Nothing Personal

[edwarddubin0604]

(Niko is sparring with his Dark Stars partner Kono in the virtual ring the intensity on his face reflects the increasing physicality of his sparring session as he prepares for his championship match with Lord Dominicus. The brutality increases as they continue for what has been hours or maybe days or a week without pause since they are gladiators from another world. Commandrix signals for the sparring to end and after a few more moments of sparring The Dark Stars bellow and shove each other with their knuckles before clapping forearms roaring still as they leave the virtual ring that disappears.)

Commandrix:   "That was a good sparring session."

Niko:  "It was and it felt like days."

Kono:  "More like a week or two in earth time."

Commandrix:  "It was a week non stop."

Niko:  "I could have sparred non stop up to August on the Atlantic III."

Kono:  "Yeah but you would strain yourself and Lord Dominicus could exploit it."

Commandrix:  "Kono has a point Niko.  It's better to rest a bit and resume a bit later on."

Niko:  "Yes Commandrix."

Commandrix:  "Which reminds me you have an interview."

(Commandrix and The Dark Stars go over to a giant screen and she presses a few commands into it and the screen comes to life.  There is a man standing in front of the screen waiting for the interview to begin.)

Commandrix:  "Greetings Mr. Kellen."

Mark Kellen:  "Commandrix where are you and Niko."

Commandrix:  "I'm here but why are you asking where Commandrix and Niko are."

Mark Kellen:  "This is a live studio interview."

Commanxrix:  "You never informed us of this development."

Mark Kellen:  "It was last minute."

(Niko looks like he is fuming but Commandrix looks at him and he remains calm.)

Niko:  "Fine. I'll be there and you better be there when I arrive."

Mark Kellen:  "How will you get there."

(Niko smiles dangerously.)

Niko:  "You'll see."

(Commandrix presses a series of commands and Niko enters the screen and he squeezes through it and enters the studio and is in the face of Mark Kellen.)

Niko:  "Now about that interview with me that you want live in this studio."

Mike Kellen:  "Is that really you."

Niko:  "You want to punch my arm."

Mike Kellen:  "Umm I'll take you at your word."

Niko:  "So let's get on with this interview if you are really committed to this interview."

(Mark Kellen looks a bit nervous but he gets his cue to start the interview.)

Mark Kellen:  "I'm here live with one half of The Dark Stars, Niko, and he's set to take on NPW Double Crown Champion Lord Dominicus.  Niko you've been saying that you costing Lord Dominicus his cruiserweight championship was just business."

Niko:  "That's all it was Mr. Kellen.  It was just business and it was nothing personal and no matter how hard I try to explain it to  everyone and no matter how hard I try to tell everyone.  Everyone thinks it was personal and it wasn't personal.  Yet everyone thinks it is and I'm getting a little sick of it."

Mark Kellen:  "Don't you think it was wrong to attack Lord Dominicus."

Niko:  "Okay ask yourself this question and do it with a straight face if you can actually do that.  If you wanted to settle the score with the champion after two draws and a third match would have settled everything and you would move on.  Yet someone else gets the shot and that begs to ask yourself about what to do about it.  What would you do and answer that question now."

Mark Kellen:  "Ask for a rematch."

Niko:  "I said answer with a straight face.  Seriously Mr. Kellen I was supposed to get that shot and I decided to conduct business and yet nobody likes what I did.  Yet if anyone else did it in any of XHF's feds including here or the XHF.  They would get away with it but if it's a Dark Star it's considered a crime.  So what I did was business and not personal as I keep telling everyone who has intelligence."

Mark Kellen:  "What is your intentions if you do manage to defeat Lord Dominicus."

Niko:  "Glad you asked Mr. Kellen.  If and when I do defeat Lord Dominicus and I do plan on winning.  I plan on reuniting the NPW Cruiserweight and Double Crown Championships and defend them as a proud gladiator and champion.  Then it's the trios championships or tag team championships which ever one is truly available."

Mark Kellen:  "Is this because your pride has taken a hit."

(Niko looks angry but once again controls himself.)

Niko:  "Let's just say everyone seems to have forgotten The Dark Stars and Dark Novas.  Well in this no time limit battle between myself and Lord Dominicus our issues shall be settled once and for all and once again The Dark Stars and Dark Novas shall begin their return to prominence.  We shall be taken seriously and nobody is going to be able to do anything about it."


Mark Kellen:  "You have high goals."

Niko:  "Yes I do but this is just business and not personal goals.  You see I'm doing this for Shaakar and I plan on wining this for him too.  Now before you ask I heard what he mentioned about this statute of limitations as you earthlings use for prosecuting crimes.  The Dark Stars and Dark Novas come from way beyond your earth laws and we are above your earth laws Lord Dominicus.  Oh and I enjoyed your little comedy movie that must have cost you plenty for the cheap cars and actors etc.  At least you have a fall back career as you earthlings call it when you fail at something.  So good luck Lord Dominicus and as for this interview Mr. Kellen it's over and done and like Imentioned always Lord Dominicus.  This last encounter, like the previous two, is business and not personal and we'll see each other in the ring."

(He once again reenters the screen and stands next to Commandrix and Kono as the scene slowly fades to black.)