Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie - The Comeback Kid

[Addison MacKenzie]

(( Slug-nasium Ticket Hall - Ferenginar ))

MacKenzie wasn't in the mood to have to barter to keep from getting ripped off by a Ferengi, so instead, she left Munro to do the deed. After what appeared to be like pleading successful bargaining, Munro joined her near the entrance to the gym with the tickets in hand. 

MacKenzie: She give you a hard time?

Munro: She was putty in my hands. Turns out I have the Ferengi touch :: shrugs :: Who knew?

MacKenzie: Good. I wasn't in the mood to chew someone out today.

The sound of a loud bell signaling the beginning of a match chimed.

MacKenzie: Let's go, I think it's about ready to start.

They followed a stream of tourists into an open spaced area with a domed window for a ceiling, at either side was raised practice rings where aliens from across the quadrant fought, some of them violently. There were Nausicaans, Brikarians, Klingons, Kazon, and others. In one ring, a Nausicaan and a Brikarian collided, and the Nausicaan crumpled to the ground. Only a moment passed before the Brikarian held out a hand to her opponent, which the Nausicaan male accepted. 

Munro: This is quite extreme? 

MacKenzie: You think they're all like this?

Munro: I guess? It's not an accident that we have to walk past :: indicates the training rings :: All of this. 

Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, but her point was proven when a Xindi Primate female squealed up ahead in a mixture of fear and pleasure, and then she clung on to her companion. They both laughed nervously as they passed through tall archways. MacKenzie just raised an eyebrow. It seemed they would get what they paid for.

((Azaqu Premium Arena - Slug-nasium - Ferenginar))

On the other side of the archways was an epic arena. Above their heads, holographic advertisements broadcast all kinds of goods and services, mostly to off-worlders, and a myriad of vendors were selling everything from tours of the galaxy, tube grubs prepared in a variety of ways, to Slug-o-Cola, to other local cuisine and livestock. Every vendor stall and advertisement was a brilliant display of colors, designed to grab one's attention. 

A large creature, somewhere between a targ, an Earth canine, and a snake swooped down towards them. Munro raised her arm as it passed through it while playing a jingle for the arena's main sponsor Azaqu Industries. 

Munro: Wow. 

MacKenzie: Wow is right...

Ava pointed to a short walk further down a sloped walkway. 

Munro: Our seats are right down here. 

MacKenzie pointed.

MacKenzie: Great, let's go sit down. I call the aisle.

The pair made their way down several more rows until they reached their assigned seats and slid in. They were nearly run down as one of the two fighters in the next match - the Nausicaan male from earlier - ran toward the ring. From the opposite end of the arena, the Brikarian who appeared to kick his ass entered the ring also.

MacKenzie leaned over to Munro and hollered over the cheering.

MacKenzie: Keep your arms and legs inside the row at all times...

Munro: Response

Then the ref who was to call the match - a morbidly obese Bolian - also entered the ring. The two fighters joined him in the middle of the ring, and the ref held up each of their hands to show them off to the crowd to massive cheers.

MacKenzie: I've got 100 credits that says the Nausicaan makes a comeback.

Munro: Response

She cocked her head slightly and shrugged, a smirk on her face.

MacKenzie: Fine, I'll take that action.

The fighters temporarily adjourned to their respective corners to confer with their coaches before returning to the center of the ring. They shook hands with each other, then waited for the signal. After a tense few seconds, the loud bell signaling the start of the match chimed, and the Brikarian came out swinging, landing a right hook to the Nausicaan's jaw that sent him down to one knee. Was that... was that a tooth that flew out of his mouth?

MacKenzie: ::in disgust:: GET! UP!

She shook her head, and folded her arms across her chest in skepticism, not sure if her earlier prediction of the winner would turn out to be correct.

MacKenzie: ::flatly, but still yelling:: We should have gotten snacks. 

Munro: Response

Tag, and TBC!

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Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie, M.D., Ph.D., FASFS
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A

Captains Council Member at Large

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