Zira Darkstar

Chapter 17

Zira followed behind Carth in silence, left to her thoughts. She scanned over the last few days, trying to rationalize how he’d gotten so close to her. The staggering realization that he was the only friend she had, the only person she had in her life left her feeling a bit numb.

Reflecting on the last few days also brought up other memories and conversations. Didn’t that Twi’lek girl, Mission, say something about the Bek base? The Vulkars are already out to kill us, and an ally would be nice. Besides, maybe this Gadon Thek or his gang will be able to help us find Bastila. Compared to Carth’s uncontrolled temper, a calm, wise Jedi sounds like welcome company. She ruefully thought to herself.

“Carth?” She asked quietly.

“Yeah, what is it Zira?” His tone sounded calmer now, more sincere.

“Maybe we should go talk to that other swoop gang. You know, the Hiding Beks.”

“Hidden Beks, but why do you say that?”

Zira sped up a bit to walk beside him. Her dark, navy blue eyes looked up to those deep, chocolate eyes of his. Without even realizing it, a smile crept to her lips, “Well, they know the area, and I bet if anyone had information on those pods, or Bastila, they would. Plus, we can’t continue to run around ambiguously. Perhaps we can form a loose alliance with them that’ll get the Vulkars off our backs long enough to find her.”

Carth seemed to mull over her words a moment before giving an affirming nod, “You have a point, and it sounds like as sound a plan as any. Do you know where they are?”

Zira nodded again, the smile broadening. She wasn’t sure why, but she felt quite exultant when he agreed with her. Accepted her. “I’m pretty sure that I saw a guard outside of their little hide-out. She was definitely flying Bek colors. Even if I’m wrong, it sounds like as good of a place to start as any.”

Carth gave another nod, “Okay. That was back near the cantina, right?”

Together, they walked back across the Lower City without incident. Even the Vulkars were off the streets that early in morning. As they got close to the cantina Zira could see the tall, stout woman. Her dark skin covered very large, defined muscle tones, that the clothes she was wearing hugged tightly to. Her hair was cropped short, and reminded Zira of regulation military hair cuts. Her coffee colored eyes turned to look upon them as they approached and narrowed threateningly. “Hey, you can’t just walk in here! This is the Hidden Bek base. How do I know you’re not a Vulkar spy sent to kill Gadon Thek?”

Zira stared at the woman a moment, a bit stunned. Well, that’s direct. If I ever have a hidden, underground base with followers, I’ll definitely have to hire this kind of person. Nothing like the blatantly open and honest people to confirm a suspicion like that. Zira held up her hands defensively to show that she meant no harm, “I need Gadon’s help. I was told to speak to him.”

The large woman folded her arms tightly across her chest and tilted her chin slightly. She spoke in a haughty, self-righteous tone as she looked down at Zira and Carth, “A lot of people want to go inside and speak to Gadon. He’s a hero of the common folk. But the days of the Hidden Bek’s open door policy are gone. Between the Sith conquest and the Vulkar gang war, Gadon has more enemies than he used to. We’re being careful about who we let in now.”

Zira couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. So a swoop gang leader, is now the hero of the common folk. Yep, this whole damned planet is backwards. She did get an idea, and decided to comment on it. “Maybe I could be an ally against all those enemies.”

The woman finally lowered that broad, square chin again and frowned. She eyed the two of them appraisingly. Her eyes lagging on each of the weapons at the pairs’ hips. Zira realized that she might be mistaken for an assassin still. A pair of vibroblades strapped to her belt, and a pair of blaster pistols holstered lower on her thighs. Yeah, I don’t look dubious, not at all. She satirically thought to herself. The guard woman also looked to the pair of heavy blaster pistols at Carth’s waist.

Zira felt a sensation of impending doom start to wash over her when the deep voiced woman broke the silence, “Well, we do need all the help we can get, and you don’t look like you’re with the Vulkars or the Sith. Besides, it’s not like you can do anything to harm Gadon in the heart of his own base. Not with Zaerdra watching his back.”

Zira felt as if all thought drained from her mind, save one. Doubt. There were two people armed to the teeth, and she was just going to let them stroll on in. Without thinking, Zira asked in a stunned tone, “So you’re going to let me in?”

The woman nodded, “Go in and speak to Gadon if you want. Just remember to be on your best behavior… the Hidden Beks are watching you.”

The pair glanced at each other and nodded, moving past the guard slowly. After they crossed the threshold of the doorway, it hissed shut. Standing there between the two doors leading into the base, Carth looked at her, “Were you trying to talk her out of it?”

“No, just… I mean, look at us Carth? Neither one of us really looks like we’re here for peaceful chit-chats. She just caught me off guard, that’s all.”

Carth let out a quiet chortle that brought a soft blush to Zira’s cheeks. “Fair enough, I suppose. Any idea what you’re going to say to him?”

Zira looked straight ahead, “I thought I’d try the direct approach. No sense trying to be deceptive while we’re surrounded. It won’t matter if he’s going to turn on us from minute one, or ten minutes in. If he decides to try and turn us in or something, I don’t think we’d stand much of a chance anyway.”

Carth’s laughter stopped and she could hear him sigh softly. “Wonderful plan. Let’s just hope it doesn’t get us killed.”

As they’d been talking, the large door parted before them and opened into a massive room. The main room itself, was very open, with little cover; the walls were bare and grey. Zira slowly began to walk across the open expanse, looking about the inhabitants. Most of the people in this place were alien in nature, and it looked to be mostly comprised of Twi’leks. No wonder Mission feels so at home here. Across the room, Zira could see and aged, dark skinned human discussing something with a Twi’lek woman who’s skin was as grey as the durasteel walls. They were standing near a desk, that sat at the centered of the back wall near a single closed door.

After confirming with one of the idle Beks, Zira and Carth approached the pair that’d been pointed out to them as Gadon and Zaerdra. Before they got too close however the Twi’lek woman’s sharp eyes turned onto them and she snapped coldly. “Hold it right there! Who are you and what is your business with Gadon?”

Zira felt a chill run down her spine. This woman should be back up in Upper Taris, because she put off a much colder vibe than that dualist she’d met up there. The one they called Ice.

Before Zira or Carth could respond to her, the elder man spoke up, “Calm down, Zaerdra. Nobody is going to try anything here in the middle of our own base. It would be a suicide mission.”

The Twi’lek, Zaerdra spoke over her shoulder in a hissed tone, her cold eyes never leaving the couple.

“You’re too trusting, Gadon. Brejik and his Vulkars want you dead. Anyone we don’t know is a potential threat, and it’s my job to make sure you’re safe.”

Gadon seemed to be almost the exact opposite of this cold, hard woman. Zira felt for a moment that the association she’d made between this woman and the durasteel was pretty accurate, but Gadon had a warm, gentle tone to his deep voice. “Do you want us to start attacking strangers on sight, Zaerdra?”

Zira looked Gadon over carefully. He was taller than she was, and like the ebon woman guarding the door, he had a dark coffee colored complexion. His eyes were steel blue and seemed to be locked dead center inside the sockets. The pupils of both his eyes were practically non-existent, and he seemed to be wearing a custom made set of Republic Mod armor.

Zaerdra let out a low, angry growl before responding to Gadon, “As you wish.” She lowered her hand down to a heavily modified blaster pistol at her hip, the other moving behind her back. She spoke in a harsh, cold, insinuative tone, “You can speak to Gadon if you want, but I’ve got my eye on you! Try anything and you’ll be vaporized before you can say ‘Vulkar Spy!’”

Zira shook her head and turned to Gadon. She started to draw a breath to speak when Gadon once again cut the silence, “You’ll have to forgive Zaerdra. Ever since Brejik and the Vulkars began this war against us, she’s been a little over-zealous in her security duties. The problems with the Sith haven’t helped things. Zaerdra seems to forget that I know how to look after myself! Now, how can I help you?”

Zira folded her arms across her chest, she didn’t really want to look impatient, but she didn’t want Zaerdra thinking she was reaching for a weapon either. “I need information on those Republic escape pods that crashed into the Undercity.”

Gadon seemed to evaluate her words a moment before speaking, “The escape pods? You know, I heard the Sith have been asking around the Upper City about them as well… but you don’t look like you’re with the Sith.”

Zira couldn’t help but wonder, Did the blind man just say we don’t ‘look’ like we’re with the Sith?
“They might be spies, Gadon! They might be working for the Sith!” Zaerdra spat accusingly.

Again, Gadon spoke up to put his body-guard into place, “Calm down, Zaerdra. If the Sith thought we knew anything useful they’d have a battalion of troops kicking down our door. No, I think this off-worlder has her own agenda.”

Zira spoke softly, more to the chilling Zaerdra than to Gadon, “Don’t worry… I’m not working for the Sith.”

Gadon seemed to have all the proof he needed and settled down into a chair. He laced his fingers and pressed them to his lips a moment before speaking, “I suppose I could tell you what I know. It’s not like it could do any harm to me or my gang… but it might cause problems for the Vulkars, and that’s okay in my book.

The Vulkars stripped those pods clean within hours after they landed. It’s too bad we didn’t get there first, considering what my spies reported the Vulkars found. A female Republic officer named Bastila survived the crash. We Beks don’t believe in intergalactic slavery, but the Vulkars aren’t so picky. They took her prisoner.”

Zira felt a bit of hope rising in her, but she wasn’t willing to become too hopeful while the oppressive Zaerdra continued to loom nearby. “Bastila’s a slave? What will happen to her now?” Zira asked cautiously.

Gadon gave a light shrug of his shoulders and seemed to muse aloud, “Normally the Vulkars would take a captured slave and sell them for a nice profit to Davik or an off-world slaver. But a Republic officer is no ordinary catch.”

Carth spoke from beside Zira, “They still think Bastila is just a Republic Officer. That could work to our advantage. Maybe she’ll even figure out a way to escape from the Vulkar base on her own.”

Zira felt a knot working in her stomach as she heard him speak. She silently tried to quell the jealous feelings stirring within her. Carth must really like her. He has so much respect for her. Even captured, possibly wounded, and defenseless, he still has faith in her to get free on her own. Can I even compete with that kind of faith? I thought he didn‘t trust anyone.

While lost in her thoughts, the conversation continued as Gadon responded to Carth’s statement, “She’s too valuable to leave with the Vulkar scum at the base. Brejik’s probably got your Republic friend hidden away somewhere safe until the big swoop race. You’ll never find her.”

Zira shook herself from her inner monologue and quirked an eyebrow, “Swoop race? What does that have to do with it?”

Gadon let out a long, deep sigh before explaining, “I’m afraid your friend has become a pawn in Brejik’s game to take over the Lower City. He’s offered her up as the Vulkar’s share of the prize in the annual swoop gang race. By putting up such a valuable prize, Brejik hopes to win the loyalty of some of the smaller gangs. Their numbers will allow him to finally destroy me and my followers.”

Carth spoke in a slightly agitated tone, “So how do you propose we go about rescuing Bastila, then? We can’t fight all the gangs.”

Gadon took in his words and there was a long moment of pause. He seemed to be evaluating the situation, and Zira had a moment to be awestruck. No wonder this man is a hero to the common folks. It’s like watching a master of dejarik evaluating the board and deciding his next move. “The only hope you have of rescuing Bastila is to somehow win the big season opener of the swoop race.” He said, sounding almost sagely.

She felt her brow draw flat, his words draining the emotion from her features. “But I don’t even have a swoop bike.”

Gadon smiled slightly and leaned forward in his chair. His elbows were on the edges of the armrests and he began to press his fingertips together, “I might be able to help you with this, if you’d be willing to help us. We both have something to gain here, and much to lose.”

Zira glanced at Zaerdra, then back to Gadon, “What are you proposing?”

Gadon’s smile widened as he began to explain, “The swoop race is for the Lower City gangs only. I could sponsor you as a rider for the Hidden Beks this year. If you win the race, you’ll win your friend’s freedom. But first, you have to do something for me.”

Zira frowned, Here comes the catch…. There’s always a catch.

“My mechanics have developed an accelerator for a swoop engine.” Gadon continued, “A bike with the accelerator installed can beat any other swoop out there! But, the Vulkars stole the prototype from us. They plan to use it to guarantee a victory in this year’s swoop race. I need you to break into their base and steal it back.”

Zira sighed softly, “How am I supposed to get inside the Vulkar base?”

Gadon sat back in his chair again, but his hands stayed forward, pressing his fingertips into one another. “Getting into the Vulkar base won’t be easy. The front doors are locked tight, but I know someone who might be able to get you in the back way: Mission Vao.”

Zaerdra took her eyes off Carth and Zira for the first time since they entered the room, and Zira felt a small sense of relief as she did. “Mission? Gadon, you can’t be serious! She’s just a kid, how is she supposed to help them with this?”

Gadon’s smile returned, “Misson’s explored every step of every back ally in the Lower City. Plus she knows the Undercity sewers better than anyone. If anyone can get inside the Vulkar base, it’s her.”

Zira looked around, remembering the girl said something to her Wookiee companion about coming here, “Where can I find Mission?”

Gadon shrugged lightly, “She and her Wookiee friend Zaalbar are always looking to stir up a little excitement. They like to go exploring in the Undercity, despite the dangers. Your best bet is to look for her in the Undercity. But you’ll need some way past the Sith guard post at the elevator.”

Zira smiled. For once, something I’m prepared for in this. “I’ve got a Sith uniform to disguise myself.”

Gadon shook his head, “A simple disguise might have worked on the Upper City guard, but the security down here is much tougher. You’ll need the proper papers to get past him. Luckily my gang ambushed one of the Sith patrols headed to the Undercity. They never made it, and their security papers fell into my hands. Since we’re working together now, I suppose I could give them to you in exchange for your uniform. With the security papers you won’t need a disguise anyway.”

Zira frowned and shook her head. So much for being prepared…. Oh well, I guess it doesn’t -really- matter… “Okay, I’ll trade the uniform for the papers.” She slowly pulled her rucksack off her shoulder and set it down in front of her. Digging through her bag she slowly pulls out the pieces of armor she’d acquired and set them on the desk Gadon was sitting behind.

As she did so, she could feel Zaerdra’s cold eyes on her, and Gadon spoke up, “Good choice. Thanks for the uniform. You won’t need it with these security papers anyway. Now, is there anything else I can do for you?”

Zira thought about it a moment and decided that since he was being generous with information, she might as well ask for more, “I want to ask some questions.” She said as she shouldered her pack once again.

Gadon frowned, giving the impression that his offer had been rhetorical, “Your time would probably be better spent going after the prototype swoop engine the Vulkars stole from us, but I’ll answer your questions if I can.”

Zira thought about it a moment. If this worked, they’d be getting Bastila soon, and then they’d need to escape. “Is there any way off this planet?”

Gadon shook his head, “Not while the Sith quarantine is in place. Even the fastest smugglers’ ships can’t break the blockade of the fleet surrounding the planet without the proper launch codes. Any ship leaving the Taris atmosphere without the proper codes would be instantly disintegrated by blaster cannons fired by the Sith fleet’s automated targeting systems.”

She sighed and wrapped her arms around her self for a moment. Wait, maybe he can be more help than he knows. “You said you were having problems with the Sith?”

Gadon sat forward and furrowed his brow, “A foreign army invades Taris, declares martial law, and locks down all travel to and from the planet? You damn well bet I have a problem with that! If the Sith ever moved in down here all the swoop gangs would unite against them. We’d use hit and run guerrilla tactics to pick them off… Their casualties would be enormous!”

Zira smiled, obviously he’d been giving this some thought, but before she could say anything, Carth interjected, “Don’t fool yourself. The Sith would never commit to that kind of operation. They’d… they’d probably do something much more grand and deadly.”

Gadon scoffed, going on as if Carth hadn’t said a word, “But so far the Sith have stayed out of the Lower City and our strength is wasted on this stupid gang war! I tried to explain this to Brejik, but he and his Vulkars won’t listen.”

Zira could tell tempers and pride were only going to get worse from here, so she decided that there wasn’t much else she could get from this. She spoke up between the two before Carth could speak his piece again, “I’ll be back when I get the prototype accelerator.”

Gadon stood from his chair slowly and put his hands on the desk. “I suggest you hurry. The swoop race is coming up, and we want you to practice before the race.”

Zira reached back and grabbed Carth by the wrist, nodded to Gadon and Zaerdra, and started back wince they came. “It’s not worth arguing over Carth, we don’t want to talk him out of it, do we?” She asked as she smiled warmly to him.

Carth cracked a grin, obviously from hearing his own comment used against him. “No, I suppose not. So than, the Undercity it is hmm?”

Zira gave an affirming nod before leading him out of the Bek base and towards elevator that descended further onto the backwards planet.