An Unthinkable Alliance

Chapter 19

Medical Bay

After a silent dark sleep, one which Grievous didn't have in a long time, he quickly opened his eyes scared that the hand of death finally took him. His vision still blurry , he felt cold and weak. He tried to move his hands but he didn't have any, both his limbs were cut and his hands were tied to the ground behind him. He shook his head quickly blinking. At last, he could see clear and he recognized something scary. A Republic Medical Bay. He remembered what happened which didn't bring any more rage , but yet grief and sadness. He had lost his last child, and he had been captured. The cyborg wasn't expecting to feel this way after his transformation. So much suffering.... He would have wanted to die right there, on the battlefield... but something strange happened. Someone defended him, making his enemy miss his heart and just wound him. Shaak Ti. Even after all did, he cast her away and almost killed her friends, she still saved him. If a normal Jedi had done it, he would consider them stupid for not sending their bane away, but in this case he was grateful. The door to the Medical Bay unlocked and a clone entered the room. He was startled when the disfigured head of the General looked at him. He remembered that he was immobilized and , basically harmless, but he was still a bit scared. Grievous wanted to mock the clone but he recollected that Windu cut his speakers and antennas away. However, he could hear, but not speak. He annoyingly looked away from the new comer. The clone ignored him and went to grab something then he almost ran away from the room. The General noticed that many tubes were attached to his chest, pumping substances."So weak..." he mumbled to himself. Not many minutes passed away when the door opened again. He didn't raise his head, tired of his life.
'Is he awake?a high pitched voice was heard.
'He was, Master Jedi...
Grievous finally made a move that alerted the two. He saw Shaak Ti who smiled at him and waved the clone away. She approached him and took a seat. The Togruta was keeping something in her hands but Grievous couldn't reach it to see it.
'I am so relieved that you are alive, Grievous...she said sweetly. I know that you can't talk and, from the research I made, you can be repaired only on Vassek, which is Separatist Controlled.
Grievous rolled his eyes at her.
'I would really want to say that we are going there... but I am not in charge...she said sad.
Grievous turned his head away descouraged by his future.
'I am trully sorry for Qalisha, I have made sure she had been burried properly. The Kaleesh which helped you weren't pursued also.
That made the General return his gaze at her. Shaak Ti grinned and showed him what he was keeping in her hands. His Kaleesh Mask!
'I thought you would want to wear this until you will be repaired... because I know this isn't the end, my friend.
Grievous was extremly surprised by her words. He was shocked , but managed to nod and Shaak Ti put the bonemask carefully on his head, and clasped it to the back of his head. It fitted him well. The General was pleased to have something back on his face. The Togruta giggled at his reaction and continued:
'You really beat Obi-Wan and Mace Windu out there. They really deserved it, I give you that.
The golden eyes of the General were sudennly filled with annoyance. He wanted to talk, say something but he couldn't. He pointed his cut limb at his lower part of the mask.
'I know, you can't speak... I think I can connect a monitor to your head...
Grievous nodded quickly. He was eager to express himself. Shaak Ti took a cable and plugged it into a hole behind the General's head. It was directed to the computer inside his brain. Although it was a bit destroyed, it still worked. On the screen, she could see the General's thoughts. She read loudly:
'Where are we going? Is this right?
Grievous nodded.
'We have a space route to Coruscant. We shall be arriving there in maximum 3 days.
Shaak Ti saw on the screen that Grievous sweared. I will be brought before those corrupted senators and sentenced to die!
'You may be. You can be spared too...
You are too naive Shaak Ti. They will order my death in an instant.
'No, I won't allow them.
Grievous laughed, allowing some strange sounds to escape his gaps.
You could release me and free me, you know? I am sure I can pilot my way to Separatist space.
'That would be considered treason! I don't know what to do...
She looked at the cyborg's eyes who were desperately pleading for her help. It was his only chance. Shaak Ti didn't want to upset him or break his hope and said:
'I may help you, if I get the right chance...
Grievous took the answer as a straight "yes" . Shaak Ti was delighted to see that light in his eyes and touched his chest with her warm hand.
'Please, I want to apologize for what happened. Forgive me for what happened on Kalee...
She glanced at the screen where many shocked thoughts came from Grievous mind at her actions. He finally decided for an answer:
You are forgiven... I am sure Qalisha would have forgiven you too... The togruta rised from her chair and went for the door.
'I will return shortly.
She exited the Medical Bay, pleased by their conversation. She wanted to be compassionate and easen Grievous pain but it was hard considering their destination. She entered the Bridge of the Negotiator. Commander Cody was there, with Chancellor Palpatine on the holo-transmitter. His old voice sounded happy when he recognized the Jedi Master.
'Master Shaak Ti! How many great news we get, stopping a Separatist advance, the return of a missing Jedi Master...
'We have captured Grievous too...she added quietly.
'Oh, yes! Wonderfull! May I ask where are Masters Windu and Kenobi?
'They are in the Medical Bay.
'Why so?
'They fought with Grievous but he almost killed them. When I intervened, they were barely alive.
Palpatine frowned but in his eyes a quick light of satisfaction came.
'Well, that shows he lives up to his reputation as a Jedi Killer . It is great news you have got him then. May I ask for your location?
'Yes, we will be arriving in the Corellia Sector in one day, then we will set course for Coruscant.
'Very well. I wish you good journey then!
With that, the blue image faded.
Back in the medical bay, Grievous was thinking about many things. How to escape was one of his priorities. Other things that sticked to his mind was Shaak Ti's behiavour. She was too kind to him and wanted him to feel better. He tried to dismiss her but he just couldn't. One thought crossed his mind about the Togruta Jedi having a strange feeling for him which he didn't dare to name. He dismissed it away laughing to himself about it. What a terrible idea, the infamous General Grievous and the noble Jedi Master Shaak Ti ... together... stupid. He continued though to play with that idea , his imagination creating awakward situations between them He was always laughing internally at their outcome...