against visiting Aldebaranese females and get some rest." VII It was a little before seven-thirty when Xelia Zon picked up Manning Draco. He assured him that the visicast crew was all set up in the Arena and everything was ready. They climbed into Xelia's car and drove to the Arena. It was a huge place with a seating capacity of several hundred thousand.[13] It was already packed with Regulusians when Manning arrived. The center of the Arena, perhaps four or five hundred yards in diameter, was brilliantly lighted with the portable floods brought in by the visicast crew and the cameras were already focused and waiting for the signal from the emergency booth established in the first tier of seats. [13] Each seat in the Regulusian Arena was equipped with a viewer and a built-in receiver so that each individual could see and hear as if he were within a few feet of the contestants. Dtilla Raishelle, still carrying his large box, was already there, his green skirt bearing the ceremonial feathers worn by every Acruxian when dueling. He was not exactly pleased to learn that the duel was to be visicast over the Federation network, but there was nothing in the dueling code to prevent this and he accepted it with ill grace. He carried his pair of tri-blasts in a handsome case and according to tradition offered Manning first choice. Manning carelessly took one of them and examined it until he was sure that he knew how it operated. Then he thrust it in his belt. Taking the remaining blade-gun, Dtilla Raishelle picked up his box and moved stolidly into the center of the Arena. Manning Draco waited until he caught a nod from the man in the emergency booth, then he picked up his small hand-pack and walked to the center of the Arena, stopping a few yards away from Dtilla. He knew that the visicast had already started and that an announcer in the booth was explaining the scene to the billions of viewers. As soon as Manning reached the center of the space, Dtilla Raishelle placed his box on the ground. He lifted the tri-blast and saluted Manning, then began a complicated dance, his tentacles weaving. It was a performance dedicated to the Acruxian gods and preceded every Acruxian duel to death. Manning had heard it described on the encyclotape, but it was fascinating to see it. He knew it would last about three minutes and that no Acruxian could honorably kill or maim until the dance was finished.
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