Number Two in the Galaxy

[Ghorua the Shark]

NAR SHADDAA, GROUND LEVEL​

THE STREETS​

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They said the only successful bounty hunters were the lucky ones.

What they meant by that, and who they were, was irrelevant. The warning was clear. Being a hunter wasn't easy. It took dedication, training, brains, and yes, a bit of luck, to not die a terrible death on the job. Many assumed it was easy, that one could simply pick up their father's carbine and hit the streets to tussle with the seedy underworld. They often fell before they could say feth.

Again, who they were in this situation was irrelevant. They didn't have to worry about who Ghorua had to worry about. They weren't angry like he was. They weren't lucky like he was.

But he was tracking down someone that was. And he was going to pay.

[member="Koda Fett"]. A name nearly revered in darker circles, as a master bounty hunter, who's only allegiance was to the credit. Ghorua himself had studied the human with interest after he started to gain traction in the underworld. The Shark had almost admired him.

Until he went after one of his own.

[member="Lady Kay"], despite her introduction to the Shark so long ago, was like a sister to him. Fett had collected on an old bounty of hers, much like Ghorua had done when he had first met her. That wasn't what angered Ghorua, what caused his blood to boil. No, it was his method. Kay was well into the throes of pregnancy at the time, and Koda had used stun blasts against her; a weapon known to cause a high percentage of miscarriages.

Ghorua was fine with Kay getting into trouble, it was her lot in life, and no matter what he did, the Queen of Commenor would find trouble. But Fett could have destroyed her children, and that was unacceptable. Fett had been sloppy, and he would pay the price.

That's why Ghorua found himself on Nar Shaddaa. Koda would be here, his contact had assured him. The Herglic only had to wait.

The Shark was out for blood.

 

[Lemon]

Koda Fett​

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Nar Shaddaa, Hutt Space, The Middle Rim​

Tag: [member="Ghorua the Shark"]​

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Koda Fett wasn't a lowly criminal who killed for no real purpose, or made his adversaries lives a living hell for pleasure. He was a consummate professional, a deadly opponent and a renowned bounty hunter across the galaxy. His name inspired fear across the known galaxy in the criminal underworlds, and his signature armour was of now less importance. In essence, that armour was Fett, every last piece of it.

​Rumours had spread as to whether or not Koda Fett was one man or instead many, a viable question as to how one man could do all he's said to of done, track down everyone across the galaxy at moments notice. Though who were they kidding? There was only ever one Koda Fett.

The capturing of Lady Kay meant nothing more to the infamous hunter then yet another job, the reward was what mattered not the consequences. As a bounty hunter one must be ready to face danger anywhere, and Fett had faced his fair share of danger for not only one life, but perhaps even two or three.

With his carbine in hand the Mandalorian was covered head-to-toe in his armour, walking with confidence and purpose as the denizens of Nar Shaddaa avoided him like the plague, yet they garnered no attention from Koda as the scummy criminals they were. Nothing threatened him here, this was his abode, and the hunt was his game. Why wouldn't it be? Koda Fett was the very best the lucrative business of bounty hunting had to offer.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

There he is.

Circling the sky, nearly invisible to the naked eye and sensors, were a cadre of small probe droids. They danced around each other, like a school of tiny minnows, darting to and fro with seemingly not a care in the galaxy. In actuality, they had been performing a search grid for hours now, searching for a very distinct set of armor.

Ghorua received a ping from within his helmet as the ACS Modular Probe Droids alerted him of Koda Fett's presence, and quickly fading away to a safe distance. He had been posted up in an alley, cloak draped over his bulky frame, obscuring his form into nothingness. The Shark often received questions on how such a large hunter like him could sneak up on his prey. He could only respond with a shrug and a wink. He wouldn't give away all his tricks, now would he?

When he got the Mandalorian's coordinates, the Shark stood, stretching his back, sighing in relief as a few thunderous cracks released pressure from his spine. He'd been sitting for a while. Willing himself forward, he stalked through the back alleys of Nar Shaddaa, quietly sneaking up on his quarry.

After some time, the Shark saw him.

Sauntering through the streets without a care, Koda Fett was clearly a threatening force. What passed for citizenry in the darkened shadows and glaring neon signs of Nar Shaddaa steered clear, none seeming to detect the larger bounty hunter's obscured appearance. He was walking towards the Shark's current position, facing the alley Ghorua posted in.

Patience, Fish.

With the subtlest of movements, Ghorua pulled a thermal detonator from his belt, primed it, and stuck it to the wall next to him, planning for the future. When Fett passed his location, the Shark would billow his cape around himself, blending him into the dingy lighting and putrid atmosphere of the alley.

Patience.

- [member="Koda Fett"] -

 

[Lemon]

Koda Fett​

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Nar Shaddaa, Hutt Space, The Middle Rim​

Tag: [member="Ghorua the Shark"]​

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The Bounty Hunter kept on his path, moving towards an alleyway whilst tossing the occasional glare at the individual who shuddered to much for his liking. Fortunately enough for Ghorua he was cloaked, otherwise there would definitely be a large enough commotion with such a humongous beast roaming around. For now the only one causing traction was the Mandalorian. Fett rounded the corner, coming into the alleyway in order to use it as a shortcut to wherever he was going. Although it wasn't as if that mattered much anymore, a big problem was definitely coming his way, or better yet, he walking into it.

Nothing was visible to him just yet, and so he kept on his stride. Something was nearby on his sensors, unless the item in which Ghorua cloaked himself had hid the gargantuan beast. Although if there was Fett made no attempt to discover what it may be, perhaps nothing more than a rat that used this alleyways as homes. He only kept walking, there wasn't much to do other than that, really.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Wait for it.

Perhaps in Ghorua's youth, he would've attacked the Bounty Hunter the moment he saw the glint of their armor, but the Shark had since learned the value of patience. The best ambush predators in the galaxy didn't reveal their position right away, they simply watched and waited for the perfect moment.

It seemed that moment was upon him.

Once Fett had walked a few paces past Ghorua's hidden position, he sprung into action. Hood pushed back, and arms extended, the Shark extended his wrist charric, and fired, releasing a crack of thunder, and two charric shots, aimed for Fett's back. More importantly...

The volatile fuel cells of his jetpack.

Ghorua had planned the attack with a few things in mind. One; he didn't want to kill Fett. He didn't go around killing Bounty Hunters for doing their jobs. Two; he expected the fight to be long, and hard. Ghorua's adversary didn't get where he was in life without learning to watch his back, and certainly would have his own tricks up his sleeve. And three; keep the Mandalorian within arm's reach.

Half-concealed by his cloak, Ghorua stood to his full height, imposing, terrifying. Preparing for whatever Koda Fett would do next.

And, in that split second of action, Ghorua wondered how the other would respond.

- [member="Koda Fett"] -

 

[Lemon]

Koda Fett​

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Nar Shaddaa, Hutt Space, The Middle Rim​

Interacting With: [member="Ghorua the Shark"]​

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Fett moved past Ghorua unknowingly, and that was his first mistake, perhaps the most costly one of this entire engagement. Yet as the large beast sprung into action something on his sensors blipped aggressively, and the movement of the beast wasn't subtle or quiet in any way. He turned to face the origin of the sound with haste, meeting the herglic visor to visor, or perhaps even to eye depending on what Ghorua wore for this outing. The charric shot impacted with his chest plate instead, the jetpack was still active, and thankfully so. A gigantic animal like 'The Shark' was nothing to get up nice and close to. The jetpack may suffer some damage later, however, and when it did an unfortunate thing it would become.

With a pained grunt the bounty hunter jolted backwards from the impact, taking even more time to size up his opponent subconsciously. By now he recognised the armour and the size of the figure, this was no amateur, this was a true professional much like himself - it was Ghorua the Shark. Fett used the impact of the shot and his backwards movement to lower himself further in quick succession, activating his jetpack and gaining some distance from the imposing herglic, yet he didn't move upwards or away, just backwards by ten metres. Though if Fett wanted to reach the streets again and out of this alleyway, he had to get past the leviathan.

With his carbine raised he fired a series of bolts in Ghorua's direction in a bit to test what that armour was truly made of. Did he want to kill Ghorua? He didn't know, it was a fight for his life and if so be it he would. There was only room for a number one in this galaxy, and Koda Fett intended on keeping his position known.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

The Mandalorian's shots spattered against Ghorua's armor, having the predictable effect of leaving only smoldering welts in the duraplast. Ghorua's armor wasn't made of high quality metals like Koda's, but the heavy plates were so thick, it nearly didn't matter. The areas of impact stung the Shark's skin, but he didn't let it phase him.

Ghorua felt his lip tighten in concentration as Fett jetted backwards, and without hesitation, pulled his two slugthrowers from his side holsters. He didn't move from his position, instead comfortable with firing off the weapons. While he was sure they most likely wouldn't penetrate the hunter's armor, he had a plan.

As if it were instinct, Ghorua aimed his pistols away from Fett's center mass, discharging the weapons once, twice, three times each. The kickback would have been enough to break a lesser being's arm, but not Ghorua, as he calmly fired, taking slow steps forward.

Each slug was huge, and while they wouldn't break through beskar, they could certainly knock a flying opponent off-balance.

- [member="Koda Fett"] -

 

[Lemon]

Koda Fett​

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Nar Shaddaa, Hutt Space, The Middle Rim​

Interacting With: [member="Ghorua the Shark"]​

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The massive slugs that Ghorua fired struck Fett, his armor was in fact to strong for them to break through and cause any serious damage. But still, the Mandalorian was hovering in the air, and the force from the slugs impacting with his armor knocked him off-balance. Backwards further and further, the bounty hunter kept moving until eventually room would run out - though that hadn't come just yet. His bearings came back to him, deactivating his jetpack and landing with a thud, and even in his landing he ducked by proxy and fortunately so; if not a slug may have made it's way straight through the visor and into his brain.

The left hand of Fett removed itself from the carbine as it was tucked into his right side, continuously firing yet to what he assumed was to no avail. His left arm raised and rocket launched itself from it, moving in the direction of Ghorua, but not to his person, yet the ground just ahead of him. With any luck this may knock the beast from his footing, or at the very least cause a minor distraction for Fett to conjure up something else.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua realized quickly his slugs were having little effect, and withdrew his pistols for now, blocking a few of Fett's laser bolts with his armored gauntlets. As he debated what to do, he saw the other's change of weaponry, and frowned under his helm.

The choice was made for the indecisive Shark.

Instead of jumping back, and putting even more distance between them, Ghorua decided to utilize one of his lesser-known skills; Teräs Käsi.

As Koda's wrist rocket blasted towards the ground near Ghorua, he surged forward, until the bulky hunter was right in it's path. Then, with far too much grace for one of his size, he jumped over it, completing a front flip before he hit the ground, rolled, and began running again, the rocket blast shattering duracrete behind him.

Once the Shark was in range, his arm shot out, and along with it, so did his whipcord launcher, as he attempted to pull the Mandalorian Mercenary in closer.

There was nowhere for Fett to go but closer, up, or over him, and Ghorua had a contingency for each.

- [member="Koda Fett"] -

 

[Lemon]

Koda Fett​

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Nar Shaddaa, Hutt Space, The Middle Rim​

Interacting With: [member="Ghorua the Shark"]​

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Was it utter bewilderment Fett found himself upon witnessing a front-flipping Herglic with too much grace for his size? Yes, as a matter of fact it was. His carbine kept singing it's subjectively beautiful voice as each red blaster bolt came from the weapon tucked up against his right side with it's sling holding it attached to his body. He stood firm and still, almost ready to launch himself upwards and over, or at the very least tried to. However, it was in that brief moment that whipcord was launched towards him. It appeared that the two hunters had similar and effective arsenals.

The whipcord wrapped itself around the Bounty Hunter's waist, even pinning his right arm to his side, unable to adjust his shots or anything of the matter. Though it wasn't as if any of that mattered. 'The Shark' was strong, far stronger than the Mandalorian, and one would expect as such regardless of their reputations. He soared through the air like a metallic ragdoll as the Herglic pulled him towards him. Yet whilst he moved head on in the direction of Ghorua his jetpack spat flames out the end, causing Fett to move much faster than normally. Like tied up beskar bullet Fett approached Ghorua.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Uh oh.

Ghorua had not planned for this.

Fett rocketed through the air towards him, a heavily-armored battering ram. The Shark may have been strong, but he wasn't strong enough to shrug that one off.

Ghorua was quick enough to put one arm up, blocking him from the impact, his other hand too slow, as it had been busy fiddling with an object at his side. Just as the soaring projectile of a Human hit his mark, Ghorua activated his shield generator. A five-meter diameter bubble of impenetrable energy encapsulated them both, creating an arena, one of which Fett would be within arms reach.

Ghorua fell backwards as Koda slammed into him, falling prone hard. His armor managed to lessen the impact, but one doesn't shake a blow like that off easily. He even thought he felt a tooth break in his mouth. Despite the sudden pain, Ghorua pushed himself off the ground, entering a distinct shockboxing pose, his fists sparking with energy, facing towards wherever the other hunter ended up.

The Shark wasn't smiling yet. The real battle was just starting.

- [member="Koda Fett"] -

 

[Lemon]

Koda Fett​

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Nar Shaddaa, Hutt Space, The Middle Rim​

Interacting With: [member="Ghorua the Shark"]​

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Fett went in like a bullet, and what happens to a bullet when it hits it's target? It usually crumples, breaking apart. Although beskar was strong and it held up, the man inside felt the brunt of the hit still. Being trapped within an energy shield with Ghorua. This wasn't his element, sure, for a man Koda Fett was rather strong - capable of taking on multiple enemies at once with nothing but his bare hands - though a Herglic? The odds weren't stacked in his favour. That much was certain. There was no escape, at least not yet, he'd have to face down the larger than life creature here and now.

The Mandalorian found himself on the ground after the crash, his head ringing and blurry images fading into a clear picture rather quickly. With a quick activation of his gauntlet blades the chord around his arm and body was sliced, falling off to free him. From an all fours position his visor glanced up towards Ghorua, sparks emitting from his gloves.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua noted the crouched position. Perhaps it was a hasty defensive pose, all the Bounty Hunter could erect in the brief respite Ghorua gave him. Ghorua guessed there was more to it than that. Perhaps Koda assumed he would be farther away from the Herglic's fists on the ground, and would be able to counter-attack more effectively.

It gave Ghorua an idea.

The Shark loomed over his opponent, a bastion of strength in white duraplast. He put his forearms low, defending his belly against attack, but leaving his helmet and faceplate tantalizingly undefended. It was a ploy, to get Fett's attention up in the air.

One step forward. Another step.

Ghorua's back muscles tensed, and one of his arms seemingly began to go through the motions of a strike.

Then, a duo of toxic darts sprang from a concealed pocket in the toe of his boot, aimed for Koda's gloved hands. The darts, which despite the strange placement, were accurate enough to be a threat, one that the other Bounty Hunter might see, and barely manage to defend against.

Where he may or may not notice the other heavily-armored foot sailing through the air, in a wide sweeping kick across Fett's entire body.

An attack within a feint within a feint.

- [member="Koda Fett"] -

 

[Lemon]

Koda Fett​

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Nar Shaddaa, Hutt Space, The Middle Rim​

Interacting With: [member="Ghorua the Shark"]​

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Fett wasn't on all fours for some strange tactical reason, no, he was on all fours because he was trying to get up after turning himself into a bullet. Everything had come back to him, he was as vigilant as ever. The darts fired from Ghorua were right on target, heading straight towards his gloved hands. Although his hands were gloved with Mandalorian Crush Gaunts. They weren't soft, they weren't penetrable. They were every bit as hard as the rest of his armour. With a *tink* the darts bounced harmlessly from his gloves and onto the dirty floor beneath him.

Everything was moving, Ghorua's movements didn't quite match his size. Instead of calculating what may happen next he acted on instinct, and that was to get out of that engagement. The kick may have come his way but by then Fett used himself as a bullet once more. Though it was too late, the kick impacted with the beskar armour and sent the Mandalorian a considerable distance away. Tumbling and rolling upon impacting the ground. Pained grunts coming from him with each impact. If he wasn't angered earlier, he certainly was now.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua was fighting a battle of wits, not just a battle of fists.

To be fair, he was quite proficient in both. The Shark had spent a long time honing mind and body, with an emphasis on tackling the tougher foes in the galaxy, the smartest and strongest out there. As far as he was concerned, Fett was ranked among the highest, even if he hadn't shown it yet.

Ghorua's opponent had an impressive track record, and legends surrounding him to boot. Crime Syndicates talked about the man as if he were a demon, who could be everywhere at once, and pull unsuspecting bounties to their doom. So far, Ghorua hadn't been all that impressed. He'd fought plenty tougher than what the heavily-armored opponent had to offer.

Yet, Ghorua battled against himself, trying not to become overconfident. He couldn't let himself fall into that trap. It would be rather embarrassing for the Herglic to let down his guard, and get pummeled into shark fin soup by the man who couldn't stay on his feet.

Koda Fett had his reputation for a reason. There was always truth in Legends.

That didn't mean Ghorua wouldn't capitalize on the Mandalorian's imbalance while he had the chance.

The Shark surged forward once again, arms reaching far down to Fett. The massive hunter's phrik-encased gauntlets attempted to grab onto the other's shoulders, arms, head, anything, and fling him into the sky. If such an action were successful, Koda would find his flight stopped short by a shallow ceiling, his jetpack taking the brunt of the damage, and his chest taking the impact on the way down.

- [member="Koda Fett"] -

 

[Lemon]

Koda Fett​

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Nar Shaddaa, Hutt Space, The Middle Rim​

Interacting With: [member="Ghorua the Shark"]​

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This was the part where he did something useful, worthwhile and lasting. The initial attack that had caught him off-guard was over, and now it was Fett's turn to do do some damage. His head pivoted in the direction of Ghorua as he went to move up onto his feet, initially of course, his movements were sluggish. A kick from a Herglic tended to do that to someone. He was a thing of legends, but that wasn't to say Ghorua wasn't either. Such an imposing figure could bring fear in a man regardless of his profession. 'The Shark's' reputation as a bounty hunter only piled onto this fear factor.

The sight of Ghorua charging forwards didn't offer Fett much time to conjure up a plan of attack, and so instinct was what he relied on as per usual.His armoured right hand shifted around behind him in his bid to stand back up, in doing so he grabs ahold of an ion grenade that's held firmly within his grip, primed by the thumb that pressed down on it. When Ghorua reached him he darted to the left with one quick step, attempting to shift around 'The Shark' whilst also getting closer, wrapping his arms around each side, leaving the majority of his body on the 'back' of Ghorua whilst his right hand attempted to be tucked around onto his chest, leaving the ion grenade to explode. He needed out of this shield, this wasn't his fight until it was gone.

Ghorua wasn't the only one playing a game of wits, for cunning was as important as anything else.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua tried to keep up with Koda as he darted around the Shark, his heightened reflexes tracking the movement of the other bounty hunter. He noted Koda positioning his hand by his bandolier, and his erratic movements, quickly deducing what Fett was up to.

And, for the first time in the battle, Ghorua smiled. He'd lured Koda Fett into a desperate, sloppy attack.

Koda may have been a quick human, but he wouldn't be able to skirt around the entirety of Ghorua quicker than the Herglic could turn his body, so when Koda's instincts told him to wrap around the Shark's massive torso, Ghorua was ready.

Koda Fett would find the Shark's giganting hands instead, latching onto the Mandalorian's wrists, and holding his assault, and his ion grenade, in place. Ghorua tutted, the first sound to emit from his helmet. It was loud and mechanic, right in Fett's face.

"Free hugs?" The Ion grenade quickly began to count down, and Ghorua chuckled savagely. "Perhaps that wasn't what you had in mind."

Ghorua twisted the arm of Fett that held the grenade, willing him to drop it between them. If it went off, the ion charge would definitely short-circuit the shield generator, as well as anything electronic both Ghorua and Fett had on them. It was a grand equalizer, leaving the two of them able to use nothing but their fists and their wits.

Ghorua didn't know about Koda's wits, but he was positive he had bigger fists.

- [member="Koda Fett"] -

 

[Lemon]

Koda Fett​

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Nar Shaddaa, Hutt Space, The Middle Rim​

Interacting With: [member="Ghorua the Shark"]​

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What made Mandalorian Armour so famous, or even infamous depending on who you were, was it's ability to fend off attacks from all kinds of weaponry. Ion based attacks were no different - Fett's wrists, helmet and internal systems were coated with ion shielding to a certain degree. With the imposing figure of this Herglic, most of the blast would be absorbed into him. Fett wouldn't put himself at such a disadvantage, surely if it came to a test of strength Ghorua would win, and who would blame Fett for losing? Though that wasn't going to be the case.

The grenade slipped from his grip as Ghorua latched onto his right arm that was holding onto the grenade. Though the armored figured slipped away, out of his grip and continued to slip around the back of his attacker, at least attempted to. Hearing Ghorua's charmed comment, he had no initial reaction, as in an instant the grenade detonated - wreaking havoc to the devices on Fett's armor for a short time before scrambling back to their regular state within a few seconds.

"Not from me." Fett replied to 'The Shark' after the detonation. His voice cold, calm and if anything, sinister.

Distance was Fett's ally in this engagement, and now that he had slipped away from Ghorua and out of that shield he was comfortable. Flames spat from the bottom of the jetpack, hoisting him into the air and away from the beast as he launched a barrage of concussion missiles out of his right wrist. With time, and if without intervention, the Mandalorian would reach a ledge in which he could stand. Although the Herglic had time to react before then.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Fett managed to weasel himself away from Ghorua's grasp after the ion grenade impacted both of them. It was no wonder. The sensors in the Shark's helmet cried out in dissonant hues as they died, and he immediately felt heavier as the weight-assisting joints in his suit were disabled. It seemed he'd be running on only his own strength now. That meant no more crazy flips in his armor.

Still, Ghorua had a few tricks in the old tin can. Non-electronic tricks.

As Fett rocketed up, Ghorua decided his own safety was more important than grabbing a hold of the slippery hunter, flattening himself against the wall as wrist rockets peppered the ground. Ghorua had to duck under one as it flew past, feeling a sharp pain in his back as the shrapnel dug into him. Without hesitation, the Shark pulled his slugthrowers yet again, but this time, he flicked the switches, changing his ammunition.

As Ghorua fired, Fett would notice a few things. Firstly, that the round were traveling through the air slightly slower. And secondly, wherever they impacted was followed by a flash of blindingly hot light. Ghorua had switched to incendiary rounds. Hot enough, not to burn through beskar, but melt the advanced tech, and the soft flesh, beneath. He aimed primarily for the jetpack's exhaust nozzles, which where now conveniently pointed in his direction.

Ghorua was fine with Fett going up. Once the Shark's comms were back online, if he hadn't taken out that blasted jetpack, he could force the flier to ground.

- [member="Koda Fett"] -

 

[Lemon]

Koda Fett​

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Nar Shaddaa, Hutt Space, The Middle Rim​

Interacting With: [member="Ghorua the Shark"]​

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Fett soared through the air, propelled by combustion as missiles departed his wrist in a barrage towards his adversary for the day. He remained facing Ghorua, watching his every movement as it were dangerous to turn your back on a proven killer, even for Fett. His hands rushed to his carbine was two slugthrowers were raised at him. They were slow but deadly, as expected. They were easy to avoid at originally, able to get off shots of his own that would no doubt impact harmlessly, yet with enough slugs hurled in the Bounty Hunter's direction they soon became unavoidable. A fire appearing across his heavily armored chest, the 'blinding light' have a minimal effect due to the protective visor that would even automatically shift his vision to be able to see in the current conditions. Although it struck with force, and with someone in the air it caused Fett to disappear behind the ledge as the back of his knees collided with it.

The Mandalorian's first move was to pat down the fire on his chest with aggression, and with time it would fade. Then he decided to enact a move revolving fire of his own, rushing across the rooftops or whatever they may very well be to where he could put on some sort of a flank. Fett's left arm being aimed down towards Ghorua, emitting an arc of flames as he assumed his firm positioning, yet still somewhat expecting he wouldn't find Ghorua where he assumed him to be.