The Privateer

"I have done it!" Scarrend's triumphant roar reverberated through the training room. "A fatal blow!"

Mims picked himself up off the deck. The human didn't move like he was worse for wear, but Yvian was sure he was in pain. Or maybe not. The man might have activated his void armor's PAIN REMOVAL.

"Good hit," said the human.

"Good hit?" The Vrrl was practically vibrating with excitement. "Good hit!? I killed you Scargiver! If not for your armor, your throat would be gone!"

"Like I said," Mims drawled. "Good hit."

The training room was one of several. The Dream of the Lady was over a kilometer long, and while most of it was filled with spare parts and food production, there was still plenty of space for amenities. This particular room was actually three rooms put together. The floor and ceiling were padded, along with three of the walls. The fourth wall was lined with melee weapons and sparring equipment. Mims called it the Dojo.

The Dream of the Lady was floating in one of the empty sectors they'd passed through previously. The engines had been under repair for the last six days. Scarrend and Lissa had been helping Kilroy control the drones at first, but Mims had pulled Yvian aside. He'd suggested they take this opportunity to get some training in. Yvian had agreed.

"Did you see, Captain?" Scarrend's upper arms were waving in the air. "Did you see? I killed the Scargiver!" His lower arms pointed emphatically at Mims.

"I saw," said Yvian. She was glad she was wearing her helmet. Scarrend's excitement was adorable, and her smile reflected that. She didn't want to insult the man. "Congratulations, Scarrend."

She remembered the first time she'd managed to hit the human. She'd been ecstatic for days. After over a year of failure, knocking Mims on his ass had felt like the greatest moment of her life. Of course, her strike wouldn't have killed the human. She wasn't a super strong murder-beast with claws.

Scarrend roared again. The roar of a Vrrl was deafening, and had a paralyzing affect on the nervous system, but Yvian's helmet protected her. "Behold the Way of the Starfang!"

The Way of the Starfang was a style Scarrend had been developing with help from Mims. The human had taught the Vrrl how humans fought, but human techniques did not take advantage of the Vrrl's strength, natural weapons, or second pair of arms. Scarrend had spent the last three days trying to use it against the human, but Mims had stayed one step ahead. Until now.

"I'm glad you're excited," said the human. "I'd bake a cake if you liked sweets."

"I cannot taste sweet," Scarrend reminded him, "but I appreciate the thought." He roared again. "Victory!"

"You managed to hit me." the human continued, "and that's worth celebrating, but you only managed to hit me once." He took a stance. "Do you think you can do it again?"

The Vrrl stopped hopping in excitement. An eager light filled all three of his eyes as he regarded the human. "Let's find out."

The first exchange went poorly. Scarrend tried to snatch the human's arm, but Mims was ready and reversed the move. The Vrrl was brought to his knees by a joint lock.

"Match," Yvian called. "Reset."

"I'm not finished," the Vrrl protested. "I could..." Mims bore down on his wrist, stopping just short of breaking it.

"Match," Yvian insisted. "Reset."

"Yes Captain." The Vrrl lowered his head in disappointment.

Six more attempts ended in failure. Yvian called for a break and threw a water bottle at Mims. The human removed his helmet and drank greedily. Yvian got a bottle of her own. Hers was filled with beer.

"I don't understand," said Scarrend. "Why isn't it working, now?"

"Two reasons," The human leaned against one of the walls. "First, you're still predictable. You keep looking where you're about to strike instead of using your peripheral vision, and you're reacting to my movements instead of forcing me to react to you." He took another drink. "We've talked about that before."

Scarrend grunted.

"Second, you're not abusing your advantages enough." Mims finished his water. "You've got four arms, Scarrend. You should be latching on every time I go for a joint lock. Hell, if you get ahold of me at all you can throw me around like I'm nothing.

"You don't need to aim for his weak spots, either," Yvian cut in. "We have to do that because you're a lot tougher than us. You're strong enough to hit almost anywhere and turn our bones to powder." She took a drink of her own. "More lines of attack will make you harder to predict."

"I smell." Scarrend finished his own water and stretched. "Are you ready to continue, Scargiver?"

"Sure." Mims took another sip, then handed the bottle back to Yvian. He put his helmet on. "Let's see what you got."

The next two exchanges went to Mims. The human easily saw through Scarrend's attempt at a tackle, tossing him to the ground. The Vrrl tried for a grab next, only to find himself on the ground with one of his arms held out straight behind him.

"Match," Yvian called. "Reset."

"You're trying too hard," the human told him. "Thinking too much."

"How do I outsmart you if I'm not thinking?" Scarrend demanded.

"You don't need to outsmart me," Mims answered. "You need to overwhelm me. Use your physicality. Hit me with more than I can deal with."

The Vrrl growled. "I will try."

"Don't try," said Mims. "Don't even think. Just do it." He raised a finger. "When there is an opening, I do not hit."

"It hits all by itself," Scarrend finished the quote. His eyes widened. "I understand, now."

"Show me."

They took their stances. Scarrend let out a roar and advanced, all four arms lashing wildly. The human danced back, dodging and blocking. The Vrrl's eyes narrowed, focusing on the man's head and shoulders. He surged forward, dropping the wild swings in favor of tight efficient movements as his training took over. Mims tried to reposition, looking for a counter, but Scarrend gave him no room to react. In just under twelve seconds, the Vrrl slipped a set of claws through his guard to rake against his armor.

"Match!" Yvian barked. "Reset. Good job."

"I..." The Vrrl panted. "I did it again..."

"That's what you want," Mims agreed. "You don't need to process each individual move. Let your conscious mind pick the strategy, and trust your instincts and training to do the rest."

Scarrend tried the same strategy again. Mims was ready this time. He darted to the side, spinning into a kick just outside the reach of the Vrrl's claws. Scarrend caught his ankle and yanked the human off the ground with brute force. He roared and whipped the human around, slamming him into the deck.

"Match," Yvian called. "Reset."

"Gimme a minute." Mims groaned. "I need to rethink my life choices."

The rest of the hour saw Scarrend making mincemeat out of the human. Mims still won sometimes, but an increasingly confident Scarrend overwhelmed him more often than not. The human was more skilled, more savvy, and more efficient, but Scarrend's superior strength and extra arms let him bridge the gap.

"I think that's enough for today," Captain Yvian decided.

Mims took off his helmet and slumped, sitting against a padded bulkhead. His nose and mouth were smeared with blood, and his hair was matted with sweat. "I think I need some time in the pod."

Scarrend laughed. "I know that shouldn't make me happy. But it does." He held out a hand. Mims took it. The Vrrl hauled him to his feet with ease. "Thank you, Scargiver. Perhaps I should be the one baking you a cake."

Mims chuckled. "I'll pass. The last time someone baked me a cake it almost killed me."

"That was one time," Yvian objected.

"Once is enough." Mims smiled at her with bloody teeth.

A rhythmic rumbling filled the Dojo. The Vrrl purred in front of them. Yvian walked up and wrapped her arms around the beast. Scarrend reached out and pulled Mims in, too. The three of them hugged.

"Do you know this means?" Scarrend's voice was thick.

"It means you're more dangerous than the Warmaster," said Yvian. "You're the only Vrrl to ever beat Mims."

"No." Scarrend's arms squeezed a little tighter. "Well. Yes, I suppose. But no. It means you were right, Captain. The Vrrl truly can reach the Apex." He purred louder. "We really can be more than we are." He sniffled. His hug tightened even more.

"You want to ease up there, Scarrend?" Mims grunted. "I'm a little delicate right now."

"Heh."

Mims wandered out of the Dojo, muttering something about beer and med-pods. Scarrend watched him go. He was still purring, but a slight frown appeared. "He did not seem upset at his loss."

"He isn't," said Yvian. She went to get herself another beer, but her cooler was empty.

"I would be," the Vrrl admitted. "Any Vrrl would be furious to be surpassed by a student."

"Humans don't think that way," Yvian explained. "He told me once. The goal of a mentor is to be surpassed. If you never managed to beat him, he'd consider it a failure."

"He wanted to lose?" Scarrend's frown deepened. "To be helpless in my claws?"

"Yes."

"Madness." Scarrend shook his head. "Humans are mad."

"It's how they make progress," said Yvian. "Each generation tries to boost the next, so the humans are always improving. Always reaching higher." Now it was her turn to frown. "I don't think I'll ever reach higher than Mims."

The Vrrl gave her a considering look. "You're afraid you're a disappointment to him."

Yvian shrugged. "Sometimes." Seeing Scarrend dominate Mims had made her a bit jealous. And a bit insecure. She was happy for him. Really. It was just... she'd tried so hard for so long to do something similar. She knew it would never happen. It made her feel small.

Scarrend snorted. "Foolish."

"Maybe," she admitted. "He promised to train me. Make me a Privateer. I can fly and fight with the best of them now, but..." She shook her head. "He's still better. A lot better. I'm not talented enough."

"Yvian..." Scarrend placed a hand on her shoulder. "Captain. You have accomplished more than most species ever dream. I have heard the way the Scargiver speaks of you. How he argued for you to command. He is proud."

"You think so?" She tried for a smile.

"I am certain," the Vrrl assured her. "Come. You can help me learn how to bake a cake."

Yvian laughed. "I don't think that's going to go well."

They found Kilroy in the kitchen. The Peacekeeper unit had laid out a bowl and several ingredients. He handed Scarrend a datapad. "Follow this recipe," he said.

"Recipe?" Scarrend took the pad.

"Cooking is not an art," said the Peacekeeper. "It is a science. Following instructions will ensure success."

"Thank you," said Scarrend. His brows furrowed. "But why?"

"You are not the only one who appreciates Big Daddy Mims, Scarrend Scathach." The unit's eyes flashed pink. "Also, you are a member of this crew. This unit will assist you when it can."

"Are you guys baking a cake?" Lissa walked in to the kitchen. "You wouldn't do that without me, would you?"

Yvian looked sharply at her sister. "Who's on the bridge?"

"Do not worry, Captain Mother Yvian," Kilroy spoke up. "This unit is still monitoring the sensors." Yvian noticed the unit's hand was touching the kitchen's control console.

"Someone should be on the bridge," the Captain insisted.

"Affirmative, Captain Mother Yvian." The machine's eyes flashed red. "Do not stray from the recipe. This unit will be monitoring." He disappeared, moving too fast for Yvian's eyes to follow.

"So what's the occasion?" Lissa asked. "Kilroy told me to come down here, but he didn't say why."

"I have defeated the Scargiver," Scarrend told her. He started purring again. "I beat him many times!"

"Is that so?" Lissa grinned. "He was hoping today was the day." She looked around. "So where is he?"

"The Med-Bay." Scarrend held up a hand at her consternation. "His injuries are minor."

"Big Daddy Mims has three fractured ribs, a dislocated shoulder, a torn knee ligament, and multiple contusions," Kilroy commed in. "He will be in a med-pod for two hours, forty three minutes."

"Crunch, Scarrend," Lissa rummaged through the fridge and pulled out a beer. "You couldn't take it a little easier on the guy?"

"No," Scarrend said. "He is the Scargiver."

The three of them baked. Yvian and Lissa drank. Scarrend regaled them with a replay of the training session. By the time the cake was cooling, Lissa and Yvian were reminiscing about old missions and lessons learned.

"No..." Scarrend gasped. "They stole his ships?"

"All three of them," Lissa giggled. "Mims was going to stuff them in cryo before we left, but Yvian talked him out of it."

"Stealing from the Scargiver..." Scarrend snorted in disbelief. "They might as well have killed themselves."

"That's what Mark said." Lissa laughed. "But I talked him out of it. We cut a deal instead." She went to poke the cake with her finger. Yvian smacked her hand away. "I still check in on them sometimes. They've got a clothing store on Glinta station, now."

"I hope they are grateful," Scarrend remarked. "Saving the Tegarns from pirates is one thing. Saving them from the Scargiver?" He shook his head. "Few could accomplish such a thing."

"It wasn't that big a deal." Lissa grinned. "He loves me."

"Yeah he does," Yvian nudged her sister with her hip. "So when are you gonna pop the question?"

"Yvian!" Lissa snapped in mock outrage. "You're not supposed to know about that!"

"It's not that big a secret," said Yvian. "I saw you fondling the bracelet on the bridge."

"You did?" Lissa glanced around the kitchen, then pulled an object from a pouch on her armor. A silver bracelet with locks of her hair woven through it. "What do you think?"

"It's beautiful," Yvian told her. "I know he'll say yes."

"Affirmative," Kilroy commed in. "Big Daddy Mims considered proposing marriage himself. This unit saw him researching marriage customs three months ago. This unit suspects he has refrained only out of respect for Pixen tradition."

"You're not supposed to be sharing that stuff, Kilroy," Yvian chided.

"You meatbags are terrible at romance." Kilroy was not sorry. "Assistance is required."

"Fair point," said Lissa. She plopped into a chair with a sigh. "I still get jealous sometimes, you know."

Yvian blinked. "You do?"

"You two are so close." Lissa looked away. "And I know you're more pretty than me."

"No I'm not." All pixens were beautiful, but Yvian's sister was a cut above the rest.

"You are," Lissa said it simply. "I've known since we were kids." She shook her head. "I know he loves me. I know he won't stray. It's just..." She sighed again. "I still wonder sometimes. If thing would be different if you preferred men."

"Big Daddy Mims is very attracted to Captain Mother Yvian," Kilroy commed in.

"What?" Lissa scowled.

"What?" Yvian blinked.

"Big Daddy Mims is a human male," the Peacekeeper reminded them. "He will be attracted to any healthy female of appropriate breeding age. This unit understands your jealousy, Mother Lissa, but it is unnecessary. Big Daddy Mims cannot avoid attraction to other females, but he does not respond to Captain Mother Yvian to the same extent he responds to you. Nor has he shown any interest in pursuing any form of romance with Captain Mother Yvian. He is committed to you and only you."

"I don't know if that makes me feel better or worse," said Lissa.

"Big Daddy Mims loves and desires you," said Kilroy. "Big Daddy Mims wishes to spend the rest of his life with you and no one else. This unit believes Big Daddy Mims thinks more about you than he does any other thing or being. Knowing that, is an unavoidable physiological response really cause for concern?"

Lissa mulled it over. "No," she decided. "I guess not." She smiled. "Thanks, Kilroy."

"You meatbags are terrible at romance," Kilroy repeated himself. "Assistance is required."

"You surprise me, machine." Scarrend spoke. "I never expected you to take an interest in such matters."

"You are members of this unit's crew," Kilroy explained. "Assisting your emotional wellness is just as important as assuring your physical well being." A pause. "You three are not the only ones who have learned from Big Daddy Mims."