‘Next, please.’ The voice was calm and pleasant, sanitised even. It sounded unnatural, like it didn’t belong to an actual human. In a way, Axel supposed it didn’t. It was the voice of an average Apollo Corporation employee, perfectly crafted to placate and mollify.
Axel stepped up to the counter. He’d been queuing for about an hour, staring at the clean white walls. Most of the corridors in rooms of Hades station had artificial plants and fake windows. Some areas, such as the arena complex or park, even had cavernous ceilings with a procedurally generated sky. This was all part of Apollo’s plan to keep their workers productive. They found that people who spent most of their lives in a steel box orbiting a hellish mining planet needed a little pick-me-up to keep their work rate high.
But not here. No. Here, Apollo wanted their workers to know exactly where they were. They wanted to remind them who held the power, who gave them their privileges, and who could take them away. Queuing here meant watching as dozens of petitioners were sent off in tears by attendants whose looks of condolence never quite reached their eyes.
The attendant smiled at him. She looked about his age, perhaps a little older, and wore a spotless cream jumpsuit emblazoned with the Apollo Corporation’s emblem, a blazing sun. Her hair was scraped back in a ponytail while an earpiece rested on the side of her head.
Axel took a deep breath. ‘Hi, I was wondering if—’
‘Name?’ the attendant said.
‘Oh. Axel Murray.’
‘Station ID?’
‘L-6715.’
She tapped away at a keyboard before looking back at Axel, the same synthetic smile on her face. ‘Thank you, Mr Murray. How can Apollo brighten your day?’
‘I’m leaving Hades Station soon, and—’
‘I know,’ she said. ‘Apollo congratulates you on your victory, Mr Murray.’
‘Yeah, thanks. Anyway, I want to talk about bringing someone with me.’
The attendant raised her eyebrows. ‘Oh? And who is your companion?’
‘Rose Williams.’
‘Station ID?’
‘L-7489.’
‘Ah yes, I see her file now. Unfortunately, Apollo cannot approve travel papers for Ms Williams. Her family still owes a debt to the company, which must be repaid.’
That was hardly a surprise. Debt was how Apollo kept all their workers on the station. Generations ago, desperate folk from Earth, people with no other options, had signed up for the voyage to the planet Tartarus to work for the Apollo Corporation on Hades Station. Since most of these people were destitute, Apollo loaned them funds for their travel on the understanding that they could not leave the station until they paid off their debt. Unfortunately, upon arrival at Hades, these unfortunate souls discovered that day-to-day life on the station ate up a huge chunk of their paychecks. Food, housing, and even oxygen. It all cost money. It all cost a lot of money.
When the first generation of workers died, rather than writing off their remaining debt, Apollo transferred it to their descendants. For this reason, until a family’s debt was paid, none of them could leave. Axel knew this, and he’d come prepared.
‘I know, I know,’ he said. ‘I want to take on the debt. I can’t pay it off right now, but I was hoping you could give me credit against my future earnings as a gladiator. If I do that, you can approve travel papers for Rose, right?’
The attendant grimaced. ‘Theoretically, yes, but I’m afraid I cannot approve such a move in these circumstances.’
‘Why? I’ll be earning good money as a gladiator.’
‘The problem isn’t your future earning potential, Mr Murray, but the size of the debt you wish to take on.’
Axel stared at her blankly. ‘That can’t be right. You must have made a mistake. Rose’s family are bakers. They own their own business. Surely their debt can’t be that huge?’ Small business owners like the Williams’ usually had the lowest debt. Typically, they were descendants of wealthier workers who’d earned enough to buy their children into better jobs. Higher income almost always led to lower debt.
The attendant shook her head. ‘That’s precisely the problem, Mr Murray. Three generations ago, the Williams family took out an additional loan from Apollo to fund their bakery. While their business is flourishing today, its early years were unsuccessful, causing the loan to spiral.’
‘Okay, exactly how much is their debt, then?’
The attendant glanced back at her screen. ‘115,325 credits precisely.’
Axel was speechless. Rose’s parents’ desperation for their daughter to marry up made much more sense now. Their debt was three times his own. He’d never heard of anyone owing so much. He stood there, eyes glazed over as his mind processed this new nightmare world. A world without Rose. A world without his child. Or, perhaps, a world without his dream.
The attendant raised a hand to cover her earpiece. ‘One moment, Mr Murray.’ She pressed a button, and a transparent force field slid into place across the counter, cutting off all sound. For a minute or two, she conversed with this unseen voice before deactivating the barrier and turning her attention back to Axel.
‘I believe I may have a solution to your problem, Mr Murray.’
Axel’s heart soared. ‘That’s great. What is it?’
‘Your current tournament ranking of fifth is enough for the GGF to pay your debt, but not for them to pay the debt of your family or partner. However, they have generously agreed to pay the debts of the partner and immediate families of those fighters ranked first and second.’
‘How does that help me?’ Axel asked. ‘The tournament’s already over. I’m fifth.’
The attendant grinned. ‘Yes, but the Apollo Corporation has the unrestricted right to arrange further matches that will contribute to the ranking table. My superiors have an offer for you. One more match. If you win, you may take Ms Williams with you. If you lose, you stay on Hades Station.’
Axel didn’t hesitate. ‘Deal.’
‘Wonderful. May Apollo light your path to the future.’
***
Axel kept his eyes glued to the holo-tv, doing everything he could to avoid any communication with Mr Williams. He didn’t want to be here, not even a little bit. But Rose had been desperate to throw a special dinner to celebrate his victory over Springy Jack, and Axel couldn’t think of a way to refuse without hurting her feelings. Besides, she was already angry enough at him for risking another fight. He needed to win some boyfriend points, and dealing with her father seemed as good a way as any.
The meal itself was okay. With Rose and her mother there to act as buffers, Axel hadn’t needed to talk to Mr Williams directly. The problem came when she and Mrs Williams went to clean up. Axel offered to help. Unlike Mr Williams, he didn’t see a problem with men taking on their share of domestic chores. But Rose refused. She claimed it was because it wouldn’t be right for Axel to clean up after his celebration dinner, but he saw the mischievous glint in her eyes. She wanted him to spend time with her father. Honestly, Rose’s desperate desire for the pair of them to get along was the only thing about her Axel didn’t love.
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Luckily, it seemed Mr Williams had no desire to talk to Axel, either. He, too, kept his eyes firmly fixed on the holo-TV, totally ignoring Axel’s presence. Until he didn’t.
The problem came when the screen displayed a 3-D image of Marcellus Clay, the Golden Hawk, resplendent in his gold-coloured battle armour. Clay was a true legend of the arena and a personal hero of Axel’s. He idolised the man and copied most of his style. The dual blasters, the jet boosts, the hit-and-run tactics. They all came from Clay. Even his new gauntlets were a trick he’d picked up after watching Clay’s last Grand Final victory a couple of years back.
Mr Williams jabbed an elbow into Axel’s ribs. ‘You’ll never be as good as him.’
For once, Axel wasn’t inclined to argue. ‘Probably not,’ he said. ‘Clay’s a legend. The greatest of all time. Nobody’s as good as him.’
Mr Williams snorted. ‘That’s not what I meant. Clay’s not all that. He’s just jumped up gutter trash, like you. He only gets as much attention as he does because the scum like his story. It gives them false hope. Dreams beyond their station.’
With no small amount of effort, Axel bit back a retort, but Mr Williams wasn’t done. ‘I meant you’ll never make it onto the Galactic Tour. You won’t be an inspiration. Nobody’s going to remember you.’
‘We’ll see next week, won’t we? If I win my next fight, I’ll be leaving this hellhole with Rose by my side.’
Mr Williams cackled. ‘You aren’t going anywhere. Hammerfist is going to pound you into dust.’
‘She’ll have to catch me first.’
‘Oh, she’ll catch you. Don’t you worry about that.’
Axel twisted his head to face Mr Williams, eyes bulging and nostrils flaring. ‘What is your problem? Don’t you want Rose to get out and see the galaxy?’
‘There’s nothing I’d love more than for my sweet little Rose to get off this station, just not with you. I know you, boy. You’re a failure waiting to happen, and I don’t want your dead weight hanging around my daughter’s neck.’ He sneered, his leathery skin morphing into a grotesque mask. ‘You should have left when you had the chance and not looked back. I’m sure you think you’re doing Rose a favour, but she’s better off without you.’
Axel knew he shouldn’t argue. He knew he should ignore the old man’s jibes. But he couldn’t help himself. ‘I’d have thought a man in your financial situation would think twice before giving others advice.’
A vein bulged on Mr Williams’ forehead. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘I’m just saying,’ Axel said, smirking. ‘Maybe you should show a little gratitude. I am trying to clean up your family’s mess, after all.’
‘My family can take care of itself. We don’t need help from the likes of you.’
‘It sure doesn’t look that way.’
‘Get out,’ Mr Williams said, leaping to his feet. ‘Get out of my home, you insolent little prick.’
‘Is that any way to speak to your benefactor?’
Mr Williams lunged forward with deceptive speed for a man of his age and wrapped his hands around Axel’s throat. But Axel was a gladiator. His instincts taking over, he reached up, wrenched Mr Williams’ hands away and was about to strike the older man in the face when Rose entered the room.
‘What on Hades is going on in here? Stop that right now, both of you!’
As Axel released him, Mr Williams, red-faced, whirled on her. ‘I don’t want you seeing this jumped-up urchin anymore.’
‘That isn’t your choice to make, Dad,’ Rose said.
‘The hell it is. While you live in my home, you live by my rules.’
‘Then maybe I’ll move out.’
This prompted a gasp from Mrs Williams, who’d also come bustling in from the kitchen. ‘It’s been a long day,’ she said. ‘Everyone’s tired. Why don’t we all calm down, go to bed, and pretend this never happened?’
‘With pleasure,’ Axel said, storming off.
But Mr Williams wouldn’t let things drop that easily. ‘When you lose next week, I don’t want to see you sniffing around my daughter again. You hear me?’
Axel heard him, but he didn’t care. He wasn’t going to lose.
***
A week later, Axel was back in his dressing room. Back in his element. His destiny, and those of Rose and his unborn child, would be decided in the arena. This was the best possible outcome he could have hoped for. Well, almost the best. He wasn’t too keen on his opponent.
Maxine ‘Hammerfist’ Jones was currently placed first in the tournament rankings. She had nothing to lose by facing Axel. Her position was secured. But still, Axel had hope. Many people, like Rose’s father, saw Hammerfist’s position as a strength. They believed she had an advantage because she could fight with freedom. Not Axel. He saw it as a weakness. Hammerfist had nothing at stake, nothing to fight for, nothing to motivate her. He, on the other hand, had everything on the line.
Rose spent the entire week trying to dissuade him, of course. ‘It’s too much of a risk. Don’t do it,’ she’d said over and over again, even getting down on her knees to beg. Axel ignored her. Though he hated to see her so upset, this was something he needed to do. He could win. He had to win.
Axel went through his pre-fight ritual, checking his armour and weapons. He looked at his picture of Rose and reminded himself what he was fighting for. The room shook as the crowd roared. They were wild today. This fight was an unexpected treat that they intended to savour.
The buzzer sounded, and the red light in his ready room came on. He stepped forward. The announcer started his introductions, but Axel tuned it all out. He’d already heard everything there was to be said. They’d be piling on the pressure, telling the crowd what was at stake. Axel didn’t need anyone telling him that. He already knew. Instead, he stared at the light, waiting for it to turn green.
Ten seconds. Then twenty. Then half a minute. The crowd’s roar grew louder and louder. The announcer howled. The whole of Hades Station trembled in anticipation.
The light turned green.
Axel soared forward, his blasters out and ready. He spied the hulking figure of Hammerfist entering the arena across from him and launched himself upward to gain altitude. Hammerfist was a close-quarters specialist, even more than Springy Jack had been. Her pair of massive power gauntlets dominated any fight in a confined space, but her lack of mobility made her vulnerable in the open. Axel’s plan was simple; get some distance and keep it. His own gauntlets were far too risky here.
But he only flew upwards for around a second before his head slammed into a barrier that sent him spiralling back to the ground. Sitting on the floor and shaking his head, he looked upwards and frowned. What on Hades had he hit?
Wait. Yes, there was something there. It was faint, but Axel just about made it out. A shimmering green light spread across the arena above him. A force field. Flying upwards wasn’t going to be an option.
‘You bastards,’ Axel said. Cursing whoever had designed this arena configuration, he turned his attention to Hammerfist. She had barely moved, strolling forward without any sense of urgency, like a hunter who’d cornered her prey.
Axel retreated. He certainly didn’t want to get anywhere near his opponent. Hammerfist’s coal-black armour and giant gauntlets gave her a monstrous, deformed appearance. She looked like a chimpanzee with the arms of a gorilla.
Axel launched a volley of shots, but his attack didn’t trouble her in the slightest. Hammerfist kept coming, slowly, inexorably. Axel fired and fired and fired again, retreating all the while.
‘Come here so I can squash you, little bug,’ Hammerfist said.
Axel ignored her. I may not be able to soar through the air, he thought. But I’m still much faster. Hammerfist’s weapons and armour make her slow. I can run rings around her.
Even as this thought went through his head, Axel’s back slammed into something solid. He spun about. He should have had a few meters left before he reached the wall. He did have a few meters left before he reached the wall. So what had he hit?
Bile rose in Axel’s throat as he realised what was going on. There, in front of him, was a faint green shimmer. A force field, just like the one above. It was shrinking. Axel found himself trapped in a closed space with a close-quarters brawler.
I’m screwed.
Out of ideas, he skirted the edge of the arena, only ever a step or two ahead of the force field. He fired off more shots, but again they did little, bouncing off Hammerfist’s armour. His heart raced. He’d planned for a battle of attrition, a slow grind. That was his style, death by a thousand shots. It was virtually his trademark. But this…. this ruined everything. Axel had no idea what to do. His mind spun as it desperately sought a solution. But it came up empty. He had nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and no way of punching through Hammerfist’s defences.
Axel’s heart pounded, his pulse raced, his breathing became ragged. As his hands wavered, more and more shots went wild. I can’t do this, he thought. It’s unfair. I don’t have a chance. I never had a chance.
All the while, Hammerfist continued her relentless march. Axel could picture her smug face, grinning beneath her helmet. It made his blood boil.
‘You can’t run forever, Murray,’ she said. ‘Why don’t you come and play?’
You know what? Why don’t I? In desperation, Axel tossed his blasters aside and lunged forward. He only had one option left. His gauntlets. No, they weren’t as big or as strong as Hammerfist’s, and yes, using them was a risk. But Axel was out of time. Still, he was fast. He could dart in and out, just like a hornet. Yeah, if he landed a few good blows, then—
A single strike from Hammerfist’s gauntlet sent Axel spiralling across the arena. He slammed into the force field in the sky, then skidded along the ground before finally slumping against the force field closing in from the sides. Every display on his helmet flashed red, signalling critical system failures across the board, not to mention a few broken bones. Axel tried to rise, but a searing pain in his left leg caused it to buckle beneath him.
Hammerfist knew she’d won. She took her time, strolling forward, raising a massive, gauntleted hand, and slamming Axel into the ground.