Chapter 5

Master Cordatis stood on the city's main wall and looked over towards the grim horizon to the east, watching as the droid army slowly approached. Cordatis had spent his last two weeks rushing around the grey, ancient city; he had treaties to form with the Morgukai warriors, a cult of reptile-like people who did not take kindly to the Jedi order, but were just as un-favourable to the rule of the separatists.

The Morgukai were a hardy species that fought for honour more than anything else. After the previous siege of Saleucami, that is the very city that Cordatis is now trying to protect, the droid army attempted to kill off their lizard allies since they portrayed the warrior cult as a dangerous threat to their forces.

Now Cordatis sat in a military strategy room with the leader of the Morgukai cult and his followers.

"Master Kesh," he said in a soft voice across the large table at which they all were seated, "I am forever grateful that you and your warriors have agreed to support us in our time of need."

"Keep in mind Jedi," Kesh snapped back at him, "My people are no friends of your order, and we fight along side you, besides our previous discrepancies, only because our species' very existence is at stake."

Kesh's voice was loud and hoarse, and his yellow eyes stared deeply into Cordatis'.

"I would ask nothing more of your people than what you have already given, and I do thank you for your support, however I ask that you keep in mind, that should you go back on your deal, Kesh, well, you will have much more than the droids to fear." Cordatis threatened.

As Cordatis and his commanders discussed politics and strategies with the Morgukai, Cordatis was able to better observe his new allies. The warriors each bore a set of strong metal armour, which was threaded together by a faded purple cloth that hung loosely down their firm bodies. Only their hands and scaly orange heads were exposed, they had no hair, and along their foreheads and on their chins sat stubby little horns. The warriors' bright yellow eyes were set deep into their skulls and their mouths protruded a little from their faces to give the slight appearance of a beak.

At last the war counsel came to an end, with a signed agreement that stated: 'Should the separatist be defeated and removed from the planet Boz Pity, then the Morgukai shall have full use of the planet for the flourishing of their species and what ever other reasons they deem. The Morgukai must, however, abide by all Galactic Republic laws as well as continue to support the Republic in the war against the separatists.'

The Morgukai did not like the idea of being controlled by a higher power, but never the less they agreed to the treaty or else they would have been driven further towards the brink of extinction.

With all these matters settled, Cordatis took some Morgukai warriors and a clone squadron and had them set up DF.9 Anti-Infantry Batteries all along the massive outer wall of the city. These lightweight laser cannons were superb for taking out ranks of enemy foot soldiers over long distances.

Next Cordatis ordered his men to set up barricades and dig trenches for cover all around the perimeter of the city, these barricades sat below the high wall, that towered 30 feet above them.

Cordatis placed a team of snipers and heavy weaponry troopers in the rocky cliffs to the south. The cliffs prevented the enemy from attacking the wall from the South and from this vantage point the snipers had a full view over the city, and were able to report any enemy movement as well as shoot down hostile gunships that tried to land within the city walls.

Cordatis ran some final drills so that he could be sure that the soldiers under his command knew their orders well, and that there would be no mistakes when the droid attack began.

The final thing Cordatis had to do was speak to his apprentice using a holo-com device, because he knew very well that it might be the last time they would ever speak.

When at last Cordatis knew there was nothing more he could do to further improve the cities defences, he sat down on top of the outer wall facing the enemy, meditating, and awaiting their arrival.