Rogue For The Sith

Chapter 8

"You wanted to speak to me?" Viper inquired, cautiously approaching Shock.

Shock nodded. He turned to face Viper, his face blank, and began to pace back and forth in front of him.

"Is everything alright Commander?" Viper asked.

"Yes," Shock stood still, "we just can't have any more traitors."

"Sir-"

Viper did not get to finish. He stumbled and fell backwards as the beam from Shock's blaster hit him in the chest. The rogue fired another shot for good measure and joined Boxer. Boxer gave him a questioning look.

"Where's Viper?" he asked while searching through the reeds and bushes.

"He betrayed us." Shock responded.

The other paused.

"That's not a problem, right Sergeant?" The commander glared.

Boxer hesitated, but shook his head.

"Not at all." he answered and then continued, "There's no way the Jedi could have outrun us, and we have gone over this area twice."

Shock agreed and called his men back to him. The search was over.

* * *

Dooku walked out of the shadows. Skywalker was gone, but the Sith had managed to kill some of the retreating men before they had cowered away. He entered the room at the end of the long hall and prepared to give the information of Anakin's escape to his master. As the image of Sidious materialized above the holoprojector, Dooku bowed and began to address the Dark Lord of the Sith.

"I am sorry my lord. Skywalker has escaped and Ando is dead." Dooku did not look up as he said this, but shamefully stared at the floor.

"Your failure is most displeasing Darth Tyranus, but our plan shall still prevail." Sidious rasped, his hooded cloak casting strange shadows on his features, "And what has become of the other Jedi?"

"Kenobi has..." Dooku paused, "Rescued Noli from the rogue soldiers and is attempting to meet with their remaining forces to plan their retreat."

Sidious thought on this for a moment and replied, "Recall Ando's clone troopers and dispose of them. We have no need for their likes and they might compromise our true intentions. Leave the Commander alive for now, he will serve his own purpose."

"Understood Master." Dooku concluded, shutting off the holoprojector.

Noli knows too much... the Sith thought, She cannot be allowed to tell the Republic.

Dooku strode out of the door and headed to the Control Room. He entered and approached the T-series tactical droid that was standing at a control panel.

"Commander." Dooku said to the droid.

Its mechanical head turned to face Dooku.

"Yes Count Dooku?" the droid's question was merely an acknowledgment.

"Tell Ando's clones to return here and bring their Commander to me. The assassin droids may take care of the others."

* * *

Tup and Nine ran out of the fortress gate. They reached the ships as the last one was taking off and jumped inside. Rex looked expectantly at the two and Tup shook his head.

"The kid didn't make it..." Tup sighed.

The captain's gaze lowered.

"Good to have you back Tup." he stated, a sliver of disappointment in his voice, "Now let's get off this rock."