The day of the second fight arrived. Breakfast once again was much better than the last few days.

“The food really is the only thing to look forward to,” Gabriel said as he ate the breakfast which consisted of bread with a variety of toppings, they even got plastic mugs with juice this time.

“Yeah,” Deana agreed. “Shame we have to risk our lives for it,” She said sighing at a mug of some green juice.

“After we get out of here, I’m getting a five-course meal at the fanciest restaurant I can afford,” Gabriel said and emptied his plastic cup of whatever juice was in it.

“We don’t have five courses, you have to settle with three,” Deana said.

“Fine, three courses, do you have any recommendations?”

“Not here, wherever we are, but if you find you way past Roniean II I might, at least in the capital.”

Gabriel put his dishes at the door and sat back on the bed, “I have some urgent business but after that, I need a vacation. Though I’ve promised to visit Zilg first. You wouldn’t happen to have a map over inhabited space?”

“No, but I think it’s two weeks in FTL from Zilg to Roniean II, or thereabouts.”

“How long would it take to travel through the Union?”

“Think of union space as an oval dented on one side.” She traced a shape that reminded Gabriel of a bean. “Roniean space is a circle in the middle of the dent. So straight through it’s about a week. From the lower edge to the upper edge it’s about four or five.” She said trying to trace everything in the air.

“And where is Zilg?”

“Hm, at the lower edge of Union space, a few days FTL from the Roniean border. Not that lower and upper exist in space but are you following?”

“Yeah, I think so, Union space is a long oval shape, wrapping slightly around Roniean space and Zilg is at the bottom...left or right, whichever way Ronieans are?”

“That sounded correct, but remind me to show you a map,” She said smiling. “Sen? did that sound right to you?”

“Yes, Dee, though traveling through the Union will take just over a week the short way and at least five in a commercial craft.” He added.

“And where is Igris prime?” Gabriel asked.

“Bordering both Roniean and Union space at the top,” Sen said.

“I see, speaking of Igris prime, or Igris in general. Do your females look like you or have I never seen one?”

“It is unlikely that you have, about one in every ten is female. Many stay on Igris prime or work as ambassadors and diplomats. Igris can give birth to up to five kids at once if that helps to compare to you humans. And they look similar to us males, except with grey plates and the obvious differences between mammals, breasts and wider hips.”

“Alright, thanks,” Gabriel said. “I really should take a crash course in what alien races are out there. And probably get a job,” He realized, he couldn’t depend on the Zilgi government forever. Or maybe he could but he would rather get his own money.

“You are an ambassador, correct?” Sen asked.

“Technically yeah, I suppose,” Gabriel said.

“Then you can sell data on humans, and do presentations on Earth and human culture,” He said.

“What? I can sell that?” Gabriel asked, walking over to the door.

“Yes, was this not explained to you? the tests you mentioned earlier, any scan you have been through. The data from those are owned by you, whoever took the scans can only use it themselves without sharing the results with anyone but you. And only with your permission.”

“Huh,” Gabriel said. “No, I kinda left quickly from US 535.”

“Scans are always personal so I understand how that has been missed,” Sen said. “But many Xenobiologists would pay a lot for the data. And doing presentations on your race would be a well-paying job.”

“I see, I need to make a few calls after we get out then,” Gabriel said and smiled at Sen through the bars. “Thanks.”

Sen nodded and walked off. Getting a ship of his own might not be a far-fetched dream after all. Once Victoria was rescued of course. But before he could think of that any further guards arrived. “Against the wall, human! Roniean, come here!” They shouted.

“What?” Gabriel and Deana said at the same time.

“Only you,” the guard pointed his gun at Deana. Gabriel took a step forward but Deana held up a hand. Gabriel stopped and met her eyes. She looked determined but worried.

“Alright,” She said and was escorted out. When Gabriel heard the door at the end of the corridor close he moved over to his cell door.

“Sen, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know, I assumed we would all fight together,” He said. “This is not good,”

“Damn it!” Gabriel punched the door, leaving a small dent in the metal and what felt like a larger one in his knuckles. He shook his stinging hand, luckily nothing was broken.

He paced the room for what had to be at least half an hour before he heard a noise in the corridor. “Back!” A guard shouted. After Gabriel compiled Deana was more or less pushed into the cell. She managed to limb over to her bed before collapsing on it. Gabriel hurried over as Sen was taken from his cell.

“What happened?” Gabriel asked her. Deana had a bandage wrapping her stomach and left thigh.

“A fight, what do you think?” she said annoyed.

“Of course, sorry,” Gabriel said and helped her sit up.

Deana sighed, “I fought some...four-legged beast with very sharp claws.” she said. “I’ll be alright.” She peeked under her bandage, she had three lines caked with dried blood over her stomach. “This will...take some time to heal, I guess the boss did...step it up as he said he would,” she said slowly, wincing a little as she spoke.

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“Fuck”

“I’d rather not,” Deana said and grimaced when she adjusted her leg.

“You know what I mean,” Gabriel said, “You want some water?”

“Please,” Deana said and gulped down the cup when it arrived. “I hope Sen is alright,” she said and glanced at the door.

“He fared pretty well in the last fight.”

“I suppose learning to handle a stun bat and riot shield had its advantages, ” Deana said. “Maybe I should have gone into security, or maybe the Union corps.” She laid down with a groan.

“I’m not sure what the Union corps are but it’s not too late yet,” Gabriel said.

“True. The Union corps are the military and police by the way. Further into Union space at least. At the far reaches it’s easier to hire security companies.”

“And are security, what mercs or something?”

“Not quite, but kinda,” Deana said. “Can we go into it later, talking kinda hurts.”

“Of course, just let me know if you want anything. Or you know, shake the cup.”

Deana chuckled and winced, “You asshole, don’t make me laugh.” she said and smiled.

“Glad to see that insult exist in space, makes sense I suppose,” Gabriel said and began pacing again. This would certainly put the escape off until Deana was healed at least and he had no idea how long that would take.

“Can you sit down, you’re making me nervous,” Deana said.

“Sorry,” Gabriel said down and tried to think happy thoughts. Surely Sen would be alright, and if he fought he would be fine. He had, after all, been in quite a few fights at this point. More than he ever had on Earth, apart from sparring that is. After about half an hour, give or take, Sen was escorted back. His right arm was in a sling but he walked by himself. Gabriel expected to be next but the guards just left.

“This is not good,” Sen said. “My arm will take at least a full day to heal I believe.”

“Damn it,” Gabriel said and looked over to Deana. “And you?”

“I think I’ll be alright tomorrow, nothing broken.”

“Good thing those injections exist,” Gabriel said. “Shit, what do we do?”

“I’d rather not wait for the next fight, but unless you can break down this door I don’t see we have much of a choice,” Deana said and winced as she sat up.

“Shame the cell opened inwards, otherwise I might be able to tackle the door open when we get food,” Gabriel said.

“And get shot in the process,” Sen said.

“Yes, probably,” Gabriel agreed. “But I’m more worried you two would get shot, I’m kinda bulletproof remember.”

“Well, It won't kill us unless we get very unlucky,” Deana said.

“Correct, the rounds will rarely cause organ damage.” Sen agreed. “But of course, getting shot in the eye or an artery is far from optimal. But getting shot will make escaping harder.”

“So let’s try and avoid that,” Gabriel said.

Lunch soon arrived and Gabriel ate cautiously just in case he would get pulled out to fight. Deana on the other hand devoured her meal and with a few mugs of water Gabriel got for her. Then she and Sen fell asleep and Gabriel was left alone, wondering what was going on. Was it just more profitable to have three fights in a day? Probably. But was he the main event then?

“Crap, why can’t this be easy,” He mumbled to himself. His thought went, like they often had during these past days, to Madeline. He had convinced himself that she was alive and well but that did not mean he missed her any less.

Deciding this train of thought would get him nowhere he warmed up again, trying, and failing, to elaborate on his escape plan. At the moment there was not much he could do, it mostly came down to getting into the armory when fewer guards were stationed there. But after a few minutes, and after Deana had woken from her nap, the guards came back.

“Come with us,” the guards said, pointing a weapon at Deana who limped over to the far wall.

“Is that necessary? I’m sure you can defend yourself against someone severely wounded without using guns,” Gabriel said, staring the guards down as he walked out. They didn’t respond but lowered their guns.

Gabriel was led to the armory and the guards stopped just inside. He walked over to the same armor he’d worn before and begun strapping it on. He found a smaller club, this one was the size of a large baseball bat and apart from the octagon shape very similar. He grabbed a sword and shield as well, just in case. He reckoned he could swing this club faster without as much suspicion as the last one. Though it was his speed that was questioned last time, not his strength.

He wondered if showing his true strength would help. Maybe he could scare the guards into letting him go. But while he owed Deana and Sen nothing he felt he could not leave them. Maybe he could threaten enough guards but better not to risk it just yet. He decided he would try and hide his strength as long as possible. It would certainly not help if the guards increased.

He walked out into the arena once again. More people crowded the dark stands, shapes shifted in the boxes. Gabriel looked at them all, his helmet under his arm. Being seen might spread rumors which would help someone to find him. In either case, it gave him the satisfaction of seeing the shadowy shapes squirm.

The opposite gate opened and another rider on a Krik walked through. “Alright,” Gabriel muttered. “Let’s do this.” This rider had a sword and shield instead of a spear. He charged Gabriel and raised his sword high. Gabriel jerked to the left and quickly jumped right, the Krik galloping past. The rider swung but Gabriel easily blocked with his shield. Before the rider could make another pass Gabriel caught movement in the corner of his eye and turned, seeing two fighter walk out of the gate. Both probably Igris based on their height but it was hard to tell. One wore green and the other blue, but otherwise, both carried a shield and sword each.

“Well that’s just unfair,” Gabriel said as they raised their shield and moved forwards. He heard rumbling and leaped out of the way of the Krisk making another pass. Green ran forwards and swung just as Gabriel got to his feet. He blocked and parried two attacks before swiping Green’s legs. Then he backpedaled as Blue stabbed for his unprotected stomach. Before Green got to his feet Gabriel closed the distance with blue and clashed shields. He pretended to be matched in strength but planted a kick at Blue’s knee.

Blue fell with a shout of pain, though Gabriel had held back so he thought nothing was broken. He kicked Blue in the head leaving him stunned and just barely blocking a swipe from Green with his sword. Green’s blade still scored a line on Gabriel’s unprotected bicep, but with little strength behind it, it just cut skin. In return, Gabriel bashed the edge of his shield into Green’s stomach and he folded over with a grunt.

“Ow,” Gabriel said, gritting his teeth. “Oh, shit!” He threw himself flat as the Krik charged past, the rider's blade barely caught Gabriel’s helmet. He rolled to his feet. “This is going to go sideways fast,” He thought and ran for Blue who seemed to have the most trouble. He threw his sword at Green and grabbed the bat with two hands, swinging it down on Blue. Blue just managed to get his shield up but the blow forced the shield down into his helmet stunning him again. Gabriel kicked Blue's shield aside and swung the bat into Blue’s helmet, knocking him unconscious or outright killing him. At the moment he didn't care which.

“One down, two to go,” Gabriel said to Green. Gabriel circled, trying to keep both Green and the Krik insight at all times. He used the longer bat to keep Green from coming too close. Could he swing the bat one-handed without too much suspicion? Probably not. The rider shouted something to Green which Gabriel's translator didn’t pick up. Maybe they had theirs turned off. The rider charged and Green swung a few swings just trying to keep Gabriel occupied.

But Gabriel saw through it and when Green jumped out of the way of the Krik, Gabriel followed and swung at the rider. He caught the rider's shield but with the weight of the bat, he still fell from the saddle. Green attacked again and Gabriel got another shallow cut on his left arm this time but slammed the bat into Green’s sword arm in retaliation. Green shouted in pain and dropped his sword, the octagon-shaped bat had broken his arm.

Gabriel turned to the rider, who was just getting to his feet and charged, slamming his shoulder into him, while still managing to hold back some. But still enough to send him sprawling on the sand. Two fast swings later he was down or dead. Gabriel breathed heavily and turned to Green, who had dropped his shield and held his sword with his left hand. Gabriel pulled off his helmet and glared at the spectators, or tried as they were all cloaked in shadow still.

“I am Gabriel Walker! Human ambassador and I will make sure all of you...” was all he had time for before a rumbling interrupted him. The entire arena vibrated as a rumbling noise traveled over it. Murmures erupted from the stands and the spectators began hurrying out. Gabriel saw guards hurrying over to the Boss and he quickly left the arena. The rumbling stopped and a moment later a muted explosion went off in the distance. Gabriel looked at Green who dropped his sword and ran away.

“What the fuck?” Gabriel said.