A holographic scan went across the twins, and instantly their plain blue uniforms were replaced with refined dark fabrics. Domitia had on a regal dark blue long dress and white trousers while Aelius wore a blue uniform jacket and white trousers matched with black boots.
If I remember correctly, Ennoone is a moon-sized casino. Wouldn't we need cards telling that we are older than we actually are, or at least permits? Ardlan raised his hand to bring the subject up but halted before he could speak. The gold twins were smart, they definitely knew what they were doing.
"Maxine, change our guests' outfit."
"Right, wouldn't want anyone knowing that I am a student."
The holographic scan went across him and he too had his blue uniform changed to another, his was red and spandex, covering most of his face save for his eyes.
"What is this?" Ardlan questioned.
Domitia left her seat and walked to Ardlan,
"You will be our champion in Ennoone's fighter pit. Make it to the semi finals and you'll get yourself the best pilots for teachers. Deal?"
"Hmmm, I mean we have come this far. Would my identity be safe? I wouldn't want the school or mother finding out about this."
"Of course, you won't be perceived beyond the mask." Domitia said with a breath to her voice that Ardlan found attractive.
Alright, I can do this! He had heard of Ennoone from his colleagues but he had never thought to check the Casino out himself. His impression was that it was a largely lawless place that could do whatever as long as it didn't spill over to other jurisdictions.
The rotating ball of metal that was the casino soon came into view and the twins were directed with signals to the gateway.
A mechanotroph the appearance of a squid, with its multiple tentacles stood by the force field they would have to go through to reach the casino.
"IDs."
Aelius clicked on a button and the walls of the ship became see–through transparent. Domitia walked to the side, flashing her long golden hair, and the mechanotroph's lifeless black eyes brightened at the sight.
"Apologies, you may pass."
The trooper went through the field and the sparkling planetoid came up close into view.
"What did you do there? Bypass its sensors and security system?"
"None of that." Domitia responded flatly which discouraged Ardlan from a follow-up.
"I see."
They stopped the trooper at the spaceport, and activated their anti-gravity boots otherwise known as AG boots for short, and then zoomed out of the spacecraft.
"Woohoo!" Mark zoomed out with excitement. He took a sniff of the gaseous surrounding and stuck out his tongue.
"The air is a bit dense here."
"You will get used to it." Said Aelius.
"More importantly, how are you flying without AG boots?"
"Huh?" Ardlan looked at his feet now bound with spandex and then back to Aelius. He saw confusion in his dilated golden eyes.
"You are human, right?" He questioned again.
"Yes, genetically modified like you two. I have always been capable of flight."
"It cannot be." Domitia hurriedly zoomed to him and felt his legs. She looked back to her brother, sharing the same befuddled look.
"Our eyes do not lie, he has no contraption beneath his feet nor around his legs." She then turned to Ardlan.
"There are extremely few humans capable of flight, and most If not all of them are hybrids. Just what are you Ardlan."
Ardlan could sense that they were envious of his ability and they found it an affront to their self-perceived superiority.
Domitia chuckled lightly, hoping to break the tension.
"You see, we picked right. He'll be a great asset in the pit."
"I suppose." Aelius responded, and zoomed forward.
Hybrids? As far as Ardlan was aware, he was an eighty-five percent clone of his mother, engineered and provided with superhuman abilities. The idea of possibly being a hybrid never came across his mind.
"Hey boys." Ardlan froze, clenching his fists and glaring at the speaker. Their slithery voice made him identify danger but he soon loosened up once he saw who it was.
"A whore." Domitia said.
"Only the finest." The Vampanesaus said, walking forward from her escort of prostitutes.
"Just give me a chance pretties, I'll make your visit worth it."
Aelius held a terrible glare that she shivered back and shrank, averting her gaze.
"What about you? You look fun."
"Me?" Ardlan turned to the twins, and then back to the reptilian naked creature.
"I am sorry but I am here on a job not pleasure."
Soon as he answered, he spotted the twins already ahead of him.
"Wait up?!" He cried, flying to them.
"Huhh, I thought you were going to take their offer."
Ardlan fought to stifle his laughter, but he ended up roaring.
"Reptiles are at the very bottom, please."
The group drifted, eying creatures of various races, many of them doning neon clothes to fit in with the Casino's aesthetic.
Ardlan ultimately spotted the actual casino. It was massive, and full to the brim with people hoping to hit it rich, a good thing they were not going there.
"Only people intent on losing money go to casinos." Aelius uttered, and then he dove to two large green creatures guarding a vault embedded in the metal ground below.
Domitia and Ardlan watched as he spoke to them, and handed them some coins. The vault was then opened and they were let in.
The first thing Ardlan noticed was the noise, it was like every inch of the room was roaring, and he immediately clasped his ears.
"Arghhh."
"Oh come on, you are not a child. You have got matches to win for us, you know." Domitia teased.
Hordes of creatures packed and stood, watching as two fighters struck each other within a pentagon platform. The blows were heavy, and with each, blood was spilled and bruises surfaced.
Now, Ardlan was strong, he knew that, the gold twins did, and that was why they chose him for this, but this, this was alien to him, this was brutal and merciless.
"It would kill him."
The gold twins said nothing.
Finally, there was a winner, and the crowd cheered.
"You want to pass Spacefaring, don't you?"
"Now, get in there." Domitia pushed him, throwing him into the Pentagon, and as soon as she did, the two soared to the host, telling him of the new development, and their wager.
Ardlan watched them negotiate, then turned to his opponent drenched in its opponent's blood.
"From Jupiter's moon, an enhanced human soldier, Primeboy!" The announcer cried, introducing Ardlan, and rousing up the crowd.
Humans were a rarity in the place, and Ardlan caught the crowd's interest. His bright red spandex also helped.
"Well, we are here already. I better make this quick."