We're in Space ... So What?

Chapter 5: I Guess My New Life is All About Money

Judah was thrown unceremoniously into the dust-filled pit, the alien crowd roaring from above, eager for blood. His new "owner," a warlord named Glorvak, stood at the edge of the arena, his tusked face grinning as he barked orders to the arena keepers. The pit's floor was hard and dry, caked with the remnants of previous battles-some of which ended poorly for the participants.

"Let's see what this human is made of!" Glorvak boomed, his voice echoing through the pit.

Judah, his wrists still bound by heavy cuffs, scanned the arena, noting its high walls and the assortment of weapon racks scattered around. It was designed for death, and Judah had no intention of becoming its latest victim.

A massive gate at the far end of the pit creaked open, revealing his first opponent: a towering alien with four arms, each one holding a different weapon-a spiked mace, a blade, a net, and some kind of electric whip.

Judah swallowed hard. This wasn't going to be easy.

The alien charged, its roar shaking the ground as it closed the distance between them in a matter of seconds. Judah darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the swing of the mace. His eyes locked onto the weapon rack closest to him, and he sprinted toward it.

Just before the alien could land a blow with the whip, Judah grabbed a heavy steel sword from the rack and turned, using his momentum to block the next strike. The sound of metal clashing reverberated through the pit.

The crowd went wild.

Judah was strong-stronger than most-but even he knew brute force wouldn't be enough against an opponent this size. He needed a strategy. The alien swung again, its net aiming to trap Judah. He dodged, rolling across the ground and kicking up dust as he came to his feet.

The alien grunted in frustration and came at him again, but Judah had noticed something-its lower right arm, the one holding the whip, moved slower than the others. A weak spot.

Judah waited until the alien committed to a wide swing with the mace, then ducked under its arm and drove his sword into the creature's exposed side. The alien let out a pained roar, staggering back as dark blood poured from the wound.

Judah didn't let up. He drove forward, slashing again and again until the alien collapsed, its body crashing to the ground.

Glorvak clapped, delighted. "Impressive! You might be worth more than I thought."

But Judah wasn't paying attention to Glorvak. His mind was already working. He had learned two things: the warlord valued strength, and the pit had its vulnerabilities. If he could earn Glorvak's trust-or at least convince him that he was too valuable to lose-he might be able to escape.

For now, though, he'd have to survive the next round.

### **Jamie's Solo Adventure: The Merchant's Gambit**

Jamie stood in the bustling trade hall, surrounded by aliens of all shapes and sizes, each one haggling over strange goods. His buyer, an oily-skinned merchant named Kreelix, stood beside him, a self-satisfied smirk on his face.

"Use that silver tongue of yours, human," Kreelix said in his gravelly voice. "Get me a better deal than these fools can manage."

Jamie smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. He had been in tight spots before, but being sold off as some merchant's negotiator was a new low. Still, if there was one thing Jamie knew how to do, it was talk.

He approached the stall of a large, scaly creature selling strange glowing crystals, his mind already whirring. The creature was haggling with another trader, a tall insectoid alien that towered over the crowd. Both were deep in discussion, but Jamie slipped in between them, his easygoing smile disarming.