Chapter 8: Slavers in the Sewers

The elevator opened for the soldiers and street orphan once again and they found themselves back in the Undercity. They made their way across the trash filled area to get to the gate leading to the rest of the Undercity but as they made their way there an old man approached them.

"You, you are from the world above!" the man said. "Are you the Herald of Prophecy? Come to deliver our salvation?"

"Watch yourself Calak," Carth whispered. "This man seems a bit senile, but he might be dangerous."

Recalling Gorton Colu and his anti alien league Calak put up his guard but waited to hear what this man had to say.

"Speak to me Upworlder," the man said. "I must know."

"Who are you? What do you want?" Calak asked.

"I'm Rukil, the oldest man in the village. You ask a question, you are uncertain. I seek to save my people from this dreadful existence. I seek the Promised Land where we can have a better life."

Calak recalled Shaleena mentioning Rukil yesterday.

"I don't know if I can help you," Calak said honestly.

"Perhaps not, but perhaps you could," Rukil said. "I can only wait and see. I will ask you to do something for me. I am old and not able to venture beyond the village like I was in my youth. I had an apprentice who did so in my stead, a capable young woman filled with spirit and hope. She went out into the Undercity to look for the Promised Land. She has not returned and I expect her to be dead. But she may have found something that could help me find the great land."

Calak looked at him, feeling uncertain. He wanted to help these people but this Promised Land felt more like a myth then reality. Could a place were all their needs would be provided for really exist on this world? Even so, there was a person out there whose body lay out there possibly rotting. She served to be buried at least.

"If I happen upon the body of your apprentice I will bring it back," Calak said. "But no promises."

"Thank you Upworlder," Rukil said.

The group continued forward. But as they neared the gate to exit the protected area of the outcasts, one man looked at them.

"Hey, you ain't from the village," he said with a greedy look in his eyes that reminded Calak of Gurney. "You got credits I bet."

"Watch yourself, there's something slimy about this guy," Carth whispered in Calak's ear, echoing his own thoughts.

"You're right. He's the most selfish guy down here," Mission whispered as well.

"My name's Igear," the slimeball said. "I'm the trader here in the village. Anyone finds some decent salvage they give it to me in exchange for food and other stuff. If you need anything here I can help."

"Thanks, but I should really be moving," Calak said trying to get away.

"You sure?" Igear said. "If you're going into Rakghoul territory I have some upgrades for weapons you might be able to use."

That got Calak's attention. He might not trust this guy but weapon upgrades where an opportunity he couldn't pass up. He handed Igear the credits he obviously coveted and received the upgrades in return. They couldn't insert them without a work bench but if they were able to find one of those it would be lucky. They pocketed the upgrades and then headed to the gate. The guard took a look out and saw no Rakghouls in the immediate area. He opened it for them and they stepped out.

Calak looked off to the right. "We went that way before and didn't find any other bodies. I guess we should go this way if we want to find Rukil's apprentice."

"You really want to do that now? We only got a couple days till the race," Carth said.

"And who knows when the Gamorreans will sell Zalbaar?" Mission added.

"We'll just search around here for an hour and then head into the sewers to find him," Calak promised.

They headed to the western side of the Undercity. They hid behind objects of cover and peered out before a sound filled the area. A sound of blasterfire.

"Think that might be more Sith?" Carth asked.

"One way to find out," Calak said cocking his rifle. "But after yesterday let's try and avoid a confrontation."

Carth and Mission nodded. They stepped out from behind the small structure they were hiding behind and walked forward. Soon seeing a part of men in combat suits lead by a familiar gray haired mercenary in a sleeveless black shirt and red vest. It was Canderous Ordo, the Mandalorian Calak and Carth had met before, he worked for Davak. Seemed the crimelord was interested in things down here too.

One of the men, with Canderous, a brash looking young thug, spotted them and aimed his own rifle. "Don't-don't move! I'm not afraid to use this blaster if I have to!"

Calak aimed in response but Canderous quickly intervened.

"Settle down kid," he said to the young thug. "We've already lost half our men to those damn Rakghouls, the last thing we need right now is more causalities from a needless firefight."

He looked at Calak and the others considering them for a moment. "From the looks of you I'd say you're here for the same reason as us. To recover those Republic Escape pods. Well I can tell you you're wasting your time. There's nothing there."

He was only half right. Calak would have saved any of his comrades he could but his primary concern was Zalbaar right now as saving that Wookie would allow him to save Bastila.

"Thanks but I'm still looking," Calak said. "Now let me pass. Please."

"Alright then its your funeral," Canderous said.

Grrr.

"Canderous! I heard something! Over there in the shadows!" the same young thug said. "Sounded like a Rakghoul!"

Canderous and Calak had heard it too.

"Looks like we got company, get those blasters ready boys."

Sure enough another pack of mutants came sprinting out. It was a good thing Davak's men were closer to them, at least for Calak, Carth, and Mission. Davak's men weren't so lucky. The Rakghouls went at them first and with their sharp claws and fangs got on top of them and began tearing them apart even as they fired. Calak and his group moved off to the side a bit to get in range of the Rakghouls without hitting Davak's men. While they weren't fans of the crimelord or anyone who worked for him they had a common enemy right now. Blasterfire echoed through the area as shots filled it.

When it was over, none of Calak's group was hurt but Canderous only had two men left in his own group that had held five before. The bodies of Rakghouls littered the ground before them.

"Damn!" the Mandalorian cursed. "I told Davak this salvage mission was a bad idea. His men aren't trained for this sort of thing, and I can't babysit them!"

"Canderous, I feel sick," one of the two remaining men said as he clutched his wound.

"You got infected with the Rakghoul disease kid," Canderous said. "You'll turn into one of them before long."

"No!" the wounded mercenary said. "I don't want that!"

"I'll spare you the fate," Canderous said as he aimed his heavy blaster canon. "Say your last prayer!"

"No please! There has to be another way!" the infected thug said.

"There is!" Calak said. "Wait! Don't shoot him! I have a cure!"

"You do?" Canderous asked. "Oh, I heard on the holonet there was a new cure developed by some cheap doctor last night! Whoever gave that to him really missed out when they should have given it to Davak!"

Calak refrained from saying that had been him. He took one of the vials from his pocket and handed it to the wounded thug. The man drank it and took a breath of relief.

"Ah. I'm feeling better already," he said. "Thanks."

Calak nodded. He just hoped he wouldn't have to kill this man someday if he ended up fighting Davak's men, he'd already done that a couple times now. Still they were not enemies for the moment.

"We're heading back home, you'd be wise to the same," Canderous advised.

"Thanks, but I have something here I need to get. And unlike you I know its here," Calak said.

"Fine," Canderous said before turning to his remaining. "Come on boys lets get out of here."

That left Calak and his group by themselves, aside from whatever Rakghouls might be lurking about. They proceeded carefully through the dark Undercity. The entrance to the sewers were nearby to find Zalbaar but Calak wanted to try and find Rukil's apprentice if her body was around here. They searched for a while and found another pack of Rakghouls. Mission set mines then lured the creatures over to them. They stepped on the mines and were blown up instantly. Checking the area, Calak found his quarry. The body of a young woman. Chewed badly, but she did have a pack that was torn open. Going through it, Calak found a journal. That had to be it!

They headed back to the village with the body and the journal. The gate guard took the body to bury her while Calak and his comrades headed to Rukil.

"I thank you for this," the old man said as he took the journal. "It seems you are marked. You ARE the one to guide us to the Promised Land."

"I don't know where it is though," Calak argued.

"I can sense destiny, and yours is large," Rukil insisted.

Calak would have been wise to simply walk away from this man who seemed to just babble nonsense. But somehow he felt like he'd started something.

"Please, listen to the history of my people," Rukil asked.

"Fine," Calak relented. "But we can't take long. There's a wookie out there I need to save."

"I see. I'll be quick," Rukil said. "Once I was honored for my wisdom. But many have grown to believe that the Promised Land is a myth. My apprentice was one of the last of the young ones to cling to the hope we had. She went to search for clues to the location of the Promised Land. I searched for it in my youth, as did my father and grandfather. But they never returned from their searches. I don't know how deep they went but they may have found something that could lead us to the Promised Land."

"That could be anywhere though," Calak said. "I'm sorry but its unlikely I'll be lucky enough to find those journeys in this big place down here."

"Yeah, what do you expect us to find them randomly in a place we go?" Carth asked.

"I suppose that too much to hope for," Rukil said. "Perhaps you are not the one I seek. But if you do find the journals I would greatly appreciate it if you brought them to me. I have nothing to offer you but my gratitude and the fact that by doing so you could make life easier for us and I sense you are a kind man who wishes to help others."

"I try to," Calak said. "When I can. I we do happen upon these journals somehow I will bring them to you."

"Thank you," Rukil said.

The trio headed off, now that their little errand for the old man was over they had a Wookie to save. They made their way toward the gate once again but as they approached the small stand that Igear stood at he waved.

"Hey there Upworlders! A moment of your time if you please."

Calak hesitated, still not feeling like that guy was trustworthy but he shrugged and walked over to hear him again.

"I saw you talking with Rukil," Igear said. "Told you about his legends of the Promised Land I bet?"

"What's it to you?" Calak asked.

"I think there might be some truth to it. But I'd like to put a stop to it," Igear stated.

"Why?" Calak asked.

"For an Outcast, I got things pretty good," Igear explained. "I earn credits from my business and bring in food and supplies. People here rely on me. If it weren't for Gendar leading, I'd be running this place!"

"I get the feeling if it weren't for Gendar things here would be worse then they already are," Carth whispered.

"But if Rukil ever finds his Promised Land I'm sunk. People won't need to rely on me anymore. I can't have that!"

"You'd keep everyone here trapped just so you could feel important?" Calak asked outraged. "That's disgusting! How can you be so self-centered?"

"Don't lecture me! I have to look out for number one!" Igear said. "Look I know how things work! I can give you a lot of credits if you bring those journals to me! Rukil has nothing! You give them to me, I pay you."

Calak just frowned. "I won't help you. Not when its to satisfy selfish desires like that!"

Igear gaped as Calak looked away and made his way to the gate once again. Out they went and then it was onto the sewers.

…

A foul smell entered their nostrils as they got in through a passage Mission led them to. Sewer water leaked from above into a drain. The sewer hallways were small and stinky. Calak's face twisted in disgust and he wished he had something to block out the smell.

"Uh, this this stinks," Carth said.

"No kidding," Calak said before turning to Mission. "You actually go down here willingly?"

"Well there can be some interesting places down here to find if you can get over the smell," the kid said. "Me and Big-Z like a little adventure."

That brought a question to Calak's mind.

"How did you and Zalbaar meet anyway?"

"Oh it was a couple years ago. I found him being picked on by some Vulkars. Back then they weren't quite as bad but still pretty bad. They started bullying him with three against one, and I didn't like that. So I said 'leave him alone you core slimes!' and charged right at them! One of them smacked me down and that made Zalbaar mad. He took that Vulkar by the throat and looked straight in his eyes."

"Did Zalbaar kill him?" Calak asked.

"Are you kidding Big-Z's not like that," Mission said. "He may look really strong on the outside but he's a big old softie on the inside. He just held him there. The other two screamed and ran off. I can't blame them, first time you see an angry Wookie up close, it isn't a pretty sight. We've been thick as thieves ever since. Of course we've had to resort to that occasionally but we never kill anyone… except Rakghouls and people that attack us."

"I guess on this planet you gotta do what you gotta do," Carth grumbled.

Mission looked at him with a glare. They still hadn't made up after yesterday's scuffle.

"Yeah, I guess so," she admitted.

They arrived at a door in the sewers. Must have been here to prevent less intelligent creatures like Rakghouls from getting into other parts down here. Calak readied his rifle, doing his best to block out the disgusting smell. He pressed the open button and the door split into sections and retracted into the walls. He, Carth and Mission aimed out into the sewer hallway beyond, finding nothing. They continued on for a moment then Mission held up a hand.

"This is close to where they ambushed us. You guys stay here, I'm gonna scout ahead and see if I can find them," the young Twi'lek said.

They nodded. Mission activated her stealth field generator and vanished from their sight. They waited. After a few minutes, Mission returned, her vibroblade in hand, blood on the blade.

"Well I found their camp, and took care of the patrol in the hall up ahead. They have to make sure to keep Rakghouls out of here," Mission said.

They crept along the path Mission lead them through.

"Get out your blades," she advised quietly. "The door to their camp is just off to the side on the right up ahead. They'll be on us too quickly for blasters. We'll need to be ready with swords."

The two soldiers did as she said. They passed a door on the left which neither Mission nor Carth paid no mind. But Calak stopped, feeling something. Something like a voice calling out to him.

Come. Come.

Calak turned to the door the left. He extended his hand.

"Calak what are you doing?" Carth asked looking behind him.

"They're in that one up there!" Mission said pointing ahead.

Calak then pressed the button to open this current door. He shook his head.

"Uh, that's weird, I just felt like something was calling me," Calak said.

"I didn't hear anything," Carth said.

"You must be imagining things," Mission said.

But Calak looked into the door through which the mysterious voice had called him. He saw an old broken droid inside as well as a skeletal corpse that held a… book? Could that be-

"There's something in here!" Calak said.

He entered the small stinky room. Bending down he took the book from the bones and looked inside it was a journal alright. Scanning the contents he found mentions of the Promised Land and pathways.

"This is one of the journals Rukil wanted!" Calak said.

"How did you know it was here?" Carth asked.

Calak shrugged. "Just a feeling that something was in here."

"Well I have a feeling we need to hurry and save Zalbaar," Mission said.

They went to the next door and pressed the button there. The door opened and revealed a group of four gamorreans, pig like aliens that hated technology and used large primitive axes. They stunk, standing out even in the sewer, and looked at the door with dopey looking eyes. Even if they were dopey, though, they could tell that this trio were intruders, but they also recognized Mission.

"Hey look the little Twi'lek is back!" one of them said in a language of squeals pointing at Mission. "And she brought friends!"

"More slaves to add to our sales!" another said excitedly.

"I'm here for my friend!" Mission said. "You piggies hand him over and maybe we'll let you live!"

The Gammoreans let out amused snorts.

"We may not count well but we know there more us then you!" the biggest one, probably the leader, said.

"Yeah we have five against four!" another said, incorrectly.

"Shut up dummy! There four of us and three of them! Still odds in our favor!" the leader said. "Surrender, and don't try to run! We make good profit off of four slaves!"

"Not a chance!" Calak said. "Yaah!"

He charged in with his vibroblade. The Gammoreans were big brutes that relied on strength with their big axes. All muscle and no technique. Calak lured the leaders axe up as he struck for the shoulder. The pig blocked it and tried to strike back, but it was too slow to land. Calak dodged it and saw an opening, stabbing the leader through the gut as he overextended with his axe hitting the floor. Calak and Mission likewise charged with their own vibroblades. They each had one Gammorean to take on now.

Calak blocked the axe of the second Gammorean that attacked him and kicked him, throwing him off balance and allowing Calak to slash him across the chest, getting smelly Gammorean blood on his blade. Carth used one of his own blades to block his opponents axe then struck with the other one. Mission managed to hold off her Gammorean but its strength was too much for her and batted her off balance. It then punched her with its thick disgusting hand, knocking her off her feet.

"I think I use you before we sell you slave!" he squealed as he bared down on her.

"Oh no you don't!" Calak said as he came up behind the pig.

His blade pierced the back of the Gammorean's stomach. It fell to the ground as Mission got back to her feet with a look of fury on her face!

"You want to rape me? Good luck with that!" she said as she kicked the dying slavers face.

They looked around and saw a pair of doors in the room. Mission took a few deep breaths to calm down then noticed something about one of the doors.

"Hmm. Look at this, its one of those old-style manual locks. No computer codes or nothing. The sewers is the only place you'll find of these on Taris. You can't use conventional security spikes on them. Luckily, I've come across them from time to time and rigged up a little device to get past them."

She reached into her pocket and drew the device out. Picking the old lock she soon opened it. Inside was a small room that was empty except for…

"Zalbaar!" Mission exclaimed in relief at the sight of her friend.

The Wookie came running up and embraced his much smaller partner lifting her off her feet in a bone crushing hug. He then set her down before speaking in Shiriwook.

"You're a sight for sore eyes Mission."

"I'm glad to see you too Big Z! Didn't think I'd leave you to become a slave did ya!" Mission asked.

Zalbaar shook his head before looking at Calak and Carth. "Who are these human's with you?" he asked in a few growls.

"These are my new friends Big Z!" Mission said. "Calak Star and Carth Onasi, they helped me get all the way back here to save you."

Zalbaar growled in appreciation. "Thank you very much."

Carth didn't say anything as he didn't understand the Wookie's speech. But Calak could.

"Glad we could help Zalbaar," Calak said. "Good to meet you."

They'd technically met before but hadn't paid much attention to each other. Zalbaar looked at Calak in surprise.

"You know the language of my people?" he asked through his soft groans. "That's rare among outsiders. I owe you a great deal. If not for you I would have been sold to a slave trader. They see my kind as brutes best used for hard labor. There's only one way I can repay such a thing. I pledge a lifedebt to you."

Calak's eyes widened as Carth listened without understanding. He had to wait till Mission explained.

"A lifedebt? You sure Big Z?" she asked.

"I'm sure, Mission," Zalbaar said.

"Do you know what this means?" Mission asked Calak. "What a lifedebt is?"

"Some kind of loyalty vow?" Calak guessed.

"Uh, am I included in it as well?" Carth asked.

"I think Zalbaar feels more drawn to someone who can understand him," Mission said. "I'm sure he's grateful and if I had to guess I'd say Calak did more. He killed three of those Gammoreans and you only got one."

Carth sighed. "Fair point."

Mission turned back to Calak. "A lifedebt is the most solemn vow a Wookie can make. He'll follow you till the end of the galaxy after you save his life. Until death or you feel you've overcome the most dangerous parts of your life."

Calak nodded in understanding. "I'm honored to accept his vow. I'm a Republic Soldier, so I'm gonna need all the help I can get until this war with the Sith is over."

Zalbaar nodded back. "Until the Sith are defeated then. That is when my debt shall to you shall be paid."

"I guess I'm staying with you too then," Mission said.

Calak smiled at her. "I'm glad to have you aboard Mission."

He looked around at them, Carth, Mission, and Zalbaar. Who knew how many more would join him on this quest?

Okay so now Zalbaar is rescued. As before I made some changes like how many Rakghouls are in the sewers since we don't want too many battles even some of us might be a fan. I also changed somethings on the outcast corpse we saw here to make it skeletal instead of decaying. Cause at this point Rukil's father or grandfather should be long dead by now and have already decayed to a skeleton or worse.

I may not post a chapter in the next two weeks as one of my stories is a bit closer to done and I would like to get it finished a bit sooner. Just wait and see. Hope you enjoy this chapter till then.