Halo, it's time for the newest chapter. Enjoy the reading.
- Do you think these documents will work? - Carth examined the document he received from Gadon with some concern.
- I don't think Gadon would have scammed us. - Rina was rather confident, however, she nudged the man a little sternly. - However, Carth, I want to talk to you about something. - Carth felt a little embarrassed, but in the meantime they started walking.
- Really? What do you want?
- Our last conversation was a bit interrupted. You know, the "surprise" you're afraid of me for. - Rina reminded him.
- Look, - Carth sighed painfully. - I'm just not cut out for this. You're probably the most skilled woman I've ever met, you've impressed me more times than I care to admit. However, that doesn't mean I'm going to stop watching you. That's it. - Rina crossed her arms in resentment and glared at the man with her different colored eyes.
- What did I do to deserve this level of distrust? Did I do anything to make you suspicious?
- Well, you... - He scratched his head nervously. - You haven't done anything. Yet. But I've been betrayed in the past by people I trusted and I really don't want that to happen again. That's all.
- Of course it's not gonna happen, - Rina just turned her head away. - If you never trust me no one.
- Look, I didn't mean to offend you! - Carth snapped. - This is just my personal opinion!
- Really?! - Rina turned back and raised one eyebrow. - And how do I make sure that you won't betray me?!
- Me?! - Carth asked back in surprise.
- Yes, you! - Considering how small her body is and how thin her voice is, Rina is quite scary when she raises her voice and became angry. - Why should I trust you?!
- You shouldn't. - Carth's voice became gloomy. - If you're smart, you won't trust me, or Bastila... or yourself. - At the end, his voice cracked a little, which Rina noticed.
- Maybe... you don't trust yourself? - Carth looked forward, offended by this statement, and continued on his way.
- You don't need to analyze me. Let's just continue our journey.
- If you don't trust me, maybe we should split up. - Rina stated, and Carth clenched his hands into fists.
- What's your concern about who do I trust and don't?! We have a goal! Let's do it and then we can talk about it! - Carth would have liked to leave his companion but their task was common, so they had to stay together.
Rina said nothing more, they just continued on, through the streets of the worn-down lower quarter of Taris, where the sight of garbage, corpses and juvenile criminals looting corpses had become commonplace.
At one crossroad, a very interesting sight presented itself to them, two Vulcar gangsters arguing with a smart, suit-wearing human man.
- What are you doing here, man?! - One of them asked, very irritated.
- Davik sent me because you guys are behind on your payments. - The man in the suit answered, completely calm.
- You can tell Davik, he won't see a single credit from us! - The other Vulcar snapped.
- Yes, the Bek might bow down to him, but even Davik can't command the Black Vulcars! - The other joined in. - I suggest you get out of here, you bastard, while you find us in a good mood!
- Hm, I see you want to be tough. - The man in the suit didn't take the threats, which amused him more than scared him. He simply whistled and then from one of the alleys, a large man emerged. He had short-cropped gray hair, a reddish-brown vest, a black T-shirt, white pants, and brown boots. He had several scars and tattoos on his muscular arms, and he was carrying a large firearm that was quite light for him.
- So? - The big man growled.
- Hey… - The two Vulcars were speechless at the sight of the man. - Canderous?! Do you work for Davik?!
- We don't want to mess with a Mandalorian! - The other excused himself, before reaching into his pocket for the credits. - Here! Here's the money we owe! - He handed it to the man in the suit.
- It's a pleasure doing business with you. - He took the money with a broad smile. - Now get out of here!
- Right now!
- Excuse me! - The two Vulcars had already cooled down.
- That's all? - Canderous looked a little disappointed.
- Yes, you were great Canderous! - The man in the suit replied, before getting on his space car. - I'll mention your courage to Davik. - With that he drove off, leaving the Mandalorian behind.
- Courage? – He grumbled to himself, before he got on his space chopper too. – A warrior doesn't need courage to scare a few rats. – Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Rina and Carth.
– Who are you? – Rina wasn't at all scared by the big man, although she just looked at him indifferently.
– Someone you really don't want as your enemy. – With that, he drove off, following his suited companion.
– If I heard correctly, the Vulcars called him Mandalorian. – Carth remembered.
– Mandalorian? The ones who almost destroyed the Republic?
– Yes, if the Jedi and Revan hadn't helped the Republic, they would have surely destroyed it.
– What is one of them doing here?
– Since their defeat, they've scattered across the galaxy, with no real purpose. A lot of them have gone as mercenaries or pirates. It's not worth messing with them, because they're very strong.
Although Rina hadn't fought in the Mandalorian War, for some reason she respected them as a warrior race and felt as if she had fought them before. She just shook her head and she and Carth continued their journey, all the way to the very heavily guarded elevator.
- Stop, this elevator is closed! - One of the guards stopped them. - You can only go down on official Sith business and unless you have official documents, you better turn back!
- Here they are our documents. - Rina and Carth showed them the papers Gadon had given them. The guard took them and looked at them.
- Hm, they look official. - She signaled for the elevator to open. - I don't envy you, the Lower City is full of mutant Rakghouls. We've lost quite a few of our people to them. I say if something moves, shoot first, ask questions later.
- We'll keep that in mind, - Rina replied, and they boarded the elevator that took them straight down to the surface of Taris. The elevator itself was old and a bit rusty, but it worked and served its purpose perfectly.
The Lower City was in even worse shape than the lower quarters, with not a single clear spot visible as far as the eye could see. Carth was horrified, but the inhabitants of the small village, which could hardly be called a city at all, lived in inhuman conditions. They had to survive in hastily erected, makeshift structures without electricity, clean water or sunlight. Everyone, even the children, were dressed in old, dirty rags and many were terribly emaciated, malnourished and pale. Some prayed to a higher power, some gathered in groups, picked a target and beat him to death for the little nothing that might get them through another miserable day. Some fell dead from hunger and hopelessness.
- Okay, - Rina's answer surprised Carth. - that made my stomach churn too.
- I can't believe there are people living here.
- Hey, you guys! - Two beggars, similar to the others, singled out the two newcomers, who clearly stood out from the rest. - Anyone who uses our elevator has to pay a toll, which is 5 credits!
- I love this planet, - Carth whispered. - even the beggars want to rob us.
- How about 6? - Rina took out her pistol and pointed it at the beggars. - I can divide that fairly between you.
- Run! Run from her wrath! - The two men immediately scared and started running.
- Hey, you two! - A woman dressed in the same rags as the rest of the village residents addressed the two strangers. – Sorry about those two, they make quite a bad impression on those who come here. Most of us are actually nice. – Rina just stared for a while at the dirty but quite excited woman, who regarded her and her companion as some rare sight.
– What do you want? – Rina asked, a little uncomfortable.
– My name is Shaleena and… I was born here. – The woman didn't expand or realize that her company was undesirable. – You're not from here, are you? It's clear, you're too clean and your clothes are too nice, besides, I've never seen you here before. What's the surface like? Is it really as wonderful as they say?
– More beautiful than this hole. – Rina asked, a little irritated, but the woman still didn't leave.
– Maybe it's not a big deal to you, but I was born down here! It's dark and cold here. In my dreams I often saw the surface, the sun, the sky and the stars… they are so beautiful and…
- Listen, - Rina stopped her. - I don't care. I just want information about the Republic cabins that crashed in the Lower City.
- I don't know anything about that, but maybe our village leader, Gendar, can help.
- Thank you. - Rina left the woman with that and Carth followed her.
- Oh, if you want to talk about the surface, the village or your dreams, then you can come to me! - Shaleena shouted after them.
- Act like you didn't hear her! - Rina instructed Carth.
Gendar's hut didn't take long to find, it was the largest one, in front of which stood a man who was also ragged, but lean, charismatic and seemed to be giving orders to some of his people.
- We are looking for Gendar, the village leader. - Rina told him.
- It's me, I rarely see surface people in general, but they've been visiting us quite often lately. - He answered.
- Don't take offense, - Carth added. - but it's understandable why they usually avoid this place.
- Do you need anything from me or my people?
- As a matter of fact, yes, - Rina took over. - I'm looking for a Twi'lek girl named Mission Vao.
- Yes, I've seen that Twi'lek before, she and her Wookiee friend often cross our village when they go to investigate the sewer system.
- Where are the sewers?
- There are entrances north and east of the village exit, but the sewer system is very dangerous place.
They didn't linger long in this cursed, deserted place, heading straight for the main gate, where a woman could be heard shouting loudly and desperately.
- RUN HENDAR! RUN! – The woman shouted, with all her might.
– No way, he won't make it! – A man in charge of the gate wasn't so sure. - I told him not to go!
– He will! Hurry, Hendar!
A man slammed the gate and started pounding on it hard and terrified.
– Open the gate! Quickly!
– I… can't do it! The Rakghouls are too close!
– No! – The woman begged in vain, but the man wouldn't let go. – This isn't fair! If you don't open it, the mutants will kill him!
– But if I open it, they'll come in and kill us too! – The man was adamant.
– Please! Someone get him to open the gate! – The woman begged desperately, as Rina stepped forward.
– Open it and we'll kill those bastards. – She and Carth drew their pistols.
- You're risking your lives for a stranger? - The gatekeeper pressed a button and the gate opened, Rina and Carth quickly jumped through it, then closed just as quickly.
Rina and Carth didn't hesitate as they saw in the dark shadows a hunched, slimy, bumpy, eyeless creature with two huge nostrils, a wide jaw with sharp, predatory teeth dripping with a foul-smelling green slime, sharp, black claws and an irregular, bald head.
The two strangers immediately opened fire, Carth shot it twice in the chest, but it continued to attack wildly, its jaws snapping, its clawed hands flailing, as Rina's headshot finished it off. The creature collapsed lifelessly and didn't move again.
Rina signaled that it was safe and that the gate could be opened. Hendar rushed to his wife and hugged her, but Rina and Carth couldn't return, they had to go further if they wanted to find Mission.
They didn't have to wander far, because a female voice from the distance caught their ears.
- You there, - It was the familiar Twi'lek, Mission. - I need help! - She had a custom-designed vibrosword in her hand, a modified Wookiee blaster crossbow on her back and she looked quite exhausted and desperate. - Even the Beks won't help me! I can't leave him alone! – She grabbed Rina and started pulling her. - You're helping me, right!?
- Calm down, Mission! – Rina shook the not much taller girl off her. - Gadon sent, since you help me!
- Gadon?! I don't know what you're talking about, but Zaalbar is in trouble! If I don't help him, he'll eventually be killed or sold into slavery! You have to help!
- The Wookiee? – Rina thought about it with a little disgust. – Ugh, what happened?
- Me and Zaalbar were here, looking for useful stuff to sell, we always do that, but then trouble came. – Mission explained desperately.
- You'd think with a Wookiee on your side, a group of Rakghoul wouldn't be a problem. – Carth analyzed.
- Not under normal circumstances! – Mission added. – They were Gamorrian bandits and they were waiting for us! We were caught between two fires, but Big Z sacrificed himself to buy me time to escape, for a while I heard him running behind me, but three Gamorrians knocked him to the ground, he dropped his blaster crossbow, which I picked up and for lack of a better option, I ran. If I don't help him, they'll kill him or sell him into slavery! I know! - Rina sighed reluctantly, but she was such a good judge of people that Mission would only help them when the Wookiee was safe.
- Where are they holding him? - She asked in a tired voice, as if she didn't feel like it.
- I don't know exactly, but somewhere in the sewer system. The stench might remind them of their home.
- I need to get to the Vulcar base, if I save your Wookiee friend, will you help me? - Rina got to the point.
- We agreed. Once Zaalbar is free, I'll show you a secret entrance to the Vulkar base. – Mission concluded, putting away her sword and taking out her friend's blaster crossbow. – It will come in handy, because it's also in the sewer.
The area outside the village reminded Rina and her companions of a no-man's land, full of dust, dirty, old, irreparable buildings, of which only ruins remained, the land itself was gray and barren, not a single plant could be seen, the sky was obscured by the base of the metropolis built towards the ground, which is why the sunlight didn't even filter in. Even though it was early afternoon, it felt like late night.
The road was lit by a scattered lamp every now and then, but there wasn't even a moon or stars to illuminate the way.
They thought they detected the moving lights in the distance and found a familiar patrol.
- Stop, citizens! – It was a group of Sith soldiers, but they were quite exhausted and battered. The red-armored patrol leader stepped forward. – This is a restricted area! What are you doing here?!
– Here are our official papers! – Rina, adopting an official tone, showed the files again.
– Hm, so you are the freelance trackers the commander promised? They could have at least provided an armed team, things are pretty rough down here. We lost another patrol to the lousy Rakghouls and we are almost out of antidote. Besides, we have run into the gangsters from the Lower City more than once, and we are currently retreating. I say it would be better to stay in the Upper City until we have everything under control.
– Why are you retreating? – Rina tried to get information.
- Hey, - the officer said sternly. - we may be the bad guys here, but I'll be court-martialed before I let the rest of my men fill the guts of those mangy bastards for nothing! If the General Staff demotes or executes me, I'll stand up to them! Don't spread this around, of course. - He turned back to his men. - Come on, boys, let's go back to the Upper City! - The Sith soldiers, their helmets obscured their faces, were relieved to hear the news.
Their journey took them deeper and further when they heard a few growls in the darkness. It was a herd of Rakghouls. They all readied their firearms and began firing before the flesh-eating mutants could even get close.
They managed to finish off 4 of them, but one of them lunged at Rina, but it wasn't a long fight because she took out her thin-bladed vibroblade and stabbed it through the creature's jaw into its brain, which stopped it from moving anymore.
Mission had more time to react, she threw away Zaalbar's blaster crossbow and instead took out her own sword, which she pointed at the mutant facing her, they dodged each other for a while until the creature launched an attack. Mission dodged the claws and managed to stab the Rakghoult in the back, but it almost didn't feel it because it quickly turned around and knocked the sword out of the girl's hand and lunged at it.
Luckily, it didn't take long because Carth, after finishing off two more, quickly shot it and saved Mission.
- Are you… - Carth was about to help up when he saw a bite mark on Mission's arm. – okay?
- This… - Mission almost panicked when Rina spoke.
- Look! - She pointed to a whole section of dead Sith soldiers, half-eaten by the Rakghouls. - Maybe one of them will have an antidote.
There was nothing to do, they began to search the dead soldiers' equipment. Fortunately, everything was properly labeled, including the antidote for the Rakghoul disease.
- Five. - Carth counted it. - We found five doses. Here, Mission, use it. - It didn't take much more to say before the Twi'lek girl injected herself with one.
- Only four more. - Rina corrected. - Maybe we could get good money for it later.
- More on that later, we have to move on now. - Carth announced.
In the distance, red and white flashing lights could be seen and as they got closer, the outline of an ambulance cabin was outlined.
- What do you think, is this Bastila's cabin? – Rina asked.
- I don't know, but we'd better check it out. – Carth added.
The cabin was thoroughly dismantled and damaged and a pile of Rakghoul corpses had been discovered, which had been killed with blaster weapons, not lightsaber.
- I don't think this is Bastila's cabin. – Rina stated, before she heard a noise from the wreckage. – Who's there?! – She pointed her pistol at the newcomer.
- H… help… help… - It was an injured Republic soldier, in a torn, red, yellow, and black uniform. – A… creature… bit me. – The man was in the process of transforming and looked half like a Rakghoul. – I can feel… it spreading…
- Quickly! – Carth, without even asking Rina, took an antidote and gave it to the soldier. Rina didn't object, but she wasn't happy that Carth had just taken matters into his own hands.
- T… thank you… - Carth gave her the antidote, which quickly began to take effect. - Those creatures… attacked us as soon as we left the cabin. It was horrible. The others were killed and I… I don't think I would have lasted long.
- Stop whining! - Rina was upset that another dose of antidote had been used, leaving only three left, she hoped it was worth it. - Tell me, where is Bastila!
- Bastila? This isn't her cabin, hers crashed that way. We tried to follow her, but… - He suddenly flinched. - Did you hear?! What was that?!
- Stay at the object! - Rina ordered. - Continue!
- There! - He pointed to a path where Rakghouls were approaching. - Run for your life! - With that, he ran away, but before he got far, a Rakghoul jumped on him and bit his neck.
The creatures weren't satisfied only with the soldier, they also targeted Rina and the others. Rina, moving quickly and gracefully with her sword, stabbed one, then kicked another in the head, which Mission executed, Carth shot two and Rina shot the last one.
They continued their journey, but they came to a crossroad.
- Here, this leads down to the sewer where the Gamorrians took Big Z. - Mission explained, opening the hatch, but Rina and Carth didn't follow. - So, are you coming?
- According to the soldier, that's where Bastila's cabin fell. - Rina pointed in the other direction and a faint hope flickered in her mind, maybe they wouldn't have to go down into the stinking sewer to save a whiny Wookiee.
- And our agreement?! - Mission reminded them.
- We'll just check that cabin, then we'll continue our journey. - Carth reassured, but Rina didn't seem so friendly.
- We'll see.
They made their way towards the cabin, but found a group of young boys who looked like gangsters, who couldn't have been much older than 20.
- Hey, you...! - Said one of them, who was already shaking like an aspen leaf. - Don't move... I'm not afraid to use this blaster! - His hand was shaking, but he tried to look firm.
- Relax, kid, we've lost enough people to the Rakghouls, we don't need any more losses due to senseless shooting! - The leader of the team, the already familiar Mandalorian mercenary, was now looking towards Rina. - You're here for the same reason as we are. To salvage whatever you can from the Republic cabins. I'll give you some advice, forget it and turn back. – Rina couldn't stand this tone.
- Are you threatening me now?!
- We Mandalorians don't threaten, we promise. – The Mandalorian was left indifferent by Rina's outburst. – I only meant it as friendly advice. I have already lost at least 6 people, because of the Rakghouls and not…
- Canderous, - One of the mercenaries said to the leader in fear. – something is moving in the shadows! I think it's Rakghouls!
- Weapons ready, idiots! – Canderous ordered.
The whole thing turned into a full-scale firefight, because a larger herd of Rakghouls attacked and most of the mercenaries seemed quite novice and amateur, but their leader, Canderous, wasn't frightened at all. Rina and her companions also helped the mercenaries, but the superiority of the force was evident and many young mercenaries fell victim to the Rakghouls.
By the time the fight was over, only two mercenaries and Canderous were left alive, but Rina and her companions escaped unharmed.
- F*ck! - Canderous fumed. - I told Davik this is a waste of time and men! These stupid kids weren't trained for this sh*t! Even if you can handle the Rakghouls, I doubt you'd find anything valuable here.
- What do you mean? - Rina's hopes of finding Bastila first were dashed.
- The lower Taris gangs got here first and have already taken everything of value. If there was anything valuable in these cabins, we're not going to be able to get it. Davik won't be happy, but I told him so and I don't want to babysit these stupid kids. - He looked at his remaining men. - Come on, kids, let's go back!
- Then... - Rina took a deep breath. – the sewer.
They returned to the fork, where Mission had already opened the exit. Rina and Carth were hit by the suffocating stench, but Mission was quite used to it by now. There was only one question left.
- Who goes first? - Carth asked, but the two girls immediately looked at him, which made the answer obvious. - Well, f*ck me.
Thank you for reading. Please sign it to follow and as favourite and don't forget to write reviews.