2008-12-27 - Duel Over Rustaveli

After Tuil leaves Stormy Negotiations.
Mantan: Mantanui Resorts - Landing Field
This landing field is an isolated patch of durasteel surrounded by paradise. Barely large enough to allow passenger liners to land, the edges are fringed with palm trees waving in the tropical breeze. Overhead, the sky is a bright, clear blue; on every horizon, a deeper blue of ocean water. The air is an even seventy degrees, in the somewhat illogical temperature system used still by the Mon Calamari, who have a strange resistance to the Galactic metric system, and made even more pleasant by a steady, but soft breeze from the ocean.
All around the landing field are small, low buildings in the Mon Calamari style, many of them cottages by the look of them: places for the well-to-do of Dac to enjoy a well-earned rest in the sun, with amenities to satisfy every taste: sandy beaches, white surf, and deep oceans filled with predators.
Of course, no such predators approach the beach, where children splash and play in the sun. The casual tourist may not notice the occasional wink and blink of the electronic fence, about half a mile out, that keeps the beach safe for swimmers.
<FONT COLOR=#33CC00>FORCE:</FONT> You reach out with the Force and feel...A powerful, untrained kindred spirit nearby.A powerful, trained kindred spirit nearby.A powerful, untrained wayward soul nearby.A powerful, focused kindred spirit nearby.A powerful, trained kindred spirit nearby.A powerful, trained wayward soul nearby.A powerful, trained kindred spirit nearby.
<FONT COLOR=#FBB917>COMSYS:</FONT> (all channels) Tuil says, "If the lady who wishes to discuss the invitation list wishes to speak, please contact Tuil Lindo immediately." 
Tuil nods to the just arrived senator and points him in the direction of the cantina. It is raining hard.
Alistair Bellamy does not seem to mind the rain. He nods to Tuil and continues on his way to the cantina.
Faded Angel: Cockpit
The cockpit is a small, cramped, affair. With as much room as has been made for cargo very little has been made for the controls. The panels and controls are collected around the pilot and co-pilot seats with a control yoke adding to the tight space in either seat. Some less-used controls are to the side of seats and/or covered with clear plastic switches. A single person COULD fly the freighter, but it would have to be done very carefully. Four seats total in the cockpit, though the two behind the pilot and co-pilot seats have little functionality besides observation. For the most part the walls are made of steel with a few sections in light beige plasteel.
<FONT COLOR=#FBB917>COMSYS:</FONT> (single channel) From Lightning Quick, A croaking, rasping, rough female voice says, "How does it feel to experience the mortality of the Jedi?"
<FONT COLOR=#FBB917>COMSYS:</FONT> (single channel) Tuil says, "It tickled. The master himself has done no worse. You wished to discuss the invitations? Perhaps we could do so in person?"
<FONT COLOR=#FBB917>COMSYS:</FONT> (single channel) From Lightning Quick, A croaking, rasping, rough female voice says, "I would be inclined for a more personal conversation, Master Lindo. Perhaps you could join me in the Rustaveli system so that your fishy friends don't get any brilliant ideas?"
<FONT COLOR=#FBB917>COMSYS:</FONT> (single channel) Tuil says, "Certainly."
Rustaveli Archeological Research Station:Hangar Bay
Tuil comes down the ramp of his ship into this apparently mothballed station, its systems still online, but currently left to fend for themselves while being maintained by some legacy maintenance droids. Tuil looks around the hangar bay and then sees the other ship land beside his own. He waits patiently for its pilot to appear. He doesn't seem too worried about the other ship holding masses of men inside it.
The Lightning Quick comes hovering into the old station, and settles down onto the deck. The metallic gangway lowers with a hiss and a smokey cloud billows down it onto the deck. As the fog begins to clear a figure becomes apparent and begins to take shape.
The clanking of boots herald Scurus as she moves down onto the deck and turns to face Tuil. Her voice is modulated through her mask, "Master Tuil Lindo... so good of you to join me. You'd had enough time fraternizing with terrorists?"
Tuil smiles as he takes in the blue-clad woman after her rather impressive entrance. On contrast to all the blue armor that is rather form fitting, he is dressed in browns and tans, free flowing robes that many of his fellows do not at all wear, but mark him as a Jedi. "And I suppose from a certain point of view, you are a freedom fighter? You have me at a disadvantage. I do not know your name."
Scurus's laughter comes as a rumbling sound from beneath her armor, "Surely you can sense who I am, Master Lindo..." Her hand lifts to indicate the Jedi, but she makes no overly aggressive gestures, "Your presence is very distinct to me." The fingers retract and she touches her chest, "I am known in some circles as Zilana Luce -- and I am not a freedom fighter by any means. But I do oppose the efforts you and your compatriots are undertaking to limit my freedom."
Tuil bows in a courtly fashion upon hearing the name. "Countess of Vanix and Lady of Coruscant, greetings to you. I must say that it is refreshing to meet someone who is aware of herself. Your compatriots fifth column efforts are at once insidious and yet so..." He smiles slightly. "Would it be of the Dark Side to admit that hiding all the time tends to ruin the game?"
Scurus's hands extend outwards and both shoulders lift in a shrug, "I wouldn't really know what compatriots you are referring to. I work alone, unfortunately... I find myself in the difficult position of finding allies that you don't cut down in cold blood. You and your ruthless Mon Calamarian friends are rather effective at silencing dissenting opinions."
"Ruthless? Like when you suggested to your lord that the Branard bloodline be eliminated forever because of one lost battle?" Tuil reaches into his robe and pulls out the hilt of his lightsaber. "The supreme justice had the good sense to cut his losses and retreat into the shadows. If his minions wish to reappear now and then, they will be removed."
Scurus's own hand moves towards the hilt of her own weapon as she eyes Tuil through her armor, "Sometimes I find my temper a bit difficult to reign in. Branard Evendawn cost the Republic a Star Destroyer and placed it into the enemies hands... As for the Supreme Justice -- you and your kind assassinated him. You have very colored morality. There is no black and white between what you practice and the dark side. The Jedi tread in the gray out of fear of accepting the true power they could have."
Tuil smiles again as if knowing something Luce does not. "As you admit, your own anger and aggression rules you. Did you expect to do more than give me a sore throat with your parlor trick? Is /that/ the power of the Dark Side of which you speak?"
Scurus's fingers trace the hilt of her lightsaber as she watches Tuil. Raising her hand up a few of the loose objects begin to rumble and the sound of their clammering about echos throughout the room. Laughing again from within the armor, "Our power grows while yours wanes. Your arrogance is your undoing and your lack of passion has disconnected you. Your inability to maintain the Republic is responsible for its collapse and a new Order is needed."
Tuil shrugs as he listens to loose objects rattle around. "Then it seems your direction is clear. I am here. Strike me down. My power wanes, so you should have no troubles."
Scurus shakes her head in disapproval, "I doubt I will best you this day Master Lindo, but there will come a time when you truly will feel our power..." Her hand lifts higher in the air, and she reaches out for a particular item in the room. Her gaze remains fixed on Tuil and with the quick motion of her hand she seems to throw empty air at him.
Tuil brings his lightsaber up and flicks it on just in time for a quick swipe at what flies at him, cutting it in half and sending it falling to the deck. "More parlor tricks. I am disappointed." The Jedi eases forward into a neutral stance, his saber angled before him. "Well?"
<FONT COLOR=#FFFF00>COMBAT:</FONT> You ignite your <FONT COLOR=#00FF00>green</FONT> lightsaber.
<FONT COLOR=#FFFF00>COMBAT:</FONT> Scurus ignites her red lightsaber.
Scurus's hand continues in the motion from the throw down to her side, and she quickly draws her lightsaber. Moving the weapon out quickly a *zoom* sound is heard as the weapon comes to life and slices through the air. She charges forward, plunging the weapon towards Tuil in an almost reckless fashion.
<FONT COLOR=#FFFF00>COMBAT:</FONT> Scurus swings her red lightsaber at Tuil!
<FONT COLOR=#33CC00>FORCE:</FONT> You move with enhanced speed.
<FONT COLOR=#FFFF00>COMBAT:</FONT> Tuil parries Scurus's red lightsaber with his green lightsaber.
Luce plunges forward and Tuil hisses sharply as he deftly steps to one side and cuts across the woman's flank, the green blade streaking at waist-level to open up her middle of she cannot block or dodge. It is a move of apparent ease, though if ill-timed...
<FONT COLOR=#FFFF00>COMBAT:</FONT> You swing your green lightsaber at Scurus's body!
<FONT COLOR=#FFFF00>COMBAT:</FONT> Scurus parries Tuil's green lightsaber with her red lightsaber.
Scurus's charge is met with Tuil's blade, and with a crackle the two weapons lock together. Breaking the weapon free again she too steps aside -- but not in time to entirely avoid the blade. Once again the weapons lock together with a vroom and a hiss escapes her lips, "Very good Master Lindo..."
Though her style is much more aggressive and her saber lifts again, slashing downwards in a broad powerful stroke towards Tuil's torso.
<FONT COLOR=#FFFF00>COMBAT:</FONT> Scurus swings her red lightsaber at Tuil!
<FONT COLOR=#33CC00>FORCE:</FONT> You move with enhanced speed.
<FONT COLOR=#FFFF00>COMBAT:</FONT> Tuil tries to parry with his green lightsaber, but Scurus's red lightsaber hits and shreds him.
Tuil and Luce pass by each other and she steps back. Listening to her talk, the Jedi watches and waits for her next attack. The woman's style is aggressive and her reflexes must be in peak condition, for as she attacks, cutting forward, Tuil brings his saber up, but the move of Luce is too powerful.
Tuil takes a penetrating stroke to his chest; he grips at the wound and his robes with his left hand while his right and his saber slash Luce low to keep her off for a moment's respite.
<FONT COLOR=#FFFF00>COMBAT:</FONT> You swing your green lightsaber at Scurus's legs!
<FONT COLOR=#FFFF00>COMBAT:</FONT> Scurus tries to parry with her red lightsaber, but Tuil's green lightsaber hits and maims her leg.
Scurus's weapon impacts Tuil's chest and gashes the Jedi, but her style has opened her up to attack and her reflexes not quick enough to move her saber to block the strike upon her legs. A modulated shriek escapes through her facemask, and rage boils up within her.
Scurus tries to settle her weight as best she can on her injured legs, and using the position of the blade from the attempted parry she moves her blade in an upwards slash towards the Jedi.
<FONT COLOR=#FFFF00>COMBAT:</FONT> Scurus swings her red lightsaber at Tuil!
<FONT COLOR=#33CC00>FORCE:</FONT> You move with enhanced speed.
<FONT COLOR=#FFFF00>COMBAT:</FONT> Tuil parries Scurus's red lightsaber with his green lightsaber.
Tuil bats Luce's saber aside before it can do any harm. Grunting in apparent pain and exertion as this duel moves forward, Tuil takes his saber in both hands and moves forward to capitalize on the woman's limited mobility. Slashing back across after having batted the red saber aside, the green's arc is leveled at the polished bosom.
<FONT COLOR=#FFFF00>COMBAT:</FONT> You swing your green lightsaber at Scurus's body!
<FONT COLOR=#FFFF00>COMBAT:</FONT> Scurus parries Tuil's green lightsaber with her red lightsaber.
Scurus's body twists after the attack misses its mark, and she pivots on her heels to block the advance of Tuil's blade. The weapons spark against each other and she once again parries his strike with a loud clap.
Scurus's wrist flips again, and her other hand joins the blade as she pushes Tuil's weapon away and parries his attack. Continuing the motion she spins around and uses the momentum to brings a downward cross-slash towards her foe's body.
<FONT COLOR=#FFFF00>COMBAT:</FONT> Scurus swings her red lightsaber at Tuil!
<FONT COLOR=#33CC00>FORCE:</FONT> You move with enhanced speed.
<FONT COLOR=#FFFF00>COMBAT:</FONT> Tuil parries Scurus's red lightsaber with his green lightsaber.
Tuil waits and waits for what seems like seconds, though it can only be an instant as Luce spins and attacks. His saber is there at the right moment as green meets red and both crackle for a second. Pushing off and stepping back, Tuil smiles, though it is pained and without joy. "Some other day we will meet... Your countryman's tournament perhaps?" The ship behind him happens to be his own by chance or design.
Scurus allows her blade to crackle against Tuil's for a moment, and the visor on her helmet pops open. Her eyes lock with his and a twisted smile is upon her lips, "Indeed... I look forward to it, Master Lindo."
Tuil raises his blade in salute and not a mocking one as he turns and retreats into his ship. Apparently there is crew inside waiting, for the inside hatch closes immediately and take off is imminent!
Category:December 2008 RP Logs