The Voice of a Nation {PM if not a Mando and interested}

[Gilamar Skirata]

That was it, he had taken the bait. Sidestepping the jab, he turned his back to his opponent and brought his sword arm down and around Verz's arm, gripping it tightly with his free hand for better support.that gripped Verz's arm began to squeez, with enough pressure to crush and dent Verz's armor, but not nearly enough to break his arm. The crushgaunt A grunt came from the old man as Verz's momentum pushed into his back, the clang of metal on metal ringing and echoing down in the mine. The workers had all stopped to watch now, though the droids kept working. There had been whispers of what had occurred, but only a few knew the truth. Either way, they knew what this was, and the title of Mand'alor was something that was to be earned by either side.

Bending over, and bringing his shoulders and arms forward, he flipped the man over his shoulder and onto the ground. With a heavy exhale, he brought his foot up and brought it down towards Verz's chest. But Gil had waited too long in regards to the fight, his old age had given Verz time to act.
@[member="Verz Horak"]

 

[Verz Horak]

With a grunt, Verz hit the ground. So it had been a trap. He knew that the workers were most likely watching, along with any other nearby Mandos. He had to fight. For his people. As Gilamar's foot came down, Verz grabbed it, the small spikes on the crushgaunt's palm scraping the paint on the ankle joint, and twisted his whole body, a move that hopefully would knock the older Mandalorian off balance, allowing Verz time to grab his beskad and continue the fight.

@[member="Gilamar Skirata"]

 

[Gilamar Skirata]

Falling over onto his side, the impact shot through his body. The armor softened the blow though, and getting up quickly he engaged Verz once again. An uppercut slash, to the helmet with the blade's flat side. Using it as a bludgeon Gilamar hoped to disorient his opponent. The battle was dragging now, and the stern faces all around him...Well he couldn't disappoint.
@[member="Verz Horak"]

 

[Verz Horak]

This time Verz was ready for Gilamar's strike. He shifted his stance so the slash would miss his head and hit his shoulder instead. As the blade clanged off of his shoulder plate, Verz realized that the fight had been going on for at least a half hour by now. And still neither side gave much ground. Pulling his mind back to the fight, Verz swung his blade upward, aiming at Gilamar's sword's hilt.

@[member="Gilamar Skirata"]

 

[Gilamar Skirata]

Backing away from the attack, he rushed his younger counter part in a tackle, hoping to force him to the ground. This fight had gone on too long, and it was starting to show. Both were making silly mistakes...Just like this. His arms wrapped around Verz's torso he pushed forward, towards the mine.
@[member="Verz Horak"]

 

[Verz Horak]

Verz fell backwards when Gilamar unexpectedly tackled him. The way the fell, however, and the slope that they landed on caused them both to tumble and slide down the glass edged crater, the metal of their suits creating a loud screeching sound. Workers scrambled out of the way as the two warriors fell past.
@[member="Gilamar Skirata"]

 

[Gilamar Skirata]

With a thump and a grunt, Gil felt his grip loosen on his blade, the weapon flying from his grasp as he landed after the tumble. His cape had been ripped to pieces, which was fine with him, it got in the way too often. Standing now in a grappling position he faced Verz and the ground of Rekali mine. Breathing heavily he looked on at the man in red armor. Turning he sprinted towards his weapon.
@[member="Verz Horak"]

 

[Verz Horak]

Getting up, Verz saw Gilamar running towards the glinting metal that was sutely the older Mando's beskad. Verz saw an opportunity and ran after Gilamar. While Gilamar was fast, Verz was younger and thus more nimble. He was quicker in negotiating the slope of the crater turned mine and soon was close to Gilamar. He dived at Gilamar, hoping to snag the man's ankles.

@[member="Gilamar Skirata"]

 

[Gilamar Skirata]

Falling over onto the glass floor, the two Mandalorians' armors chipped the floor away. With a grunt, Gilamar attempted to twist onto his side, throwing a powerful elbow into Verz's face plate before reaching out to grab his weapon. Gripping it in his right hand he swung, bringing the hilt of the blade back into his opponent's helmet. This was not the end, he would not stand by and let Verz watch his people wither away to nothing.
@[member="Verz Horak"]

 

[Verz Horak]

First a blow to the head from @[member="Gilamar Skirata"] 's armored elbow dazed Verz long enough for the older Mando to get the sword nearby. Then the blow to the back of Verz's head was hard enough that it made his eyes water for a second. Now it seemed hopeless for Verz to win. He had no sword and Gilamar did. Verz unsteadily rose to his feet, attempting one last ditch punch at Gilamar's helmet.

 

[Gilamar Skirata]

Taking Verz's wrist, he pulled the younger man into his shoulder, and tumbled him over, using the momentum from the punch to lift the heavy man over himself, and tossed him to the floor. Standing over Verz, he pointed the blade at the man's chest. It was eerily silent now, with only the sound of whirring gears from the droids working echoing through the mine. The black visor of Gilamar's helm stared down blankly at the man clad in red armor, with his own black visor staring back at him. Breathing heavily, the dark brown armor above his chest rising slowly and falling slowly. His breaths were ragged, his helmet creating gruff sounding rumbles. No words were spoken.
@[member="Verz Horak"]

 

[Verz Horak]

No words were spoken because none were necessary. They both knew Verz had lost this duel, and his title. He was dar'Mand'alor. No longer the sole ruler. Slowly, he pushed Gilamar's sword point away from his chest, and stood up. Black visor met black visor, warrior to warrior. If not as equals, then as friends, at the very least. The clanks of machinery and their ragged breathes were the only sounds in the mine. The workers watched from above, not daring to break the silence.

@[member="Gilamar Skirata"]

 

[Gilamar Skirata]

Gilamar put out his hand, a sign of victory, but a modest victory. Gilamar had barley one this fight, as it had not been a fight he wanted, rather one that was needed. The hand was a sign that despite his loss, Verz would be welcome in his company. Though he assumed, like all the others, he would fade into the blur of the Galaxy. He hoped he wouldn't as time healed most wounds, and his time for rule could present itself again, and despite this battle, he had no doubt that should Gilamar fall in battle, Verz would be one hell of a candidate.
@[member="Verz Horak"]

 

[Verz Horak]

Verz took Gilamar's hand, knowing that the fight had been well won. He knew that Gilamar would make a good ruler. The Mandalorians would be on good hands. He just hoped those hands wouldn't be destroyed by the Sith, as he had feared. Verz walked with Gilamar towards the mine entrance, accompanied only by the sounds of their boots on the metal scaffolds and the clanking of droids.

@[member="Gilamar Skirata"]

 

[Preliat Mantis]

Preliat watched from a distance, unfolding his arms after a moment. The stoic Mandalorian now smiled beneath his helmet. So Verz, after all, would not need to be slain. He didn't think Gil would have wanted to, and he truthfully didn't want Verz to be deep-sixed himself either. He turned on his heels, throwing the cloak over his shoulder. He was done here, and had other things that needed to be doing.