Pirates are a rowdy lot. It is a fact rarely questioned and merely accepted by those who deal with them regularly. While the Herald’s crew is no different, the band's leader has a different approach to facilitating their tendencies. To this end, one of the Matron's smaller hangars — designated Hangar Zerek — has been recommissioned as a combat arena... or execution chamber.

Once a dedicated repair bay, Hangar Zerek is still equipped with fabricator arms and an assortment of Trade Federation droid parts that have fallen into disrepair. A squared off section, including illumination banks at each corner, designates the intended 'arena'. The section is denoted by active shock fences, run by nearby generators. It is here that the crew lets off steam, with the hangar bay sealed.

The hangar itself still has a fully functioning force field that comes into play when matches are meant to become more interesting, or when it comes time to jettison troublesome captives. The hangar bay doors peel open, leaving only the active field to separate the arena from the vacuum of space. The control mechanisms for the hangar doors can be operated manually from the control booth or on a set timer, including the force field's toggle switch.

The control booth is the last segment of Hangar Zerek worth noting. Doubling as an observation deck, it is the only obvious entrance to the hangar. All maintenance hatches and access-ways have been sealed in advance, though the catwalks crisscrossing along the upper layers of the hangar remain. The booth itself is sealed, providing a safe haven for when the force field comes down.

The vastness of space had a feeling to it that was hard to describe. The infinite. An expanse of nothing that meant death for so many species within the galaxy. It was always so close, to those who travelled within its vacuum, yet deceptively far away. That deception fell to the wayside standing within Hangar Zerek. The hangar doors had been fully retracted, leaving only the force field separating the combatants within from being sucked into the void.

"Now now," a voice rang out. The overlay of static was thick, warping the tone of the voice as it echoed within the derelict space. "You're going to be putting on quite the show for us or, well... Would be a shame to have to hit this here button."

The threat was clear. the combatants remained exposed within the hangar proper and the only thing between them and a sudden, violent exit from the Godless Matron was the master control panel.

The crackling of the announcer’s static voice reverberated within Shadow Nighthunter’s ear as she watched the Anzat Savant from across the cold and foreboding arena. The half-Sephi didn’t really know the man, but she had heard whispers of his name from her contacts. The well-informed assassin of Tacitus Athanasius always did her best to know about everything and everyone, and it was for that reason she ended up here. A careless mistake while on the hunt for a target had gotten her into the predicament she was in now: facing Savant Darkblade or be sucked into oblivion by the press of a button.

The Palatinean studied the Sadowan, trying to read him for his true intentions. She got the feeling he wouldn’t have an issue striking her down considering Naga Sadow and Scholae Palatinae had bad relations between each other. Instinct kicked in, and the Sith took hold of her sabers and slowly approached the Krath Adherent. She could hear some of the pirates banging on the windows, the scum eager for the two to duke it out. The lone wolf of Excidium was disgusted that she had become entertainment, but that wouldn’t keep her from fighting. She had a family to live for, and no way was she going to take a one-way trip into space. Especially, since there was a precious life that had only recently started growing within her. The bluish force field of the cold, foreboding hangar

“Seems we have a show to put on for these wretches,” she said without emotion. “If lucky, we may both live through this, but that remains to be seen.”

The Savant bowed his head in agreement, his brown eyes never leaving her gold ones. He remained silent, which was preferred by Shadow anyways. She wasn’t quite the one for chatter herself. She knew that this fight would be a very long one as long as mistakes weren’t made. Both were going to be very focused and patient.

Shadow ignited her blades, bathing the floor in silver and red light. The Sith got into a composite-guard position as she stopped only a few paces from him, waiting and watching the Savant with caution and interest. He was going to make her work for sure.

No mistakes, Shadow. You can’t afford them.

This match has been closed due to failure to meet the minimum word count for the competition, which is 450 words.

Both participants are free to re-enter queue, however no points will be awarded for this match as neither member has posted a qualifying post.

Thank you, and good luck with the additional matches.