Two towering, tinted, transparisteel doors slide open to grant you access to the central chamber of the Combat Training Halls. The main room is wide and open and as large as as a holoball field. Tall walls stretch towards a domed ceiling that is made up of rows of ambient lights that spread out and fill the room with soft even lighting that eliminates any shades or shadows. Those same walls are lined around the perimeter with racks and stacks of varied weaponry: everything from swords and polearms to rifles and flamethrowers.

There are two signs that hover over each weapon rack to create an alternating motif in the Combat Training Hall: “No Explosions” and “Accorded Neutral Territory”. While the first is fairly obvious, the second speaks to the single law of the Training Halls: all members of the Brotherhood are welcome, and no member is to be killed or maimed without incurring the wrath of the Grand Master and the Inquisitorius.

A trio of training dummies are statically set up and spread out in a line, each made out of a blend of alloys and padding that can withstand blows from any standard weaponry with the exception of lightsaber blades. To the side of the dummies, a large sparring mat has been stretched out to create a larger footprint than the typical shockboxing ring. The padding is good for helping teach new combat students how to take a fall without injury and offers firm footing, but the hard rubber mat is hardly forgiving.

Behind the sparring area is a door that leads to a small archives that combat students can use to view holorecordings of fights and duels from the past as well as relevant information on combat tactics, techniques, and forms. On the opposite side of the archives at the far end of central room is the locker room that members can safely store their equipment.

The final and probably most important element of the Combat Training Hall is the onsite Med Ward. The maglock door is sealed off and can only be opened by an attending Medic. The Medical facilities feature state of the art bacta tanks for recovery and aftercare. A combination of observation and waiting room rests adjacent to the recovery center and features two large monitors that display a live feed of the central room.

The Combat Halls are staffed around the clock, allowing combat students and mentors alike to come and go as they please at odd or regular hours. It also reserved for members looking to prove their worth to compete in the Antei Combat Center.

[Venue Note: Weapons incorporated into your match are allowed to be used, even if not listed on your Weapon Load Out for the match itself. Skill usage and all other ACC rules and guidelines still applies.]

Raiju took a few deep breaths as he assumed a side-face position on the sparring mat. His large black eyes were narrowed with concentration as he centered himself, holding the training lightsaber loosely in his grip. He felt his pulse slow as he willed himself into a state of calm.

Abruptly, the Nautolan exploded into a flurry of motion. He moved around the mat in a seemingly random pattern, utilizing as much space as possible as he worked through his forms. The lightsaber blurred and weaved as he deflected attacks from an invisible opponent.

His movements slowed after a few minutes. As he willed his breathing to return to normal, he heard the sound of clapping from the edge of the mat. He turned to see a shapely Human redhead standing a few feet away, applauding politely.

“An excellent demonstration, darling!” the woman said when she was certain she had his attention. Her green eyes swept over him slowly, giving him an appraising look. “And I must say, I approve of your form, Raiju.”

The Nautolan narrowed his black eyes at the woman, annoyed that the woman had managed to get so close while he had been distracted by his training. He searched his memory, trying to recall if he had ever encountered her before. “Well, clearly you have good taste,” he replied with a disarming grin as tried to put a name with a face.

“I like to think so,” the woman replied with a pleasant smile. “My name is Lucine. You probably have not heard of me, but I have heard quite a bit about you.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes, darling, you are quite infamous.” The woman drew a datapad from her pouch and began tapping at the interface. “Your skill as a pilot is quite well known, as are some of your more… colorful actions. Is it true that you once thwarted an Inquisitorius assassin squad with only your wits and a lightsaber?”

“Well, I have to admit that I am pretty skilled with a lightsaber,” Raiju replied, feigning modesty in the face of one of the more outrageous rumors about himself. He had no idea what this woman wanted from him but decided the best course of action would be to play it cool until he discovered what her intentions were. “So, you heard all the rumors about me and decided to seek me out, hmm?”

“Oh, yes,” Lucine murmured as she tucked the datapad back into her pouch. “I was particularly interested in what Nautto the Hutt had to say about you. You remember him, do you not?”

Raiju froze at the mention of a name from his past. Nautto the Hutt was a lesser known crime lords on Nar Shaddaa. The Nautolan had done some work for him during his wilder years, before departing the Smuggler’s Moon in search of greener pastures.

He studied the redhead closely, even as he tightened his grip on the still ignited lightsaber. “Oh yeah! How’s the old slug doing?”

“Well enough, I suppose,” the Human replied with a shrug. “Marginally successful, even if he is getting on in years. Although he is still quite angry about all the spice you stole when you took your leave of Nar Shaddaa. How much did you steal, exactly?”

“A lot,” Raiju replied curtly, his thoughts racing. What in the world was going on? Was she an assassin, here to collect a bounty? If so, she was being awful chatty. He kept his guard up as he tried to understand what the purpose of this strange conversation.

“That is what he said too,” Lucine said with a shake of her head. “Oh well. I just wanted to inform you, darling, that he now considers your debt to him repaid.”

“He does?” Raiju said, bewildered.

“He does indeed, darling. I took the liberty of settling your little debt with him,” Lucine said as she gave him a feline smile.

“Well, that was kind of you,” the Nautolan said in a guarded voice.

“Trust me, darling, there was no kindness involved. You see, I utilized a good many favors during the conflict with the Collective, and it is time to start building them back up again. In doing you this little favor, you now owe me. And I assure you, I will not be as easy to avoid as dear old Nautto.

Raiju stared at her in disbelief for a moment, before bursting into laughter. “And what makes you think I am gonna do anything for you?”

“You will,” Lucine’s cat-like smile turned dark. “Or I will find other ways to extract repayment. One way or another, I will get what is owed to me.”

“Yeah, that’s nice,” Raiju said. “About that—“ His words cut off as he threw the lightsaber at the woman. The weapon traveled in a smooth arc, cutting through where her neck should have been. Lucine’s illusion blurred as the blade passed through it, her look of annoyance plain as the image vanished.

Raiju reached out to the Force, willing the weapon to travel in a tight arc back to him. Seeing movement out of the corner of his eye, he turned to see Lucine step through the entrance, where she had been lurking. Acting on instinct, he darted toward her, weapon at the ready.

Lucine extended a hand as a look of concentration passed over her face. A few seconds later, the weapon rack next to her lifted slowly into the air, before it and its contents were hurled toward the Nautolan.