"That was a big risk you took to help me," said cap. "My programming could allow no different," said task. "I'm sure it will mean my meltdown now but I will be okay with it." They'd left the bar and proceeded down an under city alley. They stopped at a corner and cap set a hand on one of task's arms. "Thanks task. And don't worry, I'll do whatever I can to help you." "I appreciate your gesture cap but do not waste your time on a common servant droid such as myself…" "let me be the judge of that."
Task resumed point and took cap deeper into the under city. The imps would be looking for them but the under city still had its many advantages. It had always been a crime cesspool anyway; even back in old republic days when the Jedi had thrived as peacekeepers. There had always been the cracks others would invariably slip thru. Just beast nature stuff.
"I am taking you to a friend. She may be able to help you in ways I cannot." "Who is she?" "My previous owner." Cap frowned a little at that but now that he was already a wanted fugitive of the first galactic empire for killing imps that changed things to be sure. He'd need all the allies he could get. Especially if he wanted to build freedom fighting coalitions here… to give the galaxy hope again.
They arrived at a rundown place surrounded by a slum. Cap was tempted to call forth his Spartan shield but did not. Task knocked on the rundown old dwelling's door while cap kept watch with a swivel head.
The door opened. "Task? You shouldn't be here." Cap looked at the woman speaker. She was a blue skinned Twi'lek girl. And like many in her species and sex was quite lovely. Cap found it hard not to stare like that but did. Her blue eyes looked over into his. "Who's the human task?" "This is my new friend cap. He just killed an Imp squad…" her eyes then widened. She quickly looked out the door and around the area. "Leave now! Don't ever come back." "But Hitomi…" "now task!" She started to close the door but cap was quick to block it. "Hitomi? I'm sorry for this. But we have no place else to go." She then produced a blaster pistol and pointed it at him. "Leave now or I'll show you what this does." Task "you can't beat him Hitomi."
Only now did she see a black shield on his arm where one hadn't been there an instant before. It also had a strange symbol on it… "firing that will only draw the imps down here Hitomi," said task. Cap "task's right Hitomi. They have good sensors I imagine. They can track the weapons signatures even down here." Hitomi thought over cap's words before then slowly pulling back into the structure. "You're right. I'm a mechanic. I know that for a fact. Come in…" "thank you." Cap entered and she saw his shield just vanish. "How…" "long story." Task shut the door behind them.
"So cap, is that really your name?" "An old nickname my friends call me." "I see. So you really killed imperial stormtroopers." Task explained it. He then showed a holo replay of it. She was stunned. "That… you fight like a Jedi." "I'm not. But I think we'd get along just fine if you ask me." "What're you doing here?" "To help the galaxy overthrow the empire." "You're with the rebellion?" "Not strictly but I'd like to be. Let's just say I have experience with liberation actions." She studied him. "You're a warrior of some kind aren't you." "Something like that."
She went into her kitchen and made them some tea. "You're gonna be in for one helluva fight. Despite those fancy moves you showed there it won't be enough to get rid of the emperor or his enforcer Darth Vader." "Yeah." Cap had seen them in his visions prior to coming here.
Task "now that I have gotten you here safely I'd better get back to the bar." "Wait task you can't leave!" Said Hitomi. "You'll be scrap metal if you do." Cap nodded. "I agree with Hitomi task. They'll know you helped me." "But my owner…" "not a problem," said Hitomi. She grabbed a tool from a box and brought it over to him. She removed his restraining bolt and made some quick sensor adjustments. "There. Run a diagnostic." Task complied. "You're correct. I am… truly free now…" cap smiled. "Congratulations task. You deserve it." "But… I'm homeless now." Hitomi looked at them both. "Not anymore you're not. You're with us now." Task pondered that a second. "Us?"
They all shared looks. Hitomi shrugged played with a head tail before pouring herself and cap some tea. "Thank you." She nodded. They took seats. "Yeah. Us. I guess it only makes sense now. I hate the empire," she said. "The Jedi liberated my people from separatist enslavement. I'll always hate slavers…" cap nodded. "I can understand that."
Hitomi looked over at task; sighed. "I'm… sorry for selling you task." "It's okay Hitomi. I understand. You needed the money to survive. But fate or whatever else that's out there has brought us together it now seems." Cap and Hitomi shared looks. She nodded slowly. This time she found herself staring at cap… "yes… it does seem that way doesn't it…"