Coruscant 21 BBY

(Morning)

And after a sweeping report the journalist Nas Ne Dagonyat that the factory explosion in the neutral region of Hapes has lead to a death tole of nearly 200 has concluded it. Leaving many to wonder if this was simply a melt down in a factory that has not been inspected recently or there is also the case in which it could have been an attack. It makes us wonder in a time of war when even the most neutral of systems seems to get drawn into this war. We must remain strong and fight on in honor of these innocent citizens that have been taken from us so quickly.

The article was written obliviously as a propaganda piece but Lubov was getting paid to write it. It did not matter if it were true or not, or in this case that it was true but a mix of information that she and the board had sown in together to pass for an article. It would be published in the mid-morning news and after that she would be back to writing and listening to reports from Hapes.

It was her home planet, though she dreaded ever going back she still cared deeply for the people of Hapes. She had a duty to keep them in the news and let them know that the republic still understands the fact that there are neutral planetary systems left. And that if they have managed not to get wrapped up in this mess of a war then there was hope for the rest of the galaxy... she at least hoped.

Lubov sighed and looked at the clock. She had only been at work for an hour and had already finished the assignment for the day. What was she supposed to do now? Her research for Palpatine was over and if she was truly desperate for something to do she could always finish what she started late last night on her project. But she was not willing to do that out of sheer boredom. She needed something to do that did not involve herself standing in front of a data-pad for the rest of the day.

Looking over her shoulder checking to make sure her co-workers were distracted she made her way out of the main office area and into the turbo-lift. She was not going to stay there for the rest of the day when she had excuses to get out for the rest of the day and do nothing. This was getting to be a habit she had where if she wanted to leave she would. It was a bad habit but at least she could always say that it had been under good intentions. With the latest assignment that she had been introduced to she had to get interviews and her research done outside of the office. That was the only way was it not?

It was a typical day at best in Coruscant when she stepped out onto the city streets below most of the nicer areas of the planet. The underground was known for two things; people whom you should never talk to and the low life that is produced from years of poverty. This planet was not a nice place to live if you did not have the means to afford it. The rich enjoyed a life of luxury apartments and fine meals, while the people below got themselves a small flat and a few meals a week to sustain themselves.

And what was worse was the fact that she was not allowed discussing the lower levels of Coruscant or any sort of poverty stricken area or else risks her job. She could of course publish else where but what good would that do her name was still on it and even if it were not they would know by her style of writing that it was she would wrote this piece condensing the wealthy members of the republic for using this war to get more credits than they were worth. These people wanted to make sure that these poor citizens stayed that way, while they drank from fine crystal glasses and ate foods that she could never for the life of her pronounce.

The people eventually began to lose clothing as she made her way through the streets of Coruscant. Many women who were more than likely prostitutes aligned the doorways of many bars and stores. All of them dressed in sexy outfits that she would never wear in complete solitude. It was absolutely disgusting to look at those poor girls that had to sell themselves out on the streets because they could not get work elsewhere. They were more than likely going to end up the same way all prostitutes do... being arrested or committing suicide.

Prostitution was legal on some planetary systems, though it was still considered taboo even there. The red light districts of the planets were crawling with legal and illegal sex trade. Many of the girls were forced to be there simply because they were sold into it. Others had turned to it to make a living, and there were some who had just done it because they thought it would be cool to do so. It was considered cool to be a criminal in some regions where crime was high and the rich were ignored. It was culture that led the girls into the business, not much of the sex trade that they sadly other girls had gotten themselves into.

She was not going to write about that, there was not a place for that sort of story to circulate around. The writings on prostitution were not rare it was just that if people wrote about it they had the habit of... disappearing. Plus the people did not want these stories; they want their stories to be on the war rather than on what was happening beneath their feet. It was sad really that they did not see this happening and yet those who did did nothing because they were more concerned with war and not getting murdered or kidnapped!

Though most of the business that was dealt with was more than likely owned by the Hutts who preferred to gamble their way into the market rather than actually focus on the safety of the girls. They were cruel creatures and if she ever got her hands on one of them it would not be a pretty end for anyone that stood in her way from choking that creature. She would more than likely be killed after that but she did not care it was just one less of those monsters to roam the galaxy with their slavery and death stick trades.

Walking around a corner and into a walkway through a rather dark alley she spotted a young couple kissing passionately in front of a dark door way. More than likely she was a prostitute and he was just one of her costumers, but the image was still rather romantic to say the least. Perhaps if she hid she could get a clear shot of the prostitute then get her taken to a woman's heath center. Their she could get food, water, education, and housing. They would take care of her until she got herself back onto her feet and away from the world of prostitution.

There was no risk in this, just another citizen helping another.

She hid behind what appeared to be a pile of fruit in the darkened area. She placed her lens right where she knew she could get the best shot of the prostitute and her costumer. The shot would be easy enough she just had to show the people that this was a real problem and that something had to be done about it. Or at least she could save this one woman from a life of horrible abuse.

As the picture was taken she felt rather uneasy suddenly... as if someone knew she was there and they were going to do something horrible to her. She felt the hair on her neck stand up as she looked slowly behind her. It was not the prostitute, it was not her costumer, and it was Artier.

"What the kriff are you doing here?" Lubov asked scared out of her wits.

"I was looking for you and so I spotted you out her and then followed you," He said getting on his knees beside of her, talking to her in a voice that was barely audible to a mouse. "I was worried that you were still mad at me about what happened yesterday so I followed you here to clear up things."

As if on cue the couple walked into the darkened doorway leaving Lubov curious. She wanted to know what they were going to do besides have sex. Perhaps they were in some sort of relationship maybe they were lovers. It was sheer curiosity that leads her into the doorway. Turning on the infrared camera she quietly and quickly set up the camera there leaving it behind to watch as what was going to happen unfolded.

"I swear what the Hell are you doing Lubov?" Artier whispered as soon as she got back down onto the ground. "Are you crazy what if that whore's madam comes out here and sees you sneaking around?"

Lubov said nothing and focused on the camera screen, she felt slightly perverted watching this but did not care. She was far too into this already to back out. Might as well go into this whole heartily.

She watched the young couple undress each other first the woman and then the man. The woman wore nothing but her panties by then and the man his shorts. They had been wearing rather fancy clothing for peasants. Then man even looked as if he had gotten back from a costume party in which he had dressed like a Jedi. Living out his childhood fantasizes more than likely. She watch as there faces were more clear into the camera, ignoring all stress and anxiety about this situation she zoomed in on their faces trying to get a clear identification on the couple.

As she watched them she suddenly realized who these two people were.

"Artier." Lubov said suddenly.

"Yes," Artier looked at Lubov concerned as ever as he saw a hint of a smile forming on her lips.

"I just bought our ticket to fame." Lubov said looking up into the heaven's thanking whatever deity there was for sending her this at last.

You should probably know where things are going from here if not then you need help. Anyway, hope you liked it; review and what not.