Disclaimer – all original Star Wars characters in this fanfic (excluding my OC's) are the property of Lucasfilm and Disney.
Chapter 35 "Among The True Warriors."
The General defects ! After discovering the truth that was withheld from him, General Grievous decides to leave the Separatists to join the Kingdom of the Force.
After destroying every last droid on the Invisible Hand, General Grievous travels to planet Shili in order to meet the leaders of the Kingdom of the Force, ArchKnights Deiven Virlo, and Zai'shira Kessen.
Ehosiq Sector, Zulio – Third Moon of Shili, Temple of Balance, Communication Center.
"Grievous's ship will exit the hyperspace..." the Rakata technician warned "...in three, two, one... now !" Right on cue, the Invisible Hand exited the hyperspace. Deiven, who stood behind the technician, smiled and patted him on the back. "Nice one," the Firrerreo praised him.
"Ship's weapons and shields are offline," stated the second Rakata technician.
Reaching for a button on the console, Deiven began to call Grievous. "General Grievous this is ArchKnight Deiven Virlo, do you read me ?"
"Loud and clear," Grievous's hoarse voice issued from the console.
"Then board a shuttle and land on the third moon of Shili. Just follow the signal of the landing beacon and you'll reach the landing field," said Deiven.
"Understood," said Grievous ending the call.
"Master Zai'shira and HK are already there," Deiven stated. "I'll join them."
"Understood," said the Rakata. The Firrerreo turned and walked out of the communication center.
Zulio – Third Moon of Shili, Landing Field.
The landing field on Zulio, was simply, a large grass-covered area that could accommodate only to four shuttles. The reason for that was a special Rakata teleportation device placed near the Temple that allowed one to teleport from Shili to Zulio in a blink of an eye. Thanks to that, there was no need for a standard method of transportation from Shili to Zulio.
Just like Deiven said, Grievous found the landing field without any problems and landed in its center. Descending the shuttle's ramp, the cyborg saw Deiven and HK for the first time.
"Welcome on Zulio," Deiven greeted.
"Welcome General," Zai'shira greeted the Kaleesh cyborg. "Although I don't think we can call you General anymore."
"I don't care what'll you call me. I don't have any more links with the Separatists," said Grievous, coughing a few times. "The only thing I want is to kill the one's responsible for my condition."
"So you want to join us so we can help you with your revenge ?" Asked Deiven.
"Yes," Grievous replied plainly. "My ship, my strength and any information I possess is at your disposal in exchange."
"What are you plan to do after we help with your revenge ?" Zai'shira asked folding her arms.
"What do you mean ?" Grievous asked.
"Let us say we help you and you'll manage to kill all of them," Deiven replied instead of his Master. "What are you going to do then ?
Grievous shrugged and answered. "I don't know... and I don't care, to be honest."
"So the revenge is the only thing that's motivating you," Zai'shira stated.
"That's right," Grievous nodded.
"This means that Dooku will have the last laugh, even if you'll kill him," said Deiven.
The cyborg tilted his head with confusion in his eyes. Noticing that Grievous wants an explanation, Deiven gestured him to follow. "I'll check the ship's databanks and start to extract the intel," said Zai'shira. "Come on HK." The Togruta and the droid entered the shuttle and flew straight to the Invisible Hand.
In the meantime, Deiven and Grievous headed to the temple. When they've reached the courtyard, Grievous spotted many younglings training with the Rakata warriors. Not far from each group stood a pair of adults, carefully observing the training. Some were physically present, the other were just blue-holographic images. "Are they the parents of the children ?" Asked Grievous walking right next to Deiven.
"Yes," replied the Firrerreo. "Unlike the Jedi, we don't separate the kids from their families. We help the little ones to understand what power they possess. We don't force anyone to join us. Therefore, the progress is much faster and both the children and parents are happy." Grievous nodded, grasping what Deiven had in mind.
Zulio – Third Moon of Shili, Temple of The Balance.
When Deiven and Grievous entered the temple, the Firrerreo led the cyborg to a large, glass elevator. "Where are you taking me ?" Asked Grievous, when he and Deiven entered it.
"My Master has promised you that if you join us, she'll arrange a meeting with... Ronderu lij Kummar. I hoped I've enunciated her name properly, I don't wanna disrespect her," said Deiven reaching for the panel with the Force and activating the elevator.
"You've said her name correctly," Grievous replied. "But she's death, so forgive me that I'm skeptical. I was lead to believe that only powerful Jedi and Sith are capable of appearing as spirits."
"The Jedi and Sith believe that and they are wrong," Deiven said bluntly, making Grievous chuckle and cough a few times.
"I've been meaning to ask you," Deiven looked at the cyborg. "What with that coughing ?"
"It's nothing serious or contagious," replied Grievous. "Just one of the after effects from my transformation into a cyborg. Now I have a question for you. What are you ?"
Deiven chuckled. "I'm a genetically modified Firrerreo," he replied. "The Arkanian scientist was experimenting on my body in my mother's womb. All because a Sith Lord wanted to create a deadly weapon that would serve him. So in a way, our stories are much alike."
When the elevator stopped and the doors opened, Grievous became temporarily blinded by a flash of light. Squinting his eyes, he walked out from the elevator with Deiven. When Grievous's eyes accustomed to the light, the cyborg began to look around clearly astonished. They were on a large, grassy field covered with colorful flowers under a blue clear sky.
"This is... this doesn't make sense," said the cyborg. "We're outside, but we... took the elevator up. What kind of a Force trick is this ?
"We didn't build this room. This is a special room that was created by the Force itself," Deiven explained. "Here you can talk with any person, that passed away. "
"I'm not a force-sensitive," Grievous pointed out.
"But despite your droid parts you're still a living being," said Deiven. "And that means midichlorians exist in your body. Just close your eyes and focus on the person, that you wish to talk with."
At first Grievous didn't want to believe that this would be this easy. After the death of Ronderu lij Kummar, Grievous traveled across the ocean on his home planet Kalee to Abesmi to beg the gods to raise her from the sea that had claimed her body so that he might see her one last time. His prayers were to no avail.
Having nothing to lose, Grievous closed his eyes and focused on his close confidant. Just when he was about to laugh at himself for such stupid hopes, Grievous heard a female voice. "Shelaal what happened to you ?" It was a voice he couldn't ever forget. When Grievous opened his eyes, he saw a female Kaleesh with brown hair and reddish-brown skin. Her face was hidden behind the traditional Kaleesh war mask.
"Kummar is th..." Grievous whispered in shock, stopping in mid-sentence. His voice was normal, just like before his transformation. As if that wasn't shocking enough, he had normal, fleshy hands, legs, and torso. His whole body was normal. He wore his old Kaleesh armor that he had in the war against the Huks.
When he turned his head to ask Deiven what was happening, the Firrerreo was nowhere to be seen. "Whats going on ?" Asked Grievous. The Kaleesh could feel every inch of his skin and he could breathe without any problems.
"You look just as I've remembered you Shelaal," said the female Kaleesh. "But they've changed you, turned you into a monster... a droid without honor."
Grievous turned his head back to Kummar. "I was tricked by the Sith," explained Grievous. "They've destroyed my real body and told me that the Jedi were responsible for it. But I will have my revenge."
"So you've become a slave," said Kummar with a disappointment in her voice. "You still want revenge. And after that... the only thing that will remain is an empty shell. You'll become a thing that your enemies want you to become."
"What's that ?" Asked Grievous.
"A soulless machine," replied Kummar. "You can have all the strength and all the power in the world, but if you have no honor and purpose, then you're nothing. When I've died I joined all the great Kaleesh warriors and gods for my bravery. When you die, you'll be nothing. You'll wander the void, without any destination. You have brought great shame upon yourself Shelaal. Looking for the easiest win and running at the sight of defeat."
Grievous didn't know what to say. Angry and embarrassed, he looked at the grass beneath him lowering his head in shame. The female approached him and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Come back Shelaal, become the warrior you once were," she pleaded.
"How ?" Grievous asked raising his head. "I'm no longer a Kaleesh warrior, I'm a cyborg."
"Pride, honor, bravery... those were our values," reminded Kummar. "Think about our ways Shelaal or there will be no hope for you."
The female started to back away from Grievous and fading away. "No... wait !" Grievous called reaching out to her, but Kummar vanished. With an insistent coughing, Grievous closed his eyes. When he opened them, the cyborg was back in his metallic body. Deiven was standing right next to him looking at him with concern.
"Are you okay ?" Asked the Firrerreo.
"I've talked to her in my old body !" Grievous exclaimed turning to face him. "How ?!"
"Nothing is impossible with the Force," stated Deiven. "Your friend remembered you as you were before your transformation."
"Can I... talk with her again ?" Grievous asked awkwardly.
"Another time, Grievous," replied Deiven with a warm smile. "Now let us go back. My Master is probably waiting for us in the communication center." Grievous complied and followed Deiven back to the elevator.
Zulio – Third Moon of Shili, Temple of Balance, Communication Center.
"So are you sure that we can trust him ?" Asked King Aven.
"Not entirely," replied Zai'shira. "At least not right from the start. All in due time."
When Deiven and Grievous entered the communication center, Zai'shira and Aven turned to face them. "So did you meet your friend ?" Zai'shira asked.
"Yes," Grievous replied. "I-I'm..." The Kaleesh scratched the back of his metallic skull. "Thank you for keeping your word."
"You're welcome. Now, I'll ask straight out," Zai'shira said narrowing her eyes. "Are you ready to respect our methods, protect our people and kill our enemies ?
"If you will help me to become the warrior I once was, my strength and tactical ingenuity is yours," said the cyborg.
Deiven, Aven and Zai'shira exchanged knowing glances. With a smile, Zai'shira approached Grievous and held out her hand to him. "In that case, we welcome you to our Kingdom," she said. Grievous nodded in agreement and took her hand.
"I'll notify the security and the people of Shili, that the former General of the Separatists is now the member of the Kingdom of the Force," stated King Aven. "No one will attack you. They will respect you if you'll respect them."
"I understand," said Grievous.
"You'll love it here Grievous," assured Deiven. "This planet is full of great hunters and powerful warriors with which you'll go into battle. But before you'll start any missions, we need to make you stronger and better."
"What do you mean ?" Grievous asked.
"Electricity will do major damage to your body," stated the Firrerreo. "Plus that coughing is driving me crazy," he added with a grin.
"The Sith are much more aware of your weaknesses and they won't hesitate to exploit it," Zai'shira pointed out. "If we'll not fix that you won't last long against Dooku, let alone Sidious."
"Why is everyone wants to change my body ?!" Grievous growled in frustration.
"The Sith did the changes to create a monster and a slave, we are going to help you become more like a Kaleesh warrior you once were," reassured Zai'shira. "But that is your decision Grievous. Unlike the Sith, we won't manipulate you into making the wrong decision."
"Hmpf, fine," Grievous folded his metallic arms. "Just don't put any chips into my brain."
"No problem," reassured Deiven. "Heh, Dooku will be foaming at the mouth when he learns this."
Imagining the calm and steady Count bursting with rage almost made Grievous crack up. He almost couldn't wait to personally break him the news and witness his reaction.
Some time later - Zulio – Third Moon of Shili, Temple of The Balance, Medical Bay.
Grievous was lying on the large operating table. He was ready for his next and hopefully, the last transformation. Four Rakata technicians and two Gree researchers were moving around him with tools and new parts.
Deiven and Zai'shira were observing them from the corner of the room. Grievous turned his head in their direction. Zai'shira looked into his eyes, she knew that it was really hard for him to trust someone. All the more reason to esteem his trust. "Do right by me, so I can do right by you," Grievous asked.
"You can trust us Grievous," said Deiven giving the cyborg a thumbs up. "You're among the great warriors and friends, whom you can trust. Unlike the Sith and the Jedi, you can always count on us."
"Friends..." Grievous reprised. "I've forgotten the meaning of this word." After Grievous has been sedated the Rakata and Gree began the operation.
Two days later – Planet Serenno, Dooku's Palace.
"Did you found him Lord Tyrannus ?" Asked the holographic image of Darth Sidious.
"I tried to contact him many times, but to no avail Master," replied Count Dooku. "His personal holoprojector isn't responding just as the Invisible Hand. His last known location was the planet Scipio."
"Darth Plagueis contacted me recently and informed me that San Hill has been visited by General Grievous," said Darth Sidious with calm, yet menacing tone. "The General told the Muun that you're on board the Invisible Hand and that you had some business with him. He landed on the planet with his shuttle and awaited the Chairman, who arrived shortly. San Hill boarded the shuttle with Grievous and they've taken off. Since that day, the Banking Clan haven't seen the Chairman and wasn't able to contact him."
"I wasn't on Scipio Master," the Count denied. "Grievous told me that he was heading there to settle some personal affairs." Dooku narrowed his eyes. "Do you think that he betrayed us ?" Asked the Count.
"We can't rule out that possibility," replied Darth Sidious. "Either way, our army needs a General. If he doesn't want to return willingly, then we'll make him."
"Maybe we can lure him out," suggested Dooku.
"What do you have in mind ?" Asked Darth Sidious.
"His home planet Kalee," said Dooku. "If it were in danger, he would come back to protect it... if he's still alive."
"Kalee is affiliated with the Confederacy of Independent Systems," Darth Sidious reminded. "If we start to attack our own planets we will disbenefit from such actions."
"But what if someone else will attack Kalee ?" Dooku asked with a sinister smile. "An old enemy of the Kaleesh."
Darth Sidious leaned his head and chuckled, suspecting what Dooku had in mind. "The Huks," said Darth Sidious. "The Republic and the Separatists are too busy with fighting each other, so the only one who could help them is their old warrior."
"Exactly," affirmed Dooku.
"See that the Huks will attack the Kalee, don't fail me, apprentice," warned Darth Sidious. "Unless you want to be replaced by someone more competent... like, Darth Enigma."
At the mere mentioning of the Anzat, Dooku began to grit his teeth. "I won't fail you, Master," assured the Sith Lord.
When Darth Sidious's image vanished, Dooku immediately approached the console. Regaining his composure, he tried to contact the planet Huk. After a short while, a blue holographic image of an LOM-series protocol droid and a large, bipedal, mantis-like insect appeared on the display.
"Greetings Fetik Kin'Ta," Dooku bowed his head respectively.
The insectoid started to speak in a language that just like the Geonosian dialect contained the click consonants. Dooku understood the language, but he allowed the protocol droid to do his work. "What do you want Count Dooku ?" Asked the droid, translating the words. "We don't have time for individuals such as you."
"I bring a warning and a great opportunity for your species Fetik Kin'Ta," replied Dooku, ignoring the remark. "The Kaleesh from planet Kalee are preparing to destroy your world. In other words, you are in great danger."
The insect began screeching in a high pitch tone. Dooku knew that the Huks were quick to anger. "The Republic and the Jedi will assist us," said the droid. "Just like many years back."
"The Republic and the Jedi are busy with the war," stated Dooku. "I'm afraid they won't answer your call for help. But I can give you an advice."
The insectoid tilted his head questioningly. "Attack them first and surprise them," suggested Dooku. "They will not expect it. If you'll destroy the Kaleesh with a pre-emptive attack, no one will blame you."
Once again the insect began to speak, but this time with a lower, calmer tone. "Why did you warn us ?" Asked the droid.
"Perhaps when you destroy the Kaleesh, the Huks would be willing to join our struggle against the Republic," Dooku proposed. "There would be many worlds rich in resources for you to gather."
For the Huks that was a very tempting offer. Fetik Kin'Ta said a few words. "We shall see", said the droid. And when the insectoid ended the call, Dooku smiled triumphantly.
Please R&R ;)