Shadows of the Past

Chapter 22

Hutt Palace

The Hutt was approached by a hooded figure, slowly. A few pirates and imperials glanced at the one that was starting to whisper to the Hutt, but they couldn't understand their conversation. The Hutt nodded and dismissed the hooded figure with his small hand.
'Inquisitor!
A stormtrooper ran towards the crime lord.
'The Inquisitor is not here, sir!
'Call him here if he wants to find out about his targets!
'Sir, right away!
The white solider departed quickly while the Hutt mused at the idea that crawled into his mind...

Nal Hutta

The room Shaak Ti and Grievous rented wasn't too big. It offered a small bathroom, a medium sized chamber with a bed and a table set with two additional chairs. Grievous took hold of the chair immediately, throwing his cloak away bored by it. Shaak Ti went to cleanse her hands in the bathroom.
'Are you sure this place is safe from our pursuitors? Grievous asked analyzing the room with indifference.
'I hope so. But we should be careful.
'What do you mean? The cyborg asked as he started to analyze the Seventh Sister's lightsaber hilt.
'I will have to go outside and look for a ship while you remain here.
Grievous stopped staring at the hilt's carvings and looked up:
'You can't be serious?! I will be locked here while you wander off this backwater planet?
'No, it is just safer this way. You are so much easier to recognize than me.
The General growled lowly.
'Fine. Have it your way.
'Thank you!the Jedi replied smiling. I know you don't sleep, but I need to and I feel tired after traveling in hyperspace for so long...
Shaak Ti said as she walked towards the bed. She climbed on it, and prepared to sleep, while Grievous just stared at her. He wished he could sleep again, be a normal being... all those little details that a normal organic wouldn't notice, he wanted all of them back, the need to dream, eat, drink, sleep, scratch and so much more... He watched with envy as Shaak Ti closed her eyes before looking at him and smiling one last time. After she fell asleep, Grievous gazed at her continuously, captured by her grace.
'So foolish... yet beautiful... he mused to himself.
However, he was sure their location will not remain hidden for too long. Even now, someone could be watching them, waiting for the right moment to strike. The Kaleesh shook his head and decided to exit the room. The corridor that led to the elevator was populated by one man, standing over the wall. His face was not too visible, cloaked by a hood he wore over his head.
'What are you doing here? Grievous asked in a hostile tone. He knew that on that foor, only his room was ocuppied.
The hooded figure ignored the General and continued to look down, indifferent.
'I asked you a question, pirate scum!
Grievous was clanking on the floor hard, walking towards the stranger with no good intention. The stranger suddenly pulled out a blaster and shot Grievous a few times right into the head. The blasts released a small explosion upon impact, blinding Grievous for a few moments. He quickly activated his weapons and spinned them around defensively. But nothing happened. When he regained his sight, the man had dissapeared. Grievous growled and sheeted his weapons. Hiding his face behind his dark hood, he entered the elevator and pressed the button to go down. A bounty hunter had tracked him.
When he exited the quarter, the General was met by a dark armored figure and dozens of stormtroopers and pirates. The slim Inquisitor closed his weapon and raised his hand:
'Greetings, General Grievous! I am honored to meet you in person.
Grievous glared at him and put his hood down. He was slowly putting his hands on the two inquisitor lightsabers that were attached to his waist.
'I wouldn't do that if I were you. Look around and see that even you are outmatched.
Grievous counted up to 50 people in the room, besides the Inquisitor.
'Very well... though your hilt seems eager to join my collection.
Grievous ignited his weapons and spinned them a few times, taking combat position.
'You leave me no choice then.
The Inquisitor made a sign towards the soliders and they all pointed their blaster towards the cyborg. They didn't shoot however. The Imperial Dark Side user ignited his own weapon and proceeded to attack yhe General. Grievous met him with his blades, clashing them right into his crimson one. They exited the saberlock and the Inquisitor was faced with a flurry of quick and strong hits. While the two dueled, and the Inquisitor was forced to back down step by step, a few stormtroopers pointed their rifles towards Grievous.
The Kaleesh was bored by the duel and prepared to finish off the Inquisitor. He swinged his lightsaber and disarmed him, making his hilt fly away in the room. The Inquisitor ducked under, evading the hit, but in the same moment, cables attached to the General's back and started shocking him. He turned around and made the stormtroopers fly around him, hitting the other pirates. A sudden Force push made him fall down and the continuing shocks started deactivating his systems. In a few moments, his whole body shut down and he was left almost lifeless on the ground. Not even his vocabulators could speak. The obly ability he had was opening his eyes and seeing, but mostly glaring at his captors.
'It seems you have proven yourself, General. You have almost defeated me! But I think you can still improve under the Sith tutelage... take him to the Command Base!
The stromtroopers picked his limp yet hard body and started dragging him across the floor.
'Hey, what about our payment?
'I am sorry, pirate, but you told me you've seen two persons entering your locale. Where is the second?
'I don't know sir... I think she left, she must not have been the second bounty.
The Inquisitor frowned behind his mask and turned around.
'Very well. I shall continue my search. Your help had been noted.
The Inquisitor nodded his head and started walking away as two stromtroopers pointed their blasters towards the patrons and started shooting them in order to keep away the rumors of General Grievous forever...

Upstairs, a strange wave of fear came towards Shaak Ti. Her silent and calm sleep had been disturbed by the Force. She opened her eyes slowly, a bit tired by the sudden intrerruption. When she could see clearly, she noticed she was alone in the room.
'How appropiate... she sighed. I wonder where he could be?
The Togruta put on her cloak and decided to exit the room. The corridor was empty, save for a few dusty scratches on the walls. Nothing unusual...
When the elevator opened and she entered the lower floor, she was astounded by all the ash and corpses on the ground. Everyone had been shot to death, and it seemed like a battle had taken place there. The Togruta realised Grievous may have taken part in this. But there was no one left to tell her what happened.
'How the wheel had turned... she concluded, sad by the truth of her words...