Ahsoka and Asajj glared at each other across the table. I didn't bother hiding a smile as the two tried to kill each other with their eyes.
"Do you two want to talk about it?" I asked with clear amusement in my voice.
They spared a quick glare at me before turning back to each other.
Asajj slammed down her fork, "How did you do that?"
"Do what?" Ahsoka asked innocently.
Asajj practically growled, "You knew what I was going to do before I did."
"The Force works in mysterious ways," Ahsoka shrugged.
The other girl sprang to her feet wielding her fork like a blade, "Lies."
I served some breakfast and took a seat at the head of the table. The two continued to snark at each other between taking bites. They had been too busy annoying each other to notice me slip away to make food in the mansion. I still hadn't shown them the warehouse yet. Ahsoka would find out eventually, but I wasn't sure about Asajj yet. There was a good chance that she would be leaving once we reached Coruscant. It was still annoying that I had to go there even when I wanted to avoid it.
Breakfast was over and the dishes were cleared. All the while the two were still trading insults and blatant threats.
"That's enough now," I clapped my hands to get their attention. "The only way we're going to solve this is some sparring."
The two perked up at that.
"Get cleaned up and change into comfortable clothing," I ordered. "Meet me in the gym, grab your favorite sticks, and I'll meet you there."
Asajj scrunched her brow, "Sticks?"
"He says it's a disconnect from training and a real fight," Ahsoka answered. "Don't worry, there are plenty of sticks to choose from."
I strode through the ship to my quarters where my armor was waiting. Putting it on relieved a tension in my shoulders I didn't realize I had been holding. The helmet let out a little hiss as the seal engaged. My footsteps echoed as I made my way to the gym. The sound of wood on wood was loud enough for me to hear once I turned the corner.
Asajj and Ahsoka were in a full-on duel when I arrived. It was a pretty much a repeat of the fight earlier. Asajj was getting more frustrated with every passing moment while Ahsoka was playing with her. She hadn't used more than her sticks and was refraining from getting too aggressive.
"That's enough," I called.
My voice came out modulated through my helmet. The change was enough to get their attention. I walked over to the weapons rack. There was a nice selection of sticks that were made out of actual wood. I tested a couple before settling on one that fits the classic feel.
Asajj was breathing hard while Ahsoka was only a little winded. They both watched as I joined them on the training mat.
"Time for a team building exercise," I said. "Let's go."
Ahsoka shook her head, "You're serious?"
Asajj didn't wait for an answer. She came in with both sticks in an overhead chop. I didn't bother blocking, instead I shifted to the side to let the swing pass by. My fist snapped up, catching her on the chin. She stumbled back. Her eyes were distant. I followed it up with a pommel-strike on her chest then swiped her feet out from under her. She fell flat on her back but kept hold of her sticks.
Ahsoka was there once the path was clear. She moved with a flow as harsh as a hurricane with just as much surety. Her attacks were varied, coming in a variety of angles, and speed. She would aim for my leg then follow up toward my shoulder to keep me off balance. Her experience fighting Mandalorians was clear. She aimed for the soft spots between the armor rather than the protected portions. Training was a hard thing to break which meant they aimed for the head, heart, and standard soft-points that my armor was designed to protect.
My hand clamped around one of her wrists. She tried to pull it away only to be stopped by my enhanced strength. Ahsoka tried once more before she jumped and dropkicked me with both feet in the chest. I stumbled a step but didn't let go of her wrist. Her eyes widened as I lunged closer. My shoulder crashed against her stomach. I lifted her up onto my shoulder, twisted my hips, and tossed her onto the mat next to Asajj.
"Team building exercise," I repeated. "I can keep going until you two realize what that means."
They glared at me as they stood. Asajj grabbed her scattered sticks as Ahsoka rubbed her sore shoulder. I took a wide arc around them so they would had to face me at the same time.
"Asajj," I said as she glared at me. "Drop one or choose a shorter one for your off-hand."
She threw the one she held in her left hand toward the rack and knocked a few of the others loose.
"Be mad at me after we fight," I shook my head.
Ahsoka bounced on the balls of her feet to shake out the stiffness, "What about me?"
"You have good training and practical experience," I replied. "I need more time with you to see if I can offer any pointers."
The two stood facing me but couldn't help but shoot glares at each other. I didn't wait for them to make the first move. They both jumped out of the way of my charge only to bump into each other. My stick slashed up, hooking one of Ahsoka's weapons, guiding into Asajj's face. I followed up with a kick to Ahsoka's inner thigh. She yelled as my armored shin connected. I headbutted Asajj before she could recover from the accidental hit to the face. She went down to her knees before slumping to the ground. Ahsoka tried to recover, but her leg buckled under her weight.
I caught the front of her shirt and held her for a moment, "Team building."
Then I let go. She landed on the mat with a small oof. I twirled my stick around in a flourish as I waited for them to get back to their feet. Asajj wobbled, reaching out instinctively to use Ahsoka to steady herself. For her part, Ahsoka didn't push her away.
Progress even if unintentional.
"Heal up," I told them. "We'll try again tomorrow if you're up for it."
Asajj tried to stand straight, "I can still fight."
"Sure," I said poking her on the forehead.
She let out a strangled scream as she clutched the growing bruise.
"Go see the med-droid," I ordered. "Ahsoka, what did you learn?"
She glared at me, "You're strong."
"And?" I motioned for her to continue.
"You want me to be nice to Ventress," She growled.
I shook my head, "I don't care if you're nice to her. I expect you to work with her. You don't have to like someone to fight with them." I paused. "You know how good she can be, you can help her be better."
"What about me, Captain?" Carrie asked from the doorway. "Do you have time for another spar?"
I bowed and motioned for her to take a stick. The Skynet package came with a suite of various martial arts and combat techniques that she could access. On top of that her cybernetic body was probably as strong as I was even with my enhancement. Her speed was an unknown quantity. I was under no illusion that this was a fair fight.
Carrie walked over to the scattered sticks. She hooked her foot on one, tossed it into the air, and caught it. I shook my head as she flourished the practice weapon. She stopped in a perfect rendition of the stance Obi-Wan used during the Clone Wars. I really needed to learn the names of the Lightsaber forms. Learning a few would be a good idea as well. My Blade Master Skill combined with the -Redacted- skillset worked well enough for now. More knowledge was always a good thing to keep me alive.
I adjusted my stance so that my balance was evenly distributed. The UI in my helmet flickered bright before it vanished. The distraction was enough for Carrie to get the drop on me. Her weapon struck the inside of my knee, the elbow on the opposite side, and finally bottom edge of my helmet in rapid succession. I somehow stayed on my feet as I stumbled back. My UI hadn't returned yet, but I could thankfully still see. She pressed her attack aiming for the patches that my armor didn't cover. I dipped into my Force Abilities to get back into the fight. Her next strike bounced off my Force Barrier. I used a precise Force Push on the back of her knee to throw off her balance. It would have been a good tactic against anyone else, but Carrie could control her body in ways that most biological beings couldn't. Her 'compromised' knee bent. She rolled with it, using her altered elevation to fuel a spin kick that seamlessly flowed into a twist in the air. The word Capoeira flashed in my mind right before her other foot slammed against the side of my helmet.
Carrie moved between various fighting styles including those that I swear could only be accomplished through wire-work and a stunt team. I was on my back with my vision swimming before I knew it.
"Damn," I muttered.
She held a hand to me. I took it and she easily pulled me back to my feet. No wonder her kick knocked me sideways. I brushed myself off.
"Sneaky with the UI," I chuckled.
She smiled brightly at me, "Thank you, Captain."
+100 FPSchool of Hard Knocks+100 FPAnd Headbutts+100 FPSlice of Humble Pie[Roll – Bank – Shop]
ROLL.
[Cost: 100 FP][ITEM: Valyrian Steel Dagger][You are the proud owner of a Valyrian Steel dagger. This dagger is special beyond just being made of one of the strongest metals on the planet and worth an exorbitant amount of money. It is very effective against undead and ice creatures.][Purchase – Dismiss]
I had no plans to delve into Sith and couldn't think of any other reason I would face undead.
DISMISS.
It may be a sunk-cost fallacy, but there had be something good if I rolled again.
ROLL.
[COST: 100 FP][TALENT: Everyone Likes Green Chicks][No matter that you are not human, you are stunningly attractive, by human standards, those of your species, and many others besides.][Purchase – Dismiss]
I wasn't going to ignore that one.
PURCHASE.
[BALANCE: 750 Forge Points]
ROLL AGAIN?
That software update removed the 100 FP cost to roll. It was worth a shot.
ROLL.
[COST: 500 FP][ITEM: Vault-Tec Database][There are so many fantastical things to be found here that wouldn't be out of place in a midnight science fiction feature! Robots, laser weaponry, advanced medicines, deadly viruses, space age alloys, cybernetic implants, and so much more. This terminal contains schematics for all American technology developed up until the Great War. From everyday household appliances to advanced energy weapons to a GECK, there's little you couldn't create with this.][Purchase – Dismiss]
It didn't cover the Institute or Brotherhood Technology. Vault-Tec was still quite a boon. A few dozen GECKs could probably turn Tatooine into a paradise. The additional technical knowledge for the robots, weapons, and medicine would be helpful as well.
PURCHASE.
I felt the information flood into my brain. The sensation wasn't as jarring anymore.
"Captain?" Carrie called.
The tone in her voice made it clear that this wasn't the first time she had called.
"Hm?" I asked in reply.
"You went still for a few minutes," She tapped the side of my helmet.
My UI booted up. A block of text streamed along my HUD listing the various systems. The brightness was back to normal once it finished. I swear I saw 'reticulating splines' somewhere among the scrolling text.
I nodded, "Sorry about that. I was lost in thought."
"Is it something you want to share?" She asked.
I shook my head, "I need a data-pad and a lot of caffeine."
"I can do that," Carrie said with a chuckle.