasma. It's harmless to hold, but it saps energy from any technology that uses stream energy.” Jyle brushed off his shoulder, saying nonchalantly, “A particularly ingenious idea of mine.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19bGvnbPGp
“I don't understand.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXuzrMb2ci
“The energy fields of the armor operate off lifestream energy. When you're holding the kyon, your armor's shielding doesn't work and your tek-boots only have partial functionality. The armor's padded and all, but you're still vulnerable, especially if someone pegs you with the other kyon.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRzq6KJ44c
A large, semi-translucent rectangle appeared in midair over the replica town. The screen flared to life showing feeds from numerous cameras that were apparently zooming around the arena.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46lfNRDYHj
“If you'll excuse me,” said Jyle, rubbing his hands together, “It's time to start the game.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEhTeJFqMS
He sat down in front of the console and grabbed a headset from the front of the panel. After clearing his throat, he called out, “Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the first match of the Slamm Championship Tourney!”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgJiGQ2qV7
The crowd roared in reply. It was loud inside the royal box; it must have been deafening outside.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0eZg1QT0x
“After a grueling season, it's all down to two teams: the Balis Brigade!” Blue flags and emblems waved from all over the stadium. “and the Muonsol Marauders!” Considerably more red flags waved in response.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡdocuhqeXR0
“Knights!” Jyle called out, “Present the kyons!”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzhARYqUom
The men in the black and white armor each activated their canisters. Immediately, the balls of energy ballooned to three times their original size and shot toward a glowing circle in a walkway located roughly in the middle of the school grounds.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22mh1CiRvi
The crowd fell silent as two bladers from each team approached the circle. The Black Knight and the White Knight took up posts on either side of the glowing field. Slowly, they raised their arms to the sky.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJHBdY1sWS
All players around the field seemed to prepare themselves. The tension was so thick that Mikaen nearly jumped from his chair when Tirinia slipped her hand in his.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMsJmkHNf6
Two bursts of light shot from the hands of the referees. Instantly, all four bladers shot toward the kyons, energy blades swinging as they tried to knock the other players away.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9i8vz98S1E
One of the Marauder bladers got the left kyon first. A Brigade blader took a swing at him, but the Marauder was already airborne, kicking off a nearby bench and landing on the roof of the school, his tek-boots leaving glowing trails in his wake.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqnR1BQ33M
The other Brigade blader managed to get to the other kyon before his opponent. He batted a Marauder aside and quickly shot toward the Rip in the center of the town.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvypeUJWHZ
Jyle was already in full announcing mode. “Merko and Sylva in possession, Sylva passes to Yenk, Merko … ooh, that's gotta hurt! Well, he'll walk it off. Yenk and Travers in possession, Yenk to Tryan, Tryan to Sylva … nice rebound off the road sign … Genel intercepts to Senestra, Travers hits it to Haley, Haley to … no, Leeroy intercepts from Haley, sends it to Leeroy, Leeroy's powering up, powering up, it's off, and …”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RhanRkvJl
Mikaen had a hard time following Jyle. Keeping an eye of both kyons was hard, even with multiple video feeds.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ULxMN8CQb
The Brigade's guardian made a dive at the kyon, but the energy ball whizzed by him and into the concession stand at the far end of the football field.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNHYcVTWSB
The crowd went wild as Jyle shouted, “SCORE! A great shot by Leeroy Jenkins! Score is zero to one, Marauders in the lead.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUsd5P5plO
The bladers were a rowdy bunch, always knocking opposing players off buildings, smashing them into cars, and occasionally just flat-out decking them. If the energy blades had been weapon-grade, both teams would have been sliced to ribbons within minutes.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuJw1vja8a
The watchers darted into the fray very selectively, a good idea considering their light armor. They couldn't hold kyons, but they could sure give them a good whack, usually to a waiting tekker who would blast it toward the goal.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxX2waYp6Q
The two kyons seemed to have a lot of force behind them. Mikaen saw a Brigade tekker shoot a kyon at the Marauder blader Jyle identified as Shelle. The shot blasted her into one of the cars hard enough to make the car skid back a few feet.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02LtgQimfD
“Don't worry, Mikaen.” Jyle whispered, shielding the microphone on his headset, “The armor's designed to handle just that kind of impact.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ8UwapPkx
Sure enough, she got up a moment later, looking a little dazed but unharmed.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG5XJB7H0e
It may have been rough, but the players all seemed to be having a good time. The two watchers for the Marauders, Leeroy and Trevor, were particularly rambunctious, often bouncing off walls and seemingly coming out of nowhere to intercept kyons. They weren't shy about taunting the much larger players of the Balis Brigade either. Fortunately, they were fast enough to avoid injury. Energy shields or no, a gauntlet to the face had to hurt.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1hjuyaNUp
After watching the game for a few minutes, it was obvious that the Marauders were more familiar with the arena. They even knew about a few of the shortcuts Mikaen himself had used back in the day, small surprise seeing as they were the Ircandestan team.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4pzZVKoL4
Covering his microphone again, Jyle asked, “Good, huh? See that shot Jek just blocked?”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLK1ItDQbE
Mikaen glanced at the Marauder's guardian. He was standing in front of a partially collapsed house at the edge of the Rip, guarding the double garage door. His headgear covered his eyes, but Mikaen still recognized Jyle's son, Jek. After all, the young man was the spitting image of his father, albeit with his mother's dark skin.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KGm4aUeYO
“Your son's the Marauder guardian?”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpT3YSZIhK
Jyle thumped himself in the chest. “Yup. I naturally wanted him to be a tekker, but I can deal with him being one of the best guardians in the league. He coordinates the entire team. Oh, there he goes again!”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdwyfe2T5d
Jek dove at an incoming kyon, catching the energy ball between his gauntleted hands. Without hesitation, he shot the kyon at the Brigade blader with enough force to knock him across the street, where one of the Marauders was waiting to gain possession.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaYex2orgn
“Whoa!” Mikaen exclaimed, “We never did that.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVMaZL3Ytk
He glanced at Tirinia only to see her smiling at him. “You're really into this, aren't you?”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhyfPOuRHA
“You kidding? After the Council?” He looked back over the city, continuing, “Peace is nice, don't get me wrong, but I do miss the action.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fL4ti6SKn
The crowd roared again as the Marauder blader Sylvia tossed her kyon in the air and smacked it with her saber into the Brigand HQ. As the kyon shot past the Brigade guardian, two of the Brigand players came out of nowhere and hit her in the same leg simultaneously. She fell to the ground instantly, her leg obviously broken.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1i1bhMfgg
“Foul! Foul!” shouted Tirinia, pointing angrily at the screen displaying the injured player.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZy8fnWKfD
Apparently she was correct; the knight-referees ran out onto the field moments later, whistles blowing. The black knight and the brigand blader started shouting at each other as the white knight helped Sylvia walk off the field.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡklS5pmowf8
“And that's a penalty for the Brigands, deliberate assault. Five minutes penalty for Merko.” said Jyle, a hint of anger in his voice. “Yenk takes the kyon, nice speed up to the HQ … and he puts it away easily!”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu9cwltjAJ
Jek shot a flare from one of his gauntlets. Nodding, Jyle tapped his earpiece and said, “Time out for the Marauders!”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaJ8iZweJL
As the knights brought the kyons back to the center of the field, Mikaen asked, “What's wrong?”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡS47L9x7x3m
“The Marauders have a problem. Could you and Tirinia come with me for a moment?”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXRP9nbDGL
The three of them left the royal box and headed for the lift.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡngW7oe6UtQ
Tirinia was still bristling over the foul. “I can't believe they deliberately attacked her like that!”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlUO74lfCp
“Yeah, well, that's the Brigade for you. They set the record for most penalties last season.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡCimt8wRk9x
“In a game, or for the season?” Mikaen asked.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wO2DdgK7K
“Both.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO6vCdzYsc
The lift doors opened at the bottom floor. Jyle, Mikaen, and Tirinia walked down the hall to a large golden archway that opened out into the arena. Jek was waiting for them, his helmet in his hands. He looked worried.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4vKyEgpYp
“Dad,” He said as they drew near, “we don't have a substitute blader.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4WM6AZnk6
“What? What about Sahara and that Bennon kid?”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VVeqxr0wU
“Out for injuries.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTZHExlUXk
Jyle snorted. “Injuries my foot! They're just fooling around somewhere. Isn't there anyone else?”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUohGvRGTc
“Nope. We're gonna have to forfeit the match.” Jek's eyes darted toward Mikaen. “Unless …”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡN17IfxgHxM
“Unless what?” Mikaen asked cautiously.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJGBrk9Nf6
“Well, you are a blader.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A1wRI1IoU
Jyle snapped his fingers, “That's a thought.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbV2UazaS6
Mikaen was struck speechless for a moment. “Wha … you can't be serious, Jyle! Slamm may be based off our old training exercises, but it's a completely different game! I don't know any of the rules or penalties … besides, I've got wings now! How the heck am I supposed to cover that?”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuQD5iYe5e
“I'm sure we can find a set of armor that'll work … and don't worry about penalties. Don't deliberately try to cause an injury, and avoid using magic, and you'll be fine.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcOmIF5Kot
“I'm not from Muonsol!” Mikaen protested, “I mean, is this even legal?”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjFAlzLVJD
“Teams can draft on the spot if needed. I put the rule in myself.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2G7Skcajrg
Snorting, Mikaen said, “You put it in so you could play tekker every once in awhile.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMsl9b1eVp
Jyle put his hands on Mikaen's shoulders, the same pleading look he used to give Mikaen just before getting both of them into trouble on his face. “We just need another player out there, or the Marauders will be disqualified. You and Tirinia are the best possible replacements on such a short notice, and Tirinia's out of the question.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzJn95WU0F
“What? Why?”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2mFVHS60j
Jyle looked at Tirinia expectantly. Blushing beneath her pale fur, she said, “Because I'm first guardian for the Axeliv Alliance and the winner of this game goes against us next week.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡmy6OTf0VuV
“Oh.” Mikaen said, feeling sheepish. Tirinia had mentioned she was a member of Longshore's slamm team several times.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcv4zF9vAa
Jek glanced from Mikaen to Jyle expectantly.copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8cyN8fGeg
“Come on, Mikaen.” Tirinia coaxed Mikaen, rubbing his arm. “I'd like to see how you play.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AO6pImpDQ
The eagerness in her eyes cinched it. With a sigh, Mikaen said, “Okay, I'll play.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡlY2Q3Cwc76
Clapping his old buddy on the arms, Jyle said, “Jek, show him to the locker room and get him into gear. Nine minutes!”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjfzR3H7JW
As Jyle ran off (probably wanting to get away before Mikaen could try and object again), Jek gave Mikaen an apologetic smile. “Sorry about this, but we really do need your help.”copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJwcQWVcmy
“Yeah, yeah. Just show me to the locker room.”114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba9qJ0ur7d
copyright protection110ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ix6yAI5NQ
