The seven went back outside after conducting additional reconnaissance of the arena complex levels that were reachable with Amelina's permission, choosing to wait close to their parked cars until the main crowds started to assemble. A full hour before the tournament was supposed to start, at around 0900 hours, the first fighters to compete began to arrive. The main doors opened at 0915, giving fighters access to the locker rooms for equipment repairs, meditation, or last-minute preparations. But even earlier, ardent fans of the professional fighting circuit had started gathering in the hopes of a fortuitous meeting with a favorite opponent. A handful of devoted female fans from four different species recognized Yan right away; rather surprisingly, he deliberately avoided their attentions.
At 09:30, Senator Lek himself arrived in a sleek, black luxury hovercraft, accompanied by a chauffeur in uniform and a massive Crejak bodyguard wearing a dark red robe and mirrored sunglasses. Amelina kept her cover by separating from the group and joining Lek's group. With their own match set for 1100 hours, the remaining six players—Kieran, Luna, Nora, Nayla, Yan, and Torin—had an hour and a half to spare. Instead of returning to Kyara, which was fifteen minutes away, they decided to stay and watch the first matches.
There were no major surprises at the opening ceremony. Senator Lek served as the chair, effectively restating for those who had not been present the main points of the arena's grand opening presentation. As he finished, the arena floor was illuminated by strong lights, revealing the battlefield. Colored laser beams danced through some sections, while others stayed covered in artificial fog. Some of the most well-known Elemental fighters on the scene were on the first two teams scheduled to compete; these teams were probably hired at a high cost to guarantee an exciting opening match.
Six Tseeran siblings from the famous House Elryn made up the first squad. The Tseeran were a distinct species, with a basic humanoid body but exoskeletons resembling those of insects and a diet that was exclusively carnivorous. Since their naturally thick exoskeletons offered protection equivalent to a premium armor suit, Tseeran usually wore only simple pants and utility harnesses for sensors and equipment when fighting.
A varied mercenary organization known as the Delta Coalition opposed them. Their roster consisted of two powerful Crejak warriors, a three-eyed, neckless Njalaa, a human, and two Halei, who were translucent green humanoids with the ability to quickly change their shape. Although it limited their ability to carry only minimal, disposable equipment, the Halei's ability to shapeshift was a fundamental tactic. Experienced Halei, despite having fewer weapon options, could transform from a humanoid form to an amorphous puddle on the ground in less than two seconds. They could even temporarily create voids inside their bodies to avoid physical attacks like sword thrusts.
As both teams adjusted to the new arena design and set of rules, the resulting match was exciting. Deep into the Tseeran half of the field, the Delta Coalition launched a powerful initial offensive. The Tseeran siblings, however, proved to be a strong defensive force. They launched a swift and forceful counteroffensive, forcing the Delta Coalition to retreat across the line. One Tseeran and two Delta Coalition players gave themselves up to their opponents during the battle, and they were later disqualified from play in accordance with the regulations. Less than ten minutes after starting their counter-offensive, the remaining Tseeran took the initiative and launched a fierce attack, overwhelming the exhausted Delta Coalition forces and seizing their flag.
The Tseeran winners responded to their victory with unexpected composure, shaking hands with the lone surviving member of the Delta Coalition after only a quick embrace between them. Then, in perfect, orderly silence, they left the arena. Many spectators found the dynamic techno music playing throughout the arena to be an intriguing technological feature; a complex sensor network placed around the perimeter of the arena floor precisely synchronized the music's tempo and intensity with the movements of the fighters. The sound was entirely contained within the seating area by the sophisticated nanoplastic shielding protecting the audience, but the strong speakers set into the spectator stands were also discreetly connected to the teams' internal communication circuits.
After about thirty minutes, the first match was over. Kieran's squad made their way to the locker rooms as the second game got underway. There were still remnants of the first two teams, taking off their armor. The only member of his team who did not need medical attention in the infirmary, the defeated Njalaa from the Delta Coalition team, struck up a friendly conversation with Nora. A short distance away, the three surviving Tseeran warriors were meticulously cleaning their weapons, their expressions as solemn and determined as ever.
The six friends divided up for 45 minutes of last-minute preparations after spending 30 minutes deciding on their own strategy. Luna carefully sharpened each edge of her sword until, in theory, they could cut a silk scarf that was simply dropped on them. As they assumed the same positions and went into deep meditation, Okani and Nayla supported their entire body on one arm while balancing upside down against a wall. Kieran meticulously dismantled, examined, and reassembled all of the mechanical and electronic devices he planned to use, including the complex parts of his cybernetic right forearm. Yan worked tirelessly to make the high-gloss green plates of his armor gleam like mirrors. In addition, Nora meditated, favoring strenuous calisthenics over the cerebral exercises that the Air and Life Elementals preferred.
The public address system announced that there were fifteen minutes left before their match after they had been concentrating alone for forty-five minutes. Layer by layer, the six started the methodical process of putting on their armor. Kieran looked at Torin Okani's armor as soon as he took it out of its carry bag. Sections of an off-yellow, organic-looking material, about an inch and a half thick, were articulated to form the suit. From integrated points at the elbows, wrists, shoulders, knees, and back, curved blades protruded menacingly. Kieran realized that the surface texture was vaguely reminiscent of the Tseeran exoskeletons.
Kieran was curious and asked, "Organic armor?"
"Correct," Okani said, carefully positioning a piece for his forearm and fastening it over his bodysuit using Velcro straps and neoprene.
"How effective is that material?"
"The self-healing properties are highly advantageous," Okani said, "though maintaining its nutritional requirements can be troublesome."
Kieran inquired, "You have to feed your armor?" with a start. Okani gave a nod.
"Yes. Controlled doses of specific proteins and sugars, delivered via transdermal hypodermic patches."
"How rapid is the healing?"
"If a section were fractured completely in half," Okani continued, "holding the broken edges together would allow the material to fully regenerate, good as new, within approximately thirty seconds."
"Damn."
"Indeed. The adaptive camouflage it provides is also quite useful."
"Camouflage?"
Kieran glanced down at the pieces arranged on the bench next to Torin and saw them gradually changing their color to resemble the bench's surface as Okani said, "Correct. The external panels can shift color and pattern, much like an ancient Terran chameleon." Okani completed the distinctive suit by fastening his breastplate. Kieran was aware that organic armor could be made in a variety of colors and textures and was usually cultivated in specialized cloning vats in accordance with customer specifications.
Everyone had completed putting on their armor by this point. No one had a more visually confusing appearance than Okani's ever-changing organic plates. Like a glistening glass mannequin, Nayla was almost invisible thanks to a sleek, dark grey bodysuit equipped with holographic projectors. Nora's armor was a functional, if visually startling, patchwork of mismatched and scavenged parts. Luna's clothing was made of matte black, flowing, geometric plates that appeared to absorb light. Yan's torso and limbs were covered in heavy plate armor with full-body chainmail. Kieran himself wore what amounted to two separate layers: articulated magnesium alloy plates fashioned into sharp, angular designs on top of a base of heavy-gauge chainmail.
After forming a tight circle, the six put on their helmets, turned on their internal sensor suites, and checked their communication systems one last time. They kept the callsigns they had previously used, with Okani being given the designation 'Dragon'. Watching the digital timer above it count down the seconds until their match, they made their way together to the arena's designated entry door. Slowly, the enormous doors swung out. The six simultaneously changed the tint levels on their helmet visors to offset the intense arena lights' sudden glare. Their helmet audio pickups were now softly filtering the rhythmic techno music they had heard from the stands earlier. They emerged onto the refreshing concrete surface. Six officials immediately rushed out with rolls of circular red adhesive stickers from service doors nearby. The 'Red Team' was visually identified by applying these to each team member's upper arms, back, and chest in a hurry. Nayla frowned inwardly; the stickers, regrettably, covered up a number of the micro-cameras built into her suit, making it more difficult for it to camouflage visually, but her electronic sensor countermeasures were still completely operational. The officials' adherence to protocol was the only thing that saved the day: the stickers were placed respectfully beneath the large Element symbol that was prominently displayed on each fighter's armor; doing so above would have been a serious sign of disrespect.
The six drew their main weapons, took their starting positions inside their allotted red scoring zone, and awaited the signal. Twelve fighters ran toward the middle of the arena as the starting gong's single, deep tone echoed through the dome.
The team immediately put their prearranged plan into action. They divided into three pairs: Yan and Kieran, Torin and Nayla, and Luna and Nora. Kieran and Yan were tasked with defending their own flag zone from attackers, so they promptly looked for defensible cover close by. They started looking around carefully, taking in everything, and keeping an eye out for any sign of movement. The other four fighters dispersed, moving along the circular outer wall of the arena to the left and right. Moving quickly and employing a leapfrog strategy in which one would run between obstacles while the other provided covering fire or observation, Nayla and Torin made their way through a section that was littered with big concrete blocks and pieces of abandoned industrial machinery. Luna and Nora took a more measured approach along the other flank, their main goal being to stop any opponents from crossing the central dividing line while also being prepared to support Kieran and Yan if necessary.
The entire circular arena floor was divided by a thick, desolate strip of deep purple concrete that was about five feet wide. As per the regulations of the Nova Sphere, entering enemy territory and then giving up led to a permanent expulsion from the round. If you were defeated but still on your own side of the line, you were immobilized for five minutes; if you moved during that time, you were disqualified.
Their helmet radios sprang to life as Nayla and Okani approached the purple dividing line.
With her advanced sensor suite, Nora also acted as the team's tactical information coordinator; from a central vantage point, little could evade her detection net. "Dude to Dragon and Prowler," her voice reported calmly, "be advised you have one hostile moving towards your position. Estimate two additional hostiles approximately two minutes behind the lead element, moving at standard walking pace."
"Prowler copies," admitted Nayla.
"Dragon copies," confirmed Torin. Before Nayla spoke again, the radios were silent for almost a minute.
"Target acquired. Visual contact confirmed. Engaging."
Just inside their own boundaries, Nayla and Torin waited calmly. The oncoming adversary approached them with composure, seemingly not bothering to use the copious cover that was scattered about. He held what looked to be a hybrid weapon in his hands, a cross between a phase pistol and a submachine gun, and he carried a powerful pole axe strapped across his back. Unable to recognize the strange gun, Nayla called Kieran.
"Prowler to Gearhead."
"Go ahead, Prowler."
"Request weapon identification on hostile's primary firearm."
The reply from Kieran was, "Acknowledged. Patching into your helmet cam feed now," Within her helmet, Nayla gave a few brief verbal commands that directed her visual feed to Kieran's screen. For a few seconds, he examined the silvered weapon carefully, mentally following its energy conduits and taking note of the different dials and readouts on its surface. After ten seconds or so, his response was tinged with alarm.
"Oh, shit," he uttered into the communication system.
Nayla asked, "Say again, Gearhead?"
"That's an infantry-grade PEB – Pulse Energy Blaster. Prowler, if you engage this target, neutralize him fast. Do not allow him to discharge that weapon."
"What is it?"
"Explanation later. Do you require backup?"
"Two versus one? Negative, Gearhead. We've got this."
"Understood. Exercise extreme caution."
With a dry reply, "Duh," Nayla cut the transmission short. Although she was unfamiliar with a PEB, Kieran's response suggested that this opponent needed to be vanquished swiftly and forcefully.
Next to her, Torin whispered, "Would you like to take the lead?"
"Hell, yes," Nayla said at once.
Okani said, "You have cover," as he brought his specially made sniper rifle to his shoulder with ease. Placing the magnetic accelerator rifle's camouflaged stock and barrel on its built-in bipod, he positioned himself prone on the concrete floor. Thirty solid slugs that fired silently and quickly were stored in the weapon. For a non-lethal encounter, Okani reduced the projectile velocity to its lowest setting and adjusted the scope magnification. Nayla pulled out her short blade. She silently started counting down after displaying five fingers for Torin to see. One, two, one
Okani fired as soon as Nayla's final finger dropped. The magnetic field cycled and chambered the next round, but the rifle only made a faint metallic click, like a coin dropped on stone. As Nayla charged full speed in the direction of their target, he fired methodically, one shot every half second. As Okani's low-velocity slugs bashed relentlessly against the opponent's armor, the body jerked wildly. Nayla attacked as soon as Okani's suppressive fire stopped, covering the fifty feet between them in less than four seconds.