Chapter Three: Suspicions

"I'm fine." She winced as the Republican Pilot brought an injection of kolto out of one of their packs, edging closer to her. "I said I'm fine." Vislyn edged away from him; she despised needles of any sort. This was just another reason why she never used stims in a battle.

Carth diligently continued moving forward, grasping her arm with one of his hands, pulling it out towards him. Vislyn struggled a short while, but sighed and gave up as the needle punctured into her skin, the cooling feel of the kolto coursing through her veins bringing a slight chill to her spine. "Wasn't so bad," Carth sounded as though he were trying to be comforting, "now was it?"

She frowned, pulling her arm away. She placed one of her hands where the needle had made its entrance, and rubbed it soothingly. "I despise needles."

"I noticed."

Vislyn shot a glare in Carth's direction, not liking the look of amusement that had lain so blatantly across his well featured face. She thought he was good-looking, handsome, even. For some odd reason or another, her gaze remained on him, and she made no attempt at words.

Shifting, looking uncomfortable under her stare, Carth spoke, "Yes?"

Vislyn shook her head, clearing her throat. "I just now realized something," Her fingers left their post of rubbing the puncture wound, both hands settling themselves upon her lap. "I know next to nothing about you." She leaned back on the chair, reclining. They were back in the comforts of their little apartment for the time being, since Carth insisted she needed some rest after that grueling duel. She was rather sore, anyhow. "Let's talk."

"I'm all ears, beautiful." Carth too, sat himself in one of the four chairs, seeming to take no notice of Vislyn's surprise to the term.

"Beautiful? Isn't that a little inappropriate?"

The pilot emitted a throaty laugh, grinning in her direction. "Is there something else you'd rather I call you?"

Vislyn gave it a moments thought, "How's about 'Gorgeous'?"

Another laugh emerged from Carth's vocals, a smirk appearing on his lips. "I might consider it, but what will you call me in return?"

"I think," she gave it a moment's thought, "Handsome thug?"

Carth lifted his eyebrows, bursting into yet another fit of laughter, Vislyn decided to join him this time. "I like the handsome part, but I'm more partial to 'the most handsome pilot in the galaxy'," He withdrew a breath, scratching his chin, an apparent habit, Vislyn had noticed. "Kidding aside, what was it we were about to talk about…?"

"I wanted to know about you."

"There's not much to tell, really." Vislyn rolled her eyes at the man, he was a decorated war-hero, he had to have stories. She would let it slide this time, seeing Carth wasn't about to tell anything just yet. "I have a question or two to ask you, however."

"Shoot." She replied offhandedly, trailing circles over the table with a single fingernail. She could feel Carth's eyes on her.

"There's a few unanswered questions, a few things that I don't understand. I've been going through all of what took place on the Endar Spire through my head, millions of times it seems, yet I still don't understand." Vislyn didn't raise her gaze from the table; her fingers continued trailing the same patterns. "What happened on the vessel?"

Vislyn shrugged, "I was in no position to have any idea what was going on, really."

"I know, I know. Neither was I. I was just on the Endar Spire as an advisor." Vislyn lifted her head, eyeing Carth. She was positive that he was masking a look of suspicion away from her. "But, still. I find it somewhat odd that a scout, the Jedi would just have recruited on the Spire, a last minute addition, would be one of the only survivors." His brow knitted.

"Are you implying that I had something to do with the Endar's downfall?" Vislyn accused, eyes narrowing as she almost set a glare upon the soldier.

"Maybe… maybe not." Carth rubbed the back of his hand to his forehead, crooking his neck left and right before continuing, "I don't like surprises, I have to be open to all sorts of possibilities."

"You mean you don't trust me."

"Not exactly, no."

"And why should I trust you, then?"

"You shouldn't, you shouldn't trust anyone." Vislyn's lips twisted into a frown, she noticed Carth's eyes almost seemed distant. "A lesson I had to learn…" The statement was muffled and under his breath, but Vislyn heard it all the same. "Enough of this!" He snapped, pushing himself out of the seat as he paced back and forth. "Let's just carry on, alright?" Before Vislyn could open her mouth in reply, Carth was already going through their packs and checking supplies. Vislyn sighed, lifting herself from the chair.

The cool feeling from the kolto had settled her aches and pains; the injections of such a medicinal liquid could truly work wonders. All but a few bruises vanished from her skin and what felt like torn ligaments before were now just tensed muscles. A couple minutes of walking would more than likely clear those up.

Shifting her weight from one leg to the other, finally leaning her back to the wall, she allowed her eyes to settle themselves on Carth as he sifted through supplies from their packs. He was hunched over, his back to her, and looked as if he were trying to form a protective shield between the two of them, it, in a way, saddened her. She was really warming up to this man, and now it had all seemed to backfire. Oh well, she mused in the depths of her mind, I'll just have to work on him. She watched as he seemed to pull some sort of odd device from his jacket pocket, his eyes scanned it over for moments before he sunk it back where it belonged. Standing, both packs in hand, he turned and tossed her one. Somewhat startled at the flying object that was sent her way she reached forward, surprisingly catching the sack of material.

"We should get going." Carth stated matter-of-factly. "It's almost sun-down."

There were no windows in the dank, dusty apartment, so Vislyn would just have to rely on Carth to know these things, since she herself had no idea either way. She nodded though, and slung the pack over one of her shoulders, "He said the south side of the city." Carth nodded, he must've heard the whole conversation. "Shall we?" With that, the two exited the apartment and made their way out of the building.

The sun hung low in the sky, Taris' moons now completely visible to those below. The skies were a blend of oranges, purples and faint pinks. It was a pretty sight, to say the least, which led to Vislyn to having her eyes focused on the heavens as she followed in step with Carth.

"Check this out." Carth mumbled, his tone that of pure disgust. Vislyn lowered her eyes, focusing on a group of three ahead; two humans and a single Aqualish. The younger of the humans and the Aqualish armed, both of their weapons had been directed towards the elderly man in the group, he looked quite feeble and harmless.

Vislyn nudged Carth's side, whispering, "What is with people on this planet? It's as though they're all at each other's throats." The pilot grunted, she guessed his mood had gone downhill since they'd had that little 'talk'.

"Davik doesn't like it when people owe him credits, old man." The younger man stepped forward, his blaster threateningly close to the old man's face.

"No, please! Just give me an advance. I can pay half, but I don't have it all. Please." The old man pleaded, edging away from the, what Vislyn assumed, bounty hunter's weapon.

"It's too late for that, old man. You're already behind on your payments. It's time to-…" Before Vislyn could make any move, the Aqualish's large, black, glassy eyes were upon her and Carth. He nudged his 'friend' in the ribs, causing him to turn his attention to the pair as well.

"We have company." The alien stated nonchalantly, pointing his heavy blaster in the basic direction of the two. He, of course, was speaking in his own tongue.

The greasy black haired man raised a pair of bushy brows. "So we do." He spat, Carth shifting as he brought out his own blasters. Vislyn made no move for her weapon, eyes narrowing. "Stay out of our business, if you knows what's good for yous."

"I know we're supposed to be keeping a low profile, but… we aren't going to let them kill this old guy, are we?" Carth muttered towards her, licking his dried lips. Vislyn shook her head, mouthing the word 'no'.

"Please, help me!"

"Shut up, old man."

"You two," Vislyn waved a hand in their general direction, "shoo. Get out of here, leave the elderly man alone." Her eyes shifted back and forth between the Aqualish and Human, a smirk appearing on her lips. "Or are you so pathetic and weak that you have to pick on the old and feeble?"

The human became noticeably flustered, his teeth clenching together as his jaw became set. "I think you've said enough, stranger. Come on, let's take care of these idiots." He tossed a look to the cowering old man, "Then it's your turn, bub." By the time the human was able to raise his gun and aim for Vislyn she was already in a crouched position, vibrablade in hand. The Aqualish released what sounded like a growl, and he too unsheathed a bladed weapon, lunging forth towards Vislyn.

Green and red blaster fire could be seen out of the corner of her eye just before she ducked the alien's first attacked, tumbling over and landing herself upon her two boots. She got up, balancing herself out as he again lunged, this time with more speed, Vislyn having to pull off a trickier maneuver of spinning on her heels in order not to be sliced in half at his hand. He was right on her this time, however, and now was sending a flurry of jabs, slices, and cleaves her way. She blocked as best she could, sparks sizzling through the air as the blades clashed. Vislyn finding herself in a bit of trouble, seeing as how she was of no strength compared to this barbaric being quickly slipped back, bringing her blade at a diagonal angle in front of her. The Aqualish snarled, releasing a flow of steady curses, horrid insults, Vislyn was sure. He began his advance, step by step, stomping towards the petite femme. Vislyn's hands tensed on the handle of her vibrablade, knuckles whitening at the immensity of her grip, preparing for another wave of blows. Again, the Aqualish snarled, taking a long stride towards Vislyn, raising the vibrablade to shoulder height, readying himself to take a slash in her direction. Two blaster shots sounded, and then two more. The Aqualish stiffened, releasing a gurgle faintly resembling a hiss, before dropping to the ground; dead.

Vislyn focused her eyes on Carth; he was already holstering his two weapons, a smug look hindering his formerly irritated expression. "I could've handled myself." She stated irately, pushing her vibrablade into its silken sheath at her belt.

"Uh huh." He seemed unconvinced. Men.

Turning her attention away from the pilot, eyes catching sight of the grey haired man, she stepped forward, nearing him cautiously. He trembled, his bloodless face still seeming concerned. "P-Please don't hurt me." He stammered over the words, and took a step back as Vislyn neared. She stopped further movement, halting herself a few metres away.

"We're not here to harm you, we helped you." Her voice was calm and cool, trying to put the man at some ease. "Why were those men after you?" She allowed both hands to drop at her sides as she awaited an answer.

"D-Davik. Davik. I owe that scoundrel a couple hundred credits." He winced, muttering, "I should've listened to my wife when she told me not to get involved with crime lords." Cocking his head, eyes darting around the almost empty street, he added, "I should really get going. There's not much else you can do, unless you have another hundred credits." He snorted, "Thanks for sparing me from those thugs, lass." With that he turned on his heels, about to dart the scene.

"Wait!" Vislyn shouted, causing him to throw a look over his shoulder in her direction. "Wait, I think I can help." At a slow paced jog, she caught up to the man, opening her pack before retrieving the credits he was in need of. "There, now I'll let you be on your way."

The man gawked, mouth agape. "Th-thank you! Thank you! Now I'll just bring these to Davik and I'll be well on my way!" He grinned toothily, clutching the credits in his hands before scampering off, a bounce in his step.

"One hundred credits? Generous." It was Carth's voice. She turned to face him with a wry smile, and shrugged.

"I earned six hundred credits from those little spars in the Cantina, I figured helping another was worth it." Said Vislyn. She turned back around, casually walking ahead until she came to face a large door, a sign to her left reading 'Southern Sector'. Almost there, she thought to herself. Reaching to the panel, pressing her right hand against it, would allow the door to slide open, and would further Carth and Vislyn's exploration of Taris' upper city.

Carth found the southern regions of the city exactly like the north. There were noble Tarisians left and right, looking down their noses at those who they figured didn't amount to the same as them. Whispers containing the phrase, "Would you just look at those clothes!" could be heard now and then from a prissy woman, snubbing out anyone else but her own little circle of friends. Taris had to be one of the snobbiest backwater planets he'd ever seen, although he supposed it was better than some.

Ahead of him, glancing around from shoulder to shoulder, Vislyn lead the way; he could tell she had no idea where she was leading them. It seemed like she was just getting through the streets with random guesses and hunches. He didn't really care either way, however. This "party" wasn't exactly something the soldier was looking forward to. He knew once they had gotten to their little destination he would find himself a nice spot to stand just outside of the door. He wouldn't be caught dead with a grouping of young Sith. Shuddering at the thought, he picked up his pace and walked alongside Vislyn.

She made no effort at conversation, just continued on with her casual walk in whatever way she guessed lead to the apartments. There weren't many buildings that allowed entrance to the general public anyhow, she'd eventually find the little party. Turning his head, Carth viewed the petite woman. Her face held no particular emotion and she hadn't seemed to notice his gawking. Perhaps she was just ignoring him.

He knew it was probably not the best choice to have snapped at the young woman in such a rude manner, and he knew this was probably why she was giving him a small case of the cold shoulder. She did, at least, talk to him for moment before. That was something to go by; he guessed she wasn't thinking he was completely despicable at the current time. He'd vented, now it was her turn.

Vislyn continued leading them, once managing to have them circle a gathering of buildings without realizing (Carth made no comment nor remark, it was probably best that he didn't), until they finally reached what looked as though it had been what they were searching for all along. The woman quickened her pace, jogging towards the door. Carth, not exactly ecstatic about making such a discovery, followed at a leisurely pace until he was again at her side.

"This it?" He queried just as she pushed her hand against the panel, watching as the door slid open.

"I suppose so." Her neck craned and she peered into the building. Carth noticed it was much like the one they were staying at, from the linens on the walls to the freshly cleaned floors. The tacky colour scheme was the same as well, causing Carth to shake his head in disarray.

Both entered, eyes scanning the complex with little interest. "I assume it will be a locked door… or perhaps even an open one." Vislyn said, edging her way closer to a door. She pressed the panel, it buzzed, and she edged away. "So, I suggest we walk up to all the doors we can find, until we find the correct one."

Carth gave a shake of his head, not liking this idea much. "We're going to be wasting valuable time."

"You got a better idea?" Vislyn sounded smug, her arms folding across her chest as she quirked a brow. Carth gave a grunt, having no answer as he moved onto the next door. From behind him he swore he heard a 'thought so', but didn't bother with it. He pressed his hand to the panel, and the same buzz sounded. Locked. He turned to Vislyn, who shrugged and continued on.

They went through the same, frustrating process about five more times before the clicking of footsteps echoed through the near empty space. Both Carth and Vislyn stepped away from the metal door they had just failed to open, attempting a casual look as they leaned their backs to the nearby wall. Soon enough the form of a small life form was visible; she was turning the corner and about to walk past them. It was a little girl, well dressed in which case labeled her the property of a noble family.

The girl, no more than seven or eight, turned to face the pair, blonde curls bouncing as she skipped along. Her eyes scanned over Carth, and then Vislyn, before she released a giggle, looking the woman up and down. Both her and Carth exchanged glances, bewildered to what was so amusing. "Yer funny lookin'!" The girl pointed towards Vislyn, before continuing her bouncy skip down the emptied halls.

Carth, now of course amused, stifled a laugh. "Gee, thanks." Vislyn shot a glare at him, stomping off towards the next door. The pilot hastily followed.

"I'm sure she just meant your clothing, Gorgeous." He still couldn't help but laugh, the expression on her face when the child had said such was priceless.

Ignoring him, Vislyn slapped her fist to the panel, obviously not expecting anything but the familiar 'buzz'. But no buzz sounded, causing Vislyn to stumble forward when the door whisked itself open. The man inside the room, not surprisingly, was stunned at the pair in his doorway.

Carth pursed his lips, helping Vislyn regain her balance before she pushed him away, once again, glaring at his expression. His amused expression would not be tolerated. He turned away, withdrawing a deep breath to contain his laughter.

"Don't hurt me! Please, don't tell Davik I'm here. I'll… I'll pay you!" Davik? Carth repeated in his head, lifting his eyes to view the jittery man coolly. He must be one rich man if he's got all these bounties out.

"Hurt you…?" Vislyn had just finished dusting her arm off, and now her eyes, also, were on the frightened human in the center of the room. "Davik?"

"You mean you're not here to collect the bounty on my head?" Carth watched as Vislyn gave a shake of her head, this was one of the first times he'd met a soldier who didn't collect on random bounties for credits here and there. It was… refreshing to know there was still some good in the galaxy. "Well," The man eyed both of them up and down, "Why are you here then?"

Vislyn coughed, obviously embarrassed. "Well… um, it was a mistake. Wrong room, you see."

"Oh…" The man frowned, "Would you get out then?"

Carth cleared his throat, stepping forward into the conversation. "Perhaps if can help us, we can help you?"

"What are you suggesting?"

"We need to find out where a certain Sith 'get together' is located, and you obviously need to pay off this 'Davik'," Carth's eyes narrowed distinctively on the man, "with credits you don't have."

"I see," The man seemed more inclined to listen now, his hand wavering outward. "Pay me the credits first, then you'll get your information."

Nonchalantly, Carth tossed the credits in the man's direction, easing back so he stood in the door way. He really didn't want to have to chase after a ratfink. The man snatched them up in hasty hands, cradling them against his stomach. "Six doors down. You'll hear the music, trust me." The man ambled towards the doorway, Carth allowing his passage; he now had the information they had been seeking. Sure, they could have continued Vislyn's technique, but patrol droids would inevitably find them, tossing them out the doors for public disturbance or some such. Besides, this way just seemed easier, Vislyn didn't mind throwing credits away anyhow.

As the man turned the corner, out of sight now, Vislyn turned to Carth. "I'm impressed. I didn't take you for the kind of man that enjoyed tossing his credits aside."

"You must be rubbing off on me."

"Great, maybe I can train you to be like a loyal Kaadu." She grinned, rounding on him before exiting into the hallway; Carth cringed.

"No, Gorgeous. I can't see that happening anytime soon."

"Not anytime soon, but sometime." A silvery laugh exited her vocals and she began her walk onward to this party. Carth followed.

It appeared that the nameless man was correct; it wasn't too long before the beats of booming music could be heard, echoing through the halls, the bass shaking the very walls of the structure. Carth was positive that any other group of youth, outside the Sith, would have been kicked out of the complex for such a lack of respect for others peace and quiet, but they had their privileges, among other things.

Vislyn mouthed words, Carth assumed they were numbers; she couldn't have been more obvious. Her fingers pointed down the doors, until she mouthed the word 'six', which was at the end of the hall. "There it is." She murmured, jabbing her finger through the air in the direction of the room. He nodded, slowing his pace.

"Not coming along?" The scout questioned, walking ahead of him. She doesn't care?

"Sorry, but I think I'll pass up on the idea of watching the lot get drunk out of their minds." Carth was bitter at the very idea of the woman entering said room just to be pawed and groped. Even if it was an act, it was a demeaning one.

"I could use your help, you know." Thick lashes lifted, large brown optics focusing on him and him alone.

Carth felt uneasy under her gaze, was she pulling her feminine charm out on him now? He wouldn't succumb to it, he would be strong. "I'm sure you can just give a shout if you need anything, Gorgeous."

"Ugh." Her hands rested on her hips, he swore she could have given a cat-like hiss, disapproving of his decline to her offer. "Fine. But I'm sure it won't take long for them to become passed out on the floor, drowning themselves in Tarisian ale. So," She poked a finger against his chest, Carth stood like a rock. "You better stick around… flyboy." Gracefully, she turned her back to him, approaching the room before entering with no problem at all. Carth was left feeling comfortable with the idea that she seemed so flustered at the idea of him not wanting to come along.

If the music seemed loud outside of the room, it was boisterous inside. The room smelled of alcohol and sweaty bodies alike; it was crowded, musty and downright unpleasant. Vislyn looked around, suppressing the urge to revolt in disgust at the very room; the others must have been so drunk out of their minds that they no longer cared. Children, she thought, peering over the shoulders of a few young women, trying to find the young man who'd invited her.

Seemingly out of nowhere, a pair of arms wrapped themselves around her midsection, pulling her against a body that stunk of ale worse than the entire room itself. A voice emerged, whispering into her ear with slurred sentences, and incoherent statements. The voice was vaguely familiar, thus she resisted the urge to boot the man in the groin; this was her 'date' for the evening. Thank god I'm late, she shuddered at the very thought of having to put up with the sober version of this scum, again.

Twisting herself around, releasing his arms from around her, Vislyn forced a smile. "Why, hello again." She glanced around, figuring it wouldn't be too long before these idiots were in the depths of a deep sleep. Tarisian ale was a strong and potent drink.

"Hello to you too!" He slurred, placing his hands on her shoulders. "You want anythin' ta drink?"

Vislyn shook her head and then man shrugged deeply, toppling over against a wall. He slid down into a seated position, patting the spot of floor next to him. Vislyn grabbed a drink from the table, attempting not spill its contents on the already soiled carpet. Pressing her back to the wall, she sat down next to the man, handing him the drink with a broad smile plastered across her face. "Tell me about yourself." She finally verbalized, feigning interest as she reluctantly cozied herself up against his stinking hide.

After an hour or two of listening to this boy babble about his questionable 'adventures' on various planets, constantly passing him more and more to drink, staring at the wall, and taking his wandering hands off her form, she finally guessed that he was out like a light. Just her luck to have met the only chattering Sith who could at least hold his alcohol for more than an hour. She pushed herself away from him, dusting herself off obsessively, and looked around the room, pack still slung over her shoulder. There has to be something of some use in here.

Stepping over numerous bodies, having no trouble with silencing her steps, she moved to a single footlocker in the corner of the room, eyeing it carefully. It didn't appear to be locked, and had no alarm system, it seemed, so she kneeled down and creaked it open, exposing the contents inside. "Aha." She muttered, running her fingers over a single Sith uniform. Well done, Vis, she congratulated herself, stuffing the item with some difficulty into her pack. She sent a final look around the room before getting up to her feet, stepping over the many bodies once more before exiting. She clicked the panel to close the door behind her.

"Mission accomplished." She whispered, a grin spreading across her face. She looked to where she had left Carth, and surprisingly he was still there. She would have thought he'd have wandered off somewhere in the time she was gone.

Carth lifted his head, his back was to the wall and he was seated in a comfortable position across the hall. "Mission? What mission? Are you actually trying to tell me that you found something of use after performing that little stunt?"

Vislyn stepped closer, nodding eagerly as she dropped her back at his side. "Now we're guaranteed entrance to the Lower City." She smirked, happy with herself. "Proud?"

Carth's nose immediately wrinkled when she'd stepped closer, "Dear god, woman. Where have you been?!" She frowned, glaring at him, though he was unfazed and just laughed. Shifting, he opened the pack, eyeing the contents. "Proud? Of you? Never." His tone was musing, and he wasn't serious, he better not have been, in Vislyn's opinion. He pushed himself from the wall to his feet, grasping the pack and handing it back to her. "Good job."

"Good job?" She repeated, slinging the pack over her shoulder after snatching it back. "After making a comment about my scent you'll have to do better than that, flyboy." She liked the sound of that, calling him flyboy, that is. Though, she wasn't sure if he was too keen on the idea or not, it really didn't matter to her at this point in time. He teased her, so she could freely tease him.

Not giving it another thought, she allowed lithely steps to carry her down the halls of the apartment complex, keeping distance between her and Carth purposefully. Vislyn really didn't feel like having to regard him if he made another comment about the stench which lingered upon her, she just wanted a nice, long shower to drown it all away.