Chapter Text
‘Sometimes, something which seems totally familiar, is just that, familiar. But, it doesn’t mean they are known.’
“This is the place.”
Echo stated knowingly, seeing the name of the tavern in bright lit Aurebesh letters. The Tavern.
“Who in their right mind names their tavern, the Tavern?”
Crosshair’s hissy tone was positively snide, clearly, not having a good day.
Then again, Crosshair was still getting used to this all. Being back with the Batch. Being a delivery boy, as he had so fondly put what they were doing now. Being the mercenaries they mostly still were. All in a sarcastic way, but of course.
“Sounds simple enough to me.”
Wrecker did could not find any fault in it, as at least they knew where they were going. The Tavern.
“You would, wouldn’t you.”
Crosshair’s bark was on now. But getting an affectionate glance from Wrecker, he was quickly silenced, without further comments coming forth.
It was still all new to them all. Having Crosshair around after some time having passed. But they were trying to adapt the best they could. All of them were.
Cid had sent Clone Force 99 on a simple mission of exchange.
And this tavern being their contact point on the remote planet of Tross. Far away from the Empire’s chokehold. They were there for a delivery and pickup. Simple as that.
Everything about this mission had simple and easy written over it.
And they were all trying so very hard not to look the gift horse in the mouth, even if they had their eyes on their backs, keeping vigilant for any and all traps or imperial troopers around them.
But there was nothing there. So, heading into the establishment without further delay.
Hunter made his way to the bar and glanced around.
Seeing nothing unusual there. The place pretty much the same as any other bar or tavern on any planet they had been on. There were only a few patrons there as it was still early in the day.
Hunter could see someone behind the bar.
A human male in all white hair. All over his face and his head basically. Hairy, was the word to describe him. The man was right in the middle of drying some glasses with a towel. Most likely the bartender on duty.
Seeing Hunter and the rest of the squad enter the place, he looked up from his task, right at them all rather nonchalantly at that.
“What can I do you for, folks?”
His timbre was low and rather raspy.
Most likely caused by the fume of the death sticks around him, having most likely worked in the bar all his life. Or then he was really heavy into the sticks and or drinking. Another cliche for sure, associated with someone having a job at a bar.
But, Hunter was only guessing as he really could not know this man’s background.
“I’m looking, for someone…”
Hunter paused and glanced around. Not really sure if they were in the right place after all. Or then if the one they were looking for was even present at the moment. Then again. Cid had told Hunter she had commed their contact letting them know the Batch was on their way.
Hunter turned back to the man and decided they were in the right place after all. And then simply told him why they were there. The truth. As sometimes there was the need to trust people. Sometimes.
“Cid sent us. We are looking for the owner?”
The bartender gave Hunter a long good look.
Then he glanced at Hunter’s companions, before turning back to Hunter again.
“I am the one you are looking for. I am Gov.”
The white beard faced, long haired man with a gravely voice introduced himself as, with a something of a grin forming onto his face.
“Gov?”
Tech commented.
Sounding rather surprised to hear such a name.
As the rest f them having made their way closer and standing right by Hunter’s side.
“Yeah, because I am the Governor around here. I own this place. My little pride and joy.”
Gov motioned around the area. He was rather chatty and friendly all of a sudden. Very unlike Cid as far as bar owners went. Or so it seemed at least.
“Well, pleased to meet you, Gov.”
Hunter was a bit taken aback of this sudden change of demeanour.
Then again, most likely Gov had been cautious about strangers too. Pretty much the same as the Batchers were.
“Well then, we have something for you.”
Hunter took off his backpack and pulled the item in question out from there. A data chip. Offering it to Gov.
Gov looked at the offering. And before he even accepted it, he turned towards what seemed like the backroom. Glancing in its general direction.
“Hey Sim, come out here. I need you to cover the bar for a moment.”
Turning back to Hunter and the rest of the Batch, he motioned to the same place he had just shouted out to. Seeing the one he called Sim appear, the tall Twi’lek sauntering into the bar.
“Come one, let’s talk in my office.”
Gov then made his way towards the what he called his office. With Hunter in tow, while the rest of them Batchers and Rex exchanged glances, but followed the other two suit.
*
They were all gathered around in Gov’s office. Only waiting for him to check the chip, making sure it was what had been agreed. Naturally.
Rex had been glaring at Gov for a moment there though. Not really sure himself as to the why. But he was. His eyes having been locked on the man.
Getting a soft shove from Echo, who had noticed Rex staring a tad too long.
“You’re staring.”
Echo whispered close to Rex.
Rex was quickly woken from his haze.
“Sorry, I just… Well, it’s nothing.”
Rex kind of lied. As even if he tried to stop, his eyes almost immediately went to their contact’s direction.
“So, seems to be legit.”
Gov told Hunter as much.
After having partially checked the intel on the chip just to be sure.
Gov then picked something up from the drawer of his desk and placed it on the table.
Hunter looked at the similar chip he had just given to Gov.
“That’s for us?”
Cid had not been exact in what they were to receive in exchange, as per her usual. Always leaving things out, necessary things.
But Hunter needed to trust that Gov and Cid maybe knew each other and the offering was legit. Besides, it wasn’t as Hunter could do anything about it as he had no idea what Cid and Gov’s deal really was.
“Yes.”
Gov looked up at Hunter and let his eyes once again steal a glance from the rest of the group, letting it perhaps linger a moment longer, especially on Rex before he continued.
“And tell Cid, there is another one on the way.”
It sure sounded to Hunter like Cid and Gov indeed knew each other, at least on some level.
“Sure.”
Hunter was ready to leave.
Always wanting the mission to be completed as per agreed, never the one to linger longer than needed.
Besides, they had one more drop point before heading back to Ord Mantell.
“Good, then our transaction for now, is completed.”
Gov smiled a little again, seemingly happy and content on the deal being done and done.
Hunter nodded his goodbye as he lead his team out from Gov’s office.
Rex having been holding the rear as the team walked out from the room. But before they were out, Rex turned to have one last glimpse, of Gov.
Surprised as he turned, his eyes meeting up with Gov’s.
But there was nothing there further for Rex to see, Gov’s eyes giving nothing away. If there was nothing to give away in the first place. Most likely not.
A simple nod of acknowledgement as Gov turned back to whatever he was doing as Rex was out following the rest of them. Shaking his head as he caught up with others.
*
“Is it me, or did anyone get a deja-vu kind of vibe in there?”
Rex asked as they stepped out to the streets, heading to the docking area.
“I sure did.”
Wrecker stated loudly and knowingly. That was before he turned to whisper to Tech.
“What’s a de-cha-view?”
Tech glared at him and then simply whispered.
“Something of a recollection of some past event or similar.”
“Oh.”
Was all Wrecker managed, not really sure if he had gotten the idea of what Rex had meant even with the clarification of Tech’s.
They were all quiet, not really sure what Rex was on about.
“I mean, there was something about Gov, that made me think I had met him before.”
Rex sounded sure of it.
“Well, we have been all around and every which way, seen plenty of people from all walks of life. So I’m sure that eventually we’re bound to run into familiar faces no matter how large and wide the galaxy might just seem.”
Hunter stated then.
Not really sure as to why Rex was so totally hung up on this one particular person they had only just met. As nothing of the Tavern owner had jogged Hunter’s memory for sure.
Rex was silent for a moment, thinking of Hunter’s comment.
He wasn’t wrong either. As they had seen so many people, and well, in the end, most faces started to blur with the others.
“Could be that. Sure.”
Rex yielded.
But something about the whole exchange bugged him still. But deciding to let it simply go. For now at least. If it was just a familiar face among many, then that was it. If there was more, Rex was sure it would come to him at a later point.
“Okay folks, next stop, Radixx Four.”
Hunter reminded the team of their next stop, where Rex was having some business to tend to before they would be headed back to Ord Mantell.
“Can’t wait. I’ve heard their Radixx Mix is even better than what we have on Ord Mantell!”
Omega was totally ready to try the so called local delicatessen.
Something she and Wrecker had made a little bit of a tradition of whenever in a new locale and they had the time.
“Me too!”
Wrecker sounded chipper too, eliciting chuckles from Echo and Hunter.
Crosshair wasn’t really seeing the fascination of sampling edibles in strange locals. Even if Omega and Wrecker had enticed the sniper on a few occasions. To try at least.