HTTYD-Star Wars: ECLIPSE

Part 3

Skaovis part 3

The clone and the droid entered a rundown cantina. The chaos on the street became less once the door had been closed. The dimly lit cantina was filled with smugglers, some drunk, others extremely drunk. Several eyes fell on him and the droid as they made their way to the bar. He could sense some emotions like curiosity and suspicion. Others didn't even bother to look up from their card games or women.

"What can I get ya?" The gruff voice of the bartender asked as they approached the bar. C473 took out some credits and deposited them on the bar. "Corellian whiskey and something to eat." he told the man. The bartender greedily took the credits before placing a bottle of whiskey and an empty glass on the counter. C473 took the drink and made his way to an empty table. The astromech let out a beep but followed as well. He didn't have to wait long when one of the serving girls placed a bowl of hot stew and bread in front of him. He looked up at the waitress that had delivered his food while placing the glass down from which he sipped the alcohol. She was a humanoid, a Togruta if he had to guess.

"Like what you see stranger?" She asked with a sly smile.

"What can you tell me about this place?" He asked carefully. If he had to resort to a Mind trick he would do it to get the information he needed. "There seem to be more than the normal amount of slavers here. Is this some sort of Zygerrian outpost?"

"No hon. You really don't know?" The waitress asked. "It's because of the mine not so far from here. The owner is a woman named Minta, she runs the town and brought in slave labor to get all the precious ore out of the mine. Rumor has it she killed her own husbands one after the other if they spoke out against her."

"I see." He mumbled before lifting a brow. "Wait....... husbands?"

"She's been married almost seven times now. The poor souls who get caught by her charms stand no chance. Most people put bets on how long they'll live."

"Thanks for the information." He told the woman.

"Anytime hon. Maybe you'd like something more later." The woman winked at him as she walked away.

"What was that wink about?" C473 asked the droid who had been quietly watching the conversation. The droid startled and gave an incredulous chirp. "How the hell was I supposed to know she was hitting on me?" Was replied. More chirps and beeps followed, this time in exasperation. C1 however let it drop for now but the clone wondered what the little droid was planning. He ate the stew placed before him and was actually surprised that it tasted somewhat good. The other patrons were still being rowdy, drinking, smoking, hitting on the servant girls. That was until three individuals stepped into the cantina. The abrupt silence that followed was shocking. C473 emotions running high in the cantina now. Shock and fear were the most prominent. Reading several surface thoughts of the patrons got him a name, Lady Loha.

"I cannot believe that they let that wild animal roam around like that!" The woman huffed. She looked quite elegant, dressed in golden finery. The robes she was wearing reached the floor and one of the people she was with was holding it up for her.

"My Lady please allow me to find you a seat." Presumably her other servant said. The man that had spoken was now scanning the room. The clone went back to eating in peace at his table in the corner. None of this was his business anyway. At least it wasn't until he noticed three sets of feet approaching.

"Don't cause any trouble." C1 had beeped softly as it rolled around to see the three newcomers approaching. The clone couldn't care less and sighed as they had stopped by his table. His hood had been thrown back as he ate and he looked at them with a raised brow. A pouch containing a few credits was thrown onto his table before he could say anything. "Please take these credits and allow Lady Loha the use of your table." The servant that had been scanning the room before stated in a haughty tone.

C473 raised a brow and met their gazes head on. 'Did they really just try to pay him to leave his table just so that this woman can sit?!' He mentally went over the statement. "There is room at the bar." He told them as he went back to eating.

"You would dare suggest that I sit at that filthy bar!" The woman now spoke up in a haughty tone. The cantina was still silent and the clone picked up the incredulity directed at him. "Do you have any idea who I am!" She went on, her eyes narrowing. He read her thoughts lightly. So she thought he was nothing more than a vagabond who should just roll over and take the credits and be thankful.

Two different colored eyes never wavered from the woman as he dug into his pockets and produced a pouch of credits bigger than the one on the table. He placed it on the table and then said "Why don't you take these credits and scram from my sight."

Several scoundrels sucked in their breaths as they watched Lady Loha's eyes widen and sputter something incoherent. "You know what?" C473 suddenly said before standing up and pocketing his pouch of credits. "Have the table. I'd rather not deal with some brat who thinks she's all that."

Lady Loha was still standing there sputtering at what had just happened as the clone and C1 brushed past her and out of the silent cantina. Once outside the droid went into some type of mother hen mode again as it beeped furiously. "Hey, I didn't cause any trouble!" C473 replied with a huff. "They're still alive aren't they." He told the droid as they started walking through the town again.

C1 was about to say something else when it let out a startled series of beeps and began rushing about. "What the hell?" the clone asked as the droid whipped up dust from the road. He looked at the panicked astromech before picking up whatever had sent it into such a frenzy from its head. A black furry thing wiggled in his hand as he picked it up by the scruff of its neck. He raised a brow when he saw that it was the black Lothcat from earlier. "So they haven't caught you yet, huh?" He asked as the animal cocked its head and studied him. Meanwhile the poor droid had calmed down and was cursing at the animal. The creature just bared its sharp teeth at the droid, giving it its version of a laugh.

C473 put the animal back down and it immediately clambered up his robes and wound around his neck purring. The black fluffy tail swishing happily.

"Hey come on. I'm not your perch." He mumbled as the Lothcat just curled up tighter.

C1 beeped the question "We aren't keeping it are we?" as it looked at the animal in suspicion. The Lothcat had closed its eyes and was currently draped over C473's shoulders like a fluffy scarf. They passed further through town and what the clone observed made him curious.

"We'll keep it for now." He told the droid as he absentmindedly petted the Lothcat, eliciting a happy purr. "I have my suspicions. For now, let's go find us a ship. I'd rather not stay on this rock for much longer."

The droid beeped frantically saying "Ship...... you aren't planning to fly again are you? Oh my circuits!!!" but followed along.

The shipyard itself was under heavy guard. C473 pursed his lips as he removed an auburn bang from his face. There were too many guards to Mind trick and killing them all would draw unnecessary attention. They went back into town. C473 indicated a small alleyway to the droid. They entered it and waited at the dead end. C1 gave a questioning chirp but stopped when it noticed a hooded figure had followed them into the alley.

The clone wasted no time and reached out with the Force drawing the hooded individual towards him before lifting them into the air. A startled cry escaped as the hood fell down to reveal a light blue female Twi'lek.

"You've been following us since the cantina. Why?" He asked bluntly as he tightened his grip on her. "And I'll know if you lie." He added as an afterthought.

"You stood up to Lady Loha." The Twi'lek said. "You...... weren't afraid." She then managed to rasp. "I..... I need your help!"

C473 dropped her. She landed on the ground with a thud. "I have no obligation to help you." He told her as he started to walk back to the main street.

"Wait! I can make it worth it. You're looking for a ship right!" She shouted. "I'm a pilot, I can get you a ship!"

The clone stopped for a moment and turned towards the Twi'lek still on the ground. He saw the look of desperation in her eyes and he knew she hadn't been lying. C1 had also perked up at the mention of her being a pilot. "And what exactly do you want?"

"I need you to help me save my older brother." She stated without hesitation.