So named because it is located one thousand, three hundred, and thirteen levels from the core of Coruscant, Level 1313 is distanced from the politics of the upper levels. Overlooking the chasm burrowing further into Coruscant’s core, one can watch freighters transporting their illicit cargo between levels. One misstep would send the careless careening into the bottomless pit, or aid the local gangs in staging “accidents.”

Weathered duracrete forms the retainer along the chasm wall, built in concentric rings that descend down an untold height. Strengthened with solid durasteel braces, maintenance has not been needed this far into Coruscant for a long time. Nevertheless, droids pre-programmed to fill in the cracks and crevices that might form in the walls float on repulsorlifts without drawing attention from the criminal gangs. The gangs themselves are focused on their next smuggling operation or struggle for control over Coruscant’s scum-filled underbelly.

Deep in the bowels of Coruscant, the small shuttle landed on the pad designated for this section of level 1313. It had taken some time to navigate down the underworld portal to their location. Between the traffic, checkpoints, and the sheer depth they were heading to it felt like forever before the shuttle set down. The underground portal was more like a huge tunnel that allowed for traffic and shuttles to travel from the rich top levels of the city world to the often-forgotten and dismissed inhabitants in the lower levels. Vynn wondered how people even survived down here, barely if ever seeing sunlight. It had to be a miserable existence, at least it would be to Vynn.

The lower levels were rife with corruption, violence, and Black Market deals. The latter was what brought the Ikarri and Vynn down to the underworld of the massive Ecumenopolis. Vizsla technicians had finally identified what type of explosive had been used on the Respite. The attack that had killed the former leader of Vizsla, Korvis Manda’Vod. Nova bombs were pretty rare in the galaxy at large. Developed by the Empire toward the end of the Galactic Civil War they had never seen official use. Where best to start looking for them than the former Imperial City, where the new republic was still finding new areas and weapons developed by the former regime.

While this was likely just the start of the path the explosives took, the new leaders of Vizsla had vowed to find and bring vengeance upon whoever had destroyed their repair yards. Vynn, however, was more concerned about uncovering and exacting vengeance on the person who gave the order that was responsible for his former mentor’s death. Patience though would be needed to go through with the plan Ikarri and Socorra had come up with.

The easiest way to find out who had sold the Nova bombs was to attempt to buy some themselves. For over a month now, Ikarri and Vynn had been setting up buys with the so-called Merchant’s Guild. A gang that had operated in the underworld for thousands of years. The plan was pretty solid, Vynn would meet up with the sellers while Ikarri provided him intel and operated as the getaway pilot, not to mention as backup if needed. Now he just had to make his way to the buy location.

Ikarri set the shuttle down and began the power down procedures, his hands flickering across the controls before turning to find Vynn awaiting him. The Mandalorian stood just a hair taller than him, though the full suit of Bes’uliik left him looking up at his far more heavily armored companion. The pilot drew his thermal cape over his shoulders to conceal the blaster at his hip.

“Remember Vynn, we’re here to get information, not to kill anyone… unnecessarily.” Ikarri knew the Mandalorian's connections to the prior Consul ran deep. The hulking Nautolan simply shrugged in response, adding, “I’ll make sure it’s necessary if it happens,” drawing a sigh from Ikarri who knew if it did come down to it, Vynn could more than handle anything they came across.

The two disembarked, with Ikarri pulling a hood over his head and the Mandalorian’s helmet reflecting the dull glow of the city lights, which kept the cramped confines of the under-city visible. They moved through the crowd, quickly swallowed by the tide of beings crowding the walkways and avenues of Coruscant's bowels. It only took a short time before they arrived at the destination of their meet.

The Nexus Cantina was nestled between buildings; the entrance appeared to simply lead down into a narrow alleyway, but their informant had provided details on how to navigate them and find the Cantina hidden away from prying eyes. Ikarri and Vynn exchanged glances before moving across the street and down into the cramped corridors. As they moved, the sound of the speeders and chatter of the crowd began to fade as turn by turn they descended several sets of stairs until they came to the doorway lit by a few glow globes.

Pushing it open, they entered the main chamber. Spread throughout the cantina were a number of holoprojectors projecting dancing entertainment. The seating for the patrons was mostly salvaged scrap from what looked to be various freighters, ships, even a few speeder seats bolted to the floor. The mismatched assembly of life within was what you’d expect from a seedy underworld bar where every eye turned to the newcomers with a few growls and murmured words at the odd pair.

Ikarri paid them no heed, as he instinctively knew the Mandalorian helmeted gaze would quiet any of the riff-raff, and anyone who did keep their attention on him would be the ones they needed to watch for anyway. He approached the large bar, which in and of itself was made of various salvaged pieces and repurposed cargo crates.

A ragged, scarred man cleaned a glass behind the bar; a nametag showing “Vex” caught Ikarri’s eye as the Vizslan moved to a portion of the bar with the fewest ears nearby.

“I’d like two drinks and a moment of your time if you would,” the Proconsul stated as he sat down a cred chip on the counter and motioned for the man's attention. The human bartender approached with the stiff gait of a former injury leaving his steps uneven. He took two glasses, not bothering to ask what they actually wanted, and began filling them.

“What can I do for you?” his eyes flicking between the two of them.

“We were told we could find a prospective seller here, we were told Starfall could be arranged for the right price.” Ikarri knew the chance the codeword could have been changed but didn’t have much choice but to give it a try and see what they could make happen.

Setting the two glasses down, Vex looked them over again before nodding to a backroom. The barkeep swept up the cred ship and left a key card in its place before moving away without another word. Ikarri drained one glass in a single go before lifting the other and the keycard from the bar. He looked up at Vynn and shrugged before taking a drink of the second.

“Sorry big man, helmet and all, I'll just take care of both of these,” he said with a wink before moving to the back of the Cantina.

As they approached the doorway, his earpiece picked up Vynn’s voice from within the Mandalorian's helmet.

“I’ve spotted three patrons who have already sent communiques since we entered. Be on guard.”

Ikarri gave another heavy sigh before swiping the keycard and pushing the door open. Inside, they found themselves in what appeared to be a backroom gambling den, the few patrons having appeared to leave via a side door. Remaining within, however, was a group of a half-dozen armed and dangerous-looking lowlifes along with a holo projector displaying the image of an Imperial Officer who seemed to be studying them.

“Well, shit,” Ikarri took another drink before flashing a charming smile to the group.

“I didn’t realize we would be welcomed by a whole group; here I thought we were going to make a deal.” The Proconsul made sure to keep his hands visible and appear to be as harmless as possible. Vynn, on the other hand, stood directly behind him, a towering presence with his silence.

“Yes, the intention had been to make a deal.” The Officer’s nasal tone spoke with disdain evident in his every word.

“Unfortunately, when I found your informant, he admitted to selling you an old code phrase. I instead chose to make sure you would be the ones doing the talking.” The human leaned forward in the holo projector, the blue image surveying them again.

“I don’t know what you’re after or why, but we can figure that out later. For now, I’d recommend you drop your weapons and surrender to our custody.” With the final command, the image cut out, and their welcoming party all took a step forward, each of them reaching for various blasters, weapons, or simply balling their fists prepared to charge them.

“Try to keep one alive, would you Vynn?” Ikarri said before emptying the last of his glass and stepping back.

“That may be harder than killing them.” The Nautolan responded as he pulled his lightsabers from his belt. Crouching lower to the ground in a wide stance he ignited the blades. The silvery white blades came to life with the familiar snap-hiss as Ikarri propped himself up against the wall like he didn't have a care in the world.

If the group of henchmen were surprised at the lightsabers they didn't show it. Instead the two unarmed men charged in at Vynn with a reckless charge as those wielding blasters took aim. A couple flicks of Vynn's wrists and the cauterized limbs of the first two attackers fell to the ground. His sabers twirling back around he stabbed both sabers forward one into each chest as the men slumped to the ground.

Red and Green blaster fire erupted in Vynn's direction from the remaining assailants. The hail of blaster bolts were met with the white plasma blades of the lightsaber as they were redirected back at the men. One was caught square in the chest knocking him backwards. Leaping from his crouching position that had offered him maximum defensive opportunities the Mandalorian landed between the three remaining opponents. He cut down two of the members with ease slicing them in half as he spun his entire body around.

“Surrender, and you will live.” Vynn announced in the metallic voice that came through his helper vocoder. Instead the man tried to raise his blaster again. Vynn knew they needed him alive but that didn't mean intact. The sabers spun around and took off both his arms at the firearms causing him to scream out in shock more than pain.

“He’s all yours, sir. I will watch the door.”

The Mandalorian grunted in response, and in a flash, he grasped the handles of his twin lightsabers in each hand. Raising his left, with a heartbeat of concentration, he flooded the room with lightning, arcing out and striking or knocking off balance each and every one of the assembled thugs and hired guns. He crossed the short distance, activating the lightsabers, and moved directly into the crowd.

His mastery of Form V was impressive to behold as the Nautolan began striking out, each movement severing a weapon, sending another reeling back and falling over the furniture to escape the monster they’d unknowingly let into their midst. From Ikarri’s perspective, he could only watch in mute wonder at the display. Even for someone as lacking as himself in understanding the lightsaber forms, he knew Vynn stood in a realm of his own as he flowed from strike to strike, never slowing, never hesitating, the twin lightsabers always ready to defend or lash out.

Seconds passed as the carnage unfolded, and then it was simply over, except for the last remaining soul desperately attempting to rush the door. Ikarri drew the DL-44 from the holster at his hip and aimed it directly at the fleeing man's head.

“Ah ah ah, it seems you won the prize of the night, friend.” Ikarri motioned the man back, even as Vynn stepped over another body and with a quick motion plunged the lightsaber down into the body, ending the suffering of the struggling humanoid.

“I certainly hope you have some information for us because this wasn’t how I wanted this to go. Whoever is paying you, I want details on anyone you’ve spoken to, anyone you’ve seen, and if I’m not keen on the answers, then you’ll be joining your friends.” The Proconsul nodded to Vynn as the Mandalorian sheathed both sabers and moved to the door in case anyone else decided to intrude.