Hissing softly in annoyance, General Grievous fought the urge to simply rip the pathetic creature's heart out. It would solve so many problems. But unfortunately, such an action would create even more problems. So he let the messenger prattle on and on about trivial matters.
Ever since he had broken free of Dooku's control, Grievous had been causing even more trouble. But now he was a general threat. He targeted whatever he wanted to, becoming the opportune predator many had feared.
Something the messenger said caught his attention. "What?" he demanded.
"I…. I … ah… uh… That is…" the messenger stammered. That was the final straw. Lashing out with sharp durasteel claws, the general did indeed rip the poor messenger's heart out.
"Droid!" he snapped. "Clean this up." He swept out of the room, talons clicking softly. Grievous had come to the conclusion that people who thought they were smart were usually very, very stupid.
Temper flaring at the sight of someone standing uninvited on the bridge, a very bold move, Grievous lunged at the figure. He was shocked when he went right through the figure. His talons screeched as he stopped. "I wouldn't try that again if I were you," a voice said. Spinning, Grievous saw the figure standing behind him.
"Who are you?" he spit. Grievous had never seen the man before. Tall, thin, and pale, he was dressed very neatly in a three-piece suit. In his left hand, he held a cane that seemed to be made of gold. Quick study of the cane revealed it to be more of a weapon than anything. Jet black hair hung a little ways past his shoulders. Cold green eyes bored into the general.
"I am Loki," the stranger said, soft voice tainted with a faint mocking edge. "And I've heard so much about you, General Grievous. I must say, I'm rather impressed."
"Impressed?" Grievous repeated, confused now.
"Oh yes," Loki answered. "I think I can help you. You want revenge, do you not?"
"Well, yes."
"Then why not band with the Jedi?" Loki asked. "Dooku will see this as the ultimate act of betrayal."
Eyes narrowing, Grievous thought this over. Loki was right, he realized. There was no higher act of betrayal than siding with his former master's enemies.
"Although you'll have to convince the Jedi that you are sincere," Loki warned. "Remember, they hate you."
"What think you, Obi-Wan?" Yoda asked.
"I think Grievous means it," Obi-Wan replied. "I can't say the same about Loki. But… If Grievous is offering to help, and through Grievous, Loki, we'll gain a massive advantage over Dooku and the Separatists."
"Right again, I believe you are, Obi-Wan," Yoda said. "Trust Grievous and his friend, we must."
A/N Sept. 10, 2017: rewritten and posted to my ao3 account