Scene 3: The Dueling Ring

The Shadow's Heart gently lowers onto a landing pad, which is extended out on an arm attached to the top of a skyscraper that doubles as a city street.  Kanon and Ellan disembark and are immediately confronted by crowded streets.  Kanon reaches back and punches a large button on the underside of the ship in front of the opening for the loading ramp.  The door closes, Kanon takes Ellan's hand and they go off to disappear into the crowd.

Ahead, there are bounty hunters brandishing warrants to any passersby.  Ellan spots it first and tugs on Kanon's shirt.  They press against the wall of one of the stores.

ELLAN:  How did they ID us so fast?

KANON:  Not enough work to go around.

Bounty hunters must be looking for

every lead they can get their hands on.

ELLAN:  Where do we go?

KANON:  Come on.

Hand in hand, they cross another bridge that covers a short distance between skyscrapers.  This one displays neon lights of glasses clinking, dancers, and a laser pistol firing.  There is a line, which they meld into, and are not questioned by the bouncer at the door.  The interior is dark, no windows, with flashing lights surrounding a dance floor at a lower level than the entrance.  The room is bridged by a bar serving drinks and on the other side of it is a well lit room with a domed-over arena and dining tables surrounding it.

Kanon elects to pass the bar and the couple finds an empty table ringside.  A waiter promptly comes to serve them and notices Ellan's distraction by the arena.

WAITER:  Is this your first time

dining with us, ma'am?

KANON:  Yeah, she's new.

I've been showing her around.

Kanon proceeds to slip the waiter a tip.

WAITER:  I see.  Well, we have

a wonderful selection to choose from.

I'll return when you're ready to order.

The waiter moves off and a large explosion rocks the arena underneath the dome barrier.  As the smoke clears there is one man who has positioned himself at the center of the ring and lifts his arms to the adamant applause of the other patrons.

ANNOUNCER:  Well, that was quick; don't you agree?

Put your hands together for the best fighter on Janriel.
Theee… Drusus Gaul!

Amidst the applause, the victim is removed
from the ring on a stretcher and the next
runner-up passes him as he steps into the wring.

ANNOUNCER:  But what's this?  Another challenger for

the king of the ring's title?  Another victim
for the undefeated legend himself?

Kanon partakes in booing, holding both hands
up to his face, but Ellan grabs one hand
and lays it down on the table.

KANON:  What?  No one ever dies in these matches.

ANNOUNCER:  I have been informed that we have 

a very special treat in store for you lucky

patrons tonight.  We could not afford to

advertise this event. (laugh) Though I'm
almost certain that many of you
must have heard by now.

ELLAN:  What is he talking about?

Kanon shrugs.

ANNOUNCER: We have for you two duelists

who for your sole enjoyment will... fight, to the death!

There is a mix of applause and shocked gasps
(evidently some hadn't heard).  But the place is
quickly becoming packed and now Kanon knows why.

KANON:  We have to go.

ELLAN:  I'll say.

KANON:  Elan, the police will come.

We can't let them find us here.

Aside from the crowd, Kanon spots a couple of bounty hunters mingled among them so that they cannot leave the same way that they came in.  They've only moved a couple feet from their seats, but as they turn back there are already takers.  Kanon brazenly grasps the back of the chair with a mean smile and offers for Ellan to sit as though it were the first time.  The rebuffed couple move on without incident.

ELLAN:  What do we do now?

KANON:  I have no idea.

ANNOUNCER:  And now, please, take your seats; those of

you lucky enough to have them; for the moment

you've all been waiting forrr... fight!

The newcomer draws two pistols and fires wildly while running for the cover of some rubble that was created by the grenade from before.  Drusus stands tall, holding only one pistol, and is protected by his armor as some laser fire glances his shoulder.  He laughs and turns to play up to the audience with a raise of his arms and ignores the fire he is taking to his back.

DRUSUS GAUL:  Is this the best they could

send for your price of admission?

The crowd cheers emphatically, but then let out a collective "ohhh" that alerts Gaul to his opponent's approach.  Indeed, the other man has broken cover and is rushing the champion.  Gaul turns, fires once, and the newcomer roles to avoid the shot and comes up with a spike stabbing between Gaul's plates of armor.

STRANGER:  I was thinking the same thing.

Then he presses a button at the base of the spike and jumps away to hide behind a smaller block of rubble and shields his head in the fetal position.  Drusus Gaul is left with only a breath of confusion before the spike beeps and then explodes, throwing him back against the wall of the pit.  The audience is silent.  Some rocks crumble as the stranger slowly rises from cover, both pistols drawn.  He walks over to where Drusus lays and finds the front of his chest plate and helmet blown away.  There is still an under-layer of protection from a mesh shirt, but his face is bloody and he is gasping.

DRUSUS GAUL:  Who are you?

STRANGER:  I'm here to

collect on your bounty.

DRUSUS GAUL:  Why?

STRANGER:  You are wanted

in connection to previous

death matches.

He turns to step to the center of the ring and displays a bounty hunter's badge to resounding boos.  Then the police flood into the club.  The stranger strides out the ring the same way he came in.
Kanon watches the man leave while caring nothing about the police.

KANON: Who was that guy?

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