The Lesson of Defeat (Updated)

[Updated 6 Dec. 14, 11:15, slight adjustment to Alala.]

Satisfied the Amazon was finished, Rhino simply walked away.  He stopped for a moment to reflect, his snarling visage concealing a joyful pride.  He knew the Commander would be pleased beyond expectations.   Not only had he beaten an Amazon, he had done so convincingly and without injury to himself.   Today he had proven his worth to the Company.

Alala lay slumped in the debris behind him. For the first time in her life she had been defeated in combat. She twitched sporadically. She moaned softly.  Her body almost seemed to revulse at the unfamiliar feeling of defeat.

The Amazon had been assigned to track and observe Rhino. Her instructions were to engage him only if civilians found themselves in harm’s way. "I am not a ranger," she had encouraged herself before ignoring her orders. "I am an Amazon." She would appreciate now only in retrospect the wisdom of her mentor: only fools rush into battle, so make haste slowly.

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