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1. Fencing

Copyright ©2015 Timberwoof Lupindo

Not for Redistribution

The cadets stood in orderly rows, orange and white practice armor securely in place, foils and masks and gloves held in their paws. The fencing alpha, in similar armor but blue and white, looked them over.

"You may be wondering why the Woofheim Space Academy places such an emphasis on the ancient and honorable fighting arts of fencing and swordsmanship. So that's what I'm here to explain and detail.

"Mass weapons such as a war-hammer or axe or morningstar are too unwieldy to use in close quarters of ships, and can be unmanageable in low- or zero-gravity environments. Firearms such as a pistol or long gun would work, but with unexpected consequences. If you hit a weak target inside a ship, you could punch a hole through the skin and kill everybody in the compartment through decompression and sudden exposure to space. If you hit the inside of a heavily armored ship, the slug could bounce around and cause a great deal of excitement. If you hit a pipe or conduit, you could release a poisonous or toxic substance. Energy weapons likewise are dangerous, heavy, and bulky.

"So that leaves us with swords and daggers. Swords are preferred as they have longer reach than daggers. They are generally edged or pointed. Edged weapons work against people wearing little or no armor, but require a swing, which in close quarters on board ship might not work so well. And with armor, you need to strike in the weak points such as on the insides of joints. That's were the epee comes in."

The swordalpha drew a thin blade about the length of a tail. He held it in one hand and bent it to demonstrate its springiness.

"The epee is a weapon for thrusting, for making holes in the opponent's armor, whether that be his space suit, his battle armor, or his skin."

He demonstrated some basic moves. Just showing off, thought Timber.

"Traditional epee rules have been modified for spacesuit combat. The weakest points on a space suit, even an armored one, are the joints: neck, shoulder, under arm, hips, groin, knee, ankle. The point, so to speak, is to pierce the protective layers of the suit in enough places to cause the suit to lose containment and force the wearer to retreat.

"Are there any experienced fencers here?"

Timber raised his paw.

"Ahh, good. Welcome."

The commandant looked him over. "You'll have to get your tail docked."

Timber's tail twitched nervously and the fur stood on end. "No. Alpha."

"What?"

Timber took a breath. "I said 'No, Alpha.' I will not get my tail docked. No Wester Woof has ever given his tail to a liege lord and I will not be the first. Alpha."

The swordalpha glared. "Your tail throws off your balance; it weakens your abilities as a fencer."

He's had this conversation before, thought Timber. Why is he pressing the point?

"Huh. Generations of Wester Woofs, who defended their packs--and their tails--with dignity and honor, disagree with you, Alpha. And if my tail is a disadvantage, then you will have no fear that this Wester Woof will ever rise to prominence on your fencing team. Alpha."

Timber regretted that the instant he said it; it wasn't a very good argument. What he meant to say was to reinforce the alpha's notion that he would not pose a challenge to his dock-tailed stars. He opened his mouth to try to explain that, but he alpha answered.

"Well, cadet, that was a unique argument. And you are right; by regulations I can't actually make you get your tail docked. Let's see what you're made of. Cadet, front and center!"

Timber swallowed and walked smartly to the front of the class. Yes, let's see what this instructor is about, thought Timber. I better be ferocious.

"Cadet, Armor up."

Holding the foil under his arm, Timber put the helmet on his head, then pulled the gloves on.

"Armor ready, Alpha," Timber said.

"On guard!" said the alpha, who immediately advanced.

Timber saw the attack and made ready. He backed up a step, parried the thrust aside, lunged and thrust. Alpha parried and returned with a thrust of his own. Timber dodged with a twist; he backed up his epee and thrust again and hit the alpha in the shoulder joint. That was too easy.

"Point, Cadet."

The instructor put his sword under his left arm and held out his right paw. Timber did likewise. They grasped one another's paws.

"Well done, Cadet," said the alpha.

He drew Timber near as if to whisper in his ear. Timber took the opportunity to whisper to the instructor, "Alpha, you gave me that."

Timber knew it was a risky thing to say, but it was honest. The alpha had given him the opportunity to strike--and he took it. The alpha closed his mouth and looked at Timber ... no one else had heard. He just nodded. They disengaged and the alpha addressed the cadets.

"Get back in line, Cadet."

The alpha went on with his lecture.

"We have a mix of fencers and newbies here, so we're all starting from the same place. The basic stance..."

They drilled and practiced.

"This is a waste of time," grumbled Daschiel quietly.

"Shut up," said Fidibus.

"We know all this stuff," Daschiel insisted.

Fidibus stayed quiet. Timber and Timby just smirked. Here it comes.

"Proper stance is important," said the alpha as he walked around the cadets, checking their posture.

"You have to be able to keep your balance."

The alpha shoved Daschiel in the back. Daschiel stumbled and fell.

"Stance!" yelled the alpha.

Dasciel scrambled to his feet and assumed the proper fencing stance.

"Front foot, back foot, knees bent. As I was saying, you have to have proper balance."

He shoved Daschiel again. This time Daschiel stayed on his feet.

"Good. Maybe you can learn something from me. Do you still think this is a waste of time?"

"No, Alpha." Daschiel looked down.

"Stance! Those woofs over there, from the Wester Wood, have experience. But do you hear them complaining about going over the basics? No, you do not. In this class, I am your Alpha. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Alpha."

The alpha went to the next cadet and shoved. He took a bit of a step but maintained his stance.

Under the fencing alpha's watchful eye the cadets took steps forward and back. Forward and back. Timber rolled his eyes. I don't know how much more of this we have to endure before we get to the real stuff.

"I heard that. Yes, I know you were thinking it. I can read your minds. I've been training fencers since before you kids were in diapers."

A couple of weeks ago, thought Timby.

They lunged and stepped back, lunged and stepped back, and lunged and stepped back some more.

For Timber and Timby, Daschiel and Fidibus, and the other experienced fencers, this was a very basic workout. The newbies were getting it. Slowly.

"That's enough for your first lessons. You're wanted at the chow hall. Training Alpha, they're all yours."

"Aye, Fencing Alpha. Cadets, attention!"

They snapped to.

"You will fall out, deliver your foils to the equipment racks, an march to the chow hall. Now move!"