Bring Them Home

[Silver Cutlass]

"Hurry up! We're gonna be late for the fights!"

"I swear if that boy doesn't win, I'm gonna go down there and kill him myself!"

"I'm surprised no one's cracked down on these guys yet. Oh well, more fun for us!"

Savages, these people. No better than the Sith or the Hutts. They know what's going on and they shed no concern. Ari shook her head. Nevermind them. She wasn't doing this for them, she was doing this for the kids.

Dressed in clothing more appropriate for harsh, desert weather, Ari strolled down the pathway, the aged cloth bandages she had wrapped around her clothes billowing in the wind. Lok was not a kind planet, which suited these depraved people well.

She had been residing here for the past few days, working a case she had been given by some of the locals. Dozens of children were kidnapped on an almost weekly basis around here, and for what purpose than to be pitted against one another in a fight to the death. These fights were brutal and inhumane, hence why activities as this were banned on most civilized worlds. But the near-lawlessness of Lok was the perfect place for someone to profit off of the sport.

Ari moved along with some of the crowd, taking a sharp left where she faced a large hole in the cliff bordering this side of the city. Two beings, a couple of short, pig-nosed Gamorreans, stood at either side of the door, their purpose, ironically, to keep things civil among the to-be audience. The crowd, Ari moving with it, passed by the two without trouble, and entered into a long corridor, funneling the crowd to the underground stadium.

The Jedi Knight had been passing through Lok when she caught word of children being kidnapped. She spent the first day questioning people, and was lead to this place: The Stadium, the name it was known as by the locals. A place set up by Marz Firron, a salty Duros crime boss who did "a little of this, a little of that". This was his latest venture. From what Ari could dig up, the place was almost entirely set up by the time Firron moved in. The plateau was already hollowed out by miners centuries ago, but they found nothing and left the place carved up. The mining venture started up this city, and even though the mine was a dead-end, the city still grew, as for Lok it was very large, perhaps one of the largest settlements on the barren world.

She continued on with the crowd, reaching the seating area, where only a banister separated the crowd from the vast pit where the kidnapped children fought each other. The area formed a complete circle around the pit with several vomitoriums leading out from the seating section into different parts of the undergound stadium. Ari looked down into the pit and saw nothing but the rocky bottom. The fights hadn't started yet. Good, that gave her time.

A little bit of case-work and pouring over old maps of the mine gave her something of an idea of the layout of the place, but she'd have to rely on her own intuition to maneuver around parts of the place. Of course, the caged-off entrances to the pit would lead directly to where they held the children, but it would also lead to a direct confrontation with a multitude of guards. And as much as she'd love to beat the stuffing out of them with her bare hands, it would likely be an effort in futility as they'd likely overwhelm her.

Oh, how she missed the days when she could draw her lightsaber without having to worry about bringing the raw weight of a galactic superpower down on her head. She brought the device along with her, but only for emergencies. As much as she wanted to put this kidnapping and fighting ring to an end, bringing the people of Lok under the occupation of the Sith was not something she wanted to do.

Ari looked up across the field and saw a part of the wall, stretched out over the seats, with a few windows, one large one looking down on the arena. This was the VIP section, where'd Firron and his despicable guests would be watching. She'd be sure to head up there and capture that scumbag. He deserves justice for what he's doing to these kids, Ari growled within her mind. She sat down towards the end of the seats, where she could sneakily escape when needed. She'd wait for the first fight to start, which would draw away everyone's attention and allow her to get to work. In her mind, she contemplated her plan, going over the supposed layout of the facility.

"Hey honey, go get me something to eat before the fight starts..."

 

[Minuteman75]

Vilkas was grateful to be underground away from the blasted sun that scorched Lok's surface. Of course the fact that he was inside an bloodsport arena disgusted him. Being clothed in tan dusted covered robe he just recently acquired, only his blue furred snout and hands were visible to those around him, thereby masking his distaste as he looked for seat in the mist of the crowd already sitting down in the stands. Looking around quietly, Vilkas thought about why he was here.

When his ship arrived on planet, local authorities found out and contacted him to deal with a criminal named Marz Firron. The reward was one thousand credits alive and five hundred if dead. Being in the profession of a bounty hunter, Vilkas encountered many inividuals that can be titled as scum, both employers and prey. Still considering that, Vilkas sometimes wondered whether should he be counted among them since he associate with them. But the fact that this Firron was using kidnapped childern for bloodsport told Vilkas how more depraved the Duros must be compare to him.

It took him a few days to figure out where Firron was. That why he found himself here in the Stadium forced to play as a spectator in order to catch the object of his new hunt.

Looking upward across the pit he saw the VIP section where he knew that Martz will likely be at. Nodding in slient appreciation, he finally took spot to sat at on the left near the end. Once he did, Vilkas glance to the side and noticed a yellow Twi'lek female a few away wrapped in desert clothing just a few feet away from him. The Twi'lek were one of the alien species he had found fascinating in his galactic travels, but the reminder that many people out here in the galaxy didn't like being stared at by those they don't know.

This isn't the time for to get distracted with my curiously for aliens. I must get ready to go after the prey once it is time to do so.

Vilkas thought to himself then he turn his hooded head away to wait in silence.

 

[Silver Cutlass]

"Attention, attention everyone. If you will all please be seated, the fights will now begin!"

The voice thundered through the facility's old PA system. When the cages leading to the pit opened up, the crowd stood up and applauded, ready to watch the combat. Ari rose with them, so as to not differentiate herself from the crowd. As the first two kids, both probably 14 or 15, came out into the rocky battleground, the crowd started chanting, encouraging the two on. Time to go, Ari thought.

She nonchalantly detached from the crowd, leaving through the vomitorium to her right. Within, a long, circular corridor continued on behind the seats with several passages leading to different areas. The largest exit before her lead back the way she entered the Stadium, which gave her a current position. Judging by the old maps, the most likely place they held the kids would be what used to be called Mining Zone 3C. It was on the same level as the pit and was large enough to hold a couple dozen captives.

That meant she would need to head down two more levels and head to the west side of the Stadium. Easier said than done, unfortunately. These mines weren't dug out by architects, so she'd have to maneuver her way around the place. The easiest thing to do would be to check out the west side of the Stadium first, and see if there was still a cavity that led to the next level down.

Ari could hear the manic crowd's chants as she walked on by. It was only a minute into the first round, so she'd need to hurry before these kids killed one another. It was an unfortunate reality that one of these poor children would be struck down here before Ari could do anything. The sad thing about being a Jedi was that no matter how much you tried, you couldn't save everyone. But that wasn't going to stop her from trying. She picked up the pace, heading to the west side.

When she got there, there was a hole in the wall with a Weequay standing guard in front of it. Guess no one's supposed to go in there, Ari thought. She clung to the opposite wall, staying out of the guard's sight. How could she get rid of him? Blast him? No, too noisy. Melee? No, that might draw attention. Mind trick? Seemed her best option.

The Jedi Knight reached out into the guard's mind, probing him. He wasn't too bright, but that also meant his mind wasn't clouded. Regardless of a being's intelligence, it was there focus that could be an obstacle. And how could one overcome that obstacle? Simple enough, you merely draw that focus to where you want it. Ari reached out with the Force and grabbed a fairly large pebble to the guard's left, and slung it across the guard's line of sight. That caught his attention.

Delving into the being's mind, Ari planted a simple suggestion in his head. The guard hurried away from his post, an inclination in his head telling him to check out who threw the rock. Acting silently and fast, Ari dashed across, entering into the hole in the wall without being spotted. This corridor would lead her down to the second level, which meant she only needed to drop one further. Ari could only hope the rest of her task would be as easy as this.

 

[Minuteman75]

When the crowd rose up to cheer at the beginning of the death games, Vilkas didn't do the same. Instead he stayed sited, refusing to share in the mob's excitement. Crossing his arms, Vilkas scowled beneath his hood upon seeing the contestants really were youth. So it was true after all, children were being forced to be gladiators. Seeing that and hearing the chanting of the spectators for blood around him, outraged Vilkas.

He knew what those kids were likely going through right now because years before he had been a slave like them, to fight for the sick amusement of others.

I didn't do it as a child like them down there. By the spirits, these beings would have their own young do this to one another?!

The very idea offended Vilkas because he had been taught by his former tribe that childern are to be cherished and loved. It was the way of their people and it was also one of many things he missed about his homeland. He squeezed his fists tightly in slient and seething rage just as the match began. Suddnely he noticed the Twi'lek from earlier leaving her place in an subtle matter. The way she was leaving and the direction, made Vilkas a bit suspicious.

It was like what a professional would do, though what he wasn't sure exactly what kind she could be. Either way, the canine hunter intended to find out, taking care of Firron can wait. He stay where he was for a few more seconds till getting up and went toward the Twi'lek's direction. Vilkas made sure to do it causally as to not rouse too much attention for himself. As he did so, the Nevaalian tried to avoid watching the duel happening below.

In times like these, Vilkas wondered if the galaxy was under a deep curse that would drive for such cruelty to happen but he feared the truth could be far worse. That line of thought was interrupted however, he spotted the alien woman had stopped and took cover behind the wall next to her. In an instant Vilkas did same a dozen feet away and looked to see what caused her to stop.

The answer came in the form of sentry guarding a large hole in the wall. Judging by how this female was acting Vilkas consider that she was likely not working for Firron's gang.

Maybe a thief or even an hunter like me.

Then to his astonishment, Vilkas saw a rock fly across into the view of the guard to the opposite side. It was not possible no visible hand threw it, Vilkas thought but he had no time to ponder it as the guard went away from his post to where rock landed on the left. This let his new quarry make her next move. She rush toward into the cave entry and Vilkas swiftly followed her, knowing that the guard's distraction won't last long. After he entered the cavern, Vilkas thought about what happen back at the the entry.

The tail-head acted as she expected the pebble to grab the guard's attention. By the Great Mother I know she didn't physically threw it there no way she could. Yet...it still happen.

Confused, Vilkas brought out his combat machete as he continue moving quietly as he can, preparing for trouble. There was something about that Twi'lek, he couldn't figure out so it best to arm himself for whatever comes next.