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==Tales from the Golden Lion AUKatya’s Quest - Chapter 12==
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==Assumption in Alba==
12/10/3051 - Antares, Contested World
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Spectators gathered in Alba’s City Square where a nine-meter Circle of Equals had been chalked into the street as bid in Katya’s batchall for her Trial of Position to take Marcos’ Rank as Star Colonel. Even though the temperature ranged in the single digits she had removed her outerwear stripping down to gray BDU pants and tank top. The Patrol and Pilots standing in front of the helicopters recognized the stance she took with the borrowed patrol baton; left arm extended, baton down to the side, as one not commonly trained by MechWarriors. Instead, it was from Espatier CQB, the Warrior branch containing the purest fighters within the Clans, proficient with everything from Unarmed Combatives to Naval Gunnery.
Use of a weapon was a bid condition to equalize the Star Captain against an opponent who possessed every conceivable physical advantage, being taller, heavier, and younger than his opponent. Star Colonel Marcos Radick stood opposite her bare-chested, unarmed, and in a boxing ready stance. Jason occupied the center as the mutually agreed Trial Oathmaster, staff in hand blocking the way. Their terms were defeat, not death despite the palpable animosity between the combatants, on this surface it would be easy to go too far.
As Jason’s staff lifted Marcos lunged forward only to have his lightning fast punches ducked as Katya’s baton hit low at the outside of his knee and thigh breaking his stance in the process. He recovered rolling out to avoid a kick aimed at his head before attempting to sweep her legs. She stayed in motion executing a break fall only to rise in a more defensive version of her initial stance blading herself to him with the baton behind her.
“You have been training.”
She twirled the baton and shifted her stance to baton forward eyes fixed on his limbs, “As is our purpose, Marcos. Perhaps you have been getting to comfortable in your place. 
You need a shakeup.”
“Is that why you want it then?”
Katya twirled the baton before her, then feigned an attack to which Marcos responded attempting to parry the blow, “Is that what you think?”
He floated around looking for an opening in her defenses but was met with stinging strikes to his arms in the process. “Why else would you?”
“Maybe I am just looking for where I am supposed to be.”
His weighted shifted forward a slight bit, fists clenched, “Keep looking then.”
He stepped forward with a full-body backfist, Katya shifted to the side putting her off-hand into the baton as it slammed into his bicep and upper arm. She ducked under releasing the momentum into a strike that could be heard across the square, then pulled away as Marcos groaned in pain and fell forward to his knees.
The man stood up, face grimacing in pain at the powerful strike, his right arm hung lower than before. “Is that all you can do Katya, counterattack? Come on strike a blow.”
Katya’s icy blue eyes narrowed; she had said the exact same thing to Adam Steiner months ago. She dropped the baton holding it with a loose grip, “You are not worthy.”
“You need to be brought down to earth Katya, there is only room for one Ristar here.” He inched forward then lashed out. Katya dodged or blocked it with her off-hand unleashing a flurry of precise blows each one taking a bite out of her opponent’s strength. Marcos switched to grappling, bulling her down to the stone, and knocking the wind from her lungs as the baton rattled away.
She gasped as he shifted to a full mount, looming over her as her blonde hair splayed out onto the concrete. “I had a feeling this might happen.”
“Here I thought I was so good at hiding it. 
The only way you were going to get me in this position, is this way you know.”
“I was not interested.”
Her hips shifted beneath him as she adjusted position, “Pity, I have experience.”
“Do you yield?”
“I can handle a little rough and tumble play Marcos. I am feeling pretty comfortable.”
“Defiant to the end.” 
His arm pulled back going for a knockout blow, Katya shifted at the last moment. His fist smashing into the stone tile breaking both. He howled in pain as she bridged and recovered her lost weapon, pouncing on him and bringing her full weight onto it and his neck. 
Marcos struggled against the assault, but the result was swift.
Jason kicked her off him, she rolled and was about to strike him before he intercepted her with the staff tossing her high into the air and outside the Circle of Equals. She landed rough, at the feet of the Coregn before standing up to stare at the shocked woman before realizing what happened. 
“MedTech!” Marcos coughed and spasmed as Jason leaned over him rendering the combat first aid that all Elementals learned in Creche. One of the Pilots rushed to his side with her helicopter’s medkit.
Hecate came to her senses just as Katya’s head cleared. Her face flushed with shame, “Marcos told me to do it, Star Colonel.”
“You are forgiven.” Katya went toward her hat and jacket clipping the three gold bars of a Star Colonel’s onto it leaving behind the two she had carried since the REVIVAL skirmishes against Nova Fox. She redressed but her limbs were still icy cold except where the bruises burned. “By the way, thank you for the accessories.”
The Coregn paused, her tone confused and uncertain, ‘um’
“You are welcome.” She said with a forced smile.
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