Shilo looked at the hidden water bottle. How could he get to it? He was also on the clock to get back to the ring.

  Without setting them side by side, it would be hard to tell. What Shilo wanted to do was sit here and watch that bottle. But the announcements over the speakers let him know that his fight was coming up. Apparently, if Shilo was getting any pay from this, he needed to win a fight against Chip. He picked up a broom and poked the handle into the cage as hard as he could until he was sure he'd dented the water bottle near the base and left for the ring.

  His heart skipped three beats when Shilo stepped into the ring. Chip was a Zyvarn. An insect, a wild, strange species that was like a pill bug, but only half Shilo's size. The last time he'd went up against these creatures, they were feeding off Kohask and he had some angry Kohask allies helping him and his blaster. They wanted him to fight one by his hands.

  He turned back to the crowd, and it was clear that his choice was either fighting Chip or he was going through four Frost Bears. He figured the single Zyvarn was easier and hoped that someone would pull his unconscious body off the mat before the Zyvarn pulled out its gut sucking hidden mandibles. He'd seen enough during his stint with them to know the rest of the galaxy was wrong when they thought Zyvarn were slightly unintelligent and primarily scavengers. Under that tough exoskeleton hidden somewhere amongst the many legs were those sharp pierce mandibles. And the creatures were smart enough to smuggle through Kohask territory, well had been. Hopefully, Chip was unaware of Shilo's previous adventures.

  Punching the creature didn't seem to be an effective idea. He'd have more fun punching the frame of his spaceship. The thought of intentionally damaging his spaceship left him feeling a bit queasy. And he couldn't trip something with so many legs. Chip used his hesitation to launch a flurry of attacks. Most of the strikes were not much to be concerned about, but every third hit was from Chip's midsection and left a circular impression on Shilo's clothing.

  The creature was trying to bite him. Or at least puncture him. Now he had a better idea where those mandibles were. Who would have placed a second mouth in the center of a pill bug? Chip flung at him again, leaping, and Shilo kicked him out of reflex. He was expecting the ref to give him another penalty, and even Chip was a bit uncertain. That's when Shilo saw Cleo approaching Spencer to grab his water bottle. He tried watching her walk off, but Chip tackled him and it was a flurry of arms pummeling Shilo. He grabbed one and twisted and heard something snap. He rolled away and could tell he broke one of the many legs, but the creature didn't seem to mind. How about if he did that to one of the hidden mandibles?

  Cleo was walking back carrying Spencer's drink and Shilo was dodging around trying to keep Chip from him while looking to see if he could see the bottle was dented. Chip tackled him again and Shilo couldn't shake him or kick him off, so he rolled until he was on top of the alien and then he stuck his hand in the middle of the swarming legs. He kept reaching around until he felt mandibles sucked up tight against its belly. He reached around it and pulled until the Zyvarn squealed in pain.

  That effectively ended the fight. However, the ref was scoring Shilo was up on points and the Zyvarn never allowed Shilo to close the distance. The crowd was mixed when the fight was over, but Shilo got the official win and before he could think, Shilo was in action. He made a big show of winning and made it over to Spencer's table, where Shilo picked up the water bottle for a drink.

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  Spencer reached for the water bottle out of Shilo's hands and he threw the bottle to the ground. It was clearly dented before he'd thrown it. Now it was tipped on its side and leaking water. "Sorry. Sorry. I was just really thirsty there. Chip was a fierce fighter. Sorry." He ducked below Spencer's swing, glad he knew how Spencer moved and which side he favored because he did not want to get hit by that truck. Shilo backed away until a very angry Frost Bear grabbed him. "Spencer. He's not worth the trouble. I got him," Cleo said as she dragged Shilo off.

  Shilo was picking himself up off the floor and wondering if he had any cards but the truth left to play. Cleo had dragged him into the locker room and it had promptly cleared out, leaving him alone with her. "Cleo. Before you do anything hasty, can I explain my crazy evening to you? Your family line is—reckless, that's what it is. I hope you have some sort of restraint. Let me ask why before you pummel me."

  "Why? Why what? I should be asking you. You have to know who Spencer is. Of course, you're not a very bright human signing up to fight a Zyvarn."

  "I didn't. That was a concerned third party who recklessly signed me up so I could get close enough to see that you're sabotaging your nephew. For what fame. Are you worried he will one up you?"

  "No. I'm worried he won't stop. That this fighting will kill him."

  "I will if you keep spiking his drink. Whatever you're doing to lace him won't stop his passion. Do you have any idea the caliber of fighters he's trying to bring in?" Shilo thumbed on the locker that was now missing a water bottle. "I know you swapped his drink out. You grabbed the bottle that was in here. Considering he's supposed to fight right now. It's a quick acting hard to trace inhibitor. I don't have proof, but I will tell him."

  Cleo crumbled before him. Shilo expected he'd have to fight his way out at least far enough that the crowd would see him. Now he saw before him behind the tough and furry Frost Bear exterior, a concerned aged aunt. "I ask again why? It's not fame. You and Spencer are blinded by love. Your love for him. His love for the fight. You have to stop spiking his drink."

  "He won't stop fighting. He just keeps racking up medals trying to compete with me. The worst part is he already has a better, honest career. I fought for the spotlight, the status. I lived in the glory of winning. You're right, Spencer loves the fight. I didn't love the fight. Not enough to play fair."

  Shilo dusted his pants off and checked the numerous depressions on his clothing. A good number had been ripped and he even found a spot where Chip's mandibles and pierced through the under armor. The minor wound was still bleeding.

  "You're bleeding. I can smell the iron now. Zyvarn are savage animals."

  "More so than you know. Look, I'm walking out of here and I'm not telling anyone a thing about your past. Not about what you've done today or even any fights you might have fixed. You need to open up with Spencer. If he's going to stop fighting or at least pushing the envelope its going to be from you talking to him from your heart and not because he gets pummeled in the arena." Shilo stood up and started limping out of the locker room. "Do the right thing."

  "What is the right thing?" asked Cleo.

  "I don't know, but I know it's not at the bottom of a water bottle."

  Brigg's found him although tried hiding when Cleo walked passed. "Great Job, Detective Zander. Next time you fight a Zyvarn you pull the back armor off. The act all fierce but the mouth doesn't bite bad you just grip and pull."

  "Next time I fight a Zyvarn it will be with a blaster." Shilo took the winnings from Briggs and was surprised. "Was I really expected to lose?"

  "Most newcomers are."

  "Well, I'm going to end my fighting career before it takes off."