The air taxi entered the massive shipping portal that also served as a ventilation shaft and went down. The vehicle had two seats: one for a driver and one for a passenger.
There was no sunlight in Undercity, only the artificial lights.
I feel as if I'm in the huge well. The jedi thought, looking through the transparisteel windshield. It is impossible to see the sun or feel the morning breeze here. Only cold metal is around.
Shuu didn't feel comfortable here.
In the shipping portal he could see many spaceships and airspeeders.
“First time in Undercity?” The driver, a middle-aged male human, asked.
He was short, had brown eyes and a small scar on the left cheek.
The jedi looked at him. “Yes, it's my first time here.”
Old Shuu had never been in Undercity. The lower Coruscant was dangerous. No knight or master would bring a youngling here.
And after the reassignment, I was sent to Taanab. Shuu remembered “his” past.
Taanab was a planet of numerous fields and waterways. Its climate was mild.
Shuu heard that all fauna was imported to Taanab because it had none at the time of its colonization - only endless green jungles.
A capital was the city “Pandath”, where a long time ago the Jedi Order had established the chapter house for the Agriculture Corps.
It was widely known that the three large agriculture corporations sponsored (and controlled) the planet: Arcon Multinode Agricorp, Tagge Restaurant Association and Core Foodstuffs. As well, Banthal Company had a lot of influence on the planet. It was the large transportation company which owned an array of orbital docks near Taanab.
In the past the said three agriculture corporations constructed the weather-controlling satellites and the orbital mirrors around Taanab to make the planet into a perfect world for agriculture and farming.
“Then you lost nothing. This is a shitty place that is full of shitty people.” The taxi driver said. “Slythmongers, smugglers, spice sifters, whores, fugitives, scammers and thieves... All of them you can find here. Undercity is like a gigantic zoo where ruthless criminals live instead of cute animals.”
The middle-aged man chuckled.
“Many immigrants who come to Coruscant think that they will find happiness and a good job in the shitty Galactic City.... But guess what happens with them? They all end up here - in the shitty lower levels!”
The driver paused. Then he glanced at his passenger and questioned. “Where are you from, bud?”
Shuu said nothing at first because he was confused. The temple was considered by all jedi as their home.
Technically I can say that I am from Coruscant because I was raised here and have a home on this planet in which I didn't live the last five years due to my job. Ah, wait... But I'm not a part of the order anymore. Does it mean that I am homeless now? Stop, what am I thinking about?!
“I'm from Taanab.” The jedi replied finally.
“Taanab” was the optimal answer that didn't require any explanation or lie.
“You are an immigrant, as I thought.” The driver sighed and questioned. “Are you looking for a job in the shitty Uscru District?”
I'm looking for money, not a job.
Shuu planned to go to the Outlander club, the infamous gambling establishment in the Uscru District, to play some games and make some bets. As a jedi, the human could use the Force to cheat. It was a quick way to earn a fortune, not attracting attention of the police or the jedi to himself.
“I would say I'm looking for a big sum of money.” Shuu replied honestly.
“I've been doing that all my life!” The middle-aged man laughed but unexpectedly several speeder bikes passed by the taxi at close range, moving upwards at high speed.
“Damn!” The scared driver exclaimed and stopped the taxi's descend.
Then he turned to the jedi. “Did you see that?! They could bump with us! Shitty swoopers!”
Shuu nodded. Indeed, it was very close.
The jedi read in HoloNet that it was hard to control a swoop bike because it was “an engine with a seat”. A swooper must have good reflexes to ride such a “metal beast” - or else he or she would be finished quickly.
“Is this a gang race?” Shuu asked calmly.
The driver shook his head. “Nah... If it was one, then more swoopers would be around. They like such shitty activities.”
Then the taxi continued to descend down and soon the airspeeder entered into one of the levels.
“Welcome to the Uscru District, the most infamous place of crime and pleasure on this shitty planet.” The middle-aged man uttered. “Let's hope that you will like this place.”
The jedi looked down and saw numerous skyscrapers. As well, he could see brightly lit streets, constant traffic and many gigantic advertisement holoboards.
After a while the taxi landed on one of the streets. Shuu could see a large crowd of people here.
“Is this the Vos Gesal street?”
“Yes, it is.”
Shuu handed his debit chip to the driver. The transaction happened instantly. He got out of the airspeeder and joined the crowd.
+
Later. Vos Gesal street
Shuu walked along the bustling street.
The human was collected as ever. Calmness helped him to support the strong connection with the Force and stay focused.
Soon the man noticed a food stall and realized that he was hungry. He came up to the stall and ordered some space waffles.
The seller, a tall besalisk with two pairs of arms and orange skin, brought the food.
The human thanked him and began to eat his snack.
I have at most a few weeks before the Jedi Order will notice that I am missing. Then they will dispatch someone to find me. It will likely be one of the jedi investigators.
Shuu knew that they were dangerous and well-trained bloodhounds who, thanks to the Force, had a phenomenal intuition.
The jedi bit off a piece of his waffle. By that time I need to complete all my business on Coruscant. I need to be far away from this planet.
In a few minutes the jedi ate his food and ordered a bottle of carbosyrup. At first he thought of buying a cup of blue milkshake but Shuu had never drunk the carbosyrup. He was just curious.
When the besalisk opened the bottle for Shuu, it lit up unexpectedly. This effect lasted for a second or two.
“Is this okay?” The man looked at the seller in confusion.
“Never drink a carbosyrup?” The smiling besalisk asked.
Shuu nodded. There weren't any carbosurups in the jedi refectories.
“Yes, it's okay. The younglings like this effect.”
“I see...”
The human took the bottle and sipped the soft drink. It was tasty and had a pleasant odor.
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
But too sweet, I guess.
The man drank the carbosyrup and placed the empty bottle on the stall. Then he took the debit chip out from his pocket and paid.
Shuu resumed going along the street. There were many entertainment establishments on the way, as well as various entertainers like singers, musicians and artists.
The man could see many sellers who sold their goods and wares right on the street.
Some sellers sold blasters and spice. They did it openly without any fear of the police or the authorities.
In a while the jedi reached the Outlander club. The cantina “Snapping Septoid” was situated next door.
Shuu entered the club. There were no guards at the entrance. The establishment was open for everyone.
+
Inside the Outlander club
Ayy leaned on the handrail and looked at the first floor which was occupied by a crowd of visitors. The establishment was popular despite its seedy reputation.
The female twi'lek heard that the club wasn't like this ever. Many years ago this place was of high class for the exclusive clientele. Only wealthy visitors might enter here. But the club had changed when the baath brothers became its owners. The establishment degenerated over the years to what it was now - a large gambling den and a place for meeting of Coruscant's criminal lords.
In the center of the first floor was situated a bar. Bufon, the chief bartender of the club, worked today. The man looked unaffected but Ayy knew that he should be tired because his shift had begun many hours ago.
Ganwick and Jynne also worked today. The female twi'lek could see them among the crowd on the first floor.
Ayy dragged on the cigarra that she held between her index and middle finger. The woman felt as the havao tabacc filled her lungs. She held the smoke there for a second and only then she exhaled.
The female twi'lek had brown eyes and yellow skin with red-orange stripes.
In the crowd Ayy noticed a new seller of death sticks. Elan, a former medical student, walked around the first floor and offered his goods to the visitors. Death sticks were cheap but highly addictive drugs.
He is a little timid. But this is okay. This is his first day of work. She thought and drew on the cigarra again to exhale the smoke in a moment.
The young slythmonger looked up and noticed Ayy. Elan smiled and waved to her.
The woman did the same.
Elan was brought in the club by Ayy's “boyfriend” - Hat Lo - whom the woman hated to the core.
Many years ago Hat, a male human, fooled the naive twi'lek girl and enslaved her. From that moment Ayy became his consort. He slept with her whenever and wherever he wished.
Ayy knew that she was just a living doll in his eyes. She was the doll that always must be beautiful, obedient and cheerful.
Thanks to her “boyfriend”, Ayy became a killer. Several times Hat ordered her to add poison in the drinks of his business partners and then record their terrible deaths. He liked to watch these “masterpieces”.
For a long time Ayy wanted to flee from her tormentor but couldn't do that because of her fear of Tas Kee. This strong and heartless woman was the head of Hat's bodyguards. Ayy knew that this woman would find her.
The female twi'lek, living together with Hat, learned many things about him. She learned that her “boyfriend” had skimmed some influential hutts in the past and from that time Hat feared their revenge. It was the reason why he had hired Tas and several Codru-Ji as his bodyguards, otherwise he could be already finished by those influential hutts.
Also, Ayy's “boyfriend” began to pay Jabba for a protection because he had realized that his team of bodyguards couldn't stop all assassins. As a result, the offended hutts “paused” their revenge.
Ayy knew that Hat concentrated a majority of his property in the Slum district G17, and thus had a lot of influence there.
Suddenly a purple-skinned female twi'lek leaned on the handrail next to Ayy and said. “You must go, Ayy. He wants to see you.”
Ayy frequented the Outlander club because Hat liked to spend his time here. He often discussed or made his deals right in the club.
With the passage of time Ayy made a few friends here. Lunae was one of her friends.
Ayy dragged the last time before offering her ciggar to Lunae. “Wanna?”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
Ayy smoked to relax. It was much better than inhaling some snuff or smoking deathsticks as some girls and boys did in the club.
The yellow-skinned twi'lek knew that many club's workers envied her. They liked to speak about Hat's money but not about his personality. They didn't understand how difficult it was to live with him. Ayy thought about a suicide not once.
“Do you know that cute boy? I don't think that I have ever seen him in the club before.” Lunae asked suddenly and pointed at the young male human who walked through the crowd towards the bar.
The stranger stood out in the mass of people because of two reasons.
First, he was collected. The visitors demonstrated various emotions but none were indifferent like this young man.
Second, the stranger wore everyday clothes, while the patrons in the club were dressed in exotic, eye-catching outfits.
“No, I don't know him.”
Ayy continued to observe the stranger when he spoke with Bufon.
The purple-skinned twi'lek finally chirped. “I like him.”
Ayy glanced at her friend. “You like every pretty male, Lunae.”
The purple-skinned twi'lek chuckled and drew on the ciggar to exhale the smoke in a second. Then she questioned. “Um... Don't you think that he is too calm? You know... It looks a little creepy.”
Ayy nodded. “You are right. His calmness looks... Unnatural?”
But also the yellow-skinned twi'lek realized that there was something in this man that attracted her attention. It was some kind of the inner strength in him that was making this young man... Desirable?
Suddenly the stranger turned his head in their direction and stared at two twi'leks for several seconds, then he said something to Bufon and walked towards the sports gambling zone.
“Oh, do you think he looked at us?” Lunae turned to her friend.
She was a little scared.
“I don't know...” Ayy shook her head.
The yellow-skinned twi'lek didn't like that emotionless gaze that (likely) was aimed at them a few seconds ago.
He is creepy... But attractive.
In a few seconds Ayy asked her friend. “Are you looking for a company?”
“I need some credits.” Lunae shrugged. “It's better to find a generous and cute man than... You know.”
“Yeah...” Ayy nodded. Then she said. “I need to go, Lunae. See you around.”
Lunae hugged her. “Stay safe, Ayy!”
“You too!”
The woman headed to the staircase that led to the upper floors, where the private rooms were located.
The yellow-skinned twi'lek came into one of the private rooms and saw Tas, a female weequay bodyguard, who stood with folded arms, leaning on the wall. She was armed with a blaster pistol.
Tas glanced at Ayy and looked back at her employer, Hat Lo, who negotiated with his new business partner - Car Affa*.
The yellow-skinned twi'lek inhaled the light smoke of the burning leaves of the Grey Gabaki. Her obese “boyfriend” liked its smell and relaxing effect.
“Okay, I can accept this deal. It must be profitable.” Car Affa, a male weequay and minor arms dealer, said.
Hat nodded in agreement. Then he looked at Ayy and pointed at the floor right beside him. She knew what it meant.
The smiling woman came up to her owner and sat on the floor. She leaned against his knee, allowing him to caress her head.
Car glanced at the yellow-skinned twi'lek and smirked. Then he questioned Hat. “I believe you know about the war that the raptors and the purple zombies started a few days ago?”
“Yes, I know. It is not a secret that the purple zombies want to seize the Crimson Corridor and Section 3* for a long time.”
Ayy knew what Section 3 was. Actually many people knew that. Section 3 was the biggest organ harvesting “factory” in the Third Quadrant.
Many years ago the raptors, the big gang that controlled all territories in the Crimson Corridor, had founded this “factory” on their territory and began to collect organs and other biological material from the donors. No one asked the donors about their consent.
The raptors were smart and aimed only at immigrants and refugees. They knew that no one would notice the disappearance of such people. It was a sound strategy.
Ayy heard from Hat that the gang paid a share of their income to the authorities and to the underworld police. It guaranteed the safety of their numerous businesses.
The woman remembered one of her “boyfriend's” previous conversations with his business partners and especially his next words. Yes, the jedi had closed Section 3 a few years ago but remember that the “factory” resumed working in less than a week. What has actually changed? Only the price for the raptors. Now they pay more to the senators that they hold their dogs on a tight leash.
The arms dealer asked. “Do you think the raptors will protect their territory?”
“Why not?” The obese man asked, taking one of the fruits from the table. “The purple zombies are a gang of opportunists. They have no money or support of the authorities. I don't think that they have a chance to seize even a part of the Crimson Corridor.”
Hat cut off a piece from the fruit and brought it to his “girlfriend's” mouth. The yellow-skinned twi'lek ate it obediently. As a reward, Hat patted her head.
The male human questioned Car. “Are you going to sell your goods to one of the gangs?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“The raptors have their own suppliers, while the purple zombies... You said it yourself. They have no money. I don't sell my goods on credit.”
Ayy licked the juice from her lips, listening to the conversation.
She knew that many street gangs, especially small ones, were armed with a small number of blasters because such weapons are expensive. Not many people could pay a few hundreds of credits for a blaster. As a rule, many gangs used cold weapons.
Car questioned. “Did you hear the latest news about Red Hand?”
“Something happened?”
Ayy received a new treat from her “boyfriend”. The piece of fruit was sweet and juicy.
The woman remembered that the Red Hand was a nomadic gang. They were nobody not a long time ago but suddenly this gang began to recruit new members and buy weapons.
It means only one thing. They have a sponsor. Ayy remembered Hat's comment about these activities of Red Hand.
Car nodded. “Yes, they are becoming a problem.”
Hat raised his eyebrow, caressing his “girlfriend's” head.
The arms dealer said. “As you know, the little rats use the sewer network to travel.”
“Many people use the sewer network to travel.”
“That's true. But the Red Hand is getting aggressive and arrogant on the routes. They started to mess with the smugglers, bother couriers and spicerunners... Many people are displeased with them.”
Ayy realized that this Red Hand could become a threat to her “boyfriend's” business. Hat smuggled a lot of illicit goods.
“What do they want?”
Car just shrugged.
“Do you know who their leader is?”
“Some bitch. I heard she is a former street kid and follows the Code of the streets fanatically.”
Ayy heard about this “code”. It was a compilation of unofficial rules that a person must follow to survive on the streets. One of its tenets was deception. But it was all that the woman could remember about that “code”.
Hat leaned on the back of his sofa. He thought for some time, inhaling the light smoke. Finally he looked at the arms dealer and offered. “Do you want to play sabacc?”
Car nodded. “Sure.”
Hat looked at his “girlfriend” and said. “Ayy, dance for us, please.”
“With pleasure, my love.” She smiled and stood up.
The woman reached the center of the room and turned to her spectators.
+
* I made up Section 3 / * Car Affa is the real name of the Star Wars' character.