Earthlings 2: The Dark Age

37

A/N: Featuring the OC of Matteo (kriffing Wattpad won't let me mention him)

9 BBY, Lothal

Eli's speeder approached Old Jho's Pit Stop- a local cantina run by an Ithorian by the same name. Personally, it wasn't a place he would frequent, as he wasn't that fond of alcohol... not only because of his age back on Earth. 

But seeing as he was  of age here in the galaxy- 5 years over legal age- this contact  of his had gotten the idea to talk to him at a bar. Mind you, Eli had never even come into contact with this... Canadian  since the day he'd pretty much immobilized his arm some time ago. Yet he was quite notorious for his work and adventures in the galaxy. Yes, he'd heard it all.

Deciding to approach with caution, Eli entered the bar before scanning the vicinity for the contact in particular. Spotting him in the corner at a small table, he walked over to his position before sitting down. 

"So... Matteo...?" Eli narrowed his eyes at the Earthling bounty hunter named Matteo Lorien Shepard (an interesting surname). 

"The one and only," He confirmed, taking a sip of whatever blue alcoholic beverage he'd bought. "Born December 17th-"

"-1998 in Toronto, Canada... yeah, I know," Eli cut in, ignoring the glass of red whiskey or whatever before him. "Why don't we skip this whole backstory and cut to the chase? Why are you here, and why the hell would you seek me  out?"

"I'm here on the behalf of the FBI," Matteo deadpanned. 

Eli shot him a look. "Very funny."

"Ok, fine..." The bounty hunter huffed. "Jesus, did Mace Windu do something to your sense of humor or something?"

Ignoring the remark, Eli crossed his arms. "Just tell me what you want to say, so it can be over with."

"All right." Placing his drink on the table, Matteo leaned in. "You're part of the Hidden Path, yes?"

Eli nodded. 

"Well... your operation is in jeopardy," Matteo told him. "Safehouses were discovered on Coruscant and Mapuzo, and it won't be long until the Empire cracks down on the whole galaxy... including Lothal."

"H-how do you know this...?" Eli asked. "The Holonet?"

"All the Holonet said was negative things about the Path, as you'd expect," Matteo replied dismissively. "An underground network seeking to undermine this great Empire... blah, blah, blah. I don't like listening to the Holonet that often. Rosalia told me the current events."

"Rosalia-?"

"My AI assistant."

"What, so like Alexa or something?"

"Eh, sorta. She does have a humanoid form though."

"We're getting off topic," Eli muttered under his breath. "Do you know anything more? If the Inquisitors are anywhere else... or if other safehouses were found...?"

Matteo shook his head. "No. But there's a pretty high risk of your  safehouse being next. I'm just here to warn you, since I admire what your organization does... hiding Force sensitives and Jedi from the Empire..."

"Well... thanks," Eli managed. "Have you reached anyone else? Kendall? Ivan? Roken?"

"Kendall, no; she's an elusive one, your sister. Ivan, yes," Matteo replied, sipping his drink. "Well, I was hoping to speak to one of his crewmates, really. Jack Axel, you know him?"