Lethal Combination (Anastasia Rade)

[Cryax Bane]

Cryax Bane bounced up and down with nervous energy as he waited in the lobby of the Antecedent shooting range where he was scheduled to meet his new client, Anastasia Rade. The two were about to embark on a mission to retrieve some lost data pertaining to Anastasia's lineage. This wasn't any old "slice in, slice out, scrub tracks" kind of job. They were going to break into Jedi Archives on Tython and it was pretty risky business.

The Mandolorian woman had kindly offered the slicer some weapons training and he felt he'd be remiss not to take her up on it. To put it bluntly, he couldn't shoot his way out of a Synthplastic bag.

The Chiss had some very basic beginner's training with hand-to-hand combat. He only knew enough to know that he actually liked fighting and wanted to do more of it. It had awakened some animal instincts in him that were previously repressed and those endorphins flooding his brain afterwards, well, that was a rush.

He brought his blaster and his vibroknife, but he hoped Anastasia would bring some of her weapons, too. He knew enough about them to be able to tinker with a weapon if it broke, but unlike her, he was not the expert.

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

This just wasn't about her promise to him to provide training for information. She wanted him prepared when they went waltzing into some Jedi Temple because something told her that this wasn't going to be simple. Nothing was ever simple.

Anastasia thought about wearing her armor to this weapons training but on second thought better of it. She didn't want to scare him off from the get go. Therefore she decided it best to just bring it for show and tell.

Mandalorian's had a slew of weapons to choose from when doing battle. They certainly loved their toys and creating new ones. Anastasia had been taught by Azrael how to properly utilize each and everyone of them. He had equipped her with all the knowledge she needed in order to survive.

As she entered the lobby the bouncing Cryax would see her carrying two black duffle bags. One held her armor and the second held all of the weapons she planned on showing him. Anastasia could have brought more but opted for only ones she thought he might find interesting.

"Ready?" She questioned setting the bags down on the ground in front of them. "Tell me, what do you know about fighting or weapons? What are you hoping to learn?" It seemed like a solid place to start.

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

Cryax smiled widely when he saw Anastasia with her duffel bags. The woman was serious about her weapons. She wasted no time getting right down to business. He figured honestly was the best policy about his skills, or lack thereof.

"To be frank, not much. I've had a few sessions with combat trainers and haven't really gotten past the basics of punching and dodging. Oh, and holding a knife. I know how to hold a knife." He laughed. It seemed she really had her work cut out for her. He seemed more comfortable with the Mandolorian woman than he had previously been.

"As for range weapons, I'm even less knowledgeable about them. The last time I fired a blaster, I wasn't prepared for the recoil and, well, if you've ever seen a Chiss with a black eye, it's not a pretty sight." He scratched his head and smiled. This was all kind of embarrassing to admit.

He put his hands out. "I assure you Ms. Rade. I'm so ready to learn. I'll try and make this as painless as possible."

With that he took off his trenchcoat, figuring that his black t-shirt and black pants would give him more mobility than his bulky coat.

"So, what should we start with?"

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

She couldn't help but smile when he mentioned being able to use a knife. That had been the first thing she had been taught to use and a present from her big brother which now was on her armor.

He knew just about as much as she figured he would which was fine because she could work with anything and seemed ready to learn. A willing student she found was the best.

"Please call me Ana or Sia. Everyone else does. Do you know how to use said knife or do you just know how to hold it? Blindingly being able to stab people does not count. My elder brother does that and he's an animal." She had tried her hardest to reconnect with her biological brother but he was too far gone and cold hearted. He seemed to not want anything to do with her. The way he stabbed people at random when he was released should have given her a clue.

"Let's start easy, with a blaster and work our way up. If your lucky I'll let you play with a flame thrower," she grinned bending down to zip open a bag which held a numerous number of blasters, ropes, flame throwers, grenades, knifes, swords, axes, and even a reaper which were all pushed out of the way as she pulled out a blaster pistol.

"Here, show me how you hold a blaster." She stated as she threw it to him to hopefully catch.


[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

Cryax caught the blaster without seriously maiming himself and smiled. He was careful not to point it at her as he wrapped his hands tightly around the grip. Clicking off the safety, he cautiously steadied it with his other hand and pointed it towards the HoloTarget. It wasn't the best form in the world, but not the worst. His wrists were too bent, and his shoulders too tense, overall he was unbalanced. This wasn't a stance that would save their lives in a crisis.

The Chiss looked back at her, raised a brow, and grinned. "I'm holding it all wrong aren't I?"

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

Sighing she shook her heard and smiled. Cryax had one thing right and that was that he was holding the blaster wrong. If they had walked in like this they both could have gotten killed. It was good that she was teaching him now.

"No, no try to relax. You seem tense." Reaching back into the bag she pulled out another blaster and went to go stand closer so she could demonstrate what she meant.

Gripping the blaster tightly she held the blaster towards the target making sure to keep her wrists straight and her arms straight out in front of her. She made sure to keep her arms and shoulders loose enough so that she could move if need be.

Setting the blaster down she went over to where he was and gently rubbed his shoulders trying to calm him. He was shooting nothing in this state. "Relax you got this," she whispered in his ear as she let go and stepped back.

Before he pulled the trigger she wanted to make sure that he had his form down.


[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

He carefully watched Anastasia's form as she demonstrated how to properly use the blaster. The way she handled it was impressive to say the least. Whether it was from extensive training or a hard-knock life, the woman had some finesse with a weapon. Or maybe it was those Mandolorian roots. He'd heard that as children, instead of toys, Mandos were given blasters. That would make a Mandolorian game of hide-and-seek a frightening feat to behold, he thought with a grimace. But he remembered that Ana's upbringing was anything but traditional.

Cryax watched the woman shoot and couldn't help but notice how nicely shaped her shoulders were. And the curve of her back. Careful there. He knew that letting his mind wander would get them both lightsabered on Tythin, so he reminded himself to stay on task. But then she slipped behind him and rubbed his shoulders.

He had to admit, her touch felt incredible. This whole training session with her might end up being more problematic than he previously imagined. He chastised himself for his thoughts. The woman was his client, and he was a professional. It wouldn't do them either good for him to let his mind go down a certain path. As his muscles relaxed into her hands, took a few very deep breaths, trying to slow his racing pulse.

He straightened his arms, leveled the blaster in front of him and widened his stance, mimicking hers. He held the pistol firmly, not in a death grip like during his first try.

"How's this, Ana?"

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

"That's much better. You have to be comfortable and confident with your weapons. Now I want you to shoot. Aim for the bullseye." Ana didn't expect him to get it on his first try or even hit the target. That was alright as she hadn't either but she knew with practice he would be able to. It had taken her a couple shots to just get used to just pulling the trigger. Back than she had been a complete and total mess.

While Ana knew her weapons she was no good when it came to human emotions. She had learned as a child it was better to keep those to herself. They had never gotten her anything but pain.

She had to admit though things were different out here. Ana was learning having emotions and feelings were not a bad thing. Had she known her hands on approach was distracting she would have stopped it.

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

At her confident instructions, he meticulously aimed at the target. He drew a deep breath and willing his hands to steady, fired at the target. He lowered the blaster and bit his lip, curiously inspecting the target. A thin blue wisp of smoke emanated from the shoulder of the Hologram, a Bothan dressed like a stereotypical criminal thug, a cigarella hanging from its lips. It looked like he had nicked the target in the shoulder. Well, at least it wasn't a miss.

He exhaled deeply. Firing the blaster felt good. Not quite as good as those moments right before when she was standing dangerously close to him, but he wasn't about to complain. He raised an eyebrow and searched Ana's eyes.

"Hopeless case, right?" he asked with a self-deprecating smile.

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

"No, no you hit the target! That's great. When I first started out I didn't even hit the target at first. Your doing great." Ana was actually impressed that he hit the target as she had expected him to miss by a long shot. She saw the potential in him to be a great shot and to actually be able to handle other weapons.

Getting behind him again she leaned into him reaching for the blaster. Placing her hands on his she gently guided their hands so the blaster was pointed straighter to the chest. "Try shooting like this," she whispered in ear as she pulled the trigger to hit the target right in the chest. It wasn't her best work but that would have been a kill shot. When she pulled out a blaster she always shot to kill.

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

He grinned from ear-to-ear, surprised that he was actually making some progress. Perhaps he wouldn't have to buy that personal bodyguard droid after all. With Ana's help, he had a shot at actually defending himself should the Ravens get blindsided again by the Black Suns.

He tensed up for a second when she moved in behind him. It took every fiber of his being to stay focused. He kept repeating the same thing like a mantra in his head. Distractions would get them killed. Still he leaned back into the Mandolarian woman gently as she corrected his form.

The blaster fire struck the HoloTarget a little bit left of the heart. Not a kill shot exactly, but enough to down an assailant. He was pleasantly surprised that he had come so close to a fatality. Especially given the handicap of such close physical contact with his distracting trainer.

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

She was less worried now as he seemed to have it down pat. He wasn't nearly as bad as what he had originally told her. He would be deadly with a blaster with some more practice. It seemed that she found herself a target practice buddy. " See your getting better and with more practice it will become second nature. I'll have to take you out practicing again sometime on Mandalore." She grinned taking a step back from him.

Ana was quite surprised at how comfortable she was around him. Normally she was aloof and only because comfortable with a little alcohol in her. She hadn't been drinking and he knew more about her than anyone else including the man whom saved her.

Trust was something the young witch had issues with but she trusted him with her secrets. Not only the ones she had told him but the ones they were to uncover. It wasn't only because she knew he was a professional but he was nice as well. She believed even if she wasn't his client he would still have her back.

"Ready to try something tougher? I have swords, axes, flame throwers. Pick your poison and I'll show you how to use it."

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

Cryax smiled when she mentioned taking him to Mandalore. Out of all the planets in the galaxy, he most loved the Outer Rim ones, probably because the Outer Rim felt like home. He'd always heard about the planet's lush jungles and beautiful scenery. It would be fun to go there with her. Then he reminded himself that again, she was his client and he was her consultant. And a criminal consultant to boot. The more time she spent with him, the more she was at risk, and that complication muddied the waters of their friendship.

The young slicer glanced down at the array of weapons she had brought and mulled over his choices. He had to admit the idea of a flame-thrower wielding Chiss was pretty hilarious. Then he picked up the sword, grasping the hilt and holding it gingerly out in front of him. Finally he put the sword down and chose a vibroknife.

"I'd like to train with this next. And I'd especially like to learn how to disarm someone using it on me."

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

If Anastasia had learned anything from her past it was that life was short and you had to cherish the time you had. This notion had only had been reinforced as she went to war and watched countless comrades die around her. If she wanted to hang out with Cryax criminal or not she would do it. Ana was surprised at how she had for once just spoke her mind as normally she was the quiet one.

"A vibroknife," she grinned as she pulled another out of the bag. "Interesting. This shouldn't be too difficult since you already know hand to hand. It really is just adding a pointy sharp thing to the mix."

Pulling off her sweater she pulled her long blonde hair back in a ponytail. If she was going to show him she needed to be prepared to fight. Now in her pink tank top and black workout shorts she was. Ana wouldn't hurt him of course but this was the best way to learn. It was how she had learned. "I want you to come at me and show me what you got. Don't worry I won't hurt you and you won't hurt me."


[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

The knife dropped from his hands as she took off her sweater, making a clattering sound on the concrete floor of the shooting range. He blushed as he went to retrieve it. "Slipped," he said, trying to shrug it off with a nervous smile.

He gripped the knife firmly in one hand and put his legs in the stance that the fox warrior had shown him. He lowered his head and stood in a crouch, his red eyes trained right on hers, a bit animal-like. She wanted him to come at her, but as he readied himself, he wasn't sure he could. He didn't want to hurt her.

But Ana was tough. From the amount of weapons she owned she had to be some sort of Mando warrior queen in a past life. She could handle whatever he threw at her. He was sure of it. So he launched himself at Ana, letting out a few words in Cheunh which sounded like some kind of staccato battle cry, and lunged at her with the knife.

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

As he readied himself to fight, so did she placing one foot in front of the other and crouching down. The knife she placed on her belt as right now it wasn't needed for the moment. The guys that she normally fought had challenged her as such she had something to prove. In this case Ana didn't want to hurt him but at the same time didn't want to ease up as that wouldn't do him any good either. There was also this thing were she happened to kind of like him.

She had heard many a different war cries in her days of fighting but none that was quite like his. He was either being super serious or trying to have fun with it. Before she had a chance to figure that one out he lunged at her and she lunged at him reaching for the hand with the knife. Backing up would have never worked as she was trying to get close so she could use that knife.

This was not just a test of knife skills for the both of them but close combat as well. She would watch him and give tips as needed. "First thing I always try to do is disarm my opponent or get them flat on their back. You could also go for tigger areas on a person." She would have to point those out later to him unless he already knew.


[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

Expertly anticipating each of his moves, Anastasia was light on her feet and fast, countering the attack by grabbing his wrist. As she grappled with him, he could feel the Mandolorian woman's strength matched, perhaps surpassed, his own. Cryax was fairly tall by human and near-human standards and, while no bodybuilder, his lanky frame was muscular. He definitely had some meat on his bones, it was just lean. The Chiss as a species had excellent metabolisms and even without too much exercise he was able to keep his body in relatively good shape.

What disarmed him even more though than her grip on his arm, was the rush of adrenaline as she pulled in close to him. Then he lost his game because he wasn't sure where to put his other hand or how hard to grip her. He was still trying to be somewhat of a gentleman around Ana. And he didn't want to physically cause her harm. With those thoughts, the whole fighting-back thing just fizzled out for him.

The young Chiss shook it off and smiled at her, whistling an appreciation of her speed and strength.

"So how exactly would you get someone flat on their back?"

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

"Like this," she grinned pulling him closer as she swept a leg under his trying quite literally knock him off his feet. It was possibly that he could regain his balance but there were other ways too such as picking him up and slamming him down. In his case she would set him down gently. There would be no slamming here.

Ana had started out as a weak little girl whom could barely hold a knife. Through her continuous training she was blossoming into a woman warrior. Ana knew she didn't know it all and she never pretended to. There was still a lot that she didn't know and she was sure a lot she could learn from him.

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

All of the Chiss's defenses were miserably failing him as she pulled him against her shapely body. Cryax grinned back at her widely, returning the embrace. He suddenly wrapped his arms around her, gripping her with one hand the at center of her back and the other a bit lower. His muscles tensing, he stood firm, and resisted the leg sweep, instead choosing to lift Ana up and place her gently the end of the table. His hand swept the surface as he lowered her, sending melee weapons clanging to the ground.

He leaned in closely, his heart racing, and still holding her tightly, moved the other hand to the back of her head pulling her gently into a kiss.

As he withdrew, his glowing red eyes searched hers, brows slightly furrowed. He moved back an inch and hoped he hadn't crossed a line.

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

She had expected him to fall and perhaps take him down with her. If not take her down instead which would been quite impressive. Ana hadn't expected him to literally sweep her off her feet.

She had been trying to ignore how it felt to be close to him. Being in his arms made her heart race more than being on the battlefield. His kiss left her breathless and with this warm fuzzy feeling inside. It left her wanting more. She wished to speak and tell him how she felt but words were failing her. Instead all she did for about a minute was sit on the edge of the table her gaze on him.

Hopped off the table she took a step closer to him wrapping her arms. Pulling him in closer she leaned in to kiss him. If she couldn't tell him she had similar feelings Ana would show him.

[member="Cryax Bane"]