Ahsoka's Task

Chapter 6 The Horrid Tram

The AquaTram station was thronged with people. A veritable multitude of citizens and travellers, the bustling crowds featured a diversity of species larger than had been at the docking bay. Set underneath the main city complex and underwater, the AquaTram hub was sealed tightly, for obvious reasons and supplied with air via large vents that looked like worms, swimming to the surface for oxygen. As Ahsoka treaded a grated walkway by one of the inter-city transport, she noted that the every wall of the station was made of transparisteel, so the commuting masses could enjoy a range of aquatic scenery as well. For the young Jedi however, seeing such amounts of water all around unnerved her. Initiating some calming breathing exercises, Ahsoka continued.

Bay 21, Bay 22, Bay 23. She found it. Ahsoka passed a particularly fierce-looking Weequay and entered the boarding chamber. There was only a few beings seated inside, mainly Quarren, overlooked by a single uniformed Mon Cal inside a ticket booth, who possessed the look of distaste usually inherent in those who unsuccessfully try to hide their bigotry and xenophobia. Concealing her own look of repulsion for the Mon Cal, who bore the same facial structure and bearing of the repugnant Dram Doral, the Togruta asked him when the next Tram was due for Reef City and how much a ticket would be. Though most Calamari retained a portion of the melodious liquidity in their voices for which their species was admired, this particular specimen commanded no such oral level. Rather, just about the opposite.

"Next one's going t'be 'ere in a couple minutes. Those Squidies'll go too, I think. Good luck," He rasped, indicating the seated natives of Dac.

Ahsoka did her best to keep the irritation out of her voice. She could never stand hateful beings. But then, having distaste for such ones could also lead to hate, she reflected. "Okay, good. And a ticket costs?"

"20 creds," the Mon Cal replied, "Republic."

Ahsoka shot the booth operator a frown, dug into a pocket of her skirt, ignored the Mon Cal's appreciative look, gave him the correct amount, heard a whir of machinery form behind the desk and was given a metal ticket.

"Thank you," the Mon Cal grinned, "Please take a seat. Your carriage will be here shortly."

Taking notice of his sarcasm, Ahsoka sat down anyway. She wondered. How would this niece of a senator react to her? So far, everyone she had seen on Dac either was perverted, mean, or conceited. And the only fathomable consistency among them was the city in which they lived.

Later on the Tram

Ahsoka found descending rapidly into lower depths of the world-wide ocean quite an ordeal. She felt enormous pressure building in her ears, despite the depressurized cabin that she was riding in. Apparently, no other sentient on board seemed to mind. They were just sitting down, talking amongst themselves. No disturbance. Nothing. The young Jedi attributed this indifference to the fact that all other passengers were either from Dac or another 'water-world'. No other beings seemed interested in Reef City. 

After several uneventful hours, Ahsoka, talking to a fellow passenger, felt the transport slow and finally come to a stop. She exited the AquaTram in a hurry, as if getting away from it would rid her of the distaste she know felt for such methods of moving about. Being one of the first to get off the near-derelict tram, Ahsoka saw Reef City instantly.

A maze of swim-tubes, meeting bulbs and underwater transport platforms, the place looked like a hive. And not far from where Ahsoka stood was a young Mirialan girl, surrounded by a retinue of tough looking guards. As this teenager approached the Jedi, Ahsoka swallowed, for she knew who this was. The girl smiled. "Ahsoka Tano, I believe. I am called Shiam Howmeia. Welcome to Reef City."