Free Pledge Allegiance by Rider England Page A

if you prefer,” Sumiko said.
    “No, these are fine.” I may not have touched an energy lance in a while but I knew a few tricks.
    She handed me one of the lances, a mask, and a pair of the gauntlets that had to be worn when using the weapon. The metal lances were electrified and delivered a devastating shock to anything they touched. The gauntlets, which looked as if they were made of dark leather, were actually made of a polymer that was resistant to the lance’s charge. You still had to be careful not to touch your own body with the lance, though, because only your hands were protected. The mask consisted of a polymer hood and face grille.
    Lancers, experts in the weapon’s use, wore whole suits of armor made from the polymer. But for practice purposes, only the gauntlets were worn so that the weapon’s user had to learn precision of movement to avoid shocking themselves. The lack of armor also motivated the practitioners to avoid being hit by their opponent, because even though the weapons were dialed down, they still stung when they touched you.
    Sumiko and I walked to opposite edges of the fighting area. I donned the gauntlets and mask and switched on my lance, trying to remember my academy training. The energy lance was based on the ancient quarter staff and was used in a similar way. The main difference between this modern weapon and the staff of old was the blue spark arcing along the length of its metal surface.
    Before putting on her gloves and mask, Sumiko laid them and her lance on the mat in front of her and removed her kimono. She wore a figure-hugging outfit of black and brown leather that displayed the hard muscles and lithe curves of her body. I was trying to remember my academy training, yet facing me was a woman who clearly trained every day in the martial arts.
    I was about to get my ass kicked and I knew it.
    She slipped the gauntlets and mask on and picked up her lance. It sparked blue as she activated it.
    Advancing slowly, I held my lance with both hands, angling it across my body in a defensive manner. Sumiko held her weapon with one hand, out to the side of her body as if ready to strike. She moved quickly and before I knew it she was upon me, twirling her lance expertly in her hand to avoid the block I attempted to throw in her way.
    I felt a jolt in my ribs like a dozen bee stings. Staggering backward, I swung my lance at Sumiko clumsily. Now she had her lance in two hands. She batted my weapon aside and came in beneath it to deliver a second stinging strike to my stomach. I fell to the mat and rolled to avoid a third attack, regaining my feet quickly out of sheer panic. Even at practice setting, the lances hurt enough that I’d try anything to avoid being hit again.
    Sumiko didn’t give me time to catch my breath. As soon as I was on my feet, she swept her lance at my legs, knocking my feet out from under me and sending a shock through my right calf.
    As I lay sprawled on my back, she stepped over me so that her bare feet were on either side of my torso and placed the tip of her lance inches from my throat.
    “I concede,” I said, holding up my hands.
    She grinned and stepped away, letting me struggle to my feet. My body ached where her lance had touched me.
    “I concede,” I repeated as I stood shakily on the mat. Then I added, “I concede the first round.” I lunged forward, striking Sumiko’s hip with the tip of my lance.
    She let out a squeal that might have been one of pain, or delight that the fight was continuing, and sprang back, bringing up her lance defensively.
    My attack had been a dirty trick but there was no other way I was ever going to land a blow against her. She was too good.
    “You tricked me, Captain,” she said, smiling through the grille of her mask. “I like that.” Then she leaped forward with such speed that I barely had time to raise my weapon. Sumiko lashed out at my lance, pulling it from my hands. It flew into the air and landed at least ten feet