Shadows of the Past

Chapter 12

Lothal's orbit

The Lamda shuttle exited Hyperspace, slowing it's speed as it approached the planet of Lothal. Grievous remarked that the sight wasn't too exotic, the surface of the planet seemed to be industrial and vegetation wasn't a common thing. What caught his attention was a Spaceship coming to them steadily. They were soon hailed, but to the General's surprise, he realised they weren't using a holo to communicate with them. The droid behind him offered him the stormtrooper's helmet. Grievous glanced at him annoyed and backhanded the object, throwing it into the wall with force.
'I don't need it anymore, idiot! Remain silent.
The droid released a quiet roger roger and departed a bit scared.
'Now, Thok, tell them we are an Imperial escort sent by Vader himself to obtain reinforcements for the battle in the Enarc system.
Thok nodded and accepted the hailing.
'This is Liutenant List, identify yourselves.
'We are...
The droid voice altered itself, quickly imitating the one of an Imperial.
'I'm sorry, did you say anything? List asked suspecting.
'We are an escort coming from the Enarc system.
'What is your identification code?
'We don't have time for this, Liutenant! The rebels have been attacked in the system and they have been proved to have more ships than we thought.
'Yes...
The Liutenant remained silent for a bit, hinting the added ships Thok was talking about.
'Very well, we shall meet on the surface. The TIE fighters will escort you.
'Thank you, Liutenant.
The channel went off and the Lambda shuttle started to fly into the atmosphere.
'You did improvise... Grievous noticed impressed. I didn't knew you can do that.
'My computer told me that was the logical reason for sending for reinforcements.
'Ugh, droids...
Grievous clasped his hands behind his back and exited the cockpit. The door opened and he entered the room leading outside the ship. Shaak Ti was meditating on one of the side benches.
'We are going to land shortly.
Grievous announced.
'I know. I can feel the fact that we are entering a planet's atmosphere.
'How?he asked a bit annoyed.
'The Force tells me.
The cyborg released his hands and clenched his fists. The Force... it seemed every question the Jedi were asked, they will always answer: the Force. He wanted to believe it as a myth as all the pests in the galaxy did, but unfortunately, he had seen it's effects firsthand.
'And what else does the Force tells you?he asked sarcastically.
'We may need to run into the wildings to escape the imperials when we arrive.
'Run? Do you know that we are top duelists and warriors, veterans of the Clone Wars and experienced individuals. I don't see why I can't simply take over the city. The people will support us and by midnight, the capital of Lothal will be ours!
'How naïve you are, my friend...she replied smiling amused. That will attract the attention of the commanders of the Empire and lead them here, to us.
'That is not the point.
'Do you have something in mind? She asked still smirking.
'Of course... I need one more hilt to complete my first new set of lightsabers.
'Oh really? No more Jedi lightsabers?
'I'm afraid my old ones were destroyed... and Jedis seem to be my allies as of late...
'I was always your friend!she counteratacked him. From the moment we met, we didn't fought to kill each other.
'I am sorry...he mumbled. Anyway, we are almost on the surface.
'Does the Force tell you this? She asked ironically.
'No, my droids just told me on the comm channel. Get ready for action.
He went to put on his dark cloak, so that he can hide his initial intentions and appear dominant. While clasping it's holders, Shaak Ti asked:
'How did the droids communicate on the channel with you?
'How curious of you... he gestured with one finger to his antennas located on the sides of his head.
'These "ears" are made for multiple reasons. They are ears and also, atennas.
'That is impressive.
'I find it more impressive that my body is still working after all these years...he complained as he hid hid arms behind his back and the dark cloak revealed only the armored collar and his head.
Shaak Ti wanted to say more, but a sound was heard and the floor shook a bit.
'Let me talk... Grievous notified her as his two droids exited the cockpit with blasters in theirs hands.
'Not exactly how I used to make my entrance, but you two will have to make due. Follow me!
The door opened and the ramp lowered. Grievous walked outside confidently, yet glaring at the sight of two stormtroopers and Liutenant staring surprised at him. The B1 droids stopped and held their weapons towards the Imperials. Grievous however just continued walking until he stood a few inches away from the officer, towering over him with ease.
'Greetings, Liutenant List!he said raspier than usual.
The man took a step back, impressed by the being.
'Who are you, sir? We haven't known an Inquisitor will be...
Grievous chuckled and revealed from his cloak an Inquisitor's hilt. He activated it.
'An Inquisitor? Liutenant, I am insulted.
'Why? He asked confused.
'Because being named an Inquisitor is beneath me! I am General Grievous!he thundered, startling everyone around him besides Shaak Ti, who rolled her eyed.
'Lothal is now under my command... unless you have something to say about it, Liutenant?he continued, pointing his weapon at him.
'General, I am afraid the...
He jumped a few steps behind as Grievous swinged his lightsaber forward. The B1 droids shot the stormtroopers, killing them in an instant. The Liutenant wanted to scream but he was quickly picked by the throat with the powerfull hand of the cyborg.
'Tell me, List, where is the rebel encampement?
'I... don't know! But there are regions where...
Grievous released him, making him fall on the ground.
'Where exactly?
'The Northern Ridge...
He coughed for a few seconds.
'Tell your superiors about my pressence here. They will be eager to hear that, I assure you.
He closed his weapon, and clasped his hands behind his back, returning to his neutral state. The B1 followed him as he descended in the city. Shaak Ti was by his side.
'I am relieved you spared him.
'He will die by the hands of his superiors soon enough! Kill every stormtrooper you see.
He commanded his droids. They nodded and raised their blasters ready to shoot.

Lothal's orbit

The Phoenix Squadron along with the Three Hammerhead cruisers exited Hyperspace directly into Lothal's orbit.
'Be prepared to fire if needed! Commander Sato ordered over the rebel comms. They were staying in the newly acquired republican ship, flying towards the Imperial Star Cruiser. They were immediately hailed and one of the rebel officers made the contact. Ashoka crossed her hands and waited the answer.
'Pleade identify yourselves.
'This is the Rebel cell of Lothal! Sato announced proudly.
'Then, be prepared to perish!
The link went dead and a few TIE fighters exited the Star Cruiser, flying towards them, already releasing a barrage of ion bolts.
'Phoenix squadron, you know the weakness of the Command Centre! Neutralize it!
A few affirmative answers were heard and the Phoenix squadron started blasting their way towards the Imperials.
'Do you think the General has arrived? Sato asked Ashoka.
'I am not sure. But we shall see on the surface.

After a few hours

The Phoenix squadron landed directly in the Imperial stronghold of the planet. It had been a short battle, with an uncontestable win coming from the Rebel cell. Now, they were expecting stromtroopers to greet them. However, a few civilians saluted the soliders and offered them to enter the once-hostile building of the Imperial Administration on the planet. Ashoka, Commander Sato, Kanan and all the important figures of the cell followed the lead and used the elevators to reach the higher levels of the stronghold. When they reached the last floor, the elevator's doors opened and Ashoka walked first with her lightsabers ready. The Governor's office was large and his desk was wide and sleek, with a tall chair on the other side. It was turned to the windows behind. But Ashoka recognized the two figures that were guarding it, standing at the sides of the table. On a chair was staying the elderly Togruta Jedi Master. Shaak Ti smiled at the sight of the old renegade padawan. She stood up and hugged Ashoka tightly, remaining that way for a few seconds.
'It is wonderful to see you again, Ashoka.
'Yes, master!she replied happily.
They released from the embrace, and the Jedi with the Commander turned to the chair. It finally rolled, revealing the imposing image of the cyborg General.
'Welcome to Lothal, my fellow associates!he greeted them, with pride and sarcasm in his voice. It took you some time to arrive...the Kaleesh continued , in a complaining tone.
'I am afraid we had to face the Imperial forces on the orbit. Sato defended himself.
'Hardly a challenge, Commander. You outnumbered them 3 to 1, considering your last acquisitions!
He placed his hand into the other and put his elbows on the table.
'How did you manage to obtain them? He asked with curiosity.
Ezra, that had stood behind all the rebels, intervened.
'We have recieved them from Princess Organa from...
'Alderaan...he muttered with a bit of disgust.
'Do you know the planet?Kanan asked, his voice hiding hostility.
'Alderaan is a key planet in the Core Worlds, known for it's monarchist rule and pacifistic actions as of the late century... the system has a very strong position in the Imperial Senate, and a remainder of the old Republican rule.
'Whoa... how do you know that? Ezra asked impressed.
'I am a well-documented being, Jedi, and the memory of a library. I had once planned to conquer that system and lectured myself with it's history. My enchanced brain hasn't forgot that.
'Very well, so you know now.
'So I presume that Alderaan is a supporter of our cause?
'Yes, but secretly. Bail Organa is funding us behind the scenes... Commander Sato explained.
'Bail Organa...
'Yes, the Senator and..
'I know who he is!the General exploded angrily. This is good news. I will leave you to get acquainted with one of the few Jedi that caught my interest in them. Shaak Ti, former member of the Council of the Order.
He stood up and walked to the elevators, followed by his B1 droids.
'I have plans to forge while you make your idle talks...
The elevator doors closed and Grievous dissapeared.