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The "Workout" was, as always, held in the Crystal Coves gymnasium. We had a hundred by fifty-meter area, most of which was covered in natural canvas mats. Exercise machines decorated the perimeter, and most were in use. In one corner a large group of Hosts and Hostesses, dressed only in what nature had bequeathed them, were doing an aerobic dance exercise routine.

A large number of Marines attended these sessions hoping to show the Duke what they were capable of, and many were transferred to his private forces because of their showing here. I had my own group, from Cynthia's, that I was taking through advanced training. It was to this group that I first went to, having stopped at the change room, on the way in, to change into the traditional Martial Arts uniform, a "Gi." Mine had a black belt wrapped twice around my waist and tied. I had given Lance a white belt for his Gi. I had been lucky enough to find two unused lockers that were side by side, this was a hectic time of day, and had made sure that Lance was wearing his Gi correctly.

Michelle and Jack were at a nearby mat, both wore brown belts and were trying to "kill" each other, but they kept forgetting what it was they were doing every time they got into the clinch.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. This is Larry Young; he's the Senior Secretary at Caribbia's Embassy. Would someone like to volunteer to give a demonstration?"

I interjected, "Who is best here?"

With almost one voice the group shouted "Serina."

"Then, won't you show me," he said, as he stepped on the mat. I walked on to the mat cautiously, not knowing what to expect. From the confident way that he carried himself on the mat I suddenly realized that I really did not know just what skills he had, if any. I did not want to hurt my Lance, but at the same time knowing that I had to uphold my reputation if I wanted to maintain my control over my group. I bowed and he mimicked me then we circled, in a manner of speaking, dancing around each other. Without any windup or other signal to alert me Lance dove toward me, in a gymnast's front roll, closing the gap between us. Instinctively I tried to react, but I had never encountered such a move and was at a loss as to how to counter it. As he surged to his feet, his hands flashed out, one hand darting snake like behind my back, the other grasping my right hand firmly in his, I braced myself as best as I could, not having encountered any throw that started from such a position. Suddenly, I found myself dancing across the mat, as everyone else laughed at the surprise in my eyes.

Just then Sir James stalked up to our mat, a disappointed expression on his face as he looked at me. My group sang out "Sensei!" as they assumed the formal or "Naore" stance relaxing into the informal or "Yoi" stance. Sir James brusquely motioned me off the mat and took up a Naore stance against Lance. Sir James was indeed an impressive figure. Even when dressed in the simple canvas Gi, with his red belt wrapped around his waist. Fire flashed in Sir James eyes as he confronted Lance. "This is no game young man, this is life and death, and if you want to keep your life, you must give death."

"Ah . . ., but my life is a game," Lance replied. However, if this is your wish," and he bowed low to Sir James. The instant that Lance was no longer looking at Sir James, Sir James reacted, for this was the first lesson that we learned "Never, never, take your eyes from your opponent." Sir James leapt in a front kick aimed directly at Lance's head. Lance was no longer there. As if he had eyes in the back of his head he had contrived to turn his bow into a roll and had gone, with perfect timing, under Sir James' kick. Rising swiftly to his feet, he pivoted. As Sir James turned to see where Lance was, Lance took him in his arms, as he had done with me, and the Duke found himself dancing across the mat, as my group howled with laughter. For the next half-hour, we were treated to the most outrageous antics that you could imagine, as Lance danced, rolled, and pirouetted his way out of harm's way—never once showing any skill in the martial arts other than an uncanny ability to avoid contact.

No matter what Sir James tried, he just could not touch Lance. However, every now and then the Duke found himself waltzing across the mat, with Lance leading, all of which absolutely infuriated Sir James. Finally, Sir James stopped trying while he got his breath back. I looked around and found that we were now surrounded, shoulder-to-shoulder, by my special group from Cynthia's.

I guess that the Duke also noticed as he motioned me to his side. "T'gerr, muster your group and send them on to the Lady de Winters on Draco, they will transfer from there and join you later. We are leaving tonight, at twenty-two hundred hours, for your next assignment. Make sure that, that man" and he pointed to Lance, "comes with you. Use whatever force it takes." Then not waiting for an acknowledgment of his orders, he turned and left the gymnasium.

Turning to Lance I said, "That was the Duke of Paldonia that you wanted to meet. I'm not sure that you picked the right way to impress him." I said thoughtfully, "He is a man of tremendous pride." Then, mentally writing Lance off, it wouldn't have worked anyway, and while his attention was focused on the doorway that the Duke had left by I sucker punched him—once to the solar plexus, then as he collapsed, I finished him off with a knockout blow delivered with my knee to his chin. He folded up soundlessly, collapsing into a small pitiful heap of white canvas and broken dreams.

I glanced around at the startled faces packed close around me, quickly I passed the word. While they were absorbing the news, I had my right-hand man and personal aide—Corporal "Tiny" Tremain—get Michelle and Jack.

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that I was a little rough on your new Senior Secretary," I informed Jack and Michelle as they approached, using just the right touch of apology in my voice. "However, the Duke has given orders that he be taken care of by his personal physician. Jack, can you cover for him until he is better?"

"Certainly, I can remember how sore I was after my first lesson with you!" Jack said, with a reminiscent chuckle in his voice.

I told off "Tiny" to bring Lance to my room, in the Dukes suite, and then dismissed the others. Once in my room I quickly packed and well before twenty-two hundred hours Tiny and I were waiting in Sir James's palatial foyer.