METROCITY
Office of Commissioner X, Superheroine Battle Arena
Countessa sat across from Commissioner X, feeling somewhat like a child being lectured by a teacher. Of course she was hundreds of years older than this man, but still she felt somewhat embarrassed by her actions in the arena earlier. Even though Ursa Mega was a professional, super-powered combatant that was provoking a confrontation… Countessa did illegally assault her in front of a stadium full of witnesses.
Twice.
Commissioner X continued his lecture. “The only reason that there aren’t federal agents interviewing us right now is because the containment field around the ring technically makes that a de-powered zone. Otherwise you’d be guily of a super-powered assault in public.”
“hmm…” mused Countessa. In response to the commissioner’s “what?” look, she replied, “I didn’t know about the containment field around the ring. I was wondering why she didn’t fly back over the ring ropes after my first punch. And here I thought it was just because she is a colossal fat woman.”
Commissioner X rubbed the crease between his brows and shook his head. He obviously wasn’t going to be able to intimidate this woman. “Fine. You want to fight Ursa Mega. Ursa Mega wants to fight you. But this isn’t a place for street fights and bar room brawls. We are a professional sports organization and we do have regulations and rules of conduct.”
Countessa looked bored. “Maybe you could just convince the sow to apologize?”
“Yeah, that’s not happening.” Commissioner X flicked his hand and a holo-display appeared above his desk. It was a dossier on Countessa. “You’re fast, strong, heal quickly and have a few hundred years of martial arts training. But your maximum military press is what, about 2200 pounds?” Countessa nodded. “Ursa Mega is able to press roughly 75 tons and is the most skilled grappler in the league. She can literally roll up a Sherman tank into a ball and kick it a quarter mile. You sure you want to fight her in a no-holds-barred arena match?”
“My dear commissioner,” she smiled. “It would be my distinct pleasure to fight her.”
Commissioner X held up his hands. “Ok. I’ll make it happen.”
Countessa stood up, “Tomorrow will be fine with me.”
“Wait a minute!” Commissioner X halted her. “Before you can officially join the league you need to pass the tryout match against a SparBot.”
She put her hands on her hips. “Are you serious?”
“Regulations. Rules of conduct. And then there are legal forms and contracts that you need to fill out with our notaries.”
“Fine. Let’s get those done today and I’ll fight her tomorrow.”
“Whoa, rein it in, missy.” He stood as well. “Assuming you defeat the SparBot there’s a mandatory wait time before you fight again. And we’ll need time for our promoters to splice together a media package for you. After all this IS a grudge match, there’s a lot of social buzz already about the Russian-Romanian war between you two…”
Commissioner X was counting off points on his fingers and Countessa sighed. Suddenly she missed the freedom of doing covert super-missions.