[December 106th, GPY 2. Talos. Choece, Ganymede. 0716. UGT]

[Merit: 390]

An implacable grin crawled across Jordan's face as he peered through the cloud of meat scraps and sauce droplets floating around him to stare at Gelos. Casually munching on a rib bone like a canid. "I was thinking I'd have you meet my father." Jordan shrugged. His grin quickly regressing to neutrality before he lowered his hands from his habitual tic. "See what he thinks of you."

Gelos gave a loud huff of awe or anxiety; Jordan couldn't quite tell, before gazing around the restaurant with a soft gleam in his artificial eyes. Scanning the modest hole lined with unicycle-like seats on every wall that surrounded a spherical kitchen and serving desk. Filled entirely with humans and heated coils spinning round and around thick kebabs and skewers.

"Or." Jordan continued. "I could have you go through the trial. Exactly as I did."

"Trial?" Gelos perked up. Thick curls of hair swaying lazily around his brimming eyes. "What's that?"

Jordan paused to scan the place himself. Spotting more than a few clusters of people within unaided earshot in virtually all orientations. He let out a small sigh of annoyance before returning his gaze to Gelos with a dismissive expression. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. But I'll show you. Later."

"Meeting Villan Astros." Gelos chuckled to himself. Shaking his head. "Never in all my lifetimes would I have thought I'd ever get the chance."

"Regardless," Jordan said. "Both of those things will have to wait until we return to Europa."

"Which will only happen once you slay your knight." Gelos added with a wide grin.

Jordan only stared. Blinking vacantly for more than a second before Gelos continued. "So, now that our training is over, what's on the menu?"

"I was thinking we form a bicycle gang." Jordan shrugged.

"Ahah!" Gelos cackled. "A bicycle gang?"

"Gotta start somewhere." Jordan shrugged again before abruptly pushing away from his seat. "And since we're here, we might as well start with the community center."

After migrating through Talos in companionable silence, Jordan and Gelos emerged in the now-familiar foyer of the complex, and drifted through the singular hall. Jordan couldn't help but grin in self-satisfaction as they passed the many trapdoors and hatches leading to the various rec-rooms.

Together, they'd spent six cumulative weeks in these halls. Training, drilling. Establishing a foundation of teamwork. And each week. Day after day, without end, the voluminous capsule at the far end of the compound had always remained opened. Allowing the constant stream of noise to litter the entire center.

As it was the first time they'd entered the space, crowds of Galean citizens were gathered in various clusters. Held in place almost gravitationally by the various duelist facing each other in every orientation the space could allow. The majority of the onlookers remained as they were, throwing their collective attention to the ongoing sessions while the others looked between the two newcomers and to seemingly random points in the room with similar expressions of dolor.

After finding a secluded spot of their own and scouting the area for a few minutes, Jordan made brief eye contact with a short, bulky man with ghostly skin and reddened eyes who was passing by. He took a double take as he drifted past Jordan's shoulders before abruptly pushing off the ground to bounce himself back to Jordan's side.

"Welcome back," Zoltan said. Rotating awkwardly to secure his mag-boots to the floor. "People have been waiting for you."

Jordan stayed silent for a moment to study Zoltan's physique. Looking for any signs of change since their campaign. If anything, he seemed a bit bulkier around the chest. But otherwise looked as if he hadn't ever died.

While Jordan still believed he had no particular reason to actually kill Zoltan. He didn't feel as if he should apologize, regardless of his own feelings. 'If he won't bring it up, neither will I.' Jordan sighed to himself. 'Campaign is a fight to the death, after all.'

'Really?' Jordan amiably asked before gazing around to the sea of bodies around them. Meeting more than a dozen gazes before he'd even turned ninety degrees. "Why?"

Zoltan's eyes rose to scan the crowd as he cryptically explained. "You've disrupted the court. I was to be the Jack of Talos," he said. Pausing to turn to Jordan. "Until I lost to you."

"Like a suit of cards?" Jordan tilted his head in confusion. 'How dull.'

Zoltan impatiently peered over his shoulder towards the exit at his back before huffing out an exasperated sigh. "That's the idea." He grunted. Turning to nod towards a broad chinned man with vibrant blue eyes and long black hair shaved on the sides and kept in a loose ponytail that floated aimlessly around him. "Of all the people who come to Talos." Zoltan practically spat. "Biff Gaston is both the proclaimed strongest of the Talos Center. And the closest to D-Rank. The Ace."

Zoltan paused to scan the crowd; turning about on his magnetized heels and even looking above to his zenith before letting out a small sigh of relief. "Lee Haruno, the King of Talos follows. He's more annoying than strong. In fact." He chuckled. "He's incredibly weak. But the queen." Zoltan paused again. Laughing softly to himself as he pointed his finger overhead and waiting for Jordan's eyes to follow to a redhead with red-brown skin at their zenith. Throwing a dizzying flurry of punches and uppercuts at her opponent. "The Queen was crowned only a few weeks ago," Zoltan said. "Jade Erso. They call her the Queen of Hearts because of her... ideas. But she's strong."

"I remember her." Gelos offhandedly commented from the side. His focus not even flinching from the duel unfolding just to their right.

"I see" Jordan nodded with mildly piqued interest. Gazing around once more to take a close look at the three individuals in question. "And you said I disrupted the court? That means I'm the Jack?"

"Unofficially." Zoltan sighed impatiently as he again, looked over his shoulder. "But you haven't been christened. Once you are, you can challenge them all to become the new Ace, if you want."

"Not interested." Jordan snorted loud enough for more than a few people to hear with crystal clarity.

"Ah." Zoltan rocked back on his heels as he nodded before turning abruptly. "Well. See you." He waved over his shoulder.

"Where you off to?" Gelos asked. Suddenly turning to face the other two.

Still drifting away, Zoltan huffed impatiently behind him. "Work."

"Work!?" Jordan turned. "Where?"

"I bounce and tend at Clyde's Bar in Jude." Zoltan sighed as he reluctantly stopped and turned to face them.

"Interesting." Jordan frowned in contemplation. "Rough crowd?"

"As rough as anywhere else." Zoltan lifted his bulky shoulders in a shrug. "I can put in a word for you, if you like?"

"Nah." Jordan waved him off. "Not allowed."

"Right." Zoltan glanced down to Jordan's shoulders before nodding subtly and stepping off once more. Waving behind him. "Well, See you."

For the next hour, Jordan and Gelos stayed in place. Watching silently at the constant duels starting, finishing or carrying on until they aimlessly trailed out of the community center to lounge about on the float for a few hours. Spending the time people watching and surveying the lower levels of Choece to find out wherever the city of Jude was, and in turn Clyde's Bar.

"Are we going?" Gelos asked without breaking his gaze from a few Galilean's timidly drifting by some twelve meters away. Digital red orbs shimmering above their shoulders to proudly showcase their negative balance. "Our day of celebration still isn't over, ya know."

'You just wanna test out your implants.' Jordan snorted to himself as he returned his boots to the surface with distinctive clicks. Then turned to face Gelos a troublesome grin. "Do we ride there, or get our rides sent there?" He asked.

Descending down the opposing support spire they traveled up on, the two returned to the lower levels of Choece and promptly retrieved their bicycles to undergo the roughly hours ride to the city of Jude. A massive footprint of a metropolis that made Bronio look like child's sand pit.

Like the trees of a leviathan forest, thick, massive buildings rose from the floor to the ceiling of the habitation layer. Their branches of steel twisted and wound around each other like girthy vines that were timid to touch one another while their trunks sat separated by hundreds of meters of orchids and farm fields. Shadowed intermittently with winding elevated walkways and paths throughout.

Once they seamlessly pushed through the mega-buildings entrance, they continued riding through the winding structure. Gazing, wide-mouthed in stupor, through the glass ceilings and windows that afforded perpetually shifting views of Choece's exterior landscape.

The digital paths laid out before Jordan sputtered out of existence as Gelos skidded to a halt ahead of him. Gesturing to the glimmering green sign seemingly hovering above a set of double doors.

After securing their rides, Jordan and Gelos walked side by side into the establishment. A linear space seemingly cut into the wall that stretched back nearly thirty meters. A large, rectangular bar stood at the center which immediately made Jordan think of a squat pillar. Surrounded by lowered dance floors on the left and right sides and elevated floors in the front and back areas that contained private seating alcoves.

Carefully, they roamed the perimeter of the bar until the found a few vacant stools by the counter.

"What'll you have?" The bartender closest to them shouted over the cacophony of voices and music. She had cream-caramel skin and loosely curled hair that gracefully fell below the counter itself.

"Chicken tenders and fries." Gelos excitedly ordered before Jordan could even answer. "Seasoned well and coated in powdered sugar. With a serving of honey mustard."

Jordan frowned curiously at Gelos before looking back to the bartender and saying, "A double shot of spiced rum."

"It's a good combination." Gelos shrugged, having noticed Jordan's earlier gaze.

Jordan held off on any words and instead, asked to try some for himself once Gelos' plate arrived. A few minutes and rubies later, Jordan was next to Gelos. Greedily hovering over his own plate of sweet, salty and tangy goodness. Wolfing it down as if it were about to disappear.

Not even seconds later, Jordan was sitting before an empty plate. Staring enviously at Gelos, savoringly indulging in the still heaping remnants of his meal. A position that allowed him a clear view of a random man, staggering onto the bar to loudly beckon the tender. Inadvertently spilling ale over Gelos' plate in the process.

Time seemed so lurch to a standstill as Jordan watched Gelos' face flush red with anger. Along with a gruesome roar, Gelos clutched his plate in his hand and swung it into the drunkards face. Smashing his nose and sending chicken, sauce and ceramic shards hurtling throughout the place.

Before the drunk could even retaliate, body after body began to fling themselves across the bar in a sudden drunken rage.

Jordan shrugged his inhibitions away and followed Gelos' lead. He gripped his plate in hand before swinging it blindly around him. Releasing the remnants after it crushed to bits in his hands, Jordan bent down to pry the stool from its screws and tossed it across the room before letting loose a small degree. Slapping the nearest crazed people and otherwise swinging with wild abandon for a few moments before catching sight of the oncoming bouncers and grabbing Gelos by the collar.

Dragging his friend behind him, Jordan circumnavigated the oncoming detail and ducked off into an alcove near the entrance where he worked to calm him down a still infuriated Gelos.

Just as he calmed, Jordan caught sight of the bulky albino carrying a couple of drunkards by their necks to the door. Where he promptly threw them outside and turned on his heels. Seemingly ignoring their continued shoves and slurs.

[Untouched Bar Brawler: +20 points.]

[Clean getaway: +30 points.]

[Merit: 440]

Jordan stared emptily as the notifications appeared and faded along the curved walls. While he supposed he should've felt happy to have received more points. Shortly after their training had begun, he'd feel the nagging, almost fearful sensation, whenever his points rose. It was a miniscule feeling at first. After the first two weeks, they'd received twenty points each for 'diligent training.' Triggering Jordan's sudden phobia. Twenty more points were awarded after each subsequent two-week period. Intensifying the illogical fear of Jordan's inevitable promotion with each passing time.

"You know," Gelos suddenly said. "You may have no interest in Talos' hierarchy; or in being the Ace of some rec center." He chuckled. "But, it would be a great way to get us some points.

"I suppose." Jordan groaned out a shrug.

"And." Gelos continued. Raising a solitary finger. "If you become the Ace, then disappear. That'll be like giving a big 'fuck you' to their established system. Which will only build your rep. And." He added with a wiggle of the finger. "It'll get people to start following you. Or at least make them want to."

"Okay." Jordan hesitantly sighed. "Okay." As much as he hated to admit, all of his arguments were the type of logic Jordan couldn't really argue against. Despite his irrational point phobia.

Save one. "However." Jordan warnfully wiggled his own finger back at the Martian. "This party of ours will be exclusive." He declared. "Fred was only a prospect because he's a med-tech."

"Then what about Zoltan?" Gelos asked almost apprehensively. Nodding towards the Ganymedean settling in behind the bar. "I assume we aren't here only for information, drinks and celebration."

"Eh." Jordan shrugged as he ducked out of their alcove. "Let's see if his drinks are any good first."

"At least I won't get pissy-drunk this time." Gelos groaned behind him.

"Hello, Mr. Burns." Jordan nodded with a sly grin as he settled onto the stool with a wave to Zoltan. He reached to an open topped box with his free hand to pull out a small poker chip that he placed dramatically placed in the jar as Zoltan waddled before them with inquisitive eyes.

"Jordan." Zoltan nodded in turn. Looking at Jordan strangely as he reached under the bar and began pour him and Gelos a drink. "It's on the house," he said. "Penance, for me losing my temper when we first met."

"Whatever you say." Jordan sighed. Suddenly remembering Zoltan's once edgy-demeanor.

As Gelos properly introduced himself to Zoltan, Jordan reached for another chip while quickly shooting the liquid down.

"As a bartender, I'm sure you hear many things, yes?" Jordan asked once they were finished. Depositing another chip and reaching for another while he gently slammed the glass onto the counter. "Saturnian things, perhaps?"

"Oh!" Zoltan rocked backwards on his heels as if he somehow understood all there was to know about Jordan Astros. Subtly nodding to himself as he said, "I… heard, about your knight hunt."

"How?" Jordan asked expressionlessly. Withdrawing his hand from the jar's mouth.

"I'm a bartender." Zoltan shrugged with his hands. "I hear things."

"Right." Jordan snorted. Tossing the chip inside before quickly grabbing another one. "But you hear nothing about knights, I presume? Specifically about their rank structure. Augments. Implants. Rewards for slaying them. Anything?"

"This isn't exactly a tourist spot for Saturnians, Jordan." Zoltan sternly replied as he poured another round. "Most people avoid them on campaign. As a matter of fact, you're the only one I know of to have run into one, twice."

"So you know nothing." Jordan coldly pointed out as he deposited two more chips. Then quickly took the shot. "Then, what can you tell me about the gangs within the lower levels?" He gasped.

"This isn't Europa." Zoltan scoffed. Shaking his head as he poured yet another round. "The most you'll find here are bands of drivers and riders roaming the hab."

"What do you mean?" Gelos suddenly perked up. Seemingly utilizing the time to postpone his indulgence. If only for a few seconds.

"People here like to race." Zoltan shrugged with his hands. Eying Jordan questioningly as he deposited another chip into the Jar.

Jordan snorted loudly as he rocked backwards in his seat to swallow the fiery liquid and return back to the bar with the loud bang of tempered glass on synthetic wood. "How boring."

Zoltan only chuckled equally as loud as Jordan's expression and shook his head from side to side as he humorously bounced in place. "You'd be surprised."

"About Talos' court," Jordan said. Ignoring Zoltan's comment as he pulled yet another chip from the box and deposited it into the jar. "What are they like?"

"Well." Zoltan tilted his head backwards while he paused as if to read the ceiling for answers. "Biff refrains from getting promoted to prolong his reign over Talos for as long as he can. He says he's only doing it for a month to claim a perk of some kind. But, everyone still hates him for it. Still." He paused for a hesitant sigh. "He's strong. Worse, he's pompous and arrogant."

"How does he refrain from getting promoted?" Jordan asked. Hovering two more chips above the jar.

"He goes on spending sprees every time he wins a duel or campaign." Zoltan laughed, seemingly in contemptuous admiration as he upturned the bottle once more. "He somehow manages to spend hundreds of thousands of rubies in days to keep himself in the 800 range. Allowing him to bully the new rookies for as long as we wants."

"My favorite." Jordan huffed into his glass. Hiding his curling lips from Zoltan and even Gelos. "And the others?" He gasped a few seconds later after slamming the glass down.

"Lee is a little kiss ass." Zoltan hissed. "He lives in Biff's shadow and is desperate for the approval and attention of everyone who comes the Center. He's obnoxiously loud, but soft as baby shit. And his merits only come from the misguided approval of his subordinates."

"Jeez." Jordan laughed. Shaking his head as he threw another chip into Zoltan's jar. "And the queen? You said she was an idealist?"

"Kinda." Zoltan sighed. "Jade wants to take Biff's spot. Turn the Community Center into a place where the stronger E-Rankers train and mentor the rookies who come into Talos. Turn that into a new tradition or something."

'How dull.' Jordan thought to himself as he nodded to Zoltan for another round. Eying him closely while he asked, "What weapons do they use?"

"Jade and Lee both fight unarmed." Zoltan replied as he suddenly looked away with a hint of annoyance. "Why do you ask?"

"Obviously, I'm gonna challenge them." Jordan phlegmatically replied. "What do you think our odds of winning are?"

"The two of you versus the three of them?" Zoltan eyed the two of them with skeptically. "It'd be difficult," he finally grunted after a few moments. "But, I'd say you have a strong chance of winning. Given your… experience."

"I see." Jordan rocked back in his seat. "Last question, then" he said. Waving another chip above the jar's maw. "Would you like to join us in toppling the court?"

Zoltan crossed his arms tightly around his chest as he arrogantly cocked his head backwards and unfurled a foul grin. "What's in it for me?"

"What you've always wanted." Jordan snorted. "To be the Ace of Talos. I get my points. You get your title. And we go our separate ways. It's a win-win."

"It's unwise to assume what others want, Jordan." Zoltan snorted himself as he shrugged with his shoulders. "But, why not? I accept."

"Good." Jordan grinned. Rocking backwards again as he drank the last shot and deposited the chip into the jar.

[Big Tipper: -1 point.]

[Merit: 439]

[Warning!: Tipping to Zoltan Burns is suspended for 23: 59: 58]

**

"So." Zoltan suddenly turned away from the winding roads of Choece's surface looming below to face Jordan and Gelos with a curious gaze. "What'll you do after toppling the court."

"Oh, I don't know." Jordan shrugged. "Gang related things."

"Right." Zoltan snorted in bemusement while his head shook. "What kind of gang?"

"A bicycle gang." Gelos laughed.

Zoltan hung his head low as he chuckled to himself. Pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm telling you." He laughed again a moment later. Looking up to meet Jordan's gaze. "You should check out these races. Every four weeks, people from across the lower levels of Choece gather to race around the circumference of the hab. Either on foot or on any muscle-powered vehicle. And anything goes."

Jordan's ears perked up. "Anything?"

"Fighting and such." Zoltan grinned. "It gets violent. And lasts almost a week."

"Sounds interesting." Jordan admitted. Soon after, the apparent gravity began to wane until the only thing keeping him in place on the lift was its subtle acceleration. He activated his mag-boots before turning back to Zoltan with a reassuring smile. "Maybe we'll give it a look-see after we're done here."

"It's weird seeing you all alone. I mean, considering how we met you." Gelos chided as they drifted through the entrance to the Center. Seemingly to himself before he turned to Zoltan with a curious gaze. "What happened to your friends?"

"Tobias was my only friend." Zoltan huffed. "We grew up here. Spend ages floating around Talos to stay away from our parents eyes. But he's away, seeing his family. The others only followed me because of my prior position. "

"Nice to finally meet our Jack." A lanky man with wood-brown skin exclaimed from above as he drifted towards the trio. Halting a few meters before Jordan in an inverted orientation. His head was shaved all around his head, save the top which was left to grow to a length that left it wafting around his head like a scarf. "My name is Lee Haruno," he said with a nod. "King of Talos."

"My name is Jordan." He sneered. Scanning his surroundings and the dozens, if not hundreds of eyes currently focused on them. "Where's Jade and Biff?"

"Hmm." Lee scoffed pretentiously as he quickly looked around. His grin growing with each passing gaze before he returned his eyes to Jordan with fully revitalized arrogance. "Watch your mouth, Jack. Mind you again that I'm the-"

"The self-proclaimed king of the few E-Rankers who actually come to Talos' community center." Jordan finished Lee's words with an exaggerated snort. "I have zero interest in your empty titles. I only want to challenge the proclaimed 'strongest' and move on with my life."

Lee sneered out a sigh as he reoriented himself to connect his feet to the ground and stand upright to tower over Jordan and look down on him with contemptuous eyes. "You have to play by the rules, Jordan. Talk to Biff and learn your role. Then, challenge Jade before you step to me."

"This is the Galilean Powers." Jordan chided. "There are no rules. And even if there were, I wouldn't follow them if they were implemented by a coward who lives in the shadow of another coward."

"Who's the coward!?" Lee spat. Suddenly leaning forward in unbridled rage.

"You." Jordan calmly replied with a nod of the head towards Lee. "Who's afraid to campaign. And Biff as well." He snorted. "Who's afraid to get promoted. Though, I digress." Jordan reeled back as he mockingly raised his hands in surrender. "Perhaps I should just let Jade beat you first. Then take on her and Biff along with my two companions here." Jordan paused to grin and gesture to Gelos and Zoltan to either side of him.

Lee's face paled a certain degree as he obviously considered his limited options. A paleness that quickly diluted as he nervously looked around at all the eyes severely focused on their position.

"What do you think is worse?" Jordan egged him on. "Being slain by her hands, or mine?"

"W- we don't campaign." Lee stammered. "We duel here."

"Then that means your titles truly are empty. And that this place really is boring." Jordan scoffed. Shaking his head before a wide, sadistic grin peeled over his face. "Fighting to the death is when you really find out who's stronger. So, let's campaign. Me, Gelos and Zoltan. Versus you, Jade and Biff."

"And why should we?" Lee protested.

"Merit for starters." Jordan shrugged before gesturing around them. "And, because I'm confident that you'd like to brag about having slayed an Astros. Right?"