The Godless Matron is home to many, resembling a micro-society for those who wish to live outside the typical 'rule' of the galaxy. The Lucrehulk-class battleship's massive hangars have been converted into dwellings as a result. Chute Town is the most notable of these makeshift towns. Many shops and storefronts have been constructed to take advantage of the higher volume of foot traffic. In addition, many ships and crews arrive into Chute Town to sell their "well-earned" commodities, weapons, or artifacts. It is commonplace to find the best and the worst gear the galaxy has to offer, it is only a matter of how big your pocket book is. The 'streets' are patrolled regularly by the crew of the Matron itself, leaving would-be miscreants to be more wary, lest they find themselves on the receiving end of a pirate's sense of justice.

It is built mostly out of spare durasteel panels from derelict ships, dismantled machinery, or any other source or material the pirates could scavenge. It spans the length of the massive portside hangar of the Matron, reaching from it's heavily protected reactor — hidden behind triple-reinforced blast doors and a guard retinue — all the way to the hangar entrance where the many incoming ships unload their cargo. It is more than a mile long, over five hundred feet wide and up to three stories tall, covering most of the floor. Chute Town's streets are a miniature maze, weaving in between buildings on several levels. Verticality is key for the masses of shops and bars to operate without interfering with one another. The main street is nicknamed Murder alley, mostly because all the weapon shops are prominently opened there.

Illumination banks are staggered along the walkways and buildings to provide enough light for the society to function. Still, the 'streets' are left dim with a low hanging fog built up from the collective humidity of so many people in one space. For those calling it their home, there is no such thing as 'off hours'. A large crowd bustles along at all hours, an exotic assortment of individuals from countless planets and the warring gangs that divvy up the territory within. It's the perfect place for those looking to disappear in the crowd.

With tensions running high, Chute Town was far more volatile than it would have been otherwise. Several of the gangs had been stepping outside their territory of late. As yet there had been no outright acts of aggression, though the perceived slights had been steadily mounting for weeks. The cracks in the dam were beginning to show. The crew of the Godless Matron just needed to apply pressure to the right place at the right time to trigger an outright gang war.

To that end, a bounty was put in place. The premise was simple enough. The Herald would grant a measure of clemency to whomsoever cashed in the ID tokens that had been planted on several individuals at random. Such a prize was without measure for not just the gangs of Chute Town, but the denizens themselves.

A rough neighbourhood, would be a drastic understatement for the environment they travelled through. Raiju Kang was used to the shadier side of the galaxy and, for the most part, preferred “rough neighbourhoods” for their familiar comfort. However, this place made the red district of Nar Shadara look like a royal palace of Alderaan.

Shipping containers, broken hulls, and scraps of metal had been arranged to form a makeshift community in the former hangar, if you had been fortunate enough. As Raiju and his companion strolled the alleys that had been formed between these structures, they came to witness those not so fortunate. Clumsily assembled wooden shacks, flimsy cardboard boxes, or even dirty hung blankets used as partitions lead claim to the space of those less fortunate. Yet, the grittiness of the “buildings” matched the tone of the creatures that inhabited here.

They weren't the typical poverty stricken that inhabited Corellia’s industrial sector, or the war torn refugees that flooded Courscant; they didn't even match the sinister individuals that plagued Tatoonie. These were a different breed of people, of a more menacing nature.

Passing a group of four huddled together in one of the darker alleys, it was easy to note they appeared offended by the pair’s presence. Yet, the two were allowed passage; though they were forced to step around the individuals; carefully avoiding eye contact as they went.

“Tensions are high.” Raiju’s companion, Andrelious, had warned when they first entered this sector. Accredited to the expansion of several of Chute Town’s gangs, it made an already deadly community even more dangerous. “Don't do anything stupid. We just got you back.”

The warning hadn't fallen on deaf ears. Raiju owed much to the former inquisitor, and he wasn't about to further complicate the Warlord’s efforts in rescuing him. Having spent the past two weeks as a captive, forced to duel to the death several times for the entertainment of others, the Nautolan had been very close to a psychotic break by the time Andrelious had arrived to claim the creature. Yet, the Warlord’s timing Couldnt have been closer as an internal struggle had been raging in Raiju over his forced actions and his conflicting philosophy as a Jedi. Only the Force itself knew where that battle would have ended if the Warlord hadn't arrived. The pair had equal desire for haste to leave this vessel.

“Keep up!” The Warlord commanded when the Nautolan had paused to take in the disparity in view of another cross alley. “We have a shuttle in the next hangar.”

“Wait…” The Nautolan said in a hush tone, focusing on an exchange he was witnessing down the other alley. Three men had stopped and were demanding identification from an elderly woman, though strangely unconcerned with any action from her. When he got a feel for the situation, Raiju was quick to question the Warlord. “Why are they doing random carding?”

“Raiju, no!” Andrelious snapped, as if already sensing a delay in their flight. “I'm not dealing with your Jedi nonsense today. ”

“What are they doing, Aedile?” The Nautolan had been quick to pull rank on the Sith, having been the one harmonious factor in their relationship - both men felt a higher purpose to serving their House than on the specific details of how. A sigh of acceptance was dragged out afterwards by the Warlord.

“There’s a random assortment of bounties in Chute Town right now.” Andrelious explained hastily, “To keep peace among the gangs, for the moment. Cash in a bounty and get a ‘get out of jail free’ card.”

“And when you say ‘random’...” Raiju’s question seemed to trail off, witnessing the scanner ping in confirmation.

“Anyone registered in Chute Town.” The Warlord confirmed the Nautolan’s fear. Yet, a firm hand shot onto the Nautolans wrist and held tightly before the Jedi could dive into action. The harsh tone of the Warlord seemed to change quickly into a plea. “Don't, Raiju. Dinaari needs us back now.”

A firm tug and a twist of his wrist was all that was needed for the Nautolan to break the man’s grasp, yet for good measure the creature was quick to bring his elbow up and launch it into the Warlord’s face. The joint hammered hard into the man’s jaw, sending the Warlord reeling but before Andrelious could regain his composure the Nautolan was already in flight towards the gang members with his lightsabers activated.

I really need to get a better Quaestor. Last one was a traitor, this one’s suicidal! Andrelious thought to himself.

Raiju Kang hadn’t been in Taldryan for long, and Andrelious was actually surprised by how tolerant the Nautolan appeared to be regarding his Aedile’s Sith beliefs. The two still often clashed, but never to the point that blows were exchanged; at least not until now.

“I said we need to get back now! Stop playing the Herald’s games!” Andrelious cried out.

It was already clear that the Quaestor was not going to listen to his second. Raiju’s scanner had picked up a nearby bounty, and the Nautolan was too focused on his task to care about the Sith’s worries.

Fine. I’ll do this the hard way.

Beginning to chase the Jedi, Andrelious activated his silver-hilted lightsaber. The Nautolan had slowed his approach to his target, a Rodian sporting a blaster that looked too large for the alien to even hold properly. The sudden arrival of Raiju startled the diminutive alien, but he didn’t panic. Instead, he called to a pair of nearby Gamorreans.

The two large porcine creatures lumbered towards the Dinaari Quaestor, each carrying a large vibro-axe.

The Rodian said something in its native language. Neither Andrelious nor Raiju could understand a word of the alien dialect, both they both guessed it was incredibly unpleasant from the tone of voice.

As the Rodian fired its blaster, Raiju’s lightsaber sliced downwards through the weapon’s barrel, rendering it useless. Meanwhile, the Gamorreans had closed in and swung their vibro-axes towards the Jedi.

“I don’t think so, pig bastards!” Andrelious cried, a Force assisted leap allowing him to land between Raiju and the enemy. The slashes of his lightsaber were far more aggressive than those of his Quaestor; they were designed to kill their targets outright. Caught off guard by the Sith’s sudden movements, the Gamorreans fell easily.

Raiju, having disarmed the Rodian, was pointing the tip of his lightsaber blade towards the smaller alien’s throat.

“I really wish you’d stop doing that. They deserved a chance to surrender, didn’t they?” Raiju questioned without turning to look at his Aedile.

“I doubt they’d have even known how to spell surrender.” Andrelious sneered. “Are we done here?”

“You’ve probably just made sure that our passage out of here is far less safe. Just as I was sorting things out with our new friend here,” the Nautolan answered.

He’s a spice dealer. Andrelious realised, noticing several rolled up stims of Ryll on the Rodian’s belt.

“I think I’d best take over here,” the Sith stated.

“No. You can’t, or won’t, tell the difference between a minor criminal and a dangerous one,” Raiju replied.

Andrelious responded by stabbing the Rodian in the stomach. “And this particular criminal was dangerous. Dangerous to you,” he explained, pointing at the Ryll.

He’s one to talk. Never seen such a small man drink so much Ebla beer. Raiju thought.

“I may be a small man, Raiju Kang, but I can control my addictions. It wasn't looking like you could!” the Seeker hissed.

Deeply irritated by the cutting comment, the Nautolan charged at Andrelious, sweeping his lightsaber in front of the Aedile’s body. The Sith was nearly caught off guard by the sudden attack, but moved his own blade to parry.

“Don’t try it!” Mimosa-Inahj warned.

The smell was nauseating. Wafting off the bodies of the dead that now surrounded their exchange; Raiju’s nostrils filled with the scent of blood, cauterized flesh, and what he assumed was the release of the three alien’s bowls. Though he couldn’t be sure it wasn’t just Chute Town in general, the familiar aroma brought a pain with it; a reminiscence of his previous captivity.

A great sense of loss draped over the Nautolan as the memories flooded his consciousness. While Raiju still felt his body move, he just didn’t seem connected with the motions it was making - as if he were on autopilot. Rather, the Jedi felt himself forced to relive the tragedies he had created; reminded of the aroma that accompanied each of them. All except the girl, which he had spaced.

Sorrow crept in on the Nautolan to the point his eyes hurt. As a Nautolan, the creature didn’t have tear ducts like most humanoids, which left Raiju with a burning dryness around his eye socket as his emotion tugged him further into his sorrow. Try as he might, he couldn’t forget her last facial expression; a look of puzzlement, mixed with hurt and betrayal.

The same expression which Andrelious now held.

Realization of what had happen was slow to clear the haze his mind have caused. The Warlord’s bellowing had been followed by several quick parries from the man, as Raiju had attempted to overwhelm the Sith with a barrage of strikes from the Nautolan’s dual blades. Yet, at one point the Sith parried high which brought his guard above his head and left the Nautolan an opening to drive a hard heel into the Sith’s torso.

Reeling forward in pain, Andrelious had bent forward towards the Nautolan; who brought the butt end of both of his hilts towards either side of Andrelious’ face. A howl had filled the alley at this point. Colliding the blunt end of both weapons onto the temples of the man, Raiju had followed through with a swift raising of his knee that clipped the Sith’s jaw; sending the man to ground on his back. It was here that the Sith created the same expression as the girl, and where Raiju’s consciousness had returned him to the battle as he hung over the Sith.

Rage instantly washed over the Sith’s face.

“Look at you! I was right!” Andrelious spat venomously before he rose to his feet, able to since Raiju had backed away with the regaining of his senses. Dropping his guard, the Nautolan puttered around in a small circle shaking his head, as if trying to shake the memories away. Yet, the Sith continued on assessing a different difficulty in the Nautolan. “You’re tweaked out now, aren’t you?”

“No, no...no.” Muttering came out of Raiju in a semi-responsive tone, but his focus seemed to be lost again. For a moment he paused, his gaze caught on the elderly woman the trio of aliens had been carding and who stood back from the pair of dueling Taldryanites in wonderment. When his gaze held for long enough to make it awkward, the woman finally took off from the engagement; and at that point Raiju continued. A measure of awareness seemed to be back in his voice. “I think we should go as well, it appears I’ve left the arena more damaged than I realized and I might be a threat to these people.”

“Damn them,” Andrelious was quick to counter. “The hell are you going on about? Did they give you something for the arena?”

“No…” Raiju started, but never seemed to finish.

“No?!” The Sith snarled in disbelief. “I told you, look at you. You're flush in the face, red around both eyes, and you’re completely unfocused. Yet, you are telling me you haven’t fed your habit today?”

A look of hurt, and a shake of his head was all Raiju could muster before he could bear to meet the Sith’s gaze. Yet, the Nautolan’s eyes soon fell to the Sith’s crimson blade and then fixed on the corpses by the man’s feet. It was in the moment he knew there wasn’t much difference between the pair and he tried to explain to Andrelious what troubled him.

“No...it just appears I've been broken.”

Andrelious could sense emotional turmoil within Raiju. The few Jedi that he knew generally had a calm, almost warm presence within the Force. The Nautolan still seemed to possess that warmth, but it felt somehow different to the Aedile, as if it were not as pure.

“I need to get you out of here. I’m not losing you to this frakking ship and the Herald’s games,” the Sith stated.

“You show a surprising amount of compassion for a Sith, Andrelious,” Raiju announced.

The former Imperial raised an eyebrow. “I’m not doing this out of compassion. Not for you, at any rate. You are opposed to what Pravus is doing. That’s reason enough to treat you as an ally. The Sith way is as much about survival as anything else. The Grand Master would do well to remember that.”

“Is that all this is to you? We’re fighting for our lives and you just want to prove a laboured point?” the Quaestor snapped.

“Far more than that. Pravus is going to destroy everyone. Look at what happened on Karufr! That man is going to pay for trying to kill my family!” Andrelious roared.

“Your obsession with revenge is dangerous. You’ll kill many more than you’ll save, and yet you’ll claim to have the moral high ground,” Raiju shot back.

“What do you know? You yourself just said you were broken. Let’s do what we have to and get out of here. Hopefully with the Herald’s head on a plate,” the Sith hissed.

Raiju charged at his Aedile, lightsaber drawn. The speed of his attack again took Andrelious by surprise, allowing the Nautolan the upper hand in the initial exchange of blows.

Beginning an aggressive counter-attack, Mimosa-Inahj quickly found the Jedi’s defence was as stubborn as his attacks were powerful. The Sith was keeping one eye on Raiju’s body, making sure that there were no opportunities for the Nautolan to resort to unarmed combat moves.

Quite a crowd was beginning to gather as Quaestor fought Aedile; Chute Town’s population didn’t seem bothered about the sheer amount of death that surrounded the duelling pair.

Even as caught up in the moment of combat as he was, Raiju still had enough control over himself that his attacks were aimed to disable, rather than kill, the Sith, but the same couldn’t be said of Andrelious. His eyes had turned from their regular blue to the trademark yellow and red of a dark side user channeling their anger.

Swinging his lightsaber with every ounce of his strength behind the blow, Mimosa-Inahj directed his attack towards the Jedi’s torso. Raiju moved his weapon downwards to block the attack with relative ease.

“Now who isn’t in control?” the Nautolan shouted.