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Chapter Three
Anakin walked with Obi-Wan, following Swa
"This is a forced air tube," Swa
"Are there many levels below?" Obi-Wan asked.
"About twenty," Rorq said. "And the tu
Rorq stepped into the air tube with no floor. He hung there for a second, gri
Obi-Wan stepped out into what seemed to be a black void. Anakin heard the faint sound of rushing air. The next thing he knew, his Master had sunk down out of sight.
"Next," Swa
Anakin stepped into the chamber. It felt strange to feel the air pressure against his boots. He descended, the air rushing against his ears.
The sensation felt oddly familiar, even though he'd never been in an airlift before. When he reached the bottom he felt the shock of the ground against his boots and almost stumbled as he stepped off.
Obi-Wan and Rorq were waiting. After a moment, Swa
"Ah," Swa
Anakin wrinkled his nose. The air was dank and heavy and smelled stale.
Swa
Swa
"This is one of the main transport tu
Obi-Wan glanced around at the network of tu
"There are map kiosks, but when the power's down, we can't access them," Rorq said. "Luckily, we could find our way around down here blindfolded. Patrol, Swa
Quickly, Swa
"Better to avoid them," Swa
"Does she run patrols frequently?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I'd say randomly," Swa
They walked back into the main tu
"Where do the Mawans live?" Anakin asked.
"They took over a half-dug-out area that was supposed to be another loading bay before the Purge. They set up a kind of tent village there. We subrats serve as scouts to protect them from raids. We also ferry food, water, and other supplies."
"For a fee," Obi-Wan said.
Swa
"Who controls the power grid now?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Striker, at the moment," Swa
"Can't you switch power from the main substation to another?" Anakin asked.
Swa
"What did you do before the Purge, Swa
"I'm a water rat," Swa
"Barely got paid a living wage to keep the surface ru
Swa
Rorq shook his head. "You're crazy."
"That's why I'm happy," Swa
"Why are you working with us?" Obi-Wan asked curiously. "If the citizens take back Naatan, there's every chance you could end up underground again."
"True words," Swa
Naatan will be returned to the Mawans one day. I'm sure of that. If I help the right people, I'll be rewarded." He gri
"If you like," Obi-Wan said.
Anakin could see by the expression on Obi-Wan's face that his Master was amused by Swa