Deceptions Unveiled

Chapter 7

The orbit of Zygerria was full of unsettling debris, fire and explosions. Vader hadn't seen so much retaliation coming from his enemies since Operation Knightfall. He hadn't expected Grievous to continue the fighting after his escape from the Colicoid Swarm. He knew however that his opponent was in no shape to return to the battlefield any time sooner. At his side, an imperial admiral appeared from the consoles and stated:
'My lord, even if one of our ships has been outgunned and destroyed, their cruisers are starting to show off the marks of the fight and slowly but steadly will falter under out firepower.
'Good. What about the Zyggerian side of the battle?
'They are... not so succesfull as us to say the least. Most of their ships have been destroyed or forced to crash into the atmosphere.
'That means that in short time, they will turn all of their forces against us!
The Sith lord raised his tone threatening. The admiral took a step back shaken with fear.
'Indeed, my lord. My suggestion would be to encircle their fleet with our remaining starships and obliterate them.
'That is not a sound decision! Their ships are controlled by one head. If we destroy their flagship, the battle is as won! Process all our gunfire in the direction of the Providence class Destroyer!
'Right away, my lord!

The Lucid Voice

The cyborg crawled heavily wounded through the corridors. The droid doctors couldn't do very much to his situation other than suplement the lost sinthskin and stabilize his chest. But his organs had been severely injured making him feel a great amount of pain through his spinal cord and to make his body less responsive. Also, his cough started to take control of his vocabulary. He continued to walk slowly until he reached the bridge's door. He had covered his body with a brand new dark silk cloak that hid his broken body. The door opened and the General took a few steps into the room before starting to wheeze hardly. The Neimoidian captain and Shaak Ti were on the main ramp and they turned around at the sudden sound. They both looked shocked at Grievous that had to take a hold of a bar to keep himself from falling on the ground, still coughing uncontrollably. The Togruta ran to his side and tried to help him stabilize but he pushed her away. After a few seconds, he returned to his normal stance.
'By the Force, Grievous you can't stay here!
'I...arghh! He pummeled his fist angry when a second cough errupted. I will not be stuck in a medlab during a life and death battle!
He started walking and clasping his hands behind his back until he reached his throne, and the cyborg gladly took a seat. The Neimoidian captain approached him.
'Dofine, report!
'Yes, general... the battle is going rather ... bad.
'What is that supposed to mean!?
He growled angrily and glared at him.
'We are outnumbered and encircled. We are going to be destroyed if we won't retreat.
'We won't retreat! I have risked much by coming here. Zygerria has the resources we need to fuel our forces!
He gazed at the battle and analyzed some statuses at the main console.
'I suggest we turn all our firepower on the Imperial ships and ignore the Zygerrians! When Vader will die or retreat, those puny scums will be forced to surrender!
'That is a good plan! I will do the arrangements!
Dofine went away to deliver the orders while Shaak Ti decided to speak to him.
'Grievous? She started shyly.
'What is it, Shaak Ti?
His eyes didn't look at her as he was checking if his strategy was working.
'I am not sure you should be here.
'I command here.He stated bluntly. A question turned in his mind and he continued: How did you end up on the Lucid Voice?
'What?
'You were there, with Kaden. Explain yourself.
'I... I wanted to prevent the deal and we were...
'You did what?!
This time, the cyborg's head turned with fire in his eyes.
'I told them... about your arrival...and intentions....
Grievous snarled and hit the chair's sidebar with his fist.
'You made this ambush to happen!
'It had been with good reaso...
She stopped and ducked away from a lightsaber swing coming from Grievous. He stood up with his weapon ignited.
'You are working against me, Jedi scum?! Are you only profiting of my benevolence and thwart me?
He raised his hand and swinged his sword again but this time the Togruta was ready and he blocked it. Grievous spinned his hand's ball and tried to cut her midsection but Shaak Ti had faster reflexes. She parried and disarmed Grievous. She then force pushed him into the wall. His cape fluttered away, leaving his slim frame to hit the metal. He fell down and started coughing again. He wanted to continue the fight but to his dismay, he was just not able. Shaak Ti approached him and closed her lightsaber. She looked at two superbattledroids.
'Take him to the Medbay now!
The two droids looked at Grievous then at her. He growled through his wheeze and pointed his finger at her.
'Shoot her, damn it! Kill the traitor!
They were ready to fire their weapons when Dofine intervened.
'No, stand down. The General is incapable of issuing orders now. Until his recovery, the Jedi Master is your master, per General's Grievous instructions!
He stood between the Jedi Master and the droids, hoping the two lifeless machines would listen to him. They lowered their weapons to his relief.
'What are you doing?!
The two droids went to Grievous and picked him by the shoulders. He struggled but decided that he needed a rest, if only to stop his cough. He was taken away and the doors closed behind him.
'Thank you, Lushros.
'No need for that, my lady! While the General was right to be angry at you, I take that the recent events have left him hysterical. You have more sense than him now, trust me.
'Very well. He will be alright, right?
'I am sure his mind will recover quickly but... I am no medic, but the last battle may have affected him badly. Whatever the repairs, he may not be the same capable warrior that he once was.
Shaak Ti truly looked saddened by the facts, which surprised the Neimodian a little. Allies or not, the Jedi and Grievous had been archenemies since the beginning. He was shocked by her display of friendship towards him.
'Anyway, the battle had taken a turn for the best,I hope. The Star Destroyers had been crippled and are in full retreat. The cruiser of Darth Vader just entered Hyperspace.
'Good. Contact the bridge of the Colicoid Swarm then.
'As you say, mistress!
Shaak Ti glanced at the General's empty seat. The holoprojector was put right in it's front. She sighed and walked towards it, then stood down. The large chair was meant for the General's large frame, so the female Togruta felt like a child. A hologram stopped her thoughts. A Zygerrian , an officer probably bowed before her nervously.
'You have... driven back the Imperial forces and Lord Vader...
'Indeed. You can actually surrender if you wish to stop the fight.
The Zygerrian sighed relieved. He thought they would want to destroy them after the ambush. Shaak Ti continued:
'I am sure that your lack of judgement was a terrible mistake that can be forbidden, by opposing the Empire and aligning with us. Where is Darts o'Nar?
'He perished during the fight. I am in charge now. I am sure we can reach an agreement then.
'Firstly, you will give us your ships, including the Colicoid Swarm.
'But that would doom our space defense!
'Only the ships that the Separatists have offered you.
'Very well...
'Then we shall meet on the soil. We will move swiftly to grow our army.
'We have tens of housands of slaves at our disposal.
Shaak Ti frowned.
'You will offer them a choice. Work as workers or return back to their homes.
'Are you mad?! We can't do that!
'Then maybe you want to discuss with General Grievous?
The Zygerrian shivered scared by the notion.
'No, no no...
'That's what I thought. See you on the ground... what is your name?
'I am Das Kalin.
'Farewell master Kalin.
'Likewise, Master Jedi... he muttered before closing the transmission.
Dofine , which listened quitetly to their discussion, intervened:
'Quite the negotiator you were...
'While Obi-Wan exceeded as the best of our Order, every Jedi should be able to use diplomacy to end conflicts.
'If only Grievous knew how to negotiate... we may have decreased his infamy.
'The Clone Wars is over, Lushros. I am sure Grievous will become more peacefully after his vendetta has been fulfilled.
'Oh, I highly doubt that!
'Maybe I will teach him...she intrerruptes him smiling.
The Neimoidian rolled his eyes skeptical and returned to the lower part of the bridge to issue more orders.
Shaak Ti rose from the chair and yelled:
'I will leave the fleet under your command, Captain!
A nodd from the Neimoidian allowed Shaak Ti to exit the bridge. Her stomach let out a growl matching the cyborg's which reminded the Jedi that she hadn't eat in some time. She asked a droid where the organic food was served.
'Right at the end of that hallway!
'Thank you...
'CTX-7760. You're welcome, mistress!
Shaak Ti smiled at the droid's politeness. They weren't such bad machines when they were not your enemy. Maybe that trait made Grievous hate them so much. She followed CTX-7760's instructions and she entered some kind of cantina. At the front bar, there were many Neimoidians drinking and watching two guys playing cards.
'Ohhh yeah! I win this,sucker!
Kaden let out his last Pazaak card that declared him as the winner. His neimoidian opponent cursed him as the Twi'lek took the credits from the table and put them into a pouch.
'Who's next?
Shaak Ti walked to them and shook her head. Kaden noticed her and took another sip from his drink.
'Hey, Shaak Ti, brave enough to join me for a pazaak game? These Neimoidians are so bad!
'Hey, we are not bad! You cheat!
'Oh, shut up, Arkilas! You know I played fair... the first match!
He laughed while the Neimoidian frowned at the reminder of his lost matches.
'I was actually hungry...
'First, play a game.
'I'm afraid I'm not such a good player of Pazaak...
'You're a Jedi... you are good at everything. Just a round!
'Fine...
She rolled her eyes and took a seat at the table. Many Neimoidians started watching them with great interest, mostly because they wanted to see the smuggler lose after his endless streak of wins.
'I deal...
Kaden gave her 5 cards, then he took another 5 and the match began. Shaak Ti analyzed her cardboard. A few plus cards, one with -2 valor. Not bad. She put a +4 card. The winner had to reach 20 in 4 turns but nor exceed it. Kaden let out a +9. Shaak Ti had calculated that she needed one more card to win in the end. She put a +8 card on the board. While Kaden was thinking, she glanced at the packet of cards and silently drew one from the mid with the Force. Some Neimoidians noticed it, but they grinned rather than point it out. Shaak Ti picked the card from under the table and added it up in her deck.
Kaden let out a +5 card.
'You will lose so hard!
Shaak Ti put a +9 card on the board. The score was 21 and she had one turn left. She had the original -2 and ... another card in her clothes. Kaden smirked and put down +5 card. His score was 19.
'This is it! Let's see if you can win this!
Shaak Ti smirked and revealed from her hand a card with... -1. The original card slowly entered the packet.
'What?! But I gave you a ...
'You cheated from the start?!Shaak Ti asked him with a false confusion.
'Yes... but how did you...
'Maybe you are reffering to this?
Shaak Ti lifted with her mind the last card in the packet, revealing the -2 one.
'You.. you cheated!
'Oh well... you know it's still a win if you don't catch me during the game.
She winked at him which made the Neimoidians laugh with her at Kaden's deep frown.
'That wasn't fair...
'I would play another game but I am really hungry. See ya!
She waved her hand and went to the bar to ask for food. Kaden revealed a faded smile when she turned her back to him. Not so Jedi-ish to him as he thought she would be...