Chapter 10: Exhibition Fight Anyone?

The fight would be just like a boxing match. There would be ten rounds, each side had a trainer entourage, and There would be someone to display what round it was.

The trainer entourage was only one person for each side. Vasquez had been betting on Jake, and so she was taking the place of his trainer. Hudson had bet on Hicks, so he would be trainer to him.

Ripley couldn't bear to choose, as long as both of them made it out okay, so she would hold the cards saying what round it was.

Back in the crowds, Aaron had the bright idea to let the cons make bets, and was running a booth specifically for it. What they were betting wasn't clear, but someone thought it was servings of food.

Bishop couldn't let the two get hurt, and decided to be the ref. Aaron said he would also be announcer after the betting booth was closed, and the PA system was rigged to do so.

The match rules would be simple. No bodily contact with the weapons, and you could only go towards your opponents weapon.

Jake was in a hallway on the other end receiving a pep-talk from Vasquez. He imagined Hicks was getting a similar talk from Hudson, but wasn't sure.

"Alright, you listen to me. You may have a better weapon, complete with a guard, but you still have very little chance against Hicks." Vasquez said, pausing for a moment "Now, What you do is try to wear him out. Mostly block. He's capable of a more stable grip and has an easier grip position. However, mostly block, and try to have him do some moves involving complex movement. Like try and have him swing full block with it, and whatever you do, keep that grip tight. Just remember that and you'll be good."

Hicks

Hicks on the other hand was having the hardest time with Hudson ever. Hudson insisted on giving him a pep-talk, yet all he wanted to do was some warm-up moves with the pipe-staff. However, as long as Hudson didn't pull him aside, he let him talk as he practiced.

"Alright, you've got both an advantage and a disadvantage." Hudson was rambling "The advantage is that you have an easier ability to block. The disadvantage, is that you don't have anything protecting your grip. The advantage is that you have a much heavier weapon to fight with. The disadvantage is that you can tire out easier with that thing…"

Hicks decided he'd had enough of Hudson's poor excuse for a pep-talk, and slapped him. Unfortunatly, Hudson didn't take the hint.

"Just letting you know that if you lose, I have to kiss Bishop." He said.

Hicks turned around to slap him again, yet it seemed that Hudson was just putting it out there.

And kissing Bishop. No offense, but that's just weird, disgusting, and wrong. Shoot, He even thought about letting Jake win in a close match just so he could see it, but then again, having Vasquez kiss Bishop would be even funnier. Plus, he wanted to finally knock the kid off his high horse when it came to melee combat. The kid acted like he was a ken-do grandmaster when it came to the sword-play. If anything, someone had to teach him a lesson.

Jake

Vasquez had fashioned some blocking gloves out of the two boards and some leather glued together. She was helping him practice for a while, and then he said he wanted to meditate for the last few minutes before the match.

Vasquez reluctantly agreed, and Jake got on the floor and began. He held the sheathed-sword in his hands, closed his eyes, and began to breathe in and out, clearing his thoughts.

He concentrated on bringing the life energy from within his chest area into a ball. He focused, bringing it in, and making it larger.

He held it at that size for a moment, before releasing it through his body, feeling refreshed.

"It's time." Vasquez said. Jake got up, an walked through the hall with her.

The cafeteria was a large two floor place. The main spot where the tables would be was cleared out, and on the second-floor balcony, all of the convicts were watching, cheering either "Jake" or "Dwayne".

The space where they were going to be fighting had 8 tables arranged in a square. At the corners, there was space.

Jake and Vasquez walked over their corner, and Hicks and Hudson walked to theirs'.

Bishop stood in the center with Aaron, who held a microphone. "Alright Gentlemen, Tonight, I give you the fight of a lifetime, the rumble in the steel jungle." He paused, and motioned to Hicks "In this corner, weighing 206 pounds, standing at 6 feet 3 inches, wielding the pipe-staff. He's a Colonial Marine Corporal, has killed about 20 of the creature we just captured, Give it up for Dwayne Hicks."

Aaron then motioned to Jake "And in this corner, weighing 139 pounds, standing at 6 feet 0 inches and wielding the Katana. He survived two years alone with a whole hive of those creatures and is only 17, give it up for Jake Essex."

Jake and Hicks both walked into the center of the "Ring". Bishop said "Match is won by disarming your opponent, so I don't want you to start going for each other. Your trying to knock it out of their hands."

The cue to start was for them to each bow to each other. Jake and Hicks both bowed, and Bishop said "Now begin."

Out of the corner of his eye, on the edge of the ring, he saw Ripley holding a sign that said Round 1.

Jake however, was doing a circle-pacing, trying to spot a weakness on Hicks, who was doing the same thing. For a few moments, both of them were circling like wolves, before Hicks made the first move.

Hicks did an upwards strike, which Jake blocked from low. Jake then did a downwards slash, which Hicks blocked center. Hicks countered with pushing it back, knocking Jake off balance.

Jake got back on his feet, and did an upwards slash on the pipe-staff, careful not to hit Hicks with the blade.

The move made Hicks loose the grip with one hand, and struggling to get it back in his hand before Jake could strike again.

Hicks was too slow, and Jake then slashed high-left-horizontal. Hicks completely lost the grip on his weapon, which Jake sent flying across the ring.

Hicks had till the count of ten to grab it, which he managed to by the count of nine. However, the first one round was over at that point. Jake and Hicks went back to their corners.

When Jake got to his, he received another pep-talk from Vasquez. "That was good man," she said "You knocked it out of his hand. Now just try to keep it away from him. Now go out there and win that match."

Jake walked back into the ring along with Hicks. This time, Jake knew what to do.

Jake spotted Ripley with a similar sign. Jake was trying to remain calm. He could see Hicks getting pumped.

Jake heard the bell ring marking the start of the second round. Jake moved forward and did a up-left-diagonal. Hicks blocked, and push-countered Jake.

Jake responded to the counter by a firm step backwards. Jake then up-slashed right, which had the opposite effect, slicing the pipe in two.

Hicks now had a new advantage. However, Jake was saved by the bell, marking the end of round two.

Jake backed into his corner, and saw Hicks do the same. Vasquez looked at Hicks then back to Jake. "Alright, time to adapt and survive." She said "You've got two to deal with, but try to work on this one at a time. He brings it one way, you've got to block harder. Try to have him use one at a time. Remember, he can't hit you directly, only the Katana. Just try to wear him out. Make him tired and you have a chance to win this."

The bell rang again, and Jake tried the advice Vasquez gave him. Mostly letting Hicks make the offensive moves for the next six rounds, he had a chance.

When Round ten happened, things were starting to look up. Jake noticed how Hicks was struggling to keep going, and worked that to his advantage. Jake figured it was time.

Bringing everything he had into each move, he slashed, each time it was blocked, he'd slash again.

Hicks then did the unthinkable. Bringing both pieces of pipe into the air for a down-slash, Hicks brought everything into that move. Jake knew the perfect return. Blocking with a up-right-diagonal, he sent both pieces of pipe flying. Jake saw them both go into different trajectories, landing a good 3 yards away from each other.

Hicks scrambled to grab them, however, he was unsuccessful in doing so before the count of ten.

With that the match was over. Jake heard shouts of joy and disappointment from the cons. Looking around, he realize he'd just won.

Turning around, he saw Hudson look pissed. Hicks walked over to the center of the ring, where Bishop announced Jake the winner, and raise his arm.

Jake looked over at Hicks, who looked like he'd just lost everything. Jake held out his hand, "Good game, that was a very close match." Jake said to Hicks.

Hicks turned around, and shook Jake's wrist. "I have to admit, for a kid, you did pretty good yourself." Hicks said. Hicks then turned and saluted Jake.

Jake was unsure of what this all meant, but returned the salute. As the crowd began to break and disperse, it seems that things had turned out good for tonight.

Arriving at the Infirmary with everyone else, Jake realized that he'd finally earned Hicks' respect. After a ration bar dinner, he went to sleep, tired from such a long match.

xXx

Golic

Golic knew what to do. He felt that he needed to face it one on one. He skipped watching the fight, knowing that everyone else would be there.

Moving with a purpose, he made his way down to the lower levels. He found the bunker.

Looking through the window, he saw that the creature was facing the opposite end. He could see the creature use it's second mouth on the opposite wall. He watched it for a moment, knowing that he could open the door, yet waiting.

Finally, he remembered what he had to do. He reached for the lock mechanism, and released it. He didn't open the door all the way, it was too heavy and he didn't have the time.

He wished he'd spent more time in the weight room. However, he struggled to get it open even a hair.

After an hour of struggling, he managed to open it an inch. "Soon, it'll be you and me. Then I'll be able to get back at what you did to my friends. I'll be waiting." He said.

He then ran like crazy to get to the cafeteria. If he was lucky, he might be able to catch the final round and find out who will win.

He ran the usual route, remembering that the balcony to the cafeteria was where they were supposed to be.

Making his way to the balcony, he saw the android name the kid the winner.

Whatever, not like he really cared. Him and the other convicts made their way to their cells.

When he was walking to his, he felt extremely satisfied. If the thing didn't kill him in his sleep, he may have a chance to exact his revenge on the thing.

Round two will come, all in good time. All in good time.