(Alex's POV)
Alex was practicing with a sword that was custom made. He was testing the durability of the sword, making sure that it could be used for long engagements and how often it would have to be replaced during the competition. During the battle royal, Tanya would be the one that would be responsible for supply drops. As reluctant as he was to admit it, blades dull and even break. A sword is not like a lightsaber in that instance. The amount of punishment that his blades could take would determine the method of engagement that he could adopt. Alex would have preferred to use a vibro blade, but beggars can't be choosers. Besides, a Vibro blade would go against the rules.
Focusing on his task, he began to increase his pace. His sword struck the pole again and again as sparks began to fly from his sword. Pretty soon, his sword could not take the force and cracked. He looked down at the broken sword in his hand. He threw it to the side. The broken sword joining at least a few dozen other broken hilts.
If he had to bear the monotony of his new life, the least Tanya could do was accompany him. Afterall, misery loves company.
(Tanya's POV)
Tanya was facing her own brand of troublesome matters at the moment. It seems that karma had finally caught up with her in one form or another. Looking back, it had been too silent compared to the waves that they were making.
Tanya drank some orange juice as she looked at her current adversaries. A collection of media companies that had come to her for the rights of her admittedly plagiarized IP's. An attempt to outright buy her company, something that she will never allow. A pity that she had to be polite or she may have scared them off.
Tanya put a pleasant smile on her face. "So, how can I help you?"
"My dear girl. You have come a far way, and the stories you tell are marvelous." The Turian paused putting a kind smile on his face. "Me and my associates are responsible for almost every major production."
Tanya nodded, marking it as an equivalent to Hollywood in her mind.
"I represent a collection of companies that make animated and production for children and adults alike." An Asari spoke.
Tanya made her an equivalent to Disney.
"We wish to buy your company." The Asari did not mince words and got right to the point.
"In exchange, we will give you full creative directive, along with 2 million credits."
Tanya closed her eyes. She was very tempted to agree but, "My apologies, We are not solely focusing on creative are focused on innovation in all of its forms." Tanya got a cheery smile on her face. "Our focus is not only innovation in story telling, but to also pursue technological innovation. We intend to challenge the perceptions held by the masses."
"And I am not willing to sell that for any price." Tanya looked at both the representatives in the eyes, her smile gone, holding their stare. That is until they broke away. She returned back to her cheery demeanour as if her previous expression had been an illusion.
"Now please, have something on us. We may be a startup, short on money. But it would be remiss of me if I treated my guests poorly."
"Understandable. I would have to beg your forgiveness." The Turian stood up. "I would have to return home. Please keep my details if you wish to work together on a project or if you want to reconsider our offer. A pity that we will not be able to work together in the short term."
The Asari stood up as well. "A pity that your champion would be under supplied. We could have worked together to ensure that he would not have faced any inconvenience. Truly, a pity." The Asari stood up and left after the Turian.
Tanya sighed as she ordered a coffee, black, without sugar for herself. The upcoming tournament was an opportunity for many companies to raise their valuation. Public exposure at that level was unprecedented. They were acquiring as many champion so they can to increase their exposure. Perhaps, Alex would face entire teams that were united by the common interest of their companies. This may not have been about her intellectual properties. Instead, they may have been here to buy her company in order to force Alex to support them .
However, this did not matter to Tanya. She trusted Alex's skill. He had been instrumental in taking down an entire empire using space magic.
As she left, she threw the contract for the purchase of her company into the garbage disposal. She could drink her coffee on the way.
The contract that she had thrown away would have been wired against us. She had no intention to work long into the night, all to meet a deadline while making pennies. All the while, these companies made millions off of her. It would have even been nothing better than indentured servitude for both her and Alex. She had no intent to waste what previous little time she had to entertain a few clowns.
She would have to be wary of the Turian. Its those that look harmless are the ones that are most underhanded. Especially, in the world of showbiz and acting. Tanya stretched herself. "Just one more week left." She thought to herself. Just one more week to get their act together before the final battle begins.
Tanya closed her eyes as she got on the tram that would take her back to her lab. It was time to put in the finishing touches.
(After one week)
A week had passed.
Right now Alex and Tanya were about to reach Thessia. They had hired a private shuttle which was responsible for taking them as well as all of their equipment as well. Tanya had been careful to ensure that all of their equipment remained secret. The only one who would be aware of their equipment would be the event organization. However, even they would not be aware of the full functionality. They would only be concerned with the fact that the equipment followed the strict guidelines that were outlined.
"So, we are here." Alex said.
"Yes, we should be directed to a landing spot soon."Tanya paused, an uneasy feeling passing through her. "I admit that I have a bad feeling about this. Like forgetting something crucial."
"I am sure that it was nothing." Alex shrugged. "Besides, worrying about it now will achieve nothing." He turned towards Tanya. "The question is what we can achieve now?"
Tanya nodded. "I will handle the politics, you should rest up. I will pass along all info your way."
Alex nodded at that.
"This is your captain speaking. We have received landing coordinates. Ladies and gentlemen, out estimate landing time is half an hour. Please prepare yourselves."
"At least, we can trust the crew." Alex said.
"As loath as I am to admit it, the old hag really did come through." Tanya nodded. "I will handle the our cargo."
"Than, I will handle our check in and accommodations.." Alex added. "Brace for landing."
(Tanya POV)
"Gently." Tanya was directing the crane that was unloading their equipment. "Gently." She gestured with her hands until the container had been placed on the ground. "That's it."
"So Lass." The captain approached her. "I have a very important question for you."
Tanya turned towards him. "Yes?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Is your Matriarch still single? Do you think that I have a chance with her." The captain asked, a big smile on his face.
Tanya's expression twitched when she heard his question. "Excuse me."
"Forgive me." The captain bowed, one hand on his heart. "I still have not introduced myself."
"My name is Bryon, an explorer in my youth. One of the first people to move beyond the horizon."
"The greatest explorer Bryon." A few of the crew mates yelled. A few of them even threw flowers.
"It was in my travels that I met a Maiden, to whom I gave my heart." He finally turned towards Tanya as he looked at her with shining eyes. "So, did she ever mention me. Tell me that she regaled you with tales of my heroism."
"She did not even mention you." Tanya delivered a sucker punch.
The captain fell to his knees. "What about all our passionate nights. How could you betray me likeā¦."
Tanya who had enough, and was in no mind to picture the Matriarch with the Captain like that, punched the Captain.
The captain landed on his ass as he held his head. A small bump forming on his head. "Ouch, just like my sweet maiden." The captain began to laugh boisterously.
Tanya looked at her smoking fist. She sighed and calmed herself. She will not let an idiot rile her up. She will not let an idiot rile her up. She began to read the mantra to herself in her head.
The Captain stood up, his hand rubbing his bump. "So, are you calm now."
Tanya looked inquisitively at the captain.
The captain laughed. "Can't have you worry looking at the cargo of the other ships now, can we."
Tanya realized that she had been worried looking at the amount of stuff that was being unloaded by the other ships. For the first time, she had been worried by her own preparations, worried that they may not have done enough.
"Besides, me and my boys have bet everything on you, so no pressure." He gave her a thumbs up with a wide smile across his face.
Tanya felt the urge to hit him again.
Unknown to her, the Matriarch had been feeling the same urge from the moment the tournament had started.
"Besides, most people have teamed up. You will be facing teams of at least a dozen people." The captain began to laugh. "The latest tally put you at a million to one chance of winning."
Tanya's eyes began to shine. A million to one chance of winning. If no, when they win, she would get her entire net worth multiplied by a million. Her eyes began to shine.
The captain refrained saying anything when he saw her like that. Shaking his head, he said in a low voice to himself. "My sweet love, what strange children you have raised."
"Well boys." He looked at his men. "What are you standing around gawking for, get back to work."
His men grumbled as they got back to work.
"Captain, we have a common cause, don't we. So, how about I hire you for an extended period of time?"
The captain smiled at her. "Please call me uncle captain. I do have a condition."
Tanya gestured for him to contine.
"Canyoupleaseputinagoodwordforme!"
It took a moment for the request to register for her before Tanya sighed and nodded her head. "Very well then."
They shook each other hand in order to finalize their agreement.
(Alex's POV)
Alex had gotten registered. It had taken him a while, before a Turian had approached him and scanned his omni-tool. Then, his credentials and identifications had been given to him on his omni-tool. It also included a room-key.
From what he had heard by eavesdropping on other participants, they had teamed up by signing up with various companies in exchange for a copious amount of money. Entire villas had been booked by them, so that the technicians and the participants could bond.
For now, he planned to wait in the cafe for Tanya. Sending her his plans. The events will start at night, beginning with the announcement.
Alex entered the cafe looking at a place to sit. That was until he had seen a familiar Asari. Smiling lightly, he approached her from behind.
"You know, we never did go on that date." He bowed and softly said that into her ear. He winked at the Asari sitting across from Irosir.
