Chapter 2
Burning.
Hacking.
Biting.
Thump thump thump. Under-skin river. Under world river. Life…death. Knows betrayal in the heart; has been betrayed and will betray in the end. Master, rescuer, liberator.
Thump. Thump thump- do you know its staccato beat? Under skin river, under world river. Blood. Shades. Shadows. Golden rays. Not a sun. Yellow burning. Sentinel. Red. Blood. Blaze. Clash!
Snap—hiss light saber. Hunted!
Beauty. Rage. Anger.
Blood.
Explosions.
Remember who you are.
Raven with yellow eyes. A face painted in blood.
Grey eyes stared out in resolution of what must be done. Porcelain features schooled into an expression resolve. The hand sure and steady as it raised a yellow bladed saber. This day would be the end… REVAN.
Skye pushed away from the explosion- pushed away from the dream- from the haze that followed such nightmares. Her head still pounded in tune with the beating of her heart. Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed she rubbed feeling back into her face by washing her hands over it. Her whole body was stiff and if not a bit tender. Flexing and stretching seemed to loosen too tight muscles but Skye could feel the onset of muscle cramps starting her in legs. Her mouth felt coated in bantha wool and she wasn't at all pleased with the scent of sweat clinging to her.
"Good to see you up instead of thrashing around in your sleep."
Skye whirled to face the intruding voice, her hand going for a weapon… that was not in reach. She always had a weapon in reach… why wasn't there a weapon within reach?
"You must have been having one hell of a nightmare," the voice continued. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever wake up."
Skye rubbed the sleep from her eyes and focused in the room's dim lighting for the owner of the voice. Male. Human about with about three-days facial hair shadowing face. He was wearing a Republic orange bomber jacket with no ID badges.
"Pretty strange visions, yes."
"I'm not surprised. You were in and out of consciousness for a couple of days so I imagine you're pretty confused about this. Try not to worry yourself at the moment."
Carth saw the confusion wash over the young woman's face- was it any wonder she didn't recall who he was after her torpor? "I'm Commander Carth Onasi, one of the Republic soldiers from the Endar Spire- do you remember? I was in the escape pod with you."
She gave a weak nod "If you'd excuse me sir, I need to use the head and get cleaned up. I feel like bantha poodoo."
Onasi chuckled. "The refresher is just through there," he pointed to a small alcove half hidden by the poor lighting the apartment had to offer. Along the way she spotted her uniform folded upon the plexisteel table. Apparently Onasi had disrobed her to get to her wounds and then cleaned her uniform along with his, presumably in the apartment's sonic shower.
Lifting tunic and trousers up she smiled. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. Just glad you're feeling better
Skye nodded her understanding with a fleeting smile of appreciation. Once inside the refresher she flexed her neck muscles feeling her vertebrae pop and snap out of tension. She did the same with her back twisting one way then the other until her spine rippled and cracked, causing her to sigh in contentment in the simple action of a full body stretch. Skye didn't even bother changing out of her undergarments when she stepped inside the sonic shower. Having a very limited wardrobe it was prudent to keep the clothing she did have clean until she could gain access to a materials synthesizer or a shop that actually sold clothing.
With her elbows flush against the wall, Skye braced herself, leaning over and allowing the sonic vibrations to course through her body. Blood, sweat, and the stench of smoke washed away from her and still she didn't feel cleansed. The dreams- the nightmares had left their stain on her, making her spirit feel as soiled as her body had been. She hit the controls of the shower to run a second time after it finished its cycle, this time on the highest setting. Oh she hated sonic showers, loathed them in fact, but right now it was bliss.
The second shower had made her headache worse, her flesh feeling as if it was charged with a force-pike but at least she felt more alive.
"Who are you?" she asked the cracked and stained mirror. Skye didn't know if she was speaking to the phantom menace of her nightmares or woman from her dreams or the woman starring back out at her from the dubiously polished reflected surface. Glancing down on the refresher's ledge she saw two travel toiletries-kits that were standard issue inside emergency packs. There would be non-scented soaps, toothpaste, mouthwash and non-scented deodorant/antiperspirant in concentrated formulas and a miniature sized sonic tooth-brush as well as a comb. In survival situations hygiene was extremely important to stave off infections or other easily avoided heath issues by proper maintenance of the body. How idiotic was it to die of a mouth infection that brushing one's teeth could have cleared up?
Finished with her grooming Skye finally donned her clothing and headed back into the common room. The commander would no doubt fill her in on the events at hand and if there was a planned objective other than getting off this rock- wherever this rock was.
"Feel sentient again?" Onasi asked the young woman when she saw her.
"I will once I get a hold of some caffa." She answered easily then added belatedly, "Sir."
"We'll have to forgo ranks right now, if we want to stay under radar of the Sith."
"Sith?" Skye asked from the alcove of the Czerka synthesizer. She noted in the account slot was one of her open cred-sticks. She didn't begrudge Onasi from pilfering though her gear; she would have done the same if the positions were reversed. She ordered up a bit of toast with plum jam and butter, a cup of caffa and a glass of ice water. She should probably eat more but Skye reasoned she might not be able to keep anything heavier than toast down on such an empty stomach. She also forced herself to eat slowly and not gorge lest she become ill.
Carth decided to join her in a small meal. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until he watched her nibble on the bit of toast. "We're in an abandoned apartment on the planet of Taris."
"Taris? The Outer-Rim's version of Coruscant isn't it?"
"If it went Sith-slum yes. A lot has changed since the war with the Mandalorians and the Jedi left. Its entire landmass is covered in buildings, though most should be or are condemned. The Upper City is where the elite of the planet lives and is pretty safe- at least for us. However the farther you go down the worse it gets. The Lower City is filled with swoop gangs that are in the middle of a bloody war for control and the Undercity is even worse. The Undercity is home to mutant creatures called "rakghouls". All in all not a very pretty picture."
"Coruscant gone slum, indeed." Ravensong caught onto something else Onasi had said. "Sith controlled? How is that we're not stuffed into some detention center somewhere?"
"You were banged up pretty bad when our escape pod crashed but luckily I wasn't severely insured. I was able to drag you away from our crash in all the confusion and I stumbled onto this abandoned apartment. By the time the Sith arrived on the scene we were long gone."
"I guess I own you my life. Thanks."
"You don't have to thank me. I'd never abandoned anyone on a mission and I am not about to now. Besides I need your help." Carth was almost defensive that it might have been assumed he would leave one of his troops behind. Well she wasn't exactly his trooper but she was stationed on the Endar Spire. That made her apart of his team.
She flashed the man an amused grin. 'Typical, Fleet. Get all ruffled if you thank them, all ruffled if you don't acknowledge their efforts.'
"Taris is under Sith control, their fleet is orbiting the planet; they've declared martial law and a planet-wide quarantine. But I've been in worse situations."
"Ditto. Nothing like a little 'nearly impossible' mission before you even finished your first cup of caffa." She lifted her cup to indicate it was only half filled.
Carth chose to ignore her comment; he wanted to know more about her than what he read about. "I've seen on your service record that you understand a remarkable number of alien languages."
Skye shrugged. "Natural linguist. So what?" Why were his questions sounding like an interrogation? It was as if she had done something wrong in the line of duty and was being reprimanded for being a poly-linguist
"That's pretty rare for a raw recruit."
He almost flinched when he saw the fire in her eyes. The only other woman he could rile that quickly was his late wife and she never put up with his emotional outbursts. "I'm not exactly raw and not necessarily a recruit. I might be a decade younger than you but I've been a scout for the Republic for a number of years. True, I am fairly new in the ranks of Special Ops but I am not some spindling wide-eyed recruit fresh from the apron strings of the Academy either. I was merely recruited on the behest of the Jedi Order."
Carth knew he had started out on the wrong foot. He couldn't even reprimand her for not deferring to his superior rank. Had he not just said there can be no ranks between them if they wanted to keep their cover as grounded spacers? Just like his late wife, Ravensong let him have it with both barrels of a blaster. Had rank been in the equation the answer he got would have been far different. Apparently she adapted well to 'roles' she was to play.
"I was just thinking that it should come in handy while we're stranded here on an alien world." He said trying to appease her bristled defences.
"No way in contacting the Republic to apprise them of our situation?" Ravensong decided to let go of her anger. There was really no point in hanging on to it besides Onasi wasn't the first to think of her as raw because of the youthfulness in her features. She was simply tired of it.
Carth shook his head no. "There was a distress signal sent SOP when the escape pods were launched. But there's no way the Republic will be able to get anyone through the Sith blockade to help us. If we're going to find Bastila and get off this planet, we can't rely on anybody but ourselves. I believe Bastila was in one of the escape pods that are rumored to have crashed in the Undercity. For the sake of the Republic war effort, we have to try to find her."
"Bastila? Trask had said she was the CO of the mission but not really a commanding officer, simply in charge of the mission."
"That smack to your head did more damage than I thought." Worry lines etched his face. Maybe he should have tried to make a deal with a local doctor. There was no doubt Ravensong had been suffering from a concussion. It was amazing there wasn't more head trauma or even death as a result of it. "Bastila's a Jedi. She was with the strike team that killed Darth Revan, Malak's Sith master. Bastila's the key to the whole Republic war effort. She has a talent called Battle Mediation that allows her to affect the outcome of whole battles. The Sith must have found out she was on the Endar Spire and set an ambush for us in this system. We must find her before the Sith do, and pray they already don't have their mitts on her."
"How can any one person even a Jedi be so important?" Skye frowned.
"Bastila is no ordinary Jedi. Like I said she had this gift the Jedi call Battle Meditation. Bastila can bolster the efforts of an entire army through the Force. She can infuse her allies with confidence and make her enemies lose their will to fight and often times that is all it takes to tip the balance in battle. But there are limits to what she can do. From what I understand of her ability it requires great concentrations and focus to maintain her Battle Meditation. The attack on the Endar Spire happened so fast she probably didn't even have a chance to use her power. I guess she barely got out alive and is trapped just as we are."
"Wait, you were in the escape pod bay. Don't you know? Didn't you send her pod off?"
"Yes I did. I know she got off the ship before it went down, but what I don't know if she is alive. You weren't in great shape, she might not be either. Even if she is undamaged the whole planet is under quarantine. No ships can land or take off. So if Bastila is going to escape she is going to need our help and we will probably need hers."
"How do you even know Bastila is still alive?"
"I don't. But she is young and she had a powerful command of the Force. We survived the crash landing, so I'm willing to bet she may have too. Besides what's the alternative? I mean if she's dead then there is no one who can stop Malak and his Sith from wiping out the Republic. I rather operate on the assumption she is alive."
'If Bastila is a Jedi she can probably look after herself.' For some reason Ravensong kept the next thought to herself. She knew the young Jedi would more than likely resent any help from the mere 'mundane' if she were in trouble.
"Bastila is going to need our help. Many of Darth Malak's followers have marshaled the Dark Side of the Force and the Sith have already killed more than their share of Jedi in the wars. I doubt anyone is looking specifically for us anymore; we're not important. But if we're careful we can move about the planet without attracting notice; a luxury Bastila won't have. She is going to have half the Sith fleet looking for her. They know how vital she is to the war effort."
'So much pressure on young shoulders… I only hope she can cope.' "Any idea where we should start looking for Bastila?" Ravensong waited for an answer as she started to strap on the leather utility belt and the several sheaths of small knives and her sword which was strapped to her back.
To this Carth nodded. "While you were out, I did some scouting around. There are reports of crashed escape pods that crashed in the Undercity. That's probably a good place to start. But the Undercity is a dangerous place we don't want to go in there unprepared. We won't do Bastila any good going in and getting ourselves killed."
"Death is highly overrated," Skye said offhandedly which awarded her a very curious look for Onasi. A look Ravensong ignored. "The sooner we start looking for Bastila the sooner we are to find her. Let's go."
"Good idea. We can use this abandoned apartment as a base and we can probably get some equipment and supplies in the Upper City. Just remember to keep a low profile…" He was about to remind her to remove the ID patches on her jacket when he witnessed they had already been removed while he was talking to her. "I've heard some grim stories about the Dark Jedi interrogation techniques. They say the Force can do terrible things to a mind. It can wipe away your memories -destroy your very identity!"
Ravensong shuddered inwardly. To undergo such torment was a thought beyond barring. It was amazing how the Force could twist someone into performing such perverse act. How someone could twist the Force to do such things…better to die than to have everything you are, ripped…or rather raped from your mind.
Carth's voice came into her mind like the buzzing of a gnat. "I figure if we don't do anything stupid we should be okay. I mean they are looking for Bastila not a couple of grunts like us," he chuckled.
"If you don't mind me saying- you have to watch the way you walk and the way you stand, Onasi. It screams military. And the only military here are the Sith and you are not Sith. They will know Republic and simply open fire. You have to at least look like you're a disgruntled spacer, merc or smuggler and not career military. Your steps are heavy like you're carrying a great weight upon your shoulders, make it work to your advantage rather than give you up to the enemy."
"Good catch Ravensong."
She nodded.
"So how do you escape notice behind enemy lines?" he asked.
"Fit in. Depends upon the circumstances, really. With non-hostiles I make them think I am a spacer. With more of the ruff crowds you look like a leather clad frosty bitch with lots of attitude no one crosses if they ever want to breed again. Sometimes you are a pazzak player just looking for a good game."
Carth smirked, "I might be able to pull off a few of those but frosty-bitch might be a bit of a stretch."
Ravensong burst out laughing. "Yeah that five-o'clock shadow will give you dead away unless you're going for the she-Wookiee." She giggled again. "So how about the brooding silent type?"
"Now that I can pull off. You know how to do your job Ravensong, I'm willing to follow your lead on this. I'm smart enough to know this will take finesse, stealth and a quick mind, not brawn. I am at home aboard a starship, in the chair of command even, but cloak and dagger business…I'm out of my game. A good commander knows when to defer."
"You're giving me command of this mission?"
"For now. Any other command decisions we'll confer in private but for now it's an order to play-act as spacers. I can play act the silent brooding-guy, you do the talking."
"Understood," Skye smiled. "Then we should go see what we can dig up at the local cantina."
"Tried that, I didn't get much."
"Yes, well did you flirt with the locals or the regulars?"
"Did I WHAT?"
"Exactly. A sweet demure smile can open a lot of doors that normally would be guarded. I'm not suggesting fracking them, just a bit of sugar," she winked. "Another tactic is to play the cut-throat gambler. Kicking your boots up and with a cigar in your mouth, quaffing Tarissian ale with a foul mouth and playing a hand of pazzak also works to get folks to talk to you. A sultry dance with a babe can also get you places."
"Wait, are you suggesting that I dance…"
"Nope. Me. There is nothing you men like more than to watch two chicks dance as if they were making love. Plus, said woman might want to share a few secrets of her own."
Carth just stared at her.
"What did you expect scouting was? Just slipping through terrain trying to find the best route for the troops to march lest they walk into a landmine field, a nest of mynocks or a krayt dragon's lair or sarlac pit? We do more than locate the best hyperspace course to take or is that all you Fleet-boys think we do? There's a bit more to scouting than that. And sometimes you have to play a lot of angles to meet the objective you were ordered to do. You ordered me to find Bastila. That is my objective, so I will play what angles I have to, to meet it. You also ordered me to take point and lead, you can't balk because some of the tactics are not as straight forward as shooting a blaster."
"You're right. I'm sorry. And you're right about the other thing Ravensong. I know little how scouts do their jobs. Or what you have to go through to get the objective done."
Skye simply shrugged. "I'm sure there is more to you fleet-boys than flying hulking starships too."
Carth couldn't help it he let out a great belly laugh. "Touché."
Two days ago, Carth had stepped out of the apartment and had managed by the skin of his teeth to avoid the notice of a Sith patrol. Now the three were back and intent on hassling a couple of Duros. The same black haired Grey-belly, yet this time he had four droids with him and two Silver-suits.
"All of you alien scum, all of you up against the walls, this is a raid!" Grey-belly barked.
'This is preposterous!' one of the gutsier Duros rebuked the Sith officer. 'You patrolled this area just yesterday! You Sith keep bothering us. Just leave…' He never spoke his final words. Gray-belly fired his blaster point blank in to the Duros's stomach. He was dead before he hit the titled floor of the hallway.
"This is how we Sith deal with smart-mouthed aliens. Now the rest of you up against the wall before I lose my temper again!" Smug as the newly minted officer was, he paused in mid-tirade when he spotted Ravensong and Onasi. He was quick to note their hands were on their blasters. To be more accurate the male's was on a blaster, the female however had already unsheathed her vibrosword. "What's this, humans hiding out with aliens?"
Ravensong turned to Carth with a look of astonishment on her face. "You're an alien! How come you never told me? You said you were a scruffy looking nerf-herder!"
"Sorry Sister, slipped my mind." Carth answered back.
"You're the Republic fugitives!" One of the troopers declared pointing to Carth's jacket.
"Attack!" Grey-belly shouted.
"If you insist," Skye smirked.
Several things happened at once:
Instantly the box of droid bodyguards surrounding the Gray-belly engaged their crackling electrostaffs charged both human and Duros.
Skye darted into the fray dodging past one trooper and a droid to the Gray-belly. She jumped, used his shoulder as a lunching platform so she got more lift, spun her sword in her hand so it would come straight down like the talons of a hawk-bat, and plunged it deep into the joint between neck and shoulder. The officer stumbled down both from the momentum of the blow and the fact that life had been sliced quiet literally from his body.
While Ravensong was in the air, Carth took out one droid with a precision shot that hit in the head, its photosensors blew and the body warbled but did not give up the charge. Carth fired again and again into its chassis. With a small internal explosion, it careened into another droid taking them both out.
Ravensong landed, turning her fall into a roll. That roll carried her sword though the crisp arch that severed the leg of one of the troopers. Another sweeping arch planted the blade into the man's heart.
The terrified Duros, having seen his friend gunned down, opened up his small blaster tearing shredded holes into the remaining droid. It clanged to the floor in two smoking sparking pieces. Even then the Duros continued firing, his fear having taken over reason.
Carth felt his body being flung back by a terrified female Twi'lek trying to avoid getting hit in the cross fire. Fortunately, her crashing into him saved his life. The blaster fire meant to for him scourged the side of the facing wall exactly at the same height as where his head had been. Carth sat up just as the trooper was taking aim for a second shot.
Both blasters fired, one missed his mark.
The trooper fell face down with a blaster whole where his lungs should be, a bleeding ditch were once he had an intact spine indicated it wasn't only a blaster shot to the chest that felled him. Carth looked up to see Ravensong had struck behind even has he had attacked from the fount. The woman was now using what clean bit there was of Grey-belly's uniform to wipe the blood from the blade of her vibrosword before she slid it home in the scabbard.
Droid bits, four bodies- five counting the first Duros- blood, scourge marks and bits of body parts that didn't merit mention littered the floor and walls. Carth gave a thought to the old janitor; he'd sure have a mucky mess to clean up now. He was irate with the smudges of blood Onasi had tracked in three days ago; he wasn't going to be exactly happy about this.
'Poor Ixgil. He should never have talked back to those Sith.' The surviving Duros said in his native tongue, looking at the corpse of his companion. 'Thank you for helping us human.'
Skye chose not to point out that she was Nagai. Better if this bigoted world believed her human rather than her true nature.
'This isn't the first time the Sith came hunting us but hopefully it will be the last.'
'I doubt it.' Ravensong did not voice the thought. She slipped into Durosian as she spoke so fluidly Carth thought it might have been her native language, though he knew the contrary to be true. 'Glad we could help, but won't someone come searching for this patrol?'
The Duros was clearly shaken, not only be the events that had just happened, but that a Human spoke to him in his own language rather than gibber in Basic. 'Don't worry about the bodies. I'll make it look like they were killed elsewhere, that should throw the Sith off the trail. With any luck they won't bother us for a while. Thanks again Human and as I said don't worry about the bodies I will take care of them for you. It is the least I can do.'
As she had with the bodies aboard the Endar Spire, Skye went through the pockets of the Junior officer and took the belts from the troopers. She handed them to Carth. One she placed with its holster along her hip, the other in the gear bag they carried. There were no doubt shops and even people from the Invisible Market were willing to purchase any extra gear they picked up for a few extra creds.
"So much for the low profile," Carth commented as they started to walk in the opposite direction of the skirmish.
"You believe we should have allowed the Sith to terrorize the locals and carry out executions on a whim?"
"Of course not still it might cost us some anonymity."
"Apathy is death." Ravensong muttered more under breath than aloud though Onasi did catch it.
"That's almost insubordination."
"Would be, but we're role-playing spacers, spacers don't have to watch their speech. Besides which you ordered me to behave accordingly to that role." She reminded him once more. She had a gut feeling she may have to continue to remind him until they found the Jedi.
Carth smirked, she had him there. "True."
"We are going to have to get you another jacket along with all the other supplies we need for a foraging into the Undercity."
"What's wrong with my jacket? I like it."
"It's orange."
"I happen to like orange."
"Republic colors," Skye answered. "How do you think that junior gray-belly was able to tag us so easily? No spacer would wear Republic orange, especially not on in Sith controlled system."
Carth stared at her. "You've got a point."
As they were still inside the apartment complex, Skye made a tactical decision about their survival. There were other points about being a scout that nudged more on the scoundrel side of things from a legal point of view but a necessity. Such things included petty-theft, lying, sabotage and computer slicing and even in extreme cases because only a scout in Special Ops could… assassination.
Carth couldn't fathom Ravensong's actions, watching her slice open a door and slip into an apartment. "What are you doing?"
"Would you relax? If we are going to survive, find our missing Jedi and get off this rock we are going to have to bend a few ethics about theft. Karmic-ly we- or I- will pay it back."
"Karmic payback?"
"Karmic pay-it-forward then if you want to see it that way. For every tiny misdeed, I have to do to achieve my objective I always make sure to pay-it-forward tenfold. I don't make a habit of it; I'm not a scoundrel but right now our needs are greater than theirs. We have to find a Jedi so she can save the Republic. If you don't want to be party to a little B-and-E, I'll collect you once I've finished."
"I suppose its true about that old saying: 'There are three things you don't want to see made: laws, sausages and scouts perform their duty'." Carth said. "No, I'll stick by your side, just don't expect me to like it or condone it."
"You don't have to. I don't like it much either to be honest."
They hit four other apartments before they came to one with a terrified family in it. Skye apologized and backed out muttering she got lost and confused in the ring. Another two empty apartments, before they came around to their own once more. The bodies just outside their door had been moved, save for the droid bits which were now being scavenged by a green-fleshed Twi'lek male. Apparently the Duros moved quickly, no doubt with aid. Even the maintenance droids were on the move, scrubbing the floors free of blood and detritus.
Skye looked at the only door she hadn't sliced, the one next door to theirs. At first it appeared as if the studio apartment was empty. Even the gear bag on the floor near the door was empty.
"Who are you?" a woman's voice shrilled it was more fear that gave an edge to her voice than command.
Carth gave Skye a pointed look.
"I apologize. I was just investigating the area. I'm Skye Ravensong. The guy behind me is Karth." Skye said calmly just as she had with the family that were obviously shaken from the gunfight they had to have heard. She had deliberately pronounced Carth's name differently.
"That… is no excuse. You can't just go around barging into people's apartments because your curious." The woman was visibly trembling.
"You are right…Miss…"
"Dia." For some strange reason Dia felt herself relaxing in the presence of this young woman. "At least you're more polite than that pig Holden."
Skye took another step forward, her voice retaining the claiming tones one might use to chase away night-terrors from a child's dreams. "Holden, who's that?"
"Just one of Davik's men who can't keep his hands to himself. But all he got for his trouble was a nasty scar form my vibroblade. Too bad I'm still paying the price."
Her voice still soothing, Ravensong continued to work her magic. "What do you mean?"
"I don't want to talk about it. I have enough trouble as it is." Dia's shoulders slumped, tired from her stress, she even allowed Sky to escort her to edge of the bed to sit down. Skye sat beside her. "Besides, I don't even know if I can trust you."
Carth watched this intently, he too wondered if he could trust this young woman.
"Miss Dia, you can trust me." Calm, soothing like lullaby, Skye's was a voice sweet to the ears. "Maybe I can help. Besides I owe you for 'barging' in."
Dia couldn't help but chuckle at the persistence this Skye Ravensong. "Well I suppose you seem like an alright sort." Dia patted Skye's hand. "When I was a gel I did a few things like snooping around old apartments once or twice. I can forgive that. Holden…" she sighed, and for a moment her composure broke and she nearly cried upon acknowledging this stranger's kindness to her. "When I cut Holden, it made him back off. But it also embarrassed him in front of his friends. Holden is a spiteful little Hutt-slug. He went and put a bounty on my head for what I did! This is why I'm hiding here."
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
Dia shook her graying dark locks. "I doubt it. Holden is one of Davik's men. When you work for the local crime lord, the authorities tend to turn a blind eye. I'm afraid this is between me and Holden now."
"I can speak to Holden for you."
"You can try. I guess he usually hangs out at the Cantina in the Lower City. It probably won't do any good. Holden's used to getting his own way. That's one of the fringe benefits of being a goon for Davik. Working for the crime lord lets you get way with things. Still, I appreciate the offer Skye Ravensong."
"Don't give up hope yet Dia. I'll take my leave now."
Dia once more patted the younger woman's hand. "Good-bye and good luck. I hope you can talk some sense into Holden."
Once outside the door and back into the hall Carth shot a speculative look to his companion. "And what did that just accomplish? Other than commit ourselves to talking sense into some peon with wandering hands?"
Skye smirked. "Peon is right. What did that bit in there accomplish? Do you not have ears to hear? We accomplished quite a lot. Taris has a powerful crime lord that the Sith turns a blind eye to. Why? His peons get away with crimes from the local authorities. The Sith ARE the local authorities. Are they ordered to keep a respectable distance from any malfeasance Davik's thugs commit because of Davik's higher connections, which he surely has? Only we don't know who just yet. Or are the thugs beneath the contempt of the Sith and they don't care if the 'surplus populations' wipe each other out or both?
"You don't get the title of crime lord without having your fingers in a lot of pies and that creates a lot of resentful citizens. We can use this. If anyone knows about the crash landing in the Undercity, it's going to be this Davik character. He might even have squirreled away a few things or 'someone' before the Sith got there. Goons move quickly when their lord barks at them because they don't want to lose their privileged 'fringe benefits.' Another thing we learned is the name of one of those thugs, Holden, he might be fairly high up in the chain of Davik's crew if he is accustomed to getting his own way. Or if not high up-a, at least a trusted position that is highly rewarded.
"We also learned the high probability that the Lower City cantina has a bounty office, though not run by Davik's people or Holden won't have had to go through the bounty office. Bounty offices have bounty hunters and they might brag on a bounty they nabbed. If they got to Bastila they will brag about it. If there is a bounty issued on Bastila by the 'local authorities' that bounty office will know about it. The bounty office will also be useful to get a few creds for some legit bounties and perhaps lift dumb-ass bounties like the one on Dia, which comes back to the whole 'karmic-force paying it forward' bit."
"You got all that from that tear-soaked conversation?" Carth was a bit gobbstopped.
"You didn't?" Skye chuckled. "I did get a bit more. We will find a lot of shuttas and sleemos in the Lower City cantina if this Holden is any representation of the clientele. It tells me that the Upper City clientele plays host to a higher standard of citizenship. Davik and some of his higher captains might wander its floors, but not a peon like Holden, it tells me Holden is not as much as a big-wig that he might be so delusional as to think himself to be. So he's going to have a lot of attitude and strut what little power he does have as we heard with his interaction with Dia. He lost face in front of his friends who are people also apart of Davik's crew. Holden put the bounty on her head because if Davik found out he was bested by a mere slip of a woman he may no doubt chastise Holden harshly for it."
"No wonder they pay you the big creds."
"Actually, it varies. Sometimes we even get hazard pay. Scouting isn't for the family- oriented. You just have to learn to listen and use quite a bit of deductive reasoning."
Near the exit, Skye saw a kiosk that had all the markings of an Invisible Marketer. It was operated by a sentient named Larrim. The green-skinned Twi'lek had told them about the high value of personal energy shields and the weapons race to break through them. Because some were so effective against blaster-fire, troopers were once more trained in the art of melee combat. Energy shields- especially the high-quality types like those made by the Echani- could stop blaster-fire, but not the kinetic energy of a bladed weapon or even a fist, kicks or martial artists. His prices seemed to bit high, making Skye wait until they came to a more legit establishment before she committed herself to the purchases of illegal energy shielding or other supplies the man carried.
They had made it out into the city streets by this time. Skye, out of habit, started to scan the area with a scout's trained eye. She saw wandering protocol droids, merchants and citizens going from one building hub to another. Overhead, air cars zoomed to and fro. Silver Sith-Troopers marched two by two carrying heavy carbine blasters- and every one of them was human. It was so strange to see such segregation before. Granted, Skye had come across xenophobic peoples from other planets, the Wookiees were a prime example but such bigotry was rife here on Taris, Skye could almost feel it coursing through her with a life of its own.
"I'd like to know you a bit more about you Carth," Skye said suddenly as they walked the streets. "I mean you read my service record so you know about me, so what about you?" She smiled disarmingly.
"Me?" he almost seemed puzzled by the request. "Well, I've been a star pilot for the Republic for years. I've seen more than my share of wars…" his voice became soft and grave. "I fought in the Mandalorian War before all this started. But with all that, I've never experienced the anything like the slaughter these Sith animals can unleash. Not even the Mandalorians were that senseless."
"They have so little strategy," Skye agreed. "They are tyrannical brutes. Logically, if they wanted to rule the galaxy one would keep key Republic infrastructure intact for the purposes of post-war rebuilding. Leave places of high commerce alone, those of high political influence alone as well; nothing hurts your cause more than to generate martyrs. It creates rebellion. These Sith are one-dimensional with no forethought to their objectives. A brutal megalomaniac is horrendous, a brutal short sighted idiotic one is even worse."
Carth nodded his agreement, "My home world was one of the first planets to fall to Malak's fleet." The anger rose in Onasi as fire bubbling from the pit of his gut. "The Sith bombed it into space-dust and there was not a damn thing the Republic Fleet could do to stop them!"
Skye shifted her proximity to Carth to distance herself from his wildly gesturing hands, lest he inadvertently strike the side of her already bruised skull. He spoke with such festering furry that Skye wondered if he was this violent by nature. And would he attempt to strike her in his rage by accident or purpose. "I'm sorry Carth; I didn't mean to upset you."
Onasi must have noticed the sudden distance between them that was more than physical. His late wife always told him he spoke too much with his hands and one day he was going to regrettably hit someone or something. She was always telling him to cool his jets, and calm down; he was too easily riled. Skye was now guarded, her eyes watching to see if he would lash out physically. It wasn't fear in her eyes but a warrior's leeriness.
"Don't worry about it. I just… must not be making much sense." He let out a long-suffering sigh.
Looking at her, he found her dark blue eyes watching him. Inwardly he laughed dryly. Skye was a scout. Getting information was what she did. It was so second nature she probably could not, not do it. The dry laugh made it to the surface in the form of a rueful smile. "You probably mean well with your questions. I'm just not accustomed to talking about my past very much… at all actually."
She wasn't going to close the distance between them but Carth could feel the guarded distance was slipping away.
"I'm a man used to action, in keeping my mind focused on the business at hand." There was no mistaking the veiled hint that he wanted to drop the subject. "So, let's just do that. If you have more questions, ask them later."
"Sure, no problem."
Their attention was drawn away from conversation to a dog-legged bend in street leading to a shop that seemed to carry a cornucopia of equipment.
"Perfect," Skye said opening the door.
The young black Tarissian woman seemed to be a bit more of a reputable shopkeeper than Larrim had been. As soon as they walked in she was all smiles as most good shopkeepers were. "Well I haven't seen you two in here before. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Kelba Yurt. Welcome to the Equipment Emporium. You're looking to buy supplies? My shop has the largest stock in all of the Uppercity. Best selection on the planet, whatever you need I've got it- mostly."
That pulled Carth out of his sulking mood. "Mostly? What do you mean by that?"
"The Sith confiscated all my heavy weapons and impounded all my ships and swoop bikes, but I still got a real nice selection if you're interested."
Skye nodded, "Let me see what you got for sale. We need some change of basic clothing- most importantly undergarments, armor, MREs, possibly some upgradeable attachments to weapons both ranged and melee."
"I've got all of that. Just so you know the prices are final, no bargaining here. This isn't a swap meet okay? I only deal in top end stuff."
"Good enough, do you trade though? Skye removed a few of the carbine blasters and a few of the more quality weaponry she had recovered from the fallen back on the Endar Spire."
"I trade if it's good quality, yes," Kelba looked over some of the armaments and noted the Sith-issued weapons. "Looks like we're in business."
"Great." Skye turned her attention to the military surplus supplies and started to stack the necessary items of clothes like boxer shorts and socks as well as a few t-shirts. All of them drab-gray of the Sith military but they would due, besides they were cheap. She found several packs of MREs. "Meals-Ready-to-Eat" may not be the tastiest thing, but it would save some credits in the long run. As she was looking through the other items in the shop she noticed Carth trying on several different styles of light armor.
There were several tables displaying varies of swords and vibroblades, other tables had small to medium caliber blasters, rifles and a few carbines. Along the wall nested several suits of armor. Leaning up against the walls in brackets were poll-arms, staves, double bladed swords and the like. Under locked transparent aluminium cases Kelba had landmines and grenades.
"Say Kelba, do you know anything about those escape pods that crashed on Taris?" Skye asked casually.
Kelba whispered conspiratorially, "I had heard a couple of pods crashed in the Under City. I bet they've been stripped clean by the Sith though—unless the swoop gangs or Davik's men got to them first."
Skye gave a pointed look to her counterpart still trying do decided on which suit of armor he was going to replace his coveted orange jacket. "Swoop gangs?"
Kelba snarled. "I don't have anything good to say 'bout those swoop gangs. Zooming around on their swoop bikes terrorizing the Lower City like a bunch of animals! Things weren't so bad when Hidden Beks were running the show but ever since the rise of the Black Vulkars gang, the Lower City has been nothing short of a war zone." Kelba started a closer inspection of the goods the young woman had brought in and cataloged a fair price against what the couple was purchasing. "The Sith haven't even bothered trying to maintain order down there and there is a rumor that Davik's own people are having problems with the Black Vuklars now!"
The items Skye was collecting would more than make up for the cost of the weapons she had brought in for trade. So far Kelba was still in the black.
"What do you know of Davik?" Skye said so offhandedly that Kelba didn't hesitate to answer.
"Oh, Davik's a legitimate businessman if you get my drift. Smuggling, slavery, extortion…" Kelba paused to lean in whispering in the pointed ear of the younger woman. "Word is he's a part of the Exchange. You know, the big intergalactic crime organization."
Carth piped up having overheard the shopkeeper. "I heard of the Exchange, bad organization to cross. If anyone has a blockade braking ship however, it's them."
Skye smirked; Onasi was finely catching onto the art of scouting.
Kelba shrugged. "I have to pay him a protection fee every month, but it's a fair price. Besides I get most of my inventory through Davik and his suppliers. I'm just smart enough not to ask where it came from." She gave a look to the weapons and gear Skye had managed to amass. "You understand?"
"Perfectly," Skye answered. She felt now was a good time to sacrifice a pawn in order to win the game. "Sounds like Davik is nothing but a petty crime lord."
Kelba almost bolted. "Careful where you say that!" she hissed. "Davik's got spies and informants everywhere. Besides, Davik is as much a part of Taris as the sky scrapers or swoop gangs."
It was a predictable response but Skye had to know how informed this Davik was with the Sith occupation hampering his movements. Davik's connections to the Exchange could very well be the reason the Sith allowed a crime lord's henchmen like Holden run amuck as they did. No doubt the Sith leaders thought to make use of the Exchange just as much as the Exchange would make use of them.
"How dose Davik feel about the Sith?"
"Davik hates the Sith!" Kelba snorted incredulously that there was an implication to the contrary. "Uh he- it's not smart to say bad things about the people in power if you get my meaning. I just wish the Sith would lift this quarantine, they are killing my business! I can't say I like them here in the Upper City. But it course be worse. And we're still a lot better off than the Lower City what with all the swoop gangs and all. I know you're new here. I bet you came to Taris on a short business trip and now you're stuck here." Her tone took on the soothing notes as if she was comforting a two-year-old. "But Taris isn't all that bad, as long as you stay out of the Lower City and don't even think about the Undercity!"
Skye picked up a permacrete detonator Kelba was selling for fifty credits. "So what's the entertainment on Taris like anyway?"
"Oh, the Upper City as a real nice cantina favored by the Tarissian nobles and it even hosts as duelling ring run by Ajuur the Hutt. I go there as often as I can, especially when there are new rookies in the arena. I love to watch Ice and Twitch. They are my favorites. You can even wager on the matches. There are a few legit pazzak tables, a live band and even dancing. It's a good time out. Of course, there are the shops that rent out holovids and such. The Sith closed down the Theater until further notice- it wasn't a popular move for the actors though I heard they tried to open up a theater in the Lower City before the Black Vulkars destroyed it."
"Might have to check out that ring," Skye smirked. She always did enjoy a good sparring match. "So, what's the damage?"
The total cost came to be about two thousand credits but with the deduction of the gear they brought in as well as the credits Skye lifted off of the dead on the Endar Spire and Sith officer in their apartment complex they had more than enough left over. Though they were now down to three hundred credits but at least they were better prepared to travel the Undercity than before. They would need more medpacks, possibly antivenin epis and other items to explore the depths of Taris.
"It's been a pleasure dealing with you Ravensong," Kelba smiled warmly. "Come back anytime you need to stock up. If you need weapons and armor to crush an enemy or protection from someone else's, I've got it. Remember I've got the best selection in all of Taris."
"Thanks, Kelba. I'm sure we'll be dealing in the future."
"Good day to you then."
~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~
"Why do you need something like that?" Carth asked Skye as she stowed the permacrete detonator away in one of the many pockets of her tac-vest when they were walking out of the emporium.
"Never know when you need a tiny explosion without doing too much structural damage to neighboring locals… say to blow open a blast door of an enemy compound. Key precision blasts without integral damage to other parts of the building where innocents might be"
"Aw… right." 'Innocents or a captive, unconsciousness Jedi.' "Good thinking."
A turn to the right of the emporium door led to a skyway leading to the Upper City cantina. "Time to play the game," Skye muttered softly with a hint of what could only be described as mischief.
The Upper City Cantina might cater to the nobility of Taris but it smelled like any other cantina Skye had been in: thick with cigar smoke, various ales, liquors, loggers and whiskey. Of course, it was a better class of smoke and drink but the smell was still the same. The chatter was the identical drone of white noise of any cantina. Rather than the talk of the newest model of kriffin' swoop bikes, engines, blasters and sports, it was the talk of trades, commerce, noble blood, the newest model of air speeders and sports.
As with most cantinas, there were there four wings off the central hub. One contained the live music, Twi'lek dancers, and patrons, while another had a pazzak den. The third wing was a more reserved bar and from the fourth came periodic cheers, boos, hisses and the stench of adrenalin. Obviously, the last wing was the registration, betting cages and green room for the competitors entering duelling arena. The arena itself was directly below the cantina.
"We'll need more credits. You any good at pazzak?" Skye asked her companion.
"I've won my fair share of games," Carth answered. "What are you thinking, divide and conquer?"
"Yeah. Plus, I want to scope out potential 'date-material' and a wingman only ruins the game."
"Wingman? I thought only men talked like that."
"What, you think we woman aren't on to how you men play? Please," Skye rolled her dark blue eyes. "Women operate on a separate level, especially women who have no interest in say, the male anatomy. To borrow a phrase, 'you get my drift'?"
Carth laughed fully. "Loud and clear sister…but…um can I watch?"
"Esshe! I knew you had to say something like that. Keep close, but keep your distance."
Not wanting to get drunk as she canvassed the area Skye resorted in drinking Tarissian pear cider. Sweet and only moderately alcoholic, the drink would allow her to mingle freely with the patrons without drawing notice to herself if she abstained. Rule one of fitting in a crowed: don't draw attention to yourself by becoming noticeable. Rule two of trying to hide in a crowd of enemies: make enough noise as someone else to distract them from their true objective. Magicians did it all the time.
She parted from Carth leaving him to play pazzak as she wandered past a few off-duty Sith officers and several other patrons of Tarissian nobility. If they weren't mocking her armor they were rudely yelping at her or mistaking her for being a waitress. One went as far to tell she was going to tell her 'daddy' which caused Skye to laugh at her. The pampered little wanna-be-princes stormed out of the bar leaving Skye in hysterics.
"What a kriffing shutta," Shaking her head Skye left the pampered wing for more desirable prospects.
'Distraction from the truth so you can go unnoticed in the camp of your enemy'
It was a well-known and well-practiced tactic of a scout-one that inspired Skye's next choice. No one was willing to talk to just another spacer…but if she had a bit of renown, now that would be a commodity worth banking.
Skye walked with a purpose in her stride into the wing reserved for Ajuur the Hutt's dueling circuit. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the blue glare of the wall mounted monitors to see the bulk of the Hutt reclining in the far back. He was not as opulent as some of the Hutts Skye had encountered. This one was still able to move on his own. The last one Skye had met was so massive he had to be moved along on an antigravity platform pulled along by a host of slaves.
There were several humans and one rodian as well within the room. Several of the humans had the look of gladiators about them: four men, one woman. The woman held herself apart from the others and was more chilled than aloof. Her eyes caught Skye's holding the gaze for a moment of wills before Skye's attention was drawn away by another woman near Skye's flank.
"Oh I can't believe I didn't get tickets for this match! Now we'll have to watch it on the view screen," said a woman who was standing with a taller man near one of the screens.
"Who cares? It's Duncan and Gerlon fighting, it's not like we're missing anything good."
"Quiet the match is about to start!"
'Duncan and Gerlon... and no excitement in the male…means they are low ranked on the gladiatorial totem pole.' Attracted by the spectator's discussion, Skye moved over to watch the match on one of the screens.
It had good reception, not as good as seeing the match live, but clear enough for Skye to study the opponents as they entered an ovular arena pit encircled by raised stadium seats. They were filled with die-hard fans of Arena though not necessarily of the contestants.
'Opening act…' Skye muttered to herself.
The cheering of the no doubt drunken crowed rose was two men both clad in light armor entered the arena pit at opposite ends.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I direct your attention to the duelling ring! The match is about to start! In this corner: looking to climb the ranks yet again is the ever persistent- DEADEYE DUNCAN! And in this corner, is his challenger! A man so tough even a disfiguring injury couldn't end his career, ha ha ha! I give you- GERLON TWO-FINGERS! Let the duel begin!"
At those words a gong sounded and both duellists drew blaster pistols. It would be more accurate to say Gerlon drew his blaster while Duncan managed to fumble and drop his own weapon. He stooped to pick it up, but never rose to face Gerlon. "Two-Fingers" fired a blast taking Duncan out in one hit. The older man fell face first upon the dirt-covered floor of the arena. The crowd roared- not with cheers but with laughter.
"And to nobody's great surprise Deadeye is down again. Don't worry folks; he's just unconscious as usual. And the winner is- GERLON TWO-FINGERS!"
'Dead-eye? Shouldn't it be Dead-in-the-Chest Duncan?' Skye snorted her contempt for such an oaf. What was he still doing in the ring? Perhaps Ajuur the Hutt saw him as a commodity for humor rather than ability. 'Opening act indeed.'
A wide mega-wattage smile spread across Skye's face as an idea began to form. She turned back to see the private duellist entrance open and both gladiators emerge. Duncan was clutching his chest but appeared to be undamaged.
'He took a full blaster hit in the gut…and yet he appears only to be bruised. Pft I knew pit duelling was fake.' Skye chuckled. 'Even better- I don't have to seriously maim anyone in the ring.'
After talking to the Hutt both men retreated to a corner where Duncan's wound was being serviced while Gerlon moved to his own private area- presumably waiting for the next match.
By this time Carth had caught up to the young woman. Carth had won a few hands at pazzak with a man with a Catharian accent before he decided if he could find where Skye had gone off to. A lass named Christyaa had sauntered up to him wanting him to buy her expensive drink. Carth saw right thought the scam and simply told her he wasn't interested. The woman wasn't put too put off as she turned her sights on a young noble man who postured over his pedigree.
Carth hadn't found Skye in the wing with the band or the more reclusive bar. That left the Sports bar. Carth spotted the young Nagai straight away. He was a little surprised to see her talking to a Hutt. At his approach, he heard the Hutt give Skye the pseudonym 'Mysterious Stranger.'
Skye winced at the horrid name. "Mysterious Stranger? I like it," she lied.
'You will get a ten percent of the purse, no more. Don't worry about permanent damage- the ring has emitters that powers down blasters and vibroblades. No one has died yet. Not since they outlawed death matches,' Ajuur grunted at her in his own language. 'You'll face Dead-Eye Duncan first, rookie. Prove your worth. If you win this match you will be able to face the others.'
'Whatever. Just make it happen,' Skye grunted back in Huttesse. The fact she hadn't used Basic shocked the Hutt a little to the point of laughing.
'I like you, Nagai. You might actually be worth staying awake to watch. You're even attractive for a smooth-skin.'
'If you think I am going to dress up in a metal bikini think again, so cut the flattery you big slug.'
The Hutt's laughter only got louder. 'You've got courage talking to a Hutt like that little female. Let's see you back it up in the ring.'
Carth pulled Skye aside by yanking her arm. "We could use the credits Skye, but powered-down blasters and vibroblades? And nobody ever dies? How come I get the feeling they're trying to take you for a ride?"
"Then it will be a really short ride. Look I need my arm, you want to let go?"
"What? Oh. Sorry."
Skye gave Carth the same look she had given Ajuur moments a go. "Alright, I'm ready. My brother can be a bit pushy sometimes. He tends to forget his little sister can take care of herself." It was a veiled hint to Carth that she had everything under control as she maintained her cover. His yanking her around would certainly deaden all prospects later if potential dates thought her unavailable because she was linked to an over-possessive, overbearing hairless Wookiee of a boyfriend.
Skye followed one of the arena attendants down into the pit's enclave. Here she was to wait until the announcer introduced her. It wasn't fear that made Skye close her eyes as if devoted to vespers, but rather a need to center herself for the upcoming battle. Dead-eye-Duncan might be a klutz but Skye never underestimated an opponent. Here she had time to focus her energy- her will- on what she needed to do to win against her foe. She didn't even hear the chatter of the announcer's comments about Dead-Eye or herself. Instead her entire mind was locked on how to defeat her opponent.
Knowing that showmanship was half the battle in arena warfare Skye raised her double bladed Echani sword in the air in a figure-eight spin. The crowd roared. The match was on. Dead-Eye took aim and fired his blaster.
Anticipating his moves, Skye bolted into a sprint for Dead-Eye. She vaulted into a jump, clapped her hand on Dead-Eye's own shoulder using it as a launching pad and bolted into the air, only to slam her powered down vibroblade down onto his shoulder. She heard it pop and crack, no doubt the bone was broken. Skye twisted into a back-kick, but only finishing him off with a round-house kick to the head.
Dead-eye Duncan didn't know what hit him. He was pretty sure it was a Basilisk War Droid, but he didn't get the registration number.
"In a spectacular move, The Mysterious Stranger wins! Dead-eye Duncan is out for the count. Hahhaha!" The announcer shouted over the speakers.
Skye turned from the unconscious body with nary a thought, the arena medics would tend to his shoulder and he wasn't dead. For show she gave a tiny bow to the arena which roared in applause.
For herself, Skye felt cheated, it had not been competition, hell she didn't even brake out in a sweat. If this was the extent of Dead Eye Duncan's abilities perhaps he should think about retiring. Disgruntled by the match's end Skye moved past the attendant back into Ajuur's 'court'.
'I always pay my debts,' The Hutt commented to Skye as she approached him. 'You managed to defeat Dead-Eye Duncan but there are few who can't. Your next opponent won't be so easily beaten.'
"We'll see. I'm ready to go now," Skye said.
Her candor caused the Hutt to laugh so hard his belly rolls jiggled, making Skye think of a well-known Winterfest-tale of a certain anthropomorphic personification of a toymaker in a blood-red furred suit. Though the Hutt was jolly enough he wasn't in the giving mood.
As she had before with Dead-Eye Duncan, Skye slipped into a meditative state blocking out the announcer's annoying speech about Gerlon Two-fingers' capabilities despite his disfiguring handicap and Skye's own ladder-climbing through the ranks. Deep in her mind she pictured Gerlon as he was in the match with Dead-Eye. Fast draw with his off-hand because of the missing fingers on his right hand. Twelve seconds. It took him twelve seconds to draw and fire his weapon. That was what she had to work with. She had to get in close immediately. Even if Skye managed to shake off any blaster-fire hitting her it would slow her down. Using adrenaline and stamina boosters as well as strength would give her an added edge in closing that gaping distance. She slammed three of the stimulant-epis into her leg, the effects were immediate but they wouldn't last long. Skye knew she had to optimize her time to its full potential. A window of twelve seconds was all the time in the world.
"…..The Mysterious Stranger!" as soon as Skye heard the announcer say her name she bolted form the alcove and didn't stop until she was nearly on top of Gerlon, he didn't have time to fire his blaster before she struck.
Gerlon had never seen anyone move so fast, not even Ice! The Mysterious Stranger was in her alcove then she was on him. She didn't even stop to take a bow! The bell had rung and she was there! How could she have moved so quickly!
As she had with previous enemies Skye used her opponent's shoulder to launch herself into the air, force and momentum did the rest. She came down slamming the side of her blade into his left shoulder, the bone broke with a loud pop just as it had with Dead-Eye.
Gerlon roared, flinging the lithe she-hound off of him; his good arm was out of commission. The bitch had crippled him! But he wasn't out of the game yet, Gerlon had long practiced how to use a blade with a thumb and two fingers. From a sheath on the back of his belt, he pulled out a nineteen-inch dagger. Pain blinded him; he took two wild swings before he felt a foot impact his chest.
Skye saw the dagger, one of Nagai make. It was an impressive weapon it was both light and easily handled with only three digits. Skye shifted her stance which would fling her legs into a whirlwind kick and avoid the edge of his dagger. Right foot to the chest, left to the head. Skye landed spinning to face her foe. Her sword rose over her head in a ready stance.
Gerlon climbed to his feet, roared and lunged for Skye. She spun away from his attack and slipped under his guard to sweep his leg. He slammed down hard on his back, wind gushing from his lungs.
Carth had ringside seats for this match and he was glad he did. Ravensong moved with such sublime beauty and speed. How could a non-Jedi have such focus, such command? It must have taken her years of martial training, probably since she could walk to have the level of skill she possessed. Onasi knew the Nagai were a warrior race, more than that though, their whole culture was centered on the martial arts and blades. Even their religion was centered around the blade. To the Knives, their honour blades carried a soul.
Unlike the Mandalorians who used cumbersome weapons-the bigger the better- the Nagai preferred light weapons for speed. They employed hands and feet in a martial dance of death. There were few non-Jedi who could match them, for instance the Cathar warriors as well was the Echani were equal to the Nagai. Unless humans trained all their lives or were Jedi they didn't stand a chance against the skill of these warriors. Carth knew Ravensong wasn't one but she moved in perfect harmony just like the Jedi.
He kept picturing her as the tiny avian raptors on Telos. A single dart-bird with its sharp beak could do more damage to a person zipping in and out slicing their prey than a single claw swipe of a rancor. You could put down a rancor with a lot of effort. But it was hell to see, let alone stop the fleeting little dart-bird that was no bigger than four centimeters long and wide. Bat-hawk, dart-bird, Skye was both.
Gerlon tenaciously found his feet once more; his strength was leaving him as if it was bleeding out. He looked at the woman facing him, she wasn't anxious, even her breath was reined into control. Her eyes… unnerved him; they seemed to glow with an azure flame, she was a pure warrior not a simple gladiator. Worse yet she seemed to be playing with him as a tusked panther plays with her prey.
She twisted the double-bladed sword over her head, Gerlon knew before it struck he was finished. The blade slammed with a diagonal slash from right to left, shattering his ribs. Gerlon crumpled bonelessly to the dirt floor.
Skye bent down checking the pulse of Gerlon. He was out-cold but alive. She rose, this time to acknowledge the roaring crowd. She took a slight bow before for disappearing into the contestants' prep-room.
Carth was there to meet her in the Hutt's 'court,' he wanted to congratulate her on her win but she was already leaving for the prep-room once more. She had obviously been paid for her last match and had made arrangements to engage in another.
Looking around the room he saw the only other female gladiatorial contestant move for the adjacent prep-room Skye had disappeared into. He had enough time either get his seat or place a bet. He was an officer and a gentleman placating a bet on the outcome of the match seemed unethical to him so the choice was easy. He took his seat in the stadium. Next to him was Kelba from the Emporium.
"Say, I didn't know your friend was a gladiator. She's good!" Kelba said smiling. "I decided to bet on her this time. The first two matches I didn't and lost. But I've seen her move. Mysterious Stranger could go pro. This should be a very good match, Ice is tough to beat. She's fast and deadly with her blasters. But seeing Mysterious Stranger move like she does I have no doubt she will win. "
"I hope so. I think she should have rested longer between her bouts. She has two behind her and Ice is fresh." Carth stared down at the empty arena. He felt Skye was being foolish and arrogant fighting three matches within a two-hour span. What was she doing? Was she testing herself or was she proving herself, her capabilities. Perhaps the comment of her being only a mere raw rookie struck her deeper than Carth had anticipated. So now Ravensong committed herself to the battle arena to prove the measure of her worth.
"Oh, I know about that! It made the odds higher and the pay-off will be bigger if you get my drift." Kelba drew him back to the present. "Seven-to-one odds. Not a great payoff but it will more than make up for my losses I took from the last two bouts when she wins."
'If she wins' Carth whispered to himself.