BEMs: Bug Eyed Monsters: Book Four, the New Frontiers Series by Jack L Knapp

Author:Jack L Knapp [Knapp, Jack L]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 1900-07-26T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

Too bad Robbie and Bobby had insisted on leaving so soon, Chuck thought. They would certainly have enjoyed watching the small female swing a sword!

The Flickers were certainly fascinated! All eyes watched as she repeated the first uncertain movement. Was that a kind of collective sigh as she progressed? The noise was too faint to be sure.

“Let me show you a different movement. Be careful, the blade can get away from you and you might cut yourself. Don’t let go of the hilt, the sword might hit someone.”

“I will be careful. Show.”

“Start slow, follow my movements.” Chuck illustrated his meaning as he spoke, using his katana. “Feet slightly apart for balance, right foot ahead. You have different proportions, so set your feet in a way that allows you to balance and move easily. Right hand at the base of the grip, left hand above. Do you favor one hand? It’s common among Terrans.”

“No. One hand is as another.”

“Then practice both grips, left hand forward, then right hand forward as you shift your feet. If one position feels more comfortable, use it. Begin with the sword’s tip up and slightly forward.” He continued, moving through several positions. “When you’re able to easily do these movements, then begin to combine them. Remember, to be precise in your movement is to approach completeness.”

She stopped after fifteen minutes, her color unnaturally bright. “I must reduce my body temperature. I return your sword, Ch’ck.”

He took the wakizashi and bowed to her. She bowed back, then headed for the water. Most of the watching Flickers followed as she vanished beneath the surface.

Melu stood as Chuck turned away from the water. “I would extend.”

Chuck handed him the wakizashi. “Remember, begin slow, then move faster at your own pace. The swords were made to kill. I use them for exercise and to extend my knowledge, but they retain their nature.”

“I will remember.” Melu bowed slightly. Chuck fought back a smile. “Do you want me to lead you through the exercises?”

“It is not necessary. I watched Isson.”

Chuck stepped back and waited. Melu’s beginning movements were similar to Isson’s at first, clumsy, but he adjusted to the unfamiliar weight of the wakizashi and advanced rapidly. Like Isson, he soon overheated and passed the wakizashi on to another watcher who had returned from the water. Isson, back from her swim, stood by Chuck, watching.

“To combine movements is to be complete?”

“Yes. True completeness would allow you to progress from one to another and on to another after that, with no wasted movement and no pause between. A master, one who is complete, uses each movement during a period of exercise.”

“You can do this?”

“Yes. I am complete, but still I extend.”

Melu joined the two. “Terrans are more like the people than I realized. You seek completion, not to kill?”

“Yes. Others extend in their own way; there are many songs waiting to be sung.”

“I would extend to how you deserved this gift.”

Chuck shrugged. “I could not stand aside and allow the old men to die for nothing.

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