So named because it is located one thousand, three hundred, and thirteen levels from the core of Coruscant, Level 1313 is distanced from the politics of the upper levels. Overlooking the chasm burrowing further into Coruscant’s core, one can watch freighters transporting their illicit cargo between levels. One misstep would send the careless careening into the bottomless pit, or aid the local gangs in staging “accidents.”

Weathered duracrete forms the retainer along the chasm wall, built in concentric rings that descend down an untold height. Strengthened with solid durasteel braces, maintenance has not been needed this far into Coruscant for a long time. Nevertheless, droids pre-programmed to fill in the cracks and crevices that might form in the walls float on repulsorlifts without drawing attention from the criminal gangs; themselves, being focused on their next smuggling operation or struggle for control over Coruscant’s scum-filled underbelly.

Three humming spherical maintenance droids approached the cusp of the worn duracrete at the lip of Coruscant Level 1313’s chasm. Each disappeared one at a time to perform their duties. As the dorids disappeared a converted Imperial landing shuttle completed its ascent and maneuvered over the lip of the maw. Coming to a low hover just above the landing pad, it extended its legs and completed its landing cycle. The shuttle’s landing ramp dropped and dozens of various species disembarked, joining the crowds of 1313. One man broke from the crowd and took shelter in a small alcove. Using the flow of pedestrians as cover, he popped a small durasteel panel. The light crimson skinned Kel Dor connected his Assassin’s Datapad into the data port. Slicing his way though some unusually weak firewalls, he searched for the data he was ordered to find. As he did, the mercenary noticed the crowd briefly thinning and someone approaching him. He finished the search, just in time.

“TuQ’uan Varick?”

A rather tall and large Chiss wearing Alliance Marine armor was about 5 meters from the Circle member. Varick didn’t look up and discretely plucked one of his sonic grenades, priming it. Len Iode continued to approach the Yeoman, his A280C at the low ready.

Maybe I have the wrong Kel Dor, Len mused as he approached the two meter mark.

TuQ’uan broke into a sprint, pushing through a few cells of foot traffic to cause confusion. Len began to jog, following the path of knocked over bags and people the Kel Dor had left in his wake. The trail went cold after a short time. The Chiss opened his senses up to his surroundings. The hum of repulsorlifts. People talking to each other. People yelling for the big oaf to stop standing in the middle of the walkway. The soldier snapped back from his thoughts to reality. He continued to walk only slightly faster than most of the other people around him.

Must have lost him.

Len decided to double back on himself. As he turned, he saw a Kel Dor with the distinctive scar that told him the man was indeed, TuQ’uan Varick. As the dots were connected in Iode’s head the mercenary passed him and before the Commander could react, the TuQ’uan was off.

“Really making me work for this aren’t you,” Len muttered under his breath as he took off again.

TuQ’uan pushed his way through the bustle of 1313 leaving more than a few people upset but the more chaos he caused the better. He quickly checked behind himself but didn't see the portly Chiss following. That’s one of the things he loved about level 1313, it was dark, seedy, over crowded, and easy to lose a tail both literally and figuratively depending on who you asked.

The Chiss had known who he was and where to find him. It was beginning to dawn on the mercenary that the whole thing was a Sith-spitting trap. No wonder the splice was so easy, even for me.

The Kel Dor pulled his hat lower over his face as he rounded a corner, ducking into a narrow, dimly lit alleyway devoid of life. He slowed his pace to a walk and glanced over his shoulder again making sure he wasn't noticed or followed. If they wanted to trap me, they could have at least sent someone who could catch me.

The ruby streak of a blaster bolt impacted mere inches from where his foot would have been once he completed his next stride. From the opposite end of the alley his pursuers cobalt skin blended in with his surroundings leaving his piercing red eyes the only thing he could clearly see as they glared down at him, his A280C blaster was trained on TuQ’uan.

“Please come with me TuQ’uan. We need to talk,” Len called down the alley. “There is really no need for any of this.”

The Kel Dor had a reputation to uphold, he was in the game of gathering information, not giving it away and there was no way he would give any up without a fight. If he could just make it to the landing pads, he could get off planet and see if the information he'd acquired could be of any use. There was just one problem and it was standing about 30 feet away in the direction he needed to go.

TuQ'uan dropped his right foot back a half step, bent his knees slightly and pushed off, charging directly at his blue skinned enemy, hoping to catch him off guard. The weapons specialist sighed, rested the butt of his blaster against his shoulder and opened fire on the charging Kel Dor. Seeing Len prepare his weapon TuQ’uan drew his trusty DL-44 and responded in kind.

Blaster bolts flew both ways down the alley as the space between the two closed rapidly. Clothing on the two began to shred as shots grazed each of them, each one’s aim improved little by little with every shot. Realizing that the charge was not showing any signs of slowing Len took two steps back stopping just outside of the alley, allowing him to brace for impact and giving himself more room for a close quarters fight.

As TuQ’uan got within five feet of Commander Iode a bolt pierced his left leg causing him to begin falling forward. Using his momentum TuQ’uan threw himself forward sliding across the ground on his stomach, using his arms to protect his face. Len relaxed his stance and lowered his blaster, keeping his finger near the trigger as TuQ’uan came to a halt just off to his left. A satisfied smirk had appeared on the Chiss’ face but lasted a mere moment until he heard the countdown beeps of a sonic grenade.