An Unthinkable Alliance

Chapter 14

Kalee

Shaak Ti and Qalisha were walking along with the commando droids for quite a while when the Kaleesh girl patted Shaak Ti's shoulder.
'Look, the village!
The Jedi looked in the direction the girl pointed out and saw a large pyramidal temple with many houses and walls built around it.
'This seems like a spiritual place...
'It is. The huge building you see before you is the Temple of Shrupak. Here our Pantheon of Gods reside as well as the High Priest. The Kaleesh pray here and seek guidance from the deities...
Qalisha stopped in mid sentence embarassed, making a strange face. Shaak Ti laughed at her:
'Come on, don't worry, what were you going to say?
'Well... I used to have big conversations with my father when I thought he died...
'What?she said smiling. You were clearly imagining them...
'Yeah, now I realize that. But one day, my father will be there.
'As a god? How?
'Our pantheon is made up of our dead heroes and priests. Qymaen jil Sheelal was the newest God since the crash has happened...
'I see...
'You must think of me as a silly child now...
'No, don't worry. It is truly fortunate you have been reunited with your father and learned the truth about his "demise".
Qalisha smiled at her.
'Thanks to you, Shaak Ti!
The commando droids stopped as the entire convoy did. The Togruta could hear the raspy voice of the General thundering from the front of the army.
'Open up the gates for your khagan!
Grievous walked around nervously. On the wooden gates there was the High Priest of Shrupak and a few more Kaleesh guards. The leader spoke:
'You are not our khagan! You look like a droid general! What did you do to our poor scout?
He said that pointing at Karjal's broken jaw and blood.
Grievous glared at the priest malevolently.
'I am General Grievous! I demand that you open up the gates right now, or I shall come inside!
The Priest raised an eyebrow when he heard the name.
'Even if you claim to be the one you said, our new khagan decided here. He won't let you inside with your droid army!
Grievous growled at him and shouted.
'Fine! I want an "audience with your new khagan, alone.
'I am afraid that's not possible, outsider. He has explicitly forbidden your passage.
Grievous continued to walk in circles around the wooden gate.
'Very well... I shall come by force then!
He ignited two of his lightsabers and impaled the gate. The Priest shouted worried:
'A Jedi! A Jedi leading a droid army is attacking the city!
Grievous finished up carving an entry and kicked the wood in. He entered the city and closed his weapons. A few Kaleesh countrymen looked at him horrified.
'A Jedi!
'Run!
While some dissapeared scared, two of them pointed their slugthrowers at him. Grievous sighed annoyed and let them shoot him, knowing he couldn't be hurt by some bullets. He was right as they didn't even left a dent on his armoted chest. He approached the two and picked their rifles. He threw them away instantly.
'Stop already! Don't you recognize my mask! I am Qymaen jei Sheelal!
He said that and stared heavily into their eyes. The two of them analyzed his mask and mumuu markings, and then saw the golden reptilian eyes of the cyborg. They couldn't say nothing for a few seconds, shocked. Grievous smiled internally and raised both his hands peacefully:
'Good, so now you know I am not dead. Spread the word that I have returned.
They nodded respectfully and walked away. With that issue dealt with, he looked at the grand temple in front of him. He started walking to it, ignoring all the Kaleesh that were staring at him, first with hate and horror, then , after seeing the hatchment on his cloak and his face, with shock and confusion. Grievous started climbing the pyramid's stairs until he reached the top. There , on the plateau, the High Priest and the Kaghan were discussing with some guards. They saw Grievous and raised their weapons.
'There is no need for bloodshed.
The Kaghan glared at him while the Priest asked intrigued:
'Why have you led your droid armies to Kalee, General?
'So, you have heard of me.
'Of course we do! Half the Galaxy dreads you and uses you as a child nightmare story!
'I hope my people don't fear me.
'They are not your people! You awfully look like a Separatist Droid. What proof do you have of your ancestry besides that mask you wear?
Grievous put his claw on his cloak and threw it on the floor. The hatchment revealed his family's sign and the Priest gasped. However, the Kaghan pointed his rifle at him.
'My dear gods... you truly are Qymaen...
'Indeed, now, show some respect. Last time we met was here.
'Of course... I remember offering my blessing on the day we... thought you died...
'I too remember that day...
Grievous turned his head at the Kaleesh leader and said:
'So, this is the new kaghan of our people.
Grievous seemed to inspect the leader when he sighed dissapointed.
'What a laughable warrior we have here. I guess after my Elite Guard's destruction and my death you were the only one ambitious to take my place. Now please, resume your post.
'No! I am the Kaghan of the Kaleesh! You are but a memory of a dark past!
'Wait, no!
The Priest wanted to stop him but the Kaghan charged at Grievous shooting at him. The cyborg realised he threw his cloak with his weapons away so he waited his enemy to approach. After a few moment of endless shooting, the Kaghaan revealed a sword and swinged it at Grievous. The cyborg caught it with his hands while the other caught the Kaghan's empty arm. Then he splitted his limbs in two and picked the Kaleeh by the thoat, immobilizing him. He started chocking him, glaring with great intensity into his eyes. The Khagaan gasped for air, but eventually sucumbed to death. When that happened, the General threw his body away in disgust. Everyone on the plateau looked with admiration at him, then bowed. The Priest looked at his people and said:
'Our God of War has transcended physical being, my people! It is a sign! A new war is coming!
Grievous wanted to stop him but he realised that the Kaleesh were a very religious culture and his transformation and status won't be recieved with high regard. He crossed his hands, now two again, and looked at the countryman that were looking with awe and shock at him.
'The Republic will come again! My visions were true! We must prepare!
Grievous raised his hand. He whispered to the priest:
'What are you talking about?
'My lord, these past weeks I had dreams... dreams of a war that will return to Kalee. The last khagan wouldn't believe me , but your appearance here proves that I was right.
'No, the Republic won't attack Kalee. They don't have any reasons!
'They always have... your droid army here is a divine help.
Grievous rolled his eyes annoyed at the priest's beliefs. After the death of Ronderu, he desperately prayed to the gods to reveal him her body's location and when the didn't, he stopped believing in them. They were a relic of their culture, with no real evidence.
'Fine. Think about it as you like. But the Republic won't attack us. Now, I won't bring my droid armies into the city, they will remain outside.
'Of course, everything you desire.
'You fool! I am not a god! Treat me like before!
'I'm afraid I can't , my lord...
Grievous growled and went to retrieve his cloak. He clasped it back to his duranium collar and climbed down the stairs of the temple.
Outside, Shaak Ti was standing on a tree, looking at the nature and hearing Qalisha's gasps. She was training with her knives and rifle.
'I wonder what it's taking Grievous so long...
Qalisha stopped.
'I am not sure what he's doing. Many things changed since I was captured and sold.
'Well, I hope there won't be any fight between the Kaleesh and the droids...
To the Togruta surprise, the girl responded quick and convinced at her remark:
'My father won't hurt another Kaleesh or slaughter our holy city! You have a really bad impression about him.
Shaak Ti sighed.
'He definetly uses civilians in battles to get unfair advantages. I think you overestimate Grievous honor and morale.
'I thought he showed you how much he cared... you really can't believe all Jedi rumors about him, can you?
'No...
'Then?
'Let's just say I will be impressed if the droids don't march into the city.
'It's a bet then.
'A what?
'A bet. What? Jedi don't bet?
'No, not me at least. That's because they have a price.
'Right, if I win, you let go of those bad things you think about Grievous.
'Fine, but you shouldn't think so highly of your father.
They both stopped when a leave behind Qalisha cracked and Grievous appeared with his magnaguards.
'Oh really? "Shouldn't think so highly of your father"?the cyborg said mimicking Shaak Ti's voice. That's not very nice, is it? To plague my daughter's mind with Jedi lies!
He said glaring at the her. Shaak Ti couldn't stop but feel bad about it and lower her eyes. Qalisha intrerrupted the cyborg's hatefull stare:
'So, what happened?
'I spoke with the High Priest and I came to lead you inside. The only droids that will be following us will be my magnaguards, so I can't let you wander alone in the city.
Qalisha looked at the female Jedi:
'I win!
Grievous looked at both of them confused.
'What are you talking about?
'Nothing, Grievous, just ...accept my apologies. Your daughter was actually right about you. Sorry for spreading rumors.
Grievous wheezed and contracted one of his eyes at Shaak Ti while the other was wide open. He coughed a little , but not forced and stood straight:
'Well, apologies accepted! he said in an awkawrd tone. Qalisha just smirked at them which only embarassed Grievous more.
'Alright, follow me now. Staying here doing nothing is unproductive.
They entered the city and walked around a few streets. The Jedi took her time to inspect the Kaleesh houses and their spirits with the force. She felt admiration and satisfaction, which pleasantely surprised her. She approached Grievous. He saw her with the corner of his eye and asked:
'What do you want?
'These people seem relatively happy.
'So?
'It is nice to feel their stance and share it with them.
'Ugh, you speak exactly like that priest...
'Well, it is true.
'Maybe, but I don't have time for this.
'Why?
Grievous stopped. He was surprised by the blunt question.
'Why? Because my mind is too occupied with more important matters.
'I can almost say you are on a vacation here, what troubles your mind so much?!
Grievous wanted to answer but stopped. He just turned and continued his walking and his bodyguards copied their master's stance. Qalisha wanted to stop Shaak Ti, and patted her shoulder:
'Don't say something stupid...
'He is too comfined in his mind. There is a reason why he's so annoyed all the time.
A Kaleesh old woman called the girl and she went away. The General noticed that but dismissed the idea of calling her back. She was home after all, no need to watch her anymore. Shaak Ti saw the chance for a private conversation and reached Grievous back:
'It is about your dead wife ,isn't it?
It was Shaak Ti's instinct that saved her from a lightsaber slash the next second. The Jedi barely managed to ignite her weapon and stop the green laser that could have decapitated her. Grievous was looking furious at her and used his talon to kick the Jedi in her belly. Shaak Ti backed away hurt but didn't lower her weapon.
'You have to let go of your past. The memories haunt you!
'You know nothing , Jedi scum!
He jumped and ignited another lightsaber and tried swinging them at Shaak Ti. The Jedi parried and the cyborg started a deadly flurry upon the Togruta. Shaak Ti could only see the golden eyes of the General, glaring at her under a blue and green blurr. Shaak Ti was backing away step by step , until she hit the stone of a house. She counter-attacked Grievous and pushed him, then slided between his legs. The General growled angry and started thwirlling his lightsabers while charging at Shaak Ti who was still on the ground. The Togruta rolled over and over, avoiding the laser until she got up to feet and deflected the attack.
'You must stop reminding yourself of her.
'No!
He pushed her into a tree angrily and started thwirrling his lightsabers again while slowly closing in.
'You can't know how it is to lose a lover. Jedi don't know love!
Shaak Ti realised that maybe her plan wasn't working out as she planned. She was thinking of a fast solution while Grievous was scowling darkly.
'I should have let you die to that Hutt's beasts!he roared, chuckling.
Sudennly, to the General's surprise, Shaak Ti closed her lightsaber and threw the hilt away. That halted Grievous who stopped thwirrling.
'Why didn't you?she asked.
They both said nothing as Grievous couldn't really mutter a word, confused and Shaak Ti wanted to know his reasons. Qalisha was also listening, though behind some bushes, hidden. The only ones who didn't care about the whole situation were the magnaguards who were staying like two lifeless statues a few meters away from them. Grievous wanted to say something and raised his hand pointing his sharp finger at her when a powerfull cough made him fall down. He started wheezing frenetically while keeping his hand on his chest, not like it would have helped. Shaak Ti came closer and sat on one knee, waiting for him to stop. Gasping for air, Grievous looked at Shaak Ti and stared into her purple eyes. His thoughts wandered away, while he gazed into her hard colored iris. Shaak Ti smiled and blinked slowly intentionally ,making Grievous shook his head confused.
'It is hard to forget the past... and find a sensitive ... Jedi to my situation...
He seemed like he was forcing himself to talk to her.
'I was just impressed by so many similarities between her and you... and even saw her fighting spirit in those pits.... then bringing my daughter back...
He stopped, too embarrassed. Qalisha couldn't understand what Grievous was saying as he was almost whispering those words. The only bit she caught didn't make any sense to her.
'Your stance, skills, spirit... you remind me so much of her....
He rose to his feet, feeling a bit better. Shaak Ti was happy to sense relief and no more grief in Grievous. She smiled even more at him, making his eyes widen.
'I think she was a great woman back in the day... a pity these wars claim our most dear ones...
Grievous smiled internally at the compasionatte words of the Jedi.
'Thank you, Shaak Ti... you have somehow easened my grief... though I don't know why...
'Come on, don't get all too sentimental!she said winking at him.
The cyborg gasped surprised but regained his composture and said quickly:
'Yes, right! But I don't have any plans for the evening actually.
'Qalisha just said earlier that she wants to pass that ritual!
She said that as she pointed at the girl's mask , visible inside the cloak of the General.
'Fine! But to me she has already passed the test. Guards!
He said that, turning to the droids.
'Find Qalisha and bring her here!
One of them said in a calm metallic voice:
'General, she is here.
Shaak Ti raised an eyebrow, while Grievous scanned the area with his antennas and picked his daughter's breathing sounds. He looked at some bushes and growled:
'Get out already, you puny spy!
Qalisha appeared from the leaves, with a shy look on her face. Shaak Ti wasn't actually upset and didn't want any conflict between them so she interviened:
'It's alright, Qalisha. But you don't need to hide yourself next time.
Grievous wanted to glare at the girl but seeing as Shaak Ti was already forgiving her, he loosened his stare.
'Very well, let's go find a mumuu.
Qalisha squeeled happily which made Grievous sigh annoyed while the Togruta grinned at them...