"They are looking for someone."
I said, swirling the liquid in the cup. I still felt weird without any armor, but I was getting used to it.
"Seems like it."
Kanan muttered, looking at the three high-ranking imperial soldiers, or more specifically, pilots who were looking around at the gathered citizens and making a beeline for one specifically.
The crew, minus Chopper, watched silently as they surrounded their target and grabbed the Rodian by the shoulder, turned him around, and held up a picture that had another Rodian on it, he seemed oddly familiar, but you know the saying, if you've seen one mountain you've seen them all.
I took a sip, watching as the dumbasses confused green with yellow and walked up to the bar counter, and made demands.
"So, why are the pilots dealing with this and not the normal troopers?"
I questioned, diverting my eyes from the three goons and staring down at my cup.
"There is most likely a shortage of manpower, with that explosion that happened not so long ago that we obviously know nothing about and since it is the Empire Day, security is most likely triple the normal."
Well, you win some you lose some.
I sent an unimpressed glance at Kanan and looked over at the others who held different expressions, with Sabine and Zeb seeming pleased and Hera sending me a disapproving look.
So, to divert the attention that was suddenly on me, I pointed out the obvious.
"They are looking for a Rodian, if this was some normal criminal, the security that was around the city would deal with it, but they are specifically searching for him. This guy either has something that the empire needs, or something that they can't afford to get out."
Kanan looked thoughtful for a moment, but that was all that it amounted to as he decided to remain silent. Resisting the urge to roll my eyes I took another sip from my cup.
At least this one tasted a bit better.
The silence was disturbed when the television turned on and the imperial propaganda started playing, as usual.
Resisting the urge to sigh, my attention, and by proxy everyone's that was around the table was brought to the beeping communicator that was in my pocket.
Taking it out, it displayed a communication code that I remembered very well.
Downing the rest of my drink, I stood up from the table.
"Excuse me, I have to take this."
I turned around to leave but Hera's voice stopped me.
"You can take it here if you want to."
I narrowed my eyes for a moment and schooled my expression to neutral like it was most of the time, turning around, I gave her a look.
"It's personal."
Seems like my answer offended one of them as Sabine gave me a look back which did not affect me.
"What's that supposed to mean? We're a crew aren't we?"
In all honesty, the fact that we were indeed a crew and not an unaware rebellion squad was highly unlikely.
"It means Nunya."
Her slightly accusatory look turned to mirror the rest of them.
"Nunya?"
Haha, you have activated my trap card, you fool!
"Nunya business."
With that admittedly unfunny, and totally offensive remark that was unnecessary, I turned around and left the bar.
Turning the corner and ignoring the fact that Sabine stood to follow me, I turned into an alley, up the walls, and onto the roof.
"... Parkour."
I muttered, Looking down at my communicator and answering it. The communicator displayed the hologram of the woman that I had enjoyed myself with a few weeks ago.
"Hello."
I said lamely and watched as she fidgeted slightly and waved.
[Hi.]
... Social skills are on maximum display here. Do I need to be intoxicated to have a normal conversation?
"So, how have you been, Dina?"
I asked as I started walking to the other side of the roof.
[Oh, I'm just on Lothal again for a bit and wanted to know if you wanted to meet up.]
I thought about it for a moment and decided that if something came up, the Ghost crew could handle it without me.
"Sure, why not, where are you right now?"
I asked, nearing the edge.
[Oh, that's great. I'm behind a bar called-]
I dropped down to the street, only for someone to bump into me.
"Ah, sorry."
I looked to my side and spotted Dina, holding a holo-projector that displayed myself, looking at me with confusion.
I smirked.
"My apologies, my lady, would you be kind enough to forgive my inattentive self and accept dinner as a sign of my remorse?"
I asked, a little humor entering my voice, and watched as she blinked, smirked, and turned off the communicator.
"Oh, I don't know, good sir, I am already meeting up with a fine gentleman, it would be a shame if I had to cancel my plans with him last minute."
We stared at each other for a moment and she was the first to break. She laughed, a melodious sound and rang around the slightly crowded street, most certainly gathering some attention.
I chuckled, pocketing my own communicator and leaving my hand in my pocket.
Finally calming down, she looked me over for e moment and raised a quizzical eyebrow.
"No armor this time?"
I shrugged, no reason to tell her that I was too busy making a new one and the current parts weren't functional, nor something I could wear on their own.
"I'm off duty right now."
That didn't seem convincing enough as she gave a pointed look at my weapons.
"You have blasters and vibro blades."
Ah, she noticed those? Quite observant, I have to say.
"What can I say? I feel quite right without them."
Dina nodded as if she understood what I was talking about, and since she was Mandalorian, she must have.
I extended my hand to her and she took it gingerly, falling in line next to me as I started walking.
"Where to, good sir?"
I smiled, as much of a coincidence this was, it was a happy accident that I did not mind. Thankfully, I knew where to go if you wanted something to eat around here.
"I have a place in mind, how long are you around for?"
She tilted her head to the side in thought for a moment before answering.
"I was planning to stay for a few hours if you weren't here to get fuel for my ship, but I don't mind staying until tomorrow."
I smiled and led my company to a place with adequate cuisine... or whatever Lothal considered adequate cuisine.
___
-Kanan POV-
Where did he disappear to?
I looked around the corner, checking if anyone was coming. Thankfully, the coast was clear.
Grabbing my communicator, I held it up to my mouth, pondering whether to call Colt or not.
Deciding against it, I looked back at Sabine who was working on the transport pad that had the newest moded TIE fighter on it.
"Are you almost done?"
She grunted, and no answer came for a few seconds. I'll take that as a yes.
I turned back to watch our surroundings.
"I'm done."
Her words came, briskly while holding a tone of great irritation. She's still mad that Colt just ditched us out of nowhere it seems, but I can kind of understand.
He had a life before he joined, while I may not know what kind it was, it's absurd to think that he was doing all of those robberies while working alone when he first started.
Someone must have trained him, he's too good to be self-thought at this age.
"Alright, let's go."
She nodded wordlessly and led the way as I followed. While she was faster than me, we had to keep our pace in check if we did not want to attract attention.
"What do you think he's hiding?"
The silence was disturbed by a question as we maneuvered out of the building. I blinked, seriously, girl, there is no need to know everything about someone. Everyone has secrets.
"I don't know."
I didn't, and if Colt didn't want me to know, I wouldn't pry unless it was something he couldn't handle alone.
She just sighed in annoyance and we continued on our way. It took us more than I would have liked to get out of the guarded storage unit, but we managed.
A few blocks away, we met up with the rest of the crew, where Hera was waiting for us with crossed arms and Zeb was leaning against a building.
"How did it go?"
The Twilek asked, turning to me with a raised eyebrow and I nodded.
"It's done, went without a hitch."
Zeb grunted and straightened up, leaving the wall alone for a moment as she walked over to us.
The mood was slightly tense, mostly because of the disagreement we had after Colt left. While Zeb and I understood why he wanted to keep his privacy, even though the Lasat was slightly disgruntled, Hera and Sabine were displeased.
Hera was concerned while Sabine was just paranoid. I didn't really understand what the problem was, but I knew better than to argue.
"Have you tried coming him?"
I sighed and took out my communicator, activating it.
"Spectre Six, This is Spectre one, come in."
I waited for a response, while the two females on the team paid close attention. The Communicator buzzed, indicating that a response was on its way.
[This is Spectre Six, coming in, give me your location and describe the Tango.]
I blinked and shared a wide glance with the others.
"No need for that, Spectre Six, there is no problem, just wondering if you are free."
I responded, wondering why he assumed that we were in a bad situation, couldn't we just check in?
[No, I'm in jail, charged with assault, robbery, destruction of property, and genocide, what's up?]
I rolled my eyes at the tone.
"Will you be at the Empire Day celebration in a few hours?"
There was silence for a moment, a moment longer than usual before the device conveyed the response.
[I will be there, and I will bring company.]
The communication was cut off and we were left here, staring at the device with confusion.
"So, you think he's bringing help?"
Zeb asked suddenly, I blinked away my confusion at the sudden developments and looked over at the giant.
"I don't know, but we will proceed as planned."
Everyone nodded in agreement but it seemed like Hera had some concerns judging by her expression.
"Does Colt know the plan?"
I paused and then shrugged. He probably already figured it out, and if not, he would find out when he met up with us.
"I'll tell him the plan when he joins up with us, bor for now, we need to move."
Not waiting for a response, I led the way to our destination, the streets were quiet for a few blocks, most of the civilians being forced to attend the presentation, but it didn't take long for us to reach the streets where there was a large number of people, heading to the same place we were.
We mingled, spreading out slightly to blend in better, we would be there soon, and I hoped that Colt wouldn't take too long.
____
-Unknown POV-
I stared at the Holographic display of my target. He was dangerous, I knew, but I was willing to take that risk, after all, what was life without them?
That defining helmet that resembled a skull stared back at me lifelessly, and below it, was the bounty that would aid me for a few years, two if something went badly.
Alternatively, I could buy a better ship with top-notch equipment.
It was strange, for a single individual to accomplish so much in a few short years. Killing inquisitors, surviving and even injuring Darth Vader, exploding and stealing from a dozen storage units of the Empire and that Kill count was nothing to scoff at either.
I turned off the projector and grabbed the rifle on my back.
If I studied his patterns correctly, and that of his crew, they would cause trouble today, most likely at the large presentation that the empire was about to do.
That would be my chance.
/////
Sorry for the delay. The Midterms went horrible, and I didn't have the energy to do anything for a few days after that. I think I'm experiencing burnout, but don't worry, the next chapter is almost half way done.
I won't be quitting or anything, its just that everything is too tiering right now.