Rian:

            "You just had to do that didn't you?"  Ever since waking up to him in that abandoned apartment, I think that Carth had been in a constant state of exasperation.

            "Look, I said I was sorry."  I groaned.  "Who would have thought that some half-dead nitwits would decide to attack us because of one laugh?"

            "That's just it."  Carth was pacing again.  "You don't think.  Are you trying to get us killed?"

            "No!"  If I had wanted to kill us, I would have placed a thermal detonator in his backpack, but Carth didn't look like he needed that sort of confirmation.  "I said I was sorry, what more do you want?"

            "I want you to use your brain a little."  He stopped his pacing and turned to face me.  "I know you banged your head up pretty bad, but I doubt you completely scrambled everything in there."

            "I don't know."  I sighed.  "I just felt so relaxed and at home down here, not like when we were in the Upper City."

            "Relaxed?" Carth exclaimed.  "What rock did you crawl out from?  What kind of a planet could you have been born on that would make this slummy Lower City feel like home?"

            Good question.  Where did I come from, exactly?  I began to flip through all my memories, searching for an answer.  Ryloth?  No, that was the Twi'leks' home world.  Dantooine didn't sound right, either.  I hadn't stepped on Corellia before I was seventeen so that was out too.  Telos, no that held other significance that I couldn't place.  A voice in the back of my head said Deralia. 

            Deralia?  Where was that?  I was flooded with images of blue-green lakes and lush vineyards.  A safe place where mother will protect you.  That was my home?

            "Deralia." I murmured.

            "Huh, I've never heard of it.  It was that bad?"

            "Deralia's a little known planet on the Outer Rim." I spoke mechanically.  The words felt so foreign as they rolled off my tongue.  "It's where I was born, but I didn't stay there for very long, so I have few memories of it."

            "Are you feeling alright?"  Carth's brows were in his signature furrow.  "You never took those fever reducers, did you?"

            I shook myself from the strange daze and forced a grin to my lips.  "I'd feel better once we reach this hovel's cantina.  I could use a drink."

            Carth groaned.  "How can you even mention booze after all that Tarisian ale you downed last night?"

            I shrugged.  "Isn't that the best cure for a hangover?"

            "Why don't you just tough it out instead?"

            "Why?  I always thought I was more pleasant drunk."

            "That's only because you can't remember your awful behavior." Carth retorted, dryly.

            "Okay, you've made your point."  I hugged myself.  "No booze.  I'll get aitha instead."

            Javyar's cantina wasn't nearly as classy as its Upper City counterpart, but it was a charming dump nonetheless.  The pazaak players were by the front doors as usual, in case one of them bet more than they could pay and had to dodge out quickly, and the make up of the place was a pale imitation of the one in Upper City.  That meant the bar would be in the center.

            I made a beeline for the bar with Carth directly on my heels.  I'd behave and get that protein drink so he'd have to stop giving me that wary look.

            When I ordered aitha, the bartender guffawed.  I gave him a smoldering glare and he shut his little Rodian mouth.  The aitha was piping hot, which was nice, but I wished it was sweeter and not so healthy tasting.

            "Go away."  I turned a sleepy eye from the bar to a table in the corner of the cantina.  A lone man was being hounded by three thugs.  Instead of being frightened, however, the man was irritated.

            "Hey, check this out."  I nudged Carth in his shoulder.

            "What?" Carth sounded gruff.  I guess sleeping on a rock hard floor was slowly chipping away at him.  He glanced at the table then raised an eyebrow in my direction.  "Are you planning something?  Haven't you killed enough gangsters already?"

            "One."  The man took a sip of his drink.  Those were thermal goggles over his eyes and I could see the glint of body armor beneath his cloak.  Those Black Vulkars really had no idea what they were getting into.

            "I bet you twenty credits this guy creams those three."  I flashed my teeth in a predatory manner as I grinned at Carth.

            "No way." Carth scoffed.  "The numbers obviously aren't in his favor, but look at those tattoos on his forearm.  A man doesn't earn those markings for being a pushover."

            Carth was smarter than his roguish good looks would deem.  The tattoo circling the man's arm proclaimed him a bounty hunter and a damn good one at that.

            "Two."  The man's face was devoid of any expression.

            "But look at him." I insisted.  "He's so tiny, it's pathetic.  Are you sure you don't want to bet twenty credits?"

            "Three."  The man tossed a flash grenade in the middle of the cantina.  My vision as well as everyone else's in the bar was fried.  A blaster was fired exactly three times.  When my sight slowly faded back, I noticed the three thugs crumpled dead on the floor.  The man was nowhere to be found.

            So, it was back to work.  There were Rodians and Twi'leks and Iotrans as well as humans in the cantina.  A melting pot of shady people.  I began to scan each individual in the place looking for a glimmering of intelligence.  That's when I caught a glimpse of a Wookiee.

            How could I miss him?  An eight foot tall lumbering carpet isn't exactly inconspicuous.  As awe inspiring as a Wookiee may appear crammed into a pitiful cantina, it was his companion that drew my attention.

            A diminutive Twi'lek girl, I could tell that she was of the Rutian lineage because of her powder blue coloring, not as rare as a Lethan Twi'lek but more exceptional than her green-skinned counterparts.  Despite being little more than a kid, she was brash and fiery.  Exactly the person that I had been searching for.

            "I told you to leave me alone—so give me some space, Bug-eye!"  Her hands were on her hips and she was staring murder at two Rodians.  "Your breath smells like bantha poo doo!"

            The kid had guts, facing two armed goons fearlessly.  I saw her lekku twitching fiercely and picked up on the fact that the girl had a vile mouth as well.

            "Little girl should not be in bar.  This no place for little girl." the Rodian spat in broken Huttese.  "If little girl smart, she run away home right now."

            "Who you calling a little girl, Chuba-face?" she demanded.

            I had to laugh.  Her lekku had begun flicking away with a mind of its own.  I don't think half the insults she hurled at the Rodian via her Tchun and Tchin could be translated out of Twi'leki but it was probably better that way.  Those obscenities were enough to make a Gamorrean blush.

            "Little girl needs lesson in manners!" the Rodian proclaimed.

            The petite Twi'lek raised a lazy finger to the air.  "Just a sec, boys."  She turned casually to the Wookiee at her side.  "Zaalbar… a little help here?  I need you to rip the legs off some insects."

            "Mission—I'm busy." the Wookiee moaned, disgruntled.  "They just brought my food."

            Mission's face turned a light shade of purple with frustration.  "Quit complaining…" she commanded.  "You can finish eating later.  Besides, you need the exercise so get over here."

            Zaalbar sighed, resigned, and stood next to her.  The Rodian swallowed hard at the Wookiee towering above him.

            "We no want trouble with Wookiee." the Rodian stammered, glancing at his buddy for support.  "Our problem with you, little girl!"

            Mission shrugged, and nodded towards Zaalbar.  "You got a problem with me, then you got a problem with Big Z." she stated.  "So unless you want to take on my furry friend, I suggest you greenies hop on out of here."

            "Little girl lucky she has big friend!"  The Rodian gave the best impression of a scowl that his small lipped, long snouted face would allow before scurrying off.

            My insides hurt by that time from laughing so hard.  I was doubled over, slapping a bar stool on the verge of hysterics.  Carth was eyeing me like I was delirious.  I think I was beginning to draw unwanted attention in the cantina.  I straightened up and tried to compose myself.  That Mission, she was something else.

            Once my laughter had died to controllable levels, I walked towards Mission and Zaalbar.  The Wookiee grunted a quick warning, but I ignored him.  I addressed Mission and introduced myself.

            "Say, I don't recognize you and I know pretty much everyone in the Lower City."  She took hold of my hand in a warm handshake.  "I guess that makes me and Big Z your official welcoming committee."

            The Wookiee sat back to his meal once he decided that the Twi'lek girl was no longer in danger.

            "Hey—we speak the same language!"  I had been too caught up watching her shifting lekku, that I hadn't realized that she was speaking Basic.  Languages had never posed a problem to me, so as long as I could comprehend another person's speech it didn't matter if they were speaking Twi'leki, Huttese, Shyriiwook or even Basic for that matter. 

            "It's not that strange."  Mission crossed her arms.  "Most aliens can speak Basic, they just prefer to use their own language.  But I grew up here on Taris so I just sort of got used to speaking the native tongue."

            "You showed a lot of guts dealing with those Vulkars, kid.  You got a name?" Carth cut in.  I winced at his use of the word "kid."  I doubted it would go over well with the street urchin.

            Mission raised an eyebrow over her deep cerulean eyes at Carth's careless comment, but brushed it aside.  "My name's Mission Vao and this big Wookiee is my best friend, Zaalbar.  I'd offer you a tour, but the streets down here aren't safe.  But if there's anything else you need…"

            Her lekku twitched and my jaw nearly dropped.  So she thought that, did she?  What a mouthy brat!  I knew I liked Mission Vao the moment I laid eyes on her.

            "How do a Wookiee and a Twi'lek street urchin end up as best friends?" I asked.  I'd start with casual conversation then work up to the big questions.  That way less credits would have to come out of my pockets.

            Mission shrugged.  "We just kind of fell in together.  It ain't easy on your own here in the Lower City—everyone's always looking to push you around."

            "So we noticed." Carth replied.  "Still you seem like an odd pair."

            "When I met up with Zaalbar it seemed like a good match."  Mission stroked one oiled lekku and gave a sly smile.  "I knew we could look out for each other.  With my street smarts and his muscle, we make a great team."

            "I've got a couple questions if you don't mind." I said. 

            Mission met me with a hard stare.  I sighed and started to shuffle through my pockets.  There was no way I'd get a free tidbit from this one.  Mission Vao was a cold professional.

            She gave me a pleasant grin as I placed some credits in her hand.

            "Well you came to the right person!"  Her voice oozed with honey.  "If you want info on Lower Taris I'm the one to talk to!  Davik, the Lower City gangs… I've even got the scoop on that bounty hunter, Calo Nord."

            I already knew enough to stay away from bounty hunters and I squeezed enough about Davik from Gurney.  Since I was paying for my information now, I had to pick carefully.

            "Tell me about the Lower City gangs."

            "There's only two gangs worth worrying about here: the Black Vulkars and the Hidden Beks.  Sometimes Zaalbar and I hang out at the Bek base."  Mission leaned against the bar.  "The Beks are led by Gadon Thek—he's a good guy.  Lost his sight in a swoop bike accident a few years ago, but even blind he's a great leader.  Not like that traitor, Brejik!"  Her eyes connected with mine and I could feel the hatred pour off of her.  "Before he took over the Vulkars he was a Hidden Bek.  Gadon considered that ungrateful space slug his adopted son."

            "Why did Brejik leave the Hidden Beks?" I asked.  I was going to get my money's worth out of Mission Vao.

            Mission pounded on the bar, eyeing me expectantly as the barkeep turned to us.  Instead of nodding like she expected, I ordered a drink for her.  She glowered when she realized it was only a Ruby Bliel, but her sour look was quickly replaced with her business face.

            "When Gadon went blind everyone thought he'd step down and appoint Brejik in his place."  Mission sipped the Ruby Bliel casually.  "But Gadon figured Brejik wasn't ready yet.  He wanted him to wait a few years.  But Brejik was too impatient."  Her upper lip curled up in a snarl and her lekku flicked, agitated.  "He left to join the Vulkars and ever since he's been waging a war to wipe Gadon and his Beks from the face of Taris!  This gang war in the Lower City is totally the Vulkar's fault.  They're the ones killing everything that moves out on the street.  It's like they've gone insane."

            I looked at Carth, hoping for some sort of input.  He just stood there, nodding, absorbing her words.  I couldn't make sense of that; I had thought Carth was the overtly opinionated one.

            "So, if I was looking for information on those downed Republic escape pods…"  I let my words trail off.  Mission was a smart kid, she understood the hazards lurking behind the simple question.

            "I'd say it was a waste of your time." she said.  Mission plucked the cocktail umbrella from her drink, placed it to her lips and sucking on one end, she continued.  "Of course, if you insisted it was important, I'd tell you to check with one of the street gangs.  They like to loot stuff like that."

            "I'll be going now."  I tossed a few extra credits her way out of gratitude.

            "You going?"  Mission shoved her drink aside.  "Yeah, this dive is pretty boring.  No action around here.  Come on, Big Z, let's go."

            "But I haven't finished eating!"  The Wookiee roared his disapproval.

            "Can't you think about something besides your stomach for five minutes?" Mission snapped.  "Come on—we'll go see if there's anything good to eat at the Bek base."  Mission strolled off with a sulky Wookiee following close behind.

            I laughed.  I could have sworn that my insides were going to burst from my incessant giggling.  Carth was looking at me like I had lost my mind.

            "That kid has such a mouth!" I exclaimed.

            "I didn't think she was that funny." Carth mumbled, his stare turning more peculiar.

            "Can you understand Twi'leki?" I managed between boisterous guffaws.  "She said that you were too old to have a pretty little love-slave like me—gramps!"  I exploded into another fit of cackling.

            Carth looked appalled.