"The virus gave Nikolai energy, and that gave him confidence. As he whirled about, avoiding blows, ducking in and out to launch his own attacks, the blades like extensions of his arms, he could still see the strange creatures that roamed the air, but they didn't distract him; instead, they helped him to gauge distance, helped him know where to aim when lunging forward. The Predator was fast, it's reflexes razor sharp for its size, but it had become to used to its natural advantages. It's tactics revolved too much around brute strength and its armor. Not that Nikolai had much time to think."

"As he danced around the creature, fell in close, fell away again, the hard practice of so many years came into play, and he was just motion, just parry, thrust, and escape. He couldn't stay in close for long because the Predator was too strong, which hampered him because he couldn't truly commit to any stroke. So in and out again, fast, continually, moving in a circle away from the Predators reach."

"It wasn't just the Predators offensive blows that could hurt him. Even worse was the jarring recoil of having to block a blow, or even the Predator blocking one of his moves. Still, despite a shallow wound on his left arm, he had avoided injury, while getting to the Predator half a dozen times. Minor wounds, but the more trickles of blood the better. If it went on like this, the Predator might begin to make bad decisions. "Do you want more?" He said. "Do you like what you're getting so far?"pg.246 chpt.65