The first mate of the spaceship opened the communication channel and Mirov appeared again, startled by the speed.

"Have you decided already? I thought you'd be speaking all day with your crew and would only give me the answer tomorrow! Aren't you afraid to face me in a war game?"

"War game?"

"That's it. We'll compete with our best fighters."

"Mirov, we will use the term you have given us. We won't give you any answers before tomorrow, but we need to know more details about these games that you invented. What are the rules you have planned? Let's listen first and decide later."

"They will be war games, as I've already mentioned, divided into stages. We'll have four levels, all of them based on fighting that will give the winning team a score. At the end of the tournament, the team with the most points will be the winner."

Mirov made a strategic pause to let his enemies digest the first information about his games.

"We'll fight with previously chosen teams. Kirubi will be the captain of my team and you, Merko, will be the leader of yours. Do you agree?"

"All is fine up to this point."

"The captain will only choose the other team members and select them for the fights. There will be nine participants in each team, plus a combat robot, totaling eleven fighters including the leader. In the first stage, five individual disputes will occur. Each fight will add a point to the score of the winning team. The second stage will consist of two pairs' matches and each of the matches will be worth two points for the winning team. The third stage will be a fight between the robots of each team: let's put our machines to work! The winning machine will score three points for the champion team. Lastly, the last stage will consist of an individual fight between the last members of each team, the captains. Both will be placed within a virtual maze with deadly enemies, programmed especially for the occasion. Once they entered, the doors and exits will be sealed. The fighters will have to use special virtual reality helmets to recognize the dangers. There's a key in the middle of the maze and whoever picks it up first will be the winner, earning five points for his team. This key will open the maze exit door. Are the rules clear?"

"I think we could understand well."

"That's nice! But there's still a detail I didn't mention. The fighting will be carried out with terrestrial weapons, so that the fighting becomes even more unpredictable and exciting. May the best win!"

"All was understood and clarified, we'll give you the answer tomorrow, as agreed beforehand," Merko said.

The Commander of Star Hunter spaceship looked at everyone on the bridge. Sivoc shook his head and agreed to his participation in the clash. Tibor repeated the act, and Nicholas smiled when Merko looked him in the eye.

He didn't even have to say anything else. He liked games. Everyone in the command room accepted the challenge. Crom also shook his head in affirmation.

"I liked the regulation. The pairs' fights will be exciting and the fight between the robots will be a perfect climax. I would like to take Bob and help him win." Nicholas commented, anxious.

Even with the challenging mood the teammates felt, and the disposition everyone demonstrated, Merko was worried. Many lives depended more than ever on his decision.

"What's behind it? What are Mirov's real intentions?"

Then he looked at Nicholas and said:

"Don't be hasty, my son. We'll all think with caution during this night. We'll analyze every detail of the match and the strategies to beat it. In case Mirov wins or decides not to keep his word at the end of the tournament, we must think of solutions to follow. Tomorrow morning we'll speak again, to make our final decision."

Tibor was excited about the chance to use his cyborg force. Nicholas would never miss the chance to fight in a real game. He was used to playing games when he was a teenager, but this was real now. He would have the chance to show his ability, overcoming the enemies. The others also weighed the pros and cons of this great challenge.

Merko knew he needed to act with caution and wanted all his crew to do the same and think about it. On the next day, they could exchange ideas and make the best decision for the future of humanity.

Commander Merko stretched out his arms, while two women from the crew put his combat armor on him. He thought of the tyrant's challenge: "Why is that fleeting traitor so confident in proposing these games? He must have some diabolical plan hidden in his sordid mind. We need to double our attention." Concentrated on the hologram that showed him the available weapons for the fight, he paused for a moment and straightened, letting the vestment fit. He then gave the order to the first mate on the bridge:

"Lieutenant Kator, open a channel with Mirov's ship!"

Then, Merko appeared in a hologram in Genesis spacecraft and Mirov, who was with his back to the image, watching the others turn their eyes towards the holographic screen, turned around, eager to know the answer. Kirubi also approached, because he knew that the final combat could only be fought between him and Merko. Mirov would be unable to get his hands dirty.

"We'll participate!" The Commander of the battlecruiser Star Hunter responded emphatically, though he perceived some malice in his archenemy's proposal.

"Good choice, captain. Your men are no match for mine, it'll be interesting to see you lose these games", said Mirov, with an arrogant smile. "Be prepared, because I, in person, will coordinate the organization of the games. In a few days, I'll summon everyone for the big competition."

Star Hunter spacecraft returned to a neutral region, between Egypt and Mesopotamia. Meanwhile, the civilized world of that era was preparing for the alien games. The pharaoh and the Sumerian king were warned of the competition and invited to witness the strength of their god, Mirov.

A great field was opened in a neutral territory and an arena was prepared for the execution of the Games of the Gods. Both kings and their entourages were transported to the place of the competition. Among them was the one considered one of the most beautiful women among the civilizations, Kaenematon's wife.

Kyra, as she was called, had long and smooth hair, as black as the night, flowing through her brown skin, framing the beautiful light brown eyes that looked made of pure honey. No one could overlook that example of Egyptian beauty. In her fists, bracelets covered with precious stones revealed her position at the court and her thin waist was wrapped by an intertwined leather belt. A white gold-trimmed ornament circled her head, and her thick lips gave the finishing touch, painted in red, promising to satisfy unimaginable desires.

As soon as they arrived, everyone was invited to see the construction works that their people were helping build. Kaenematon and his entourage stopped to speak to one of his architects who aided Mirov's engineers.

At that moment, Captain Kirubi walked in the opposite direction of theirs, near the central space of the arena, and stared at Kyra. She returned his gaze, while the pharaoh talked and observed the details of the work.

Kyra felt something strong in her chest and took a deep breath. A shiver ran through her skin, and her heart shook for a moment. It was a fact: Kirubi had moved deeply with her.

Everything was properly planned by Commander Merko. Since the ship Star Hunter's firepower was strong, the ship would be used to fight against the enemies.

If they felt that an ambush had been prepared, they would flee to the region where they prepared the armaments and react on a par.

Zara and Drako were to remain hidden, along with the crew of the other ship, at the bottom of the sea. Nicholas didn't want Zara to take risks either. So, he asked Z8 to open a holographic communication channel to tell her the news.

"Zara, we decided to accept Mirov's invitation to participate in the games, in order to spare as many lives as possible."

"That's an absurd!" Zara said, irritated, her face red. "Merko agreed to this mess? This smells like a trap to me. Mirov's evil and everything he thinks has something dark hidden. Be careful, dear. And watch out, for Mirov's promises are worthless."

"Yes, dear. Merko also asked Drako to track down all enemy ships and robots and warn us of any suspicious behavior. Ask him to protect the perimeter of the game site with bird drones."

"Please, take care!"

"You can leave it to me, my love. We'll win this dispute. Ask Drako to broadcast the games, so you can keep track of everything." He said before turning off the communication.

Seven days were stipulated for the preparations and the formations of the teams would be done in this period. The training of the combat teams began while the arenas were built. On Mirov's side, Captain Kirubi chose the ten components of his team, including the robot.

On Merko's side, Tibor, Nicholas, Crom, Sivoc and the crew members Andreva, Jaiza and Suva, specialists in fights, were chosen.

Two women would still complete the team; Sergeants Thobara and Ghotta. The robot Bob was chosen to join the team. Captains Merko and Kirubi would complete the total of 11 players.

The game modalities and Terran weapons were also chosen by them: bow and arrow, spear, sword, dagger, and war axe. Mirov had already trained his men before the battle with the human weapons and thought that he would have an advantage, since the soldiers of the future used very different battle equipment.

Finally, the big day had arrived. The audience was positioned to watch all phases of the alien games in holograms mounted on the arena. The kings were happy and proud with the announcement of the competitions. Anxious, they waited for its beginning.

The pharaoh Kaenematon and the Sumerian king Assuridor provided everything that was needed for the success of the event: food, drinks, servants; they even offered jewelry and gold to Mirov for him to give the winners valuable prizes. After all, they were all gods from the stars and should be honored.

Mirov, from the top of the tribune, shook his head and glared at Croiff, who came to his aid:

"At your service, great master Mirov!"

"Time to put our plan into action."

"I'll do as you desire."

He went to the place where the food and drink of the rebel ship Genesis' crew was stored, returning with a tray filled with scented, mouth-watering food. Behind him, a line of four more servants followed him, with more food and drink. Croiff approached Sivoc and his team, solicitous:

"Captain, this is an offer of groceries with the delights of our ship to fortify your men to battle. I'm sure the commander and his staff will love the taste of our spices."

"You can leave everything on the table. Thank you for your generous offer."

Croiff and his vassals withdrew after placing the banquet on the table, next to the group. The fighters, attracted by the food, made their way to the table, but Captain Merko gestured with his open hand, ordering them not to touch the food. Even though they were desirous, they all restrained themselves at that moment.

Sivoc looked at Merko, who just stared at him, moving his head. A simple gesture that already said a lot. The captain looked at his soldiers and said:

"Eat and drink only of our own food and drink. We have enough in Star Hunter ship and we don't have to take risks with gifts from the enemy. Our battle is one of life and death, and physical and mental integrity will be essential to our victory."

This disappointed Mirov, who couldn't carry out his plan to intoxicate the rival players. It wouldn't be long and he would think of another way to deceive his opponents.

The arena had a total dimension of three hundred and ninety feet in its smaller diameter and its floor was built of wood, covered with desert sand to hide the blood of the fights.

Concentric arcs in the shape of rings, made of masonry, gave way to the spectators. The royal court was positioned on the highest floor, where there was a cover to protect them from the sun. The energy required for night and the event's lighting was provided by panels of photovoltaic cells that were installed around the site.

What was routine for the extraterrestrial engineers left the Egyptian architects with their jaws dropped, so spectacular was the technology used in all works.

A royal tribune was placed in the highest place so that the kings and Mirov himself could stand to make a speech, if they wished.

The engineers of the battle cruiser Genesis designed the project and supervised the construction, with the help of humans and robots.

Seven long days made everyone anxious and, finally, the time of the opening of the Games of the Gods came. The people positioned themselves in the bleachers, which filled the lateral spaces around the place of the fight. In the center, the fighters would be face to face with each other for the start of their combats. The competitors would walk through a tunnel until they reached their positions and, then, an elevator would lift them to the ends on either side of the arena.

Everyone was already in their positions and the Egyptian trumpets played, announcing the beginning of the games.

Mirov felt again like he had the power in his hands and remembered when he was the king of planet Life. He filled his chest with pride and wanted to take advantage of the moment on the spotlight to give a speech:

"From now on, the Games of Gods begin. There'll be three days of intense fighting. Everyone will watch the combats that will show the world which team is the strongest: my team, who taught you the secrets of the gods, or that of Commander Merko, who was once my soldier. Dirty tricks won't be allowed and, whenever opponents want it, they can manifest and give up, losing the fight in consequence. The fight must go to the end, only ending when one side asks to stop the fight or with the death of one of them. As a rule, the use of teleportation won't be allowed. May the best win! At this moment, the games are open."

The people raised their arms and, with closed hands, shouted, cheering the moment of the beginning of the games.

"Look who's talking about dirty methods... Mirov himself, who gave a coup d'etat and deposed the royal family, imprisoning them mercilessly," said Nicholas.

"It seems unbelievable!" Tibor said, looking at his Terran friend.

Captain Merko listened to the conversation and chose not to say anything. He was focused, thinking of the best strategy to use against his enemies. In fact, he was interested in winning those games, including the final battle. So, he decided to catch Tibor's attention.

"My friend Tibor, have you been able to accurately install all of the attack weapons in the eastern region of the planet?"

"Yes, Captain Merko. I, the military men, and the robots did everything according to your orders. The place's ready for us to win the final confrontation."

Merko shook his head with a look of concern. He understood that it wouldn't be easy to beat the crew of the spaceship Genesis. They all were also well-trained soldiers, and a lot of blood would stain the earth when the real battle began.

"Let's solve one problem at a time. It's time to focus on this dispute", thought the captain.

Merko then assembled his entire team and decided to give them an encouragement speech, while everyone watched him, including the enemies.

"Warriors of Life! Men and women who have dedicated themselves to giving their best in the quest to offer quality to the citizens of our planet. We're here today to win one more battle. This time, in the shape of a game from which we'll emerge victorious. Our union will make our team the best. The future of humanity depends on this, and we'll show all here present that we're strong soldiers, able to fight giving our blood for the perpetuation of the human race. Stay sharp for any trap Mirov may have prepared, and be ready to face our enemies at any time."

The Star Hunter spacecraft crew looked at each other and returned the look of their commander, nodding their heads in a sing of agreement. He ended his speech under a round of applause.

"Beautiful words, captain. Thankfully, I don't even need to address my team because they obey me as servants!" Mirov said, mocking Merko's words.

The captain ignored the rival's comment and the preparations continued, with the chosen players positioning themselves in front of each other.

Mirov's team wore dark blue satin clothing that covered the body from head to toe. Everyone from the crew of the battle cruiser Genesis had silver shock collars around their necks, except for Captain Kirubi, who served Mirov with loyalty. A lead-colored belt of a leather-like material and a silver buckle were worn at their waist.

Merko's team wore a satin-white uniform. The belt was light beige in color and the buckle was gold. They served the commander and their government with fidelity; they wanted to fulfill the mission for which they were entrusted.

Merko and Sivoc were apprehensive. The outcome of the games could change everyone's life, perhaps the future of planet Earth.

They knew Mirov would have several cards up his sleeve and would look for opportunities to defeat his archenemy. But Merko wouldn't give up, he would fight with honor and bravery, and would only take advantage of his powers if it were strictly necessary, for the benefit of his companions or humanity.

Meanwhile, Nicholas was focused and looked at his opponents, who positioned themselves on the other side of the arena. He scanned them, looking for weaknesses. He tried to listen to some conversations with telepathy, without success.

Tibor felt confident, because he had already participated in various battles on his planet. He looked at the Terran and said, telepathically:

"Nick, don't forget what I said. Whatever the drawn weapon is, you're prepared. Don't hesitate asking me for help if you need it. I'll be connected to you."

"Yes, my friend Tibor. I have not forgotten the lessons you taught me. It's time to know if all the effort was worth it."

"Remember: never underestimate your opponent. He trained like you and studies your weaknesses."

"Leave it to me. I'm ready for battle."

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Also read #ThePhantomMan Duology by #ChaieneSantos chaienesantoswriter