Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars, only the OC.
ayden stood in the command deck,watching Sobeck trying to locate the Jedi and their forces when K2 appeared from within a communications room and approached Sobeck.
"Count Dooku insists that you speak with him, Commander." K2 informed the warden. Sobeck looked up from his work and made to follow the droid, as did Jayden.
"Well... let's not keep him waiting then." Sobeck mused.
"He's already waiting, sir." K2 replied, opening the door to reveal a holographic render of Count Dooku standing with his back to them. Surprised by Dooku's sudden presence, Sobeck cautiously entered the room, more bent over than usual. Jayden followed him, far-less worried than Sobeck seemed to be.
"Count Dooku, my lord... how unexpected." The Phindian greeted reverently. But Dooku saw through his emotional facade.
"You may cease the propriety, Commander Sobeck. I understand there is a problem with the Jedi prisoner?" He questioned, getting straight to the point.
"An incursion team attempted a rescue. But the situation is taken care of." Sobeck firmly assured him. Dooku's gaze left the warden and landed on his Apprentice.
"Is this true, Lord Khan?" He inquired.
"A team led by Skywalker and Kenobi have infiltrated the prison. We are currently tracking them." Jayden replied to his Master with his hands behind his back. Dooku nodded in understanding.
"Warden, are you in possession of the information the prisoner is carrying?" He asked, his questions now back on Sobeck.
"Not... yet. We will soon have it." Sobeck slowly answered. Jayden remained silent, his plan still underway. He will find a way to get the other half of the coordinates.
"You are aware that this information will tip the scale of the war to the side that controls it? Perhaps this is a matter that requires my presence..." Dooku suggested.
"No, my lord." Sobeck hurried responded. Dooku could sense the fear in his voice and turned around, his back to them once more.
"Find them, Commander. Get the information... and kill whoever you must to acquire it." He added in a dark tone before the communication ended. With a growl, Sobeck turned and grabbed K2 shoving the droid against the wall.
"Don't ever surprise me with a transmission from Count Dooku..." he growled, "I need time to prepare!"
"Yes Commander." K2 meekly replied.
They went about their work once more, Jayden studying the channels provided by the concealed listening devices spread out across the prison's perimeter while Sobeck continued his interior sweep of the Citadel's corridors and access shafts. Back behind his command console, the Phindian watched and waited as his surveillance systems were gradually restored, restoring his view of the Citadel's interior.
Time passed as the two set about searching for their lost quarry. Things seemed bleak and Jayden was about ready to forgo his plan to remain hidden and straight up hunt down this rescue party himself. But it was then that Sobeck received an incoming call from K2 as a projection of the tactical droid appeared on his console.
"We have captured the shuttle that infiltrated our defenses." The droid declared. Sobeck grinned.
"Good. Guard the shuttle and we'll lure the Jedi into a trap." He replied, a plan forming in his mind.
Jayden remained silent for minutes, eyes closed as he waited for any results.
"Lord Khan!" Sobeck suddenly said, causing Jayden to open his eyes and turn his masked face to Sobeck who gestured to the screen where one of the surveillance cams focused directly on Obi-Wan, Piell and their men as they stood outside the prison on a landing platform. Running his fingers along his console, Sobeck tapped into Obi-Wan's wrist comms just as the Jedi was attempting to call his partner.
"Anakin?" He wondered.
"I must commend you on your escape tactics. But in the end it was easy to predict your every move." The Warden gloated. Pressing a key on his console, defence turrets came online and took aim at the Republic party, joined moments later by a crab droid and a squad of droidekas and commando droids. Sobeck started to gleefully chuckle at the successful capture of the party as Jayden made to join him, observing the troubled look coming over Obi-Wan and Piell.
"All too easy..." Jayden muttered.
Kenobi, Piell, their Clones and the bridge crew were escorted to the command deck, relieved of their weapons. K2 and Sobeck stood waiting for them while Jayden was cloaked thanks to putting ina cloaking device on his right gauntlet and sitting off to the side as to remain undetected by the Jedi's senses. They were filed in and lined up, Sobeck waiting with his back to them and a triumphant look on his face.
"Welcome back." He greeted them, making to walk over as he did.
"I must say, you're not at all what I pictured." Obi-Wan commented.
"What were you expecting? Darth Khan?" Sobeck wondered. Oh if only the Jedi knew. Sobeck walked up and growled. "I want your half of the information. Give it to me now... or I'll start executing your men!" He demanded of Piell stalking back and forth as he examined the line of prisoners.
"This is war, Sobeck." Piell replied. "We're all prepared to die to protect intel."
Sobeck chuckled darkly as he took a blaster off one of his droids. "Really?" He wondered, pointing the weapon at one of the Clones and shooting him dead seconds later. Kenobi grimaced as one of his men slumped over on the floor, Piell maintaining his steely and unflinching gaze even as Sobeck trained his weapon on another Clone.
"Sir, we have confirmed the location of the other group." K2 suddenly reported, interrupting him. "Our droids are closing in on them." Sobeck tossed the blaster back to his droid and made his way to the terminal.
"Your Jedi resolve only delays the inevitable." He muttered. "Take 'em to interrogation, torture them... slowly." He ordered his droids with a sadistic look in his eyes. The Republic were led out and, as soon as they were all gone, Jayden decloaked. Sobeck turned to him.
Now to wrap up this diversion and capture the other Jedi." Sobeck stated. "My battalions will take up position around the shuttle on the upper levels. We'll strike the Republic when they least expect it!"
"A classic maneuver, one I doubt they'll anticipate." Jayden agreed, crossing his arms. "They'll be desperate to leave and likely miss the warning signs." Their attention returned to Sobeck's vast surveillance feeds as they shifted to the external feed. They watched as Ahsoka, Anakin and the other Republic affiliates emerged from the fuel pipe and took off running as battle droids and crab droids attacked them.
"Looks like the detachment near the pipeline has found them." Jayden commented, making a mental note of the location in case they needed to give chase. But as the battle continued to unfold, the Republic seemingly on the ropes, a sudden explosion ripped through the pipe and incinerated the droid forces in a fiery plume. Jayden almost sighed, realizing the Republic had evaded capture once more. Sobeck growled in frustration and left his seat.
"Droid! Pull up a holomap!" He commanded K2. The tactical droid obeyed and displayed a holomap of the Citadel and it's perimeter. Sobeck and Jayden studied the layout intensely, attempting to get into the minds of the Republic and out-think them. It was a task Jayden delved into on a regular basis.
And yet it seemed they had covered all the angles already. Did the Republic have another ploy in mind...?
"Based on their recent position, we believe they are using this cave system." K2 reported, having compiled the recent sightings together a run a tactical analysis. As he spoke, a security droid approached Sobeck with a datapad in hand.
"Uh, sir, the prisoners did not make it to the interrogation level." He reported. Sobeck's expression suddenly turned to that of being livid, his anger barely kept in check. Jayden's hearing perked up at the sound, but he assessed the information much more calmly. he didn't take his anger out on droids after all.
"What. Did. You. Just. Say?" Sobeck growled threatening, getting in the droid's space as it shied away from him. Jayden said nothing, continuing to ponder this only way the Republic could escape an armed guard would be if...
If they had help...
"We think they might've-" The droid timidly started to say.
"Sir, Count Dooku commands you to contact him immediately." K2 interrupted before Sobeck could possibly destroy the droid for reporting failure to him. Sobeck looked none too pleased, not willing to face Count Dooku again without a report of success. Jayden, having enough of waiting and seeing where Skywalker may be, he turned and walked off without another word.
It was time he dealt with them himself...