After a long morning of matches and a short break at noon, it was time for Izi to face off with the Bolian, Qiri Zass.  Getting ready in the prep room, each fighter was allowed one attendant to help them.  Nick wasn’t so unaware as to think fights weren’t painful or potentially dangerous, but witnessing them for the first time had shown him how brutal they could be.

“You okay, Nick?”  Izi’s antennae were moving in slow circles.

Nick frowned.  “I’m regretting that I suggested we come here.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want to be forced to explain to Captain Kirby why one of his officers came back from leave all beat up.”

Izi chuckled.  “Who says that will happen?”

Nick stared in disbelief.  “Did you watch the same fights I saw?  Did you see Kloka?  Full contact fighting is madness.”

“Klingons.  The bigger they are, the harder they fall.  Besides, you’re overreacting.  A good smack in the mouth can get the blood flowing.”

“Yeah, down your chin and onto the ground.”

Izi laughed.  “I’ll be fine.”

At that point, one of the tournament officials entered.  “You’re up now.  Good luck.”  He looked at Nick.  “There’s a seat for you in the attendant section.”

“Thank you.”  When the official was gone, Nick sighed.  “Yeah, Izi, good luck.”

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When Izi and Qiri Zass were introduced, Nick was surprised to see Izi had gotten quite a following.  Maybe he should have been there to see her eat the grax beast liver.  When the referee gave the signal to begin, Nick found himself holding his breath.

The two women gave each other a fist bump, took their fighting stances, and began dancing around each other in a rapid circle.  Zass was first to strike with a kick that missed.  Izi followed with a body kick that struck Zass in the side.  The Bolian easily shook it off, following quickly with a punch that caused Izi to stumble.

The crowd roared its approval.  Nick had to force himself to breathe.

The bout escalated, with both contestants landing kicks and punches.  Nick wanted to leap out of his seat and stop the match.  He seriously thought about it, when Izi ducked a swing from Zass, rushing inside and wrapping her arms around the Bolian.  A struggle for balance ended with Zass falling and Izi on top of her.  What happened next stunned him.

Izi began pummeling Zass in the face.  Left, right, left, right, like pistons powering an old-style engine.  The crowd roared again.

Feeling sick to his stomach that Izi could be so fierce, Nick still couldn’t look away.  The feral atmosphere captivated him.  He didn’t know how much time passed, but seeing a bloodied Zass that was on the verge of passing out, the referee stopped the fight, declaring Izi the winner.

With arms raised and antennae bouncing, Izi exulted in the approval of the crowd.

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Standing outside the arena, Nick didn’t want to watch any more matches.  He understood Izi’s nature, but he still didn’t like what he saw.  He wanted to go home to the Eagle.