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THE SET-UP: Both good and bad guys have split up to pursue various leads in the Galaxy. In this part of the story, the Light and Dark siders have come to the infamous world Nar Shadda, centre of Hutt space, searching for Kir Ascar (real name Mal Sannan), erstwhile powerful Force adept and, more importantly, the only man who knows trhe location of the Mausoleum the Dark Siders seek. He has come to Nar Shadda seeking refuge The Dark Siders come to get that information, the Jedi come to apprehend Ascar- whom they wants words with- and to stop the Dark Siders getting that information. The Dark Siders have met Ascar already, the Light Siders will soon catch up with him, but Kuylen's agents now come to kill their opponents. Catching them at the star port, the Dark Siders are outnumbered- but rather than delay their already overdue mission, the Jedi leave two of their number to fight, and the other two continue with the mission. In this fight, Geonosian Xeth fights big reptillian Arnian Dak. Interesting!

HOW THIS WORKS: GK's first fight so here is the reminder.

The duellists take it in turns to attack each other. The attacker describes his attack and then the defender describes his defence. One person will succeed- a decision I make based on the skill of the fighters, the quality and appropriateness of their post, and a small random factor.

The winner of the round scores a point, and then the attacker and defender swap places. Aside from taunts, no other moves can be made except the single move or countermove you make each round! If a round is drawn, the attacker wins

First to five points wins the duel, but like in tennis you must win by two clear points. The amount of points by which you win a duel dictates what happens to the loser- a two point loss is a superficial wound, more is losing a limb, a five point win kills your opponent outright. Regardless, you cannot pursue a defeated opponent no matter what; if you lose a duel (and survive) you can always escape.

At the start of any round, either combatant may try to flee.

ANALYSIS: The weirdest fight yet; small, nimble, bug-like Xeth versus big, powerful, reptile Dak. The style contrast will be extreme. But, fast as Xeth may be, Dak is the better duellist. There is not a great deal in it, though, so your posting counts for much.

This is a time limited duel. Unlike other time limited duels, there is no limit on the rounds that can be fought. This game is ending soon. If the duel is not over by the time the game ends, it will be cut short.

Dak attacks and so goes first.

Score: Dak- 0, Xeth- 0

Dak to attack.

I attack with one 'sabre ignited, slashing downward towards Xeth's face with my right blade.

Xeth flips out his lightsaber quickly and holds it over his head, blocking easily. He parries away the blow and then nimbly jumps over the Arnian.

"Ah, an Arnian. Always such an angry species, intent on bringing honor to their name by killing the innocent..."

"You'll pay for that remark, insect. Striking down a Jedi will bring much honor, even if it is a piteous bug."

Your sabres clash with your early exchange of blows complimenting your exchnage of words. But Xeth is having to expend more effort to stay mobile to avoid Dak's swordplay, giving Dak more time to think... Xeth knows he will have to take the initiative.

Round drawn. Goes with attacker.

Score: Dak- 1, Xeth- 0.

Xeth to attack.

Xeth charges forwards and aims some swift blows for Dak's legs, but he then feints and tries to cut Dak in half up the middle.

I use my right 'sabre to block the low blows, then seeing his real plan, ignite my left to block the other blow.

Dak meets your blows evenly, Xeth. There is no question of you beating this being's strength to push aside his guard, and he seems to be meeting you for swordplay too! Soon he finds an opportunity to strike again between your blows...

Score: Dak- 2, Xeth- 0.

Dak to attack.

There is a loud rumbling noise as Arazi's nearby ship takes off... the blowback from the blast-off, even with hi-tech Star Wars engines, washes over all of you fighting here, causing the equivalent of a strong wind that could easily unbalance you...

I feint a horizontal blow to Xeth's neck with my right 'sabre, then suddenly twist around and make a backwards stab behind my back at stomach level with my left. While twisting, I move into a position facing away from the ship, intending for the backwash to catch the Geonosian's wings when he faces me.

BB - Apologies. Using the same 'puter as Rex here has it's disadvantages.

(Xeth's wings are basically gone, Dak. Nothing there to help me fly, only glide VERY small distances. Besides, they're under my robes.)

Xeth ducks easily under the Arnian's blow to his neck, and takes advantage of his small size to flip to the right. He continues flipping until he is behind the Arnian, also facing away from the ship.

Hmm, the nippy bastard's mobility makes a bit of a mockery of your feints, Dak. Whilst not trying to meet your blows he gets easily out of your reach, and he makes his flip over you, ready to strike at your behind...

Score: Dak- 2, Xeth- 1

Xeth to attack.

Xeth swings out his sonic blaster and aims shots at Dak's feet, and then switches to his lightsaber and leaps for the Arnian's back as he tries to dodge them, swinging for his mid-section or his spinal chord.

I jump to the side, flipping in midair to dodge the sonic wave as I swing my 'sabres back over my shoulders into a cross to protect my back.

As ever, it is very awkward to draw and use a gun in a sabre fight... Dak can dodge the shot easily and blocks Xeth's follow-up blows exactly as planned. He is hten at leisure to strike again.

Score: Dak- 3, Xeth- 1

Dak to attack

(Damn, I'm not doing so good. First fight where I'm by myself rather than with Mah or Gundy...)

Xeth hops back a little, trying to get away from Dak, but not run from him. He holds his lightsaber at the ready.

"You are powerful, Arnian. It is a shame that you could not see the Light when you discovered your powers."

"It is a shame you are too weak to realize your true potential, bug."

I run at him, batting aside his 'sabre with my right as I thrust with my left.

Xeth throws himself backwards and into a roll, and then springs to his feet, leaping over Dak and behind him.

"Being bug, I am fast and agile. You are big and slow, but powerful. Come to the Light-Side, the Jedi will help you sift through your thoughts. It is a more peaceful life."

I am angered by such talk. I channel my anger, increasing my power within the Force.

"You pitiful fool. Why would I choose to lessen my power? To have a Jedi go through my mind? My thought are clear, you wretched weakling. Or perhaps I shall give up my power for peace, you say? I shall have peace when I slay you..."

Problem is, Dak, if he won;t meet your blade your strength is of no use as he simply nips out of your way... you feel your frustration and anger rising as Xeth avoids your blows and is ready to try and re-gain the initiative (which, ironically, is harder for him- looks like attacking is actually more difficult this battle than defending!)

Score: Dak- 3, Xeth- 2

Xeth to attack.

"Lessen your power? Do you know of any Dark Jedi who have such powers of Master Yoda? Or Master Windu?" Xeth says.

He uses the Force to speed himself up and takes advantage of his small size. He runs circles around Dak, jabbing occationally and avoiding all attempted blow. He spins around and aims for the knees with a horizontal slash.

I jump straight over his head, flipping and chopping both 'sabres down at his head from above, then land behind him.

I can tell you now, Dak, you aren't going to win a mobility contest with Xeth! Xeth is devastatingly fast and easily blocks your overhead blows (btw, reminder to everyone, counterattacks are risky on your defensive move) and you nearly impale yourself on his sabre on landing; instead you are off-balance and must make good your chance after landing to drive Xeth back.

Score: Dak- 3, Xeth- 3.

Dak to attack.

I quickly jump away from him as I throw my left 'sabre horizontally at his waist.

Xeth flips away and jumps up to the wall, grabbing onto a pipe or chord. He fires downwards with his sonic blaster.

You get yourself away, Xeth, but Dak can easily dodge your shots from a static position and now- unless you intend to flee- you have the problem of having to come down to attack him when eh can wait below at his lesiure...

Round drawn- goes with attacker

Score: Dak- 4, Xeth- 3

Xeth to attack. Match point to Dak

Xeth, you may flee if you wish...

Xeth starts running down the wall but kicks off and jumps over Dak's head. He dodges in and out of range, antagonizing the Arnian with horizontal slashs and jabs.

I use the Force to increase my speed as much as I can, and move away from the annoying insect and grabbing my thrown 'sabre.

You retrieve your sabre safely, but whilst you avoid Xeth's blows, Xeth is able to place himself back in a better offensive position. Again, you will have to beat him down a stage if you wish to beat him...

Round drawn. Goes with attacker.

Score: Dak- 4, Xeth- 4

Dak to attack.

Still enhancing my speed with the Force, I quickly try to bat away his guard with my right sabre. I continue the spin, and slice my left sabre quickly across at chest level.

Being faster than Dak at normal speeds, he should still be faster with Force-aided speeds. He enhances his speed with the Force as well and dives under the spinning blades and leaps over them. He backs up a little, ready to put on the offensive.

You are certainly more nimble- but it is far easier for Dak to move his blades than it is for you to move your whole body, and Dak does well in instinctively moving his sabres. You have to abandon your jump to block Dak's blades full on- causing you to stumble backwards from the weight of them. You are moments away from Dak beating your guard and must reply fast...

Score: Dak- 5, Xeth- 4.

Xeth to attack. Match point to Dak.

Xeth runs circles around Dak, confusing him the speed and quickly twirling blade. Then breaks his run suddenly and leaps back, swinging diagonally at Dak's back.

With two blades, it is relatively easy to block one blade, even if the owner of the blade is moving quickly. I do so, deflecting the blade as it moves, then I use the Force to jump away and onto a wall, attempting to grip into edges with my claws.

"You cannot beat me so easily, vermin!"

Xeth talks to him as the Arnian resides on the wall, taking a rest. "Are you sure of that, you cold-blooded fiend? For such an intelligent and sure fellow, you must not have fought many Jedi."

"Your Master tossed me aside easily when Master Gundark and I confronted him, but you will not."

"My master is above my level, or else he would not be my master, fool."

"Who is the more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows him? Being one of Kuylen's lackies does not make your life any better than it would be if you were on your own. What makes you so sure that what Kuylen's says is truth? He is just using you to achieve his own goals."

"Why do you annoy me with your idiocy? Your will not affect my mind, so do not try. And it is no wonder you cannot comprehend the power of the Dark Side..."

"The Dark-Side is but a quick and deadly path to power. You do not see many Dark Jedi grow to old age, unless they had been Jedi all their lives. You will die in a short burst of glory, and then the galaxy will move on, and you will become forgotten. Is that what you want?"

Your flight flows and ebbs back and forth... Dak still superior in the blade exchanges, but Xeth forever outflanking, moving by, ready to counter...

Round draw. Goes with attacker.

Score: Dak- 5, Xeth- 5

Dak to attack

Xeth stands ready, waiting for Dak's reply and his strike. He twirls his lightsaber a few times idly.

I suddenly leap down, landing in front of Xeth and bring my left 'sabre around behind him, my right held horizontally between us. Then I pull my left in towards me while pushing my right out, both about his chest level.

Xeth leaps straight up for a little ways and then flips over and behind Dak.

"Nice try, lizardman," Xeth taunts. "But you still have not taken me down."

Xeth escapes the blow, but again Dak just gets the edge by vbirtue of having to make less effort...

Round Drawn. Goes with attacker.

Score: Dak- 6, Xeth- 5.

Xeth to attack. Match point to Dak

ONE DAY WARNING! Game (and duel) ends when I go to bed tomorrow!

"We seem pretty evenly matched, Geonosian. I admire that."

"Evenly matched indeed. We have been fighting a close battle. But one of us must win, and one must lose."

Xeth charges and flips over Dak's head, swinging lightly for it. As he lands behind, he flips back over and jabs at Dak's right leg.

Realizing he is going too high, I dive under and roll away from the jab.

"I hope you understand I do not plan to lose."

(sorry, been to busy to do much today, so I shall extend this a day and update tomorrow)

Xeth flips over Dak and lands behind him; Dak- needing to conserve his movements as much as possib-e half-turns and blocks; Xeth flips back immediately and strikes but Dak is already rolling away- Xeth's jab hits empty air and he is over-extended.

Dak strikes down, the force of his blow bring Xeth's sabre down to the ground, and then he stabs forwards himself. Xeth desperately deflects the sabre and it burns a neat hole through the side, rather than the centre, of his chest.

Score: Dak- 7, Xeth 5. Match to Dak.

But there is no time to capitalise. Hutt Security is pouring into the starport, irritated at this blatant power fighting by hunted outworlders. Both Dark Siders are forced to defend themselves- but Kuylen's ship roars to the edge of the docking bay at this moment, providing a means of escape.

As for the Jedi, the Security is reticent to move against Jedi. But they ask you, as firmly as possible, to take your leave of the planet. That does not seem such a bad idea- you can meet up with Gundark and return to your ships.

And both sides can return to their thread, for the end of the game!

Congrats, Dak! May we duel again soon...

Indeed. I need to finish you off. :lol

J/K

It was fun dueling you, you proved quite a challenge. Thank you. *shakes BB's hand*