So, good news, this is chapter three. Bad news, the barbwire is on backorder, so until then, I'm going to be filling sandbags. In this chapter, you meet the prisoners and learn the rules of The Game. I own nothing, because if I did, that show would go a whole different direction. Please enjoy! (Goes into trench) Hey! What's a raccoon doing in here? That's my MRE!

Chapter 2

After miles of tunnels, or seemed to be miles to Keith, the trio finally arrived to a classroom of sorts. Keith was sat in the front, Krolia a few rows behind him, and Romelle in the back corner. On the desks in front of them was a tablet. The guards left the room with the promise of being back in an hour. Keith picked up his tablet; almost dropping it when a beam of light shot out and scanned his face. The words turned to English, and he saw they were questions.

How would you rate your aggression, 1 to 10, 10 being very aggressive?

How would you rate your species aggression? 1 to 10

How many wars has your species been apart of? What was the cause of those wars? What species were the opponents?

The questions went on like that until the guards came back. They went further into the maze of buildings and into a long section. Keith was shoved into a cell, Romelle went into the one to his right, Krolia to his left. He took the time to study the cell.

It was roomy and actually comfortable looking. A little alcove in the corner held a bathroom area, with a curtain to maintain privacy. A bed was on the other side of the room, and the door was standard bars, so he could see out. That is how he saw the prisoner opposite of him watching him, smiling.

The being looked like a tabby cat crossed with a female human body builder. Keith couldn't tell if she was covered in fur or skin, but it was same markings as an Earth tabby cat. Two arms that were corded with muscle were crossed on the bars of her cell, while another set of arms were on her hips. She wore a plain shirt over a barrel chest and plain pants with boots.

"Welcome!" The being said in a cheerful voice. Keith cautiously waved back, and she laughed.

"Don't worry. We aren't a bad bunch, save a few sour grapes. I'm Cat." She said.

'Keith." He introduced himself. The sounds of cell doors opening down the hall few his attention.

"Dinner time. Come on, I'll show ya around and explain everything." Cat said. Keith made sure Romelle and Krolia stayed by him, and that he stayed close to Cat. The crowd went to a cafeteria.

It was a long room, one side a buffet of sorts that took up the far wall, while the rest of the room was filled with long tables. Guards patrolled the outer edges of the room. Keith grabbed a tray, and handed one to Romelle, who was tying to look everywhere at once. She shook her head a bit and smiled her thanks. Keith saw some familiar foods and placed them on his tray. Looking around, he saw Cat waving to him from across the room, so he led Romelle and his mother to her table.

Keith pushed his food around his tray, making Cat chuckle.

"Eat! We get plenty here." She said.

"Why? We are prisoners here." Romelle said.

"People don't want to see two stick figures who can barely lift a sword duke it out. The Game is as much for the people on this planet to project their aggression than it is to keep us in line." Cat said. Krolia rubbed her chin in thought.

"I've never heard of this Game. Is it just in the system or planet?" She asked.

"If people knew about it, they would avoid the areas the Searchers look for. It's a planet based thing." Cat shrugged, talking between bites of food. Keith has started eating at a normal pace.

"What do new prisoners need to know?" He asked. Cat took a large swig of water and began to explain.

"The Game is simple: Two fight until one can't move for ten seconds or they die. It goes until the Championship Round. The winner of that one becomes Top of The Pillar and gets a wish from the King. Then, they go back to the bottom, and it starts all over again. With each win, you can get weapon upgrades, armor improvements, time in the forge, stuff like that." Cat took a break to eat a bit more while Keith thought of something.

"Could the Champion wish for freedom?" He asked, causing Cat to snort into her glass.

"Doesn't work. Wishes are very specific. If you wish for freedom, you'll get it. But you won't have a penny to your name or a friend to turn to. No ship off the planet. You would be stranded." She said. Keith allowed this fact to sink in.

"I've been here five seasons. Won two. I've seen friends come and go, die, and just vanish." At this, Cat looked to another table. Keith followed her gaze. There were several beings in white coats eating.

"Scientists. They do work for the King. If they take you, you'll most likely never be seen again." Cat said grimly.

For a little bit, the group just ate, with Cat sometimes shouting out something to another prisoner or join in on a running joke. Krolia picked up on this.

"Considering you all fight each other; you seem to get along rather well." She said. Cat smiled after teasing another friend a few seats down. She smiled at Krolia.

"We are already in a crappy situation, why make it worse by hating each other? Sure, you have ones like The Hammer who love the blood shed of this sport, but most of us want a good, clean fight." She said.

"So you don't kill in cold blood?" Krolia said. Cat tipped her glass at that.

After dinner, Cat showed the trio around. There was a recreation room, full of chairs and couches, a forge area that already had some prisoners working in it, and a gym of sorts. It was full of weights, and a sparing mat with training weapons.

"We get a few hours before lights out to just relax, make improvements, or train. You are in luck that you came at the end of the season. It will be another three weeks until the new season starts." Cat said. Keith went to the sparing area and picked up a knife. He handed it to Romelle.

"Three weeks to teach you how to hold your own." He said. Romelle gulped as she took the knife. Krolia rested a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry, I will run you through some basic moves and Keith can help put them into practice. I'll also start you on a weight regime to help build up muscle." Romelle smiled weakly up at her. Keith nodded.

"And the first thing you need to learn, is how to take a punch."