บท 54: Chapter 53
(POV Ahsoka)
"So, let me get this straight. You were framed for bombing the Jedi temple and now the whole republic is hunting for you?" asked Maria with a poker face.
"*SIGH*. Yes, that's why I was reluctant to come to your home. I didn't want to implicate you in my problems" I said with resignation.
"You don't have to worry about implicating us too much. Down here the republic has little to no sway. They can strut around on the higher levels. But down here real monsters have control. Plus if it comes to it the people of the lower levels will fight them off as well. They have done nothing for us for centuries" said Maria with a huff.
"I heard this before as well. Who are these monsters you speak of? The cartel?" I asked. The people never speak the name of these monsters out in the open.
"Well, it's true the cartel does have control over the lower levels. But it's the ones that support them from behind the scenes that are the real monsters. It's common knowledge that they are backed by one of the heavy hitters of the underworld at least" said Maria.
"And such an organization has done more for you people than the republic? SIGH. What has the republic come to?" All I could do was sigh.
"All the current turmoil has been centuries in the making. The fact that people didn't see it coming till it happened still surprises me" said Maria, leaning forward.
"*SIGH* And add to all this my current predicament. I am stuck with no leads to follow. The only evidence I had was destroyed and used to frame me" I said in a depressed tone, leaning into my palms.
"No use worrying about that. If anything, you can hide out here. These levels no matter how shiny it looks now were and will always be run by criminals. There is a spare bunk in Trace's room. You can sleep with her" said Maria as she slowly got up and went to wash the dishes.
I sat there considering my options. Which were close to none, without me blowing my cover completely. Since the nice lady was offering me a place to stay, I might as well accept it.
"Let me help you wash those dishes," I said smiling, going to help Maria wash the dishes. If I am staying, I might as well help around.
(Time Skip)
(POV Anakin)
It's been a few days since we have been searching for Ahsoka. Yet there is no sign of her. But through the force, I can still feel she is on the planet.
At present, I and my detachment of Corasanti guards are sweeping through our sector of level 1290.
The lower we go the less influence the republic has. And more hostility is shown towards the troopers and especially us Jedi.
"No sign of the target in this sector sir. She must have gone deeper" said the clone Commander.
"We keep looking, commander Thorn. We have to find her" I said while still feeling for Ahsoka through the force.
"Yes sir. I believe she has escaped further into the crime-controlled parts of the planet" Said Thorn while sending out orders to other search teams in our area. "We have little to no control on anything from level 1300 onwards. A more subtle approach will be required" he said.
As we walk along the polluted alleyways and streets of this level my holo communicator beeps. The holos of Master Yoda and Ki-Adi Mundi pop up when I answer them.
"Taking too long, the search is. Found any clues, have you?" asked Master Yoda.
"Nothing concrete as of yet Master Yoda. There are too many places for her to hide" replied Master Mundi.
"Same here masters. But I can sense that she hasn't left the planet. And if I know her, she won't leave without proving her innocence" I replied. This is getting us nowhere.
"Hrmm. Find her soon we must. Closing the window to prove herself is" said Master Yoda.
"I know that master. But I feel like she is hiding in the deeper levels. And as you know, taking a large contingent of troops down there might cause some issues. Especially with Jedi leading them" I explained.
"Meditate on this I will. Send Master Kenobi when he returns I shall" said Master Yoda with a sigh.
"Master Obi-Wan is returning?" asked Master Mundi.
"Taken severe losses his fleet has. Return to Coruscant to repair and reinforce he has to" said Master Yoda. "May the FOrce be with you," he says, cutting the call.
Sigh back to searching for a needle in space. I wonder what Snips is doing right now.
(POV Ahsoka)
*SPARK SPARK*
*Cough. Cough*
"Looks like the capacitors are blown" was all I could say as I came out from under a sky car I was trying to fix, covered in soot.
"You don't say" came the sarcastic voice of Trace who was helping me jump-start the sky car. "Looks like it will need fresh parts. The inertial dampers need fixing as well" She said rubbing her greasy hand on her chin.
"Well look on the bright side. You can overcharge the bastard for fresh parts" said Rafa from the top of some crates browsing through her work on a datapad.
"Overcharge your customer too much and you will not retain any clients. I thought you learned that at the academy just as I did" said Trace with a smirk.
"Sure. Now Shh. I am waiting for an email. I put in a business proposal for our trading and maintenance company. Essentially I applied for a subsidiary permit at the Straxon Corporation Headquarters. If this goes through we will have ourselves proper investment and a solid backing" said Rafa not taking her eyes off the datapad.
"What makes you think they will accept your proposal? The majority stakeholder of the company is the Mand'alor himself. What makes you think they will accept our small business proposal" asked Trace with doubt written all over her face.
"Well for starters there aren't many such companies in this section of the level. And as far as I heard they are always looking to expand their roots into the bloated money bag that is the republic" said Rafa with a small frown of herself. Trace's question raised doubts in her mind as well.
Mm. The Mand'alor eh. I wonder what Thrunn is doing. If it's him, he will most definitely be spreading his net over some unsuspecting victim right now *Chuckle*
(POV Thrunn)
*SNEEZE*
SNIFF.SNIFF.
"Caught a cold honey?" asked Bo.
"No. I highly doubt I will catch anything like that after all the serums I was injected with" I replied. Someone must be talking shit about me. Cowards don't have the courage to tell it to my face, humph.
(POV Ahsoka)
"What are you chuckling for? Think my dream of starting a company is a joke. Humf. I will show all you naysayers soon enough" said Rafa with an irritated face.
"It's not that Rafa. I was just thinking of someone you just mentioned and his antics" I quickly tried to placate the moody girl. Apparently, she cares a lot about her business venture.
"Who?" asked Trace
"You guys know him as Mand'alor. I have met Thrunn on many occasions. If I can get a hold of him I could put in a good word as well" I said proudly with puffed-out chests.
The two sisters looked at each other with bulging eyes. "No shot. You are just lying" said Rafa with crossed arms.
"Why do I need to lie about this? I have met him on many occasions. Or are you guys forgetting I am a fugitive Jedi on the run looking for ways to prove her innocence?" I asked with a smirk.
"Well then ca.." Rafa was about to say something but she was cut off when the doors to the room suddenly opened. And from it limped forward a bruised Maria.
We all dropped what we were doing and rushed to her.
"What happened mom?" said a panicking Trace as she ran to support her mother.
"It was the bloody daggers. They cornered me on my way back from meeting the suppliers" said a tired Maria.
"Who are they and why did they do this?" I asked with worry.
Maria just sighed "It's a long story"
"You can tell us about it later. Rest for now" I said, helping Trace take Maria into the house.
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