DISCLAIMERS

1. This is a fan fiction based on characters owned by DC Comics. I DO NOT OWN THEM. This is just for fun.

2. I've probably got Tamaranean culture, and names, COMPLETELY wrong in this story. But I did read up on it, so if it is off the mark, blame Wikipedia and ComicVine...

PART 10

Wahin was seething.

This Human had taught the Tamaranean military nothing useful. Why in the name of X'Hal were they learning non-lethal battle manoeuvres? Did this Human not understand what an army was for? Though Wahin shared his people's life-loving ways, he knew that often, war was necessary. Perhaps if the new queen's father had known that, the Tamaraneans would never have gotten in the position where they were taking orders from an offworlder.

Wahin watched as the new king went over some sort of fancy flip action. Why bother? Tamaraneans could fly - a standing somersault was completely pointless. Not to mention the Human kept stressing to only use necessary force - rather than getting the job done, the goal was now to leave the opponents alive. That made no sense to Wahib. A living foe could still attack.

To make matters worse, Wahin's peers seemed to be taking the new status quo well. They were apparently eager to learn, or at least willing to listen to the Human. Wahin found that embarassing. This offworlder was nothing in terms of strength compared to a Tamaranean - he had no business in this army. If the Human had a place at all on this planet, it was as an occassionnal diversion for the queen.

Not that Wahin had anything in particular against Humans, or offworlders in general. In fact, he could not care less either way. He was hardly a bigot: he simply never gave the species any thought. They were weaker, and thus mostly harmless. Indeed, if the need called for it, Wahin would probably fight to defend just a single Human. He hardly wanted them exterminated or anything.

But when one of them stuck his nose in the Tamaranean people's business... that, Wahin had a problem with. This Dick Grayson simply had no business leading this military. It was an outrage - an insult to a man of Wahin's talents, as well as the several tacticians he had recommended for the post the Human now had. A post he had simply because he was the queen's consort. It was almost laughable.

Wahin saw the Human explain the right amount of pressure to give to someone's neck to incapacitate them. What a load of nonsense. Wahin had had enough. He moved from the side of the first line of troops where had been standing and strode toward the new king. As the Human was offering words of assurance to the poor sap he was belittling, Wahin cleared his throat intently. Everyone looked at him. "Yes, Commander?" the Human asked.

"Perhaps we could move onto more practical lessons," Wahin said vaguely.

"Meaning?"

X'Hal, this Human was an idiot. "I think we'd all like to see our new commander in action," suggested Wahin. "Perhaps in mock combat?"

"A sparring session?"

"If that's what you call it."

The Human eyed Wahin carefully. "And who do you suggest participates?"

Wahin bowed slightly. "I humbly request it for myself. I would be honoured to 'spar' with the Queen's consort."

Dick Grayson was silent for a moment. "If you insist," he eventually said. "I suggest you all make us room," he said to the troops. Nervously, the soldiers backed away a couple of steps, giving the two space to move. Slowly, Dick crinked his neck, while Wahin clenched his fists. He was looking forward to this. It was time to show this Human he did not belong here.

"Remember... you asked for this," Dick said simply.

Narrowing his eyes, Wahin braced himself. "Yes, sir." With that, he suddenly burst forward, his feet leaving the ground as he flew towards the Human, as fast as he could.

As he neared, however, Dick effortlessly leapfrogged Wahin, and he flew under and behind him. Abruptly doing a u-turn, Wahin humphed, then sped forward again. Again, Dick avoided him, this time somersaulting vertically and landing on his feet in the same spot. Wahin stopped and narrowed his eyes again. OK, so this Human knew how to jump. But Wahin could "jump" better.

"You're giving me plenty of time to dodge," Dick said.

Suddenly, Wahin flew into the air. Two-dozen feet up, he then arched and shot down like a dart, going fullspeed toward the Human... who easily moved again. Wahin impacted with his fists in the dirt below, blowing up smoke and debris. "See what I mean?"

Slowly, Wahin turned to look at the other Tamaraneans. Expressions ranged from nervousness, surprise to humour. Wahin knew what the Human was trying to do. But Wahin would not be embarrassed. Soon, he would tire, and Wahin would show everyone what the Human was made of.

Deciding on a different approach, Wahin pulled his pistol from his hip. It was set to stun, so there would be no danger of injuring the queen's consort: no matter how much Wahin might want to inflict damage on the Human, he was not stupid. He pulled the trigger, confident it would end the sparring session...

Dick blocked every shot with his Eskrima sticks, his arms moving with no apparent effort. Wahin was stunned.

"Not the first time I've delt with lasers, friend," the Human said.

Wahin saw red. He had had enough - it was time to end this. Time to send this offworlder back where he came from. He threw himself forward, again leaving the ground with his fists infront of him. His intent to leave the Human relatively unscathed had gone out the window.

Mere inches from impact, Dick flipped sideways and dropped his arm at the same time, ramming one Eskrima hard onto Wahin's left arm. Wahin's eyes widened as the electrical charge shook him, and he found himself landing clumsily on the ground. After a few moments, he stood up, and tried to move his arm... only to find that doing so was impossible.

"Pressure points," said Dick. "Everyone has 'em."

Beyond enraged, Wahin rushed at him again. Again, Dick dodged, this time thrusting an Eskrima onto Wahin's right arm. Before the Tamaranean could comprehend what was going on, Dick struck both his legs in the same respective spots. Like that, Wahin was a heap on the ground... unable to move.

After taking a deep breath, Dick looked at the other soldiers. "Incapacitate your opponent, and the fight's over. By the time he can move again, you're long gone. No bloodshed, no fatalities."

Wahin looked up at the Human, as he tried to will his limbs to move. To his astonishment, he was completely helpless. Dick looked down at him. "Don't worry," he said. "It'll only last a few minutes." He then turned back to the troops.

As Wahin struggled to move - and what to think - Dick spoke again. "OK... I think that's enough for today."

TO BE CONCLUDED