Pirates are a rowdy lot. It is a fact rarely questioned and merely accepted by those who deal with them regularly. While the Herald’s crew is no different, the band's leader has a different approach to facilitating their tendencies. To this end, one of the Matron's smaller hangars — designated Hangar Zerek — has been recommissioned as a combat arena... or execution chamber.

Once a dedicated repair bay, Hangar Zerek is still equipped with fabricator arms and an assortment of Trade Federation droid parts that have fallen into disrepair. A squared off section, including illumination banks at each corner, designates the intended 'arena'. The section is denoted by active shock fences, run by nearby generators. It is here that the crew lets off steam, with the hangar bay sealed.

The hangar itself still has a fully functioning force field that comes into play when matches are meant to become more interesting, or when it comes time to jettison troublesome captives. The hangar bay doors peel open, leaving only the active field to separate the arena from the vacuum of space. The control mechanisms for the hangar doors can be operated manually from the control booth or on a set timer, including the force field's toggle switch.

The control booth is the last segment of Hangar Zerek worth noting. Doubling as an observation deck, it is the only obvious entrance to the hangar. All maintenance hatches and access-ways have been sealed in advance, though the catwalks crisscrossing along the upper layers of the hangar remain. The booth itself is sealed, providing a safe haven for when the force field comes down.

The vastness of space had a feeling to it that was hard to describe. The infinite. An expanse of nothing that meant death for so many species within the galaxy. It was always so close, to those who travelled within its vacuum, yet deceptively far away. That deception fell to the wayside standing within Hangar Zerek. The hangar doors had been fully retracted, leaving only the force field separating the combatants within from being sucked into the void.

"Now now," a voice rang out. The overlay of static was thick, warping the tone of the voice as it echoed within the derelict space. "You're going to be putting on quite the show for us or, well... Would be a shame to have to hit this here button."

The threat was clear. the combatants remained exposed within the hangar proper and the only thing between them and a sudden, violent exit from the Godless Matron was the master control panel.

When I get out of here, I am going to kill them. He had woken up here, all his weapons still on him. Across the arena, Blackhawk could see a Quarren waking up and coming to his feet. Blackhawk could hear the faint crackle of electricity around him in a brief moment of silence.

Guess I don't have a choice. He saw no reason to fight here, but seeing as how the alternative was apparently being ejected into space, his hands were tied. Both of his lightsabers came to life with a snaphiss, the red glow highlighting his anger. He had an idea, but for it to work, he needed to convince everyone in the room that they were truly fighting.

The Quarren’s saberstaff ignited quickly as Blackhawk advanced. The staff held across his body offered little opening for Blackhawk, but he did not need one. As soon as he was within range, Blackhawk launched into a barrage of attacks, testing the the Quarren’s defense. It seemed that his opponent would be able to keep up with him, at least for now.

“Not bad,” he complemented. “What do you call yourself?”

“I am know as Lexiconus. Lexiconus Qor.”

“Call me Blackhawk. Now let's see about getting out of here.”

With that, Blackhawk resumed the barrage of attacks on his opponent. The roar of the crowd picked up as the Clawdite drove his opponent back, his barrage forcing Lexiconus to redouble his efforts.

“How is assaulting me supposed to get us out of here,” Qor shouted.

“You will see. For now, just keep pretending to fight. It will be easier if we take them by surprise. Also, I'm sorry for what I'm going to do to you before this fight is over.”

With that, Blackhawk threw his opponents lock and backflipped, landing across the arena. A quick wave of his hand caused darkness to engulf half the arena. Nothing could see into or out of the field. With the distraction, Blackhawk charged in, getting behind the Quarren. One of his blades cut a large gash through the fence. Putting his blades away, Blackhawk drew his blaster, pointing it at Qor’s back. When the field disappeared, he could tell that Lexiconus was confused.

“Boo,” Blackhawk laughed as he fired a shot. The bolt struck the green blade of the staff, bouncing harmlessly toward the ceiling. The second deflected into the floor. The third however, was knocked back toward him. Blackhawk was barely able to duck before the bolt whistled over his head. Fine then. Blackhawk went back to his lightsabers, taking a defensive stance.

“You want a fight, then come and get me,” Blackhawk shouted. With that, both combatants charged each other, appearing ready to eviscerate their enemy.