"If it really is an Imperial Inquisitor, Amir..." Joan hesitated.
"It doesn't matter. I'm already a wanted criminal of the Empire. If it's absolutely necessary, I'll reveal myself to draw their attention." Amir saw Joan's intention to hide her identity.
This didn't affect Amir much, but for Joan, it would be huge trouble.
This was no longer just a transaction between them. It was more like friends helping each other.
Amir admired this older woman who had turned herself into a cyborg, not just for her technical skills, but also for her persistence and conviction.
Besides, Kahraman was already reading her data. Amir would do his best to help Joan achieve her wish.
Since they couldn't determine the Inquisitor's true target yet, they didn't waste too much attention on them and continued walking deep into the slums as planned.
Halfway there, Joan turned her head and signaled to Amir.
On the side of the street, a teenager in tattered clothes lowered his head, glanced at them, and turned into an alley.
"Those are eyes. We're getting close to Dead Hand territory."
Amir also observed the surroundings silently. He noticed many people sizing them up, intentionally or unintentionally.
However, they were all wearing robes with hoods up; without getting close, it was impossible to confirm their specific identities.
"Here." Joan led them around a corner into a passageway. A man was standing there, smoking a death stick, puffing out clouds of smoke. He only glanced casually at Amir's group as they approached, then stepped aside to reveal a tunnel behind him.
Ignoring the man, Joan walked straight into the tunnel at the front.
The tunnel looked cramped, only wide enough for two people to walk side by side. Green fluorescent lights on the walls provided dim illumination. The ceiling was sealed, and coupled with the garbage-strewn floor, it looked like a passage dug by rats underground.
"This is called the Ratway. It existed long before I came here; no one knows its origin. The Ratway has many entrances in this city, which are also exits, connecting every corner of the slums," Joan explained to the group.
After walking for a distance in the tunnel, Amir gradually heard the noise of human voices, and then they brushed past some people.
Following this path, they soon arrived at a lively bar. A Gotal with prominent horns was beating on strange drums, while many women of various species danced around him.
Joan walked familiarly to the bar.
"Well, Joan? Have you changed your mind? Build a droid and sell it to me, I promise to give you enough money! And you'll get a twenty percent discount passing through here in the future!"
At the bar was a Snivvian—yellow skin, huge nostrils, and lips. A species that should look simple and honest was played by him like a greasy pervert.
"Cut the crap. Five people." Joan pushed two pieces of gold ore toward him.
The Snivvian weighed them in his hand, grinned, walked out from behind the bar, and led the five people toward the back of the establishment.
There was a large door guarded by several mercenaries. Seeing their boss bringing people over, they consciously made way.
After passing through, Joan explained, "Many junctions inside the Ratway are occupied by gangs. If you want to pass, you have to pay a toll."
"They know how to do business." Amir found it amusing.
"But it's worth it. Through the Ratway, we can bypass most of the spies and reach Dead Hand's territory directly."
"Since everyone knows about the Ratway, wouldn't the exit be heavily guarded?" Amir asked.
"Of course. When we arrived, there was a scout at the entrance. If anyone suspicious or threatening approaches, he will report it."
"There's a scout, so how do we..." Amir stopped halfway because Joan had already taken out her vibro-knife.
Alright then...
Amir also readied his lightsaber.
Dead Hand definitely wouldn't seal this tunnel because it was indeed convenient; their own people used it frequently. Especially the children they trained—as pickpockets, being elusive was one of the most important skills. Stealing something and then entering the nearest Ratway entrance to disappear from everyone's sight undoubtedly increased the success rate significantly.
Amir felt that the thief who stole the artifact this time likely escaped using the Ratway.
Precisely because of this, the Ratway exit inside Nuludin's gang territory would definitely be heavily guarded. Sneaking in would be almost impossible.
However, from the outside, entering their territory would be even more impossible. Countless spies would lock onto your tracks long ago, and you would be surrounded the moment you entered. Comparatively, the Ratway was definitely the better choice.
Since they decided on this path, no matter how tight the security at the exit was, Amir and the others had to deal with the guards cleanly and quickly; otherwise, it would lead to exposure.
After walking for a long time, Amir heard voices talking ahead.
If Amir could hear them, the three "machines" beside him must have heard them long ago.
Joan gradually slowed her pace, letting Amir take the lead.
"Can I shoot, Amir?" Milisen, who had been quiet all along, suddenly asked. She seemed eager to test the combat capabilities of her "Bat Backpack."
"Better use the lightsaber." Amir also took out his hilt.
Quiet, swift—in this situation, a lightsaber was undoubtedly the best choice. Using blasters would easily alert the people around.
"Mm-hm." Using the lightsaber also made Milisen a little excited.
"There are three people at the tunnel mouth." 32 confirmed the number the moment he saw the light at the opening.
After walking a few more steps, Valera added, "There's another one on a distant roof."
Amir opened his Force perception and confirmed they were correct.
Four clusters of life force were floating in the distance.
"Let me handle it. You guys stay here. If we go out together, we'll probably be spotted before we even reach the opening."
Joan hesitated for a moment but nodded.
This straight section of the tunnel was indeed unsuitable for a direct charge.
Amir raised his wristguard and released the spider droid.
The small droid disappeared into the darkness the moment it hit the ground. Amir issued a command to it on his panel.
Waiting for a moment, Amir walked forward step by step. His footsteps on the ground made almost no sound.
Amir used the Force to counteract part of his gravity, while his hand under the robe silently gripped his lightsaber.
Unsurprisingly, the people at the opening didn't react at all. They were still talking loudly in a language Amir didn't understand.
These were a motley crew to begin with. Asking them to guard the door strictly and seriously was impossible; the fact that they were even standing there was already fortunate.
Moreover, no one dared to provoke Dead Hand; this gang had a fierce reputation in the city.
So, it wasn't until Amir walked right up to the opening that the three guards suddenly realized there was a person there.
Just as Amir was about to strike, something unexpected happened. These three people showed no surprise or vigilance. Instead, they exchanged knowingly greasy smiles and surrounded Amir.
This aroused Amir's curiosity. What are these people thinking?
"You're back, kid. Looks like a good harvest," one of the human males said, staring at Amir's backpack, practically drooling.
---------------
You can read +100 advance chapters on my Patreon
Patreon(.)com/izan24
TIER 1 you'll get +15 ADVANCE CHAPTERS
TIER 2 you'll get +40 ADVANCE CHAPTERS
TIER 3 you'll get +60 ADVANCE CHAPTERS
TIER 4 you'll get +100 ADVANCE CHAPTERS