How Much I Know - a Renegades | Marissa Meyer fan fiction

Chapter 34

Kahless's gaze followed the Detonator, a villain she probably would have arrested on sight only a few days ago.

Was she really doing the right thing? For Max? For Nova? For the world?

Kahless knew she couldn't give up on Nova at this point. The girl would make up her own mind, and Kahless would decide for herself. At that point, however, it didn't seem too much to assume that Nova could - and was - making reasonable decisions.

"Mara, do you have any idea what she'll do?" Kahless asked, as Mara picked up on the behaviors that Kahless didn't.

"I think she's scared enough of me," Mara shivered, "that she'll not tell Nova's identity, but that's not the only thing she can do to us."

"Right," Kahless agreed. "She could also create a huge bomb that could destroy the entire city of Gatlon. I don't know why she would, but it's a possibility."

"I mean, she doesn't seem to have much of a moral compass," Narcissa added, scowling.

The present company nodded. "Noted," Kahless said. "What are we going to do, then?"

"Let's watch and see. If there is a disturbance, we'll step in," Mara concluded.

"But how?" Narcissa and Kahless wondered simultaneously. "We," Narcissa explained, "don't have your power, and if we get close to the Detonator we're dead."

Mara pursed her lips. "Should I go alone?"

"No, of course not. We're going, but we'll not intervene if we are in danger. That's your job. But be aware of Ingrid. She's had a lot more practice than you in the physical domain," Kahless warned.

Mara nodded, but steeled her expression. "Well, that's settled?" Kahless and Narcissa nodded. "Here goes nothing."

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"We need to train you first," Kahless explained, knowing that Mara barely stood a chance at anything without knowing how to fight. She had done well with those stupid villains; killing them, but they were surprised, something that Ingrid and most other people wouldn't be.

Mara, with a brief nod of her head, resigned to let Kahless show her the Renegade training facilities, located in a few of the 8 basement floors of Renegade HQ. Kahless had been there before, most certainly, but looking at it now she saw the heroes as threats, not allies, as she had before.

Kahless brought Mara to a corner of the large facility where a row of dummies stood waiting for attack. "Show me your best punch," Kahless ordered. Mara didn't hesitate, no doubt realizing the time limit they were pressed to.

Mara put a determined force behind her right fist as she aimed at the dummy's ribs. The effort caused the plastic 'skin' of the target to dent for a moment. Despite the obvious dedication, the punch was a bit lopsided and not weighted correctly.

Mara looked at Kahless for feedback. Kahless answered, her face a perfect mask. "It lacks the proper skill, but looks surprisingly painful. The commitment is also very valuable. Like most things, as I have found, it's the intent that counts more strongly than skill."

"What do you mean?" Mara asked.

"I mean that despite the amount of skill you have, if you hesitate, there can be compromising results," Kahless answered, trusting that Mara understood her reference to Nightmare's tragic situation at the parade.

Mara nodded in understanding before gesturing for Kahless to continue talking.

"Right. So this, in slow motion, is how to throw a balanced punch." Kahless demonstrated, then guided Mara's arm through the same steps. "Do you get that?" Mara nodded, biting her lip. "What's wrong, Mara?" Kahless asked.

"I just... Violence is never the answer. It doesn't solve anything. It just shows people that you won't listen to reason. That is a message I don't want to be sending."

Kahless nodded. She, too, had thought about this side to fighting, but her argument had always been, "Sometimes you don't have a choice, and sometimes you yourself are in danger. In those situations, fighting and violence are necessary."

Mara sighed, contemplating. "I guess you're right. But it just doesn't sit right with me."

Kahless was pleased with Mara's kindness, as she always was. She smiled. "You'll do the right thing when the time comes, Mara. I know it."

"And I hope you're right."