Lower City
Ashla and Carth descended into the Lower City the next morning without issue from the Sith guard. Once they were out of the elevator, they ducked into a small alcove to pull off the stolen Sith uniforms. After stowing them into their backpacks, they searched a nearby apartment complex for any signs of Bastila. Their search was proving futile. There was no sign of the Jedi to be found in the gritty apartments.
Ashla grumbled, "This is getting us nowhere, Carth."
"C'mon, beautiful. We found an abandoned apartment. There's a good possibility she found someplace similar to hide." Carth pulled his blaster from his holster and opened the next apartment door. It looked like it had been abandoned long ago. The table and chairs were caked with dust.
Ashla sat down on the foot locker with a sigh. She took out two water pouches and tossed him one. She kept replaying their argument over and over in her mind. It had been bothering her how they had ended the conversation. Since they left the apartment in the Upper City this morning, she had been debating whether or not to broach the subject.
Might as well get it out in the open, she thought as she finished the water. "Carth, I'd like to discuss something with you."
After a long pause he replied, "you do? Fair enough. What did you want to discuss?"
"I wanted to discuss these issues you seem to have with me."
"See. I knew you wouldn't understand where I was coming from." Carth sighed. "You happen to be one of the most skilled women that I've ever met. You've saved my ass more than once already, and I'm lucky to have you here with me. But, that doesn't mean that I'm going to stop watching you or stop being wary of you. I'm just not built that way."
"And, just what exactly are you watching me for?"
Carth glanced away. A moment passed, then he mumbled, "I don't know. Like I said before, it's probably nothing. But I've been betrayed before by people. I'm not going to let it happen again."
Ashla frowned. "So, you want… What? Some sort of guarantee that I won't betray you?"
Carth shook his head. "There are no guarantees. Not for you, not for me. You don't have to take it personally."
"Don't tell me not to take it personally, you hairless wookiee!" Ashla snapped.
"Hairless wookiee?" Carth laughed. "Alright... just... calm down before your head explodes."
"Don't tell me to calm down, laserbrain!"
"Is that your idea of an insult? C'mon, you can do better than that." He said, smirking.
"Scruffy looking… Gamorrean pig man!"
"Oh, ouch. I think you hurt my man-feelings with that one." Carth chuckled, as he placed his hand over his heart, feigning injury.
Ashla crossed her arms over her chest. "Yeah, well, you had it coming," she grumbled, trying not to laugh. She was finding it difficult to stay mad at him. She could sense he had some unresolved deep seated issues, and her ambiguous past wasn't helping the matter any.
"Hmph. I guess I did." Carth said. "Do you feel better now?"
"Maybe a little, flyboy."
"Good. Look, all I'm saying is… if you're smart, then you won't trust anyone. Not me… Not Bastila… and especially, not yourself."
Ashla strode into the hallway. "Well, I wouldn't want to live like that."
"Not all of us have the luxury of a choice. I'm conditioned this way, sorry."
"I suppose that settles that..." Ashla said with a sigh.
"Why is whether or not I trust you, or anyone, so damned important to you?! Why...why do you even care? Look, we don't have time for this. Can we just drop it? For now, at least?" Carth said in exasperation.
Ashla nodded, then headed down the long corridor with Carth following behind her. His question echoed in her head. Why did she care so much? Fearing the answer, she pushed the thought aside and focused on the mission instead.
So far, I've excelled at pissing her off. Carth grumbled to himself as he watched her stiffly walk ahead of him. She had done nothing to earn his mistrust, in fact, it was quite the opposite. He thought about the times over the past couple of weeks where she had gone out of her way to help someone else. Like Dia. Even this morning, before they left for the Lower City, Ashla stopped to check in on the woman.
Obviously, she trusted him. Her actions alone said that.
But after what happened on Telos, trust was something he just didn't dole out. Ever. However, he had been alone for so long, not letting anyone get close, he had forgotten what it was like to have a friend. He found himself enjoying her company more and more, looking for reasons to make her laugh… to make her smile. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to explain why he was so hesitant to trust anyone. Well… at least, part of it, anyway. He didn't let himself think about the whole reason. The pain was still too great, even after four years.
Javyar's Cantina
Javyar's Cantina was a hive of scum and villainy, Ashla thought as they entered the cantina through the pazaak room. They had barely made it pass the pazaak table, when a bright light flashed and blaster shots rang out. Ashla stood still as three male Rodians fell to the floor, dead. An older fair skinned human strode past them slowly. He wore a long blue overcoat, and carried twin blasters in his hands. He wore a pair of dark goggles. Ashla could feel his menacing stare beneath them. Sensing this man was the cause of the flash and blaster shots, she held his gaze but didn't utter a word to him as he passed.
They walked up to the bar to place their order. Not far from where they sat, a young blue-skinned twi'lek girl stood with her arms crossed over her chest. Ashla watched out of the corner of her eye as two male Rodians swaggered up to the girl. Ashla listened intently in case she might have to intervene.
"Hey! I told you to leave me alone, bug eyes! Give me some space, will ya? Your breath smells like bantha poodoo!" The girl said in Basic.
"Little girl should not be in bar. If girl is smart, she'll run home." One of the Rodians said in Rodese.
"Who are you calling a little girl, chuba-face?" The girl replied.
"Little girl needs a lesson in manners!" The Rodian said, as he put his hand on his blaster.
"Just a sec, boys. Zaalbar, a little help here? I need you to rip some legs off some insects!" The girl motioned toward a Wookiee who was standing over a table laden with food.
"Mission, I just got my food," the Wookiee roared.
Carth glanced at Ashla quizzically. She leaned over and whispered what the Wookiee said. He chuckled softly as he glanced from the Wookiee back to the Rodians.
"Quit complaining! You can finish eating later!" Mission said, with a hand on her hip.
"We want no trouble with the Wookiee. Our problem is with you, little girl!"
"Hmph. If you have a problem with me, then you have a problem with Big Z." Mission said, as she pointed over to the Wookiee.
"Little girl better be glad she has a big friend." The Rodian grumbled as they rushed off.
Carth leaned in close as Ashla whispered the translation. The bartender sat down two Tarisian ales in front of her. She slid one over to Carth as she took a sip. Urgh, I'm never going to get used to this stuff, she thought as it seared its way down her throat. She saw Mission heading their way.
"Hey, you must be new here. I don't recognize you, and I know most of everyone here in Lower City. I guess that makes me and Big Z your official welcoming committee!" The girl smiled warmly at her.
"Thanks. It's kind of rare to meet a Twi'lek who speaks Basic." Ashla said, smiling in return.
"It's not really. Most aliens can speak Basic, they just prefer to use their own language instead. I grew up here on Taris, so I just got used to speaking it."
Carth grinned at the Twi'lek girl. "You showed some guts speaking up to those thugs the way you did, kid. You got a name?"
"My name's Mission Vao. That's my best friend Zaalbar, or Big Z as I call him." Mission motioned to Zaalbar, who was busy eating at the neighboring table.
"So, how does a Wookiee and a street urchin end up as best friends?" Ashla asked.
"Well, we just sort of fell in together. It ain't easy down here in the Lower City, everybody trying to push you around." Mission replied.
"So, could I ask you a question?" Ashla thought that Mission probably had the scoop on just about everything that happened down here in the Lower City.
"Sure! You need info? You came to the right person!" Mission beamed.
"What can you tell us about Davik Kang?" Ashla asked.
"Davik's part of the intergalactic crime syndicate, but I guess everybody knows that! Oh, but I hear he has a new ship! The Ebon Hawk! I don't know much about space travel, but I hear that ship's fast enough to get past the Sith blockade!"
Carth glanced at Ashla with a raised eyebrow. "Where would he keep it? Do you know?"
Mission shrugged. "Well, if he does have one, it'll be locked up on his estate. Nobody gets in there, unless you are working for Davik or the Exchange."
Ashla gave Carth a knowing look. They needed to figure out a way to get their hands on that ship. The bartender sat their food down on the bar behind them. Mission glanced over at their food and then back at them. "Well, I should probably get going now. C'mon, Big Z, let's go!"
"Mission! I haven't finished my food yet!" Zaalbar roared.
"Can you think of something other than your stomach? C'mon, we'll go see if there's anything to eat over at the Bek base." Mission waved goodbye as she left with the reluctant Wookiee.
Ashla and Carth sat quietly at the bar, eating. Ashla thought about the information gleaned from Mission. The Ebon Hawk sounded just like the ship they needed, but with it being owned by a member of the Exchange, it would be nigh impossible to steal.
"Maybe we should find the Hidden Bek base and see if Gadon has heard anything about... our missing friend?" Ashla whispered to Carth.
Carth, chewing slowly, nodded.
After finishing their meal, they wandered around the rest of the cantina. Ashla found Holdan, the guy who put the bounty out on Dia. She ended up having to pay two hundred credits to get him to remove it. Behind her, Carth groaned loudly when he heard the bounty price. He was still grumbling as they left the cantina.
They didn't have far to go to find the Hidden Bek base. The entrance was located not far from the cantina. At first, they were met with some resistance from the lookout stationed at the door. However, when Ashla suggested they could be an ally to the Beks', the guard hesitantly allowed them inside.
Ashla led the way into the main hall, with Carth following close behind. She paused, waiting for him. Up ahead, a couple stood behind a desk. The man was older, but still powerfully built. Tall and dark skinned, the older man exuded power. It was clear this man was Gadon Thek, leader of the Hidden Beks. Beside him stood a pale skinned Twi'lek female, whose lekku was a strata of violet and dark blue hues.
The Twi'lek stopped her when she approached the pair. "Hold it right there! Who are you and what is your business here?"
"Zaerdra, calm down. Nobody is going to try anything right here in the middle of our base." Gadon Thek replied, holding out his hand towards the Twi'lek as his sightless eyes moved toward our direction.
"You're too trusting, Gadon!" Zaerdra said, yet she held her stance, ready to leap into action if it proved necessary. "Brejik and his followers want you dead! Anyone we don't know could be a threat. It's my job to see that you're safe!"
"I will not allow attacking strangers on sight, like the Vulkars do. Step aside, and let them pass." Gadon said.
"Hmph. Fine." Zaerdra said. "But, know this. I'm watching you. You try anything, and you'll be vaporized."
Gadon placed his hands on the desk. "You'll have to forgive Zaerdra. Since this war began with Brejik and his men, she's been a little over zealous in her security duties. Add in the problems from the Sith, Zaerdra seems to have forgotten that I can take care of myself. Now. What can I help you with?"
Ashla glanced at Carth, raising a questioning brow. Carth nodded in agreement. She said, "I need information on the Republic escape pods that crashed in the Under City."
"Hhm. I've heard that the Sith have been asking around Upper City about those escape pods too. But, you don't seem like you're with the Sith." Gadon replied, astutely.
Zaerdra rushed forward. "They could be Sith spies, Gadon!"
Gadon whipped his head toward Zaerdra's direction. "Zaerdra, settle down! If the Sith suspected we had anything to do with those Republic escape pods, they would have sent a squad of troops down here! No, I think this offworlder has her own agenda."
Ashla raised her hands before her. "My name's Ash. This is my friend, Carth. I assure you, we're not working for the Sith."
Gadon was silent, weighing his options. He sensed no deception from the pair standing before him. "Hmmm. I suppose I could tell you what I know. It won't do any harm to me or mine, and it might cause problems for the Vulkars. That's alright in my book." Gadon nodded before continuing, "the Vulkars stripped those pods clean within hours after they landed. It's too bad we didn't get there first, considering what my spies reported the Vulkars found. A female Republic officer named Bastila survived the crash. She was taken prisoner. Now, we Beks don't hold with intergalactic slavery, but unfortunately, the Vulkars do."
Ashla glanced over at Carth, who stood stiffly beside her. His mouth was set in a thin line, and his hands were clenched tightly. Turning back to Gadon, "what will happen to her now?"
Gadon rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "Normally when the Vulkars have a captured slave, they will sell them off to Davik or an off-world slaver. However, a Republic officer is no ordinary catch."
Carth crossed his arms over his chest and glanced over at Ashla, "They think Bastila is just a Republic officer. This could work in our advantage. She might even find a way to escape the Vulkar base on her own."
Gadon shook his head. "I'm afraid she's too valuable to leave with the Vulkar scum at the base. No, Brejik will have moved her to a much more secure location until the big swoop race. You'll never find her."
"Swoop race? What does the swoop race have to do with Bastila?" Ashla asked.
Gadon swiveled his head toward the sound of Ashla's voice. "I'm afraid your friend has become a pawn in Brejik's game to take over Lower City. He's offered her up as Vulkar's share of the prize in the annual swoop gang race. By putting up such a grand prize, Brejik is hoping to win the loyalty of the smaller gangs, which he could use to finally destroy me and my followers."
Ashla stood deep in thought. There's no way we'll be able take on all those street gangs. There has to be another way, she thought.
Carth echoed her thoughts aloud. "So, how do you propose we go about rescuing Bastila then? We can't fight all these street gangs."
"Your only hope of rescuing your friend will be to somehow win the season opener of the swoop race." Gadon said.
Ashla eyes grew wide. Win the swoop race?! She cut her eyes over to Carth to see him run his hands over his face in frustration. "Gadon, is there any way you can help us with this?"
Gadon leaned down, placing his fingertips on the desk before him, deep in thought. Ashla and Carth were silent as Gadon tapped his fingers in concentration. Gadon nodded to himself, like he had come to a conclusion. "I might be able to help you, if you are willing to help me. We both have something to gain here. Something to lose as well."
"What are you proposing, Gadon?" Ashla asked.
Gadon rapped the desk with his knuckles. "The swoop race is for the Lower City gangs only. Now, I could sponsor one of you as the Beks' rider this year. If you win, then you'll win your friend's freedom. But first, I need you to do something for me. My mechanics developed an accelerator for a swoop engine. A bike with this accelerator installed is sure to beat any other bike out there. But, the Vulkars stole the prototype from me and they plan to use it to guarantee a win for themselves. I need you to break into the Vulkar's base and steal it back."
Ashla rubbed her forehead, trying to ease the tension away. "How do you suggest I get into the Vulkar's base?"
"Getting in won't be easy. The front doors are kept locked down tight. Your best bet is to sneak in the back, through the sewers. I know just the person to guide you. Mission Vao. She's explored every inch of Under City and the sewers. If anyone can get inside that base, it'll be her."
Mission, the Twi'lek girl from the cantina. Ashla nodded. "Where can I find Mission?"
Gadon grinned. "Your best bet is to look for her in the Undercity. But you'll need a way to get past the Sith guard."
"We have Sith uniforms we could use to get past the guard." Ashla said.
"Hm. Those might have worked on the Upper City guard, but to get into the Undercity you'll need authorization papers. You happen to be in luck. I have some that I would be willing to trade you in exchange for those uniforms. With these security papers, you won't need a disguise anyway."
Ashla looked over at Carth, who nodded in agreement. "You have a deal. We'll be back once we have the prototype."
They unloaded the Sith uniforms on the desk before Gadon, who then handed her two sets of authorization papers.
"Good. I suggest you hurry. The race is coming up soon. You'll need plenty of time to practice beforehand."
The Undercity
Mission loved when she and Zaalbar would explore the sewers in the Undercity. The thrill of finding a new area, searching through lost remains, and reading old datapads. There was always something to find down in the old dank smelly maze.
Zaalbar groaned, "I want to go back to the Bek base. It smells down here."
"You always say that, Big Z. C'mon, quit complaining!" Mission laughed.
The unlikely duo rounded the corner. Abruptly, Mission stopped laughing. Ahead of them was a troop of Gamorrean slavers.
Zaalbar growled menacingly, jumping to stand in front of Mission. Zaalbar pulled his bowcaster from his back, releasing a barrage of blaster bolts. "Mission! Run!"
Mission pulled her blaster from its holster, and aimed at the nearest Gamorrean. There were too many of them. The Gamorrean slavers had overtaken Zaalbar, pinning the mighty Wookiee to the floor. One of the Gamorreans headed for her. Mission aimed and fired, while Zaalbar roared, "Run!"
Seeing that the Gamorreans had secured Zaalbar with cuffs and were coming after her, she turned and fled, firing her blaster as she ran.
Upper City Apartment
Carth set the takeout boxes on the small table. They had returned to the apartment after leaving the Bek base to recoup and rest up for tomorrow's trip into the Undercity, and hopefully, the Vulkar base, if they could locate Mission and enlist her help. Hearing the shower still running, he sat down wearily in the chair. The news of Bastila's being taken prisoner weighed heavily on his mind. This mission has gone from complicated to damn near impossible, he thought. Breaking into the base, 'sure, I can handle that,' Carth thought, but the thought of Bastila's freedom hinged upon whether or not one of them won a race was damn well infuriating. Carth pinched the bridge of his nose as he let out a frustrated sigh.
The shower cut off, and several minutes later, Ashla walked out of the refresher, towel drying her hair. Unopened takeout boxes sat in the center of the table. Carth sat with his eyes closed, rubbing his forehead. Placing her hand lightly on his shoulder, she asked, "hey, are you alright?"
Carth looked up at her with tired eyes. "I'll manage, beautiful."
Ashla smiled. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she liked it when he called her by the pet name. "Alright, most handsome pilot in the galaxy." Ashla laughed. "That's a lot to say, flyboy."
Carth laughed softly, "so it is, beautiful. 'Handsome' will do just fine." He said with a wink.
Ashla gave his shoulder a light squeeze before sitting down beside him at the small table. "It's been a long day." She opened the box Carth handed her to find it contained the savory noodles with vegetables she mentioned that she liked. He may have his faults, but he certainly has his moments, she thought warmly as she picked up the chopsticks and lifted the steaming noodles.
After they finished eating, Ashla asked, "could we talk, Carth?"
"What? Do you want to argue some more?" He replied tiredly.
Ashla smiled wickedly at him. "Well, I'm always up for a fight," she said with a wink.
Carth chuckled softly, "you're really something. I can't say I've ever met a woman quite like you before."
A long moment of silence stretched between them.
"No, Carth, I don't want to argue." She said softly.
Carth let out a tired sigh. "Listen, I just don't trust easily…" he began.
Ashla interjected quickly, "yes, I know. You have your reasons. I understand that. I just wanted to say that it might help if you talked about it to someone. I'll listen… when you are ready." She set her hand on his before rising to stand beside him.
Carth sighed, "five years ago, the Jedi had just finished the war with the Mandolarians. I was damn proud to have served in Revan and Malak's fleet. Then they turned on us. They attacked the Republic while we were still vulnerable, weakened from the war. No one knew what to think. They were our heroes, and now they had become brutal, conquering Sith."
A sliver of dread crept down her spine while the names Revan and Malak echoed in her head.
"We were all but helpless." Carth continued. "Think about it. If you can't trust the best of the Jedi, then who can you trust?"
Ashla sat back down beside him. "I suppose you can't. That must have been hard to take."
Carth released a sigh. "I… it wasn't just that. There were men. Good men, trusted men… who turned on us and joined their cause. Malak and Revan, they deserve to die… with all that they have done. But the men who turned on us, they deserve far worse. The dark side had nothing to do with why they joined the Sith."
"I haven't joined the Sith, Carth. I'm just trying to help."
He sat, eyes downcast, looking at her hand holding his. "I know. I owe you an apology. I've gotten so accustomed to expecting the worst in people, and you've done nothing to deserve that."
Ashla squeezed his hand gently. "I accept your apology, though it's not necessary. I feel there's more to this than what you're saying. You can tell me when you're ready. I'll listen."
Carth woke to the smell of freshly brewed caff, and the sounds of bags rustling. Opening his eyes, he saw Ashla already dressed, and loading their backpacks. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, he grabbed his pants and pulled them on as he stood. Yawning, he crossed the room to get a cup of caff. "Ash, how long have you been up?" he asked as he checked the packed bags and gear.
Ashla walked out of the refresher, a hairpin sticking out of her mouth, while she wound her hair in a low bun at the nape of her neck. "Awhile. I couldn't sleep," she said after she secured the bun in place with the hairpin. "We need to get going soon."
Carth glanced out the window to see the sun was just now rising. "Ash, it's early. The sun is just now coming up. What's the rush?"
"I don't know. A feeling. I can't describe it."
A feeling? Carth raised his eyebrows. He drank his caff as he finished getting dressed and putting on his gear. He looked up to see that she had equipped a second vibroblade, in addition to the one she usually carried. She finished putting on the few armor pieces she had accumulated over the past couple of weeks, and slipped her backpack on over her shoulders. "Ready?" She asked him as she held out his pack.
Carth nodded. "What kind of feeling?" He asked as they left the apartment. He'd been in enough battles to know sometimes those little indescribable feelings can save your skin.
"Like I said, I don't know. It's just this feeling we need to be in the Undercity soon. I can't explain it." Ashla said, anxiously.
"Ahh, how much of that caff did you drink this morning, beautiful?" he asked, as he jogged to keep up with her as they made their way to the elevator leading to the Lower City. She's not normally in this much of a hurry, especially in the morning, he thought.
"Not nearly enough, flyboy." She said with a grin.
Undercity
Gadon's authorization papers got them past the guard manning the elevator which descended down to the Undercity. When the doors of the lift opened, they were faced with the extreme poverty that was the Undercity.
Located on the ground level of Taris, the Undercity was a pit of deprivation, hopelessness, and despair. No natural light penetrated from the concrete levels above. The houses were little more than ramshackle huts made from salvaged materials. Weariness and malnutrition lined the faces of people who called this place home.
A large metal gated fence separated the village from where the rakghouls roamed. A man was running toward the gate, yelling for the guardsman to open it.
"Open the gate." Ashla said to the man posted at the gate.
"No, upworlder. He knew the risks when he went past the village." The man shook his head, fear in his eyes.
Ashla gazed past the fence at the monstrous creatures. Some were mottled in color, while others were a gray-greenish hue, with large claws and fearsome razor sharp teeth. The man was almost at the gate, but two rakghouls were dangerously close to him.
"Open the gate." She repeated. "We know the danger."
"You would risk yourself for a stranger? You are brave, upworlder. You'll have to hurry. I can't keep it open for long." The man replied, nervously.
The guardsman opened the gate long enough for Ashla and Carth to hurry past. It felt as if her vibroblades leapt into her hands, as she rushed past the villager to attack the rakghouls that were chasing him. She heard blaster shots as Carth opened fire upon the beasts. After the last rakghoul was down, Ashla turned to the terrified villager.
"Are you hurt?" Ashla looked over the villager for signs of any scratches or bites. He appeared to be unharmed.
"No. I'm fine. Thank you, upworlder! I would give you something to show my thanks, but I have nothing to give." The man said as Ashla walked him back to the gate.
"Your thanks is enough, friend." Ashla said warmly as the guardsman opened the gate, and the villager passed through. She nodded to the guardsman who closed the gate behind the villager.
Ashla turned to Carth. "Let's go. Mission could be anywhere down here."
Mission was afraid. It had been a long time since she had been this frightened, not since her brother Griff left her stranded on Taris. Zaalbar was her best friend, the only family she had left. Now he was gone. She knew better than to go to the Beks' asking for someone to help her get Zaalbar away from the slavers. Gadon said numerous times it was too dangerous in the Undercity and refused to send his people down there.
She decided since no one was going to help her free Big Z, she'd just have to do it herself. Now that she was down in the Undercity without Zaalbar to help her face down the rakghouls and thugs, she was scared.
Mission heard the rakghoul before it got close and she pulled out her blaster, aiming at the monstrous beast. Now there were more rakghouls closing in on her. Mission turned and fled, firing at the beasts as she ran. In the distance, Mission saw the couple she had met yesterday in the cantina. She ran towards them.
"Please! You have to help me! Nobody else will help me! Not even the Beks' will help me!" Mission cried.
Ashla pushed Mission behind her, as she unclipped her blades. Blaster shots rained down on the two rakghouls that had been chasing Mission as Ashla leaped toward one, thrusting her blades upon it. The ghouls landed at her feet in a heap.
"Whoa, Mission, what's wrong?" Ashla said, as she clipped the blades back onto her belt.
"It's Zaalbar! We have to help him! Please, you have to help me!" Mission said in a panicked rush.
Ashla glanced up at Carth, who was watching in concern. Ashla placed a comforting hand on Mission's shoulder. "Slow down, take a deep breath, and tell us what happened, Mission."
Mission inhaled slowly. "Me… me and Zaalbar were down in the sewers, exploring like we normally do. But, there was a group of Gamorrean slave hunters waiting for us! Zaalbar tried to fight them off, yelling for me to run! There were too many of them! We have to go find him or they'll sell him into slavery!"
Carth nodded. "Alright, Mission, we'll help you get Zaalbar away from the slavers, but we need your help too."
Ashla smiled warmly at the girl. "Mission, My name is Ashla, and this is Carth. We didn't introduce ourselves yesterday. I promise we'll help you free Zaalbar, but Carth is right. We need your help."
Mission looked from Carth, then back to Ashla. "Okay. Why do you need my help?"
"We need to sneak in the back entrance of the Vulkars' base, and Gadon suggested you could show us the way." Ashla said, plainly.
Mission chewed on her bottom lip as she debated whether or not to help the pair. They were her best bet to get Zaalbar back. "Okay, okay. You got a deal. As soon as we get Zaalbar back, I'll show you the way into the Vulkar base. We'll have to go in through the sewers, besides that's probably where they are holding Big Z!"
Mission led the way to the entrance to the sewers. Ashla noticed a Sith patrol guard's corpse as they walked past. She knelt down and quickly checked the corpse's belt for anything valuable. In one of the pockets, she found a small vial labeled serum. This must be the rakghoul serum that Doctor Forn had told her about. Quickly, she placed the valuable vial into her pack. As soon as we return to the Upper City, I'll make sure the doctor gets this antidote. Ashla jogged to catch up to Mission and Carth as they headed down into the sewers.
Luckily, Mission knew her way around the odoriferous twisting maze that was the Undercity sewers, which were full of rakghouls and Gamorreans. They searched for Zaalbar for most of the morning. Coming upon an empty room, Ashla sat on a crate. Peeling off her gloves, she stuffed them in one of the pockets in her pack. Ashla looked at the ration bars and waters she packed this morning, and was thankful she had thought to pack extra. She took out a few waters, tossing one to Carth and Mission. Grabbing a few of the ration bars out, she tossed one to Carth, then to Mission as well.
"They're not the best, but it's edible." Ashla said as Mission caught the bar.
"Hey, thanks." Mission replied as she quickly unwrapped the bar, and took a bite.
"Mission, tell us a bit about yourself." Ashla said before taking a bite of her ration bar.
Mission's eyes widened. "Me? You want to know about me? Wow, nobody's ever asked about me before! Whatcha wanna know?"
Carth chuckled at Mission's enthusiasm. "Where are your parents? You seem pretty young," he said.
"Oh, my parents died a long time ago. And, I'm not that young! I'm fourteen, y'know! It was just me, on my own when I found Big Z. He's my family now."
"That must have been tough. How did you meet Zaalbar?" Ashla asked. The Lower City was rough, she could only imagine how a child left alone could have fared. It sounds like Mission was lucky to have met Zaalbar.
"I saw Big Z in Lower City one day. I could tell right away he was in big trouble! This was before the gang wars were all out of hand, but even then a few of those Vulkars were scum. A few of them were hassling Zaalbar, trying to pick a fight. But Big Z, he wasn't looking for trouble."
Carth laughed. "Who'd want to pick a fight with a wookiee?"
"Well, nobody said the Vulkars were very bright." Mission laughed. "I dunno. There were three of them against Big Z, I guess they thought they could take him. Anyways… I don't like the Vulkars at the best of times, but to see them picking on a poor wookiee, who was scared and overwhelmed by the big city. Man, I lost it! I yelled, 'Leave him alone, you core-slimes!' and charged at them!"
Ashla laughed at how animated Mission was. She could tell having Mission around that there would not be a dull moment. "What happened then?"
"Well, one of them saw me coming, and slapped me so hard, he just about knocked me out!"
Ashla glanced over at Carth, to see his face had taken on a dark scowl. Clearly, he didn't like the idea of anyone treating a child so harshly.
Mission continued on with her story. "I guess Zaalbar didn't like seeing me get smacked around like that. He let out this howl and yanked that Vulkar up off the ground, holding him by his throat."
Ashla pulled her gloves back on, and rose from the crate. "Did Zaalbar kill them?"
Mission's eyes grew wide. "Oh no, Big Z's a big softie. Although, they didn't know that! Those Vulkars ran out of there screaming! I knew those thugs would be back, probably with more, so I grabbed Zaalbar and we took off. We've been together ever since!"
Mission pulled her pack back on, and led them out of the room down another set of corridors. The trio crept silently down the passageways, attacking the Gamorreans guards they encountered and the rakghouls that roamed the corridors.
They rounded another corner, when Mission pointed out an old rusty lock on one of the doors. "Hey, this is one of those old fashioned locks, no computer codes or nothing. The sewers are about the only place you would see these on Taris." Mission said as she examined the lock.
"Can you unlock it?" Carth asked, as he peered at the ancient looking lock.
"You're in luck. I happen to have come across these old style locks before and have rigged up a little device that should do the trick." Mission said, as she removed a small device from her pack which she hooked up to the lock. Mission pressed a button on the device, and a moment later, the door opened with a whoosh.
Ashla unclipped both vibroblades, and slipped into a ready stance as the doors opened. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw that Carth had his blasters aimed and ready as well. A large brown Wookiee ran out of the room.
"Mission! You are a treat for sore eyes!" Zaalbar roared. "Who's that with you?"
Mission ran up to Zaalbar and gave him a huge hug. "These are my new friends! They helped me find you! Without them, I could have never gotten you out!"
"It's nice to meet you, Zaalbar. My name is Ashla. This is Carth." Ashla replied, as she reclipped the blades to her belt.
"You know the language of my people? That's rare among your species. I'm impressed." Zaalbar gruffed. "You have saved me from a lifetime of slavery and servitude. There is only one way that I can repay you. I will swear a life debt to you."
"A life debt? Are you sure about that Big Z?" Mission said, her eyes were like saucers.
"I am sure, Mission. This is an issue of great importance to me. Because of our great size, Wookiees are often used as slave labor, even on our homeworld. They see us as brutes, and animals to be exploited. Over the years, slavers have taken away many of my people. When the Gamorreans captured me, I thought I was doomed to a life of servitude. I have been saved from such a terrible fate. The only way I can repay that is through a life debt."
"Big Z swearing a life debt to you is major! Do you realize what this means?" Mission asked, clearly stunned by Zaalbar's decision.
Ashla was astonished by this turn of events. "Well. Yes, it's a loyalty vow. Right?" She glanced at Carth, who watched with a raised brow.
"It's more than that. It's the most solemn vow a wookiee can make. It means he'll stay by your side for the rest of your life. Wherever you go, whatever you do, Zaalbar will be with you." Mission said.
It would dishonor Zaalbar if she refused to accept the life debt. Ashla saw no other option but to graciously accept this gift the wookiee was offering her. "Zaalbar, I am honored to accept your vow." Ashla said, as she bowed her head.
"Well, I guess this means you're stuck with me too. Wherever Big Z goes, I go." Mission said, grinning.
Ashla moved to stand next to Carth. "What do you think, flyboy?"
"A street smart kid, and her wookiee best friend along for the ride? I think they'll be a big help sneaking into that base." He laughed. "You do have a way with people, beautiful." Carth said with a wink.
"Welcome aboard, Mission." Ashla said with a grin.