Phoenix

Sparring

The next day was the first day of exercises. Routine stuff, no different from what the Runners had practiced at their previous outpost. Most of the Escorts preferred strength exercises, but today a few had decided to test their skill against the newcomers.

"Next!" Called the Lieutenant at her side. Another soldier stepped up to challenge the Runner that had won the last four rounds.

Sparring wasn't the Escort's strongest area, being used to taking advantage of their weapons. Andromeda decided she would have to press them harder on hand-to-hand combat.

This round went longer than the others, and the champion Runner was finally defeated. The onlooking Escorts cheered. The mechs shook hands and it was the Runners' turn to send in a challenger.

Ratchet stepped into the ring.

Andromeda perked up, interested to see how the smart mech fought. Their optics met. Ratchet averted his gaze.

"Begin!"

Andromeda watched in silence as the mechs paced the ring. The Escort made the first move. Ratchet dodged and responded with a strike at the jaw. The Escort jerked back, narrowly escaping it. Ratchet returned to a ready stance.

The fight was long. The longest yet. Andromeda tracked every move. After almost six minutes, the round was finished when Ratchet executed a flawless hook kick to the neck. Just hard enough to send the soldier stumbling back.

"End round." The Lieutenant announced "Four-one, in favor of the Runners. Next!"

Another Escort started forward. Andromeda held out her hand, stopping him.

"I'll take this round." She said.

The group fell silent as the Escort Captain stepped into the ring. After hesitating a moment, the Lieutenant called again:

"Begin!"

Andromeda circled the ring, not breaking her gaze from her opponent. Ratchet made the first move. She blocked and returned, he dodged.

Strike. Block. Return. Dodge.

It went on for what felt like forever. Andromeda delivered three strikes and received three more. The medic was good, but not good enough.

The fight for the final strike was spectacular, but Andromeda still came out at the top. With a low kick, she swept her opponent's legs out from under him. Ratchet landed squarely on his back, gasping. Andromeda panted, spark racing from the rush of the fight.

"End round." The Lieutenant said. "Four-three, in favor of the Escort."

There was only a low murmuring as Andromeda helped her opponent up, and, without a word, shook hands. Ratchet seemed to be in a hurry to return to his fellow Runners.

"Next!"

Andromeda felt her spark still pounding as she walked away. She put a hand to her chest plate, willing it to calm.

"Captain,"

Andromeda turned to see Lieutenant Surefire standing nearby.

"What is it Lieutenant?"

Surefire hesitated, looking concerned. Andromeda knew what he was thinking.

"I'm fine, Lieutenant." She assured him. Though she knew he wouldn't believe it. He nodded anyway, knowing better than to argue with his Captain.