An Unthinkable Alliance

Prologue

Coruscant

A wild sun was striking rays of light at the city-planet of Coruscant. In the Jedi Council Chambers, the members of the ancient order were discussing the matters of the new pirate empire. The war seemed to reach an unstable stalemate that would be destroyed by the fresh entry of a third party. One that may doom the Republic at it's most fragile moment. In the room entered Mace Windu after a meeting with the Chancellor.
'Start the session, we can now.
All the masters sat down on their personalized chairs waiting for the black Jedi to speak.
'As we all know, a new Hutt gangster created a fleet of pirates that is capable of capturing planets from us. If we let him grow, the Hutt may well overcome the infamous Jabba the Hutt.
Master Yoda spoke:
'And about this matter, what did the Chancellor have to say?
'As expected, he told me to launch a full scale attack on the homeworld of the Hutts.
'Not a quite wise decision...Obi-Wan said.
'Indeed. Attacking the birthplace of the galaxy's most succesfull race of pirates may well raise all their little empires into uniting!
The voice of Ki-Adi-Mundi was well received by the others.
'We all, agreed are on this matter. Open hostilities the answer to this is not.
'Then what do you suggest?Shaak Ti inquired.
'Should diplomacy fail, from within we will defeat them. Master Shaak Ti, in an infiltration mission you will go.
'Why me, Master Yoda?
'Saw in a vission I did... that you are essential in the eventa to come.
'I understand.
'Then I guess diplomacy will surely fail...Obi-Wan said as a conclusion.
'With Shaak Ti I will discuss about the mission. Of it no one must know... not even the Chancellor.
All nodded and sat up. The holograms of the distant masters dissapeared.
While Kenobi and Windu left the room, Yoda approached the togruta Jedi.
'What about the separatists? What will they do?
'Unpredictable as always I sense their plans. You may meet familiar faces on Nal Hutta. Remember, violence won't be the answer, however hard would be not to use it.
'As you say, Master. I think I'll have no quarell with some senators or diplomats of the Confederacy, though.
'The future is always in motion. About this your opinion may change...

Serenno

Slash! Swing! Parry!

The Count dodged another two hits coming at him. The relentless assault of the General was leaving him heavy breathing after long hours of training. While he wouldn't admit, his old age was playing around with his stamina at times. Fortunately for him, the General was one the few persons who could tire him. He saw the cyborg coming at him whirlling his lightsabers menacingly and put a defensive stance. Grievous swinged his two arms at the Count, but the old man parried succesfully and even disarmed him. The General tried to pull his blaster but Dooku cut it while he attemted.
'Retreating should be the answer. Not cheap tricks. They won't work when facing masters like Windu or Yoda.
'Of course...
'If disarmed, you should always try to back away and if possible try to reach a solution in your benefit. If you can't, you should retreat as soon as possible before you lose more than some limbs.
Grievous growled. He knew the Count was reffering to the incident when Kit Fisto cut off his hand and stole his last troffy. Before the General could react, the green lighted room was changed by the blue-ish appearence of a hologram. In the centre of the Count's desk, the shadowy figure of Darth Sidious appeared.
Both separatist leaders bowed down.
'I hope you are improving yourselves. General, I want you to prepare an invasion force as quickly as possible.
'As you wish, Lord Sidious.
The cyborg retreated from the room, leaving the two Sith Lords alone.
'Good. Now that he is gone, we can discuss more important matters.
'What would be so important about an invasion that the General shouldn't need to know.
'You said that he is proving to start lacking capabilities. As crucial as he is in my plans, he can't be a simple puppet.
'What do you wish me to do.
'I hope that you have learned of Tabarous the Hutt new empire.
'Yes, news have reached my ears.
'The alien showed me that he thwart my plans. We can't let him live or his pirate empire.
'I see. Invade Nal Hutta then?
'I wished the Republic would have done it, but they chose to wait. The Senate was against it so I can't force the attack. The CIS however is not so restrictive.
'Very well. I will send Grievous right away as he makes his fleet up.
'Make it quick! We can't let that slimy Hutt linger anymore! I will have more instructions for you, but first, capture Nal Hutta's orbit. Don't invade the surface until you notify me.
'As you wish, my master.
'Good. I expect that you will crush the other planets Tabarous holds. Leave no trace of his outposts. I am sure the General will be good at eradicating them.
With that,the hologram faded. Dooku was a bit surprised. His master already seemed to have seen outcome of this conflict, but he didn't share it. Why were the Hutts important anyway?
Just as he thought that, the huge window resembling his family blazon behind him shattered. The green glass fell all around him and Dooku backed away cautiosly. From outside, four jetpacked assassins appeared. All wielded electrostaffs.
'Mandalorians...
The bulky force and mastery of the warrior people of Mandalore was well known. As well as their armor. Dooku snarled at them and started to parry the attacks of the assassins. They were no match for him though. He jumped over one of them and electrocuted his jetpack. The mandalorian started to fly through the room and crashed ino another, both falling through the window down. Only two remained. The boss of them pulled out a grenade and threw it in Dooku's back. The Sith charged at him while the bomb exploded. Dooku swinged his crimson lightsaber a few times with mastery and cut the staff. A sigh was heard and then a scream as Dooku pushed him away and electrocuted him. He quickly threw him into the wall. The last one was scared by the Count's display of power and threw a smoke bomb. The room was instantly filled with it but Dooku didn't need to see. He closed his eyes and concetrated. The last mandalorian was trying to get out through the windows and activate his jetpack. The Count charged at him and with a single, precise strike, he sliced the assassin's head. The body fell out in the open. Dooku looked disgusted at the jungle deep below his window. From the smoke of the bomb, a few magnaguards and battledroids appeared armed and ready for combat. After them, the coughing cyborg entered with a scorched cloak and some signs of explosions over his armor.
'Count, a full force of bounty hunters attacked the palace!he announced.
'I see it well myself you fool! Here it's a survivor! Take him to the cells now!
Two magnaguards picked the body of the mandalorian leader and dragged him away while Grievous approached the Count.
'Pirates scums no doubt! Never thought I'd live the day the Republic hires pirates to do their dirty work!
'This wasn't the Republic, General. Only one would dare this. That slimy Hutt tried to assassinate us.
'He will pay, my lord.
'He will. The fleet our master requested is ready?
'I managed to send the order before 10 of these slimes appeared in the Command Centre.
'Good. You will lead it and decimate these pirates.
'Gladly!
The General exited the crippled room and a droid immediately appeared with a datapd in his hand.
'Sir! The fleet you requested is fortunately already assembled in the Hypori System.
'Perfect! Prepare my shuttle! We are going to the Mid Rim!