Deep Space Endeavor 3 Death Match

by Ron Francis

  “He doesn’t actually have to.” Jesse reminded the assembled leaders. “He only needs a sufficient quantity of ships to keep us busy so he can betray the people on the ground. He knows a prolonged battle will result in other players being drawn in to the game, if they aren’t already. He’s at an advantage because he knows we have no wish to see the Lawless Sector embroiled in war, but that has been his plan all along. Let’s not worry about the ships in orbit just yet. Let’s make sure Endeavor along with the entire crew will be able to get off the ground whether I kill Garrinoras or not.” Jesse had not even touched the Sollonian brandy the servant had put down in front of him.

  “I agree,” Mayor Valinor offered. “A few strategically placed units among the guests on Chawanas should be able to help to that end. They won’t be part of your entourage, so you will not be breaking any rules.” He looked thoughtful as he added. “You can also have as many soldiers as you like on Endeavor; the rule states you may only bring twenty-five to the stadium. What is your ship’s capacity?”

  “We can hold fifty fairly comfortably.” Josiah interjected.

  “Well then you should invite another twenty-five soldiers to stay on your ship before you leave for Chawanas.”

  “I think our ships should wait in an adjacent system, ready to be called in by Ginderbar if the need arises. It would be one surprise Garrinoras people would not be expecting, and might make us appear more vulnerable, goading the Zinnebailans into a precipitous action.” The Chairman added as he sipped on his Sollonian Brandy. Gone was the energetic leader, replaced by a man that seemed aging and frail. Jesse wondered if all of this unrest had begun to take a toll on Kaldor’s chairman.

  “To pull that off, your ships would have to start leaving Kaldor a few at a time, and in different directions right now in order for the Zinnebailans not to be completely on to us. They still might be, depending on if there are any information leaks, or how stealthily Kaldor’s ships can get off world between now and two days from now. They would, however, have a hard time determining how many ships Kaldor is sending.” Jesse replied with a nod. “Admiral Dyson, how do you feel about sending more of your soldiers aboard Endeavor?”

  “No problem, all of my people are very interested in spending time aboard your ship, and meeting you and your crew. You are famous now and your ship is currently a very desirable post.” She replied while absently twirling her lanyard around her fingers. Jesse knew she was looking forward to some time with her daughter as soon as the meeting came to a close.

  As Admiral Dyson spoke, Jesse thought about the large Hyperian fleet that would be coming to Chawanas. Only King Dominus and I are aware those ships are coming. It’s my ace in the hole, so I think I’ll hold onto that information a while longer. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the people seated around the table, but he knew that the best way to make sure a secret doesn’t get leaked when you’re the only one that has it, is not to tell anyone. This will definitely work to our benefit. Once the Hyperian vessels show up, it will take the focus off any of the ships leaving Kaldor, and it might just take the fight out of the pirates altogether. As he listened to the planning continue, he felt a knot tightening in his gut as the prospect of what he was going to have to do became more real to him. He suddenly wanted to be very far away in spite of the blustery words he had spoken earlier. He had never feared battle, but somehow he was beginning to fear this and he didn’t like the feeling at all.

  The conversation and planning continued for another forty-five minutes before they finished and rejoined the rest of the guests for dessert, much to Kiah’s delight. Jesse immediately went right to Kiah and sat with her while she happily devoured the cake she was served. He felt he needed the cute diversion to take his mind off of what was to come, if only for a few minutes. He had hardly touched his cake, so he cut it in half and stealthily slid half of it onto her plate when he caught her eyeing it. He didn’t want to give her too much, or she might get sick, and then he would face Seeja’s wrath. He poked at the remaining cake on his plate and had he had the appetite, he was sure he would have enjoyed the almost chocolate taste of the moist dark cake sitting in front of him. The filling in between layers was especially tasty, but somewhere during the planning meeting he had lost his appetite.

  Jesse was lost in thought about the upcoming match. Garrinoras is seven feet tall, solid as a rock and is credited with never having lost a fight in his life. Every being in the Lawless Sector is terrified of him. I am going to have to fight a monster, to the death, in front of the entire galaxy. Could I really kill him if it comes to it? Could I take his life if he is unarmed and begging for mercy? I don’t know. This might wind up being my greatest test. He knew he had been tested a lot during his life as a soldier, more times than he could count. His mind flashed back to his first big test, back during Special Forces training almost seventeen years earlier. He began to think of Sergeant Kelly and that night on the obstacle course.

  [“Let’s go, Marcos, you worthless piece of trash. You may have been a big man back home, but you’re nothing here. You’re gonna take that obstacle course again and again until you break that course record. Do you hear me?”

  “Yes, Sir!” he yelled, although he knew there was no way he was breaking the course record tonight. He had been at it seven hours straight, it was raining heavily and his Sergeant had put twenty extra pounds in his backpack. He wouldn’t even be in this mess if Arco could have kept his mouth shut. As usual, he had to speak out, and as usual, the Marine to either side of him was punished. He was last in line today, so Jesse was the only one being punished. If it happened again, he was going to beat Arco within an inch of his life. It had gotten so bad, that whenever Arco was second in line, the first Marine would smart off just to pay him back for all the punishment he caused the others. Somehow, he always found his way next to Jesse and Jesse always wound up out on the obstacle course. Jesse already owned the course record, but he was unsure that Sergeant Kelly knew it. He was on his third kilometer for the ninth time today, while carrying the extra weight. He didn’t think he was going to finish the course at all.

  “Marcos! Are you trying to tick me off? You better get yourself in gear or we’ll be out here all night. That wall ain’t gonna climb itself.”

  “Yes, Sir!”

  “Wait, I don’t think your pack is heavy enough. I have twenty more pounds for you. Would you like that? All you gotta do is say you’ve had enough and you can go to your little bed and sleep like a baby, is that what you want?”

  “No, Sir!”

  “Good, I’ll make you a deal then. You get over this wall using only your hands with your extra forty pounds and we’ll call it a night. What do you say?”

  “It’s a deal, Sir!”

  “Well, what are you waiting for?” He blew his whistle and somehow, Jesse managed to get his tired body up and over that wall using only his arms to climb. Sergeant Kelly sent him back to the barracks and he was greeted by a smug, smiling Arco.

  “You sure look tired,” he quipped.

  Jesse lost it, in that moment he suddenly had all of his strength back. He grabbed Arco by the collar and punched him in the face three times. He threw him to the floor and punched him again as he said, “You think this is funny? If you ever stand next to me again, I will beat you until you can’t even walk. How’s that? Funny enough for ya?” He hit him again as Collin and Josiah pulled him off. They had never seen their easy-going friend snap before, but they couldn’t blame him either. It did seem like Jesse was usually his target and no one knew why. Just then the Sergeant stormed into the barracks.

  “Marcos! Did I just see you attack and threaten a fellow Marine?”

  Jesse knew his weary body was about to take another beating as he replied, “Yes, Sir!”

  “Good, it’s about time.” He laughed as an almost evil smile lit up his face. He turned and yelled, “Arco, I have an obstacle course with your name on it. Clean the blood off your fa
ce and let’s go. You don’t get to sleep until you break Marcos’ course record.”

  As Arco left the barracks, every Marine in the room congratulated Jesse as he tiredly made his way to his rack. He had his best night sleep in months that night, and Arco only lasted two more days before giving up his Special Forces training.]

  He smiled briefly as he finished thinking about that, he still wasn’t sure he actually passed that test. He was suddenly aware that Kimi had been talking to him.

  “How are you feeling, Jess,” Kimi asked as she gently put her hand on his arm.

  He noticed the faint but lingering smell of jasmine that she always seemed to have on her. “I’m not sure,” he honestly replied. “I’ve never really been in a situation like this before. All of the battle planning and contingencies are fairly normal, but this waiting for a one-on-one fight to the death with all of those rules is really getting to me. I think I feel like I would have been better prepared if I found out about it today and fought him tomorrow. But I still have to wait two days, so I’m a little on edge.”

  “Anything I can do to help?” She smiled as she closed her hand around his. “I’m available to talk if you’d like.”

  “I really appreciate that, and I’ll probably take you up on it later or tomorrow. I still have to be tutored in the match rules, and I should get a couple good nights’ sleep before I step into the arena with Garrinoras. For now, I need to go meet the teachers Wennagal set up for me.” His mind lingered on the scent of jasmine on her hands. He squeezed her hand for reassurance and then he picked up Kiah in a surprise bear hug. “I’m so happy I got to see you again. Do you think you could do me a favor while I’m learning the rules to this game?”

  Kiah smiled as she tried to wiggle her arms free to hug him back. Jesse loosened his grip, and she hugged his neck tight. “Of course I can do you a favor, I’m seven now.”

  “Well then, you are certainly qualified,” he laughed. “I need someone to watch Commando for a little while.” Her eyes grew big and she nodded her agreement with a smile.

  He kissed her on the cheek and then put her down as Wennagal came over and let him know the tutors had just arrived. His lips curled into a smile as he heard Kiah telling Commando she was in charge. He followed the big Qualoosh to the room they would be using, and left everyone else to enjoy their night, although he imagined there was more worry than enjoyment. He did notice, however, that Josiah seemed to be enjoying Sergeant Rivada’s company quite a bit, just like he knew his first officer would. He allowed himself a small smile for Josiah and Tanna as he went to meet the men that would hopefully give him a chance in this competition. As he was leaving the room, he saw Kimi comfortably talking with Agent Sandstorm and it bothered him. He just really wished this situation could be worked out. He either needed to be with her, or move on. He should not begrudge Ogen for liking the woman he was in love with. Ogen was a great guy and if Kimi did end up with him, he couldn’t blame her. Jesse knew it would be his own fault. He may as well have introduced her to Ogen himself. At least if she started dating someone, he could move on. Maybe the Princess might have an interest. He pushed that thought aside as soon as it hit; he wouldn’t move on unless she gave him no choice.

  ______

  “Before we get into the fine print of the rules you most likely already know, I would like to give you the history of the Zinnebailan Death Match. It goes back almost five thousand years, to a time when Zinnebulous was divided into three nations. One of the rulers, Lord Dralor, was trying to consolidate the planet into a single government. He took over the smallest nation easily, and set his sights on the remaining nation. As they were about to go to war to unite Zinnebulous for better or worse, Lord Dralor’s adversary tried to assassinate him. He missed and took out his rival’s entire family. Lord Dralor was so enraged, that he let protocol slip and challenged his adversary to a one on one battle, to the death. To motivate his rival, he put up his entire nation. The battle to unite Zinnebulous would be fought, and decided by two people. Lord Dralor won, but it took three days. Since that time, whenever a situation arose where someone had that kind of rage or hatred, a death match was declared. For a while they were very popular, until three thousand years ago, the government began instituting rules, and deciding which situations were severe enough to warrant a death match. Since that time, there have been only one or two a decade, and they have become events, with established rules, strategies and even betting lines. Participants are free to refuse the challenge, but they are forever branded as cowards if they do. I give you the background so you will understand that this is no small thing you are about to take part in. You will actually be the first non-Zinnebailan to ever take part in a death match, and this will be the first death match to ever be fought outside of Zinnebulous. It will also be broadcast live to other planets, which is a first. This is also the first time a two-day death match had been declared, although, the five-hour sessions format makes the amount of time spent in the arena only four hours less than the three day matches. That was no doubt Garrinoras’ idea.” As Tutor 1 finished his history lesson, he sat down and poured himself a drink, obviously pleased with his portion of the presentation.

  Tutor 2 nodded to his brother and began. “Having a four session death match means you have to injure him four times before you kill him; once with each weapon. This means, when you get to round four, you cannot just kill him with your weapon of choice, you must injure him first. But let us begin with the first session. Garrinoras has added the up close and personal, hand-to-hand weaponless combat. You must injure him with either your hands or your feet. He must really hate you.” The tutor smiled.

  “What about a head butt?” Jesse interrupted.

  “If it draws blood, it is acceptable. Battle gloves may be worn for the first session, and Garrinoras will no doubt have some elaborate metal gloves capable of inflicting great pain. You will be allowed the same luxury.”

  Jesse pulled out his gralium knuckles as an idea occurred to him. “What if I put this inside a regular glove? Would that be legal?”

  One of the tutors looked at the inter-connected metal rings, and nodded his agreement. “This inside a regular glove would indeed be legal, but it would seem rather paltry compared to what your opponent will bring. The one thing you must know about Garrinoras, if you do not already, is that he will never do something unless he thinks he has the upper hand.

  “That I did know, he no doubt thinks I will not be aware of the subtleties of this arrangement, but he never ceases to underestimate me.”

  “Another subtlety you may not be aware of is that in any non regulation length match, which usually applies to extended matches, but in this case applies because it is a shorter match, you may bring your own weapons. You do not have to use the weapons provided. They will likely try to stop you from doing so, but that would only work on people that do not know the rules. If they do not allow you to use your own weapons, you need to demand that Garrinoras choose from the exact same assortment you have to choose from. Once you do, they will realize you understand the rules and relent.”

  “Thank you, that is very important to know. Is there anything else?”

  “Just a couple more details. In round four, you may bring as many weapons as you like. You may have multiple swords, staffs, hammers, axes, bladed weapons, your gloves and a normal blaster. You may not bring a heavy blaster or explosives. You may only use the type of weapons previously agreed upon. You may bring an entourage of twenty-five sentient beings with you. After the first session of each day, you will be allowed to retire to the contestant tunnel to eat, sleep and receive medical attention. It would be wise to have your own food, water and doctor available. I would not trust anything Chawanas provides. After the second session of the first day, you may go back to your ship and receive medical treatment, sleep in your own bed, etc…. One thing you need to understand and remember: if you kill him before injuring him four times, you forfeit your life as
well.”

  “What about the exchange? I won’t fight unless Captain Reed is safely aboard Endeavor.”

  “Your ship will be under heavy scrutiny from the moment it lands, and Captain Reed will be transferred over to Endeavor as you enter the arena. This will be a very important exchange. Do not enter the arena until she is aboard your ship. You may enter the tunnel to the arena, but you need to make sure she passes you in the tunnel and makes it to your ship before you step in to the arena proper. Once you enter the arena, it is a death penalty to try to leave without fighting. So if you enter the arena before Captain Reed is released, they won’t release her.”

  “I only have one more question, why are you helping me?”

  “Our parents owned a restaurant, and Garrinoras killed them because he wasn’t satisfied with the meal they served. We may have no love for humans, but we wish Garrinoras dead, and you seem like the best opportunity that has come along in a while to make that wish a reality.”

  “Very well then, if there is nothing else gentlemen, I would like to get some rest. Thank you, this information will prove most useful.” Jesse shook hands with each of the two tutors as he left the room.