Chapter One

The lower levels of Coruscant were dim, only streams of light penetrated through from the different, surface world above. The air was thick and humid and the noise was at times deafening. The various artificial lights of orange, yellow and white blazed across the unclean concrete walkways. Neon signs illuminated the tops of buildings, revealing what was inside.

Hundreds of people wandered the hazardous streets, some in groups around fires; others making their way to unknown destinations while others hovered around, seemingly to have no other place to be. The residential sectors were some of the darkest places save for the narrow alleys where light disappeared into oblivion. The small blocks of living quarters were mostly dark and quiet as most residents were on the poor side of society.

But the usual quiet of the residential area vanished along the third row where raised voices erupted from one home. Ria Deleru looked across the room at her husband, Nik and couldn't suppress the sigh that rose up within her. This was the fourth night in a row they'd had the same conversation that turned into an argument. Their troubles and debts were only getting bigger and bigger and the only solution her husband had was to gamble every scrap they got.

"We cannot live like this," stated Ria. "It's already an amazing feat that we haven't been kicked out onto the streets which cannot be far away."

On the other side Nik stood rigidly in one spot, his long arms folded securely over his chest. His large, dark eyes wandered over his wife. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen and keeping her happy was a difficult task. Slowly, he looked her over, unable to help himself. Ria had a slender but womanly figure with curves in the right places. The blue and white jumpsuit she wore only accentuated those features he always desired and her long green tendrils lay over her shoulders and down her back gracefully. But her delicate, pointed features showed no love of the woman he'd married.

"I made a few credits tonight," Nik repeated for the third time that evening. "I sold an empty canister I found on the streets. It wasn't in bad condition."

Ria made a disapproving noise in her throat but didn't question him on it as she was more interested in the money. "So, where are they?"

"Safe," replied Nik. "I'm going to the Underground Den to win back what we came here with."

"You say that every night," said Ria despondently. "We should be saving it. You're digging us into a new hole we cannot climb out of."

"Don't worry," said Nik, keeping his voice relatively calm. "I know what I'm doing."

"No, you don't," said Ria bitterly, walking towards the front window to put more distance between them. "The last time you played there Botrak took everything you had in one hand. What if he's there tonight?"

"Then I won't sit at his table," answered Nik, shrugging as though thinking the answer were obvious.

There was a pause as Ria turned her back on him and took a deep breath. Tears stung the backs of her eyes but they never fell. She held them at bay and sighed in what sounded like defeat. It didn't seem to matter what she said or did, her husband was going to do what he thought was the best thing despite it being the exact opposite.

"You cannot do this," said Ria firmly. "You owe enough money to the Migrant Merchants' Guild as it is. Do not make it any worse."

Footsteps thudded towards her and Nik turned Ria around with a firm grip on her arm. "I'm your husband," he stated, reminding her. "The day we married I promised I would look after you and I will keep that promise."

"Then do it!" hissed Ria, yanking her arm from his grip as she looked up at him. "But do it the right way."

"This is the right way," insisted Nik.

The tense silence between them returned and Nik walked to the door, putting on a red and white jacket that matched the jumpsuit he wore. A look passed between them but neither of them spoke. Ria just exhaled in anger and leaned against the wall. Nik's eyes never once left her form, noting her anger but it didn't deter him from what he knew had to be done.

"You'll see," he said, freeing his tendrils from within his jacket. "I'm right and we'll be living the high life in no time."

The front door opened, the rusted hinges creaking as he did so but he stopped as Ria still said nothing. It was unlike her not to say some kind of goodbye when he left. With his shoulders slumping he approached her he placed his hands on her upper arms, bending down a little, trying to catch her eye. Contact was almost instantly and he gave his wife a small, encouraging smile but it wasn't returned. Nik leaned forward, attempting to kiss her cheek but Ria moved back, clearly not in the mood.

"I won't be too late," Nik said softly. "Wait up for me."

Ria still said nothing but watched as Nik left through the front door, flinging the door shut behind him. From the window she continued to watch him. Nik passed several other houses and turned the corner at the end before disappearing from sight. Ria sniffed the stale air indignantly as she turned around and looked at the home she had with her husband. They barely had anything. The sitting area had a wooden table and two matching wooden chairs that were splintered and rotting. The bed in the far corner had white sheets that were discoloured and ripped around the edges. Even the walls were depressing to look at; nothing but grime covered it with strips of the material falling to the cold floor in small piles.

Unconsciously, Ria placed her hand at her neck, her fingers massaging the place where an elegant silver pendant once sat. Not long after getting here, they'd had to sell it for food. It had been the thing she was afraid of losing the most. It was a family heirloom, passed down through many generations. Ria hated to think how her family would feel knowing she'd sold it for a fraction of its total worth. The knowledge alone was enough to make her feel the shame all over again.

Although Ria didn't take all the blame since it was mostly her husband's fault. He was the one that pushed her to sell it so they could survive here without having to gamble. Ria wasn't sure if it had been worth it. Every time they got even a few measly credits, Nik would take it upon himself to make it into more which never happened and all it brought them was anger and more strain on their already arduous marriage.

At first they had started off as friends on their homeworld but it quickly turned into something more. It wasn't even a year when Nik had proposed and offered a grand life on another planet. Ria had been foolish into accepting his offer but she figured anything would be better than the life they'd had on Glee Ansem. They'd been here a few years now and she still couldn't believe how gullible she'd been. And the relationship only got worse after they'd married too. From then on, her going out alone wasn't an option, even if she was with a group of female friends. The trust Nik said he had for her was never shown and whenever she spoke with another male, she was faced with jealousy and suspicion.

Feeling fed up, Ria sighed again and moved away from the window, going to where she kept the bag she brought here with her. There had been many times when she was left alone that she thought about leaving Nik and this whole life behind her. It's not that she wanted fancy jewels or expensive things but she did want a life that was at least comfortable and contained fun and this one definitely wasn't.

Without any more hesitation, Ria dismissed the bag and decided to leave with nothing. There was nothing here of any value and that included her marriage. Ria took a final look around and left, making a few choice selections to the surroundings before wrenching open the front door and leaving, not bothering to close it behind her. The residential area was soon behind her and Ria vanished into the darkness of the undercity.