Chapter 5 – Ronderu

Hey everyone, Paladin Stormwind is back!

Wow, it's 2022. Soon, it's even going to be an entire year since I started writing this. I have the feeling that that particular day is going to get here sooner than expected. XD

Also, guess what? I finished the original book I was writing in, so that means over 160 pages of story! This may be the longest story I've ever written, so without any further ado, on with the chapter!

"There's no need for that kind of language, Ronderu," said Grievous from ahead of her.

"I don't know what you're talking about, General," came her reply.

Inwardly, though, Ronderu was rather surprised. The General understood what she had said? It hadn't even been in Galactic Basic!

Grievous understood the words she muttered under her breath because she had spoken in Kaleesh, a language he was familiar with, having once been a Kaleesh himself. He couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at the crude wording of her curse. Finally, they had left the pirates' ship, too and entered their own shuttle again.

"Take us back to our ship," Grievous ordered the pilots.

"Roger roger," said the Battle droids piloting the shuttle.

The doors closed and there was a hiss as the two airlocks detached from one another. Then came the sense of movement again as the shuttle flew back to the Destroyer. The droids that had boarded the ships lined the sides of the small craft, standing on either side of Grievous and Ronderu. Because of the small size of the shuttle, Ronderu found herself standing uncomfortably close to the General as he waited in that hunched-over position of his. Ronderu herself stood with her arms folded over her chest. She maintained a neutral expression even while her mind raced with impossible, desperate ways to escape.

She'd lost too many years to being a slave, and her plans to escape the Zygerrians hadn't been one made overnight. It would have succeeded, too, had Grievous not arrived. So, it wasn't for the first time, Ronderu thought about using a sleight-of-hand maneuver to get the controller from Grievous. But almost as if he knew what she was thinking, he angled his head towards her slightly, his eyes meeting hers.

"What?" She demanded aggressively.

"You had better not try anything," he warned.

"I'll do my best," Ronderu replied coldly.

Grievous' only response was an unconvinced-sounding grunt.

Finally, the shuttle landed back in the hangar bay of the Destroyer. And as the ramp lowered and extended, Ronderu found herself entering a vast, open space that was lined on three sides by metal – the only exception being the opening behind them. She couldn't help but gape at all the activity going on around her; a group of Battle droids marched by, and further away, four Vulture droids entered the hangar, their wings pivoting so they could land on them. Four Magnaguards approached Grievous, their electrostaffs powered down and sandy-colored cloaks draped on their shoulders and wrapped around their heads.

The droids that had been aboard the shuttle with them disembarked and walked away with purpose. Ronderu couldn't help but wonder where it was they were going.

"Keep an eye on her," she heard Grievous instruct two of his Magnaguards, "do not let her escape."

They nodded their understanding and moved to stand a few paces behind the female Kaleesh. She noticed, and turned to look at them before looking back to Grievous.

"I'm offended, General," she feigned indignation. "Don't you trust me?"

"I don't trust anyone," he responded, eyes flashing with irritation. "I learned that the hard way," he muttered.

"That's a sad way to live," Ronderu commented. "Well, if you could say that whatever state you're in is… well, alive."

Now he definitely shot her an angered glare.

"Come with me!" He snapped.

"Not like I have much of a choice," Ronderu observed under her breath.

The Magnaguards behind her stepped forwards, conveying the message that she should move. With an overly-dramatic sigh, she complied and followed behind General Grievous leaving behind the bustling hangar bay. They walked down a quiet, metal corridor that was eerily lit by unseen green lights. Pipes lined the walls, the makers of the ship having decided to cut costs by scrapping the panels that would usually cover them up. The only noise to be heard was the heavier tread of the Magnaguards, overlapping the lighter clicks of Ronderu's and Grievous' claws. Soon they stepped through a pair of doors and entered the bridge.

Through the thick, transparisteel windows, the massive red planet of Yavin Prime could be seen, its many moons stung around it like beads on an invisible necklace. Motionless before it, though, were the two small, pathetic-looking ships that were dwarfed by the sheer size and bulk of the Destroyer.

Despite having been into space before, and aboard many ships, Ronderu was still fascinated by the inky blackness of space. Pin-pricks of light from countless distant stars shone all around them while Yavin Prime glowed in the darkness, part of it in shadow. She found the vastness of the galaxy amazing; and so it was with some reluctance that she tore her gaze away from the viewing panes as she felt the eyes of General Grievous on her again.

"So why bring me up here?" She asked with an air of carelessness, "Don't tell me it was for the view?"

"Oh yes," Grievous' eyes creased with a feral smile, "the view."

He then turned forwards and extended a clawed hand, pointing to the two defenseless ships before them.

"Starboard cannons fire on those ships!" He ordered, "Destroy them!"

The Battle droids knew better than to try and contradict those orders or even to try and add anything to it, so all they did was nod.

"Roger roger."

And immediately, the cannons on the right side of the Destroyer powered up and began to rain fire on the smaller ships. Neither had any deflector shields; not that they would have helped much anyways – perhaps just delayed the inevitable. Ronderu watched in shock as on bolt of red-tinged energy tore into the side of the Zygerrian's ship. Then another bolt made contact with the pirates', and then it was followed by more and more. They only stopped when an explosion ripped through the pirates' ship, splitting it in half before its spluttering engines detonated, engulfing what was left of the Zygerrian's ship in a fireball.

"What…?" Ronderu murmured, "I don't understand… Why destroy everything?"

"So that no one will know," came Grievous' reply. "I would have thought that seeing your former master's ship going up in flames would improve your mood."

Ronderu let out a sort, sharp bark of incredulous laughter.

"Improve my mood?!" She exclaimed, "What's this – is the General suddenly capable of emotions now?"

If she could see his face, she would have seen his expression sour.

"Put her in a cell," he said, addressing the Magnaguard to her right, "if she ties to escape, use this." Grievous produced the controller. "You have my apologies, Ronderu," he sneered, "a cell is the best accommodation I can provide you with. For now."

"Believe me – I've had worse," Ronderu retorted as she was manhandled to the doors.

And the doors slid shut behind her, and all was quiet once more. As it should be.

Grievous sank into the chair wearily. His hand went up to his head almost as soon as he sat down. Why did it hurt so much? He winced again; he was no stranger to pain, but this pain was different; it was like something buried deep in his mind now wanted to be let out. Only, Grievous didn't know what it was, and what had changed for it to want to be remembered. He shut his eyes against it, pushing it to a corner of his mind. Forget the pain – he had other things to do.

"Contact Count Dooku." He told a Battle Droid.

"Roger roger."

Aaaand that's all for now!

I don't really have much else to say, so thanks for reading everyone and stay safe!