ToC: Mikhail Shorn VS Phoebe Verd

[Lira Dajenn]

It was time for the Tournament of the Cauldron to export itself.

Try as hard as they did, there was just no way of perfectly replicating the different environments they required for round two of their grand event. They had made their unrealistic requests, demanding that they somehow replicate the climate and habitat of some of the most extreme planets in the galaxy. Mere simulations would not be good enough, it had to be real, it had to feel real and when enough slaves and scientists had perished at their hands for such impractical ineptitude it was only then that the Queens of Rattatak had decided that they were going to have to use the real thing.

The remaining contestants were to be shipped out, given the luxuries of celebrated gladiators and plenty of opportunity to rest and prepare for the next fights ahead.

Back at the Cauldron a multitude of screens were set up, surrounding the arena so that no detail could be missed of the now televised spectacle, the pit below for once completely devoid of action. Nothing would take the limelight from their glorious occasion.

The screens flickered to life...

Ocean Platforms, midst pouring rain and whipping winds.

Deep in the middle of a dark ocean stood platform after platform, some raised high above the ocean and some touching the shortest of waves. There were dozens of massive durasteel platforms, each table and ready to hold a person or ten, each one licked by tall waves and short ones as well. Rain poured down onto the platforms, and winds whipped it into the face of the two competitors.

Masters both, @[member="Phoebe Verd"] and @[member="Mikhail Shorn"]. Both powerful both masters of the force. The Crowd sat on the edge of their seats, screeching and roaring for blood. They wanted this fight, they needed this fight. The Queens of the Cauldron smirked as the camera drones floated around the faces of the two competitors, then suddenly, the action began.

 

[Lord Ghoul]

Yet again, Mikhail Shorn stepped into the ring. He wore his increasingly battle-scarred phrik armor. A sheath sitting on his belt behind his back held a knife, his only apparent weapon. Rain poured down on the platform, plinking steadily against his helm and armor. The durasteel surface ran slick with water. Slippery. He would have to be a little more cautious about footing here. Occasional gusts buffeted his figure, but he did not bear the full-brunt of the bone-chilling rain nor the cutting wind. Inside his heated armor he felt snug and toasty. Yay technology. That said, enough damage to the armor could fry the systems. Then his day would really suck. Still, the change of scenery was nice. Mustafar wasn't his favorite place in the galaxy. Something about rivers of magma, exploding volcanos, and a surface so hot it prevented sustainable humanoid life really threw him off.

Darkness enveloped the platforms. Factor in the sheets of rain and Mikhail felt like a Miraluka who'd been dropped on Myrkyr's yslamir infested surface. He switched to thermals. Nightvision would be affected by sporadic flashes of lightning. He relied more on his senses in the Force than anything else. Precognition would alert him if there was any danger coming for him, regardless of whatever gizmos this Confederate girl brought with her. After fighting the first Verd earlier in the tournament, Mikhail fully expected Phoebe to come in gadgeted out the wazoo. Whatever that meant.

The place looked like Kamino, but he couldn't be sure. The Cauldron Wenches liked their secrets. Whatever planet this was, the roar of the crowd had been replaced by the sounds of crashing waves, rumbling thunder, and pouring rain. Ok, fine maybe he would prefer seeing crowds of adoring fans to this storm-ridden planet.

The seas welled angrily around the platform. Shorn glanced over at them, eyes narrowing. Slippery surfaces, flashes of blinding thunder, random bursts of unbalancing wind, and a sea that could rise up and sweep you off the platform. Oh joy.

Mikhail glanced around, looking for his opponent.

@[member="Phoebe Verd"]