Lexiconus hadn’t been to Nar Shaddaa before, but he knew this type of city straight away. While the rich locked themselves in the apartments and towers above, beggars, alcoholics and those too poor or weak suffered in the elements.
From what he glanced at as he walked down the alleyway, the sector had seen better days. Hues of flashing pinks and yellows penetrated and invaded his vision, while the dark clouds from fires fumigated his robes. Kicking trash out the way, he cautiously tiptoed through the sector and avoided the sharp pieces of metal the best he could.
I’m gonna throw Elincia around the place for sending me here. If I get out alive, He thought to himself, his boot cracking a piece of glass.
A coughing and wheezing sound caught Lexiconus’ attention, and he looked over to the source. Sitting in a pool of rainwater, and with just a cloth for a roof and rusty droid’s legs for pikes, was a Zabrak. Wrapped in just a grimey brown tunic, she shivered and hid her head between her knees.
Poor soul. Let’s see what we can do for her, Lexiconus smiled, he wasn’t going to let the atmosphere of this sector get him down.
From the corner of his eye, he saw a quartet of drunk men singing to themselves, their out of tune lullabies and constant staggering told Lexiconus they were one drink away from falling asleep in this wretched hole. The Quarren walked up to the group and shoved his shoulder into the Human facing the wall. As the drunk man went down, taking his friend with him, Lexiconus quickly whipped his weatherproof cloth from his back, and yanked the blaster from his holster.
“Sorry buddy, but you’re not gonna miss this!” The Seer said, inspecting the weapon for damage or a tracker.
“Oi!” His Zeltron friend hiccuped. “You gives shat back, chump!” His speech slurred from his heavy intoxication. Lexiconus’ lip quivered as he smelled the thick stench of booze and cigarras.
“Ah quiet, pinky! He can buy another one.” Lexiconus waved the stumbling Zeltron off and walked away. Unintelligent ramblings was all the Quarren heard, as they went back to singing.
Now then, the cantina.
A soft vibration of music chimed out from the cantina, it’s exterior lit as if it were the main event of Nar Shaddaa. Inside, Lexiconus could see the patrons dancing and enjoying themselves on a make-shift dance floor. The Seer raced inside and approached the counter, grinning confidently at the female behind it.
“Hello darling, do you sell those yard long cylinder glasses around here?” The Quarren questioned.
“Oh yes sweetie, are you thirsty and needing a taste of the ocean again?” She cooed to him, softly caressing his tentacles as he chuckled.
“Nothing like that, I just need two empty ones. Here’s something for your trouble,” He replied, then tossed some credits onto the counter. As quickly as they jingled about, she swiped them up and placed the two large glasses in front of Lexiconus. The Seer gave her a flirtatious wink, then scooped them up and ran back outside.
Now, where is that street rat?
As he looked around the courtyard of the refugee sector, he caught the sight of something unique. Dressed in a tight-fitting black suit, a Chiss male stood with his back to Lexiconus. His concentration on the cargo sold by a Gungan, the Quarren grew curious about him.
He’s probably a member of the guard, I’ll think nothing more of it
He spun back around to face the cantina and saw the female Zabrak he was looking for, turning off to a dark alleyway. Thinking with his heart, he ran over to her, his feet tripping on the trash from the cantina.
“Excuse me madam!” He shouted out, catching her attention. She looked surprised to see the Quarren racing to her, and backed into the alley some more, her arms folded tightly across her chest.
“Here, I got you these!” He bluntly held the possessions in front of them for her to inspect.
“These are yard long glasses, very durable. You can tie the cloth from this cloak around them, and they will make a waterproof shelter for you. This material is weatherproof, you see. Feel it!” He shoved the items into her flustering arms and he smiled brightly.
“Um, thank you, sir. You are too kind. I’m sorry, but.” Before she could finish, the Zabrak was cut short by the sound of soft clapping from behind. Lexiconus slowly turned to see the male Chiss he saw before, his stone-faced glare to the Quarren frightened the girl. But Lexiconus stood his ground, straightening his back.
“A bold plan, if I must say so. You saw this helpless young one in need of aid, so you confronted those better off to steal for the poor, then used your own credits to gain a gift for her. And when you finally gift her these invaluable items, she turns you down. There’s no gratitude in this galaxy anymore, am I right?” The Chiss commented, his voice now became familiar to Lexiconus. Few heard the messages, but the Quarren was lucky enough to be the one who caught a distress signal, straight from Taldryan. The Consul of the Clan, Rhylance, was uniquely a Chiss scientist, unequipped for the strategy and command needed to rule Taldryan.
“Last I heard, Jac was blowing you to pieces, is that not the case anymore?” The Seer rudely replied, wanting to break the expressionless Chiss down. Rhylance refused to comment and circled the Quarren, then approached the female and stroked her shoulder.
“I am sorry, but this conversation is not for prying ears.” Appearing as if from nowhere, a scalpel glided across her neck, as a waterfall of red trickled from the cut. She fell onto the floor, twitching and choking on her own blood. Lexiconus could only watch as the poison worked its magic, and killed the girl. He was unphased by Rhylance’s skill with a blade.
Tugging his Saberstaff from the small of his back, Lexiconus ignited one end of the emerald blade and backed from the Major. His blaster quickly appeared in his hand and started firing precise shots at Lexiconus. Most were deflected, but the Seer caught a blaster shot to the shoulder, like a novice. Lexiconus summoned the Force to numb his wound as he continued to deflect the repeating blaster away. The Seer watched for Rhylance to reload and when he did, he tugged the blaster from his hands with the Force. He sliced the gun in half and tossed the pieces over a wall.
“Is this all you came to me for? To intimidate me with bodies and helpless children? I’ve seen things that would make your entire fleet shriek with fear. Do not threaten me again, milk skin!” Lexiconus snarled, placing his saberstaff on his back. The Quarren then jumped forward and planted his hands onto the chest of the Chiss.
Struggling and tugging against the black fabric, Lexiconus tried his best to ground Rhylance but he stood there, glaring and unimpressed by his showmanship of might. Or lack thereof.
“Honestly, Quarren, you’d be better off in the hospital ward again,” The Chiss urged. As if the shadows manipulated his hands, Lexiconus saw Rhylance’s dagger appear. The Major slowly stroked a finger near the edge, while the Quarren carefully backed away.
“Or would you rather be sent to my kitchen? Anatomically, you’re not very different from myself, but I bet your ribs taste,” He paused as his tongue slid across the cold steel of his blade. “Delectable.”
