[21 BBY]

[Aboard Independent Tramp Freighter Grumbling Bekta, In Hyperspace, Destination Eriadu Transit, Sesewenna Sector]

Assajj Ventress seethed with barely contained rage, an emotion that allowed her to keep going for the moment despite her utter exhaustion and barely healed injuries. Despite that she allowed herself to show a tired and weary face to show through as a way to try maintaining her, admittedly threadbare, attempt at a disguise after being forced to flee when her Master betrayed her over Sullust. Betrayed her, and now likely hunted her along with the Jedi despite her best efforts to get away when her own forces had begun firing on her ship, and then her droids had betrayed her.

"...and with this victory on Mon Cala Senator Jar Jar Binks is being lauded for his efforts and patriotism for delivering a Republic victory in these dark days after the treacherous attack upon Kuat..."

Now she was stuck, pretending to a quarter-breed offspring of a human for now, on a dingy tramp freighter turned refugee transport after abandoning her damaged Ginivex-class starfighter at Sanrafsix. Her original plan had been to head straight back to Dathomir, but shepherding her damaged starfighter to the former Separatist, and smugglers, star system had been the best she could manage. Not without suffering a cold and pointless death in the blackness of space when the damaged hyperdrive gave out fully; the Force had been very clear on that, along with her common sense after a three hour breakdown after the initial Sullust jump.

"...heavy fighting over Chardaan has ended with the system remaining in Separatist hands despite the great efforts undertaken by the Grand Army of the..."

Now she was reduced to hiding amongst these wretches seeking out a 'better life' or merely fleeing the destruction of their homes for supposed safer environs. A dangerous proposition with Eriadu and its large slave population, but passage through that Republic stronghold was likely her best bet considering the amount of traffic being directed through that system. Not that she had much choice either way; both sides would now be hunting her, and her former Master would know far too much to risk attempting moving through CIS occupied worlds in the immediate vicinity.

"...credit crisis continues as the Ryfert Insurance Corporation files for bankruptcy. Blame has been placed upon Corellia and Anaxes for blocking measures deemed vital to the war-effort by Supreme Chancellor..."

Revenge was her driving goal, but survival had to be the immediate priority as she resisted the weakness of flinching due to shifting her weight on her bandaged stomach. She wasn't a match for a weak Jedi at the moment, let alone seeking out and defeating a Sith Master such as Dooku was no matter the anger demanding she do just that. What exactly she was to do next was debateable, but gaining credits and a place to gather her strength and plan her vengeance was her likely the best bet considering the hand she had been dealt.

"...victory at Sullust and Christophsis! With this the Grand Army of the Republic continues its valiant efforts to break the Separatist blockade between the Core and Outer Rim Territories in the Galactic South..."

Ventress ground her teeth at the continuing irritating stream of idiocy spouted by some Republic propagandist about her disgrace. Not even mentioning beyond an afterthought, her name and that she was to be hunted down by Jedi scum of course. As if she'd allow those weaklings take her down she mentally growled coughing as she rested back against the bulkhead behind her; drawing strength from the pain as best she could. The good news was there weren't too many Jedi out in this part of the Outer Rim; the bad news was Kenobi and Skywalker were amongst the few that were. Though this was an area there was supposed to be tensions between the Jedi and the various former mercenary Generals, and the Tarkin family, raised up into power in the region.

"Attention Passengers; Ten Minutes to Hyperspace Exit. Transfer to Secondary Route Transports will take place once we clear Eriadu System Control"

Where to move unto next was still a decision to be made, but she had the credits and skills to do it unnoticed despite her injuries. Sticking to the areas controlled by the Aegis and Nova Guards seemed her best course of action considering their supposedly rocky relation with the Jedi Order, according to CIS Military Intelligence, meant lesser odds. At least the Force indicated it was a good choice, the Dark Side guiding her towards breaking her chains, towards victory and freedom;- towards glorious vengeance...

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[21 BBY]

[Executive Security Solutions City-ship/Capital-class Warship Stormcrow {II}, Republic 19th Sector Army, In Orbit Javin, Javin Sector, Outer Rim Territories]

"So there's dissension in the Confederate ranks eh?" I mused rubbing my chin as myself and Braika sat in the secure meeting room, now empty with the conference of sorts ended "Sith. What can you expect I guess, but that's where Kenobi's taking the other two?"

The Mandalorian woman nodded sipping her brandy "Least that's what their comms chatter was saying, bit too open for my liking so could be lies"

I shrugged tiredly, looking forward to sleep after this long drawn out series of playing friends with often unsavoury sorts, and teasing Anakin through Tano before they left "Maybe, but I'd doubt it. There not hiding it from us as it's not exactly a hidden piece of knowledge considering reports from Sullust, and Jedi hunting down Dark Side users in normal times, let alone one of Dooku's acolytes in the middle of a war"

"Former Acolyte and General apparently"

"Sith wannabes, backstabbyitis is a historic problem..." I replied rubbing my eyes and looking up the nice little faux-fresco or painting on the roof "...but yes, a dangerous thing to be wandering about, so I'm not adverse to them running about searching for her"

The older woman nodded "And it takes them away from sniffing about us, especially with matters as they are"

"Aye, though I think this more a power play than that..." I answered hopefully diverting away from paranoia...further paranoia...about the Jedi based on what the rest of the Board suspect "...as Anakin's too blunt and unsubtle to use, and Tano...well, eager and energetic padawan at work. No, they're trying to rein us, Yanathis and Geen in, Tarkins too maybe, and being amazingly unsubtle about trying to get me to play along with their authority by sending ones I know..."

I paused, yawning, and then glanced at Braika "Though we best monitor things on this runaway Confederate General, Acolytes, and Assassin, by all accounts. She's deadly dangerous by all accounts...killing Jedi as she is reported to have done"

"Shoot to kill?" Braika asked, largely of herself "...though she'd be an information treasure trove..."

"Should we take her alive yes, but that's not an easy thing...but we should keep a firm watch, make sure she doesn't pop up and cause trouble firstly. Secondly to see if we can capture or...other, less official, methods can be used"

Braika shrugged "I'll review her case file and see what's best for now, there's a few bounty hunters who'd...dealt with...Jedi in the past that are on our payroll these days. Largely for training purpose, but you know how it goes"

"Hmmm, Hmmm" I murmured back in agreement "Killing those two idiots over Ryloth showed the value of the training after all. Now, back to more current matters; we've got some support from the regional corporations, the usual contract stuff about prioritising protection for certain systems and mining sites. Same with local System Defence Forces, there at least willing to coordinate and ease logistics with us...even if a few required less above board persuasion to do so"

"Always the way, always remember..."

I gave an amused snort as we motioned our glasses at each other and spoke in unison "We're not pirates, we're legally authorised privateers!"

She nodded "Exactly, making us all rich so far after all. Now, meeting, and listening in after drinks loosened tongues, with a few of the...legitimate businesses...well, a few are on board, but there's going to be trouble with a few others I'd guess"

"Then we just have to make examples then I imagine. I'll leave it to you on the who and for what" I answered wearily. For all its advanced technology and veneer of civilization the galaxy was a dangerous, and very, very, corrupt place. Loyalty to the Republic was based on inertia and who could exploit who with the backing of said Republic – and that meant picking a side and crushing another when you ran into opposition. We needed a logistics chain established, along with ensuring the primary systems could defend themselves while the Sector Army operated as a mobile reserve and strike-force as we built up.

Scouting and skirmishing indicated the Confederate Fleet was reinforcing forces around Sarrish and Tar Morden, and likely Bomis Koori soon enough, and that meant we'd be under pressure shortly as best we could tell. Jurdan had won a skirmish in the Jiroch system, but ships needed repairing and that cost credits and material to do. Thankfully this long drawn out meet and greet had won us some concrete deals to both fund, and supply material, to Nineteenth Sector Army so it could be considered a success since I didn't have to immediately jump to abusing 'Sector General Powers' to do so. Well, not beyond stomping down on potential Confederate allied worlds in the Operational Area, but needs must as the devil drives...

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