Sorry for the long wait. I was kind of neglecting this story but I am back and I hape all of you are ready. (Night work) There wont be to much action in this chapter I am afraid but it informative and moves the plot a little at a time. People just don't jump into battles after battles. Don't want to overwork and destroy their commanders in the field.

Left in a Hard Place

CH: 10

An angry glare could be seen as Cage looks at the Hologram that was now off. Seething in anger at the news he has received as Durge and the Neimoidian stood around with him. Durge radiated in smugness very happy at the news.

"Just how I like it kids." He hums in delighted. "Another job to kill a Jedi properly this time. With no interference. Hopefully you won't mess me up this time."

"Lucky you." Colonel Zormo seeth in response. "At least you will not have to stay with damage goods."

Durge turns fully towards the Colonel with his menacing helmet staring at him. "Are you mocking me kid?" Cage sucks in a huff of air at this comment. "I was once buried alive-for 60 years! If that didn't kill me… if the Sith and the Mandalorians and the Bloodboilers of Kragis couldn't kill me-no one can. So, you do not want me mad." Their eyes lock for a second before before Cage turns away warily. "Have a shuttle prepared for me when you are done talking making arrangements with Captain Tuuk about the defense of this mud-ball."

The Colonel and the Neimoidian both nod as the watch the hulking giant go through the door. Looking at each other wearily before the Neimoidian speaks up. "I on the other hand am very grateful that you were able to rescue me."

"You are very welcome sir. Though you will have to forgive me not liking the situation right now. Its causing me lots of stress. Especially towards our bounty hunter friend here." His voice soured at the mention of the bounty hunter.

"Well I do not blame you. Defending a planet just to lure a Jedi or two for Durge to kill then off to somewhere else. Though it's not that bad. The green skin tactician replied. "It is your own planet technically to defend."

"That's the problem though." Cage sighs as he explains. "This world is a heavily populated mineral world that the Republic needs desperately if they want to keep up war production and crop minerallizer."

The Neimoidian just frown at his comment not liking the situation very much. He then shakes his head at the situation that they were left in even though he would be leaving with Captain Tuuk to a different world and a different battle.

"Sir," a B1 communications droid spoke up. "we have a private call from Raxus Secundus sir. They are requesting to speak only with you."

"Do you know who is calling?" Cage replies pondering the meaning of this untimely call.

"No Sir."

"Then send the transmissions to my private quarters. If you my excuse me." The Colonel walks off without even a reply.

"Roger, Roger." He could hear as the doors close behind him. He continues to walk down the hall until he reaches the lift. He quickly steps in and presses the screen of the level he wants to be at. He was undisturbed the whole walk to his quarters until the door slides opens as he steps through the door. As he walk to his big bedroom from the Yatches design the door his shut.

Just as quickly as the door shuts the Hologram turns on and appears Xorna in view. The Colonel just lifts his eye brows in surprise by the call visit. Xorna noticing this and giggles a little with a mischievous grin that she always carries on herself.

Usually when she has some plan that will go her way. Thought Cage as he took in the view in front of him. Noticing the V-neck of her dress went a little farther down then she normally wears it.

"I am surprised to see you right now Xorna. To what pleasure do I get with this call?" Cage tries to hide his suspicions.

"Oh, you know. I was wondering when we are going out on that date I requested?" Her tone was flirty trying to coax him out of his steadiness.

"I am afraid that It will not be some time before I can go back I am afraid." She frowns out this reply. "Though if I am not mistaken that you know about my situation right now."

"I actually call for another reason through." Her frown continues. "I actually intercepted a decoded transmission from here to who knows where else."

"Its probably military transmission. No need to worry about it." He just shook his head at Xorna antics.

"I'm afraid that it has heavy Republic influence in the decryptions. Before you ask. Count Dooku forbid it decryption and order the intelligence office to find the unknown person who gave the tip to them. Me." Her face turning very serious. Though her tone almost sounded pleading. Though the key word was almost.

"Hmm. This does sound odd." Cage pauses for a moment before his eyes narrows. He walks over to a terminal and presses a button. "Captain? Is this channel secure?"

"Roger, Roger." A high voice sounds from the other end.

"After this call I want all traces of this call deleted and even its backup data." There was a couple of clicks before he turns towards Xorna. "We might need you to visit a different place. Until this calms down a little." The word 'visit' emphasized. "In fact, I now a good man that is willing to do it."

"Is he trustworthy?" Her tone sounds uncertain of the idea.

"Yes. He saved my life a while back before this blasted war ever started."

"Is he that smuggler you told me about?"

"Yes. Though it does turn out that he is family." He tried to convince her and utterly failed at. "I will also pay for the transportation to my headquarters back on Chardaan. All fees paid for and anything else you need." As he said this Xorna face lit up with that mischief back in her eyes.

"Thank you! You are such a kind gentleman." She blew a kiss towards his direction.

"Why do I get a feeling you purposely did this so you can get in my place." He mutters to himself. Xorna caught this and her smile grew even more as he sent her the information that she needed.

"Just admit that you love me Colonel." She winks again for turning off the transmissions.

"It also helps that she is attractive compared to her kind." A smile grew as he walks off back towards the bridge to begin his other meeting.

The meeting commences and was quite surprise to see the intelligence of Captain Tuuk. He gave quite a good amount of tips about strategies of the defense of the planet.

"So how went the battle of Muunilitst?" The captain spoke up.

"It was bad I am afraid. Not the biggest space battle either. They pop up behind me and spotting my blind spots that I did not even know. They used a V formation with their three ships. The one in the back was support against fighters witch was quite effective. I took enough damage where they were able to surround me so I faked a jump and luckily this ship can go in reverse quickly so I ram the other ship as the VIP came aboard and used the ram ship as shielding for my jump. I barely got out of their at all. Would you like the recordings?"

"That would be acceptable Colonel. It would be preferable then waiting for intelligence decide to release them for the rest of us." Cage nodding with agreeance. "Though I notice that your ship is still damage from the battle."

A frown was shown on the Colonel's face at this observation. "Let's just say that a curtain Muun was very angry at the loss of his home world and would have preferred if I lost my rank." The Captain just frown at this.

"Such a shame that feelings half to get in the way. This puts us at a disadvantage in battles to come. Though have you heard about the good news?"

"What news? I am afraid I have been busy with the battle and repairs to pay attention." The Colonel turns his head towards the Neimoidian in full attention.

"That we have finally as a navy come out with new ships to mass produce. In fact, I am going back to get a new ship and a small fleet for combat." The Captian sounds very happy at the news.

"That is wonderful Mar. By chance is the new ship a capital ship?" Cage ask quizzically.

"Not that I know of but I heard of one is in the testing faze though. I am getting a Lucrehulk battle ship. It's a very new design and I already have a name for the ship the Procurer." The Colonel looks very displeased at the news that was presented. "Though that does remind me of what ships you are going to take. You see that I am taking all 3 Diamond-class cruisers with me. Though your fleet will consist of some Gozanti cruisers, some Q-ships (refitted ships), and two rare Geonosian engineered dreadnoughts." Mar Tuuk just smiles at the Colonel.

"I thought they mass produce them already."

"These are an older variant of those. They sort of look like a round tuning fork. Luckily they were still around to be use in the navy." Captain Tuuk looks behind him and nods his head. "I guess that I got to get going. Good luck with Hades IV (4)."

The call was ended and Cage Zormo just sat there blinking at the last comment he heard from the Captain. "Why does anyone name a planet Hades?" Shortly after he went back to work of reorganizing the defense of the planet.

Terra slumps onto her desk as she waits for her ship repairs. Filling out maintenance and resources that they need for only a few scorch marks. Also, that Commander, I mean Jo-Non Jawless is neglecting his paperwork that he has to do. Leaving all of the work to her. Though he did promise to do the next mess that came up.

Sense they are station for repairs. The crew supposedly gets free time to study new Republic handbook that they are coming out. Especially sense they are coming out with a capital ship finally. Having picture of the new ship looks menacing and made practical sense considering the triangle shape of the ship enabling more guns to shoot forward. Sadly they do not get a ship of this caliber. They are directly attach to General Obi-Wan Kenobe's group until they can get an assignment.

Terra rubs her eyes as she looks up from her holo-pads. Noticing the time was late. Slowly she slid her chair back and carefully exits the room. When she steps out of her office she notices the officers walking around through the station of Jedi and Captain alike. Walking pass everyone and slowly making it towards the Café instead of the cafeteria.

She enters the small little café and smells the fresh aromas that permeates the air of the café. Inside the café could be seen a couple of station workers and travelers. A couple of officers converse with each other while eating the good.

Shortly a waiter came to seat her at a little table in the back. She pulls out the menu and gives it to Terra. After scrolling through the menu, she picks out a cup of Ryloth slush and a little bowl of soup and some bread.

As she was about to take a bite of bread a stern hard voice spoke up interrupting her of the food. "Lieutenant Terra I presume?"

Looking up from her food she notices the Jedi brown robes that covers the man's body. As her eyes waunder up to the man's face to see a dark skin and a stern face just like his voice. He had no hair on his head.

She blinks a couple of times trying to process who this person before her. After a couple of minutes her eyes grew wide at the realization of who this man really is.

Standing up and saluting "Master Mace Windu." Were blurted out of her mouth. The man before her gave no reaction at all. Before putting her at ease.

"Don't mind if I join you?"

"I do not mind at all sir." She watches as the man before her pulls up the chair before sitting in it. Keeping his stern face. Not just some man but a powerful warrior and a high master of the Jedi order, and he was right here sitting across from her. Radiating with power but yet respect for other life.

Mace Windu eyes Terra's good for a second. "You should eat that before it gets cold. You don't have to be proper at the moment."

"But it would be rude of me to eat in front of you sir." Mace just shakes his head at this commit.

"It's alright. I have already eaten beforehand and I can tell you have been working all day. Though thank you for the thought." Terra flusters a little at the compliment. Not even trying to hide her facial features.

"Alright, if you say so sir." She continues to dig into the food in silence.

"How was your first mission?" Mace at this point was making small talk. Though she doughts that's the main reason for the quick chat. They hardly know each other and can for curtain say that they have not met but kept.

Letting out a sigh "It was moderate and had some success to it but I am afraid that an enemy ship escape. With two of the VIP targets. The rest were captured though so it was good." She drifted into the memory of the whole ordeal. Remembering the false jump to be able to get the VIPs and mass all of their fighters into protecting the transport. How that it knocks the other ship and use it as a means to escape. Very crude and high risk that paid off for whoever the captain of the ship.

"I have read the report. Even though your foe was challenging there is an old warrior saying I heard long ago. 'When defeat comes and goes, the lessons which we learn will stay. Trust the Force for it strengthens up.'" For a moment, she thought she saw Mace Windu's lips twitch for a second.

All of a sudden, the message hit home and all of her stress faade away as if that was the message she needed to hear. As if somehow the Jedi knew what she needs at this very moment.

"It will come better as long as we don't forget the lessons we learn." Mace Windu mentions before getting up and leave with a farewell and a promise to meet again.

Terra looks off at the Jedi Master and grateful for his help.

As Mace Windu walks off he could not help but see a Padawan in her. So young and unready for what life hits her. For her potential, more than this war and with her a hope of a peace that will come about with her help. Only then did Mace Windu the stern face Jedi allow himself a genuine smile ever since this war has begun.

It was night time on Coruscant in the industrial zone. Only druids could be seen floating around busily working non stop to meet the demands of today's society.

Inside a dark private building sat a man in a cloak with his cool covering his head. Waiting for a blasted report that his apprentice had scheduled with him. Sidous had a feeling that it was something bad.

No, that's not right. I knew it was something bad and his foresight of the future was changing to something he was not expecting. Something that can him to three fates and the strongest of the three are undisputed concur or die.

Though what event causes what has yet to remain to be seen and whatever Dooku has to say will most likely help him with the task at hand. Though it will not be the first time.

A flashing lights went of on his arm chair of his personal throne of the soon to be imperial palace. A press of the button terns on a hologram.

Right before him was count Dooku kneeling right before him. Not his usual standing position that he usually is in.

Sidous eyes narrows at this unusual act before stretching out his head "Speak my apprentice. We have many things to speak of." Dooku kept a regal face intact befitting royalty.

"I'm afraid I have an irritation that came up that requires your attention." He only pauses for only for a second tactically. "According to an intelligence tip, one our conversation was relieved by a third party. Though I assure you that the connection is heavily encrypted and a search for that person is underway."

"Then why are you telling me about this." Sidious said patiently. Waiting for the golden nugget.

"I believe it was leaked from your side of the conversation." Dooku voice became stern as ever as a rage lit in his eyes only.

Sidious sneers at the news. "We will meet up." Without saying a word, the line was cut. With two angry Sith Lord.

Sidious slams his fist on his arm rest. Sneering again he calls out "Droid. Bring me the list!"

After a few seconds pass, be a silver droid with one-wheel roles up with a data pad. "As you wish my Lord " It's monotone voice rang out. Then quickly roles away quite fast.

The data pad lights up in the Sith Lord's hands as he taps the pad. He then slides a finger down the pad. Eyes scrolling down the list carefully as if looks could destroy the object in his hand.

His figure stops moving as he focus on a name displays on his data pad.

That man probably did it somehow. Sidious thought. A man that he was planning to kill anyways because of his connections in politics. A man that knows too much for comfort. Though the only problem is finding him. He knows the planet but he does not know where he is and that could take a long time for one man.

He does have the resources but the man needs to make a mistake before he can kill him and blame the separatist but first he needs to secure future transmissions before anymore slip ups could be made. He just hopes that message will stay encrypted for a long time.

He threw the data pad onto the ground. On the screen shows Valorum. The late Supreme Chancellor

I did take that quote from Durge from the comic with a little tweak at the end of it. [Dark Horse Comic] (They sure flesh out the clone wars)

Ohh the plot thickens and the destiny of the clone wars is shifting. Though to be good or bad, you guys will eventually find out. I also like to thank you 14 people (and future people) that are keeping up with me. You guys are helping me even though this is not the best story out there. I hope you enjoy.

Yes I made up Hades IV.