This was a long and much more restful night than I had thought. It was a deep sleep with no disturbance of any kind. This must have been due to the very tiredness of my somewhat shaken physical condition, as well as due to the nervousness of the recent events I had been through, and perhaps also due to the few drinks that had ended up in my nearly empty stomach.
I kept my eyes closed, savouring just a couple of spare minutes of the early morning calm and coolness. Unlike Coruscant, the sky over Taris was quite peaceful. Yet the two cities had much in common: a land literally carpeted with buildings, each one higher than the other. One might have expected the mornings in Taris to be bustling. But they were not. Perhaps this was the result of the presence and the control of the Sith. I supposed so. Surely they had their hands in so many matters that activities were being slowed down.
I took a long breath and slowly released it through my nostrils. There was something soothing about the warm air I was exhaling. I wished I could stay that way a little longer. But my semblance of meditation was rudely broken by Carth, whom I heard jumping out of his bed and rushing somewhere in the appartment. I straightened up, my legs still covered by the thin sheet, and struggled to get my attention on the officer's frantic figure. The man, who was now in the living room, rushed to the sanitary cell beyond the sleeping area without even paying me any attention. He popped out again only a second later. At last he looked at me in a way that would have petrified even a Mandalorian.
« She's gone! » The man barked.
I gave no reply. I kicked my legs out of the sheet and placed my feet flat on the floor, still sitting on my bunk. After negligently sweeping my hair with both hands, I blew out a breath and answered in a sleepy voice:
« There must be some explanation. »
« You bet! » Carth retorted. « The explanation is quite simple: she played us, and you're a complete and utter naive fool! »
I now cast a sharp look at my superior. At last I got up and walked round my bed. Carth watched me in silence, but I could swear he was panting with impatience, if not with rage. I scanned the room. Yes, indeed. There was no sign of the Hidden Bek. She was gone, taking advantage of our heavy sleep. In an impulse of uncertainty, I took a few seconds to check if our few possessions had not been stolen. However, everything looked to be there. I turned back to Carth and spotted a small data pad with the security pass lying on the shelf by my bed. Quickly, I reached over and grabbed the pad. After a few brief manipulations, the device glowed somewhere between blue and green and displayed a message.
« What is it? » Carth asked impatiently.
I did not react to his request. A very short moment passed during which I read a part of the contents of the pad, and then, with a suddenly relaxed gesture, I handed the item to the Lieutenant. He grabbed it and stared at me quizzically. As he was about to examine the device, I went into the kitchen to get some food and water. In the distance I could hear Carth reading the note aloud:
« Dear friends, the turnover of the Sith sentry occurs at first light, so now is a good time for me to sneak into the lower city. Corem, we look forward to seeing you at the main base of the Hidden Beks. »
« '' Complete and utter naive fool'', right? » I interrupted, as I casually sat down on a chair in the living room. Carth looked up at me, quite irritated:
« Wait and see. » He replied, resolutely prepared for confrontation. He switched back to the datapad and resumed his reading:
« Stop by Loubok's, the computer guy in the shopping district up there. Tell him I sent you. He'll handle the pass, with no questions about it. Once that's done, you may consider heading down. After you get past the security guard by the lift near the Sith embassy and get down, you'll make your way to Javyar's cantina. Walk along the alleyway bordered by jewellery and other trinket shops until you come across several retarded comedians protecting a door. You'll cross the alley in front of them and when you get to the end, you'll turn your head to the right; you'll see a small Rodian carrying a peeled blaster: he's the cantina's bouncer. »
Carth paused and looked back at me wearing a very subtle smile. He walked the few steps to the living room table while observing the data pad. Then, when he got to the table, he glanced at me again and asked in a triumphant voice:
« You've read this far? »
I gave him a defiant stare, but I found it hard to fully restrain my discomfort. Maybe Sivir wasn't totally fooling us, but she certainly was getting us into some kind of game. Carth did not wait for me to reply and went on with his reading, which he enunciated in a particularly articulate manner:
« In the cantina, you will order the bartender his strongest liquor. You will take a sip and recite the words: `'Here is a beverage worthy of the finest in this quagmire'' »
The more Carth was reading, the more uneasy I felt. What was the point of all this nonsense? Carth raised his eyes from the device once more and gave way to a burst of laughter which sounded to me more nervous than anything else.
« Preposterous! »
He said, tossing the data pad carelessly onto the table before pacing between the bay window facing the beds and our table. Despite my extreme discomfort, I grabbed the pad again and glanced at the message. Carth had not bothered to read the last sentence: « What comes next will follow on its own. »
I exhaled a deep breath. I laid the pad on the table, emptied my glass of water and hastily swallowed the small handful of food I had taken. Then I got up and headed for the sanitary cell. Carth interrupted his pacing and challenged me aggressively:
« What are you doing ? »
« Isn't it obvious? » I replied annoyingly, without slowing my stride. «I'm getting ready and I'm leaving. As agreed. »
I couldn't see anything, but I knew for sure that Carth had flinched. Before I could close the cell door, the officer raised his voice again:
« You are actually not naive, you are just a total retard! »
I was getting tired of it. I could understand why the Lieutenant might be anxious, but there was no way I was going to accept his insults so easily. I swung around, gave him a murderous glare, and walked a few steps out of the tiny room. Then, as authoritatively as possible, I retorted to the man:
« And what could you possibly suggest?! » I began, almost shouting. A tone that the soldier was obviously not prepared for, so that his face shifted from anger to something close to terror. I let a few seconds pass, still staring at the man with the same sternness.
« Nothing?! » I resumed. « Well, then you'll stop treating me like a perfect dummy and let me get ready in peace! »
After that we stared at each other again, without Carth saying a word. I took a deep breath and finished more calmly:
« I agree with you, this is not a very comforting note. » I said. « But we don't have any other options, and we can't afford to waste any more time. Between you and me, I should take the risk. The Republic needs you. They'll know how to find other translators. »
Carth remained silent, but there was a feeling in his eyes that was quite different from the rage that had rumbled through him so far: he was moved, and perhaps even somewhat sorry. He glanced down, then back up at my face.
« You are right. I apologise Corem. » He said in a softened voice.
« I don't blame you. » I replied before initiating my way back into the sanitary cell, which was interrupted again:
« Corem. » Carth exclaimed. I turned to him again, in expectation.
« No one is dispensable. » He finished, walking over to me and handing me his blaster weapon, which he had probably grabbed when he was looking for Sivir in the appartment.
I took the gun and smiled gratefully. But I was not necessarily convinced by his words. Yet I certainly did not question his sincerity.
« Yes, maybe. » I replied without further elaboration. Then I finally got back to the cell, so that I could get ready for this new and somewhat peculiar adventure.
The streets of our district, in contrast to what I thought was a very quiet early day, were bustling with life. The morning was filled with bureaucrats on their way to work, shopkeepers setting up their goods, students catching the shuttles to the university, parents getting their children off to school, or even onlookers and survivors of a too-long night of drinking. And, of course, in all of these strata of the upper city's population, there were Sith infantrymen patrolling the main thoroughfares of the area. One thing struck me, however, - the inhabitants didn't look especially concerned about this military presence, nor did they appear to be their enemies by definition, since Taris was officially a Republic world. In some respects, this oddity was most welcome. The mission was already stressful enough on its own, and this lack of ambient tension contributed to ease my mind.
Following Sivir's message, I went to the heart of the commercial area of the district in search of the so-called Loubok. That morning I made sure I could not be identified in any way. I had left the jacket I was wearing the day before during the reception. I had tied my hair up in a tight bun at the back of my head. There was no way the Sith would recognise the man who had knocked out one of their men with a powerful hook at a mundane event swarming with high-ranking officials of all kinds.
It didn't take me long to spot the place I was looking for. As I made my way through the crowded streets of the shopping district, I noticed an illuminated sign over a tiny doorway about twenty metres away: " Loubok Computering". The sign was massive. Exaggeratedly large for a shop that looked so tiny. I let out a short breath. It was a successful first step, and a smooth one. For the time being.
You could hardly see anything inside. There were no openings that let in any natural light at all. You could only see through the very sporadic glow of the computers and other machines that were packed into what could legitimately be described as a huge junk room. No wonder gangs opted for this kind of business relationship. In such a mess, no one would have the guts to look for anything.
As I looked around, I saw a shape pop up behind an overcrowded rack: the head of a woman, wearing a thick pair of glasses and staring at me in some astonishment.
« Is there anything we can do to help you, sir? » She asked in the distance, in a sharp yet not unfriendly tone.
I allowed myself a few steps to get closer to the woman. I saw that she was working at welding something, hence the glasses, which gave her a rather playful look.
« I was told to come here. » I replied hesitantly. « Sivir told me to come here. » I specified.
The woman suddenly smiled broadly. She took off her thick glasses, which she placed on her workbench, and stood up boldly from her seat. She manoeuvred as best she could through the piles of electronic components to join me on the other side of the small shelf, on which she threw a pair of gloves she had just pulled off. Then I saw her present the palm of her hand and, still smiling and with an air of candor, she asked me:
« Will you give me that pass? »
Somewhat shyly, I complied. I retrieved the precious key from my pocket and handed it to the woman. She then started to walk towards another corner of the workshop.
« Come with me, it won't take long. »
Wordlessly, I followed her to a computer equipped with a strange terminal. She sat down in front of the device and placed the passkey in a plug provided for that purpose. A few gestures later, the computer emitted a series of beeps, presumably to signal that the connection had been established.
« Well, we rarely get total strangers from Sivir. » The technician announced as she was working on the pass.
My gaze shifted to her.
« Maybe, I don't know. » I replied passionlessly.
« You don't look comfortable. » She continued with insolent sincerity.
« You're not quite the person I was expecting, to be perfectly honest. » I admitted. Suddenly the woman broke eye contact with the computer and glared at me.
« Here's another one being distrustful of a woman in a workshop! » She barked, her arms now crossed.
I frowned. She had interpreted my words upside down! However, when I thought about it, I thought her reaction understandable. I had been very careless with this person who was helping me.
« Not at all. » I rectified. « It's just that I was told about a 'guy' called Loubok. And you're not the picture I had in my mind of a 'guy' called Loubok. It has nothing to do with you being a woman in a workshop. »
The woman's serious face relaxed very suddenly. And she recovered her innocent little grin. Then she turned her attention back to the computer and got back to work.
« Loubok is my brother. » She said. « He recently launched another shop. I'm the one in charge here. That's for sure. He is keeping the shiniest one for himself! He prefers to have me in this mess. He's too afraid I'll end up overthrowing him! I'm much more skilled than he is. He taught me everything, and yet I surpassed him so quickly. I'll do a good job for you, don't worry. »
« I'm not worried. » I replied calmly ? « What is your name then? »
« People call me Mikann. »
« Well, very happy to work with you, Mikann. » I finished, willing to ease the previous tension.
« Likewise! » She snapped vividly. « Always a pleasure to mess with the Sith! »
I smiled. Mikann was an entertaining woman. Pleasant company. A curious feeling was running through me, telling me that she was trustworthy, that I was on the right way. I should not rely on irrational perceptions. However, reliable or not, these sensations at least increased my confidence.
« Oh! » Mikann exclaimed, raising one hand, but her attention still fully focused on the computer. « I almost forgot. Behind the desk on your right you will find a locker. There are some things in there, they've been prepared for you. Get equipped while I work on your thing. »
I motioned towards what did indeed look like a desk, hidden behind more junk of all kinds. I went to the desk and walked around it. There was indeed the so-called locker behind it. I squatted down and opened it. Inside were several pieces of clothing, folded more or less meticulously. I grabbed them and took them out of the container one by one. They were probably more ordinary, everyday clothes than the ones I was wearing at the time. But there was nothing in them that would actually protect me from any attack. There was a choice to be made: caution or chaos. The first option was certainly the smartest. I put the clothes down beside me. Glancing inside the locker again, I saw that underneath the clothes they had placed a case. I took it and opened it to find myself in the presence of a blaster pistol, a 'heavy' model. Which, despite the technical terms, had nothing to do with its weight, but rather its power. I was not authorised to carry any range weapon, but now I found myself in possession of two blasters, one of which required enhanced accreditation. In its case, the pistol was presented housed in its holster. I picked it up and stood up to examine it in the dim light of the shop.
« Cover it all up under the jacket we left for you. » Mikann interrupts, still busy at work. « Carrying a weapon is not forbidden here, but some models are more noticeable than others. » She finished before falling back into silence.
I took one last look at the weapon and placed it back in its case. I picked up the clothes, sometimes putting them on over some of those I was already wearing, sometimes replacing some others. So, before slipping into the jacket, I seized the blaster and adjusted the holster over my shoulder so that the weapon rested against one of my flanks. I did the same with Carth's weapon, which then came to rest on the other side. Then I put on the familiar jacket: a thick garment made of a synthetic brown leather; a fabric more suited to modest purses. Then I closed the locker and walked back to the woman. As I stood next to her, slightly back, I saw her give me a few quick, jerky glances.
« You're much more attractive like that! » She exclaimed, back into full concentration on her work.
Knowing that I was dressed in the attire of a street scoundrel, I didn't know how to deal with this remark.
« Glad you like it. » I replied without emotion.
« Come on, my friend! » The young woman replied playfully. « We give you clothes, we give you weapons, we give you the means to go down and do your business, and you' re pouting! How ungrateful you are. »
« I understand I'm going to have to sort out some of your business as well. » I corrected.
« Not mine. Their business. » Mikann retorted.
« Yeah. » I said in a weary breath. « Their business. »
« Trust me. » The technician continued, rolling her chair to her left. She picked up a small card and inserted it into the computer, after sliding her chair back to its original position. « If you're going to team up with a gang, it's better be them. » She added, resuming her computer manipulations.
« If you say so. » I simply said.
A few long seconds passed in nearly perfect silence. Then Mikann moved her attention to the terminal next to her computer, made a few gestures and retrieved the security pass. She spun her chair around and found herself facing me. Still smiling, she handed me the pass and said:
« I do. » She waved her hand impatiently, urging me to pick up the pass. I caught it between my thumb and index finger. « If you're clean, they'll be clean. I can tell you that. »
I merely nodded slightly and gave her a small, sincere smile in appreciation of her help.
« Thank you Mikann. » I said.
« My pleasure! » She replied cheerfully. « Go on, get out of here. You have a long journey to take. »
A muffled laugh, certainly imperceptible, escaped from my chest. I slipped the security pass into a zippered pocket and, after nodding again to the woman technician, I left the workshop. Off to the Embassy district. To the lift to the lower city.