Chapter II: Searching

(A/N: Sorry if my paragraphs are off, but I have trouble with that! :). I also apologize if Cody seems a bit out of character, I still love the guy! Also, if things are out of place from what really happened, please remember this is fanfiction, not a history class! No offense! REVIEWS WANTED!)

Cody stepped off of the ship into the sands of Mos Eisley, the suffocating heat of Tattooine's twin suns burning down on him.

Cody had land in docking bay 47, not the safest planet to leave a defenseless ship, but who would steal the hunk of junk that the Imperial Engineers called a ship?

Cody muttered under his breath as he made his way slowly through the sandy streets, heading for the underlevels. He would fit in down there.

He was dressed like a Bounty Hunter, with black clothing and a helmet that covered the upper portion of his face.

Cody picked his way through the streets of the Underworld, lights from the many clubs and bars giving off light, though such a small amount that there were many corners and back ways left darkened, leaving places for criminals and murderers to hide.

But that was a danger to the people that didn't know where they were going, or what dangers they could face...

Cody knew where he was going. The best places to go were the sleazy places. Then the bars in those places, since people tended to flap their mouths a little more than they should after drinking, and if not, there was always someone to buy the information from.

Not that Cody would pay, he'd rather give them a hole in the head before that ever became an option.

The clone stepped into a bar, taking a moment to look around, ignoring the patrons that shouted for him to close the door.

Cody sneered.

What did they have to complain about? There was no wind coming in with him, no sand, rain or snow. Yet, maybe it was the smell? Cody nearly laughed out loud. The patrons here nearly smelled just as much as it did outside, so that couldn't be the solution.

The clone shook his head as he made his way to the bar and waited for the bartender to wait on him. As he waited, he watched.

The bartender was a human, and it took him a few moments before he came, moments that Cody didn't have. But if it got him to Rex, he would wait, although that didn't mean he'd be patient while doing so.

"What can I get you?" The bartender asked, appearing before Cody.

"None of the stuff you call food." Cody answered coolly.

The bartender frowned. "Our food is high quality, we..."

"High quality poison!" Cody snapped, glaring at the human.

"A drink then?" The bartender asked, turning to fill a greasy cup.

"I'm here for information." Cody answered, causing the human to turn around slowly, cautiously.

"Information? A lot of people look for that nowadays." He answered, leaning on the counter, too casually. "And it'll cost..."

Cody whipped out his pistol and grabbed the human's shirt collar with his free hand.

"I think it's cost me enough... my time!" He snapped. "Now listen carefully. I'm looking for a Togrutan girl and a clone."

Cody watched the human's face carefully for any sign of recognition.

"Seen them?"

For the man's credit, very little emotion showed on his face, but a flick of recognition did run across his features.

"I don't know a couple by that descript..."

Cody jerked his collar and pressed the gun harder against his head.

"I think you have..." He answered coolly. "How else would you know they were a couple?"

There was silence, but the human was able to hide any emotions he might have been feeling at that moment.

"Now listen carefully. A clone. 501st Captain. An orange Togrutan. Jedi."

Alright." The human responded. "I've seen them. Looked mighty nervous..."

Cody cut him off. "When did you see them?"

"Oh, last I saw them was about a year ago." The bartender answered.

"Where were they going?" Cody demanded excitement leaking into his voice despite his attempts to stop it.

"They was headin' for Nar Shadaa." The bartender answered.

Cody released the man and shoved him backward, turning quickly to leave.

"Hey!" The man called. "You still have to pay for..."

Cody turned and brought the gun up. He smiled at the human, who had frozen in place.

The plasma shot hurtled across the expanse in less than a heartbeat, mortally wounding the man on impact.

Cody stood there in the silence, his blood lust momentarily quenched for the wait until it could be filled by the execution of Rex.

Abruptly, the music started again as Cody pushed his way outside and hurried to his ship.

The longer you were in Nar Shadaa, the easier it was to get lost, and there was no way Cody was going to spend another six years hunting for Rex.

No way.

Cody reached his ship and took off into the dawn.

The sky was red, symbolizing that blood had been spilled.