#anyway im constantly drawing parallels and comparisons between star wars slaves and clones because uhhhh obviously.

[shagpaboloutpost]

"Log 20.

"I caught an arsonist today. They were in the business district, targeting the customs office. I apprehended them, but -

"Legally we can't hold them very long. It wasn't a Republic building, right? Out there it's all the Hutts'... property.

"They asked me why I bothered to protect the place. They said - Not relevant. Anyway, there's certainly people who hate the Hutts, and might be willing to provide information. So I'm hopeful that not punishing them too harshly might make them inclined to tell me things.

"They said the whole city was built from slavery, though! And not a long time ago. They were a natborn, some Togruta, and I don't know how old they are but they're young. They were sold out the back of the customs office. That's not - I'm a Republic soldier. It's not my job to protect that.

"It's not still happening. It couldn't be. Not with the treaty."

[a pause and a click]

"Why target the customs office?"

"I told you."

"There's been no slaver activity on this planet since -"

"You think that matters? The ships that come through still have people on board that never asked to be there. The Hutts still make their money this way. They pulled it out when you moved in, but you didn't stop anything. This city's money is all slavery through and through. Have you ever walked through those streets thinking about that? How much fucking -"

[a pause]

"Go on."

"You said you would let me go."

"I will."

"Once I give you what you want."

"Here. No cuffs. Go on."

[a pause]

"It's nothing you'd care about. Sir."

"I'm not going to hurt you unless you attack me."

"Who said I was worried about that?"

"Are you going to finish your statement? I want to know why you did it."

"You know - fine. Make me say it. Get off on this, as usual. Everywhere I go out there it's something the slavers brought here. The parties. The trade. The money and food and clothes. All of it's stolen."

"Is that it?"

"I'm done talking."

[a click]

"I let them go. It's not our jurisdiction. They weren't willing to tell me much about the Hutts' current enterprises, if they even knew anything. I just - I didn't know. The city feels so free now. Going out there is like being let into something. They all seem so welcoming now that they've gotten used to us. It can't be everything good about this place.

"But I guess if they grew up here they'd know better than me. And when I moved, and they stopped talking, I could tell they thought I was going for my blaster. So maybe...

"I wouldn't know what they've been through. We're lucky, having the army. Nobody is going to force us into anything, right? I guess natborns don't have those guarantees. Not out here outside the Republic.

"This was a dead end. I'm sticking to more appropriate investigations from now on. Not trying to enlist strange natborns and hear gossip. Just evidence."