Gath grunted to themselves as they finished a call with one of their external captains. While seven of their captains worked alongside Gath, three of them had separate jobs, and had been inducted into the 1000th Legion while continuing their duties elsewhere on neutral territories.
Veliir was originally from the 500th Legion, who specialized in treating other races, and worked as a travelling medic. They had saved a family of baby Banikans from a forest fire on Teraspit, the only neutral world in Banikan territories, risking themselves not just by carrying the babies from the flames, but being brave enough to perform CPR on one of them while a highly dangerous, panicking adult watched over them.
Isseer was a much simpler Rethan who ran an ice cream shop on the neutral world of Kespasta, within Spast territories. Isseer once belonged to an external protection legion but didn’t enjoy the monotony and decided to set up an ice cream parlour called Icy Isseer’s Ice Creamery. However, a flood struck the city where Isseer worked, and not only did Isseer risk themselves to save a bus full of scared Spast school kids, but they also opened up their place to feed as many Spasts as possible for free, until emergency services could take over. Gath had just gotten off the phone with Isseer, who seemed incredibly happy. They were considered a local hero, and had used that fame to make their ice cream parlour more popular, while also experimenting in new flavours, one of which had been a major hit.
The last of Gath’s external captains was Retvik. Everyone knew Retvik these days. The Lightbearer, the Triumphant Champion, the famous gladiator. Retvik often found himself getting into trouble saving other people. He helped save a ship full of missing Temthans and Vrekans in January, he saved the life of the High General and of Gath’s partner Relkir by taking a bullet for them and Retvik even somehow managed to assist the gods in fighting some sort of corrupted entity. Really, it angered Gath that Retvik had remained an exile for so long, but Retvik had been repatriated recently. Also, Gath was about to call them and check in on them.
However, Retvik didn’t answer at first. Which was odd. A second call five minutes later did procure an answer though.
“Hello General, how can I help you? I am sorry I missed your first call, I was a little busy.”
“No worries, Captain Retvik! How are you? You seem out of breath.”
“Apologies, Kyr Gath, I just finished a match. My 301st win, against Kayess-En. She keeps on challenging me and I do not know why, this was my fourth match against her and I won handily. Is something wrong?”
Gath smiled. They had never liked Kayess-En or Retha Squad One. They considered the team a little too pompous.
“Ah, wonderful. Yet again proving your strength! Thankfully, nothing is wrong. I actually just called to check in on my external captains, those who do not work for me directly, and you are my last call for today.”
“I see… Um…” Retvik suddenly seemed somewhat hesitant. “Um… Can I… Can I ask a potentially very weird question? Although… before I ask… how is my little sibling? I ought to ask how the High General is too, but I saw them on television last night in their monthly speech and they seemed fine, but I did not see Relkir on stage.”
It pleased Gath that Retvik had asked about Relkir. “My darling partner is doing splendid. They seem to have caught a cold though and are staying at home as to not spread it around.”
“Ah, good… wait, not poten-partner?”
“Well… legally, yes, poten-partner. For now. That will change. Question for you, Retvik, how would you rate your leadership skills?”
“In what scale?” Retvik asked back. “Because I can lead a very small team and I am happy to delegate but I have never managed a large team of vok.”
Gath jotted down Retvik’s comment, then decided to ask a few more things. Just to see how Retvik was doing. “Are you keeping well? Staying healthy? How are things at home?”
“Everything is good, Kyr Gath. I am a little nervous though, every new match I have will set a new record, and I am… almost waiting for someone to beat me. That… brings me to… what I wanted to ask.”
That nervousness returned. Gath wondered if Retvik got nervous around others, or if it was just because Gath was his superior and Retvik wasn’t quite sure how to speak. After all, Retvik had been legion-less for most of his life. Or maybe he was just about to ask his boss something really stupid.
“What is it, Retvik?”
“Alright, I… I ought to explain. I have been a gladiator, a house fighter, for thirty years now, but I have never had the chance to play the Big Bad in Thirteenth Night. The Raptor refuses to let me, but House Master Tromos, the head house fighter, said he will try and get the Raptor to reconsider should we convince another Rethan house fighter to try for the role. I convinced my friend Abius and they said yes, but Abius requested that I ask you… uh… Alright, basically, Abius wants a 1v1 fight against you.”
“Huh…”
Gath could tell that Retvik had been dreading asking that question.
“I like Abius. One of my favourite fighters.”
“You do?”
“Indeed. I admire their little gimmick and sheer strength. Unfortunately, I cannot fight any more. Too many health issues, I have prostaxia yet again and… Hmph, it is a shame, five years ago, I would have accepted. But I cannot now.”
Gath expected Retvik to be vaguely upset, but he wasn’t.
“That is perfectly understandable, General. Abius will understand, and I am sure they will be thrilled to hear that they are one of your favourite gladiators.”
“Heh…”
Gath trailed off and thought to themselves, before glancing at a nearby calendar. They then checked their work schedule, as well as a secondary calendar with notes scrawled on the front. It occurred to Gath that they hadn’t actually been on holiday this year. Admittedly, Gath didn’t normally take much vacation time, mostly because their work had always distracted them from their permanent loneliness, but things were different now. And Gath had… less time than they would have liked. A trip with his dear Relkir, to a nice, warm holiday spot, would be a great opportunity to… do some things, make some great memories.
“Retvik, may I ask a question?”
“Of course, General.”
“Is Palaestra nice at this time of the year?”
“It is almost always nice in Palaestra. It is a popular tourist spot, even outside the Great Arenas.”
“Are there any nice, quiet areas?”
“Are you thinking of coming to Palaestra for a holiday?”
Gath sighed. Retvik wasn’t stupid. “Yes, actually.”
“Well, it is a good destination. Not too far either, so the flights are reasonable.”
“If I visited Palaestra, would you give me a tour of the Arenas?”
“I… I am not known for my tour guide skills, but yes, I can show you around.”
“Wonderful!” Gath beamed. “Well, I now need to make some arrangements. Just need to finish up here and I can go home and plan… Oh, with time zones, I realise you still have a few more hours of work.”
“Yes, Kyr Gath. I ought to probably get back to training.”
“Very well. Thank you for the chat, Retvik. Keep up the good work!”
“Thank you General. Have a nice day, please give Relkir my regards.”
“Goodbye.”
Gath closed the call, then smiled to themselves. With the last of their chores out of the way, Gath switched everything off, jotted a few things down, then decided to head off. As they got up from their desk, one of Gath’s captains came to check in on them.
“Is everything well, Kyr Gath?”
“Everything is amazing!” Gath beamed. “Are you all done with your work for today?”
The captain nodded.
“Good. Feel free to finish up, then head home. I am about to do so myself.”
“Of course, General.”
Still smiling, Gath grabbed their stuff and left their office. However, they didn’t go home straight away. Instead, they headed down to the main level of the building, where, hopefully, Relkir was finishing up with their own work. Gath couldn’t wait to tell Relkir about their holiday suggestion…