Undercity
Milo and Zack knew that their search for Amanda would encounter some pitfalls, but they never expected her to end up a prisoner of a swoop bike gang. At least they could take some comfort that it wasn't the Sith that captured her. Still, she needed rescuing, and preferably before the Sith found out and decided to assault the gang in a bid to wrench Amanda from the gang's clutches. To do that, however, Milo needed more information.
"Amanda's a slave? What will happen to her now?" Milo inquired.
"Normally the Vulkars would take a captured slave and sell them for a nice profit to Davik or an off-world slaver. But a Republic officer is no ordinary catch," Gadon divulged. Zack noted something in Gadon's response.
"They still think Amanda is just a Republic officer. That could work to our advantage. Maybe she'll even figure out a way to escape from the Vulkar base on her own," Zack surmised. If the Beks had no idea Amanda was actually a Jedi, then it stood to reason that the Vulkars were clueless as well. In Zack's experience, Jedi were very resourceful, even without their lightsabers.
"She's too valuable to leave with the Vulkar scum at the base. Brejik's probably got your Republic friend hidden away somewhere safe until the big swoop race. You'll never find her," Gadon shot down any hopes that Zack may have had. Milo was not one to give up, though, but he was curious about something.
"Swoop race? What does that have to do with it?" Milo asked.
"I'm afraid your friend has become a pawn in Brejik's game to take over the Lower City. He's offered her up as the Vulkar's share of the prize in the annual swoop gang race. By putting up such a valuable prize Brejik hopes to win the loyalty of some of the smaller gangs. Their numbers will allow him to finally destroy me and my followers," Gadon explained.
"So how do you propose we go about rescuing Amanda, then? We can't fight all the gangs," Zack commented.
"The only hope you have of rescuing Amanda is to somehow win the big season opener of the swoop race," Gadon proposed. Milo was unsure of this plan of action. He had never ridden a swoop bike before, much less raced one. Then again, this was a video game. No-one expected him to actually know how to ride a swoop bike. All he'd have to do is press the right button at the right time. Who needed skill, anyway? Still, there was one glaring issue.
"But I don't even have a swoop bike," Milo protested.
"I might be able to help you with this if you'd be willing to help us. We both have something to gain here, and much to lose," Gadon outlined.
"What are you proposing?" Milo asked.
"The swoop race is for the Lower City gangs only. I could sponsor you as a rider for the Hidden Beks this year. If you win the race, you'll win your friend's freedom. But first you have to do something for me. My mechanics have developed an accelerator for a swoop engine. A bike with the accelerator installed can beat any other swoop out there! But the Vulkars stole the prototype from us. They plan to use it to guarantee a victory in this year's swoop race. I need you to break into their base and steal it back," Gadon summarised. Milo figured that this was a tall order. He had misgivings about taking sides in a swoop gang war, but if this was the only way to save Amanda, he didn't have much of a choice.
"How am I supposed to get inside the Vulkar base?" Milo probed.
"Getting into the Vulkar base won't be easy. The front doors are locked tight. But I know someone who might be able to get you in the back way, Melissa Vao," Gadon replied.
"Melissa? Gadon, you can't be serious! She's just a kid! How is she supposed to help them with this?!" Zaerdra interjected.
"Melissa's explored every step of every back alley in the Lower City, plus she knows the Undercity sewers better than anyone. If anyone can get inside the Vulkar base, it's her," Gadon defended his choice. Both Milo and Zack were conflicted about dragging a 14-year-old street urchin into their business. After all, they do get into a lot of encounters that typically end with blasters being fired.
"Isn't there someone else who can help me?" Milo queried.
"Don't underestimate Melissa or her Wookiee friend Zaalbar. They're a formidable pair; tough enough to go exploring the Undercity by themselves! Your best bet is to look for her in the Undercity. But you'll need some way past the Sith guard post at the elevator," Gadon responded. Milo had to give Melissa credit. If even half of what he had heard about the Undercity was true, it took either serious skill with a blaster, or sheer dumb luck to survive down there. If Melissa and Zaalbar explored there regularly, they might be of some help. Still, the Sith guard problem needed addressing, preferably non-violently.
"I've got some Sith uniforms to disguise myself," Milo recalled. Those worked on the Upper City guard, so Milo thought they would work down here as well.
"A simple disguise might have worked on the Upper City guard, but the security down here is much tougher. You'll need the proper papers to get past him. Luckily my gang ambushed one of the Sith patrols headed down to the Undercity. They never made it, and their security papers fell into my hands. Since we're working together now, I suppose I could give them to you in exchange for your uniforms. With the security papers you won't need a disguise anyway," Gadon bargained. He did have a point. Even the Upper City guard asked to see papers when Milo and Zack tried getting past him without disguises. Milo also figured that security papers could help them blend in, and maybe get into places they're not supposed to.
"Okay, I'll trade the uniforms for the papers," Milo agreed. He handed over the Sith disguises, and in turn, Gadon gave him the papers. Milo read them over. They identified the holder as being on special assignment by order of the Sith government of Taris and warn of gruesome penalties to those foolish enough to challenge the holder.
"Good choice. Thanks for the uniforms. You won't need them with these security papers anyway. Now, is there anything else I can do for you?" Gadon replied. There was nothing more to be said and done here. Milo and Zack got the information they needed and a clear path forward, as well as documents granting them unlimited access to everywhere on Taris.
"No, thank you. I'll be back when I get the prototype accelerator," Milo said gratefully.
"I suggest you hurry. The swoop race is coming up, and we want you to have time to practice before the race," Gadon urged. As Milo and Zack left the Bek base, Zack had a few concerns about the rescue plan.
"Milo, you're not serious about involving a 14-year-old kid into our adventures?" Zack asked.
"I don't like it either, but she is the substitute Scoundrel character, after all. Good credits say the people playing this game picked the Soldier class at character creation. Either that, or the scout, so we need a scoundrel in our party, and she fits the bill nicely," Milo observed.
"So, what you're saying is, she completes the RPG trinity, of sorts," Zack summarised.
"Exactly, she compliments our team with a skills-based build while we do all the heavy-duty blasting, or if you picked the Scout class, a healthy mix of the two," Milo concluded.
"Plus, she is one of the core trio. An MML retelling wouldn't be the same without her," Zack reasoned. Milo decided to seize this opportunity to engage with Zack further.
"While I've got you, can we continue your personal quest?" Milo requested. Zack sighed heavily.
"Let me see, we're at the point where I unload about my trust issues, how I'm always watching you and being wary because I was betrayed in the past, and if you picked to play as a woman, you could even playfully insult me a few times as part of my romance options," Zack listed.
"Well, this is BioWare of 2003, they weren't that brave to put in a m/m romance at the time, though I'm sure the author of this re-telling might fit it in, somehow," Milo replied.
"I'm sure he would. Tell me something; when did RPG's become a buffet line for romance options? Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Cyberpunk, all of them have romances for every preference. They're just dating sims with a story at this point," Zack commented.
"The last one does have Keanu Reeves in it, so that's always a plus," Milo rebutted.
"Yeah, after 1½ years of debugging the thing," Zack recalled. The two noticed that they were close to the Lower City guard post. It was manned by a singular Sith guard, as well as a row of turrets meant to discourage the gangs from taking pot-shots.
"Hold on there, civilian! Only those with official Sith business are allowed into the Undercity. Unless you've got the proper security papers you better just turn around and go back the way you came," the guard cautioned. Fully prepared for this eventuality, Milo presented the papers Gadon gave him.
"I have the papers right here," Milo stated.
"Let me see… hmmm, these look to be in order. Okay, you can go down if you want. Can't say I envy you, though. The Undercity is crawling with mutants. Rakghouls, they call 'em. If you see anything moving down there, shoot first and ask questions later," the guard advised and let Milo and Zack pass. On the way down, Milo reviewed the information about the Undercity in his journal. The intel spoke of an Outcast village that acted as the sole settlement of the Undercity. Everyone there was either sentenced to spend eternity down in those dark depths or descended from those that were. Taris' justice system was swift and harsh, as it was either this, or execution that acted as punishment for criminal activity. As the elevator door opened, the stark reality of Undercity life soon made itself apparent, as Milo and Zack were greeted by two beggars dressed in filthy rags.
"You there, up-worlder! Anyone using this elevator has to pay the toll!" one of the beggars demanded.
"Yeah, this is our elevator! If you use it, you've got to give us something!" the other beggar added. Zack just face-palmed at this development.
"Everywhere we go, someone is shaking us down," Zack remarked.
"Five credits! That's what it costs to use our elevator! Five credits!" the first beggar imposed.
"Are you the Outcasts?" Milo asked compassionately.
"Yes. Yes, we are. Here in the filth and darkness we claw out a wretched existence, scavenging and begging just to survive long enough to see another wretched day," the first beggar answered.
"This is our village. We live here in the undercity. You have to pay us five credits for using our elevator," the second beggar reiterated their demands. Although Milo disagreed with this notion, he felt bad for them, and it was a paltry amount they were asking for. Whether it was because of genuine sympathy or he just wanted the light side points, Milo delved into his pockets.
"Here's 20 credits to buy some food and clothing," Milo offered, which the beggars took eagerly.
"Credits, my brother! We have credits! Now we can buy food and medicine!" the first beggar exclaimed.
"Hush, or the others will hear us! They'll want our credits! We have to hide them!" the second beggar resolved. It was then that a woman, also in rags, chased the two away.
"Go on, you two! Get out of here! I'm sorry about that. Those two beggars give everyone in the village a bad name! We aren't all like that, you know. Most of us are good people," the woman assured.
"I'm sure you are, miss. It's just too bad your little welcoming committee is there to give people a bad first impression," Zack placated.
"My name's Milo, and this is Zack. Who are you?" Milo introduced.
"My name is Shaleena... you're from the up-world, aren't you? I've... I've never seen it. I was born here in the Undercity. Is it as nice as they say up there?" Shaleena inquired.
"The surface is a beautiful place," Milo replied.
"I've never been to the surface, but sometimes I think I can see it in my dreams. The sun, the sky, the stars... it all sounds so... so... so wonderful. Gendar, the leader of our village, tells me I should spend more time trying to improve things down here and less time dreaming about something I can never have. Maybe he's right. You probably think I'm a fool, having dreams of a place I've never even seen. But when I was little, Rukil used to tell me stories of what it was like up there," Shaleena gushed. Intrigued at the name-drops, Milo questioned Shaleena further.
"Rukil? Who's that?" Milo probed.
"Rukil's the oldest man in the village. The kids call him Rukil Wrinkle-Skin, but he's a kind man. He used to tell me the greatest stories when I was a little girl. I still like to listen to his tales about the Promised Land, even though I know they're just legends. But it helps to make the Undercity seem less... less dark, somehow," Shaleena exposited.
"Oh no, don't tell me we're taking on another sidequest," Zack commented.
"Like you don't do the same thing when you play this game. What is the Promised Land?" Milo asked.
"It's just a story to make little children smile. Rukil believes in it, though. Sometimes I can almost believe it myself, but then I look around and I see the ugly truth. I guess we have to make the best of what we have though. If you really want to learn more about the promised land you should speak to Rukil," Shaleena advised. Sensing that Zack was getting tired of being sidetracked, Milo brought the conversation back to the main quest.
"Do you know anything about the escape pods that crashed into the Undercity?" Milo asked.
"I don't know anything about that, but maybe Gendar could help you. Sorry... is there anything else you need?" Shaleena responded.
"Have any other up-worlders come through here recently?" Milo questioned, hoping to hear something about Melissa.
"There were quite a few people from the surface marching through the village, but none of them bothered to talk to me. Gendar might know more about them," Shaleena divulged. Milo made a mental note to find the leader of the village and press him for answers.
"Tell me about this village," Milo requested, curious as to how people could live down in this dark place that resembled a murky wasteland.
"Well, I was born here for starters. My parents were Outcasts, banished to the Undercity for some crime or other. They never really liked to talk about it. Everyone here is an Outcast, or the descendant of one. It's tough down here, but we survive. I guess it's easier for me, since I've never known anything different. Some of the people have given up all hope; they've become bitter and depressed. But most of us are good people, despite what our ancestors may have done. Gendar could probably tell you more. Or maybe Rukil. You could talk to them if you want," Shaleena explained. The more Milo heard about the Undercity, the more depressing Taris became as a world. How could a society as rich as the Upper City allow its criminals, or descendants of such, to live like this? With practically nothing and constantly under the threat of mutated monsters that propagate by turning you into one of them with a bite or a scratch?
"I'll be going now," Milo finished the conversation.
"Oh, okay. Well, if you ever need anything, or if you just feel like talking, come back and see me. I hardly ever get a chance to speak to someone from the up-world," Shaleena replied and left to go about her day. Milo and Zack had a look around this dreary, dark, dank village. The Outcasts were huddled around barrel fires or shut in their make-shift tents, a far cry from the rich Upper City. Even the Lower City, the gang-ridden slum that it was, was a better place to live than this. To further bring this point home, Milo saw a few villagers locked inside what looked like a tiny zoo enclosure. He approached the gate separating these villagers from the rest of the populace when a woman stopped him.
"Wait, up-worlder. You can't go through this gate. There is too much danger and suffering beyond. For your own sake, turn back," the woman warned.
"Who are you?" Milo inquired.
"I am Esala, healer of this village. I use my knowledge and what little resources we have to care for the Outcasts who are sick and injured. But despite my medical training, there is nothing I can do to help the poor souls locked on the other side of this gate," Esala lamented.
"What are you talking about?" Milo asked.
"The villagers infected with the rakghoul disease are quarantined beyond this gate. It's only a matter of time until they transform into horrible creatures that would destroy us all," Esala informed.
"So, you just lock them away in a cage?" Zack remarked.
"For the sake of the village, we have to keep the infected ones locked away, and when they finally do transform into rakghouls, we'll let them destroy each other," Esala outlined. Milo sympathised with the infected villagers but could also understand why Esala is keeping them contained.
"Look, we'll be back with the serum to cure you. I promise," Milo stated. All the infected could do was nod in acknowledgement.
"Don't worry, this is part of yet another side-quest, so we'll have plenty of time," Zack added. Wanting to get on with something a little more cheery, Milo decided to seek Rukil out and hear about the Promised Land Shaleena mentioned earlier. After some searching, he found the oldest man in the village, along with Gendar, the village leader. Strangely enough, as soon as Rukil laid eyes on Milo, the elderly gentleman approached him.
"You – you come from the world above! Is this the time of destiny, then? Is this a portent of the salvation of my people? Or merely another false sign to mislead us from the path? Are you the herald of prophecy? The beacon to guide us through the darkness? Or are you merely another harbinger of shattered dreams and unfulfilled promises?" Rukil rambled.
"Be careful, this one might be crazy enough to be dangerous," Zack cautioned.
"Speak to me, up-worlder! Tell me what fate you unleash upon us, salvation or damnation! Speak, up-worlder, I beg you!" Rukil pleaded. Milo was taken aback by this, as he was the one usually initiating conversations with NPC's, not the other way around.
"Uh, okay, then. Could I ask you some questions?" Milo responded.
"A question. You are uncertain. Bewildered. Perplexed. Understandable, I suppose. Even after a hundred years of life I myself still become confused at times. Perhaps I can make things clearer. Some things, at least. My name is Rukil, the oldest Outcast here in the village. Rukil Wrinkle-Skin, the children call me sometimes," Rukil introduced.
"I'm Milo Murphy. What do you want from me, Rukil?" Milo replied in kind.
"Once I was honoured for my wisdom, but over time the villagers fell away from the true path. Eventually there was only a single apprentice who followed me, and now she is gone, too," Rukil disclosed.
"What happened to your apprentice?" Milo asked.
"My apprentice is... lost. I sent her out into the Undercity to find... well, I cannot tell you. Not yet. Sadly, my apprentice has not returned. Please, up-worlder – will you help an old man? Will you seek out my apprentice in the Undercity? Her name is Malya. I must know of her fate, whatever it may be. I must know what she... found," Rukil requested.
"I will help you with this, Rukil," Milo agreed.
"Oh, great. Between you taking on every side-quest and the author taking way too long to upload chapters, we'll never find Amanda," Zack complained.
"Finding her may be difficult; Malya could be anywhere in the Undercity... but if you find her I will know you to be our true savior! Only then can I reveal my secret knowledge to you," Rukil advised. Milo then proceeded to the village's exit, a long wall with a singular gate, presumably to protect against rakghoul attacks. It was there that Milo encountered a female Outcast yelling through the gate.
"Hurry, Hendar, hurry! I can hear it coming!" the woman urged.
"He'll never make it. He's doomed. Argh! I told him he was a fool to leave the village," another Outcast standing by the gate, a male that Milo assumed was the gate guard, interjected.
"He WILL make it! Run, Hendar! Run!" the woman encouraged. At that point, another male on the other side of the gate, whom Milo guessed was this Hendar person, came into view.
"Open the gate! Quickly! There isn't much time!" Hendar panted.
"Ugh... I... I can't... the rakghouls are too close!" the gate guard insisted.
"The mutants will kill him if you don't open the gate!" the woman argued.
"And if I open the gate, they will kill us all!" the gate guard countered. Milo could see a horrible-looking grey creature that moved and looked like Gollum from Lord of the Rings make its way towards Hendar. This, Milo surmised, was a rakghoul.
"No! You can't do this! It isn't fair! Please, make him open the gate. Hendar will die if he doesn't!" the woman pleaded.
"I can't open the gate, not while the rakghouls are so near," the gate guard said sadly. At this point, Milo's protective instincts kicked in.
"Open the gate. I will kill the rakghouls," Milo ordered. The gate guard was shocked at this reaction.
"You would risk your life for a stranger? Heh. You are brave, up-worlder. I will open the gate for you, but you've got to be quick. In a few seconds I must close and lock it again," the gate guard relented. He opened the order, and Milo and Zack rushed through before the guard closed it behind them. They were able to shoot the creature in the chest several times. The rakghoul was staggering, but still alive despite having taken repeated blaster shots. It was only after it was shot in the back that it finally keeled over and died. The identity of the shooter turned out to be Melissa, the Twi'Lek that Milo and Zack met in the Lower City. Finally, some results. After Hendar was welcomed back into the village having been rescued, Melissa rushed towards Milo and Zack.
"Please, you have to help me! Nobody else is going to help me. Even the Beks won't help me. But I can't just leave him there, he's my friend! You'll help me, won't you?" Melissa begged.
"Slow down, Melissa, what's wrong?" Milo calmed.
"It's Zaalbar. He's in trouble - big trouble! We have to help him. If we don't, they'll sell him into slavery!" Melissa responded, still frantic and not making much sense.
"Zaalbar? You mean your Wookiee friend? What happened?" Milo recalled.
"Me and Zaalbar were just wandering around here in the Undercity. You know, looking for stuff we could find, just kind of exploring. We do it all the time," Melissa replied.
"I guess with a Wookiee at your side you've got to figure you can handle the odd rakghoul attack," Zack commented.
"Only this time they were waiting for us. Gamorrean slave hunters. We didn't even have a chance to run. Big Z threw himself at them, and he roared for me to run! I took off; I figured Zaalbar would be right behind me. But there were too many of them – he couldn't get away. They're going to sell him to a slaver – I just know it!," Melissa said regretfully.
"Do you know where they took him?" Milo questioned.
"I don't know for sure, but those Gamorreans like to hang out in the sewers. The stink reminds them of home, I guess. That's probably where they took Big Z," Melissa surmised. Milo then thought of something. No doubt Melissa would be a big help to their mission, but her Wookiee friend needed saving.
"If we help you get Zaalbar back, you have to get me inside the Vulkar base," Milo bargained.
"It's a deal – as soon as we get Big Z back, I'll show you a way into that Vulkar base! Now, come on. We have to find Zaalbar before they sell him to slavers – or worse!" Melissa agreed.
"Do you know where he's being kept?" Zack asked.
"The Gamorreans make their camps in the sewers. I bet that's where we'll find Zaalbar, and that's where I'll show you the secret entrance into the Vulkar compound," Melissa explained.
"Shall the party journey onwards?" Milo joked.
"Ha ha ha, sewer entrance is this way," Melissa retorted. She directed them across the wasteland and towards a small ladder, leading to the sewers. However, along the way, they ran into a group of armed mercenaries carrying blasters that approached the trio.
"Don't... don't move! I'm... I'm not afraid to use this blaster if I have to!" one mercenary said rather nervously. The obvious leader stepped up to ease tensions.
"Settle down, kid. We've already lost enough men to those damn rakghouls! The last thing we need now is more casualties from a needless firefight," the leader calmed. He then looked over the trio. "Hm... by the looks of you I'd say you're down here for the same reason we are: to salvage something from those downed Republic space pods. Let me give you some advice: forget about it. Do yourself a favour and just head back the way you came," the leader bluntly cautioned. Milo did not like the guy's tone, but he also didn't want to shoot anyone needlessly.
"Who are you?" Milo asked diplomatically.
"That's Chad Ordo! He's the most famous Mandalorian mercenary in this sector of the galaxy!" the first mercenary introduced in a tone riddled with bragging and pride.
"This isn't a good place to stand around chatting. The Undercity is crawling with rakghouls. I've already lost half a dozen men to those monsters," Chad observed. One of his team then raised his rifle.
"Chad, I heard something! Over there, in the shadows! Sounded like a rakghoul!" the mercenary reported. Sure enough, a quartet of the creatures came charging towards them.
"Looks like we've got company! Get those blasters ready, boys!" Chad urged, but before anyone could get a shot off, one of Chad's men was already brought to the ground, the rakghoul plunging its diseased jaws deep into his neck. Chad and the others, along with Milo, Melissa, and Zack, were able to blast the rest, but another of Chad's team took a scratch from a rakghoul which had already shown signs of infection. Not left with any other choice, Chad shot his own man rather than see him turn. The first mercenary was already dead from blood loss, leaving Chad with one other surviving member of his squad.
"Damn! I told Davik this salvage mission was a bad idea! His men aren't trained for this kind of thing, and I can't babysit them all! Okay, we're getting out of here before I lose anyone else. I can't carry all this salvage back by myself! You'd be smart to get out of here as well. Even if you can handle the rakghouls I doubt there's anything worth finding anymore," Chad lamented. Sensing that this indeed wasn't the place to waste any time, Milo cut the conversation short.
"We better get going now," Milo signalled.
"We are out of here as well," Chad took his last man and left the Undercity. From where the rakghouls came from, Milo found an Outcast corpse, along with a datapad. This, he surmised, belonged to Malya, Rukil's apprentice. Another poor soul lost to these murky lands. Rukil would want to know what happened to his disciple. He also found a Sith corpse. Milo searched this body as well and found four vials of green liquid. What was interesting were the labels on these vials. They all said 'rakghoul serum'.
"Is that the cure?" Zack probed.
"Big Z and I overheard some Sith patrols talking about this, something about 'requisitioning more from the base due to low stocks'," Melissa recalled.
"Doubtless he died before he could use it. We need to be very careful about who gets these, and I already know who'll get the first two. I hope you don't mind, Melissa, but we'd like to stop by the village first," Milo requested.
"Sure, no problem. With the Sith blockade, I doubt the Gammoreans will be able to ship Big Z off-world any time soon," Melissa agreed. The trio headed back to the village and Milo made a beeline to the quarantine cage. Against Esala's protests, he opened the gate to be greeted by the three infected Outcasts.
"Please, help us! We are infected with the rakghoul disease. At any moment we could... unh…" begged the infected villager, but it was too late. The disease had already progressed beyond the point of no return, and their bodies started transforming violently. Their skin turned grey, their teeth elongated, and spiky protrusions emerged from their arms and legs. Left with no other choice, Milo, Zack, and Melissa blasted them cold before they could move. Once they were dead, Milo found two others, still infected, but not turned yet.
"Please, you have to help us. We beg you. We don't want to end up like the others. Please help us. We can't end up like them," the villager pleaded. Milo immediately pulled out two of the vials he discovered earlier.
"Here, take this rakghoul serum. I have enough for both of you," Milo presented. The infected villagers took both vials eagerly and administered the serum.
"Quickly – I must inject it before it is too late. Yes... I feel it working! I feel the disease burning away! It... it is like a miracle! I am cured! Thank you, up-worlder. You have saved us from a fate worse than death. I only wish I had some reward to give you. Maybe you can find something worthwhile in the wreckage of the Republic escape pod," the villager said gratefully.
"Not long ago an escape pod crashed in the Undercity, far to the northeast of the village. We were going to try and salvage equipment from it, but we were attacked by the rakghouls and infected. I'd tell you more if I could, but our salvage team never reached the pod. It's probably still there, unless some of the other up-worlders already found it and picked it clean. We should go now, up-worlder. We're anxious to return to the village and see our families again. Thank you once again for everything you have done," the villager explained, and she and her companion left, having been given a clean bill of health by a very surprised Esala, who approached the trio.
"You amaze me. I always thought the surface dwellers couldn't care less about us Outcasts. But you risked everything to help those infected villagers. I wish I had some type of reward to give you, but we Outcasts have nothing. All I can offer is the gratitude of the entire village," Esala praised.
"No-one deserves to go out like that. No-one," Milo emphasised.
"If it's all the same to you, I'll make sure everyone knows who to thank for this," Esala resolved and returned to her duties. Milo then found Rukil.
"Greetings once more, up-worlder. Do you bring news of my apprentice? Have you discovered her fate, and proved yourself to be a true savior of my people?" Rukil inquired. Milo knew there was no easy way to break the news, but he had to be honest with the old man.
"Your apprentice is dead. I have her journal," Milo informed. He gave Malya's datapad to Rukil, who took it with a bereaved expression on his face.
"It is as I feared, then. She joins the list of those who have given their lives in the service of our cause. But though I am saddened by this news, there is yet hope. By finding my apprentice you have proved yourself worthy, up-worlder. You are to be the beacon on our path to salvation. You will guide us to the Promised Land!" Rukil said mournfully and hopefully at the same time. Milo didn't know what to make of this.
"Guide you? But I don't even know where the Promised Land is!" Milo remarked.
"You are marked, up-worlder – even my dim old eyes can see the mantle of destiny that cloaks you. Perhaps old Rukil knows you better than you know yourself. I am old – I have lived a hundred years in the Undercity, cast down into the darkness. I know the legends and history of our people – and now you must learn it, too," Rukil insisted. Milo was genuinely intrigued to hear about Taris' history, and he was interested to hear where this 'Promised Land' junk was going.
"Very well – tell me the history of your people," Milo indulged the old-timer.
"The great city of Taris covers the entire surface of this planet. There is no land to grow food. Kelp harvests and the creatures of the sea are our only food source. A century ago, rising levels of toxic pollution poisoned the oceans and famine swept the planet. The rich hoarded food for their own use, and the poor were left to starve and die," Rukil told his story.
"From what I've seen of Taris, it doesn't look like much has changed. Except for the Upper City, people here are just as bad off as the poor in your little history," Zack commented.
"But the poor rose up against this tyranny and civil war engulfed the planet. Millions died in the fighting and huge sections of Taris were destroyed or abandoned. The rebellion was crushed in the end, thousands were taken prisoner. The jails could not hold them all, and so the practice of banishing all prisoners to the Undercity was born," Rukil continued.
"Is that how you came to be down here?" Milo realised.
"Many brave men and women were banished here to the Undercity for their part in the rebellion. People like my father and grandfather were cast down, along with their families," Rukil answered.
"What did you expect? If they could get away with it, the Tarisian nobles would stuff their own mothers down here to make more room in the Upper City," Melissa chimed in.
"Now we live a dark existence beneath the streets of Taris, a life devoid of all hope but one: the Promised Land. And you will be the one to show us the way to get there," Rukil concluded the history of the Outcasts.
"How can I lead you this Promised Land when I don't even know what it is?" Milo pressed.
"Legends tell of a self-sufficient colony founded just before the famine and lost during the civil war; a paradise beneath the Undercity where droid servants tend to every need. For many years I searched for the Promised Land, just as my grandfather and father did before me. When I became old and grey, my apprentice continued the search on my behalf," Rukil clarified.
"Sounds like a myth to me. Something to give the people here some false hope to cling to so they don't go mad with despair," Zack rebutted.
"I have collected many clues hinting at its location; the journal of my apprentice provides yet more information. But still there are too many pieces missing from this puzzle. But I know my father and grandfather each had journals where they recorded their own discoveries. Perhaps with their journals I could at last uncover its hidden location," Rukil hinted.
"And you want me to find these missing journals?" Milo suggested.
"I have nothing to offer if you help me in this. I hope the knowledge that you are helping the entire village escape a life of darkness and suffering is reward enough," Rukil appealed to Milo's good nature, which was working, since Milo saved two villagers from the rakghoul disease mere moments ago.
"Don't worry, Rukil. I'll find those journals," Milo assured.
"It is many decades since my father set out on his journey, but I remember he was eager to explore the sewers. You might want to begin your search there. I wish you luck in your quest, up-worlder. The future survival of this village – of my people – depends on you," Rukil bad Milo farewell as the trio made their way to the sewer entrance. Along the way, they found the escape pod the infected Outcast had mentioned. Milo and Zack saw one of their Republic soldiers, still alive, but in visible distress. They approached him, hoping he might have answers on Amanda.
"H... help me! Please! I can... I can feel it inside my skin! Something growing... like some kind of hideous disease!" the soldier begged. Milo knew what this was and reached for another of the vials.
"Here, take this serum. It will cure you," Milo offered. He gave the serum to the soldier, who injected it straight away and his health improved.
"Th... thank you. Those things – they attacked as soon as we came out the doors. They... they killed the others. It was... it was horrible," the soldier recalled. Milo could tell that he was still shaken from his encounter with the rakghouls that infected him, but he needed answers.
"You're okay now. But I need information. I'm looking for Amanda," Milo stated.
"Amanda? She wasn't in this pod. We were tracking her pod just before we hit the planet's surface. It went down somewhere to the west. We lost the signal when our own pod crashed. Maybe... wait – what was that? Did you hear that? I thought I heard something," the soldier answered, then he looked around the place in a panic.
"I don't hear anything," Milo replied.
"Over there... I heard something. I know I did! There it is again! It's those monsters! They're coming back! Run for your lives!" the soldier panicked and fled. It turned out the soldier was right about oncoming rakghouls, as another quartet of them appeared and quickly tore him apart. Milo, Zack, and Melissa blasted the creatures before they could eat more of their fallen comrade. Milo lamented the loss of another fine man before continuing on. But just before they could get to the sewer entrance, they were stopped by more soldiers, not of the Republic, but of the Sith.
"You there! Civilian! This is a restricted area! What are you doing down here?" the Sith trooper in a red uniform, obviously a patrol leader, interrogated. If they had been made as Republic, the Sith would not have bothered speaking. Milo saw an opportunity to avoid a needless firefight.
"Look... I have got all the proper security papers," Milo presented his papers to the Sith.
"Security papers? Oh... you're one of those trackers the Commander sent down, right? They should have given you an armed escort – it's nasty down here! We've already lost one patrol... we figure the rakghouls got them. We've had so many encounters with those things we've actually run out of rakghoul serum. Plus, we've had several skirmishes with looters from those Lower City swoop gangs. I'm telling you; we should just stay in the Upper City where we're in control!" the patrol leader ranted. The patrol the Sith officer mentioned having lost must've been the one Milo got his rakghoul serum vials from. However, Milo wanted to avoid prolonged conversations with the enemy, so he chose to end the dialogue while he still could.
"I should be going now," Milo indicated.
"Yeah, sure... the Commander won't be too happy if you come back empty, right? Same thing goes for us. Come on patrol, let's get back to it. The sooner we get this search done the sooner we can get out of this mutant-infested hole. Move out!" the patrol leader ordered his men to continue the search. Relieved that they didn't get into a fight, the trio continued towards the sewer entrance. Together, they descended down the ladder, into whatever horrors awaited them down there.
Author's note: I have been debating with myself for a long time on whether or not this should continue. After some soul-searching and a few words of advice and encouragement from friends, I have decided that this should carry on. My plan going forward is to bring out one chapter of this, then next a chapter of whatever Malefic Order arc story I have going on at the time. This is to keep me from getting burnt out or bored with a story. It is something I have done before, to an extent, with my MML one-shots. The usual disclaimers, I own nothing. All properties belong to their respective owners. Enjoy.