Open Sparring on Sullust

[Audren Sykes]

The yellow blade intercepted blue, blocking the strike and moving it away. Rather than immediately attack however, the Mandalorian set himself. What Audren could only describe as a mental 'buzz' started through the Force. No doubt it was intended for some purpose, but darned if the Sephi could tell what that was. Immediately after the buzz began, Chip started another charge. He didn't strike right away, but when the Padawan's guard was raised the strike came down. Like before, it was a strong attack, one that Audren anticipated. After all, if one attack was strong, it was no big assumption to think future ones would be too.

Audren's parry was designed for the strength. Rather than collide straight on, it was angled to use La'Say's own strength to push the blades to one side with some guidance from the Padawan. Rather than recoiling to strike, he struck from within the parry. He simply drew his blade up from the guide in a lightning-quick slash at the nearest armpit. He'd have struck for an elbow - another weak point on armor - but when the arms were descending like they were the outside of the armor was the ready target, not the inside where the armor was weak.

Had Chip not been wearing armor Audren's target choices would have been far more numerous. A slash to the belly from the guide would have disemboweled the man and ended the game far more quickly. It wasn't an option though, so the game continued.

[member="George O Rourke"] | [member="Karen Roberts"]

 

[Jsc]

[member="Audren Sykes"]

La'Say leaned down upon his blade and let it smash over top of his partners. The two blades never disconnecting. When the cut came he hunched over their axis strongly, riding the lunge, pulling at his hilt, tugging at the incoming strike, and riding the blades to their full extension. Smiling, clenching, and listening to the sparks fly. Close. Sykes cut would miss it's mark by only centimeters as La'Say's lightsaber pulled and pushed the stroke to it's new ending.

Anticipating his partner to shift his wrists and cut deeper inwards, Chip's hilt shifted again. Blade still biting on the axis to control the space between them. Then he jumped outwards, towards their blades, blasting free, and gaining a neutral one-step distance again. No longer having to clench nearly shoulder to shoulder with his partner and lose his easy footing.

Chip decided to switch from Form V to Form I this time. Sykes was being delicate and floaty. A hard man to crush beneath his shoulders with strength alone. Mm. But if he could get Audren to commit to a game of sheer speed? Ah. Then he could push the tempo until the man broke. That thought brought a smile to his bearded face. If he wanted fast? He'd get the lightning.

Posture reset. One step distance. Middle guard.

 

[George O Rourke]

[member="Karen Roberts"] | [member="Audren Sykes"]

Doing exactly what George expected Master Roberts parried that strike and George used the force from the rebound to push into his next move. Spinning around to attack from the other direction he swung around slashing at her right shoulder before moving a few steps forward, trying to push her back. As he stopped pushing he opted to drop and swipe at her legs in an arc shape trying to take a new approach to the battle.

 

[Audren Sykes]

Audren's strike missed by centimeters due to Chip's response, which had forced his blade atop the Sephi's and extended the both of them. Rather than respond quickly with the relatively short distance between the two of them, the Mandalorian moved outwards, extending to a basic blade distance rather than infighting distance. There was a flash of a grin as the bigger man reset into a guard rather than another attack.

The Sephi was relatively surprised at the defensive posture, but moved on it. The human's blade was in mid-guard while Audren's was fairly low to the ground. So he started low. A twirl of his blade allowed his wrist to flip and start the blade rising, while a half-step took him in just a smidgen closer. His strike was purely vertical and didn't possess any extraordinary speed or strength. It was a real-enough strike, but intended more as a probe to figure out how the older man would respond. Based on the response, the Padawan could speed up or add strength to his next strike and better choose a target.

Blasted armor, it turned the man into a tank.


[member="George O Rourke"] | [member="Karen Roberts"]

 

[Jsc]

[member="George O Rourke"]

Karen moved to block and deflect as Rourke spun. His push was good and she had to flex to engage it properly. When he went low Karen stepped away from the incoming cut and spun around. Her blade went low to sweep her partner's sword past her feet with a brushing motion. Her wrist spun faster, feet reset, and she then leaped forward with an overhead chop.


[member="Audren Sykes"]

Chip moved to Audren's right and brushed his sword down and out. Hilt at his shoulder and blade at his knees. Aiming to smack his partner's cut out into the negative space to Chip's own right side. It was mostly just a love tap too. La'Say knew what he really wanted was to get the faster-faster-faster going. So he moved deeper into Audren's right.

Flowing right from the deflect Chip did a straight lunge for the Selphi's neck. A feint. The sudden jab rose much too high, much too fast, and was non-committal. Just fast enough to spook but too floaty and inaccurate to do damage. Chip's knees were weightless, his posture shifting, and he was already making preparations for Sykes rebound.

 

[George O Rourke]

[member="Karen Roberts"] | [member="Audren Sykes"]

As George swept at Master Roberts feet she managed to step back avoiding it and parried it away also sweeping at George's blade. With his blade now stationed above his head with both hands gripped on the hilt. There was a small gab between the combatants and Master Roberts used this to her advantage. With a great leap she was well above George's head height and was coming down, it was frantically quite for such a move. But George was able to watch the entire move. Seeing what she was doing he took a few quick steps to his left as he too slashed at Master Roberts blade helping her bring the blade down to the now empty ground. With his blade on top of hers he quickly transitioned, spinning to the right to open up Master Roberts right side. George swing the blade around horizontally right the right side of her midsection. Hoping she didn't have the time to turn and parry.

 

[Jsc]

[member="Audren Sykes"] [member="George O Rourke"]

Time had passed swiftly as the noble heroes practiced their very best moves. Alas, the day was quickly coming to a spontanous close. An X-Wing landed on the pad and had further orders for the RnR Commanders. Straight from Denon.

La'Say and Roberts had no choice but to smile and halt the practice. Well pleased in the efforts of all parties. Even without the use of their Jedi superpowers? Everyone involved had displayed excellent swordsman. It was all very traditional. Obi-won Kenobi himself would have approved.

Karen gave a bow and let every know it was time for a break,

"Excellent spar everyone. Masterfully done. O Rourke? You have the makings of a fine Jedi Master. Trust in yourself and your sword shall never fail you. ...Jedi Sykes. I must congratulate your skill as well. Chip usually bruises his partners by now. To see you have survived him speaks well of your Jedi heritage."

Chip smiled and turned of his sword,

"Bah? Kid's a natural. They both are."

Karen nodded and gave them all a smile.

"Excellent work Lightsiders. I congradulate you all on your achievements. As we now go our separate ways? May the Force be with you. Always."

La'Say folded his arms and nodded likewise. It had been an excellent training session.

...

/exit. loa.

 

[George O Rourke]

[member="Karen Roberts"] | [member="Audren Sykes"]

As the time had come for the duel to end. It was a great practice and the kind words from both Chip and Master Roberts were all inspiring. "Thank you both for the time you allowed us. It was been very helpful in developing our swordsmanship and as a Jedi. The kind words from you both are pleasing. It has been a pleasure training with you. May the force be with you, and shall we meet again." George said with a gracious bow as they all went their separate ways. George jumped aboard his YT and fired up the engines, he would need some time to relax, luckily he had a long hyperspace trip back to Voss for some downtime. Thinking over what had happened and how it went down. He learnt a lot this day, something that he will never forget.

 

[Audren Sykes]

Audren's probing strike was blocked adroitly, Chip moving it from center-line out to the left while the big man swung in towards the Sephi's right. His sword arm was across his body, which would make replying to any attack difficult, if not impossible. And attack La'Say did, a lunging stab. It appeared to be going high, maybe for the upper chest area. Normally he would simply have leaned back and countered with a strike of his own, but the Mandalorian had been quick and relatively unpredictable so far. With his sword arm so massively out of place, he simply dodged.

He continued the twist, adding a bit more energy to it so he would eventually be turned full-circle. At the same time, he ducked, allowing the lightsaber to go over his head. As he came back around to face his opponent, the Padawan raised his blade in a high guard, certain Chip would drop his blade in a slash. Audren meant to block and retaliate quickly...but that never happened. An X-Wing was landing on one of the other decks, and both La'Say and Roberts were looking at it. Turned out it came with orders for the two of them, cutting the spar short.

"Excellent spar everyone. Masterfully done. O Rourke? You have the makings of a fine Jedi Master. Trust in yourself and your sword shall never fail you. ...Jedi Sykes. I must congratulate your skill as well. Chip usually bruises his partners by now. To see you have survived him speaks well of your Jedi heritage."

"Bah? Kid's a natural. They both are."

Audren bowed his head in response to the compliments paid. And compliments they were, though he was a bit confused by the comment on his Jedi heritage. Another time though.

"Excellent work Lightsiders. I congratulate you all on your achievements. As we now go our separate ways? May the Force be with you. Always."

"And with you, Masters."

This time the Padawan gave a formal bow as he spoke, then picked up his duffel bag and headed in towards the population centers. Maybe do a bit of sightseeing before hitching a ride back to Sanctum space, he certainly had the time.


[member="George O Rourke"] | [member="Karen Roberts"]


/End