Fredrick gazes from the observation box, the control hub, a reinforced structure suspended ominously over the arena. Inside some of the most high-tech and expensive equipment in arena technology, as it should be, Fredrick had spent years working upon its design and construction. Fredrick sat down in his seat perch upon highest point I the room surrounded by control panels, below him his worker sat at consoles. This was his masterpiece, here he had totally control over the arenas systems, and what systems they were the arena is totally interactive, multi-purpose shields, advanced environmental controls, fully adaptable arena floor varying from temperature to total structural alteration. This was truly his finest work, here over 100 gladiators from across the galaxy would fight in festival of carnage the like yet to be seen, a broad grin split Fredrick’s face. He look around his personal, someone was missing, he pondered…the doctor he realised. Fredrick wanted him too be here, Mandrayk had been critical in Fredrick’s plans, he contacts him on the intercom, Mandrayk informs him on Fenix’s accident. It was of little significant he informs Mandrayk and commands him to report to the hub.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A mainframe engineer sits at one of the master consoles examined his screen carefully, so not attract Fredrick’s gaze. A small blip almost like a smudge had appeared on his screen, he tried to wipe it, it didn’t budge. He examines it, it appears like nothing just an visual feed distortion he decided. Little did the engineer know this was the first stages of the system virus.

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Meanwhile in the armoury with Owen and Rasper another 17 armed gladiators begin to enter and kit up, some look at the two new comers. The doors shut and seal…there is silence amongst the group as they wait for there combat brief from the battle master.

Rasper looked to his left and next to him was a vary large man at least 6'8 wearing big armour and carrying a large vibro axe on his back and a heavy repeater in hi hand. The big man noticed Rasper and they just looked at each other in silence when Rasper finally said

"so....you like the food here?"

The man just gave a low growl and went back to his own thoughts

Rasper looked straight ahead and replied

"yea....I didn't like it either"

Owen was stationed between two Ithorieans. Both looked like they would fall in seconds, and if they didn't they soon would. Owen took two small dish shaped items from his pocket and put his arm around the two Ithorieans backs.

"I just can't wait guys, it's gonna be so fun!!" Owen said into his mic in his helmet which translated it into Itheroians language.

While his arms was around the two he stuck the two discs in there packs. Owen got up and did this with a couple of other contestants.
He then found his way to Rasper. As he sat down he noticed the huge man sitting next to Rasper.

"I hope I don't have to get close to jumbo over there," he whispered to Rasper. "I also have a little plan that should take care of some of these people, or creatures in his case," OWen said pointing at the man.

Then the intercom went off, It was Fredrik.

"Congratulations contestants. You are about to make history, well the person who wins will. Now start the countdown at 20 Secs before the 'war' begins" Fredrik said that two perky, Owen thought to himself.

Rasper looked at Owen then at the big man again. He then leaned over to Owen. "well whatever you got is better than nothing." Rasper then brought his heavy repeater and held it ready. He had plan for the big guy next to him at least.

(( my apologise to Owen and Rasper for the lateness of this posts unforeseen circumstances has kept me from this but I hope my arena makes up for it ))

*Mandrayk enter's the observation room, the man Mandrayk had spoken to when Owen, Rasper and the now departed Fenix had arrived was deep in conversation with Fredrick who sat in his seat like spider in the middle of its web. *

“Sir” Mandrayk says politely

Fredric turned instantly forgetting his conversation with the man.

“aarrr Doctor….I wished you to be present when this begins, no doubt you’ll be need down below when the fight gets under way but first I though you’d like to witness the start of the next stage of are business…I wont lie Mandrayk your work has help me bounds during the project and when its done don’t think I’ve forgotten you”

*He waves a finger to illustrate the point …Mandrayk simple smiled and bowed and thanked him…the man next to Mandrayk interrupted this little interaction*

“ What is it Felron….”

“ Security issue sir”

“What? Chose your next words wisely…after all you are the head of security”

“ We’re having some problems getting into the three ships in the hanger their more advanced then what we expected, who are these people they don’t look like the usual scum we get in here…I was considering the possibility of repercussions”

“ This is it….we are about to broad casts to half the galaxy and this is your problem “

* A mainframe worker interrupted *

“ Sir all systems are reporting in we’re ready”

* Fredrick’s eyes lit up with a childish glee, he dismisses Felron*

“ Well lets not keep the masses waiting…Let the games begin”

* A deep rumble spreads throughout the facility as the generators roar to maximum to power the arena and broadcast. The holo projectors and recon holo droids launch into the arena and begin to circle it like vultures…Down in the depths the battle master roars cast with a triumphant roar that war has stated, Mandrayk walks up to one of the observation windows and looks down at the battle ground. The arena is a vast segment of the city that had onced been there…Mandrayk chuckled at the memory of how they had acquired it. Not that you any one would recognise it, only a little segment still remained, enclosed by the arenas immense encircling walls, and surrounded by countless holo projectors and similarly countless small recon droids fitted with the best holo emitters which dart too and throw during the fight projecting the best of the action up close and personal for the viewers. The buildings, or what is left of them a they lie splintered and in tatters, skeletons of building remain some floors able to support weight and so act a good firing positions. The viewing window Mandrayk gazes from faces the north from here he could see what was known as the “high way” a large path way that had been forged from the north point to the centre plaza of the arena, to the west was the section known as the peak as a once tall structure stood tall in the middle surrounded by smaller counter parts, now all was left was skeletons of broken buildings still standing tall but is tatters, each section is criss crossed with catwalks and broken floors. The peak was notorious for daredevils of the arena fighting on its perch crossways in terrific spectacles, snipers using it as a perch to which to pick off their competition. To this east was The Furnace, not so named just because of the large industrial buildings, which unlike the rest had bared the demolition of countless fights better, some walls blown through but the bulk of these buildings still. However its known as The Furnace due to the fighting that goes on the most there, due to its wide spaces compared to the other areas, larger fighters wielding the big weapons such a Heavy Blaster’s and the larger vibro weapons fight horrific battles that seem to shake the arena. To the south was the “maze” a area riddled with jarred remains of buildings and other structures, too far gone to tell what they had once been. So tightly pack the area has become a maze of pathways and passages, gladiators could spend an age in this area without seeing an opponent. As such it is a area riff with those who prefer ambushes, vicious close quarter combat and those who relish in the hunt of a foe through its many twisting paths. Every were devilish traps have been added for the amusement of the viewers, hidden spike tarps, mines and much more. A top the peak brackets are loosened making catwalks dangerous and sending reckless fighters plummeting to their deaths, numerous spikes are placed around the bottom intent on impaling the fallen. In the maze there are countless spike pits and fragmenting proximity mines, the furnace is home to more spiked pits hidden under seemingly normal sections of floor and encased in the thick walls are shield emitters connect to the arena vast power supply, on activation these sections suddenly deploy restricting movement, cutting off firing arcs and slicing in half any thing or any one who is unfortunately to be in between them when they deploy. At the centre is a great plaza, strangely feature less, here a corner of each side of the arena meet. The floor there like the rest was covered in a fine sand Fredrick had placed through out the arena, on closer examination which few due, one would fine a seem running around this area in a perfect circle and another one leading down the centre like a hatch. Around this area there is hardly anything, it is straggly absence, and again if the watchful amongst the combatants examine the walls around this area they will jagged claw marks driven deep into them, and yet they are not from any Rancour or any other creature. This houses Fredrick’s most famous attraction and Mandrayk’s greatest creation. Well now for the next phase of the plan, but that relied on Mr Keez and Mr Karger…well this should prove a interesting fight to say the least…he would watch them closely*

Guards escorted all the fighters into small little hovering ships, dropping a couple fighters in certain areas.

Now three was only a couple of people left of this ship. Owen, Rasper, the huge guy, two Rodians, and a couple other Aliens.

The guard pushed Owen over to the edge of the deck as the Rodians jumped off.

"This is your stop, get off," The guard yelled at Owen.

"There must be a mistake, I..." he was cut off as the guard pushed Owen back catching him off guard.

Owen landed on top a Rodian, who started saying some weird curses, probbaly in the Rodian language. Owen took advantage of the moment and head-butted the Rodian he land on, then round house kicked the other one knocking him off his feet. Owen pulled out his mini gun and made sure that these two Rodians won't bother him again.

Owen took out a small disc object and pressed the button in the middle. He saw a plume cloud rising up to the east. Owen laughed, the ithorians must have still been on a the hovership.

"Now," Owen thought to himself, "to catch up with Rasper."

Owen took off at a steady pace towards where the hover ship was last seen going.

Rasper watched as Owen was pushed off the hover ship and fell to the battle field below. The Hover ship sped on as they moved on. Then the ship took a sharp turn and they were hovering over the large maze area. "Ok this is were you two get off" said the guard motioning to Rasper and the large man from before.

The Large man made a somewhat animal type growl and jumped off the ship without hesitation. Rasper walked to the edge of the ship and looked down. Below was a mess of rubble and remains of high walls, some of them no doubt since been built up a little to make it more maze like. “Alright get off,” said one of the guards. “Don’t I get a hug first?” Rasper replied. “I said get off” the guard moved towards Rasper and went to push him off, Rasper grabbed the mans arm and then his other arm and spun him around so that the guard was facing the edge. Rasper pushed off the ground and he and the guard went over the edge with Rasper on top of the man as they fell to the ground.

The guard hit the ground with a hard thud with Rasper using the mans body to cushion his fall. Rasper then pulled out one of his knives and stabbed it into the guard’s neck. He sputtered and died, and then Rasper pulled the knife out and put it back in its holster. Rasper stood up and looked down the long passages of walls and rubble that no doubt contained many surprises that awaited him.

*Mandrayk watches as the first fights break out, he chuckles to him self as one of the craft goes up in a little plume cloud and a guard from a another was dragged to his death….the viewers will love this ….he was impresses only a few moments in and first blood to the GTC members, fine soldiers by all account he thought but now was were the funs begins. All over the arena war breaks out a gladiators fight for gory, blood and survival, all for the amusement of the viewers *

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* in the shadows near were Owen had landed a giant mass sat, a beast of a man, Jacko he studied Owen. He patted his vibro mace with his cybernetic hand, a childish glee in his eyes…new meat, worthy meat…Jacko only killed the worthy ones and this one looked fun*

Owen gave up on looking for Rasper for the moment, he had his own troubles to worry about. It seemed a group of Zabraks have ganged up together were charging up a huge building. A sign that said, "The peak" stood in front of the staircase. Owen didn't want any one digging in for a defensive battle, that would make it a little harder for him when he had to come back and kill them.

Owen ran towards the staircase when the sound out a sinper rifle went off from high above. "Crap," Owen cursed under his breath, "There already to the top." Owen dived towards the staircase, just barley missed being hit from the sniper. Owen began the long way to the top.

****
Owen reached the top and looked around, to the left of him was a door with an elevator sign on top of it, "Really, I did all that for nothing," Owen shook his head but then got his mind back on to the current task.

Owen sneaked around the corners, in a swat team style. He finally found the way to the catwalks, and upon it were 4 Zabraks, aiming down there scopes at the ground below. "Wait, I thought there was 5..," Owen thought to himself. Owen instinctively turned around, and fired his mini-gun. The fifth Zabrak happend to be standing there, now he was full blaster hole, and fell over. Owen turned back around and finished the rest of the zabraks off.

Owen went back down the "The peak", this time taking the elevator. He encountered a couple Ithorians, hiding under a turned over desk. OWen took out a small round object and placed it on the desk quietly, he then contiuned to walk out of the building. once he left, he detoned the small charge he placed on the desk. Dust flew out of the openings on "The peak." Suddenly the whole tower started shaking back and forth.

Owen turned from the buidling and ran towards the next sign of a battle, a lot of huge buildings and smoke-stacks, it looked like some furnace.

As Owen ran "The peak tumbled over, the the catwalks connected to the main building began to pull over some of the smaller ones.

Rasper heard blasterfire in the distance, “Sounds like the party’s getting started without me”. Then Rasper heard heavy footsteps behind him, he turned around just as a pair of large hands grabbed his shoulders and lifted him off his feet and sent him flying a few feet. Rasper landed on his back with a thud, “Ugh what was-“ Rasper looked up and saw the familiar big man from before walking towards and grabbed Rasper by the front of his amour with both of his huge hands. “OH SHI-“ as Rasper was again sent flying into one of the nearby walls. He hit the wall shoulder first and then hit the ground with another hard thud. Rasper shakily got to his feet and quickly ducked as a large viro axe came towards him and wedged itself into the wall.

Rasper sent a hard right uppercut into the mans stomach and then a left hook into his head as the man tried to un wedge his axe. The man unfazed by his blows looked at Rasper for a second and then sent a hard backhand making hard contact with Raspers head sending him reeling back. His helmet had blocked the blunt of the blow but the force of this man was almost super human.

Rasper turned around just as the mans axe came down at him, Rasper rolled out of the way just as the heavy axe slammed into the ground which the sound echoed through the pathways. Rasper got up and jumped back as another axe swing going horizontally missed his chest. The man using the momentum from the axe swing brought it up over his head and sent it crashing down again. Rasper charged forward at the man just before he brought the axe down and slid right under the mans legs and spun around behind him. He kicked at the back of the mans knee and the big guy was forced down to one knee. Rasper jumped on his back and pulled out one oh his knives and plunged it into the mans right shoulder. He roared in anger and pain and then reached behind him and caught under Raspers amour and lifted him off his back and slammed him to the ground. “URGHHH” Rasper let out a sharp growl as he hit the ground. The man stood over him and went to bring a hard left hand down on Rasper. Rasper quickly grabbed his other knife and pushed it up and it sunk into the mans hand going all the way to the handle.

The man let out a similar pained roar and pulled the knife out of his hand and tossed it aside, he then grabbed Rasper and yanked him up to his feet and sent a hard headbutt into Raspers head. The force knocked Rasper off his feet but the man grabbed him again and lifted him to his feet again. The man went for another headbutt, but Rasper quickly grabbed a frag grenade from his belt and shoved it into the big mans mouth which then got wedged into his mouth. Rasper pulled the pin then sent two fingers into the mans eyes and savagely gouged them. The man reeled back in agony and let out a muffled cry of pain. The man now blind swung wildly around, Rasper ran and dove behind a nearby half destroyed wall. The grenade went off and the mans was blown to bits. Blood, brains and guts went all over the nearby path and walls along with a few limbs strewn around.
Rasper came out and stepped over bits and pieces of what was left of the big 6’8 plus man. He grabbed and holstered his knives and grabbed his heavy repeater that had flown off his back when he was first thrown. Rasper adjusted his helmet that was slightly dented. “Hope Owen got a better start than I did” Rasper thought and began walking in the direction that he had heard the blaster fire.

Fredrick and Mandrayk watch with perked interest as the gory battle continued...as the peak roared and rocked before crashing down littering “the high” with wreckage, Fredrick seem unfazed… nothing could dampen his spirits to, after all it had been waiting to fall for some time, and they could rebuild. After tonight’s bout they would make millions and he could pay ten such arenas. He continues to watch will glee

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Mandrayk watched with fascination as the combatants gave into the bloodlust of combat...he turns to one of the viewing screen to see live coverage of Mr Karger's larger opponent, he looked again as Mr keez’s labours brought down the peak....impressive, however there ability to destroy should be noted, he'd better explain his position before he releases them and finalises his plan

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jacko crushed a combatant and casually tossed him a side, he watched as the peak fell almost captivated. He watched as the triumphant Owen ran into his favourite area…he watched him from a raised floor above… this was his…he was worthy…with a blood thirsty roar he flings him self from his platform his huge vibro mace held high intent on crushing Owen on landing

Owen finally reach the furnace building. The blackened streets were covered with bodies, most seemed to have died on impact from some type of melee weapon. Owen was cautious, he was not prepared to face an enemy right up close, he rather face the 'thing' that killed these people from a distance, but somethings can't be avoided. Owen connected his mini-gun to the back of his armor and picked up a vibro-sowrd of one of the fallen combatants . Owen walked to the end of the street, and yelled, "Who do i have to open a can of whoop ass for."

“I hate MAZES!!” yelled Rasper as he walked down a passage that looked the same as the one he had been walking down an hour ago, Maybe it was the same path for all he knew. “When I find that slimy Mandrayk ill tear off his arms and shove them down his throat.” He thought to himself. Just then he heard something snap under him and suddenly spikes came out of the walls and the walls lurched forward towards him. Rasper rolled out of the way as the heavy spiked walls slammed into each other. “Damn, I bet this maze is just full of traps like those” he said out loud to himself. Just as he said that he heard another snap and a wall near him lifted up and out came a very hungry looking Nexu.

It looked at Rasper with its four beady eyes and then lunged at him. Rasper went to pull his gun around but the Nexu was ontop of him in a flash and trying to rip off his head. Rasper held it from getting at him as it clawed at Rasper. Its claws scraped his amour; it didn’t penetrate the amour but left nasty looking claw marks. Rasper pulled one of his knives out and plunged it into one of its eyes. The Nexu screeched but dident let up. He stabbed it again, this time in its side. The Nexu screeched again and let up just a little but a little was all Rasper needed. He got his legs up and pushed off the Nexu’s chest, which sent it over backwards. Rasper crawled to his Heavy repeater and turned over on his back. The Nexu lunged at Rasper again as he fired his repeater. The blaster shots hit the animal and it landed on Rasper dead.

Rasper pushed the heavy animal off him. He got up and dusted himself off; “THAT ALL YOU GOT MANDRAYK!!!” He yelled defiantly. Rasper looked at the dead Nexu one more time then continued walking looking for a way out of the large and dangerous maze.

Jacko was above Owen hurtalng towrds him his Vibro mace ready to crush his prize...the bloodlust was rageing in him as too were numerous stims and conncotions made by Dr Mandrayk to fuel his blood fury.
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(( owen you can take over the Jacko charcter now..so you can fight with out needing me to act as Jacko after every post...good luck and remember Mandrayk's advice))

Owen looked up in time to quickly roll to the left and raise his vibro-sword in time to deflect the mace. Jacko roared in anger.

"And i thought the battlemaster was on steroids, jeez, you take a gallon a day?" Owen taunted the raging muscled man.

Owen moved in and took a swing at Jacko's thigh, Jacko actually moved towards Owen instead of trying to block Owen's sword. "This guys so filled with stims he has no regard for his safety." Owen thought to himself. Owen had to take his blade back in mid-swing to stop the incoming mace. The force of Jacko's strike knocked Owen back to a wall. Owen caught his balance just in time to move out of the way of the mace. The mace swung down and hit the wall, fortunaltley it got stuck. Jacko tried pulling it out by. Owen took this time to move is and attack, he slashed his sword at Jacko's knees. The blade sunk into Jacko's flesh, Jacko turned his head and the viens that showed in his head grew bigger. Jacko gave up on the mace and picked up a huge metal pole.

"Crap, i can't block that with this sword." Owen said.

"You die here, apparently you aren't worthy." Jacko said in a rough voice.

Owen threw his sword at Jacko it struck Jacko's left thigh. Jacko took time to pull it out, during this time Owen moved behind a wall hoping Jacko wouldn't notice where he went. Jacko looked back up and Owen appeared to have fled the battle.

"Coward" Jacko yelled.

Jacko went back to sit on and old bench, and examined his wounds. He then started to apply more stims to himself. Owen began to sneak around behind the becnh where the muscled man left a bag which appeared to be full of stims. Owen reached the bench unseen and quietly looked through the bag looking for some of the stims he knew of. Owen pulled out two very strong stims, that could only be put on once a day or you would posion your body, and die with in minutes. Owen sneaked back behind the wall and moved back to the middle of the street.

"Hey, Stim Boy, come over here, i want to teach you a lesson." Owen yelled at Jacko.

Jacko got up and glared at Owen. He picked up the metal pole again and charged at Owen, full of bloodlust. Owen postioned himself so he could jump at Jacko when he got near, with the two stims in both of his hands he would inject them into JAcko.

Jacko was now close to Owen and OWen dived at him. JAcko didn't know what to think, no one ever jumped at him. Owen stabbed the stims into Jacko and instantly Jacko became woozy, he dropped the pole and went to his knees. He examined the two stims Owen had injected him with and looked up in horror at Owen.

"That is why you must allows limit your stim useage Jacko. you don't want to get addicted to that stuff." Owen joked.

Jacko fell dead.

Owen looked around, where to know he thought. Then he rembered Rasper. Owen headed towards a strange area that remined him of a maze.