Home Sweet Home?

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"You lose . . . slave." He purred, his foot released my torso and allowed me to get to my knees at least. "You are to be escorted by the medical droids to you're previous room. Stay there until I require you're presence."

I went against them and suffered the consequences. As a result, I was lowered to a slave, a sort of standards that now abolishes my past ways. Any lower, and I would have nothing, be nothing. But it did not matter to me anymore, not that at least, not when I lost the person I held in my heart. No matter how pathetic or doltish it seemed.

I slid deeper into my bed sheets in a desperate attempt to shield myself from this cruel world. Childish but affective – in its own little way. Even if that psychopathic, self-centered, gloat-phobic, bastard sent 1000 droids to drag me out. It still won't work.

"Jerk. . .," I murmured into the white sheets. "Calling me a slave. . ."

Thinks he's so high and mighty just because I have to listen to him. And to think he can just call me that stupid name is simply barbaric, he's barbaric. Entirely barbaric. Stupid-head. Rancor-face looking son of a. . . - I hope he goes to hell, I hope he goes to hell and dies.

"Jerk. . ."

At first, he seemed alright – until I spent more time with him. Merciless was what defined him in my perspective. Was I afraid – of course I was, who wouldn't be. He knew I was afraid of him, and he enjoyed it, relished it. And to make my life miserable was what he was going for. I cant recall to have come across or done anything to cause him to hate me with such a passion – other than being forced to have to put up with me. But that wasn't my fault, it was that sly old mans fault.

Fine! I don't care about him, all I cared about was my master. He could laugh in my face all he wants but I won't let him get to me.

Not General Grievous.

Something gave a clink and a ker-chunk, it made me jump in fright and slide back into my sheets. Footsteps – more like metal sliding against metal came closer to my plain bed, annoying as it was, I was still immobile. Like a prediction – the sounds of a heart beating evenly came louder and louder as it made its way to my space. I tried to keep myself still, but the irregular breathing was probably giving me away. It moved closer and I knew something was only mere inches away from my face. My heart pounded in my ears as time moved by slowly, until it finally felt like it made an attempt to burst out my chest when something pointy jabbed at my lower side ribs.

"I see you~," he purred into the covers, where I was. "Time to go."

Speak of the devil, literally. I didn't want to go though, all I wanted was to disappear from those beautiful golden eyes.

When I didn't answer Grievous continued. "Move it, we have a schedule to keep."

I popped my head out and saw Grievous had crouched next to the bed – ignoring the chair completely.

"And if I refuse?"

He did not answer, instead took hold of my waist and threw me over his shoulder. I was stunned by his actions. My stomach shivered once pressed against his armor. It gave me goosebumps below my sternum. The thought of where we were going did not cross my mind – I was more worried about my design of clothing and how my skirt was in his view. He was about turn his head – getting me into a panic, and swiftly I shoved his face forward.

"Face forward." I shrieked, frenetic. "Look and I swear I will-"

"What?" He jerked away from my fingers, lost and taken aback by my sudden action.

"Can I please walk!? I have no intentions of escaping right now." I asked politely this time, hopefully getting some mercy out of him – if possible.

"Do not take me so lightly, pup! I suggest you comply to this temporary position until we arrive at my lair, so be silent and obey." He snapped. His voice was growing louder as I continued to speak.

"I won't! I swear it, now please put me down!" I pleaded, waving my arms to gain his attention – no wait! "Face forward!"

"I was not looking that way, tail-head." Grievous rasped. He stopped to a halt, and rubbed his eyes from stress for putting up with my vexation. I didn't care though, only raised my voice as we continued down the halls.

"Yeah well, I don't trust you. Especially someone with a freaky body."

He growled angrily. I felt six sharp nails digging through my skin, then retracted, leaving future bruises in its place. "Insignificant little slime. You should be grateful I haven't ripped that big mouth of yours." He snapped.

"You should be grateful I'm even complying to you're demands."

He chuckled. "Hardly. Do you ever stop talking?"

"Why? Are you beginning to have second thoughts about ripping out my mouth," I taunted, glaring at the back of his head, he felt it.

"As a matter of fact, I am."

"Yippee for you -" I was yanked off his shoulder and was positioned forward, still in his arms. Before my lips could part to protest, my mouth was clamped shut by his cold metal hand. I grabbed at it and tried to scream. The general paid me no heed however, only kept his eyes forward and towards who knows where. My arms went limped and my voice lost, and came to terms it was for the best not to waste my energy on something meaningless – even with him.

There were vulture droids hanging on the ceiling, and B-1 droids guarding specific areas when we entered the main hanger. The droids gave me a wary look as the general passed by, but I gave them a scornful look in return.

One B-1 droid stood next to an unusual prong-shaped starfighter, nothing I've ever seen before. Consisting of two sets of triple rapid-fire laser cannons, not to mention the entire exterior made it itself look indestructible. It was amazing.

The same B-1 guarding the starfighter came forth and saluted to the General before speaking. "You're vessel has been prepared for lift off, General."

"Good. Now get out of my way."

"Yes, sir."

Only on the weak ones does he give more malice towards, I thought inwardly.

The claw gripping my mouth released, but found myself being thrown inside one-pilot cockpit. But that was not what I was worried about soon after. Sure being on his shoulder was okay but on his lap had crossed the line. Thats too close, way too close.

"I want out!" I finally announced, getting up.

"If there was a luggage area big enough for me to stuff you in, then I would gladly do it. But we don't get what we want now do we!" He yanked me back. The one-pilot cockpit closed itself in, preventing me from leaving. Defeated, I sat back down on the cyborgs lap, my mouth shut and my arms crossed.

"Stupid, shiny cruiser." I muttered under my breath, throwing my head back into the general's chest accidentally.

Grievous started into a fit of cough by my accidental assault. "Stop moving, its distracting." He coughed.

"I would if you're legs weren't so pointy," I retorted icily.

Under his mask I heard a low growl, but I ignored his useless threat. He didn't speak another word to me, nor look at me as he took flight to the stars. During this insufferable position, I passed the time by fiddling with my headdress. Just touching the headdress, its unique designs, and the beads dangling on the other side of my headtail, caused me to recall

A single cough had broke the curse of the silence – making me jump in place. My face flushed bright red, and turn towards the cyborgs face. He didn't hide the humor in his eyes, much more relaxed then I was.

Furious and embarrassed, I tapped my head on his chest again – this time harder. This caught the general off guard. His hand had slipped away from the control and – without my intentions had derailed the cruiser and span in a 360 degree. The general reached out for the piloting handle, and smoothly steadied the cruiser to its regular course.

My head felt woozy, and my stomach began twisting into a knot. "I think I'm gonna hurl. Ugh"

"No you're not!" I felt a hard slap on the head followed by a quick but painful jump-start up my spine. "Keep this up and you'll end up fried."

"You'd like that. . . wouldn't you." I breathed through clenched teeth, wincing as I sat back properly.

The general snickered, his body movements proved my thoughts true. "Very much so. And I am going to enjoy the day I finally witness you're death at the hands of my lightsabers."

"That won't happen. I did say I can escape."

"Good luck with that," he spoke, sarcastically.

I gave him a dirty look when he wasn't looking and decided to peeked out the side view as a way of ignoring him completely.

All there was to see was a sea of fog right below the cruiser. After awhile the sea began to rise up to the stars. But it wasn't. The fog wasn't rising, we were sinking.

This is suicide, I thought. He's not a psychopath, he's a complete lunatic.

In moments the actual surface of the planet could be seen, along with the huge gap in the middle. A castle, well hidden under the gray rocks, had a landing dock for us to land on.

Thank goodness.

I jumped out of the cruiser soon after we landed, creating a good distance between me and the general. Grievous coughed casually at me and stalked passed me impatiently, he came up to the gates and pressed a secret switch, followed by sounds of gears grinding whispered behind the rocks till the gates finally parted ways and opened. He continued inside with me following before the gates could shut themselves from me. The darkness only grew the more I walked deeper inside, unable to shake off the eerie sense of death lurking in every hall.

A thunderous roar came over the castle as we walked deeper inside. As useless as it was, I took glances at the darkness, trying to depict certain objects hidden in the black. A door, few feet away from the general, opened suddenly. The general was punched by something small yet strong with enough strength to at least force the general to take a step back. When his cape stopped flowing, I tried to get a good look at his small attacker.

It was a droid – no, a medical droid. An EV-series supervisor droid with some modifications implanted to its somewhat humanoid appearance. And it seemed furious. This type of personality was not uncommon, last I heard these models had a programming defect, was it possible it happened to this one too.

"You no good piece of garbage. You expected me to take care of this rotting castle for a whole month – by myself! I should tear out that stupid gut sack of yours, you hear me!"

Definitely.

"You see this." Grievous lifted up his claw and made a pinching gesture, rubbing his thumb and index finger together. "This is the galaxies smallest violin."

"If I had a middle finger right now. . ."

I was left out of the conversation, to my relief. Never have I met anyone stand up to this psychotic general before, it wasn't natural.

"Who's this?" The droid pointed at me then gasped when he took a gander at my collar. I blushed. "Is she a sex slave?"

"WHAT!?" I half-barked. Grievous' left eye twitched in annoyance.

It gasped, showing an extreme amount of emotion. "Oh my, how low for a general such as you're standards."

Grievous gave the medical droid a disappointing look. "You're imagination is unbelievable." He grabbed my head and lifted me up in the air, catching me by surprise. "This is Ahsoka. Yes she's a slave. . . for now." He flashed a claw out before the droid could speak. "Not a sex slave!"

"Oh~" It tried to keep a straight composure, but it was clear it was holding back its amusement.

"She will assist in you're daily cleaning and maintenance. Will that shut you up!?" The general growled, at his breaking point.

The droid shrieked in delight, and the next thing I knew he had me in a headlock/hug. I couldn't breathe.

"Air~" I gasped.

"This has to be the best thing you've ever done for me!" The droid tooted, squeezing the life out of me as he swung me around. "Oh wait – this is the only best thing you've ever done for me."

"My condolences." Again he grabbed my arm and tore me away from the droid. "Any news?"

Immediately the droid returned to a more tolerable manner. "Ah, yes. Ms. Ventress will be arriving shortly. And may I say as so bold that her level of temper is that of a Rancor." It perked up.

"Granted."

Setting myself aside, or rather separating myself from them, it was hard to place whether these two were friends or just on a regular terms. Still it was quite humorous to witness.

"Doctor. Escort the girl to her new accommodations and fill her in on the castle," Grievous ordered firmly before stalking towards the darkness alone, leaving me with the droid.

"Yes, master." The medical droid took my wrist and directed me the opposite of the general. From its frequent giggling, it was in a good mood. " Hello, my name is A-4D – but you may call me Doctor."

"Oh- Okay." I stuttered.

The room from before closed itself off from us, lights I forgot to existed brightened up the hallways for us to walk.

"So." the droid began conversationally. "how do you like the general?"

"Would you like the truth?"

"If you must."

"He's an asshole."

"I see." Its movements gave me the impression it was enjoying my comments.

My eyebrow rose. "You're not going to tell on me are you?"

"Now where's the fun in that. You've been here for at least three minutes and already I'm fond of you. And it seems you're being here has sparked some character in the general, may I say."

"Oh really. Seems the same jerk if you ask me."

The droid chuckled lightly. "You'll get used to it." We walked into a room I was positive was a cell room. "This the cell room. Words of advice, stay out of the generals way or you'll end up in there. Given nothing but suffering."

The cells smelled like rotting carcasses and flesh that weren't even there in the first place. The iron smell crinkled my nose. I took a step back and breathed heavily as I recognized the unsettling atmosphere weigh over my shoulder, suffocating almost.

The medical droid grabbed me by the hand and brought me away from it all, having to have seen my suffering. "Come along now, keep up." He distracted, forcing my mind to forget what had just happened – or what did happen long before I was here. We entered an arena, wide as it is, white lines forming a circle in the center of the perfect black floor, everything was freshly polished, with the exceptions of a few holes punched into the walls. Pieces of metal were piled in one corner, almost reaching the ceiling.

"This is one of the generals most favored rooms, the Arena. This is where he trains." I heard the Doctor announce, but I didn't look at him. My eye's were fixed on the pile of singed scraps laying waste in the corner. He took note on my shock. "Don't worry, I doubt the general would do such a thing to you."

"Really?" I asked in a panic. "You sure the psychotic cyborg won't do that just because I was on the Republican's side. Hmm?"

"Depends on what rank you're on. It's not like you're a Jedi or anything, huh?" He chortled, waving his hand at me amusingly.

I gave him a stern look. He stopped in his tracks.

"Oh."

"Yeah." I slumped to the floor.

The droid came to my side and patted me on the head. "Don't worry. Maybe he'll take it easy on you." I didn't let that small snicker get away.

I glared at him. "Not likely," I hissed through clenched teeth.

The rest of the tour went down smoothly after that. I was introduced to the trophy room. The collection nearly caused me to shriek in fright after I picked up on how many lightsabers were shelved as souvenirs. There was so many, so many I couldn't keep track. Just how powerful was this cyborg? Just by looking at these made it clear in my mind I was obeying nothing but a slaughterer of Jedi.

Finally, the droid entered me into a dark room with hardly any lights – the complete opposite of my original bright room. There was a bed with no sheets ironically, one table, one chair, and one ray of light. The darkness was going to take some time getting use to, but I wasn't complaining. It was better than the one on the ship.

That same, frightening roar echoed into the room again, this time louder – and more angrier.

"Damn it all," growled the droid angrily. "I've fed that damn thing five times already, how much more can that spoiled thing eat?"

"Who?" I asked,confused

"Gor, my masters pet."

"A pet?" I was thoroughly stunned. "What are we talking about? A dog? A cat?"

"More adorable than a simple dog. A Roggwart."

"A what?"

The droid picked up something from the table I forgot to notice. "Don't worry, you'll meet him soon enough." A set of clothes were thrown at my face. "The general has requested you to wear more. . . proper clothing."

"You're kidding me."

"Certainly not."

I sighed. "What happens if I don't accept."

"The consequences will be – as the general said – severe."

I lifted up the clothes towards the light and examined the clothes more carefully. The droid left me alone to redress myself, and I hated every part of it. I have to admit, it all fit. The gray tunic covered everything but my shoulders and the nape of my neck. The black boots fitted the same height as my old battered boots. The black knee pants were okay.

The droid came in when I was done. "So~ you like?"

"It's perfect." I smiled half-heartedly.

The droid was more relaxed by the news. "Thank goodness. I had a lot of trouble with you're measurements. I'm a caretaker, not a designer."

"Yeah. I was hoping it wouldn't reveal this though." I tipped the collar.

"My master gave me strict orders . . ." It had trouble with it words, thinking about if it should continue to speak. But taking a quick glance at me, it continued. "Not to do that."

"Of course not." I breathed.

"Now, we must leave. I have other matters to attend to, but master has asked for you're presence as soon as possible."

I was flooded with shock. Before I could protest, the droid had already forced out the room and towards who knows where.

Grievous flipped back his cape, allowing it to drape to the ground and left it there until it's purpose was needed again. With only an hour left before Grievous would check in for his routinely operation, Grievous spent every second with heed. He sat himself on the chair and began stabbing at the control keys connected to the Holocron, searching for the certain transmission. It took awhile until he finally found the one he's been searching for and quickly transmitted to it.

Even when she was small, Ventress' avatar managed to deem itself as intimidating as the original.

"Ventress." Grievous hissed. "My patience is running thin. There better be a positive reason for you're delay."

"Change of plans," she spoke in a soft voice, her facial features covered under a Sith hood as always. "Count Dooku informed minutes before you're transmission that he wishes for me not to assist you for reasons unknown."

That bastard. "That bastard," Grievous muttered lowly under his mask.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing. Can you perhaps have a change of mind."

"Grievous I'm tired and in need of some rest. And my master has already given me orders to-"

"I could care less for what the Sith master has to say. I'm asking you for a favor, something – I'm sure you're aware of – is considerably rare."

"I have, but you must understand in that thick head of yours you caught me at a bad time, as well as my master."

"Granted, but that does not mean you can't just change you're absurd schedule just for you're master."

She sighed, her eyes holding restraint. "He's you're master, too. And I doubt you would want a reminder of that fact."

Grievous inwardly flinched from that reminder, but hid his fear flawlessly. "I'm well aware of that."

"My apologies for you're misfortune," she apologized truthfully. Grievous tossed it aside, however. It did not even spark a light in his dead heart. "End transmission." The blue avatar disappeared into the Holocron modified into his control room.

In the mean time, Grievous was brooding over the fact that he could not take care of his situation – now having turning to the worse. This did not surprising him, in fact – more like expecting it almost. It was his type of luck that reassured him of such a fate. And in the end, it proved true.

The sounds of mumbling came into Grievous' sensitive hearing range. The secret door hiding his personal room opened.

The doors locked after I was pushed through. Scratching and kicking didn't seem like a bad idea at the time, but I knew it was childish and the General would give me hell to pay. In his own sick little way.

"Who is it?" that familiar voice demanded harshly.

I jumped in place – just like his voice always made me. Having forgotten how to speak, I instead came towards him slowly, cautiously.

"Its me." Who else could it be.

"I can see that," He retorted. A skeletal mask came out of the darkness, thus surprising me. "It didn't come to my mind you would actually comply to you're changes." It sounded like there was a hint of humor in his voice once he took note on my change of clothing.

I rolled my eyes. "What do you want, Grievous?"

"Thats Master! And you better get used to that," he corrected sharply. "Besides, I just wanted to see how pitiful you would look." I was pulled in front of his seat, very close to his face. Humanly, he was amused by my suffering – seeing right through my relentless charade. He began to trace along the nape of my neck, giving me shivers. "You're more pitiful than I could ever imagine." A cold hand brushed against my right head-tail, but I jerked away. I didn't let this cyborg have his fun.

"If you're trying to make yourself terrifying then its not working. I've been through worse." I lied as best as I could, even when I was being caressed by a killer cyborg. He saw though.

"Lieing won't get you anywhere."

"Then what do you suppose I do then."

The general lifted himself from his seat, hovering over me. I backed away from him as far as I could, and yet my back had already reached where the controls were. Panic started taking over, I was beginning to breathe unevenly. His demonic face was merely inches from mine.

"Obey my every whim." his voice purred.

I was left gasping for air and at the point of falling on my own two feet as the general took a step back from me. Pleased by my reaction, Grievous paced towards the other room after beckoning me to follow. I did so. From behind, and even now, he was terrifying. But I've seen other terrifying and probably more uglier creatures before him and I have never been frightened by none, so why him? It wasn't because of the power he held, nor how he made himself to be. All of it left me to questions.

"Why are you doing this to me, Grievous?" I asked another simple question.

Grievous had adverted his attention away from me, fiddling with a lightsaber I'm sure he did not make himself. "Clearly, I just don't like you, slave."

"I mean why do you hate me?" My patience was dissipating, and I wasn't in the mood anymore. "Last time I checked, I've done nothing to you." Other than being you forced slave.

"Instead of asking me questions, you should be working." Changing the subject was getting him nowhere. I was suspecting it was best not to know though, still, I'll get my answer one way or another. If he's going to hate me, I at least want a reason for why.

The awkward silence was coming back again, and I was thinking he had forgotten I existed.

He didn't. "You're still here." It wasn't a question.

"Um-um. . . Do you want me to leave?"

The claw's grip on the lightsaber was squeezed, I felt the atmosphere fall. "These constant meaningless questions are whithering my patience, Slave."

"Fine." I screamed at him, furious. He wasn't phased. "If you want to be alone in this stupid darkness then its fine by me. I'm going to work." I stomped out of the room finally, and keeping to my word, leaving that cyborg to himself. It was what he wanted, but when I looked over my shoulder to glare at him, his eyes revealed sorrow. My feet stopped after that had registered. When the doors closed itself off between the two us, I had a small feeling of regret.

- -

My eyes blinked reflexively, returning the moisture to my ocean blue eyes. I found myself curled in a ball, my entire body fitting perfecting in one of the hallway corners. At times this was the only way to help diminish the stress on my shoulders. My mind couldn't handle this sort of reality, nor bear such changes. Changes that happened in a matter of two minutes.

A-4D – or Doctor, exited one of the numerous rooms in the hallways, carrying many types of cleaning equipment in his arms. I bit my lip, fighting back the temptations to turn on my heels and hide. Cleaning was like a strange new language I could not comprehend for the life of me.

"Here you go." The Doctor handed me all the equipment. My feet began losing balance, almost causing me to fall on the floor. But, thankfully, I didn't. "These are all the tools you will need to keep this decrepit castle clean as a whistle. I have a feeling you're going to have a lot of fun."

"Oh joy. How fun it would be to clean," I spoke sarcastically.

Doctor ignored that and continued. "Alas, be happy, little one. Better this than a fate worse than death."

"I'll ignore that and pretend it's another one of you're hilarious comments."

The droid chuckled softly before speaking once more."Come with me."

I nodded and followed the medical droid into a room. There were two life-like statues of a warrior who's race I could not distinguish. It was a male, reptilian-like, muscular, and above all, intimidating. The warrior looked awfully familiar, too familiar, actually. It frightened me a bit. But, then again, what didn't in this bizarre castle.

I got closer to it and adjusted my eyes to commit it to my memory. It was fascinating, just like the stars.

A mop smacked me in the face, hard. My hands took hold of the wooden mop and flung it the other way. Laughter came from behind.

"Keep on you're toes, slave." Doctor giggled playfully. "There always something lurking in every corner." Another wave of growls sounded the hallways on cue. "Including Gor."

"Fascinating," I acknowledged dryly.

Doctor bent down and grabbed a bucket full of soap water, shoving it into my arms and waltzed towards the doors. "This is one of the many rooms you will be mopping."

I groaned, the left side of my head felt woozy. And I was pretty sure my face was turning pale.

"Are you alright?"

"I don't think so."

"You'll live. Chop chop now, the faster you finish this one, the sooner you finish all of you're chores."

"At least there's an upside."

The droid chuckled at that and left the room. Leaving me to clean in privacy.

There was no other options, I just gave up on this part and did as I was told. I cleaned every speck every room could create for me. In the mechanical circuitry of Doctors mind, everything had to be spotless. Throughout all of this cleaning, my muscles would often give in and force me to the ground as if gravity had punched me into the earth, and yet, I would lay down on my back to take a small breather and wait till my arms lost feeling continued where I started. I went from mopping the room and hallways to dusting the statues and buffing Grievous' personal cruiser. But that was not the worst of it, oh no. Gor, apparently the general's living, breathing, and real pet, was a monster, much like its master. I tried to play nicely with it, only to be growled and snapped at by its white sharp fangs. It was horrible.

Everything here was horrible.

When I finally made it to the safety of my mattress bed when the horror finally ended, it was like my bones went numb when my skin touched the softness. I sighed deeply, taking it all in. Every muscle and veins, right down to the last blood cell, made me feel like I never had a body to begin with.

Maybe this is how Grievous feels, I questioned in thought. Who knows, maybe.

Through a fit of anger, I flung the mattress across the room and violently tore at the collar around my neck. This unusual fit of anger came out of nowhere from my heart, it was beyond my control. When I finally controlled myself, everything that had just happened came in blurry images. I took deep, even gasps, slowing my heart rate. I sat down in the middle of the room, curling up into a ball to keep myself together and to keep my anger at bay.

The entire galaxy was against me. Even when I had done nothing to deserve such ill treatment.

I shivered and readjusted my tunic for better comfort, again and again until I was fed up with the cold and returned to the mattress. It did little work.

If the general doesn't kill me, then surely the cold will. Strangely, I giggled softly at the thought. Depending on the circumstance, I wouldn't be surprise if the general finished me off first. That look in his eyes always burned anger when I come near him. I didn't worry about it too hard though. After all, he meant nothing to me, just another obstacle getting in my way of finding my true master.

Wait a minute. . .

It is possible I could. . . overcome that annoying obstacle. Giving it some thought, and realizing the amount of security around here, I'd say the chances of escaping and stealing the cruiser is good. And, if luck is still on my side, I could decipher the correct coordinates to finding the Sith, Count Dooku. Perhaps I could appeal to his better nature, surely.

That said, I got to my feet and ran out the trashed room.

"If you want to be alone in this stupid darkness then its fine by me. . ."

Despicable child. If only she grasp the fact on how much Grievous had to deal with. How much responsibility was placed over his shoulders. Even back then, it was the same.

A warrior. A proud warrior, and fierce. Bringing goodness to his people and misery towards the ones who dare threaten them. Grievous remembered those days. When he was feared by those who dared challenged him and his power. A power graced to him by his gods. A power he was not afraid to unleash. That is until that day. . .

Most of what had happened during that day remained clear in the general's organic mind. And it still haunted him.

Even to this day, it would always find its way from the back of his mind and remind him how he came to be this.

Grievous fell back into his seat, resting both his eyes and mind from the control room. Stressing over the weight over his shoulders, Grievous could find no alternative to avoiding his duties and getting some rest. And seeing how his master has taken away any possibilities, the cyborg had no choice but to return to the fronts.

He enjoyed his job – relished it. But even a cyborg was in need of some rest – not sleep, but to be away from it all to rest his mind and sharpen his concentration.

But the Count thought otherwise.

It was out of his power to deny the Counts wishes any longer.

Not anymore.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The bothersome alarm sounded throughout the control room, both alerting the general and giving him a headache. Swiftly, he jabbed at the correct key. A camera darted in front of the general's mask, revealing the child has left her room.

"Already she is becoming nettlesome," He thought out loud, bored. Though congratulated himself for thinking about the collar first.

"Aw~" came a sadistic voice not too far away from the cyborgs hearing range. But he knew who it was. It was his doctor. Many times, he wondered why he never scrapped him like the rest of the other mindless trash, but that was just it, Doctor was not mindless. Rather he was more like Grievous himself. Sadistic and cold hearted even before he came into the generals possession. How this droid ended up in the Federation's hands had always left him to wonder. But he didn't think of it too hard, it was pointless to think such things. Grievous turned his head and eyed his only medical droid come to his side, watching the camera attentively. "How cute, she thinks she can get away."

"Instruct my elite to stand down after they lock the gates." Grievous ordered his droid.

Doctor looked at the general now, "You do not wish for her to instead freeze to death. My readings show of a good chance of her inability to last even five minutes out there."

"No," Grievous acknowledged. "It's more fun to do things by yourself than to have others do the dirty work for you at times."

A-4D raised up his hand comically. "I think otherwise."

Grievous left his seat and allowed the Doctor in his place. "Take over. I'm going to have a little fun."

Doctor began setting the camera's for the future quarrel and adjusted the seat to its liking. "I know there is no need for a reminder, but I'm curious. Is the reason for going after her is to secretly avoid my monthly check-up."

"Doctor," Grievous muttered lowly. "You know I would never."

"You hypocrite. Lieing gets you nowhere."

Without a second thought, I leaped out of the corner and darted to the gates. Suddenly the floor disappeared at my feet, but my head-tails alerted me before-hand. I jumped as high as my feet could take me, and, luckily, managed to get my hands to grasp onto the other side. I lifted myself up and stayed on course.

I didn't care if my escape became known. I didn't care if he came after me. Getting out of here was all that rang over and over in my mind.

I was too determined to let him stop me.

Another trap activated, but again, I foresaw it and jumped over the pit – this time, filled with melted carbonite by the smell of it. Ignoring the burn in my legs, I kept going. The beating of my heart ringed in my ears and throughout my body, beating faster in every step.

Keep going, I ordered myself. Keep going.

The expanding iron gates, equipped with over five titanium-crafted locks – possibly more. Compared to the most highly sophisticated bank vault, this was more heavily armed.

Ba-bump. Ba-bump. Ba-bump.

My eyes darted towards the source, and sure enough the general was standing there, between me and the gates. But my speed didn't falter, I already have intentions of head-butting if it came to it. Grievous' held out a rod and ignited it. It seems he wasn't going to use the collar, all he wanted a good show.

Fine.

I pushed against my left leg and under the blue light going for my lower torso. The blue light came again. And this time I placed both my hands over my head and backflipped to my feet. I was sure of my actions and kept my movements at perfect momentum.

Grievous snarled, his eyes twinkling with bloodlust. All my resistance and reflexes had clearly roused his instincts, all I did was offer him a challenge.

He took a step forward and stabbed at me in the head. I bent my back backwards to dodge the stab and toppled to my side. Again he proceed to lift his mechanical claw-like foot and stomp on me. I saw his attack first and rolled to my feet.

What I did after that would probably be considered one of the most idiotic ideas I would have thought. I pushed against the balls of my feet and pounced the general, and unlike A-4D, pushed the general all the way to the floor. A horrible crack whispered deep inside his mask, but I didn't think of it too hard. He was out of the way and that was exactly what I was going for. I stood up and went after the door.

My right leg disobeyed and stayed put, however, and I fell to the ground hard on my stomach. I gasped in pain and reached for my leg. Grievous had grabbed my leg before I could reach the gates and pulled towards him. Desperately I kicked him with my new boots, hoping to get a good shot at his face.

But it was over in a matter of minutes when one of Grievous' claws grabbed my other leg and held me down. My back was pressed against the wall and my feet a good couple of meters in the air. I bit and scratched at the duranium white claw. My side felt the full force of the ground, again and again. When everything came to a stop, I reached out for freedom and tried to pull myself away from my attacker. The collar of my tunic was pulled up, forcing me to my knee's. Again, my eyes came in contact with the familiar set of golden yellow eyes. Something trickled down my cheek, and I had a feeling it wasn't sweat.

"I always knew you were just another annoyance, but now I've come to realize you're just an idiot."

"And I've come to realize you're just another asshole who takes pleasure in tormenting others just to make yourself feel good," I countered smoothly, glaring at him as I spoke. Despite in my dazed condition.

"You disrespectful little. . ." In his eyes, he grew angry and slammed me hard into the wall again, the wind knocked out of me. He snarled ferociously.

"Why don't you just end my life- " I gasped, my vision began to blur, and my lungs slowly losing oxygen. "Saves you the trouble."

"No." He raised his claw and touched my cheek, wiping away the blood stains. "I would rather watch you live on in pain than end you're suffering." The vice-grip claw released its hold, and I fell to the floor, coughing my lungs out. "Where exactly were you thinking of going when you escaped?"

I wobbled to my knees again, and faced the general once more. "To Count Dooku, and ask him for my master's safety. I'm sure you have the coordinates to his current location hidden in that cruiser of yours."

Grievous chuckled hysterically, darkly. "Unbelievable." He grabbed my free shoulder and dragged me away. I didn't look up. I felt like a mischievous child being caught in the action, it was embarrassing. The voice in my lungs lost, making it difficult for me to beg for mercy or future pain I'm sure the general had in store for me.

I gulped and tried to speak. "Are. . . you going to punish me?"

"Of course I am."

We turned a left on a corner. The hallways became more noticeable, and I finally realized where we were going.

"Words of advice, stay out of the generals way or you'll end up in there. Given nothing but suffering."

No

Not there.

"P-please. . ."

"Silence!" Grievous snarled. He snapped his fingers and automatically my spine was being pumped with unbearable voltage. I fell to the floor and screamed.

"Stop it." I screamed, begging. I shriveled and shook violently, being watched by a sadistic general. He enjoyed every second of it.

It went on this time, it didn't stop. I wanted it to stop. I wanted the pain to go away.

Grievous threw me inside a cell room, and then finally disarmed the collar. My body felt like jelly and continued to shake uncontrollably, I gasped in pain but did not give Grievous the pleasure of seeing me cry this time.

While I tried to control myself, Grievous locked the cell door with one of the keys. Regaining control in my body, I sighed slowly.

Grievous sat down next to my cell and watched me. "How does it feel to be caged like an animal, slave. "

Dazed and disoriented, I forced myself to try to concentrate on his words. My gasps and heavy breathing was the only sounds able to come out of my mouth. I no longer had the strength to talk at the moment. With what I could manage, I gave him a small weak glare.

He smirked. "You know, I'm thinking about allowing you to stay here for a week."

My eyes hardened.

"Perhaps," he paused to see if he had my attention, and when he did he continued. "If you agree to something I had in mind, I might trim the deadline to a three day term."

I furrowed my brows, and gave him a confused expression. "A bet?"

"Yes."

"What kind?" I breathed heavily, narrowing my eyes.

"Very simple. As previous, you will attempt to escape through the south exit." He began. "You're attempts are limited to three however. Each attempt failed will cost you a punishment, one more horrible after the other." This was like shining opportunity for me.

"How. . . do I win?" I asked soon after.

"You win if you can make to the outside, once outside I will leave a cruiser with the proper co-ordinates to my master."

"And if I lose?"

"Lose." He took a moment to chortle darkly. ". . . and you will cease further attempts to free you're precious master or escape from here."

I gave it some thought, this was probably the best chance I could get out of this. Ignoring the exceptions of the bet being orchestrated by Grievous himself, I actually wanted to agree to his game.

A claw flashed in front of my face to shake.

"Do we have a deal?" He purred melodically.

I reached out for the hand, but hesitated. I wasn't sure of his motives. What was he playing at?

"Why are you doing this?"

Grievous face stayed firm, knowing as if I was going to ask him that question. "Simple. You're just too fun to mess with, my little slave."

I sneered at him, resisting the urge to hiss at him. But I knew that was what he wanted.

"And you'll keep to you're word."

"Of course."

I bit my lip, and hesitantly shook his hand.

"Good luck, my slave."

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