Note: I own nothing involving Star Trek
"Wakey, wakey ladies," one of the guards began banging on the bars, causing a loud clanging to occur. Leigh really wished she could bang his head against the blasted things. It would certainly make her feel better.
Slowly easing to her feet she stretched her sore muscles and cracked a few joints. Her eyes stayed on the guards, wary of their intentions. Once all of the women were apparently up and alert the guards stepped back allowing their 'host' to step forward.
"Congratulations to those of you who survived the first round," he grinned, flashing his yellowed teeth, what little he still had. "Today is the much anticipated second round. I can't tell you how pleased I am with your performances. We picked rather well. The bets are bigger than ever, for some of you." His eyes moved over their forms, sometimes lingering inappropriately. "Today we're going to do something a little different. You're going to draw numbers. Each number corresponds with a beast we keep on hand for such events. You will be given a weapon to assist you in these fights, but they will do nothing to help you escape. So don't even think about it. Sadly we only have sixteen beasts for today's events. So two of you face the same creature, and to make it interesting you will do so at the same time. Feel free to use the other as bait if you wish."
As he explained the last part one of the guards came around with a bowl, pieces of paper folded within it. Each female had to take one of the pieces that would determine their fate. Leigh frowned when it was her turn, but she couldn't exactly refuse. Not bothering to dig she grabbed the first one that touched her hand. Unfolding the paper she found the number 13 staring back at her, causing an uneasy feeling to grow in her stomach.
"All done? Wonderful," the man grinned happily. "Now who has 13?"
'Damn it,' she thought as her hand and one of the Klingons' hands went up.
"Congratulations, you two picked the unlucky number."
Neither female said a word, though they did share a look.
"You will remain here until your guards tell you otherwise," he continued. "Now, will those who drew lots one through three please step forward." No one moved. "No ladies, don't make me have my men get rough with you. I'd hate to injure you before your fight."
Reluctantly the ones with those numbers stepped forward, only to be gathered up by the guards and led from the room. Silence settled over the cells. Leigh didn't know what was worse, being able to hear what was happening or not. She settled against the wall, knees up to her chest as she forced herself to take calm steady breaths. From time to time the guards returned and took the next three out. By the time it was her turn to be lead out, only two of the twelve taken before had returned. And they did not look like they would survive too much longer.
The guards pushed her along the same corridor they had traveled before, her 'partner' and two more competitors following after. Once more they stood in the cavernous room with the doors leading out to the arena. The dull roar of the crowd could be heard, along with screams and growls of something else. A line up of weapons stood on one side with guards at each end.
"You can choose one weapon only," their escort announced. "So hurry up."
The four of them walked up and studied the weapons. The other three women seemed to find something they were familiar with right away. Leigh however had not seen some of the weapons presented, and was not sure what she should take. Then something caught her eye. On the far end leaning against the wall was a long staff, yet it was wider than one would normally think a staff should be. Moving over to it she picked it up, testing the weight. It was at that moment she heard the tell tale clink within the wood that told her this was a Sanjiegun (a three sectioned staff). Lifting it she could see where the joints met and could be manipulated to release.
Weapon in hand she moved over where the Klingon stood, carrying a large sword. The female looked at her, snorting in distain when she saw the weapon.
"Can you even use that," she sneered in near perfect English.
/Can you use that/ Leigh shot back calmly in Klingon, not bothering to wait for the other female's reaction. Instead she looked forward at the door. The area behind it had grown silent, indicating their turn had arrived. /I have no intention of killing you to beat this foe, however I will not let you kill me for your own gain./
/Is that a threat?/
/I am simply giving you my intentions/ she explained. /We have enough to worry about without adding the unknown intentions of the competitor./
The female eyed her for a moment. /Agreed. I too have no intention of killing you. I simply desire to survive./
They shared one last look of understanding before the door slide open and they were pushed forward into the arena. The floor had changed to a flat area, which showed how large the arena was in truth. The maze had made its size look much smaller. It was in a huge cavern, the ceiling reaching heights that did not look natural. On at least three sides of the arena were seats filled with groups of people cheering and betting on the games below. A twenty-foot sheer cliff wall separated the competitors from the audience. There were several large boulders and other rocky areas to allow some cover.
While no bodies littered the floor, several stains of various kinds of blood painted the ground they stood on. The lingering scent of death and fear hovered in the air, thick enough that one could almost gag.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," the man's voice echoed throughout the vast chamber. "Double your pleasure! Double your fun! And more importantly, double your bets! We have the Klingon Warrior Princess and the Human Ninja about to face the most dangerous beast this side of the Universe!"
/Those are the best names he could come up with/ Leigh muttered to her fellow captive. /I can't wait till he dies./
/Agreed/ the Klingon added, eyes glaring at the little man in irritation.
Cheers of the crowd almost deafened the two before they quieted at the man's insistence. "Now let's bring out…the BRE-GORN!" The cheering continued with even more fervor.
On the other side of the arena the wall seemed to pull apart to allow a large hulking lizard-like body to move forward. Its large diamond shaped head lifted into the air releasing a loud screech. Golden eyes rolled in their sockets, as it snapped its maw full of razor sharp teeth that looked larger than Leigh was tall. It ambled forward on four legs, though the front legs ended in sharp claws that looked like they could swipe and grip. Behind it a large slim tail with spikes swung back and forth with agility that spoke of immense danger.
For a moment Leigh was reminded of a dinosaur, until the beast coughed, extending its neck forward to let out a stream of blistering hot fire. She couldn't help staring at it wide eyed for a moment, awed and terrified of the creature that seemed like a living representation of Earth's mythical dragons. Only one thought passed through her mind, and her lips.
"Oh shit."