Of Gangs and the Lower City
“And here I thought our apartment building was depressing.” Was the first thing Steven said when they stepped out of the elevator into the lower city. It was badly lit, the artificial lighting spotty for blocks in either direction. The smell of garbage, mildew and engine exhaust pressed on their senses, the stolen helmets not doing much to block it out. Steven felt like he was suffocating in his and was quick to take it off. The smell was worse, but at least he could fill his lungs properly.
“Sith ain’t welcome here!” Someone yelled. A little group of armed lower city residents were advancing on them. “You won’t bully the Black Vulkers like those spineless upper city boot lickers!”
“Not even here a minute.” Layla sighed from inside her helmet.
The one who had spoken lunged at her, brandishing a shock stick. Steven reacted faster than he would have thought himself capable of and threw his helmet at the Weequay, catching him right in the face. The Weequay howled, dropping his weapon, which Layla caught before it touched the ground. She gave its original owner a nasty shock to the midsection, dropping him.
Steven had remembered he actually carried a blaster and was pointing it in the general direction of the other three people. Layla held the shock stick in one hand and a blaster in the other, stepping away from the unconscious alien so his body wouldn’t trip her if anyone else got close.
“N-now, this doesn’t have to get more violent, lads.” Steven said before she could address them. “You just go on your way and nobody has to die right now.” One of them responded with an impressively vile suggestion and Layla shot him in the foot without hesitation. Steven winced in sympathy. “So-” Do not apologize, I swear to- “I mean, that’s your last warning!”
There was a pause, filled by the lower city man’s agonized cursing, then his two friends helped him limp away, muttering that they’d get Brejik and the others.
As soon as they were alone, Steven turned to Layla, looking apologetic. “Sorry about that! I didn’t mean to talk over you or anything. Are… are you alright?” Her shoulders were trembling and she’d dropped the shock stick next to its owner. There was an odd choking sound, muffled by her helmet. “Layla?”
“I-I’m fine- oh my- you threw your helmet at him!” Laughing. She’s laughing.
“It… it was a reflex. Sorry.”
“No. No, that was… that was great. And listening to you threaten-”
“I was trying for negotiation.” He wasn’t sure if he was embarrassed or wanted to join her in laughing.
She removed her helmet, shaking her head at him. Her hair was escaping its bun after even a short time of being confined by it and her face was flushed from mirth. The sight of her smiling face made his heart do something very strange.
“W-well, as much as I like your Sith soldier impersonation, your accent really makes it work, by the way, and hope to see it again someday, we should hide these uniforms if they’re gonna get us jumped in the street here.” She got herself under control and began unbuckling the cheaply made black armor. Steven followed suit and they hid the uniforms in a pile of rubble. “We’ll grab these when we go back up.” Layla said.
The pair of them set off down the deserted street, on the lookout for more trouble. “It’s awfully empty down here.” Steven didn’t know why he was whispering, it just felt right.
“Well, we heard there’s a gang war. People are probably staying close to home.” Layla’s voice wasn’t much louder. “I bet there’s people in there, though.” She pointed to a neon sign over one of the non-descript doors in the corridor.
“Javyar’s Cantina.” Steven reads out, tone unmistakably glum. He was not looking forward to another bar.
“Maybe they’re hiring waiters.” She said, blinking innocently when he shot her a half hearted glare. “You can stick by me this time, don’t worry.”
The first thing they witness upon entering the main room is a tripple murder, of course. A human man, short and powerfully built, was being talked at by a few aliens. His expression was hard to read, partially due to the dark goggles hiding his eyes, but he did not seem impressed by the three people before him. He tossed something- Flash grenade! Close our eyes!- Steven did so, but the light was still so intense it hurt through his closed lids. There were three shots and Steven heard Layla hiss through her teeth. When he opened his eyes, there were three dead aliens and the killer was brushing past him and Layla without a single look back. The music and conversation in the cantina paused only for a moment before resuming. A pair of waitresses went to drag the bodies out into the street between them.
“I hate this city so much.” Layla muttered, tugging Steven by the elbow to lead him around the carnage. She could feel him shaking under her touch. He really wasn’t cut out for this.
“L-Layla, there’s a kid in here.” Steven said, pointing. Sure enough, a young female Twi'lek was walking out of a side room, followed by two Rodians.
“I don’t think Taris has a minimum drinking age, Steven.” She told him, keeping an eye on the situation. They weren’t here to start a bar fight or lecture other people’s children, but if the irate Ridians got physical, she’d get involved.
“They’re saying she should learn some manners.” Steven said in her ear, clearly anxious. “Layla, maybe-”
“-Zaalbar, a little help here? I need you to rip the legs off some insects.” The young Twi’lek said, full of confidence. Justified confidence, as it turned out. A fully grown Wookie was standing up from a booth, looming behind her.
Steven understood the growling, harsh language. “[Mission, I’m busy. They just brought my food.]”
“If you have a problem with me, you have a problem with Big Z.” The now identified Mission said brightly. “So, unless you want to take on my furry friend, I suggest you hop on out of here, greenies.” She stood, hands on hips, a small smirk on her lips.
Both Rodians wisely backed off, leaving the taproom all together. Steven couldn’t blame them. Nobody wanted trouble with a Wookie. Unless they’re blind drunk or high off their ass.Well, yes, I suppose so.
Layla sauntered up to the mismatched pair. Mission looked them over, eyes sharp but her face friendly. “I haven’t seen you two before, and I know just about everyone in the lower city.”
“We’re new. Quarantine, ya know.” Layla explained. “We’re exploring Taris until the Sith lift it and we can get back to work.”
“Off worlders?” Mission’s face brightened with interest. “Well, it’s nice to meet you! I’m Mission Vao and this big guy is Zaalbar!” Zaalbar was ignoring the conversation in favor of his food, now that there was no immediate threat. “I’d offer to give you a tour, but the streets ain’t too safe right now. Bad time to be tourists.”
“People do seem a bit hostile so far.” Steven admitted. “Not you, mind, just… most people we’ve met. Not a long list, but still.”
“You get used to it, right Big Z?” Zaalbar grunted noncommittally with a full mouth. They really were an odd pair, but Steven was relieved she had someone looking out for her.
“Even though you can’t offer a tour, could you answer some questions?” Layla said.
“Yeah. Yeah, sure! I’m an expert.” Mission clearly wanted to prove her knowledge and competence to the two adults. She told them about the politics behind the current gang war, the name and some rumors about Calo Nord, the man they’d seen shoot the three Vulkers and some gossip about his employer, a criminal named Davik. She was knowledgeable. Steven supposed you’d have to be to survive down here.
“One last thing; you know those Republic escape pods that crashed a few days ago? I heard a few of them made it all the way down to the under city. You know anything about that?”
Mission wrinkled her nose. “Gaddon would know more about that than me. I’m not much for scavenging, but the Hidden Beks get real into it. Me ‘n Zaalbar don’t wanna be competition for the gangs and Davik’s men. They’ve all been goin’ down there lately.”
“Where could we find Gaddon?” Layla prompted. Mission had mentioned he was the leader of the Hidden Beks, but hadn’t said where their base was.
“I’ll show you! Can’t go in with you; Big Z and me’re got other stuff to do.” She led them out of the cantina, sure Zaalbar would follow. Steven was glad to get out of the loud, crowded area. He chatted to Mission as they walked, comparing the things he’d read with her first hand knowledge of Taris. He enjoyed the conversation and it also kept her from asking too many questions about him and Layla.
The entrance to the Hidden Bek base was only differentiated from the other doors off the man corridor by the armed guard standing outside it. She nodded to Mission, but kept her eyes on the strangers.
“Hi, Kira! These two off-worlders need Gaddon’s help with something.”
“Mission, how do you know they’re not Vulker spies?” The guard asked patiently. “I can’t just let anybody in.”
“They’re off-worlders, I said.” She glanced at Steven. “Trust me, Kira. They’re not from here and why would two cargo workers be doing spy stuff for Brejik, huh?” Steven’s face warmed and Layla snickered. Apparently his open enthusiasm and sociological questions had Mission more than convinced that he and Layla were both trustworthy and nonthreatening.
You have that effect on people.
“Fine.” The guard sighed in defeat. “You stopping in?”
“Nah, there’s something I wanna check in the sewers.” Mission said as if it were the most natural place for her to be going next.
“Right. Watch yourself.”
“Bye, Mission! [Goodbye, Zaalbar!]” Steven said, getting odd looks from everyone when he managed the Wookie sound for polite farewell. “Thanks for your help.”
“See ya round, Steven. Next time, you gotta tell me more about where you’re from. Fair is fair.” Mission said, mimicking his awkward little wave.
The guard admitted them, telling them to behave or their bodies would never be found.
“You’re good with kids.” Layla told Steven softly.
“She’s a good one. I’ll just like to talk at anyone who’ll listen.” Steven shrugged. “Hope she’ll be okay… I know she’s not alone, but this isn’t a good place to be a young non-human sentient. Even with a Wookie on her side.”
Layla gave his arm a sympathetic pat and then went back to the task at hand. Gaddon received them cordially, despite the hostility of his bodyguard Zaerdra. He was open about what he knew of the Republic escape pods and the fact the Black Vulkars had captured a Republic officer.
Layla groaned and Steven took a sharp breath. “What’ll happen to Kon- the officer?” He asked, all concern. If the gang turned the Jedi over to the Sith, they were royally screwed.
“So, you two are Republic soldiers, I take it?” Gadon said, turning his sightless eyes towards Steven’s voice. Layla winced, Steven covered his mouth, mentally kicking himself. “Don’t worry. I’m no friend to the Sith.” He waved off their concerns. “Your officer won’t be turned in. He’s being used as a pawn in Brejik’s game to get control of the lower city gangs. He’s been put up as part of the prize for the big swoop bike race.” Oh that sounds fun. No, it doesn’t.
“Why?” Layla frowned in confusion.
“He’s valuable. And a bit of a novelty, I hear.” Well, Layla had to admit that Konshu’s species was not a common sight on a nowhere planet like Taris. At least the fact he was a Jedi was not yet common knowledge.
“Where’s their hideout? We’ve got to rescue him!” Layla said, squaring her shoulders.
“Even if you could just walk in there, I doubt that’s where they’re keeping such a valuable prisoner.”
“We’ve got to try.” She insisted.
“Well… I’ve heard there’s a back entrance to their base, but you’ll have to go through the sewers.” The man said slowly. “But you’d need help finding your way through that stinking maze. Full of rakghouls and slavers.”
Steven resisted the urge to bury his face in his hands. Fantastic; they’d be going even farther underground. “Any suggestions?” He asked gloomily.
“There’s this young Twi’lek- Mission Vao,”
“She’s just a kid!” Steven and Zaerdra said at the same time with the same level of indignation. He had to remind himself that Mission had been headed there, quite fearlessly, the last time he’d seen her.
“If it’s our only option, let’s go ask Mission for help.” Layla sounded defeated.
“Why are you being so helpful, anyway?” Steven thought to ask Gaddon. “What’s in it for you?” Zaerdra bristled at his slightly accusing tone.
Once again, Gaddon waved her off. “I’ve got good intuition. I’m willing to bet you can cause plenty of trouble for the Black Vulkars. That’s enough for me.” He smiled and Steven thought it seemed genuine.
“Well… in that case, thank you.” Layla hummed in agreement. “We’ll just be going, then.”
“You take care of Mission when you find her!” Zaerdra snapped.
“As if her big friend isn’t doing that already.” Gaddon murmured, getting a slap on the arm from his bodyguard.
***
The conditions in the under city made Steven’s blood boil with anger. How could any society condemn people to live here? Not just criminals, but their children and children’s children! One person commits a perceived crime and their entire bloodline gets cast into this hellhole. He walked behind Layla, hands clenched so hard he thought he may have accidently broken skin with his blunt nails.
Would have fixed this. Ran out of time.Who would? His mind came up empty at that. Fixing this would require drastic societal change and in his talk with Mission, Steven knew that was far off on this planet. No one was trying to solve problems like inequality. Steven kept his eyes on Layla’s heels, avoiding the empty, hungry gazes of those they passed. He wanted to help, somehow, but knew he couldn't right now, if ever.
Layla found her way to the fence that encircled the outcast’s settlement. There was a disturbance by the gate, a woman begging a sentry to open it.
“Please! The rakghouls will get him if you don’t!” She was on the verge of tears.
“I-I can’t! If they get in they’ll kill us all!” The sentry wasn’t looking at her but out through the gaps in the gate.
Layla took in the situation and stepped between the two outcasts. “Open the gate! We’ve got blasters. We’ll kill the- the rakghouls.” She’d learned about the mutants while listening to Steven and Mission chat.
The man stared at her, speechless. Steven took the opportunity to shove him to one side and pull the rope to open the gate. He wouldn’t stand by and let someone be eaten, or worse, by the creatures he’d read of. Layla was aiming her blaster at a rakghoul, the one closest to the fleeing outcast and Steven aimed at another. He couldn’t make himself pull the trigger; his aim would be even worse with one hand and what if the shot went wide and he killed the person they were supposed to be helping?
Steady hands. Breathe out and just squeeze the trigger. He tells himself. His arm stills, his lungs empty and in a moment of stillness, he nails the rakghoul through the head with two quick shots. Unsurprisingly, Layla had taken care of her target as well and was ushuring the man through the gate. Steven let go of the rope, wincing as the gate dropped shut. The thing looked awfully rickety and he thought maybe he should’ve let it down more gently.
Layla dealt with the outcasts’ thank yous gracefully. “You don’t owe us anything, just open the gate when we come back though, alright?” Steven found himself once again admiring her air of calm command. The sentry nodded enthusiastically. He was looking at the pair of them like they were his new personal heroes. It would be awful to have to make a choice like that… Steven thought to himself. Having it be your job to keep everyone safe and then abandoning one for the many.
Once they were outside the outcast stockade, Layla took the opportunity to examine a dead rakghoul. They were humanoid, with gaping mouths, no visible eyes and slimy, white skin. “Humans really turn into these?” She asked, suppressing a shiver.
“Yes. It’s a horrible disease.” Steven said sadly. “There was work being done on making a vaccine when the Mandalorian wars ended, but the Sith interrupted that when war returned to Taris.” For some reason, he felt a shiver of guilt in his stomach. Empathy was a strange thing.
“Well… once the Sith are defeated, the Republic will finish it, I’m sure.” Layla said, though she doubted a vaccine would be offered to the people down here.
They picked their way carefully through the rubble, eyes scanning for more rakghouls or other unexpected threats. Running footsteps reached their ears, frightened breathing. Both flattened themselves against a wall, waiting to see who or what was coming.
It was Mission, eyes wide with fright and looking a little worse for wear: a bruise on her cheekbone was darkening her pale blue skin and her trouser leg was ragged. Layla let out a breath and stepped into view.
“O-oh! You! Please, you gotta help me!” Mission cried, eyes fixing on them. “Nobody else will help and I can’t leave him!”
“Woah. Calm down and tell us what happened. Where’s Zaalbar?” Steven holstered his blaster and stepped towards her, radiating concern.
“He- he got grabbed by Gamorrean slavers!” Mission gasped, looking back over her shoulder fearfully. “I didn’t mean to leave him! I thought he’d be right behind me.” She looked like she might cry. Steven rested a hand on her shoulder, trying to ground her.
“Do you know where they might’ve taken him?” He asked seriously. Layla let him do the talking, keeping her eyes on the surroundings. They needed Mission’s help anyway- it might be easier if she were in their debt. That was more than enough of an excuse to save someone from Gamorreans.
“Sewars. They like hiding down there.” Mission said instantly.
“Okay, good. We’ll start there. You go wait in the outcast village and we’ll-”
“No! I’m not going to abandon him. Not ever!”
“Besides, we need her to show us the way.” Layla added in, making Steven wince. She was right, of course.
“Don’t you go treatin’ me like a kid. We’re doing this together.” Mission said fiercely.
Steven held up his hands in resignation. “I hear you both. Sorry. Which way to the sewers, Mission?”