Private Undercity Troubles

[SKR-13]

Lower Levels, Coruscant.

The gleaming lights of the surface were beautiful. Where buildings towered high into the sky, and lavish speeders and starships flew between them in a constant flow of business and traffic, Coruscant was appealing from an initial view of the surface. A proper place where the distinguished dwell, commerce rich and being important within the galaxy's history.

Though that was all a façade for what hid beneath the surface, underneath the skyscrapers and shiny lights. The undercity as they called it sprawled as endlessly as the surface above, though it was nothing grand what laid above it. In fact, it was everything opposite.

Bleak, gloomy, and dim. Graffiti strewn across ruined alleyways and crumbling infrastructure. The filth and unwanted of society all piled up in here, from those desperate forced down here due to circumstances to the unlawful and criminal. The civil services of the surface held no existence down here, rather whatever local gang or crime-lord that held the turf ruled and dictated what 'law' really was. Justice was a word that held no meaning in the lower levels, and people went missing without a trace all the time down here.

It was the one the few hunting grounds SKR-13 would deem nearly perfect. Many were easy to sell out others, and the only real trouble were the scavs or thugs that tried to disable it for parts. Many bounties ran down here looking for an escape or refuge, though little found merit.

It's current quarry however wasn't like it's usual prey however. For while it's run of the mill target would be dealing in criminal business down here, the droid's 'diplomatic' discussions with the beat-down residents of the district seemed to indicate that this Jedi was here to help those unfortunate enough to live here.

A ridiculous and foolish notion by the logics of the droid's programming. But one that it'd exploit. Deception was one of but the droid's many trades.

It'd come across it's target eventually. The Mirialan focused on by the droid's optical sensors as he came into view. It's arms bent inward, it's steps clunky yet hurried as it adopted a more non-threatening stance.

"Oh, sir. Sir!" It cried out in the friendly voice typical of protocol droids, yet with a distressed pitch to increase the probability of drawing the Jedi's interest. "You have to help me. You must! They took her!" It continued to blabber and plea!

Shan Pavond

 

[Shan Pavond]

Shan's attention was on the people on the lower levels for now. He had his lightsaber on his hip like usual, alongside his new blaster on the other side of his hip. It felt strange to be carrying two weapons now but it was something that he thought was for the best now. You never know what might be waiting for you in the lower levels and Shan had slowly but surely started to learn his lesson when it came to just trusting whatever and whoever he found on the streets. That wasn't to say he wouldn't help people. The Padawan was still doing that even now, as he took out a bottle from his bag to hand it over towards someone who seemed to be thirsty.

The underbelly of Coruscant was potentially far worse than anything Shan had saw back on Nar Shaddaa. Perhaps it was because the upper levels were so much more well off. So those on the lower levels would have had more hatred and anger towards those well off. It had happened a few times to himself, having been attacked by a few people who thought Shan was trying to take advantage of them but that wasn't something that had happened for a while now.

Either way, Shan's thoughts were interrupted as he heard a droid calling out for help, the Mirialan's head swirling around to see the droid seemingly blabbering and calling out for help and he had no clue what was going on with the droid but he hurried over either way, keeping a hand on his saber. Someone had been grabbed? This reminded him of when he was told about the slaver ring through Adeline. Part of him wondered if this was connected to it by any chance but he shook his head afterwards.

"Who's been taking? Where? By Who?" Shan broke out into a frown at that, keeping himself alert. If someone was captured, time was going to be of the essence. He couldn't afford to waste anymore time. There was a chance he should probably get in contact with the Order to get some more back up, but he was sure he'd be fine. He has to prove to himself that he has the skill to get through his own problems.

SKR-13

 

[SKR-13]

"Oh dear, oh dear. They grabbed her! They-they-!" The droid rambled on until the Padawan's attention was grabbed. The volume of it's Vocabulizer toned down to not be at such a high pitch as it addressed the man. "Forgive me for my outburst, sir! But it's those brutish thugs, those wanna-be racers." Mockery was emphasized in that last remark. "A bunch of crude punks calling themselves the 'Alley-Skippers', a pitiful, horrible swoop gang that likes to ride around in this district, always causing all sorts of trouble!"

Subtle scans through it's lens kept track of the Padawan's facial features, a constant procedure to keep track of whatever social and physical cues he made to determine his belief and emotional state as it continued on. "They've no credits to their name to fix their swoops when they get all beat up from scrapping across all the gutters down here. So they take to extorting the locals all they can get to fix those lousy heaps of junk!

They came to my Creator before, Master Y'ela to try and get some credits a few nights ago. She's known for fixing all sorts of broken goods that find out their way down here and selling them off, so they've thought they could get some of that for themselves!" It exclaimed, it's tone now switching to irritation and anger. "Those punks said she had until yesterday to pay, and she told them off. I've just come back earlier from my errands and I've found her gone!"

It bowed it's head low, an attempt to look dismayed. Although it was more than a long-shot given the fact that it held no facial expressions to analyze. "You're the first to listen, no one else wants to deal with them! They've got a habit of shooting first when people step onto their gang's grounds! That hideous cesspool..." A reminder was produced in it's head to specify where exactly the 'cesspool' was, the droid then pitching up again. "They like to hang out in the sewers, where the abandoned waste-treatment plant. But the tunnels down here are like a maze, and all sorts of horrible vermin roam there alone." That part wasn't a lie, the tunnels and sewers of the undercity were long-forgotten. Only outlaws and savage creatures would dare to make that place their home. "Before my Master's departure, she downloaded the schematics for this district's sewer network within me. Allow me to guide you there, for as long as it is safe at-least."

Shan Pavond

 

[Shan Pavond]

A swoop gang? Interesting. That seemed to be something Shan hadn't fully expected. He was expecting some kind of slaver gang, so hearing that it was just a swoop gang was a little bit more of a relief for him. They would probably be easier to deal with than something like a trained group of people. Something was going to be pretty strange about that, if he was being honest to himself, rubbing his chin in thought afterwards. This was still not going to be an easy fight for him, but if someone was in danger, he should do his best to try and rescue them.

Though a swoop gang that didn't have any money itself? It was still something that seemed strange in Shan's head. Maybe they weren't actually a swoop gang and had been trying to harass this woman for another reason. Though the Padawan also had a small pang of anger building at the thought of the droid's master being taken. It reminded him of what had happened to his Mother and he hadn't fully managed to get over his frustration of being unable to help her and save her. So this was going to be his chance to try and make up for the mistakes that he had made.

"I trust you to lead the way then. If anything attacks us, please stay back. I don't want you to get brought into the crossfire." The Mirialan patted his blaster attached to his hip at the same time. There was likely going to be a couple of fights he'd have to go through to get to the droid's master, and he was going to need to rely on his skills to try and take them down non-lethal. Weapon shots, limb shots, keeping his blaster on stun, or using his saber to disarm people. He'd have to be able to defend himself and the droid and make sure they didn't get harmed.

SKR-13

 

[SKR-13]

"Oh! Thank you, thank you!" The droid excitedly exclaimed, shuffling it's weight in it's best attempt to express it's 'glee' with it's mechanical form. "Let's not waste another second then! I am sure the good Master is most displeased with her current predicament!" It's theroetical Master most certainly would hate the smell and environment of the Sewers, it was the forefront of the droid's mind to lead her would-be savior there!

Remaining true to it's word of urgency, the machine clumsily clambered through the dim, undercity streets under they've come into an alley way, where a large grate leading to the pitch-black tunnel systems of the Coruscanti sewers laid.

"If you would remove this grate blocking our way in, we may proceed." It instructed, gesturing for the Jedi to make short work of the metal obstructing their path. "Allow me to warn you again though, there are many dangers in the sewers. Escaped exotic pets that make their way down here are one thing, but Cthons and corridor ghouls are somewhat prevalent around these parts. They live off of any unfortunate soul that enters these tunnels, so I would advise you to be on your guard."

 

[SKR-13]

Shan Pavond

 

[Shan Pavond]

"I'll be more than capable of dealing with the ghouls and Cthons." Shan nodded slowly, finally pulling his lightsaber from his belt. If this had been Shan when he had first arrived at the order, he wouldn't even be able to think of fighting against the creatures. But now? He would accept them as a potential casualty if he wanted to rescue the droid's master. The smell wouldn't be too hard for him to deal with. Even if it was the sewers, some parts of Nar Shaddaa didn't smell the cleanest either.

Either way, the Padawan ignited his green saber to start cutting through the grate carefully. There was a small sense of unease at the back of his mind. If this was the route the swoop gang took, shouldn't the grate already be opened? He would need to be careful to make sure he wasn't letting any of the creatures out into the city.

"Alright. We can go through now. Remember, if I get into a fight, stay away from me. I don't want to end up slashing you by accident. Don't really have anyone who would be able to fix you if I did that." The Padawan gave a small chuckle at that, as he just started to focus on his surroundings with the Force. If he wanted to be able to rely on his Soresu form, he'd need to be aware of his surroundings and the danger that could be there. He'd have to let the Force take control, instead of thinking about his movements.

SKR-13

 

[SKR-13]

"Wonderfully done, Master Jedi!" It praised at the disposal of the grate. A minor thing, but it brought them just one step closer to it's goal. "I will lead the way forward, I am equipped with a small light on my optical sensors." The droid lightly gestured to the jet-black lens of it's 'eyes'. "It will make the way easier to traverse. But of course, if any issues are met along the way you I will defer to you to deal with them."

After crouching into the exposed sewer tunnel, the droid's lens would produce a small light, one just barely bright enough to illuminate their immediate surroundings. A horrid odor assaulted the senses as soon as any biological being stepped in, produced by the waste that lined the floor and walls of the long abandoned tunnels. Taking a moment to situate itself, the droid would then look into the direction of a particular path.

"I have consulted my schematics for the fastest way there. Follow me, if you would Master Jedi." The droid advised as it marched forth. It's servomotors whining loudly with each bend of the knee and it's heavy metallic steps clanking throughout the metallic flooring. The echoes of the droid's footsteps alone would echo out both ways in the tunnel, surely anything ahead both ways would know they'd be coming long before they'd arrive.

After several turns throughout different tunnels, all of the which looked exactly the same by design. A trait that would no doubt confuse and lead many to get lost should they be unfamiliar with this system. Though the mundane scenery would suddenly be interrupted with a new, albeit unwelcome sight. The droid's heavy clanks coming to a halt as it took a sudden pause. It's head tilting downwards.

"Obstruction detected." It chimed out. "I believe you will want to have a look at this."

The 'obstruction' in question was nothing good. It was the bony, decrepit body of some scavenger sprawled on the floor. His clothing and armor torn by what looked to be something sharp. His weapon, a small blaster still present beside him.

"Wounds are indicative of a feral attack, possibly by the aforementioned creatures that dwell in these parts. I predict that we are likely to be within their territory, and they are nearby.

You may wish to activate your saber just to be prepared. Many of the creatures here hunt in packs and like to take their prey by surprise."

Shan Pavond

 

[Vitiion Daivik]

- Oops wrong character -

 

[Shan Pavond]

Shan cringed at the aroma of the sewers, keeping his saber activated either way. Even if he was going to rely on the droid, Shan still wanted to be able to find his way back if they got separated, so Shan just started to trail his saber along the wall carefully, carving a small mark to make sure he'd be able to find his way back. There was no way he was going to not leave himself with a back up plan right now. He'd be a fool if he didn't have something to fall back on in case they got caught out by some of the creatures.

"I'm...not exactly a Master Jedi. I'm just a Padawan." He ignored the smell as well as he could, though there was a part of him that was slowly on edge at the fact the droid was making nearly as much noise as it could was catching him off guard. There was no way they would be able to sneak on these swoop gang, but Shan was starting to note something that seemed strange to him as he noticed how the tunnels just seemed to be similar. How would anyone be able to find their way through here? This wasn't how he'd expect a swoop gang to mark their tunnels, as he glanced over towards SKR, frowning ever so slightly in thought.

He was grateful at least that he had been marking his way with his lightsaber either way. Something felt wrong about this but his thoughts were interrupted when the droid pointed out the corpse. Shan checked over the corpse carefully, looking over at the blaster. Hm...The loud noise of the blaster would be able to probably scare off some of the creatures down here, or at least that's what he would have thought. The Padawan left the blaster alone however, keeping his saber ignited, letting the green light fill up the sewer's as he was staying on edge. Something felt wrong about this situation. Quite a bit. If the Swoop Gang came through here, they'd definitely have cleaned the route out...

SKR-13

 

[SKR-13]

"Oh are you?" The droid acted surprise at the revelation of Shan's rank within the Jedi Order, turning to face the Mirialan. "It is within my base programming Master Jedi to refer as all sentients as Master, Sir, or Ma'am. But if you wish for me to address you as Padawan Jedi I may do so at your request." It rambled on as it's optical lens scanned the wall behind the Jedi, finding something that would draw it's displeasure.

It looked as if the Jedi was more cautious than expected, as a continuous stream of scorch marks from the man's lightsabers dragged along the worn out walls of the tunnels. It was clear as day as to what their purpose was, to guide him back if he was lost or separated from the droid itself. It was something that'd need dire correcting.

"Master Jedi or Padawan Jedi, I believe it would be prudent to make you aware of the sorts of sounds these creautres may make, so that you may be aware of them ahead of time. Allow me to vocalize their callings, so that you may have a heads-up." Only an idiot would not know where this was going, intentional or not. No time would be offered to spoke or object to it's proposition as it immediately went to reproduce the sounds of the vermin that dwelled in the tunnels. Grunting, growling, and snarls that sounded like rabid noises to sentients, but to those creatures it was a pack-call. They'd be quick to respond now, given that corpse was a sign they were in their territory.

No less than a few minutes afterwards, similar sounds not originating from the droid would reverberate through the darkness throughout the winding tunnels. "Padawan Jedi, it appears the native wildlife has grown more active." It pointed out like Shan didn't have ears of his own. The sounds from the tunnels reaching closer and closer. "Surely with your saber, they will be no threat to you. Shall we continue to proceed?"

Shan Pavond

 

[Shan Pavond]

"Wait!" Shan tried to call out towards the droid. This was something that seemed even more strange towards Shan as he wrapped his hand around his saber even tighter, listening to the grunts and growls echoing through the sewer. This was not good at all, especially since it sounded like they were going to be plenty of the creatures coming down these tunnels. He didn't trust the droid anymore, after all of this. It just seemed too concidencetal. Things that should be there weren't, and things that shouldn't be here were. There shouldn't be a dead body here, if the droid's master was just brought through here, or at least not one as badly decayed as this. The Mirialan's senses were in overdrive right now as his eyes darted around, trying to figure out what the next correct action would be for him to do. Should he point out he was suspicious of the droid or just start backing up now?

"We're falling back. The Swoop Gang would probably have heard your calls as well, and they'll be on alert. I'm not equipped to be able to deal with this many threats. I need to try and get some reinforcements to try and get your master back. It's better this way." It was mostly Shan just trying to come up with an excuse at this point, as he put his spare hand on the handle of his blaster. It wasn't going to be too useful in here. Close quarter fighting was going to mostly be his lightsaber, but he could use it when the creatures started to make their way here to start to cut down their numbers to make sure Shan can actually get out of here.

He just prepared to start following the scorch marks he had left through the tunnels. The padawan could probably rely on his Force senses to get out of the sewers, but following the scorch marks was going to be much easier as he twirled his saber around in his hand carefully. It was a better action for him to just start getting out of here. Especially since he no longer trusted the droid. It was clear in the excuse he had given earlier, that he no longer believed that there was a swoop gang anymore. Or at least that they weren't on the right path to it.

SKR-13