A Living Nightmare

  Chapter 24: Local Losers

  "The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together."

  Location: Nigiri - Darpro City

  The helmet sealed with a comforting hiss around my head, recycled air gently humming in my ears, drowning out the external chaos. My blindness wasn’t a hindrance; the Force provided more clarity than vision ever could. Every pulse, every echo of emotion and intention was vividly tangible.

  Darpro City sprawled around me, an oppressive maze carved deep into Nigiri's surface. Rusted metal walkways intertwined like the veins of a diseased beast, illuminated by flickering neon lights that cast fragmented glows through the swirling smoke and steam. The air hung thick with the stench of industrial grime and sweat, yet the helmet’s filters kept the worst at bay, a mercy amidst the squalor.

  Through my Force Sight, the city took shape as an abstract tapestry, awash in swirling hues and vibrant outlines. Each living being left trails of energy, pulsating with emotions—desperation, aggression, despair. Voices collided in a constant, fevered murmur: whispered deals, shouted threats, muted pleas, all forming a dissonant chorus of life on the edge.

  I extended my senses further, allowing the city's overwhelming pulse to guide my path. The streets teemed with urgency; clusters of intent gathered in dark corners, waiting for opportunities to exploit or moments to strike. Shadows moved with predatory patience, stalking their prey among the oblivious or uncaring masses.

  "Just another hive of suffering," I murmured quietly, my voice echoing hollowly within my helmet. One more in the several I had been to already in my few years as an Inquisitor. Even so, I couldn’t deny the intoxicating potency of the city's ambient anguish. Despair and fury had become familiar tools, their power undeniable. But now I kept it all at a distance, weary, uncertain.

  I moved deliberately through the congested streets, carefully weaving around market stalls and makeshift shelters, each step precise despite the uneven and slick ground beneath my boots. The Force provided warnings of each hidden danger, each plotting mind, yet I remained focused forward, uninterested in meaningless distractions. That focus was shattered after some minutes of weaving in the crowds, overhearing conversations and screeching hagglers.

  A sharp burst of panic flared suddenly, drawing my attention to an alleyway ahead. "Please, help!" cried a voice drenched in terror. Two assailants pinned a third figure against a jagged metal wall, blades shimmering faintly in the dimness.

  For a brief moment, I considered ignoring it, letting this violence blend into the endless chaos. Yet a gentle, persistent nudge within the Force tugged at me—a quiet plea to do something good, to perform an act genuinely selfless for the first time in years. That soft insistence resonated deeply, breaking through my hardened indifference.

  I turned sharply toward the alley, my approach silent but purposeful. One attacker sensed my presence, turning sharply, aggression radiating from him in fiery waves. "Get lost!" he snarled, brandishing his weapon. The victim's fear intensified, palpable through my heightened senses.

  With a focused thought, I reached into the Force, effortlessly wrenching one attacker from his feet and hurling him into the wall behind with bone-jarring force. His cry cut short as consciousness abandoned him. The second attacker stumbled back, panic rapidly overtaking his bravado as I constricted his lungs, bringing him to the ground gasping desperately.

  The victim stared at me, wide-eyed with astonishment and relief. "Thank you," he managed, voice trembling.

  I paused briefly, my expression hidden behind the helmet. Words felt trivial. With nothing more to offer, I turned away, leaving him to his stunned silence. Acts of kindness here were temporary. The city's inherent brutality would inevitably reclaim dominance.

  Yet I paused a few steps away, the rasping breaths of the injured man echoing faintly behind me. His pain flickered through the Force like tiny, sharp pinpricks, each laceration distinct yet shallow. Hesitation tugged at me, an unfamiliar impulse guiding my actions.

  Without turning, I quietly asked, "Do you need medical assistance?" My voice held no warmth, only a detached offer of aid.

  A sudden, sharp flare of intent flickered from a shadowed corner of the alley. I pivoted instinctively, the shrill report of a blaster shot slicing through the air. The searing bolt narrowly missed my helmet, sizzling past me to strike the rescued man squarely in the head. His lifeless body collapsed, crumpling limply to the ground.

  "Fancy moves ya got there, Imp!" a mocking voice jeered.

  Several speeder bikes descended from above, their riders dismounting swiftly, additional thugs emerging from concealed doorways. They immediately rifled through the dead man’s belongings with practiced efficiency.

  "I can only assume this man owed you lot something of value," I said calmly, voice devoid of emotion. "Clearly, his life wasn’t valuable enough."

  The thug who’d fired sauntered confidently toward me, placing his blaster directly beneath my chin. "Yeah, 'n we don' liket no know-it-all ruffling up our boys."

  His companions tensed, weapons poised. Unfazed, I stared straight ahead, my voice cold and humorless. "I can kill them if you'd prefer."

  The thug burst into laughter, turning slightly toward his men to speak. In that instant, I seized the opportunity. Drawing deeply on the Force, my hand shot forward, gripping his head and twisting sharply, snapping his neck with a sickening crack. I swiftly liberated his blaster and opened fire, dropping four of the men ahead of me in quick succession. My lightsaber hissed to life in my other hand, deflecting incoming fire from behind with practiced ease.

  With grim precision, I moved fluidly through the remaining attackers, each strike swift and deliberate. My lightsaber carved effortlessly through flesh and bone, the blaster in my other hand discharging with clinical accuracy. I consciously resisted drawing strength from the terror and pain that filled the alley, trying not to let their fear fuel me as it had in the past. Yet every breath, every panicked cry they made was still palpable, echoing faintly at the edges of my senses. The two unconscious assailants never woke to feel their wounds as I shot them quickly, sparing myself the temptation of dwelling on their suffering.

  When the chaos settled, only one thug remained standing, visibly trembling with wide eyes fixed upon me.

  I discarded the blaster at my feet, stepping toward him with a purpose.

  "I have questions, and you will not lie," I stated firmly, reaching out through the Force to scramble his fragile mind into compliance.

  The thug’s mind cracked open under my subtle pressure, secrets pouring forth like a breached dam. They called themselves the Black Shard Syndicate, a brutal network of criminals specializing in slave trafficking, illegal weapon sales, and the spice trade. Their numbers reached well into the dozens, hiding behind layers of violence and corruption. Anger simmered in my chest, growing swiftly into disgust at their actions—the innocent lives they ruined without a second thought. Their hideout wasn't far, a sprawling, filthy complex wedged into the industrial depths of Darpro City, the perfect reflection of their depravity. Securing a speeder bike from the dead men in the alleyway, I gunned the engine, the machine humming aggressively beneath me as I sped to their hideaway. Accelerating rapidly, I aimed straight at the main entrance, the speed and momentum turning the bike into an improvised battering ram. The explosion of metal and debris heralded my arrival, the twisted remains of the security gate scattering violently as I landed over the walls.

  The Black Shard Syndicate erupted in chaos, their thugs scrambling like ants defending a disturbed nest. They charged recklessly toward the noise, blasters firing wildly, but they weren't ready for my response.

  My lightsaber ignited in a blaze of controlled fury, deflecting blaster bolts with lethal precision as I advanced. Each strike was clinical, detached—swift motions carving paths through their ranks, deliberately ignoring the mounting terror around me. I kept my focus cold, my mind refusing to revel in the destruction even as bodies dropped around me, each death merely a means to an end. Their leader awaited, and nothing would stand in my way.

  Navigating through the maze-like corridors of the hideout, I encountered hastily mounted defenses—makeshift barricades crafted from scrap metal, rusted piping, and overturned containers. Blaster fire ricocheted through the narrow hallways, a desperate but futile attempt to halt my advance. Their frantic attempts at defense were almost laughable if not for the desperate cruelty they displayed, using slaves and 'dancers' as hostages as living shields.

  Yet their pleas and panicked cries for mercy didn't slow my stride; I moved past them coldly, swiftly eliminating their captors without hesitation. The chaos deepened as alarms wailed, mixing with the frantic shouts of the Syndicate members rallying for a final, futile stand. I arrived at the gang leader's private quarters—a spacious room littered with overturned tables and couches hastily arranged as barriers. The heavy security door was sealed tight, but I didn't hesitate. Igniting my lightsaber, I methodically cut along the edges, the molten metal glowing brightly in the dim corridor. Reaching out through the Force, I gently lifted the heavy slab of metal, holding it inches off the ground as I rolled a small flashbang grenade through the gap.

  The room erupted with confused cries as the grenade detonated, blinding and disorienting the defenders. Using the slab of metal as an improvised projectile, I hurled it forward, slicing cleanly through one gang member. Blaster bolts erupted in panic, but I effortlessly deflected them, redirecting each deadly shot back to its source with cold precision.

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  Soon, the two guards beside the Twi'lek leader collapsed, their lifeless bodies crumpling to the floor. Realizing he was alone, the gang leader quickly threw up his arms in surrender, his smug aura evaporating into palpable fear and mild embarrassment. There were two dancers huddled in the corner, trembling with fear, their faces pale and tear-streaked.

  "You two, run," I ordered gently, gesturing towards the exit. "I'm sorry about your friends."

  As they scrambled to their feet, hurrying past the bodies without looking back, I turned my attention to the gang leader, Fito.

  “I’m looking for information on someone named Arnev,” I demanded, my voice edged with ice. “Where can I find him?”

  The Twi'lek chuckled, a harsh, humorless sound. "Mr. Gornit ain't the kinda man you find, Mister Alonzo," he corrected me, voice dripping with disdain stretching out the o in my name. There were few ways he could have known that. None of them pleasant.

  Alarm surged through me. My lightsaber, previously held loosely at my side, instantly rose, the humming blade now mere centimeters from his throat. Fito flinched, eyes widening briefly before returning to defiance.

  "Regardless," I pressed coldly, "do you know anything about shipments of RZ-1s, Z-95s, or proton torpedoes into Darpro City? You seem very well-informed for some lowly gang leader."

  He laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "You're asking the wrong questions in the damn wrong place. Hidolaran Heights is where you ought to be lookin'. Though I doubt you'll live long enough to reach it. That slimy Bothan owns it all—the city, the flats, the whole damn planet. You're an idiot to think you can touch him."

  Impressive, I thought. That Ahsoka could rope someone like Arnev into the early Rebellion was remarkable. Or perhaps it was Bail?

  "Now, you gonna let me go?" Fito asked mockingly. "You killed me boys, I gave you some tiny scraps of information. Seems like a fair trade to me, and you took care of the ugly girls for us too."

  A sliver of fury slipped from my head while my hand was tightening around the hilt of my lightsaber, pulling my arm back nearly ready to decapitate him. At the last moment, I shut the saber off, channeling my rage into a powerful Force push instead, slamming him into the wall hard enough to knock him unconscious for a moment.

  Panic surged through me, overwhelming my earlier composure. My pulse quickened, breathing shallow as I repeatedly attempted to call HK and Hal on my commlink.

  "Hello? Can anyone hear me? HK? Hal?" I called urgently into the comm. Each static-filled response tightened my chest, flooding me with dread.

  "Come on, answer me!" Panic flared uncontrollably, overwhelming my composure entirely.

  My hands shook, and frustration boiled over into a primal shout, "Fuck!" as I unleashed a wave of Force energy into the wall, leaving a noticeable dent. Thoughts spiraled wildly—Had they been captured? Killed? Betrayed? The possibility of losing Hal, of losing yet another friend, made my blood run cold. My frustration quickly morphed into a sharp, desperate urgency as I struggled to maintain control. The gang leader’s weak laughter echoed behind me, mocking.

  Storming from the hideout, stepping carelessly over the bodies of those I'd slain, I tried another channel. Vos'la Kaa answered instantly, voice bright with flirtation. “Well, hello—”

  "Cut it," I snapped. "Why didn't you tell me Arnev Gornit practically owns this entire planet?"

  “He does?” Her tone was genuinely surprising. I stopped in my tracks, feeling a surge of incredulity.

  “Right,” I reminded myself, irritation coloring my voice, “you haven't been here long. You might actually be the worst bounty hunter alive.”

  “Funny, you might not be soon, you've got a price on your head,” she retorted, tone sobering slightly. “I tried convincing Mrs. Elkip otherwise, but she wouldn't budge. Said you couldn't go after this guy.”

  “So the deal’s off, then?”

  She laughed, a surprisingly genuine sound. “Nah, blasted her. Job’s still on, handsome. I always finish what I start.”

  Her words stunned me momentarily, and I found myself smiling despite the situation. “You're completely insane,” I chuckled. “Where are you now? I can't reach the crew on my ship, and I need to get there fast.”

  A commotion erupted through the comm, blaster fire sizzling in the background. "Kriff!" she cursed, her breath hitching sharply. "Hangar 3C—right by yours! I'll meet you one way or another. I think I know how we can snag our guy."

  “Understood,” I confirmed, cutting the transmission. The doors to the planet's surface hissed open, strong winds immediately tugging at my heavy poncho. Outside, my senses caught several life forms lingering in the chaotic gathering storm, waiting for me.

  I advanced toward the awaiting threat, my lightsaber humming to life as I summoned the strength I would need from the Force..

  Location: Nigiri - Borazium Flats

  The crystalline rain intensified, each shard cutting through the turbulent air, ringing softly against the durasteel plates of my armor. I stood motionless for a moment, the Force Sight sweeping over the flats, alert and attuned to every subtle shift. The faint aura of danger pulsed vividly around me, threading itself through the shadows cast by the storm.

  Six distinct presences encircled me, each bounty hunter carefully positioned with lethal precision, poised in expectation of an easy target. A familiar excitement stirred within me, a dark anticipation at the potential challenge they represented. I smiled grimly beneath my helmet, savoring the momentary thrill. They had no idea just what kind of threat they were facing. Six wasn't nearly enough.

  The ambush sprang simultaneously, blasters flaring from carefully spaced positions around me. Instinctively, I deflected the shots, lightsaber blazing in arcs of vibrant energy, painting streaks of brilliance through the stormy twilight. Seeing blasters were ineffective after two hunters went down swiftly from deflected fire, the remaining four hunters surged forward aggressively, weapons raised with deadly intent. My senses expanded, the Force painting a vivid picture of their movements, revealing every subtle twitch, every tense muscle ready to spring.

  The towering, four-armed alien led the assault, blades spinning and electro-whips crackling with deadly intent. Beside it, the insectoid hunter closed in rapidly, vibro-blades buzzing, aiming precise strikes designed to overwhelm and cut through armor. I weaved gracefully between their attacks, sensing exactly where each blow would land and twisting my movements just enough to evade harm, guiding their frustration into missteps.

  The insectoid’s blade narrowly missed my shoulder as I swiftly dodged beneath its strike, causing its blade to scrape harshly against the towering alien’s armored limb. Growling in pain and rage, the four-armed brute swung one of its electro-whips wildly. I seized the opportunity, using the Force to freeze its arm mid-swing before swiftly disarming two of its four limbs. The hunter roared in agony, staggering backward, its rocket launcher firing erratically into the sky. Sensing the opportunity, I reached out with the Force, seizing the rockets mid-flight and directing them downward with precision. The projectiles exploded violently, engulfing both the insectoid and the now two-armed brute in flames and shrapnel, silencing their threats permanently.

  Turning sharply, I faced the heavily armored combat droid, blaster bolts streaking from its multitude of mounted cannons. The Force guided my saber effortlessly, deflecting the barrage and redirecting several bolts back into its metallic chassis. The droid sparked violently, systems failing under the damage, collapsing in a heap of smoking metal.

  The Jawa, frantic now, fired wildly from its oversized blaster rifle, the shots going wide. Focusing through the chaos, I reached through the Force, pulling the Jawa towards me swiftly. Its small frame flew helplessly through the air, directly into my outstretched fist, empowered with a surge of Force Lightning. The Jawa's head ruptured violently upon impact, the powerful surge of Force Lightning launching its limp body backward, tumbling across the crystalline ground.

  Breathing deeply, I let the dark surge recede, clarity returning even as the adrenaline lingered.

  Slow clapping echoed softly from nearby, pulling my attention sharply toward the entrance of the city. My senses extended, instantly recognizing Vos'la Kaa. She offered a humorous quip, but I ignored it, focused entirely on our urgent situation. "We have to move."

  "We?" she asked playfully.

  "For now," I responded firmly. "If you know where my ship is, they certainly do."

  I began to stride purposefully toward the hangar bay facility, but Vos'la whistled sharply, halting me in place. "Uh, why not take one of those?" she asked, pointing at a set of low-powered, idling speeder bikes I had initially overlooked.

  I smiled briefly, appreciating her sharp eyes where my sense failed. "Do you have a tow cable or something?"

  Minutes later, we raced across the crystalline flats, Vos'la towing a small speeder bike behind her own. Small enough for a Jawa to ride. The crystal rain intensified, shards tapping rhythmically against our armor. "At least you have room on your ship for these," I remarked bitterly, trying to keep my mind focused.

  "You act like we'll be working together after this," she responded, her tone playful yet cautious.

  "With the credits involved, plus that favor—"

  "Date," she corrected teasingly.

  I continued, ignoring her interruption, "I doubt you'd turn me in. You need the credits, and I need all the help I can get right now."

  "Confident, love it! And after? Posting a bounty on an Inquisitor is... unthinkable. That'll bring the Empire right down on our heads," she said soberly.

  "That's what they want—an excuse to retaliate, another atrocity added to their lists," I admitted with a heavy sigh. "I haven't decided if I'll report this yet. Depends entirely on Arnev and how we deal with him."

  She paused briefly before speaking again, her voice softer. "These people don't need the Empire here. They're managing just fine independently."

  "I hate the Empire as much as anyone else," I confessed bitterly. "I can see these people managing fine on their own, but I can't ignore the desperation, the chaos, the lawlessness down there. Part of me wants it to be better, but I know the Empire won't make it better—it'll only make it worse. And I hate knowing that."

  I hesitated, chewing thoughtfully on my lip before finally deciding to be blunt. "The other reason I need your help is—I need people, resources, and some kind of foothold. I want out of the Empire before I end up just another corpse rotting in some forgotten backwater." I paused, feeling the bitter truth in my words. "I can't just vanish on a whim. The Emperor won't let something like me slip away safely. It has to be carefully planned, precise. After everything that's happened since I've been an Inquisitor, I'm going to need allies—friends Force willing."

  Silence fell briefly between us, broken only by the sound of crystalline rain striking the ground around us.

  "I get you, hun," she finally said warmly. "We're both more than just pretty faces. Just know it'll be an extra few thousand credits when you do need help," she laughed softly.

  As we approached the hangar bay facilities, Vos'la veered off toward her own ship. "Be careful now, Mister Alonzo," she called out.

  I didn't respond, continuing forward as my Force senses stretched out ahead. The familiar presence of Hal filled my perception, alive and safe. Relief spread through me, and as I dismounted and approached the doors, a genuine smile broke across my face.

  The building's intercom crackled to life with HK's unmistakable, smug voice. "Observation: Master, you always miss the fun. Proud Revelation: Captain Meatbag convinced me to leave one alive for interrogation after we thoroughly neutralized the insufficiently armed mercenaries."

  Nodding in satisfaction, I entered the building, careful to avoid stepping over the scattered corpses. "Good. Now, let's find the bastard who thought attacking us was a smart idea.”