than he looked, holding up his hands and backing down. “I don’t fight females.”
“You will fight this female. You’ve insulted my house and my ancestors.” Henny spat at his feet, knowing the insult could not go unanswered by any jit warrior. She’d studied her enemy well and knew their weaknesses. The entire room grew uneasy, some of the men shuffling and grumbling to themselves.
Bless her heart, the captain was at her side in a flash, the emperor not far behind.
“Sire, she challenges me!”
Henny was surprised by the big lunk of a warrior appealing to his emperor before she could even get a word out. Henny stood back, watching the byplay.
Emperor Tigh’s expression was grave but full of respect when he turned to her.
“The women call you sensei, which my intended informs me means teacher. Among the jit’suku warrior class, teachers are held to higher standards than regular warriors, be they male or female. And yes, we have—had—a small number of female instructors, so there is precedent for what you have done here. Was it your intent to challenge this warrior to combat?”
Henny bowed her head in what she knew was the proper jit’suku form of respect. The warriors grumbled. “I have studied your ways, Emperor Tigh. I knew what I was doing when I challenged this warrior. Your crew needs convincing of our skills, and this warrior in particular needs a good swift kick in the—”
“Henny,” Captain Gin cut her off, and Henny had to suppress a grin, “do you really think this is wise? Or even necessary?”
“With all due respect, Captain, it is very necessary if we are to establish our place among these men.”
Ginny nodded, her eyes speaking volumes. “Don’t lose then, Chief.” Ginny backed off, her support clear.
Tigh faced the young warrior. “Male or female, when a challenge is issued by a teacher, it must be answered.”
Henny knew that the answer could go either way, but if the man refused to fight her, he’d lose serious amounts of face with his buddies. Such challenges were almost never refused, and the troublemaker she’d selected didn’t disappoint. His hands moved to the fastenings of his weapons, and he stripped off the belts that held his energy rifle and other arms. This fight would be hand to hand.
Henny grinned with feral intensity as she turned back to her women. This was going to be good.
“Does your Armsmaster know what she’s doing, truly?” Tigh asked Ginny as they moved to the side to watch. A space had cleared in the center of the gym area, and the two opponents now faced each other, preparing to battle.
Ginny grinned, her eyes intent on the combatants. “Oh, yeah. Henny’s one of the most gifted and highly trained martial artists in our galaxy. Your man doesn’t stand a chance.”
“Amazing.” Tigh stood back, making certain they were well out of range of the confrontation.
“Wait ‘til you see her in action. The sensei will be teaching all your men a lesson today.”
“Not to underestimate her?”
Ginny sent him a sidelong glance. “Not to underestimate human females, in general, and my crew, in particular.”
The fight started after the traditional exchange of respectful bows. Almost immediately, it became quite clear that the jit’suku warrior was outclassed. He seemed slow and bulky in comparison to the lithely athletic woman, who dodged and wove around him. Occasionally, she would get in strikes of her own, but she never once came even close to receiving any of the blows the giant warrior sent in her direction.
After a few minutes, Henny clearly decided to end the battle. She moved in closer to the large man, setting him up beautifully for the leg sweep she had taught the class earlier. In a windmill of flailing arms, the male warrior went down hard, landing on his ass in an ungraceful heap.
A few of his comrades laughed as Henny positioned herself above him for what would be an incapacitating or killing blow. But the final strike would never be delivered. This battle was done. With surprisingly good grace, the big warrior conceded the victory. There was no loss of face in a battle fairly fought.
Henny graciously offered the young man a hand up, and he accepted after just a moment’s deliberation. The crowd of watchers seemed still undecided, however. The battle had been too short, and with an opponent who was too young to really test the woman’s capability.
But she seemed to realize that. With a scoffing gesture, she motioned to the crowd. “Anyone else? I need