The air was hot that day, the winds blowing between the mountain peaks of either side of the arena. Its stands were lines with hundreds of Genosians and other members of the audience. Most notably the Archduke, a bulbous freak in gilded attire and an entourage establishing his presence. His seat was much higher than any other in the audience, near the top of the arena, as he looked down at everyone. The sandstone dust was kicked up into the air as everyone began to cheer, signalling the beginning of the gladiatorial event.
A single Genosian flew to the center of the arena, having come from an opening in the walls of the stage. The actual fighting ring was set deeper than the stands above.
"Welcome! Friends and Newcomers to our Festival! Now as many of you may know we have a special event planned today, one of blood, daring, and Mayhem. We've set three rounds for our challenger from the Ascendant fleet we all have to thank for our lives." It said in an ever-cheery voice.
At this time a large feline-like beast entered, flanked by struggling keepers and with an introduction.
"First of these rounds will be met by a Nexu! A ferocious and terrifying creature, its maw of endless teeth and its legs of speed greater than the winds themselves. Few can best this housepet from your worst nightmares." The Introducer said. The Nexu snarled and yipped, its wide smile snapping at its captors. continuing its round through the arena. At the cheers and screams of the audience it sat in one corner of the arena and strained as it was chained to the walls. The handlers were visibly relieved, sighing and wiping their' brows, once they had returned to the entry way. Soon a large bull-like beast entered, puffing air through the ring in its nostril.
"Next we have the powerful Reek! Its thick hide and size making it a veritable tank, paired with those huge horns we know that things are going to get brutal with this one." The Introducer finished.
The Reek was almost immediately brought to the opposite side of the ring and bound facing the Nexu, both pointed to the center of the arena.
"Our final round is a mystery, one that will be earned once weve seen what our Plagueian can do. Speaking of which its time we introduce our Gladiator, Ahsik Warren of House Tyrannus!" The Introducer boomed, his voice echoing through the entire pass it had seemed.
Ahsik entered the ring, his staff whole and hanging in his right hand, a million thoughts racing through his head. The Zabrak bravely faced each beast and strode to stand at the center of the arena, alongside the Introducer.
"Now that we have our competitors its time for the Archduke to decide the first beast to face our champion, and to bestow his blessing." The Introducer explained.
The Archduke seemed indifferent to the entire affair, waving his hands for flair and resting a pointed finger on the Reek.
"And so it shall begin, Ahsik will face the towering Reek first!" The voice of the Introducer was drowned in the cheers of the people. The Introducer promptly flew up and into the Archduke's booth, shaking and speeding like a slug from a slugthrower.
"huh" Ahsik said, facing the Reek and igniting his electrostaff in both hands. The left end low and his wieght shifted to his back right leg, like a puma ready to pounce. The Reek's chains soon dropped around it, its bulging muscles strained as it let out a ground quaking roar, its bloodshot eyes locking unto the little red opponent before it.
Starting into a charge, the sight of the Reek made Ahsik realize a few things about his situation. Firstly, that this beast was drugged and enraged long before finding and enemy naturally sporting an aggravating color, and secondly, **ohboy that thing is big**. As the creature approached Ahsik held his focused much like his staff and patiently waited until it was within a striking distance. As the Reek dipped its head down to impale the poor fighter, the Gladiator leaped high and over its wicked lance, coming down with equal force on the base of its neck with the shocking pole. The stunned creature stumbled, its front feet seized and tripped over its own curled toes. The resounding crash kicked up dust all through the air of the arena, the Zabrak landed and began to cough through the dust, sure that his enemy had not yet fallen. The head of the Reek began to shake off the effects of the Sith's unorthodox weapon, grunting and beginning another charge. This time Ahsik only raised his left wrist, firing 3 shots into the eyes of the beast, its pained shouts and failed charging giving way to an opening. Promptly the warrior ran up and leaped unto the face of the beast, one arm around its top horn and feet planted on each of its downward horns. The beast began to cry out and opened its mouth in an attempt to begin shaking off this passenger, however it was cut short as the end of the electrostaff was shoved in, causing the beast to tense up and collapse under its power. Still pressing its end unto the roof of the beasts mouth, it laid there convulsing for another 4 minutes before Ahisk took it out and laid a hand against the creature's neck. The blood that had pooled from the wound then made by the hidden dagger in Ahsik's bracer confirmed that he had succeeded in slaying the beast.
"Are you not entertained?!" Ahsik cried to the cheering and roaring masses above. With the sound of the Nexu that awaited him, Ahsik heard the Archduke himself speak,
"Well done Gladiator, now it is time for you to slay the other, only then can you see the end of these trails."
The news sank in Ahsik's heart, sparking an annoyance as Ahsik split the staff and prepared for the next beast.
The Nexu was more than eager when the chains gave way, its dazziling speed caught Ahsik off guard as it raced to him. Ahsik threw up a visage of himself charging the beast, its resuklting confusion had bought the man some time to consider this nightmarish beast. It turned to snarl at Ahsik, who reformed his staff and grabbed a detonation grenade from his belt as he charged the beast. A brief moment before the beast followed as well, leaving him with a brief moment to toss the grenade and leap off his staff, both propelling him high into the air. The Nexu emerged from the blast bloodied but more enraged than before. Its tail whipped back and forth as its eyes closed in on the falling Zabrak. Ready for its approach, Ahsik threw his Staff, coupled with the illusion of 7 more. The feline monster stopped again and was unable to decide the real threats from the mirages and was struck by the falling lightning bolt that was the weapon. Its cry was brief as the staff bounced off its head, but the Zabrak followed his weapon, planting both feet against its skull and grabbing his weapon again in the process. The attack was weaker than intended as the creature had reaction enough to grab Ahsik in its maw, locking around his left leg. It thrashed its prey about, ripping into its opponent's thigh and causing it to bleed profusely. Turning and planting both hands against the skull of the beast, Ahsik drove his hidden blade into the eye of the Nexu and emptied the magazine of his wrist lazer into its other. His hatred pushed the Nexu's sensation of such damage to such extremes that it instantly was killed, dropping its corpse on top of the Plagueian.
The arena was dead silent, all breaths were held in favor of the search for some signal of life, some hope that the warrior had bested his prey.
Then a single hand emerged from the beast, followed by the struggling figure of the limping, bloodied, but still very much alive Zabrak.
"Well done warrior, well done. Now its time for me to introduce my personal pet. I hope you can manage with your injuries because its unlike youd survive against my Acklay!" The Archduke cheered to himself almost.
"Are you Freaking kidding me?!?" Ahsik was exhausted.
Promptly falling to his knees and drawing on the force, in the time it took for the handlers to fetch the huge mantis-like beast, Ahsik had mangaed to alter his blood flow and restore his energy before rising and splitting his staff once more.
"Okay, Lets Go!" The shouted as he began a battleroar, rushing to this massive beast. The only thing that Ahsik would meet would be the barbed claw of the creature as it swiped him aside, and into the corpse of the Reek he had defeated. The pain flashed along his ribs, with only a moment to avoid the sharp leg of the Acklay attempting to spear him, accomplishing only to stick the corpse of another. Ahsik threw his left staff like a javelin and held the remaining end with both hands. The flying shock stick struck the Acklay along its main body, the shock managing to inflict only a small crack in its exoskeleton. Ahsik charged and struck its closest leg with all his might, breaking the joint and causing the beast to lose its balance a moment. Ahsik unfurled his Baton in his other hand and entred a stae of pure, wild hatred. Swinging with each weapon and his voice breaking under the endless growling roar that followed his every move, the poor Acklay soon cried and crumbled under the assault, its sticky body fluid covering Ahsik and his weapons. Standing over the nody of the beaten creatures Ahsik once again raised his staff over his head and let out one final cry before promptly passing out.
"And so ends the Combat event of the Evening folks! We will have something for you to see once again tomorrow but for today, our new champion is Ahsik Warren. And Once he recovers from this battle you can all have a meet and greet later on" The Introducer said to finish out the night. The Archduke's eyes narrowed and thought.... **maybe he shouldnt be allowed to survive this.... hes too dangerous....**
"nurseman, may i have a word before you go treat that boy?".....

Clan Vizsla
3rd Strike Group
Immobilizer Class Heavy Cruiser
Zsoldos

Hector Ricmore stood upon the bridge of the Immobilizer class capital ship, gazing intently at the surface of Zsoldos. After years of a migratory lifestyle it felt good to have a planet to call home, even if he preferred his boots on the deck of a spacefaring vessel. Zsoldos may be a hive of scum and villainy comparable to places like Nar Shadda or Tatooine, but it was his hive of scum and villainy. Hector’s musings were interrupted by the beeping of his com link.

“This is Hector.”

“Sir you have an incoming transmission in the com room from Appius Wight, says its urgent.”

“I should be sure to receive it then, thank you for informing me Captain.”

The Zygerrian turned away from the viewport and walked into the adjacent room which housed the ships holoprojector. The projector displayed a tall humanoid with short hair, typically brown, which appeared a shade of monochromatic blue with the rest of his figure due to the projection.

“Appius! It’s good to see you my friend. Got an adventure planned for the newly formed Battleteam Deathwatch?”

The figure chuckled. “Enthusiastic as ever I see. I do suppose that you could consider my news an adventure. Collective forces managed to infiltrate the clan vaults and make off with a significant portion of our clans valuables, escaping without a trace. Thankfully we do seem to have a lead from...a rather odd source.”

“Oh? What kind of odd source?”

“A Jedi of all things if you can believe it. He came to Zsoldos bearing information he claimed he saw through force visions.”

Hector blinked, visibly taken aback. “Uh Appius? I’m all for a grand adventure but I don’t know if rushing out into space on the words of a prophet will help us recover what was stolen.”

The human nodded. “The clan happens to share your sentiment, for that reason the strike groups will be acting independently. You are to take the 3rd strike group and investigate the Jedi’s visions while our other forces focus on other possible leads. I am sending you two people to help with your search; the Jedi will be present so you can hear about his visions first hand, and I am sending the newest member of our Battleteam Kano Tor Tydex.”

The Zygerrian made a sound of affirmation. “I’ve never worked with Tydex before, what can you tell me about him?”

“He is a professional first and foremost; expensive but almost always delivers. He can be a bit standoffish but he is not a terrible person when you really get to know him.”

“Hmm doesn’t sound that bad”

“At least that's what I’ve heard, he seems like kind of a Shab.”

Hector paused. “Well that’s reassuring” he muttered sarcastically

“The pair should be arriving shortly. May the Force be with you.”

The hologram disappeared as the communication ended.

Beep beep beep. Hector activated his com link.

“There are two visitors requesting to see you sir.”

“Let me guess, a Jedi and a Mandalorian?”

“Yes sir”

“Send them up please.”

It was not long before the bridge doors opened admitting two figures into the room.

Hector turned to address the newcomers. “I’ve been expecting the two of you. My name is Hector Ricmore, Major in the Iron Legion, and the best pilot the unknown regions has ever seen.”

The Zygerrian moved to address the armored figure. “Kano Tydex I presume? I look forward to working with a man of your skill, you have quite a reputation after all.” He held out his hand for Kano to shake.

The mandalorian ignored the hand instead leaning backwards on the wall. While the figure had a relatively slouched posture he gave off a predatory vibe, a loth cat coiled and ready to leap at its prey.

“Appius has already briefed me on the job and taken care of payment. What needs to be done?”

Hector nodded. “That’s one less thing to do then. First we have to check with our Jedi friend, Mr?”

“Caldorous Syr. You may call me Cal.”

“Cal it is then. Appius told me that you had a vision or some hallucination?”

“A Force vision is no mere hallucination major. It is a prediction of what may occur, or a retelling of something long past. The Force grants us the ability to view events like the reflections on a river; distorted and muddled but visible nonetheless.”

“If these visions are distorted then how can they possibly be of any help?”

“They would not be, not to me at least. But I am certain that a pilot of your skill will find this information useful.”

The miraluka pulled out a datapad from his robe, giving it to Hector.

The Major read over the data before smiling. “You’ve given us their fleet composition, 4 strike class cruisers, as well as a set of hyperspace coordinates. Let’s see...that puts us in the Orian system. Brotherhood records state that this is the Dentavii Asteroid belt...an abandoned refueling facility for the Dlarit Special Operations group? Yes I am certain they are there.”

Hector continued to mutter to himself as he walked into the communications room. Flipping on the holoprojector a model of the Dentavii asteroid belt appeared, surrounded by the 4 strike class cruisers.

“The ships themselves are more than a match for our strike group. They heavily outgun our Raider class vessels and only the Immobilizer can compete when it comes to turbolasers. To make matters worse each one of these ships can carry two squadrons of starfighters. While our Tie SF’s can take on a squadron of B wings and plow through their Z-95 headhunters there is no way we can manage another 6 squadrons of fighters.”

Cal chose that moment to interrupt. “So don’t bother fighting them.”

“What do you mean don’t bother fighting them? We can’t allow them to get away with Clan Vizsla’s resources and not deploying fighters is suicidal at best!”

“You are hearing the words that I am saying but you are not truly listening. If you are truly a great pilot prevent the enemy ships from ever taking off.”

“Oh...that might work. The strike class cruisers are quick to produce but have a modular design, the separate pieces have weak points where they connect. If we split our bombers with fighter escort into 2 groups we can take out half their fighters before they can launch, even more if we risk an in system jump to place the Immobilizer right next to the enemy fleet.”

“HA HA! Thank you for the suggestion Cal, this may be winnable after all.”

The jedi nodded his head in acknowledgement

“Kano, you are in charge of ground operations. Handpick a strike team from one of the special missions company and take control of the facility. The asteroid is not huge but I’ll send a titan dropship with an AT-M6 in case you need the fire power to enter the base.”

“Understood, consider the facility secured.”

“Alright people, we’ve got stolen goods to recover. Captain set course for the asteroid belt and give me access to the nav computer so I can plot the micro jump.”

“Of course sir.” the Captain replied

Course set, the Immobilizer jumped into hyperspace; followed by the rest of the strike group.

Some time later

Hector Ricmore watched the last of the pilots enter the hangar. All the pre flight checks on the Tie bombers and Tie SF starfighters were completed; they were ready for action.

Calenhad had taken the time to double check and fix Hector’s calculations, the microjump would be a risky maneuver, but it should work, emphasis on the should.

Hector’s commlink chirped. “Sir, we are coming out of hyperspace now and are prepared to make an immediate in system jump.”

“Thank you for Captain, all fighters are ready to launch.”

Hector switched his commlink frequency to one being used by the pilots. “Alright everyone, we are seconds away from dropping out of hyperspace and right into the action. Stick to the plan and watch the backs of your squad mates, as we will watch your back in turn. Stay alert, fly well and we will all get through this.”

Hector activated his life support, sealing the breath mask against his face. Climbing on top of a Tie SF he dropped down into the cockpit of the ship. Turning around he addressed the gunner of his vessel. “What’s your name kid?”

“I umm Wilson. My name is Wilson Smith sir.” The jittery human stated.

“Well Wilson, today you get to fly with the best pilot in the unknown regions, I give you my word we’ll make it out alive.”

Wilson gulped nervously. “If you say so sir.”

Beep beep beep. Hector activated his commlink. “Major Ricmore, the microjump was successful, no casualties but the hyperdrive is leaking and our engine has received extensive damage. Emergency thrusters have power but we will not be moving anywhere fast.”

“Excellent work Captain, don’t worry about the damages, I don’t intend for this battle to last long enough for it to matter.”

Switching his comm back to the pilots channel Hector called out “It’s time to move people, all fighters and bombers launch now!”

The ships flew out in 3 groups: the first was formed of transports carrying Kano Tydex and the ground forces. The other two groups were made up of Tie SF and Bombers, evenly split to hit separate targets. The ships flew in formation, taking advantage of the microjump that had placed them behind the enemy fleet. The 2 groups delivered their payloads, obliterating the hangars of the 2 closest Strike cruisers.

The Clan Vizsla forces had performed exemplary but battles were not won that easily.

“All Tie’s regroup on me, we’re going to rush that cruiser with everything we have left.”

The 2 groups reformed and advanced towards the cruiser. The time spent hitting the other targets gave the ship time to turn, which it used to promptly open fire on the advancing ships. The turbolasers took down 8 bombers and 4 fighters, with the rest of the vessels reaching the ship and once again destroying the hangar. Low on numbers and out of explosives the ships returned to the Immobilizer.

The last Strike cruiser released its B wings and Z 95 headhunters in pursuit. Hector and the 3rd strike group had planned for this. Instead of moving to engage the Strike class cruisers the Raider II class corvettes of the Vizsla 3rd Strike group had moved closer to the enemy fleet and angled themselves to intercept any fighters that escaped. The pursuing B wing and Z 95 squadron were shredded by the onslaught of turbolaser and blaster fire upon entering the kill zone.

The Raiders then proceeded to engage the Strike Class cruisers alongside the Immobilizer, which was finally able to face the enemy given their reduced state and reliance on thrusters. Given time to repair and rearm the Tie SF and Bombers were able to exploit the pressure on the Strike Class from their capital ships, and destroy them in subsequent bombing runs.

Ever a professional, Kano Tor Tydex secured the asteroid. Leading from the front, Kano lead a lightning fast assault utilizing Vizsla forces outfitted with Jetpacks. Breaching the enemy stronghold with the turbolaser present on the AT-M6, Kano managed a miraculous attack with zero casualties, likely owed to the speed of the assault and the terror inspired by an AT-M6 looming over the Collective forces.

‘All in all things went well’ Hector Ricmore reflected. There were funerals to plan, condolences to send and repairs to make; but Clan Vizsla had managed to recover their riches from a foe with surperior forces, with surprisingly few casualties.

Hector put down his pen and gathered his flimsiplast, having finished writing down the tale of the encounter. He placed the flimsiplast into a container, locking it for safekeeping. The Zygerrian could not keep the grin off of his face as he walked into the communications room. Booting up the holoprojector it was not long before the figure of Appius Wight appeared before him.

“We’ve done it Appius, mission accomplished.”