I don't own Star Wars or any of the characters.
The four Jedi, Republic lieutenant and mechanic made their way to the lower levels of Coruscant. The six had changed clothes to better blend in with the morally ambiguous people that inhabited Coruscant's lower levels. Galen, Juno and Jinn disguised themselves as bounty hunters, armed to the teeth with weapons. Sky was disguised as a smuggler and made himself look like a full Togruta, painting his skin orange and giving himself fake facial markings. Mina and Katana dressed in some rather revealing shirts and tight skirts. The two female Padawans detested the revealing, tight clothes but that was how girls in the lower levels dressed.
Mina kept her eyes peeled for the cantina they were supposed to be meeting Hondo in. Soon the cantina came in to sight. Mina signalled Galen, Juno and Jinn to stand back while she, Sky and Katana walked into the cantina.
The cantina was full of smugglers, pirates and other low lives. Everyone, from the guys at the bar, to the people playing card games, to the men watching the scantily clad female dancers, was packing some kind of heat. A few men looked up from their drinks as Mina and Katana walked by, whistling at the two Jedi as they passed.
It took all of Katana's strength and self control to from whipping out her lightsaber and killing the two men who cat called her. Mina saw Katana's hand hover over where she had hidden her lightsaber. She knew what Katana wanted to do and for once in her life would have been in full agreement with the other woman.
"Once this meeting is over, remind me to kill Ezra." snarled Katana.
"Killing in cold blood is not the Jedi way, Katana. But if you go after Ezra for forcing us to dress like cantina dancers, count me in." spoke Mina.
Sky ignored the chatter between his sister and Katana, keeping his eyes out for Hondo. The half-Togruta scanned the crowded area, blue eyes narrowed in concentration. There, sitting at the bar, was Hondo. Signally to his sister and friend, the three manoeuvred towards the pirate.
Hondo hadn't changed much since the last time Mina and Sky saw him. The Weequay pirate was still a lean, athletic man capable of seriously harming people besides being well over middle age. Hondo's age showed in the heavy wrinkles and deeper shade of gray his hair had become.
Sky made the first approach, Mina and Katana close at his heels.
"It's a long way to Alderaan." said Sky.
Sky gave the phrase Ezra had come up with. Hondo turned to look at the three teenagers after hearing the code phrase. The Weequay stared at the three before he recognised them.
"Mina?! Sky?! It's good to see you again, my young friends. What brings you here?" cheerfully spoke Hondo.
"Ezra sent us. He said you had some information." spoke Sky.
Hondo reached into his jacket and pulled out a small datacard. Sky reached for the datacard, but Hondo quickly stuck it back in to his coat.
"First, there is a matter of my payment." slyly spoke Hondo.
"Ezra said you were giving him the information as payment for what he did for you on Nar Shadda?" questioned Sky.
"I was, but Ezra isn't the one collecting the information." replied Hondo.
Katana was about ready to lose it. The girl pulled out a viroblade—keeping her lightsaber hidden for the moment—and pointed it at the pirate.
"Look here you two timing son of a gundark, you better give us that information before I kill you." snarled Katana.
Hondo didn't even blink at the girl's pathetic attempt at a threat. He just pulled out his blaster and casually set it on his lap, one finger resting dangerously close to the trigger. Mina got between Katana and Hondo before either could make a mistake they would all regret.
"Hondo, we need that information you have. We have to stop the Sith before they strike again. They've already killed dozens at the parade and wounded hundreds more, my own Master among them." softly spoke Mina.
Hondo grew slightly concerned at the mention of Mina's master.
"What happened to Katooni?" asked Hondo.
"My Master, along with her husband, is in a coma. The healers don't know when or if she'll ever wake up. So you can see why we need that information. We have to stop the Sith before they hurt anyone else." stated Mina.
Hondo seemed to think his choices over before handing Mina the datacard. The Weequay pirate quickly got up from his chair, leaving some credits on the table to pay his bill. Just before he stepped out of the cantina, Hondo turned back around and looked at the three teenagers.
"Tell Ezra the next time he sends someone to collect for him to make sure they have money. I'm not going to be doing anymore free deals for him." declared Hondo.
And with that, the pirate left the cantina.
Mina smiled as she held the datacard, looking back at Katana. The young female Padawan grit her teeth, doing everything she could to keep her temper under control. Without saying another word, the three teenagers left the cantina and rendezvoused with the others. Once they had what they needed, the six young men and women made their way back to the Jedi Temple, preparing to put the next step of the plan into action.
Sorry about the late update and the shortness of the chapter. I still have some writers block. I'll also try to make the next chapter longer. Comment if you like the story.
