Disclaimer: Many Characters are not the property of the author

Chapter 5: Undercity Taris

With the paper from Gadon, Mona and Carth were able to get down into Taris' Undercity with ease. As they stepped off the elevator however, they were confronted by two scrawny men.

"You!" They shouted, "You must pay our toll for using our elevator."

"Your elevator?" Mona asked.

They both nodded.

Mona pulled out her blaster, "Here's your toll!" she yelled.

Before either of them could move Mona had blasted each of them in the gut. They both fell to ground not moving.

"Was that really necessary?" Carth asked.

"You know what," Mona said in an exasperated tone, "Right now I really don't care. I just want to get this accelerator thing, so that we can get Bastila, so we can get the hell off this planet. And right now I'm willing to blast anything that gets in my way."

"Okay," Carth said, "I can understand that. Let's get moving."

They approached what appeared to be a village based around two of the large support columns that supported Taris' upper levels. As they got closer they were approached by a skinny young human girl.

"You, you're from the surface." The girl said.

"I guess you could say that," Mona said.

"There have been many visitors from the surface lately," the girl said.

"Yes," Carth said, "We're looking for a Twi'lek named Mission, do you know her?"

"Yes," the girl replied, "She and her Wookie companion often pass through here on their way to explore the sewers. In fact they came by not too long ago."

"Do you know which way they went?" Mona asked.

The girl pointed off in a direction.

"Thanks," Carth said tossing the girl a 10 credit piece.

Mona and Carth made their way in the direction the girl had indicated.

"Hey that looks like one of the pods," Carth said pointing to a column of smoke rising up from a cylindrical shape up ahead.

As they approached it a short figure came running towards them.

"You've got to help him, you've got to help him," a blue Twi'lek girl said.

"Are you Mission Vao?" Mona asked.

The girl nodded, "You've got to help him."

"Whoa, whoa slow down," Carth said, "Help who?"

"Zaalbar," Mission replied, "We were exploring the sewers when we stumbled upon the Gamorean Slavers. I thought he was right behind me but they must have caught him. If we don't save him they'll sell him as a slave."

"Look, we're looking for a way into the Black Vulkar base," Mona said.

"I can get you there, but you need to help me save Zaalbar first." Mission said.

"If it isn't one thing it's another," Mona groaned.

"I'm with you on that one," Carth said, "But we don't really have a choice here."

"Sure we do," Mona said, "We could grab a ship and slip through this Sith Blockade."

"Good luck with that one," Carth said.

"Fine," Mona agreed with a sigh, "Let's find this damn Wookie."

"I've got an idea as to where he is," Mission said, "Come on follow me."

Mission led them into the sewers, "Be careful," she whispered, "The Gamoreans could be anywhere."

Suddenly there was a pig like squeal behind them. They all turned around to see a Gamorean charging at them with a vibroaxe held in one hand.

"Not exactly the brightest creatures," Mona muttered as she pulled out her own vibroblade.

The Gamorean swung at Mona's head but she easily ducked under it and then drove her vibroblade into the Gamorean's back. The big green pig faced humanoid let out a squeal before it fell to the ground.

"Quickly," Mission said, "They'll have heard him and come to investigate."

They quickly ran through the sewers as the sound of Gamoreans began to grow.

"They're lair is just up ahead," Mission said, "Be careful there's plenty of traps."

They came into a drier section of sewers lined with doors.

"This is the place," Mission said.

There came a loud howl from one of the doors.

"I'm coming Zaalbar," Mission yelled.

She ran up to the door and tinkered with the locking mechanism. The door sprang open and a huge furry creature burst out and picked up Mission in a bear hug.

"Quiet Zaalbar," Mission said, "Not all the Gamoreans are gone."

"Can we get out of here?" Mona asked.

"Yes," Mission said, "It's better if we leave through the Black Vulkar's entrance anyway."

Mission led the little group through the sewers till they reached a long corridor. Up ahead was the sound of something large stomping about.

"What is that?" Mona asked.

"It's a Rancor," Mission replied, "Know one knows how it got down here but it's the guard for the Black Vulkar's secondary entrance."

"This a freakin' suicide mission," Mona said, "How are we supposed to beat a Rancor?"

"It's not exactly the brightest creature around," Mission said, "Usually Zaalbar and I can slip past it without being seen."

They stopped at a large open area. Inside the rancor was pacing about.

"That thing is huge," Carth commented.

"Well let's see you work your magic then," Mona said to Mission.

Mission deftly picked her was around the edges of the room. The Rancor didn't seem to notice her. When Mission reached the safety of the doorway on the otherside she waved. Zaalbar then began to follow the path Mission had taken. However as he was halfway there Carth sneezed. The Rancor spun around and noticed Zaalbar up against the wall.

"No!" Mission yelled.

The Rancor swatted Zaalbar with one of it's massive claws sending the Wookie sprawling to the ground in front of Mona and Carth. Carth ran forward to help him but Mona grabbed him, "No you'll just yourself killed," she said

Within seconds the Rancor descended upon the wounded Wookie and picked him up. Zaalbar moaned pitifully in the Rancor's grasp as he was brought towards its opening maw. Mona suddenly had an idea. As the Wookie was being dropped into the Rancor's mouth she threw one of her fragmentation grenades in after him. The Rancor didn't seem to notice and as it began chewing on Zaalbar the grenade exploded. The creature staggered about and then collapsed to the ground with a ground shaking crash.

"Zaalbar!" Mission sobbed as she came running from across the room.

Carth grabbed Mission before she could get closer to the Rancor, "He's gone Mission. I'm sorry. I should have known that my fur allergy would have caused trouble."

"It's just I can't believe he's gone," Mission said between sobs.

"Wow," Mona said, "I took out a Rancor; with one grenade too."

"Mona, a little words of comfort would be nice here," Carth said.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, sucks about the big walking rug," Mona said, "He was definitely a tough one. Just not tough enough I guess."

Carth frowned at her.

"Maybe we can get you a new Wookie," Mona said.

"You're not helping," Carth hissed.

"It's okay," Mission said, "I understand why she's like that. She's a soldier, soldiers are supposed to be tough and emotionless."

"Well so am I," Carth said, "More so than she is."

"Yeah I'm more of a scout than a soldier," Mona agreed, "I just really can't get worked up over someone I don't know."

Mission wiped the tears from her eyes, "Well we're here at the base. Let's get you inside."