The time came as I waited outside the holo-chamber. Dressed down in nothing but simple clothes, my right arm removed of it’s impact rod. Avanna strode toward me, dressed in a robe. The door opened as she silently entered and made her way to the opposite side of the room, back still turned to me. I followed in as the chamber began to shift its appearance to that of an ancient arena, dirt floor, torches held atop ceremonial stone pillars. Avanna shed her robe, revealing a very well defined set of back muscles, I had never actually gotten a proper look at her like this, always thinking of her as a dainty little girl, a princess. But it’s clear I didn’t know much about the Royal family.
Captain Vos stood in the centre of the room, as Avanna approached, Captain Vos spoke, “As Captain of this vessel, I shall officiate this Keren Tai. Princess Avanna Sevel Melthius had issued challenge to Ser Terrid Aladsair Korvo, to the right to earn her place at his side on combat missions. Terrid has accepted her challenge, on the grounds that his victory would lead her to stay aboard. Do both parties agree to these terms of victory?”
Avanna and I nodded silently.
“Then by the power vested in me by the Gods. Let the holy rite of Keren Tai... BEGIN!” Captain Vos shouted.
Avanna stepped back, taking stance as I did the same, drawing a line in the dirt beneath my foot before I rushed forward, arms raised to grab Avanna. In an instant she dodged under my swipe and struck upwards with the palm of her hand pushing my snout up as she threw a punch into my stomach, pushing the wind from my lungs as I staggered backward, catching myself and taking a quick sharp breath, Avana rushing toward me, keeping herself low, trying to use my weight against me, as she locked herself around my waist, I bring lock both my hands together and bring them down on her back, forcing her to let go of my waist as she recoils in pain. I once again move in for a punch toward her stomach, only for Avanna’s recoil to be a ruse, dodging my swing as she takes my arm and manages to throw me over her shoulder, tossing me onto my back. Before she can try to pin me, I rolled onto my belly and pushed off the ground, as I got to my feet Avanna leapt forward with her knee, reacting fast I caught her attack, pushing her back watching her stagger as she touched the ground, I moved in, throwing a punch at Avanna as I managed to catch her in the torso, instinctively holding back my full force, knowing that my metal arms would easily break bone if I were not careful. Stopping my assault to once again bringing my hands overhead in a hammer strike, Avanna dodged only to strike me in the gut with a kick, sending me reeling before sweeping my leg and knocking me to my feet. Avanna pinned me pressing her knee into my chest as she put my arm in a hold.
“YEILD!” She shouted.
“No!” I barked, pushing her off my chest with my free arm.
I pushed off the ground, getting to my feet once again before Avanna immediately threw a kick, catching her with my arm. As I tried to pull her in for a punch Avanna wheeled her way up my arm, wrapping her tail around my neck and squeezing, as she once again took my arm in a lock, this time kicking at my head, her tail holding it in place as the blows shook my balance knocking me to the ground. Dazed by the blows and struggling to breathe Captain Vos moved into and stopped the fight, declaring Avanna the winner as the world went dark.
I woke up in medbay, greeted by a medic and Avanna sitting next to me. Sitting up and removing the ventilator they had placed in my nose, coughing lightly.
“Oh good, you’re awake.” The medic spoke, “The Princess did a number on you. I’d take it easy, though, Captain says we need you in top shape for when arrive at Novuxem.”
Avanna seemed to fidget in place, as if she were uncomfortable with something. “Terrid I’m so sorry for doing what I did.”
“It’s fine. You have your reasons.” I sad shaking off the daze as best I could. “I can say, I was surprised when you showed off the way you did.”
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“My father’s the Emperor. He’s got enemies. Some who want to hurt him through his family. So I’ve been trained to defend myself since I was a kit. I’ve learned a lot from my teachers, but the most important thing I’ve learned, is when someone is holding back. And YOU Terrid, were holding back.”
I looked at her shocked, knowing that she figured me out so quickly. I sigh as I get out of the bed, “Yeah, I held back. You do remember I have metal limbs right?”
Avanna, upset with me pressed a finger into my chest, “If you EVER hold back like that again, I’ll never let you live that down.”
“Avanna I held back because I didn’t want to shatter your damn SPINE!” I admitted loudly. “My arms are far denser than regular prosthesis. They have to be with the modifications I requested.”
Avanna sighed defeatedly, “Fine, but since I won, I’ll be joining you on the surface.” she said with a huff as she left the medbay, “Don’t keep me waiting.”
I gathered myself and left the medical bay shortly after her, making my way to the bridge once again, stopping by the weapons smith to retrieve my gear. Old Todd manning the counter as he tightens the bolt on a vibro-blade hilt. Looking up and giving me a nod and a sly grin, he watched the fight, as I’m sure the majority of the ship did.
“Put up a heck of a fight there tike.” he says, “I had figured you’d break at least her arm with them big metal grippers o’ yers.”
“Yeah well, if I wanted the Emperor to kill me, I’d want it to be in person.” I joked.
“Aye, fair enough.” he put his multitool down as he placed The Sunburst on the counter in it’s holster. “Yer heavy ordinance won’t be ready for a bit, seems one of my engineers is taking his sweet time getting your biometrics into it’s lock.”
From the back a weaselly voice shouted back, “I don’t know why it keeps resetting!”
“Then get Kisa to help ya, you skinny tike!” Old Todd shouted back, “I swear that Yarrek, he can fix a leak in a fuel line in a heartbeat but he’s got no head for weapons tech.”
“Then why is he working in the weapons division?” I asked.
“Demotion apparently. Tike’s got a mouth on ‘im.”
“I noticed, he said some nasty things to me in the mess last night, he thinks me a traitor like the rest of the knights.”
“I’ll be honest with ya tike, I can tell whose got a good way about ‘em, and you are as good as they get. No traitor is gunna give his arm to pretend to stop his leader only to act as a spy for whatever reason.” Old Todd spoke, “Word of advice tho Terrid, don’t got tussling anyone’s fur. Some people are just looking fer a reason.”
“I’ll keep that in mind Todd. I’ll be back for the Mark VI before deployment.” I answered as I exited the weapons forge, once again making my way to the bridge.
The halls were busy, people shuffling between their posts and whatever duties that needed doing, some noticing me and giving me a friendly nod or a silent chuckle at the mention of the fact Avanna beat me in our duel. I arrived at the bridge, Avanna next to the Captain as they discuss what to do next upon reaching the planet, a holographic display showing the planets surface and the only point of entry, the opening in the peak of the mountain.
“Hazard suits will only allow us about 20 minutes of combat on the surface. Can’t regulate heat for too long in near absolute zero. We’d have to push into the entry point guns blazing should we encounter any resistance.” Captain Vos spoke.
“Should any Ankarii be waiting for us on the planets surface,” I spoke, “Their movements will be reduced. Coraxxa are cold blooded reptiles, even with temperature controlled suits they’d be affected by the cold. We can use that to our advantage. Incursion should be fairly easy, it’s maintaining a foothold that will be difficult.”
“What are you suggesting Terrid?” Captain Vos asked.
“The bottle neck of the entrance gives them the advantage, we need to either drag them out to the cold with us or we need to push our way in hard and fast. We’re operating on a time limit so we need to be quick about it. Do we have any access to any satellites in the Novux system? Something that can give us an update of the surface?”
“Unfortunately we don’t. We only just managed to get the Hyperlane back to said system back online, and no ones used it yet, can’t risk sending civilians or lesser equipped craft through to a potentially hostile system.” The captain spoke. “We should have more information when arrive in the system. Until then, I suggest you rest up, we’re going to have a tough mission on our hands.”
After going over some minor mission details I left the bridge, making my way to my quarters, the quiet hum of the lift leaving me alone with my thoughts. My right shoulder stinging with a burning pain, despite the socket and brace of my prosthetic being clean and sterile. The very thought of tearing Eragus and his lackeys apart was racing in my mind. The burning pain was a reminder of my goal, my drive, my objective.