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Chapter 51 - Chapter 51: The Guild (XV)

"Hmm-hm-hm~", I happily hummed, sticking to the Green Brinstar theme while strutting through the marketplace. I ignored everyone. Sure I received some more stares, but I paid them no mind. They saw my weapon, my arm cannon. They knew to instinctively back off. I could pass as a member of the Techno Union if I really wanted to. And to be honest, I'd fit inside there a lot more than being a bounty hunter, just due to the Power Suit alone. They'd love to try and steal such technology from me. Out of all the groups here in Star Wars, Techno Union is likely number one that I will have to be wary of.

And to make it worse, they were quick to choose sides during the Clone Wars, and help the Separatists mass produce droids. If I had actually headed downward into Planet Lantillies, I would have likely seen many droid factories on top of it being a shipyard. Honestly, it's better that I didn't.

[It looks like you accepted the merchant's request. Are you sure you want to go picking fights with these syndicates? Aren't you looking to cooperate with one of them after you leave this planet?] Adam asked me as I departed the marketplace.

"You mean the Hutts, right? That's the plan for now, since I'll be heading into Nar Shaddaa after this. If they're already clashing with the Black Sun here on Toydaria, that'll earn some favor points for me. It doesn't matter which Toydarian merchant benefits from this result. I do not care much for that. Plus this will help me face other mercenary or bounty hunter-like people. All I've really fought so far are just droids.", I murmured into the helmet, keeping my voice quiet so others wouldn't hear it.

[Very well. Do you have a strategy in mind to take on one of their bases? You received a map of the compound, but it will take some time taking them out.]

"I plan to keep up my sniper image for now. It's better not to reveal myself to either side. Stick to the shadows, and fire when necessary. It will be a lot easier with the darkness of the night bouncing off the Gravity Suit.", I answered.

[It will. To add to this stealth mission of yours, I will enable Morph Ball. This should allow you to squeeze through tight cracks. Your Grapple Lasso is already active in case you run into shield users, but I will additionally activate Grapple Beam so you can have an easier time navigating from building to building. Using your Gravity Booster does create noise, so this second option should help your maneuverability.] Adam said to me, drawing my interest.

'Sweet, two more powerups ready for me to see some action.', I happily thought. And what's more Bargos even exchanged some Huttese chits for me to use. Not here in Planet Toydaria, but for when I eventually arrive on Nar Shaddaa. 'Let's do this thing.', I concluded, ending my conversation with Adam.

Now let's check that map again...

Some time later as a fleeting purple-plated armored figure disappeared into a large crowd of travelers, the sky soon struck with hues of deep purple and fiery orange as dusk settled over Toydor's sprawling capital. The upper levels glimmered like a sea of stars while the lower layers were shrouded in shadows and mist, creating a rather eerie picture. It was all thanks to the low-hanging mist of the muck lakes below. Every so often, it would creep upward, painting a rather eerie picture for those who operated down in the lower levels.

Thankfully I have my visor. If my vision becomes too obstructed from the foggy mist, I may need Adam to activate the Heat Visor or Echo Visor. Preferably Heat Visor, as a lot of aliens release a heat signature that's easily traceable. I could hear the distant buzzing of speeders echoing faintly above like wasps. Below me, you either heard the steady cranking of machinery, or an eerie stillness. Every so often, metal shutters would open and close within the dark alleys. I know to stay away from those, unless you're really looking for trouble.

I was no longer in the marketplace selling those various goods and services. I could now be seen crouched on a crumbling rooftop. My visor illuminated with a green glow that displayed a holographic image of the compound layout I received from Bargos. This was one of ths hubs that was set up by the Black sun, nestled within a gutted warehouse district. Its walls were built out of salvaged materials, likely whatever they could get their hands on by ripping off the Toydarians. That does beg the question too. Who is more greedy, Toydarians or the Black Sun? Or the Hutts for that matter.

 

I could see crates upon crates, likely filled with illegally-obtained goods, counterfeit credits, weapons and armor that you'd normally not get to see, you name it. Also was it these guys that dealt heavily in spices? And I'm not talking about the spices you put into your food to make it more tasty. These spices are harvested from planets themselves, carrying a variety of effects, such as bending one's mind, providing them a huge dopamine or euphoria effect, and so on. They're more like drugs from my previous world, which is what makes them highly illegal.

I'm just here to take a few guys down. I can let the Black Sun's competitors clean up their mess after. I'm sure the Hutts would gladly accept whatever that is leftover here. I could take some of it for myself too, but I have an image to uphold. I'm not a criminal, unlike these guys. But down the line, if they come to learn of my name, it is possible I'll be treated as a criminal, unless I switch sides and work for the Empire. It's good that I know most of the major plot.

Adam didn't remain idle either. He was busy scanning item after item. I could easily pick out where stuff was, and unsurprisingly there were goods that belonged both to the Republic and Separatists.

Should I notify Anakin that he should notify his crew that's stationed here on Toydaria that some of their goods have been stolen?

Now that I'm thinking about it, that doesn't sound half bad. I could have them clean this mess up after I get what I came here for, haha! They were the ones to build bases here on Toydaria first, and if they know the Black Sun is operating here, they'll try to route them I'm sure. I don't know if this will cause any implications down the line, but this is my story you know? I'm here to live out this new life of mine, and if I want to continue cooperating with the Republic, I will!

Thankfully I kept Ahsoka's holopad on my person instead of leaving it behind inside the gunship. Reaching into my armor, I quickly found it, and kept myself in a kneeling position. I dimmed my visor as well to avoid being spotted.

Ahsoka did instruct me how to use it, so after tapping on the holopad a few times while hidden, it came up with a blue hologram for me. It is dusk so I wasn't sure if she'd pick up, but I saw Ahsoka's face soon appear on the image before me. I saw her raise her eyebrows at me.

"Well now this is a surprise. I didn't think you'd call back so soon, Samus.", Ahsoka said, greeting me over the holopad. "Did you perhaps change your mind about Master and are interested in joining his fleet after all? We are in the middle of preparing to launch our strike on that ship you attacked. We managed to locate its position pretty quickly with the data you helped retrieve. It won't be long now until Master uses the Shadow Squadron for a counterstrike."

"Glad to hear that. Unfortunately that isn't the reason why I called. I do not plan to join you as backup. Both you and Jedi Master Plo should be enough for that mission.", I replied, shaking my helmet gently.

"Is that right? Unfortunate.", Ahsoka said with a sigh, only to notice where I was. "Where are you exactly? It is quite hard to see your location like this as is."

"About that...", I began to say. 

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