Chapter 7: To find a hunter…

Caleb walked along the dark, creepy street on the way to the bar in front of him two blocks away. He quietly thought to himself, thinking about how this meeting was going to go. He found a hoodie in an alleyway he passed by, he took it, put it on, and pulled the hood over his head. He entered the building and kept a low profile, seeing all types of lowlifes, bounty hunters, and outlaws, Music was playing throughout the room, people were at electronic terminals looking at bounties to carry out, and conversations filled the air. Caleb found an empty spot near the bar and stood there, there were no chairs at the bar.

"Excuse me bartender." Caleb disguised his voice by making it lower.

The four armed bartender approached Caleb, he had a rag and was cleaning out a cup that someone just finished.

"Alright, what do you wa- hey! Look kid, we don't serve minors here, I'm trying to run a clean establishment, so beat it before you get into some trouble." The bartender demanded.

"Maybe I'm looking for trouble."

"What does that mean?"

"Look, I don't want a drink, I want information."

"Ok kid I'll humor you, what information?"

"I want to know the whereabouts of someone."

"Who?"

"A bounty hunter named Cad Bane."

"that guy? Why him?"

"That's for me to know, and you to never find out."

"Maybe you do know what you're doing, either way, why do you think he wants to see you?"

"Trust me, he wants to see me."

"Oh yeah? Well then if he wants to see you, tell me what he looks like."

"Average build, blue, big hat."

"That proves nothing."

"Then why did you ask the question?"

"Ok, you obviously know a little bit about what you're doing…"

"You have no idea…" Caleb thought to himself.

"So I'll bite, but information ain't cheap, nothing is down here."

"How about I not report the crap outta you and your clean establishment?"

"What do you mean?"

"I walked in here already seeing 5 health code vialations and, in the time being here, saw 3 more. So just tell me what I want to know before you lose this building."

"Okay, I get it." He sighed, knowing Caleb just played him for a fool, Caleb smirked and the alien said, "I personally don't know where you could find him, but I know someone who might, he knows where you can find people of that caliber, his name is Rako Hardeen."

"Rako Hardeen?"

"Yeah, you know him?"

"No, continue."

"I know Hardeen frequents another bar near here, he goes there after every… Job… if you know what I me-"

"Yes, I do, I know the lingo around here."

"So if you find him, you can probably find Cad."

"Where?"

"Go right and around the corner, it's big and obvious, you can't miss it."

"Ok, thank you for the info."

"Get out of here kid, you got what you came for."

"So rude… careful, you never know who you're really talking to."

"Hey, that reminds me, who are you?"

"Someone…"

Caleb, being his mysterious self, left the establishment and turned left; he walked back to the alleyway, meeting the rest of his crew. They all decided to change their clothes as well, smart kids.

"Hey, what happened? You were in there for a while." Garett asked.

"I have a lead, follow me and I'll tell you on the way."

They all started following Caleb and listened closely.

"We're going to find someone named Rako Hardeen, he's friends with Cad Bane and will lead us to him. He frequents this joint near here after every job."

"Rako Hardeen? Why does that name sound familiar?" Garett questioned

"Those who have watched the TV series Star Wars: The Clone Wars know that in Season 4, Episodes fifteen through eighteen, Rako was in them. The four episode story arc starred Obi-Wan as he was "killed", but really, it was a republic plan to get Obi-Wan deep undercover to uncover a separatist plot to kidnap the chancellor, and guess who Obi-Wan was disguised as."

"Drako."

"Not Drako Olivia, Rako." Caleb corrected.

"And that's basically it, that's the whole story summed up. Oh, and if you were wondering, I got this info from a guy in the last building."

"I meant to ask, you talked to SIVRAJ back in the temple, when you trapped us in the bubble, thanks for that by the way," Garett pointed out, Caleb laughed, "But how were you talking to him?"

"Simple, by earpiece."

"I don't see anything."

"How about now?" Caleb reached up to his left ear and twisted a knob, revealing the device by having it appear out of thin air.

"Is that a cloaking device?"

"Yes it is. Here we are." They approached a small building, seeing how beat up it was. They all entered entered, and saw Rako sitting on a chair at the bar, well, Caleb did, the others didn't know what he looked like.

"This bar is different, over there," Caleb pointed to the other side of the room, a hallway, "in that hallway is a series of rooms where people can have private chats. Alright, here's the plan." Caleb said, leading the others into the far hallway.

Five minutes passed and a small robot walked up to Rako saying, "Rako Hardeen?"

"Who's asking?" Rako responded

"You're employer has your payment. Follow me please."

Rako followed him through the hallway; there were people that had graffiti painting the walls. The robot walked up to a door and it opened. He entered the small room with two chairs and a small circular table between them. There was a man sitting on one of the chairs, and he approached him, but all he saw was a silhouette, he was sitting in the dark.

"Hello Rako." The man said

"Where's my payment? I took him down like you asked." Rako responded

"Sorry, but that's not what I'm here to talk about." Caleb sat up from the chair and stepped forward, revealing himself in the light.

"You're not my employer."

"No duh."

"Who are you kid?"

"Introductions will come later, but first, I want something from you."

"What, you want information?"

"Yup."

"Why would I tell you anything?"

"I just want a favor, you know someone I want to get a hold of."

"Yeah? Who?" Rako said chuckling.

"Cad Bane, I hear you can find him."

"What if I can?"

"I want to find him."

"Why?"

"I want to hire him, I am in need of his… special talents."

"Why would I do that for you?"

"Because I can pay you, and you will do anything for a quick buck, it's who you are."

"How much money?"

"Enough."

"You're kidding right? I need an amount kid."

"How's 1'000?"

"Hmm, enough, so you want to know where to find him?"

"Not necessarily, I just want to meet him."

"Where?"

"Here." Caleb handed him a piece of paper, it had a time, place, and date. "Have him meet me there, at that exact time, not a minute too soon or late."

"Ok, so do you have the money with you?"

"Yes, right here." Caleb handed him his payment and Rako reached for it, but Caleb yanked it away, "Ah ah ahh, payment comes after the work." Caleb said.

"Smart kid, but how am I gonna get my money?"

"You'll get it, I have connections, trust me, you will get your money."

"Hm… fine, it's has been a pleasure doing business with you."

"Same here." Caleb mumbled to himself.

As Caleb finished his thought, a vent opened from above, the rest of the Guardians jumped down..

"Nice one." Catherine said, "Where did you get those credits?"

"I pickpocketed a mugger while walking here, he was mugging a guy in the alleyway, the guy got his money back, and I took money from the guy who didn't deserve it."

"Well, let's hope Rako keeps up with his part of the bargain, until then, we wait. Let's get out of this dump."