Meeting at Neimoidia

--

--

--

I sat alone in a meditation chamber with my master, Plo Koon. He looked next to me and smiled under his black Antiox breath mask and I did in turn. Security and happiness was coming back to me, allowing my aching heart to heal after all my suffering and sacrifice. I closed my eyes to take in my happy moment, and for once, enjoyed the meditation session.

All of a sudden the lights in the chamber began to dim and die as a cold air swept by me. And right before my very eyes Master Plo Koon had disappeared and Grievous had taken his place.

Darkness surrounded me, suffocating, and intoxicating. At first I could not breath, having trouble as the cyborg watched with sick amusement. The cold was becoming unbearable, stinging my flesh and shaking my bones. I could not stand it as I could see my own breath. I looked up to Grievous, and met tempestuously piercing yellow eyes – not the calm and collected golden eyes of a certain survival. He did nothing to help me in my agony, and my heart turned to sand and faded.

Grievous bent down to me as the blackness began to restrain me to the ground, and repeated the same words from before:

"You're mine."

With his final words said, the general turned his back to me, and the blackness pulled me under. I fought back as best as I could, reaching out for a saviour, but, in the end, I did not resurface.

--

I jolted up from the nightmare, my breathing just the same. My heart pounding at a dangerously fast rhythm, and my forehead creasing with cold moisture.

I lead my hand over my chest and breathed, "It was just a dream," and steadied.

I realized that I was not in my room, nor in my crummy old mattress. I was in a medical room, a new scenery to my wake since my previous domain was plain and simple while the medical room had shelves, tools, and other interesting objects to look over. It was empty, neither Roggwart, droid, nor psychopath in sight I was left alone to move freely. A clear glass of cold water was placed at the center of the table to my right; my lungs reacted quickly as the thought sank in.

Thank goodness, I thought before bringing the glass to my dry lips and drinking every last drop, taking in the sensational pleasure of the water. I really needed that after what had just happened.

My chest began to pang when I tried to bring myself up, and noticed the bandages wrapping around my ribcage. X-ray pictures sticking to the white board from across revealed that at least two of my ribs have been fractured and have been treated immediately judging by the time printed on the top right corner of the black picture. It was there I realized that it was because of the way Grievous had beaten me yesterday, all because I wouldn't quit. That thought made my heart drop, and remembered the bet I made with Grievous and the deal I agreed to.

I closed my eyes in despair. "No," I croaked, instinctively my hand began massaging the creases on my forehead. I sighed heavily, until what I was feeling for did not appear. My world had stopped there and now, and I desperately touched my forehead over and over and could not feel the bumpy and curvy features my headdress was made to be. Searching around and on top the tables, ignoring the pain in my chest, I could not find my headdress.

A faint but recognizable memory recalled the general touching my forehead before I lost consciousness.

"That Asshole!" I screamed, and started at the door.

A-4D opened the door just as I was about to escape. I halted to a stop, on my tippy-toes when I still had a small amount of velocity in my body. Casually pushing me back from the close contact, A-4D took me back on the table.

"You're usual energy has returned. How is you're chest?" the doctor asked, though lacking the concern a regular doctor should have for his patients.

But I didn't let him off that easily, I moved closer to the medical droid with desperation. Hoping to god that he wouldn't shun me away from what I wanted.

"Where is it?"

"Beg you're pardon?-"

"Where is it?!"

"Please, Ahsoka," A-4D pleaded, guarding himself carefully. "Sit down, you'll cause more damage to you're injuries."

I stopped for a moment to think it over and finally breathed in exhaustion, recalling the wave of agony for every time I moved, and returned to the table as the droid commanded. The droid revealed its mechanical appendages for me to witness for the first time in action, bringing the round lamp from its back, it brought light over my body. A-4D began examining my body, verifying the progress in my recovery for what seemed like forever before pulling the light away.

"No harm done. You will, however, need to take it easy on you're body," Just when A-4D was about to administer replacement bandages, I stopped him.

"Please," I begged him, "Where is he?"

The droid whirred and lowered its mechanical arms before speaking, annoyed by my persistence. "Change into you're new attire and I'll take you to him." He gestured to the folded black clothes on the top shelf. "Master is departing for a mission, and Count Dooku has requested that he take you, too."

I blinked in disbelief. "I'm leaving this place."

"Until the mission is over, yes."

I got up as swiftly as I could, ignoring the droids attempt to slow me down as I changed into my newer clothes in one swift move. The droid had given up when I did not give in to his demands and waited patiently, standing perfectly still like a statue.

I put on the silk black long-sleeved jumpsuit on first, followed by the dark blue cloak that fell over my entire waist and over my elbows. The black boots fitted my feet perfectly, leaving the right amount of space for my toes to relax in; wrapping around the boots with white bandages after and pulling the hoodie-part of the cloak over my head, covering my growing horns and leaving half of my bottom headtails bare. The clothes had also come with a dark-blue scarf as well, yet before I could get a grip on it A-4D snatched it away and told me it was useless for where I will be going. I didn't think too hard on it and finished dressing.

This castle was just infested with darkness and death, and it was making me sick. And now was my chance to get away from it all, maybe even forever if I'm lucky. I also wanted to meet the general as soon as possible. I did agree to the sorts of punishments he had promised, but I didn't foretell that he would go to that extent. If he wasn't so blinded by the anger and frustration he kept bottled inside him, then he would have seen how much my headdress meant to me. After all, parts of the headdress is a family heirloom.

--

The main hanger had been the same as always - but that was just a guess. I have never been in the main hanger at all because I landed on this dark moon was instead on the south platform in the gorge, so it is apparent that this is my first time being in the main hanger. And I must say, it could use a little dusting up - but I didn't want to do it.

In the center of the main hanger was the cruiser that had brought me here in the first place, The Soulless One. Scratched and badly burned possibly from its previous journeys, the cruiser was prepped and ready for a future take off.

Grievous came up from behind the cruiser and acknowledged us with a low growl before inspecting his cruiser in case of emergencies. Judging by his facial features, he wasn't pleased with having to take me with him. Truthfully, I didn't care.

A-4D touched my shoulder, "Being you're first time, please do as the general commands and behave."

Like that'll ever happen. I had no intentions of obeying him like the good little slave girl I was supposed to be. All he had against me was this stupid collar. But clear-as-day images of my headdress flashed before my eyes, and my world gloomed.

"He's not going to give me back my headdress. Is he?" I asked.

"Probably not. Behave, Ahsoka." A-4D waved me goodbye and left me alone with the Jedi-butcher.

I wanted to leave this forsaken castle at all costs, but I didn't want to leave with him. Anyone, but him. Moving forward was all I could do for now and pray for a fulfilling future. Walking up to the general, I was ready to step up to him and demand for the return of my headdress before our departure. But Grievous turned to me, pointing a single white claw-finger at my face – close to my right eye – and snarled.

"Any rebellion – any at all, and I'll give you a punishment worse than death itself," He threatened. I looked into his raging golden-turned-yellow eyes and could see that he was desperate for me to actually behave for once.

I ignored his threat and began, "Sure, all I want in return is my headdress." I held out my awaiting hand up in his face, mimicking his deadly glare – only to fail miserably.

He growled – or chuckled, I could not tell. He straightened his hunched posture. "The agreement was that you would take the punishment without defiance, the removal of the headdress is one of them."

Anger filled my heart, but I stood firm and controlled my emotions. I took a step forward. "I want it back. Now!"

"You agreed to the punishment, now take it with pride. The headdress belongs in my possession as of now, and I have no intentions of returning it."

"Please. . . "

"Plead all you want, it is only annoyance to me."

I dropped my head in despair, my headtails drooping, and could not bring myself to move or form words from my pale lips. His stubbornness and anger had beaten me once more, as it always did since the day I was placed under his care. I hate him.

"Instead of sitting up front with me, you will remain in the back compartment space. It is wide enough for you to fit, and space compatible. You can thank Doctor for the modifications."

I gaped at him in disbelief. "I'm not going in there, let alone fit in it. I refuse!"

First, Grievous growled, irritated by my already stubbornness, until he grabbed me by my dark blue hoodie, me pulling away as best as I could before I was thrown in the compartment. I heard the lid give a clink and knew that he had locked it. Sounds of claws walking on metal began to fade in the distance and I mentally prepared for a take off. The cruiser purred and moved, and I could hear the main Auxiliary thrusters moan to life. True to his words, there was a life support system in the compartment space when the air began to thicken and freeze. It was so cramped, and it didn't look like it was commonly used. I curled up in a ball as the cold covered me, and the darkness filled the space from around.

"Despicable nuisance," Grievous murmured as he closed the hatch. He was thrilled for not having to put up with the girl for the trip to Neimoidia, and knowing her, she would have made the trip all the more troublesome.

Grievous jumped into the one-pilot seat, the hatch perfunctorily closed as Grievous sat himself comfortably and propelled the main thrusters to roar and took flight. The main hanger's gate opened and permitted the general to exit and leave the gorge hiding the castles opening.

The snow-white clouds covering the third moon of Vassek split open as the Soulless One penetrated through the thick layers of clouds. The window showed pure white, but the nava-computer showed Grievous was heading the right direction. He tacked in the correct co-ordinates to Neimoidia and flew in a secret route to which no Republicans could possibly spot him. Forwards scanners could detect nothing as a threat as Grievous flew his personal cruiser through a trail of meteors, dodging them all with ease and without a scratch. Only a fool would enter this part of the meteors orbit, but Grievous was no fool for he knew the trail very well and had quick reflexes and senses, knowing where exactly the rocks would hit.

The cruiser rolled over a meteor as large as a rancor, and whirled in a 160 degree from coming debris.

Alarmingly, Grievous could hear a thumping from the inside of his cruiser. He checked for any defects his cruiser could have sustained, but it was not the cruiser itself, but the girl. She was punching – or kicking – in the compartment space rapidly. Grievous feared for the worst of what the brat could be inflicting to his personal cruiser. Jerking the two levers steering the cruiser, a loud thump came after. The noise didn't come back and Grievous assumed the little brat got the message. Shortly after it came again, and a growing headache was forming in Grievous' head. He groaned and scratched at the back of his head, falling back in his seat to block out the pounding till it finally stopped. However, the headache just wouldn't go away no matter how much Grievous tried to relax. He reflexively felt the headdress in his cape for comfort, counted the beads and the headache disappeared as if by the power headdress itself. Amusingly, Grievous held out the headdress to see once more as he exited the Meteor Trail cleverly, looking at the shine and uniqueness the headdress had to offer before the general. Every time he would try to remember the origin of the beads, the mystical woman would always reappear. Her race unknown, all he could remember was that she wore the same beads the slave-girl had. But how she managed to scurry into Grievous' mind was beyond him. He had no clue who she was or where she was from.

Fiddling with the beads aimlessly as he steered, Grievous openly allowed the voice to reappear.

"Sheelal."

Her voice was alluring, but it was easy to interpret the hidden tribulation. But why would she be sad, when he had done nothing to her, or had he. Did he kill her, or no? His memories served as the answer, but he was not the killer. Adrenaline was pumping through his heart, and he was hypnotically entranced. He wanted more; he wanted to know who she was. He was about to try again until a robotic voice had interrupted his thoughts.

"This is Captain Vaktim from Area 2-G6, please verify identification and purpose."

Recalling his surroundings, Grievous had made it safely to the planet of Neimoidia. Grievous moved his mask to the speaker and growled, "I am General Grievous, Supreme Commander of the Droid Armies, and my purpose is my personal matter, boy."

The speaker repeated the murmurs and fear from the other line before the voice came back. "G-general Grievous, it is an honor to have you visit our humble planet. Please forgive me for pushing for matters you do not wish to discuss."

Grievous scoffed.

"You are clear for landing, enjoy you're stay."

Grievous moved his cruiser into the atmosphere of the planet, passing by on-going ships and cruisers departing from the planet itself. He landed in the main hanger smoothly and gracefully, deactivating his main thrusters and exited the pilot's seat with his cape draping behind him, four lightsabers secretly tucked away for future conflicts.

The main hanger was completely empty. Not a single Neimoidian or droid in sight. It became obvious that the spineless idiots have given Grievous his own hanger for the trip, and didn't want anyone to go near him at all costs. Good. Grievous didn't want to be disturbed by people he didn't want to speak to, he only wanted to do his job has swiftly as possible to appeal to his masters better nature.

Resuming her previous actions, Grievous could hear the main compartment punching from the inside, reminding the general of the existence of the Togruta girl trapped inside. He casually lifted the hatch open and the girl plopped out.

He leaned against the cruiser and looked at the slave. "Did you have fun?" he asked, darkly amused.

"Shut up," she breathed, having gotten out of the large compartment fully, Grievous had unintentionally watched the girl bend down and kiss the dirty floor with happiness. He groaned and walked off as he heard her say, "Land!" cheerfully.

"Must you draw attention towards yourself, you insignificant slave."

Grievous earned himself a meaningless glare, though he gave it no heed, she kept going. "I hate you're flying."

"Then I'll purge you from my cruiser and let the space take you away."

She 'hmphed' in defeat before following after the general like a lost pet. How pathetic.

The center door from afar slid open and two figures entered the main hanger. Grievous relaxed as the two were members of the CIS, both whom Grievous was well acquainted with. They didn't pay the girl standing next to him any mind, to which Grievous was thankful for as he saw her hood covering her face well. The two Confederacy members walking towards the general was Nute Gunray, and his loyal advisor, Rune Haako. Grievous held back a snarl as he saw Gunray give him a distasteful look with those disturbing blood-red eyes.

"Grievous," Gunray regarded with revealing venom, "what a . . . surprise to have you visit us. We were expecting Count Dooku to arrive."

"Dooku is unable to partake in the meeting for now; I am filling in for him."

"How nice. An assignment much more suited for a droid to do for its master," the neimoidian smirked.

Grievous growled at the meaning of the neimoidians words, and as expected the two Confederacy members coward away from the general's rage. The girl at his side, however, giggled softly, unable to hide her humor. Grievous slapped the back of her head out of anger, and heard a soft, "Ow," from under her hood. She rubbed the back of her head tenderly, glaring up to him. Grievous ignored her.

"Be grateful to my master, Gunray. I was told not to kill if you were to object to his orders or become intolerable."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying my claw might slip ever so slightly and rip out that fat throat of yours."

Gunray took a step back and reflexively rose his arm over is face.

Haako had gazed at Ahsoka and examined her clothes and the shiny collar around her neck, then retreated from her and pointed a fat finger at her in fear. Grievous gasped as he took a glance away from Gunray, watching at the Neimoidian shrieked in fear and revealed the Togruta's identity. Damn, thought Grievous, he was sure that he strictly assigned for his medical droid to cover that with a scarf.

"T-t-that's a force-resistance shock collar. You're a. . . Jedi!"

"- A slave," Grievous intercepted, stepping in front of the Togruta teen. "This Togruta is a favored slave of the Count, and I request that you treat her as any other slave."

Ignoring Grievous' words, Haako did not stop shaking and pointed one of his fat green fingers at Ahsoka's direction. "But she's a Jedi."

"Grievous, how dare you endanger us with that Jedi. She'll doom us all."

Grievous snarled at the Neimoidians accusing voice and placed a firm grip on top of the girl's head. He growled, "If I wanted to do that then I would have unleashed her on you the moment we landed."

Haako gasped and took a step back and kept a large enough distance from where Grievous' right claw was resting upon. Grievous could feel the girl give him a dubious face, but Grievous glared her down. Pushing her forwards, Grievous gestured.

"She is no harm right now. Give her an assignment and she will do it without defiance, will you slave?"

She coughed and looked away as a way of saying otherwise But Grievous wasn't going to tolerate any of her foolishness right now. He jerked her to look forward.

"Will you, slave?!" He demanded harshly, adding pressure in his grip.

She winced in pain and nodded.

Seeing the compliance within Ahsoka, the neimoidians settled. Grievous released his grip on her.

Mustering up what was little courage Nute Gunray had left in him, he moved closer to Ahsoka and poked her forehead, gazing at her features. The cyborg saw her grow angry and gestured for her to behave; Ahsoka unwillingly obliged and stood still for the Neimoidian to inspect her, her eyes closed in shame as he did.

"I will have the nearest guard take her to assist the other slaves with household duties."

"That will do." Grievous started down the exotic and lightened halls with the two neimoidians leading him the way. Haako beckoned for a guard and commanded him to take Ahsoka away. Grievous was more than pleased and watched her leave with the guard, pushing her as she tried to look over her shoulder to see him one last time.

Grievous paced behind Haako and Gunray, following the two as they whispered amongst themselves as low as they could. It was futile however, and Grievous could hear every word the two would speak of.

Grievous sighed – not aloud – as he watched the two bickering over money stock marketing.

I was unable to get away from the guard as he walked after me, keeping his eye on me as I was led to who knows where.

I decided to keep myself occupied by studying the halls and exotic artifacts Neimoidians had. Basically, everything had a trim of gold, the halls crafted to perfection, the floors so clean you could see your own reflection, and the outside had the most luscious sunlight I had seen in a long time. I was so relieved to be able to see the sunlight once more; I had goose bumps as the sunlight would touch my cold bare hand – the only part of my body that wasn't covered.

"Keep moving," the guard spoke harshly, though not as malevolent as the cyborg. He pushed me forward again and this time I almost tripped.

Jerk, I thought to myself. I wanted to beat his face in but I could feel the collar around my neck spark, giving me a slight fright.

We passed high-ranked officials, wearing big hats as they talked amongst themselves about progress with a droid prototype, but I didn't give it that much thought. Every Neimoidian we would pass would have a big, exotic hat on that would look like it could tip over if someone were to poke at it. I almost laughed.

The guard had me turn another corner and witness at least four slaves, three lethan and one Rutian Twi'lek, cleaning the floors with only rags. They were on all fours, a kind of position they were all very uncomfortable with. When I look at how they had to clean floors, it made me think how lucky I was to be able to use a mop and not hand scrub it instead.

"You will assist this group with their chores, do it correctly and you will not be punished."

I nodded and assisted the other slaves with their work, removing my cloak to better help the other girls with the hand scrubbing. The guard was long gone before I could recall him, he was probably bored from watching us work so I couldn't blame him. We cleaned the hallways, dusted some of the priceless – and stolen artifacts from around, and cleaning some of the rooms the castles had. Compared to Grievous' castle, this place was much better. No darkness, no cold, just sunshine and warmth. I could stand being here for awhile, and hoped that whatever the cyborg had to do here would take a long time.

The girls were more than happy to have a helping hand. And I was happy to be able have some good people to talk – not growl or snarl at me.

All of them were bought by Nute Gunray, and provided him with a clean fortress for him to hide. They began to fill my mind with all the treachery and deception the Viceroy played at.

"-Secretly, he's formed with the Confederacy behind the Republicans backs-"

"-He's a coward-"

"-Apparently he's working with a sith lord to overthrow the Republic-"

"-And he's only doing it for the money-"

I nodded at their statements and listened to how well they knew of the Neimoidian. A coward, definitely, and a money grabber no doubt. And to go behind the Republics back is like defiance to democracy. What he was doing was shameful, and I could already think of him as a greedy, spoiled Neimoidian who cares only for himself and none other. But how he refers to Grievous with disrespect has me wondering how brave he was – not that brave I mean. Then I started to wonder why Grievous would take that sort of disrespect without lashing out at him or throwing a collar around his neck. He did growl, but in a refrained way, as if he were trying to keep himself from letting loose. But I knew he couldn't keep himself strained for long and I could already envision the neimoidian's lifeless body at the general's feet.

"You missed a spot," one of the Twi'leks pointed out.

I blinked my eyes wide and flushed. "I'm sorry," I squeaked and re-whiped the long window that reaching up to the roof. Another Twi'lek was re-fixing the draping blinds.

During our time of bonding, the girls taught me how to properly clean the floor by hand. Instead of performing the usual rhythm I was previously instructed – it was better to scrub in a circular motion. And the results proved their theory true, the floor was shinier and had a much better reflection. I was further taught in the ways of properly cleaning, all being hard and difficult.

As we cleaned, some of the richer nobles would torment one of us and make a mockery on our lower class. Here people would watch you and make sure you're punished even if you did the right thing. These girls were lucky enough if they were fed at all, or to be inside the warmth of the Neimoidian castle, otherwise they would be sent into caves to mine.

I followed the girls to return the cleaning utilities until I heard the cyborgs name in the Study Hall. Two neimoidians, both nobles, and the same ones I had passed by earlier with the guard were having a peculiar conversation. I stopped in my tracks and moved closer to the door. Moving inside, I tried to hear what they were talking about.

"Can you believe he's here?"

"No. I honestly say I can't. If he's here, then its obvious Darth Tyrannus is furious with what Gunray or Haako must have done."

"What makes you so sure?"

"They are the only two neimoidians orchestrating with the CIS, and the man behind it all is an intolerable Sith Lord with butchering minions at his disposal. And that maniac cyborg is one of them."

"I reap for when those two finally grow some sense in them and retire from the economic problems forever."

"They'll be killed then."

"For leaving the Confederacy?"

"I'm positive. No one even knows the existence of this diplomatic group except for the people under the members themselves. You think they want any unnecessary witnesses to go around spreading the word of a group going against the Republic."

"No I guess not."

"That's why the Supreme Commander is here. To keep the two members from leaving."

"Oh dear."

The mop I had in my arms dropped to the floor and gave my position away. The two neimoidians looked towards the door, and in my direction.

"Who's there?"

Luck had its way of showing just how much you had left, I had none so when I fell over the door –revealing myself to the two, I was at a lost for words and didn't know how to speak when they came up to me and glared.

"A slave? How dare you disturb us. I'll have you're head, missy, if it's the last thing I do."

I couldn't think, and I couldn't grasp the meaning of his words as I looked up to him with wide eyes, on the floor. The only thing that had protected me was the hood over my forehead, keeping my identity a secret from the two. I just laid there like an idiot and gaped at them like I couldn't understand their language.

"Hey!"

Reflexively I turned around and saw the same Rutian Twi'lek slave help me to my feet. She turned to the two nobles and bowed as low as she could, her long headtails falling over her shoulder.

"I'm sorry masters. Please excuse this ones actions, she is a new slave and still in training," she said, her eyes closed and her hands held in fists.

The Neimoidian was still angry, but calmed down a bit.

"Fine. Take the slave away, her very presence reeks of disgust. And I'll be sure to inform her master of her meddling."

"Yes, master."

The Twi'lek took me away after I remembered how to move again. She sighed in relief and gave me a worried expression before smiling warmly and returning us both with the others in one piece.

The Meeting consisted with all of the members of the Separatist Council members. The Separatist Council occupied the choice seats: the almost two-dimensionally thin San Hill, Muun chairman of the InterGalactic Banking Clan; the Skakoan foreman of the Techno Union, Wat Tambor, encased in the cumbersome pressure suit that supplied him with methane; the vestigial-winged Geonosian Poggle the Lesser, Archduke of the Stalgasin Hive; the stalk-necked Gossam president of the Commerce Guild, Shu Mai; the cranial-horned Corporate Alliance Magistrate, Passel Argente; and former Republic Senators Po Nudo and Tikkes – Aqualish and Quarren, respectively.

Grievous was at his limits. Literally at his limits. But he should have known that from the moment Gunray and Poggle crossed paths. The two were bickering about the droid factories money costs and budgets, Gunray had the greedy feeling that he was being cheated out of money from all the idiocy of the droids. Grievous couldn't agree more with the idiocy part. Yet Poggle the Lesser sternly stated that Gunray is being covetous with his wealth and cannot afford for more efficient droids. Gunray was about to counter, until Grievous popped a nerve and gave way to a growl that shook the entire chamber. At last the shrill of silence blocked the noise, and all eyes turned to Grievous.

"My patience is running thin. Proceed with the meeting or I will," Grievous snarled ferociously and gradually the obedience was coming to in the member's minds.

San Hall took the stand from across the impatient general, clearing his throat before speaking.

"We will begin with the problem of the infiltration of our most essential trade route. Just recently a large fleet carrying expensive ion weaponry were ambushed by the Republic, and sadly, we could not retrieve any of the cargo on board, leaving most of our fundings in vain."

"What?"

"How could this have happened?"

Gasps and horror filled the council room. Even Grievous, who took part in the attack to fend off the Republic slime, knew how important that route was to the confederacy. Smugglers, bankers, and recent clients made purchases with the Confederacy in that specific area only because it was in the most remote area out of the entire galaxy and untouched by Republic forces. And the Republics interference was causing a major problem for both Grievous and the Separatists.

Nute Gunray nearly jumped from his seat, outraged by the news. "Someone must have leaked the information. I demand the person responsible for this humiliating action to speak now!"

Poggle chirped in anger towards the Viceroy, his wings twitching in agitation. His aid, Sun Fac, buzzed in caution.

"I doubt it was any of us, Viceroy! I'm certain you foolishly left information for the Republic to follow, you fool!" Grievous had interpreted, watching the argument bloom into a full-out battle of wits.

"My fault!? This wouldn't have happened in the first place if you're droids weren't so incompetent and unreliable!" Gunray accused, pointing a fat finger to the Geonosian.

"How dare you! Do not blame you're crimes on my creations, Viceroy. And like I said before, if you were to pay me more, then I would have been able to afford the modifications needed for their efficiency."

"I will do no such thing! I will not waste my money on something that stupid."

Everyone, Grievous included, looked at the Viceroy with such anger it could be sensed from around. Yet Grievous had to refrain himself from speaking with anger or take action at what the greedy Neimoidian had just said. He wanted to rip out his mouth right now, and the instinct was itching at Grievous' mind so intensely it was uncontrollable. Of course they needed the modification! The idiot! Has he not been on the battlefield lately, or even step foot outside of his panic bunker. Honestly.

"Viceroy!" Cried San Hill, "I pay my half of the fundings and I ask that you do the same."

"I pay a fair amount, thank you."

"Oh really? And why, stars help me, do I not believe a word you say."

"Because it's the truth."

"Its rubbish if you ask me!" Tambor grumbled from the statement, his arms crossed.

"You will pay the 50%, Viceroy!"

"40%"

"What!?"

"40%. I will not go higher."

"Wanna bet!?"

Grievous dropped into his seat, massaging his eyes as a headache boggled his mind and the stress was all he could feel. He was beginning to think the reason the Count sent the general was so that he didn't have to face this. In truth, he couldn't think of a logical motive to blame him, they are nothing but a crowd of children, and Grievous feared that this meeting is going to take longer than he anticipated.

I helped my assigned group with the mopping, careful not to knock over any of the priceless possession the neimoidian, Nute Gunray, would display for all to see. But I knew he only took this sort of action to show off his wealth for any visitors or guests. The entire place looked like it could have been made from gold entirely, and that made me shiver from my wild imagination. A gold castle, now that would best even Grievous' castle.

Something solid poked me rather hard, right on one of the many bruises I was practically covered in. I massaged my bruised shoulder, and looked to the Twi'lek gesturing to the guard coming in for his routine check. He would examine our work, and even though we did our job properly, he would punish us by slapping us across the face. I was saved by the guard's abuse by being forcefully hidden by one of the Twi'leks who would move in front of me to block my existence from the guards.

The Neimoidian came up to one of the Twi'leks and slapped her across the face for not mopping in a clock-wise rhythm rather than the counter-clock-wise she was so accustomed to. I wanted to intercede and not be a coward, but the blue Twi'lek me kept me still, and I was forced to watch the poor slave girl be abused.

"Idiot. Proceed in a clock-wise form or I will give orders for you're food to be taken for three days."

The girl frowned weakly. "But my food is already being taken away for a whole week-"

Again she was slapped; I nearly gave out shriek and covered my mouth from pitching any higher.

"Don't you dare speak against me, you stupid girl."

The girl toppled to the floor and blood trickled down the side of her split lip. Unable to take much more of this, I moved in front of the broken girl and slapped the man on the cheek with strong force. The neimoidian took a step back, wide eyed as he touched his reddened cheek before recalling what had occurred and looked down to me ferociously. But I was not scared. Instead I glared up to the tall neimoidian, mimicking Grievous' glare just barely.

I was sick of this. Sick of the mistreatment. With the headdress burning before my eyes, it made my actions more destructive. An idea came to me in an instant. If Grievous wasn't going to return the heirloom, then I'll make him.

"You insolent little. . ." the man raised his arm, ready to punish me.

Instantly I got in a fighting stance, my training taking action and my instincts fully synchronized.

"Try it, buddy." I hissed, baring my teeth like a wild beast ready to pounce. "Rumours say Togruta's carry venom in their teeth, and trust me, sometimes rumours can be true."

The guard shook in fright before taking a further step back, falling on his behind, and crawled away from me as I challenged him. I smirked and said, "Idiot," over my shoulder and turned to the girls. Respect gleamed in their eyes, and the girl from the floor bowed in respect graciously.

Warily, one of the Lethan's asked, "Do you really carry venom in you're teeth!"

I scratched the side of my headtail bashfully and said, "Heck no. That's just a rumour. But the guards don't need to know that."

The girls giggled and offered a sort of respect I could possibly get from them. But I was doing what was needed to be done. After all, when there is someone in trouble, you should always help. It was the right thing to do.

A low, soft growl came from the three girls small tummies, especially from the girl with the split lip. I gave glared at their petite state and began to hate the ill-treatment these girls were forced to, the anger just grew and grew until I clenched my hands into fists and calmed at last.

"Where's the kitchen?" I asked at last, determination written all over my face.

The eldest of the three was uncertain about my question, but she raised her hand slowly. "I know the way, but we're not assigned to that area for today."

"I know," I assure, "but I'm positive that it's Lunch Time by now. Show the way."

The girl reluctantly did as I had asked her and showed me the path to the main kitchen where more slaves, surprisingly cooks, had their feet shackled and bound to the floor, the chain only long enough to go where they were supposed to go. And there was a guard, weapon at hand, keeping watch until we entered. He bared his weapon at me as soon as he laid his eyes on me, but it didn't change my course of actions.

"What business do you have here, slave?"

"We want food."

"Tough luck, kid. You will be given the amount of food you've deserved by the guards later on tonight, leave."

I crossed my arms and stood up to the man, the cooks taking glances from their duties.

"No," I spoke.

"I'm warning you kid."

I stomped on the neimoidians foot and grabbed the nearby trashcan over his head, blocking his sight and pushed him back. The guard fell to the floor and lost consciousness from impact, how weak.

I grabbed some of the breads in the cabinets and the desserts from the fridge and offered them to the slaves from around. They all took my offerings without haste and I was glad they didn't say no. I sat on the table right after, and enjoyed a slice of Puffcake.

"Take that, Grievous."

"I'm not going 50%. This will ruin me."

"Adding 10% isn't going to do anything to you're precious banks."

"How would you know such a thing, may I ask? Hill?"

"You're not serious, Gunray. How many planets have you pillaged? What are you to lose when already you have fortunes of six planets put together?"

"I will not answer such an absurd question."

"You're arrogance will lead you to you're demise, Viceroy. Mark my words."

"Sticks and stones, Tikkes."

"You slimy, arrogant, Rancor loving-"

Grievous' rage exploded, slamming his arms down at the table in front of him, leaving large dents when he removed his claws.

"The purpose of this meeting was about the trade routes, not about money fundings and budgets to which I have no concern for," he spoke, ending the arguments. "I suggest a different route far from where most of our other routes are found."

"I agree, but where?"

"I suggest we ask Jabba the Hutt," Grievous said at last and was given pale-faces and frightened eyes. "And I'm certain Count Dooku would agree." Using the Count was a sure win of wits, for everyone in the Separatists did not go against him or disrespect in any way.

Shu Mai didn't accept the suggestion, however. "But why the crime lord? He is dangerous, and could very well stab us in the backs if we're not careful."

"This deal will only suit as temporary until we get most of our important trades finished and collected. With the power of the Hutt, they'll offer us better protection than we could get with the mindless droids."

"But what if he won't accept our request?"

"Buy him off." Grievous finished, leaving his seat and preparing to exit the meeting, "Decide amongst yourselves about the amount of money you wish to offer the Crime Lord and inform me when you do."

Grievous left the meeting and he could already hear the conversations of money being brought up and the percentages. He smirked, glad that the fools were finally getting to business and not at each others throats. Grievous shifted his cape as he stalked, the headdress jingling in the capes secret pocket as he went.

Suddenly a neimoidian crossed his path and walked at the general's side.

"Sir, we have a problem with you're slave?"

Grievous' right eye twitched just by the mention of the brat, and thoughts of the horrors she's could have committed while he was away were flourishing in his tired mind. Massaging over his strained eyelids, Grievous unwillingly regarded the guard.

"What has she done?"

The girls had said their final farewells to me and left to their designated rooms far beneath the lower levels castles, and already their absence was bugging me. I had to admit I did enjoy the time spent with the other slaves. Chores still had to be done, courtesy of my humble master. Mopping and dusting was needed to be done, both of which I finished in time to relax alongside one of Gunray's marble statue, its only company comforting me as the sun fell and the darkness returned.

A guard, luckily none of the others I had scared off, had ordered me to follow him as soon as he spotted him. Apparently word got out of my mischievous chivalries and Grievous was the first to hear of it – the guard was sent to bring me to him – and I assumed the cyborg didn't want to have a friendly exchange of words. I felt death fall upon me like weights, and the image of those furious monstrous eyes shook me, the collar glowing as the darkness followed down the halls. Grievous was leaning against the window, but the portrait the window showed of Neimoidia's only sun setting under the tropical tree's did not settle him and I took note on the generals shoulders grow stiff. His eyes drooped once as we moved closer. At first he showed no evidence noticing the two of us as we crept closer, but when I looked down he stifled a cough.

"Leave us," He ordered to the guard, not bother to look at him. The guard bowed first and retreated past the corridors without haste. I looked up to the general and met his eyes. He made his move.

"How good is you're vocabulary, slave?"

I took defence and looked at the sun set, all awhile wondering about the motives of his question before speaking carefully. "Good," I answered.

"Describe behave?"

From the corner of my eye, I took heed on the general; his eyes did not turn away. Frightened, I looked back to the scenery and spoke what my brain remembered. "Behave: To conduct oneself in a proper way."

"And did you act properly today?" The general turned his attention away from the sun, looking down upon me.

I sighed, for I knew the answer.

"Answer me!"

"I think so-"

"No, you did not!"

"How so?" I asked, raising my voice to the general.

He moved closer. "I ordered you to mind me. To behave like a proper slave. And yet you refuse and become the head riot of countless defiant slaves. They are being punished as we speak for you're behaviour, and you will now know that I have requested their punishments to be beyond the full extend."

I ripped away from the window, sickened and horrified by the cyborg. "Leave them out of this. They have done nothing wrong!"

"Conspiring and association with the person responsible is enough to get them involved. Let this be a lesson for you to be more mindful when choosing you're actions."

I wanted to run away – which I did – but the cyborg grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back.

"Don't run away from me!"

"Give me my headdress back and I'll behave!" I screamed. This was what it was all about. My chivalries, my behaviour, everything for the piece that helped keep my independence.

"Is this the purpose of you're acts?!"

Struggling with his grip, I did not bother to answer. Pain suddenly ripped through my arm as it was twisted in the wrong direction. I yelped and nodded in response to get him to stop the pain, he did.

"I've told you before. It belongs to me now. Obey!"

"Never!"

The collar burned round my neck and sparked, jolting my entire spine and leaving me burning from the inside. I breathed heavily in pain, falling to my knees. Grievous pulled me back up and was about to say something until a guard presented himself.

"General Grievous. Nute Gunray has requested for you immediately."

"At last they've come to a solution!" Grievous pulled me by the collar, forcing me to follow him in my weakened state. I grabbed at his claws to get him to loosen his hold a bit, but he didn't. We reached a meeting – I assumed the one Grievous was attending to – and watched them speak to one another over money depositing. Gripped closer to his face, Grievous warned me of one last chance to repent and to behave during the meeting. I nodded painfully, from fear of the collars power. Grievous took his seat after forcefully pushing me to sit by him, the table hiding me from the other members.

The meeting started with that same Neimoidian, Nute Gunray. I wanted to hiss at him, even after what the girls told me, I already hated him the moment I laid my eyes on him. But a sinking feeling told I would have been punished and refrained myself unwillingly.

The neimoidian announced directly to the general, concerned only for himself. "We have come to the decision of offering Jabba the Hutt 100,000 credits."

"Is that you're final decision?" This question was for everyone in the room. And I could see the answer from their faces: no. The room fell into despair, and neither occupant spoke their mind towards the general, fear was coursing through them. The mood caught on to Grievous as well, and ordered me to bring refreshments for the Confederates, possibly to calm their nerves. As I left to get the refreshments – I saw the general demand a Pylat Bird from the nearest guard. The request had me wonder as I went to the kitchen four hallways to the left of the meeting. A deathly air welcomed me as I entered the kitchen.

The nearest Neimoidian guard fitted with armor and sword at command had brought Grievous what he had asked for, the magnificent black and white bird – the Pylat bird. Grievous would then ask the guard to place the songbird on in open table, but somewhere the other members would not be able to see it. He didn't want them to think he was playing them into his hands. Confined in its secure round cage, the Pylat bird began its harmonious song, giving the conference room a false sense of security, and giving Grievous the upper-hand towards the meeting.

San Hill rose from his seat, unaware of the bird's existence, spoke with less fear – but held uncertainness in his tone.

"If the Crime Lord asks for more, it will leave us bankrupt and unable to manufacture further with the droids."

"That is a risk I am willing to take," was what Grievous responded to the Muun, unsure whether his words were true in fact, and hoped the future could side with him for once. "Begin transmitting to the Hutt, and I ask that San Hill speak on behalf of the Confederacy."

The Muun responded positively, giving in to the soothing music ringing in his head.

The small Togruta returned, holding a silver plate full of refreshments, her face in sorrow. She must have witnessed the outcome of the punishments delivered to the cooks and refused to glance at the general; he gave her no regard in return and watched her actions carefully and placed the drinks nearest to the Confederacy members.

"Ah! If it isn't the Jedi-slave!" The slimy sound of Gunray's voice regarded the girl, and giving the general a slight migrain. She looked up to him and kept her face compressed from unleashing a dirty look.

Grievous smirked from her obedience.

When Ahsoka ignored the neimoidian, Gunray attacked again with his words and intellect.

"You're treachery amongst my slaves will not go unpunished, you despicable tail-head. And I demand you pay this outrage at once," Gunray snarled fiendishly, his red-orbed eyes glinting for violence.

The slave has already been dealt with personally, Viceroy," Grievous intercepted. "And I ask that you leave my slave be, she is none of you're concern."

Nute Gunray fell in his seat in defeat. Saved from the neimodian's pathetic wrath, Ahsoka was sill at the mercy of Confederacy's watchful eyes, watching her and cowering as she offered them the refreshments.

"This is remarkable!" Wat Tambor stood over her before she could give him his drink. "To think a Jedi can be enslaved. You have claimed a worthy prize general!"

"Indeed I have."

The cyborg watched his slave grow uneasy and spark a light of anger within her. He beckoned her to come back to his side immediately, but was intercepted by yet another one of Gunray's remarks. Grievous growled.

"What a pity for her master if she had one. Must have lost his life in the vacuum of space, the most pitiful way to die!"

Stopping in her footsteps, Ahsoka stood dead in her tracks.

"Slave," Grievous commanded, hoping to regain control in his faulty slave.

But his words did not reach her. She looked straight at the ground, inches away from the Viceroys seat, the silver platter trembling in her hands.

"My master . . ., "She mumbled." . . . is alive.

Gunray glowed with excitement from her reaction, and kept pestering her. "Oh? Then he must have fled like the slithering coward he was. You were probably holding him back, I'm certain-"

Water spilled the area Nute Gunray occupied. Dripping with water, his large hat limping at his side, Nute Gunray was drenched with the refreshments the girl held. She stood there still, watching what she had done before attempting to flee the room. Grievous narrowly caught her with one swift move and threw her to the guards.

"Send her to the nearest storage room. I will deal with her later."

The guards took the rebellious slave away, she cursed at the neimoidian for the mockery of her precious master before pulled out of the room.

Nute Gunray waved his arms in attempt to get some of the moisture to dry away.

"I want that child executed for her behavior." Gunray ordered Grievous angrily. "You're ability to control the girl is a humiliating site to see for a high-raking general such as yourself."

"True, she is not fully domesticated. Because of what she is, it is a rather difficult task to complete," Grievous admitted but pointed at the Viceroy accusingly. "However, she acted out of defense for her previous master. You provoked her, and I've warned you plenty enough of the fact that she is mine to deal with."

Gunray gulped.

Grievous departed to the put an end to the slave once and for all, he was already having too much problems to deal. Blood was all he could see as the anger boiled inside his heart and his eyes glowed to tyrannical yellow.

I sat in the middle of the storage room housing boxes and shelves of droid parts and other broken machinery. Curled in a ball, I didn't bother turning to face the door as it opened and immediately recognized the footsteps stopping behind my back.

"It was a mistake for me to involve you in this mission. Obviously you're sanity is not well enough to handle this."

"Look who's talking," I mumbled under my knees. I felt a cold hand rip at my headtail and pulled me to my feet. I cried out in pain as my right headtail was being mistreated.

"I control myself; you, on the other hand, have a funny way of releasing you're emotions for that pitiful excuse for a master."

"Don't you dare call him that!" My fist rose to punch, but he flung me into the shelves before I could even raise my arm. Grievous walked towards me like an animal, I tried to back away but fell deeper into the shelf.

"Two guards will be guarding the door. Don't try anything while I'm away, or this time I'll relinquish you of an arm and a leg, my child."

I glared.

He left without speaking to me, warning me with an icy glare before locking the door from behind. I jumped off and punched at the door through a fit of anger and screamed.

"Bastard!"

She cursed at him from behind the locked door, but Grievous continued on unfazed.

When he returned to the conference room Nute Gunray had already changed his clothes and hat.

"Have we contacted Jabba The Hutt?" Grievous asked impatiently, in an attempt to divert the members from what had happened. The songbird tune changed to a lower tone as it felt the general's pulsing anger.

"We have," San Hill said at last. "We have connection and are transmitting to him as we speak."

"Good."

Nute Gunray grumbled a remark too low for anyone to hear, but Grievous knew he was referring to Ahsoka. That bloody fool just wouldn't let it go.

The center of the meeting's table was crafted with a main hologram projector for any foreign conferences. As bright as blue, the projector created the Crime Lord and his majordomo, Bib Fortuna.

Jabba the Hutt, the slimy and merciless crimelord that he was, expressed interest in the meeting and spoke in Huttese. Fortuna interpreted for him, yet Grievous already knew the language.

"Greeting's Jabba. We aren't troubling you in any way, are we?" San Hill greeted politely.

But Jabba was in a very gracious mood today, oddly enough for him to put on a smile as well. Fortuna smiled at his masters mood.

"Recently we entered the Boonta Race. It was highly entertaining and worthwhile this year, though not as worthwhile as the time with that Sebulba and the small boy who defeated him in the podrace."

"I see. How interesting."

The gelatinous Hutt gave out a fat sigh and asked a question.

"Anyways, what is it that you want?" Fortuna asked.

"If you may have possibly heard, we were ambushed by Republic forces. This attack left us with less secret routes that could damage our transactions. And we've come to you for you're support in helping us with our cause."

"Oh. How so?"

"Our confederacy was hoping if you could offer us passage through the Hutt system."

With his yellow eyes widened in horrific discovery, Jabba raised his voice out of anger.

'My allies have told me stories of you're deceit and it leaves me to question you're ulterior motives."

"We have nothing to hide and ask for the routes only."

Jabba was becoming impatient and grumbled. Fortuna settled him down only by a little.

Now was the time, and Grievous chose now to take the opportunity. He gestured San Hill, and confidence resurfaced on the Muun's face.

He cleared his throat and spoke again. "We are willing to offer a large amount of credits if that's what it will take," were his final words and left the Hutt to ponder.

The Hutt was skeptical. He rubbed his chin and his eyes rose like he was looking up to the conference rooms ceiling. Grievous beckoned Hill again. He nodded.

"We start with 100,000 credits as a start."

Greed glowed in the crimelords eyes, and like a prey, he was drawn and captured. Before he could speak, someone out of view interrupted him and murmured to low to hear. The Hutts eyes widened in surprise and they began to exchange words, deep in conversation. Jabba shooed him away finally and spoke in his first language once more.

"Due to some matters, we must cut this transmission to a short."

Jabba interrupted the Twi'ek and spoke again eagerly before leaving.

"My master is suggesting you visit his palace to transact the credits. That won't be a problem, will it?" he paused for a response, patiently waiting.

Hill answered, calm after the news.

"We can make some arrangements," in other words San Hill agreed to plans. "We'll send one of our own to finish the rest of the arrangements if that will suit to you're measures."

"Jabba will be most pleased with that."

Hill smiled. "Good. Have a wonderful evening."

The light burned out and Fortuna disappeared into the Hologram, leaving the confederacy another thing to deal with. All of them knew the problem already, but none spoke so as to not draw attention to themselves. Paranoia grew as the songbirds voice faded and slept after a long time of endless singing. Who was going to go?

"I think Viceroy should go to repent for his low charities," a voice suggested.

"Piss off."

Grievous roared, "I will go," and stood.

"Are you insane?" San Hill gasped, placing both hands on the table and moving forward. "If we send you, the crimelord will think we're trying to kill him."

"He won't as long as I give him the money."

"I'm still uncertain."

"Uncertain or not, I will go. I know for a fact that none of you have the fraction of courage to step foot on Tatooine, I am merely offering some assistance."

The conference room didn't say a word, and none of the members countered the general for they knew his words proved true.

"But, for precautions, I will not take the credits with me to the Hutts palace. Some of Jabba's goons always prove to be untrustworthy, even to Jabba's word."

Grievous finished with the last of the arrangements for departure and ordered for the Viceroy to bring the credits after the deal is confirmed. At first, Gunray was unsure and whined why he had to go. With false encouragement, the members gained his support and the Viceroy agreed to Grievous' demand. Grievous couldn't have it any other way and was pleased with the outcome despite the change of the credit exchange. However, the brat would have to come with him. Grievous could feel the god's wrath fall upon him. The girl was becoming unhealthy for the general to take in and he couldn't handle her anymore than she was worth. But he accepted that's the price to pay.

As the members departed, Grievous was the last to go as he picked up the Pylat birds cage. The headdress gave off within the pocket of the general's cape. He dropped his arm and touched it with the tip of his claw-finger, and, as he had expected, the woman returned.

"Sheelal."

Grievous' heart jumped. The ecstasy and remembrance was like an addiction to Grievous. He felt her in his past and could not remember if he had possibly met her in his mortal life. Why can't he remember? For awhile he had been tampering with the headdress and yet his memories show no sign of progress. He wanted to know her. And if she were alive, he wanted to meet her face to face.

The next thing he knew, Grievous found himself in front of the door where Ahsoka was kept, and the woman disappeared from his mind.

Please rate & review

I'm not fully certain how superior Grievous is with the Separatist council and what not, all I know is he does not take crap from Gunray and I promise in the near future Gunray will get his ass handed to him. GRIEVOUS IS NOBODY'S BITCH WOOH (I promise).