Pride & Honor (Alkor Centaris, Kaine Australis)

[WolfMortum]

The fight for Commenor had been won, the Sith Empire's fleet had withdrawn and those that remained had been dealt with, yet the former Capital of the Systems Alliance still remained a mess and there was a great deal of work that he and his wife, Lady Kay would be required to do before they could consider themselves back on stable footing. The Battle had been hard fought, the Resistance of Commenor had been pulled together by whatever people they still had left to form a militia of sorts while their Allies had also done a lot of the heavy lifting. Allies such as [member="Kaine Australis"] for whom, Veiere could not be more grateful for their support.

The Mandalorian Empire wasn't meant to be involved, atleast that was how Veiere came to understand the situation for what [member="Loreena Arenais"] had reported back to him following her meeting with their Mand'alor regarding ties to the Sith Empire, specifically their Dark Lord. Instead, not only were there more than a few Mandalorian vessels, but their very own Super Star Destroyer, Nu Draar Tug'yc had been present and active in the counter-offensive following the CSA Resolute's collapse at the power and shield-piercing armaments of the Saturn.

Commenor owed their Allies a great deal of thanks, and though Veiere had his hands full now with the recovery of their beautiful world, Kaine Australis had asked for some time to meet with him in person. He didn't explain in great detail why he wished to meet with the King, though that wasn't unusual for a Mandalorian, especially one with the character like Kaine's and Veiere had come to understand the man a little better since their last run in before everything had been returned to House Arenais, his family and his people.

Taking a private Shuttle up to the Nu Draar Tug'yc still orbiting Commenor, it didn't take Veiere long to come into line of sight with the massive ship; having personally seen it in action against the Sith Armada, offered something of a better understanding to Mandalorian fire-power. It had been both admirable and frightening to see how such a goliath vessel could lay siege to everything within it's path and sadly, it also served to remind him of Munto City, the Sith Empire's Super Star Destroyer responsible for that catastrophe.

"Admiral Australis, we are closing in on your vector and requesting landing permission. Please inform your superior that King Arenais has arrived at his request".

[member="Kaine Australis"] | [member="Alkor Centaris"]​

 

[Alkor Centaris]

He had been deviated from his course back to Mandalorian space by the comms team of the Nu Draar Tug'yc, at the request of [member="Kaine Australis"] himself. In the past weeks, [member="Yasha Cadera"] had gone missing and no one knew where to look for her. Alkor wanted to get back to Sundari in order to make sure security was still tight in the wake of the Commenori conflict. The problem with that was, he didn't believe the Mandos should have been involved at all-day but Clan Australis was free to make that call for themselves. In part, he took the job from the Warmaster because the other alternative would have pitted him against Vode, and that was not an option.

The other reason was that it kept Mandalorian monies within Mandalorian space, and helped to keep their economy strong rather than bleeding money back to the rest of the decrepit Galaxy. Alkor moved through the titanic hallways of MandalArms' dreadnaught, fingers tracing the walls as he lost himself in thought. Yasha had cautioned him to remain far from the conflict he just took part in, and here he was lingering in Commenor's space.

He chewed on his lip beneath his buy'ce.

What did Kaine want so badly that Alkor had to be delayed?

"Alkor Centaris," one of the Protocol droids assigned to the hallways recognized him and waved. "The Warmaster has requested your attendance at a debriefing regarding the ground battle. The data you collected should prove useful in future conflicts-"

"I can transmit that once I get back to Mandalore," he replied tersely. "My HUD recorded most of my interactions for review. I can even uplink it to the MandalArms servers right now, provided you let me leave."

"I'm afraid that's not the problem, sir," the droid apologized. "He insisted that you be present for a meeting with a foreign dignitary-"

"He what?" Alkor blinked in disbelief. "This is insane. I shouldn't be here-"

"Right this way," the Droid interrupted. "The Warmaster guarantees you diplomatic immunity while aboard a Mandalorian Imperial vessel."

Alkor muttered something unintelligible, but reluctantly followed.

This was a terrible plan.

[member="Veiere Arenais"]

 

[WolfMortum]

The Nu Draar Tug'yc was nothing like the image the Galaxy would have people believe of the Mandalorian Empire, the sectors that Veiere Arenais was escorted through, nothing but fine and expensive decor with the highest grade technologies that credits could buy. The Super Star-Destroyer of the Mandalorian Fleet was truly an impressive sight to behold, even more from within and just how large of a vessel it was, the Commenor Systems Alliance had held nothing of it's like even in their best of days.

Truth be told, Veiere had a hard time trying to figure their people out; Between rumors of blood thirsty killers, a people with a lack of manners that'd make even a pig look polite, the Mandalorian's were nothing of the sort. Veiere had learned this quite some time ago, around about the same time he realized that his wife, [member="Lady Kay"] was considered to be a Clan Sister of the House or Clan, Raxis. They'd not seen Gray Raxis in quite some time, admittedly, though Kaine Australis had shown them a great deal more insight into the loyalty and honor that a Mandalorian Warrior could have, were they to choose to fight for the morally justified cause.

Thanking his escort, the welcoming party soon left him to the command deck where he would meet Kaine. They'd put together a rather impressive display of food and drinks, a curious choice of location though the deck was quite astonishingly massive and from where he stood, Veiere could admire the many stations for which the crew moved about, monitoring the goliath Destroyer's status without bothering the King of Commenor any.

"It's good to see your Ship outside of War, Kaine" Veiere spoke with a faint smile. Stepping closer to one of the Transparisteel panels, Veiere cast his gaze over the glowing brilliance that was Commenor, back in his families hands once again. Restoring House Arenais to the throne, returning the power and authority to his Wife that she may lead once more and prepare their people for the possibility of another war, Veiere's hands would be considerably tied for the next few months as they would seek to recover from this last tragic year of struggles.

"...If you don't mind my asking, how many people did you lose?".

[member="Alkor Centaris"] | [member="Kaine Australis"]​

 

[Alkor Centaris]

"The Warmaster has prepared a spread fit for a king, and you are of course encouraged to partake-" the Droid stopped short as Alkor held up a gloved hand. It tilted its head curiously.

"Look," he said, "I get that you're a Protocol Droid and this is your programming, but you're not going to make me feel any more comfortable about this. It's an organic thing. Don't feel pressured to understand."

"Absolutely sir," the Droid agreed, "but if you would, I have been instructed-"

"Ettiquete," Alkor nodded. "I'm well aware. Social protocols are your primary function. If you'd like, I can go in and split a few wires, maybe see what the sparks yield."

"No," the Droid backed up a step, "oh no, no, please sir. My programming is all I have. It's my purpose."

Alkor turned the corner ahead of him and shook his head. "I'm kidding," he called back to the machine, which seemed visibly relieved. "You got your job, I got mine."

Much as I hate it, Kaine's paying the bill. Might as well see this through.

As he entered, the talk of the hour seemed to be losses and the probability of Sith reprisal. The man with [member="Kaine Australis"] was someone that Alkor had met before as well. [member="Veiere Arenais"], the High King of Commenor.

"With due respect, Warmaster," Alkor creaked through his vocabulator. "Until the battle just now, the Sith had no reason to attack Mandalore."

He glanced to the King and gave a slight nod. "I saw no Sith forces when I was Planetside. It's my firm belief that they believe holding the world any further is a sunk cost and they want to allocate their resources more carefully. That said, they've all but handed you back your planet, and unless you give them a reason to change their minds, they're finished with you."

He looked back to Australis. "Ke nu mhi ibic'akaan," he warned, "gar gotal'ur aru'e be te dar'jetii bal kaysh bur'cyase. Kaysh naas akay'jii."

Spoiler

"This is not our war," You make enemies of the Sith and their friends. They were nothing until now."

 

[WolfMortum]

"Whether or not they were expecting the attack, is debatable, given the sizeable advantage that we held over the Sith Fleet in numbers..." Veiere pointed out to [member="Kaine Australis"], though the Warmaster wasn't completely incorrect; "That said, reports both from the Commenori Navy as well as the Military intelligence we managed to procure on the ground, the Sith Empire seems to have been withdrawing with the intent on taking with it a great deal of our world's mineral and agricultural resources...-Of which we managed to ensure minimal losses thanks to our timely counter-invasion". Commenor could have fared much worse, as could the allies of the Resistance who had aided them in the liberation of their people; the Sith Empire could have razed their economy were it not for the fight against the blockade and retreating Sith Armada, of which they were able to keep much of the cargo from leaving their sector.

Veiere was soon to comment on the prospect of a counter-attack, retaliation made by the Sith Empire, when instead they were interrupted by [member="Alkor Centaris"]' entrance. The King's gaze falling upon the Mandalorian Warrior, recognizing both his armor and his presence in the Force, his voice was however, like so many others, masked by the helm's vocabulator. Veiere's expression grew tense, his jaw tightening as his teeth grit together behind pursed lips. Alkor had been the one to deliver Veiere to the Dark Lord of the Sith in the aftermath of the battle of Gree, and thanks to the Mandalorian's lust for credits, Veiere had been forced to watch his world burn, his family being threatened and nearly faced execution were it not for a miraculous escape, attacking Darth Carnifex before throwing himself over the side of the observation platform.

"The Sith Empire's fleet was blockading my World, until we were able to breach it" Veiere spoke somewhat coldly, for there was no love between the two; "Considering how close you seem to be, with the Emperor, I figured you'd be aware of this". Turning back to look to Kaine, Veiere inhaled visibly, soon speaking in less of an agitated tone for the Warmaster's sake. "Commenor will compensate for the losses of the Mandalorian Empire. When you agreed that you'd help me, I distinctly recall you vouching for your Clan and Company...-Yasha is, however, Kay's niece...-We do not want your people to be weakened at the expense of helping us".

 

[Alkor Centaris]

"My relationship with Kaine Zambrano is not complicated or extensive. He paid bills. My clan eats. Mandalore gets stronger. We're not friends." Alkor knew full well what the Dark Lord of the Sith was, what he did, and who he called his friends. All of that was superfluous to his duty to the Mandalorian people. "However, credits from dar'jetii are less important than plying my trade for my vode. Australis paid me to fight, so I fought against Zambrano's interests. I lost myself a guaranteed long term contract in doing so. Verd is out a generous number of credits because I helped your people in a fight that had nothing to do with Mandos, your highness."

He turned to regard [member="Kaine Australis"] with that sentiment aired for the entire room to take in. "Mandalore has lost a source of income. We've in no small part breached neutrality with this action. This is chaos, Kaine. If this is your strategy, I am not impressed."

His gaze turned back to [member="Veiere Arenais"] after he got those words out. He was out of line, but then, Kaine had practically forced him into a corner. He was going to speak his mind. "Look, turning you over was not a decision I made lightly. You were a rogue element on a planet I was paid to help subjugate. You're part of the Commenori Royal family, you're well aware that you helped to fund the terraforming and rebuilding of our cultural Homeworld; but that means you also know that economically, we've struggled to bring things back together.

My Clan was torn apart at the seams by a traitor who I once called brother, and we've been picking at table scraps ever since Yasha let us back into the fold. People suspect us at every turn because of his treachery. We've had to pick up and rebuild on a world plagued by kiliks because at least there, we know that we're safe. I need money because my family needs money. I don't do dirty jobs because I enjoy them."

He pulled the helmet from his head to expose his stern, Corellian accented voice. "I'm not saying I did you a favor and to forget about the past, but I'd appreciate it if you understood that I'm not doing this for fun."

 

[WolfMortum]

Truthfully, Veiere had no idea about any such terraforming of planets, especially those Mandalorian; "My wife considers herself a relation of the Clan Raxis, I've not had any involvement in Mandalorian Affairs until now" Veiere informed [member="Alkor Centaris"] rather plainly, "Your previous Mand'alor brought war to the former Republic, you'll find my experience with your people has been exceptionally limited outside of Kaine and Kay herself, since. My own daughter has more to do with your Empire than I do...-Not by choice but by the paths we choose in life. The Jedi and the Mandalorian have a somewhat colorful history, but neither of us can be blamed nor held responsible for the past with which we've not had a hand in...".

"Gree, however was a world in need. A People who were being oppressed by the Sith Empire just as Commenor was, and even as an Exile from both my Order and Commenor at the time, when I see a people suffer, I cannot and will not simply stand by and do nothing" Veiere further explained himself, though it wasn't necessary, he chose to do so for the warrior's sake of understanding him; "When you choose to support the people that are bringing harm down upon others, you become the very same. Bringing war for the sake of credits to line your pocket is no less dishonorable as bringing war for the sake of pride". The Rebel Alliance was built on hope, for those world's it had fought for, for those ideals that the former Republic had stood for and under the new banner now nearing the Core, could do again, though Veiere's loyalty and dedicated remained solely with Commenor nowadays.

"Explaining to me, that your actions in my capture and delivery to the Dark Lord of the Sith, those which led to my witnessing the burning and pillaging of my own world as well as threats to my family and my near execution, all for the sake of credits for your own family, doesn't amount to any justification, by any means. It only leaves me to question the difference between what makes a Mandalorian, and what makes a Mercenary" too much harm had been brought upon his people and those he loved for Veiere to be so forgiving. He understood well the words that Alkor had spoken, though the Mandalorian by his own claim, had been fighting for credits where as Veiere had been fighting for the liberation of his home-world, a world that had since been enslaved and starved of resources, nearly robbed blind were it not for the Fleet they had amassed and attacked when they had.

"As for your Empire's future dealings with the Sith, that's not for me nor anyone else of Commenor to speak of. The friends you choose to keep, is not a decision we would seek to have any influence over, least it wind up in a conflict in which we're forced to spill Mandalorian blood. That is the last thing myself or my Wife wish for..." Veiere turned to look to [member="Kaine Australis"], knowing full well now the risks that they faced with possible retaliation. "Should it ever come to pass that they seek compensation from your people by force, Commenor will fight with you...-We would be there in your defense as you have been here for ours", he glanced back to Alkor once more, "Tyranny cannot be left to fester. Not in cowardice, nor for credits".

 

[Alkor Centaris]

"Looks like you started two intergalactic incidents in one day," he spat sideways at [member="Kaine Australis"] as he took in everything at once.

Alkor watched the man's words fire off in slow motion, each syllable more damning than the last. His words matched what the Mando already knew- his knowledge of Mandalorian culture was abysmal, and he was very obviously not Mando'ad himself. None of that mattered as the peeled the sling of his rifle from over his shoulder and tossed it aside.

"You can have whatever bleeding heart ideals you've got and that's fine, but they're yours and no one else's. They don't give you any authority, and neither does being King of anything to question a man's honor."

He pulled the beskad from his hip and it clattered to the floor with a stacatto of metallic clangs. It was shortly followed by his bandolier, kitted to the teeth with grenades that could both set that room ablaze and destroy their equilibrium and ability to escape with their lives. Thankfully, it landed without cause for alarm- but [member="Kaine Australis"] would certainly note that Alkor had thrown caution to the wind with that action.

"You can take your piety and stow it in your shebs, gar copikla shabuir."

It was too late to avoid offense, though Australis made a valiant effort to do so. To the Warmaster's credit, he would avoid any arterial spray or stray teeth behind that shield of his. Alkor did not wait for [member="Veiere Arenais"] to agree to terms- hell, the man had all but thrown the gauntlet himself.

He threw a jab for the High King's jaw from the left, feet shuffling into a sparring stance that looked almost natural for him.

 

[WolfMortum]

Veiere had hit a nerve, and perhaps their so-called warriors code allowed them to ignore the basic concepts of right and wrong, but for Veiere having grown up within the Jedi Order, it had always been his duty to uphold justice. War was hell, there was no going two ways about that simple fact; prisoners were often taken and crimes were common, yet there had been no honor behind Veiere's being sold to the Sith Emperor. Slavery, in any form was detestable and on Gree, that was what it came down to. Selling a life to another. Captivity, enslavement, trafficking, whatever you wished to call it.

[member="Kaine Australis"] was quick to step away, neither taking a side nor encouraging peace. He even went so far as to trigger a shield which was somewhat amusing, and Veiere might have even smirked a little had it not been for Alkor's response. "We leave the Galaxy out of this..." Veiere bit back quickly at the notion of politics muddying the waters, frankly, Veiere felt he was owed as much and if there was to be a fight then so be it, but it was theirs and not for their people to feel the consequences of. Whatever else [member="Alkor Centaris"] said, Veiere didn't understand. Their dialect wasn't his own, there was no ounce of him that considered himself to be a Mandalorian, for the share fact that he had so little to do with their kind and culture outside of past battles defending the Republic of old.

The jab came swiftly, much faster than Veiere had anticipated; though they had fought before, he had been intent on removing his armor. Alkor's fist landed the blow however and the strength behind it caused Veiere to turn side on and stumble, a sneer escaping him as he wiped his lower lip with his sleeve, the Mandalorian moving about light on his feet as though he were born for this. And likely so, given their reputation. The Jedi Exile turned and throw Alkor a glare, yet did not initially return the fight. He took the moment to remove his upper bodies protective guard leaving only a shirt to hide his flesh, short sleeved and far lighter. The Battle over Commenor had been spent on the bridge of the Resolute and later on this very floor when his Destroyer had gone down. He had energy to spare.

Removing the Kingsglaive with it's sheath, he placed the weapon down beside his coat of arms, and soon followed with the Lightsaber he had asked Einon to retrieve for him prior to the rebel strike against the Sith. Freed of his weapons, it did not take him long to return to Alkor, his anger was palpable and Veiere could feel his own adrenaline quickly building behind his poised breath. He'd fought this man once before, under much different circumstance and during his time of Exile. It was safe to say that Veiere had found his purpose once again, and from that he drew strength.

Stepping towards Alkor with haste in his stride, Veiere's left hand reached out to jab at the Mandalorian's chin, it was however withdrawn as lightly as it had been thrown and his real effort was followed up in the right fist, balled and swinging out for the side of Alkor's head, quite likely the cheek bone had the other fighter now had the pace or the instinct to get out of the way in time.

 

[Alkor Centaris]

Crack.

The impact shuddered through his face and down his shoulders as he took the blow head on. He made no effort to block either blow, despite his guard being in place to do so. He'd got the first hit out of anger, but this fight was more than cheap shots and who bled the most. [member="Veiere Arenais"] was going to get a lesson in what it meant to be Mandalorian.

He sagged his shoulders and pivoted his hips, throwing a low cross from the right upward toward his adversary's nose. His full weight followed through, putting a vicious amount of force into the punch.

"Hit me," Alkor spat a gobbet of blood. It was an afterthought. "Hit me for real, your worship."

[member="Kaine Australis"]

 

[WolfMortum]

[member="Alkor Centaris"] didn't disappoint, their previous fight had been quick, yet also precise and brutally executed. The Mandalorian was a killer and a skilled one at that, it almost reminded the King of his skirmishes against [member="Koda Fett"] who also excelled in combat, though their techniques differed in approach, their reputation backed by the Mandalorian culture was nothing, if not formidable. Veiere could never be so sure of himself around their type, underestimating someone like Alkor could lead to a finishing blow were he to lax in his concentration.

The Jedi were taught to always practice restraint, to use violence as a last resort. Veiere's training no doubt differed a great deal from that of his opponents, though the Force was with him and in that, his reflexes and instincts were both empowered. Close quarters such as theirs, didn't offer a lot in the way of precognition, even though the Force would guide him in what might be expected, the proximity they both shared did not offer much chance to evade and counter without due risk. This was especially evident as Veiere sought to fend off the rising blow to his nose...

The base of his palm, right hand open, reached out for Alkor's thrown arm while Veiere sought to avert his gaze and pull away from the blow. Instead of catching him dead center, Alkor's fist struck the left side of Veiere's jaw back closer to the cheek bone and sent a jarring pain streaking through his left side, his teeth gritting together as he yelled in both pain and anger, no words were offered in the response to the strike, the former Jedi forced to step back, shaken but his resolve only building as Alkor goaded him forward.

Still within arms reach, Veiere sought the scruff of the Mandalorian's collar, intent on pulling the man forcefully in whilst throwing a straight right for his head, the center, as the nose was the easiest target. He however had not the restraint to stop with one simple strike, and were he allowed the vindication, his right hand would make the most out of every battering strike that he could get against his former captor.

[member="Kaine Australis"]

 

[Alkor Centaris]

He took the hit admirably and managed to protect his nose from breaking in the process. Alkor let his full weight followed through with the motion as [member="Veiere Arenais"] swing for his face, and the Mando slammed chest to chest with the King. The thrown punch connected with the back of his head as he continued with his motion, albeit more sloppily than intended due to the abated distance. The punch had been a set up for something far worse.

His arm, now extended parallel to the High King's head, snaked backward. Alkor turned his hips into the motion, wrenching downward as he dropped his weight. If successful, the Mandalorian would bring Veiere's head low toward the floor, trapped under Alkor's arm. At the same time, the Merc reached from behind his opponent's leg- above the knee- and aimed to tug the leg skyward.

It was a throw- heels over head, intended to send the man sprawling to his back.

Veiere was rewarded with more blood, happily spat to the floor behind them by the Verd Clan Killer.

[member="Kaine Australis"]

 

[WolfMortum]

The world spun around him, or rather, the floor and roof of the command deck as Veiere's footing was uplifted and gravity followed through with the strength of the Mandalorian's throw, turning the King's stomach as he was flipped forward.

Veiere landed flat upon his back with such force that the air was taken from his lungs and left him gasping for his breath; he needed a moment to recover yet [member="Alkor Centaris"] remained within reaching distance and the Force swelled around him, anticipating another blow. Throwing his weight to his left, he desperately rolled sideways and out of arms reach before scrambling to his feet, arms raised with his palms out in front, open defensively in stance.

His opponent was fast and skilled, yet Veiere's form had always been at best when he stood on the defensive. His primary form of combat had taught him to block or evade, then move to counter. As angry as he was, his emotions were leading to his defeat. Exhaling shallowly, his breathing shaken yet able, Veiere tried to steady himself. To focus.

"I've been hit harder by my Daughter" he sought to goad Alkor further, to entice him onto the attack; "You might have met her..." Veiere forced himself to smirk against the pain in his mid-section from the previous counter of Alkor's.

[member="Kaine Australis"]

 

[Alkor Centaris]

The floor indented beneath the force of Alkor's punch, originally intended for the face of [member="Veiere Arenais"]. The man managed to roll away- great reflexes, even in the face of the pain he must have felt. Typical Jedi. They could handle punishment. They were gluttons for it. He slowly rose as his opponent clambered to his feet, eyes on the King as he took up a defensive stance.

In Mandalorian culture, women and men were seen as equals in all things; therefore the intended insult seemed more like a statement of fact than anything to Alkor, who paid it little mind. "You asking me to beat up your kid instead of you, chakaar?"

He took a step forward, hands upraised and out in front of his head. The forearms faced the Jedi, slightly extended with both his palms open. His feet were a little more than shoulder width apart, albeit his front foot barely touched the floor with his toes.

"Let me finish with you first," he said flatly, "then I'll see about making some housecalls."

As he spoke the last word, he sprang off his back leg and the front thrust forward at an angle. It came low toward Veiere's right hip, seeking to impact the man with the Beskar plate adorning the Mandalorian's left shin. Alkor knew that armor to armor combat would lessen the risk of broken bones...

...but extreme force still transferred, and the other man was most likely still reeling from being thrown.

 

[WolfMortum]

That...Wasn't quite what Veiere had been implying, though [member="Loreena Arenais"] had become far more the Mandalorian than her Mother supposedly was under Clan Raxis, on the other hand Lori had been trained by [member="Kaine Australis"] among others. Chances were she would probably welcome the challenge, though Veiere wouldn't know, in truth.

[member="Alkor Centaris"] launched onto the attack once more, knee rising and aimed for the King's side, difficult to pinpoint exactly where Alkor had meant to connect the blow from where Veiere stood, however, stepping to the right and pivoting on his heel, Veiere turned himself a full rotation with his weight leaning in for momentum while bringing his left knee up and extending out with the intent on catching Alkor mid-air with the full force of a round-house kick to the rib cage.

Imbalanced by the move, his weight carrying him in the spin, regardless of the connection he was already shifting off step and stumbling in order to keep himself from falling to the floor too. His breathing staggered, still pained from the winding blow he's been dealt prior, he wheezed a little as he took in a gulp of air, opening his lungs and seeking to re-center himself before any follow up from his opponent.

 

[Alkor Centaris]

When his blow did not connect, Alkor did not withdraw the attack. His leg continued on its initial trajectory and flitted past the other man, who raised his own leg and lashed out. Alkor turned his right hip down as this occurred, putting the point of impact right around his gut- as his opponent had intended, but perhaps not in the way he had intended. There came a grunt from the Mando as he took the impact, but he had no intention of giving nothing back.

Alkor did not wait for the other man to swing all the way through. His kick swept over the top of Veiere's own. As the leg collided with the plate covering his inner thigh, Alkor sat himself back and looked to drop his full weight onto the leg of his opponent. If nothing else, the surprise of it might throw the King off his game.

The Mandalorian shifted his weight as he dropped, turning his left hip down and seeking to further trap the leg by scissoring it between both of his own. Alkor grit his teeth and breathed sharply through his nostrils, aware of the metallic taste filling his mouth.

Dull pain in his midsection reminded him that he was still flesh and bone, and that fights like these always took their toll. Still, he would not back down from a fight like this one. Not where some stuffy royal called his honor to question.

He sprayed blood from between his teeth, venting it along with built up spittle.

 

[WolfMortum]

[member="Alkor Centaris"] took the hit, though Veiere had misjudged the Mandalorian's ability to counter the blow midair; instead his opponent came down, pulling Veiere with him to the ground and grappling with his left leg in a submission hold, using both of his own legs as a counter-weight that was meant to apply pressure against Veiere in such a way that pro-longed strain could eventually see his leg breaking.

The floor of the Nu Draar Tug'yc was solid and the landing was by no means gentle for either of them, certainly not for the King of Commenor in any case. Finding himself now trapped by the Mandalorian's physical prowess and obvious training, Veiere's concentation was required now more than ever, calling upon the Force to strengthen his body, specifically his legs with the ability known as Force Augmentation (for which such sub-abilities like Force Speed falls under). Veiere wasn't ready to quit, nor could he allow Alkor to break his leg. An arm perhaps, but the King required the use of his legs far more-so.

With his right foot, Veiere tried to kick back at the Mandalorian's head, hoping to catch the bridge of Alkor's nose with his heel. It wasn't much of a tactic, but rather a simple use of brute force to attempt to break himself free of Alkor's hold, or otherwise bloody him up as much as possible.

[member="Kaine Australis"]