30.

                                    

                                          
Despite her initial reluctance, Saedii was glad to get out for a bit. While cozy, the Marauder could feel crowded at times, especially with seven people staying in a space meant for four. And especially with someone like Crosshair watching her, whose stare made her feel like an uninvited guest.
Ord Mantell wasn't too bad in the day. It was still dirty – still gross and smelly and borderline condemnable. But somehow, the smog-filtered sunlight didn't make it seem so intimidating. At least it kept the rats at bay, sheltering in the shadows.
Omega trotted along at Saedii's side, perfectly at ease among the decrepit city. She didn't even blink at the smell as they passed a ripe srajeck carcass at the meat market. 
"Tech, what's that?" Omega pointed to a table of black-market weapons. Vibro-knives and blasters and scythes. And a few other weapons that Saedii had never seen before. 
"Illegal weapons," Tech answered. 
"And that?" She pointed next to a giant vat of blue liquid.
"Bacta – a synthetic compound that promotes rapid tissue growth."
Wrecker was delighted. "It can grow extra limbs?!"
"No," Tech said, annoyed. "It is used for regenerative purposes."
"Huh?"
"Medicine," Omega translated.
Saedii peered into the tank, grimacing at the little pieces of mucus floating on the inside. "I don't think I would ever want to use that."
Tech's erratic gaze swung towards a cage filled with half-robot, half-rat creatures. As the stall owner gestured the crowd closer, he dropped in a blinking holopad, which sent the creatures into a frenzy as they devoured it piece by piece. 
At the sight, Omega edged closer to Wrecker, who put a protective hand on her shoulder. 
The next stall they passed was filled with all kinds of metal braces and bolts. Tech slowed, leaning in close to examine the offerings. 
"I thought you were looking for support rods?" Saedii asked. 
"I am." Tech reached out and grabbed a massive hinge that was the size of her head. She didn't even want to know what he would use that for.
"Just leave him! He can look at that stuff for hours!" Wrecker bemoaned. "We can go get our Mantell Mix while he's shopping."
Saedii faked a smile as her stomach convulsed at the thought of the sugar. 
At the Mantell Mix stall, Omega greeted the stall vendor with a cheerful, "Good morning, Mr. Etigan."
"Morning, Omega." The man turned to Wrecker, giving him a nod. "Wrecker."
Wrecker didn't seem to notice that man was eyeing him uncomfortably as he held up three fingers. "Three bags, please!"
"No, I don't –" Saedii started, but it was too late. The vendor had already grabbed three bags. 
The bag was still warm as he pressed it into her hand. The smell it gave off was even sweeter than she remembered. It reminded her of sugar bark that she used to eat with Kalth as a youngling on Coruscant – a warm piece of melted brown sugar with a sprinkle of cinnamon. They'd loved it as children. 
"I've been looking forward to this!" Wrecker exclaimed as he claimed his own bag. 
Omega selected a small piece. "Saedii, do you remember when we ate this last week?"
How could she have forgotten? She'd only spent an hour throwing it up afterword. But Saeddi smiled and said kindly, "I do. It was great."
Now that she had something solid in her stomach and hadn't been starving the past few days, the Mantell Mix actually did smell pretty good. Still too sweet, but not disgustingly so. Timidly, she popped a small piece in her mouth.