Post by Duncan Ryder on Aug 15, 2021 20:06:28 GMT -5
At The End of EXP 11
What had turned out to be an interesting and usual night was almost at an end. Since his and Tirri's victory over Sha'ta Thor and Larry Tact, Duncan had recovered, cleaned himself up, got changed and had been heading to catch what he could of the night's main event. He had allowed himself to be distracted though, stepping in to help a small group of stage hands move some heavy equipment which in turn had led to a conversation that had currently consumed fifteen minutes and counting.
“I know! I can't believe I did it either. I haven't so much as tried to hurricanrana anyone for about six years. I'm not even sure why it suddenly seemed like a good idea but hey, I guess it worked out,” said Duncan through a light chuckle that was echoed by the people around him.
Their laughter swiftly died though as they noticed people hurriedly passing them. What started as one then two was soon a stampede of referees, security guards and backstage officials.
“Hey, what's going on?” Duncan asked no-one in particular as they flooded past, concern clear in his voice.
“Ragdoll and The Faction just beat the hell outta Bert. It's bad,” replied one of the referees, barely breaking stride.
“Shit,” Duncan muttered as he dropped his kit bag and set off following.
Before reaching ringside Duncan spotted the Astro Creeps coming the other way. Kosnar was carrying Tempest. It was clear Bert had given him a hell of a fight and he took a moment of pride in that on the young man's behalf. The four of them were heading away from the ring though, casually, as if nothing was going on.
“Hey!” Duncan called out, striding purposefully towards them.
Daedalus, at the head of the group, looked around as if trying to see who Duncan could have been addressing and acted surprised when realisation set it that the only possibility was him.
“Me? Us?” Daedalus replied innocently, gesturing to himself and the rest of the Creeps in turn.
“Yeah, you. Did you do this?”
“To what would you be referring to?”
“Bert just got attacked by Ragdoll. The so called honorary creep. You want me to believe you didn't have a hand in it?”
“He did? Oh how unfortunate. That is most upsetting news, but I can assure you we are I no way involved. This is in fact the first we are hearing of it. We had long since hoisted our victorious hero away before any such nastiness occurred. Whatever action Miss Pierrot has taken are hers and hers alone.”
Duncan seethed. Though he knew you couldn't trust a word spoken by the leader of the Astro Creeps he also had no proof that Daedalus was lying. He started to back away, meeting Kosnar's imposing gaze for several long seconds before looking back to Daedalus “I'll be seeing you in Chicago real soon. If I find out you're lying to me I'll-”
“You'll?”
There wasn't a threat Duncan could make that would have any kind of impact on the Creeps, he knew that. Rather than try he let out a low growl and once he had backed away to a seemingly safe distance he turned his back and continued his run towards the ring.
“It's Combat Night at the Armax Arsenal Arena!” shouted the disembodied voice of the announcer with unbound enthusiasm.
Shore leave wasn't something that came regularly to Commander Shepard. It was hard to take a vacation when the fate of the galaxy rested on your shoulders. On the rare occasions that he was able to partake in some rest and relaxation you would think combat, even of the safe simulated variety would be the last thing on his mind. As he left his Citadel apartment though Shepard found himself drawn to the Silversun Strip and the Armax Arsenal Arena that resided upon it.
It wasn't his first visit to the venue and the Turian VI greeter acknowledged him by name as he walked in. Looking up at the scoreboard that was displayed prominently in seemingly every direction Shepard could see however that his once top score was no languishing in fourth behind efforts attributed to C-Sec Commander Bailey, information broker Barla Von and queen of Omega, Aria T'Loak.
None of this overly concerned him. No score would go unbeaten forever, defeat in such contests was inevitable but was also, if one fought hard enough, only ever temporary. He also felt, on some level that he had positive relationships with each of those whose rankings now stood higher than his own and he didn't begrudge them their success.
As he made his way towards the spectator area a huge cheer and an enthusiastic round of applause went up from the gathered crowd. Shepard didn't see what had caused it first hand but looking back up at the scoreboard a new name took its place among the vaunted company and did so emphatically, making its presence known at the very top. Now beside the arena's highest score was written the name Covington.
While the name was new to the scoreboard it wasn't entirely unfamiliar to Commander Shepard. It was a name he had seen in reports and heard tale of from half drunk marines exchanging war stories. Always the stories were the same, tales of a textbook Alliance Navy officer, a master strategist and a drill sergeant's dream, able to overcome overwhelming odds with his superior cunning and intellect. Shepard had to meet him.
The competitors exit to the arena was well known to Commander Shepard and though the hallway was starting to fill with excitable new fans, they allowed him to pass when they realised who it was who was walking amongst them.
The man that was now making his way towards Shepard was shorter than he had expected but carried himself like he was seven feet tall. He was wearing black armour accented in gold, clearly not Alliance Navy issue. Already waiting just inside the door had been an older man in a freshly pressed dress uniform who fell in a step behind Covington as soon as he was out of the combat area. Covington handed the man a pistol, seemingly the only firearm he was carrying, which the older man immediately started to clean and run through routine maintenance checks.
Soon Covington was close enough for Shepard to be able to address him without yelling.
“You must be Covington.”
“That's Commander Covington if you would, Commander Shepard.”
“Of course commander, I meant no disrespect.”
“Of course not,” Covington replied with a false smile, followed by a long pause that seemed to wordlessly say, 'What do you want?'
“I'm afraid I missed your battle,” said Shepard, “but you have the new high score. It must've been quite a show.”
Covington sneered a little, “Well, you were languishing behind criminals and aliens. Someone had to remind these people of the Alliance's strength. It didn't seem like it was going to be you. From what I hear you're more interested in copulating with aliens than defeating them.
“Let's just say I've been busy.”
“Oh we all know don't we Barnabus,” said Covington, gesturing but not looking at the old man in the dress uniform, “feels like there isn't a day that goes by that every news network in the galaxy isn't reporting on the latest adventures of the gallivanting human spectre.”
“I wouldn't call saving the galaxy gallivanting.”
“I'd call it being the council's human friendly face. I call it wasting time doing the bidding of aliens and forgetting where you came from? Fortunately the Alliance still has some officers of substance who remember where their loyalties lay and can do what needs to be done.”
“And is claiming the top spot on the Armax Arena scoreboard high on the Alliance's priorities these days?”
“No, I just do that to relax.”
“Well thanks for stepping in but it's fine. I'll take it from here.”
Covington chortled derisively, “Is that so? Look Shepard, I've read your file. You're a great soldier, but the Alliance is full of great soldiers. Me, I'm something else.” He held up a clenched fist and allowed the deep blue aura of dark energy to coalesce around it.
“So everything special about you comes down to luck and genetics?”
Covington gives him a dismissive wave, “While my life has been ever so fortunate in a great many ways I am much more than some Jump Zero street kid. I am the most powerful biotic that has ever served in any branch of the Alliance military. Grunts like you can train for a lifetime and will never be able to match my natural talents.”
“We'll see about that shall we,” said Shepard.
“I think we already did,” said Covington gesturing again to the scoreboard.
“High scores are made to be broken.”
“That's nice but I have more important places to be for the rest of my stay. I can't waste another night here.”
“No need, we'll do it now.”
Commander Covington scoffed, “Really, you hardly look prepared for battle.”
“It's OK, they know me here,” Shepard said slyly. “VI.”
“Yes Commander Shepard,” replied a red hued Turian VI that sprang to life beside them.
“Have my armour and weapons transported from storage to the armoury. I'll be competing tonight.”
“Yes Commander,” the VI acquiesced then disappeared while a murmur of intrigue and excitement rippled through the gathered crowd.
“Very well. It will be interesting to finally see first hand whether you live up to the stories. Come on Barnabus.”
Shepard let him go then turned and headed for the armoury.
Seven Minutes Later
As Shepard had greeted Covington as he had exited the arena so too did Commander Covington greet Shepard. He clapped him slowly as he approached, “Very impressive commander, but you do look exhausted. Shall I have Barnabus fetch you some water? Perhaps a stimulant?”
“I'm just getting started.”
“Well I have not started at all. Barnabus, inform the proprietors, I will be going again.”
“Yes sir.”
Six Minutes Later
“Ready to admit defeat Commander Shepard?”
“Why? I've only just had my warm up run?”
Five Minutes Later
“Worthless,” Covington sneered, “I'm going again. Barnabus!”
Six Minutes Later
“There. That settles it. The scoreboard doesn't even go into five figures. No-one will ever beat that record.”
“Don't be so hasty.”
Six Minutes Later
“That's preposterous! Why is it showing your name first? Our scores are equal. My name is even first alphabetically. That board is rigged! I bet your score wasn't even that high. This is a fix! Barnabus, fetch me the owner!”
“Of course sir.”
“It seems to me like there's only one way we can truly settle this,” said Shepard.
“Oh it will be settled sure enough just as soon as I get my hands on the owner of this lousy two bit establishment.”
“Or perhaps we settle this like soldiers instead.”
Covington gave him a sidelong look. “What're you suggesting?”
“We go in together. We go head to head. The loser gets one point taken off their score.”
Covington seemed to consider the proposal carefully. “Very well, I accept your challenge. Know this though, I have watched your last rounds. I know every move you have. This will not end well for you.”
“No commander,” Shepard replied, raising a fist beside him that began to swirl in a vortex of dark energy, “you only know the moves I've allowed you to see.”
Duncan stands in his ring gear against a green screen backdrop of the lobby area of the Armax Arsenal Arena looking straight down the camera.
“Looking at the early promotional material for Level Up at the start of this year I thought that if I ever were to find myself in Indianapolis it would be the Wisdom title that would be my first goal. It is only by matter of timing and circumstance that in reality it was the Power title that I would first compete for. Now, to most Level Up fans that is who I am, and while I embrace that I am keen to show that I am no one trick varren.”
Duncan points down the camera with his right hand.
“Sidroy Covington, I have had my share of bad experiences with silver spoon trust fund brats with numbers after their names and from what I've seen since coming here you're no different to those I have faced before. At EXP 12, in the main event, it'll be a pleasure to wipe that smug self-satisfied grin off your face.”
Duncan opens his arms then rests his right hand on the Power title belt that is strapped around his waist.
“These titles we both carry may not be on the line this week but I'm still carrying the burgeoning reputation of this championship with me every time I step into the ring. To me, it's important that I am the first person to hold this belt. My name will go down in the annals of Level Up history as its first ever Power Champion, just as your will as the first ever Wisdom Champion, but being first isn't everything, the real battle is still to come. For every title in every company there is someone who was the first, but not all of those names are remembered, nor even are the titles those people carried. As the first ever Power champion it is my responsibility to make sure that not only my name, but the name of this championship are etched unforgettably into history. How? By proving in this reign that the Power title is the most prestigious element of the Level Up Tri-Force. That of all those battling for a chance to become final boss it is the Power Champion who should be held highest as the first among equals.”
Duncan points down the camera again but with his left hand this time.
“That starts at EXP 12 at the Reno Events Centre when I beat you Sidroy. When we go toe-to-toe and I show that I can match you hold for hold, counter for counter, that Power is no brawlers title, but it is Wisdom and Courage and a dozen other virtues that I don't think you have, all rolled into one.”
Duncan rests both hands on the belt now.
“Every great legacy has to begin somewhere. The great legacy that I'll forge as Power Champion starts in just two days time Sidroy. It starts with me defeating you.”
What had turned out to be an interesting and usual night was almost at an end. Since his and Tirri's victory over Sha'ta Thor and Larry Tact, Duncan had recovered, cleaned himself up, got changed and had been heading to catch what he could of the night's main event. He had allowed himself to be distracted though, stepping in to help a small group of stage hands move some heavy equipment which in turn had led to a conversation that had currently consumed fifteen minutes and counting.
“I know! I can't believe I did it either. I haven't so much as tried to hurricanrana anyone for about six years. I'm not even sure why it suddenly seemed like a good idea but hey, I guess it worked out,” said Duncan through a light chuckle that was echoed by the people around him.
Their laughter swiftly died though as they noticed people hurriedly passing them. What started as one then two was soon a stampede of referees, security guards and backstage officials.
“Hey, what's going on?” Duncan asked no-one in particular as they flooded past, concern clear in his voice.
“Ragdoll and The Faction just beat the hell outta Bert. It's bad,” replied one of the referees, barely breaking stride.
“Shit,” Duncan muttered as he dropped his kit bag and set off following.
Before reaching ringside Duncan spotted the Astro Creeps coming the other way. Kosnar was carrying Tempest. It was clear Bert had given him a hell of a fight and he took a moment of pride in that on the young man's behalf. The four of them were heading away from the ring though, casually, as if nothing was going on.
“Hey!” Duncan called out, striding purposefully towards them.
Daedalus, at the head of the group, looked around as if trying to see who Duncan could have been addressing and acted surprised when realisation set it that the only possibility was him.
“Me? Us?” Daedalus replied innocently, gesturing to himself and the rest of the Creeps in turn.
“Yeah, you. Did you do this?”
“To what would you be referring to?”
“Bert just got attacked by Ragdoll. The so called honorary creep. You want me to believe you didn't have a hand in it?”
“He did? Oh how unfortunate. That is most upsetting news, but I can assure you we are I no way involved. This is in fact the first we are hearing of it. We had long since hoisted our victorious hero away before any such nastiness occurred. Whatever action Miss Pierrot has taken are hers and hers alone.”
Duncan seethed. Though he knew you couldn't trust a word spoken by the leader of the Astro Creeps he also had no proof that Daedalus was lying. He started to back away, meeting Kosnar's imposing gaze for several long seconds before looking back to Daedalus “I'll be seeing you in Chicago real soon. If I find out you're lying to me I'll-”
“You'll?”
There wasn't a threat Duncan could make that would have any kind of impact on the Creeps, he knew that. Rather than try he let out a low growl and once he had backed away to a seemingly safe distance he turned his back and continued his run towards the ring.
“It's Combat Night at the Armax Arsenal Arena!” shouted the disembodied voice of the announcer with unbound enthusiasm.
Shore leave wasn't something that came regularly to Commander Shepard. It was hard to take a vacation when the fate of the galaxy rested on your shoulders. On the rare occasions that he was able to partake in some rest and relaxation you would think combat, even of the safe simulated variety would be the last thing on his mind. As he left his Citadel apartment though Shepard found himself drawn to the Silversun Strip and the Armax Arsenal Arena that resided upon it.
It wasn't his first visit to the venue and the Turian VI greeter acknowledged him by name as he walked in. Looking up at the scoreboard that was displayed prominently in seemingly every direction Shepard could see however that his once top score was no languishing in fourth behind efforts attributed to C-Sec Commander Bailey, information broker Barla Von and queen of Omega, Aria T'Loak.
1. 8874 – Aria T'Loak
2. 8746 – Cmdr. Bailey
3. 8519 – Barla Von
4. 8499 - Shepard
2. 8746 – Cmdr. Bailey
3. 8519 – Barla Von
4. 8499 - Shepard
None of this overly concerned him. No score would go unbeaten forever, defeat in such contests was inevitable but was also, if one fought hard enough, only ever temporary. He also felt, on some level that he had positive relationships with each of those whose rankings now stood higher than his own and he didn't begrudge them their success.
As he made his way towards the spectator area a huge cheer and an enthusiastic round of applause went up from the gathered crowd. Shepard didn't see what had caused it first hand but looking back up at the scoreboard a new name took its place among the vaunted company and did so emphatically, making its presence known at the very top. Now beside the arena's highest score was written the name Covington.
1. 8999 - Covington
2. 8874 – Aria T'Loak
3. 8746 – Cmdr. Bailey
4. 8519 – Barla Von
5. 8499 - Shepard
2. 8874 – Aria T'Loak
3. 8746 – Cmdr. Bailey
4. 8519 – Barla Von
5. 8499 - Shepard
While the name was new to the scoreboard it wasn't entirely unfamiliar to Commander Shepard. It was a name he had seen in reports and heard tale of from half drunk marines exchanging war stories. Always the stories were the same, tales of a textbook Alliance Navy officer, a master strategist and a drill sergeant's dream, able to overcome overwhelming odds with his superior cunning and intellect. Shepard had to meet him.
The competitors exit to the arena was well known to Commander Shepard and though the hallway was starting to fill with excitable new fans, they allowed him to pass when they realised who it was who was walking amongst them.
The man that was now making his way towards Shepard was shorter than he had expected but carried himself like he was seven feet tall. He was wearing black armour accented in gold, clearly not Alliance Navy issue. Already waiting just inside the door had been an older man in a freshly pressed dress uniform who fell in a step behind Covington as soon as he was out of the combat area. Covington handed the man a pistol, seemingly the only firearm he was carrying, which the older man immediately started to clean and run through routine maintenance checks.
Soon Covington was close enough for Shepard to be able to address him without yelling.
“You must be Covington.”
“That's Commander Covington if you would, Commander Shepard.”
“Of course commander, I meant no disrespect.”
“Of course not,” Covington replied with a false smile, followed by a long pause that seemed to wordlessly say, 'What do you want?'
“I'm afraid I missed your battle,” said Shepard, “but you have the new high score. It must've been quite a show.”
Covington sneered a little, “Well, you were languishing behind criminals and aliens. Someone had to remind these people of the Alliance's strength. It didn't seem like it was going to be you. From what I hear you're more interested in copulating with aliens than defeating them.
“Let's just say I've been busy.”
“Oh we all know don't we Barnabus,” said Covington, gesturing but not looking at the old man in the dress uniform, “feels like there isn't a day that goes by that every news network in the galaxy isn't reporting on the latest adventures of the gallivanting human spectre.”
“I wouldn't call saving the galaxy gallivanting.”
“I'd call it being the council's human friendly face. I call it wasting time doing the bidding of aliens and forgetting where you came from? Fortunately the Alliance still has some officers of substance who remember where their loyalties lay and can do what needs to be done.”
“And is claiming the top spot on the Armax Arena scoreboard high on the Alliance's priorities these days?”
“No, I just do that to relax.”
“Well thanks for stepping in but it's fine. I'll take it from here.”
Covington chortled derisively, “Is that so? Look Shepard, I've read your file. You're a great soldier, but the Alliance is full of great soldiers. Me, I'm something else.” He held up a clenched fist and allowed the deep blue aura of dark energy to coalesce around it.
“So everything special about you comes down to luck and genetics?”
Covington gives him a dismissive wave, “While my life has been ever so fortunate in a great many ways I am much more than some Jump Zero street kid. I am the most powerful biotic that has ever served in any branch of the Alliance military. Grunts like you can train for a lifetime and will never be able to match my natural talents.”
“We'll see about that shall we,” said Shepard.
“I think we already did,” said Covington gesturing again to the scoreboard.
“High scores are made to be broken.”
“That's nice but I have more important places to be for the rest of my stay. I can't waste another night here.”
“No need, we'll do it now.”
Commander Covington scoffed, “Really, you hardly look prepared for battle.”
“It's OK, they know me here,” Shepard said slyly. “VI.”
“Yes Commander Shepard,” replied a red hued Turian VI that sprang to life beside them.
“Have my armour and weapons transported from storage to the armoury. I'll be competing tonight.”
“Yes Commander,” the VI acquiesced then disappeared while a murmur of intrigue and excitement rippled through the gathered crowd.
“Very well. It will be interesting to finally see first hand whether you live up to the stories. Come on Barnabus.”
Shepard let him go then turned and headed for the armoury.
Seven Minutes Later
1. 9133 - Shepard
2. 8999 - Covington
3. 8874 – Aria T'Loak
4. 8746 – Cmdr. Bailey
5. 8519 – Barla Von
2. 8999 - Covington
3. 8874 – Aria T'Loak
4. 8746 – Cmdr. Bailey
5. 8519 – Barla Von
As Shepard had greeted Covington as he had exited the arena so too did Commander Covington greet Shepard. He clapped him slowly as he approached, “Very impressive commander, but you do look exhausted. Shall I have Barnabus fetch you some water? Perhaps a stimulant?”
“I'm just getting started.”
“Well I have not started at all. Barnabus, inform the proprietors, I will be going again.”
“Yes sir.”
Six Minutes Later
1. 9358 - Covington
2. 9133 - Shepard
3. 8874 – Aria T'Loak
4. 8746 – Cmdr. Bailey
5. 8519 – Barla Von
2. 9133 - Shepard
3. 8874 – Aria T'Loak
4. 8746 – Cmdr. Bailey
5. 8519 – Barla Von
“Ready to admit defeat Commander Shepard?”
“Why? I've only just had my warm up run?”
Five Minutes Later
1. 9685 - Shepard
2. 9358 - Covington
3. 8874 – Aria T'Loak
4. 8746 – Cmdr. Bailey
5. 8519 – Barla Von
2. 9358 - Covington
3. 8874 – Aria T'Loak
4. 8746 – Cmdr. Bailey
5. 8519 – Barla Von
“Worthless,” Covington sneered, “I'm going again. Barnabus!”
Six Minutes Later
1. 9999 - Covington
2. 9685 - Shepard
3. 8874 – Aria T'Loak
4. 8746 – Cmdr. Bailey
5. 8519 – Barla Von
2. 9685 - Shepard
3. 8874 – Aria T'Loak
4. 8746 – Cmdr. Bailey
5. 8519 – Barla Von
“There. That settles it. The scoreboard doesn't even go into five figures. No-one will ever beat that record.”
“Don't be so hasty.”
Six Minutes Later
1. 9999 - Shepard
2. 9999 - Covington
3. 8874 – Aria T'Loak
4. 8746 – Cmdr. Bailey
5. 8519 – Barla Von
2. 9999 - Covington
3. 8874 – Aria T'Loak
4. 8746 – Cmdr. Bailey
5. 8519 – Barla Von
“That's preposterous! Why is it showing your name first? Our scores are equal. My name is even first alphabetically. That board is rigged! I bet your score wasn't even that high. This is a fix! Barnabus, fetch me the owner!”
“Of course sir.”
“It seems to me like there's only one way we can truly settle this,” said Shepard.
“Oh it will be settled sure enough just as soon as I get my hands on the owner of this lousy two bit establishment.”
“Or perhaps we settle this like soldiers instead.”
Covington gave him a sidelong look. “What're you suggesting?”
“We go in together. We go head to head. The loser gets one point taken off their score.”
Covington seemed to consider the proposal carefully. “Very well, I accept your challenge. Know this though, I have watched your last rounds. I know every move you have. This will not end well for you.”
“No commander,” Shepard replied, raising a fist beside him that began to swirl in a vortex of dark energy, “you only know the moves I've allowed you to see.”
Duncan stands in his ring gear against a green screen backdrop of the lobby area of the Armax Arsenal Arena looking straight down the camera.
“Looking at the early promotional material for Level Up at the start of this year I thought that if I ever were to find myself in Indianapolis it would be the Wisdom title that would be my first goal. It is only by matter of timing and circumstance that in reality it was the Power title that I would first compete for. Now, to most Level Up fans that is who I am, and while I embrace that I am keen to show that I am no one trick varren.”
Duncan points down the camera with his right hand.
“Sidroy Covington, I have had my share of bad experiences with silver spoon trust fund brats with numbers after their names and from what I've seen since coming here you're no different to those I have faced before. At EXP 12, in the main event, it'll be a pleasure to wipe that smug self-satisfied grin off your face.”
Duncan opens his arms then rests his right hand on the Power title belt that is strapped around his waist.
“These titles we both carry may not be on the line this week but I'm still carrying the burgeoning reputation of this championship with me every time I step into the ring. To me, it's important that I am the first person to hold this belt. My name will go down in the annals of Level Up history as its first ever Power Champion, just as your will as the first ever Wisdom Champion, but being first isn't everything, the real battle is still to come. For every title in every company there is someone who was the first, but not all of those names are remembered, nor even are the titles those people carried. As the first ever Power champion it is my responsibility to make sure that not only my name, but the name of this championship are etched unforgettably into history. How? By proving in this reign that the Power title is the most prestigious element of the Level Up Tri-Force. That of all those battling for a chance to become final boss it is the Power Champion who should be held highest as the first among equals.”
Duncan points down the camera again but with his left hand this time.
“That starts at EXP 12 at the Reno Events Centre when I beat you Sidroy. When we go toe-to-toe and I show that I can match you hold for hold, counter for counter, that Power is no brawlers title, but it is Wisdom and Courage and a dozen other virtues that I don't think you have, all rolled into one.”
Duncan rests both hands on the belt now.
“Every great legacy has to begin somewhere. The great legacy that I'll forge as Power Champion starts in just two days time Sidroy. It starts with me defeating you.”