Alen vs [member="Popo"]
So many ways to win. So many ways. Firstly, let us start with the Shell Hutt's form. Alen had taken a beating, but during that time he had analysed the way that his adversary fought. Body movement, tactics, idiosyncrasies and esoterica ... all of them broken down into a feeling of yes or no. Alen was not entirely conscious, more a vessel of the fight. But yes, the form ... let us start with that.
Without his electrostaff, Popo would have to favour his tail in melee. Its effectiveness was in its power, with the beskar shell packing an extra punch. But its application was clumsy. In order to swing his tail around, Popo had to drop and swing his shoulders through to get any sort of momentum. It was basically impossible to disguise ... coupled with the fact that which shoulder the Hutt dropped lower signified from which angle the tail would be swinging, every single tail strike was what those experienced with the art of striking would call "telegraphed." "Telegraphing" a power attack doesn't work against the best and quickest. Na'Varro had Force-enhanced speed combined with extensive Teras Kasi training. Basically, he didn't even need Battle Precognition to sense that a strike was coming, or even to tell him where it was coming from, from what angle it was coming from, and how much he would need to move to get out of the way. All of that was evident from the way Popo set up his strikes. It wasn't his fault, it was just Hutt physiology.
The tail swing exposed a lot of areas for counterattack for an opponent who was quick and skilled enough. The back as the tail came round, then without the electrostaff, the front was basically undefended while the Hutt worked to get his tail back under control and balanced behind him. The tail could whip around another time, but with much decreased velocity without a running start. The Hutt had a much weaker upper body, and Alen was sure he could deal with the wrist blasters at close quarters. After avoiding this tail strike, Na'Varro could pose a real problem to the Hutt as long as he didn't hang around in close quarters.
Now let us discuss physical fatigue.
Alen was suffering from a form of mental tiredness. Wasteful TK use had dulled his ability to think and use Force powers. Having trained to compartmentalise his mind, and believe two things at once, he still possessed most of his physical faculties. He was a very physically fit and strong human, not at all weighed down by body armour as he wasn't wearing any. Popo was much heavier and wearing around a tonne of body armour. Micro repulsors or no, Popo would be getting fatigued sooner than Alen would. That was just the way things were. Then there was the fatigue of being in a difficult duel itself. Alen was used to it, having been in dozens and dozens during his life, often outnumbered or at a distinct power disadvantage. Experience was a play here. Being worried or otherwise mentally inexperienced brought on inexplicable mental fatigue. You forgot to do simple things such as breathe. Through Popo's helmet, Alen couldn't tell if that was taking a toll or not, but he supposed he would soon find out.
And now the Hutt was angry. Getting angry was a great way to lose a fight. Composed fighters win more fights than angry ones. Using anger in the back of your mind can work as a catalyst for aggression, but going overboard led to mistakes.
Basically, from what Alen had seen, as long as he played it safe he could wear Popo down and then kill him. And probably would. Na'Varro hadn't earned his reputation through luck. He had earned it through skill. With a blade, he was one of the greatest fighters alive, and that was not hubris talking. Sure, Alen had taken plenty of damage. But he hadn't been in any degree against a skill where he hadn't. Attrition was his style, and the only person to match him at that was Ashin Varanin. Yes, that Ashin Varanin.
As Popo dropped his shoulder, Alen was already moving backwards. As the tail whipped around, Alen simply vaulted over it by flipping to the right. He rarely left the ground during fights, but he didn't have the Force to worry about with this fight. He was almost out of the tail's range, where the beskar clad monstrosity was less girthy, so it was certainly much easier than clearing the strike closer to the Hutt.
Alen landed on his right foot and sprang forward as the tail continued arcing around, his right handed blade stabbing keenly for Popo's neck join, where he'd hit him the first time. Popo's tail was finishing high, so it would be harder to get under control. Gravity was a queen. Alen's strike was swift and sure, and he would not be getting hugged to death this time. Both feet landed on Popo's chest plate as he struck and sprang away directly after, landing a few metres from his opponent.
Warm up was over.
