Chapter 14

As the crowd dispersed and the clean-up crew began picking up the unconscious or semi-conscious fighters, the shorter Neimoidian, Torse, walked up and handed Ryu a coin purse that was noticeably full. He said, "Thanks to you, I just turned a profit on today's bets, even with the penalty fee I just paid. It wasn't a good day for my wagering until you came along and it's getting even better now that my brother is helping himself to a healthy helping, figuratively speaking, of mynock pie. Pleasure doing business with you Jedi Jayks; I'll be watching your fights very closely for this tournament."

Ryu looked around as Torse walked away still chuckling to himself, and saw a Falleen child, barely more than a youngling, standing next to his bag by the wall. Going over to the wall and looking at the child, he could tell that the child was a girl, a little on the scrawny side; her pants were just a hair too short in the legs indicating that she had outgrown them but probably couldn't afford another pair, her sandals could be seen to have been repaired more than once but were serviceable and her shirt was baggy but tucked in. Her hair was lank and hung down straight on her pale green head and looked as though it could've used a thorough washing. As if to further illustrate, in Ryu's mind, the old cliché of the 'Diamond in the Rough', the youngling was Force Sensitive, though he could tell that she was unaware of it. He said, "How much to get my bag back young one?"

The girl met Ryu's eyes unflinchingly and said, "How'd you know it would cost you anything?"

Ryu answered, "I remember this kind of environment from when I was a wandering fighter many years ago, practically everything is for sale, even things that don't belong to the seller; so, how much?"

The girl made some mental calculations and said, "250 credits."

Ryu laughed and said, "250? That's complete piracy and you know it; 25 credits."

The girl countered, "150."

Ryu countered back, still too much, 50 credits."

The girl clearly knew how to haggle as her tone of voice didn't waver as she said, "I can see you're a smart man when it comes to money and I'll give you a special discount and go down to 125 credits, final offer."

Ryu smiled again and said, "Even though I could just take my bag back, I like your spirit young one so I'll make you a better offer. 100 credits a day to be my shadow while I'm competing in Xoran's tournament."

The girl considered the offer a moment and said, "Clarify."

Ryu answered, "For 100 credits a day, you watch my gear and make sure no one tries to steal it, you find me a place to sleep that's clean and relatively close by and a place to get food and water that's safe to consume, as a bonus, if my accommodations have extra space, you can stay on a piece of furniture or in a corner, safe in the knowledge that you can sleep without having to worry about someone or something ripping your throat out. I'll even toss in the 50 credits I offered before, this time as an advance; final offer."

The girl thought about it for a moment longer and said, "I'll take that deal, but you can skip the shelter option. I may live in the slums but I already have a little place of my own that keeps the rain and the hawkbat droppings off my head and protects me from the wind currents that can be generated in the narrow spaces between the buildings down here. I even have a PADD that I repaired and a splice into the data stream. Otherwise, you've got yourself a personal assistant and shadow. My name is Nirri; nice to meet you Master Jayks."

Handing over two 25 credit pieces and taking his bag back with a toss over his shoulder, he said, "Resourceful and spirited. That's a rare combination anywhere. You can just call me Ryu if you like Nirri. While I officially register, you can start earning your keep by finding me a place to stay. Remember, clean and relatively close by."

Nirri said before running off, "You got it. I'll meet you back here in a half hour."

After Nirri ran off, Ryu went up to the Desk. This time Acks was all smiles as he said, "I've already registered you for the tournament sir and the sign up fee was waived by the Master of the Battle Cave, but I have to warn you, this tournament will feature shock-gear instead of bare knuckles. If you still want to proceed, and if you have your own equipment, please place it on the testing panel and then look around and get a feel for the venue. Your first fight is tomorrow morning at 1000hrs."

Ryu showed Acks his shock gear and placed it on the nearby measuring panel to make sure it was in compliance with established shock-boxing power levels. When the test was done, Ryu put his gear back in the top of his bag tied it and threw it back over his shoulder before entering the tiered seating area through a set of double doors that opened with a pneumatic hiss and closed almost soundlessly. The arena was set up like many others that Ryu had been in. The platform where the fights would be taking place looked to be about three and a half to four meters to a side, square and elevated slightly. Plenty of room to move whether the move was to evade, attack or counter. Performing a Force scan revealed no hidden surprises in or on the platform. Looking around still more, Ryu saw the private boxes where the high stakes gamblers like the Neimoidian brothers would sit and one very special box seat that could only belong to Xoran. A plush and spacious chair, almost throne-like sat in the center of the box, flanked by two smaller seats, probably reserved for very special guests. The box itself was suspended on a set of repulsors that would allow it to be lowered to the edge of the platform itself, presumably so that Xoran could step onto the platform to work the crowd or defend his title as 'Master' of the Demon's Battle Cave. Ryu could just barely sense a very strange and somehow familiar dead zone far above the platform, further than he could see. He could barely make out the seams where a set of doors would open, maybe to lower something into the arena but he couldn't figure out what though.

Sooner than he realized, it was time to meet Nirri and go settle into his accommodations. This promised to be an interesting tournament Ryu mused to himself.

A short time later, Nirri had taken Ryu to where he would stay, a small hostel, barely one quarter of a kilometer away. His room was small but serviceable and the scent of clean linen was sharp inside. His room shared a 'fresher station with the adjoining room that was empty at the moment. The two rooms, Ryu's and the empty one both had their own door to the 'fresher that could be locked so there were no serious concerns about a break in. Down the hallway from his room and down a small flight of stairs was the dining area that held four tables at the moment but it was clear that it could hold more if needs be. Leaving his bag in his room and locking the door, Ryu went to the dining area and decided on a light, early dinner. At his request, Nirri stayed and dined with him. As they waited for their food, Ryu spoke.

"So, Nirri, how did you end up down here?"

Nirri answered, "Don't really know. I remember my mom, or at least I think it was my mom. Whether it was or not, my earliest memories are of her taking care of me until about four standard years ago or so. She sent me to one of the small markets that can be found that sell basic staples but won't gouge you on the price too badly. When I got back, she was gone. No message, no sign of anything bad happening, just gone. Rent came due but there was nothing for it so I packed a bag and started walking. I stopped walking when I came into the Demon's Battle Cave Sector and been here ever since. I originally went to one of the Falleen sectors but no one was interested in gutter trash like me so I left instead of trying to fit in, a stranger to my own species."

"That you've been alone for at least four years and managed to survive is quite a testament to your resourcefulness." Ryu said.

Nirri smiled and said, "It's not that bad really. My mom taught me early how to take care of myself. You have to remember that we Falleen mature a little quicker than you humans. If you were to compare me to a human, you might think that I was only nine or ten standard years old when I'm really closer to twelve, but since my species matures a little sooner and we live a fair stretch longer, I'm the equivalent, mentally speaking, of a sixteen or seventeen year old human."

Ryu nodded his head, "I can tell already that you have at least the basic education. You clearly read and speak Basic fluently and you're well spoken as well; do you understand any other languages?"

Nirri answered, "I understand my own language but only if it's spoken slowly and clearly, but I can't speak it very well or write it at all. There's not much need for it down here. I've picked up some Rodian, Huttese, and Gran, but not much else. I also have a knack for fixing small things like that PADD I mentioned. When I found it, it had just come out of a garbage chute and was still smoking. I removed all of the burnt out hardware, found the bits and pieces I needed and repaired it to minimal function, enough to tap into the data stream and keep up on current events as well as access the 'Starter' files on various academic subjects. I get along okay for the most part. It's almost like I have a compass in my head sometimes; it led me to the location where I built my shelter and it helps me find odd jobs here and there for credits on the barrelhead as the saying goes, I've never had to steal to survive nor have I had to sell myself or anything else along those lines. I've done messenger stuff, delivery stuff, finding places and things for fighters like you. I may be considered gutter trash in some places but I don't believe for a nanosecond that I'm worthless."

Ryu said, "That's good, that's very good to hear. No one should be treated as anything less than a sentient being regardless of their upbringing. Do you plan on staying in the lower sectors your whole life though?"

Answering emphatically, she said, "Not on your life! I've already been saving up so that as soon as I get my chronological majority in four more years, I'm getting out of this hole! I don't know where though just yet, but I won't be staying here any longer than I have to. If what I've been reading about in the data stream is accurate, I might try to enlist in Starfleet but its way too early to decide yet."

Their food arrived then and they ate in companionable silence. After they were done, they went for a short walk where Nirri showed Ryu the best sellers that wouldn't try to rip him off for any essential items he might need. As they walked, Ryu observed, "You don't act like any Falleen I've ever met before, though admittedly, I haven't met that many."

Nirri said, "Falleen are usually very reserved and we never display our emotions openly if we can help it, but since I wasn't raised in the feudal system that is Falleen society, I tend to just keep quiet. I don't usually talk so much with someone I've only met, but for some reason, I'm comfortable talking with you. I have to say, for a human, you're okay Ryu. Why are you being so nice to me? Are you using one of those 'Jedi mind tricks' on me or something?"

Ryu smiled and said, "Not at all Nirri and the proper name for what you describe is 'alter mind' not 'Jedi mind trick' and they only work on the weak minded or those who are seriously distracted, say if someone had a dislocated shoulder or something; and speaking for the majority of humans, not all unfortunately, but the majority of humans at any rate, I don't care if you're Falleen, Human, Yuzzum, Rodian or even Gungan, you're a sentient being and worthy of all the same basic courtesies and respect that I would like to be treated with. Have you been hearing otherwise?"

Nirri was silent a moment and said, "Lately there's been a really serious anti-human movement building in some of the neighboring sectors. They've been saying stuff like 'all humans are anti-alien bigots', 'humans will shake your hand and stab you with the other', 'humans are trash', junk like that."

Ryu asked, "Does this group have a name? Do you believe anything that they're saying?"

Nirri said, "I've heard a name here and there. I might be wrong but the name I've heard is H.A.T.E., an acronym for Humans Are the Enemy. While I've read a little history here and there and I know that the Empire was run by humans and they treated all nonhumans pretty badly except for the occasional exception like Thrawn, the Empire was before my time so I can only go with what the history says."

Ryu said, "Like I said, the majority of humans are pretty level-headed with regards to nonhumans, I have a cousin who used to be in Starfleet and she's told me all kinds of really neat things about the nonhumans that she's met, but unfortunately, there are still a few people, human and nonhuman both who are blind enough and dumb enough to believe that a person's worth is measured by the color of their skin, the color of their blood or if they breath oxygen or not."

Nirri's attention perked up when Ryu mentioned his cousin to her. Nirri said, "You have a cousin that was in Starfleet? Why'd she leave? If you don't mind my asking that is."

Ryu smiled again and said, "I don't mind at all Nirri. I first met my cousin, Michelle is her name, I first met Michelle about four years ago, give or take a month when the Rift reopened and a friend of mine, another Jedi Master, named Armis Rau and I went through it in the hopes of entering into a Treaty with the Federation. One of the ships that came to meet us was named the Titan and on it was a senior enlisted person, my cousin, who didn't know she was Force Sensitive. That's what we call people who can use the Force or be taught to use it. The Force brought her and me together and when she was offered the chance to train as a Jedi, she made the choice to leave Starfleet to pursue it; and since you mentioned it, I'd like to talk to you about choices. Starfleet could be a good one but you have one other choice to think about."

"What's that?" Nirri asked.

Ryu answered, "There was a reason that you and I met today. A reason that made you grab my bag and try and sell it back to me instead of running for the nearest pawn shop and getting however many credits you could for it."

Nirri asked, "And that is?"

Ryu said, "The reason is the Force. You are Force Sensitive Nirri and if you want to come with me back to the Jedi Temple when my reason for coming here to the Demon's Battle Cave is done, then you can. You won't have to wait for your legal majority unless you want to. Don't give me an answer right now. Just think about it and give me your answer when you're ready."

Nirri remained silent until their walk had taken them back to Ryu's hostel. Before he went in, she said to him, "I might never be ready, you know that don't you?"

Ryu nodded and said, "I know. If you don't give me an answer before I leave, that's all right. I'll leave my com-address with you and you can call me whenever you want, day, night, next sevenday, next month, next year or not at all. If you decide to embrace your gift, that's what the Force is, a gift, then I'll come and get you myself. If I'm offworld at the time, someone in my family will come and get you. My wife, son, daughter or even my cousin; it will be for you to decide. For now, think on it. Pay special attention to any dreams you might have for this sevenday. The Force sometimes speaks to us from there."

Handing Nirri the other half of her first day's wage and leaving her at the door to the hostel, Ryu went inside to meditate and then go to bed early. His first fight would be upon him all too soon.