Ahsoka, Daughter of the Light (Book 1): Attachment

Chapter 15: The Job

CAD BANE

Bane and his Todo unit were sitting around in a Bar in the slums of Onderon in the night. Lots of sketchy and less-than-legal things happened here, so nobody would bat an eye if he contacted Dooku here.

Dooku had been quite mad about the loss of Onderon. He seemed to place the blame on whoever he could. The arrogant King Rash, the Jedi Ahsoka Tano, the young Senator Lux Bonteri, and the freedom fighters, Saw and Steela Gerrera, were among some of the names he mentioned.

But none of that mattered. Dooku offered a hefty sum of money for the job he took. Of course, this job was quite petty compared to his previous achievements. He had bested both Jedi and Senators before, so he was pretty certain he could get this one done.

The Job?

Eliminate senator Lux Bonteri.

Dooku seemed to really want him dead after what happened on Onderon. Targeting their senator should cause some "exploitable chaos," Dooku had said. But he had warned him that Ahsoka Tano would be protecting him. Which was odd, since there was no reason Ahsoka would stay here. Unless she had one of those "visions" or something. The Jedi had several tricks up their sleeve, and were difficult to best in combat. But sniping a senator from afar? For the legendary Cad Bane, that was a walk in the park.

His holoprojector began to beep, signifying that Dooku was trying to contact him. He patched the transmission through.

"Greetings, Bane," said the Count, "Have you reached Onderon without any trouble?"

"Yes, nobody knows I'm here, Just as you predicted," replied Bane.

"Good. Your operation cannot fail. You must watch the senator carefully. And only take the shot if he is with the Jedi, Ahsoka Tano."

Dooku had never specified this part of the deal. "Is that necessary?" Bane asked.

"From what I have learned, she and the senator have grown... close. Instilling distress and emotion in Ahsoka Tano will leave her vulnerable. From there, you can decide if you wish to avoid any further hassle, or take down the padawan. Even if your operation fails, there is the chance that her emotions could get the best of her, forming a rift between her and the ways of the Jedi, which would be beneficial to the Sith."

Bane looked confused. "Are you implying there's some sort of deeper meaning to this? I don't exactly want to cause too much of a mess. The Republic has a very hefty sum on my head right now."

"Well, so long as you get paid, I know that the legendary Cad Bane will complete any job."

He was right. Dooku did have quite the reward for completing the job, and that's all that mattered.

"So this is more than just pulling a trigger and killing a senator?" Bane asked.

"Don't worry about the details. Just kill the senator, and get paid. I will reward you an even finer sum if you take down the padawan, but be warned, it will be no easy feat."

"I don't like easy. It doesn't pay well."

"Good," said Dooku with a grin before he cut the transmission. Bane never fully understood the Count's motives.