Clarke was hesitant to emerge from the cell and return to the bottom deck where she knew it would be a frosty welcome from the crew. 

'You can't seriously be considering this?' Cal challenged the Jedi, narrowing his eyes at the blonde woman with undisguised displeasure as she hovered uncertainly in the door way. 

'I have considered it Cal, and I have made my decision,' Lexa replied dismissively, more focused on the matt black box that rested on the bench in front of her. 

Clarke was in no mood to be on the receiving end of the Cathars quips and took a purposeful step forward, taking her onto the main deck, abandoning hesitation to stand resolute in the face of any hostility. 

It was apparent that Cal was not alone in his reservations. The Nautolan, Rakal, and the Zabrak, Bekk, also shared a similar expression as they wondered what Lexa's end goal was in taking the prisoner along to Coruscant with her. 

Even the G3P droid was humming his agreement with Cal's remark but nothing they could say would dissuade their captain.  Lexa pressed her ear lightly to open the comms link to Sharr and Toril who were up on the flight deck piloting the ship. 

'Take us down into a private docking bay this time Sharr. I don't think the security team at the main spaceport would take kindly to our return after the recent theatrics.'

Lexa carefully picked up the matt black box and placed it into a backpack at her feet. More secure methods of transportation would only attract unwanted attention in the city and that was something they couldn't afford. 

'What exactly is the plan?' Clarke inquired, blatantly ignoring the looks being sent her way by the crew. 

'We're meeting a Jedi master I knew from my days here training at the Jedi temple,' Lexa explained, picking up the rucksack with one hand to hold out towards the blonde. Clarke just stared at it uncertainly for a moment. 

'You're giving me the holocron?' 

'Would you rather return to your cell?' 

Clarke took the offered bag and slung it over her shoulder. The prospect of danger had never ruled her decisions and this was no different. A journey into the city would at the very least be interesting.  

The ship shuddered briefly as it touched down, the engines soon falling silent as Lexa gave the crew some final tasks to be finished onboard whilst she was gone. 

'Are you certain that you don't want a few extra bodies to accompany you?' Nova chimed in, not trusting that the prisoner wouldn't cause the Commander any trouble. 

'That won't be necessary. I need this ship in top condition for when I trade her in, so make sure everything's working at it's best. I'll keep you updated on our progress.'

The crew reluctantly disbanded to make a start on repairs and general maintenance until it was just Clarke and Lexa remaining on the deck. 

The Jedi gestured to the med bay and insisted that the blonde change before they departed, her thicker layers no longer needed now that they had left Hoth far behind, and Clarke was pleasantly surprised by the choice of clothes that had been selected by the Jedi. 

A light blue shirt with a darker fringe at the neckline had been laid out along with a navy blue jacket that could almost be mistaken for black in the right light. She abandoned the thicker undershirt that had served her well on Hoth and pulled on the new outfit. The fur lined leggings were replaced with dark trousers and she found that she could move far easier in this new attire. 

All she could possibly want for now was a good plaster at her hip, but that was not about to be supplied for her any time soon. 

The material must have been designed to stretch accordingly to the wearer because the clothes fit almost perfectly. With a few final adjustments to straighten the leather jacket, Clarke returned the bag to her shoulder and returned to where the Jedi was waiting.

Clarke's jaw almost dropped as they stepped out of the ship and onto the private platform on which they had landed. It was stationed a few thousand feet above ground level with the city's highest peaks continuing up into the sky around them. Swarms of ships were constantly streaming through the air on their own flight paths, dipping in and out of carefully designed sky lanes. 

The upmost level on the surface was barely visible from such a distance, the towering spires of the tallest buildings disappearing out of sight above them. Coruscant was a planet wide city with billions of inhabitants and Clarke had never seen a sight quite like it. 

The blonde reluctantly pulled her eyes away from the seemingly never ending sprawl of city beneath them and focused on what was happening on the platform. An air speeder was docked on the far end, seating two, and appeared to be their ride down to the surface. 

Lexa took the lead, striding over the lengthy distance to the waiting ship. Clarke hopped into the passenger side and rested the bag at her feet as the Jedi took hold of the controls. They were airborne in a matter of seconds and were soon descending down into the chaos of Coruscant city. 

'Would it not have been easier to land in the Senate district?' Clarke questioned, after all that was where the Jedi temple was located. They were making fast progress on the close to empty sky lane and the city spires were blurring past them at a dizzying speed. 

'No, because we're not going to the Jedi temple,' Lexa said in response, easing off the speed as her passenger frowned in brief confusion. 'Our destination is the underworld.'

The ground beneath them seemed to fall away at that moment as they arrived at the cavernous ventilation shaft that also served as a shipping portal down into the depths of the undercity. 

Clarke didn't know what to think of this development. At least the Jedi temple was guaranteed to be a safe destination. The underworld on the other hand was a completely different story. 

There were thousands of levels that stretched down to the planets original surface, level 1, which was now uninhabitable due to lack of oxygen. Level 5 was the lowest survivable level left, though few would ever dare venture so low. Criminals favoured the undercity as a base for their illegal transactions, so there was a bountiful selection of wayward characters to be found in cantinas and alley ways alike. 

The air speeder was descending at a steady pace and Clarke could only wonder just how far down they would be going. She didn't have long to fret over it when Lexa maneuvered the ship away from the centre of the ventilation shaft towards a protruding platform on their left where they could dock safely. 

'The undercity is a strange choice of location for a Jedi master,' Clarke mused, stepping onto the docking platform and taking in the dreary surroundings. She had heard stories of the wonders that Coruscant was home to. From the towering skyscrapers to the infamous Jedi temple, there were luxurious apartments home to the planets most wealthy citizens on the streets that were adorned with cantinas, opera houses and casinos.

That, however, was merely the literal surface of the matter. Those without such deep pockets were resigned to lives beneath such extravagant individuals in a place where even the suns light was unable to reach. Hardly the setting for a powerful Jedi master to be spending his time. 

'Master Eadon is a Jedi peacekeeper, he's down here overseeing the new Jedi recruits,' Lexa explained,  checking that the lightsaber at her hip was carefully out of sight beneath the lower portion of her robe. She was reluctant to call it a robe as it was not the kind that most Jedi would have worn. 

She still wore light shoulder and wrist guards, with the brown material fitting tightly across the upper body with the lower portion splitting into two sections that fell close to her ankles. A sash adorned her waist to keep the material in place, a lightweight buckle ensuring that nothing would come loose and hinder her in battle. 

It was the most comfortable outfit she had discovered to date, finding the custom Jedi robes to be heavy and cumbersome.  

Level 2142, Clarke read from the faded sign on the wall. They were far from being on the lowest levels of the underworld but even here it was a far cry from the world that lay above. It was a dreary scene from the docking platform, everything coloured a tired grey that did not help to enhance the bleak reputation. A variety of different species were milling about in the dim light, readying their passes for presentation at the checkpoint that would grant them access to the level. 

Lexa took off for the checkpoints without a word and Clarke hurried to catch up, keeping her eyes averted from the more shady of characters that swept by in their dark clothing like shadows. 

There was an android located at each entrance gate, simultaneously repeating the same three words in an oddly chirpy tone that did not seem to fit with the dismal surroundings. 

'Your pass please. Your pass please. Your pass please.'

Clarke couldn't think of anything more annoying in that moment. She guessed it was more than likely that they didn't have the passes required, but followed the Jedi silently as they joined the small queue and became the subject of the three looped words. 

'Your pass please.'

Lexa raised her hand briefly at the glowing white control panel, situated next to the force field, which clicked and twirled for a few seconds before the shimmering barrier snapped out of existence and the android allowed them to pass without a second glance.

'Your pass please,' the android chirped once more at the next individual in line as they left the check-in gates behind. 

It was understandable how crime syndicates got away with so much down here when it was so easy to gain access to the levels. The Coruscant police rarely patrolled the lower levels so a lot went unnoticed by the oblivious dwellers on the surface. 

Clarke's wariness was increasing with every step they took further into this forbidding territory. She was not adverse to the wrong company, but it was the reasoning for being down here that left a bad feeling lingering despite the Jedi's explanation. She couldn't quite ignore the knowledge that there was no better place in the galaxy to make a person disappear. 

'The government will be in for a shock when things down here take a turn for the worse,' Clarke began, deciding on a relatively safe topic, almost talking to herself as she observed the stream of individuals going about their own business.

Lexa looked questioningly at the blonde, not certain what event she was alluding to. 

'The food levels will be running low soon thanks to war, and a lack of food never results in anything good.'

'You know about the food shortages?' Lexa asked, dipping her shoulder back as an inattentive Er'Kit sped past without a thought for those in his way.

'I'm not just a pretty face you know,' Clarke retorted, also swerving aside to avoid a similar rushing individual. 'I do keep up to date with current affairs.'

Faint music leaked out into the street from a nearby cantina, the flashing lights on the sign grotesquely coloured with the sharpest of neon lights to draw attention from anyone who passed by. It certainly appeared to be busy enough inside. 

'The underworld really is one of a kind,' Lexa noted, to say the least there was no place quite like it in the galaxy. 

That was one way of putting it, Clarke thought to herself and it once more made her wonder exactly what they were doing down here because it felt like this meander through the streets was not coming to an end any time soon and it was starting to ring alarm bells. She knew better than to ignore her instincts. 

'It's probably not the best place to be bringing this...artefact along to,' Clarke pointed out, not wanting to appear as if she were testing the Jedi when that was in fact exactly what she was doing. 

The word holocron was not one to be thrown around easily in a place like this if you wanted to leave in one piece. 

'We have nothing to worry about if there's no attention drawn to us,' Lexa replied easily, not easing the growing sense of mistrust that was weighing heavily in the blonde's chest. 'You've not been to Coruscant before have you?'

It was more of a statement than a question, Clarke had not exactly masked her awe and curiosity at being on the famous planet. 

'I've heard a lot about it. Though this wouldn't have been my choice of a tour on my first visit,' Clarke offered, the dismal surroundings no better than she had imagined. 

'Really?' Lexa asked, as if genuinely shocked by the reply. 'Where else would you have found a buyer for the artefact when you attempted to escape the spaceport earlier?'

Clarke's jaw tightened at the swift turn in conversation. This was clearly not a casual line of questioning. 

'Unfortunately your faithful followers had their guns aimed at my head before I could think that far ahead. Not that I even knew what I was in possession of.'

As if that made it any better, Lexa thought to herself. The blonde would have known that it was an item of importance after the Imperial attack on the base and yet even that had not deterred her. 

'We're here to make this right now, so how about you cut me some slack. I'm not here for the scenery,' Clarke continued, her tone clipped as kept her voice low. 

They were now in the heart of the sector with numerous vendors and shady cantinas around every corner. Despite the array of businesses, it was fairly quiet on the streets in this area and their presence had yet to draw any suspicion. With the holocron slung over her shoulder, Clarke couldn't help but be paranoid of every being that came into view. 

'The only reason you are here right now and not selling a potentially lethal Sith holocron to some back alley dealer is because we caught you out on the lie. So let's drop the act,' Lexa cut back, dropping any pretences of a casual conversation. 

Clarke stopped in her tracks, causing the Jedi to stop a second later and turn to face her. 

'If you want to do this right now then let's not pretend that we're here as equals. I'm still your prisoner and we don't trust each other so lets just leave it as it is. We find your Jedi master, get rid of this damn holocron and go our separate ways.'

Lexa stared back in silence for so long that Clarke wondered if she was going to have to repeat herself. 

'Are you done?' 

Clarke bit back the torrent of words that could have be thrown in response to the question but she was certainly done with the back and forth between the two of them and said nothing. 

'We've arrived,' Lexa said simply, gesturing to a building behind the blonde. Clarke had to look over her shoulder twice just to make sure she hadn't missed anything. 

'In the Cantina?' she asked sceptically, not seeing any other suitable location in the adjacent run down buildings. 

Lexa nodded in confirmation and, without waiting for a response, brushed past the blonde and made straight for the cantina without another word. There was little choice but for Clarke to follow close behind, not fancying her chances exposed alone with a holocron in her possession. 

The interior of the cantina was deceivingly well kept, despite the poor lighting it was clear that the owner was at the very least proud of the establishment. Two Bith musicians were providing live music on the small platform that served as stage for the entertainers. It was mellow music however, not the upbeat Jizz that was the most popular swing style in the more popular cantinas. 

It now made sense why the streets were so quiet around here, with many of the level dwellers spending the afternoon in their local cantina. There was a reasonable space inside, with booths and private rooms readily available for those that required more privacy. Many criminal transactions took place in cantina's such as this and it wasn't unheard of for a fight to break out between rivals without any other customers even batting an eye at the regular occurrence. 

Lexa made her way to the U-shaped bar and hopped up onto the stall as the bartender stepped forwards to serve the new customer. 

'Belaria juice if you would,' the Jedi said, looking over to Clarke questioningly but the woman shook her head in response. 'That'll be all.'

Clarke  claimed the stool next to the Jedi, looping the rucksack around her ankle as she observed the empty bar. Many of those in the cantina preferred the seclusion of the private booths that lined the far wall, allowing the duo to sit in relative peace. 

'I brought you here with me so that you wouldn't be a prisoner,' Lexa explained as she waited for her drink. 'Due to the sensitivity of our situation I'm sure you can understand my reasoning.'

Clarke did understand, but that didn't mean she had to like it. She had been in pursuit of the holocron, unaware of what it was, but with such destructive power contained within it the Jedi had to ensure that the blonde's intentions had not been aligned with that of the Empire. She couldn't let the potential threat go unnoticed.

Clarke knew that she had no ties with the Imperial forces, but the Jedi didn't and it was possible to see how assumptions could be made from the recent events that had taken place. All that was needed was an explanation for her crash landing on Hoth and her far from honest actions since meeting the Jedi but it was a story that Clarke was not willing to tell unless she had no other choice. 

'We're here to take care of the business with the artefact, how about we just focus on that,' Clarke finally said, almost wishing that she had bought a drink after all. Not a fruit drink though, something with a little more kick. 

Lexa was growing tired of having every attempt at enquiry shut down, and knew that she would not get answers with ease. It was time to step this up. 

'Where is your Jedi friend anyway?' Clarke asked, glancing briefly around the room at the host of aliens that were gathered inside. She assumed that there would have been some sense of urgency with such an important matter. Carrying a potentially deadly holocron around Coruscant's underworld was hardly desirable. In fact, it was the last thing Clarke would have expected the Jedi to do. 

A seed of suspicion was beginning to form and she began to question what exactly it was they were doing here. 

'There is no meeting with Master Eadon,' Lexa revealed, taking a swift sip of the juice as she let the blonde process the statement. 

'Then what exactly are we doing here?' Clarke finally replied, her expression hardening in frustration at the Jedi's riddles. All this time spent trouping through the underworld and for what?

'I think you already know the answer to that.'

All Clarke knew was that her time was being wasted and she was trying very hard to keep her voice low so as not to attract any attention.

'You've had me walking in circles around this damn city for close to an hour with a target on my back thanks to this holocron. There are gangs down here that would happily take our heads to claim what we have in our possession. Black sun, the Hutts, the list goes on.'

Lexa was quiet for a moment as she turned her head to fix Clarke with an impassive stare. 

'Which one are you affiliated with?'

Clarke didn't know how to respond for a few moments, still processing the question as she shot the Jedi a blank