Private Three Strikes, You Are Out

[Braze]

Tags: Karkosuchus Ko Vuto

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Ko's arrival gave Braze precious cover he had not possessed moments before. He tucked himself behind the protection Ko offered, letting the larger Jedi take the brunt of Karkosuchus's attention while Braze kept low against the muck. Each fresh attack from their opponent only pressed him closer to that shelter until Ko's distraction finally carved out enough space for Braze to make a move.

Braze was in rough shape, exhausted and battered, fighting simply to keep his body moving with some semblance of purpose. It was either that or die.

He certainly heard Ko's command, yet Braze turned just enough to give his would-be savior a tired, offended look that plainly asked, you think I can still do that? Yet rather than waste what little breath he had left arguing, he simply obeyed.

Ko's distraction gave him the opening he needed as Braze staggered sideways through the muck and smoke rather than charging outright, keeping himself low as he worked toward Karkosuchus's flank. There was no spy sort of spring left in him for Ataru, no clean vault across the battlefield or sudden burst of speed; every step had to be dragged from muscles already threatening to give out beneath him.

So he watched instead, as his gaze followed Karkosuchus's posture, reading the distribution of weight through that enormous frame and searching for the places where all that mass still had to bend, turn, and articulate. The Charric remained gripped in both hands, and Braze's attention briefly caught upon the wrist he had already scorched earlier in the fight before traveling higher.

His gaze settled upon the weapon-side arm as his new target. Braze planted one foot and turned through his hips, pulling what little remained of his strength into a single economical motion. The blue blade swept upward, aimed beneath the shoulder joint where armor and anatomy had to permit movement, seeking the narrow articulation rather than trying to carve through the heavier protection surrounding it.

The snowy haired young man had neither the strength nor the sense to make this a contest of power: Precision would have to suffice.

 

[Karkosuchus]

Karkosuchus blinked through the thinning smoke as the air finally cleared, his slit eyes locking onto the Kel'Dor standing firmly in the mud. He immediately searched the clearing for the white-haired boy, but the stench of burning swamp gas, scorched timber, and churned mud made it impossible to pick up Braze 's scent, much to his irritation.

Then he heard Ko Vuto shout for a flanking maneuver, though he couldn't tell which direction the attack would come from. A moment later, a barrage of wooden splinters tore through the clearing and slammed into the soft skin between his scales, sending pain through his body and forcing a roar from his throat as he stumbled backward through the marsh.

Before he could retaliate, a blue lightsaber suddenly appeared at his side. The exhausted Echani had managed to drag himself into the Anointed's blind spot, driving the glowing blade upward into the unarmored joint beneath his weapon arm. The pain made Karkosuchus's grip falter, and his right hand loosened around the rifle.

Acting on instinct, he swung his heavy, spiked tail in a hard, low arc, aiming to smack the boy away before he could strike again. At the same time, his left hand found the Charric's trigger and squeezed, sending a maser round into the mud between them. The blast erupted into a wall of boiling water, while the weapon's heavy recoil knocked Karkosuchus back several paces, finally giving him the distance he needed.​

 

[Ko Vuto]

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Location: Presently on Somov Rit
Tag: Braze | Karkosuchus

Ko wasn’t planning to respond to Braze’s counter. But knew that ignoring their concerns wouldn’t help. “Doubt is a jedi’s greatest poision…” Ko in a solemn manner, reminding the younger echani to remain steadfast.

He watched the maneuver that Braze performed. Seemingly landing an unfortunate blow where the reptile's arm and torso met. The sight of which stung the Kel Dor with a painful memory.

But Ko was made to second guess his plan when he saw Braze’s comparatively tiny frame get harshly swatted by the Anoited’s large tail. Worrying now that he might’ve underestimated Braze’s fatigue in this moment due to his late arrival.

“Braze!” Ko called out as he waded through the muddy water as hastily as he could towards where the Echani had been knocked back towards. He felt like a fool now for telling them to go on the offensive. Once again he put himself between their opponent and his fellow Jedi. He couldn’t split his attention. Ko couldn’t let ego and the desire for ‘victory’ win out against his better judgment.

He hoped that with a hurt arm they may have greater trouble aiming their maser weaponry. Which might allow the pair to flee the scene. They answered the distress call, which was starting to seem more like a trap in hindsight.

Disengaging the violet lightsaber Ko reached into The Force and to the land that surrounded them. Feeling how it suffered from the fires and reckless devastation here. The vegetation around the three of them began to grow restless. Moss, ferns, bushes, trees and so much more began to grow with supernatural quickness. A wetland like this made it too easy. So much abundant water and nutrients made it much easier. The offered the plants no guidance on how to grow. Using it to obscure the area around them to cover them for a retreat. The reptilian would even find that the water itself grew thicker. Turning into a green sludge as Algae bloomed around them. All of it compounding to create more of a bigger obstacle for Ko to use to their advantage.

Exhaling deeply Ko quickly shifted his focus to where his own lightsaber had been displaced. Sensing the kyber crystal l within it before telekinetically summoning it back to himself. Now covered in swampy muck. ​

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[Braze]

Karkosuchus Ko Vuto

Despite his best efforts, Braze could do little to defend himself from that tail swipe as it nailed him right in the side and sent him flying across the marshy wetlands. He rolled and splashed through the murky water before finally crashing into the side of the burning hut.

For a moment, he couldn't remember which way was up. A blaring ring filled his ears, swallowing whatever sound escaped him as he tried to draw breath. His cheek rested against the wet timber, jade eyes slipping shut before he forced them open again. Through the smoke, he could just make out Ko heading his way.

Braze planted his hands beneath himself and pushed. His arms shook, elbows buckling before he managed to lift his face clear of the water. He dragged one knee beneath him and tried again, teeth clenched as he hauled himself upright against the hut. His first step became a stumble; he staggered toward Ko, one hand reaching for him while the other clamped against his side. Something in his ribs felt wrong, a sharp pain catching with every shallow breath. Cracked, perhaps… or broken. He couldn't draw enough air to call Ko's name.

 

[Karkosuchus]

Karkosuchus shook his head, clearing his vision just in time to see the swamp erupt around him. Vines twisted through the trees, algae spread across the water, and weeds clawed their way out of the mud. Roots tightened around his ankles as the water became increasingly thick.

Through the mess, he spotted his shack in the distance. Flames had caught the dry timber of the roof, sending smoke into the gray sky. It was a worthless pile of wood, but it was his. Anger burned in his chest as everything that had gone wrong came rushing back. First they destroyed his starship, then they chased off his entertainment, and now these pests were burning down his home.

He tried to push through the brush, but pain shot through his injured shoulder. His right arm hung uselessly at his side, barely strong enough to keep hold of his rifle. Nearby, he could hear Braze and Ko Vuto struggling through the overgrowth.

Karkosuchus spat black mud into the algae and looked toward the fleeing Jedi. Fighting two Jedi in a swamp that was already working against him, especially with one arm nearly useless, wasn't worth the risk. If they called in more reinforcements, he would be trapped and taken into custody again.

"Enjoy the mud, Jedi!" he growled, his voice carrying over the embers of the burning shack. Rather than chase them, Karkosuchus turned toward the deeper channel. He planted his good foot and pushed forward, breaking through the thick algae before slipping beneath the black water. The current caught his massive body and carried him deeper into the swamp, leaving the Jedi and the burning shack behind.​