Fallen from Grace • Chapter Four

Sunlight finally adorned the moon of Dogma. Angelico had a string of to-dos. First, he had made an appointment with Dr. Sergeon, who was gracious enough to see him. Secondly, Angelico had to meet with the Dogma Agents (loosely affiliated with Ophidian Agents). At some point, he had to find a salon to have his hair and nails done. Lastly, he was awaiting further information from Shadowed, which he expected after nightfall.

Angelico was too early for his doctor's appointment. He was still struggling to read Dogmorian clocks, which had three rings of numbers, and the hands spiraled through them. When it reached the last number of the lowest ring, it would swing back the other way. They had no concept of "clock-wise." Angelico never knew how to determine the time. As such, being punctual was difficult. To kill time, he went to a local cafe for breakfast. It was two credits for a steak or nineteen for a bagel. The steak looked good. He was immediately recognized as he entered the cafe, and every customer in the shop, and half of the employees, expressed their admiration for Angelico. His steak was cold before he had the chance to sit and eat.

He had barely carved into it when a woman who had not previously asked for an autograph sat down. "Hello," he said welcomingly. She had eager eyes. Her raven-black hair just swept her shoulders and remained tucked behind her ears no matter how she moved. She moved her hands, especially her fingers, excessively when she spoke. Her sleeves, part of a solid black one-piece catsuit, extended all the way to her palms; her thumb stuck out through a factory-produced hole. The sleeves might have been there to help restrain her arms. Conversely to her hair and clothes, her skin was pale that the nearest sun could not cure.

"Angelico, is it?" she asked, knowing the answer. "Vivarine Auhn."

"Excuse me?" asked Angelico, politely. She spoke fast, and he did not realize the last two words was her name.

"You can call me Viv. I've seen your last two fights. Impressive. Made a lot of money on the last one. No one expected you'd be involved. Or it would end in a draw. I like that."

"I'm sorry, are you a fan or media or with the agents...?"

"No. I run a book shop professionally. But on the side, I handle...booking. I need to know your thoughts on tonight's match."

"Tonight's match? I don't even know who I'm fighting."

"It's a Sergeon-Shadowed rematch. But you have insight into the players. I want to know the result."

"I don't know, it hasn't happened yet, right?"

"I need Shadowed to win but only by a technicality. Illegal interference against him, Sergeon using a prohibited weapon. I don't care. I want Shadowed to win, but Dr. Sergeon to look like a hero. Can you handle that?"

"I... don’t know. I guess I could..." Talk to them, was the rest of that sentence, but he didn't have time to finish.

"Excellent, I know you won't let me down. Guardian of the people, right?"

"Right." Her final movement was to fork a piece of Angelico's steak; then she left the cafe. Angelico shook his head at their whirlwind meeting.

When he was finished eating, Angelico headed to the doctor's office. "You're late," said Dr. Sergeon. Angelico started to protest but decided against it. "Everywhere I go I draw a crowd, slows me down. But you must know what that's like."

"I did, a few years ago. The hype around me has died down. Now, what seems to be the problem?"

Angelico extended his wing, which he had poorly patched himself. "There's a hole in my wing. I know you're a medical doctor, and this is more of a technical issue, but as you seemed to have an understanding of cybernetics, I thought..."

"Oh yes, I'm quite apt with these kinds of things. I've trained in many disciplines. Cybernetics and Mysticism is my strongest, but I've dabbled in Bio and Psi as well." Dr. Sergeon ran a finger over the frame of the wings. "What are these made of? Aluminum?"

"Uh-huh, and wax and feathers."

"You know, there are many metals out there that are lighter and stronger."

"They're too costly. Maybe when I'm in the big leagues again."

"That's what everyone says." Dr. Sergeon pulled a scalpel out of the pocket protector in his lab coat. "This was poorly repaired last time."

Angelico smirked, he never claimed to be handy. He sat quietly, letting Dr. Sergeon do his thing, and glanced around the room. On the wall opposite him, next to a framed degree, he saw a picture of Arianna, Dr. Sergeon's wife who had her neck broken in the last fight against Shadowed. "I'm sorry," consoled Angelico. "She was a beautiful woman and a great loss."

"What?"

"Your wife. When she was...met an untimely end in the last match."

"Oh, Arianna, it's ok, she dies all the time. It's her thing. She's with a patient right now."

Angelico nodded without understanding. He had known gladiators who had died and were cloned back to life, but that was an expensive procedure that even some of the top-level professionals could not afford. It struck him as odd that someone on this moon could afford
such a thing.

"Done," said Dr. Sergeon, when the wing was repaired. It truly looked as good as when it was first created. "Good as new, if not better."

"Thanks, doc. Guess I'll be watching you tonight."

"Hmm?" asked Dr. Sergeon, staring at him curiously through his silver-rimmed glasses.

"The rematch tonight against Shadowed."

"How'd you know about that? They haven't announced the fight yet."

"I met a woman who spoke to me about it. Guess it leaked or something. Well, anyway..." Angelico wondered if he obtained insider information that could have him banned from the tournament.

Dr. Sergeon leaned in close to Angelico so no one else in the other rooms could hear. His hair brushed Angelico's face, and left a temporary scratch. "I need this win, I mean a real win. If you could intervene on my behalf, make sure Shadowed loses and loses big."

"Uh, I'm not sure...I'll see what I can do."

"Perfect. Tonight then."

"Yes, tonight." Angelico bit his lips as he left.

Next on the agenda was a meeting with the Dogmorians Agents. Their office was located at the Dogma Stadium. Angelico expected to go before a large council, but there were only two agents. Each wore, what Angelico later learned, the popular business attire of Dogma. It was best described as a toga-suit combination. It was a three-piece sheet that connected at the waist. Over this was worn a jacket and tie. The shoes were patent leather slippers.

The moon boasted many unique species and plenty of people who were a combination of species. There was also a large human influence. One of the agents was a grizzly sort of man. Human in that he resembled a Neanderthal. The other was a stark contrast. Human-like in shape, he was completely hairless and blue of skin, like some alien species from the Leonide system.

"I'm Agent Smeedle," said the grizzly man in an appropriately gruff voice. "This is Agent Lalox."

"Pleasure," smiled Angelico.

"Please, sit," said Agent Smeedle, gesturing towards a chair in front of the coffin-shaped desk. He and Agent Lalox did the same on the other side. "You're quite the star around here."

"Well, I am a people person. Guardian of the people, in fact. I fight for them."

"Good, good. We like your style. We recently spoke with Mr. Somersworth."

"The Slug?" asked Angelico

"Yes, I believe that's what he's called. We expressed an interest to buy your contract; he expressed an interest to sell." Angelico nodded. He knew he was not a favorite of The Slug's, and Angelico were anxious to find a better manager. "We just need to know your opinion."

"Of course, I'd love to compete here."

"Good, good. Now, you understand that if we have your contract, you work for us. We arrange all of your fights."

"Yes, I expected nothing less."

"Good, good. We like team players. Where do you see yourself going? Who do you ally with, who do you oppose?"

"Uh, well..." He was beginning to like Dr. Sergeon and wanted to keep someone on his side that was able to repair his wings, and who was popular with the locals. Unfortunately, to win a previous match, he entered into an oral agreement with Shadowed, saying that he would side with him. "I haven't met all the gladiators around here, but..."

He didn't want them to know Shadowed had thrown a fight purposely. "Shadowed seems like a dangerous one, I think I should partner with him, to keep him under control."

"Good, good," nodded Mr. Smeedle. "Shadowed also requested you as a partner, I was afraid you were going to disagree. Now, the first fight tonight is billed as Mandissa against Rapt.

However, there will be a big surprise to the crowds because Dr. Sergeon and Arianna are going to challenge Shadowed to a rematch."

"Really?" Angelico overemphasized the surprise in his voice.

"You are going to be the special guest referee."

"Oh, ok."

As Agent Smeedle spoke, he rapped his knuckles against the desk to emphasize the importance. "Dr. Sergeon is not as compliant as he used to be. He wants to hold onto his past glory. However, Arianna could be great if she was not held back by him. But he won't see that. Not only is Shadowed going to win tonight, but Alfons Sergeon needs will be wounded so badly even he can't heal himself. You understand?"

"I think so, I should let Shadowed do what he wants, bend the rules in his favor?"

Agent Smeedle's fist rested on the desk now. "Definitely. Most importantly, Dr. Sergeon cannot die. Cripple badly, even if he is put out of work, but he must live." His fist pounded the desk once.

"And Arianna?"

"Good question. She has a habit of dying in the arena. The crowds expect it. But not tonight. She's a team player and will take a dive, but I can't express enough that she must not die."

"Makes sense, I'm here to help Shadowed win and make sure everyone lives. I can do that."

"Good, good." Agent Smeedle grinned with a mouthful of misshapen teeth. Angelico assumed that no dental plan was offered in their contract. He wondered if there was even a dentist on the moon. "Now, your second match tonight which will follow sixteen hours after...We want you to win, we really do, but Dagfel "The Mad-Man" Brunt is not a team player. You may have to take him down for real."

"That's what I like to hear," said Angelico. He was wondering if every match on the moon was fixed.

"Good, good. Best of luck." The two agents stood; Angelico copied them. The ever-silent Agent Lalox extended both of his blue hands to shake. Angelico extended one hand. Instead of taking his hand, Agent Lalox grabbed him by the bicep with both hands, wriggling his arm. Angelico feared it would be torn from the socket, and grabbed Agent Lalox's arm, more to stop him than participate in this local custom of farewell. His arm was smarting when the shake was over. Then Agent Smeedle shook his other arm in a similar fashion, though it was much gentler. Angelico nodded to them both and left to prepare.

After his hair and nails were perfect, and he returned to his hotel room to apply his body glitter thoroughly, he put on his uniform, which was no more than a loincloth. It was to attract more women to gladiator fighting. He put on a trench coat, specially cut in the back for his wings. He grabbed something he had brought in case of emergency and set out to the stadium across the street.

He stood in the doorway of one of the entrances, waiting for the announcer, who was merely four feet away, to introduce him as a special guest referee. The few precious hours of daylight were drawing to an end, and large patches of darkness covered the moon. Angelico stood in one of these patches, hoping no one would notice him until the surprise match was announced.

A voice from an unseen body crackled near Angelico's ear. Shadowed said, "Guest referee, nice."

"Well, I'm here to help."

"I'm tired of this doctor guy already. He dies tonight."

"I promise you that you will have leniency tonight, and I promise you victory, but I must insist neither Dr. nor Mrs. Sergeon die tonight."

"This isn't a discussion, I told you, I'm going to kill them. The way this moon works they'll both just come back, anyway." Angelico nodded, it did seem that way. His mind started to wander, thinking about all the ways people wanted the match to end tonight, and what he had to do about it.

Just before he started, the announcer stood to stretch his back and clear his throat. Angelico noticed for the first time he had a monkey-like tail and two rows of teeth. That was an alien race Angelico had never known.

"Welcome to the Dogma Arenas. Tonight's regularly scheduled sibling-rivalry match of Mandissa, The Mystical Phenomenon against Rapt has been postponed." The crowds started a soft booing, but they knew something bigger was coming. "Instead, we are pleased to present the two-on-one rematch of our local heroes Dr. Sergeon and Arianna against the demon called Shadowed." There was a mixture of boos and cheers and complaining. Less than overwhelming. "Before we bring them out, I would like to present a special guest referee. An angel who walks among us..." There was a small roar of cheers. "The guardian of the people of Dogma..." The roar became louder. "Angelico!" The roar erupted into screams.

Angelico walked out, spread his wings, danced, jumped, flew, and eventually bowed. The announcer yelled the names of the competing gladiators again, but they were barely heard over the cheering that would not cease, even during Shadowed's entrance.

They eventually quieted down some when Angelico made an announcement. "I'm here to make sure this is a fair match. No illegal substances, no prohibited weaponry, and most importantly, this is not a fight to the death, so NO KILLING," which he shouted at Shadowed.

Shadowed made no response.

The match was on. It started off as it had before. Arianna paced back and forth, trying to distract Shadowed, who stood unflinching (possibly because he had no visible eyes). She was as close to a cheerleader as this moon had, but she was not enough of a distraction to throw off Shadowed. Meanwhile, Dr. Sergeon was face down in a pile of scrap metal putting pieces together, looking for working motors, uploading software he brought with him. When he stopped tinkering, the only thing visible was an adapter droid. No one in the arena believed that was all he had made. Angelico went in for a closer look, to make sure he wasn't hiding something illegal as a trap.

Everything was on the up and up, but Angelico saw what was coming. Two Tomtakees came out of the scrap pile. They immediately rushed at Shadowed, not giving him time to react. The first struck him, but he looked ok. He attacked the one that had not attacked yet by throwing a spiked disc through its chest. He tore out the stomach of the one next to him, so it could not fight again. He stopped, staring at Dr. Sergeon who was across the field, wondering what he was going to do next. He could not quite reach the adapter droid but was not going to waste his time with it. For now, he was going to stand his ground. Angelico noticed a remote control in Dr. Sergeon's hand. He pressed a button. The ground shook. A giant truck-like device called The Sweeper came out. Shadowed barely glanced at it before leaping forward out of its way. Angelico heard an all-too-familiar beeping. Hidden in the scrap pile was a Bomblastic. Its motion-sensitive detectors were activated, and it shot Shadowed as he landed out of The Sweeper's way. He reeled but looked in good condition.

Dr. Sergeon pressed another button on the remote. Out jumped a Driller, not three feet in front of Shadowed. He had no choice but to leap backward out of its way, setting off the motion-sensitive robot. He took another shot to the chest, recoiling a little longer from this hit. Angelico feared Shadowed couldn't take much more. Dr. Sergeon dug around in the pile of parts until he found a small device, which he tossed to Arianna. She charged at Shadowed with what could have been the final blow.

To the crowd's dismay, Angelico stepped in between Arianna and Shadowed. The translucent blade the device projected passed easily through Angelico. He pulled back in pain and noticed a burn mark on his chest. He spun around to see Shadowed on the ground, clutching a burned arm. Some damage had managed to get through to him. With shaky arms, Shadowed was barely able to rise to his feet. Arianna had moved back to stand by her husband. Shadowed threw a spiked disk at the doctor, but Arianna stepped in front of it. She fell to the ground, wincing in pain. Afraid she was dead, Angelico stopped the match.

"Hold the fight!" He put his arms up. There was an audible gasp as everyone was surprised in unison. Angelico crossed to her body. He put his face close and heard no breathing. He put his fingers to her neck but felt no pulse. His body started to go cold as he thought about meeting with the agents. Then Arianna opened one eye, winked, and closed it again. Angelico found he had been unwittingly holding his breath and exhaled. He shouted, "This woman needs medical attention, take her out of here." These weren't the skilled Ophidians who could portal people around, it was three aliens and a stretcher that took her out.

Angelico was relieved that he managed to ensure the life of one of them, but Shadowed was near defeat, and Dr. Sergeon was in fine health. He patted Dr. Sergeon on the chest, gave him a "You can win this thing" nod, and moved out of the way.

Dr. Sergeon headed towards Shadowed. Though he was exhausted and hurt, Shadowed stood his ground. Dr. Sergeon reached down into his lab coat pocket, produced something concealed, and threw it at Shadowed. As the bombs arced towards the ground, Angelico grabbed Shadowed by the arms, and with a lot of struggle, lifting more weight than the wings were intended for, jumped high into the air. The bombs went off. The explosion singed Angelico's toes, but he accomplished his goal of pulling Shadowed out of the way.

Dr. Sergeon was thrown back by his own explosion. Despite the pocket protector, there was strange, blood-blue colored stain. He was coughing and trying to pull himself to his feet but was unsuccessful. After landing gracefully, Shadowed extended his claws and wanted to move in for the kill. Again, Angelico stopped the fight. "What is that? Hold the fight, wait! It appears he has some vial with a form of the virus in it. You're not registered as a bio-tek gladiator, you can't bring that into the arena. That's grounds for disqualification." Angelico should have been called Eagle-eye if he could see the vial, shattered in the doctor's pocket, from a quarter of the way across the arena.

"Ih," gasped Dr. Sergeon, all he could do in the way of words.

"Get this man quarantined," ordered Angelico. The same men that had taken Arianna out returned, this time wearing Bio-hazard suits. Dr. Sergeon was wrapped in a protective plastic (well, protective to those around him) and carried out, as he could not walk.

"The winner, nearly killing both of his opponents, Shadowed." There was a mixture of hissing and clapping from the crowd. They knew that Dr. Sergeon could have won, and it was just a stupid technicality that stopped him. The bookie would know the same. Shadowed won, everyone, lived, though barely. That illegal-strength virus would keep Alfons Sergeon out of the arena for quite some time. Angelico smiled at the crowd, content that as many people as possible were happy with the results.