Project Boussh: This Victory Strengthens The Soul Of...
by Brad Corletti

"Major, come quick!"

Davin Porsek came rushing through the open door of Major Defel's
quarters, his youthful face shot through with even more enthusiasm
than usual.

Brad smiled, then got back into character and turned it into an
expression of mild annoyance. "Yes, Porsek?"

"There's going to be a duel shortly!"

"A duel. How nice. I have work to do." That last part was not strictly
correct. Defel was being treated more like an honoured guest than a
member of the command staff; The _Admonitor_, as Thrawn's personal
vessel, had a complement more than capable of handling all shipboard
duties. Brad spent most of his time fruitlessly plotting to resolve
the situation he'd accidently gotten himself, and some important
others, into.

"Ahh, but this is no ordinary duel, Major! Rumour has it that it
involves one of the Terran Jedi!"

Brad looked Davin in the eye. "Really? I'd like to see that."

--

Brad and Davin packed into one of the crowded observation galleries.
All the offduty crewmembers were watching 'the big game', it seemed,
wandering around in civvies, drinking their favourite brews, and
laying down bets. Odds seemed to be sharply divided, generally in
Erisi's favour but with a few bookies favouring the Jedi for no stated
reason.

Probably something to do with ysalamiri. Were they going to be
present? Most assumed yes.

The others might know better.

He found a good seat and settled down to watch. For a moment,
surrounded by the carnival atmosphere, he almost forgot that he was
about to watch a real combat, with real weapons, involving someone he
knew.

Almost.

The two combatants entered the cluttered arena. On one side, General
Erisi entered. Armed with an oversized sword and wearing leather, she
raised a hand and the entire arena roared for her. There were no roars
for the Jedi; even those who had bet on her knew better than to risk
the mob's ire.

This was to be Imperial versus Rebel, warrior versus guerilla; and
mundane versus Jedi.

Some words were exchanged by the two combatants, and then Erisi made
an announcement: "I hereby challenge Jedi Boyd to a duel. We will use
the Noghrian rules for combat."

The crowd roared once more. "What are the Noghrian rules?" Brad asked
Davin.

Porsek glanced at him. "There are no rules."

Brad nodded. Practical of them. The Jedi seemed upset at the choice of
rules. She bickered, then the General got the first blow, tripping
Vickie onto the ground. She drew her blade and swung down.

Brad's eyes widened. Could it all be over, just like that?

But he hadn't counted on the Jedi's abilities. Even as she hit the
ground she was rolling to avoid the blow. She sprung to her feet and
drew her own weapon.

And then they fought in earnest.

The flow of battle shifted between them; at times the Jedi dominating,
at others the cyborg General. When swords failed to reach their
targets they resorted to kicks and body blows.

Brad winced when Erisi, battered but unbowed, grabbed Vickie's foot
and pulled her to the ground and began to twist her leg in a way that
it was clearly not intended to. He was relieved when Vickie managed to
swing her other foot around, releasing Erisi's grip and laying her out
cold. Brad felt useless and impotent, watching Vickie fight for her
life and knowing that he could not help her.

In that lull in the fighting, with Erisi sprawled before her, Vickie
limped towards Thrawn's spectator stand and asked for some bandages. A
woman with the party dropped some down.

Brad immediately recognised the blue starflare on the woman's face.
And then, despite the sheer number of people, she seemed to notice his
lingering gaze and looked back.

They made eye contact. He jolted in his seat, sweat breaking out on
his forehead.

He had not had time to change out of his Imperial uniform.

Dorset stared at him. With nothing else to do, he stared back. Their
gazes were broken by a yell from the arena - General Dlarit had
regained her feet and was rushing towards Vickie. Dlarit leaped into
the air, sword held overhead, but Vickie merely ducked and rolled
under her, leaving Dlarit to smash into the wall.

Dorset apparently returned her attention to the 'match'. She began
questioning Thrawn, then, and those on Thrawn's stand began discussing
something no doubt relating to the match.

The match began anew. Brad tried to settle back in his seat, mindful
of Dorset's continued gaze. Trapped by circumstance, he watched the
barbarity continue.