Path of the Hunters [PART 3]

Crescent took a deep breath. "I'll be fine. I'm going."

"Better bring a couple of barf bags," Nova remarked.

"Do what you will." Crescent waved him off dismissively.

The dog rolled her eyes. "Do not behave like children," she said mildly.

Sunny grinned. "So what do we have to do before we can go? I wanna get Star back already!"

"Well," Mani said, Nova placing Dart in her arms. "Elesis and I will take the kids back to her room. Once Cross returns, we should be able to head out soon after."

"Oui," Crescent said. "Just let me get some food in my system." She continued on to the mess hall. "I 'ope there's ginger ale there..."

"What kind of large population merc group would we be if we didn't?" Katherine said with a laugh.

Trip studied the adults, hugging Sunny's leg. She scratched him behind the ear idly, nodding. "Cool. I'll keep the squirt with me for now." And he blew out a relieved breath.

Sol scratched his head. "I'll go pick up Yue, so Cross can finish getting ready. Mind leading me to the firing range, Katherine?"

"Not at all. This way please." She walked off.

Sol followed. "Man, this is already shaping up to be a wacky day."

"Just bring her back to my room, okay?" Elesis said, shifting Aurora in her arms. Sol just waved his acknowledgment. "C'mon, Mani. Let's get these two tucked away." She walked off back to the barracks, the hedgefox following behind. Both children waved at their parents.

"And it's only just getting started, Sol."

"Please, don't remind me." The hedgecat sighed heavily.

She smiled, "I'll try."

Aurélie's lips twitched. She enjoyed knowing that her babies were intelligent. She didn't enjoy knowing that she wouldn't see them for a few hours. Sunny hiked Trip up, settling the boy on her hip. "Okay, so what's next?"

Nova sighed, loosening his joints. "Not exactly much to do. Guess we just bide out time, 'til everyone's ready."

"Fuck, that's boring..."

"Personally, I'm gonna find a gym, and warm up. If only I knew this place..."

A SS marine heard that and walked over, "I'll lead you there, I happen to be on my way over there anyways..."

Aurélie nodded. "That isn't a bad idea."

Sunny grinned. "I'm down."

"All in agreement." Nova grinned. "Lead the way, man!"

The marine laughed and did so.

It took a few minutes and several headache-inducing twists and turns to arrive at the rec-room. The place was massive! On one end sat all kinds of exercise machines, weights and so on. Investigation would show a sealed-off room labeled 'Spartons and Sangheili Only' filled with equipment better suited for their body builds. On the other was an open area with several sparing mats and a some seats, complete with a few vending machines serving healthy food and drink.

The place was also populated with humans and elites. One could see several elites sparring on the mats, the higher-ranking ones fighting with real activated energy swords. All of them showing a high level of skill and speed in their quick and precise movements. There were some humans sparring with the elites, and actually managing to keep up with them, if not equal or surpass. These sparring pairs all had observers, mostly human, watching them.

"Mm..." Aurélie looked around, observing the room. Some of the equipment was too large for them, but most of it could be adjusted easily enough. A blade twirled idly in her hand.

Sunny leaned against the wall, grinning as she watched the sparring pairs. "Dude, I almost wanna take one of 'em on."

Nova whistled at the sight, grinning madly. "Now this is what I'm talkin' 'bout! If this ain't a bona-fide gym, I don't know what is!"

"You can try!" Laughed the marine that led them there. "Elites and Spartons are the best of the best. Nothing short of using your powers is going to stop them from flooring you in the opening seconds. I should know, I've seen it happen."

"Pfft. Of course I'd use my powers. I trained myself to use 'em, I ain't gonna let 'em go to waste."

He shrugged, "Then don't expect the elites to fight you. The whole 'Proud Warrior' bit keeps them from fighting an uneven deul. Might be able to get the spartons, but I doubt it. They're not too keen on getting close to someone with powers."

"Besides, they can wait." Nova turned to Sunny, a familiar glint in his eyes. "How's about we have our showdown, like the good ol' days?"