A day in the life, part 1

In the practice ring, Lucky was holding a pair of practice pads for Petty Luv. Wearing sparring gloves, she was practicing various strike patterns, giving her trainer everything she got.

"Come on, kid. Just a couple more strikes. This time, hit the targets like you mean it." Whether it was just the end of the session, or some other factor, Petty's last two punches hit like sledgehammers. Pulling off the pads, McManus shook his hands with a "Damn" to get the stinging sensation free. The duo had been so focused on the training, they hadn't noticed several other people had begun to filter in.

Just like Mac, several veteran MLW had begun acting as mentors for the rookies, training both in groups and one-on-one.

"You're looking pretty hot out there today, Lucky," Cammy remarked.

"GI Jane, if I was any hotter, Helios would tell me to turn it down. So, what did you guys want to discuss with today's lesson? How about the history of martial arts, designed to let keep the little guy from being trounced by the big guy?"

"That so? Well, think wrestling, for instance." Moving like a cheetah, Cammy quickly got Mac into a hold. "Even Jacob got to wrestle with an angel." Lucky managed to get out of the hold, quickly knocking the blond soldier to the mat. Pulling her up, Mac remarked, "Jacob may have lost, but he tried so hard, the angel blessed him anyway."

"Oh, I'm no angel, Irish." Cammy laughed.

Tikka decided to have her fun, taking a stance.

"What about kung fu? A 6th century Indian priest developed it, to help monks get back in shape, and protect themselves from bandits!" For nearly two minutes, the duo sparred, primarily dodging and blocking each other's strikes, before a sweep kick had the biracial boxer on the mat.

"Well, somebody's always hassling somebody, right? Boxing?" Grabbing a pair of sparring gloves, Mac glanced around as he tightened them. "Anybody?"

Thunder stepped up, throwing his vest aside. Pulling on gloves and striking a pose, he commented, "It filled seats in the Roman Forum. Come on!"

With a smile on his face, Lucky and Thunder sparred for a bit. For nearly four minutes, nothing else existed for the men; their focus on the opponent was all that mattered. They each managed to get a few punches in, when one of Thunder's punches got his opponent in the stomach. Thunder tried not to wince; Mac had barely flinched from the strike.

“The best lessons are the ones you learn on experience.” Thunder replied. He tapped fists with Mac. “You self-taught, or just had a good teacher?"

"Little of both. Karate, aka 'empty hand'?" One hand bounced up, and Casey Luv decided to give it a try.

"Okinawan origin. They couldn't carry weapons, so they had to defend themselves somehow." Casey gave Mac all she had, the two of them exchanging attacks, neither of them backing down, when a sudden blow to one of Casey's legs had her stumble to the mat.

Staggering back up, the blond cowgirl remarked, "And then there are the modern techniques." A quick stomp on Lucky's foot was followed by a light slap to the boxer's face. "And you are outta here!"

McManus couldn't help but chuckle. "Not bad. Where'd you learn that?"

"Margarita Night at Richie's BBQ Pit." The duo shook hands, when Mac noticed Jesse had walked in. The look in her eyes said that she needed to speak to him.

"Well-played, darling." Enrique glanced over at the others. "Sorry about that, boys and girls. Cammy, take over for me? You know the drill: Pair up, just run practice drills until I get back."

Heading over to his wife, he greeted her with a hug. "Everything alright, babe?"