#7

"It doesn't have to be this way," Seven said. He stepped off the lift and into gigantic empty chamber, his voice echoing off the distant walls.

Amboss had led him to a second hangar-this one was mostly empty, other than a few random crates that were scattered about. A few hundred yards long, the hangar was a giant cave with a metal floor and a lattice of thick beams above, holding back the tons of rock that made up the asteroid. The lights were already on, basking the entire place with a dull yellow glow.

First Mate Birne stood with his back to the lift. He wore battle armor and had his hands clasped behind his back. Beside him stood another alien, a short creature with hardened skin and a smooth colorful shell on his back. Instead of a mouth, he had a set of strange looking mandibles and dozens of small black eyes. His hands were mitten-like pincers and his four legs led to curved hooks instead of feet.

"But it does, young Saiyan, it does. This is our code of honor," Amboss said.

"You're pirates, what does honor matter? Don't you steal and murder?"

"We're pirates not bandits," Amboss said. "There's a difference in principal. We pirates have rules and a code of honor. We only kill those who don't surrender and only steal from those that can afford it. Bandits-well they're just bloodthirsty criminals."

"I don't really get it," Seven said, not able to help the flat expression on his face.

Amboss waved it off. "You'll see soon enough. Once you become a crew member."

"I'm not going to become your crewman. I am leaving this place," Seven said.

He lowered into a fighting stance, facing Amboss. He bent at the knees and raised both hands up in front of him, fists balled.

"I'm ready."

"You aren't going to fight the Captain. Not first. You have to get through Herm here and then myself," First Mate Birne said, his voice smooth like ice.

"Rules are rules," Amboss said and shrugged. "I didn't make them up."

Seven could feel the vein bulging in his forehead, pulsating with each of his heartbeats. His jaw clenched hard and it was everything he could do not the scream. Their little game was insulting.

You are a Saiyan, a natural born warrior. Show them why you're not to be trifled with, the King's voice said.

For once, Seven agreed with him. "Fine-I'll defeat you all and then I'll have my freedom."

"I like your spirit," Amboss said and grinned.

Herm stepped forward, his spindly legs clicking on the metal floor. He took on what Seven assumed was a stance, one mitten-hand high, the other one low. It looked awkward and Seven wondered if this was some kind of joke. So, he watched Herm for a long moment. The shelled alien just stood there, unblinking, like a statue.

Fine, I'll take the initiative then!

Seven rushed forward and threw a punch that immediately got caught in Herm's mitten grip. Next thing he knew he was tumbling through the air at high speeds. He landed on his shoulder, sliding across the metal floor until the friction slowed him to a stop. He jumped back to his feet, trembling with rage and charged again.

Only to be thrown into the wall this time. His back smashed into it and he felt the rock crack. Chips of stone rained down all around him. Having landed on his head, he laid there for a moment both dazed and wincing through the throbbing pain.

"Fine, if I can't hit you, then I'll just blast you to pieces," he shouted.

Seven extended his arm out in front of him, gathering spirit energy into his fist. It started glowing with white light and electricity crackled around his forearms. He charged as much as he could, until his arm was trembling with power. Unable to contain it any longer, he stepped forward and thrust his hand out, releasing it.

The blast he loosed was wild and uncontrolled, a veritable wall of crackling energy. It moved forward but also spread out in all directions.

Seven hadn't mastered using his energy, as he spent most of his time in his cell back on Sorn. Using a blast there would have just freaked everyone out. The few times he did sneak out, he did practice firing blasts, but not nearly enough to make a difference.

"Horu Horu!" Herm shouted. He then turned his body around, his colorful shell facing the incoming blast.

The wall of energy started moving back towards Seven, with no warning. His eyes went wide with terror. He tried to run away, but there was nowhere for him to go. The blast crashed into him and he let out a cry as it exploded.

Searing pain coursed all over his body and he laid there on the hard metal floor. Wisps of smoke curled from his body, which now was covered in minor burns. Never before had he felt such a pain. It took him a long minute to get up. Herm stood, his multiple eyes staring at him without blinking, still in his awkward stance, still unharmed.

Amboss was laughing so hard snot was coming out of his big purple nose. "The reflection shell, Herm you're a jerk. This is probably this kid's first real fight-pulling that dirty trick on him-how horrible."

He's not wrong. This is my first real fight, Seven thought as he got back up.

He cursed himself for charging in like a maniac. He admittedly had underestimated Herm. The shelled alien had proven not to be a pushover, as was expected by his odd appearance. In fact, he seemed quite composed and well formed. Each one of his counter-throws had been timed perfect and executed with a smooth grace. If Seven wanted to win, he needed to think of a different kind of attack.

This time when he charged Herm, instead of going for a heavy punch, he swept his leg around. Herm blocked it and Seven felt the mitten hands starting to wrap around his shin. Fearing another throw, he yanked his leg down hard, snapping the opposite one up at the same time in a rising knee strike. Herm's free hand stopped the blow dead and then with a push sent Seven tumbling backwards like a leaf in the wind.

Seven landed on his feet this time, at least. The faster my attacks, the less of a chance he has to grab me.

Attacking with renewed vigor, he sent a hail of fast punches, high and low at Herm. Each one was turned aside in good measure. Seven felt himself tiring with the effort, and getting nowhere fast. Plus, each of Herm's rebuttals came with a stinging jab onto his forearms, which were starting to turn red with bruises. Jumping back, he landed next to the lift and took a moment to collect himself.

He's only the first guy I have to fight. If I keep this up, I'll be tired and not able to defeat the other two.

The hopelessness of the fight started to creep in. Was he that weak and that helpless?

Are you going to let that weakling defeat you? Will you be a slave again?

No!

He gathered more spirit energy into his fist and thrust his hand forward. This time the blast was much weaker and he didn't stand idle to see what happened with it. He vanished from sight, moving past the blast, where he re-appeared behind Herm. The shelled alien turned around once again, pointing his colorful shell at the energy to bounce it back.

The energy crashed into the shell, rebounding back. Seven lunged, sending a heavy punch into the alien's stomach. The blast exploded on the wall next to the lift, shaking the entire room and filling it with smoke and the dust of pulverized rock.

Seven pulled his fist back, firing a second punch into the same spot, twisting it deep. Herm let out a low clicking sound that degraded into a growl and then collapsed on the floor. Expecting a counter attack, Seven took a few steps back.

Herm didn't move though, he just laid there wheezing and grunting.

"Well," Amboss said. "Looks like you beat our impenetrable Herm, how about that?"

Seven didn't feel like he won. Just looking at his opponent laying there in pain made him frown. Wasn't winning supposed to be a glorious moment? Why did he feel like a jerk? Herm hadn't really even attacked him, just turned his attacks aside. He felt like this fight had been a mockery and scowled at Amboss.

Amboss scooped Herm up like an infant, carrying him over to the lift. He set him against the wall carefully and patted him on his head. Herm's many eyes were shut and mandibles agape, revealing a strange maw of toothy protrusions.

"Can I leave now?" Seven asked.

"No. Now you fight First Mate Birne," Amboss replied.

Birne, who had been watching idly stepped forward. His hands were still clasped behind his back and he studied Seven's battered with narrowed eyes and a snarl of digust.

"You are not worth my time. But, I do this for the honor of my crew," Birne said. "Prepare yourself. I am not as kind as Herm."