I sit across from her nursing a salad and a coke.
"Now, what did I do to convince you I'm Wonder Woman?"
"I'm not sure where to start."
"The beginning usually works well."
"OK. About ten years ago in my world, Midway came out with a video game called Mortal Kombat."
"A game based on the tournaments? That's hilarious. I watched people I care about slaughtered there, and they make it a fucking game," The anger in her voice frightens me, "Keep going, it's not you."
"Well, I got goaded into playing you. I got my ass kicked royally. Not being one to quit, I practiced for months, came back, and kicked ass. That's when I became interested in the stories, especially yours." She sips her coke.
"Look, I don't know how to break it to you, but I'm no hero. Now, Liu, that's who you need to talk to. My team got caught. It was fight, or Shang Tsung would kill all of them. If I fought, at least they had a shot."
"There's more."
"Oh, I can't wait to hear this."
"Then they came out with a movie."
"Great, a fucking movie, too?"
"Yeah. The movie took a few liberties, though."
"Really? Like what?"
"Like only one real solo fight scene between you and Kano." I see it in her eyes. I'd better shut up before she snaps.
"And how did this little scrape end?"
"You grabbed him with the leg grab, and snapped his neck." She chuckles, her eyes softening.
"So it ended the way it should've, on one world, at least."
"You didn't break his neck?"
"No. I should've. I wanted to. God, did I want to. After everything him and those black dragon bastards did to me, I wanted that vengeance."
"Then why didn't you?"
"I didn't know why at first. I was there to get him, period. When I was chained in Outworld during the second tournament, I had a lot of time to think about it. If I'd snapped his neck. . . ."
"Then maybe he wouldn't have slit Danny's throat." She turns, to see a woman standing behind her.
"Fuck you, Karen."
"Fuck you, Sonya. I lost my fiancée because you were too much of a chickenshit to pull it out in the clutch."
"It wasn't my fault. He was my brother, too."
"And you killed him," That had to cut her deep. She falls silent, "Jax said you think this bitch is something special? She ain't shit."
"OK, I'm done." I throw the napkin on the table.
"Done what?"
"Done listening to your bullshit." I get up, cracking my knuckles. Sonya gets up, standing between me and Karen.
"Sit down."
"But . . ."
"Sit down, or I will sit you down." I reluctantly sit down, as Karen walks off, laughing.
"Why didn't you kick her ass?"
"Does violence solve everything on your world?"
"No, but . . ."
"But what? Every word she just said is true. I didn't break Kano's neck. He slit Danny's throat, and I didn't stop him. After everything," She clears her throat, "I couldn't kill him. So he killed the only family I had left. My almighty morals. Just bring him to justice. I killed Danny the second I let that bastard out of that leg grab. So, I decided to kill him. Followed him into Outworld alone after the tournament. Got ambushed as soon as I crossed the portal. I'll never forget what they put me through over there. The only thing remotely good about it was watching Kano get a taste of the pain he's caused me and so many others. Shao Kahn was a little more devious than Kano had planned on. Served him right. I can't say I'm much better though. Even after Jax got me out of there, I went after Kano's blood. So, Jessie, I'm as much of a scumbag as he is." She takes a deep breath, and another sip.
"No, you're not." She looks at me, and smiles.
"You really believe I'm that special? I'm a soldier. I do my missions, I come home, and I go to sleep with the knowledge that maybe I made my world a little better. Maybe one kid's life won't be taken from them like mine was. But, you seem to think I'm something special. You don't want to be like me. This is a lonely, miserable existence. I'm a human being, Jessie. Flesh and blood, just like you. I'm not a saint, and I'm not some kind of superhero. I do my job. Hell, I don't even want to do that sometimes. But, if I don't, innocent people get hurt. I've watched too many people I care about die to think there's anything noble about what I do. But, if I keep doing it, maybe, just maybe, some kid won't have to watch their world crash. You don't want to be like me, Jessie," I sit back, catching my breath, as she wipes her tears away with the back of her hand, "Not quite wonder woman, am I?"
"You're incredible." She sighs, shaking her head.
"You haven't heard one word I've said, have you?"
"I heard it. And, after all that, you're still protecting people. That makes you a hero in my book."
"Whatever. Come on, I've got a briefing to get to," I follow her to a set of offices, "Sit down, and don't go wandering around. Stay out of trouble." She goes into the office, as I sit down. I watch through the window. Whatever they're talking about, she ain't happy. I watch two MPs walk in.
"I'm telling you, man." They stand in front of the window.
"If we do have to take her down, I'm doing the pat down." Oh, man. Stay out of trouble. Stay out of trouble.
"You do that, I'm grabbing a handful of that ass on the way down." They are coming about this close. 10, 9, 8, 7 . . .
"Look at those tits, man." THAT'S IT! I kick one MP in the back, sending him flying hard into the window.
"WHAT THE . . ." I bury my knee into the other one's ribs, as he turns around. I
punch him hard in the jaw, as the door flies open.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" Sonya screams, as the other MP charges me. I grab his arm, and drive him head first into the wall. The second MP grabs me from behind, taking me down.
"Wait a minute."
"But, sir . . ."
"I SAID WAIT!" He gets off me. If looks could kill, the one Sonya's giving me would have me decaying by now. The guy looks me over.
"What the hell are you looking at?" He laughs.
"The answer to my problem."
"ABSOLUTLY NOT! SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE TRAINING OR THE EXPERIENCE!"
"Don't raise your voice at me, Lieutenant. I let you slide with a lot around here because you're one of the best, but not on this. You got a name?"
"Jessie."
"Well, Jessie, step into my office." I walk past Sonya, who looks like she's two seconds from kicking my ass back to my world, and sit down at a long table. Sonya slams the door behind her, "Sit down, Lieutenant," She sits across from me, glaring, "That was a very impressive show you just put on, Jessie."
"Your MPs need to watch their mouths."
"What kind of fight training do you have?"
"Five years eagle claw, three years kickboxing, a year tae bo, and about 26 years of watching the WWF."
"The what?"
"WWF. You know, pro wrestling?"
"Pro what? It doesn't matter. Wherever you picked it up, you're pretty good. How'd you like to help us out?"
"Depends. What do I have to do?"
"Well, my unit has been working on infiltrating an illegal fighting ring. We've already lost two operatives."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"I was going to send in Lt. Blade undercover as a fighter. But, after that little demonstration, how would you like to help your country."
"Do you blow this much smoke up everyone's ass, or just mine," Jax stifles a laugh. Sonya doesn't look nearly as amused, "Hell, it doesn't matter. If I can help, I'm game."
"Excellent!"
"Colonel, I want it on record I object to this whole fiasco. She has no business being involved in this."
"Would you prefer I send you?"
"Yes, sir."
"And if you're recognized, I loose another operative? No, I think this works better for me."
"Speaking of work, what's the going rate for soothing a colonel's conscious these days?"
"I'm not sending you to jail, isn't that payment enough."
"Oh, come on, general. If you're gonna risk my ass, shouldn't I be compensated?"
"No."
"Five hundred dollars every time I fight."
"Are you insane?"
"You're right. Six hundred."
"Are you high?"
"Are you going for seven?"
"And what's to stop me from locking you up?"
"Not a thing, but you need me, remember?" He grins.
"You've got balls the size of bricks, you know that?"
"And bills bigger than that. We got a deal, or am I on vacation?" He laughs.
"You'd better be as good as I think you are."
"Well, the best on the planet is sitting across from me, but I can fill your need," He laughs again, walking out, "So, guys, what's up?"
"Jax, debrief her." Sonya storms out, slamming the door behind her.
"What's with her?"
"HER? You just busted up two MPs, blackmailed a Lt. Colonel, and managed to get yourself knee deep into a case that's already killed two people, and you're wondering what's up with her? You sure you're not smoking something?"
"Come on, I was just having some fun with him."
"Fun? You've got a fucked idea of fun." He slides a file over to me.
"What's this?"
"Everything you ever wanted to know about the Unified Fighting Order, but were afraid to ask." I open the file. Oh, no. This is gonna SUCK!
"Who's he?"
"Marcus Raimes. He seems to be the organizer." Damn it, I was hoping he wouldn't say that. I close the file.
"Great."
"You look like you just got kicked in the gut."
"Marcus is my teacher on my world."
"Well, he's a scumbag here. We keep finding bodies of everyone we send in. All beaten, tortured, and shot in the back of the head."
"I guess I'd better not get caught, then."
"Do you take anything seriously?"
"Actually, I'm dead serious right now. Where'd she go?"
"You'd best stay away from her right now. She's gonna snap. You don't want to see that." Jax walks out, as I open the file. Marcus has himself quite a little operation going here. Double elimination, win by KO or submission, one million dollar prize. Easy to see why he gets so many volunteers. I continue reading, as Sonya walks in, fully composed.
"Any questions?"
"Yeah, who's the champ?"
"Nobody we've sent in has made it back to report."
"Great." I close the file again.
"Hey, if you want to back out, do it now. You've got nothing to prove."
"Are you kidding? I love a challenge."
"This isn't a video game. You loose here, you'll be lucky if you make it out alive."
"I can handle it."
"I don't know who you're trying to impress. But, if it's me, I'm not impressed with suicide."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence. Why don't you think I can handle it?"
"Because you're so damn sure you can. There's a thin line between confidence and arrogance in your ability. You are not ten foot tall and bulletproof."
"No, but I am a damn good fighter. It's the only thing I've ever been good at. I spend at least two hours a day pounding a bag to make sure of it."
"Bags don't hit back. These guys do."
"And Jax doesn't. And those MPs don't, huh?"
"They weren't expecting it. By the way, what was that about?"
"They need to watch their mouth, that's all."
"If you're gonna fight everybody that rips on me, you're gonna spend half of your time here fighting, and the other half in the brig for it."
"Sounds like a fun way to spend a vacation." She laughs. COOL! YOU GOT HER TO LAUGH!
"Since I seem to be talking to hear myself talk, let's see what I've got to work with. Come on," She leads me back to the gym, "Show me what you've got."
"I told you, I'm not hitting you."
"No, you're hitting the bag. Show me," I punch the bag, "You're a tournament fighter, aren't you?"
"Yeah, mostly."
"Well, that shit doesn't play here. When you throw a punch, step into it. Follow it all the way through. If you don't land the fist, try the elbow. It works just as well."
"That's not fair."
"Who the hell said anything about fair? Do it like this," She throws a punch, landing it. Then she throws one, missing it, but landing the elbow, "Let's see it." I duplicate her movements.
"How's that?"
"Better, but it needs to come natural. Keep doing it." I keep it up, as a group of guys walks in.
"Hey, Blade, show us some moves!"
"Yeah, I got something you can hit right here." I hit the bag harder.
"Focus. Don't let anything distract you from hitting that bag."
"Doesn't that bother you?"
"Don't worry about what bothers me, hit that bag." I continue hitting the bag, listening to the cat calls.
"Come on, Lieutenant, take me down, baby." This is making me sick. I stop hitting the bag, glaring at them.
"Who's your friend? She suck dick as good as you do?" Oh, he's gonna need dentures. As soon as I move, she stops me.
"If you insist on responding, let's make it worth our while." She whispers, still holding me back.
"I'm game. What do you have in mind?"
"Follow my lead," I follow her over to them, "Well, boys, you got my friend's attention." The ring leader of this little pig party looks me over.
"Is that right? Well, I usually like my women a little smaller."
"And who said I was looking at you, needle dick?"
"Don't tell me, you're some kind of dyke, right?"
"No, which is why we'd never work out. I require more than a quarter inch on my men." His boys bust out laughing.
"You're lucky I don't hit girls."
"And you think I might be gay? What do you hit, if you don't hit girls?"
"You're pushing your luck."
"Come do something about it."
"Blade, you'd better tell your friend who I am."
"He's Sergeant Mitch Watts, base boxing champion. He's up for the golden gloves."
"Maybe he can pawn them to get that implant he needs." He moves to swing, and Sonya grabs his wrist.
"If you wanna fight her, let's get some cash on it first. I got fifty that says she takes you down."
"I'll take that." He pulls a wallet out of his dress pants, and gives her a fifty.
"Any other takers?" She collects fifty from each of the seven guys, as I stand grinning at Mitch.
"What in the hell are you grinning at?"
"A bitch that's about to be out fifty bucks."
"Mitch, you can't fight in the dress uniform. That wouldn't be fair. Go get changed." He walks to the locker room, and goes in.
"Base boxing champ, huh?"
"Hey, I told you, I don't play fair. Besides, if you can't take him, you're gonna be in real trouble tonight."
"Please, as big as his mouth is? I'll be happy to shut it for him." He walks back out, as Sonya steps away.
"Don't go anywhere with my money, Blade."
"Let's make a little side bet, Mitch. Just you and me."
"What do you have in mind?"
"If you can put her away, I'll go out with you Friday night."
"Sounds good to me."
"But, when she puts you on your ass, you show up at breakfast tomorrow wearing your combat boots, and nothing else." I bite my lip to stop from laughing.
"You're on, but you gotta wear a collar on our date. I like to have my bitches close by."
"You're on," She looks at me, "You'd better win."
"No pressure, right?" I grin, as he swings. The solid left to my jaw knocks me off balance. The right to my ribs sends me down.
"I'm gonna enjoy Friday night." He laughs, as I flip back to my feet,
"Why? Do you like going out alone?"
"Stay down, before you get hurt."
"I like pain," He laughs, throwing another punch. I block it, and land a hard kick to his chest, knocking him off balance. I follow up with a roundhouse kick to the head, sending him down, "Do you?"
"Stupid bitch." He gets back up, and backhands me across the face. I quickly recover, kicking the side of his knee. He screams, as it folds under him. I step back, and kick him in the stomach as hard as I can. He curls up in a ball, coughing.
"OK, I think he's had enough."
"Oh, no, not just yet," I walk over to him, putting my foot on his injured knee, "Now, pee wee, you're gonna apologize . . ."
"FUCK YOU!"
"Fuck me? How many times do I have to tell you? You're not my type." I gradually add more weight to his knee.
"AUUGH! I'M SORRY I CALLED YOU A BITCH!"
"Why? I am a bitch. You're gonna apologize to her for those comments."
"Jessie . . ."
"NOW!" I add more weight.
"AUUGH, GOD! I'M SORRY, SONYA! I'M SORRY! GET THIS BITCH OFF ME!" I laugh, stepping off him.
"Apology accepted. Take him to the infirmary, and thank you for your very generous donation to the Sonya Blade beer fund. Bye, boys!" I laugh, giving her five, as they pick him up.
"GOD DAMN BITCH!"
"See you tomorrow, Mitch."
"Yeah, the FULL Mitch!" They carry him out.
"You let him swing first, why?"
"Why not?"
"Because one hit in the right place, from the right person, will put your happy ass on dream street. You get a chance to take the first shot, take it, and make it count."
"You don't strike me as the collar type. You must've been pretty sure I'd win." She smiles.
"I wasn't sure the money was enough incentive to get what I wanted out of you. The collar comment I wasn't counting on."
"Oh, thanks."
"Did Raiden let you pack an overnight bag before he brought you here?"
"No, unfortunately."
"Well, you are definitely too big for my gear, and you're too small for Jax's. We got four hundred to play with. Let's get you some street gear."
"I thought that was your beer money?"
"Please, I don't drink THAT much beer. Besides, I drink free at a bar off base." I follow her to the parking lot.
"I thought you'd be riding a Harley." I said, as we walk to a motorcycle. She tosses me a helmet.
"I wish! I live on an Army paycheck and I live off base. I'm lucky I can afford this!" Putting the helmet on, I sit behind her, and we ride off.