Greetings everybody!

Welcome to this: the final instalment of my first ever FanFiction story. I am so sorry for the extensive delay but I have had a lot going on these past few months, then I had a massive case of writers block. It's one of those cases where you know what you want to say, you just don't know how to say it. I intended to have it up yesterday but just as I was moving to save it the system crashed, and so I have had to spend the greater part of today rewriting my conclusion.

All I can say is sorry for the delay and for leaving it so late in the first place.

Hopefully, it will all have been worth the wait.

Important notice: -

I have decided owing to the contents of this chapter, to change this FanFiction's rating to setting to Mature; Why I hear you asking? Well, as I was writing I decided that given everything which has happened to them previously the Kaleesh aren't going to be showing any niceties here now were they and I was not sure if the contents would be suitable for a T rated FanFiction. If it is so then please message me so that I can change it down again.

For the time being however please be aware that this chapter, contains violence relating to war scenes, blood and gore, torture and what I consider to be a violent death scenes!

Whilst the majority of this chapter is suitable for teenagers, there are some bits that might consider to be M related material.

The relevant section will be clearly highlighted!

So be weary from here on in!

Remember, you have been warned!

Authors note: I would just like to say thank you everybody for checking out this story it means a lot, especially if you have been following this story from the very beginning. It means a lot.

Just a quick reminder: I will be updating this FanFiction gradually after its completion, but please be aware that I do intend to focus on other projects. Don't worry though, I have a feeling we will be seeing a few more stories revolving around our favorite cybernetic general in the near future. If you have any suggestions for further story lines, please leave a note or drop me a line as I am always open to suggestions.

All that is left now is my traditional ...

Disclaimer: This is a FanFiction and as always I do not own any of the official Star Wars characters, quotes or any the other associated materials.

... and now with that matter resolved we can proceed!

Have fun everyone, I sincerely hope that enjoy yourselves!

May the Force be with you!

The quote of Star Wars

Chapter 8: Victory on all fronts!

The planet was transformed beyond recognition!

Once it had been a thriving, prosperous world, the epicenter of a small empire, stretching across the cosmos into neighboring systems. Its lush jungles created an atmosphere of serenity. Its architecture (both manufactured and organic) had been a great source of inspiration. The credits amassed by the great military collective whose factions had originated here insured that its natives could afford to live in a sense of great luxury and comfort.

This same wealth had attracted many others to what outwardly appeared a prosperous world. Business ventures, settlers and criminals seeking refuge. All were welcomed here, as it granted extra revenue. In the intermittent years between the end of the Huk Wars and the start of the Clone Wars the Yam'rii had done very well for themselves, maintaining and reinforcing an empire built along the path of conquest and on the back of slaves.

Thus far only one race had dared to defy them. The odd stretches of waste land scarred deep into the planets surface was testament to just how close their accomplishment had actually come to failing. Yet that situation had been resolved. With the aid of the Republic, the Yam'rii had put down the 'Kaleesh revolt' and been able to rebuild and reconquer. Now several years on they were prosperous once more.

Though they claimed to 'support' the Republic in its fight against the Separatist cause the Yam'rii chose not to stay out of the action for the most part. The political gambits and strives surrounding this interstellar conflict had been of little consequence to them. Originally, they had their lot and were content to stay by it. Only when minor insurrections dared to plague them did they feel the need to partition their allies for aid once more.

'Our path is simple. Our cause a just one' their collective hive had said.

'Its ambitions will easily be recognised' they had promised. 'The great dream of uniting the great systems of Kadok under a single military banner shall finally be fulfilled'.

That was the promise made not just to the citizens of the planet Huk; but to all sentients now native to the colony worlds by the Yam'rii hive council. Within a few short hours and to tumultuous applause great swathes of the Yam'rii reserve factions had set out on a campaign of conquest alongside a small portion of the Republics grand army. It had seemed as if at long last the guaranteed peace would finally be restored, and the Yam'rii's dream of conquest would finally be recognised, within this region of the galaxy at least.

Then just as suddenly, the dream turned to a nightmare!

At present only a few small tendrils of the once great armada remained, taking shelter amide the embers of a dying world. Discreetly xenophobic (when necessary) and imperialistic the Yam'rii's success over the past few decades in conquering neighboring territories, crushing or otherwise enveloping almost any resistance had left them in little doubt as to their technological and sheer superiority over others. Now, under the present circumstances the Yam'rii came to realise just how wrong they had actually been.

With surprising speed the grand armadas of the Yam'rii expansion had been swept aside. The colony worlds, which the Yam'rii had invested so much time and effort in conquering had fallen silent, so one could only assume that they had been lost to them. Now it was they who found their home world under siege. Threatened by a force far more formidable and even more superior to themselves.

It was their citizens who were fleeing for their lives, and where once a few prosperous days ago there had been applause now came the shrill haunting screams of the dying!

The invasion, if it could even be called that, had already decimated the greater part of Huk. Great swathes of lush jungles, thousands of settlements and billions of lives had already been ravaged by turbo laser fire and projectile barrages resulting in great fires. Now these same forces, both natural and artificial converged on the planetary capital. Once a shining beacon of prosperity, and an archetype to the planets golden age, Scarab City was now lit up under a new light.

That of the cleansing fire and burning torch!

Far above spectators from the Separatist space fleet watched as the planet burned beneath them. Originally lush and green upon arrival, Grievous' instructions had rendered Huk a charred out disintegrating fire ball analogous to volcanic worlds like Mustafar and to a lesser extent perhaps even Coruscant. The destruction was far from over, but the spectators did not dare to look away.

It did not benefit the Separatists to decimate and extinguish entire worlds, unless it was absolutely necessary, so few of them had ever witnessed a spectacle such as this within their lifetimes. They watched in awe and amazement as an entire civilization was rendered useless right before their eyes. The Muun, Geonosian and Neimoidian observers kept their personal opinions to themselves, but a Kaleesh warlord who had opted to stay and supervise the space fleet watched from nearby.

"Glorious" he muttered consistently to himself in persistent reverence. "Absolutely wonderful!" and from the way that the Kaleesh kept on sniggering and snorting amongst themselves, it could not have been clearer that many if not all of them shared this view!

Vast squadrons of Separatist droid fighters intermingled with what until recently had been Republic affiliated vessels. Turbo lasers primed, they unleashed torrents of plasma fire into the fray, decimating many of the tall columnar buildings or else eliminating anyone foolish enough to try and take off during this desperate situation. Wave upon wave of OG-9 Spider Droids had scaled the cities perimeter the walls alongside their smaller cousins and were even now marching across the city sowing endless destruction in their wake. From father afield Hellfire droids and HAG mortar tanks shelled the city from afar, resulting in extensive city fires, contributing to further destruction and loss of life. Now however the majority of these units had fallen silent, holding fire in order to make way for the ground troops now assailing the city.

Pillars of great black smoke rose into the atmosphere, blotting out the sun, turning day into night. Despite this there was no leeway since both the Kaleesh and Separatist battle droids could see just as clearly in the dark. This gave them a tremendous advantage over their adversaries, who in the absence of glow rods turned to burning brands as a source of light and navigation. Kaleesh darted in and out from every corner in vast bands, the heat and flames served as no obstacle to them on their march to conquest.

Grievous of course witnessed the carnage for himself first hand.

Once the city had been sufficiently ravaged by over head fire, and a sense of panic had been instilled amongst its citizens Grievous himself had led the charge. It was not just an army that followed him however, but an entire nation! Representatives from all of the Kaleesh tribes were here to take part in the action and the scouring of their ancient enemies. Ever since the start of his campaign Grievous had promised them conquest and vengeance.

Now, he delivered on that promise!

He marched onwards, at the head of a vast squadron comprised of his elite Magna Guard's, Rutta sha Shevana, Bentilais san Sk'ar, the chief warlords, his remaining family members, plus a number of Kaleesh bodyguards all of whom dragged key Republic prisoners along with them. Lightsaber's armed and primed Grievous trudged on ahead cutting down any non Kaleesh adversary foolish enough to cross his path. He cared little whether they were unarmed civilian or military personal.

Every now and then however, his sight became a red blur and his audio circuits rang with the soothing cries of his native tongue, followed by the agonised screams of others (insectoids and otherwise) as the Kaleesh set about their business, soon followed up by the battle droids, which now made up the minority of the army. The cyborgs eyes glistened with a terrible malice. Were he still capable, Grievous would have been smirking.

A band of Huk soldiers came charging blindly out of nowhere down the cobbled street that Grievous and his troops were just ascending. Whether the charge was genuine or purely circumstantial Grievous couldn't tell. Either way it was of little consequence. It was soon obvious that the Yam'rii were caught completely off guard by his sudden appearance. For a second they stared in awestruck horror at the skeletal, duranium clad individual which suddenly blocked their path, backed by a great swarm of Kaleesh. The Kolkpravis readied their weapons as did the MagnaGuard's. The Yam'rii barely had time to raise their weapons when Grievous was upon them.

Lightsabers twirling in a full three hundred and sixty degree circle he bisected the first two individuals then with a casual pivot he set upon the others.

Heads and limbs were sent flying.

Bodies toppled in great droves.

Any cries were rapidly extinguished.

The last survivor hesitated, staring into the Kaleesh throng listening to the screams of an anguished senator. It was a fateful maneuver. The white hot blade sliced the top of his head clean off, part way through the massive eyes. For the briefest of moments his face seemed to register what had happened. Then his body went limb, and collapsed to join the others. Grievous adjusted the angle of his lightsaber so that it was held at his side. He stood tall and straight.

Only then did he allow himself to join in the mirthless laughter that was coming from each and everyone of his allies. Then with a quick gesture he signaled them forward, and the group through itself back into the fray and soon the group was lost amongst the throng. Marching somberly and silently amongst an endless stream of indistinguishable figures of bone plating and scarlet capes. The long hacking blades, held by many of these warriors were already stained, the arms that held them were aching from overuse as even now they continued to scour the city for fresh victims.

The Kaleesh spared no-one. As with Grievous anybody foolish enough to get in their way was simply swept aside and the Saurischian's took pity upon neither gender, age nor species. They had seen to much, lost to much over the past few years to be able to care much about these peoples feelings or exploits. As far as they were concerned; everybody on this planet was responsible for their suffering and the loses that they had felt.

For that simple reason: they had to pay, and that meant they had to die!

Every ...

... last...

... one!

Besides, it was not as if they were the first ones to do so...

Following his victory upon Kalee, Grievous' strike was as swift as it was brutal. His people were anxious for revenge against the surviving insectoids and their debauched allies, for daring to attack them so unjustly! Following his triumph at Shrupak and the successful liberation of Kalee, and backed by additional reinforcements from Oben the enlarged Separatist strike force had set off for the soulless ones nearest colony worlds, to aid the other Kaleesh armies already besieging the system.

The Yam'rii had no warning about additional reinforcements and were caught completely off guard by Grievous' sudden intervention. Without the means to repel such a large invasion force, the first wave of settlements had fallen quickly, one after another until finally within the span of a few hours the entire planet was under Kaleesh control. As he stood triumphantly upon the second major conquest of the Kadok campaign, Grievous contemplated how foolish it was for the Yam'rii to co-ordinate their armies into defending their settlements. The tight compactness had taken away the enemies numerical advantage making it easier for the nimbler and more steadfast Kaleesh to confine them, trap them in tightly against their own barricades and then slaughter them at their own leisure.

It was this single tactic which made the Yam'rii's that much easier to defeat when it came to conflict.

Whilst the oblivious councilors, sitting in safety several lightyears away on their home planet of Huk tried to re-establish communications with a world they still perceived to be their own, Grievous left only a small contingent of his ever expanding armada behind to secure the system whilst leading the rest of the Kolkpravis off to the next conflict zone.

Spurred on by Grievous' continuing successes the Kaleesh armada rallied, and with each passing conflict went from strength to strength. This in turn resulted in victory after victory. With each battle the number of insectoid dead mounted up, whilst Grievous' force multiplied in size. Each successive world uncovered further slave encampments, which the Yam'rii had evidently worked hard to keep hidden from the Republic. Many held able bodied Kaleesh many of whom were willing and able to take up arms and join Grievous' cause against their former oppressors.

And of course, it was not just Kaleesh there ...

Thousands of other sentients, down trodden individuals whose worlds had been swept away in the Yam'rii's original onslaught were also interred here. Subjected to many of the vilest forms of torture, it seemed that hard labor and persistent agony was all that these people knew or were willing to understand. They seemed to barely even comprehend the promises of freedom. Grievous and his peoples cared little for these bearings, recognising perhaps that there was little that could be done for them anyway. After making sure that each of these events and appalling scenarios were well documented, the cybernetic general demonstrated his curtsy, and was lenient enough to make sure that these individuals were granted a swift and decisive end.

Now, five days after he set out from Kalee and commanding an army stretching into the tens of millions, he stood in his enemies capital, gazing up into the burnt out sky and up into the dimly lit sky. His eyes were fixed malevolently on one aspect in particular. An ominous, shaded building both taller and broader than any of the others. At one time it may have been a scene of wonder, but soon it would join those surrounding it, as a soon to be smoking rubble.

Grievous' eyes narrowed as he tore his gaze away and ordered his contingency forward once again. He seemed to move in slow motion his cloak stretching and billowing out behind him, eyes squinting against an ash filled sky. He felt neither heat nor moisture, but he reveled at the way the loose stones ground beneath his feet.

The spectacle was just glorious!

He watched as a Serosian male in great dirty rags was dragged out from behind the metallic crates from which he had been hiding. Hurled against the wall, the slobbering fool whimpered coiling his arms around himself in a feeble attempt to shield himself. Little good it did. He did not even have the chance to scream before a round tore through his stomach lining and he dropped to the ground dead at the feet of the Kaleesh Kolkpravis that had shot him.

His mission had been a triumph!

A small throng of Kaleesh cheered and laughed as a shrieking insectoid was pulled into their midst by two more Kolkpravis. Throwing the mulling dogs to the floor, the group set upon them, not with their weapons but fists, feet and palms, subjecting the unfortunate duo to a agonising and brutal ending.

The so called colony worlds, and their resources were now his to command!

A pair of thickset Trandosian's came into view clutching an injured Kolkpravis between them. In a surprising move they were actually supporting and carrying the individual as though it was somebody they actually cared about. It was uncharacteristic of these traditionally brutal slavers. A band of Kolkpravis soon spotted them, their leader had enough sense to actually stall his minions bloodlust, for fear that they might actually end up hurting their injured brother.

With several groaning rattles, and what almost appeared to be friendly gestures the Trandosian's approached. The leader made a beckoning gesture towards the leader, pointing towards the injured Kolkpravis then back to the parties commander. Now their intentions became clear; we'll return your bretheren, but in exchange you must grant us safe passage.

The two parties came within an inch of each other. The eyes of the leader turned from the Trandosian towards his injured comrade, and back again. He nodded sullenly. The exchange was made, and the Trandosian's made their escape hissing enthusastically to each other. They had gone perhaps ten feet down the road when a second set of Kolkpravis leapt from the shadows impaling and skewering them where they stood.

Justice was being dealt and his people were now free, and he, Grievous, had one minor task left to perform that would ensure that his victory was absolute, and make sure that the Huk menace wouldn't trouble either himself or his people ever again!

Grievous noticed a family of blue skinned Twil'ek's comprising of a mother and her three teenage children being hotly pursued by a band of his own soldiers. A fifth individual (that Grievous took to be the children's father and the woman's husband) ushered the screaming rabble into the only shelter available to them, a building that Grievous took to be the families own home. Before he could get the door closed however, one of the Kaleesh grabbed the handle from the other side and started pushing hard against it, crying out in the Kaleesh tongue for blood and vengeance.

Forcing it open just wide enough for an additional warrior to get its form through, the door was thrown open. The Twi'lek father was dragged out screaming. He fell in a heap at the rabbles feet, but they paid him no attention, and simply marched right across him, the throng trampling him to death as they made their way inside to where the terrified family was waiting. The families dying screams were like music to Grievous' audio receptors.

At long last ...

... he might actually find some closure!

Great swathes of the city were ablaze, from more or less every quarter. Homes, catering and entertainment facilities, sacred shrines and historic monuments all had fallen victim to the indiscriminate fires of war, and yet more fires were being started making sure that absolutely nothing was left unscathed. Above the sound of the flames stretched the great black columns of smoke. Even from this distance the panicked cries of trapped sentient's echoed distinctly, as the Kaleesh juggernaut spread through the city.

Not even the great spiraling construction that signified the cities capital spire was left unaffected by the relentless tide. Constructed in a way that others might consider a remarkable feat of engineering, the great conical spiral was now ravaged by small wild fires, but so far much of its internal structure remained unaffected. In the uppermost level, where the cusp was originally said to touch the sky the Huk Hive Council had taken shelter.

Traditionally a place of congress it was hard to believe that several days ago this 'shelter' had seen the Yam'rii delegation assemble, collaborating with the likes of General Mal and Senator Derm, in order to petition the Jedi for military assistance in their campaign against the Kaleesh. Relatively few contested the idea (Senator Derm was foremost amongst the few) the decision had been virtually unanimous, and the petition had been sent.

Now more than a week later, the fruits of their labours lay stretched out before them. The terrified Senators could do nothing except watch from afar, surrounded by a small bodyguard, whilst everything that they and their ancestors had worked so hard to build and maintain fell apart completely, consumed by the great darkness all around them.

Within each Senators mind one single thought took residence. How could everything had gone so badly wrong ...

... so quickly, ...

... so unexpectedly, ...

... so decisively!

Seven days ago they had received a transmission from General Mal on Kalee, notifying them about the conquest of the Kaleesh's home planet, and the long awaited subjugation of their old enemy. Assuming the battle was done emissaries had been sent to Coruscant so as publicly thank the Republic for their diligence in helping the Yam'rii peoples achieve their 'long time ambition of peace and prosperity within the home regions'. Now those same politicians were needed again, so as to petition the Senate for assistance once more, as the Kaleesh had genuinely launched an assault the likes of which the insectoids had never seen before.

The colony worlds had fallen silent, and communications to the outside world, let alone the rest of the galaxy were proving difficult. Fortunately there had been enough time, just before the main onslaught, to inform the High Council that the paperwork surrounding the petition had been acknowledged, and approved. The delicates were due to speak before the Galactic Senate that very day. As the Kaleesh throng tightened its noose however, and the flames continued to spread it was feared that their appeal may come too late.

"By the Great Hive Mother" came the agitated cry of one of the nobles who referred to the Yam'rii's highest deity, "Where are they?!" He looked about expectantly as if hoping to see more star-fighters suddenly entering the fray to do battle with their wayward adversary. The only response to his pleas were further great black columns and a brief glimpse of a Separatist fighter squadron hounding a fleeing vessel.

"I am certain that the case has already been laid to rest" another Senator put forward, this one a female. "The Republic has never failed us yet. The Grand Army is al-almost certainly on its way by now!" She tried her absolute best to sound reassuring but was not quite able to take the shaky edge off her tone.

"THEN WHY HAVE WE NOT RECEIVED ANY COMMUNICATIONS YET?!" roared the first Senator glaring furtively at the amassed rabble, as if hoping that somebody would give him an answer. All he saw though was a series of terrified faces, and he knew that everyone was thinking along the same lines as he was. Senatorial families stuck closely together, mothers clutching at their hatchlings or else leading them off to a secret shelter under the care of wet nurse. The twelve or so guards were shaking so violently that their chitin was rattling as loudly as their weapons were. The slaves and hand maidens, which the Yam'rii had seen fit to bring along were cowering in fear as if to ward off blows, as they set about preordained tasks, or else to shelter in the secret closet so as to comfort the Yam'rii's offspring, and in some minor cases, their own as well.

The entire building suddenly rattled under the force of another explosion, and the lights suddenly dimmed. The Yam'rii stood in perpetual silence. The explosion was soon followed up by another one, this one much louder and more violent than before. Alarms klaxons suddenly rang out; the evacuation signal had just been given, fat lot of good that did them! The sheer amount of Kaleesh forces on the ground and those strange star-fighters overhead, meant that council would be lucky to make it even to clicks from here before they were shot down or otherwise butchered.

They were trapped, with no where to go. Unless help came to them and soon, the Hive Council would remain forever sealed in the confines of a tomb of their own making.

The sentry captain rounded upon a Togruta slave, that stood huddled against the communication pad. "Answer the Senator!" he barked furiously. "Has any news come through yet? Your masters are getting agitated!" he added in a menacing hiss.

Already old and withered, the hunched frail figure bore the scars of many beatings. Now he crouched even lower over the control panel, his back held high to the sky in a resound sign of resignation. "N-no sir" he croaked out in a wizen cracked voice. "Our transmissions are com-completely jammed".

"WELL FIND A WAY TO BREAK THROUGH IT THEN YOU FOOL!" the Huk roared, baring the teeth like extensions from his mandibles.

The Togruta pressed himself flat against his metallic obstacle, groaning as the effort caused his frail old bones to ache under the strain of this new posture. "Begging your pardon my lord but its almost impossible!" he said desperately. "Without the conduit system, and access to more power the long range transponder system is virtually non-existent. There is barely enough power to reach the outermost level of this structure as it is. Without more, I simply cannot ... "

The lights dimmed as if to suddenly prove his point. This time they stayed off for a good few seconds before flicking back on again. As they did the Huk sentry bore down on him, his face contorted into a snarl. "I did not ask for excuses" he hissed threateningly, "I want results!" He batted the crouching slave hard across the shoulder blades hard with the butt end of hid rifle. There was a nasty cracking noise, but the slaves cries were minimal. His nerve joints had sustained enough damage throughout his life so as to barely understand the concept of pain any longer.

"I am warning you whelp ..." the sentry hissed threateningly "if I do not get results within the next twenty seconds I shall personally …" Before he could say anymore however, the building was jarred again by another explosion, this one louder and more noticeable than any that preceded it. Several of the insectoids staggered, including the sentry and the Togruta only remained stationary by clinging to the sides of his pedestal.

A second explosion just as powerful and audible followed up a second later, followed by a silence. Then there came a new sound. The insectoids and their slaves turned ominously in the same direction as the unmistakable sound of blaster fire reverberated from outside, accompanied by an unfamiliar thrumming, which the Senators had never heard before, and followed by distinctive battle cries and the unmistakable sound of dying screams.

Several of the officials many of the handmaidens screamed. "WHAT WAS THAT?!" one of the insectoid mothers screamed clutching her child tightly to her, and backing away fearfully.

"It came from outside" the captain declared. "Stand back my lords" he declared in a militaristic manner, waving the Senators back whilst signalling the rest of his squadron forward. A second officer ordered a nearby handmaiden to get into the safety room, and seal it from the inside. With a terrified nod the pale looking Twi'lek rushed inside, carrying out her orders whilst leaving the remaining Senators, guardsmen and slaves to face the music.

Nervously the sentries placed themselves between the Senatorial figures and the shelters only exit. The problem was there were only twelve of them and without communications they had no way of knowing just how many enemies awaited them outside. Forced to rely on their senses the eerie silence left them in no doubt as to the fate of the sixty soldiers stationed outside. That meant only thing: the Kaleesh had reached the uppermost levels, and found them at last.

Nobles and soldiers alike held a tense breath.

For a moment only the eerie silence ensued! So that each officer could hear his or her own rattling breath. Many of the slaves clutched at each other tightly and nervously. Still the silence ensued ...

Then ... !

A small hissing noise suddenly emanated, and a small orange sphere suddenly appeared in the blast doorway. This small hole rapidly expanded rotating cylindrical fashion as to form a broad circle. The metal plating proved to be no obstacle against whatever it was that the Kaleesh used as a cutter, transforming that small piercing into a cauterized opening large enough for a full grown man to fit through. The harsh reality quickly sunk in as rapidly as the Kaleesh were now breaking in.

The nobles retreated further backwards looking absolutely terrified, scuffles broke out as some individuals threw others in front of them in a forlorn effort to shield themselves. Now fearful himself the squadron commander, along with the rest of his platoon took a tentative step backwards, quickly followed by another and then another. The lights suddenly went out, and this time they did not come back on again. The sentry commander glanced over one shoulder, and noticed the Senators staring at him ominously. "Keep-uh keep the door covered men!" he ordered imperialistically, as the formation halted. Taking up position from a relatively safe distance, the captain stood in the very centre of this formation, forming a tight semi circle which effectively barred the entrance. The formation was only one man deep however, and though each of the soldiers carried blaster rifles now leveled at the doorway, it did very little to relieve any of the tension.

The cutting had reached its full circumference, and the strange hissing noise had now stopped just as suddenly as it had begun. There was a noticeable stench of burning metal and the ozone itself almost radiated with heat. A large noticeable circle had now been created. Steam was rising off its edges, which were still glowing.

There was the sound of something clanking from the other side of the doorway.

A pause!

Followed by another clank!

A second pause!

Then clank!

Pause ...

... then the doorway burst open!

The Huk commander had no time to react before both he and two of his fellows officers were thrown backwards as the metallic projectile slammed into them. They flew ten feet backwards, then crashed to the floor as with a metallic clang, the blast projectile settled astride them! His squad mates were killed instantaneously, but the commander somehow managed to survive. His head was pounding, oozing vital fluids, the sight in his right eye was blurry and he was pinned underneath the wreckage.

Desperately he tried to pull himself free from his heavy confinement. Yelping as the still white hot metal scolded his carapace. He wriggled and squirmed violently but only one of his two digited hands was unhindered, and he couldn't maintain sufficent grip enough to get himself free. The din of a small battle raged overhead, as the Kaleesh breached the opening. Even from this short distance it was impossible to miss the heat wave that entered the vicinity, emanating no doubt from the outside world or the bright orange glow which suddenly loomed over head. Blaster fire seemed to come from every direction, followed a strange crackling and whizzing sound from some strange type of weapon.

Loudest of all though came the shrills and screams of the dying!

The hot metallic surface where the blast door had been cut was cooling rapidly in the semi warm air, enabling the commander to finally establish a proper grip without hurting himself to badly. As such he didn't realise that the sounds of the battle had stopped ever so suddenly. Pushing and heaving with all his might he was just about able to slide a good portion of his abdomen out from beneath its metallic confine. He paused momentarily then heaved a little further, freeing his trapped arm and bringing out a greater portion his body out with it.

He braced himself for what he hoped would be the final lunge to free everything below his waist line, when the metallic covering suddenly became somewhat heavier. So heavy in fact that it began to crush him. The insect wailed, and then a shadow fell across him. He fell silent just long enough to look up into the face of his destroyer.

A pair of golden eyes stared down at him from beneath a skull like shaped mask. On either side of him stood two Kaleesh (one male, one female) all staring down at him contently. Then the metallic monstrosity in the centre brought round his right hand to reveal an activated lightsaber. The blue bar came sailing through the air to slice methodically across the insectoids eyes and face, ending his despair.

Weapon still active Grievous turned his attention to the nobles, now cowering in a huddled mass against the adjacent wall. Additional Kolkpravis formed up on either side of him, eyes glinting with disdain. Each soldier carried a weapon in one hand, and a burning brand in the other.

"Hello there" Grievous said ominously by means of a greeting. He stepped down off the platform, careful to tread on the broken remains of the insectoid he'd just slain, never taking his eyes off of this fresh set of victims.

Beside him the tallish brute gestured silently and the Kaleesh began to fan out. The Senators and nobles watched in tense silence as the saurischian's surrounded them, forming an tight nit circle blocking any possible escape routes. Most held their weapons at the ready and a few wielded flaming torches alongside one handed weapons. A second smaller band of Kaleesh however moved in and around the others, their weapons sheaved or else slung over their backs as they made their way across the room, turning over tables, analysing control panels and in a few cases studying the scenery with meticulous interest.

Noticing how some of the Yam'rii turned towards them curiously, Grievous addressed his soldiers. "Do not waste your time worrying about the architecture" from behind him more Kaleesh were emerging dragging what appeared to be a set of bodies along with them. Grievous ignored this motion, as three plainly dressed females came up alongside him. Two of them were Kaleesh, the other a human female in similar attire but had taken off her skull mask (which was now strapped to her belt) so as to reveal her face.

"Tear every inch of this room apart if you have too until you have found the archives, that wretched worm told us about! Then, scour each one and every one of those data-files until you have found the one I am looking for. Then bring it to me! I want it intact!"

Meeting the harsh stares that Grievous, his wives, Bentilais san Sk'ar and Rutta sha Shevana gave them, the Kolkpravis nodded understandingly then set about their business in all earnest. Across the room ancient tomes and valuable objects were cast aside. Marble busts were smashed as they toppled from their stands. Expensive tapestries were torn down and furnishings were ripped apart and tossed to the other Kaleesh, who set them a blaze in an act of vindictive pleasure.

Everything that got broken was simply left were it landed and everything else was simply left in a disorganized mess. The insectoids gave no verbal protest except for the occasional wail or as to otherwise clutch at each other fearfully. Any individuals that to bold or stupid enough to get in the Kaleesh's way were simply cast off to one side, or in the case of a few individuals that were to terrified or injured to move (such as the Togruta the sentry commander had threatened earlier) at a brief nod from the General were dealt a swift ending.

Meanwhile, Rutta ordered the remainder of the band to take up respective positions around Grievous. Making her way to Bentilais San's side she gave Grievous a warm, almost loving bow and smile before ordering the rest of her entourage to take up position. Twenty Kolkpravis marched into the space between Grievous and the trapped Huk prisoners. The nobles were astonished to realise that what they had mistaken for bodies were in fact living beings.

Battered and badly bruised the tattered remains of three Jedi knights were brought to lay before them. Blinking beneath swollen eye sockets and the many cuts which lined their faces and torn clothing (an indication that even after their defeat the Kaleesh's brutality had not relented) the group were forced to kneel in pressurized silence. One of them, a female human that was deposited in the centre had to be initially supported by two Kolkpravis on either side of her until she could effectively maintain her balance on her own, a side effect of some terrible injury which failed to let her even sit up properly.

From behind the Senators a Kolkpravis noticed that a data-pad remained stuck tight to one of the side tables. No matter how hard he pried it would not come free. Curiously he tapped the screen. Nothing happened. Thinking it was powered off, he touched the power key and a concealed door suddenly opened up alongside him. Grievous, his lightsaber now deactivated watched curiously as three members of the hunting party dashed inside.

Kaleesh and Yam'rii alike held a collective breath.

Furtive cries from within announced that the Kaleesh had found the concealed compartment they were looking for, and were now exploring its contents. The insectoids however paid it little attention, there focus was on the Jedi and the clones now deposited alongside them. Unlike the force users the human soldiers appeared to have sustained minimal injury but given the present circumstances this meant nothing.

Most shocking of all was what came into view next. Six Kolkpravis marched onto the scene dragging two individuals between them. One was hissing and spitting furiously, whilst the other had his head bowed in submission, wincing profusely as if wishing that he would rather not be here.

The sextet deposited this individual first, at the feet of Rutta Shevana and Bentilais san Sk'ar who were now standing a little off from Grievous. Senator Derm whimpered, cowering on all fours. Trembling with alarm, he turned to gaze imploringly up at his captors but neither of the war clad figures showed him any trace of kindness, as they stared down upon him forebodingly.

Meanwhile the sextet, composed of Rignan jai Sheelal and his siblings were wrestling the second individual off to the other side. As with Derm this individual was also a Huk insectoid and out of the entire Republic entourage he alone appeared to have some fight left within him. Indeed he was thrashing about so wildly it took five members of the group just to restrain him.

This in turn only aggravated him further. "AHHHH! Let go of me you filthy, stinking cold bloods!" he shrieked furiously, flailing his arms about savagely that his murderous intentions soon became clear. "FILTH! SLIME! WHAT IS IT THAT YOU TOLD THEM DERM?!" he said suddenly rounding on his fellow associate, who turned away briskly cowering closer at the heels of his Kaleesh overseers, rather than at his former associate. "I'LL KILL YOU FOR THIS! SEE IF I DON'T! AS SOON AS WE FIND A WAY OUT OF THIS YOU ARE THROUGH! A THOUSAND TORTURES WITHIN THE DEEPEST CIRCLES OF HELL WILL BE NOTHING COMPARE TO WHAT I HAVE IN STORE FOR YO-"

Rignan Sheelal, backhanded him hard across the face so violently that it briefly tempered the insectoids rage. "Be quiet you kriffing wretch, you are in no position to make idol threats here. That is our job!" He gazed respectfully over at Grievous, as the last members of his father's procession finally came into view.

Mal snarled at him but Rignan looked back at him completely unafraid. "Uh, uh, uh, watch it!" he said tauntingly. "That temper of yours might get you into trouble, and besides I really don't think you can afford to lose any more limbs now do you?" The Kaleesh reached out and seized a hold of the insectoids upper arm, bending and twisting into view for everybody to see.

The two fingered digit was shriveled and shrunken, instead of a glowing green it now burnt a sickening shade of muddy brown, bordering on black.

The injury, inflicted by Bentilais san Skar's teeth during the final engagement on Kalee had subsequently festered and become infected. Since his capture the infection had spread to the remainder of Mal's hand and given everything that had happened the Kaleesh refused to nurse or heal him. The entire palm was now stiff and completely useless to him now.

Mal hissed ominously, opened his mouth as if to say something, but then stopped at the sound of metallic wheeshing noise. During his search for objects of interest a curious Kolkpravis had stumbled upon the control panel leading to the store room. Now the doors rose open to reveal the cowering figures inside.

At this point the Huk Senators suddenly found their voices again. "No please, leave them be!" a spindly female pleaded. Several of the officials broke ranks along with the slaves only to be thrown back and restrained by a set of Kolkpravis. The Jedi looked up in horror, and even Mal had fallen silent.

"Well, well, well" the Kaleesh tormented "Look what we've got here!" Grievous stepped forward, and the soldier stepped aside respectfully. The cyborgs gaze fell upon thirty children, the majority of which were Yam'rii, all of various ages, all pushed and compacted into a small out of the function room. The children all looked upon him in terror, their tiny minds registering that this was not an entertainment parade set up by their parents. Their only defense was the outstretched arms of several wet nurses, who threw themselves in front of their charges like a fleshy shield.

They muttered in various languages pleading for the lives of the children, as did the parents. Even the faint calls of the Jedi could now to be heard, selflessly offering their own lives up in exchange for the children's safety. Pitiable fools they were all dead any way.

Grievous locked eyes with the lead woman, and the Twi'lek's fear suddenly seemed to double as she realised what he was thinking. She shook her head imploringly, gazing at the bio-droid even as she backed away nervously. looked upon the bio droid in terror. Grievous' wives came up alongside, and stood by him. The women looked into the room and gazed upon its occupants with just as much content as their husband.

Just like him they were thinking about then number of times the Kaleesh had been forced to plea for their lives; first to the Yam'rii, then the Republic and finally the Intergalactic Banking Clan, and were thinking of the little good it did any of them. All of them had lost children and other loved ones as a result of the Republics actions, and it hardened their hearts. Now the Republic and its allies would finally get what was coming to them; and witness first hand just what happened to those who dared not to show any compassion and then had the audacity to plead for it.

The cyborg remained silent, eyes darting towards each of his wives. In return they nodded approvingly ...

... it was over within a matter of seconds.

Grievous withdrew a lightsaber from his belt, activated the blue barred blade and stepped into the room. The Twi'lek's pleas grew louder and more desperate with until suddenly with a terrible hissing sound her cries ended in a scream. This resulted in a great commotion and cacophony of disembodied voices. Within the main huddle the children's parents cried out in despair, many of them attempted to break free only to be seized and thrown backwards by the unsympathetic invaders. Mal was fighting so hard he had to be restrained again, and even Senator Derm's brief outcry resulted in him being pinned underfoot by Bentilais san.

Aside from this however, the mob was completely helpless. They could only watch and listen in horror as each of the hysterical cries was silenced, one at a time until finally the only thing that was left was the silence. Grievous emerged, and aside from the humming of his lightsaber, everything was quiet. He nodded once in direction of his life partners, and the parents burst into tears.

"YOU MURDERER!" General Mal shriek furtively with such conviction that Grievous actually paused and looked down upon him. "SLAYER OF THE INNOCENT! DEBAUCH FIEND! M-" he was forced to his knees. The sudden pain inflicted on the back of his head left him dazed and unable to complete his sentence.

"Be silent wretch" a voice said darkly, "it takes one to know one after all!" Rignan Sheelal chortled contently alongside his brothers and sisters, all of whom still had a relatively firm grip on Mal. They looked over at Grievous and the cybernetic commander had a noticeable glint of adoration in his eyes, which only broke off when a small group astromech droids approached him.

Father and son exchanged a knowing nod and parted ways. Grievous headed towards the astromechs, whilst Rignan set about gathering up some rubble and telling others to do the same. Anything not already ablaze was gathered up and piled meticulously in front of Mal. At its peak the mound was almost a foot high. Smothering it with a torn out tapestry Rignan took a burning brand from some of his fellow soldiers and soon a roaring fire was burning.

A band of Magna Guard's the last individuals, which made up Grievous' rather awkward procession now entered the folly. "Sir" said the lead unit addressed his commander. "KD79 and the other commanders have just reported in. The sector has now been secured, and our forces have successfully routed or slain the last pockets of resistance. The city is ours sir, which means the planet has fallen!"

"Excellent" Grievous mused. He turned away from the droid to see the Kaleesh throng revel in its triumph and watch as the Yam'rii began to despair at the knowledge. Noting how the three Jedi hung their heads shamefully and how Koth briefly muttered something that sounded like, "Forgive me, masters. I have failed you" he turned back to his guards. "Lock down the perimeter, nothing gets in or out of this place without my authorisation do you understand that?"

The automatons were completely silent but nodded respectfully. Grievous' was not concerned, he knew that his guards were both loyal and capable. They would fulfill any command given to them. That, or they would 'die' trying. As the soldiers clambered back through the improvised opening Grievous pointed at the astromech's who whizzed past ominously to take up allocated positions along the rooms circumference.

"Is everything set?" Grievous inquired. A series of tots and whistles greeted him in response. There were no problems. Everything was proceeding according to schedule. "Excellent, now then …" Grievous turned back towards the Huk Senators.

"Do not worry my dear Senators, there is still a bit of time yet. Time for my guards to find the relevant files from your data-archives. Then - and only then can the real fun begin!"

Later that day ...

... once everything was said and done upon the Yam'rii's home planet and every possible transgression had been wrought, the Fleet of Rightful Conquest sat in geostationary position above the Kaleesh home planet. Throughout the various cargo holds and hanger bays the capital ships droid and worker units set about a myriad of tasks, but this time they did not do so alone. Kaleesh Kolkpravis now served amongst the ranks and were helping out with the various repair jobs, overseeing the safe transfer of citizens and comrades back to the planets surface, as well as marching out on systematic patrols.

These Kolkpravis had been selected to accompany the Fleet of Rightful Conquest on its next mission. Whilst most Kaleesh had by now been returned to the safety of their home world or been sent to establish colonies and work stations on the newly acquired colony worlds, these individuals had either been chosen or volunteered to stay behind in the service of their Khagan. These were the promised soldiers, a thousand strong elite troopers that Rutta Shevana had guaranteed alongside other just as viable and bloodthirsty volunteers.

Upon the bridge a small set of Kaleesh now served within the ranks of crew, alongside droid, Neimoidian, Geonosian and Muun technicians, which kept the ship in functional orbit. The Neimoidian pilot who originally piloted the craft had since been killed and replaced for daring to question Grievous' actions. An academically skilled and very talented Kolkpravis had now taken his place, operating under the tutelage and supervision of a Neimoidian instructor of course.

For the time being Grievous' family was also gathered here. The children were gathered around the pilot, watching as both he and his Neimoidian instructor explained what the various symbols meant and how the confusing set of buttons and figures on the touch screen indicated the status details of the ship. Grievous' wives stood to one side, engaged in a small private conversation amongst themselves.

At one of the work stations Rutta Shevana, and Bentilais san Sk'ar stood alongside TS-192 watching a set of holo-images which an astromech droid seemed to be making some final adjustments too. Shevana nodded, and Bentilais san sniggered. Evidently whatever it was they were watching was bemusing to them.

On the other side of the room the holo terminal that Grievous had destroyed upon learning of the conquest and subjugation of his people had since been replaced, and Grievous was now using the grill to communicate with the enlarged image of ZuI Aras.

"That is correct General. The congress began session about twenty seven minutes ago!" the bounty hunter rectified. Aras was back in his traditional bounty hunter attire, including the helmet. The enlarged image showed everything from the waist up, and one of the bounty hunters hands was outstretched slightly and clutched an activated communicator that Grievous knew bore a likeness to his own image.

"And you are certain that the representatives will be there?" the cyborg clarified.

"Absolutely positive General. The commando unit I infiltrated were assigned to be the groups personal escort. I delivered their paperwork to the chancellor's office personally, including the lot surround the petition. Ha, ha ..." he chuckled at some personal joke. "Took the opportunity to bug the Senate chambers as well. I daresay they will uncover them in due course but by then of course it will be to late".

Evidently he hoped to gain some type of bonus but seeing the angered look in Grievous' eye, ZuI thought it best not to try his luck. "Uh hum" he said clearing his throat importantly, "Uh huh, uh anyways they are due to make the petition at about twenty hundred hours, at the start of the second turn over, that's about … half an hour from now?"

"How can you be sure that there won't be a change in the rota. I need to make sure that this statement comes through at the designated time frame. If there is any change in the alteration …."

Aras held up a hand, shaking his head dismissively. "Nothing to worry about, I've thought along the same lines as you General. To tell you the truth i think those Republic Commando's were starting to get a bit suspicious about me towards the en. That's why I've installed one of those assassin droids you gave me from a previous bounty among their ranks instead. I can't guarantee that this changing of the guards so you say won't go unnoticed but so long as he is not discovered until the council session is over we should be alright."

He turned the image sideways to show Grievous another projection, coming from inside Five Hundred Republica. "See these are the images my baby is feeding to us right now. He's got a pretty good view so to say and can notify us as to any changes in the officials schedule at a moments notice. Them's your boys right there in front of him. Soon as they move I'll send out that coded signal your droid boys were so kind enough to give me. Then Bobs your uncle that shall be your queue."

He chortled lightly to himself, and Grievous himself laughed hauntingly. "Ha, ha, ha, ha. You have thought of everything" the cyborg said contently.

Aras shrugged indifferently, "Comes with my job title. Good bounty hunter has to be prepared for any kind of situation. It's what puts money in your bank, and food on the table. Speaking of which ..." he said, now becoming serious. "There is the little matter about my uhmmmm …"

"I have arranged for the credits to be placed within your account at the end of this transmission" Grievous assured him. "Eight million credits, just as we agreed".

Daringly the Umbaran hybrid teased, "Oh so no bonus then?"

The cyborgs eyes narrowed momentarily, then what Aras took to be be a frown stretched across the Generals features. Then much to ZuI's surprise his contractor said, "Not necessarily!" That caught Aras' attention. "You have proven yourself to be a notable and worthy Bounty Hunter, ZuI Aras, which is more than can be said about most hooligan's. Which is why - I am going to give you a heads up about my plans!"

Aras' straightened up. "I'm listening" he said earnestly.

"An opportunity for more work shall soon present itself. An opportunity that I think you will be very interested in!"

"Oh?" Aras queried, his voice teetering upon the edge of excitement. "What kind of work are we talking about here?"

Now it was Grievous' turn to laugh. When he finished the cyborg said simply, "Just watch the transmission when it comes through and everything shall become clear!"

With that Grievous cut the communication ending the transmission. With the matters surrounding ZuI Aras now resolved Grievous turned his attention back to where matters lay. His own standing, and that of his peoples position. With the campaign of conquest now complete and with all the necessary preparations having finally been made Grievous had less than an hour in which to contact Dooku and notify him of his success. The report, that Grievous' overseers had compiled throughout the mission was now prepared, detailing every exploit and engagement that took place throughout the entirety of that mission. Still it had to be submitted within the time frame otherwise it, along with everything Grievous had worked so hard towards would count for naught. If that happened then Grievous stood no chance of ever rejoining the ranks of the Separatist Alliance.

Still in the event that that happened Grievous intended to rally the Kaleesh juggernaut behind him (a fact which pleased his wives and children) and set out with an army of Kolkpravis that would eventually stir up and rally more alliances, with the intent of overthrowing not just the Republic but the Separatist cause as well. For the time being however Grievous contented himself to return to his original standing amongst the CIS ranks, after all it was better to be serving at the right hand of the devil (who in this case was the mysterious and elusive figure that called himself Darth Sidious) than to stand in his way.

Especially if that individual offered security and safety towards the ones you cared about.

He walked past his family who watched him pass by, his loyal MagnaGuard's trudging ever faithfully at his heels. He came up alongside Bentilais san Sk'ar and Rutta Shevana who turned to watch him approach. Grievous caught the last few glimpses of an image on the display reel. It showed a perfect miniaturized version of himself, holding something aloft for everyone to see. As the transmission end it was just barely discernible to catch an invisible crowd chanting out his name.

Only once the image faded did he turn his attention towards his two chief lieutenants. "Well?" he asked expectantly. "What is your opinion? Is it suitable. Does it match my specifications?"

"That and more my liege" Shevana assured him.

"Yes" Bentilais san him affirmed, and Grievous knew that he could trust the Izvoshra to always be honest around him. He would bet his life on it. "It is so gratifying to bear witness to such spectacle once again. This Count Dooku of yours will most surely be satisfied with the full scale of our triumph."

"I certainly hope so commander, for your sake!" Grievous said in rather a contemptuous tone, thinking about what Count Dooku would say to him, watching bemused as Bentilais san cackled at the obvious joke. Grievous turned around hands clasped behind his back, and realised that everyone aboard the Vengeful Star was now staring at him. Watching him apprehensively, and Grievous was in little doubt as to why.

"Well ..." Grievous breathed in the closest way that he could get to an actual sigh, "might as well get this over with. Put me in direct contact with Count Dooku. I shall notify him about the details of our success personally". There was a flurry of activity as every station aboard the Vengeful Star's command bridge set about their task.

"You will accompany me" Grievous said, and lieutenants acknowledged striking their breasts. As Shevana moved to take up position on the left side, Sk'ar moved off to the other side, then stood a little further back, making sure temporarily out of frame, just as Grievous had instructed. The MagnaGuard's took up a respectable position on what would soon be either side of Grievous, standing a respectable but visible distance so as not to prove any hindrance to either Shevana or the cybernetic commander. KD79 took up position a short distance away with his small squadron and TS-192 stood alongside him. Everyone else remained at their respective work stations.

Just before entering the fray, Grievous spoke to his family.

"Stay out of sight" he warned them. "No one must know about the relationship between us, you understand me no one! Whatever the outcome, you must remain hidden for your own sake. So please do this one last favor for me and stay here out of the way where no one else can see you!"

"Right you are Dad!" Dunsan said in an imperialistic manner, which would have made Grievous laugh if the situation had not been so serious.

"Yes father" Rignan gave a respective bow of the head, respect for his father having long since been restored.

"You can count on us" Frel'ana assured him clasping his arm tenderly. Owing to the partial sake of not wanting to offend her Grievous withdrew his arm rather gently, but even she did not seem to notice.

Last of all to speak to him were his wives. "We are all very proud of you no matter what happens here today husband!" Sharet'ea told him.

"It doesn't matter what this Count Dooku says, to us you will always be a hero to us Darling" Herini promised.

"And we'll always stand by you when and if you need us" Ragne'jan declared. "For now and always, beloved". Then much to everyones surprise she cupped either side of Grievous face mask, stood on tiptoe and kissed him tentatively on his cold metallic cheek. Grievous was taken aback by this small gesture. A token of human compassion that he had long since forgotten about, and which now seemed as alien to him as the notion of seeing the remainder of his family again. The female had already withdrawn smiling warmly as she drew her hands away, and stepped away whispering serenely.

"Good luck!"

If he had still been capable Grievous might have blushed rather furiously. Instead, all he could do was release an audible breath as made his way over to the podium. Taking up position next to Shevana, he looked straight ahead, waiting for his transmission to go through, knowing that it was now or never. This would be the final chapter of the Separatist's Kadok campaign.

Here and now Grievous' fate and position in regards to the Confederacy would be decided ...

... once and for all.

Serenno

The sun had long since set and it is now well past midnight (AN: at least on the relevant side of the planet to which I am referring). Yet even so the machines of war, which ensured the continuation of the interstellar conflict were still at work. The fields surrounding Count Dooku's palace were a hive of activity. With a war going on few could afford the luxury of rest and so the work carries on. Droid labor units carry out menial tasks alongside the night shift crew, whilst the day shift having been granted the luxury of a twelve hour rest before the morning change over.

Dooku himself was leading by example, on that particular evening, spending another restless night awake. Having been dragged into another tedious congress session with other key Separatist officials the Count had long since realised that unless a viable solution presented itself, he would in all likelihood be forced to forfeit another nights worth of sleep. This was a relatively minor hindrance to some one that had the mystical powers of the force to sustain him, but even so even the dark side only went so far.

The elderly human was stationed behind his relay desk, within the very same chambers were the important communications and relay channels were directed through to him. The chambers were dark now, the only sources of light came from the moon outside, the controls upon his own consul and a few glow lamps surrounding the chambers edge, which gave the room an eerie blue hue. Standing next to Count Dooku, was his prospective Sith apprentice Asajj Ventress. Aside from themselves and the droid bodyguards which guarded the perimeters edge, the other relevant figures were communicating through holo-call.

Behind his desk stood life-size representations of San Hill, Viceroy Nute Gunray, and Wat Tambor. Each individual had filled the Count in on the latest technical machinations that the various had concocted for the war effort as well as the exploits surrounding the Separatists financial situation. Durge (who was operating as Fleet Commander of a Separatist armada within the Corellian cluster) had likewise filled Count Dooku in on the latest updates. His hologram stood adjacent to the others, next to Asajj Ventress who stood on his left.

As the Gen'Dai concluded his progress statement, and the Count praised him with a few well chosen verbs and complimentary statements, Dooku had a chance to reflect on just how trivial and meaningless these matters were. In the past week alone nothing had really happened to influence the ongoing stalemate, and no sheer amount of technological fire power or financial increase was going to change that unless the Count found proper cause or use for it.

So far the Republic and the Confederacy were still playing that deadly game comparable to a routine tug and war. For every system that was cultivated, another was soon lost. For every alliance forged and others were soon broken, sometimes almost on a daily basis. In this continuous playing field where the pieces and pawns were peoples lives heroes and villains quickly rose to prominence only to fall away gracefully as they were soon slain upon the battlefield, and were soon forgotten about altogether.

Lord Sidious was far from satisfied by the current situation, and Dooku could not blame him. His master had spent a live time orchestrating events, and was now determined to see his ambitions through. As such he demanded a lot from his apprentice, who in turn expected more from his allies. Signs of further conquest. More acclamation and resources.

More dead Jedi!

Whenever possible Tyranus turned to his master for support and suggestions, though he kept this to a bare minimum so as to avoid truly displeasing the Dark Lord. Sidious for his part offered up advice when and where he could but thus far nothing had happened in which to break the deadlock. If things carried on like this the war would stretch out longer than was either expected or necessary. If that happened then Sith's ambitions for a galactic spanning New Order might be in jeopardy or worst still never be realised.

Sidious had indicated as much during his latest transmission: -

"I intend to see this ambition through Lord Tyranus" the cloaked figure had warned his voice characteristically dry and raspy, devoid of any sense of warmth or kind emotion. "The Sith have put a lot of time and effort into this venture. I have put a lot of time and effort into this venture, and I intend for this gamble to pay off. I am the Dark Lord that will see the ambitions of Darth Bane come true. The Grand Plan, must and will come to fruition. Whether you are a part of it however remains to be seen Lord Tyranus. Rest assured that if you fail me you can just as easily find yourself upon the receiving end of wrath. I expect results from you and soon my apprentice, otherwise I can guarantee that more than your title will be terminated!"

With the threat of death now looming over him the dreadlord had casually but frantically searched the Separatist data banks. Plundering files, and data rails and even accessing personal journals the Count had compiled a list of viable targets, hoping against hope that it might be enough to break the stalemate and otherwise satisfy his masters growing dissatisfaction.

The only downside was (as with this meeting) that he had to pour over several minor and otherwise trivial matters in order to find what he was looking for. Dooku now felt as if he was forced to peer through a veil, beyond which lay a confusing set of algorithms, vast swathes of data texts, as well as the several language barriers just to obtain the information that he so desperately sought. Even so there were a few useful sets of information hidden amongst the rabble, which the Count might be able to exploit and work to the Sith's advantage. A few more systems growing dissatisfied with the Republics manner of dealing with things, a fact which might be useful in persuading them to join the Separatist cause. The Kaminoan's were demanding more credits so as to finance researchers, in order to find better ways to refine and develop the clone army. This was steadily eating away at the Republics revenue, which suited the Separatists just fine.

The reports also detailed how the Naboo Senator, Padme Amidala and a few like-minded Senators were now publicly outspoken against continuing the war, and demanding peaceful resolutions through the use of negotiation, rather than the use of fire arms. What was more the famed Jedi Master Eeth Koth and his associates had suddenly disappeared alongside an entire legion of clone troopers. This latest update brought an amused sneer to Count Dooku's face and when he read that the Jedi Order was becoming ever more involved in the conflict with each passing day, he found it almost impossible to stifle or suppress his laughter.

Yet even so most of this was of little consequence, at least as far as Count Dooku was concerned.

What he needed was results! Sidious himself offered to meditate on the problem, following confirmation that yet another emergency session of congress was due to take place in the Galactic Senate, regarding some more allies in the Outer Rim Worlds. In times of crisis, it seemed even a Dark Lord was beginning to feel the strains of the war. Fortunately for him, Dooku now felt that he had the answer.

Playing along Sidious' information regarding the Kaminoan's desire for more resources in order to fuel the growth and development of their clone soldiers, Dooku had filtered through the necessary lists and data-files, until he came across (what he perceived as) the perfect target. Before him floated an image of a large battle station, known as 'Husbandry Guardhouse Forty Eight'. Crafted into the shape of a gigantic mushroom and surrounded by a series of rectangular refueling stations the image demonstrated just how well defended this Republic affiliated installation actually was. It had to be, given its strategic and commercial value.

Commissioned following the outbreak of the war, it had taken the Republic three standard months to construct. Many laborers worked painstakingly night and day just to get the systems operational and function. Throughout they had to contend with pirate raids and Separatist sabotage teams, and on each occasion a good number of the workers paid the price.

Thus far their sacrifices had been worthwhile, for the base established in the Kaminoan's home region now provided the cloners with a regular means of transportation, and importing vital resources necessary to fund the large scale development of the Republic army. Its destruction would deal not just a crippling blow to the Republics morale, but would also set the cloning facilities back several months, as the necessary goods would have to be transferred across more dangerous routes where they would be open to raids and interception by Separatist ambushes. Given enough time it could reduce or perhaps even stall the production of any further clone troopers all together, thus providing the Confederacy and its droid foundries with a tremendous advantage.

The only trouble was that as Wat Tombar so readily pointed out, the Separatists had tried and failed to conquer / fell this facility many times before. "The fact is Count that since our last assault, the garrison has more than tripled in size since our last encounter" the Skakoan pointed out, indicating the fuelling stations surrounding the stations perimeter. Each one had at least three or four Republican Star Destroyers attached to it.

"Yes" the Viceroy mused in that slickly voice of his. "Our spies have indicate that a grand total of sixty heavy turrets encompass the central sphere alone. That alone is more than enough to tear a hole right through any of finest our capital cruiser's. Combined with the strength of the orbital armada and the base is virtually unassailable!" He gave a long sigh, shaking his head poignantly. "It seems that you ask to much of us Count. Your strategy is completely flawed".

"Are you questioning my decisions Viceroy?" the Count said irritably, a visible frown now caressing his elderly features. He glowered as the Neimoidian's holographic projection flustered all to prominently. "These plans are a direct order from Darth Sidious. If you have any objections, then I suggest that you take matters up with him."

"Uh -" the Neimoidian frowned and gasped to quickly. "Oh uhm no – no!" he said cowardly, "you misunderstand. What I am say was – is that it is not a bad idea. I just don't think it would be appropriate for us to apply such measures to uhm, uhm". He hesitated, struggling to find a way to convey what he was thinking without challenging Sidious' authority. He was promptly rescued by San Hill stepping in to the conversation.

"I think what the Viceroy is trying to say Count is that it would not be practical for us to commit our forces to an exploit which has so far repelled us at every turn. Surely it would be better to divert our attention elsewhere and to search for more viable targets. This is of course just our opinion" the Muun added hastily.

Dooku's scowl did not slacken, it simply shifted from one individual to the other. It was perfectly obvious that these were Hill's own viewings but given the level of cowardice that Gunray was renowned for, the Human was unsurprised to see that thee Neimoidian heartily agreeing with his contemporary for the time being.

"Yes… yes of course. That uh that is exactly what I was trying to say!" the Viceroy clarified, nodding his head vigorously.

"Huh, coward!" Ventress spat irritably, in Count Dooku's ear. Durge folded his arms across his barreled chest, and leant backwards. He was evidently supported by some invisible obstacle given that his image didn't suddenly topple out of view. His expression was unfathomable as he stared at Gunray, the Count could only assume that it was mild contempt.

Hill carried on his speech. "Our forces are stretched far and thin enough as it is Count, and as Tambor has pointed out the base is strongly defended. Some of our best military personal have tried and failed to assail this position." Out of the corner of his eye Dooku noticed how Ventress' brow furrowed though she had the sense not to lash out or scold the Muun's protest just yet. Good, there may be hope for her Dooku mused quietly. Hill of course failed to notice, his attention was for Count Dooku, and right now Dooku's attention was on him as well.

"If any of you have any suggestions then I am perfectly open to them." the Sith Lord offered. "Well?" The procession fell silent, and continued to do so even as the seconds ticked by. Even if they had a alternate none of them dared voice it, as that would be a direct challenge to Count Dooku's authority, not to mention Darth Sidious, and everyone knew what the later got like when he was angry.

San Hill twiddled his thumbs together, looking anywhere but at Count Dooku.

Gunray cringed nervously and suddenly became very interested in Durge.

Tambor dipped his head as though to study the husbandry's projection all the while fiddling with the pressure gauge and other gizmos strapped to his torso.

It went on like this for several seconds. Durge's shoulders rose and fell as he laughed, and Ventress' lips curled slyly upwards. She turned towards her master, who sat in a dignified matter, still waiting expectantly.

"Anyone?" he asked curiously. Again, nobody answered. "Good!" the human said derisively. "For the time being then, this shall remain our designated target. As you have so kindly pointed out, there is a war to be won here my friends. A war, which must be won. Our aim is to instill the dominion of the Confederacy over all systems, from the very edge of the galaxy, right through to the innermost of the Deep Core Worlds. To do so we must conquer or take out anyone or anything that stands in our way, and this station is a good starting point. An opportunity to cripple the development of the Clone army could give us just the type of advantage we need to make our efforts in the war that much easier. That is, as long as no one has any other, more practical solutions?"

Again no one answered him, and so the Count was able to let his pent up anger subside. His features relaxed once more and became much more benign. Beneath it all the Count let off a small irritated sigh. These negotiations were getting tiresome. What should have been a simple matter had been needlessly stretched out. The human blinked, closing his eyes for just the faintest trace of a second but it was enough.

Enough for him to register his weariness.

Age it seemed was finally getting to him, and with the pressures of the war surmounting him from every angle, Dooku felt the yearning for sleep. More than anything it seemed the Count wished to retire for just a few blissful hours in his bed chamber so that he might sleep away the worst of his troubles, so as to calm and sooth himself, ready for another day. He held firm however. This was a delicate matter, one that could not afford to be hastily rushed. What transpired here might influence the foundations of a plan millennia in the making.

He could not afford to make any screw ups, least of all now.

Calling on the force and his own personal experiences Dooku was able to supress most of these cravings and maintain his composure. The Sith and pain were old friends after all so that now the only visible sign of Dooku's discomfort was in the slight furrowing of his brow. Yet even so it was not enough to sate all his desires. Whilst it might be powerful the dark side was not known for being courteous, and healing was one of the few things that generally tended to be beyond its acolytes.

A soft hand rested upon his shoulder. The only reason Dooku permitted it was because he knew that the figure behind it was doing so only to garner his attention, and notice. "Do not worry my Lord" came the soft silky reassuring voice of a Dathomirian Night Witch. "Your will is my command. I shall take command of the fleet and find a way to destroy that station for you!"

Dooku turned to look upon Asajj Ventress and her cold gaze meet his neutral one, her face so tantalizingly close it was easy to make out, that evil smile of hers. The Dathomirian's words were assertive, and her tone absolute, so much so that Dooku almost wanted to believe that she was capable of pulling the mission off. The simple truth was he didn't, not on her own anyway.

Neither it appeared San Hill. "Uhm begging your pardon my Lady" he said courteously, "but might I uh be so bold as to clarify something?" Getting a frown instead of an answer the Muun cleared his throat uneasily. "You have uhm, not to seem rude, but you already tried and failed to attack this same station before have you not?"

Ventress stiffened, the smile vanished from her face and her hand left Dooku's shoulder as she fixed her gaze indicatively upon the Muun. "That was a long-time ago" she admitted, her voice icy. "Rest assured it will not happen again". Her voice became threatening, as if scolding not just the Muun for daring to challenge her, but herself for this past failure. Dooku felt the dark side stirring up inside her, motivating her. He watched curiously but said nothing about it.

"With respect Master Assassin" Wat Tambor butted in, "you said that the last time you set out to attack this station. You and Durge have each attacked this Republic bastion on separate occasions without any measure of success. If I recall in the last instance your armada was completely obliterated, with you yourself as the only apparent survivor".

Ventress bared her teeth, and even Durge stood up straight again, hands balled up into fists, his 'glower' now focused squarely on Wat Tambor. If either leader was dissatisfied by what the Skakoan had just said, what he said next only irritated them. "On both of occasions you took substantial fleets with you. It cost us more than twenty capital ships a piece not to mention dozens of smaller freighters and a substantial number of battle droids. Even if you were to take a much larger armada what is to say that you will not fail this time?"

"He has a point Ventress" said the Count earnestly, before the Dathomirian could interject. "Tell me, what do you intend to do about this, and more importantly, why should I entrust such an important mission into the hands of someone who has already failed me in this endeavor once before?"

Ventress' mouth hung open. She shot a furious look at Wat Tambor, a hand reached around her waist to clasp the hilt of one of her lightsabers. The hand had barely touched the hilt, when her anger abated and her expression softened once more. A coy smile now stretched across her features. "My Lord ..." she said soothingly, caressingly.

"This is me that you are talking about. I learn from my mistakes, a side effect of your training no doubt". She brushed the back of one hand tentatively across his beard. Dooku watched the hands progress but was this far unimpressed. Ventress sighed mockingly, shaking her head "Besides I have had plenty of time to dwell on my failure, and I realise exactly where I went wrong" she said factually.

"I should not have carried out the mission alone. From my past experiences it is clear that we will need around thirty ships in good working order so as to deal with this situation effectively. Which is why I propose to link up with Durge's fleet (she nodded over at the bounty hunter) combining his resources with that of my own. Together, we can then divide this into a two pronged attack forcing the Republic to play by our rules, keeping the garrison forces divided, whilst we close in for the kill!"

She clapped her hands, using the force to shut down the projections image to flicker and sparkle, an imitation of what she foresaw to be the constructs permanent destruction. Hill and Gunray exchanged a curious glance. Durge was watching her rather curiously, perhaps he was intrigued. Dooku, was unresponsive.

Tombar groaned audibly, dipping his head slightly in what may have been his indication of a frown. "I am sorry" he said sincerely, "but your strategy is already flawed assassin. First and foremost the Republic are not going to take this situation lightly. Your army could get tied up in a full out space confrontation. I don't just mean inter ship confrontation, I am talking about personal engagements. The Republic are likely to have boarding craft and once the situation becomes desperate enough they will send demolition squads to take out as many from within as strategically possible. Meanwhile your remaining forces could get so pre-occupied that they won't be able to carry out the main objective, even if they manage to punch a way through. In all likelihood your own armies will get so badly decimated that they won't stand a chance against the main battle stations reserve forces".

This time, Ventress did not cry out or lose her temper. Rather she took the commanders words gracefully, then shrugged carelessly. "That is why I am proposing that we converge upon the garrison at alternate times" she said simply. "This shall be a two pronged strike, in which I shall lead the attack first, taking out as many forces that are strapped to those over-sized fuel bombs as is feasible" she pointed at the fuel platforms dotted about the stations perimeter. "Then as the remaining forces engage me, Durge shall bring his reinforcements in from the side. Together we shall attack the Republic head on, leaving them no where to hide. That is my solution, unless you have a better one my dear sponsor? Or better yet are you proposing to led the invasion forces yourself? If that is the case, then by all means say so and I shall of course happily step aside, so that you might have the honor of leading our Separatist force to victory!"

A short starring match ensued between the Skakoan and the Dathomirian, but ultimately it was the green skinned half droid, that looked away first. "I – I am a scientist and a businessman first" he said tentatively, "and a commander second".

Ventress looked positively gleeful. "Precisely! There is no one more capable than I. No one throughout the whole of the Separatist armada who matches my superior abilities." She turned towards the rest of the onlookers. "Does anyone else have any objections? Can anyone else more suited in carrying out this labor?"

Durge leant against his invisible barrier, his arms came to cross across his chest once more, shaking his head in disappointment at the silence. Otherwise he remained complacently silent, somewhat bemused to see the Separatists high command was at odds with each other once again. Dooku inspected the other commanders curiously, but otherwise said or did nothing. Tambor had looked away and paid no attention as the Viceroy flattered Ventress with appraisal and offered reassurance as to the success of her mission.

Only San Hill of the Intergalactic Banking Clan showed any signs of doubt. Indeed his spindly hand came up to stroke his prominent chin, and there was a troubled look upon his face as if he was struggling to decide whether or not he should put voice to his uncertainty. Ventress of course hardly failed to notice this. "Well …?!" she demanded expectantly.

"Huh!" the Muun had evidently hoped that his uncertainty would go unnoticed. "Oh it's uhm it's nothing really I assure you …" he lied. Seeing the way that the others looked at him, Hill hesitated only a second later then cautiously decided it best to just let his true feelings be felt. "It's just that, well I suppose … that … you see I couldn't help wonder that if only … only …. General Grievous was here. He might have been be able to …."

Ventress had to choke back a snigger, as she and Durge chortled evilly. Gunray glanced at up Hill. "Grievous is in dispose at the moment, remember?" he said tauntingly, with out bothering to conceal his satisfaction. "Out on a mission to prove his value ... need I remind you?" he added to further insult.

"A mission that walking scrap pile is doomed to fail!" Ventress said matter of factly. Durge tilted his head downwards, so that his chin almost touched chest plate now laughing uproariously.

"That remains to be seen Ventress!" Dooku pointed out. "There is still just under an hour in which for Grievous to report back to us. Only in the event that he fails to do so shall his mission be compromised, and his position duely forfeited".

"Yes, over to me, a true Sith apprentice and the worthy successor as Commander of the droid armies" Ventress declared.

"Do not get ahead of yourself" Dooku snapped sharply. "A Commander you may be soon but so far you have yet to demonstrate enough skill to be worthy of recognition as my apprentice. You are an assassin, and shall remain so until either myself or Lord Sidious deem otherwise."

That certainly seemed to take the punch out of Ventress' chagrin. She appeared to deflate slightly, as she turned to look at Count Dooku whose dark yellow eyes continued to gaze back at her. Hill too glared at the assassin, holding back a retort that as far as he was concerned Grievous was twice the warrior or strategist she would ever be. Needless to say the Muun kept quiet, a fact, which was not helped by the snide bulbous smirk that the Viceroy was throwing his way.

"Enough of this!" Wat Tambor declared, breaking the otherwise irritating silence. "We are wasting time talking about false hopes and promises, when we should be getting down to the practical matter and start winning this war! You said yourself Count that we have a mission to fulfil here, a mission set for us by Darth Sidious, so I propose we get on with it. Ventress has proposed her strategy. Whilst it may not be the best one, it is the only one we have right now and strategies can be altered. Therefore I say we resolve the matter, and let her get on with it so as to destroy that station".

"Here, here" the Neimoidian chimmed in, "well said".

"Very well" the Count said in what was genuine gladness. In a portrayed measure of calm he got to his feet, surveyed his charges magisterially, then directed his attention to the matter at hand. There was a small smile now present on his face. "Since the matter is resolved, I bring this deliberation to a close gentlemen. afew questions await your before you are permitted to sign off though. Tambor do we still have the forces necessary to match Ventress' specification waiting in reserve?"

"Yes my Lord" the Skakoan nodded. "There are more than a hundred recently constructed ships awaiting dispatch from Cato Neimoidia alone. The Invisible Hand is among those".

Ventress' sneer stretched. How delightful! "Then that is where I shall go. I shall take that command of that ship and claim it as my own. It shall serves as the lead vessel within the main assault!" she declared proudly. Her hand rested upon her hip stroking the hilt of her lightsaber as the Dathomirian often did when she was particularly excited.

"So be it" the Count uttered, in a disinterested manner. "Ventress you will head for Cato Neimoidia at once. There you are to assemble a fleet with all haste. Take as many ships as you deem necessary, the entire productions worth if necessary, just make sure that you are successful in this mission". Ventress bowed in acknowledgement as Dooku turned towards the Gen'Dai who stood militaristic in an imposing stance. "Durge, you will take your forces and meet up with Ventress en route. Find somewhere safe, andsecluded away from the prying eyes in order to formulate your battle strategy. Make sure that your business is tied off in Corellia before you leave, however. As for the mission itself you will take point. You will act as the second commander. In the event of Ventress' failure it is your mission to insure that- "

Beep!

A persistent chiming emanated from the control panel, cut the rest of Dooku's monologue off short. Taken aback by the sudden interruption, the High Command now stared at the communication device rather dryly. Dooku was the first to recover, irritated by the sudden distraction. He had given explicit instructions that he was not to be interrupted. Making sure that his posture demonstrated his anger the elderly human didn't even bother to march towards the control consul.

Instead he simply raised his hand and with semi casual gesture used the force to activate the necessary keys. A holo projector installed in the front end of his desk whirred to live, condensing into the shape of a Neimoidian worker. The workman was wringing his hands and fidgeted endlessly, as he came face to face with the Separatist Head of State.

"Yes, what is it?" Dooku said seriously. "We are in the middle of a highly important congress meeting. You had better have a good excuse for this most untimely interruption … "

Even from this side of the projection it was impossible to mistake the Neimoidian's skin turn the deathly shade of pink, which happened whenever one of his people was scared. Dipping its head in gesture of an apology, the individual spoke rather rapidly. "Beg – uhm begging your pardon my Lord's" he said sincerely, "but a - uh, an urgent matter has arisen. General Grievous is hailing us sir, and he wishes to make contact with you immediately. Said it is a priority message, class one."

Again the Separatists command was taken aback by this latest development. Dooku's anger suddenly abated and he became much more composed. "Grievous is alive?" Wat Tambor questioned sounding more intrigued than surprised. Ventress and Durge both stiffened, the Dathomirian actually turned to stare at the Gen'Dai in disbelief, as a triumphant smile stretched across San Hill's elongated puckered face.

Gunray flinched as if he had just suffered from a sudden unexpected electric shock. "It - it can't be!" he said more to himself more than anyone else. "The - there was so little time left. This is impossible!"

"You are quite that it is Grievous?" Dooku attested, as if to dispel the Viceroy's theory.

The Neimoidian nodded. "Affirmative my Lord. We have confirmed all of the necessary communication codes, which have all check out. I spoke to Lord Grievous in person, My Lord just before contacted you. As far as we can tell, everything checks out." This level of clarification would have been enough for anybody. It certainly was for Count Dooku anyway.

"Very well then" he said with a small nod, "patch him through for us. Immediately". The Neimoidian dipped his head in acknowledgement, then his image was gone. Dooku sidestepped Ventress without looking at her, even as the Dathomirian made a move to protest. Reaching out with the force, Dooku swiveled his desk chair around to face him, calmly taking up position as he sat behind his desk once more. "Well Ventress" he scrutinized, "it appears that your prediction surrounding our dear General was not entirely accurate after all".

"My Lord, I, I -"

"Be silent!" Dooku said simply. He gazed casually over one shoulder so as to look at the Dathomirian. "For the time being your invasion plans will have to be put on hold momentarily. We have a more serious matter to attend too. It is time to find out just how worthy an asset Grievous actually is." The human male intertwined his fingers, and rested his hairy chin across his joints. The rest of the Separatist onlookers gathered alongside.

They watched with batted breath, for this was an important moment. All that remained now was for that holo-projector to come to life, and then ...

... Well that was just it now wasn't it?

"Now we shall see" Dooku mused silently to himself. "Now we shall know!"

The holo-projector whirred into life once more. The particles concentrated and its images shimmered. A second later the particles began coalescing into definitive figures. It settled into the shape of two very distinct figures, which stood in front of the desk, tall and life sized enabling everyone to see them. The first figure was recognizable straight away. As imposing as he was intimidating, General Grievous stood to his full augmented height, so that his cloak stretch all the way down to form an untidy crumpled mass at its base. His features were as harsh and uncompromising as ever and it was impossible miss out the snarl emanating from somewhere beneath his plate mask, like a predator was sizing up its prey.

The second figure was someone that the Separatists had never encountered before. Spindly and frail (when compared to Grievous at least) the unknown figure was dressed in a set of rags that appeared to be some kind of war tunic. Hair tied back the figures expression appeared to be just as stern as Grievous was. Its gaze was lingering but this was almost impossible to discern owing to the elaborate head-mask that the creature wore over its face, transforming it into something more reminiscent of a skull than actual flesh and sinew. Most of the procession was taken aback by the creatures outlandish appearance. Only Count Dooku and San Hill, who'd had dealings with Grievous before his cybernetic transformation, recognised this creature for what it was.

A Kaleesh Kolkpravis, and judging by its size and shape, this one looked to be a female representative of the species. She was standing alongside Grievous in a militaristic manner, her stance unyielding and her focus uncompromising. From first impressions it was clear that like Grievous this was a figure who commanded authority and respect.

How very interesting!

Grievous cold calculating eyes found those belonging to the Separatist Head of State. Count Dooku, perfectly used to dealing with figures of authority did not look away, nor did his features betray any other sign of emotion.

"My Lord!" Grievous said, bowing deeply and respectfully towards the aged human, just as he had done so many days ago when he had first been outcast. "So nice to finally see you again after such a long and perilous mission. I take it that my transmission finds you well?"

Dooku's brow furrowed, antagonised at the falsely generous greeting. "General" he said in a rather curious manner. "Your transmission is both unannounced and unexpected to put it mildly. Having gone so so long without hearing from you we were beginning to have doubts as to whether you would ever be contacting us again." Grievous scoffed at the remark saying that it was 'far from likely' though the look on Nute Gunray's face was indicative that at least some individuals wished it were otherwise. Dooku turned towards the organic figure on the right side of the image.

"Aren't you going to introduce us?"

"Ah yes. Behold; Rutta sha Shevana" Grievous said, at which point the female bowed deep at the waist in a mannerism that deeply reflected Grievous' own. "Warlord of the Kaleesh Shreopa tribe. She has proven herself to be a most suitable ally throughout my campaign, and has now pledged her life and loyalty to me".

The Kaleesh nodded then boldly said, "It is my sworn duty to accompany my Khagan on every mission. For wherever he goes, I shall go . From this point onwards, my life shall belong to him, now and always". She glared at Count Dooku as though daring him to challenge her.

"I see" Dooku said contemplatively, brows raised in a gesture of amusement. "A noble statement, for one so brazen and loyal as yourself. I dare say that it is a worthy cause". Secretly the Dark Lord considered how this development could be both interesting and problematic, but kept these private observations to himself. Outwardly he said, "Even so you seem to be getting ahead of yourself General. Do not forget that unless I declare it so your position shall otherwise remain forfeit. Only with my approval can you ever hope to rejoin the Confederacy of Independent Systems".

This brought a smile to the faces of Ventress, Gunray and possibly Durge (though the later's was impossible to discern). "Speaking of which …" Dooku continued, his voice suddenly adopting a much more serious tone, "I take it from the fact that you are contacting me that you have some good news for me?!"

"Yes, Lord Tyrannus" Grievous proclaimed, addressing Count Dooku by his adopted name. "Our mission was successful!" The smile now vanished from Ventress, Gunray (and Durge's) faces, to be replace by a look of enthusiasm across San Hill's face.

And yet still the Dark Lord did not betray any emotion ...

... a fact which did not seem to bother Grievous in the slightest. "As you requested a fortified system has been wrested from Republic control. The planet, its resources and its populace now belong to the Confederacy. As for the clone army; both its soldiers and auxiliary forces have been annihilated along with its pathetic Jedi overseers. A report detailing the events and exploits of my conquest has been dispatched and is en route to you. It should be arriving any second ... now My Lord!"

As if on cue the display on consul chimed again, this time announcing the arrival of a massive data file. Since only a few individuals had any knowledge of this personal line, Dooku was under no illusion as to who had sent it. He activated and opened the file. It was written in a composite code, known only to Grievous and a few other minor officials. The computer now converted that coding into standard basic, allowing Dooku to analyse the text, figures and various images clearly.

Skimming over it the Sith Lord was intrigued by the images and thick paragraphs, detailing the outcome of the conquest in full detail. There were images highlighting a tropical world, Grievous and his MagnaGuards astride some strange type of mount which Dooku immediately recognised as a Roggwart. There were paragraphs highlighting military engagements and space battles. Last of all was a set of images detailing a world on fire.

"Fascinating" the old man said tearing his eyes away from the file and feigning a faint measure of disinterest. Resting his chin upon his hands once more, the Dark Lord surveyed the two Saurischian's. They were watching him expectantly, as if hoping that this would resolve the matter and allow Grievous to get back to his task at destroying the Republic and the Jedi order. Dooku however, was in no immediate rush. Whilst the data file would come in handy at clarifying many of the finer details, Dooku contented to hear the account first hand.

Make sure that all the details matched and that Grievous wasn't feigning or exaggerating. To get the words straight from the horse's mouth as it were. "First things first General -" he said in a profanely casual manner. "Why not start from the very beginning. Tell me, what was the name of the system which you have so valiantly conquered and whose occupants you managed to sway into allying themselves with the Separatist cause?"

"Uh -" evidently the cyborg had not been expecting this, though he soon recovered himself. "Kalee, My Lord" came the simple cracked response.

That single word certainly peaked his masters interest. "Hmm" the elderly man straightened up, head rising off of his intertwined palms to stare inquisitively at the cybernetic beings image. Nearby San Hill had also straightened.

"Your home planet?" the Muun asked curiously.

Grievous threw the Muun a murderous look. He did not like giving away information concerning his personal life, especially to corporate individuals that might find ways to explore them. Since the cat was now out of the bag on this occasion there was no point concerning himself about it, so he nodded all the same. Shevana said nothing, but clenched her hands so tightly her knuckles cracked.

Dooku settled back into his original position, taking on a neutral temperament. Staring from one Kaleesh to another he finally settled on the less intact one of the two individuals and muttered a single word ...

... "Explain!"

The story was told within fifteen minutes. With each passing second Grievous reiterated a tale which detailed not just a campaign of conquest but liberation as well. Grievous held nothing back, and went into exquisite detail surrounding highlights and key events surrounding the freedom of his people. There was no point in lying, every single one of his exploits was recorded and highlighted down in his report. Only the personal information which Grievous had 'convinced' his overseers was unnecessary had been removed from the data file. Aside from this, he told the Separatist High Command everything they needed to know. Starting with the interception of Eeth Koth's message he carried right on through to the victory at Stabolaz and the retaking of the Shrupak Temple. His account detailed the sites and strategies relevant to each and every battle, culminating in the complete annihilation of the Republic coalitions, and the reconquest of Kalee.

Some of the events and details seemed so far fetched or exaggerated that Dooku was forced to look them up so as to extinguish any doubt. Each and every time, the report clarified everything that Grievous had just said. It even provided a list of the Separatist overseers that had bore witness to it, whilst also providing a much more detailed account of the said events. This happened so frequently that eventually Dooku lost his temper and gave up on reading the data file deciding that it would be a lot simpler and easier to just take Grievous' word on the matter.

With every passing moment Ventress' doubtfulness transformed into an expression of pure disbelief. By the time Grievous was rounding matters off, and whenever she wasn't exchanging looks with Durge she stared at Grievous looking utterly aghast. Durge and Tambor's expressions were of course impossible to discern, but the pair of them were most certainly giving Grievous their full undivided attention.

Gunray was swelling indignantly, his lopsided lips twisted into the Neimoidian gesture of a frown. This was evidently not going the way he had expected or hoped, and yet Count Dooku still continued to survey the General blandly providing some small measure of hope, towards the Viceroy's ambitions. Only San Hill showed any sign of real emotion. Indeed he was looking positively gleeful. He was grinning so broadly from ear to ear that it made him appear even more creepy.

At long last Grievous rounded off, by presenting a grizzly memento of his triumph. TS-192 came into focus, bearing a silken cushion which he held up to the recorder. Laden across it were what at first glance appeared to be silver goods. Only, when he tilted it, were the various objects revealed to be a set of lightsabers! Three in each column, these once fabled weapons now served as a testament to what one assumed to be their former owners demise at Grievous' hand.

The cyborg stepped forward and picked one of them up. "As you can see" he said proudly, "I have acquired a new set of trophies for my collection". He tilted his wrist forwards and enabling Dooku to get a better look at the weapon. "I trust this, looks familiar?"

Dooku started, "Yes ..." he said quietly. "Yes, I know that weapon!" he recalled, dredging up the memories he had left behind what felt to be a life time ago, back to the days when he had been Jedi Master. It was several years since he last saw it. The instrument itself was pretty standardized, and was in itself greatly unremarkable, and yet the elderly human had walked past it enough times to recognise it almost straight away. On most of those occasions it had been strapped to the hip of a Zarbak Jedi Master, one who the files stated had most recently disappeared along with the rest of his escort without a trace.

"Eeth Koth?" he queried curiously.

Grievous' hand tightened around the hilt, and he drew it back towards him. So that explained Koth's most recent disappearance Dooku realised. He paused momentarily, and then asked "Am I to take it from the fact that you now carry his weapon that he no longer …?"

Grievous replaced the weapon, and nodded derisively.

Dooku closed his eyes momentarily, acknowledging the statement with a brief inclination of the head. He accepted this revelation without a second thought. Koth may have once been a former associate and a good friend but he was a Jedi, whilst Dooku was now a Sith. His and Koth's existence was different now, had been so ever since Dooku accepted and embraced the teachings of the dark side. Now as with so many others before him, this particular Master, this ignorant disciple of the light was vanquished. He was gone! Obliterated from the face of the galaxy, wiped from the face of existence forever more. As far as Dooku was concerned, that was the end of it. Koth along with so many other of his former associates had brought this on himself via his connection to the light side of the force. What was done was done, and there was no going back.

Resting his elbows against the cool metallic surface of his computer screen, Dooku laid his palms out flat against it surface, watching as TS-192 carried Grievous' new acquisitions off screen. Dooku then asked, "Is there anything you wish to add to your statement, before sentence is carried out?"

Before Grievous could respond, a hand came to rest upon his shoulder gripping it tightly this time. Ventress leant in and whispered to him "Wait my Lord, don't be so quick to pass judgement just yet!" she pleaded her gaze still focused on Grievous and unable to recognise the frown which Darth Tyranus suddenly sent her way.

"Why not Ventress?"

The Assassin turned and looked upon him, meeting his narrowed eyes with a dark expression of her own. "I am not satisfied with the information that this bio droid has given to us". Grievous bristled with anger but Ventress simply ignored him. "Something seems fishy here. For starters he claims to have personally slain and slaughtered each and every one of these Jedi in turn, and yet so far he has only presented information concerning the deaths of two of these individuals. A Jedi knight and his Padawan, both of which he should have been expected to overcome, hmm! What about the fates of the second knight and the two Jedi Master's then hmm? What has he got to say about them they eh?"

"Ah yes, I see now!" a new voice suddenly interjected. The imagery of Viceroy Gunray suddenly stepped forward now looking positively gleeful. "Yes, yes! I get it now. You suspect that he is taking credit for other people work, don't you Assassin? Yes! That's right isn't it? Someone else killed the Jedi didn't they General and you are simply taking these kills as a direct result of your own machinations!"

If Grievous had been angry before, now he was positively seething. With a furious cry, he shot a venomous look at the Viceroy. "I assure you that the Jedi fell to my hand. Their lives were extinguished upon the end of my blade!" Hearing Gunray mutter something that sounded like 'So you say!',Grievous added. "I am not as low as you seem to take me for for Viceroy. I have no reason to take claim for my own soldiers kills, nor do I have any -"

"Oh but you would" the Neimoidian corrected him, slyly, "- and you do, my dear General! Allow me to explain, what is going on here". Grievous folded his arms across his chest, content to let the Neimoidian blabber on with his little ramblings a little while longer at least. "You seem to think that by taking credit for the Jedi's demise it will tally up you're ratio. By claiming to have slain each and every one of these noble warriors single handed there would be no as to the worthiness of you're value and you would be welcomed back with open arms. Is that what you were expecting?" Again Grievous said nothing, content to look upon the Neimoidian who now seemed positively gleeful.

Grievous did not care, knowing full well who would have the last laugh in the matter. It amused him to watch the putrid slime spawn doing that just now. "Ha" the Neimoidian boomed, "We are not as foolish as you seem to think General. We know perfectly well what happened. You lied and bullied your way to the top. Tell me what tricks did you use? Did you threaten your compatriots into submission. Did you personally destroy the real fighters responsible for such saintly actions? We understand the way things operate within your army General, and we are most dissatisfied that you would use such dirty underhanded tactics to get what you wanted!"

"Hark whose talking!" Grievous mused silent to himself.

"More to the point -" the Viceroy carried on, "-how do you intend to defend such a worthy acquisition location. That home planet a back water world, which is of no strategical value whatsoever. The fact that you would even consider wasting so much of your precious in conquering it is sheer testament to yo-"

"Have you quite finished with your blubbering yet, you simmering fool?" a harsh female voice cut across him. Gunray staggered as if he had been stung. Reeling at such insolence he glared furiously in the direction of Rutta sha Shevana.

"Wha – what was that?!" he demanded. "How dare you speak to me like that! Insolent little worm. Do you have any idea as to who I am?!"

"Yes!" she said sharply. "A blustering, loud mouthed and big headed obstinate fool that clearly doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut! Aside from that, feel free to enlighten me!"

Gunray swelled indignantly. "You insolent cretin" he shrieked in an offended manner. "I am Viceroy Nute Gunray, of the Trade Federation. An intergalactic corporation with numerous resources and deep pockets. My reach is farther and wider than you could ever dare to imagine. Why with one single word I could have you …"

"Oh, ho, ho" said Shevana chattered, in a mocking sense of realisation. "Another congressman. I might of known. You are probably one those individuals that speaks first and asks questions first, content to sit behind your comfy desk and make others do your otherwise dirty work for you! Am I correct?"

"Wha bu –" Gunray was temporarily at a loss for words. Out of the corner of his eyes the Neimoidian saw Grievous' eyes narrow in what he took to be a mischievous sneer. Nor was he alone, San Hill and Wat Tambor were watching him out of sheer amusement and to make matters worse, the Muun was actually fighting back a laugh. Recovering himself the Neimoidian waved a fist at the projection in front of him. "Do not insult me, reptile!" he bellowed. "Like I said, I wield great power, more than you could ever dare to dream of. My resources help to fund the creation of the droid army! An army that makes sure that individuals like you are kept well under …"

"Under the treads of cowardly whelps like you?" Shevana suggested. "Please. Your 'corporation' as you put it is an empire built on money and pot holes, and your droid army is nothing more than an incompetent joke! I on the other hand am a Kaleesh warlord and the right hand of General Grievous. I have seen some of the most dangerous nightmares that my home world has to offer, and you know what happened: I survived them Each and every one of them. Next to them your automatons have nothing to really boast about. It was Kaleesh ingenuity and brute force which won this campaign, not some emotionless, heartless walking scrap pile. Unless you yourself have any combat experience, which I most sincerely doubt, then I am afraid your threats are nothing short of idle threat to me 'Viceroy'!" She exaggerated the last word tauntingly as though it were a standing joke, rather than a position of marked significance.

Grievous chuckled, glaring praisingly at Shevana. The twisted grin plastered across San Hill's indicated that he too enjoyed watching the Viceroy squirm. If Tambor or Durge felt anything their emotions were impossible to discern and Ventress (like Gunray) was clearly taken aback by Shevana's boldness. Dooku for his part maintained a stoic demeanor, though his eyebrows tightened in perhaps the faintest indication of annoyance.

"Wha! Why I - …" Gunray spluttered indignantly at an apparent loss for words. "How, how dare you!" he shouted upon finally recovering himself "I will …"

"Do what?" Shevana challenged. "Order my assassination? I am a Kaleesh warlord and an ally to General Grievous, the most powerful warrior ever to have existed in our society! I can guarantee you Viceroy that if you let us join your ranks, then we can prove a valuable asset to you. Disrespect or disown us and you shall be on the receiving end of our wrath. And given that you seem barely capable of putting a coherent sentence together, I suggest that you go crawling back to the recessive slime pool from whence you came!"

"Enough of this" came the smooth silky though slightly irritated voice of Count Dooku. Gunray made a move to protest but Dooku shot a furious glare, which silenced the Neimoidian almost immediately. "Be silent all of you! That includes you too Shevana" he said ominously threatening tone to the Kaleesh. She bowed her head respectfully and fell respectfully silent.

"Grievous …" the Count added, "whilst I admire you for bringing such a worthy individual into your fold, I would advise you to insure that they keep a civilised tongue when addressing my staff." Grievous stared vehemently at Dooku, but otherwise said or did nothing. As such Dooku carried on with his questions.

"The Viceroy has raised some intriguing points General, alongside Ventress. Whilst I am certain that the greater portion of your report is now accurate, I require more than your reassurances that Koth and his associates died at your hands. Also it does not matter how much time and effort nor how many forces you claim to have obliterated, it does not change the fact that Kalee is as the Viceroy said 'a back water system'. Poverty stricken and substandard from what I heard."

Shevana glared at him but then she caught Grievous' eye, and the way he signaled at her to remain silent. "Therefore I am left wondering as to what potential benefit your conquest actually serves!"

It was Gunray's turn to sneer. He leered malevolently at Grievous, and a number of the other Separatist members joined in with him, Ventress and Durge foremost amongst them. Evidently they did not think that Grievous would be able to wriggle out of this one; and to some extent they were partially right. The General had no real excuse as to why he had attacked Kalee, other than to protect his people. He had then wasted all his remaining time besieging and conquering the colony worlds, a fact which he had thus far failed to mention to Count Dooku, time that could have spent hunting down a valuable system and therefore have avoided such awkward questions.

Still there was no point dwelling upon what might have had yet to reveal his trump cards, and until that signal came through he was prepared to keep the facade up for a little while longer. Even if that failed it would be worth it just to see the look of shock and horror upon the Viceroys face when he discovered just exactly what Grievous had uncovered. He maintained the steadfast silence, as if waiting for further instruction; an instruction which Count Dooku soon gave.

"Well General?" he said in a calmly measured voice, but a discretely serious tone. "What have you got to say for yourself? Can you provide a satisfactory answer to this outstanding query?"

"Perfectly my Lord" Grievous said, with a sharp dip of the head and the others gazed upon him as intently, as they did expectantly. "You are quite right Count, Kalee is a back water system unlike many of the other systems within Kadok. Though of course it is within close proximity to several other Republic affiliated systems and trading routes within the Mid Rim sectors, as several of the overseers you sent along with me have so graciously pointed out". He gestured off screen, in the direction of the said persons, who happened to be standing just behind his family. Grievous noticed that the band of eight Kaleesh and one human were watching him rather pensively and hopefully. Evidently they recognised the full severity and seriousness of the situation before them.

The time was fast approaching for Grievous to play his trump card ...

These next few sentences and statements could and would influence Grievous' fate and standing, at least amongst the ranks of the CIS.

"Until a recently the dominant benefactors within in this sector were the citizens of the planet Huk". Shevana snarled and hissed angrily, emphasizing her dislike for the aforementioned species. She bared her teeth in rage, flashing them menacingly from beneath her skull mask, but nobody else noticed this, their attention was on Grievous. "As I explained to you earlier the Yam'rii are a Republic affiliated species that orchestrated the events here and fought alongside Koth's troops. It would not have been right for me to abandon my peoples in their hour of need. Kaleesh honor dictates that we come to the aid of any and all of our kinsmen in need of our service, and in this case I am pleased to say that we can now reap the reward for our actions. The Huk's power and influence is now extinguished. This entire sector has ... shall we say: a new set of overlords."

"Ha!" Ventress scoffed. "You think one victory is enough to influence the politics of an entire region so drastically?"

Grievous glowered at her for her stupidity. "Not a single victory, assassin. Several victories, escalating into a series of campaigns and revolts, totaling in an extravagant rapid conquest, the likes of which the galaxy has never seen before".

"BAH!" This time it was Gunray who out spat his discontent. "Its seems that once again you state the impossible! You claim that victory on one pitifully insignificant, isolated scrap pile of a planet suddenly makes your people overlords and rulers. Ha, the Huk's are more powerful than you seem to realise General. They are sure to send further armies to re-enslave the system, that they shall petition the Republic for further aid! Your accomplishments have achieved nothing General!"

"Unless there is something he is not telling us" a voice interjected. San Hill was stroking his chin optimistically, gazing considerately at Grievous projection, evidently weighing up something in that overtly vast mind of his. "Tell us" he asked, "just exactly how long did it take you to acquisition Kalee. That is to say, just how long did it take you to defeat the Clone army, and wrest the system back from the control of the Republic?"

"Four standard Kaleesh rotations. That is equal to two full galactic days within the standard time frame." The Separatists stared at him. The majority of them were dumbfounded, but this revelation quickly angered Count Dooku.

"You stupid beast!" Dooku he roared, his eyes blazing with real fury this time. "I gave you specific instructions to contact me as soon as your mission was carried out! Why then has it taken you so long to contact me?!"

"Please wait a moment" Hill boldly interrupted. "Please, let us all calm down for a moment and give him a chance. No doubt Grievous has a perfectly simple explanation and will care to explain can explain himself."

"Quite" Grievous said, unappreciatively. "The truth is Count that this mission, wasn't your to supervise. Therefore you had no say in the matter, as to when or where it ended. Besides …" he added in what might have been a sly tone, "it is not as if my army wasn't occupied. You see, once we had fulfilled the objective and we had liberated and conquered a system we found we had a lot of spare time on our hands. So we took another seven planets instead, after which we besieged the Huk's home planet, gave them a taste of their own medicine as it were. By the time the siege was over the pathetic tendrils of the once Great Huk Empire had been reduced to more than a smoldering ash pile. You will find a full list of details regarding each of the systems provided as a footnote at the base of my report".

Dooku did not attempt to study the data file. Instead he looked upon Grievous rather questioningly. "Seven worlds …?" he asked.

"Affirmative, my Lord" Grievous recified, boastfully. "I had my soldiers search through the data files. Once upon a time these worlds served as a symbolization of the Yam'rii's power, and greed. Now they will serve us as valuable outpost and profiteering market. According to the records, each of these planets in its own unique profitable style of resources. The tropical environments have a large diversity of fauna including several predatory types of creatures, that can be trained and ridden as beasts of war. Then again, others might be better suited in the entertainment facilities across the outer rim worlds providing us with a much more viable source of income. We have also uncovered details concerning several mining facilities across the worlds, including reference to a number of cortosis mines" he added slyly.

This certainly caught the attention of the corporate tycoons. Grievous watched as San Hill and Wat Tambor exchanged excited glances, and as Nute Gunray squirmed trying his utmost to hide the look of greed now spreading across his face. Even Count Dooku it seemed could not contain his excitement, at least not on this prospect. Rare to find and almost impossible to mine effectively without the necessary resources, which only corporations such as the Trade Federation, Intergalactic Banking Clan and Techno Unions seemed able to acquire, geological studies had shown that when deposited cortosis veins tended to deposit in vast quantities, up to an around several kilometers in diameter. This alone made it a valuable metal in its own right, especially more so given that even as an ore it was almost impervious to heat and was one of the few substances in the entire galaxy capable of shrugging off not just blaster fire but the refined shimmering blade of a lightsaber.

If the documents Grievous was pertaining to were accurate it could just provide the necessary key towards turning the tide of the war in their favor!

"A remarkable discovery General" Hill praised.

"Yes, that is quite some find General" Tambor acknowledged, "I offer my own commendation for you effort. But tell us, how exactly do you propose to defend such a valuable acquisition. Surely if it is so valuable then Republic will make every effort to deprive us of it".

Grievous chuckled slyly, "Ah, yes you see that is where the Yam'rii's own greed and ambitions now works against them. When the Yam'rii originally took control of these colony worlds they cultivated the majority of these resources for themselves, and did not share them others. So far as I can tell the Republic has absolutely no idea that such a valuable asset was right under their very noses. All that we require now is the means to process it".

"Resources which I am sure that corporations such as the Techno Union or Intergalactic Banking Clans would be happy to provide, I am sure?" Shevanna asked, innocently.

San Hill could barely contain his excitement. "Of course we can" he declared shrilly, in a very businessman like manner. "I am pretty sure that we can come to some kind of arrangement regarding the access and exploitation of the mines. We can arrange for all of the equipment to be imported, along with trained work force and security teams. In exchange we will make sure you get quit a reasonable percentage of the proceeds".

"Wait now! Just a minute!" the Viceroy interjected furiously. He shot a savage look at both Hill and Tambor, a look which was then rapidly transferred over to Grievous. If he had still been capable the Kaleesh warlord would have sniggered. He was under no illusions as to why the Viceroy was being so hostile; he was indignant about the fact that the Trade Federation was being deliberately left out of the deal.

Now he intended to get his revenge by pointing out a flaw in Grievous' apparent ploy. "You seem to forget, General" Gunray admonished, "that it will take time to get these machines and mechanisms out there. Time, I think you can ill afford. What is to say that the Republic does not already know of your ploy, and even if they don't they soon will. Surely the Yam'rii will petition the Republic for further aid, an aid which you have given them free way too I might add. Even if you were to be re-invited back into our ranks, which I very much doubt, it would only serve to further demise. Your people, for all their value are at the end of the day a single species. Without you there to guide and nurture them it would be to much of an undertaking!"

Shevana and Grievous were unyielding, they just stood there, gazing flatly at the Viceroy, the MagnaGuards standing silently behind them. "Most kinds, maybe! Not for the Kaleesh" the bio droid answered.

A fifth figure came into view, and stood along Grievous' other side. The procession gasped, and San Hill actually took a step backwards as he recognised a figure whom he had crossed paths with twice in his lifetime and had no desire to do so again. Tall and broad shouldered, this figure was thickest this figure towered over and quite possibly Durge (who was the tallest). His face was completely neutral as he adopted the stance mirrored by his prodigy but even so it bore the nasty foreboding sense of a snarl to it.

Grievous and Shevana of course, did not react. The only thing Grievous did was to introduce the creature at his side, "This is my chief disciple and key acolyte Bentilais san Sk'ar" the figure bobbed his head in the direction of Count Dooku and the other Separatist commandos. "Like ourselves Sk'ar is a warlord and a chief ruler among our peoples. He shall take charge in my absence. Rest assured Viceroy, he will hold our new territories!"

Gunray had no comment! Words had evidently failed the Neimoidian, so now he just stood there, gazing and gawking upon his rival evidently to dazed or terrified to move. His former words however, had brought up on major concern with Count Dooku.

"He is a most magnificent specimen" the Count said most reassuringly, "though much as it pains me, I cannot help but admit that there is some measure of truth in the Viceroy's statement. Even if we do support you" Dooku was still not giving anything away, "it would take time for us to get our resources out to you. Plenty of time for the Yam'rii to rally others to their cause. I am no longer questioning your capabilities as a field commander now General, it is just that you are rather short sighted. You have demonstrated a persistent of underestimating the capability of ones enemies. What is to say that they will not do so again? It is only a matter of time before the Yam'rii's cries are answered by the Senate and the Jedi, and when that happens what is to prevent them from taking and destroying everything that you and your warriors have worked so hard for."

As Count Dooku was speaking, a single Kolkpravis came up alongside Rutta sha Shevana. This individual whispered something hastily into the warlords ear, then beat a hasty retreat. Grievous caught sight of her and the pair exchanged a knowing glance.

Their moment had arrived at long last!

"It appears that the Yam'rii are making their petitions right now" Grievous explained, seeing the looks of confusion upon the faces of the Separatist war councils faces. As they moved to question him Grievous denounced them. "You are not the only one who held these concerns Count" Grievous assured him, marching forwards so that his projection was that much closer and more luminous than any of the others. "It appears that my own war council, those valiant overseers and those anomalous battle were just as concerned about this whole situation as you are. Which is why I hired a bounty hunter to satisfy them, one that I knew could get the job done. One that I paid for out of my own pocket, so it does not contradict or defy your original order". He spoke harshly as though daring the Count to state otherwise. Dooku's eyebrows furrowed slightly but he otherwise remained silent.

"This bounty hunter has been reasonably well paid for his services" Grievous carried on. "He had to be, otherwise he would have refused my offer. He has operating on Coruscant ever since, right under the Republics very noses it seems". That most certainly got the war councils undivided attention. "Watching the Yam'rii ambassadors every move and then relaying the information to me. Enabling me to devise the perfect counter measure towards this necessary but otherwise cowardly move".

"Counter measure?!" It was Ventress that spoke, bringing voice to the question that currently wracked upon everybody's mind.

"Yes ..." Grievous drolled, and there was a nasty sense of unease, articulated by the malicious glint within his savage eyes. "Something that shall puts all our fears to rest. A course of action that makes sure that things are the way they are. A counter measure that shall ensure that no help comes our way, at least not within the Yam'rii's favor that is".

Staring at their bewilder looks he rounded off the whole fiasco by saying; "Allow me to present my final gift to you. An offering that shall demonstrate the true measure of our successes here in Kadok. Consider it our reassurances that the Kaleesh stand firmly behind you, if you will have us that is and that our loyally is both total and absolute".

Grievous now motioned off screen, taking up position alongside Bentilais san and Rutta sha Shevana as he addressed the rest of his crew. "Broadcast the signal across every wavelength" he ordered and the crew set about straight away, plotting a series of codes and algorithm's into the ships long range communications relay, using a series of co-ordinates provided by Count Dooku and other chains within the Separatist high command. "Transmit it to every known system across the galaxy. Send it to every ship, every hide out, every communications relay so that Separatists and Republicans alike can soon bear witness to it, starting with those fools confined within the convocation chamber, sheltered upon Coruscant. Let them bear witness to exactly what it is that we have uncovered and see what the testimony of their so called allies does to shake the very foundations of its so called 'just' system!"

Padme Amidala took her seat once again, overcome by temporary exertion and exhaustion. Fortunately, with all the communication nobody else seemed to take notice of her temporary leave. The Senator took several deep, calming breaths and shut her eyes temporarily as if hoping to regain some small measure of her composure and sooth the otherwise irritating itch at the back of her throat, owing to talking so much. A comforting hand was placed upon her shoulder and a cup of soothing cool water was handed over to her. Nodding her gratitude towards the relevant handmaiden Padme took several deep reassuring gulps, feeling the ache subside and her head clear itself some what. Passing the now empty glass back to her hand maiden, she rose to her feet once again.

She noticed Captain Typho direct a loyal reassuring nod in her direction, whilst an oblivious Gungan sat behind him looked between the Senator and her chief bodyguard in marked confusion. Despite herself, Padme could not help but laugh at the situation. Despite all these years, Representative Bink's never failed to amuse her with his over exerted loyalty, and at the same time his child like ignorance and clumsiness. Turning away from Jar Jar and the rest of her Naboo consort, Padme Amidala took up position at the forefront of the hover podium once more.

As usual the conference chamber was packed to bursting point, only now it seemed that the procession gathered on a regular if not an almost daily occurrence. As such the majority of delicates were flustered, irritated and tired, the combination of which did not bode well for politics. Astride the massive central podium at the very heart of the rooms epicenter Supreme Chancellor Palpatine did his best to insure that the meetings were strategically organize and that everyone's opinions were heard and felt in rationalized yet effective manner. Yet even so, for once it appeared that even his great leadership and aspiring efficiency would be enough to temper the Senators fury.

It was understandable, theirs was a heavy burden to bear. The fate and future of the entire galaxy might be affected and influenced by the various negotiations and arrangements that took place within this very room. And yet each passing day brought news of further confrontations. The Separatists its seemed were becoming ever bolder, launching further strikes and raids what had been termed, 'Republic affiliated space'. This in turn brought about a further need for resources: military arms and armaments, medical supplies and shelter for numerous refuges. Resources for which the Republic was finding it harder and harder to meet the growing demand.

Padme herself couldn't help pondering as to whether the situation might have become that much easier if the Senators would just actually co-operate with each other, as the constitution actually demanded they should, instead of just exchanging words and rambling on about it. Yet now it seemed more than ever, chivalry and rivalries were being tested on an otherwise persistent level. The Republic it seemed had not learnt its lessons and factions were once again beginning to form.

Whilst the majority of the Senators agreed that this war can and should be brought to swift ending there was persistent debate as to how exactly go about such matters. Whilst a number of officials called for the radical extermination of the Separatists, other more compassionate and moderate Senators (such as Padme Amidala) called for the rationalized settlement via negotiations rather than fire arms. All the while a growing number of systems refused to take up arms altogether, whether it be in support of or direct offence against the Republic, and adopted what came to be regarded as an otherwise neutral arrangement.

Worse still however, was the growing amount of discontent amongst other factions, which in time boiled over to outright hatred and eventual defection. For reason that were as innumerable as the failures that brought about this great catastrophe in the first place, an increasing number of Senators began to switch loyalty. Whilst the Republic itself did receive its fair share of deserters, a number of officials began to theorize that Count Dooku alongside the rest of the Conference Guilds and the Corporate Alliance had the right idea. With each passing day, the voices against the Chancellorship became ever the more deafening, until at last system and system gradually defected to the Separatist cause.

This more than anything else troubled Padme. If they could not keep the galaxy united then the Republic stood absolutely no chance in winning this war. Now it seemed that for every system that was acquisitioned or else capable of defending itself from the might of the Separatist juggernaut, a further set of three planetary governments were lost behind the playing field, thus prolonging the conflict. This in turn resulted in further military action, larger amounts of sums and credits redirected towards the war effort, and required more Jedi and further bastions of clone troopers to needlessly throw away their lives in the wake of what was appearing to be an ever more frivolous and hopeless ambition.

Her thoughts turned towards Anakin, as they so often did these days, for these were harrowing times, especially for peoples in their type of situation. In times of war Senatorial figures and other military officials like Jedi, were often the target of frequent assassination attempts or other exploits that constantly put their very lives on the line. With every passing moment, every additional confrontation, every passing holo-feed and dreaded after action report she often worried that today might just be the day that she found his name upon the rotter list. His was a dangerous occupation after all, and for each and every mission that took him farther and farther away from her Padme often squandered about his fate, fearing she would never see that persistent brashness and overconfidence again. She feared for his safety along with that of his closest of Jedi associates, his Padawan Ahsoka Tano and Obi Wan Kenobi, his closest friend and former mentor.

Much as she despised them she was entitled to these fears however. Many was the time that she scolded herself for acting so rationally but these were desperate and disconcerting times for her and her husband. Their marriage may not have been public but their love was unquestioning. Padme Amidala knew that she loved Anakin Skywalker with all her heart, and that she would give almost anything to ensure his safe return, even her own life if necessary.

They spent so little time together these days though that it was almost depressing. Sometimes she wondered what it would be like if they just simply eloped: casting off the shackles and burdens of their present of occupations, and just simply left it all up to others. Then perhaps they could flee, leave the atmospheric simulators, bustling tower blocks and compacted streets of Coruscant, and retire from galactic affairs. Then perhaps they could find some remote shelter, a sparsely inhabited rich and colorful world where they could spend the rest of their lives in blissful harmony, perhaps even starting starting a family of their own.

She cast off these ambitions, and persistent longings sweeping them under the table as quickly as she would a lose bread crumb. Much as she craved those Padme Amidala knew first hand that her conscience would never allow it, not so long as there were people out there, relying on people like her to make a difference. In their own separate ways both of the Skywalker's had a duty not just to themselves but to the rest of the galaxy to see these matters through to the end.

Him on the playing field ...

... her keeping things stable and smoothing things over from behind the lines.

That was the simple unwavering truth of the matter and so long as the war lasted that was how the situation must remain!

For the time being Anakin was quite safe. He had been called over to the Jedi Council quarters, concerning some mission no doubt. Perhaps his Padawan Ahsoka would accompany him on such matters as she often did, or else he would serve alongside his long time friend and former master once more. With a final pledge to herself that the next time she and her husband were alone, and had any time together she would make it a time to remember, Senator Padme Amidala put aside her own personal feelings and returned to the situation at hand.

The case before them was a precarious one to say the least. Representations of a species identifying itself as Yam'rii, from the Wild Spaces were petition the Galactic Senate for aid and military assistance against a rival neighboring faction. A species which they co-insisted had ties to the Separatist movement. True to their word the Senators provided harrowing evidence to support their claims, which also provided great testimony as to just how brutal and scandalizing the Kaleesh's actions actually were.

Countless images taken from the front lines by protocol droids, brave individuals or kamikaze fighter spies illustrated Kaleesh fighting alongside battle droids, bore testament to the true savage behind the assaults whilst also demonstrating the terrible atrocities and evisceration's the Kaleesh committed, as the Yam'rii explained it in the name of their great Separatist cause. World after world had fallen to them and now the Yam'rii, as was the case with so many others that preceded (and needless to say proceed them) required military aid in taking back what was rightfully theirs and shielding their home world from potential, and by all accounts imminent invasion.

This was where the trouble surmounted. Their's was not the only system that faced imminent danger.

"What about our system?" other Senators would cry, and ...

"Why should they get precedence?" others would ask.

More than a few were quick to cry out that similar petitions had been made by the sames insectoids a few of weeks ago and at that time - "Our noble Senate was most gracious to provide the help and support that was asked of it then".

"Why therefore do you feel the need and obligation to send for another army. This is outrageous, our forces are stretched thin enough as it is. Surely one army is sufficient as to aid you in your cause?"

These words were greeted by a mixture of acclamation and detest from the various Senatorial factions. The words originated from Lott Dod and Nix Card, controversial figures representing the Trade Federation and IBC respectfully. Whilst their corporations maintained a sense of neutrality if not open support for the Republic when it best suited them, the fact that several of the corporations key figures were actively involved in the Separatist movement meant that most people treated their often sugar coated words with relative caution. Even so, they were both capable dignitaries, particularly Lott Dod, as Senator Amidala knew first hand, and possessed an unfortunate habit of corralling support when and where necessary.

And right now that was exactly what they were doing!

Their case was met with shouts of approval from some Senators, who blatantly ignored the representatives insistence that the previous army had failed them and that another more reliable, numerically superior army was required to safeguard not just the Yam'rii but the Republics own interest. Whilst some continued to delicate others professed that they mustn't turn their backs on their allies.

"Are we barbarians?" an Ithorian councilor shouted.

"We cannot simply turn our backs on those in need of distress!" a human male insisted.

"The founding principle of this Republic is the mutual protection and freedom of its citizens" Bail Organa countered.

On a personal note Senator Padme felt that she could sympathise with the Yam'rii ambassadors. Understanding, perhaps better than anyone else just exactly was it was that they were going through having been subjected to such feelings and trepidation's instigated by the Crisis on Naboo. An overwhelming sense of despair and a great sense of foreboding that the help they so desperately needed wasn't coming, and that thousands of innocents would suffer as a result of the Senates ignorance.

"Fellow Senators!" She addressed the grand procession herself, bringing her hover pod forwards to join the already crowded gathering around the centre. "We cannot afford to waste any more time. The fate of an entire species rests on our shoulders. Much as there is to discuss on this matter, it does not change the fact that thousands of citizens still remain at risk. Even as we speak thousand more may yet be being put to the sword. We have a right as citizens of the Republic to stand up for what is right, and just!"

"Here, here" Senator Bail Organa agreed, to a series of numerous consents of approval from what some might have delegated to be the otherwise more consider and moderate side of the senate. Its more radical and disinterested members exchanged hasty words, furious expressions or hesitant looks. Others simply retired or demonstrated what might be regarded as outright fury. Either way it did not stop Senator Organa in proceeding with his argument.

"The whole point of this assemblage, the very purpose of this Republic and to a larger extent this war is so that we can remain a democracy. The founding principles of democracy is that we share equally and take care of one another. My fellow patrons, I agree that this accursed war has stretched far to long already, pushed the very founding principles of the Republic to its very limit but that does not mean that we should just turn our backs when others need our assistance".

Padme Amidala smiled in Bail Organa's direction. The Senator of Alderaan was a much more wiser man and much more experienced politician than she could ever hope to be. Whilst the duo shared many of the same political views and machinations, there was perhaps one crucial difference between them. Amidala was a pacifist preferring only to take up military action once it became absolutely necessary. The older human on the other was not above taking up arms in defense of his fellow patriots, especially in the face of what some might consider out right extermination. It benefited her to have some one like him to turn to in times of desperation such as these.

"So let us hear them out before we are so quick to judge" Bail rounded off his closing argument. "Let us hear what our fellow patrons have to say. Then we shall do this democratically. Let us take a vote on how we best to help them and to approach this most desperate situation, in this time of crisis!" A storm of applause greeted Bail Organa's final statement. The Yam'rii looked positively flustered. Out of the corner of her eye Amidala noticed that Lott Dod and several other corrupt officials exchanged dark glances, though most applauded rather less enthusiastically than others.

In the end Mas Amedda had to call out several times, before an measure of 'order' could be restored and the ambassadors final declarations could be heard. "The huh the delegation wishes to thank the Senator of Alderaan for his most gracious of support," Organa nodded once but otherwise said nothing. "I fear however, that we have presented the greater part of our arguments. Our peoples lives are in danger Senators, many have died at a phenomenal and already appalling rate at the hands of these barbarians, that have dared despite our fair warning to defy the treaty which was established by your most benevolent hands to ensure lasting peace in the face of our previous demise and extermination. All that we can do now, is request your assistance and hope against hope that you might yet save us from this, our darkest hour in this most harrowing of situations!"

There was a momentary pause, in which the congress session muttered persistently amongst themselves before Chancellor Palpatine got to his feet. "Very well then your graces. Thank you so very kindly for your testimony. Please rest assured that you have our utmost sympathies as to your plight in this situations and that everything shall be done within our power to ease up on your suffering and bring these instigators, these 'criminals' as it were to swift justice!"

The matter it seemed was a foregone conclusion, and it was testament to the extreme popularity of Senator Palpatine that Mas Amedda had to call for order to be restored once again. "However" the Chancellor declared purposefully in an indication of absolute authority, "as the delegation from Alderaan has so kindly pointed out to us, we are a democracy here. So it is only fitting that our sentence is carried out both justly and accordingly. Therefore, I ask everyone to present their views on the matter at hand. Those in favor of providing military assistance please, register your votes -"

Before he could finish however, Mas Amedda suddenly tugged with the utmost urgency on his shoulder. The old man bent over sideways so as to hear what his Vice chairman was saying. When he drew away he appeared somewhat confused. "Hold the delegations for one short moment" he addressed the confused rabble. "It appears that a transmission is coming through from your home sector ambassador. New information perhaps, concerning the plight of your species".

The lights in the congregation chamber suddenly began to dim. In front of the Chancellors podium, an enormous projector slid out from beneath its protective visor. The sound of confused, optimistic voices was soon magnified ten fold. From the confused expressions on the Yam'rii's faces it was perfectly clear that this transmission was just as unprecedented and unexpected to them as it was to the rest of the assemblage. As it was they remained hopeful that this sudden communication brought with it good tidings.

Only when the projection started, and the transmission started was hope obliterated so instantaneously and so decisively.

What follows is the relevant extract from a statement, which took place many years ago in a galaxy far, far away. Though the file is now considered to be very, very old and is relatively difficult to come the imagery has been expertly preserved so that a person viewing it should almost feel as if they were witnessing it as it happened. Standing right there in Kadok regions, in the Generals presence, watching as the final stages of his campaign came to fruition and the fate of an entire species, hangs in the balance alongside a number of Jedi and several other Republic officials.

Not to mention thousands of so called innocents!

Accounts suggest that as intended, the contents of this transmission were viewed by just about everybody, across the entire galaxy. Ranging from the Deep Core worlds, and the mighty bastions of the Republican capital to the outer most fringes of Separatist controlled space. Even the Jedi Council and its order bore witness to this recording and its contents. These contents, 'revelations' as it were, shocked entire an entire congress and devastated the Jedi Order. Its accounts rocked entire nations, shattered ambitions, and played a fundamental role in influencing the fate and outcome of an entire sector.

At the time many historical documents concerning this data file were erased or otherwise destroyed. A few historical chroniclers however, were wise enough to conceal and put aside a few such recordings away for that benefit of future generations. As it so happens, the first people to uncover these files were Imperial historians, men whose interests were directed foremost as were towards acts of self preservation. So they used this file to sanctify the foundations of their empire, and to justify the evils and transgressions that were taking place on an almost galactic scale. Mostly to clarifying the need for change and future stability, that the empire promised.

Accounts that most people were shocked and mortified by what they saw.

Its brutality was uncanny.

The evidence damming.

The contents horrifying.

This is what they saw ...

A.N. OK what I consider to be the M related content takes place in this segment. For those of you who don't wish to view it skip to the next A.N. insertion below the italicized section, from there on in it is safe T related stuff. For those of you that wish to proceed, you have been warned as to what lies ahead!

The way this scene is written, the italics represent the actual scene. The parts in bold represent key aspects and / or the views and actions of the spectators watching it at the time of the broadcast. Hopefully it should be written clearly enough to discern which is which.

Grievous stalked back and forth, from within the centre of the massive huddling. The cyborgs arms were clasped firmly behind his back, as he paced continuously. The mass of slaves and former nobles in front of him, huddled together hardly daring to approach him let alone stop him. His golden eyes cast meaningful stares over the rest of the prisoners. The three Jedi Masters stared back unafraid (the brutal nature of their injuries horrifying all of those spectators that saw it, especially their fellow members and associates within the Jedi order), whilst the clones looked back defiantly.

Turning around Grievous marched back the way he had come. Shevana and Sk'ar both stood respectfully on either side of a quivering Derm, who by now was squatting down on all fours. As if that would protect him. Adjacent to them on the either side of the room, alongside the largest and most sweltering of all the fires that had been started in this small room, General Mal hissed defiantly making a slashing gesture with his crippled hand. Calmic swatted the hand away and then both he and Jur'bay maintained their sentry positions on either side of Mal, whilst the rest of their brothers and sisters watched Grievous expectantly. In between these two groups stood Ragne'jan, Sharet'ea and Herini who like their children were also watching Grievous expectantly.

Aside from this they, like the rest of the Kaleesh throng, which by now surrounded the rooms entire perimeter encompassing their adversaries did not make any sound or otherwise move a muscle. They like their Khagan were watching, waiting expectantly for something. The only sound came from the spectators, muttering and pointing amongst they watched the transmission with an ever growing sense of trepidation.

Like a predator impatiently traversing the length of its cage out of sheer boredom Grievous returned to his marching vigil. Impatiently awaiting whatever it was he was waiting for.

His 'patience' as it were, was soon rewarded ...

Barely taking the final step, which left him facing in the direction of his family again, a tremendous shout of whooping triumph distracted the General. Grievous turned abruptly, staring over one shoulder in the direction of the noise, nor was he the only one to do so. In fact many heads whipped around, and several of the Kaleesh braced themselves for a confrontation. Only when the source of the disturbance came into focus did they finally relax.

A Kaleesh Kolkpravis came bounding onto the scene, the absence of his bone mask enabled everyone to see that he looked particularly excited. Dropping to one knee the fellow dipped his head respectfully then held something out to the Khagan. Grievous took the object and started examining it meticulously, appearing to ignore his loyal disciple that uttered something in its native language.

The item it transpired was a data-pad, whose contents Grievous was now scrutinizing, his golden eyes became a shimmering evil blur as he absorbed and analysed every inch of code that the file otherwise presented. As he finished, emitted a deep booming growl indicating that he was angry. "Just as I suspected!" he said darkly shooting a furious look in the direction of the nobles, who looked back defiantly whilst at the same time shrank away. Grievous turned about, tossing the file at Shevana who caught it one handed and stared down at it, Bentilais san looking over her shoulder.

"And you say that there is more like this?" Grievous asked the individual still kneeling before him.

Without looking at Grievous, the soldier dipped his head in further acknowledgement. "Hundreds, sire" he rectified. "It has taken us a while but we've uncovered scheme upon dastardly schemes. Kick backs on their kick backs. It is going to take quite some time to categorize and log it all".

"Never mind that for now!" Grievous declared, "we have what we came for!" he nodded towards Shevana and Sk'ar both of whom now looked up at him positively seething. "For the time being take heart in the fact that our conquest was well worth it". The Kolkpravis bowed once again, then got off his knees and fell respectfully into line.

"A data-file" a voice said, in mild disbelieve, and Grievous turned about. "You- you did all this, for a data-file?" It was Shevana that had spoken, but all three of the Jedi, Willis and his clone sergeants were staring disapprovingly and disbelievingly in Grievous' direction. The half droid narrowed his eyes threateningly but said nothing. If he were capable, he would have been sneering.

"You laid waste to entire settlements, ransacked colonies just so that you could get your hands on a single data-pad?" Willis shouted, turning from Grievous to the rest of the Kaleesh throng. "What is the matter with you peoples?!" The Commander was playing with fire and many of the Kaleesh bristled, however a look from Grievous told the nearest individuals to hold back.

The cyborg walked casually forwards, arms still clasped behind his back, as the affronted clone continued to insult the Kaleesh for their blasphemy and insist that they had no honor. At this last comment Grievous lunged his hands clasped tightly around Sashi's throat. The female Jedi gasped in agony as his hand fastened round her wind pipe, the cold durasteel digits irritating the bruises and minor cuts across her face and throat line.

Willis and the other clones gasped "Commander" and had to be restrained, as Kolback and Koth both shouted "NO!" Their chains rattled but hampered by their own injuries and ailments neither the Anx or Zabrak were in any condition to help themselves, let alone their female companion (a matter which further disturbed the onlookers and spectators within the Jedi order). Grievous tightened his hold, systematically choking the life out of Sashi as he glared at her.

Sashi for her part had her eyes clamped tightly shut. She groaned feebly, exerting herself as she wasted further amounts of the oxygen she had left. In desperation she raised her arms pitifully but so frail was her condition that she barely managed to raise them more than a few inches. Held six inches above the tiled flooring her feet dangled useless beneath her. They weren't twitching or thrashing and were now barely swaying.

Grievous loosened his grip just enough to retain a hold on her. Sashi gasped frantically practically choking, and spluttering on the air as she wolfed it down in big loud gulps. He pulled her face so that her face was just millimeters from his own skull like one, leaving her with no choice but to look squarely into his cold alien eyes, as she coughed repeatedly.

"No Jedi!" he breathed, his mechanical imitation of a voice was just as cold and icy as his eyes were. "You think so small. Everything that has happened is a mild stone compared to what is about to happen. This is a matter that stretches beyond your witless comprehension. It appears that your blindness knows no bounds". He re-tightened his hold, not enough to make her cry out but still enough to make her twitch uncomfortably.

Willis and the other clone commanders looked at each other. "Blindness?"

"Mild stone! What's he talking about?"

Nor were they the only ones to ask as much. Just like the congressmen in the Senatorial chambers, the Yam'rii and other nobles exchanged puzzled glances. Grievous turned away from Master Betrini and looked towards Eeth Koth instead. Panting through his injuries the Zabrak stared back at the former Kaleesh with an almost admirable calm, and resigned patience.

"Do you remember what happened when we first met" Grievous asked curiously. "All those months ago, before I bested you, in that skirmish we had in close proximity to the Arda system?"

"What of it?" Koth said mildly.

"Can you remember what it was you said, on that day just before we engaged in conflict. The titles and phrases you used to describe me all those days and nights ago?" Grievous didn't give his quarry a chance to reply, "Coward and Murderer! That's what you said isn't it Jedi" He tightened his grip so that this time the female human did cry out. Leering at the pained, but otherwise helpless expression on Koth's face Grievous turned to face and address Sashi.

"Your sanctimonious misgivings are unparalleled, and misdirected Jedi. Especially when you cultivate and personify everything that you are so quick to judge and label others by". Despite her pain Sashi looked at him, disbelievingly. "Your order is corrupted" Grievous stated, "it's philosophies are in undated. As for the Republic it is just as corrupt and depraved as any of you are. A bunch of cowardly systematically raving lunatics, far more interested in satisfying their own individual needs than benefiting and maintaining control across the entire galaxy".

This declaration was met by a stir of disapproval from amongst the Republican Senators. Representatives of devout and loyal systems shouted their disapproval or else started pointing and muttering amongst themselves, with a number of individuals seeing fit to brand Grievous' projection with several of their own titles. The more rationalized individuals such as Senator Amidala, and the Yam'rii ambassadors appeared to be shaken by the whole dilemma. Adopting a neutral stand these people took to gazing around the room at their fellow spectators. It was as she was doing so that Senator Padme Amidala noticed that a number of individuals, including the officials of the corporate foundations such as the Techno Union, Banking Clan and Trade Federation were watching the transition with particular intrigue, as were a number of Senators and other politicians that she knew to be dissatisfied with the Republic's war effort.

Chancellor Palpatine for his part seemed content just to sit back and watch the transmission for the time being. It appeared that he, like so many of the other Senators wished to acquire a full understanding of the situation. If experience was anything to go by this would enable him to devise the necessary countermeasures and political effects that would enable him to counteract Grievous' statement as boldly and brashly as Master Sashi was.

"You're wrong" the female Jedi Master choked defiantly against her bonds. "Since its founding days the Republic has had us serve as its guardians and the protectors of free will".

"Oh really?" Grievous said his eyes narrowing maliciously as if he knew something that the so called 'guardians' didn't.

"Yes!" said Master Kolback just as defiantly, enough to finally make himself worthy of General Grievous' attention. With extreme difficulty the Anx hoisted himself up on to the stump of his severed leg, giving him a slightly comical lopsided appearance. The sincerity with which he spoke however, made it perfectly clear that this was no laughing matter. "The Republic stands for the rights of the people, as does the Jedi order! I have served that order faithfully throughout my life and I am not the only one. In all that time I have never once doubted its principles nor the ambitions that the Republic embodies. I am not afraid to give my life to that cause. If my death can help to safeguard the galaxy from the like of you then I will happily do so!"

"Well said sir!" Willis said from off to the Anx's right. The two sergeants gave booming chorusing cheers of "Aye, aye". Somewhere behind him, Grievous' audio receptors picked up the ominous sounds of General Mal's meticulous hissing laughter.

Directly in front of him and off to his right, Eeth Koth was smiling. "It appears that your ambitions have got you nowhere General. For all of your skills, you are no longer terrifying. None of us here is afraid to die and there as long as there are Jedi left out there, ready to take up the cause and lay down his life in the name of justice then you can never win. Kill us if you will but our deaths will serve no purpose except to rally others against you!"

The Jedi's statement hung in the air for a good while. Then Grievous laughed!

He laughed so uproariously, so enthusiastically that it took a round of wheezing spluttering to drive the amusement out of him, and even then he was still chortling.

"Oh, I have a feeling that you will die soon enough. Each and every one of you, my dear Jedi friends" Grievous assured them, turning away from Koth so as to look directly into the face of Jedi Master Sashi Betrini for one last time. "But not right now!" He let go of the human, and she feel derisively to the floor with an agonised cry. Grunting with displeasure she tried forcefully to raise herself up into a sitting position, that way she might at least have the courtesy of looking Grievous square in the eye as he dealt the final, decisive blow. Her arms however, simply ached to much in order perform this most simple and menial of tasks.

Sashi's body was strained owing to injury and lack of nourishment. This also put a strain on her ability to use the force, so that in her present condition, she could barely harness its endless potentials. No matter how hard she concentrated or otherwise willed herself to do so, she simply could not conjure up enough energy to nullify the pain and ever since her duel with Grievous her legs simply refused to respond.

This resulted in her becoming a laughing stock. A twitching shivering rag pile at the base of Grievous' feet, much to the amusement of the Kaleesh spectators. "It appears that not everyone here shares your sentiments, Jedi fools" Grievous sneered as two Kolkpravis females this time stepped forward and seized a hold of Sashi. "I don't see any of your allies stepping forward. No Yam'rii proclaiming a willingness to lay down their own lives in order to safeguard your Republic!" He shot a malevolent look over every individual, noble, Senator and General. Whimpering Derm crouched even lower to the ground and the smile was wiped from General Mal's face.

Groaning, Sashi was placed back into a kneeling position between her two Jedi cohorts. The female Kolkpravis let go of her but somehow the human managed to retain her balance. "Not agh, not everyone can be as brave as you seem to think General. Especially those that are innocent in this war!"

"Oh really?" Grievous said and there was a nasty twinkle in his eyes as he approached her, "Is that truly the case?" Nobody was laughing no, in fact the Kaleesh to all intents and purposes seemed to have become very vexed. A few emitted animalistic growls and snarls, Senator Derm crouched lower than ever as he eyed Shevana and Bentilais san nervously, and even General Mal appeared to have become rather edgy.

"How impotent you have become Jedi fools!" Grievous said shaking his head in disappointment. "All those philosophies, all your guidance and you chose to remain as blind and ignorant as ever. Blind to the corruption going on around you, and yet you still proclaim to operate in the name of peace. Tell me how do the means justify the ends when you and that decadent system that you call a Republic spell certain doom to the galaxy at large?"

Several murmurs of approval rose up from the Kaleesh ranks, the same also went for Separatist affiliated sympathizers stretched across the galaxy at large.

"Corruption..." Willis repeated, "what are you talking about?"

General Grievous turned towards Commander Willis then marched across towards him. Hands at his sides, cloak trailing across the floor behind him the cybernetic General paused long enough to stare the set jawed clone square in the eyes, then proceeded to pace back and forth across the Republic line. He looked each individual square in the eye talking as he went.

"You have been manipulated you ignorant fools" Grievous proclaimed. "The atrocities that you have committed have been orchestrated, arranged and formatted from the very beginning. The suffering that you have wrought against us was part of a larger scheme, one that traces its origins back many years ago, and which you and your Republic also had a hand in!"

The Jedi knights, past and present looked appeared stunned by this accusation. The Senators assembled within the Republics grand auditorium chamber had suddenly gone very quiet.

"Your so called 'allies' the Yam'rii they set this whole thing up!" Grievous explained. "There wasn't any provocation, no so called acts of debauchery, no defiance against that so called 'treaty' that was established more than a decade ago to ensure peace within this particular region of the galaxy. All that it was, what it truly was was a group of peoples choosing to take a stand. Protect themselves and their families against the threat of foreign invasion!"

"Preposterous!" a noblewoman among the Yam'rii coalition had suddenly found its voice, and within seconds there was a great cacophony of noise as the citizens of Huk tried desperately to quell these rumors and declaration.

"Ludicrous!"

"Lunacy!"

"Absolutely ridiculous!"

"Pay no attention to them!"

"We as much as any of our peoples are loyal citizens of the Republic!"

"Our people would never do anything in against the constitution!"

"Do not listen to them!" This last statement came from General Mal. "It is you that have set these things in motion General. You and that army of mechanics, which have desecrated our home world, supporting the likes of a people which devastated and plundered us mere decades ago, until we resolved it through politics rather than violence!"

This acknowledgement was met by a resounding cheer and series of nods amongst the Yam'rii ranks, which ended abruptly when Bentilais san roared for silence. It did not take long for fear to settle back in. "A violence, which you orchestrated by invading us!" Grievous declared, turning his back on the Jedi and striding over towards the Yam'rii's military commander. "A declaration and political shamble drafted by charismatic, corrupt individuals which was then implemented by the very order meant to serve as the personification of justice and harmony across the entire galaxy!"

Grievous towered over Mal, glaring down at him furiously. Mal stared right back at him. "The proof ..." Grievous declares, "rests in our hands now, and soon enough the entire galaxy shall know about it!" He indicated Shevana, who waved the data-pad flamboyantly at him. Mal it seemed had to work hard to keep his face straight. Opening his maw he emitted a low gurgle, then rounded on Grievous.

"What's it to you anyways cyborg?!" he said snappishly, neither confirming nor denying that Grievous had any valuable. "The declarations and actions of the Yam'rii peoples are no concern of yours. So what right have you to poke that filthy duranium skull of yours around in other peopl-"

The rest of his words were cut off by Grievous alloyed fingers lacing around his cheek joints and chin, keeping his lips firmly stuck. For a moment Grievous looked positively murderous, and everyone expected him to silence the insectoid on the spot. Then Grievous bent over and hissed something indiscernible into the Yam'rii's ear. As he drew a way a spasm of fear crossed General Mal's face, and for the first time since the start of this campaign Mal seemed genuinely frightened.

"No!" he stammered shaking his head furiously as he stared Grievous up and down. "That'- that's impossible. The creature is dead, perished by all accounts. He died years ago!"

"And yet I did survive and now I have returned to seek my revenge against you and all your peoples for the cruelties you inflicted many years ago!"

Mal seemed positively alarmed, as he cowered beneath Grievous' shadow. A shadow that he now realised he had played a roll in creating many decades ago.

"Jedi!" Grievous addressed the remainder of his adversaries once more. "I choose to keep you alive, long enough that you might bear witness to the true face of debauchery and corruption. Then in your final waking seconds you can see for yourselves just how far it is that you and the Republic have actually fallen!"

The Jedi council and several of its order members exchanged glances, and a persistent muttering had taken root in the Senate Chamber once again. No-one had long to dwell upon it however as -

Grievous turned towards Shevana, issuing a commanding nod. It was a signal that the female warlord had been waiting for. "You!" she barked in a domineering manner, at the figure sprawled at her feet. Derm winced nervously and shuffled away nervously. He didn't get far however seeing as how Bentilais san blocked his path.

Shevana crouched down next to Derm, angling herself on the very tips of her toes as she glared down at him, taking particular care not to stoup down to his particular level. "Yes I mean you there, Senator. That is you isn't it? You are the so called political ambassador that arranges things with the likes of the Galactic Senate am I right?" Head curled up in the recesses of his folded arms Derm nodded silently.

"Tell me what this is!" she reached out with her free hand, and with some mild difficulty managed to turn his head round to face her. She held out the data-pad to him, but was instantly cut off by the likes of General Mal.

"Still that forsaken tongue of yours Derm!" Mal barked savagely. "Keep it in your head unless you wish for me to tear it out for you!" Derm cowered at the sound of the voice and turned his face back towards the floor.

"HEY!" Shevana seized him more tightly and wrenched his head around so that it was deliberately facing her. "Look at me when I am talking to you!" she insisted. "Now answer the question". When Derm didn't respond the Kaleesh turned towards Sk'ar, who nodded accordingly. Lashing out with his foot he dealt the simmering fool a painful strike to the side which resulted in the Yam'rii rolling over onto his side, emitting an agonizing whistle. Derm coughed and spluttered as he clutched at his abdomen.

Sk'ar bent over and seized Derm by the front of his stately garments, hoisting the still hunched figure upwards so as to bellow in his ear. "THE LADY ASKED YOU A QUESTION!" he roared much louder and more ominous than any that had spoken before hand, making Derm's insides lurch. "DO YOU NEED ME TO THROTTLE THE ANSWER OUT OF YOU, OR ARE YOU REALLY THAT STUPID! Or have you gone deaf?" he asked simply, "if that's the case then simply say so and we can sort this whole matter out in some other fashion".

He gave the insectoid a violent shake, and whilst Derm spluttered furiously, apparently on the edge of speech he was so terrified that all he managed to say was something like "memolemena". Sk'ar reacted immediately, by pulling the insectoid closer so that his broad shouldered frame was all that Senator Derm's facial features were otherwise able to encompass. "What's that? Didn't quite catch that".

"N-agh he he he, no no sir" Derm finally spluttered. Sk'ar emitted a bestial snarl causing Derm to stutter, "No! No please, please don't hurt me please. It's just I'm so scared. I am so scared".

"Well then" Shevana interjected. "Answer the questions put before you and my companion here might be generous enough to let you go". Trembling Derm turned to gaze at her, blinking rapidly, as he panted and shivered from within Sk'ar's vice like grip. There was truth and honesty within her eyes.

"Don't you dare listen to her Senator. You hear me! DON'T YOU DARRRREEE!" Mal warned threateningly. The spindly insectoid was clearly unnerved at the threats Mal was sending his way, but then again he wasn't the one to have a hand clasped around his abdomen.

"Its uh ..." he hesitated, "its uhm a uhm, its a data-pad" he finally acknowledged. Shevana turned towards Sk'ar pitiably. The larger male shook his head furiously, as he relinquished his hold and stood up again, backhanding Derm along the way. The insectoid gave a pain filled cry clutching a rapidly swelling cheek as he came to rest on his knee caps.

Shevana took up the slack, seizing a hold of Derm's right shoulder. "Yes I can see that it is a data-pad" she explained irritably, now brandishing the thing in Derm's face. "What I want is for you to tell me what its contents are. When this was drafted, and were it originated from." She drew away bringing pad back to her side, gazing malevolently at Derm.

There was no questioning it this time a spasm of fear crossed the trapped insectoids gangling features. Nor was he the only one. Across the picture several of the insectoids appeared just as horror struck and edgy as Derm was. Mal struggled against his bonds and captors, whilst several of the other officials had to be restrained as they made desperate pleas or otherwise tried to get at Derm.

And indeed, within the Senatorial chambers a number of delicates and other officials were making desperate requests to suddenly cut off or otherwise terminate the transmission. One Dug official not to far away from Senator Amidala, went so far as to request that the sharp shooter garrison watching over the entire spectacle simply shot out the projectors. It actually took an outcry from the Chancellor before the clone troopers belayed that order. Foremost among the protesters however, were the ambassadors and citizens of Yam'rii.

This made a lot of Senatorial figures curious. If suspicions were not high already, they certainly were now.

"It, it originated from within our archives" Derm admitted nervously. "It's uhm, its a private transcript. A log which took place between the Yam'rii Hive Council and its negotiators some time ago. We ah ha, we tend to keep one, every time we delve into politics and nego - negotiations" he chuckled fearfully and turned away from Shevana. From the malevolent look in her eyes it was clear that this seemingly innocent statement did not satisfy here.

Nor did it placate the like of General Mal. "THAT'S ENOUGH" he shrieked uproariously, "DERM! IF YOU SO MUCH AS BREATH ANOTHER WORD TO THESE BARBARIANS THEN I SWEAR UPON THE GREAT MANTIS I WILL PERSONALLY DEBILITATE AND EXTERMINATE YOU!"

Derm quailed, shaking profusely evidently overcome by fear and anguish. He turned towards the floor once again, even as Ruta sha Shevana leant in close and dealt out a threat of her own. "If you do not give me straight answers, then upon my honor I swear that you will end up suffering anyway. Now do yourself a favor and tell me what it is that I want to know!"

The petrified, whimpering Derm, shook his head violently as he buried his face in his taloned hands, deliberately not looking at Shevana. The Kaleesh Warlord breathed an irritated sigh. "Listen carefully" she said seriously as she drew away from him, "I am getting tired of repeating myself, so this is going to be the last time I ask nicely. Tell us what exactly is detailed on this data-pad and when exactly was it drafted?"

A galactic standard minute passed by ...

preceded by yet another ...

then a third ...

... and yet still Derm didn't answer her. The threats it seemed had finally gotten to him, yet the simmering fool evidently the wrath of General Mal more than what Grievous and the Kaleesh might otherwise do to him. Shevana rose to her feet, still clutching the data file, turning towards her Khagan. Grievous broke the stare and shoot a knowing looking towards Bentilais san. With a derisive snort, the Khan dipped his own head acknowledging the silent request.

Taking a deliberately slow walk around quailing insectoid, Sk'ar extracted a small leather sown pouch from at his belt. The burly Kaleesh them tipped a steady stream of some white grained material into the palm of his right hand, gradually building up a small mound. Upon emptying the sac he discarded it. Acting as if nothing had happened, he marched slowly around until he was standing in front of the cringing, stammering figure at a steady pace. Crouched even lower, Derm eyed Bentilais san nervously. Sk'ar looked down upon his adversary.

Then without a word he seized the shriveling Senator about the neck with his shovel like hand, forcing the head backwards then shoved the hand containing the white powder across Derm's left eye socket.

The effect was immediate!

What started as a shriek transcended into agonizing wail, then a cry of pure agony. Derm's spindly fingers interlaced with Sk'ar's muscular wrist as he scrathed and pried trying to force that palm away. The Kaleesh could not and would not be denied however, he was simply to strong and Derm's claws had no more effect on him than a spindly foils vine. Only once he was satisfied did the Kaleesh Khan relinquish his hold. The crying stopped instantaneously and was replaced by a series of shallow gasping breaths as Derm lifted a palm towards his now heavily swollen, deeply blackened eye.

"Uh uh uh! I um, I wouldn't do that if I was you darling" Shevana said snidely. "You might end up, only irritating it further". Grievous chuckled and several of the Kaleesh emanated him, whilst the Republic soldiers looked on in mortified.

Smirking Sk'ar drew his now stained hand back across Derm's swollen socket, tracing a taloned fingernail across its lower lid. Derm winced as he felt the tip of the Khan's sharp finger nail brush ever so delicately across its surface. "Look on the bright side though. It is very nicely salted (AN. Yes that was what he used. Salt!). Which means you know that I am no longer kidding you when I say that unless you answer any and all questions put to you, I shall tear that swollen object out of your face and then force you to eat it in front of all these people! I swear it upon my honor".

His hand was still clasped across the back of Derm's cephalon and Derm's hands were still fastened around his wrist joint. It appeared however, that the panic stricken Derm was suddenly able to find his voice again. "Please, please" he pleaded as Sk'ar's fingers lurked menacingly closer to his eye socket. "It's a - it's a log, drafted some, twenty -no te -ten - sorry not te-ten, twe- twelve poi point six years ago!"

"Uh hum" Sk'ar nodded approvingly.

"It - it uhm" Derm hesitated, trying to find something else that might just appease the Khan's fury. "Let, let see. It was compiled and put together from various analogues, all put together by the works of one individual".

"And is that scribe, this individual here with us now?" Shevana asked curiously.

"No, no" Derm reassured her, shaking his head furiously, resulting in further agitation to his eye. "He uhm, he was a slave. Coalesced into taking notes by us in ex- exchange for his freedom. That, ugh eh ah, that way no one could know any more about the contents".

Slave?! Had the Senatorial bodies and representatives from the Republics military factions, just heard Derm right?

"But you do know what its contents are. Don't you Senator?" a new voice interjected, and Bentilais san wrenched the Senatorial figures head round so that his neck was craned at a deliberately odd and particularly painful angle. "Face the Khagan" the Kaleesh said fortuitously.

Derm struggled, against the pain, wanting desperately to stay alive. "Ah, yes, oh yes, your high and honorable exhaltedness I uh, I have come across and analysed its contents. In - in fact I think that I right in saying that I am the only one in this room to do so!" His voice became even more high pitched and strenuous. "It's my job, you see I - I have no choice. I am not just as Senatorial figure, I am also the chief of the Hive bodies archives and data files!"

"So this particular event details too?" Shevana queried, and Derm became a shivering flailing wreck.

"NO! NO!" he said desperately and suddenly he was on his feet, legs bent at a forty five degree angle as he ferociously to break Bentilais san Sk'ar's hold over him, to make a break and run for it. "AAGH PLEASE! AGH NO, I CAN'T TELL YOU THAT. THEY'LL FLAY ME ALIVE IF I DO SO!" He struggled desperately against the hold, but had no defenses as Bentilais san detached a fist from the melee and brought down a heavy blow across his mid section.

The Senator groaned, the wind suddenly driven out of him let alone the fight. He dropped painfully onto his back barely able to resist as the Kalessh Khan set into him. Grievous knew that he could trust the Izvoshra to keep the Senator alive long enough to extract all of the useful information they needed from him. Even if they had to force it out of him.

General Mal, it seemed wasn't willing to give them the opportunity to do so and neither it seemed were the noble folk! Indeed they were fighting against their Kaleesh detainer's harder and fiercer than ever, responding to Mal's infuriated cries of: -

"DERM YOU FALSE LIPPED TRAITOR! YOU TRAITOR DERM! KARISHNA (the Yam'rii word for kin or brethren)! SILENCE THIS WHELP BEFORE HE REVEAL'S ANYTHING ELSE!"

"FORGINAAA!" and this time a Yam'rii Senator did manage to break his way past the blockade. Tumbling over himself and his Senatorial garments he quickly righted himself, then charged towards the temporarily frozen Bentilais san and Shevana. Grievous acted immediately reaching for his pistol but before the device had left its holster he was met by another individual charging blearily past him.

There was the sound of a weapon being drawn, and before any other individual could react Ragne'jan had plunged her dagger deep into the small chink that separated the insectoids chest region from his neck. The creature gave a startled cry and then dropped dead at her heels. Satisfied the human shot a satisfied look at Grievous, who nodded approvingly, then cast a glower in the direction of the Jedi and the Republic's clone troopers who looked at her, evidently shocked.

The momentary distraction apparently taking care of Bentilais san picked up the Senator, then forced him into a kneeling position in as close a proximity to the corpse as he pleased. Derm was supporting several more cuts and bruises across his face and chest line, his left hand now clutching profusely at his swollen eye socket which seemed to have magnified tenfold under the most recent onslaught. His mouth was continuously gaping open, the Yam'rii's equivalent to crying.

"WHAT ELSE?" Shevana demanded. "WHAT ELSE DO THESE RECORDS INTEL?!"

Derm cowered as Sk'ar raised a curled up fist again. "NO! PLEASE, PLEASE!" Derm pleaded, "Please. No more. Al- Alright! It's a - it's not just a transcript its a record!" He emitted a mournful cry.

Shevana turned towards Grievous, then back again. The room held its collective breath. "A record?" she rectified. Derm nodded persistently. "Explain!"

"It - it makes reference to a list of cer - certain individuals. Pee - people that collaborated with the Hive Collective at the behest of some cor- corporate officials more than twelve point six galactic standard years ago".

Sk'ar tightened his grip across the Senators spine, "And just exactly who, were these individuals?"

Derm struggled for a moment to recompose himself, such was the intensity of his despair. Finally he said, "Cor- corrupt politicians and other senatorial figures that the corporation founders reassured us that we could sway!"

The room at the time had turned deadly quiet, but in the present setting there was a collective gasp from the Republic session. Several individuals cast weary, distrustful glances the Yam'rii Senators way, and yet despite their persistent pleas of innocence it appeared as though the senatorial ambassadors couldn't make themselves scarce or insignificant enough as to avoid the attention of others.

Now Grievous stepped forwards. "So tell me, Senator" he said scornfully."This negotiation of yours ... it took place off the records am I right?" Unable to bring himself to answer verbally, the coerced Senator responded with a simple derisive nod of the head.

"So this is the only existing record that details the events surrounding that matter?" Once again Derm's only response was a simple nod.

"And this happened some time ago, am I correct? Before this present conflict. Prior to the Clone Wars I mean and the establishment of the Separatist armada?!" [Nod].

"So it concerns what at the time were Republican affiliated individuals?" [Nod].

"Were there any others? Did any other minor corporations or small governing bodies outside the Republics main body take part in this meeting or any other negotiations that preceded it?" [This time Derm shook his head].

"And you keep regular tabs on them I take it? So that you know just exactly when and where they are in case you should ever have use or need of them again is that correct?"

When Derm responded this time, Grievous' question was, "And tell me Senator, are most of them still affiliated with the Republic?"

And Derm's response was ...

... "Y-yes! The ma- the majority of them at any rate" which earned a gasp from the Galactic populace at large, not just the Senatorial procession or the Jedi Councilors, many of whom were now sitting bolt upright!

"And finally ..." Grievous asked, vengefully, "just exactly what does this negotiation pertain too!"

The procession held its collective breath. All eyes rested upon this one individual, evidently they were waiting to see just exactly what it was that this Senatorial would be forced into revealing now. Derm hesitated but a bestial snarl and a tightening of the hold by Bentilais san was enough to force him to co-operate. "Alright, alright" he muttered feebly. Then at last, he said "It- it details everything that was said regarding the ambassadors of Yam'rii desire to relinquish control of the Kadok regions away from the Kaleesh juggernaut!"

Kolback, Sashi and Koth eyes widened. Commander Willis for his part looked positively thunderstruck. Within the Senatorial congregation their was a collective uproar, as individuals shout and hollered at each other. Senator Amidala was mortified; not since the time of her own failed attempts to establish peace with the Separatist Alliance had the Senate chambers experienced such a calamity. Above the sounds of the disconcerting voices came the collective cries of the Yam'rii officials and several other individuals, professing to the Yam'rii's innocence and the insistence that the accusations were false.

"No, no! This this, can't be happening, it it can't have happened!" Commander Willis insisted. "Surely if there had been such negotiations the Republic would have found out about it. So would the Jedi! I mean nothing ever escapes from your notice! Isn't that right?" Evidently the Commanders fierce devotion and neurological programming was making him blind to the debauchery that was being revealed before his very person.

Shevana turned towards him, shaking her head. "You weak minded fool" she said pitiably. "You have heard the confession, straight from the horses mouth, and look this data-file has been switched off". She held it up for all to see and sure enough, a persistent flashing on the side of the device indicated that it had gone into standby mode, so that there was literally nothing to witness on its screen. She shot a snide look at Derm, and the Senator turned away whilst Bentilais san leered over him. "He may have been cajoled but nobody told him to reveal what he has. That my dear, headman was made entirely of his own free will!"

As this factor sunk in the eyes of the Republic commando's found Senator Derm's once again. "But why?" Sashi Betrini asked in a hush tone. "Why not just use the official communications? What was the point of all this fuss when you could have just directly made your case at the courts, as you did at a later date?"

"BECAUSE WHAT WAS PRESENTED WAS FALSE CLAIMS. DON'T YOU SEE THAT?!" Ragne'jan yelled furiously addressing the gathered Republican assemblage for the first time. "All of that evidence presented to you was lies. All of it! Drafted up by those nauseating specimens that you once fought alongside, and whatever sleaze balls they managed to converse into supporting them, through material goods. Well let me spell out the truth for you all, servants of the Republic, in words that you can understand!"

Her sentence was for everybody, yet she stood right in front of Master Sashi Betrini, looking her in the face, one female human to another.

"The peoples of Huk and its colony worlds were not the victims of some sporadic acts of violence perpetrated by the Kaleesh. THEY THE YAM'RII THEMSELVES! WERE. ITS. INSTIGATORS! Every report that was detailed, every report, every cajoling factor concerning the outbreak and instigation of this war was all falsehood. The Kaleesh were not this wars aggressors, they were its victims. Forced into a battle for its very survival against the endless tides and suffering torments at the hands of a xenophobic, intolerant race, that you supported. That's right you in your blind haste to ensure justice was dealt didn't once think to question just exactly what it us they were getting up to here in the maelstrom not once did you? Well i'll tell you".

"Know what happened to all those individuals they shipped off in their most recent exploits. Slave labor that's what happened! We've all witnessed, heck some us here have even been a part of it. See all those individuals over there standing amongst those insectoids?" she indicated the nobles, "They're all slaves too. Slaves, which thanks to your Republics obedience and your superior negligence they've been able to retain and otherwise exploit without consequence. And yet you never once thought to question their motivations once did you!" There was a noticeable break in her voice and when she stood up, still glaring daggers in the direction of the Jedi masters and their clone escorts there were noticeable tears in her eyes.

"You allowed the Republic to sanction us for a series of crimes for which we were not responsible. You exploited and manipulated us until we were penniless, poverty stricken, reaping a bounty in Kaleesh. And now several years down the line you are allowing the same negligence to blind you of your senses once again!" She broke off the lecture, a hand flying to her trembling as she stepped away grief stricken and gave an audible cry.

In an unquestionably deliberate and calculating it was Grievous that reached forwards and placed a comforting arm around her. "I'm sorry ..." Ragne'jan sobbed repeatedly as quite unexpectedly she actually turned and placed her arms around Grievous. "I'm sorry, - its just that ... he was just a little boy. He wasn't even three years of age. MY BOY!" Grievous held her closer, feigning sympathy whilst at the same time feeling something equivocal to real anguish at the painful memories of the happy joyful child between Dunsan and Heremnick that they had lost together as a result of the Republics sanctions.

Shevana approached cautiously, gazing supportively at Ragne'jan. "You -you too huh?" More than grateful for an excuse to break the contact between them, Grievous relinquished his hold over Ragne'jan as Grievous' remaining wives, Sharet'ea and Herini, stepped forward. Each of the women put a comforting arm around each other supportively whilst at the same time, pinning and praying for the spirits of the loved ones, which they had lost.

"We all lost someone" Sk'ar acknowledged. "Each and every one of us. That is why we are here to seek vengeance for every wrong thrown at us, to acquire the justice and vindication that the Republic so fittingly denied us but the Separatists were all to willing to provide in the wake of invasion to our home planet. Not just once but twice now!"

Sk'ar tightened his hold and Derm's face worked. There was simply no fight left in him. He was no longer just a simpering, spluttering fool, he was a broken man now. Grievous glared at him ...

"It is what we fight!" the cyborg said snidely. Stepping forwards so that his shadow draped across Derm's broken outlet the cyborg decreed, "Who else knew about this? Which Senators were behind this sickening plot of yours?"

Broken, Derm glared frantically at him. "EVERYBODY!" the insectoid bellowed, as Sk'ar finally let go of him, yet the insectoid did not move. "THERE WERE DOZENS OF US. DOZENS!"

Mal shrieked with fury, struggling against his bonds as the rest of the Yam'rii senators and dignitaries howled in despair, desperately trying to break free and reach Derm! The three Jedi and their clone escorts simply stared on in horror.

Shevana stepped alongside brandishing the now activated data-pad so that it now rested in front of Derm. "THE NAMES!" she roared, "GIVE US THE WRETCHES NAMES!"

Suffering from a panic attack, and overcome by fear Derm burst into speech. Grievous and the rest of his Kaleesh entourage watched in satisfaction as between fits of hysteria, the Senator started listing the names of his collaborators. If the Jedi order or any of its fellow spectators needed any further confirmation as to fowl play on the Huk's part it was this.

With every passing second, Derm provided a list of new names, new planetary sectors, corporation systems and retirement places. Most of these individuals, as he said, were corrupt Senators many of whom still worked for the Republic. The rest were a number of official aids, and security guards that these peoples brought with them to the meeting. There was also a list of numerous slaves and catering staff which the Yam'rii ambassadors provided for the occasion. Grievous' eyes glimmered, so far the only references to the Separatist' was a single Neimoidian official in the Trade Federation that Grievous already knew to be dead, and that was Gunray's predecessor.

Even so he vowed to make the corporation pay for its dastardly involvement in the subjugation and reprimand of his people.

Far away on Coruscant, within the sacred, hallowed settings of the Jedi Council chambers the Jedi Master Mace Windu had vaulted to his feet alongside several other members of the esteemed Jedi Council. They stared thunderstruck and and mortified into the projection, knowing about the sense of despair and agonizing horrors that these revelations would present to them. Owing to the strains of war and continuation of the present conflict, reverence towards the Jedi order had shifted, and now voices of discontent and opposition to the mere presence of the Jedi Temple upon Coruscant was starting to take root. Now the indignant revelations that the Jedi order had been manipulated, into secretly serving corruption would fuel further protests. The fact that five fellow members of its order were figure heads in fighting a war that revolved around enslavement was just to much to bare.

Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano, two of the Republics greatest heroes in their own rights were present in council chambers when these declarations came to light. Now a mystified Skywalker was forced to place a comforting hand across his padawan's shoulder as she gazed mortified from both him into the dark despairing depths of the transmission. Even so the human male could not think of a single word to say that might comfort or appease her. As with the Togruta's, fellow members of Tano's own species, standing rigidly alongside the Huk's noblefolks, the young human man had once been a slave. To people like himself it was perfectly understandable as to why the Kaleesh wished to exert harsh justice, but even so a small part of him grotesqued at the very notion of sympathising with the likes of Grievous and what were to all extents and purposes a marauding band of murderers and cut throats, not to mention Jedi killers.

Across the city, in the worn out halls of the Senatorial chamber the Senate let out authentic gasps of terror as this formerly astute member of its Council now listed fellow members and associates in a crime so nauseating it defied everything the Republic stood for, and made them seemed like the bad guys here. The majority of the people whose names were provided still served amongst the Senatorial ranks. Most of these were known backhanders; agitators and fortune seekers, but generally tolerated. There were others however, that masked there ill intentions behind good wills and generous actions, except now this facade was broken.

Tensions rose with every second. Eyes darted in every direction. Aforementioned Senators cowered beneath chairs, sheltered behind aids or else did their utmost to make themselves insignificant and otherwise unnoticeable. Senator Amidala was mortified. She gazed thunderstruck in the direction of Senator Bail Organa and noticed that he was looking just as scared at mortified as she was. Chancellor Palpatine it seemed was unresponsive though he appeared none the less taken aback by the full extent and travesty of the situation. Most disheartening of all she noticed that the Yam'rii ambassadors weren't making any further attempts to profess their innocence now!

Worst of all however was the fact that Senator Derm never once looked at the data-pad, though it happened to have been laced right before him. No matter how much he swayed, how loud his voice rang out, or how hard he gripped his head in his spasmodic pauses his eyes never once angled down in the direction of the tablet. The Senator it seemed had long since committed this list to memory and no matter how distressed or disturbed he was the insectoid had absolutely no problem it seemed in recalling the lists contents, and the names of the people upon it.

As the last few names were given, and the representatives condemned, Derm's fits and fear subsided. Now with a resigned resignation he emitted the final name and then fell silent, his head bowed in subjection. Grievous waited expectantly but when the Senator didn't say anything else, he stooped down and seized a hold of the data-file. He tossed it towards a MagnaGuard, the only one that Grievous' spectators could see.

"Did you get all of that?" Grievous asked curiously.

"Sir!" the MagnaGuard nodded affirmatively. When Grievous asked if anyone had been missed off the droid simply scanned through the file then responded a few seconds later with a corresponding shake of its metallic skull like head. "Excellent" Grievous said resoundingly, "take that information and log it into the data-files along with any of the other useful files. We shall have need for that particular file later on". The MagnaGuard nodded reasurringly, turned about on its heels and made its way across the room towards the archives. As it passed, its blood red photo-receptors gazed hauntingly in the direction of the Jedi and clone accomplices.

Grievous strode towards them, eyes shining malevolently with triumph. "Have you anything to say then Jedi? HUH. WELL, DO YOU?" He bent down and shook Sashi who groaned under the pain of her injuries. "The lives, and innocents that you have destroyed. Have you nothing to profess in this kind of situation? Is there not some great wisdom for your kind, and peoples to pray upon?"

Sashi looked at him, her mouth continuously opening and closing with despair. Koth and Kolback simply sighed and stared away to horrified, to distracted to move or say anything.

From his position alongside them however, Willis now rounded on the Senator's looking absolutely furious. "I trusted you!" he shouted at Derm, who suddenly thought himself to be safer in the hands of Bentilais san Sk'ar rather than the scandalized clone. "I trusted you, i even liked you. My men - they laid down their lives for you, and all this time you were just using us!"

"Using you to take away us and our peoples lives!"Ragne'jan added furiously.

"Well you deserved it!" a voice said savagely, and the eyes of the spectators fell upon General Mal. The infuriated insectoid continued with his tirade, "What with your vicious ways, and your vindictive natures. You just couldn't let things go could now you! Couldn't afford to accept the inevitable now could ya. Well enjoy your victory while it lasts, Grievous' scum. For I promise you that we shall have our revenge upon you!".

"You just don't now when to quit now do you?" Rignan scoffed, and Mal shot a vindictive look at him.

Chuckling scornfully the insectoid said, "No you don't understand you ignorant fools. Even as we speak our politicians are preparing to plead our case before the Senatorial courts. A second army shalt be on its way very shortly. A much larger and even stronger force this time, they won't take very kindly to what you have done. Rest assured that the Huk peoples shall rise again, except this time we will not stop and the border lines. We shall carry on until every last stinking one of you has been wiped from the face of existence. The best part of it all is, because of everything you have done, we shall get the Jedi and its Grand Armies to do it for us. So congratulations with all your triumphs, HAKRODA (AN: the Yam'rii word for scum). You have achieved your victory only to condemn yourselves".

He started cackling like a manacle madman. The Kaleesh glared at him reproachfully, whilst the Jedi's, Derm and Clones looked aghast. "Except that that will not be happening!" a furious voice broke in, silencing Mal aggressively by ramming his palm into the Generals jaw line. Mal choked as Grievous fingers laced around his cheeks and face line, starring into the blazing eyes of General Grievous.

Unafraid, the General retorted, "It can and it will you metallic freak! One way or another we, the Yam'rii will triumph!"

"Except that you have just broadcast this entire charade for the entire galaxy to hear" Grievous' declared letting of the insectoid and strolling over towards the nearest astromech droid. "These little figures have been recorded everything that has taken place here, today, sending up to the Separatist headquarters in orbit. They in turn have been transmitting it across the entire galaxy". The living General's face turned white, the colour having suddenly drained out of it. Grievous was lying of course, soon enough the recordings would be utilized towards that very purpose, but for the commander didn't need to know that. For the time being ...

"The citizens of the galaxy have heard everything that you have had to say General. Your entire views about us and the plight of the galaxy at large, Separatist and Republican alike! All of your trade merchants, all your political allies they just heard what you had to say, alongside your enemies. As for the Jedi, and other officials! They know about your opinions or they will do, soon enough".

Grievous turned away from the now speechless, defeated insectoid, and stretched up to his full imposing high apparently facing nor addressing anyone in particular. Then he spoke, not to himself or any of the individuals present but to the galaxy at large. It's citizens, politicians and other high official figures, but in particular the cybernetic being addressed his most hated of all adversaries ...

"JEDI" he said viciously, "I speak to you now, you and your most ambivalent of Senators" he added sarcastically. "My felicitations to you in this, what must be a most harrowing and disturbing of times. Your greed and corruption it seems knows no bounds. You who speak of justice, yet continue serve alongside the likes of this lowly vermin and the likes of him". He gestured towards Mal, before raising his hand in clenched fist and waving it at his invisible audience.

"Allow me to make one thing absolutely clear to all of you. Senators and Jedi officials alike, for you there is no redemption, no pacification, no appeasement. You violated the trust of my people. A people who suffered at your decadent hands. A decadence, which I now urge the rest of the populace to stand up, and fight against. This is the corruption we fight against! Us and the likes of the other Separatist councilors. We do not wish to sow havoc, but to bring seek justice and unification underneath a new regime. That is why we fight - not to seek glory, but appeasement and justification for the rights and wrongs that the Republic has dealt to us!"

There were murmurs of approval amongst the Kaleesh spectators. Now they broke out into a series of vehement cheering. Koth, Sashi, Kolback, Willis and his other clones shivered, shrinking away as the Kaleesh started working themselves up into a frenzy. Even the Huk's seemed mortified.

"How much longer is before they decide to take so many obligations away from you, as much as they did us. How long will it take for the instillation of military establishments and garrisons becomes mandatory? If so then, how much longer will it before democracy turns into oppression, and your peoples have no rights. At least under the Separatist regimes people know what they can expect and are getting at. That is why I urge as many systems as possible to side with the Confederacy. Turn away from the lies of this oppression. Seek the aid to which the Jedi and Republic have sought so hard to deny you. You the ordinary citizens".

"Associate with the likes of either myself or Count Dooku, and I guarantee that no harm shall come to you. Think or act otherwise and the fires of war shall rain down from the skies upon you just like it did these barbarians". He indicated the Yam'rii and other figures that surrounded him, and the Kaleesh smirked, sniggered and roared with triumph.

"As for the rest of you Senators and other officials that saw so fit to dictate the events surrounding the fates of the Kaleesh peoples more than a decade ago, I have a list with all of your profile pictures and resorts that your allies chose so wisely to store within their archives, lest they ever feel the need to blackmail you into keeping quiet about it. From the moment this transmission ends, a bounty of one million credits a piece shall be placed upon your heads, demanding your immediate execution".

The said individuals gasped and wailed in terror but Grievous wasn't done there ...

"Double to anyone that brings them in personally so that my peoples and I can teach them some manners first. Triple to any systems affiliated to them, which hand them over and pledge themselves over to the Separatist cause". The Kaleesh people, cheered, and ZuI Aras smirked with triumph. "So that's what he was referring to" the Umbaran said quietly.

Grievous turned about and strode back towards General Mal, glaring down at him. "However, I am not entirely without compassion nor mercy" he said sarcastically, "I shall end your lives quickly, those of you not associated with the Kaleesh or the Separatist cause. My people shall then continue to ravage your system for two hours. After that we shall leave your sparsely inhabited world, and the remainders of your people to the galaxy. They shall keep their lives, but the same cannot be said for any individuals left stranded on the colony worlds. My colony worlds I might add. How does that seem to you my fellow associates. Does that seem fair and reasonable?!" he called out and the Kaleesh rabble emitted its loudest, most uproarious cries of vindication thus far!

Sniggering Grievous turned back to Mal. "What about you dear General?" he queried, "What have you got to say about this whole situation. Tell me what is your regard towards this, the inevitable plight of your people's?"

Mal turned his head upwards slowly and glared at the General. His eyes flicked towards the cornered nobles, then the Kaleesh captors, the Senator that had betrayed them and finally the degenerate group of betrayed Jedi. Mal stared back at Grievous a deranged look stretched across his cold set his face.

"Ik va no a no poy a ta kas no mobela e a mon oi ek key!"

Derm wailed, and sank further into a crouch looking petrified. Grievous stiffened eyes blazing furiously, as the Kaleesh seethed and roared with outrage, as the Jedi looked on incredulously. There was a gasp from several of the female Jedi Council members, and the Senators that understood exactly what it was that General Mal was saying looked utterly aghast. Others like Senator Amidala relied on the use of translators or protocol droids in order to provide a translation. As the droid pulled away from her ear hole Padme stared back at the transmission, simply speechless.

(AN: owing to the dark nature of the insectoids translation, I shall not tell you exactly what it was he said. I shall leave that to your imagination).

Grievous held up a hand, and the Kaleesh throng fell respectfully silent. He glanced over at Rignan, who nodded understandingly. At a gesture from their oldest sibling the rest of Grievous' surviving children set upon and surrounded Mal.

Calmic and Jur'bay seized a hold of an arm and elbow each, whilst Rignan turned away from the spectacle and stooped down low over the fire. Dunsan used his full body weight to suppress any motion in spindly Mal's ankles, as his two sisters, one on either side of him, used their combined weight to wrench Mal back into an erect posture.

Mal, in typical fashion went berserk at this. His shrieks quickly transformed into furious shouts. "Stinking Lizard creatures!" he shouted, "Filth trackers! Vermin. The likes of your species has no right to live in or across any regions of the galaxy! GET OFF OF ME!" he thrashed around wildly, but the combined effort of the Kaleesh mob held strong.

Rignan Sheelal got his feet now and came to stand at Grievous' right hand. Clutched in the smaller Kaleesh' hand was a thirty cm fire stoker, attached to the end of which was what appeared to be a length of torn worn out piece of fabric. A fabric which was now engulfed in searing, red hot flame.

The sight of this brought Mal out of his tantrum, and he suddenly went very still, looking from the stick to Rignan and Grievous. His eyes widened knowingly. "No" he gasped feebly.

"Brash and daring right through until the very end it seems, my dear General" Grievous said, as Rignan stepped forwards. His approach was calm and purposeful, and the Kaleesh relished the opportunity to watch his most hated of adversaries. Mal lent backwards, his armored carapace pressing closer to the Kaleesh sisters which still had a hold on him. He felt Heremnik's elbow wrap ever so delicately about his wind pipe, not to choke him but to hold his head in place.

"No, no -" Mal continued to breath as Rignan drew closer. His body shook fearfully now, flexing and unflexing his fingers and toes at a very fast rate. His eyes never wandered, and never strayed. All of his compulsion, all of his fears was focused upon that single burning brand.

"No, no -" he gasped as Rignan stopped in front of him. "No. Not like this!" he said pleading. Frel'ana's hand came around, and with some effort the female Kaleesh started to pry the insects mouth open. Mal resisted her efforts, twisting his head around and doing his utmost to keep his mouth firmly closed. Helpless, unable to do anything that might offer up distraction or do anything else that might benefit the struggling insectoid, Mal's fellow peoples and former protectors watched feebly as the General wriggled and squirmed to the best of his capabilities in an effort to keep his jaw shut!

"This cannot happen!" he roared defiantly, amongst the ceaseless struggles. "It should not be ending this way. I deserve more than this!" he declared as Rignan Sheelal knelt down in front of him, weapon at the ready braced and set for his opportunity.

"It appears that you have a lot to learn about the definitions and consequences behind war my friend!" Grievous said fortuitously, making no effort to join in the spectacle. This was there right, his children had earnt this opportunity.

Heremnik lodged her elbow underneath Mal's head, this time locking it in place. The Huk General's eyes widened.

"If you do not maintain the situation and take command of the fires of war -"

Frel'ana wrenched the Yam'rii's jaw open, wide and to its fullest extent.

"- the flames shall consume you!"

Mal's screams echoed across the entire galaxy as Grievous' son struck the devastating blow. Unable to speak, the Huk's only response was a hoarse spluttering, as his head was blinded with ceaseless endless pain! Grievous' offspring withdrew suddenly, their task now complete, allowing the insectoid to get to his feet for one last instant.

The General's hands flew towards his head area, but his limbs were suddenly becoming to weak and distant to do anything except grip the outline of his now throbbing jaw.

The only thing that still registered was that most searing of pains.

Gargling he turned to face the cyborg, a greenish liquid now trickling from his mouth area. Grievous and Rignan, stared back at him, remorseless. Lifting his uninjured hand Mal staggered towards them, barely managing two steps before his body became sporadic; hunching over and straightening, arms twisting about wildly in every direction as his movements became irrational and unorganized. He pivoted and did a full circle on the spot. Mal turned his gaze upwards. Then his body toppled, jaws still agape as he came to rest on his side, the insectoids head landing fortuitously, in the very centre of the fire.

The rest of the procession watched expectantly but the Huk General, said nor did no more. The stench of the atmosphere was soon joined by that of roasting insectoid.

Panic stricken Derm turned his head pleadingly in the direction of the Kaleesh overlord. "Take the colony worlds" he insisted. "They are your's!"

Bentilais san snarled at him, as Grievous simply responded, "We already have."

"Then take the fortunes" Derm said immediately. "Treat yourselves to anything and everything that this world has to offer".

"Oh we shall" Shevana assured him, seizing him by the scruff of the neck as both she and Sk'ar hoisted him to his feet. The female Kaleesh leant in closer, so that he could hear her satanic whisper. "It shall not be enough!" She and Bentilais san proceeded to drag him across the congress room, where they hurled him to stand amongst the rest of his people.

At the same time additional warriors were lifting the clone soldiers to their feet and marching them over to stand amongst the rest of the rabble. The Kaleesh, everyone noticed, had suddenly changed formation, forming a grid semi circle, which was broad enough to allow the peoples room to maneuver but not enough to allow any peoples the chance of escape. Nobody seemed to notice that the Jedi had been left untouched.

Willis was protesting as he was pushed and dragged towards the crowd, along with his associates. "Woah, woah, hold it there big fellow" he said tentatively towards the Kaleesh that was guiding him . "See, you've got the wrong idea" the clone explained as he was forced into the main throng and found himself standing right next to Senator Derm."See, we didn't know that it was all a ruse. I can assure you that the Republic would never have gotten involved had they known about this!"

"But you didn't!" Grievous assured him as he came up alongside the three Jedi Masters. "Your words are nothing clone".

"Try saying that to all of the Kaleesh that have been killed or otherwise captured owing to you negligence!" Shevana declared as she stood next to Ragne'jan, and Grievous' other relatives. The Kaleesh were drawing their weapons, lig swords and shoni spears glinted in every direction. Bentilais san hoisted his own custom made and ginormous, over sized staff into view.

From his cloak Grievous detached a single bladed lightsaber, and the Jedi Council was mortified to see that it was the weapon of Jedi Master Eeth Koth. "Your lack of insight does not make you innocent clone" the bio droid hissed dangerously.

"Indeed not ..." Sharet'ea shouted, "all that it does is add further sways to your guilt!"

"A guilt ..." Hetrini said ominously,"which is about to be repaid".

The fires around them were blazing louder than ever now as Bentilais san Sk'ar sniggered. Then stepped forwards, as the Kaleesh throng stepped forwards, their weapons raised, sinister grins stretched across every face (though owing to their bone masks this was almost impossible to see) eyes glinting malicious!

Only Grievous, who was by now standing straight in front of Master Sashi Betrini remained stationary.

The throng huddled closer to each other as the Kaleesh closed in. Loved ones braced and held each other tightly, their faces plastered with fear. Panic stricken individuals threw their arms out, as if hopping that that would protect. Others shouted in desperate tones, that they were simply innocent bystanders no longer worthy of the Kaleesh's attention as much as the insectoids were. Despite everything that had just happened the firm set commander echoed "For the Republic" a cry which was mirrored by his associates as he and the fellow clones set about preparing themselves to go down fighting.

Derm's shaken voice was loudest of all. A desperate appeal for clemency, which by now he must have realised was never coming. "No! No!" he said desperately, "No please! We- we can explain!"

Grievous stared at each of the Jedi reproachfully. Unsupported and unguarded, the three individuals were panting now, despairing amid agony and torment. First his eyes found the Anx's. Then the humans ...

"NO, YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!" Derm wailed, as the sniggering, snarling Kaleesh drew ever closer. "Mal and his likes forced our hands. I tried to stop - There wasn't anything I could …."

Grievous' eyes found Koth's now. He stared at him longest watching the hope drain out of his enemies features.

"NO! NO!" Derm panicked, the Kaleesh mere feet away. "WE CAN NEGOTIATE" he screamed furiously. "WE CAN COME TO A REASONABLE FORM OF JUSTIFICATION! THERE IS NO NEED FOR YOU TOO - NO!"

Grievous activated his lightsaber ...

... before Derm's words where drowned out by Bentilais san Sk'ar leaping forwards, and striking him hard across the chest section.

Grievous brought the green tinted weapon slashing downwards,

... as with a roar the Kaleesh pounced forwards, and set upon the rabble.

... straight across the three Jedi's chest areas ...

Senator Derm the cowardly insectoid that had never wanted this war in the first place, let off a scream that would never be heard.

... the three Jedi Masters mouths hung open in a silent knowing gasp ...

Commander Willis lobbed the first punch, which missed by mere centimeters before he was flattened underfoot alongside his brothers.

... then the bodies tilted, and toppled over ...

Kaleesh weapons hacked and slashed from every angle, tearing through limbs, and heads and other tendrils. Carapaces split asunder, shrieks and cries were rapidly stilled until suddenly the last individual had been ended. With that everything was still ...

... lifeless!

All eyes fell upon Grievous again, as the cyborg continued to stare down at his enemies shells. Then with a resounding sigh, Grievous deactivated the weapon and stowed his newly acquired trophy back inside the vestiges of his cloak. Only then did he turn towards his associates and declare, monotonically "HAY BOZA!" (It is finished!)

The Kaleesh throng cheered! Raising its arms, shaking their fists and bloodstain weapons in jubilation and triumph.

The image shifted and the cries became louder, as surrounded by his loyally ever still and silent MagnaGuard's, Grievous marched across a small side street between his Generals and other cheering, applauding warlords and droids, to stand upon the edge of a small jutting platform. Assembled amongst a mass of burning street's and derelict houses, was a screaming jeering mass of Kaleesh battle droids and Separatist war machines.

Overlooking all of them Grievous hoisted a lightsaber upwards, and proclaimed enthusiastically, "KRA VEZAN! KRA VEZAN!" (BLOOD AND GORE! BLOOD AND GORE!)

In response to this the Kaleesh started chanting. One single word, which became louder and more vibrant with each passing second, as across the galaxy Separatist strongholds and residential systems chanted out the name of its greatest war hero!

"Grievous! Grievous! GRIEVOUS! GRIEVOUS! GRIEVOUS! GRIEVOUS!"

A.N. Right everyone, the M related segment is now ended. Back to an old fashion T rating from here on in I dare say.

As the projection faltered and then finally shut down, Anakin Skywalker sensed a great disturbance rising upwards, as if ascending in the force. From the looks on his fellow Jedi's expressions it appeared as if they sensed it too. "We have to act on this. Every available Jedi must coalesce and head over there right now!" he declared, the chain of command suddenly forgotten and alleviated upon.

"He's right" said Anakin Skywalker's, own former master, Obi Wan Kenobi. "This disturbance is going to led to a lot of trouble. The Republic needs the Jedi to take control this situation."

"Agreed with Master Kenobi and General Skywalker on this matter, I do" said the aged Master Yoda.

"Its settled then" Master Windu acknowledged, "Everyone form up". Activating the communicator attached to his wrist gauntlet the Jedi master tore from the Council chambers alongside the other, Master's, knight and padawan. Broadcasting across a personalized frequency that was programmed to reach every Jedi in the immediate area, in other words the Temple itself, he said "This is Jedi Master Windu to all available contacts. All Jedi are authorised to cease whatever actives you are doing, and proceed to the Senatorial Chambers immediately". At all speed the Councilors tore down the Temples passageways and corridors, flanked by additional late comers, all of whom were armed. The ever expanding group headed in the direction of the main hanger bay, where necessary transports and clone reinforcements would be waiting to ship them out towards the immediate danger zone.

The Jedi were right to be concerned!

No sooner had the transmission ended than a great cacophony of turbulence and raw emotions seemed to take root. From within the Senatorial Council Chambers, spurred on no doubt by their own personal emotions and feelings of outrage, the hostilities were brought into motions by the brief strenuous cries of "YOU MANIACAL TYRANT'S!" from an unknown perpetrator. With that dozens, human, near human, xenos and alien rose angrily to their feet, gesturing and waving their appendages consisting of fists tendrils, curled paws and other vestiges that the Senatorial figures had in place of arms. Various peoples started hurling insults, cries of a thousand languages became an indistinguishable hostile rabble as threats, swoons and reprimands were launched from every direction.

From somewhere above the main groups, Senator Lott Dod called out "XENOPHOBES! SCOUNDRELS!" whilst pointing a threatening finger in the direction of the main perpetrators, "HOW DARE YOU SEEK TO MANIPULATE AND EXPLOIT THE SENATORIAL COUNCIL LIKE THIS!" These words had a profound effect upon the mob mentality, which was quickly spurred on by a second verse, this time originating from the lips and profanity of Senator Nix Card. "THIEVES! SLAVERS! THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE. HAVE YOU NO SENSE OF DECENCY OR MORAL COMPASS. DO YOU NOT REALIZE THAT THERE IS A WAR GOING ON!" His shouts were drowned out by an almost unanimous surge of approval, as both he and the Neimoidian exchanged gloating smirks of triumph.

Oblivious to this, many other Senators brought voice to their own thoughts of disdain."SEEKING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR GENEROSITY AND OUR CREDITS, WHERE YOU?!"

"VILLAINS!"

"SCUM!"

"MANIPULATING US FROM THE VERY START!"

"READY TO LAY WASTE TO ENTIRE CIVILIZATIONS WERE YOU?"

"THOUSANDS OF OTHER SYSTEMS AND CORPORATIONS OUT THERE HAVE NEED OF THOSE RESOURCES, AND YET YOU STAND THERE SEEKING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF US!"

The crying and the jeering went on ceaseless, despite the attempts and beckoning cries of Mas Amedda for an order that would simply never be restored, at least not within this particular congregation session at least. Now officially ousted as the profiteering schemers and manipulators that they were the Senatorial ambassadors and other officials didn't appear able to take the endless streams of abuse that were suddenly being hurled their way.

When the ambassadors of Yam'rii looked towards Senator Bail Organa, one of the few individuals found not to be shouting his head off, the middle aged male simply turned his head away then directed his hover platform away, back to the outer most fringes of the chamber, amongst the assembled, continuous rabble. When one individual looked imploringly in Senator Padme's direction, the human female, much as it pained her felt nothing towards him.

Nothing except disappointment and disgust. Shaking her head fearfully, though it pained her much to do so, she simply turned her back on her former prospector and simply wheeled her projection platform away. The sinister truth about this whole matter was, she thought, that just as many Senators and other officials in this Council hall were just corrupt and decadent as the Yam'rii had been exposed to have been.

The only difference was that these Senators or officials hadn't been caught out yet!

Far away on upon the prosperous, Separatist affiliated mid rim world of Serenno the situation could not have been more different. As with everywhere else the projection had reached its conclusion and end by now. Yet it seemed that these figures were simply to taken aback by everything that they had seen and bore witness too to so much as even talk about it. Dooku's shriveled, noticeably tired face was concealed, the tips of his fingers now rested against his brow, immersing most of his head in shadow.

Durge was standing bolt upright, staring blankly in the direction of the projection as with a shimmering whir the likenesses of Shevana, Grievous and Sk'ar sprang forward once again. Grievous' traveled around the key council figures and congressmen's faces expectantly. Tambor's expression was impossible to discern, but San Hill's shock was soon quickly replaced by a resounding look of sniggering delight. Ventress and Gunray appeared to shocked for words but the later's expression also concealed with it a proportional amount of both fear and anguish.

And yet none of them said anything.

In the end of course, it was Grievous who broke the silence. "Well there you have it my Lord" he said dryly, his words aimed in the direction of Count Dooku. "I have told you everything, there is nothing left for me to add. The data-files and other evidence, which I have presented should give you enough detail to the culminations behind my effort. All that remains now is for you to judge me accordingly. Declare my mission a failure, or a resounding triumph. Either way I am prepared to take the necessary steps and protocols along the path to redemption".

These words finally seemed to coax some reaction out of the Separatist figure heads and leaders. Foremost amongst them was San Hill, who seemed barely able to contain himself. Indeed such was his apparent enthusiasm, that he started applauding, and was forced to speak even more loudly so as to be heard. "Oh bravo, to you General. Bravo!" the Muun said excitedly, still emitting short resonating claps with his elongated palms and oddly stretched fingers. "An extraordinary feat and performance. Yes all around, first rate. My appreciations of course are extended to you as well fine sir and dearest madam" he said with a respective bow towards Sk'ar and Shevana. "Please, rest assured that you have my deepest and most sincerest of sympathies for the loses, which you and your people have suffered as a result of this endeavor". Neither warlord seemed to be moved by this evidently false sense of reassurances and comforts. "Even so you have played your parts most spectacularly. You have no idea how gratifying it is to hear that the Kaleesh prospects are finally moving forwards, at long last. I sure am looking forward to visiting Kalee again, it has been so many years since I last set foot there. It will be nice to have a change of scenery again. Rest assured that I look forward to doing a lot of fine business with the likes of you and many other Kaleesh prospectors in the days to come".

Given the grimaces and glowers emitted from both Bentilais san and Shevana, it could not have been plainer that the two Kaleesh warlords wished for nothing more than to give likes of the venturous San Hill and any of his ilk as wide a berth as possible. Grievous for his part adopted a relatively neutral tone, in regards to the situation. The co-operation of the Muuns was still far from guaranteed. Whilst their interests and investments, alongside those of other Separatist affiliated corporate figure heads (such as Wat Tambor, but not Viceroy Gunray) would be beneficial for his people in the long run, without the absolute certainty of his re-acceptance into the Separatist fold and coalition, the bio droid could ill afford to start getting ahead of himself here. Not when there was a chance here, of making promises which he suddenly found himself unable to fulfill.

In fact it appeared that these notions were well rectified and the very concept of his re-acceptance into the Separatist Armada was thrown into jeopardy, as the Viceroy spoke up. "There is no need for those simmering condolences and pitiful excuse for mannerisms here Chairman!" Gunray said derisively "not with the likes of these foul creatures". He directed the Neimoidian equivalent of a particularly dark look in the direction of the holo-projections as all three of the three Kaleesh, Grievous included this time snarled at him. San Hill laughed apologetically, then offered words of comfort on Gunray's behalf, before secretly muttering to the Viceroy to watch his manners with such influential figures and potential clients. "Manners?" the Viceroy queried, "What prospectus? There is no need for obligations or regards here. I must confess that I only imagine what it is you going on in proportionately over sized head of yours, but you seem to have gotten completely side tracked and well ahead of yourself San. Allow to me to rectify that there is no longer any need for such mannerisms, as there aren't going to be any business ventures for us here today".

"And just why is that, Viceroy" Wat Tambor butted in before Hill could even so much as protest. "We all know that you have an enmity and personal rivalry with General Grievous (AN: to put it mildly) but do not let these reservations or hostilities cloud your judgement. The mission here was to simply take a system, and Grievous has achieved that requirement ten fold. Not to mention he has found us a new respectfully powerful ally, which he has not only used to defeat a potential enemy but also to highlight the corruption and negligence imbued by the Republic. With their co-operation we can establish further outposts, not to mention we will have access to a host of valuable resources that might help us find ways to actually win this war. In what regard does that notion seem like a failure to you?"

"Isn't it obvious why?" the Viceroy said, as though he were trying to reason with some stupid child, that had missed a seemingly obvious answer concealed amongst a stream of wrong ones. "The whole freaking concept reeks of failure. These are not victories, that Grievous has presented us if with. If anything they serve as nothing more than testimony to his sheer incompetence and his failures!"

"Such as his inability to follow even the most simple and basic of commands" Ventress interjected. "Like for instance instead of doing as he was told and simply taking one system, and then calling us to notify us of his success, so that he we might support him or reinforce him he chooses to take matters into his own hands. He turns what is supposed to be his own mission into his own personal crusade".

"Some might call that thinking ahead of themselves" San Hill put in, "or else thinking on ones toes and putting the needs of others before ones self strategically. After technology is not as limited as it once was. If Grievous had attempted to notify us following his successive actions upon Kalee, it would have been the insectoids an opportunity to martial their own defenses. Not to mention they would have then had the perfect excuse to contact the Republic for additional reinforcements without their cover ever being blown. This way, a swift decisive strike into the heart of their empire not only got the job done sufficiently but with the element of surprise on their side it was carried out quickly and cleanly. Then of course there was the matter of simply betting the Yam'rii at their own game. After all its not every day that you get to hear of some Republic race, getting exposed for the detested bunch of sick rates that they they really are!"

"Exactly!" Gunray pointed out, jabbing his finger at the Muun's transmission before shooting a malevolent stare across the chamber in Grievous' direction. Grievous of course was quick to return the gesture. Looking for any excuse to fail him seemed to be the Viceroy's game, which was why he was presenting half truths, whilst at the same time manipulating the evidence in favor of particularly biased minor events, which he now presented as an excuse not to let Grievous nor any of the Kaleesh into the folds of the Confederate regime. Just as Tambor had said their disdain for each other perfectly clear and in the Viceroy's case perfectly apparent. "One peoples! Just one, what about the rest then, hmm? There are still thousands more like them. We have seen it for ourselves, that's why we all left the Republic in the first place. Hundreds of corrupt dignitaries still occupy their seats, still out there waiting to be uncovered. Surely if Grievous' accomplishment was such a great achievement then he would have seen fit, just to make sure that enough of these systems were exposed enough as to insure - "

"Enough of this all of you. Bickering amongst ourselves shall get us no where!" a deeply gruff almost barking voice commanded. The eyes of the councilmen and fellow congress folk fell upon Count Dooku. The Sith Lord's expression and mannerisms were unchanged. However, the severe tone in his voice indicated that this, the long anticipated moment had finally arrived.

This was it, the moment of truth!

Either Grievous was about to be welcomed back into the Confederacy with open arms, ...

... or dismissed in total disgrace.

Instead of addressing this matter straight away however, Dooku reprimanded a number of other individuals amongst his coalition first. "Viceroy, whilst your observations are appreciated it would be wise for you when to learn when to keep your private reservations to yourself". Grievous chuckled at this. "Hill" Dooku continued "your sentiments can be well placed, but you would do better not to go on getting ahead of yourself before the matter is properly resolved. And Ventress, still that over assertive tongue of your's unless, that is unless I give you leave to use it. As for you Grievous ..."

The Separatist council and chief chain of command held its collective breath.

Count Dooku lifted his head up, and stared straight at Grievous. As he did so it became clear at once that the human male wasn't only amused, he was satisfied. And, he was smiling.

"... well played!" There were a few gasps and prospective cheers from behind him, but Grievous paid him no attention. Across the galaxy, from the other end of the screen Viceroy Gunray, Ventress and Durge had all stiffened, each one bristling with anger. Dooku for his part, seemed to not notice or otherwise ignored them.

"Your methods may have been unconventional, but that does not mean they were not resourceful and effective at getting the job done. As has already been pointed out you have achieved your original objective ten fold, and not only have you subjugated a potential enemy, your discoveries just so happens to be the very thing necessary to break the stalemate in this war. Those revelations into the Huk's exploits will no doubt rattle and shake the Senators. Loyalties shall be tested here, and it may just be the breaking stone needed to sway several more influential figures to our course. I see from your reports that there were minimal casualties on your part throughout you entire conquest" the Count added, his eyes drifting downwards to analyse a specific extract of the report. "That is commendable. Victory over the clones, Padawan and Jedi knight was to be expected, but for you to best three Jedi Masters simultaneously in combat one after the other, this is an action truly worthy of recognition. Especially given that one of them was once an esteemed member of the Jedi Council, back in his own time".

Dooku closed his eyes momentarily, apparently reliving some distant memory, nodding quietly to himself. His fingers interlaced with the bridge of his nose, but Grievous neither said nor did anything. So far the Counts appraisal's had been nothing short of highly commendable, but he wasn't leaving anything to chance. Often, when they communicated the Count always found a way to make Grievous feel as if he was a small child again, back in the forested being directed and remanded by his of the time this took the shape of chastising Grievous for his past failures or else highlighting the need for him to improve upon himself whilst pointing out some obvious flaw in his otherwise inherent scheme. It was one of the Counts less significant but much more irritating traits that always got Grievous agitated.

"There is of course the small matter regarding the bounties you have placed upon the corrupt officials and other decadents, lurking amongst the Senatorial hive. Whilst I admire your commitment and boldness General, I hope you will appreciate me saying that it does not change the fact that your own pockets do not seem deep enough to cover up the level debt to which you are applying for. My only question therefore is; how exactly do you intend to finance such an economically vast and expensive operation?"

There it was! Like always, Dooku had sought out the one potential major flaw. Now he was testing them, pitting his wits against not just Grievous but the rest of the Kaleesh escort as well. Failure, would result in further disapproval and could spell the end of their ambitions to rejoin the Confederacy. Yet, on this particular occasion Grievous was already ahead of him. In fact he had expected this matter to have been addressed much earlier, and had already devised a solution to this dilemma.

"That is easy Count" he said in matter of factly dry manner. "I am a General not a financier, I cannot possibly be expected to take up such a large debt personally. We mus therefore simply turn towards those within the Confederate ranks, such as our corporation investors who not only have the funds to cover such an expensive cost, but also the practical skills to circumvent and manage the job". His eyes lingered on Count Dooku's for a second then broke off and sought out a particular figures. "I think the likes of Gunray and the Trade Federation, would be perfect for the job!" he suggested pointing at the Neimoidian.

His eyes narrowed gleefully, as Shevana and Sk'ar sniggered gleefully. Evidently the Kaleesh were not expecting Gunray to take kindly to this proposition, but even so that didn't so. Sure enough the Viceroy's temples rose and he swelled indignantly at the very notion.

"What? What kind of tomfoolery is this?!" he demanded. "This and outrage!" he insisted, "My Lord surely you cannot expect the Trade Federation to take up such a massive debt all by itself, without just cause?" Dooku gazed curiously over one shoulder, as if willing the Viceroy to provide with a good enough excuse and reason not too do so. "Our funds are stretched enough as it is" Gunray lied, dismissing the comments that he had made earlier. "The Trade Federation is a commercial front, and right now our focus is on the war efforts and actually making some progress. Our interests do not concern paying bounty hunters wages, and you my dear General have absolutely no excuse to suggest otherwise".

Shevana chuckled, "Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! That is were you are wrong Viceroy!" she decreed darkly. "See not only can we, but we do say so! Forthwith and without complaint. Especially if you ever wish to settle that particular debt you have with us, at any rate"

Gunray stared at her, as did many of the other Separatists, though Dooku for his part looked rather interested. What on earth she was talking about. It was Grievous that answered for her. "Have you forgotten about the contents of that data-file we extracted from the Huk's main archives?" he hissed in a dangerous voice. "It made reference to a significantly high number of influential politicians and Senatorial figures. However, it also happened to reference a prestigious, high ranking member of your organisation, indicating that the Trade Federation was involved in that sickening scheme, alongside those manipulative associates of yours".

Everybody turned around to look at Viceroy, who seemed positively flustered. Unable to hide the deathly pale color that his skin had suddenly turned Gunray immediately started firing off a whole host of numerous and duplicitous excuses. The Kaleesh however, simply were not interested.

"Fate however, it seems is on your side" Sk'ar interrupted. "You seen, given that the particular individual referenced in these archives is no longer, his significance is no longer of any interest or importance to us. His crimes however, cannot and shall not be forgiven!" he said derisively with a shake of his broad head.

"Which is why we are willing to give you a choice, Viceroy" Grievous concluded. "Either your co-operation takes up the massive debt owed to us, by profiteering the actions of these bounty hunters when and where they come through. Or we shall circulate that information alongside those of other individuals caught up in this scheme, thus running the Trade Federations standing among the Republic Senators".

"Which, when coupled with the fact that its official leaders sympathies lie with the Confederacy, should leave a permanent mark, upon your already floundering standards" Shevana added spitefully.

"Yes, which means the damage would be almost irreparable this time I dare to say, wouldn't it?" Sk'ar said with malicious torment.

"You wouldn't dare! No - no one would believe you!" the Viceroy said a little to sharply. "Besides those Senatorial candidates are of vital strategic importance. The political insight, and information concerning the Republics main strategies has proved in valuable. You would never sacrifice such an advantage, not in a thousand years!" he said assertively.

"Don't try me Viceroy" Grievous said threateningly. "There are plenty of other spies, and Senatorial candidates, which provide just as much information as the Trade Federations operators do. The sacrifice of one or two additional figures would not be such a great loss in the long run. So tell me, ... are you willing to accept my proposition or would you rather face the consequences?"

The Kaleesh warlords, hissed triumphantly, sneering victoriously down upon their prey. Gunray just stood there now in absolute silence staring at the floor, his mouth agape, oblivious to all of his surroundings, he seemed utterly despondent and defeated. Next to him, the projections of San Hill and Wat Tambor displayed smirking sneers of mockery and triumph.

Count Dooku for his part, appeared to be, there was no other way of saying it moderately amused. With a light chuckle he complimented the Kaleesh' actions, "An excellent strategy. I see that you have learnt much on your expeditionary mission General, bribery and extortion will get you a long way. Especially concerning cases, which revolve around money. I can assure that the Viceroy shall be forth coming in his payments, when it is required. Shan't you Viceroy?"

Gunray's head came up, evidently ready to protest again. However, even as he faced his commander what little resolve he had left him, and the words simply died in his throat. Turning away sullenly, he simply hung his head, making him seem even less like a highly influential figure and muttered, "Yes Count Dooku", before turning away from the spectacle all together.

Dooku smiled evilly. "The matter is settled then, let us speak no more of it". He turned his back on Gunray, and ignoring Ventress, turned to face the projections of the Kaleesh generals once more. Except this time there was sinister looking, almost gloating smile plastered across his features. "I know that I have said it once already, but this is most impressive work General. It appears that I owe you an apology. I was wrong to ever have doubted you. It seems that you are worthy to serve amongst our ranks. And I can think of no better title for you than that of; Supreme Commander of the Confederacy of Independent Systems and its battle droid armies!"

Grievous had to work hard to keep his expression neutral and appear to be moderately sincere. "Thank you, my Lord! Your appraisal is most gratifying". Truth was he had never really cared much for the title at any rate. Serving alongside the likes of Count Dooku and Darth Sidious was an insufferable, but necessary gambit. And leading an army of strategically mindless automatons was not exactly what Grievous would recall satisfying. Yet even so it would be much more tolerable and convenient now, knowing that for the time being at least his people were safe, and that the likes of Shevana would be accompanying him, serving at his heels.

"With your permission then; my new allies and I would like to get back to work!"

"But of course, General" the Count said, gently spreading his arms with the most satisfactory of smiles. "Might I suggest that you and your fleet make all haste towards Cato Neimoidia. There you can restock on supplies and man power. You will also find the Invisible Hand waiting for you there. She has been fully repaired, and is now within working order!"

"Thank you my Lord" Grievous said, genuinely grateful at the prospect of being reunited his own personal cruiser. "I shall notify you as soon as we are ready to head out on our next mission".

"Thank you General that will be most gratifying" Dooku said pleasantly. "In fact, whilst we are on the subject ..." he pressed a button the control console and an image of 'Husbandry Guardhouse Forty Eight" rose into view. "General, this here is the most recent information concerning our latest target. I am sure that you may recognise it. This is Husbandry Guardhouse Forty Eight. As you can see its defenses are needless to say quite astounding, its main purpose is to serve as an essential stock and filling station to the Republic forces scattered across the outer rim worlds. Especially to those scientific laborers and cultivators born on Kamino. Therefore, I am sure why you can see why its destruction would beneficial and consequential to us".

Grievous of course could see the value. "Of course my Lord. Send me the schematics so that I may formulate a necessary battle plans".

"Of course. Contact me as soon as you have reached Cato Neimoidia". Grievous bowed respectfully, the ever loyal Shevana replicating his movements. Sk'ar gave a respectful courteous nod, but did not bow as his Khagan did.

"Wait my Lord" Ventress suddenly protested. "There is no further need for this. I mean Durge and I have already formulated the necessary battle strategy and you already assigned us to get the job done!"

"Be quiet Ventress" Dooku snapped, "this is a delicate matter one that needs careful attention and process".

"In other words; someone much better, and more capable than you are!" And laughing with hysteria at the angry expression across Ventress' face Grievous ended the communications, ready to resume his responsibilities at long last.

To say that the next weeks were uneventful, would be foolhardy. To say that they were eventful, would be an understatement. One thing that is certain however, is that they were turbulent, more perhaps than just about any event which had taken place so far.

In the wake of Grievous' revelations several profound interactions and political amendments took shape across the galaxy at large: -

First and foremost, as I am sure that you can imagine the Yam'rii's petition was soundly reject, upon an almost universally unanimous scale. Whilst the ambassadors gave persistent urging's and tidings absolutely were genuine and sincere this time, most of the Senators it seemed did not appear willing to be shown supporting the likes of manipulators and schemers. Whatever their faults, and however shunned they might have been as a result of their exploits, the insectoids were none the less allowed to retain their seat and standing amongst the Galactic Senators. This ultimately left the Republic trapped between a rock and a hard place.

On the one hand they supported the insectoids, then it gave off the pretense that the Republic was willing to not only to support the likes of them, but to tolerate and even support further actions.

If however on the other hand they were shown to nothing, they would be disassociating themselves from a species which to all intents and purposes was still part of the Republic. This in the present climate this was sure to make them seem weak, not just to the Republics enemies but among its allies.

In the end the Senate was forced to grant the Chancellor even more emergency powers, enabling him to direct command and control of the situation. So secretly and without the awareness of the masses, a secret task force composed of a Jedi escort and seventeen clone commando's and a troop transport was dispatched with necessary supplies to the Yam'rii's home world. What they found stretched before them, was a planet reeling in agony. Many of the forests were still burning, and its civilians were upon the verge of the descending into anarchy.

As Grievous promised the belligerent survivors had been left with their lives. Of the billions of creatures that had once occupied the settlements at the wars onset, only twenty thousand Yam'rii civilians, citizens and soldiers had survived. This the Jedi task commander Master T'chooka D'oon realised was barely enough to sustain a viable gene pool, and even then the insectoids were unlikely to ever recover completely. Nor he realised would their descendants make attempts to dominate or ensnare the likes of the Kaleesh again.

The Republics problems were far from settled however ...

In the wake of these revelations further rebellions were breaking out, right across the galaxy stretching the armed forces even thinner under the leadership of capable but exhaust Jedi Commanders. Systems and sectors were defecting at an ever persistent rate now, as more and more Senators sided with the Confederacy, against the Republic. The loyalty of the neutral systems was being tested great than ever, and many Separatist defectors reconsidered their actions most wisely.

Indeed one Senator told his Republic emissary, as he personally escorted the later towards the transport jet that would take him and his Republic sympathizers away from an increasingly hostile mob, "I am sorry about this Senators, really I am. But you see, it is better to be at the right hand of the devil than stand in his way!"

Even population of Coruscant itself became even more hostile. It seemed that as Master Windu had predicted public opinion towards the Jedi and Seante offices had been low ever since the start of the wall. Now it appeared to have reached its all time zenith, so not a day went by without some form of protest in one form or another.

Not everyone was suffering as a result of these prospects of these sufferings and endeavors however. For the Separatists its seemed life was prosperous, and prospects at an all time high looking good. Grievous' proclamations had broken the stalemate and their order was actually now winning this war. Since then additional allies and supporters came pouring in from every sectors, resulting in additional territories, finances and resources.

This in turn led to a morale boost spurring resulting in additional conquests and acquisitions. What is more celebration ensued as the populace learnt that within a few short hours of Grievous' transmission the Senate building had been attacked. Spurred on by Grievous' promises and reward no doubt, a group of bounty hunters led by one ZuI Aras launched an audacious strike against them, which led to the deaths of twenty clone troopers, a Jedi and the capture of no fewer than three of the targets on the hit list.

These actions were quick to turn Grievous into a national hero!

For Grievous however it was all part of the job description which was why a few short days after the incident, the cyborg found himself at the head of congress meeting with the likes of Darth Sidious and the rest of the Separatist council. Despite his limited emotion settings, it had been good to set foot upon his home world once again and see his family once more. Yet even so Grievous held no reservations about leaving any of them behind.

Though the initial parting had been difficult the cybernetic being knew with absolute certainty that this separation was for the best. First and foremost he was a soldier, and whatever dangers surrounded Kalee had now been lifted. Under the co-operation of the CIS his people would prosper such as they never had before. This was another reason why Grievous could not return there, no matter how much his family urged him to do so and however much he promised to do as soon as the war ended. Everything on that system was a symbolism to the life had left behind when he adopted the personification of Grievous, fueled even more by his cybernetic upgrade and torment. To return there would mean resigning himself to a fate that he no longer wished to abide by nor return.

Like he said, above all else he was a warrior in chief and a commander first. Everything else came second. That was why he had the likes of Rutta sha Shevana and her chief lieutenants standing alongside him, and not his wives and children. This was why the Invisible Hand and so many other ships floated in orbit around Cato Neimoidia, and would continue to do so until he said otherwise. This was why the ears of so many species strained to listen carefully as he, the cybernetic General vocalized and brought them up to speed on the necessary steps and counter measures, he had compiled in the hopes of overcoming the defenses strategies imposed by the seemingly overwhelming forces at Husbandry Guardhouse Forty Eight.

"So as you see my Lords" he explained to holo-projections and organic beings alike, gesturing at the gigantic blossoming, mushroom like circulatory image representing the Republics giant Husbandry station. "Their greatest strength is also their greatest weaknesses!" he said pointing the necessary illustrations, and diagrams which he felt illustrated and highlighted the necessary aliments he had been mentioning.

"A very interesting and perceptive concept General" the voice of Darth Sidious put forward, "but your words do not exactly bolster confidence. Just how exactly is that you propose to take out this giant battle station, when the likes of so many others before you have already tried and failed to do so". Ventress, already careful not to look directly at Sidious now shifted even more uncomfortably.

"Ah but of course" the General replied, courteously "beg your pardon Lord Sidious. Please rest assured I devised what I hope to be a pragmatic solution to our dilemma". He adjusted a few settings so that the image was magnified ten fold. "You see our greatest hindrance is not the station itself but the fleet which surrounds it. Owing to its sheer vastness and numerical advantage, which puts our fleets at a serious disadvantage even before we engage them. It is therefore essential to render this surrounding system indisposed before even contemplating attacking them, either by harassing the fleet and picking it off leisurely or rendering it almost useless entirely".

This proposal was greeted by a series of mutterings and intrigued looks from amongst the Separatist Councilors. Only Shevana, Darth Sidious and the MagnaGuard's kept utterly still and emotionless. "If that happens then the rest of our operation should be easy" Grievous continued. "Our ships shall attack from the north quadrant, given that is were their main entrance and cargo hold facility is. The Fleet of Rightful Conquest shall form up in aggressive formation, right behind the Invisible Hand. As our cruisers and fighters continue to mop up any remainders of the garrison I shall lead a strike team into the heart of the facility, and seek to destroy the Husbandry from with the use of ion charges and detonation capsules".

There were murmurs now, mutters of approval and disapproval issued from every corner, as Wat Tambor stretched out his hand. "You make it sound audacious and relatively easy General".

"If all goes according to plan Tambor, then it should be!" came the simple response.

"Pardon me for asking" the Count interjected, "but just exactly how many ship is it that you intend to accompany on this mission of yours?"

"Eight my Lord!" Grievous said shockingly. "The fleet shall be compromised of the four ships from the Fleet of Rightful Conquest. Plus the addition of the Hand, a second Lucrehulk, and finally an additional set of Muunilinst class frigates!"

This revelation was met with a series of gasps and outcries amongst the assemblage. Several officials were taken aback, others dumbfounded and yet more seemed over come. Even Lord Tyranus appeared suddenly uneasy. Only Darth Sidious appeared unchanged.

There were shouts and cries of "Ludicrous!" ...

and, "It is not possible!" ...

followed by, "How could one even hope to overcome such a vast obstacle with such menial numbers?"

Then as San Hill brought voice to that very question, Grievous and the rest of his Kaleesh procession laughed uproariously at some unexpected, and private joke. As the slightly puzzled chain of Separatist command fell silent and looked on impatiently, Grievous saw fit to let them on his share of amusement. "That is where you come in my fellow associates. The best way to win this battle isn't through strength of arms but by adopting different strategies. Such as the ones I demonstrated and used to great effect at Stabolaz. Specifically, deceit and trickery!"

Most of the officials exchanged puzzled glances, but a sinister knowing smile suddenly spread across Count Dooku's features. With a small click of the fingers, San Hill appeared to recognise what Grievous was getting at, and pointed and understanding finger in Greivous' direction a broad ghastly smile now stretched across his puckered features.

For the first time since the procession began Darth Sidious appeared to demonstrate some small measure of intrigue. His hooded face was certainly lifted up much higher and straighter than usual, though the features as always were kept shrouded in mystery by the hood of his heavy robe. "Yes" the dread lord said in that emotionally dry, dark and sinister fashion of his. "By outwitting the Jedi it shall demoralize the Republics army, and sow further acquisitions of descent and a sense of foreboding amongst the galactic populace. Grievous, can it be done?"

The Kaleesh cyborgs golden eyes narrowed meticulously, glinting maliciously in the half dimmed lights. "Yes Lord Sidious. By the time the Republics soldiers know what has hit them, it shall be far to late for them to do anything about it!"

Hyperspace, Unknown location.

"Is everything prepared?"

As the Republic Star Destroyer known as the Prospectors Justice, soured through hyperspace, acting fleet commander Admiral Wullf Yularen turned away from the distracting, mesmerizing signs of hyperspace, which now surrounded his ship. Steeling himself the Admiral turned to face his interrogator. "So far as I can tell. I certainly hope you know what it is you are planning Master Jedi" He cast a weary eye over the rest of his men. The atmosphere upon the command brig was very tense, as the technicians and pilots worked meticulously to steer the ship on course. Even the astromechs appeared slightly unhinged and Yularen could not blame them.

"I hope so as well, Admiral" said the famed Jedi negotiator and diplomat Obi Wan. There was a slightly uneasy edge to his tone as he said so. Looking over one shoulder the Jedi Master asked, "Rex. Cody. Are the troops in position?"

"Ready and able sir!" Rex responded resolutely.

"No need to fear, commanders. No sheer amount of Separatist fire power is going to make it passed our boys!" Cody stated.

Well, they sure have got spirit Obi Wan mused quietly to himself. Speaking aloud he said, "What about you Anakin? How's things going at your end?"

"Looking all good down here Master". This voice did not come from Anakin Skywalker, rather it was the sparking voice of his former Padawan's own student. Ever loyal to her master, and obedient to a fault, Ahsoka was risky and daring. She followed Anakin wherever he went, often taking risks and unnecessary gambits that were ill suited for a Jedi of her age. This along with so many other factors was what made her all the more suited, to be Anakin's Jedi apprentice.

"All ships primed and ready Master. Just give the word and the fighters are ready to disembark on my mark!" Obi Wan smiled. Now that, most certainly was the voice of Anakin Skywalker. Always ready to charge head on first into things, with out any regards for his personal safety or any serious battle plan. This was often what got him into so much trouble.

"All right Anakin, very good" the older man chuckled lightly to himself. "Just be careful, and please, try not to get to caught up in the heat of the battle this time. Whilst rescuing you does have its advantages it does tend to get quite tiresome after a while".

From the other end of the line, the Jedi Master could hear Anakin Skywalker sardonic snorts. "Hark whose talking" the younger man said. Then evidently trying to be more reassuring he added, "No need to worry about me Master. I've got R2 here to keep me company, and Ahsoka shall be operating as my gunner". The grinned knowingly as the Togruta smiled at him, both of them laughing as they heard R2 assertive wheeling whistles.

"Your optimism has me feeling much more confident" the Jedi Master said sarcastically.

"Sir's" said a clone operator from a nearby terminal. "We're about sixty seconds out, and counting down. The fleet is forming up!"

"Right, thank you" Obi Wan said a lot more seriously. "Did you get all that Anakin?"

"Loud and clear Master. We will be ready to drop all ships on your mark" Anakin acknowledged, a much more serious and noticeable change in his voice as well.

"We have questionable intel on this, at best Master Jedi" the Admiral said poignantly. "Are you reasonably sure that these details are worth the necessary risk?"

"It's not a chance we can afford to take Admiral" Anakin said seriously, as he made some necessary adjustments to the ships monitors and weapons systems. Ahsoka like wise primed the target systems.

"Nothing that the Separatist's say can ever be truly trusted" Obi Wan reasoned. "But we simply cannot afford to take that chance. If those reports are to believed, then Grievous has assembled a strike force with the intentions of striking out against the regions husbandry and refueling stations".

"That at least is something we all know can be true" Anakin mused.

"What's worse, the accounts also detailed the Separatists intentions to rendezvous with three Subjugator Class heavy cruisers. Cruisers built and accustomed along the Malevolence designs!"

"We've got to take the initiative here" Obi Wan said perceptively. "Take control of the prospective meeting zone and if necessary take out those monsters before they can be given the chance to destroy us".

"Well said, Master. It was bad enough having to deal with just one of those constructions the first time".

"And even then we only defeated it by chance" Rex added.

"Thirty seconds out?"

"I don't mean to question your wisdom and your foresight's commander Jedi", Yularan insisted, "but is it really necessary to risk the lives of our men like this? You're absolutely certain that we can destroy those abominations if we were to engage them in a direct assault?"

"Not to mention that sincere figure in command of this whole operation" Ahsoka hissed venomously. Anakin gazed over at her, concerned. Evidently she was still reeling from the affects of having watch the Kaleesh execute dozens of innocent Togruta peoples at Grievous' command.

"Certain? No" Obi Wan explained. "Left with no alternative? Absolutely. Each of those ships carries enough fire power to bring devastation to entire fleets, at a single time. imagine what three of them could do if they were allowed to set off simultaneously across the galaxy. Besides, even if the accusations prove to be not true we simply cannot afford to risk the safety of the husbandry stations. Just about every fleet from across this sector shall converge on the relevant co-ordinates. From there we shall take the necessary steps and actions, ready to destroy the weapons of the enemy and maintain control of this system".

"Twenty seconds!" a voice cried, and the Republic crews braced itself.

"Prepare the boarding craft" Obi Wan instructed, "tell them to form up and pilot alongside Anakin!"

"Right away sir!" Rex and Cody tore out of sight, as Yularan and Kenobi stared out of the view screen. Eye's deadly set.

"Reducing speed ..." a clone technician advised.

Across the ship, every soldier, pilot and field commander readied themselves.

"Almost there. We are exiting hyperspace in exactly five, four, three..."

"...two..."

"..one..."

Now! EXITING HYPERSPACE!"

The ship slowed, abruptly entering real space as it surged forwards. Several other Republic cruisers exited alongside them, and sure enough there were the signs of an engagement straight in front of them. A large coalition of Separatist fighter carriers and cruisers was locked in battle with what appeared to be the vanguard of the Republicans strike force. There must have been at least sixty ships involved, split between Republican class cruisers and the Confederates.

Until recently, the engagements appeared to have reached a stalemate, neither side having gained neither apparent vantage or disadvantage over the other ones star cruisers. The arrival of fresh troops and additional reinforcements, alongside the other Republic affiliated vessels now emerging out of hyperspace was almost certain to the scales. The only trouble was there was still no signs of the Separatist trio of Subjugator Class destroyers just yet.

That made winning this engagement even more, of a priority. Deal with the Drezzel's claws and teeth first, and only then aim for its heart.

"All ships!" Admiral Yularan commanded, his anxieties forgotten and his resolve now restored in face of the enemy. "Strive forwards! Target those enemy cruisers on the double!"

"You heard him boys!" Commander Skywalker instructed. "Let's go on out and give them some covering fire!" Wave upon wave of star fighters burst from every carrier, before rapidly forming up into neatly assembled, established cohesions. Skywalker, along with the rest of Gold Squadron took up point at the head of the wedged formation. He could hear Tano already swiveling in her seat, no doubt adjusting the focus as she took careful aim. They were closing the distance quite rapidly by now. They had already left Master Kenobi and his cruisers far behind them and already they could see the what shape the battle was taking.

The battle it seemed had become a vicious one. Many of the cruisers were trailing fire by now, and an endless stream of small ignitions in and around the cruisers indicated that Star fighters were going up like small novas out there. Time to even the odds Skywalker thought quietly to himself.

"Loose formation" he declared at what he perceived to be the right moment. "All crafts stick to your present pod mates and pick your targets at random". The unstoppable horde fanned out and soon began to make its presence felt. Within seconds dozens of droid fighters were disintegrated scrap piles floating in the void, or else crashing into space hulks where their remains caused series damage and further explosions. Of course the Republic crafts suffered from their fair share of casualties too, but these were barely noticeable in the endless stream of reinforcements.

Then Kenobi's cruisers arrived, alongside additional reinforcements, which came up alongside him. Their sheer presence along with combined weight of their assault barrage was enough to turn the tide. The Separatist juggernauts began to lose focus and started to break formation. Anakin ordered his ships to take advantage. He led the survivors of Gold Squadron in for the assault, Ahsoka peppering incoming droid fighters with the Y wing's roof mounted turrets. A few individuals from Gold Squadron were not so lucky as Anakin Skywalker was though the majority of the team successfully made it.

As they descended these pilots launched a heavy wave of fire bombs and proton torpedo's against the Muunilinst crafts rear flank. Pulling away at the last second their efforts were rewarded by a small sun lighting up behind them. Most of the gunners including Ahsoka were dazzled by the explosion, but even so they cheered along with all the rest as the frigates stern section suddenly fell and the barely functioning ship now listed dangerously to starboard.

Yet even so the Capital ships were still advancing and a Prominence Class Star Destroyer was soon sent ricocheting out of control. Despite everything, it was still clear that for the time being at least the Separatists were still willing to put up a brave fight. At least that's what Ahsoka said.

Anakin smiled to himself. "What do you say Snip's?" he said, eyes direct and keeping just enough attention focused on the battle to ensure that this Y Wing did not become his and Ahsoka's, smoking husk of a funeral pyre. "How's do you feel about say, cutting off this Sarlaac by its head?"

He sensed rather than saw the Togruta smile humorously at him. "Thought you'd never ask" she said charismaticly as she turned the swivel gun round to face the bow side of the craft. The two Jedi heard the unsteady beeps of R2, which was quickly followed up by a small droid citation popping up on the small data screen.

"Don't worry R2 everything's going to be alright" Ahsoka reassured him. R2 whined and sent a second secret transmission to Anakin. The human male Jedi chortled to himself, "Ha, ha. Now your starting to sound like Obi Wan" he said. Tapping a small communications signal on the ships terminal, he ordered "Pod six and blue squadron form up on my mark! We're going to hit that cruiser hard with everything with got!"

As Anakin descended the relevant squad formations formed up alongside Gold squadron. The necessary units fished tailed, evading a great salvo of turbo laser fire and droid star fighters, then they nose dived, heading straight towards the relevant cruiser, a Providence class destroyer. And as they did so Anakin sensed the presence and great disturbance. A sudden tremor in the force, which indicated the presence of yet another force sensitive, except that this individual was immersed deeply within the forces dark side.

"I sense it too" Ahsoka gasped from behind him and Anakin's eyes narrowed, viciously the scar across his face suddenly aching and stinging most severely.

"Ventress!" the hissed from between his clenched teeth.

Sure enough, the assassin was indeed on board the brig of the main capital cruiser, watching the space battle silently. Around her, the equivalent of entire six squadrons worth of battle droids worked endlessly around her, in an effort to rive back their enemies whilst maintaining the ships present altitude and keeping it operation. As the carnage continued to increase around her, Ventress' fingers coiled vehemently around the curved metallic hilt of her lightsabers. I'll get you for endangering me like this, General she whispered quietly to herself as another violent shudder suddenly rocketed the ship underneath her.

All I can say is, this had better be worth the effort. Otherwise you will suffer most severely ...

"Uhm, sir! We got enemy contacts closing in off the port bow". Not bothering to teach the droid a lesson for referencing her as a man Ventress steppe forwards to see a band of fighter crafts approaching them quite fast now. What was worse a few Star Destroyers loomed ominously, overhead.

"Raise the shields!" she ordered, "target those cruisers. Then intensify the forward batteries. I want as little of the star fighters to make it on through". The droids operated to her commands, so that by the time was the shields were raised and the targets locked a reasonable number of the star fighters had been taken care of, and the Republic cruisers were having a hard time making it pass the blockade.

Then as the remaining star fighters overflew them, passing within mere meters of their view screen, Ventress sensed a nauseating feeling stir up in side her. Gaze turned up towards the ceiling she listened to the last few seconds of the enemy vessels fly motors pass on over them. Somebody she recognised was aboard one of those ships. No she realised, not just somebody, but two people! People that she recognised. People submerged in the forces light side!

"Skywalker" she realised, "and that feisty little runt of his! Ahsoka Tano!" The assassin grinned rather cheerfully to herself now. If Skywalker was here that surely meant that Kenobi wasn't to far off behind him. Well now ... she thought rather dangerously to herself, things are actually starting to get interesting around here.

"There's a lot of interference, Anakin. Say that again, more clearly this time!"

"Repeat. Master, Ventress is on board that ship. I can sense her presence" Anakin stated as he brought his fighter around for another pass.

"Yes ..." Obi Wan said, delving deep into himself, whilst at the same time stretching out with his subconscious feelings in order to scan every inch of the cruiser in front of him. He could sense it all right, a sheer physical presence. A presence affiliated with the dark side. "I sense it too, now as well. Roger Anakin, your reference has been acknowledged. Proceed with your attack as scheduled".

"With pleasure!" Anakin gunned the ships engines forwards, as did the rest of Gold squadron and the other fighters. "Master, I don't understand!" Ahsoka cried out over to him, even as she continued to rain fire down upon their enemies. "This makes no sense. I thought General Grievous was supposed to be heading up this operation? ..."

"... So why is that most ghastly of females in charge of this fleet?" Admiral Vularan stressed, having just applied the same round of question to Obi Wan that Ahsoka had to Anakin.

"Intel can't always be right Ahsoka" Anakin stressed, as he banking sharply in order to dodge another series of communication relays and laser turrets. "Besides!" he added as of passing shockwaves generated by what until recently had been a reasonably well functioning Lucrehulk, "I'm not sure now is the best time to be worrying about it!"

"Those cruisers could be arriving here at any minute. We can ill afford to concern ourselves with trivial matters such as that one". He placed his hand upon the control console, resting his palm casually against the communications switch. "All ships!" he addressed loud and clear. "This is General Kenobi here. Concentrate all fire against the Separatists main capital ship. If there is a transponder and location signal hailing the main fleet it must be coming from somewhere on Ventress' cruiser. Launch everything you have got against them. Repeat blast the ship out of the skies! Do you copy!"

"On it!" Anakin' booming voice came loudest of all. There was a sudden surge, and flurry in activity as just about every available star fighter and battle cruiser converged upon the respected target.

"You heard them boys. Let's hit them with everything we've got!"

Ventress' usually sharp, stern features soured dramatically as real fear suddenly coursed through her. She felt a real fear coursing through her as two Republic cruisers suddenly came up alongside her. The port and starboard defensive turrets whirred into action but it soon became apparent that they were being overwhelmed. At the same time, what appeared to be an endless array of star fighters converged frighteningly upon the horizon, then began to make its way across the ships bow section, launching wave after wave of salvo fire down upon the cruiser.

The jarrings and vibration, seemed to become endless as the ship to took corporate amounts of hefty punishment. There must have been hundreds of star fighters out there now and according to the tracking stations, dozens more fighters were still converging on them position. There was no doubt in Ventress' mind that the seamless tide was heading straight for the bridge, with the intention of shooting down and disabling her craft. And at the forefront of it all was Anakin Skywalker!

She could sense it!

"Sir!" a droid stammered, "our forward positions have all gone! Our communications relay is all down and our engine systems are failing!"

"Then raise the shields!" Ventress hollered. "If primary transmissions are down then lock in the auxiliary powers then why don't you?!"

A few seconds later however, the same droid revealed in a much more distressing turn: "It's no good sir. There simply isn't enough power left to keep us going. System are down across twenty levels and the life support systems are now failing also. At this rate we'll be lucky to hold out for another five minutes at max sir. Sir?!"

Ventress it transpired hadn't stayed around just to see how much longer it was that this ship could repeatedly stand up to the Republic's ever increasing barrage of turbo laser fire. As far as she was concerned the fate of this ship was already sealed, and the Dathomirian night witch was determined not to be registered amongst it list of casualties. Forsaking everyone around her and with the force operating as her ally and thus enhancing her already tremendous capabilities she had vaulted out the brig and was now hurling down a corridor, several blocks away.

As she neared her destination, an explosion from overhead told her that the Jedi had succeed in their objective. She staggered, and was forced to grab a wall realising what this meant as to the fate of her belligerent crew. This matter was of little consequence to her however, the ship had only a matter of minutes left to live, maybe two at the most and she was determined to make sure that she was no longer aboard it once it exploded.

She was grateful for the Republics persistence however, Ventress realised as floored it across a hall way. The ignominious maniacs would keep on the hounding the ship until it exploded, which presented her with an opportunity. Had she taken flight earlier, chances are that she may have been shot down. Now, with the Jedi occupied, she may stand a chance.

Making it to the necessary hanger bay she used the force to telekinetically hurtle any obstructive pieces of cargo or unsuspecting battle droids out of her immediate pathway without breaking stride. The droids groaned and shouted complaints in here general direction, but Ventress never looked at them, devoting all her attention towards reaching her own private space craft straight in front of her. Fortunately it was still intact.

With a brief gesture, and a small hiss the cockpit sprang open, and using the force Ventress vaulted high before proceeding to somersault straight into the pilots chair. Another explosion rocked the entire ship as the cockpit slammed shut, and the engines roared to life. Within seconds Ventress had taken flight, then she was out of the hanger bay and heading straight into the cold, merciless voids of space. She traversed the full breadth of a Republics Star Destroy managing to dodge the salvo barrages launched from the ships automated gun systems. Several Republican fighters started to give chase but Ventress was to skilled a pilot and her ship was much to nimble to be seriously threatened by them. A unit of Vulture droids started hammering her pursuers and raining fire down upon them.

Ventress did not chose to honor their so called sacrifices. They were simply droids, fulfilling everything they were programmed to do such as shielding their commander her and granting he an opportunity to escape. Within seconds she had entered a random set of co-ordinates into the ships navigation computers, pressed the relevant switches, then sat back as the ship veered forward carrying her off into the depths and relative safeties of hyperspace.

With the threat of Ventress having been eliminated, and with the main flag ship now destroyed the remainder of the cruisers suddenly their urging to stick around and to stay and fight, in the light of its commanders flight. A small chaotic rout ensued in which the Republic fleet either mopped up the remainder of the cruisers or simply watched the blemished ships and star fighters, scatter in multiple directions around them.

As the last of the dreaded space hulks made the necessary jumps into hyperspace, the Republic started tallying up its casualties. A grand total of six cruisers had been bested, dozens of the other ships were moderately damaged and numerous star fighters had paid for their vigilance with their lives. And yet despite all of this, the number of total fatalities was considerately light.

Best of all there was no sign of those Malevolence sized cruisers after all.

"This is Master Kenobi calling all stations. We made it, boys!" A great cry of jubilation went up from the Republic star fighters, as the majority of the crew members stared cheering and applauding. Several other individuals started whooping, and punching the air with triumphant fists. The noise was so loud it carried right outside the ships, and not even the thrum of the engines or the fizzing of the smaller lighter crafts could drain it out.

Truth was that many of the fighter crews were whooping and cheering just as loudly, if not louder than any of the others. As for Anakin Skywalker, he was content just to lean casually back in his chair for a short while. A leisurely smile now stretched across his features as he took the opportunity to actively enjoy what was for now the unimpeded act of flying, all the while listening to his apprentice who was making a great whooping fool of herself, as she cheered and gloated along with all the others. Anakin chuckled, that was precisely the sort of thing that he would have done if he was that young, but for now he did have a ship to fly.

Eventually the noises and cheers abated, as Obi Wan said in that orderly and measured voice of his, "All right now, peoples that's enough dithering for the time being. I require all hands to report to their stations please. The Separatists are still out there and we all have a job to do, before we can even consider heading back to respective charges".

"Affirmative" Anakin chimed in a sarcastic indication of respect. "I'll conduct a necessary sweep looking for survivors!"

"Copy Gold Leader" Obi Wan responded, just as kind. "All survey crews report to you duty stations, the rest of you return to your cruises for prominent recall". With that the cheers and chorusing abated and a noticeable silence took a hold. The happy atmosphere and excited murmurings were slightly harder to still, though Rex and Cody did their best.

With the mission now practically over the Supreme Jedi Commander and the chief Admiral were content to stand idly by and simply let their crews get on with matters. They watched as the streams of star fighters now returned to their crews, enabling their pilots a good well earned rest. Only Anakin and the designated fighter patrols chose to stay out on duty. They were soon joined by several LAAT gunships, loaded with fully armed space troopers, first aid kits along with other medical supplies and carers.

Cautiously approaching the main wreck sites it was these troopers job to search out survivors, Republican and Separatist, providing of course that the later were not droids. In the event of finding survivors the units did what they could on hand before shipping any survivors back to the cruisers, either for further treatment or interrogation and imprisonment. Sometimes of course, it was all three.

"Well .., it appears that I owe you an apology Master Jedi" the Admiral said rather sheepishly. Obi Wan looked at him rather curiously. "Seems there was nothing for our boys to really worry about after all. It appears congratulations are the order. Once again it appears that you and your fellow Jedi have saved the day once again".

"No Admiral, far from it" the Jedi said rather seriously. "The Jedi could never have performed these actions on our own. Rather this, along with the rest of accomplishments was a joint effort, between all of us. That includes you and your men. Therefore the gratitude I insist must be extended all round".

Anakin chuckled. "That's Obi Wan for you" he said lively towards no one in particular, "never can take credit and where its due". Ahsoka had to work hard to hide her snickering and R2 emitted a great hooting whistle of amusement. Obi Wan rolled his eyes sarcastically.

A light blush now touched the Admirals cheeks and he turned away briskly so as not to be seen. "Well, in that case good work all round" he said in a complementary manner. "I must say I am rather impressed by how it all went. Though I must confess I was surprised to see them all take flight towards the end".

"You and me both" Anakin retorted, bring his ship to a steady halt just to make sure the occupants of the nearby escape pod really were dead. "It's not like the Separatist to simply break off an retreat like that".

"I agree, but then again when are the Separatists ever really predictable?" Obi Wan suggested reasonably. "Given that the majority of its are at the end of the day simple machines, I expect that they just followed standard protocols and made a bunk for it. Would that all our prior engagements with the Separatists had been so-"

Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep!

A persistent chiming from the communicator on his wrist stopped him dead. Such was the nature of this signal that to a Jedi Commander like Obi Wan Kenobi, it indicated only one thing. Trouble!

Obi Wan had barely tapped his communicator on when a distressed females voice cried out, "-read me?! This is Jedi Knight Kristen Freya to all Republic stations. Does anyone copy, over?!"

"This is Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi reading you loud and clear, Master Freya. Pass your message, over!"

"General Kenobi!" the females voice from the other end sounded gratified but exhausted. "Thank the force I have reached. Require immediate assistance on the double. Husbandry Guardhouse station forty eight is under attack! Our forces are being overrun. We, can't hold out much longer! The Separatists have us pinned down!"

"The Separatists?" Obi Wan rectified, exchanging puzzled looks with the chief Admiral. "Did you say the Separatists. No that can't be true. Ventress' task force has been taken care of, it survivors scattered off in all directions. There is no way that they could have reconvened, much less reach you within the relevant time frame".

"You misunderstand!" the young female explained, "its not Ventress heading this assault. Please you've got to hurry. We've scanned the main flag ship, its markings and designs match those of the Invisible Hand! It's General Grievous' that's leading this assault and not Ventress!"

GRIEVOUS!

Obi Wan and Admiral Vularan flinched, as Commanders Rex and Cody stiffened sharply. The men's hearts appeared to have stopped suddenly, the air itself suddenly seemed to have gone stale. Time it seemed had slowed to painful halt. Just like Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano, the blood appeared to have suddenly drained out of these mens face their eyes widened in terror, as they contemplated the same thing.

"We've been duped!" Obi Wan said sharply. "That fleet we destroyed was never the main strike force. It was meant to draw us out. Set up a distraction and thin our battle lines elsewhere, so that Grievous would have a straight shot straight for the Husbandry Station".

"Virtually unopposed!" Cody breathed.

"And we brought the greater part of the Guardhouses reinforcement garrisons with us!" Rex gasped.

"Well what are all just standing around, waiting here for?" Anakin said, shifting his ship into full throttle and making a beeline straight for Obi Wan's cruiser. "Let's get over there and take out Grievous, whilst we still have a chance!"

"We're too far out!" Admiral Yularan stated in a mortified tone. "Even along the shortest hyperspace routes it would take six galactic standard hours to reach that exact position, and that's travelling at full speed. We will never make it!"

"Maybe so" Ahsoka agreed, "but we have got to try. In one way or another we're citizens of the Republic each and everyone. We represent a democracy here, not a dictatorship, and as such we do not abandon our one in their hour of need!"

Obi Wan was particularly grateful that he knew the female Togruta right now, and was grateful that his own former student had inherited such a wise a charismatic Padawan. "She's right Admiral" he said decisively, "even if there is only the slimmest of chances, its a chance we still have to take".

The middle aged man looked as though he was going argue for a moment, then appeared to consider what the only slightly younger man had just said to him. Then he closed his jaw, and nodded resolutely. "As you wish Master Jedi. I'll contact the nearby cruisers and tell them to pass the message on!"

"Thank you" Obi Wan said obligingly, as the Admiral set about his work. "Anakin, Ahsoka link up with the fleet pronto. Cody, Rex the both of you need to notify your men. Explain to them what has happened and they need to prepare themselves for either a fight or a reconnaissance mission". As the two commanders hurried off Obi Wan re-engaged his communicator and said most delicately. "Hold tight Master Freya! The fleet is heading out to join you, at full speed."

"YOU'VE GOT TO HURRY!" the human Jedi female pleaded, the urgency now present in her voice. "Grievous' ships have already shot down the last two cruisers, and the Separatist fighters have just rendered the greater portion of our defensive capital turrets all but useless. Their cruisers are now closing in!"

"Just hang tight we are on our way!" Kenobi reassured her, but the desperate woman shouted over him.

"MASTER KENOBI!" Freya shrieked suddenly. "We've got a new set of contacts, in the cargo bays. Lots of them, but - they're not battle droids! There are organic beings serving amongst the Separatist ranks! They look like those monsters responsible for the extermination of the Huk's across their colony worlds. Our troops are being overwhelmed. They're almost through - AGGHHHH!- "

The connection went dead! Obi Wan tried a few times to re-establish contact. There was no response. The Jedi Master lowered his wrist, looking devastated.

"Order all ships to make the necessary jumps into hyperspace now! On the double!" he ordered, as the Star Destroyer listed sharply, and the entire fleet turned about.

For the men of the Husbandry Guardhouse Station Forty Eight though, it was clear that this help would arrive to late.

Their positions were being overrun. Their orbital defensive platforms and battery turrets had by now been either overrun or destroyed. With the majority of their fleet off aiding Kenobi against what the war generals had perceived to be the only major danger to the husbandry stations security, the few troops that remained were ill equipped and unprepared to deal with this latest charge.

Appearing suddenly and unexpectedly from the north quadrant, Grievous' fleet had launched a devastating array of turbo laser fire against the enemy cruisers and fueling stations. As a series of chain reactions and explosions lit up the perimeter, decimating the reserve garrisons, several hundred droid star fighters descended upon the Republics remaining positions. Most headed towards the main outlet, whilst others now flanked by the cruisers started hounding the bases star fighter defenses. This alongside the capital turrets was the only real real defensive tactic, that the station now bolstered. Against the pirates, which sometimes plagued this area the Republic fleet might have stood a reasonable chance.

Facing the likes a fully organised, and marshaled Separatist contingency was a different matter, especially when the said fleet served under the capable leadership of the Confederacies most sinister commander. Now the fleet was closing in! The Republics remaining Star Destroyers had either been wasted in the initial attack, whilst docked on the filling stations before they could disengage themselves or else devastated under a persistent hail of turbo lasers. Meanwhile the relentless swarm of Vulture droids, Tri fighters and Separatist Gunships launched devastating attacks against the stations capital turrets, thinning their numbers until it was safe for the Invisible Hand to move forwards and start hounding the remaining fields from afar.

It was only then that boarding transports had been dispatched. Under cruiser and star fighters devastating salvos the cargo tight doors had been breached and though the defensive grid and shields were holding this did not stop HMP droid gunships from invading. A defense had already been marshaled and under the leadership of the recently anointed Jedi knight Kristen Freya, former Jedi student and follower to the late Jedi master Sashi Betrini. Having only recently been anointed to the sacred position of Jedi guardian, the young woman had, by her own admission deemed herself too inexperienced to make an effective field commander.

This was why she choose to stay here, gaining first hand experience on how to be an effective commander. This was why she had accompanied her Master on the ill fated voyage to Kalee though her ever doting and kind Master had offered the opportunity, a concept which both devastated and haunted her. Now as she deflected incoming blaster bolts back upon her hated enemies she hoped against hope that she might be able to make her tutor proud.

A stray bolt found her wrist at that moment searing the skin. With a cry Kristen deflected a few more bolts then ducked behind a crate. Clicking off her lightsaber she brought her other hand around, hoping to stem the pain as she twisted the wrist around. The communicator she was carrying had been lost now, but this result didn't matter to her. Young Freya knew from the earlier gatherings, which had left her in command of the operations here that the nearest help was several hours away. Until recently any attempts to make contact with the outside world had meet with disaster. Evidently the Separatists were jamming there transmission signals, so that even help did by chance happen to be nearby it would be too later for them to do anything. The only reason she had been able to contact Obi Wan was because the dampening signals had been lowered, apparently the Separatists sought to taunt the Republic but even so Kristen Freya wasn't about to give up.

Her clone troopers were dependent on her resolve, and she was not about to let them down. A field sergeant was kneeling alongside her, making sure that the young commander was alright as she examined her wrist. Fortunately it seemed, the shot was skimming and she had only caught a very minor portion of the blow. Even so, a great line had suddenly been etched, as if traced across her skin, which was now a burnt shining red. It stung like hell but the injury didn't appear to be too deep, which was satisfying.

"Is everything alright Ma'am? Do you require medical assistance?" the clone asked, reaching methodically for a small supply kit she knew to be strapped to the soldiers side. Kristen responded with a simple shake of her head, whilst quickly bringing her injured hand out to take hold of his own.

"No need to worry about me Sergeant" she smiled and squeezed his hand reassuringly. This caused her injury to flare a little, but this was only a relatively mild barely noticeable sensation. The sound of an engines whooping came into focus and the duo realised that additional Separatist reinforcements had arrived. "Seriously, don't worry about it Sergeant. The wounds not as bad as it looks, trust me. For now let us concentrate upon dealing with these invaders and shielding the lives of our men".

She let go of his hand, and the soldiers resolve and training kicked in. "As you wish Ma'am" he said, steadying both hands across the grip of his carbine, even as a second clone trooper yelled and dropped to the field dead behind him. From beneath his visor the Jedi and the clone soldiers eyes met. "Good luck too you Ma'am" the figure whispered, and then without giving his field commander a chance to reply the soldier was on his feet, and ducking behind the cover as he rejoined the ranks of his infantrymen doing his best to help repel the invaders.

Taking her lightsaber in one hand Kristen peered cautiously around the edge of her container, pulling back every now and then as an additional salvo passed within inches of her face, causing her to miss death my a matter of inches. Additional HMP Gunships had arrived and were now depositing additional reinforcements into the Separatists ranks. She noticed commando droids, supers and the standard issue troopers.

More importantly however, she saw the Kaleesh. Originally few in number, she realised they outnumbered the droids by now. Evil looking, nimble and as accurate as any clone trooper these 'shock troopers' as she termed them seemed to serve as a compromising elite. Under the operational leadership of a female like herself, the originally bleak Separatist battle line was starting to form up its own line and was starting to gain ground on their adversaries.

Though it was difficult to tell Kristen thought she recognised this female. Unless she was very much mistaken this was one of those blood thirsty individuals that had been present during the Kaleesh's interrogation of the of the Yam'rii's just over a week ago, which meant that this woman, however indirectly was partially responsible for the death of her master. That revelation hardened Kristen.

Now a new transport was entering view. Unlike the others which were all standard issue military design this one wouldn't have looked out of place at a conference session, serving as a personalised transport for the rich and famous. Outfitted in the same colours and schemes as the HMP's this larger craft had to pivot before entering, and then reverse so that its service ramps could be unfolded in the direction of the main battle.

Kristen felt her heart rate quicken and resolve harden. Though she had never lain eyes upon any of these transports before, she had heard tell of them many times. They were Sheathipede class transports, Neimoidian in design, reserved for specific use by the Separatists most senior ranking officers. That meant only one thing.

Grievous himself was about to enter the fray, and that she was about to come face to face with the man that had murdered her greatest friend and mentor in cold blood!

Of course Kristen knew that she would be no match for the likes of Grievous, even if the conditions had been favorable. This was an individual that had stood up to the likes of Eeth Koth, Sashi Betrini and other masters and won, but even so that was not about to stop her. Throughout her training Master Betrini had always taught her that it was not in the Jedi's nature to run in the face of danger but to stand up for what you believed him, a principle which Kristen Freya knew that the older female had lived up to and stood by all her life. Even when the final blow came, and no matter how distraught she was nor how terrified she must have been Master Sashi Betrini had never once pleaded for mercy on her part, and had looked Grievous square in the face before the monstrous automaton had dealt the final devastating blow.

Now Kristen Freya was determined to live up to her masters example. This as she knew would be her final stand but she would face her death with clarity. Kristen Freya accepted that though she was new to the concept of being a field commander, she had done everything within her power to uphold the principles of the Jedi order and to serve the peoples of the Republic she adored.

Activating her lightsaber blade once more, she leapt forwards just in time to intercept a blaster bolt that would have terminated one of her clone troopers. The said trooper gave a respective thanks, as Kristen told that there was no need to thank her. To her surprise Kristen found herself unafraid about standing out in the relative open like this, even as she adopted the soresu style and started blocking every numerous shot and voltage that was rapidly sent her way. She was emboldened, she realised, emboldened by her revelations and acceptance as to her fate and those of her men's.

And so she held her ground

Standing unafraid in the middle of her open plain watching as the boarding ramp descended and she stared certain death, straight in the face. A small smile touched Kristen Freya's lips, as she recalled the teachings of her old master telling her what to do in times of stress and fear.

There is no fear, she had always said. No emotion, unless you let it take hold of you. Fear is not the way of the Jedi. There is no certainty in the face of danger, for we face peril at any time. This is a truth that all Jedi must come to accept, and in those times my dear student you would do well to remember this. There is no danger to be had. No concept of failure, for your fate is not the end. For there is only acceptance.

Only ... the force!

The service ramp touched the floor, and with his MagnaGuard forming up behind him Grievous descended, trailing his cloak behind him. Striding forwards he noticed that the battle droids were starting to make good progress, steadily pushing forwards, sleek commando units and burly supers droids at the forefront, whilst the weaker standard units brought up the rear. Tucked beside the were his Kaleesh troopers newly outdated with Separatist battle rifles and carbines, though their Lig blades and Shoni spears hung expectantly at their sides or fastened across their backs.

Grievous chuckled. Now this was the way Separatist warfare should be conducted. He noticed a female Jedi armed with a blue lightsaber was holding up the line, more importantly however he saw that the Separatist battle line with broken husks and remains of battle droids but so far not a single Kaleesh had fallen. This, suited Grievous just fine.

From somewhere near the rear of the formation Rutta sha Shevana noticed his approach and barked a warning to the rest of the troops. "Heads up Commander on the bridge!" Adopting a relatively sweet tone she spoke to Grievous driectly, "Forgive me my Lord. I had no idea that you would be joining us so quickly".

"I never waste an opportunity to get up close and personal with ones enemies" Grievous said ominously. "Speaking of which-" he gestured over towards the conflict zone where the greater portion of his troops were now advancing. The Kaleesh and Commando droids were now charging in melee weapons drawn, and assaulting the front lines whilst the rest of the droids offered covering rounds. The female Jedi for her part was now forced to deal not just scores of laser bolts but also six or seven of the advancing battle droids, though even she was now slowly giving ground. "I notice that none of our own troops seems to be willing or able to deal with the Jedi!"

Shevana simply grinned. "We thought you might enjoy the pleasure of the kill yourself, master. The clan feel its only fitting, that their Khagan should get the honor of besting a Jedi in single" she reasoned. "Gives the rest of us an opportunity to see how its done. Rest assured we are always there for you if you need us, though ..." she watched as the rest of the Kolkpravis started working its way towards the Republics main line, forcing them into retreat or else pinning them down so that there was absolutely no escape route. "I have a feeling that the rest of the boys are quite content with softening up the rest of the opposition for you, so that we may then deal with them at your leisure".

Grievous laughed contently. "Well then, let us not keep the rest of these Republic dogs waiting!" With Shevana at his side Grievous marched forwards, hands already extended towards his lightsabers. He started off slow at first watching as the female Jedi cut down further swathes of his automated troopers.

From somewhere on the sidelines a human males voice shouted, "Commander heads up!" and Grievous paused. "Head clanker coming in!" the same voice shouted, Grievous swore to making him pay for that, if the Kolkpravis didn't beat him to it. He locked eyes with the female Jedi and both combatants reduced their eyes to dangerous slits within their skull line.

Gathering speed, Grievous closed the distance between them in four bounding strides. The woman boldly held her ground, angling her weapon upwards in a defensive manner. It was a move which Grievous had seen dozens of times and as such he soon realised what was coming. At the last second the woman lashed out in an offensive arch. Grievous met the charge, activating his own lightsabers as he brought the right one up to intercept her strike, as he lashed out with the second.

The female dodged it and swung out of reach then came back round for another assault. After a few seconds exchanging parries and blows Grievous realised that this wasn't going to be a hard one duel. The woman was young, barely older than the youngest Kolkpravis. Though the absence of a hair braid indicated she was elevated to the rank of Jedi knight her movements were sporadic and clumsy. He guessed that she had only recently been promoted, her skills evidently enough to make it through the trials but not refined or sufficient to aid her in a life threatening situation such as this.

She brought her blade out a horizontal angle, and Grievous feigned a gesture of restraint. "Commander!" a clone's voice shouted. Applying just a little more weight to his assault, enough to keep his rapidly weakening enemy from making an effective counter strike Grievous risked a brief glance out of the corner of his eye to see the Republic lines in steady retreat now.

"Go! I've got this!"the woman called, without looking over as she jagged eyes with Grievous again.

"But Commander -" the clone cried hesitantly.

"Never mind! I'll hold them off as long as I can. Gather the rest of your men and take up further positions inside the corridors!" she insisted. Given that the rest of his squad mates were starting to get hacked to ribbons out here the unit commander didn't object any further. Abandoning all pretense of holding ground any longer, he and the rest of the rest of survivors vaulted full speed for the nearest exit, several of the units providing covering fire as they went.

The bio droid chuckled, "You certainly are a brave, little Jedi!" he taunted.

"That or I am just a little foolish I guess" she shot back. "Either way, you will find that I am full of surprises!" and she threw all her weight against her weapon, and actually succeeded in pushing the blades back.

"I doubt it!" Grievous launched his weight against the assault and in his case the result was much more effective. The young woman was thrown backwards several feet, her stance completely broken and Grievous stood triumphantly over her. Several of the Kolkpravis' were laughing now.

Ignoring these Kristen Freya, sprang back up and charged head long at Grievous. Her face was stern and well set as her sweaty palms gripped the hilt of her lightsaber. She brought her blade down heavily in an overhead strike, which she quickly followed up with a second then a third. Grievous intercepted all of them, before countering with a series of powerful much more powerful strikes of his own.

His dramatically enhanced mind was telling him that this female was not used to being an aggressor. Her frame was much smaller and maneuverable than his was, making her more suited for dodging and parrying followed up by quick devastating strikes not drawn out combat like this one. Even so a small part of him gave her credit for her determination and willingness to try.

The human blocked several more of his incoming strikes then locked blades with him once again, though this time it seemed she was barely able to do so. This had gone on long enough. Grievous was done playing now, it was time to finish this!

The cyborg brought his blades around making her stagger. Before she could counter it Grievous lunged at her with his body angled, aiming to intercept her with a full from his right side. She took the bait. Acting on instinct, Kristen Freya threw her full wait against the oncoming blade, stepping in dangerously close as she locked the gradually descending blade trying to match Grievous' strength with her own. It was all that Grievous could do to adjust the fine angle of the blade so minutely so discretely that it suddenly slipped casually passed her only defense and cut deep into her shoulder.

The females eyes widened and her mouth fell open. Before she could gasp Grievous brought his second blade around and pierced her straight through the heart. She dropped to her knees, mouth closing slightly. She looked straight into his eyes, and for the tiniest of seconds Grievous thought he saw acceptance come across the Jedi's senses. Then it was gone and she was lying dead upon floor.

The Kolkpravis cheered for an instant, as did the battle droids, before Shevana rallied them. "That's enough. For the time being we still have a job to do, so lets get to it!" Grievous himself waited just long enough to stare down at the remains of his fallen victim. Then he stooped and seized the fallen Jedi's lightsaber, the latest addition to his ever expanding collection.

He stowed it away for the time, not knowing that in a brief interlude he would mount this lightsaber alongside those that had once belonged to this Jedi's former master Sashi Betrini. Right now though there were still other matters that required his attention. This was just one battle, there would no doubtless be countless others. This in turn meant that there were still a lot more enemies left to slay, archives to plunder, resources to steal, acquisitions and stations left to raid.

It was time for Grievous to get back to what he loved above all else in the universe:-

The art of warfare!

As his forces readied for the next assault Grievous positioned himself at the head of the assemblage, his lightsabers humming as he stood at the very tip and edge of the assault spear. The doorways burst open as the hackers completed their task, and Grievous' assault troops surged forwards, over the threshold. A squadron of clone troopers was waiting to greet them at the far end of the corridor. Weapons held at ready, the soldiers had taken up position from behind sheltered crevices, or were peeping out behind corners otherwise they knelt down in the open spaces, resting on one knee as they prepared to confront the enemy head on.

They started raining fire down upon the assault force. Grievous led the charge, followed by his MagnaGuards their electrostaff's fizzing and whirring. From behind them Rutta sha Shevana emitted a savage war cry as she surged forwards along with the rest of the Separatist troopers and Kolkpravis, just as ready to deal out death and destruction to their most hated of enemies as the next man was.

Grievous out paced all of them, as he stretched out across the distance set out before him. The bursts of enemy fire rounds did little to slow him, for he was well protected his armor having been specifically designed to take this kind of fire power. He started gathering momentum now his lightsaber cutting a new pattern into the sidelining as he went.

Grievous' gaze never shifted and his focus never wavered as he surged forwards at the head of his procession. Time itself seemed to slow down, allowing him to relish every tantalizing second of this fantastic spectacle. Then all at once, and with a sudden burst of energy Grievous launched himself forwards high into the air. His cloak was streaming out behind him, the glint in his eyes was positively murderous as he came to within striking distance, and then Grievous brought his blades slashing down from across his right shoulder aiming straight at his intended enemies chest plate ...

THE END

Authors note: And there there we have it ladies and gentlemen. The end of my first ever FanFiction.

It may have taken two years (almost) and an extensive delay due to writers block and other matters (again sorry about that) but it's finally finished.

Please let me know what you all thought about it. I accept all comments.

Also please be aware that I shall be updating this story when and were possible to improve upon its story line, and of course I shall be writing additional stories when and where possible.

Until then, take care and I'll see you all around!