Star Wars: The Alderaan Affair/Part XIV - The Black Manka

Epin's fist connected with the jaw of his opponent, an average sized man with pale skin and a somewhat sickly appearance. He looked like he belonged in a hospital rather than an arena for fighting. With a thud, the man hit the ground and returned to his feet within seconds.

“This guy just won't give up.” Epin said as he took a fighting stance again.

The man charged and threw himself at Epin. Colliding with Epin, he grabbed him around the neck and began to choke him. Despite his size, the man's strength was surprising and Epin had difficulty removing the man's hands.

Control your breathing and make your breaths slower and shallower. Kreia said, speaking directly into Epin's mind. You will be able to fool him into thinking you are defeated.

Epin did as he was instructed and allowed himself to fall limp. The man continued to hold his grasp for a few moments longer.

Slow and shallow. Kreia explained. Loosen your stomach and chest, make them appear still and lifeless. Take several small and short inhalations with a slow exhale every few times you inhale. Through the Force, your heart rate will lower and blood will pump slower and your lungs will become accustomed to requiring smaller breaths and less oxygen.

The man stepped off Epin and made a triumphant gesture as the crowd roared in approval of the apparent win. The fight arena was the same as last, except that there was no cage around the square slab of duracrete. As his opponent was distracted, Epin scrambled to his feet and grabbed the man from behind in a choke. Pulling slightly back and lifting the man from the ground, Epin yelled for the man to submit. Thrashing wildly, the man fell limp after a few more moments. Searching the man's mind, to make sure he wasn't planning to use the exact same ruse Epin had just employed, he dropped the man, satisfied that he was indeed unconscious.

The voice on the loudspeaker announced Epin's victory and Epin exited the fight area and walked over to Darien Vekkar, who was waving to get Epin's attention. Darien handed Epin a credit coin significantly smaller than the thousand credit coin he had received previously.

“Only one hundred this time I'm afraid.” Darien said.

“Why so little?” Said Epin.

“Well, your pay is based on overall money bet on the fight.” Darien explained. “As you and your opponent were both relative unknowns, not many people were willing to risk money. However, you may fight again at our next invitational if you want. Invite only tournaments are conducted and it is determined if you are good enough to join one of the circuits. That's where the real credits are.”

“When and where is this invite held at?” Asked Epin.

“You'll know when you're invited.” Said Darien simply. “But the invite tourney is a stepping stone to the low system wide tour and then from there, you go on to sector tours. And if you're good enough, you might get an invite to join the big one, the galaxy circuit.”

“How many credits can I win if I enter the galactic circuit?” Asked Epin excitedly.

Darien raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “One step at a time son.” He patted Epin on the shoulder. “But if you must know, the current champion of The Black Manka, Kaito Jorgen, just recently won a fight that netted him twenty five thousand credits.” - Bail and Breha Organa were in their bedroom discussing their day and various pieces of business.

“Yes, I discussed the matter with Darien and he has assured me he has people investigating the Manka.” Said Bail, toweling his hair as he stepped out of the shower room. He was dressed in a night robe and sat at his desk by the window.

“Well that's good news.” Said Breha, who was sitting at her dresser and brushing her hair. She likewise was wearing her night robe. “The Manka's here on Alderaan, I just can't imagine what they would want.”

Bail bite his bottom lip, thinking hard about his talk with Leia, and whether he had been too tough on her this past week. He thought about the talk he had with old Ben about the girl's future and her possible role in galactic history. He wondered if he and Breha had taken too much responsibility upon themselves. Leia would eventually have to join the Imperial Senate as a representative of Alderaan, but if he was found to be a leader of The Rebel Alliance, what would happen to her? What would happen to him and Breha? He liked to think he did a well enough job ruling over Alderaan, the Empire let him rule how he saw fit for the most part, but what if the Empire decided he was unfit for rule. What fate would befall Alderaan?

“So what do you think about that Lanmaw boy Leia's been hanging around with?” Asked Bail, turning his chair so he was facing his wife.

“If you're asking my opinion as a mother, I think he's a good kid, and a good influence on Leia.” Said Breha as she pulled back the bed sheets and got into bed. “Let them be Bail, the Matching is over, you knew Leia would do exactly what she did and so did I.”

Bail rubbed his lip with his forefinger thoughtfully before getting up and joining his wife. They gave each other a kiss goodnight before settling down. Bail pressed a button on the small table next to his bed, which shut the lights off and pressed a second button which shut the window. He laid awake for several hours thinking of his wife's words and subconsciously, he agreed with her. As a father, he felt Epin was a good kid and if Leia liked him, then so be it. But at the same time, he would be looked at negatively by many in the galactic community for allowing his daughter to remove herself from the Matching ceremony. Well, in any event, it really didn't matter what anyone thought of him if the reports he were receiving were true. The Empire was building a weapon. A weapon unlike anything that has ever been seen. A weapon that was stated could 'remove' any threats to the Empire. He had received intelligence that a secret base was located somewhere beyond the outer rim of the galaxy, in almost intergalactic space, where travel was not only discouraged, but almost impossible. It was reportedly called the 'Death Star' project, and several spies had gone missing while searching for information on it. - With The Matching over, Leia had resumed her lessons at Madame Vesta's Academy and thus didn't have much time to spend with Epin. However, Epin had things of his own to focus on, as he had finally earned his invite to the official Manka Alderaan circuit. Which meant, instead of just regular fights, Epin would be competing with fighters that were actually in The Black Manka, and he could possibly be sent to other planets to fight for larger crowds and larger credit payouts. Epin was training hard, with Kreia pushing him harder and harder so he would strengthen the techniques he already knew. With practice, Epin had mastered the abilities she had worked with him on so far, though she had commented that there were still plenty of things to learn about himself. He had also begun renting a room at one of Aldera's inns, The Weary Traveler, it wasn't much, the room contained only a bed, a shower and toilet and a small table and chair. It wasn't much, yes, but it wasn't the ground next to a dumpster in an alley.

Epin arrived at the underground Manka fighting arena and checked in with Darien Vekkar, who ushered him to the backroom, where Manka members would prepare for the night's fights. There was a row of lockers and a bench on one side to the left of the door, a small medical area in the far right corner with a raised table for people to sit on while being tended to, and a small shower and toilet in the far left corner in a small room with a door for privacy. Epin noticed a door on the back wall, which stood out from the drab grey color of the durasteel room, due to its white color. The door had a small picture of the black Manka that the club used as its symbol or emblem.

There was already a group of three men gathered around the lockers. They stopped talking as Epin and Darien entered, but turned back to their conversation after a few seconds of contemplating the newcomer. Darien showed Epin around the room, explaining how to use the shower and what medical supplies were available. He then brought him to the door at the far end told him that this was the club owner's office. Though he said that he, Arkan Vydushi was busy at the moment and couldn't be disturbed.

“You've got some time kid, take it easy and get ready for your fight. We're going to put you on as the leak break before the main event. Your match will be against another fighter, who is hoping to get the same spot you're going for.” Darien said, as he left Epin and headed for the door they had entered through. “We'll announce you over the loudspeaker. There's a change of clothes in the lockers if you're interested.”

“So, you're the freshie eh?” Said a voice from behind Epin. He turned to see one of the men who was in the group of those talking when he had entered.

“My name's Denbo, I'm the club champion here.” The man said as he eyed Epin, apparently sizing him up. He was about medium height and had short, ear length blonde hair with green eyes. He was wearing black pants and shoes but no shirt. He was muscular, but not too much, defined but not huge. He had a grin on his face as he spoke to Epin in an amused voice. He also dropped a brown muscle shirt and a pair of loose black pants onto the bench beside Epin, obviuosly the clothes Darien had been referring to. They looked old, but Epin didn't feel like dirtying or destroying his tunic, as it was the only one he had now, having left nearly all his belongings back home.

“Listen kid, your next fight is going to be in the pit against one of Vydushi's enforcers, a Trandoshan.” Denbo laughed and looked back at his two companions, who were chuckling near the lockers, as they listened to Denbo. Denbo smirked and turned back to Epin. “Listen, if you want this, you'll have to fight your hardest. A friendly word of advice though, Trandoshan's are basically reptiles, so a heated fight may not be the best way to win.” He laughed and slapped Epin on the shoulder.

“Why are you telling me this?” Asked Epin.

Denbo shrugged. “Cause I feel like it.” He started to walk away, but stopped. “Plus I owe Vydushi for trying to stack the odds against me in that last fight.” He rubbed his forearm, where Epin could see a bandage covering what looked like a bloody slash running the length of it. “Anyway, see you around kid.”

Epin went to sit in the corner to ponder the upcoming fight. Trandoshans were humanoid reptiles that were usually found doing 'thug work', as one might call it. They were skilled combatants, thanks to their sharp claws on their hands and feet, had scaly skin and orange eyes with horizontal pupils. Epin didn't know too much more than that and was worried he might sustain some serious wounds during the fight, as this was no human, whose mind he could simply read, this fighter would be thinking in another language. It wouldn't be as simple as just reading minds this time.

Wrong. Came Kreia's voice into his mind. All minds are the same, they may function differently, and even function using different languages and dialects. But all life is the same at their core. Feelings, emotions, images in one's mind can be deciphered, and thus used against them. Simply seek out their feelings and their emotions, exactly what you've been doing in your previous bouts. The only difference that exists is the one you create inside your own head.

The PA came on with a crackle as Epin's name was announced. He stood up and walked to the door, but before opening it he glanced back at the locker room to see Denbo sitting with the same two guys from earlier. Denbo smirked at Epin and rubbed his shoulders with his hands, like he was trying to warm himself in cold weather. Epin nodded to him, though not really certain what he was agreeing with, and exited the room and stepped into the arena.

The arena itself had changed slightly, with a hole that dropped roughly eight feet into the floor where the square slab usually was. Epin looked into the hole and he guessed it was about twelve feet wide at the middle. He walked to the edge of the hole and used a ladder that had been set up to climb down into it. He examined the walls and spotted a section of what looked like a pipe with a small label with the character 'F' on it.

A green skinned alien jumped down into the pit and stared Epin down. He was wearing a black jumpsuit with two white horizontal stripes at the midsection which wrapped around and the pants were plain black. Epin noticed a red 'V' character on the right side of the chest area of the jacket. The Trandoshan looked unblinkingly at Epin as he hissed something in his own tongue, though Epin did as Kreia said and dove into its mind and saw an image of himself being slashed open by the Trandoshan's claws, which he then held up and flexed. Epin tried to think of something cool and tough to say.

“Nice outfit, a relative?” Epin said, not really knowing what he was saying.

“Reejalgo, is who I am.” Said the Trandoshan.

Reejalgo chuckled at Epin's joke without any real humor and flicked his tongue out a few times and observed the pit, perhaps thinking of a strategy. Epin waited, calmly reading Reejalgo' mind and observing his thoughts, looking for something that could be thoughts of a possible attack. And almost immediately as Epin saw it in his mind, Reejalgo launched himself at Epin, claws swiping at him. Epin rolled to the side as Reejalgo took a swipe with his left hand, nearly connecting with Epin's legs as he rolled away. But Reejalgo was quick to react and carried his momentum by leaping up onto the wall and kicking back off as Epin was recovering from his roll and headbutt him. Epin fell to the floor and immediately rolled away as Reejalgo came down onto the spot Epin had just vacated with a slash of his claws, which scraped the concrete of the pit. Epin recovered and stood up as Reejalgo also stood.

“Hmm, not bad.” He rasped. “But I've got my orders.”

Reejalgo lunged at Epin and pinned him to the ground. Epin heard the woman call his name again, but didn't have time to focus on who it may be. Reejalgo swiped at Epin, who managed to get his hand up and block the attack by grasping Reejalgo's arm. He struggled, but Epin having control of his opponent's arm crossed Reejalgo's face with his own arm, then Epin drove his right fist into Reejalgo's exposed throat, who fell back choking. Epin scrambled to his feet and stood up, taking a defensive position.

Epin waited as Reejalgo got to his feet and charged, Epin tried to dodge, but too late as Reejalgo pushed him up against the wall and drove his claw into Epin's shoulder. Epin yelled in pain as a fiery pain shot through his body, it was worse than any pain he had ever felt, like a burning razor.

“You're finished Lanmaw.” Reejalgo laughed, as he twisted the claw.

Epin could here a faint hissing and his shoulder felt cold at the back, no doubt the pain. Reejalgo began sniffing the air, obviously inspecting the hissing sound and gave a slightly concerned gasp of acknowledgment. At that moment, Epin remembered the pipe, Reejalgo's claw must have pierced it, and he grinned as Denbo's words and strange actions came rushing to him in a moment of understanding. The pipe must carry some type of cold liquid or perhaps a gas of some sort. Reejalgo's eyes shot wide open as he came to the same conclusion as Epin about what he had done. Epin grabbed Reejalgo's hand and tore it from his shoulder, doing possibly even more damage to himself. Reejalgo recoiled from the shock of the sudden change in Epin and took a swing, which Epin dodged, causing Reejalgo's claws to connect with the pipe and slash it open even further, allowing the freezing gas to pour into the pit.

Epin knew the fight was over. Reejalgo began to move slower as they continued the fight, his reptilian body was being affected by the cold of the pit. Epin could feel it as well, but his warm blood afforded him a bit more warmth than what could be gained by simply staying active. As Reejalgo stood and swayed on the spot, Epin pulled back and swung directly at his face, knocking him flat. The gas soon stopped and Reejalgo gave no signs of rising.

The crowd roared in appreciation of the defeat as the pit raised itself to floor level with a hum of engines and the sound of hydraulics. The man on the PA ran through the match and explained what had happened regarding Reejalgo and him being cold blooded. Epin looked around the club to see the fans pumping their fists and cheering his name. He clutched at his shoulder, the fight over and the adrenaline subsiding, allowing the pain to fully be felt. He took a look and saw it wasn't bleeding anymore, though it still looked pretty bad, as their was muscle and bone visible, though none looked beyond repair. The wound was an almost one inch hole in his shoulder which he knew went all the way through.

“Good fight Lanmaw.” Said a voice from behind Epin.

Epin turned to see Denbo Ryshaw approaching him. Denbo came up and stood beside Epin as he looked at the body of Reejalgo. Epin contemplated what exactly he had signed up for when he took the invitation to the Manka he had been offered a few months back. He could just as easily have been the one laying dead on the concrete floor of an underground fight club. A man entered the fight area and had picked up and removed Reejalgos body.

“Don't think on it kid.” Said Denbo, clapping Epin on his back. “You did great, considering the circumstances. I'd suggest you split before...”

Epin grimaced as pain shot through his arm and he clutched it harder.

“Ryshaw, leave us.” Said a man in a dark green suit and red tie as he approached. The man had slicked back dark brown hair and green eyes and looked to be in his forties.

“Vydushi.” Denbo said.

“Leave, Ryshaw. Now, or you'll have a matching injury on your other arm as well.” Said Arkan Vydushi.

Alderaan Affair

Part XIII - Part XV