[20 BBY]

[Executive Security Solutions City-ship/Capital-class Warship Stormcrow {II}, Battle-group Army of Light, Malachor System, Choralian Sector, Outer Rim Territories]

Getting a good rest was a welcome thing, even if it was in hyperspace while the ship travelled between through that unnerving dimension, and now I could sit mostly refreshed while the Fleet started the usual process of quick post-battle repair and resupply. Oh, and I got too finally sat down with the Jedi Trio who'd, to my mild surprise honestly, had arrived over via shuttle a little while ago with only the Clones on said shuttle as escort; who were currently having a hearty breakfast down in the canteen right now. Under discrete watch of course...because chips in head.

I chalked Kenobi and Co.'s decision down to either; trust in myself, overconfidence, acknowledgment of fleet sizes, or Anakin and Kenobi's blithe willingness to walk into potential dangers without a thought. Not that I'd betray anyone like that, but I doubt the Jedi Council would believe such after recent events...or Ventress sitting with us for a 'working lunch' in the private dining room. An 'observation lounge' as it was marked down on the plans, though it was fairly deep within the ship, at the bottom near the entry bays, and the large glass screens showing the space outside entirely fake.

It was still beautiful though, even if it was of an unnatural and shattered star system filled with warships amongst the dead worlds and asteroids; live feed from the ships outside cameras and sensors. It was good for private meetings with guests as most found the whole 'sitting in space' thing appealing for some reason. So I sat down on the rather comfortable couch-chair across from Anakin, with Kenobi and Tano siding on either side of him while Ventress sat to my right. Took up my glass of non-alcoholic juice into hand, and then took a calming sip.

"So..." I began forcing myself to relax and smile, resting in my chair "...I'm to understand you might have questions that I promised answers to?"

"Ah, yes, I do believe so..." Kenobi replied accepting his drink, a cup of kaff, from the serving droid, then nodding towards Ventress after he gestured at Anakin and Tano "...such as the present company for instance"

"Oh, that's already answered I believe..." I answered back before the bald dathomiri witch managed to open her mouth and voice something problematic "...our fair Asajj here has decided to switch over to the, righteous and glorious of course, cause of the Republic after a long hard thing on the justness of our cause. Also, Dooku trying to kill her, and offering us information on him to the Aegis Guard in exchange for amnesty"

I shrugged, opening my hands in a placating gesturing "And, well, the...incident...on Ryloth, I figured it might be a good idea to expand my bodyguard with the odd force user...just in case you know"

"She's a Sith Daron!" Anakin snapped out "...she should be in jail. The Jedi would never..."

Ventress tensed, hand moving a fraction, but holding off reaching for her lightsabers as she hissed "Skywalker"

I waved it off as I noted Kenobi calming Anakin and the padawan, who thankfully wasn't dressed like stripper from a Hutt Cantina "Now, Now, Anakin. We're all peaceful here. As to the Jedi...yeah, I killed a traitor who managed to hide his dark-side usage, and Confederate allegiances, for heavens knows how long without anyone investigating all the concerns I'd raised over it. So I'm sorry to say Anakin...my trust in the Temple isn't really high right now. In you yes, a few others of course, but the Jedi as a whole? Sorry, dislike stating it, but best we all be honest here about certain matters"

Kenobi sighed, a loud weary sigh as he rubbed at his nose a moment with his free hand before bring it back down to rest on the arm rest "Ah, yes, understandable, if regrettable, from a certain point of view. But it does not address the fact you have allowed the Dark Side to corrupt you, claiming Sith-hood in fact, Ventress, and that is something of a problem"

"I've renounced that, completely redeemed now if you must know..." Ventress replied only, mildly, with the veiled sarcasm underlying the tone, as we'd discussed prior to this "...embracing the Light, etc, etc, No Emotion, Peace and such"

"Hmm..." Kenobi at least managed to maintain a stoic calm and faint smile unlike the flares of emotion from Anakin, and the slack-jawed expression on Tano "...a surprising change of opinion since when last we spoke"

"My former Master had not betrayed me at that point..." she replied with sneer. Hmm...I really need to work on that with her I noted to myself "...and I mended my ways. The credits offer and luxury suite helped with that I must admit. I'm on the payroll that right Captain-General?"

"Yes, indeed, which means she's covered under regulations on our Republic Aegis Guard recruitment contract, and General Orders for GAR-South for defectors. Since I know the Council couldn't give a bantha poodoo about that I would remind I have my own Army and Fleet and I will protect my soldiers, regardless of their background, as I would expect them to stand by myself. So, please, we're all on the same side here, in service of the Republic"

Anakin, huffed a little, then frowned at me, arms across chest "Daron, why are you doing this?"

"Anakin..." I sighed, sipping my juice then shaking my head "...doing what? Attacking the enemy? Freeing Slaves? Offering chances at redemption? There's a war on...and the Jedi refuse to treat it seriously instead of acting like this is one great peacekeeping action. And in war, well, sometimes we have to make choices we would not in times in peace. Anyway...I had to put up with the Hutts because of the Senate and the War, but the Zygerrians I could get at and deal with their slaver empire"

Kenobi frowned ever so faintly "Which...I suppose, brings us to the destruction inflicted upon Zygerria during said rescue"

"I don't see a problem with it..." I replied simply "...kriff, it's a war, and their slavers taking Republic citizens as slaves"

Anakin nodded forcefully "Oh, Daron's completely right Obi-wan, the Zygerrians got exactly what they deserved today"

Ventress shrugged "I hate to agree with Skywalker but yes, they are no innocents. It isn't like we slagged the place to burning bedrock"

The elder of the Jedi sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose "You...sent several hours bombarding the planet from orbit, destroyed cultural relics dating back centuries, and, of course, executed members of the government after capturing them"

I cocked my head to the side a little and just gave him a look "I'd more put it as destroyed their infrastructural supports, military bases, and production facilities, all while commandeering needed materials for the Republic's war effort and decapitated the enemy leadership. It'll take years for Zygerria to recover from this, and its object lesson to any others who'd dare try to repeat their little slave raids"

Anakin gave a faint snort "Decapitated, heh" as Kenobi gave him a look of reproach.

"But...but, he surrendered..." Tano interrupted gesticulating at me and ignoring her plate of salad "...and you...just chopped his head off! And...and, you didn't feel anything! I was there, and you just told him...and then...he was a prisoner!"

I shrugged "Padawan Tano...There is No Emotion, There is Peace. The Prime Minister was captured, not surrendered as you put it. He was also a slaver and an enemy of the Republic. Killing him when he showed defiance was the logical thing to do, indeed I would have done the same to Queen if required till I hit upon someone with the common sense willing to stand down their remaining forces. THAT saved millions of Zyerrian lives by the way, while also making our operations easier. All within the letter of Republic law, unlike several others during this conflict, on both sides of it"

"Yes, you have, as your lawyers have apparently made very clear over the last few months"

I opened my hands in a 'okay' gesture at Kenobi's mutterings "Well, it's what the Company pays them for after all. They've certainly earned their, rather exorbitant, fees I might add"

"Hmm...perhaps, though I do strongly suspect asking you, and Asajj here, to attend the Temple to confirm matters would be out of the question?"

I gave a snort at that, even as I felt Ventress tense with a flash of emotion "Heh, heh, heh...heh...NO"

The Jedi shrugged, half-resting, half-slumping, back into his chair "Nor answer much to myself I expect...and no, Anakin, is not a substitute"

"If there are matters they want tested and to ask..." I could guess what they were, but Anakin, and therefore Kenobi, weren't to be trusted with them due to Chancellor Sith Lord hidden behind them. At least Anakin was giving Kenobi the betrayed look rather than myself "...then Stass is acceptable then since Ani here is out for not being a Master yet. My former Master is at least willing to be honest with me I believe, regards of what the pressure of the Council"

I paused "Which brings us to the current difficulties...a vast convoy full of freed slaves, with most my ships needing repair and yard work after recent operations. We can hold up here in Malachor till we make the most basic repairs, but food supplies lean against extended stays, and the numbers somewhat argue against trying to use intended routes"

Kenobi nodded, looking out into the 'stars' where the fleet sat amidst broken worlds, broken ships, and occasionally ghost ships and shadows "Yes, this is cursed place...but I'm guessing the Hutts are the difficulty?"

I nodded "Yeah, I can trust them well enough on military only movements. Ambushing a heavy battle-group just isn't worth the cost to them...but a battered one, with nearly three quarters of a million freed slaves stuffed into every ship along with a host of captured merchantmen? Oh, yeah, I could see them turning on us, deal or no deal, should we try the routes back through the Outer Rim"

"Oh they would Daron, the kriffing sleemos" Anakin muttered and I nodded as Kenobi sighed.

"Language Anakin"

"It's fine, I'm no wilting little flower. Child of the Outer Rim like Anakin is..." I stated with amusement "...but, yeah, and the Bonadan pocket's close...but too obvious..."

We'd also picked up intercepts that the Confederates were moving forces to cover those hyper-lanes now that they'd heard about Zygerria. Of course I couldn't say that for fear it got back to Palpatine, and through him to Dooku, and then to code changes we could decrypt without trouble "...so we're intending to make a display towards Bondadan but attempt to make a move towards..."

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