S C O R P I O N



"It's time you showed me this base of ops I've been hearing so much about." I told Proximo as I wiped the blood off my dagger.

An armoured fusion craft dropped before us and a guard had the door open in less time. I nodded at Makayla and she jumped in first before I followed her into the plush interior.

"Eager to do so." Proximo murmured behind me.

The craft rose rapidly and I was offered a drink inside. I shook my head and turned to the beautiful woman beside me. She rolled her eyes and declined the drink too. I brushed a gloved thumb over her cheek clearing a splash of blood. For once I was not the one that had caused it... Her crystal blue met my eyes.

Proximo cleared his throat and I glanced at him.

"When you told me you'd be here soon..." He drawled without finishing.

I leant back deeply into the chair and set an arm behind Makayla as I smirked at him.

"You had it under control."

He scoffed and took a glass before knocking back the drink. "The rebels grow bolder by the day and I don't even have the time to find out what goes on in the upper Sectors."

"So have your sister do some digging." I retorted, unbothered.

He paused and frowned at me. "Dazz has gone dark."

I snorted and stared out the window as the city rushed by. "Good, because after what happened with that shuttle it's best I don't see her in person."

Makayla shot me a quick look before looking back outside. Proximo was wisely silent at that but something still brooded in those steel eyes behind half-face tattoos. I tightened a hand and glared.

"I will have someone look into finding her." I got out curtly.

He glanced at me innocently. "If it's not too much trouble–"

"Shut your mouth Proximo, before I unleash the new Xavier on you." I muttered, glancing at the woman beside me who only smirked as she gazed out the window.

I eyed her clothes more closely. Checking for any injury on her and finding nothing. The blood was wholly from the rebels and not her own. She seemed to have an affinity for the knives strapped to her chest and I could easily guess it was her prior experience with a fencing sword–

"Stop staring." She murmured, without looking my way.

I dipped my head in close to her jaw. "I like your new look." I said in a low voice.

Her blue eyes cut to mine and she arched an eyebrow. It wasn't fair to look so stunning and lethal while she did it. Her blonde hair was in a high plait similar to my own and strands broke free and kissed her face. I wanted to kiss so much more than her face in that moment–

She looked at the other men in the craft who suddenly sent their attention elsewhere.

"Have some professionalism, Scorpion." She smirked, before giving me a darker look. "–and some patience."

I grinned and leaned back in my seat again, leaving my arm over the back of her own.

The craft soon began to descend into a rooftop hatch. I glanced out the window at the unimpressive building. It's only notable feature was its size. We dropped until the surroundings were dark. Then the hatch shut and lights lit the floor around us.

The platform rotated and took us lower until we emerged onto a storage bay full of armoured transport ships and aircraft carriers to even the new Falcon jets.

I turned to Proximo with a cool look.

"You've been busy."

"Someone had to be." He grumbled before yanking the door open and jumping out.

We followed him as he narrated around us. He debriefed me on location, defence, security, personnel on site and a lot of other features. It was damn right impressive and exactly what we needed of a base.

I slapped his shoulder finally and gave him a slow smile.

"You have outdone yourself once again." I informed him.

"Don't sound so surprised Scorpion." He drawled. "It's not just my pretty face you're after."

Makayla laughed loudly and a few heads turned our way. I crossed my arms before him and tilted my head.

"Show me the training area. I'd like to knock some sense back into that pretty face." I told him in lethal calm.

A wicked glint took his eye and he threw his rifle to the nearest tech who flinched and struggled to heft the large weapon.

"Are you sure this is wise after all this time away?" He probed with a challenge lighting his face like a flare in the night.

"You're right." I said easily. "I should have Makayla do it for me just to even the fight."

This time Proximo barked out a laugh and leered down at Makayla intently. She didn't flinch from his gaze but she sure wasn't pleased either. The look of such a heavy ego made me decide there and then that I would put my second on his ass myself. If only to defend her honour.

"It looks like I need to remind you of your manners, dear Proximo." I said in a growl. "Lead the way."

He met my look with a slow nod and jut his head in the direction of a glass hallway.

We walked past many personnel that had holo pads in their hands or watched screens on desks. It reminded me of the main hall of my old keep but more mobile... agile. We turned another corner until a set of wide glass doors hissed open and a large set of steps descended on an unfamiliar space.

It was certainly interesting.

The floor was a shining obsidian black. The training sections divided by thin squares of neon light. When a fighter conceded a blow or attack it would flash red before returning white.

"I didn't know you needed a light show to tell you when you've lost." I muttered ahead.

Proximo chuckled ahead of me and half turned his tattooed head.

"Only for those who wish to keep score."

I watched as two men fought rapidly with fusion sabres–a lethal glowing sword that would take a limb off with the wrong flick of a hand. Quite the risk. Proximo stopped before a raised platform and the fighters upon it took all of two seconds to dismiss themselves.

He shrugged off his heavy jacket and ripped the Vanguard armour from his chest before flexing his muscles and hopping up to the platform in a sleeveless combat skin.

"I think you're supposed to be intimidated." Makayla said dryly beside me.

I grinned at her and took my cloak off before wrapping it carefully across her shoulders and pulling the hood over her head. "Hold on to this for me. I won't be long." I murmured, before stealing a kiss on her lips quickly.

It was meant to be quick but Makayla held my jaw prolonging it. The sweet smell of her and softness of her lips sent my attention far from combat–

"I won't kill her!" Proximo called down at us.

I pulled away from her and glared death at my second.

"Kick his ass." Makayla whispered, before stepping back with a dark smile under my hood.

I flexed my neck, turned from her and hopped onto the platform easily. Proximo watched me calmly. His brooding aggression was always inches under the surface. But I knew how to get under his skin and in his head...

"Any whore houses you can recommend this week Prox?" I called innocently. "I had a rather interesting conversation with Kuzo–"

He lunged at me in an unrestrained sudden anger.

I grinned and stepped to the side as a wild kick came for me. But he never struck once. Three more attacks came at me quickly and powerfully. It took more concentration and better defence to stop the elbow, jab and knee.

"Did that hit a nerve?" I teased, between his fist. "Makayla and I want to spice things up a bit–" I said through a laugh as he sent another kick my way. "–Maybe I can employ that one you're so fond of–"

"ENOUGH" He snarled, rushing forward and tackling me off the ground by the waist.

I twisted on the floor with him and wrapped a leg around his neck. But his carefully controlled anger was out now. He gripped my leg with both hands and ripped it off. Before sending a harsh punch at me. It hit the floor and I rolled onto the balls of my feet.

I was done playing with him.

He rolled and dropped onto his feet heavily before sending much more accurate jabs at my head. I caught two before a strong fist cut through my block and caught my lip. I heard Makayla hiss in a sudden breath nearby.

I spat out blood and grinned at him.

"Finally."

Then I went for him. My speed was faster. I was lighter and I knew every pressure point on the human body. I feigned for his nose and cut a low fist to his exposed stomach. It took the air from him but he powered through and sent a kick for my knee.

I raised it and it took me off balance before he rushed me and tried to take my other leg. I spun and he left his face exposed for the round kick I landed harshly. He stumbled back but I didn't capitalise. That was foolish. Like me, he was most dangerous when cornered.

I dropped my hands and strolled closer with a mocking look.

"Do you bat for the other team now too?" I asked lightly.

Instead of more anger he looked at me carefully. Seeing my game and suddenly deciding to play one of his own. Those steel eyes turning with something he hadn't yet said–

"No but I think Makayla does... You should ask her what she was doing with all that time in the tower before we arrived." He said with a simple brow raise and slow smile.

I froze before him and glared with so much darkness suddenly consuming me.

"It's one thing to throw banter but lying does not become you." I growled.

"Ask her yourself. My source was in the bar when it happened." He drawled, glancing at his bloody fist.

I snarled at him. I didn't dare look Makayla's way. I wouldn't insult her by questioning such a hideous lie just to win a god damn fight. This was stepping far too far and he knew it. What made no sense to me was why he thought it was acceptable–

"I'm going to enjoy what happens next." I promised him quietly.

Proximo cracked his fist in response and waved me forward. "It's been too long, Scorpion."

We ran at each other without holding back.