(October 5, 2007)

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Brody aimed a round kick at his phantom opponent's head. Ducking, he avoided a nonexistent punch. He darted forward and sent three rapid punches to the head and solar plexus. Dropping back a pace, he finished with a silent kiai on a side-kick. Brody returned to his starting position and bowed stiffly before letting his posture relax.

Breathing heavily, Brody leaned against the wall and slid to the ground. He'd taken to practicing his forms daily, or what he could of them as he could in the small space, to keep up his muscle memory. Though without someone watching him, or even a mirror to see his form, he didn't know if there were areas he didn't do correctly. However, practicing something was better than nothing.

'Why bother?' A sinister voice whispered in his ear. 'It's not like you're ever getting out of here.' Brody clapped his hands over his ears. 'You're going to die here and no one will know. . . or care.'

"SHUT UP!" Brody didn't realize he'd yelled it out loud until one of the kudabots banged on the cell door.

Brody flinched backwards, gritting his teeth to hold in another outburst. The robot clicked its gears but, seeing that Brody had quieted, didn't open the door. It disappeared moments later, continuing on its rounds.

Warily Brody watched the window, but it didn't come back. Sighing, Brody rested his head against the wall. He glanced at the little tick marks next to him. Forty-two pale lines stared back at him. Not even two months and he was already going crazy. 'Great.'

Brody let his chin drop to his chest. Exhaustion weighed him down to very bones. Inadvertently staying awake most of the night probably didn't help. Any noises jerked him to wakefulness. Between that and ninjutsu practice, staying alert during the waking hours took so much effort.

The click of the door lock interrupted his nodding off. Adrenaline shot through Brody's veins instantly pushing the weariness aside. A cold shiver of fear ran up Brody's spine. He hadn't heard the guard enter the cell block. This time he'd awoke before the robot entered the room, but the next time he might not be so lucky.

Shoving his worry down, Brody stood. The door swung open. The kudabot beckoned Brody and led him off the familiar trek to the workshop. Inside Brody saw Mick already working on something at his desk. It didn't surprise him given that Brody had seen the ever growing list of projects Galvanax wanted finished in rapid succession. So many that Mick told Brody it wasn't uncommon for him to sleep in the lab just to streamline productivity.

Mick was so engrossed in his work that he didn't even look up until Brody stood directly over him. He blinked sluggishly at Brody before recognition kicked in. "Mornin'. Or its equivalent." Mick shrugged. "Can't always tell with us being off planet and all."

Brody gave a small smile. "Thanks." He nodded to the assorted pieces of metal and wire on the table. "What are you working on today?"

"It's another camera prototype for Galaxy Warriors. Galvanax doesn't want stationary cameras. Needs ones with 'a brain,' as he put it, to follow the action. Cut out the middleman of someone needing to move them."

With a renewed interest Brody looked back at it. The entire device was about the size of Brody's hand. Overall it had a rectangular shape but with two stubby projections jutting off the top.

"What were you gonna do for it?"

"They'll have motion sensors and specialized tracking. The end goal is for them to be programmed to focus on different aspects of a fighter's physical appearance and self-correct to stay within specific parameters. For example, setting it to stay forty feet away from where it can see a gladiator's face. Or one that hovers above to maintain an aerial view. It'll still take several to keep the picture Galvanax wants to portray, but with their self-tracking features it should make editing easier."

"Hmm."

"Course this is only the first prototype. It'll probably take a few tries to get it up and running." Which meant with Mick's genius, it probably wouldn't be more than two attempts before it was fully operational.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Can you grab the crimper for me?"

"Uh the what?"

Mick, without looking up, gestured vaguely toward the tools scattered on the back counter. "The crimper."

Brody sifted through the pile. Most of what lay before him weren't tools he'd ever seen before. Though at home he'd occasionally helped Dane in his workshop, smithing was a completely different craft than Mick's trade. Lost he returned to Mick who held out an expectant hand without looking away from the camera.

Brody shifted his feet nervously. "Yeah, um, what's it look like?"

Mick set down his current tool to face Brody. "Sorry. I forgot that's a new one to you. Here it looks like this-"

Mick abruptly disappeared. Where he had been sitting a tool that looked like an oversized single hole puncher lay. Weirder than just Mick's vanishing act it was oddly colored- tan with alternating stripes of blonde and brown.

Brody let out a startled squeak. He stumbled backwards. His foot caught something. Seconds later he found himself sprawled on the floor.

Mick reappeared in an instant and hurried to Brody's side. "Brody? Are you okay?"

Brody flinched backward. "You just- where-? What the heck just happened?"

"I was showing you what the crimper looked like." His nonchalant tone completely contradicted Brody's demeanor.

"You were showing me- but how? I don't understand. . ." Brody warily got to his feet leaving more distance than strictly necessary between himself and Mick.

Realization dawned on Mick's face. "Ooooh you haven't seen me change yet have you?"

Brody shook his head slowly, eyes narrowing. "Change what?"

"I forgot Earth humans' genetic composition doesn't allow for some of the things my people can do." Mick sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I can turn into inanimate objects."

"You can WHAT?"

"Turn into objects. It made for great hide and seek when I was a kid."

"You- you can shapeshift." If he hadn't seen it just happen Brody would never have believed it. Yet he couldn't really deny the evidence. And really, he currently stood onboard an alien spaceship. Was it that much of a stretch actual shapeshifters existed? "That's so cool!"

Mick laughed. "That's nothing. Some of my cousins could fly, manipulate electricity, or conjure fire."

"I wish Earth was like that. I've always wanted superpowers." Brody's thoughts soured.'They'd be really handy right about now.' Not that having powers of some sort had helped Dane for very long.

Assured Brody was okay, Mick resumed his position at the desk. "I guess I've never considered them 'superpowers' since they're common at home. Different perspective." He looked at the tabletop. "Well, now that you've seen what the crimper looks like, do you mind grabbing it for me?"

"Yeah, sure." Brody turned toward the tools lining the walls. The vast number stared back at him. "Which one was it again? I didn't, uh, really get a good look at it." Brody admitted. "The whole disappearing thing kinda took me by surprise." Chuckling Mick briefly turned back into a crimper. "Thanks."

It only took a minute of hunting to find it. Brody handed it to Mick and stepped back to allow room for him to work.

"If- If you can do that why. . . ?" Brody trailed off, not sure how Mick would take his question.

Mick's hands paused. "Why am I still here?"

"Y-yeah."

Mick let out a sigh. "It's a good question. For one, if the object I turn into doesn't have self-propulsion I can't move either. That's one reason my gift is considered third tier at home. Another is this," Mick tapped his watch. "Galvanax ordered it programmed to alert them when I turn into something, so they always know the moment I do. It's also set up to send a severe shock if it catches a whiff of someone messing with the computer coding.

"Mostly though it's because Galvanax is unforgiving. Even if I were to get away, it's only a matter of time before I'd end up back here." He shrugged, the weariness on his face belying the nonchalant action. "Galvanax has eyes and ears everywhere. Since he's an undefeated champion who's amassed a lot of influence and power, he has a very long reach."

On that cheery note, Mick turned his attention back to the device. Brody fidgeted with his own watch. He didn't ask questions for the rest of the morning. Mick also stayed quiet, only talking when he asked Brody to grab something for him or explaining how something worked.

The squeaking of hinges made Brody jump. In the doorway a kudabot holding two bowls of rations waited. Brody slipped from his perch to take them. As he did, a large white alien shoved his way down the hall bumping into the robot. Caught off guard the kudabot lurched forward, drenching Brody in sticky green liquid. Brody groaned, shaking his arms to try and rid them of the sudden intrusion.

"Just great." He muttered.

His clothes already had a crusty quality about them, wearing them for weeks without a wash would do that, and this wouldn't help. The robot handed Brody the now partially filled bowls and shut the door. It probably wasn't going to get more. Grimacing, Brody offered the slightly fuller one to Mick.

"No," Mick reached for the other bowl.

Pulling it out of reach Brody shook his head. "Now that I'm wearing it I'm not really that hungry."

Mick narrowed his eyes, but once he was sure Brody wasn't going to budge, reluctantly accepted the dish. "What happened? All I heard was the soup splashing."

Shrugging, Brody sat on the floor to keep his dripping clothes away from Mick's work space. "Some dude smacked into the robot. It wasn't someone I've seen before. All big, hairy, and white. I think it had yellow horns."

Mick blew a raspberry. "Sorry. Probably a lost champion hopeful. You'd be surprised how many manage to find their way down here."

Given the maze-like corridors on the spaceship it didn't seem like much of an exaggeration.

Brody stirred the goop in with a finger. "What- what kinds of fighters come?"

Mick hesitated, looking over at Brody curiously. "A lot, why?"

"I- well. . . it's just. . . my dad. He- he was one of the best at home. He's won global tournaments. But when Galvanax, Ripcon, and Odius came for the Prism I got caught in the middle. Dad got distracted because he had to protect me. That's how Galvanax got him down. It's- it's my fault he's gone." Brody's voice cracked.

"Brody no, I'm sure that's not-"

"Ripcon grabbed me!" Brody shouted, jerking upward he accidentally sent the bowl flying off his lap. More lukewarm liquid soaked his pant leg but Brody ignored it. "Dad had become a power ranger and made Galvanax fall. If I had been paying attention I wouldn't have had to call Dad for help and distract him. Then he could have taken care of Galvanax, but he- he. . ." Brody couldn't finish his sentence. He glared into the discarded bowl trying to keep the rising tears at bay.

Heedless of the green puddle now surrounding Brody, Mick sat next to him on the floor. "Brody I would bet you anything your dad would do what he did again in a heartbeat. He loved you and there is no greater way to show it than protecting you with his own life. Though I'm sorry it came to that."

"But it didn't do any good." Brody rasped out. "Me and the Prism are here."

Mick wrapped an arm around Brody's shoulders. "Maybe, but you're alive, and that allows for the hope you'll get out of here one day. And Galvanax might have the Nexus Prism, but he doesn't have the Star- that's the true power he wants."

"Stars." Brody quietly corrected. Mick didn't follow Brody's comment, but now wasn't the time to ask for clarification. "Dad started teaching me and Aiden ninjutsu and karate. I was working on my forms when Galvanax showed up." Brody tugged at his gi by way of explanation. "I- I know that I'm a s-s-slave," Brody choked on the word, "now but I've still been practicing."

At Mick's concerned glance Brody let his chin fall back to his chest. "Only in my cell, when the kudabots aren't nearby. I know that I can't do anything against the guards with it right now, but it's the only thing I have left of my family, of my home. So I was wondering if there were any fighters with similar styles. That way I can keep learning, getting better- even if I can't do anything with it right now."

Mick sighed heavily. "I don't know if it's a good idea. . . but I understand." He sat up straight. Staring off into space he stayed quiet for a moment. "Contestants come from all sorts of backgrounds, in both fighting and life. Planets from over a thousand galaxies send their best warriors in hopes of fame or riches."

"I don't know if anyone has heard of it at home."

"Well, no offense, but Earth is considered a backwater planet. You guys don't really do much that most of the universe cares about. You haven't tried to make much of yourself in the universe, but from the intel we've gathered your inhabitants think themselves the center of it."

Brody snickered softly. "Yeah there's a lot of humans who think that way. But we've had alien attacks before I was born, and some really big monsters since then. Dad didn't talk about it much, but we started learning about them in school since a lot of them took place in California- the area I lived."

"Granted, but from what I've heard most of them were after tech that was alien to begin with. I can't speak for the other monsters though. Your planet must have generated those itself. Not a matter of galactic proportions. There's not much glory out there saying you've bested a planet that can't fight back. Though that hasn't stopped some."

Brody wrapped his arms around his knees. "Will Galvanax. . .? I mean, my brother's still on Earth."

Mick placed a comforting hand on Brody's shoulder. "Doubtful. He got what he wanted so there's not much point in going back."

"Why does he have info on Earth then?" Brody rubbed his neck near the translator device. "I mean he had English programmed into the translators, you made a comment about Earth rats. . . Why care?"

Reclining backward Mick's face turned thoughtful. "That's a good question. I don't really know, but I have some guesses. Just because Galvanax doesn't care about the outlying planets doesn't mean he's ignorant about them. I'm not really sure if he's the 'wanting to rule the universe' type or if he wants the security of knowing he's the strongest being in the known universe. However, there's always an off chance someone could develop technology or abilities that could threaten him."

"So if Earth were ever to create a weapon or have some powerful resource. . ." Brody broke off.

"It's hard to say. Galvanax isn't always. . . rational."

"Hmph."

Brody leaned over to pick up the discarded bowl. As he did his shirt trailed in the spilled goop and it finally sank in how much had seeped into his clothes. Screwing his face up in disgust Brody stood, trying to ignore the liquid running down his legs. 'Gross.'

Mick also had the sticky liquid covering him, but he only chuckled as he stood. "I keep a couple spare sets of clothing in here. They'll be a little big but they're dry." 'And clean.' But he didn't voice that out loud. It wasn't Brody's fault he only had the clothes on his back and hadn't been given another set.

Sifting through his few non-work possessions Mick found his smallest shirt and pants. Admittedly smallest for him, a grown adult, would still dwarf Brody, but it was better than nothing.

"Here," He handed the clothes to Brody, "there's enough room for you to change behind the shelves." Mick gestured toward one wall. The shelves there were more cabinet-like with a paneled back. "Since I stay here frequently it allows a smidge of privacy." Not that either of them had much of that in the cell block to begin with.

Nodding in thanks, Brody disappeared behind the makeshift wall. He came out a minute later virtually swimming in Mick's clothes, but his gi belt kept everything where it needed to be. Brody clutched the gi tightly in his hands.

"What- what can I do with this? I don't- I don't want to lose it." That uniform was the last physical piece of home.

"If I remember the schedule right tomorrow is shower day. You can wash your clothes and wear mine while you wait for them to dry. Maybe I can wheedle Odius to get you some more because that's not going to cut it."

Brody gently set the gi by the door while Mick went to change his own pants. When he returned he motioned Brody back to the table.

"While they don't want me poking around too much, there are some things I need availability to in order to effectively manage the ship's mechanics. Like with the watch Galvanax lets me have some access to the computer. Though it's heavily monitored." Mick rolled his eyes. "It's not like I'm planning on sabotaging the ship while I'm still stuck on it."

From one of the desk's drawers Mick pulled a small computer. "One of the only auxiliary aspects of the computer I'm 'technically' allowed in is the Warrior footage. I think Galvanax wants to use it to keep me aware of my place- and that he has more than enough muscle to call in if I don't." Mick snorted in contempt.

Intrigued, Brody sat next to Mick as he opened a video file. Two large creatures squared off in the middle of an island. An island of black rock surrounded by lava. One of the competitors looked like a yeti; giant, harry, and booger green. The other contender stood at about half the green one's size, with short brown hair, lean, and sporting hooves that looked to be made for running.

Mick quickly muted the computer when a high pitched, whiny voice started commentating. They watched quietly as the two attacked each other with all their strength. Brody shuddered at the mental image of meeting up with either of them in the hallways. Soon the speed of the smaller contender became an apparent advantage. With a darting strike to the head, the giant fell, unmoving, to the ground. The screen went black and Brody saw his pale face reflected on it.

"Don't worry, he lived. But these are the kind of fighters you're dealing with on this ship."

Brody swallowed thickly. "Still I want to learn."

Sighing, Mick slid the computer in front of Brody. "All the archived footage is in that file. There's no rhyme or reason to the order, but if you want to keep watching, have at it. I didn't have much more for you to do today anyway. Just don't leave that file. Don't want you accidentally entering something that gets Galvanax breathing down our necks." With that Mick ruffled Brody's hair and returned to working with the camera.

Clip after clip played. As Brody watched there was one thing he was very certain about; if he were ever to get off this ship he would have to become very, very skilled to avoid ever being dragged back.