Chapter 3: The Upper City
Ashla waited while Carth entered the code locking the apartment. Her fingers tapped a rhythm against the hilt of her vibroblade. The hallway was wide, curving around the interior of the complex building. The metallic floor tiles were etched with a design mimicking the buildings which she could see through the transparisteel windows that segmented around the outer wall. Inset lights illuminated brightly overhead.
"Ready?" Carth asked. He glanced down at her fingers, still tapping on her vibroblade's hilt.
Ashla stilled her fingers, and nodded soundlessly before striding down the hallway. Carth stood still for a moment before following behind her.
She crossed over to look out one of the windows at the gleaming city which spread across the entirety of Taris. She tried to remember if she had ever been here before the accident. Try as she might, she drew a blank. There was nothing she could remember from before waking up on Coruscant in the hospital. Even that was a blur.
"Have you ever been to Taris before?" Carth asked as he stopped to stand beside her at the window.
His question drew her back to the present. Ashla looked away from the magnificent view. "No. Well, not that I can remember…"
Carth was about to ask what she meant when yells echoing down the long corridor caught their attention. Ashla's head whipped around at the commotion. Her eyes narrowed before she took off towards the shouting. "What the hell?" Carth said, as he sprinted after her.
"Okay, you alien scum! Everybody up against the wall! This is a raid!" The Sith soldier said cruelly as he brandished his blaster.
Ashla stopped behind the Sith soldier and the two battle droids flanking him. Two male Duros stood in front of the Sith soldier, one attempting to reason with the Sith.
"There was a patrol here yesterday! They found nothing! Why do you Sith keep bothering us?" The Duros asked in his native language of Durese.
Without responding, the Sith soldier opened fire, blasting him down coldly. Anger washed over her as she watched one of the Duros fall in a crumpled mass. Behind her, she heard Carth's sharp intake of breath.
The Sith soldier sneered, shaking his blaster rifle at the other Duros male, "That's how we Sith deal with smart mouthed aliens! Now, up against the wall before I lose my temper again!" The Sith soldier turned his head to see Ashla and Carth standing behind him. "What's this?! Humans hiding with aliens? They're Republic fugitives! Attack!"
Without thinking, Ashla unclipped the vibroblade from her belt, and charged at the Sith soldier. Blaster shots flew past her as she closed in on the Sith soldier. Ashla raised the vibroblade up as it hummed with power, slashing it down on the soldier. Carth quickly drew his blaster and opened fire upon one of the battle droids. It powered down in a smoldering heap. The Sith soldier landed with a thud beside the damaged droid. Carth aimed at the remaining droid unleashing a volley of shots upon it. The droid toppled over, creaking, as it powered down.
Ashla ran over to the Duros, who was standing over by the wall. "Are you hurt?" She asked in concern. The Duros shook his head. The man was shaken, but luckily unharmed.
"Poor Ixgil. He should never have talked back to that Sith. Thankfully you were here to step in and help us, human. This isn't the first time the Sith have come in here to cause trouble for us, but hopefully it will be the last." The Duros said in Durese.
"I'm just glad we could help. Won't someone come searching for this patrol?" Ashla looked down at the smoldering remains.
"Don't worry about the bodies. I will move them so it looks like they were killed elsewhere. That should throw the Sith off the track. With any luck, they won't be bothering us again for a while." The Duros said, motioning to the soldier's remains on the floor.
Ashla bent over and picked up the Sith soldier's blaster rifle, and quickly checked his pockets for credits. She checked to make sure the safety was on before placing it in the bag with the rest of the gear they were going to try and sell. Craning her head to look back at him, she waited while he holstered his blaster. Together they walked toward the elevator leading out into Upper City.
Carth leaned against the elevator wall. "What did the Duros say?" He knew her understanding of so many different alien languages would come in handy. She seemed to be able to communicate easily with the Duros male. He stole a quick glance at her. Her face was very pale against the contrast of the deep red color of her hair.
Ashla glanced up at him. She related what the Duros man said. "I'm sorry, I didn't think to translate earlier. I'll try to remember in the future." She pressed her hand to her head, trying to quell the dull ache, massaging her temples.
Carth glanced over to see holding her head in her hand. "You okay?"
Ashla nodded as the elevator doors opened to reveal the city spread before them. The buildings shone brightly as sunlight illuminated their surfaces. Ashla walked out into the fresh air, inhaling deeply. Not far off in the distance, she saw the remains of their crashed pod. Two salvage droids were scanning the pod, presumably checking for any useful materials that might have been overlooked by other scavengers. She glanced from the pod back to Carth, who stood a bit behind her.
"We shouldn't linger here." Carth said, as he walked up beside her, glancing over at the Sith patrol guards walking up and down the passageways. "The building janitor told me of a place we could sell some gear. Kelba Yurt's Equipment Emporium. It's just right across the way from here. There's a cantina over that way too."
Giving one last glance at the crashed pod, Ashla headed in the direction Carth pointed out. Glancing down at her Republic jacket and dark blue pants, she realized how much she stood out among the denizens of Taris. "Perhaps I should pick up a new set of clothes," Ashla murmured.
"Not a bad idea," Carth agreed, noting that most of the people roaming around the city wore shades of brown and black.
They found the emporium easily enough. The shop was brightly lit and well kept. The shelves were almost bare. The shopkeeper, an attractive young woman with curly short black hair, beautiful dark brown skin and startling blue eyes, greeted them warmly as they walked up the counter.
"Hello there! I haven't seen you in the shop before… let me introduce myself. My name is Kelba Yurt. Welcome to the Equipment Emporium. You looking to buy some supplies? My shop's the largest one in all of Upper Taris. Best selection on the planet. Whatever you need, I've got. Well, mostly." Kelba said with a smile.
"Mostly? What do you mean by that?" Carth asked as he arched a quizzical eyebrow.
Kelba smiled. "The Sith confiscated all my heavy weapons. They impounded all my ships and swoop bikes, too. But, I still have a very nice selection, if you're interested." She smiled suggestively at Carth, as she leaned against the counter.
Ashla suppressed a laugh as she watched as Carth's cheeks reddened slightly. She said, "ahem, could I see a list of what you have to sell? Also, we have some items we'd like to see if you would be interested in buying."
"Sure." Kelba, without taking her eyes off of Carth, reached down and picked up a datapad that had been lying on the countertop. She handed it to Ashla saying, "Because of the Sith quarantine I haven't been able to stock any new inventory. Ahh, and another thing, the prices are final. No bargaining. This isn't a swap meet, okay? I'll take a look at your items you are wanting to sell while you look over the inventory."
Ashla nodded her thanks while removing the bag slung over her shoulder. She pulled out the blasters and blaster rifles she had picked off of the Sith troopers during her escape from the Endar Spire and set them on the counter. She and Carth looked over the inventory list and picked out the supplies they would need. Transactions complete, Carth thanked Kelba for her help, picked up half of the bags, and strode towards the exit. Ashla hung back for a moment.
"Did you need something else?" Kelba leaned her elbows on the counter, waiting.
"I was wondering if there was a clinic nearby?" Ashla asked.
"Yes, of course! Head east from here, there is a clinic run by Zelka Forn."
"Thank you." Ashla replied as she picked up the rest of the bags and exited the shop, mentally adding medpacks and bandages to their supply list.
They walked in silence back to the apartment. The corridor where they had encountered the clash between the Duros and Sith soldier was clean. No remnants were left of the violent encounter. After putting away the supplies, Ashla changed out of her Republic blues into the new form-fitting black pants, a white undershirt, and a brown jacket.
Carth sat at the table rereading Ashla's service record on his datapad. Her service record noted that she was from Deralia, and had a large command of an array of different alien languages, plus the ability to use both ranged and melee weapons. She had been in an accident and suffered head trauma, resulting in some temporary memory loss. Well, that explains the large scar on her forehead and not remembering if she had ever been to Taris before, he thought. She had been on one previous assignment, The Radient. He was curious as to why the Jedi had requested her transfer, when she had little to no experience. However, the transfer request was listed as classified, with no other information listed.
He looked up as she came out of the refresher to fasten her belt around her slim waist. He shut off the datapad and slipped it back inside the inner pocket of his jacket. He drummed his fingers on the table, debating on whether or not he should ask about why the Jedi would request a transfer for her, specifically.
Ashla motioned that she was ready to go. They were heading back out into the Upper City to visit the clinic Kelba Yurt suggested to stock up on medical supplies. They walked in silence toward the clinic. Carth lagged behind allowing her to walk ahead of him, still debating rather or not to ask about her past. After a few moments, she stopped and waited for him to catch up.
"Something on your mind, Carth?" Ashla asked quietly. She wondered why he looked so tense. She had noticed that he seemed preoccupied since they left the Emporium, but after he had shut down her questions this morning regarding his past, she was wary of asking him about it.
"Is it that noticeable?" he asked.
Ashla laughed. "Yes, it is."
"Okay. Let me ask you a question." Carth said as he raked one hand through his hair.
"Alright. But you have to answer one for me too." Ashla smiled at him. Two can play at this game, she thought.
"Hmmm." Carth frowned as he crossed his arms over his chest, deep in thought. He released a deep sigh. "Fair enough. What did you do before you enlisted with the Republic?"
"I worked on droids, mostly. I had a shop that I worked out of on Deralia. Anything from rebuilding them to reprogramming to simple repairs." At least, that's what the doctors told me anyway, she thought, but kept that information to herself.
"Why did you enlist?" Carth asked curiously.
Ashla shook her head as she sat down on a nearby park bench. "Looking for a fresh start, I suppose." She looked out over the city. "Okay. Your turn."
"Huh?"
Ashla stared at him for a moment. Oh, nice try, she thought. "It's your turn to tell me about yourself."
Carth asked, "Oh, what did you want to know."
"I just want to know more about you. I mean, I don't know much at all about you at all. I don't have your service record to read."
Carth arched an eyebrow at her. She arched one in return. Smiling, she crossed her legs and waited.
After a long pause, Carth sighed. Running his hands through his hair, he responded, "Well, I've been a star pilot for the Republic for years. I've seen more than my share of war. I fought in the Mandalorian Wars before all this started. But with all that, I've never experienced anything like the slaughter these Sith animals can unleash. Not even the Mandalorians were that senseless. My home world was one of the first planets to fall to Malak's fleet. The Sith bombed it into submission, and there wasn't a damn thing our Republic forces could do to stop them!"
Ashla frowned. "Carth, you're talking like this is your fault. Like you failed somehow." she said.
"Well, it shouldn't be my fault. I did everything I could. I followed my orders. I did my duty. That shouldn't mean that I failed them."
Ashla rose to stand in front of him. "Carth, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."
"I know. Don't worry about it. Listen, you probably mean well with your questions, but I'm just not used to talking about my past. At all, really. I'm more used to taking action.. Keeping my mind focused on the task at hand. So, let's just do that."
Ashla watched as Carth stalked off in the direction of the clinic. Them? I wonder who he thinks he failed? His homeworld? Or someone closer to him? She shook her head as she followed behind him, jogging to catch up.
#
They walked in silence the rest of the way to the clinic. Upon entering they were greeted, albeit somewhat rudely, by the younger man working the counter beside the medical droid. Another older man, with dark brown skin, graying mustache, and a very receding hairline, rushed up to greet them, glaring at his employee.
"I can tell by your appearance that you are off-worlders. Still, you are welcome here. I'll not have it said that Zelka Forn refused to help someone just because they were not a citizen of Taris! Do you require healing or medical supplies? I can treat almost any injury or ailment right here in the clinic, except for rakghoul disease, that is." Zelka Forn said in a rush.
Ashla glanced over at Carth, arching one eyebrow. Carth shrugged in response, and walked back up to the front counter to start their order, leaving her to talk with the doctor. Rakghoul disease? Recovering quickly, she responded, "Uhh, hi. We are looking to purchase some medical supplies. But, uh, what is the rakghoul disease?"
"You've not heard of the rakghoul disease? Well, it's a dreadful virus which can be transmitted by a scratch or a bite from the inflicted causing the body to mutate into a horrific creature." Zelka Forn stated.
Ashla grimaced in spite of herself. "And, there's no cure for this...disease?"
"No, not yet, anyway. I've heard that the Republic scientists at the military base were close to perfecting a cure before the Sith arrived. Then the Sith overtook the base, and they have refused all access to the laboratories inside. The Sith are keeping the serum for the patrols they send into the Undercity. If I could get a hold of a sample of that serum, the disease could be wiped out! But I don't see how that's going to happen."
Ashla paced, deep in thought. Undoubtedly, they were going to encounter plenty of Sith patrols in their search for Bastila. If they happened upon a sample of this serum, it would be in the best interest of the people of Taris to make sure it got into the right hands. She sensed that Zelka Forn was sincere in his desire to help those inflicted with the disease. "What if I could get my hands on a sample for you?" She whispered to the doctor.
Zelka Forn looked at her in astonishment. "Well, I don't see how anyone could get their hands on the serum. The military base is crawling with Sith guards. It would be a suicide mission to break in there. Although, I suppose the patrols in the Undercity might have a sample of the serum on them, if they hadn't already used it. I doubt a patrol guard would just hand over the serum. Nobody's stupid enough to attack one of the Sith patrols, even down in the Undercity!" He said in hushed tones, not wanting to be overheard.
Ashla glanced back at Carth, who was busy telling the young employee, whose name badge listed as Gurney, the list of supplies they would need. She turned back to Zelka and whispered, "Hmm. If I happen to come across a sample of that serum… I'll make sure you get it."
Zelka's eyes grew wide, whispering furiously, "Please don't say that! If the Sith catch wind of this, they might think that I suggested for you to start attacking their patrols! They could shut me down! Listen. I only mentioned the serum to you because you asked. I don't actually expect someone to get it for me." Zelka spoke louder, "Now, is there anything else that I can do for you today?"
Ashla shook her head no and thanked him for his time. Gurney had finished gathering up the supplies they needed. She walked over to where Carth was waiting for their order. Gurney handed her the bag mumbling, "if you get your hands on that rakghoul serum take it to Zax in the Lower City bounty office. He works for Davik, and he'll make it worth your while."
#
"What was that all about?" Carth asked as we walked over to the cantina from the clinic. He waited for Ashla to catch up, after she had stopped to put the medical supplies in the backpack she had purchased at Kelba's shop earlier that day.
"What? The rakghoul serum?" They walked side by side, talking low. Ashla reached up to adjust the straps on the backpack to keep it from sliding around on her back.
"Yea." Carth glanced down at her. The copper strands of her hair were glinting from the sun. Her face was still pale, but she didn't look as peaked as she did this morning. The wind had blown the wisps of hair, which had escaped from her braid, away from her face, showing the faint silvery lines of the scar extending from her hairline to her eyebrow.
"Doctor Forn was telling me about the rakghoul disease. It sounds horrific, Carth! Have you heard of this before?" She looked up at him, grimacing.
"I've heard of it, but never seen anyone who had been inflicted before."
"Well, it would seem that it's prevalent in the Undercity. We may end up encountering it while we're searching for Bastila." She said, raising her hand to shield her eyes from the sun as she looked up at Carth. "It seems the Republic was close to developing a cure for the disease before the Sith took over. Doctor Forn was telling me that the patrol guards are said to have a sample of the serum on them in order to prevent them from getting it if they get bit or scratched by someone inflicted by the disease."
"Alright." He replied. "And?" He waited for her to reply.
"And... I told Forn that if I got a sample of the serum, I would make sure he got it." Ashla said quietly.
Carth stopped walking and stared at her. "Just what makes you think that we'll find a sample of this serum?"
Ashla realized that he had stopped and turned around to face him. She looked around at the people walking beside them. The Sith guards patrolling the walkway. This is not a good place to be talking, she thought as she moved to stand in front of Carth. She spoke in a low voice, "Carth, we are bound to with how many Sith guards are down there. Besides, it's the right thing to do. C'mon, we shouldn't be talking about this here. Let's go. I'm hungry enough I could eat a bantha."