The woman moved towards the cage, where a couple of Darutans signed up anyone who wanted to partake in the fights for a small entrance fee and also took care of placing the bets.
«What’s your bet, girl?» a sleek-looking man smiled up at the woman.
«Don’t call me girl, asshole.» the woman put a stack of chips that represented the funds she wanted to bet. «This is my fee to fight and a bet on myself.»
The man squinted, watching her with his light brown eyes.
«You’ll fight a woman.» he said, taking her money.
«I don’t care who I’ll fight. Just give me someone strong, who can take a punch!» she gritted her teeth.
«What’s your name, girl?»
The woman leaned in close, squinting:
«Silver Ghost. And I’ll turn you into one if you call me girl one more time.»
«Alright, Ghost. Wait until we call on you.» the man winked. «Call me Pauliss.»
Ghost scowled and walked aside, grabbing a receipt from him.
She walked over to the bar and grabbed a drink, watching the coordinators finishing up preparations and deciding on the pairings. As the choices were finalised, the names appeared on the screen, showing the opponents.
First fight was announced and started, and Ghost stood watching indifferently at the pair circling and cautiously approaching each other. She was bored while watching others fighting, and by the time her name was called, she was already feeling the buzz of alcohol in her head. Still, she approached the cage and walked in, knowing that whoever she sees in there, probably won’t be strong enough to quench her bloodthirst.
She hoped that the amount she had to drink would help her not fall prone to a fit of rage.
Her opponent was a woman, but not as cautious as the fighters in the previous fights. Ghost met her approach straight up, blocking the heavy blow aimed at her, and realised that this dance won’t be long – the opponent would be winded soon, if left unchecked.
«Boring.» Ghost sighed, swirling with her body and catching her opponent with a series of punches and kicks.
As she straightened, landing one hefty punch from downside up, the woman in front of her swayed, but stayed standing, her arms hung by her sides.
Ghost tilted her head and saw the woman swaying harder and falling flat on her back.
Not amused by the easy – and quick – win, Ghost walked out and heard someone walking up.
«You’re fast…» a woman’s voice sounded. «Ever fought in cages before?»
«I did. Elsewhere.» Ghost shrugged.
«Tell you what… if you win this open cage tournament, I can represent you. You have potential.»
Ghost glanced at the woman and saw a beautiful face with tanned skin and bright purple eyes. Her hair was a faint lavender colour, shimmering in the lighting of the club.
«Ghost.» the fighter offered her hand.
«Sierra.» the woman shook her hand. «Good luck.»
«I don’t need luck, Sierra. I have my fists and my skills.» Ghost shrugged, heading off.
She didn’t really care for any of the business that was related with the organisational side of the fights – she could easily be on her own. If one of the fighting coordinators laid her eyes on Ghost, it wasn’t of any significance.
Before Ghost entered the cage again, she managed to get even drunker. Her second opponent was a bit more interesting and kept her attention up until the finishing blow the woman landed to his face, throwing the man to the floor.
By the time she reached the ending fight of this open cage tournament, Sierra approached her again, promising her that she’ll have her represented even if she loses. Ghost didn’t reply, walking into the cage and wishing for the pain that haunted her to subside.
The last opponent brought her some semblance of calm, allowing her to have a couple of minutes of an interesting fight. Winning didn’t ease her pain and she didn’t even smile, when Sierra walked up, raising her hand up, announcing her as the winner.
Not really interested, Ghost agreed to be represented by the woman, understanding that it would be easier to find more interesting matches instead of the rookies she could challenge on her own.
Sierra introduced Pauliss – the very same man who was rude to Ghost when she was signing into the tournament – as her assistant and the fighter thought if that would bring any problems in the long run. Still, she signed the contract to be represented by Sierra and her local fighting career began, as she appeared in the club every week to fight whoever Sierra or Pauliss found for her.
Slowly getting into the routine, Ghost began to find some solace in the fact that she was no longer bothered by people to find out what she felt – Sierra and her assistant were more worried if she was able to fight. And that was no problem for her at all.
By the time a few weeks passed, Sierra understood the potential of having Ghost fighting more often and it was exactly what the woman fighter wanted.
Chapter 4. Trace
«Active Captain Lindon…» Lyssa’s voice tore Lindon out of his sleep.
«What is it?» the man growled.
«I believe you need to see this…» the AI said, switching on the screen near his bed.
Lindon wiped his face, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep from his eyes, and understand what exactly he was looking at.
On the screen was a short video of a fight going on in one of the many cages that were scattered all over the human colonies in the known Universe. In it was a very athletic woman, arms covered in intricate tattoos, and a large man. By the way both moved Lindon understood that they were both Veluthians – their manner of hand-to-hand combat was definitely belonging to that of Velutha.
«And what am I supposed to see here?» Lindon frowned, still barely awake.
«The female fighter is known as the Silver Ghost. Look at her closely.» the AI said.
Lindon squinted, studying the woman. Though she moved fast, he suddenly caught glimpse of her face and his jaw dropped.
«Serena…» he exhaled.
«Exactly.» Lyssa said. «This video was intercepted from a passing Laithorian Space Ship half an hour ago.»
«And it took you that long to wake me up?» Lindon jumped out of his bed, quickly getting some clothes on.
«I was scanning the ships logs for directions where it came from and what was the origin of this video. According to my analysis, the video came from Daruta, from one of the clubs located in the fighting district in Demogen city.»
Lindon darted out, immediately pommelling at Wolfin’s door:
«Wolfin! Get your ass up!» Lindon screamed.
The door slipped open to a very irritated looking man, who grasped at the sheet on his waist – a newly obtained habit since Kayla loved appearing at the most unexpected of times:
«What the fuck got you so riled up at this hour?» Wolfin growled.
«We found her!» Lindon nodded aside. «Get dressed, we’re going after her.»
Wolfin’s face lengthened, surprised to hear such news:
«Wait! You found Serena? Or Falana?»
«Serena!