Fight Night

“They didn't actually hit each other, did they?” asked Commodore Prisca.

“No ma'am, but they came close. Given their history, we always expected them to butt heads, but it's getting out of hand. If we don't do something soon, a line is going to get crossed.”

“Have they been counseled about their issues with each other?”

“Of course, but you can see how effective that's been.”

“Alright. We have to do something. Recommendations?”

“I think we need a Fight Night.”

“A Fight Night? Are you insane?” asked the Commodore. “We're a diplomatic command. In Burnination, no less. How do you think the Burnies are going to respond to this?”

“Commodore Bryant in Veridia has been holding one every other month for a while now. Believe me, they've needed it. And the Burninites have been relatively understanding of our cultural foibles that glorify the warrior ethos until now. I see no reason this should be different. Hell, we should invite them. We can give them an opportunity to learn more about our civilization.”

“Hm. Your argument has merit. Hell, as long as we're inviting Burnie, we should invite everyone else. The Centauri will probably have fun and support any diplomatic moves we want to make, and it will give me a chance to settle things with a certain Richie Paladin. Start getting it organized. I'll make the invitations.”

* * * * *

To: Pa'u Jenovah Incinerator
From: Commodore Karly Prisca

I understand that Burninites are generally a pacific people, eschewing violence. Herakleans are, however, the inheritors of a warrior tradition. We are as proud of this history as we are of maintaining it. Among the traditions we have is one that may be unsavory to your people, but it is one that has served us well over the generations.

It is natural for people to be different, and it is natural that those differences at times result in arguments and disagreements that can make cooperation and coexistance difficult. As a way of relieving these tensions and the stresses involved, Heraklean communities have organized events called “Fight Nights.” At these nights, Herakleans call out and challenge those they have grievance with to unarmed combat to settle their differences. At the end of the bout, regardless of the results, the matter is considered settled.

The Burnination Diplomatic Command is more isolated from the rest of Heraklea than most diplomatic commands, and this has lead to much stress within our ranks. I have decided that the way to deal with this stress is to organize a Fight Night for the command.

In light of the fact that we are a diplomatic command, I feel it would be remiss of me to not offer the opportunity for cultural exchange. As such, I cordially invite you and a retinue of guests of your selection to attend as spectators.

I await your reply.

* * * * *

To: Talent Hormazd Khoroushi
From: Commodore Karly Prisca

I'm sure you know that a good leader is attuned to the needs and temperaments of her subordinates. My people are currently experiencing a great deal stress and need an avenue of release. As such, I have decided to organize an event called a “Fight Night.” During this time, my people will be challenging each other to bouts of unarmed combat to settle their differences.

I have further decided to make this an opportunity for cultural exchange and am inviting representatives of various nations. As such, I cordially invite you and a retinue of guests of your selection to attend as spectators.

I await your reply.

* * * * *

To: Scribe Elania
From: Commodore Karly Prisca

My command has been suffering a great deal of internal stresses recently. To help my people relieve this stress and settle differences between themselves, I am organizing a “Fight Night.” At this event, members of my command will challenge each other to bouts of unarmed combat to remove this tension.

I am also making this event a cultural exchange and am inviting representatives from other nations to attend. I would also like to take this opportunity to hopefully mend bridges between myself and Knight Commander Marcus. As such, I cordially invite you, Knight Commander Marcus and a retinue of guests of your selection to attend as spectators.

I await your reply.

*Scribe Elania was up late again filling out incident reports. Battle hardened soldiers with nothing to do was starting to devolve the Ordenreich embassy into a small warzone. She looked over her report checking to make sure that everything was in order.

Embassy of the Ordenreich, Burnination branch
Ambassador: Scribe Elania von Memel
Fur Den Auftrag

Order Lieutenant Lukas - Public Drunkenness, assaulting local police officer (Punishment: demotion of rank, put on Probation)
Order Knight Merril - attempted sexual assault while under the influence of drugs against embassy guard of Heraklea, broken up by Knight Commander Marcus (Punishment: Knight deported back to Livenstein for punishment EDIT: Knight reassigned to the Ordenreich Pioneers)
Order Knight Nelson - throwing alleged grenade over embassy wall into neighboring Centauri embassy, grenade was later identified as an empty soda can (Punishment: Toliet and trash pick up duty for two weeks)
Knight Commander Marcus - alleged sexual assault on fellow knight, charges dropped when witnesses claim the female knight in question was willing participant (Punishment: Verbal Warning)
Burnination Embassy Detachment Squad Four - Bar fight and consequent destruction of local Burnination property [aka local bar], assault on local police forces who arrived on scene, destruction of police vehicles, Ordenreich government forced to pay reparations to local owner and police department, reparations of medical bills to injured local police (Punishment: Squad recalled back to Livenstein pending criminal investigation)

Elania sighed as she finished the report and sent it to the relevant people. She then received a message from the Heraklean embassy. She was fairly curious at what it said as the Herakleans kept out of contact with the Ordenreich embassy especially after the sexual assault case she just finished reporting on. As she finished reading her window shattered and she immediately hit the floor because she thought it was an attack. However, when she saw a baseball on the floor and a chorus of "Oh shit!" coming from outside she knew what had happened and merely sighed. She called on Knight Commander Marcus as per protocol to report the incident and hung up after the Knight Commander said he would take care of it and put in an order for a new window. When she got back in her chair and reread the email she gave it five seconds of thought before deciding.*

Elania: Yes, definitely. These buffoons the Ordenreich gave me for guards are destroying this embassy more throughly then an actual Paladin squad during an invasion.

*Elania typed up her message then sent it*

To: Commodore Karly Prisca
From: Scribe Elania

I, and my entourage, would love to attend. I also think some of my embassy staff would like to participate as well if you wouldn't mind.

Sincerely,

Scribe Elania von Memel

To: Scribe Elania
From: Commodore Karly Prisca

I'm sure that can be arranged.

The Centauri Embassy on Burnination, MY 2289

When Talent Khoroushi first read the invitation, he thought, "The Herakleans are hosting what?"

At first, he was rather surprised, and then he began to chuckle in disbelief. The situation seemed patently absurd: was the Heraklean diplomatic command really going to host a "Fight Night", and in Burnination, of all places? He had to wonder if it was against some sort of Burnite law, though he suspected that the Burnites probably were not preparing for such a contingency. Still, he wasn't about to decline, with Centauri-Heraklean relations at a high, and he suspected that the spectacle might prove to be some crude amusement. Then, he gestured over towards his attache, Talent Sylvia Blackwood.

"Am I needed for something, sir?"

"Just read this invitation, please."

As Talent Blackwood read the invitation, she seemed visibly surprised, and turned back to Talent Khoroushi.

"Is this some kind of a joke, sir? I noticed you were chuckling."

"I am afraid that while I initially may have had the same reaction, this is a serious invitation. With relations with the Herakleans as good as they are, I see no reason to decline. The two of us will attend, and so will a few Morganite businessmen I know on long-term business. After all of these months here, I think seeing something like this might prove refreshing, yes? Besides, it might prove entertaining to see them take their frustrations out on each other."

Nodding, Talent Blackwood then replied, "Will we be sending any participants, sir?"

Talent Khoroushi's eyebrows raised. "I beg your pardon?"

"Will we be sending any participants, sir? You know that the Phlangites are used to having their regular tournaments, and ever since we've established the embassy you've suspended them. As much as we want to respect the values of our Burnites, sir, the morale of the guards is plummeting and you have to offer them some kind of outlet."

Sighing, he replied, "That might very well be true. Fine, we'll send a few of them, but I'm not going to take the blame if the Burnites make a bust. I'll send a reply out, and you put the outing on your schedule."

***

To: Commodore Karly Prisca
From: Talent Hormazd Khoroushi

After a few months on Burnination, an outing and a change of scenery is well-appreciated. I will be in attendance with Talent Sylvia Blackwood, my attache, as well as two Morganite businessmen who I happen to be familiar with. Additionally, I know that a few of my guards - Spartan Phlangites, no less - would possibly like to participate in the event. Seeing the close cultural kinship your people and the Spartans have, perhaps this would be an excellent opportunity to affirm our collective cultural heritage. Naturally, I don't think that the guards would see it in that kind of light, but I digress. I have barred their bimonthly martial arts tournaments out of respect for Burnite sensibilities, and such an event might serve as a good outlet for them.

Cordially,
Talent Hormazd Khoroushi

To: Talent Hormazd Khoroushi
From: Commodore Karly Prisca

My people look forward to reaffirming our connections to our common heritage, and we welcome your people warmly.

TO: Commodore Prisca
FROM: Jenova

This is certainly an interesting proposition, which I sense the general will of Burnination would not prohibit. I do ask that you hold off for a few days so that the proper arrangements can be made.

I'm almost looking forward to it in that I am curious -- it has been long since I have witnessed hand-to-hand combat.

Sincerely,
Jenova

To: Pa'u Jenovah Incinerator
From: Commodore Karly Prisca

I am more than happy to accommodate your request for a couple of days.  Given the responses we've gotten from others, we have had to expand our original plans into a larger venue on the command.

* * * * *

OOC: Mood Music

The stands erected on the lawn of the Burnination Diplomatic Command was filled with people.  Though predominantly Heraklean, there were many in the crowd from Alpha Centauri and the Ordenreich.  At the top of one of the stands a mezzanine had been setup for the VIPs, from which Commodore Prisca and her guests watched the “pre-show” as it were.  A few Heraklean musicians had formed a band and was playing various songs to pump up the audience for the Fight Night.  As the band finished its last song, Commodore Prisca stood and addressed the audience.

“Ladies and gentlemen, friends and comrades, honored guests.  From the earliest days of humanity we have struggled between ourselves for any number of reasons.  Though in many ways have moved past the days when we fight over every little thing, today we pay homage to our origins as combatants as we settle our differences with naught but our fists, our feet and whatever other tools of violence nature has given us.  Today we honor the Gods of War who taught us defend our honor to the last.  I declare this night a night of honorable combat.  I declare this night a night of retribution and settlement.  I declare this night... a Fight Night!”

The crowd erupted in cheers

“Master Chief Porter!  Are there any here with a grievance they wish settle?”  MAM Porter was a salty old marine whose long illustrious career had included customs interdiction, search and rescue operations, anti-piracy patrols and a variety of black file operations.  His stint as the Command Master Chief for the BurnDipCom was his cushy retirement tour after a life of dedicated service.  He was quite happy to play “master of ceremonies” for the Fight Night and he turned to review the crowd.  He picked out one of them.

“Petty Officer Carter, do you have a grievance?”

“That I do, Command Master Chief,” replied EM2 Carter.  “I have a grievance against MM1 Valle. After I arrived here, his ugly mug has prevented me from getting a good nigh sleep by giving me the worst nightmares.  For the loss of my sleep, I demand MM1 meet me in the ring to settle this.”  The crowd erupted in cheers and Commodore Priska turned to her guests.

“It's almost as much a tradition these days as the Fight Night itself.  An Electrical Division and a Mechanical Division typically lead off these thing with some crazy pseudo-grievance between a couple of their members.  The fight is usually pretty off the wall and it's not uncommon for these to become full inter-division brawls.  They help rev up the crowd for the later fights.  It's more akin to entertainment, but they also tend to make people reevaluate their own grievances.  A lot of people will decide that it just isn't worth it and let the matter go.”

Down in the ring, the two petty officers began circling each other.

OOC: Will try to write up the fight a little tomorrow night.

*Scribe Elania watched the spectacle with great enthusiasm. She noted that it seemed smack talking easily crossed cultural boundaries between the different culture and she couldn't wait to see when Ordenreich knights met Heraklean marines head on. She looked around slightly confused as she couldn't see where Knight Commander Marcus is. Slightly concerned she left the stands and asked some loitering knights where he was. They pointed her to an area behind the wall of one of the diplomatic embassies. As she went there she could here Knight Commander Marcus mumbling and shushing someone. He came around the corner just as Scribe Elania came up.

Marcus: Ah... uh... good day ambassador...

Elania: Knight Commander... what are you doing?

Marcus: Uhh... nothing, ma'am. Just had to take a leak

Elania: *sigh* Knight Commander if I have to file another sexual...

Marcus: Elania! I'm shocked! Shocked! That you would question my honor as an Ordenreich knight!

Elania: Pff... honor... well I better not...

*Elania all of a sudden heard an animal sound coming from around the corner*

Elania: Knight Commander what is that?!

Marcus: Ma'am I... wait!

*Elania quickly brushed past the Knight Commander and ran around the wall and she quickly stopped in her tracks*

Elania: Knight Commander! Is that a HORSE???!!!

Marcus: I prefer to term... noble steed.

Elania: What is a HORSE! DOING! IN! BURNINATION!

Marcus: Calm down ma'am!

Elania: Calm down? CALM DOWN! Do you have any idea how many regulations you are violating right now!

Marcus: Relax Ambassador! I got approval from Paladin Komtur Maya on this!

Elania:...
...
...
...you better not be shitting me Knight Commander...

Marcus: Never crossed my mind ma'am

Elania: So what do you plan on doing with this... noble steed?

*Elania gave the animal another look. She found out there were five more behind the one she saw. The horses were huge. Some of the biggest she had ever seen. They looked like they were built like a tank*

Marcus: Ma'am are you familiar with the ancient medieval sport of jousting?

Jenova cocks her head to the side and asks Prisca, "Does the man challenged have the right to deny his challenger the fight? And may women be challenged?"

There are several other Burninites present throughout the crowd. Apparently Jenova left the invitation open for all Burninites, but only a few showed up. There don't appear to be many of the lower Pa'us at all. There is a group of 6th level Pa'us accompanied by some as low as the 4th level, an a small number otherwise scattered throughout the crowd. They take in all that is happening, some of the empaths smiling with the waves of glee that sweep the crowd.

(OOC: Sorry was in a posting mood today. I'll wait for everyone to post after this)

*While Scribe Elania and Knight Commander Marcus argued behind the scenes the Ordenreich knights and Paladins laughed and jeered as the fight unfolded. Some were even making private bets amongst themselves. Overall the mood was generally light ann playful which started to set off some weird occurrences. The Ordenreich military was known for being blunt and straight to the point. Yes some knights were lighthearted and joking but for the most part most of the Order generally kept a strict attitude when interacting with aliens. This was not the case here. Many knights began intermingling with other species. Starting conversations with the Centauri, has arm wrestling matches and such with the Herakleans, and there was even a Paladin and a Burninite arguing philosophy in the back of the crowd. Sometime in all of this some knights brought out instruments and started playing random songs during the whole engagement adding to the friendly spirit of the fights.

Songs being played:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUEAjS3urfA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Uk2O5Gxd6g

Talent Khoroushi had dressed well for the occasion, as was Talent Blackwood and the Morganites. They wore the starched button-down jumpsuit that the Centauri often wore during outings, along with their preferred headwear and various small artisanal accessories to complete the outfits. Though the four demonstrated a polite enthusiasm, it was clear that it was hardly their element. The lower-ranked Centauri embassy workers seemed quite excited to watch, however, especially the security guards who would see their comrades participate. Overall the mood was relaxed for the Centauri embassy workers, which might confound some foreigners used to the rigid formality that the Centauri usually displayed in their posts, but even they had to loosen up at times. They struck up conversations with the foreigners around them, and in good moods they generously shared their bottles of synthivodka and manufactured snacks.

Back at the VIP table, Talent Khoroushi nodded back at Commodore Prisca, replying, "I see the wisdom in such a tradition. Having this entire event dedicated to settling grudges would only blacken the soldiers' spirits. Some satire is well-deserved. Oh, and let me not forget, Talent Anderson here" - he gestured at one of the Morganite businessmen - "brought us a bottle of vintage synthivodka. 2248, if I do recall correctly? It was made on Zakharov's still, too, if it weren't enough already. Talent Anderson said it cost him an arm and a leg to get this to us, so let's make sure we honor his sacrifice well."

Pouring the synthivodka into small glass beakers the size of shot glasses, he slid a beaker to everyone at the table. "As they say at the University, zazdarovje!"

“I certainly wouldn't want suggest to anyone that we don't honor sacrifice,” said Commodore Prisca.  She raised her glass of the synthivodka.  “To lost limbs!  May we find them eventually.”  With that she took a long swig of the drink.  She then turned to Pa'u Jenova.  “To answer your first question, yes anyone who wishes to may refuse a challenge.  It is generally speaking frowned upon, and those who refuse to fight are often called cowards, especially since there hasn't been a fatality during a Fight Night in over eighty years at this point.  That fatality was due to an electrical shock the man had received earlier that day and failed to seek treatment for.  None of your people should be challenged if that is what you're worried about.  For your second, I'm really not sure what to say.  Men and women participate equally in Heraklean society.  That includes Fight Nights.  Stick around and you'll probably see a few women issue their own challenges.”

* * * * *

In the ring, the electrician and mechanic circled each other, trading insults before coming to the matter at hand.  Valle attacked first, moving forward and throwing a punch.  Carter backed away from the punch, then came rushing back in with a roundhouse kick to the side.  Valle absorbed the blow before sending two quick jabs that hit Carter in the sternum.

The bout continued from there with each man gaining a brief advantage before losing it to the other.  This cycle continued for a few minutes until Carter committed to a bum rush, pushing Valle to the ground and beginning a grapple.  Valle worked free from beneath Carter and succeeded in getting the mechanic into a choke hold.  Several mechanics in the crowd began booing.  Carter beat at Valle's arm, with each strike growing weaker.  Sensing Carter's imminent defeat, the mechanics in the audience began pushing toward the ring.  This triggered a similar move from the electricians and before long the two division were locked in a full blown knock-down drag out, much to the amusement of the audience.

* * * * *

“How tactical of them,” the XO commented to the others at his table on the mezzanine.  “The divisions are wearing matching shirts.”

* * * * *

MAM Porter broke up the bout after things became too slapstick.  He decided that an electrician riding on the shoulders of another and beaning the mechanics on the head might be just a bridge too far.

“Petty Officer Carter, is your grievance satisfied?”

“Yes, CMC.  Not only have I gotten the frustration out of my system, but I think we made Valle three times prettier.”

“You have heard it!  Petty Officer Carter is satisfied.  This fight is over.  Is there anyone else with a grievance?  Perhaps one of our visiting guests from the Ordenreich?  How about you?”

*Order Knight Mariana stepped out of the crowd, her insignia suggests that she was Heaven's Darkriders trooper.*

Mariana: Oh I have a grievance all right and that is the idiot known as Order Knight Nelson. The same moron who tossed an empty can over the embassy wall into the Centauri embassy which caused a diplomatic incident that we had to do punishment exercises for a week! I challenge you to the melee!

*Many Ordenreich knights jeered and after a bit of jostling in the Ordenreich crowd the offending Order Knight was tossed into the ring. Both knights stared bloody murder at each other when Knight Commander Marcus returned to the arena with a tiny bit of hay coating his uniform.*

Marcus: Alright! Alright! Everyone quiet down! Order Knight Mariana has challenged Order Knight Nelson to honorable combat in the form of the melee! To our brethren that don't know the melee has been passed down since the primordial medieval era that we originally came from. The rules are simple. Both combatants will be armored in the traditional heavy plate mail, with modern modifications to prevent accidents. They will also be armed with blunted cross broadswords just like our ancestors of old. The two combatants will fight until one is knocked out or is too fatigued to go on. A combatant may choose to surrender which will lead to a vote from the crowd on his honor. The crowd may vote yes or no t whether he may keep his honor or surrender it to his opponent.

*Marcus was then handed two broadswords which he stabbed into the ground in the center of the ring.*

Marcus: Combatants move to your side of the ring and prepare for combat

*The two knights moved to opposite ends of the ring where they were armored with plate mail. This plate mail was much more modern then its medieval counterpart as it had interlocking hinges that would lock together when they touched. This fitted them more securely and did way with arcane leather straps and buckles. Once they were armored they returned to the center and both placed one hand on their respective swords. Marcus then laid a hand on top of their own hand.*

Marcus: Combatants ready!

*Both knights nodded, Marcus then raised his hands off their own and stood back*

Marcus: Engage!

(OOC: I will let everyone posts their reactions to my post before describing the combat)

"Well, that's not how we typically do Fight Night," said Commodore Priska. "We only use swords in formal duels. And they certainly aren't blunted. Could prove interesting though."

Talent Anderson briefly waved his arm as he took a sip of synthivodka, and said, "Truly, I am a master of illusion, aren't I?"

His fellow Morganite businessman chuckled, and said, "Don't be fooled by Anderson, he dissembles like none other."

"All part of the job, Park! You know as well as I do."

The two Morganites toasted themselves, and Talent Anderson continued, "Anyways, this is quite an interesting experience. I've certainly never see anything like this before. Maybe we should get a crew of recorders to Heraklea one day and virchify it. I'd imagine that Morgan VirchWorks would be delighted to have IP like that on their hands."

Talent Khoroushi nodded as the conversation between the two took place, and then looked back at the ring, where he saw the OrdenReich knights prepare for a melee with swords. He could not help but raise an eyebrow, but it certainly perked his interest - this was certainly not something normally seen on Alpha Centauri.

Jenova laughs at this. "That's good. Even in apparent egalitarian cultures, I have seen invisible barriers between the sexes."

*The two knights clashed violently against one another. Both knights were trained in medieval combat early on as per Ordenreich tradition so the sides were distributed evenly. Mariana gave a battlecry and she brought an overhand chop on Nelson which he blocked but was forced to bend a little under the force of the blow. He then lunched forward shoving Mariana back. The two knights squared off studying each other for weakness before going at it again. Nelson tried to use his bigger size to his advantage by turning his body into a battering ram. Mariana was a lot more nimbler then Nelson and managed to dodge out of the way which was an impressive feat for a knight as the armor they were wearing weighed a good couple hundred pounds. Nelson stumbled from the failed charge and Mariana tried to take advantage by tripping him up. Nelson countered by dropping a knee to keep his balance and all Mariana did was end up with a stubbed toe. Nelson brought his fist up in a straight arm punch to Mariana's visor causing Mariana to stumble badly and she tried to clear the bluriness from her vision. Nelson then made the fatal mistake that costed him the duel by showboating to the crowd. He assumed that because of his size and muscle that punch he made would have kept Mariana disoriented for a good few minutes. He didn't expect the endurance Mariana had however as she cleared the stars from her vision then turned to face Nelson whose back was turned. When she saw him showboating she immediately got enraged by the arrogance of Order Knight Nelson. She charged him with a very real intent of taking off Nelson's head blunt sword or no. Nelson was alerted to her charge by the members of his squad shouting at him to turn around. He barely had enough time to see the charging knight coming at him. As she swung her sword in his face Nelson brought his sword up in a desperate bid to block the attack. It was for naught however as Mariana was so angered from the gloating that her anger combined with years of military training that when her sword connected with Nelson's sword it shattered the blade near the hilt and followed through all the way to Nelson's helmet. Nelson went down hard with a sizable dent in his helmet and he was not moving. The Ordenreich knights cheered loudly as Knight Commander Marcus casually walked over to the inert knight. He lifted Nelson's visor and saw his eyes were still open but clearly unfocused.*

Marcus: You alright in there Nelson? All your faculties in their proper place?

Nelson: Urrr....

Marcus: You're fine. Take five sir knight

Nelson: Urg....

*Knight Commander Marcus walked over to Order Knight Mariana and grasped her arm and hoisted it over both their heads*

Marcus: Winner! Order Knight Mariana by way of knock out!

*The Ordenreich crowd cheered loudly after the announcement*

Talent Khoroushi clapped as the duel ended, calling out, "Bravo!", clearly impressed by the show of fighting spirit. His attention then turned to the Centauri portion of the stands, where he noticed a pair of Phlangites in a heated argument. He knew well that the two of them had a considerable rivalry with the other, so it came to no surprise to him that as the duel ended one of them raised their hands and called out, "I have a grievance! For half a year Sergeant Stanek has bragged about winning our last bout, and I intend to rectify that!"

Their commanding officer then stood, and called out, "I, Major Malik Beaulieu, do hereby recognize Sergeant Ragnvald Reynders's challenge to Sergeant Victor Stanek to unarmed combat! They shall take the arena, and the fight shall commence until the other is unable to resist further!"

Jenova purses her lips in annoyance when one of the combatants is knocked cold. "It is quite difficult to restrain the impulse to heal," she says. "But I assume that such would be frowned upon, so I will refrain."

She waves her hand and a chalice of some liquid appears in her hand. It's clear, so who knows. She leans back in her chair to watch the Centauri combatants.

"There's no ban in returning him to consciousness. In fact it's encouraged to make sure there are no long term neurological complications. Mending any skull fractures is also fine. But leave the bruises and the scars. Those are our trophies." With her explanation done, Commodore Prisca leaned back in her chair to watch the Centauris.

*Upon hearing the Centauri calling for their chance for a duel many knights and paladins began cheering and goading the Centauri into starting the fight. Meanwhile in the ring Knight Commander Marcus used a scanner built into his power armor to check on Nelson. His scans showed that the armor took the brunt of the hit so he may be uncounscious but otherwise fine, well except for his ego. He called two knights into the ring to drag the unconscious Nelson off the arena to clear it for the next fight*

The two entered the arena, and Sergeant Stanek smirked at Sergeant Reynders. "Back so soon? I thought you'd never ask."

"Damn you, Stanek. We'll see to the end of this."

With that, Sergeant Reynders immediately entered into an aggressive style, rapidly closing into Sergeant Stanek. His arms became a blur as he began a series of rapid attacks, a mixture of feints and quick jabs intended to penetrate the opponent's defenses and exploit all vulnerabilities, one of the styles of Spartan martial arts. But Sergeant Stanek was unmovable: each attack was almost effortlessly deflected or dodged, and he kept his unmistakable smirk. Clearly, he had adopted a more defensive, controlling style. Though he had not yet had the chance to move onto the offensive, he had his chance soon enough when a miss left Sergeant Reynders vulnerable to counter-attack. In a quick fluid motion he took hold of Reynders and pulled him over his shoulder, dropping him hard onto the floor.

Stanek raised his fist towards the crowd in triumph and prepared to pin down Reynders, but he was too slow: his gesture towards the crowd cost him the time it took for Reynders to roll and return to his feet. Resuming his stance, Reynders continued his onslaught, clearly undaunted by Stanek's previous success. To the untrained eye, it might appear that he was doing much the same as before, but the opposite was the case: none of his attacks were mean to land, for they were all highly controlled feints. Yet again, Sergeant Reynders appeared to have made himself vulnerable in a miss, but this time it was intentional. Stanek again tried to position himself for a throw, but this time it was on him. Changing styles in almost the blink of an eye, Reynders turned the tables on Stanek by leveraging his weight into a counter-throw, tossing Stanek onto his side.

Wasting no time, he immediately brought himself into a leg-lock with Stanek. Though Reynders's sudden style-change caught Stanek by surprise, Stanek was nevertheless much more knowledgeable in the grappling-based style that the two now engaged in, and leveraged his knowledge into breaking out of the lock. Quickly he backed onto his feet, but it was clear that Reynders was not done with him. Charging Stanek and bringing him down before he could react, he forced him into a compression lock on the leg and began to pin down his arms. An ordinary man would have cried out in pain long ago, but the Spartan ethos was one of inhuman endurance with almost an undertone of sadomasochism. With all of his strength he tried to break free, but there were limits to the human body's capabilities and soon it was clear that there was no more movement from him. He had yielded.

"Enough!", Major Beaulieu shouted. "Sergeant Stanek can resist no further, and the challenge is ended in favor of Sergeant Reynders. Give them a hand for a battle well-fought and pain well-suffered!"

With that, the Centauri medics on call carried the two away, neither of them coming out of the challenge lightly. As they were carried away, the two of them exchanged glances. But no longer were they glances of scorn, for they had been transmuted into glances of mutual respect. Such was one of the odd paradoxes of the world, how brutal combat could could change such bitter rivals.

In the spectator stands, all four of the Centauri VIPs clapped vigorously. Turning briefly to Commodore Prisca, Talent Khoroushi chuckled, and said, "And that, Commodore Prisca, as I am sure you already know, is why we Peacekeepers fear the Spartans."

"Thank you," Jenova responds, smiling. She appears to pale slightly, or would if she were being watched closely by anyone. The unconscious soldier doesn't return to consciousness, but his non-surface injuries have lessened in severity.

*Just as the Centauri were pulling their duelists out of the ring the horses that the Knight Commander Marcus brought from Livenstein showed up on the edge of the ring along with its riders. Both animal and man were clad entirely in plate armor and they both waited patiently for their turn. The horse was a massive beast thanks to millennia of breeding. The horse was a direct descendent of the medieval warhorses of the original Order and thanks that and advances in animal husbandry the horse was slightly larger and more muscular than its original ancestors. The Knight Commander came up in front of one of the horses and patted it affectionately as Scribe Elania came up.*

Elania: I still think this is a bad idea Knight Commander

Marcus: What? Jousting is the most traditional form of combat in the Ordenreich.

Elania: I'm not talking about the tradition I'm talking about the fact that you brought alien animals to another planet with no regard to damages to this planet's ecosystem.

Marcus: Ma'am there are only a few of these horses and they live off feed and grass. The worst case scenario is they get loose and eat someone's lawn or another animal eats them. I don't think they will reproduce uncontrollably and overrun this ecosystem.

Elania: Well if they get loose its on your head.

Marcus: They won't these magnificent creatures are top of the line. The pinnacle of their species. I'm not about to let something so beautiful and expensive get loose on an alien world