Bex has been training female fighters for years. She can craft any woman into a champion, but then, they are taken from her.
Her techniques catch the attention of the male side of the arena, and she is pressed into service training a man who is a champion that no longer has enthusiasm for the fight.
Ajaru has fought for years and enjoys his status as champion, but he wants more. He wants a life, a wife, a child, a home and normality. His lack of ambition to climb the champion ranks has gotten the attention of the fight master and he is assigned to a new trainer. Bex.
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She got to her feet and opened the door. Two internal transport guards were waiting for her. “I will get my bags.”
She returned and picked them up, joining the guards in the hallway. The room was as empty now as when she had moved in, as if there was nothing left to prove that she had existed at all.
They began the walk down the hall with a steady march that sent the blockages in their path to the side. No one got in the way of transport guards. They were neurotoxic.
The route was not leading directly to the men’s area. “Where are we headed?”
One of the guards looked at her through four of its nine eyes. “You need to have your hormones shut down before you enter the men’s training area. A disguise is also an option.”
Bex nodded and walked to the medical centre with the guards.
The doctors explained the procedures that they had lined up. They would stop her cycle, colour her blue and dye her blonde hair orange. All changes were reversible if she ever left the arena.
The bluing would need to be refreshed every six months. It constricted her pores and minimized the amount of oil that her skin produced. She would need to compensate for that with lotions and oils.
Bex signed off on the procedures using her full name and thumbprint. Beatrice Alexandra Unger – Trainer Bex of Terra.
The moment she confirmed her acceptance of the risks, the doctors went into active mode and began the procedures that would render her basically sexless for the duration of her time with the champion.
Bex would love to say that the procedure was painless, but she was always honest with herself, even if the answer sucked. It took seven days to recover from the changes, and she was indeed bright blue when they were done with her.
She looked at the trainer suit they brought to her and shook her head. “I am not wearing that.”
The medical attendant shifted from side to side. “It is traditional to wear the colours of the champion.”
“Not until he starts winning again. Bring me a blank suit in a dark leather pattern.” She sat with a sheet covering her until a blank suit could be found. The suit was an insult to the gladiator she was about to train, but there was nothing like treating him like a new recruit to get a man’s attention.
She used ties from her luggage to put her hair up in a long ponytail and waited for her escort. It was time to get back to work.
Bex was brought to the master’s office, and she stood in front of him, watching him assess her. She waited with all the patience at her command for him to speak.
“You are late, Trainer Bex.”
“I had to make a stop in medical, Fight Master.”
He had been a champion, decades earlier. The thick muscle of his body still moved easily and the scars were worn with pride. Bex made a mental note not to get within reach of his wicked horns or the tusks jutting from his khaki jaw.
The fight master polarized the plexi of his office walls and activated a screen behind him. “Ajaru Dolax is your fighter. He has gradually been losing points in each fight until he barely wins. We have worked on his diet, his training, his women; every change shows a slight increase and then a reduction to his status. We need a drastic change, and with your record for working with the unique talents of your fighter, you came to our attention as an option. Perhaps you are even the final option before retirement.”
“I will do my best.” She inclined her head sharply.
“Was there a problem with your fighter’s colours?”
She smiled. “Ajaru and I are beginning from the base level. How much time do I have?”
“Nine days until his next fight. I want him to work as hard as he can to win. He has the potential to become Grand Champion. I want to see him drive to that level.”
“Understood. I will find out why he is holding back and take steps to correct it. Shall I report any useful information to you?”
The fight master rose to his feet and loomed over her. “You had better, Trainer Bex, or I will use your body to make a new doorway.”
Bex swallowed and leaned back. “Understood, Master.”
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