"Ugh. I smell smoke. There are still riots going on downtown... shouldn't we be helping out at the Tower? The Wild Cards could launch another attack any minute."
"The Tower's safe. The security division killed so many Wild Cards at Cut Throat HQ that I doubt they'll try anything for a while. I'm more worried about getting robbed or something. Keep an eye out."

"Hmph. I wonder if there's anyone out there stupid enough to try to rob the two of us. You know how disgusting your aura looks, right? I think it might be enough to make me vomit if I still had a real stomach."
"Is it that bad? I can try to tone it down a little... how is it now?"
"...it's still gross. But it's better..."

Miss Planner and her assistant Black Wolf were taking a walk through the abandoned and burned-out streets of downtown Grandebelle. She was dressed in a sleek black windbreaker over a white cotton shirt and a pair of baggy gray sweatpants. Black Wolf was wearing a grimy black tank top and brown shorts. There were very few people out and about in the late afternoon. A few homeless people were snooping around here and there looking for a safe place to sleep, a small group of gang members were standing on the side of the road peddling drugs of dubious quality, and a couple of young ladies were taking pictures of the city's destruction. Everyone else had seemingly vanished into the pink haze hanging in the smoggy air above them.

"Do you like martial arts, Black Wolf?"
"Yeah. Where are we going? Are we going to take a kickboxing class or something? I'd just love to smash your tiny little face in."

"Sheesh. How rude. You're in a bad mood today. Actually, I signed myself up for a knife-fighting class."
"Knife-fighting? There are classes for that? Seems kind of trashy if you ask me."

"Well, the knife is the most popular weapon in the Pit for a reason. Its killing power is undeniable, and you can carry one anywhere."
"Are you really trying to learn or is this just part of some idiotic master plan? I've got some buddies who'd teach you for free."

"I'll be doing some consulting work for the Knife Slaves this month, and I want to familiarize myself with their business model before I get started..."
"I knew it. At least you're finally getting some exercise, even if it's for something completely stupid."

The odd pair of Chosen Ones made their way through the ashes of the University District. After crossing a wide bridge over a polluted river, they entered the an area that looked like it was completely untouched by the wave of violence spreading through Grandebelle. The streets were clean and there were no visible signs of looting anywhere. The majority of the buildings were tagged with grafitti, but that wasn't anything out of the ordinary in the Pit.

Despite the absence of any obvious signs of trouble, Miss Planner and Black Wolf kept their guards up. The streets were a little too empty and the silence a little too ominous. They slowly walked down a street lined with low-rise office buildings and passed a large, open lot where a building had been partially demolished.

"We're looking for 320 Decker Boulevard. Do you think we missed it?" asked Miss Planner, turning her head to look at Black Wolf.
"No. I know this area. This is where the New World of the Mind used to be. Decker Boulevard is that road, right there. I think it's in that strip center."

"Oh. You're right. I didn't see the sign. I guess I'm not very observant today."
"Let's see. Coral City Combat Arts. Hmph. Who knew this dinky little place was run by the Knife Slaves?"

"It certainly doesn't look too impressive from out here, but that doesn't really mean anything. Shall we go inside?"
"Yeah. Let's go."

The martial arts studio was an austere place. Bare walls of hard, white tile rose all the way to a high ceiling. In the center of the room was a boxing ring. There were a few rows of uncomfortable looking wooden chairs set up facing the ring, empty at the moment, and a few blue workout mats stacked in a corner.

"Welcome to Coral City Combat Arts. Are you Jessica? I spoke to you on the phone. I'm Coach Roman," said a muscular man in black trousers and a loose gray tee shirt. He had short and spiky brown hair and dark, sunken eyes. He stood behind a counter with his arms crossed in front of his chest, staring at Miss Planner. His eyes flicked to Black Wolf and then back. "Are you ready for your first class? We can get started right now, if you'd like."

"That's me! I'm ready and here. Let's see what you've got!"