Gilded Glass by Kevin J. Anderson

Author:Kevin J. Anderson
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781680573442
Publisher: WordFire Press

THE REFLECTOR

E.W. BARNES

Chandee saw the blow coming, but neither tensed nor dodged as the man’s fist struck below her eye. She relaxed into the hit, feeling the cold metal of brass knuckles before the sensation dissolved into icy-hot pain that spread across her face. She allowed her body to reel as she absorbed the blow, the bright lights above the ring flashing into streaks as she spun. Her opponent faced the crowd and waved his arms with a triumphant howl when she dropped to one knee. Exactly as she expected.

Chandee got to her feet. He smirked as he scrutinized the damage from his blow, and then frowned slightly. She knew why. When preparing for this match, she learned that his brass knuckles had an “x” carved onto the outside edge. He used them to leave an x-shaped scar to remember him by, thus earning him the nickname, “The Exer.”

This time, his signature move failed. She had known how to take the hit; there would be no “x” left on her skin and he would not get another chance to mark her. He growled as he swung his fist again, striking under her chin and confirming her suspicions. He had not researched her and had not learned of her dense bone structure, or her jaw of granite.

He failed to prepare, and so the Exer would lose.

Chandee needed no tools or weapons, relying only on her experience and skill. She responded with a sequence of punches designed to confuse him. Many fighters watched their opponents’ feet, torsos, or eyes to determine from where the next strike would come. She had trained herself to hide those tells. Now the widening of his eyes as she landed solid hits told her everything.

She could smell the desperation in his sweat as he delivered a rapid series of blows like a jackhammer on her midsection. Chandee almost felt sorry for him. A lost Barter Fight could mean disaster for an under-funded merchant ship. When he failed—when, not if—his ship would lose trade opportunities in the sector for one full rotation. Many, including the ship’s fighter, could find themselves in a welfare compound.

There was nothing she could do about that. What she could do was not prolong the Exer’s suffering. Chandee took advantage of sloppy footwork that knocked him slightly off balance and used her height and reach to land a powerful blow. He dropped to the floor. She could tell by the way his eyes rolled he would stay there for a while. Her work was done.

She ignored the cheers and yells from outside the ring, sitting heavily next to her employer. Captain Aurum stroked his beard, wearing an expression like a satisfied cat as he pocketed currency shoved at him by numerous hands. Having secured exclusive rights to trade in this sector, he was now guaranteed a small fortune. Winning the betting pool was a bonus.

Chandee’s mind was on the match, as always, analyzing her performance and looking for ways to improve her skills. The jackhammer maneuver was new, she thought.

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