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Chapter 12
Revan and his companions walked through the connector to the Northern part of the Taris' Upper City. The connector was build in a skyscraper, though the building probably didn't serve as a living place. But still, it looked pretty nice.
The Northern part of the Upper City looked pretty much the same as the one they were previously in. The only noticeable difference was the sun. Now it was shining brightly on the entire street, forcing Revan and the rest of the group to cover their eyes.
In front of them was a similar fountain to the one, they've seen before. The same stone statue was floating over the rounded platform that contained water. It wasn't anything expensive and certainly looked good.
Beyond the fountain was an entrance to the living apartments. A high skyscraper was standing at the far end of the street. Every now and then some people were walking out of it, probably heading to work. They were passing the group of five men without paying them any attention at all. Also here, the Sith patrols were outnumbering the citizens.
On the right side of the fountain, again, was an edge, beyond which was an abyss. The closest street was a good half mile away. At the edge were standing two speeder bikes, probably meant for traveling across the streets. The Undercity was also visible if the one looked down.
On the left side of the fountain was a main street of the Northern Upper City. It, similarly, ended with a crossroad. Both ways leading to the small buildings. Judging by their height, they weren't the living ones, more those of a public usage.
Revan and his companions again turned left. There was no point in going forward, cause there were only the apartments. They all walked in silence. No one needed or wanted to talk. Carth again was walking with his hands in pockets, while staring at his shoes.
Rex, Fox, and Wolfie weren't talking to each other anymore. They simply walked in silence, every now and then looking around and watching the sights of Taris' Upper City.
Revan's mind was running on his own accord. They were running out of time, he knew that. He hoped that they would make some progress that day. But in order for that, they had to hurry. Since Bastila wasn't anywhere in here, they needed to find a way to the Lower City. But here came the problem.
Last night he managed to find out in the cantina, that not everyone was allowed to the Lower City, not even mentioning the Undercity. You'd have to get a writing permission from the Sith embassy, that was located not far from here. But no one could enter there, cause it was also connected with a Sith Military Base. So basically there was no legal way of going down from the Upper City. And now it was up to him to find a possibility of getting there.
He didn't notice, that he walked rightward on the crossroads. His companions were halted on the street by an old man, who was yelling some nonsense about the evil walking among the Taris' citizens and the enemy being here. Some fanatic, who thinks that he can actually change anything. It was a common thing on many planets. And now Revan was alone in the connector. He tried to walk on the other side of the wall but was halted by a Sith trooper, who stood there.
"This elevator is off limits" the soldier said, his voice distorted by the helmet he wore. "Only Sith patrols and those with proper authorization are allowed into the Lower City. It's obvious from the way you're dressed that you're not one of the Sith patrols, so unless you have the authorization papers you must move along!" he said, almost shouting the last sentence. It was clear that he didn't like his job. After all, no one would like it, Revan realized.
"And where could I get these papers?" he asked, just to annoy a little the soldier in front of him. He knew exactly where he could get them, but maybe this man was stupid enough to give him some hints on how to gain it, without killing anyone in the Sith Base.
"If you were supposed to have them, you'd know where to get them" was his response. He wasn't an idiot, as Revan assumed. "Now quit wasting my time and move along!" he repeated. Revan complied and wordlessly turned around to leave. Some sort of plan started to form in his mind.
It's obvious from the way you're dressed that you're not one of the Sith patrols, he was repeating the soldier's words over and over again in his head. This was already some sort of hint on how to get to the Lower City. But now came the problem. Where would he get the Sith armor from?
The small Sith patrol they have annihilated in the skyscraper wouldn't be a good idea. The bodies were long gone now, that was sure. Besides, they didn't have the uniforms.
He considered for a moment killing few Sith soldier here in the Upper City. That way he would be able to make his way down. But what of it? Malak would certainly sense that. And the destruction of the planet would be his next order. So, unwillingly, Revan abandoned thoughts of committing a massive murder. Perhaps there was a possibility to get these uniforms peacefully. Or without being sensed so easily.
He came back to his companions. They have managed to free themselves from the old paranoid man. They looked relieved when they saw Revan.
"Looks like you like to disappear" Carth stated, eyeing him carefully.
"Sorry, I was just simply lost in my thoughts and didn't notice that you were stopped, guys" he apologized. "But I've managed to get some information" he added. That caught their attention.
"And what is that?" Fox asked.
"I know, what we have to do to get to the Lower City" Revan started. "But I don't know yet, how we can do that."
"Why?"
"Cause we'll be needing the Sith uniforms to pass the guard. And here comes the problem. How to get this armor?" he asked a rhetorical question. Everyone was silent now. They were in deep thinking. That certainly was a problem. But Revan decided that they shouldn't be over thinking it right now.
"And how was your encounter with that old man?" he asked with a slight chuckle. Rest four of them only sighed heavily. They began to walk forward, back to the place they've come from. Wolfie was the one to answer.
"Don't mention him, please" he began."This man is some paranoid psycho. He kept talking about the Taris' plague that was the aliens. He kept talking about the necessity of clearing the planet from Twi'leks, Bothans, Duros and all other races. Just an old idiot. The Galaxy is full of the people like him" Wolfie finished. Revan chuckled at that. He was happy that he didn't have to listen to that old man.
They've found themselves now next to the fountain they passed previously. Revan was about to turn right and return to the Southern Upper City, but something caught his gaze.
He saw with the corner of his eye, as two Sith soldiers have entered the living building. He decided to follow them, giving a sign to his companions to do the same. They complied, following the young man.
They've entered the skyscraper and saw those Sith entering one of the apartments. One of the troopers was standing outside, facing the hall. He was standing on guard.
Revan, Rex, Fox, Wolfie, and Carth approached them carefully, hiding behind the wall, though it was a little difficult, due to the fact, that the hall was in a circular fashion. But they've managed to get close enough to hear the soldiers talking to someone.
"Where did you hide those Sith uniforms?" the question was asked. Revan couldn't believe what he has just heard. Did he say Sith uniforms? The man began to wonder how far his luck could go."Did you sell them to the Tarisian underground? Start talking – I want answers!" the soldier continued.
"Please – I'm only a visitor to Taris, trapped here by the quarantine" was the response of an Aqualish alien."I know nothing about the Taris underground or your missing uniforms!"
"I'm getting sick of your lies, you alien scum! We got your ugly mug on a security tape from the base! Start talking before I splatter your slimy brains all over this room!"
"I say we act now" Rex whispered. Revan nodded in response and gave a subtle signal to Carth. The man walked away from the wall a little and took an aim at the closest Sith trooper. He pulled a trigger and a millisecond after that, the soldier fell onto the floor. Dead. That caught an attention of the second Sith soldier, who was interrogating the alien. But before he could do anything, he was met with Carth's precise shot. The whole 'fight' didn't last longer than a few seconds. When the two Sith soldiers were dead, the group of five entered the apartment.
"Thank you, humans," the Aqualish alien said. "The Sith would have killed me… of that I am certain. I don't know who you are, but it is clear you are no friend of the Sith. Among my people, there is a saying: the enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"What are you talking about?" Carth asked, as always intrigued in others' problems.
"I do have the Sith uniforms in fact" the alien answered. That caught Revan's attention.
"How did you get them?" this time it was the fallen Jedi Knight who asked the question.
"I've stolen them" was the simple answer.
"We need these uniforms" he spoke again, coming closer to the person who was interrogated by the Sith soldiers not a whole minute ago.
"I'm sorry, but I can't give them to you. The man I'm working for, needs them" was an answer and with that, the alien left, running towards the exit of the skyscraper. Rex tried to follow him but was halted by Revan.
"Why let him leave?" Rex asked. "If we want to get out from here, we will be needing these armors."
"As it happens, we do have the uniforms" he answered, staring down at the dead corpses. His companions followed his gaze and realized what he meant. There was a problem, though.
"But it won't be enough for all of us" Wolfie spoke.
"And all of us won't go to the Lower City" was Revan's answer. "Rex and I will go search for Bastila. Meanwhile" now he turned his gaze to his companions. "Carth, you, Fox and Wolfie will stay here. Try to find some way to infiltrate the Sith Base. If we want to get out of this planet, we will be needing the launching codes."
"Woah, woah, woah, wait for a second Alen" Carth responded, raising his hand, as Revan started to disarm the dead corpses. It was the first time he used his fake name. "You want us to do WHAT?!"
"What you've heard Onasi" Revan answered in the same tone, accenting the officer's last name. "It will only quicken our progress in getting out of here if we split up."
Carth could see the point in younger man's reasoning. But still, he didn't like the idea of having to enter the Sith Military Base.
"We will be in the communicator's range. If anything happens, contact us" Revan said after he took the Sith armor from the dead soldier. He was eager to act. Finally, some sort of plan started to form in his mind. He only wondered how far his luck, that was accompanying him till now, could actually go. He hoped that at least to the point when they will be able to escape Taris.
"And if we can't get those launching codes?"
"Then simply wait for us and together we'll manage to find some way to do that" Revan answered calmly. Rex at this point also finished taking the armor off the dead man.
"And if you DO get the codes" Revan continued, thinking for a moment. "Then try to find any mean of an escape. We will certainly be needing it after we're done."
His companions were now contemplating Revan's plan in their minds. It did have some gaps and was extremely risky. But on the other hand, it was the only plan, they actually had at the moment. And if it worked out, it could save their very lives.
Carth took a deep breath. He didn't want to do that, but they had no other choice.
"Okay then, I guess, that we have to try your plan," he said to Revan. The man in response only grinned. He also thought of this plan as extremely dangerous. But they did have a momentum. If everything goes well, tomorrow they will be off the planet.
"Very well. Try to search around the cantina for any useful information" he advised. "I'll contact you, if anything goes wrong, or when we accomplish our mission. Now, what are you waiting for? Get out of here! We have work to do!" he ordered, chasing them away, as one does with the fly. He wished that the Force doesn't abandon them in this moment.
Revan looked around of the abandoned apartment, he and Rex were in. The hall was empty. Cautiously, he stepped outside, his companion following closely behind. They've left the room and closed the door. They didn't want anyone to find the dead bodies.
He moved forward carefully. The Sith armor was very uncomfortable and was reducing his movements. He wondered, how soldiers could fight in that.
Not to mention the helmet. The bloody thing caused him to almost lose his sight. Everything was so dark, because of the vizier. It also made his breathing process difficult. He wished, he had his old armor on. It was everything but the uniform he was wearing right now. But he had no time for pointless wishes. He had to focus on his task at hand.
He saw with a corner of his eye, that Rex was having the very same problems, he did. Now he finally understood why his closest soldiers never wore this thing.
They stepped out of the skyscraper. Now the blackened vizier came in hand. The glaring sun wasn't causing them to close their eyes anymore. The two men walked towards the connector, Revan was previously in. On their way there, they passed few citizens and Sith soldiers. Not a word was exchanged with the other troopers. Fortunately, they were in no mood for talks with different patrols.
Revan and Rex quickly reached the elevator in the connector. This time the guard didn't stop them.
"Another patrol heading down to the Lower City, eh? Good luck… I've heard it's pretty rough down there. There's a big swoop gang war going on, you know. You better watch yourselves: those gangs will take a shot at anyone – even us! It's too bad we don't have the manpower to just sweep those slums clean" the Sith soldier said. Revan, in response, only nodded and walked towards the door of the elevator, that opened with a hiss. He and Rex entered the lift, the door closing behind them. Now they were finally making some progress.
Carth sighed heavily. The alcohol was already making its way through his body. Try to search around the cantina for any useful information, Alen's words stung his head. He made a mental note to rip apart that man when he sees him again. Fox and Wolfie weren't at the best state as well. If they wanted to get any information, they had to drink with the locals. And as it happened, no one had any useful information. They've wasted few hours on drinking and found absolutely nothing. Fortunately, the drinks weren't so strong. But it didn't change the fact, they've drunk a lot.
They've left the cantina. The fresh air of Taris was something their lungs and brains needed. Carth walked to the closet barrier and leaned through it. He brought up the content of his stomach. His two companions did the same.
Many times in their lives they've heard about how good the Tarisian ale was. But now, after they've tasted it, they didn't want to try any alcohol in their life.
"I'm going to kill him" Fox muttered, trying to keep up on his feet. It was difficult for him and he threw up again.
"Go to the cantina, he said, you'll get information, he said" Wolfie mimicked Revan's words, holding his belly.
Carth said nothing. He had no strength to do so. He only leaned against the barrier, sitting down on the floor of the street. His companions repeated his action.
But still, he knew that Alen was counting on them, despite their current state. He tried to repeat in his mind everything he's heard. Mostly it was some stuttering of drunken men, but actually, there was one thing, that could help them.
Only the astromechanical droids can open that bloody doors. These words stung his mind, but he couldn't make out some sense of them. He didn't remember who has said that, but these words were spoken. Slowly, they've made their way to his consciousness.
Only astromechanical droids, he repeated, though his actions fell on nothing. He decided, that it would be best to go back to their apartment right now. In this state, they could do absolutely nothing. He only hoped they could make it so far to the closest living skyscraper.
After half an hour, they've managed to pass the way, that took two minutes to walk at most. They've collapsed in the apartment, not bothering to walk up to the bed. Before blackness took Carth for good, one last sentence was throbbing in his mind. Only astromechanical droids, with that, he passed out.
Revan wiped the blood from the Sith armor, he wore. After walking out of the elevator, they were immediately dragged into the fight with few represents of one of the local gangs. The Black Vulkars, if he remembered well. He and Rex made their way through the Lower City. They hoped to find any track of Bastila in here.
She felt a presence. A familiar one. Not the voice, like previously. Now she felt a presence, that was approaching her. She recognized it, somehow. But she couldn't make who or what it was. She tried to focus her mind But was immediately shocked with a bolt of electricity. It caused her to pass out again, but one thought appeared again in her mind before the blackness took her. I'm coming for you. And once again, she felt relieved.
Thank you for reading this chapter, I hope you liked it. This one also was difficult to write, but I hope, that you enjoyed reading it more than I did writing it. Write in the comments your thoughts and all that you want to share with me. And see you next time!
