Galactic Arena: Chapter 1
#1 of Galactic Arena
So, this a something that has been sitting on my hard-drive for ages, and I figured I might as well post it. All comments and reviews are welcome
After centuries of stellar exploration and conquest, culminating in a bloody war against the humanoid saurian race known as the Draconians, the known universe is finally in a state of peace. With humanity and the Draconian sharing dominion over known space in a shaky alliance. However, it would seem that a lust for violence is inherent in all sentient races. Humans perhaps more than others. In light of this a new blood-sport was born.
"And we're back. To anyone joining us late this is the 23rd annual Pan-Galactic Championship. Currently we have up the Stardust Shadows and the Darknight Raiders. We're in the last leg and it has been an amazing match. Back to you Jill," crowed the announcer.
"Thanks Tom. I'm currently in the prep area with the Stardust Shadows' 18 year old team manager and alternate Hexer, Wesley Durandal! Wesley is the younger brother of Michael and Jacob Durandal, and rumor has it is currently dating the team's half-draconian third member Jase Vextraz. Tell us Wesley, just what do you think your team's chances are?" Asked Jill, with a far too perfect smile plastered on her face.
Wes wanted to nothing more than to tell the woman exactly where she should put her camera, but as team spokesperson he had to be diplomatic. So with a smile just as fake as the reporter's he said, "Well Jill, I'd say that we have this match pretty in the bag."
"You sound very confidant. Aren't you worried that in the final stretch a more balanced team like the Raiders might have an edge?"
"Not at all. My team is currently closest the ball. True, the Raiders have a Bruiser, a Striker, and a Hexer on the field. However, between you, me, and the good people watching, Kelly Sutherland is should be fielded as a Striker instead of a Hexer. But more importantly, my team knows how to handle a Hexer," replied Wes with an impish grin.
...
"There you have it Tom."
...
"Thanks, Jill. It's not common knowledge , but despite Wesley's team alternate status, by official stats he is one of the most gifted Hexers in the game. Perhaps, we'll see his big debut today! And without further ado we take you back to the action planet-side!"
...
At the start of the day's match both teams had been dropped at the southern pole of Tovelis-3 an earth sized world without any sentient inhabitants. Their instructions were simple, they had to reach the north-pole via a predetermined route, retrieve the Arena Orb, and return to the space station in geosynchronous orbit over the planet. Of course to do this the teams had to survive the planet's hostile jungle environment, traps, combat androids with lethal weapons, and each other. The Stardust Shadows were 50 kilometers from the orb's location, but there opponents the Darknight Raiders were only half a kilometer behind them.
"ATTENTION ALL COMBATANTS, YOU ARE NOW APPROVED FOR ATMOSPHERIC FLIGHT," announced the A.I that served as the referee for the match, over the player's intercoms.
"About fucking time," murmured Michael. "Shadows, hit the skies! Inverted delta formation."
Micheal, Jacob, and Jase activated the flight systems in their combat suits. Jacob flew at the rear with Jase and Micheal flying side by side in front. Like all Galactic Arena teams the Shadows were equipped with type-II combat armor. This type of armor had been originally designs for the military, but were quickly adapted for use in arena combat. Along with armor plating and force shields, the suits were each equipped with a self repair systems, anti-gravity thrusters, an internal computer with a HUD and sensors, wrist mounted plasma blasters, and were designed to support terrestrial,aquatic, and space combat.
The Shadows made it with in visual range of the orb's marker without incident. However, when they landed to retrieve it they were immediately swarmed by combat androids.
"Damn. There would be clankers, figures," commented Jacob.
"So, what's the plan? Raiders are right behind us," said Jase, taking a quick look over his shoulder.
"Jase and I will punch a hole through the bots. Jake you just be ready to grab the orb and bail when we do," answered Michael.
The three pulled weapon pods from the belts of their armor and activated them. Micheal's took the form of a large mace of green energy, Jacob's became a thick green energy chain with blades at both ends, and Jase's formed a massive battle-ax made of amber energy. Micheal and Jase charged into the androids in front of them , grinding any machine that got too close into scrap. Jacob followed right behind them at a jog, the blades of his chain rocket out to strike the androids closing in from the side.
"WAY'S CLEAR, GO!" roared Michael.
Jacob dashed between his two larger teammates, towards the orb. He reached it in seconds, but just as his hand closed around it the ground exploded around him. He activated his suits thrusters just in time to avoid a bolt of plasma that stuck the spot the he had just been standing in.
"Looks like we have company," said Jacob, his teammates could almost most hear the grin in his voice. Jacob was know for liking a good chase.
"Get going, little brother," growled Michael. He swung his mace and managed to decapitate an android, and only narrowly missed the Raiders' Bruiser Alec Crestwel.
Jacob's thrusters flared into life, and he rocket into the air. One of the Raider's, obviously Kelly given the smaller size, followed. She hurled a swift volley of plasma bolts, but Jacob flew out of the way of each one just in time.
"Jake, you might as well hand it over. You know I'm going to catch you," said Kelly flatly over the intercom.
"Aww, come on Kels, you know I love it when women chase me. But, in all seriousness, you enjoying the view back there ?" Jacob sent one end of his bladed chain behind him.
Kelly dodged. "Fine, have it your way," she said sounding amused.
The a warning message scrolled across the display in Jacobs suit, "WARNING MATTER-ENERGY CONVERSION DETECTED". Jacob had to drop into a nose dive to avoid flying into a steel wall the suddenly formed in the air in front of him. Another appeared as he was correcting his dive, and then another as he he only barely dodged the last one. Jacob would dodge and Kelly would materialize another floating wall, disintegrating the previous one in the process. This continued on for several minutes, and suddenly a new wall didn't form to block his path. Instead the last wall he dodged exploded in a mass of writhing chains. Jacob tried avoid them, but he was quickly entangle and held fast. Kelly was floating in the air in front on him. She stretched out one hand towards him, her armor began to glow with a pulsing red light, and symbols the same shade of red started to appear at random in the air around her.
The symbols were the physical manifestation of though-guided spatial manipulation, commonly called "Hexing". Despite it's almost magical appearance "Hexing" is an artifice of technology. The basis which was a metal headband and a series of one-hundred inscribed obsidian plates found on a planet in the Andromeda galaxy. It was discovered that the headband allowed for the direct conversion of though into kinetic action. The plates were later found to be instructions for the usage of the headband device. When the headband was worn by a person that had memorized certain sections of the text, effects that can only be described as miraculous or magical were observed. The technology of the headband was found to be shockingly simple to reproduce, and slowly over the course of a century the technology became nearly ubiquitous among humanity and the races that it had subsumed. The words from plates however were closely guarded, and only small sections ever made it into common knowledge.
"Uh, anytime guys. I could use some help here ," said Jake slightly nervously into his communicator.
The light that had been pulsing around Kelly had started to coalesce and gather in the palm of her outstretched hand.
"Let go of the ball, and I wont have to vaporize you," she said. "Face facts, there really is no way out of this for you."
"Oh I don't know about that, I prefer to stay optimistic."
"If you want optimism, you're playing the wrong game. Looks like I will have to just take it from your disintegrated remains" Kelly's smile was almost audible. She began to call out her attack "Darknight Disas...", but she was interrupted when she was suddenly struck from behind by with an aerial tackle from Jase.
"Thank me later, I'll deal with the witch. Just get your ass to the station" said Jase over the intercom.
As if on cue the computer announced "ATTENTION ALL COMBATANTS, YOU ARE NOW APPROVED FOR EXTRA-ATMOSPHERIC FLIGHT, ". Jake struggled against the chains, and with Kelly's concentration shattered they were already breaking down. Free, Jacob rerouted power from most of his armors systems to propulsion and shot towards the station. There wasn't a single pursuer anywhere on radar.
...
Back on the station, Wesley was already making his way to the receiving platform to wait on the return of his teammates. Jill, the Arena commentator, was trailing behind him with her crew. For a commentator she was being unusually quiet, but then again she was from the same home-system as the Darknight Raiders. So perhaps their imminent defeat stung more than it should have. They arrived at the platform, and a moment later, rocketing through the open air lock , so did Jacob. His boots drew sparks as he landed on the platform and slammed the ball onto it.
A buzzer sounded, and then the computer announced "MATCH OVER. MATCH OVER. VICTORY GOES TO THE STARDUST SHADOWS. CONGRATULATIONS SHADOWS."
Happy shouts and disappointed groans were going up all throughout interstellar space as the remaining members of both teams were teleported to the platform. As Wes was walking over to his celebrating teammates, the Raiders were already being carted off on stretchers.
"Good match, guys," he said with a satisfied smile as he looked at his teammates. "Now hit the showers."
The three larger armor clad males removed their helmets, looked at each other, looked and Wes, looked at one another again, and doubled over laughing.
"Aww man, its so funny when he thinks he's in charge," teased Jacob, as he started walking in the direction of the lockers.
"Good one, runt," snickered Micheal as he followed his younger brother.
Wesley scowled after his older siblings. "Jerks!"
"I think its kinda cute, Lusaa," growled a deep baritone voice in Wes's ear.
Wes jumped, and swore. At around seven and a half feet tall, and about 760 pounds, Jase was scarily light on his feet. He was also very good at making the normally composed young Hexer and team manager feel like an awkward preteen, and the Draconian pet name, which roughly meant dumpling didn't help. The big man chuckled, and stalked after his teammates, making sure to let his tail stroke Wesley's hip as he passed.
"Ugh, why couldn't I be straight , and have older sisters instead of brothers," he mused before following after his team.
...
"Fuuuuuck, that's better. Man, those suits are stuffy," said Jake happily as he stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist.
"Would you like some cheese to go with that wine, little bro?" teased Michael.
"Haha, that was so funny I forgot to laugh."
Both of the elder Durandal brothers were, considered to be quite attractive. By human standards at least. Michael was a little better than six feet two inches, and about 250 pounds of solid muscle, and had dark brown hair. Jacob, was slightly shorter, and about 80 pounds lighter with platinum blond hair. They both had the exact same shade of amber flecked, bottle green eyes. Their eye color was custom engineered physical trait they shared with their younger brother. Like most people in the current age the Durandal brothers had benefited from varying levels genetic manipulation.
"And I though you were supposed to be the funny one. Looks like I learn something new every day."
"Yeah what ever, meat-he..."
Jacob's retort was strangled into a rather unmanly squeak, when he caught sight of what was going on at the opposite end of the locker room. Jase and Wesley sharing a passionate, albeit logistically awkward, kiss. At five feet eight inches and 130 pounds the raven haired eighteen year old was more than dwarfed by the other man. For the most part Jase looked like an exceptionally large, dark-skinned human, if one were to discount the patches of copper scales covering his shoulders, spine, feet, and hands. There was also the matter of slit-pupiled red eyes, claws, and a massive scale coved tail jutting from the base of his spine. To say that he was a product of genetic manipulation would be an understatement. Born of a human mother and a Draconian father, who would under normal circumstance be incapable of producing and offspring, it would be fair to say that the geneticist they contracted had as much or more to do with his conception as they did.
"Duude!" Whined Jacob.
Michael, scowled.
Noticing their spectators for the first time, the two broke their kiss. Wesley was blushing, and looking slightly drunk. Jase had a pleased look on his face, as he turned around to his teammates. Letting his tail coil around Wesley's torso as he moved.
Moving a damp strand of copper hair behind his ear he looked at Jacob and Michael, and said "What?" as if he was completely oblivious as to why they were bothering him.
"I, did not need to see that," grumbled Jacob.
Jase shrugged.
"Umm, guys," called Wes, struggling free of Jase's grasp, and still looking flushed. "You should all get dressed. The press is waiting."
"Yeah, runt. Whatever you say," replied Michael with a laugh.
...
"Fukin' vultures," swore Jake as he dropped like a stone into a chair in the common room of his team's suite. "Thought they would never let us go."
"At least they weren't quizzing you about your love life," snorted Jase. "Not that I minded sharing."
Wes surreptitiously kicked him in the shin as he walked by.
"Owe, fuck!" he boomed hopping on one foot.
Wesley snickered. "I think that after today everyone could use some re...," he was cut off sharply when both of his feet suddenly left the floor and he found himself hanging by his ankle in mid air. He looked up to see that he was being suspended by Jase's tail.
"Ya know I could just eat you, Lusaa," growled Jase, making sure to make a good show of his razor sharp teeth.
"I'm going to my room. Let me know when these two stop flirting," grumbled Michael, as he stomped off.
Jacob just laughed. "Don't have too much fun with my little brother, alright big guy. Wait till the championships are over. Then... you can have all the fun you want with him," said Jacob as he turned to leave. A big smile on his face.
Unlike the eldest Durandal brother Jacob had rather liked the fact that his Wesley and Jase had ended up together. They were amusing to watch, most of the time, and most of all Draconians could be almost single minded in their protectiveness towards their mates. A trait that Jase had inherited, much to Wesley's dismay and Jacob's constant amusement.
"So are you going to put me down now?"sighed Wesley.
"Nah, but you're free to try and make me," replied Jase with a grin.
"Haha, funny, I know how strong your tail is. I calibrate the training equipment, remember? The only was I'm getting free is if you let me go or I injure you."
"'Injure me'? That's big talk from such a little guy."
Wesley glared and his eyes took on a faint inner glow.
"Lusaa," Jase laughed. "You're just so fucking cute when you try to be threatening. Now I really do have to eat you." Jase, shaking with laughter began walking to his bedroom, with his now squirming boyfriend in tow.
Wesley swore in Draconian, and did a rather good job considering he didn't have the proper vocal structures for it. Jase looked over his shoulder and smiled wickedly. His pupils were razor thin slits and their normal brilliant red was muted by milky nictitating membranes. Wesley swallowed loudly and blushed.
...
The following morning Wesley woke up, feeling both deeply satisfied and as though he had been trampled by a stampeding heard of wild horses.
"Damn, dragon," he grumbled, his jaw clicking audibly in the process. He noticed the still warm empty spot next to him on the large bed, but sighed contentedly, after a slight wince, as he slid into it. Wesley was just beginning to doze when he heard the door slide open and then close.
"I brought you breakfast," said Jase walking to the bed. He put the tray of food on the table next to the bed, and bent to give Wes a kiss on the forehead
He couldn't help but smile. For someone so naturally intimidating, and frighteningly strong, Jase was also thoughtful, gentle, and tender.
"Morning, Dragon," replied Wesley reaching up to wrap his arms around Jase's neck, and caught the hybrid's lips in a kiss. Which Jase happily returned, using one arm to pull their bare torsos together and the other to keep from falling on top of his mate. After several long, intense, moments of kissing they separated. Wesley was panting and looking slightly dazed. Jase was making a low hissing growl and his pupils were once again narrow slits.
"Y..you should eat your breakfast," said Jase trying to regain his composure.
Wesley nodded, moved into a more comfortable eating position, and took the offered tray.
"Umm, so about last night...," began Jase, only to be cut off.
"Dragon, stop worrying," said Wes shaking his head.
"But I..."
"Damn it Jase. Can you stop acting like I made out of glass. I mean, seriously I get enough of this from my brothers," Wesley raised a hand when Jase looked as if he want to say something. "Yeah I'm not as durable as you or even my brothers, and yes you could hurt me. But you haven't, and even if you did it would be an accident. I'm going to say this for the very last time, so get it through that thick skull. You. Are. Not. Going. To. Break me. Got it?"
Jase looked away bashful. "Sorry, Lusaa. I just well...I have a habit of screwing up relationships."
Wesley gave his lover a grin, "The only thing that you are going to be screwing is me. As for us you don't have a thing to worry about."
Jase groaned, and it was his turn to shake his head. "Lusaa."
Wesley laughed, and after a moment so did Jase.
Stardust Shadows
Rank : Tier 3
Colors: black, white, navy blue
Owner: Molly Durandal
Players:
Micheal Durandal
Species: Human(augmented)
Age: 25
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 250 lbs
Hair & Eye Color:Brown, Green
Play-style: Brusier
Ranking: Tier 1(overall), Tier 2(for play-style)
Status: Capitan
Jacob Durandal
Species: Human(augmented)
Age: 22
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 170 lbs
Hair & Eye Color:Blonde, Green
Play-style: Striker
Ranking:Tier 2(overall), Tier 2(for play-style)
Status: Active
Jase Vextraz
Species: Hybrid (Human-Draconian)
Age: 25
Height: 7' 6"
Weight: 760 lbs
Hair & Eye Color: Copper, Red
Play-style: Bruiser
Ranking: Tier 2(overall), Tier 1(for play-style)
Status: Active
Wesley Durandal
Species: Human(augmented)
Age: 18
Height: 5' 8"
Weight: 130
Hair & Eye Color: Black, Green
Play-style: Hexer
Ranking(projected via simulation): Tier 3(overall), Tier 1(for play-style)
Status: Inactive, Team Manager,Alternate Player