Inevitable {Tech}

Chapter Six: Rescue

Cass turned around and pointed to Wrecker and Crosshair as she emphasized the last word. Crosshair rolled his eyes and Wrecker groaned, his hope in getting to blow something up rapidly decreased. She began searching for the best spot to find information, and her eyes settled on a bar. She wandered into the dark and gloomy hotspot, one that intensely smelled of musk and dirt and sour Juri juice. Short and gruff Klatooinians lined the bar, all of them with the same downturned brows and toothy underbites. Some of them were bigger than others, but for the most part, the batch were vastly taller in comparison. Cass sat in an open seat between two natives, and looked to the male behind the bar.

Hunter and Cross leaned against the wall, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible and get a feel for the atmosphere. Wrecker stood guard outside, hungrily watching the ronto roaster spin across the isle. Tech sat himself two seats down from Cass, typing away on his data pad in search of any information that could prove useful.

"What'll you have?" the owner wiped the counter and waited impatiently for an answer.

"Information," Cass requested cooley as she slid one gold trugut across the counter and into his hand.

"Tell me what you want to know and I'll tell you how much more it will cost," he grunted and bellowed as he watched her sit in silence.

She began rubbing her palm and looked around the bar, noticing small relics lining the walls of the bar, no doubt trophies of his own capture. Her ears caught the sound of shrill laughter coming from the back of the bar, one that was familiar to her. Three of the clones heard it too and continued to observe silently. Tech, of course, heard the sound and immediately began typing.

"We're looking for the Gammbro gang," Cass put bluntly.

The owner of the bar guffawed and rested his elbows against the metal tabletop.

"You can't afford that information, sweetheart," he laughed and turned away to continue serving guests.

Tech kept his eyes down, but took his finger and began tapping on the counter just loud enough for Cass to notice. Cass listened closely, and her hands calmed as she translated his message. She held back a smile and reminded herself to thank Tech later for his fast thinking.

"Did you hear that sound earlier?" Cass cleared her throat and lifted her head more, attempting to peer into the back where the shrill laugh originated. The owner was quick to slide in front of her and block the view.

"I didn't hear anything. You publiko kung [Republic scum] are always acting crazy," he shook his head nervously.

"I don't know, that kinda sounded like a Kowakian monkey-lizard," she cooley leaned back and lifted her brows. "Hey, but I'm no expert," she raised her hands defeatedly.

The man became irritated and leaned over the bar once more, coming dangerously close to Cass' face. She smelt the alcohol and filth emanating from his mouth, which caused her stomach to churn, but she remained still.

"So what if I have one? The republic doesn't have any jurisdiction out here," he angrily pointed at the clones, who seemed to have heard and sat up straighter. They all slowly closed in, taking closer positions near Cass, causing the Klatooinian to look around nervously. 

"You're right, they don't," she pursed her lips and faked a sigh, pausing for a moment. "But the Hutts do."

The owners eyes went wide and he slowly began reaching for something under the bar. Tech and Hunter laid their hands on their holstered weapons and watched carefully, while Echo and Crosshair remained observant of anyone else watching.