Chapter 14: Confederacy Of Independant Systems Defence Department

Mason's POV

2200 hrs, 17 Primeday, Raxus Secundus. Holo Journal of General Mason Rommel. I had just encountered my old girlfriend. I am glad that she moved on well after my long service but I am also upset that she became a Jedi. Though I am sure she didn't know about the Jedi code. Nobody does. This made my revenge a bit harder because now I have to fight against my girlfriend. She still looks beautiful. Even with the Jedi robes she still looks like an angel. I just hope I don't face her in battle. I won't know what to do. I can't hurt her, but she was willing to hurt me. Wait, maybe not, she thought I was manipulating her. Would she? I don't know.

After I left Florrum, I was called to the capital planet with the others in the war council to discuss the next moves against the Republic. I was firmly told by Dooku to not to reveal my secondary job as a intelligence commander to the others and that I only refer to Dooku. I also told the count to not attack Hondo seeing as I was using him to gather info. He agreed, much to his chagrin. I might as well end it here, I have a meeting to go to.

I turned off my journal and quickly got dressed in my dress uniform. It consisted of a grey trench coat with the insignia of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, over a green uniform. The pants were also green but with a long red streak going along the its side, which were neatly tucked into the black boots that reach my knees. I walked out only to get a fist knocking on my face. I opened my eyes to see the perpetrator.

It was a young man with a bright red uniform with black pants with black boots. He has a white sash as well as black wrist bands. He has brown hair and goatee. He said "C'mon. The meeting is just about to start." I replied "Thank you. By the way, who are you?" He raised his hand to shake mine. "I am General Conradin Hadranus of the Emerald fleet." I responded "General Mason Rommel, seventh armoured division." We walked together to the war room where we are met with an assortment of people. I saw the assassin that rescued me, a large cyborg with a cape, Wat Tambor, Nute Gunray, and a bunch of Neimoidian generals.

I stood beside General Conradin, seeing as he is the only one of the generals that seemed friendly. The holomap has many of our armies and navies moving across different Republic controlled space. I watched the board with interest. I have to make sure wherever my division is, I have to be with them. I suddenly heard Dooku call for everyone's attention. Everyone looked at him as he said "My friends. Ever since my freedom from the pirate, we are behind schedule. Our first order of business is supplying our allies with droid armies and holding onto the planets we managed to control. After we secure our holdings, then we would launch another galaxy wide attack."

So this is the plan. A costly planet hopping campaign. Well, I better come up with new strategies to gather intelligence and tactics. Dooku continued "As of late, our allies from Onderon launched an attack on Ambria." I asked "Why Ambria? It is nothing but desert and the only thing interesting about it is... is the" He finished my sentence "Biotech Industries. A major medical and cyborg corporation. It is very important to our cause." Obviously.

I asked "So do we have control of the planet?" He shook his head "No. The army is in full retreat." That raised my eyebrows. Full retreat? How? As if he read my mind, he continued "The Jedi has used its numerical superiority to overwhelm the Onderon defenses." Great. A Jedi that shows little care for his or her own troops. What a waste of resources. "So who is the Jedi in charge?" Dooku asked "Will you accept the mission?" I nodded my head "Yes. I accept the mission. Just tell me the Jedi's name." He smirked before answering "He is Jedi Master... Krell."

I instantly started shaking. Not of fear, but of anger. That "MAN" is in charge of an army! I swear when I get my hands on him, he will bloody pay! I started blacking out and seeing numbers in my head. 24... 21... 11... 22... 63... 9. "Krell...Argyus...Naba Se...These 'MEN' must die." I suddenly stopped shaking and I looked around at the faces of everyone in the room. Gunray looks shaken. Maybe cause I did the same thing to Argyus. Ventress and Grievous are confused by my reaction. Don't know why. Conradin looks worried about me. Possibly because he thinks I am mentally unstable. Dooku is... smiling? Meh. He probably thinks I would be a dangerous opponent... or he thinks he can finally get rid of me... or he knows. I coughed before I said "When do I leave?" He immediately said "Now."

I rushed out of the room in anger. Krell, I finally found you and when I get my hands on your neck, you will pay for everything... you... done!

Conradin's POV

I watched as General Rommel rushed out of the room in absolute anger. I wanted to follow him but I couldn't because of the meeting. The meeting went on and on about laying siege to the outer worlds and slowly closing in on Coruscant. After the meeting I approached my surrogate father about the general. "Master. About General Rommel... he seems to be very unstable." He looks at me apathetically "I don't see why you would say that. His anger would be the deciding factor in this mission." I argued "But master. Anger alone can't win a operation, there has to be some tactics involved. I'm worried he will use up all the troops at his disposal. Troops we can not afford to lose now."

I silently prayed that Count Dooku would listen. He then said softly "Very well Conradin, you may go with him to ensure his success." I bowed "Thank you milord. I won't fail you." He responded "Make sure you don't." I hurriedly ran to find the general. Hopefully he hasn't left yet.

I ran to the ports to find a destroyer being loaded with droid fighters, troops, and most specifically tanks. The ship's name is A Necessary Evil. I made my way down to see the general shouting out orders at multiple battle droid commanders. As I went closer, his voice was getting louder. I heard "I want 1500 Hyena bombers, 3000 Vulture droids, 50,000 total battle droids of all models, and I need tanks." One of the commanders asked "How many tanks, sir?" He contemplated for a while before answering "445 tanks. 445." The droid replied "Roger, Roger." I coughed to get his attention as the general spun around and asked "Yes."

I told him "Count Dooku ordered me to participate in the campaign with you." He responded, eyebrows raised "Really now. Very well. Get your troops ready to move out in exactly 30 minutes." What! 30 minutes, that is impossible. I spluttered "30 Minutes?" He sighed "I'm sorry. I'm just angry right now. How about in one hour?" I stared at him in shock. My goodness. He first says 30 minutes, then one hour. He huffed "Okay, okay. 2 hours. After that, we are leaving." He saluted me good bye and left to see to his troops. He is not that decisive. I have no idea how he became a general. I think I might have to save him.