25 Hat Trick 6 (1/2)
En route to Florrum
Outer Rim
I did not see the Jedi in the couple of days out journey lasted. I used my free time to deal with a lot of paperwork sent to me by GAR high command. It was concerning the formation of a fleet and attached ground forces which I was to command so it was not something that I could ignore. Piett as my aide was priceless in helping me deal with all of it. He showed a typical greenhorn trait by volunteering to be our pilot for the visit of the pirate base. Something from which I had to dissuade him. I told him to go to the bridge and learn from the captain while I was on the ground.
Finally we arrived at the targeted system and exited hyperspace at its edge. The plan was that me and the Jedi would take a shuttle from here to the planet. On our way there we would make a sensor sweep over the back of Florrum's moon. If it was clear, Leveler would make a micro jump there. If not, then the ship would be ready to come calling if something went wrong but we would lose the element of surprise that way. Before heading to the shuttle, I spoke with Pellaeon and confirmed the contingency orders I had given him.
I met the Jedi in the hangar where two companies of infantry were preparing for deployment. The Togruta women were waiting near the open ramp of our transport and they looked less than pleased. With them being females the fact that they were about to enter a pirate hangout unarmed was not a reason for cheering.
”Ladies, unless you have second thoughts we should go.”
They shook their heads so headed to the cockpit. Ahsoka looked a bit guilty.
I wondered, what did she do? I shelved that thought for later.
The short flight to the planet was spent in an awkward silence. We made a hyperspace jump near the moon and exited hyperspace in such an angle that the sensors were able to sweep the dark side of the small planetoid. Nothing unusual was detected so I sent a signal to Leveler before entering Florrum's atmosphere.
I guided our shuttle towards the pirate hideout as we flew over vast plains covered with orange grass and patches of brown desert sand. Below us herds of big animals were minding their own business. Some of them were looking up at our passage with interest. If it was not for our mission I might have found it a fascinating opportunity to view a world mostly untouched by civilization.
I landed our craft in a tiny valley which was the courtyard in the front of the pirate base. I secured the ship and we descended down the ramp.
A semicircle of armed pirates greeted us. Judging by the girls reactions they stank. I allowed myself a small smile. Than the force for air filters!
One of the pirates walked next to us and waved a scanner which looked suspiciously like a portable radio with two antennas. He decided that the Jedi were clean and then started waving the kriffing thing around me. My right hand shot forward and grabbed the scanner by the antennas and I plucked it from the pirate's grip.
”Your boss agreed that I could keep my weapons. Despite the Jedi's arrogance I am not crazy enough to walk in your lair unarmed.” I grumbled.
The rest of the cutthroats pointed their weapons at me.
”If you want to be paid you'll behave. The Republic could have easily sent a battle group instead of us.”
The man from whose hands I took the scanner glared at me but nodded and waved us to follow them. As we entered the base, Shaak Ti walked next to me and whispered:
”Are you insane?!”
”I've dealt with their kind before. Handling them requires a different kind of diplomacy than the one you are accustomed to. The Republic's niceties are seen as a sign of weakness out here.” I muttered quietly.
We were led to a cantina. The men and women there gave us dirty looks. It was a rundown place. An alien woman's voice was singing from hidden loudspeakers in a high pitched tone I found irritating.
The pirate leader was sitting on a table in the back of this so called establishment. He was surrounded by six bodyguards. Ohnaka was drinking something that was probably illegal in dozens of systems from a metal mug.
”Ladies! General! Will you drink something?” he exclaimed in a flamboyant tone.
”We are not here to have fun captain Ohnaka.” I said.
He ignored me and pushed my way a metal mug full with a green liquid which resembled toxic waste.
I shook my head at his antics. I've been in his presence for mere seconds and the bloody hut spawn was already irritating!
”So you are the man that caught Dooku. Quite impressive feat.” I stroked his ego.
Next to me the Jedi were glaring at the somewhat sober pirates who were leering at them. I wondered how long it would be before all hell broke loose…
”Heh. The Sith couldn't deal with my warriors. He resisted but it was futile!” Ohnaka exclaimed while waving his cup around. A bit of his drink fell on the table and started eating through it.
Yeah. His chosen poison was definitely illegal in most civilized places. It was the good boozie.
”Blaster against that glowy thing!” he waved his free hand. ”It was a glorious victory, I tell ya!”
”His lightsaber.” I deadpanned. Blasters tend to lose against lightsabers if a Force Adept wields the later. Against a rumores Sith Lord like Dooku? Ohnaka didn't have enough men to win. Two hundred scum? They might have something approaching a chance if they met Dooku on open ground and had him surrounded. They would have likely broken before having a decent chance of taking him out anyway.
”Yeah. That thing. It's needless to say that he is not harmless even now. But we won anyway!” Ohnaka boasted.
Few of his cronies cheered at that.
A red, monkey like creature that resembled a gremlin made its way to the table. It was playing with a lightsaber. And its hilt was not curved like Dooku's.
”Hey! That's not yours!” Ahsoka exclaimed and summoned the weapon to her hand. Immediately we found herself surrounded by a veritable forest of blasters.
”That's Skywalker's isn't it?” I groaned.
The small monster ran up one of the pirates, moved over his blaster rifle and grabbed the lightsaber hilt which Ahsoka was holding. It tried to pry it from her hand but she held on it.
”Hey! That's not yours!” she repeated and glared at the critter.
More than half of the weapons were redirected at her.
”Ahsoka! Stand down! It's obvious your Master lost his lightsaber. Again.” I grumbled and turned to the leader of the pirates surrounding us. ”We are not here to fight, youthful exuberance notwithstanding. Do you have Dooku or not?”
”I'll arrange a meeting. Girl let go of the weapon.” The pirate growled at Ahsoka who relented after a sharp look from Master Ti.
=RK=
We were led to the prison block of the base where one of the cells was guarded by two armed pirates. Inside we found Dooku suspended in mid-air by a force field. His left hand was missing.
Ahsoka jumped in excitement.
”How the mighty have fallen!” she cheered.
He looked at the older woman.
”Master Ti. I would like to say that it is a pleasure to meet you again but under the circumstances...” he trailed off.
”Count Dooku.” she nodded at him.
”And this must be the mercenary that gave us so much trouble. Obviously Grievous failed again.”
”He and Ventress are cooling their heels in cells on Coruscant. You'll be joining them soon.” I said in a greeting. It might have came out in a very smug tone. A Sith? This one? Yeah, right. You don't need a lightsaber to escape from here, just the Force.
”You captured her then? Impressive. Why someone with your skills works for the Republic? I can assure you that if you help me and join the Confederacy you'll be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams.” Dooku began a sales pitch.
”You'll go to Coruscant to be judged for your crimes! Right, Delkatar?” asked Ahsoka.
”Dooku, you know nothing about my dreams.” I hissed.
”You'll spent a long time in similar cell, Dooku!” taunted Ahsoka.
”Young and foolish. Do you really believe that the pirates will let you leave this planet?”
”They are thieves who do not wish to fight with Jedi!” the Padawan's temper was rising.
”Ahsoka! Do not let him bait you!” snapped Shaak Ti.
”Not that they would be interested in fighting you two. I am sure that they have other plans for such delectable females.” added Dooku.
That made the women uneasy.
”Do you really think that I failed to take that into an account before coming here?” I didn't bother to hide my amusement.
”Yet you brought them.” Dooku nodded at the Jedi. ”Our 'hosts; are more cunning that you gave them credit for.”
”I see why they like you so much.” I chuckled. ”We saw enough. Let's go.”
=RK=
We walked towards the shuttle to contact the Republic. When we were passing through a corridor void of the locals, Shaak Ti came near me and hissed.
”You knew!”
”I take it you've been lucky enough not to have dealt with pirates? Or at least not to be around them unarmed? Yes I know how they'll view the two of you. It is a useful distraction. And yeah, I am cold blooded bastard when I have a mission to accomplish. No need to give me compliments, Master Ti.”
”You are using us as a bait?!” Ahsoka was outraged.
”Don't look at me. It was senator Amidala who proposed that two Jedi must be sent. I would have been all right with coming here by myself. It would have make things simpler though not as interesting.” I shrugged.
”You are a Sith all right. And to think that I was ready to apologize to you!” muttered Master Ti. ”You suggested us two!”
”Yet it was Yoda and Windu who agreed it was a splendid idea.” I pointed out. ”It was your Council and the Chancellor who sent you with me.” My words were met with a lot of grumbling and dark thoughts aimed at various parties.
Before we got on the shuttle one of the locals invited us to a celebration to honor our deal. I simply nodded and boarded the ship.
We spoke with the Chancellor and his entourage – Windu, Yoda and couple of senators who would deliver the payment. To my regret one of them was to be Jar-Jar. I wondered if I could arrange an accident for that menace. Sidious was able to mask well his displeasure when I confirmed that his ”friend” was really captured and got his arm chopped off.
After we were finished speaking with Coruscant I contacted the Leveler and gave confirmed that we were all right so far. Plan A was a go.
=RK=
I decided to let our ”gracious” hosts to show their hand and persuaded the Jedi that we could not simply ignore their invitation. When we got back into the cantina we found a wild party which was in full swing.
Drunk people laying everywhere, one fella dancing on the far end of the bar, a waitress who did not like the advances of an unlucky patron was bashing the man's head at the table he was sitting at... In short – exactly what you would expect from such a place.
I led the women to the bar where we sat on somewhat clean stools.
”I can't believe that you volunteered me for this, Delkatar. You are an evil man.” Ahsoka muttered.
”I should have found an excuse to stay as far away from you as possible.” groaned Shaak Ti.
The commotion was unpleasant for their sensitive ears.