An Unthinkable Alliance

Chapter 7

Kol Dooine

The orbit of the frontier planet of Kol Dooine was full of Republic starships and fighters. That was the sight Grievous saw when he emerged from Hyperspace.
He realised all his forces had been wiped out or have retreated without him. He needed to make a holocall to Dooku, but his stupid pirate ship didn't possess a transmitter. Just a comlink. He also needed fuel or he won't be able to travel to another planet soon. He analyzed the chances of his survival aboard the Republic ship. 30% if he wasn't caught and caged. Enough for his taste. His comlink beeped suddenly. He pushed the button and waited for the usual dialogue in this situations:

'Republic Cruiser, The Negotiator, under the command of the Republic Grand Army. Please identify yourself or you will be treated as an enemy and destroyed.

Grievous knew the ship unfortunately. Though he hoped it's leader was still away.

'This is General Grievous, Republic scum!

'Are you kidding me? How could you be?

'Care to meet me in the hangar then?

'Look, if you don't tell me who you are, I'm going to shoot you down.

The line was intrerupted for a few seconds. Then Grievous sighed when he heard his archenemy's voice:

'General, I didn't thought you will return to us. Have you come to surrender?

'I have surely did. Care to meet my surrender in the hangar?

'I wouldn't miss such a chance.

Grievous sped quickly to Kenobi's flagship...

The Negotiator

The Council Room was filled with all the Jedi Masters, besides Shaak Ti. Mace Windu was closely listening to Kenobi's report of the fight across the Hutt space.

'It seems Grievous did all the job for us, masters. I've only found little opposition on the conquered planets. I still don't understand why he had the bulk of his fleet recalled... that left him vulnerable. And so he is here now, boarding my hangar.

'Not surrender, he came to. A plan, he has.

'You can't possibly accept his surrender openly. Be ready for an attack.

'With all due respect, Master Windu, he is alone, with one lightsaber to my understanding in a weak pirate ship.

'Still , you must be cautious.

'The matter on Shaak Ti , there still is.

'Indeed. The Hutt captured her and left. We don't know where.

Yoda seemed to meditate. He concentrated while the others continued talking.

'I found odd the fact that Grievous was in the company of that monster though...Adi-Galia said concerned.

'Oh well, they seemed quite friendly to me! Obi-Wan joked around.

'How can any of our Order be friend with that massacrator?! He must be punished.

'Brought to justice you mean, Ki-Adi Mundi.Mace Windu rephrased his order. We are Jedi, not Sith to seek vengeance.

Ki-Adi Mundi frowned a bit furious. The memory of Hypori was still livid in his mind and he just couldn't forget it nor forgive. The cryptic voice of the Grand Master of the Jedi spoke , distrubting the silence:

'Someone knows where the Hutt fled with the rest of his forces and our friend, Shaak Ti.

'Who is that person, Master Yoda?