The 13th Star: An Action Adventure Sci-F Apocalyptic Novel by Adam Peled Page B

killing was forbidden, and Berez only won the style competition. Throughout the galaxy it was known that melee
     fighters were born killers, and indeed, Berez’ green-eyed face bore the look of a lifelong killer who would stop at nothing
     to get what he wanted.
    In the Mayjing lessons, everyone was afraid to hit him. No one understood why nobody had died at his hands. Berez the Terrible
     knew he could easily kill another cadet on any day—maybe even the instructor—but the fear of losing control was so great that
     he didn’t even apply a tenth of his abilities.
    During conversations in his room, his friends found it funny to watch him become a great lump of sensitivity. It was even
     more amusing to imagine him with the one woman he loved, whose picture hung permanently in his closet. His huge dimensions
     and virile blonde hair recklessly tied in a ponytail didn’t portray his sensitivity and vulnerability.
    But those who knew him well understood that Berez the Terrible, who lost his father a few years earlier, had undergone a transformation,
     changing him from having a strong desire to kill to someone with a passion for life. His eyes spit fire, and one of the cadets
     said that he didn’t need to use his hands to kill—it was enough for him to gaze for a while at a particular point to set it
     ablaze, like a laser beam.
    Still, Berez the Terrible took another role upon himself that was no less surprising than his appearance—he was the students’
     unofficial spokesman. His insightful comments and words of wisdom left everyone stunned, not knowing how to react.
     
    The five stood at the entrance to the club as two large men were kicked out. They seemed completely drunk, a long moment passing
     until they managed to roll over and sit up on the pavement. Zoi, familiar with the ways of clubs on his planet , told his friends that he was king of the clubs and opened the door like a landlord entering his home. The wooden door slammed
     hard against the opposite wall and swung back to hit him in his face.
    “The spring’s no good!” he told his friends very seriously.
    Inside, the music was loud in the smoky place. Military personnel sat at tables, including smiling Rahavic girls. The five
     headed toward a table side, Mattoui not waiting until everyone was seated and asking what they wanted to order.
    Someone behind him said loudly, “Whatever the gorilla in the middle drinks.”
    The quintet looked at the huge man, half his head shaved and a Rahavic girl—with a remarkable bosom and long legs—sitting
     on his lap. The man tensed when he noticed their stares. He threw the girl off his lap and leaped up, his chair falling over
     backward. In an instant, the band stopped playing.
    “When do your mamas show up to feed you their milk?” he shouted as he walked toward them. The tension in the air increased
     as he advanced on Mattoui, grabbed his bare shoulder with a strong hand, and prepared to punch him in the face.
    Mattoui surprised him by swinging first. The brute’s friends were on their feet, closing in on him from all sides. No one
     in the club knew who the five young men were, but the little band of warriors went to war as only they knew how. Slashing
     Rolls were pulled out with grinding noises as the giant with the half-shaved head sent a Jorash that strangled Mattoui. Rettoul
     cut the Jorash with his Roll and hit it mercilessly.
    Suddenly, there was a loud shout: “Enough!”
    Everyone stopped. Mattoui’s attacker stroked the dead Jorash and began to sob as if it were his only son.
    The five didn’t know whether to be happy or sad. Their abilities were impressive, but the fight reminded them of the painful
     days of Mayjing. They silently entered the Road Star waiting for them. Along the way, they stopped and took turns engraving
     their unit’s symbol on their shoulders—an electrified black cat with bat wings.
    No one would mistake them again. Rettoul’s description quickly became