Restless
- Mission Vao -
I was getting restless again; I could feel it in my bones. The desire to go out and explore, to meet new people, to have an adventure - it was beginning to consume me. It didn't help that Gadon refused to let me join in on any of the Hidden Bek assignments. I could help them, I really could! Why do they always treat me like a kid?
Big Z would say it's 'cause I was a kid, but he was the only one who could get away with that. Although I did throw my dinner at him last time.
"(Mission, you're fidgeting like a lice-ridden cub)," he suddenly complained.
I looked up from the spare utility belt I'd been tweaking. It didn't carry as many tech spikes as my usual one, but was totally more comfortable to wear.
"Let's go explore the Undercity again!" The thought had only just crossed my mind as it erupted out of my mouth.
"(No!)" he exploded in a fierce growl. "(It's too dangerous. Listen to Gadon!)"
I had to laugh. How many times have we been down there with no trouble? "Come on, it's not like we can't avoid the rakghouls! 'Sides, I wanna check out those escape pods!" I grinned hopefully at him. "There could be some really cool stuff down there!"
Just thinking about it stirred excitement in my belly. We might find some Republic gear! Think of the creds that would bring us! The Undercity wasn't a place I went to often – it was dark, depressing, and the rakghouls were actually pretty scary. But they stayed outdoors and were slow and lumbering. As long as we kept our wits about us, they were pretty easy to avoid. Big Z and I had explored the sewer tunnels down there a couple of times, and my bio-scanner had never picked one up in there.
Though I didn't like the strange, faraway roars I heard sometimes. They were downright creepy. Big Z said it was the sound of the planet's soul slowly dying, but he could be poetically dramatic like that.
"(There are Sith patrols down there, Mission!)" he was scolding sternly. I'd always found it surprising how strongly he could convey disapproval when howling in his native tongue.
"Bah, they won't bother us," I waved a hand dismissively. Our 'scanners would pick up the rakghouls and the Sith before they came too close. And worst case scenario: Zaalbar would just grab me and run. It was amazing how fast a seven foot Wookiee could sprint.
"(No, I'm not going)," he said firmly, shaking his shaggy head.
I gave him an affectionate look. "Yes, you are!"
"(Mission)," he whined, "(you are too impulsive for your own good. Let us just stay here)."
"No way!" I retorted, shaking my head in denial. "Live a little, Big Z! Come on, it's boring round here!"
Besides, this would be a way for the Beks to take me seriously. If we found something important, maybe something that the Sith up top wanted, then it could really give the Beks some leverage. And maybe Gadon would finally let me compete in the swoop races.
"(What are you up to now, Mission?)" A female voice said in Ryl. I glanced up to see Zaerdra, Gadon's second-in-command, enter the Bek storeroom we were seated in. Zaerdra insisted in speaking purely Ryl to me - as if I was gonna lose my heritage or something if I didn't hear it daily. I enjoyed ribbing her by always answering back in Basic.
Okay, okay, I knew my Ryl wasn't fluent, and I only understood the rudimentary basics of the lekku sign-language, but I'd been born on Taris or close to. I was a Tarisian, first and foremost. It wasn't like I was going to immigrate to Ryloth anytime soon… it wasn't like I'd ever have the chance.
"Nothing, just talking 'bout our next adventure," I answered chirpily, hoping she'd drop it.
Zaerdra pinned me with a glare. "(What adventure? Really, Mission, there's a gang war going on at the moment. You need to stay put, grow up and have a little more care)."
"Grow up?" the cry was ripped from my lungs as I jumped to my feet. She's always mothering me – as if I need it! While gang fighting had erupted into the tunnels and alleyways of the Lower City, it didn't mean I couldn't evade all the action if need be. I knew all the secret shortcuts, and had all the gear to warn me of any incoming danger. And worst case scenario: no one was tougher than Zaalbar. "I take care of myself perfectly fine, and always have! Why do you always treat me like a little girl?"
"(Because you-)" Zaerdra pursed her lips, sighed, and then began again. "(You are still young and spontaneous, and I worry you put yourself in danger. Especially with all the Vulkars out there right now)."
"(Mission can take care of herself)," Big Z growled in Shyriiwook. Good old Zaalbar. He may lecture me to death when we're alone, but he'll always stick up for me. Sometimes I reckon I can't count on anyone else.
"Well don't worry," I said firmly, crossing my arms. "I know the Undercity better than any Bek alive!"
"(The Undercity? Oh Mission, you're not going there again?)" Zaerdra frowned, her brightly waxed lekku twitching in disapproval. She sniffed. "(Gadon will talk some sense into you)."
"Look, Zaerdra, if Gadon doesn't want me along on Bek jobs, then that's fine. I'll just keep myself busy." I tried to say that in a snooty voice, but considering Zaerdra's scowl I didn't think it worked. "Let's go, Big Z."
The Wookiee faithfully followed me out of the Hidden Bek base. I grinned and waved merrily to Dane and Lizza who were standing guard at the base entrance, but I was still annoyed inside. I could help the Beks – I'm the best splicer they've got - why does Gadon still coddle me? Big Z tried to tell me it was 'cause they cared, and 'cause Zaerdra thought she was looking out for me, but I didn't buy that. No one's looked out for me since Griff left, and I've been fine!
But I wasn't gonna think on my brother. Better to contemplate finding all sorts of exotic Republic gear we could flog off to the rest of the Beks.
"(Can we get something to eat first, Mission?)" Zaalbar complained as we wandered down a shadowy back alley. There was a convenient shortcut between the Bek base and the cantina, and sometimes I wondered at how those brainless Vulkar oafs had never found Gadon's hideout. Or maybe they know it, and just don't dare a full out attack. The Beks had more men, it was true, although those nasty Vulkars had been recruiting an awful lot lately.
"You and your stomach!" I poked Zaalbar in his furry side, and made a mental note to nag Zaalbar into having a bath. "It's a good thing I can bring in the creds, Big Z, with the way you eat!"
He growled at my teasing, and I laughed again. "Alright, let's go get some cantina grub. I might play a bit of pazaak, too."
I recalled the Rodians who'd been there last night, eager to play me – but I'd had to dash. Newcomers that want to challenge the pazaak queen of the Lower City – I'm going to have some fun kicking their scrawny green butts! It'd taken me years to build up this deck, and I was rather proud of it. Some of the cards I'd collected were worth drukloads on the open market.
I skipped along the corridor in anticipation with Zaalbar trudging behind me. A flickering neon light announced the cantina, and I stopped to chat briefly to the bouncer, who all but ignored Zaalbar. Big Z tended to be quiet in other company, and it always amazed me how easily people could forget he was even there. Except when he gets angry. Hard to ignore a seven-foot growling shag carpet!
I waltzed into the cantina and waved cheerily at Sancha, the barman. Glancing around the place, my eyes lit up on a napping patron. A Twi'lek dressed in Vulkar colours, slumped unconscious on the beer-stained bar. Someone's had a few too many drinks... ooh, this could be fun. I heard a slumbering snore escape him, and grinned.
The Black Vulkar was alone, head resting on limp arms. Sancha gave me a warning look as I approached, but turned to hide a grin. He knew me well, and wasn't the biggest fan of the Vulkars, anyway. They'd trashed his place three times in the last month – despite the unwritten code of the Lower City. Leave the gang war on the streets.
Zaalbar nudged me. "(Mission, what are you doing?)"
"Big Z, shush!" I whispered. "Go eat something. Your breath stinks."
"(You are getting into trouble again. I cannot let you walk into danger)."
I rolled my eyes at him, pushed him softly away, and hopped onto the stool next to the Black Vulkar. The thug didn't move; still head-planted on the bar. What sort of trouble could an unconscious punk bring anyway? I leaned nonchalantly against the Twi'lek – he gave a soft snort, but other than that stayed motionless. My wandering hand strayed into his pocket. My, I wonder what this plasteel chit could be. If my luck held, it'd be loaded with creds I could download before the drunk Vulkar woke and cancelled it.
I congratulated myself and jumped off the stool, wandering around the other side of the bar. Zaalbar was shooting me worried looks. "Sancha, dinner for my friend please," I asked cheerily.
"(Mission...)" Zaalbar moaned. I grinned at him, and motioned to a free table in the corner.
"Easy money." I beamed, grabbing out my datapad to insert the chit ready for download. But there was something stuck to the side of the chit; I peeled it off, considering. It was a crumpled piece of paper.
"Bit odd to have something on paper. It looks like codes of some sort," I commented, tracing a finger down it. "What do you make of it, Big Z?"
"(I don't!)" he wailed when I showed him the writing.
I shot him an exasperated look, and glanced at the paper again. There was a Vulkar insignia hastily scribbled on the top, with the phrase 'BlackAccess01' written underneath it in scrawling Basic. Some sort of password? I mused, wondering. Further down the page were the hexadecimal codes I'd first noticed. Weird. Why wouldn't he have this recorded electronically?
An idea hit me – only last week I'd stumbled across a system I couldn't crack. And Gadon'd said he thought the Vulkars had hidden their base in the same place. "Hey! Big Z, d'ya reckon this could have something to do with that security system in the sewers?"
Zaalbar groaned audibly as I felt excitement swell once more through my stomach. My gaze roved hungrily over the page again, but I had the sense to lower my voice. "I reckon it is. I bet 'blackaccess01' is the passphrase to login, which means the codes could be..." I trailed off, my eyes widening. "The deactivation sequence to that forcefield we saw! Stuff the escape pods, let's go check it out! If this-" I shook the bit of paper to stress my point, "-is the key to breaking into the Vulkars' base, then we should make sure it works!"
And if it did, then I could just imagine what Gadon would think. Maybe, after all these years, he might finally relent and admit me as a full Bek member.
I'd been lucky, in a way, that the Beks had taken me in so young. I knew how hard it was to live out on the streets of Lower Taris. But the downside was that Gadon still saw me as no more than the kid he'd rescued years ago – despite all the slicing I did on his behalf.
"(No! Too dangerous! No! I will not allow you to run into a heavily guarded base if I have to tie you up myself!)" Zaalbar yelled angrily.
Well, it's a good thing no one round here can understand Shyriiwook. "Geez, Big Z, calm down would ya? You sound like a wampa in heat! 'Sides," I whispered, "I'm not crazy enough to break into their base. I just want to see if I'm right before I give it to Gadon."
"(No! We will not go!)"
"Calm your friend down, would you? He's scaring the customers," Sancha warned as he strolled over, Zaalbar's dinner resting on a tray clasped in his hand.
I grinned apologetically at him. "He's just hungry, is all. Saying how he can't wait for your food!"
Sancha gave me a disbelieving look as he handed Zaalbar his food – typical Lower City cuisine of rehydrated gima beans and cast-off meat from the Upper City – but strolled away without further comment.
"(Mission, I will go with you to the escape pods, if you promise we will not go near that forcefield)," Zaalbar offered hopefully.
Now that was a surprise. Last time, we'd come a teensy bit close to a rogue rakghoul, and Zaalbar had sworn he wouldn't let me near the Outside again. I beamed at him. Once I've got him down there, it'll be easy enough to drag him into the sewers. 'Sides, it's safer in the sewers than the Outside.
"It's a deal!" I said cheerfully, quickly downloading the Vulkar's creds before standing. There was only slightly more than one hundred unencrypted, and I was of a mind to make a bit more than that this evening. "I'm gonna hit the card tables, Big Z." I patted his shoulder reassuringly and waltzed off to the card room, cred tokens from last week's winnings still secure in my belt. I discarded the Vulkar's empty chit in a disposal bin along the way.
The pazaak den was adjoined to the main bar under a large archway, and occupied with the usual assortment of drunks, lowlifes, and anyone looking to make a quick buck. Which pretty much included every inhabitant in the Lower City. I liked it here though; most people were too busy looking out for themselves to hassle me for being so young.
Lina, a Zabrak female who frequented the pazaak den more often than me, spotted my entrance and wandered over to embrace me affectionately. She was a spice junkie, and more often than not I'd see that awful glazed look on her face as she rode out another glitterstim high. Today she appeared crisp and coherent, and smelled only of watered-down beer.
"Mission, come to wipe the floor with those Rodian jerks?" she grinned, still hugging me warmly.
I nodded enthusiastically as I stepped back, glancing around the room. Gelrood was holed up in his standard corner, a smug look creasing his face, and the Rodians were playing at the end table.
"You just missed out on an easy catch," Lina told me.
My gaze shot back to her. "Lemme guess, Gelrood thrashed someone? He's looking happier than normal... did he cheat, d'ya think?"
Lina let out a tinkle of laughter. "Not this time. Some crazy new woman lost a whole bunch to him. She kept telling him to stand, or keep going when he was on nineteen."
"Threats?" I raised both eyebrows. It happened, but not often - and usually from the Vulkars or the Sandsnakes, a smaller gang who was just about as nasty. That was the reason most of us refused to play them.
"No, no," Lina giggled, her dull eyes twinkling with mirth. "I was listening to most of it. I don't think she understood how to play the game properly. It sounded like she was making suggestions. Gelrood's certainly richer, though!"
I grinned, wishing I'd been there. All sorts of sents ended up in Javyar's cantina, and I personally bet it was some Upper City brat who'd been forced out by the Sith. "Shame I missed out! Anyways, I'm off to try the new guys."
Lina nodded in farewell, and I made my way over to the end table. One of the Rodians looked up as I approached, his large black eyes narrowing in recognition.
"(Hey look, a little girl wants to try a grown up game)," he sneered in Rodese. The other two spotted me next, stopping their game to eye me over.
"Hey, I'm not a little girl, ronto breath!" I glared at them. "Are you afraid to play me? You said last night you wanted to play the champion."
"(This place is easy credits if the champion's just a little girl)," a second one chimed in, nudging the first. I was starting to get annoyed - but I knew just how much psychology factored in with pazaak. Besides, if my deck didn't treat me well tonight, I'd just cheat to win.
"Maybe you should stop talking, and start playing. Or are you scared?" I challenged, a hand on my hip.
"(Let's see how many credits you have to lose)."
xXx
A short time later, and I walked out of the card room smugly, my purse full of tokens just waiting to be cashed in. I'd lost a few games to those smart mouths, but won more. My lucky deck never fails me. Well, it usually didn't, and certainly hadn't tonight.
"(Little girl cheats! Little girl's asking for trouble!)" the slurring voice of the Rodian I'd just thrashed drifted after me into the main bar.
I whirled around, glaring through the archway back into the pazaak den. "I do not cheat, gizka brain! Face it, I won fair and square, you sore loser! Now, beat it."
I stalked over to the bar, my eyes narrowed in annoyance. Would people stop with the age thing already? I wondered briefly where Big Z was, he must have had four dinners by now.
"(Hey, little girl! You better give our money back. We don't like cheats)," another one of the mouthy runts taunted, dogging my heels. I glanced back to see two of the Rodians had followed me out, their beady eyes intent on me.
"I told you to leave me alone – so give me some space, bug-eye!" I retorted. These guys just can't handle losing. "Your breath smells like bantha poo-doo!" It did, actually, and I'd struggled to concentrate on the game at times. They'd give Big Z a run for his money. Far out. Haven't these guys ever heard of personal hygiene?
"(This ain't no place for a little girl like you. If you're smart, you'll run away home)." The closest Rodian pointed a finger at me.
Do they think they can scare me? Hah! I've seen scarier Twi'lek dancers. "Who you calling a little girl, chuba-face?" I countered, folding my arms and staring daggers at them.
"(Looks like someone needs a lesson in manners!)" the second Rodian threatened, stepping up level with his friend.
I saw a large shadow loom behind the Rodians, and stifled a satisfied smirk. "And I suppose you creeps are going to give me one? Gimme a break!" I goaded.
Both of them took a challenging step closer. As if I'm going to back down! "What?" I struck a pose. "You want to beat up on little ole me?"
"(You asked for it!)" The first exclaimed angrily, flexing his arm. At once they were both lifted three feet into the air, and I watched happily as their expression turned from rage, to shock, and then finally fear.
"(You want a fight? Then have one with me!)" Zaalbar roared, and shook them both by the scruff of their necks.
What a sight! Two annoying insects totally outclassed! The Rodians yelped in surprise, and Zaalbar growled a second time before throwing them savagely. One of them let out a high pitched squeal as he thudded against the cantina wall.
"Had enough yet?" I taunted.
"(Little girl's lucky she has a big friend)," the larger of the two muttered as he got to his feet. Zaalbar snarled, and the two Rodians all but sprinted out of the cantina. I poked my tongue out as they passed. Worst case scenario: I always had Big Z to back me up.
When I glanced back to the bar, I saw Sancha was scowling at us. I winked gleefully, and my eyes caught on a Human female laughing at the exchange. I wondered if she spoke Rodese – an' it wasn't like she needed to know Shyriiwook to understand a snarling Wookiee meant. I grinned impishly at her and sidled closer, curious.
Another stranger. First the Rodians, now this Human and her sidekick. For another Human was standing a bit behind her, scowling at her back. Her grumpy sidekick, by the looks. Huh, I wonder what they're doing in here.
"Say, I don't recognize you and I know pretty much everyone in this part of the Lower City. You must be new down here," I said brightly, smiling at them. "I guess that makes me and Big Z your official welcoming committee!"
The woman grinned in response, and inclined her head. Her green eyes seemed to sparkle with mischief, and I took an immediate liking to her. In the corner of my eye, I spotted Zaalbar losing interest as he turned back to his food.
"Hi, my name's Jen," the Human told me. She had a mop of curly dark hair and wore tattered armour. A vibrosword was strapped to her side, and the other guy was resting his hand on his hip, where I'd bet fifty creds a blaster was concealed. I found it hard to tell age with Humans, but they were much older than me, and had a sort of battle-ready look about them.
I pointed to the man; he had a highly irritated look on his face. "Is that guy with you, or does he just like glaring at the world?"
The woman laughed. "That's Carth. I seem to have a habit of annoying him."
The man named Carth hissed something I didn't hear, his face a picture of heightened frustration.
"What?" She shot him a puzzled look. "You're paranoid, you know that?"
"Anyway," I chimed in, not wanting to witness an argument between the two. "My name's Mission Vao and that big Wookiee over there is my best friend, Zaalbar. I'd offer to give you a tour, but the streets down here aren't safe - what with the gangs and the Sith these days."
"You showed a lot of guts dealing with those bullies, kid," the older man commented. He was probably trying to be polite, but I bristled at the word. Jen looked at me – I wondered if she sensed my irritation, for she quickly spoke again.
"How do a Wookiee and a Twi'lek end up as best friends?" she asked curiously.
I relaxed, warming up to the subject. "We just kind of fell in together. It ain't easy on your own here in the Lower City - everyone's always looking to get the best of you."
"We've noticed that," Carth commented in a droll voice. "Still, you seem like an odd pair."
"When I met up with Zaalbar it seemed like a good match," I volunteered. "I knew we could look out for each other. With my street smarts and his muscle, we make a great team." I couldn't ask for a better friend.
The Humans nodded at me, and I wondered again what they were doing at Javyar's Cantina. Not many of their type came here. I suddenly recalled Lina's earlier comments, and wondered.
"Say, you don't want to play a game of pazaak, do ya?" I asked brightly.
"No she does not," Carth said quickly through clenched teeth. Jen's face flushed red, and I had to suppress a giggle. So it was her!
"I'd like to ask you some questions," Jen said in a rush.
I suppose I could let her change the subject. "Well, you came to the right person!" I told her. "If you want info on Lower Taris, I'm the one to talk to! Davik, the Lower City gangs... I've even got the scoop on that bounty hunter Calo Nord!"
She gave me a considering look. "Calo Nord? He's the fellow I saw earlier. What do you know about him?"
"Calo Nord's one of the most famous bounty hunters in the galaxy!" I enthused. "He's killed more people than the Iridian Plague! I've seen him kill people just for looking sideways at him!" He was pretty scary; I sure as heck didn't try talking to him. He didn't usually turn up here unless he was hunting down a bounty. Bad for business, Sancha would grumble. "Calo hangs around Zax's bounty office, but I don't think he's looking for work there. I reckon Calo's been hired by Davik to do a special job for the Exchange. I'd wager a thousand creds that as soon as the quarantine ends, he'll be getting off this rock."
"A thousand big ones – that's some amount," Jen murmured. Carth scowled at the mention of credits, and I grinned. I reckon they're flat broke now. You gotta be some sort of head-case to lose that much to Gelrood.
"Well," Jen continued. "I'm mostly interested in finding a way down to the Undercity."
Ooh, I bet she's going down there because of the escape pods! I'm almost tempted to join up with them... but I work better alone. Alone with Zaalbar, anyway. "You'll have a tough time getting past the Sith guard," I warned. "They don't have the manpower to control the streets down here, but they've set up an outpost next to the Undercity entrance." I knew a few other ways around the guards, but they were my secrets alone. "Why d'ya want to go to the Undercity, anyway? The rakghouls attack anything on sight!"
"Just want to check out a few things," she said lightly.
I let out a grin. Yep, definitely going after the escape pods. "Well, good luck getting there. If you need help, have a chat to Gadon Thek – he's the leader of the Hidden Beks."
"I don't know if we want to get involved with the gang wars," Carth murmured.
"Gadon's a good guy!" I jumped in quickly. "And a great leader! This gang war is totally the Vulkars fault! They're the ones who started killing everything on the streets – just 'cause of the Sith trying to wrest control. Between those two, everyone's gone insane out there."
"Sounds a good reason to stay out of it then," Jen commented drily.
"Well, maybe," I said, shrugging. "But I don't reckon you'll be able to get to the Undercity without Gadon's help."
Gadon always liked to check out strangers himself, and he usually helped the good ones... if they helped him, of course. He'd want to meet these two. Both of them looked pretty tough and, despite their wish to stay away from the gangs, I knew that was easier said then done. The Vulkars would even harass me on sight these days.
Except in the cantina, of course - that's off-limits. Usually. The Vulkar I'd looted earlier was still passed out on the bar. Well, he was asking for it. Sheesh… who passes out drunk with their pockets loaded?
"This dive is boring," I complained. "I'm gonna go find some action. Nice to meet you, Jen."
"And you," she smiled at me. I grinned back. I've got some creds, Big Z's been fed - it's time to hit the streets.
"Come on, Big Z!" I called out to the corner where Zaalbar was probably onto his fifth meal already. "Let's get going."
He complained, but followed me loyally to the door.
Time for an adventure!
xXx
