Episode 9 · 58 episodes · Cole Andrews, Kira, Renko
Cole puts his gun away to prevent Kira from learning his past. At a checkpoint, he watches security scan a dockworker. Kira attempts to pawn her helmet, but the clerk says Renko turned down Cole's buyout. Kaine threatens Cole on the walkway. At home, Cole tells Kira to eat and promises the fight will be brief. Saturday night arrives, and Cole walks Kira down the stairs toward the arena.
Cole changes his mind about using his weapon. He locks the gun case back inside the wall compartment. He wants to keep Kira from discovering his real identity, so he hides the firearm and leaves the room.
Cole stops near a station security checkpoint and watches guards flag another dockhand for a full bio-scan. He knows that an alert at the scanner will expose his true background, so he slips past without drawing attention.
Kira places her racing helmet on the pawn counter to get nine hundred credits. The clerk refuses the deal. He explains that Cole tried to pay off the debt, but Renko rejected the cash to guarantee a fight.
Kaine corners Cole on the walkway and throws foul insults about Kira in the ring. Cole stays silent and holds a metal scraper tightly behind his back. He grips the tool hard until Kaine laughs and walks away.
Cole sets food down in their quarters and urges a frightened Kira to eat something. Kira sits at the table in silence. Cole looks at his daughter and quietly promises her that the fight will be over quickly.
Saturday night comes, and the arena fills with roaring spectators. Cole walks Kira through the shouting crowd toward the fight pit. He guides her down the metal stairs while she looks at the cage where she must fight.
“Kira would know who I am. She'd know the truth about me.”
“Your father already tried to pay. He wants a show, no matter what.”
“Tell your daughter to stay the fuck down, like a good little bitch.”
“You won't be in there long.”
Saturday night arrives, and the underground arena is packed with spectators. Cole leads a terrified Kira through the yelling crowd and escorts her down the steps toward the ring. Will Kira survive against an experienced fighter in the pit, or will Cole be forced to step into the violence himself?