Victory Quest II: Storm

Part One: Council Place: Zeneb, the Separatist Capitol 7 1/2 weeks after TBoG

Count Dooku strode into the meeting chamber, his black cloak flowing behind him. He was a man nearing a hundred but didn't look it. His face was long and his beard was white. In front of him stood the leaders of the Separatists. Dooku sat down in a chair at the head of the table.
"Welcome to Zeneb, my friends. This is the capitol of the Confederacy!" Dooku smiled. "I have good news. Our forces have swept through the Republic base on Ylesia. A victory as I promised you," he said in his elegant and reassuring voice. "Soon enough the Republic will realize that they are in over there heads."
Viceroy Nute Gunray of the Trade Federation, a green Neimoidian with large red eyes, objected. "The Republic forces are strong enough to take us down soon! I for one sincerely doubt that we will be able to hold our own, let alone force the Republic to surrender."
Dooku leaned forward. "You worry to much, Viceroy."
"I concur with the Viceroy," spoke Shu Mai a small narrow headed alien who was the leader of the Commerce Guild. "There are times when I wonder if I was conned into this. Would that be so, Lord Dooku?"
Dooku stood. "This is outrageous! We are on the edge of victory. In a matter of months the Republic will be brought down to their knees and we can have what we want: a galaxy free of Republic corruption. Even now members of the Senate wonder what to do. In due time more will join us. In every victory by us, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine loses more power."
Shu Mai shook her head. "That is not so. The Chancellor is very well liked by citizens of the Republic. He is, in their minds at least, a strong leader."
Dooku sat back down. He always hated the way Shu Mai never trusted his word. "Perhaps you are right. But I think that we can eliminate that problem soon enough. As I said before, the Jedi will be brought down in only a matter of time. And with that the Republic will fall soon after."
"But how?," inquired Shu Mai.
Dooku just smiled.

Ord Mantell

Rince Vunian's arm hurt and looking at the blood coming from it didn't make matters any better. Yet he knew that he had to get himself together.
Defera slashed out at him again as Vunian called upon the Force and jumped backwards as he called his light saber to his left hand. The blade felt odd there but he knew that his right hand was in no condition to hold it.
Not far from him he could see Zair charging forward.
Defera turned and slashed out at the Zabrak, Zair McDashin. The Zabrak blocked the swing, his green lightsaber shining and sparkling as the rain hit it.
The battle had been going on for only a few minutes on top of a landing platform yet in those two minutes the skies of Ord Mantell went from cloudy to stormy. Nevertheless the three opponents did not notice.
Vunian ran at Defera's back but she blocked his swing with the right end of her blade and then swung at Zair with the left. Zair hopped back and Defera fell forward. Zair brought his knee up into her face and she stumbled backwards.
Vunian noticed something odd. A soft hum. He glanced up and saw that another transport was arriving. No doubt filled with droids to help Defera. "Zair! We have to take her ship," shouted Vunian. With Defera regaining her composure the two Jedi had a moment to take her ship. They jumped up onto the ramp and closed up the doors.
Vunian sank to the floor as he nursed his wounds. "I'm going to find some Bacta to heal this wound. See if you can pilot us out of here."
Zair grinned. "No problem." He hurried into the cockpit and engaged his thrusters. The shuttle took of, leaving Defera behind.
"I was actually a little nervous back there," Zair said to Vunian as the wounded Jedi came into the cockpit. On his hurt arm a Bacta patch was attached. "How's that working?"
Vunian nodded. "It's fine. I'll meditate later on but I wanted to make sure everything was all right."
Zair pointed out of the cockpit window. "Well as you can see we are in hyperspace. So go get some rest."
Vunian stood and headed out. "Thanks for helping me out back there. I'd give you a hug but with the arm and all..."
Zair frowned mockingly. "Well I guess a couple of drinks later on will have to do."

8 weeks after TBoG Coruscant- The Jedi Temple

Obi-Wan Kenobi stood before the Jedi Council. Only a few minutes ago he was called to come to them to discuss an urgent matter. An hour ago the Jedi Council had received a message from the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic. His agents had found a safe passage for a single Jedi Knight to infiltrate the Confederacy homeworld of Zeneb. On Zeneb were many of the Confederacy's Droid factories. All of which were to be destroyed by the single Jedi Knight that was to enter the capitol. It was Obi-Wan's lucky day.
The human Jedi Master, Mace Windu outlined the plan for him. "You are going to go in as an aide to Senator Hyit. Hyit is planning to defect to the Confederacy but once we learned of this we decided that this may work to our advantage. The Republic has apprehended Hyit's current aide and you are going to be the replacement. As far as Hyit knows his aide was arrested for smuggling spice. Count Dooku has invited Hyit to Zeneb to discuss arrangements on how Hyit and his people are going to join the Confederacy. While this is happening we want you to sabotage the Droid Factories."
Obi-Wan stroked his orange beard and looked out of the windows that lined the circular chamber. Outside hundreds of airspeeders flew around through the cities of Coruscant. Some of the Skyscrapers were thousands of feet tall yet when one looked out of the windows from the Council chambers most of the buildings looked smaller. Yet at this time they looked beautiful as night fell and the buildings lit up.
"How am I to destroy or sabotage the factories?," Obi-Wan asked. Master Yoda chuckled in response and Mace leaned back in his chair.
"That is up to you Master Kenobi."

Zeneb

Right. Left. Right. Left. The two droids that accompanied Count Dooku walked in perfect harmony together. They were tall and skeletal. They were the Confederacy's Battle Droids. Count Dooku had them assigned to him as guards only to look as if he needed protection. There was no doubt in the old man's mind that he could take care of himself.
He harbored no fears as he walked into the Council of the Confederacy's Hall.
"Hello, my friends," Dooku spoke as he walked into the room. "I've just received conformation that Dantooine is ours. We only have Bimmiel left to secure and then we will have a firm grip on this section of the galaxy."
Shu Mai stood. "Well it is about time! My forces are getting massacred on Tobis Prime!!!"
Dooku grinned as he sat down at the chair at the head of the table. "If you recall, Shu Mai, I told you that Tobis Prime would not fall."
"And I said it would if I had the whole of the Confederacy's forces behind me," Shu Mai retorted. "You refused."
"It is not important that Tobis Prime fall. But I'm sure you are well aware of that Shu Mai. Perhaps because of an enemy of yours calls Tobis Prime his homeworld. Perhaps that swayed your...plans." Dooku let that sink in before he continued. "Now Viceroy Gunray, what news do you have for us of the assault on Bimmiel."
The nervous and bumbling Neimoidian, Nute Gunray, stood. "Our forces are well prepared for the assault. Our advantage is our overwhelming numbers. I believe..." He was cut off by Dooku who waved his hand.
"Overwhelming numbers are good, Viceroy, but I propose something else. The Republic has Bimmiel under its control for two reasons. One: They want a foothold in our space. Bimmiel supplies this as it is close to here. Two: There is a vast amount of ore on Bimmiel. The Republic is using this to benefit it's war funds. But we can use this to our advantage. The ore is flammable. Therefore the Republic has it under heavy guard along with there mining tunnels. But I have a few agents who can change this." He turned to San Hill. "What of our money supplies?"
The leader of the supposedly "neutral" Banking Clan leaned forward. "With Aargau's resources under heavy suspicion it has been difficult to get many resources. But I've managed to gather a few." San Hill grinned nastily.
Dooku nodded. "And what of our friends from The Coporate Alliance?"
Passel Argente raised his green head. "Unfortunately I haven't been able to acquire what we need. But with a few more weeks we will be back on track."
"I hope so," put in Shu Mai. "We need everything we can get."
"I realize that," replied Argente coolly. "But not all of us have your resources at hand. Your resources that you cheated for, that is."
Shu Mai raised an eyebrow. "I find your hypocrisy amusing."
"That is enough," stated Dooku. "I will hear no more of this bickering. With the Battle of Bimmiel approaching we will need those resources, though. Although I trust in Passel Argente." He stood. "That will be all unless any of you have something to add."
Nute Gunray raised his hand. "And what of these agents?"
"They do not concern you."

Shuttle Craft-In route to Coruscant

Zair McDashin leaned back in the cockpit seat humming to himself quite loudly.
"Shut up, up there!" Vunian hollered.
"But it's a good tune. Written by...oh what's his face. Y'know."
"DON'T know. DON'T care. I'm trying to rest."
Zair smirked. "Oh yes. You hurt yourself." He sighed. "We can't take you anywhere. Hehe...What the Heck? Get up here!!"
Vunian jogged into the room. "What?" Then he saw it. Hundreds of Republic ships were in orbit around Coruscant. "Jeez, we must be planning for a big push."
Zair nodded in agreement. "I wouldn't be surprised. I've been expecting one."

Part Two: Rehabilitation Bimmiel-Republic HQ

Kit Fisto looked over the gray mountains of the planet Bimmiel. With Master Vunian still on a mission General Fisto was in charge of Bimmiel. Normally the Clone Commander 11-V-67 would be in command yet the Republic knew that Bimmiel was going to be under threat by Confederacy Forces soon. Fisto had made sure that Bimmiel was secured in every possible way. All of the mountains had several hundred Clone Troopers in each. Near the base dozens of AT-ST vehicles patrolled the area ready to lash out.
Yet Kit Fisto still knew something was wrong.

He had entered the mountain easily enough. Count Dooku's maps of the area and it's guards were perfect. It wouldn't be long now.

"11-V-67," called Fisto. "Something's wrong I can sense a disturbance through the Force."

He saw the Clone Troopers coming down at him and he activated his lightsaber. "Sorry but I have no time to dawdle with you."

Fisto leaned back against the wall as the Clone Commander spoke. "We are receiving no reports of any disturbances, sir. Are you sure that something is wrong?"

He saw them not far behind but he knew that the Clone Troopers would be dead in a matter of moments.

The Commander straightened. "Sir, we've lost contact with some of the mining squads."
Fisto felt it. The ground shook. He looked out the window only to see a hellish mass of land.
"By the Force," muttered Fisto. "Someone get me a communication with General Cambini."

Coruscant

General Cambini was awoken when his doorbell rang. "Hello?"
"Captain Vernoff," came a female voice.
"The General put on his robe. "Come in."
"We have news, sir. I just..."
Cambini sighed. "Bimmiel."
Vernoff nodded, her braided hair bouncing. "The casualties are in the hundreds. A bomb went off and we have no clue how."
Cambini took a seat. "What does General Fisto need?"
"You."

Rince Vunian was in pain. The Medical Droid had informed him that the Bacta on the ship had a virus in it. Defera had apparently covered everything. The virus would bring a normal man to his knees but Vunian had the use of the Force and he was able to kill the virus within a day. It still hurt though. The new Bacta was helping but not enough.
"How are ya?" asked Zair from the chair he sat in.
"Just peachy," replied Vunian from the bed. "I can't believe that woman poisoned the Bacta. That witch."
Zair leaned forward. "You knew her though. How?"
Vunian could never forget.
Vunian was almost in the clear to get to hyperspace but the Separatist craft was gaining. He turned hard starboard and instructed Gyan to do the same. Gyan was not far behind him yet the Separatist craft could hit Gyan before they could get the Jedi Knight. Laser fire ripped through space at the two Jedi. Vunian barrel rolled and prepared to jump to hyperspace. Then he saw Gyan break off and attack. In a few seconds him and his ship were ripped apart.
"When I was instructing several Padawan Learners on Namar there were two Students who betrayed me: Ezzan and Durin. But Durin changed her name to Defera I guess. Her and Ezzan were turned to the Dark Side by Dooku. Me and Gyan, the other Padawan made a getaway. But Defera and Ezzan killed Gyan in his craft before we escaped. Gyan was an excellent student. Kind and friendly."
Zair smiled. "Kinda like me."
"Not at all." Vunian returned a smile. "Anyhow she's an excellent duelist. And she did take us by surprise, though. I expect we will meet again before long."
Zair frowned and leaned back. "And what of Ezzan?"
Ezzan shrugged. "Stupid Jedi. Insane? No. I have chosen the right path. The one where I can use my full talent!" Vunian shook his head. "You're wrong. I'm sorry" With that Vunian sliced forward to knock Ezzan`s lightsaber away but Ezzan was to fast. He rolled to the side and sliced at Vunian`s thigh. Vunian twisted his saber around and easily blocked the attack. Ezzan stumbled back and Vunian took this chance to attack.
"Ezzan escaped before I could capture him."
Ezzan snorted. It was the distraction Vunian had been waiting for. He jumped up and sliced through the traitor`s lightsaber hilt. Ezzan jumped back and ran. Vunian wanted to chase him down but he knew Gyan was running into trouble. Ezzan had known this too and had used this fact to escape without hassle once he began to lose.
"I would guess Ezzan is still out there. We may run into him, too."
Zair stood and patted Vunian on the shoulder. "Get better my friend. May the Force be with you."
"And you, my friend."
Vunian rolled back onto his side and closed his eyes.
She smiled again and then slashed at him. He rolled but not before the blade sliced into his arm and blood poured out. Defera laughed yet again.
"Ah!" He shook his head. This is not happening now, he told himself. This is over. He closed his eyes and slept.

The Jedi Council met late that night. Master Yoda sat in the middle, Mace Windu to his left and Ki-Adi Mundi to his right. In the center of the room was a holographic image of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine via the Holonet.
"What has happened on Bimmiel?" asked Palpatine.
Mace Windu frowned. "Master Fisto has reported that about five hundred Clone Troopers were lost in a chain reaction of explosions in the mines. He and the rest of the Council, as well as I, believe that the Separatists are planning for an assault on Bimmiel within the week. Perhaps by tomorrow night the battle will have begun."
Palpatine looked surprised. "I didn't think that would attack so soon after the Battle of Ylesia. But I suppose that was foolish of me. Oh, how is Rince Vunian?"
Master Yoda smiled. "Doing well he is. A full recover is certain we feel, mmmmm."
"But he will never be ready in time for Bimmiel. Yet I need Kit Fisto elsewhere. Oh, well. How about his partner, Zair McDashin? Is he well?"
Master Yoda nodded. "Fine he is."
Palpatine smiled. "Quite excellent. I feared we were to lose yet another of our esteemed Jedi. Nevertheless we have many problems otherwise. Kit Fisto has just arrived at Bimmiel. Only a few days before the attack, correct? He said of a problem at our cloning facilities on Kamino."
"The problem has been eliminated," replied Mace Windu. "It was a virus to which him and Aayla Secura found a cure for."
The Supreme Chancellor nodded. "I never had time to discuss it with him, with the Battle of Ylesia and such. I am glad to hear that all is well. But no doubt another attack is imminent. Once Master Kenobi returns I shall post him there along with his Padawan Learner."
"Excellent," replied Mace Windu.

Zeneb

Everything had gone according to plan. Master Kenobi was inside the Separatist vase posing as an aide to the Senator.
Now night had fallen and he was in his room gathering his lightsaber and several explosives. The Droid Factories, he learned were easy enough to locate as one could hear them. Yet something still seemed wrong. It was all too easy.
He stepped out into the dark corridor and silently walked down to the elevator. Once inside he went as far down as it could go, but being an elevator opened to everyone it did not go down to the Droid Factories. The doors opened to reveal a dark Lobby. The Jedi Knight stepped forwards and proceeded down another corridor.
Obi-Wan could tell something was definitely wrong. But then again he was on an enemy planet.
Down several flights of stairs and another elevator he found himself faced with an obstacle: a coded door. He stepped forward and took out his decoder and attached it onto the lock. No doubt this would take awhile, he thought to himself.
It didn't.
Obi-Wan stepped inside and activated his lightsaber, ready for any Droids that were guarding the area. There were none. He crept forward. The main control panel wasn't far.
And then the room exploded.
The room was a fake. Several Super Battle Droids came out of a back door and started firing at Obi-Wan who had been thrown across the room. He shot up and deflected a few shots back at one of the Droids with his glowing blue lightsaber.
It directly hit one of the Droids and the Droids dropped to the ground in a mess of circuits.
Two more were left.
Obi-Wan jumped up and sliced one of the droids in half as he came back down. Then he swung to the left and sliced the Droid's head clean off.
No doubt more are coming, he thought. I gotta get out of here.

Coruscant-The Jedi Temple

Rince Vunian sat before Jedi Master Mace Windu in the room of a thousand fountains.
"That moment has been in my dreams since I returned. I've meditated and tried calming techniques but I still have the nightmares." Tears formed in Rince's eyes. "And it wasn't just some Dark Jedi. It was Durin. Or Defera. Some one I trusted sliced open my arm."
Master Windu had listened in silence and finally spoke. "It is quite normal that you are depressed and, perhaps, even feeling responsible. It is not your fault, Master Vunian. Your depression will pass with time. It may not seem as if it will at the moment but it will be. The Force is with you Master Vunian. It will help you through this if you let it."
"Indeed it will." Master Shaak Ti placed her red hand onto Vunian's shoulder. "I have lost many things in my time, my friend. One of them my Apprentice. I too felt responsible. But soon enough I learned that there was nothing I could have done." Shaak Ti was a tall alien with several tentacles coming from her head and ending at half way down her back. Her face was red and always carried a happy expression.
Vunian nodded. "Yeah. But you caught your Apprentice's killer. That witch, Defera, is still out there."
Both of the Jedi nodded. "But there is nothing you can do," replied Windu. "I'm sure her sudden appearance put you off guard. It would have done the same to me.
Vunian nodded and stood. "Thank you. Both of you. I'm gonna head back to my room."
He walked down the stairs and back into the corridors. If I ever find her, he thought, I'll kill her. No matter what the cost.
"Don't be stupid and vow vengeance," spoke Zair who was leaning against the wall waiting for Vunian. "I can sense what you're thinking. You are literally shouting it."
Vunian twirled to face Zair. "And what would you know?! She didn't slice your arm open!"
"No. But she sliced yours open. And that is reason enough for me to want to kill her."
Vunian sighed. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I'd feel the same way if I were you. And I know you would say what I just did to me."
Vunian frowned. "I still don't think you understand. I knew her. Not well but still. She sliced my arm open. I can remember seeing the blood pour out."
He rolled but not before the blade sliced into his arm and blood poured out.
Zair stepped forward. "What color was the blood?"
He rolled but not before the blade sliced into his arm and blood poured out.
"Red."
"And what happened in your mind as this happened?"
Rince Vunian's arm hurt and looking at the blood coming from it didn't make matters any better. Yet he knew that he had to get himself together.
"I tried to get myself together. To face her."
"And then?"
He rolled but not before the blade sliced into his arm and blood poured out.
"Zair you were there. You know what happened after that."
"Tell me."
He rolled but not before the blade sliced into his arm and blood poured out.
"It's kinda foggy."
"What color was the blood?"
He rolled but not before the blade sliced into his arm and blood poured out.
"Um...red."
"What color?"
"My arm!!" Vunian was shouting. "It's bleeding!"
"WHAT COLOR WAS THE BLOOD."
"RED!!! Damn it! It was red!"
Then he realized it. "The blood was not red."
"No."
"Lightsabers don't cause bleeding for a few seconds yet I saw it as she cut into my arm."
"The shock. You saw what you expected to see. Your death by your failure."
Tears were flowing down his face. "I should have known. When I tested her."
"Tell me the whole story."
"After the Battle the of Geonosis several Apprentices had no masters. I was instructed to test three of them to see if they were ready to become full Jedi Knights. Two of the three, Ezzan and Defera, were in fact on Dooku's side. I suppose he spoke with them after Geonosis. They killed the other Padawan Learner, Gyan."
"And you think you should have sensed it?"
"The betrayal? Yes."
"The Jedi Council didn't so why would you?"
Vunian finally smiled. "You should be a therapist."
Zair grinned. "Well... y'know."

General Ayer Cambini rang the doorbell and a few seconds later it opened to reveal Rince Vunian.
"Ayer! It's great to see you." He uncharacteristically hugged him. "How long has it been?"
Ayer smiled. "How are you feeling? I heard about the arm."
"Much better. Thanks. How about you? I heard you were kicked out of Palpatine's office. Never did like that guy too much."
Cambini frowned. "It's a long story."
"I have the time. It'll be awhile before this arm heals."

Part Three: Outbreak Zeneb

Obi-Wan Kenobi was opening the door to the Senator's shuttle when he noticed the machinery.
At first he thought it was connected to the wall but he realized it wasn't after a few seconds. The machines looked as if they would be used for digging. I'll have to remember to mention this to the Council. With that he took off.

Bimmiel

The ARC Clone Trooper, A-15, hit the ground and rolled. His white armor, which covered him completely, was stained with brown dirt. Only a minute ago he and the rest of his squad had been patrolling near the perimeter of General Fisto's base when they came under fire by Separatist Super Battle Droids.
A-15 had already tried to contact the Republic base but the communications were jammed. "Find cover and return fire," he yelled out to his squad. He rolled again and stopped behind a small boulder near the bas of a mountain. The mountains surrounded the Republic base on one side and that was the side that General Fisto figured a Separatist attack group would sneak in from. He was right.
A-15 jumped up and opened fire, blue bolts shooting from his blaster rifle. He hit one droid right in the chest and it fell to the ground in a mess of bolts. A-15 was forced to duck down again when two droids began to fire right at him. The ARC trooper ran from his hiding spot and strafed to the left firing. Another droid went down but not before a bolt hit him in the shoulder. His armor protected him yet he knew it wouldn't hold out forever.
He headed back towards the Republic base and signaled his men to do the same.
Another droid came at him and shot red bolts at him. The bolts didn't breach his armor but it shoved him down. Aiming at a boulder he fired. The boulder shattered and pieces of rock flew everywhere, confusing the droids. A-15 continued his retreat.
He was farther away from the Separatists comm jamming devices, which were probably hidden in the mountains, to contact General Fisto.
"We're under heavy fire by droids!"
Fisto's voice crackled over. "Get out of there. We can't send anymore troops. A Separatist fleet is in orbit around the plane!"
"I copy." He shut off his comm. They'd have to hurry if they wanted to live. He randomly shot out trying to cover their escape. It didn't help. The droids kept coming. A-15 pumped off a few more shots and then ran with all his might. He dropped a grenade as he ran. His final one. After a few seconds a giant explosion engulfed the area behind him. He didn't doubt that three or four droids had been destroyed. But would that be enough? He hoped so and didn't let up his pace.
A sound came from above and he looked up. There was no mistaking what it was. Hundreds of brown, angular droid starfighters along with landing graft and Assault ships were landing. The Separatists had begun their attack.
One of the transports wasn't landing too far away and A-15 decided it was a good target to hit. He confirmed it with Command and then directed his men to it.
The transport was opening up to let out skeletal Battle Droids along with Super Battle Droids. And several tanks just for fun.
"Scatter and assault!"
The Clones took the Droids with surprise and many of them went down. A-15 allowed himself a small smile. He fired on two Super Battle Droids and they both exploded. He jumped and landed on top of a tank. He blasted open the hatch and shot the droid at the controls.
He turned to find himself face to face with a tank. He hit the ground and rolled but not before the tank fired. A-15 felt his arm burn off. And then he was shot in the back of the head.

General Kit Fisto sighed as he looked over the 3-D war board and sighed. The Droid army had begun to assault their shield generator. Soon the base would be open to attack and they would have to retreat. Unless the Republic Fleet came first.

Coruscant-The Supreme Chancellor's Office
"Don't send the fleet. Order them to retreat," spoke Palpatine.
General Tiiver, a male human nearing middle age, gaped. "What?! We have been putting this fleet together just for Bimmiel. Once it arrives the odds won't be so favorable for the Separatists."
Palpatine leaned back. "No doubt. But the Separatists are expecting our fleet to arrive. Let's put them off their footing. Alert General Fisto to retreat when he feels the need to. The Separatists will no longer be confident that they can predict our movements. This is, in many ways, a victory for us, General."

Bimmiel-Republic HQ
General Fisto turned to the Clone Commander. "I just received news that we won't be getting reinforcements. That doesn't mean we can't win though. Let's be optimistic. Move Squadrons 4 and 5 to concentrate their fire on the right flank."
Fisto looked back at the War board. "May the Force help us."

Zeneb
Count Dooku smiled. "Well done Ezzan. How many Clone Troopers were lost?"
Ezzan was standing before Dooku's desk at the heart of the Separatist capitol. "At least two hundred."
"Excellent. But there is something else I ask of you. Someone I need dead."
Ezzan raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
"A General Ayer Cambini."

Coruscant- Cambini's Office The Following Day
Rince Vunian sat at on one side of Ayer Cambini's desk and the good General on the other. They had been sitting for a few hours, discussing old times when they had met on Dantooine ten or so years back. Vunian had been sent there to disperse a riot that turned violent. Republic Security had to be sent in and Cambini was the commander of the squad. Rince had expected a typical military man who was full of himself but he was wrong. Together the two of them had managed to get a peaceful solution. Although an armed Republic task force backing them up had helped.
"The other day," began Cambini, "General Fisto called me for some advice on Bimmiel. The damned Chancellor isn't sending any reinforcements. Thinks it'll sent off the balance of something or another. We'll lose Bimmiel and a lot of Clone Troopers. But that seems to mean squat to Palpatine. I preferred Valorum before he was kicked out of office by Palpatine."
Rince recalled that well. Valorum, the previous Chancellor was kicked out when Palpatine put up a vote of no confidence. The other Senators believed the lies that had been spread about Valorum. He was ousted by an overwhelming majority and Palpatine was voted in by a landslide. Of course it helped that his planet was in a crisis and he was pitied. Personally Rince never liked him.
"Well I never trusted Palpatine," stated Rince. Cambini nodded in agreement. "Well I must be going Ayer. I'll see you soon."
The two promised to talk again soon and Rince left. He had to get back to the temple and meditate which would hopefully improve his healing. He wanted to get back on the job again. And even though he felt wrong thinking it, he wanted to find Defera. But he refused to believe that he wanted to kill her. Although he was still worried as to how he would act when he found her.
Then he felt it. He sensed that something was wrong. He took out his comlink. "Zair?"
"Hi. Need help?"
"Can you come over to Cambini's office?"
"No problem. Anything wrong?"
"I don't know."
He shut off the comlink and hurried back to the office. The door slid open to reveal Cambini with his head on the desk.
"General? Are you..."
He never finished his sentence. A red blur came at him and he jumped back and activated his lightsaber. He could fight with either arm but he liked to use both to hold his saber. Unfortunately he could only use one.
He turned and saw that the red blur was a lightsaber. The user was Ezzan. He stood behind the General's body and in front of the huge window that showed a cloudy Coruscant city.
"Ezzan? What did you do to him?!?!?!"
Ezzan smiled. "He is quite dead."
Vunian jumped onto the desk and slashed out at Ezzan. Ezzan was not nearly a good a fighter as Defera. But he would be a little bit of a challenge since Vunian could only use one arm. But no doubt Rince could still win.
He jumped down and swung at Ezzan's head. Ezzan ducked and jumped onto the other side of the desk. Vunian was about to slash at him again when Ezzan was beheaded by Zair McDashin.
"Rince! You all right?"
"Is he dead?"
"Yeah."
"Pfft...I wanted to have the honor."
Zair's eyes widened. "Don't say something like that. It was tough for me to kill him. He was a living being. Not some droid."
"He killed Ayer!"
"I saw."
"And you still regret killing him?"
"No, I never said I regretted it. I did it to save your life. That was reason enough. But it was tough."
A storm was beginning outside. Rain was flying down and lightening could be seen, far off. It suited Rince's mood.
"C'mon Rince let's go back to the temple."

"Fine. I'll call security first."
Zair nodded. "Good idea."
Rince walked over to the comlink and Zair could see a few tears coming from his eyes.
The man has certainly had a hand full lately, Zair thought.

Zeneb
Defera stood before Count Dooku. "It has been confirmed," she said. "Ezzan is died. Killed by Zair McDashin or Rince Vunian."
Count Dooku stood. "Your failure brought this about. You had the chance to take them. Nevertheless I will give you another chance for revenge. But if you can't do it THEN I'LL DO IT MYSELF!!!"

9 weeks after TBoG Coruscant- the Jedi Temple
The Battle of Bimmiel had been raging on for a week now. Rince Vunian wished he was there. The reports were not good. The casualties were high on the Republic's side.
Rince Vunian's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Zair McDashin.
"Hi, Rince. I got some bad news. We believed that Ezzan choked Cambini to death since there were no saber slashes on his body. He wasn't choked to death. He killed himself."

To be continued...