Why did I ever agree to this? Tusken Raiders are about as pleasant as Ewoks, but at least with Ewoks you can fit them into your nearest overhead luggage compartment on a standard shuttle.

I stifled a chuckle as I peered through my macrobinoculars. I was growing painfully stiff by this point, but I struggled to remain as still as possible. I know that I could have trusted that the holoshroud would have kept me cloaked if I moved, but that felt lazy. It was easy to slip up when you didn't practice discipline. I wish that I could instill that truth in the likes of my apprentice and some of my Clan fellows, but I guess it didn't really matter that much in the end.

I could feel my throat drying again, but I had to resist the urge to reach for my canteen again. I had to wait until the sun went down before I could scrounge up some vegetation for moisture. It wasn't the most efficient way of getting water, but I found that the constant thirst kept my mind focused on the task at hand. I just had to keep lying to myself. Laying prone on the ground didn't make it any easier.

Just a little longer.

I could see movement from the Tusken camp. It looked like they were assembling a hunting party. I tried to scour my brain for what they could be hunting on Tatooine. Nothing came to mind though. I turned my head a bit, trying to focus on the large bantha that bore one of the Tusken Raiders. There was a solemnity as they gathered. There was a purpose. The Raider on the large Bantha seemed to be rallying or leading his fellows. Well, at least I think it was a he.

As I considered the scene, a feeling of unease settled in my stomach. There was one possibility that I really did not want to consider. I was too far from the *Iron Wolf II* to make a free run back to the freighter. Was it possible that I had been detected? I dared to turn my head to look off to my left. The sand stretched out in that direction, offering little in the way of cover. There was little in the other direction to consider either.

More potential complications arose in my head as I considered my limited resources. My intent had been to go undiscovered to report back. It was looking less possible, which left two options. I could either run, or I could start shooting. I dropped one hand from my macrobinoculars and fingered my security pistol on my belt. I could take out five, maybe ten if I took my time. That assumed I wouldn't get noticed. I slowly pulled the weapon from my belt. Fingers slipped from the weapon as the muzzle snagged on my belt.

I was an idiot. I could have gone slower. As the weapon hit the ground, the blaster discharged. A bolt flew over the heads of the Tuskens. They began looking about from the source of the disturbance. I could feel their eyes rolling over me as they searched. I knew they didn't necessarily notice me yet. That could change very quickly though.

I would have to make a break for it. If I turned back enough to fire a couple of times I might scare them a bit. Or I might piss them off. I wasn't sure and concentrating was getting harder. Force help me, I really should have brought a lightsaber with me or something. This was going to be sticky.

The tension in the air was thick as the two warriors stared each other down. Kaayn Salis felt the cloth of his white shirt stretch against his arms as he readied himself into a fighting stance. His opponent, T’Espera, donning the traditional orange combat uniform of her family, was already in fighting position. After what seemed like an eternity, T’Espera charged forward throwing a series of punches. Kaayn brought his hands up to intercept the onslaught of punches and ducking as a hammer fist came flying to towards the side of his head. With lightning fast precision, T’Espera fired another series of punches quickly followed by kicks. Kaayn jumped back, the cold stone railing chilling his back. Anticipating her next attack, Kaayn sidestepped as a flying kick crashed through the railing. T’Espera followed through with a straight punch at Kaayn's head. Kaayn again slipped to the side, sending T’Espera’s fist crashing into a ceramic planter. The planter shattered sending harden clay, dirt, and dust flying through the air.

T’Espera again charged her opponent. Throwing a series of kicks followed up by punches, the Sith angrily pursued Kaayn. Blocking each successive strike, the Grey Jedi was taken by surprise then T’Espera grabbed his arms. The two warriors wrestled for control of the fight. The Sith quickly got the upper hand and sent Kaayn flying across the arena floor. The human male contorted his body and landed in a prone position, propped up by one hand and his feet. T’Espera continued her assault sending a variety of kicks to the man. He hastily dodged the blows and leapt to his feet. T’Espera flew through the air sending a kick into Kaayn’s chest. The kick was followed by another fury of punches and kicks that sent him staggering back.

Kaayn regained his composure and focused on his enemy. He closed the gap to his between the two calmly but with authority. T’Espera, still at the ready, immediately continued her assault on the Grey Jedi. Kaayn quickly blocked the attacks and countered with a punch of his own. He followed through with a punch towards her head. Showing restraint, he stopped it just inches from her face. He knew the pulled punch would show her that he was indeed powerful and that he could beat her. He also knew that she would take the pulled punch as a sign of disrespect.. an insult. This fueled her anger.

She drew her power from her anger and fired back another series of punches and kicks. The renewed strength of the attack surprised Kaayn. He caught the blows in the chest and fell to the ground. He jumped to his feet and noticed the crowd observing and heckling him. He again focused hard on his opponent. T’Espera once again charged towards Kaayn. He leapt in the air threw a thrust a kick directly into her sternum. She flew back crashing into the ground. She glared at Kaayn, and slowly rose to a ready position. Kaayn loosened his stance, bobbing back and forth between his feet, changing the weight distribution.

The two fighters circled for a moment, T’Espera was the first to strike. She charged with a series of punches that were easily dodged by Kaayn. Opening the gap between the two, Kaayn gauged the situation. The Sith charged him again. Kaayn counted with a series of punches, causing T’Espera to crash into a rack of spears. The two fighters stood at a ready, throwing a punch of kick to test the others defenses. T’Espera threw a series of punches and kicks that were blocked by Kaayn. Kaayn retaliated with his own and a strong kicked connected in the chest. Taking a step back, T'Espera observed her opponent. She noticed the changing distribution of his weight. She waited until his weight was on his lead leg and with the speed of a viper attacking its prey, launched a kick into his leg sending him flying to the ground. She threw another kick towards Kaayn as he rolled back to his feet. Kaayn barely avoided the kick and countered with a flying kick to the side of her head.

The Sith and the Grey Jedi lowered into a ready stance glaring at one another, knowing that the fight would soon be over. They exploded at each other, like two elephants going to war. They exchanged a fury of punches and kicks that would look like a blur to any onlookers. Kick, punch, block, punch, block, kick.... Kaayn felt a stalemate was coming and made a quick decision. He leapt in the air and threw a strong kick into his former Apprentices chest. She flew across the arena floor into a set of stone railings. She climbed to her feat, only to fall. She realized she was too beaten to stand and eyed her opponent with seething hatred. “I lost.” She finally conceded as Kaayn left the arena.