BACK AT THE DOC'S CLINIC
Around a table. Group eats curry.
The doc sits at the head wrinkled hands, tired eyes, the kind of man who's seen too much and charges just enough. Steam rises from the plates. Spoons clink against bowls.
VEYRA:"This is the doctor that patched you two up. For now, call him Doc."
She points her spoon at Kiro, then Raiji.
"I paid him one hundred forty thousand credits. That's the healing chambers and your treatment."
She stabs a piece of meat.
"We still owe him forty thousand."
A pause. She chews. Swallows.
"So pay up, boys. Especially you, Kiro. You made me broke. We need a way to make money soon."
KIRO:"Sure."
He doesn't look up from his plate.
"I'll pay the full thing."
A beat.
"Add it to the Pastor's tab."
Kiro pulls out his digital phone. Taps a few buttons.
Transfer 40,000 credits to Doc.
Doc nods.
DOC:"Thanks."
Another transfer.
100,000 credits to Veyra.
VEYRA:"Thanks."
She blinks at her phone. Looks up.
"Why did you pay me?"
KIRO:"My thanks."
He goes back to eating.
No smile. No explanation.
Just the quiet weight of a man who doesn't say much but means what he says.
Veyra stares at her phone for a long moment.
Then puts it down.
And eats.
KIRO:"What's this money for anyway?"
VEYRA:"It's for any financial need while we're here."
KIRO:"Oh. Okay. So it's not payment?"
VEYRA:"Wait. What are you planning?"
Veyra gives an evil smile.
VEYRA:"Little old me? Oh, nothing. You owe me 400k. Now with 100k more."
KIRO:"Oh come on. Take 100k away. I paid you."
VEYRA:"No can do. It's a gift."
KIRO:"Fine."
KIRO'S ACCOUNT: 1,500,000 Credits
100k to Veyra → 1,400,000
500 (unknown) → 900,000
40k to Doc → 900,060
Extra loss 100k → 909,060
KIRO:"There. Happy? I sent more and extra. Don't complain."
RAIJI:"Me next."
KIRO:"No. Running low."
Aurora laughs.
AURORA:"Seems like Veyra wears the pants."
KIRO:"Anyway. What's the plan?"
VEYRA:"Head home."
Both Kiro and Raiji say NO.
RAIJI:"I've got my pride. And they stole from us."
KIRO:"They stole a few thousand from me. Wait they stole 70k too?"
Aurora smiles knowingly. Veyra stole that.
AURORA:"They sure did."
VEYRA:"Are you sure it's 70k? Might be 100k."
KIRO:"You're right. I'll beat up that pastor for that."
VEYRA:"I scouted their base. They have a cube nullifier and guards. I used a drone. They're using that base for a week. So today and tomorrow, you two are making big bucks. Like old times."
She points at Raiji.
"Kiro, you can't go bounty hunting. But Raiji, you can. I know you've got an old license."
She points at Kiro.
"And you fight arena. There's one here. Earn money with your skill. Become champ or don't return."
Kiro sighs.
KIRO:"Yes, boss."
KIRO:"Raiji, how much money do you even have? And you, Aurora? Also you, Veyra."
Veyra gives him a death stare.
VEYRA:"You drained me."
RAIJI:"My side job and our previous life as pit fighters... I've got 500k in the bank."
AURORA:"Well, I'm rich. That's all you need to know." She pauses. "I didn't bring all my credits."
KIRO:"Wow. 50k?"
RAIJI:"No. She means 50. Just 50."
Veyra smiles. Knowing it's not that.
VEYRA:"Boys, boys. You two act so dumb. 50? Argue over 50?"
VEYRA:"Okay. Off with you two."
Kiro goes to the fight pits.
Big area. The biggest arena he's ever seen. Crowds of people flooding in.
Kiro enters. Signs up.
KIRO:"I'm here to be champ."
RECEPTIONIST:"Oh. Funny guy."
He doesn't look up from his tablet.
*"Everyone goes 1v1. And a no-name like you going for champ? Don't make me laugh. He's big time. The King of the Desert. No one's ever taken his throne."*
Kiro laughs.
KIRO:"First King Croc. Now King of the Desert. What are these names?"
He leans on the counter.
"I'll take everyone you send at me. I'll stand there. Even."
The receptionist laughs out loud.
RECEPTIONIST:"Sure, funny guy. Your funeral. Get out there."
Kiro steps into the ring.
His first opponent steps in across from him.
Big guy. Armor. Mean eyes.
ANNOUNCER:"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a newcomer Kiro! The 'Super Rookie,' they're calling him. And across from him? Our favorite. The strongest."
Kiro's opponent steps forward. Seventy feet tall if he's an inch. Built like a bodybuilder's bigger brother. Armor thick enough to stop a truck.
OPPONENT:"You, rookie. I was sent out to teach you a lesson."
He cracks his neck.
"Don't go down so easy. I'm top 100. We rank here from 500. And I'm top 100. Good luck, weakling."
He grins.
"Call me the strongest man you've seen today. And your worst nightmare."
He rushes forward.
Kiro smiles.
KIRO:"Got no time for this."
He dodges in a blur.
One punch.
Armor shatters.
The opponent flies backward like a shooting star.
RECEPTIONIST (watching from the booth):"Wait... whaaaaaaaaat?"
His jaw drops.
"He can do that? Break one of our highest-tier armors?"
He grabs his communicator.
"Send out the Beast."
High above the arena. A man sits on a throne. Sips wine.
MAN ON THRONE:"This fighter looks strong."
He swirls his glass.
"But... how strong?"
A gentleman stands beside him. Digital pad in hand. Taps notes.
GENTLEMAN:"He has a bounty. Pretty high."
He reads the screen.
"One hundred ten thousand. Might be a stronger fighter than our average guys."
Down in the ring.
Kiro cracks his knuckles.
KIRO:"Bring me more."