Chapter 5: Gangs and Killers

Authors Notes: Well, I managed to get this chapter done a day early. I thought I'd be busy this weekend, so I wanted to get a head start. Also, some good news, I've managed to regain my Kotor game by getting it off of Bluestacks rather than Steam. I've already completed my first character out of nine. For once I did a Jedi that always wears armor, in fact its armor that will be appearing in this very chapter. Republic Mod Armor. I grew to like the look of it seeing one of the optional faces wearing it on one of the pictures on the back of my old PC game case. It was fun and a nice change. Just had to get the right set of powers as certain ones can't be used while wearing armor, makes more vulnerable to certain powers like Choke though. Ah well, I managed to get through the whole thing and even defeated Malak without much difficulty.

As for that one review from last time, thank you for the suggestion and I think I will make a little addition to have Calak slap Holdan. He'd deserve that. And I did it.

Calak and Carth made their way out of the cantina. Mission and Zalbaar continued ahead of them then vanished around the corner. The two soldiers approached the door on the right where a lone guard with a vibrosword stood. Calak approached and saw the door was protected by a code panel.

"Hey! You can't just walk in here!" she said. "This is the Hidden Bek Base! How do I know you're not a Vulkar Spy sent to kill Gadon Thek!"

"I'm no spy!" Calak tried to assure her.

"Maybe so but this door is not opening until I'm satisfied you're no threat to Gadon."

"I need Gadon's help, I was told to speak with him," Calak said.

"A lot of people go in and speak to Gadon looking for help. But between the Sith Conquest and Brejiik's war against us, Gadon has more enemies than he used to. We're taking our security more seriously now."

Calak thought for a second and said, "Maybe I could be an ally against these enemies. I've already killed a few Vulcars!"

"Have you now? Well, we do need all the help we can get," the lookout said. "And its not like anyone's going to be stupid enough to try and harm Gadon. Not with Zaedra watching his back."

Zaedra? Must be Gadon's bodyguard.

"You'll let me in then?" Calak asked.

"Go in and speak to Gadon if you want."

She punched in a code and the door opened. Calak and Carth stepped inside and found the place was filled with many sentient beings, all wearing various suits of armor. Matrik was among them.

"Oh, I didn't expect to see you again so soon friend!" Matrik said with a wave as he saw them.

Calak grinned at him. "Where is Gadon?"

Matrik pointed to the back of the room where there was a desk and a man at it. Beside him was a purple and light yellow Twi'lek who kept a sharp eye out. She turned her attention to Calak and Carth as they got close to the desk and got in front of them, drawing her heavy blaster pistol.

"Hold it right there! Who are you two? And what is your business with Gadon?"

Wow she was a tough one, no wonder she was in charge.

"Calm down Zaedra," Gadon said. "Nobody is going to try anything in the middle of our own base. It would be a suicide mission."

"You're too trusting Gadon! Brejiik and his Vulkars want you dead and its my job to ensure your safety! Anyone we don't know is a potential threat!" Zaedra countered.

"Do you want us to start attacking strangers on sight, Zaedra!" Gadon roared now angry. "Like the Vulkars do? I will NEVER let it come to that! Now step aside and let them pass!"

Zaedra sighed. "As you wish."

She turned to Calak. "You can speak to Gadon if you want but I've got my eye on you! You try anything and you'll be vaporized before you can say Vulkar Spy!"

"I'm not a spy," Calak said as calmly as he could, though he couldn't stop his eyes from narrowing slightly.

"If you want, we can hand over my weapons until we're done talking," Carth offered reaching down to his blasters.

Zaedra pointed her pistol at him. "Don't move! Though I appreciate the offer. I want Bek hands to remove your weapons. Search them!"

Members of the Hidden Beks surrounded them and removed their various weapons.

"You'll get them back when you leave," Zaedra promised. "Now speak."

Calak approached the desk to face the man now. His eyes were white and he had a ring like cybernetic piercing in one eye.

"You'll have to forgive Zaedra," Gadon said. "Ever since Brejiik and his Vulkars began this war against us she's been a little overzealous in her security duties. Now, how can I help you?"

"I need information about the Republic Escape Pods that crashed into the Undercity," Calak said.

"The Escape Pods, you know I heard the Sith have been asking the same thing. But you don't look like you're with the Sith," Gadon said.

"They might be spies Gadon! They might be working with the Sith," Zaedra warned.

"Calm down Zaedra! If the Sith thought we knew anything valuable they'd have a battalion of troops kicking down our door!" Gadon said.

"They'd probably do something much grand and deadly," Carth said.

"Don't worry, Gadon, we're not friends with the Sith," Calak said.

"No?" Zaedra asked before looking at Calak's backpack which she held.

Looking inside she pulled out the stolen Sith uniform. "Then what's this?"

"Stolen," Calak said.

Gadon looked at the uniforms, his cybernetics letting him see them to a degree. "We have several stolen uniforms as well."

"Fine," Zaedra said.

Gadon looked at Calak. "I suppose I could tell you what I know. Its not like it can do any harm to me or my gang. But it might cause problems for the Vulkars, and that's okay in my book. We heard about the Escape Pods crashing into the Undercity and sent our people to investigate. So far, we've only found soldiers that were to wounded. We sent them up to a kind doctor in the Upper City."

"So, you're the ones who've been sending my men up to Zelka Forn!" Carth said.

"Your men?" Gadon asked. "Ah so you're Republic!"

"That's right," Calak said.

"Well, I'm fine with that," Gadon said. "I'm sorry about your soldiers. But I've got some bad news for you. Most of them were either too wounded or already dead. But there was one that managed to make it. Unfortunately, the Vulkars got her first. A Republic Officer named Bastila. Now we Beks don't believe in Intergalactic slavery, but the Vulkars aren't as picky. They took her prisoner."

Calak and Carth breathed in relief. Bastila was alive! Unfortunately, she was captured and enslaved.

"So, what will happen to her?" Calak asked.

"Normally the Vulkars would sell a captured slave to Davak or some offworld slave trader. But a Republic officer is no ordinary catch. Your friend is being offered as a prize in this year's Swoop race. They've probably got her somewhere secure until then. It's only a few days away," Gadon said.

"So how you propose we rescue her?" Carth asked. "We can't fight all the gangs."

"There might be a way I can help you," Gadon said. "If you'd be willing to help us."

"What do you have in mind?" Calak asked.

"My scientists have developed a new prototype accelerator that will allow our gang to win this year's race. Unfortunately, the Vulkars stole it," Gadon said. "If they win, they'll get the champion ship pot and keep the slave to sell on the Black Market. She'll be famous by then and worth more. That's all part of Brejik's plan to get rich and buy up an army to take me down. We need to get that accelerator back. Its my only hope to stand a chance against Brejiik and your only hope to get your friend back."

"So, you want us to get it back?" Calak asked.

"Yes."

"Where is it?"

"Its heavily guarded, we're sure, in the Vulcar Base."

"That's not far from here," Calak noted.

"You'll never survive a frontal assault," Gadon cautioned. "But there is another way in. In the Undercity. I know someone who can help you get in. Mission Vao."

"Mission? Gadon you can't be serious! She's just a kid! How is she supposed to help them with this?" Zaedra asked.

"Mission's explored every back alley and corner of the Undercity. She knows it better then any of us," Gadon said.

"I met Mission just a little while ago," Calak said.

"Shame she didn't come here first. She's probably off with her Wookie friend to the Undercity already. You'll need help to get down there," Gadon said.

"Yeah, she told me. I have a Sith uniform to disguise myself which got me past the Upper City guard no problem," Calak said.

"Yes, a simple disguise might work up there. But you need special security papers down here. I propose a trade. Your Sith uniforms for the papers."

Calak hesitated then recalled that the papers were all he needed.

"Alright. Uniforms for the papers."

"Good choice," Gadon said.

Zaedra handed Calak's uniform to another Bek while another member of the gang took Carth's.

"Thanks for the uniforms, you won't need them with the papers anyway."

"Might have made a good disguise if I wanted to infiltrate a Sith base though," Calak said.

"Indeed. Let me just get the papers."

He went into a nearby room and returned a moment later with a small stack that he handed to Calak.

"Thanks Gadon, I'll be back when I have the prototype accelerator," Calak promised.

…

With their way to get into the Undercity secured Calak and Carth headed out of the Bek base. They headed along the tunnel-like hallway and soon came to a door way with several people outside. Recognizing the Niktos all too prevalent in the ranks of the Vulkars, the two soldiers took cover behind a corner as the gang members talked with the human.

"You guys are behind with your payments," the man said. He was obviously important as the Vulkars hadn't attempted to gun him down yet. "What do you… uh- think just cause you're in some gang you don't have to give Davak his cut? He rents these apartments out to you for a good price."

"I don't see Davak doing anything for his share of the bargain! We do a lot of work for him and hardly get anything! I say we should get these apartments for free!" One Vulkar snapped in his language. "We have to put up with assassin Selven as well!"

Selven? The assassin that Calak had heard about. She was here in this apartment complex! But it was also full of Vulkars.

"Yeah, let's see the big crimelord come get his money from the Black Vulkars!" another Vulkar snapped.

"Ah! So, you want to play this the hard way," the agent of Davak said. "Okay!"

He let out a sharp whistle and another man appeared. A Mandalorian with gray hair in a sleeveless red vest over a black shirt. His visible arms were extremely muscular and he carried a huge heavy repeating blaster as well as a vibrosword at his hip. One arm bore a red tattoo.

Calak felt Carth shake next to him. No doubt as a veteran of the Mandalorian Wars Carth had learned to fear them as they were known as fierce opponents.

Apparently the Vulkars had learned to fear them to cause they said-

"Oh, hey Canderous," the first Vulkar said. "We didn't know you were working for Davak now."

"We were just joking around," the other said before reaching into his pocket. "Here is the payment."

The Agent smiled. "I knew you boys would see reason. Run along now and tell the rest of your gang to pay up."

The Vulkars went inside.

"Too bad, I was looking forward to cracking some heads," the Mandalorian said.

"Maybe next time Canderous, I better get this over to Davak. I'll call you if anyone gets behind on their payments," Davak's Agent said before walking off.

Canderous huffed as the Agent walked past Calak and Carth who decided it was probably clear to come out. The Mandalorian didn't have any reason to fight them, but then his people never had a reason to go to war with the Republic other then spilling blood for the sake of it. Calak didn't know much about Mandalorian culture but knew they were warlike. They watched Canderous warily and he noticed.

"Yeah, what do you want?" he asked.

"Oh, nothing really aside from no trouble," Calak said.

Canderous scoffed. "Well, you're as boring as those Vulkars then, though you look well-armed. As long as you don't get on my bad side though I have no problem with you. Goodbye."

He headed off as well. Somehow Calak had a feeling they would see him again. Looking ahead he saw an elevator in the distance. That had to be where they could get into the Undercity with the papers. But checking his wrist clock he saw it was already past noon. Who knew how long they'd be in the Undercity if they started now? Those escape pods and Mission Vao could be anywhere. Dia needed to know she didn't have a bounty on her head anymore. Then there was Selven who was in these apartments somewhere along with who knew how many members of the Black Vulkars.

"Well let's go," Carth said having not understood the Nikto language.

"Wait, Selven's in there," Calak pointed to the complex the Vulkars had gone into. "We could earn another bounty but its an apartment with a lot of Vulkars inside. Could be risky. But we need all the credits we can get if we're going into the Undercity where all those mutants are."

"Good point," Carth said. "But if we keep picking fights our luck could run out."

"Let's just find Selvan if we can, get the money, then call it good and head back to our apartment before nightfall," Calak suggested.

"Alright," Carth agreed.

Drawing their blasters, they headed inside. As soon as they did, they saw trouble. Calo Nord was standing there, as if waiting for something. It didn't take long for Calak to see what as a pair of Rodians came around the corner. They stopped as they saw him.

"You seem to be taking an interest in our progress little man," the first Rodian said. "Been following us for a while haven't you."

"Quiet Luugro! That's Calo Nord, the infamous bounty hunter!" the second said worriedly.

The first didn't seem all that intimidated to hear that, he must have been confident.

"There's a nice bounty on your little green heads, I'm here to collect," Calo said.

"The only way you're getting that bounty is over our cold dead bodies!" the first said defiantly.

"That's the plan!" Calo said.

It was over in a second. Calo Nord drew a pair of heavy blasters form his hips and let out a series of shots. Both Rodians fell before they could even draw a weapon. They screamed and it was over, so much for a confident show. Calo turned and said nothing, neither did Calak or Carth. They had no desire to provoke this bounty hunter. Calo glanced at them momentarily in recognition then stepped out without a word.

The two soldiers looked around the complex, moving quietly as they knew this place was full of Vulkars. Walking the circular hallway, they soon spotted a group of three Vulkars in the hallway. Calak hesitated and looked at Carth.

"If this place is full of Vulkars then they'll probably come running as soon as they hear a blaster or anything like that," Calak said.

"You're right. We have to be smart about this," Carth whispered back then looked to the nearest door. "If only we could get them as soon as they come out!"

Calak looked at the nearby door then an idea clicked in his head. "I have those mines I bought from Kebla Yurt!"

"Oh yeah! Those could work," Carth said.

Calak went around and set mines at some of the nearest doors and a few in the hallways. He and Carth walked around them and spotted the Vulkars who appeared to be patrolling the hall. Calak knew they had to take them all down at once. He reached into his pocket and drew a frag grenade. Throwing at the unsuspecting and very poor patrols. They heard the noise and looked, seeing the throwers too late as the frag grenade exploded. They all went down, Calak and Carth retreated as the place began to go to hell.

"What is going on out there!" a Nikto voice called from one of the rooms.

All around the complex multiple doors began to open. As soon as some of the occupants came out though, they stepped onto the mines! Explosions sounded quickly followed by more screams. Calak and Carth retreated into one of the nearby apartments, lying in wait for any enemies that might come. Another explosion sounded as some of the Vulkars stepped on the mines in the hallway. Then another, and finally Calak had a clear view of a pair of Vulkars finally spotting them.

"You dare do this in my territory!" the Vulkar shouted before pressing his wrist.

His body lit up blue as it was suddenly protected by an energy shield. He must have been a lieutenant or something similar within the gang. Calak gritted his teeth as his blaster would take several strikes to get through that. He quickly switched his own energy shield on to level the playing field. Then another Vulkar appeared alongside the leader. Seeing he didn't have a shield on, Calak quickly took the chance to shoot at him, charging his shot and letting it off. The Vulkar fell instantly. Carth meanwhile shot at the shielded leader with a series of quick bursts. The shield deflected them and the Vulkar took aim, looking to take out the more vulnerable target as well.
"Oh no you don't!" Calak said charging in and getting the path of the blaster.

He bashed the Vulkar with the butt of his rifle and knocked him down. Quickly dropping his rifle and drawing the vibroblade he'd taken from the Endar Spire, Calak pressed the tip to the Vulkar's throat. His energy shield wouldn't protect from a melee attack and he'd dropped his blaster as well when Calak hit him.

"If you want to live, tell me what I want to know!" Calak ordered. "Where is Selven?"

The Vulkar growled but there was fear in his eyes. "Three doors down!"

Calak slowly backed away. Carth likewise drew his vibroblades as well as his blaster would be useless for several shots against the energy shield encasing the gang member. He was outnumbered, but apparently, he didn't care. He drew his own vibroblade as soon and got up as soon as Calak was away from his throat. Calak lunged, the shortsword piercing the chest of the Vulkar as soon as he got up. The Nikto coughed out blood and fell.

"You should probably take that shield," Calak said.

Carth nodded. He took the dead Vulkars shield and they made their way out, seeing the bodies of the Vulkars they had killed by both grenade and mines. They kept an eye open, but didn't meet any others as they made their way into the killer's apartment. Carth picked the lock they found her, a brunette with her hair tied up, she wore a suite of battle armor as well and her pistol was already drawn.

"Stop right there! Or I'll give you a blaster right between the eyes!" Selven said.

"We're here to collect the bounty on you, Selven!" Calak said.

"You're both fools if you think you can collect the price on my head!" Selven said with confidence like the Rodian from earlier. "Now you'll see why I'm the most dangerous on Taris!"

Carth took the opportunity to activate his energy shield as she spoke. Blasters rained between them. Unlike the Rodian that Calo Nord had easily felled, Selven was rightfully confident. She managed to let out swift and powerful shots from her pistol. They'd make short work of both shields! The soldiers retaliated and hit her but her armor protected her a good deal. But the armor could only withstand a few shots at a time.

Soon Calak's energy shield began to weaken and his shield faded, he cried out in pain as the next blast caught his shoulder and he dropped his rifle. Selven prepared to fire another round to end his life. But Carth stepped in front of his comrade, his still functioning energy shield warding off the blasts.

"That's one debt repaid!" Carth said as he took careful aim at Selven's shoulder.

The blast hit her in the gap of her armor. She yelled and dropped her blaster, then Carth charged forward at stuck the barrels of his blasters in her face where her armor didn't cover her. With a pair of well placed point blank range shots the Assassin fell.

Calak sighed in relief. "That was a tough one. Thanks, Carth."

"Now you owe me one. Or we can just call it even," Carth said.

Calak nodded. They looted Selven for any times she had. They found a spare blaster scope, some head gear in her belt and a stimulant as well. They then scoured the rest of the apartment controlled by Davak and the Vulcars, finding an Advanced Footlocker in one of them.

"Well, this must be something valuable, it hasn't been opened yet," Calak said.

"The person probably had to abandon the apartment or got killed by the Vulkars somewhere," Carth said. "Unless they were a member of the Vulkars. Let's see what we got."

"A high security footlocker!" Carth said. "These are one of the top-of-the-line storage! You have to answer questions to open it! It usually has to with the owner specifically.

They looked at the questions, its screen read, Greetings Elam, please answer the questions to access your belongings.

Which planet are you originally from?

A choice of several planets appeared belong for them to touch and pick. Alderaan, Dantooine, Coruscant, Nar Shaada and some others.

"Well, that's a secure way of keeping it locked," Carth said. "Can't pick the lock and have to answer questions."

They waited until the screen faded.

"Well, we either find a way to learn about the guy that was here," Carth said "Or leave his possessions be."

Calak looked at a desk near the Advanced Footlocker. It had a message transmitter there, pressing the buttons Calak activated it and inspected the recent messages. There was only one, and it was from Elam's Uncle, hoping he was well and reminding him to be ready since Taris wasn't like Alderaan and full of gang violence.

"Alderaan! That's where he's from!" Calak said.

"Oh, good find!" Carth said. "What else does it say? Maybe the answers are in there."

"Hope you still remember how to use the blaster I taught you to use," Calak read on. "And Hyperdrive is doing well."

"Hyperdrive?" Carth asked.

"His pet I guess," Calak said reading on. "That's really sad. They won't be seeing him again."

"Yeah, let's see," Carth activated the box again. "He's from Alderaan, we got that. Who taught to use a blaster? His uncle! And what is the name of his pet! Hyperdrive! Ha! We are so lucky! That message had everything we needed!"

The box opened and inside they found a suite of armor."

"Hey this is a set of Republic Mod armor!" Carth said. "It's not regularly used by the army but its highly advanced and very expensive. You don't find many of them so it won't reveal us to the Sith."

"Wow," Calak said. "Wonder if it will fit either of us?"

"Lets take it and find out. We can try it on later," Carth said.

They packed up the armor headed off. Returning to the Bounty Office they told Zax about Selven.

"So, Selven's dead. All the Bounty Hunters who went after her before you died. Guess some had to get lucky," the Hutt said handing them three thousand credits.

…

The pair of soldiers arrived back in the Upper City as the sun was beginning to set.

Calak finally decided he wanted to talk again.

"Hey Carth. I'd like to discuss something with you."

"You do? Fair enough what do you want to discuss?" Carth asked.

"I want to talk about these issues you have," Calak said.

"I'm… uh… I'm not very good at this," Carth said. "You got the skills of elite commando and you've saved my butt more then once. Between that and your facility with languages, I'm lucky you're here. But that doesn't mean I'm gonna stop watching you or being wary. I'm just not built that way. PERIOD!"

Calak frowned. "Not built that way? That sound like an excuse."

"Maybe so but its doesn't change anything."

"Why are you so distrustful anyway?" Calak pressed.

Carth sighed. "I guess you can't understand as you haven't been in the Republic army as long as I have, even if you might be more skilled then I am somehow."

He began to tell more of his story. "Five years ago, the Mandalorians began their crusade and the Republic was losing badly. But it was thanks to two men, two Jedi that we were saved. Revan and Malak. The heroes of the galaxy that became the Sith Lords we're still fighting now. Well only Malak is still alive but still-"

"I guess that is something hard to take," Calak admitted. "But they fell to the dark side obviously. I don't know much about the force but that's what everyone says."

"Yeah, with the Jedi its like there's this evil waiting for them hit a certain point and then take them over," Carth said. "But there were other men besides them! Good men that I've fought with for years in the Republic Army!"

Calak gulped. He'd heard nearly half of the Republic soldiers had defected to join the Sith when they emerged, loyal to Revan and Malak after their crusade against the Mandalorians. He'd been stationed at Deralia during that time and hadn't witnessed the event first hand but had heard of it over the Holonet.

"So, some people you know turned to the dark side?" Calak asked.

Carth shook his head. "The dark side has nothing to do with their betrayal. They turned against the Republic for who knows what! Let's just continue on."

"Fine! But I'll get more out of you sooner or later," Calak promised.

"Alright," Carth said.

They sighed. Approaching the Equipment Emporium they stepped inside and sold some of the weapons they'd put in their packs from Selvan and the dead Vulkars. They'd gotten a good amount of credits from the bounties as well at over six thousand.

"There you go, now is there anything I can sell to you," Kebla Yurt asked.

"I think my friend here could use a set of armor," Calak said gesturing to Carth.

"Well, I do have some battle armor ready," Kebla said.

It was the same make as what Selvan had worn. Finding a set that fit Carth, they bought that while Calak tried on the set of Republic Mod Armor they'd found. It fit well.

"I think this works well for me," Carth said.

"And I like the look of this armor here," Calak said.

They paid for Carth's set and headed back to their apartment complex nearby. As they neared their room, Calak knocked on Dia's door.

She answered it quickly.

"You're back! Did… did you manage to talk to Holdan?" she asked eagerly.

Calak nodded. "Yes, he's agreed to leave you alone."

She gasped. "He-he called the bounty off? That's wonderful! I only wish I had something I could give you as a reward! Wait, I do have something! An old energy projector. Its not much, just a family heirloom from one of my ancestors who was a duelist in the arena a few decades ago. But its something!"

"Thank you, Dia, I could use that," Calak said.

She led him into her apartment and drew the part out. Then she surprised him with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you. I can never truly repay you for helping me!" she said. "Now I can get back to my old life here. I… I hope you succeed in whatever you are doing for the Republic my dear soldier."

Calak smiled at her.

"If you manage to win the war and need a new place to live I'd be willing to let you stay here!" Dia offered.

"Thank you," Calak blushed. "But I think my life will be too hectic for a while this war going on. I'm glad I can help you though. Good night."

He and Carth walked out.

"Well, you seem a good man, Calak," Carth said. "Of course that could change anytime it seems."

"I'll never betray the Republic Carth," Calak said trying to be civil.

"Well we'll just have to see," Carth said as they headed to the complex dining area.

Well, I thought about having Dia develop a little crush on Calak. Of course I'll be sticking close to canon with him and Bastila getting together in the end. But it might be fun to have Bastila get a little jealous if she and Dia meet. Hope you guys like that little inclusion. Also just to let you know I had Carth get the Battle Armor that in the game is first available when you arrive on Dantooine. Its one of my preferred armor sets for him as its shown on him in one of the pictures on the PC game case alongside the face of the player character in Republic Mod armor which is one I often gave Carth as well but we'll see if I do it this time around. It may be available in the game on Taris but you look at the Equipment in the shop I believe it or the similar heavier set appears on one of the stands there. So I had Cath able to get it now since it was clearly sold there, just not as option in the game. I'll just ignore that rule for the sake of this story though. Please favorite, follow and review if you are enjoying.