They Assumed Too Much: A Star Wars Fanfic

[ja.b.n.]

just found this story, looks absolutely amazing!
watched.
Hyper-stoked for the upcoming 3-way between Kenobi, Grievous and Vader.

 

[The_Last_Despot]

Ok... this chapter is a bit much, as I wanted to focus on ending the Mustafar arc. I have a lot of fun ideas for the initial aftermath of the events here, but didn't want to do a disservice to the final act here either. Hopefully you guys enjoy!

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At the sight of Obi Wan, Padme nervously turned back toward her husband, desperate to ease his suspicions. "No!" She exclaimed.

Anakin, not in the least dissuaded from his suspicions, had a look without mercy toward his wife. "You're with him. You've betrayed me! You brought him here to kill me!"

Padme watched in horror as Anakin turned on her. She could feel the fear gripping her throat as he accused her of betraying him.

"No, Anakin, I swear ... I ..." she tried to plead, but before she could finish her sentence, Anakin's grip tightened around her throat, cutting off her words and her air. She gasped and clawed at his hand, trying to pry it off her, but it was like trying to move a durasteel wall.

Obi-Wan's voice rang out from behind them, "Let her go, Anakin."

Anakin whipped around, his eyes blazing with fury. "You couldn't even defeat Grievous!" he exclaimed, belittling his former master.

Obi-Wan stepped forward, his own cloak billowing around him as he did so. "Let her go!" he commanded again, but Anakin ignored him, his focus solely on Padme.

"You turned her against me," Anakin accused, his voice filled with hurt and anger.

Obi-Wan shook his head, "You have done that yourself."

Anakin flung Padme to the ground, her body crumpling like a rag doll. She lay there, unmoving, and Obi-Wan rushed to her side, checking her pulse.

Anakin threw off his cloak, his face twisted with rage. "Don't lecture me, Obi-Wan," he spat. "I see through the lies of the Jedi. I do not fear the dark side as you do. I have brought peace, justice, freedom, and security to my new Empire."

Obi-Wan's eyes widened in shock. "Your new Empire?" he repeated, incredulous.

Anakin sneered at him, "Don't make me kill you."

Obi-Wan ignited his own lightsaber, his resolve clear in his voice, "Anakin, my allegiance is to the Republic ... to democracy."

Anakin's response was immediate, "If you're not with me, you're my enemy."

Obi-Wan shook his head, "Only a Sith Lord deals in absolutes. I will do what I must," he declared.

As the two former friends and allies circled each other, it seemed as if the very fate of the galaxy was on the line. Amidst these high stakes, behind a wall of rubble, sat the two Neimoidian survivors Nute and Rune.

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Nute Gunray peered through the rubble from his hiding place, a gleam of hope in his eyes. Obi Wan and Anakin were too busy bickering to notice him and Rune, which gave him a chance to escape. However, he couldn't help but feel anxious at the thought of being stranded on this lava-filled planet. He looked to the Sheathipede, half-buried in the rubble, and saw that lava was already dripping onto it, leaving little chance of that escape method working. If that didn't work, then he would somehow have to find another means of escape.

Suddenly, his attention was drawn to the J-type that had just landed on the platform. It was the perfect solution to his problem. Moreover, it was a beautiful ship, draped in chrome plating, and with a design that temporarily left the Viceroy counting credits. He shook off his greed, and looked again. He could take the ship for himself and leave this planet behind. Nute turned to Rune and whispered his plan. "Rune, we need to take that ship for ourselves. It's our only chance to escape this planet."

Rune looked at Nute incredulously. "But Viceroy, that ship belongs to the Senator. Clearly that Vader would have our heads if we left his wife here without her ship."

Nute gave him a sly smile. "Who said anything about leaving her? We can make a deal with the Senator. She needs to get off this planet just as much as we do. While Amidala has her issues with us, I suspect things have changed, Rune."

Rune looked at Nute with a newfound respect, and at the slumped body of Padme with pity. "Even now you look for new allies, Viceroy. I will remain with you until the very end, even if this plan of yours is doomed to fail."

Nute chuckled to himself. "Let's focus on not getting ourselves killed. I've had it with these Jedi, and I have had it with being cast aside."

Nute decided to give fair warning to Grievous, who he wanted to leave with if possible. His respect for the cyborg had increased dramatically during their trials here, and he was crucial to the survival of the CIS in general. He opened comms.

"General," Nute began. "We are going to make our escape on that J-type, with the senator in tow. Can you make it to us?"

Grievous' response was succinct. "When I arrive, we leave."

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Parts of this section are inspired by Mathew Stover's wonderful Revenge of the Sith Novelization. I believe he did an amazing job on parts of this battle, and I believe that their clash would in some ways mirror that of the novel, and that some of the tactics used would be the same.

Anakin and Obi Wan clashed with the ferocity and parity of the force itself. Anakin, consumed by darkness, unleashed a wave of lightsaber strikes that would have engulfed and destroyed any other opponent. Even in his fight against Grievous, he was surprised and underestimated his enemy. Here, against everything he hoped to destroy, there was nothing but a fluency in his strikes that begged to strike true to his target. However, Obi Wan knew Anakin well. Their countless duels, their thousands of hours of training, gave him an edge that no one else could muster against the Sith apprentice. For every blow Anakin tried to inflict, Obi Wan had an appropriate counter, and a step backwards to mitigate its power. In this way, the duel looked more like a one-sided retreat than one of evenly matched warriors, and yet Obi Wan maintained his sense of control.

As they skirted around the ruins of the Separatist base, Obi Wan hurled every object he could find against his fallen Padawan. Rocks, bodies, and droid parts all found their way hurtling through the air at Anakin, only to be unceremoniously disposed of on his way toward another attack at Obi Wan. The two fought mere inches away from each other, only broken by the occasional jump to another section of clear ground. One unfortunate droid attempted to fire a shot into the flurry of lightsaber blades, only for their shot to be used by both duelists against each other. The red bolt raced between them, dissipating before it could find its final mark. After that, the droids head was lopped off of its body, and the fight continued on. As Anakin pushed ever further, he maintained a steady look of contempt that accentuated his strikes. Both of then twisted and turned as they fought the other, timing their twirls with a sense of the other's movements that made their need to eyes irrelevant. They were fighting off of pure instinct and feeling, without a true sense of the present.

They both navigated the treacherous terrain, until Obi Wan had found himself partially cornered by the obsidian outcroppings around them. As he continued to counter Anakin's strikes with increasing desperation, he attempted a trick that he used on Grievous on Utapau. Through the force, he felt the workings of Anakin's mechanical hand, which had been uniquely equipped to handle the power and speed of his strikes until this point. As Obi Wan reached out, he used the force to interfere with the mechanical structure of the hand, causing Anakin to drop his lightsaber right before a decisive blow was landed. Through a twitch of his finger, Obi Wan had seized Anakin's saber, and pushed forward to end the battle against all odds. Obi Wan, even in this moment, found himself hesitating and unable to end things instantly. In that split second he offered, Anakin roared and pushed through the force, throwing Obi Wan backward into the rock behind him, and relinquishing his control of both sabers. Both Anakin and Obi Wan reached out to summon their blades with the force, and the battle continued.

As they both became more comfortable with the other's movements, the pace of the duel began to speed up even more. Their strikes and counterattacks merged to form a nearly unbroken shroud of blue, one so deadly that even a single mistake would mean a sudden end. Both of them were singed from near misses and falling molten rock, and yet even these near misses failed to garner a response from either of them. They were both past the point of showing weakness, and only tried to see ahead to victory, focusing on nothing else.

As a wave of fire engulfed the platform they were fighting on, both of them looked downward to see where their duel would continue. Without hesitation, they both leapt off of the section of the base they had been fighting on, onto a precarious pipe leading from one former section of the base to another. Around them, fire from the erupting volcanoes continued to fall, and molten steel raced around the two in a cloud powered by the force itself. As their dance to the death continued even then, they balanced and parried through smoke and ash, over a river of molten lava that seemed to beckon for their presence. As an eruption illuminated both of them in orange light, both Obi Wan and Anakin caught the other's strike in their hands, locking them in an embrace of death amidst it all.

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Grievous' eyes followed the intense battle between Obi-Wan and Anakin, a storm of emotion brewing within him. He could not deny the admiration he felt for the two warriors, who had skillfully fought through countless obstacles in their pursuit of one another. He watched as their lightsabers flashed and danced, creating a mesmerizing display of light and fury. The passion and determination that drove them was something he could understand, for he himself had been driven by such fervor in his pursuit of power and vengeance.

Yet, as he observed the duel, anger seethed within him. He felt the sting of betrayal and the bitterness of defeat as he remembered his own recent battle with Vader. It was their personal feud that had brought ruin upon everything he had worked for – the culmination of years of planning and struggle, reduced to ashes in an instant.

But it was not just their actions that had led to his downfall; he too had a role to play in his own demise. As he stood there, battered and broken, Grievous felt a strange sense of kinship with the two combatants below. They were all warriors forged by the fires of war, but the war had moved on, leaving them behind like discarded relics of a bygone age.

As the battle raged on, Grievous' gaze lingered on the pair as they balanced precariously on a narrow pipe, their movements fluid and deadly despite the perilous footing. He couldn't help but feel a pang of respect for Obi-Wan, an opponent who had pushed him to his limits time and time again. Their countless duels had, in a way, shaped him into the warrior he was now, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of loss at the thought that this may be their final encounter.

Grievous considered the possibility of intervening, but quickly dismissed the thought. In his current state, he was no match for either of them, let alone both. He also couldn't afford to make any more enemies, especially not Obi-Wan. In a twisted way, their shared history had given him a sense of camaraderie with the Jedi Master, a bond forged in the fires of countless battles.

As he observed the two warriors, locked in a desperate struggle amidst the chaos and destruction, Grievous couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy. Here were three beings who had dedicated their lives to war and conflict, and now they found themselves adrift in a galaxy that no longer had a place for them. Their era had come to a close, and the future was uncertain.

But Grievous was not one to dwell on the past. He had survived countless challenges before, and he would find a way to adapt and thrive in this new galaxy. As he watched Obi-Wan and Anakin, he made a silent vow that he would not share their fate, that he would not let himself be consumed by vengeance and despair.

With that thought in mind, Grievous readied his grappling hook, preparing to make his daring escape. He cast one last glance at the fierce duel below, a testament to the prowess and determination of two powerful warriors. As he watched the two of them continue their fight atop an unstable beam over molten lava, he almost laughed at their foolishness. Although, it seems that their foolishness was contagious. As he gathered the courage to jump, he quietly hoped that the Neimoidian had a seat ready for him.

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Obi-Wan, struggling to fend off Anakin's relentless assault, suddenly noticed a figure above them, swinging through the air, its trajectory punctuated by the bursts of lava plumes in the background. It was a sight so unexpected that it momentarily captured his full attention. Against all odds, there was General Grievous, his former adversary, cackling like a madman as he swung towards them, a green lightsaber ignited and blazing a trail behind him. Obi-Wan couldn't help but smile at the sheer absurdity of the situation, momentarily basking in the chaos. While this was not the solution he had been looking for, this interjection from fate could only be the unpredictable will of the force, almost representing a comedic reality.

Anakin, puzzled by Obi-Wan's sudden grin, turned his head just in time to see Grievous approaching. His face twisted into a furious snarl, a mixture of confusion and outrage. Before Anakin could react, Obi-Wan had already steeled himself for what was to come, maintaining control of his blade and securing Anakin in place.

"CHECK MY SHIP, KENOBI!" Grievous bellowed, his voice echoing across the fiery landscape. In one swift motion, he cleaved through the end of the pipe upon which the two Jedi were precariously balanced. An explosion of steam and molten metal erupted from the severed pipe, sending Anakin and Obi-Wan plummeting towards the unforgiving river of lava below. The two were left defenseless, their minds racing to comprehend the sudden turn of events.

Grievous cackled maniacally as he used the momentum from his swing to launch himself onto another platform. The impact sent a chorus of straining metal reverberating through the air. Despite the pain wracking his battered body, Grievous began to limp towards the landing platform, the sounds of creaking gears and joints accompanying each labored step. He deliberately avoided looking back at the Jedi, knowing that if either Anakin or Obi-Wan somehow survived and appeared behind him, it would likely spell his doom. Instead, Grievous focused on making a recording, which he intended to leave in his ship as a message for the Jedi Master, should he survive the ordeal.

His mechanical breathing labored, Grievous felt a twisted sense of satisfaction. While he hadn't achieved a decisive victory on Mustafar, he had managed to live another day. He was certain that, hardened by the experiences on this desolate planet, he and his surviving companions would find a way to steer the Confederacy of Independent Systems in a new direction, one that would defy the whims of Darth Sidious and carve their own path in the galaxy.

As Grievous reached the landing platform, he took a moment to survey the scene before him. The raging fires of Mustafar painted the sky with a palette of reds and oranges, casting a harsh light on the broken remnants of the Separatist base. In the distance, he could still see the severed pipe from which he had sent the Jedi tumbling, a testament to the chaos and destruction that had unfolded.

With a final glance at the smoldering battlefield, Grievous turned his attention to the J-type on the platform, determined to make his escape and plot the next chapter of his story. He finished his impromptu recording for Kenobi, almost out of the wish that the Jedi General would find a way to survive their ordeal. The instructions he left would be a useful tool for the now-scattered Jedi order, Grievous personally refused to leave any good warrior without a path to walk. He carefully inserted those instructions into the Soulless one, leaving his prized fighter for Kenobi to escape on.

As Grievous limped the rest of the way toward his allies, the echoes of his laughter filled the air, a haunting reminder of the unpredictable and merciless nature of the galaxy's most fearsome cyborg general.

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Back on the platform, Nute and Rune walked up to an astromech and a protocol droid, as the two dragged the body of Senator Amidala onto the starcruiser.

"We will be taking command of this ship, droids" Nute asserted.

Both of the droids looked at each other before responding. "Please do not hurt the senator," C-3PO began. "if you ask me, she has gone through enough."

Nute admired the loyalty of these droids before responding. "We have no intention of hurting her, protocol droid. We simply need to escape from here as you do. She will get medical attention with our help."

At this, the two droids eased up, and allowed Nute and Rune to board the ship. Before entering, Nute glanced off at the lava below, and spotted the body of a Quarren on one of the rocky outcroppings. Clearly, Tikkes had not been lucky in his attempt to traverse that way. Just as he pondered the fate of the other council members, a familiar voice rang out from the direction of the base.

"Do not leave me, Viceroy!" Shouted out Shu Mai, as she emerged from the ruins of one of the base's entrances.

Nute was relieved to see a familiar face. "Of course not, Presidente. Did your associate Cat Miin make it out?"

"No," Shu Mai responded. "It was just me in there."

And so, Shu Mai joined the Neimoidians in boarding the ship, alongside a few shambling droids that made it through the chaos. From behind a set of rubble near the Sheathipede emerged TC-14, who also joined them. All that was left now was the return of Grievous.

The unlikely group of survivors waited a few minutes amidst the grumblings of Shu Mai—who was simply desperate to be done with this planet. Despite her protests, Grievous finally appeared on the ships cameras. He quickly left something in the Soulless One, before joining the rest of them on the ship. In person, Nute could now clearly see how damaged the General was. Any other warrior would have died from the blows inflicted, and yet he acted as if nothing was wrong at all. Although the other Separatists were surprised to see the unconscious Padme lying in the medical bay, they seemed to trust Nute's judgement and settled down for the journey ahead. C-3PO, flanked by a pilot B-1 droid and TC-14, sat at the controls and awaited orders.

"Where to first?" Questioned Grievous.

"First, we help the senator out," Answered Nute. "I know of a medical facility not far from here, we can discuss next steps afterwards."

While the old Grievous would have been annoyed by this plan from Gunray, Grievous temporarily decided to respect him. Instead of complaining, he settled into a seat, and gazed down with the rest of the Separatists at the lava planet as it retreated beneath the starcruiser. It wouldn't be missed.

 

[Marcrawsky]

Just wondering ,it might be cliche, but will they pick up the ebony hawk and hk47 on their way off of mustafar? I'm pretty sure this is where the ship is hidden and it would be a very good source of improvements to the software of the droid army and maybe the hardware.

 

[The_Last_Despot]

Just wondering ,it might be cliche, but will they pick up the ebony hawk and hk47 on their way off of mustafar?

Click to shrink...

While I love HK and toyed with the idea of including him with their departure, I think that A--He would likely betray them by his nature and cause more chaos, and B--they were simply too focused on getting the hell out of there to search around the planet to find the Ebony Hawk, as useful as it may be. If they return to Mustafar later in the story, perhaps during a search for advantages against the Republic, that would be a good opportunity to reactivate old 47, but not just yet!

 

[Marcrawsky]

While I love HK and toyed with the idea of including him with their departure, I think that A--He would likely betray them by his nature and cause more chaos, and B--they were simply too focused on getting the hell out of there to search around the planet to find the Ebony Hawk, as useful as it may be. If they return to Mustafar later in the story, perhaps during a search for advantages against the Republic, that would be a good opportunity to reactivate old 47, but not just yet!

Click to shrink...

For A I would assume they would realize he was an assassin droid and just study his programing for improvements and as for finding it later. If I remember correctly the meeting was held on a mining station so presumably they're is either miners or a droid miner force with an organic overseer either of which would immediately inform there superiors if they find a ship hidden on mustafar that matches the ebon hawk or even just a hidden ship just in case it's a spies or something.

 

[The_Last_Despot]

For A I would assume they would realize he was an assassin droid and just study his programing for improvements and as for finding it later. If I remember correctly the meeting was held on a mining station so presumably they're is either miners or a droid miner force with an organic overseer either of which would immediately inform there superiors if they find a ship hidden on mustafar that matches the ebon hawk or even just a hidden ship just in case it's a spies or something.

Click to shrink...

Then perhaps that can be a way for it to be brought into the story later! A report will be made to the separatist council, and a dreaded return to mustafar later...

 

[High Admiral]

I'm sure the Sepritist found HK earlier and fixed it up but it attacked them. It was in some comic if i remember right. Though I can see them haveing the schematics to said droid. Though I think he can be used a little too much sometimes.

If you want to get more original choice then go for a modified "Sentinel droid" that Darth Revan used in his army. I think that would be cool to have as a droid companion.

Anyway regardless where you take this story I will be looking forward to it.

 

[The_Last_Despot]

Anyway regardless where you take this story I will be looking forward to it.

Click to shrink...

I hope you enjoy the upcoming direction! We will see an unlikely alliance, a couple of OCs sprinkled in to make the Gunray crew™, and a CIS that will not be what it once was, but still very much a thorn in Sidious' side. Honestly, I am excited to write about the planet hopping, dialogue between different kinds of people, and intervening in the conflicts spread across the galaxy! An adventure for sure

 

[1gnit3]

a CIS that will not be what it once was, but still very much a thorn in Sidious' side.

Click to shrink...

Unfortunately, the CIS was losing by RotS. It can't stand against the new Empire directly for long. But the Empire just shot down their Jedi Generals. That's going to give the CIS worlds time to dig in. Plus, they still have their droid armies and Grievous, and the Emperor might have just lost his attack dog. Even if Vader survives in his suit as per canon, he's greatly diminished. I don't think suited Vader can match Grievous' speed anymore, for example, if he's in that clunky suit. Sidious may win the official war, but actually gathering the galaxy under his complete control will be far more complicated and difficult than in canon. Plus, Jedi remnants have a much better chance of survival, with CIS holdouts seeming poised to team up with Obi-Wan, Yoda, and Padme.
...
Speaking of Padme, is she still going to die from sadness right next to her newborn children?

 

[The_Last_Despot]

Unfortunately, the CIS was losing by RotS. It can't stand against the new Empire directly for long. But the Empire just shot down their Jedi Generals. That's going to give the CIS worlds time to dig in. Plus, they still have their droid armies and Grievous, and the Emperor might have just lost his attack dog. Even if Vader survives in his suit as per canon, he's greatly diminished. I don't think suited Vader can match Grievous' speed anymore, for example, if he's in that clunky suit. Sidious may win the official war, but actually gathering the galaxy under his complete control will be far more complicated and difficult than in canon. Plus, Jedi remnants have a much better chance of survival, with CIS holdouts seeming poised to team up with Obi-Wan, Yoda, and Padme.
...
Speaking of Padme, is she still going to die from sadness right next to her newborn children?

Click to shrink...

Padme, bless her heart, is going to be too weirded out by seeing Grievous and Gunray in the medical room with her when she wakes up to be too sad. In fact, the very idea of leaving her children with them will be more than enough motivation to stay around lol

As for the state of the CIS, without a shutdown order Separatist holdouts and factories will be juiced, far more capable than they were before. The crippling blow here is the lack of unity and naval forces, simply put this will have the separatist alliance stuck in the role of resistance versus outright fighting the Empire. Their identity will be changing however, and will eventually incorporate all of those who were left behind by the empire. Our "heroes" will find themselves on Naboo soon enough, where you will see the beginning of this process. They will be raiders and saboteurs, not invaders for a long while.

As for Vader, he is badly wounded in the face (he has lost most of his sight from one eye thanks to Grievous), and is burnt to a crisp. Moreover, Padme will be alive, confusing his loyalties and strength even further. While he will be a force to be reckoned with for any normal person, against Grievous and a Jedi master he will no longer reign supreme. This will stunt the inquisition even further, combined with the fact that post-Naboo, the Jedi will have strongholds to hide behind (as you mentioned)

 

[RaptorusMaximus]

Obi Wan blocked an attack that had enough power to send him flying off into the lava, and thought desperately on how to win this fight. He knew Anakin's arrogance could be used to his advantage, but even then he failed to find an opportunity to exploit that advantage. As he steeled himself for the long battle ahead, he spotted a figure that emerged from above the lava plumes. Against all odds, less likely than anything he could imagine, was his former adversary grievous, cackling as he swung, green lightsaber ignited as he went. Obi Wan paused and smiled at this, almost reveling in the chaos. This leaft Anakin furious, with a look that demanded to know what was going on. By the time he noticed, Obi Wan had already made peace with what was going to happen, and held Anakin in place with his blade.

"CHECK MY SHIP, KENOBI" Grievous bellowed, as he cut one end of the pipe that they were fighting on. In an explosion of steam and metal, both Anakin and Obi Wan were sent flying down toward the lava below, unable to defend against or comprehend what had just occurred.

Grievous cackled maniacally as he used the momentum of the swing to launch himself onto another platform, collapsing with the sound of straining metal. With the sounds of creaking gears and joints, he began his slow limp back toward the landing platform. As he walked, he avoided looking behind him toward the jedi, knowing that the appearance of either Anakin or Obi Wan would likely be his demise. Instead, he focused on making a recording, which he would leave in his ship should the Jedi Master survive.

While he had not won a victory on this desolate planet, he had lived to see another day. Hardened from their experiences here, Grievous was sure that he and his surviving companions would be ready to push the CIS into a new direction, one that refused to bend to Sidious' wishes.

Click to shrink...

This, I think, is my favorite part of this story so far. The pure chaotic energy, and the reluctant appreciation that The General and The Negotiator have for each other is peak. I really hope they can become allies in this strange new world that has been created by a few simple changes.

I love Grievous, I love the Confederacy, I've even come to love Nute Gunray in recent times. I cannot wait to see where you take this.

 

[The_Last_Despot]

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Padme slowly opened her eyes, struggling to make sense of her surroundings. She was lying on a medical bed, hooked up to various machines and monitors, with a faint beeping sound filling the room. As she tried to move, she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen, causing her to wince. The bright light of the facility caused her to squint, and then question her vision as she looked at those in the room around her.





Padme blinked several times, trying to process the situation she found herself in. Her heart raced, and her thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief. She was in a room with General Grievous and Nute Gunray, two of her most hated enemies, and they had saved her life. The thought of being in the same room as them would have been unimaginable just a short time ago.

Grievous' damaged form lay on the medical bed across from her, his mechanical limbs still and his breathing apparatus wheezing softly. As much as she had despised him during the war, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for the broken cyborg. Next to Grievous stood Nute Gunray, the very man who had caused so much suffering to her people on Naboo. She had every reason to fear them, and yet they had saved her.

"What...what is this? Where am I?" Padme asked weakly, her voice hoarse from disuse.

Nute stepped forward, his large red eyes watching her intently. "You are on Polis Massa, Senator. We saved your life."

Padme's eyes widened in surprise. "Saved my life? But why? And how did you even find me?"

Nute sighed heavily. "Let me just say that you weren't the only one on that forsaken planet. We had been hunted by Vader—who you know as Anakin—on Mustafar. As we tried to make our escape, we saw your condition on the landing platform. Honestly, I couldn't bring myself to leave you there in that state, former enemy, or no. Like it or not, we are victims of circumstance, here on Polis Massa."

Padme swallowed hard, trying to wrap her mind around the surreal scene before her. It was a strange, almost twisted turn of events that had brought them together like this. She had fought against these two for years, and now, they had saved her life. As much as she wanted to be furious and indignant, she couldn't ignore the fact that they had helped her when she needed it most.

As she looked around the room again, taking in the sight of Grievous lying on the medical bed, she realized that even her enemies were not immune to pain and suffering. The war had taken its toll on everyone, leaving scars both physical and emotional. And now, with the galaxy in turmoil and the rise of the Empire, the lines between friend and foe seemed to blur.

Her heart ached as she thought of Anakin—her husband, her love—who had turned to the dark side and become the very thing she had fought against for so long. The man she had loved was now a monster, and she found herself feeling a strange sense of kinship with her former enemies. The war had hurt them all, and in that pain, they found an unexpected common ground.

"So," Padme said, her voice stronger now as she tried to come to terms with the situation, "what happens now? Are we... allies?"

Nute hesitated for a moment, his eyes searching hers. "For now, Senator, I think it is safe to say that we share a common enemy in the Empire. We may not be friends, but perhaps... we can find a way to work together. To survive, and maybe even restore some semblance of peace to the galaxy."

"Anakin...where is he?" Padme asked softly.

Nute's expression turned sympathetic. "I'm sorry, Senator. I... I do not think he survived."

Padme felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. She had lost her husband, the father of her children, and it was all because of that Emperor's manipulation. But she had to be strong, for she could not bring herself to show weakness in front of them.

"Thank you," she said quietly. "For saving my life."

Nute nodded solemnly. "It was the least we could do. After all, we are all fighting against a common enemy now."

Padme couldn't argue with that. With the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Empire, they were all on the same side, whether they liked it or not. Separatist or no, their demands had never involved turning the Republic into what… it now was. From before the beginning of the Clone Wars, she had always sought a diplomatic solution, and saw firsthand that their enemies had many heroes within their own ranks. While those in front of her represented the worst that the Separatists had to offer, their strength could be just what the Republic needed for its resurgence. As she considered all of this, Grievous stirred on his bed, and Nute turned to attend to him, leaving Padme alone with her thoughts.

As she lay there, she began to think about what lay ahead. The galaxy was in turmoil, and the Empire's grip on power was only growing stronger. But she refused to give up. She had allies across the galaxy, plenty of individuals who hated the idea of some Empire. She would fight, for the memory of Anakin, for her child, and for the future of the galaxy.

The quietness that befell the room did not last long, as her thoughts were interrupted by the entrance of two protocol droids, TC-14 and C-3PO, who were in the midst of bickering about their respective owners.

"TC-14, surely you must admit that my owner, Senator Amidala, is far superior to yours," C-3PO declared haughtily.

"Please, C-3PO, your owner may be a senator, but mine is a respected leader of the Trade Federation," TC-14 retorted with equal arrogance.

"Senator Amidala represents the esteemed Republic," C-3PO countered. "She also has quite the past. She was a Queen of Naboo, after all."

TC-14 seemed to scoff at this announcement of their master's credentials. "Senator she may be, but as a Viceroy of the Trade Federation, master Gunray handles…"

R2-D2 beeped and whistled between them, trying to calm them down.

Nute and Padme couldn't help but smile at the ridiculous argument. They were interrupted from the verbal joust, however, when Padme suddenly felt a sharp pain in her abdomen. She gasped and doubled over in pain.

"What is it?" Nute asked, concern etched on his face.

"I think I'm going into labor," Padme replied through gritted teeth.

With this announcement, two Polis Massan medical droids rushed into the room and gently lifted Padme onto a medical bed, wheeling her into a delivery room.

Nute and the droids followed, with Grievous staying behind in the previous room, still recovering from his injuries. As Padme was prepped for delivery, a small crowd of onlookers formed. Padme gazed at those onlookers, astounded that she was in this position to begin with. She was embarrassed to be in such a position against a former adversary, but secretly thanked them for their presence. The oddity of it all had thoroughly distracted her from her own sadness, almost leaving her able to laugh at her own misfortune.

As Padme continued to wince from the pain, the medical droid held up a baby. "It's a boy," the droid announced.

Padme forced a smile, though the pain was etched on her face. She reached out to touch the baby's forehead. "Luke," she said, the name coming out as a whisper.

As she breathed a sigh of relief for the end of the pregnancy, the pain quickly returned. She was having twins.

Through careful action, one of the medical droids lifted up the second child. The medical droid then announced, "And a girl."

Padme's eyes widened in surprise. "Leia," she said, feeling a sense of joy in naming her daughter.

Nute Gunray and the other droids continued to watch on, silent witnesses to this miraculous event. Padme struggled to focus on her newborns, in order to distract herself from the pain and the presence of her former enemies. She promised herself to stay strong, to fight for her children's future, even if it meant working alongside those she once opposed. Moreover, there was no way she would allow her children to fall under the care of these freaks.

As the medical droids took the babies away to clean them up, Padme's thoughts turned to her husband. Anakin had succumbed to the dark side and had become what others called Darth Vader, and now she was left to raise their children alone. But as her gaze fell onto the two tiny lives she brought into the world; she knew that she could not give up. She would fight for them, for their future, and for the future of the galaxy. She looked at the onlookers once more, at their expressions of awe at what had just transpired, and for the first time saw them not as enemies, but as allies in the struggle to come.

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Several days passed on the medical facility, and Padmé made a full recovery over that time. So too did Grievous, although his appendages and armor remained in ruins. During this time, The Separatist leaders made secret communications to their remaining allies across the galaxy, where Grievous discovered that his claim to power was quite weak. As he was left cornered on Polis Massa, at the galaxy's edge, his enemies on Raxus had begun to make their moves against him. While the names and capabilities of these treacherous turncoats on Raxus were not yet known to Grievous (given his awful information network), they had begun to claim the General's death, or inability to lead on in the place of Douku. Apparently Raxus was to have a snap election, one that Grievous couldn't personally attend.

Grievous was not one for politics. He reasoned with himself that as soon as he stepped in front of the CIS parliament with four lightsabers drawn, the amount of complaints would disappear entirely.


Meanwhile, Padmé discussed things with her own friends. So too did she discuss things with a certain Jedi, during a conversation that broke her heart, yet steeled her resolve. Her main effort, however, was in organizing something that would go down in galactic history. Known as "the summit", Padmé had taken the time allotted to her on Polis Massa to contact all of her supporters across the galaxy, using them to build a network of trusted individuals.

After three days of collecting information and allies in this way, she began to officially discuss the actuality of this summit. The most eager were her Senatorial allies from the delegation of 2000, who had wished for rapprochement with the Separatists since the early days of the war. The second easiest were the Jedi, who were using Naboo as a place of refuge regardless. That they would meet with a former enemy, and attempt to save more order 66 survivors was enough for them. The hardest and most unlikely were the recent victors of the power struggle on Mandalore, Regent Bo-Katan Kryze. Unless things went differently for her soon, she would have no need for them or this summit. Of course, Padmé was extremely excited about this event for her own sake. This would be a way to see her family, her friends in the Naboo government, and all of her allies in the same space. Given the risk of such a summit, every day left on Polis Massa would be spent tirelessly negotiating to make sure it all went down smoothly...

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On one of their final days on the base, Grievous waited patiently as a Sheathipede shuttle landed in the hangar. This important shuttle had finally arrived, and with it came a complement of battle droids, some magnaguards, and most importantly, his loyal medical droid A4-D.

Grievous stood in the hangar, surrounded by his loyal magnaguards and the newly arrived complement of battle droids. He inspected the new arrivals, making sure they were in proper working order. As he did so, A4-D, his medical droid, rolled up beside him.

A4-D remarked, "My my, General, what happened to you? You look even more battered than usual."

Grievous glared at the droid, annoyed at the comment. "I was in battle, as usual."

A4-D had a quick response, "Of course, of course. And I suppose you won, as usual."

Grievous snarled, his patience wearing thin. "What do you want, A4-D?"

A4-D seemed to beam at his master, "Oh, nothing much, just your complete and utter submission. And maybe a few replacement parts, if you're feeling generous."

Grievous had grown tired of the droid's constant sarcasm. "I need replacement parts. Now."

At this, A4-D feigned surprise. "Replacement parts? Whatever for, General?"

Grievous gestured at his missing arm, glowering as he did so. "This, for one."

A4-D shook his head. "I'm afraid I don't have any spare parts in your favorite color. Only black, I'm afraid."

Grievous clenched his metal fists, ready to crush the droid. "Give me the black parts, then. Everything must be replaced. This better be rectified with proper parts soon."

A4-D simply shrugged. "As you wish, General. But I must warn you, black is so last season."

Grievous snatched the replacement parts from the droid and stormed off into the base, followed by the sheathipede droids and his magnaguards. He gestured for A4-D to follow him, which he cheerily did.

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On their final day on the base, the time had come to make important decisions regarding the future. While they all had been grateful for the respite following the events on Mustafar, that was no excuse for staying idle for too long. Instead, a meeting had been agreed upon, and they all make their way toward the agreed upon space to settle things.

The group of unlikely allies walked into the strategy room, each taking a seat around the table. Flanking the entrance were a couple of local Polis Massan guards, clearly curious about what was to transpire next. Also guarding the room were Grievous' magnaguards, and a couple of B-1 security droids, including one fortunate survivor from Mustafar. Once everyone was seated, Nute looked around at the people he was surrounded by, still finding it hard to believe that they were all here together, and living. Rune Haako sat next to him, and Nute felt a sense of comfort in his presence.

Grievous stood at the head of the table, his new black armor gleaming in the light. Nute couldn't help but let out a chuckle at the sight, but Grievous dismissed his humor with a grunt.

Padme sat next to him, looking worn out from her ordeal, but determined nonetheless. Shu Mai sat across from her, looking out of place and disheveled. News of the recent collapse of the Commerce Guild had clearly taken a toll on her.

The two protocol droids, C-3PO and TC-14, were still bickering with each other. Nute couldn't help but shake his head at their antics.

"Can we please focus?" Grievous growled, breaking the silence. "We have a war to win."

Nute nodded in agreement, trying to suppress a smile. "Of course, General. But can we at least appreciate your new color scheme? It's quite striking."

Grievous rolled his eyes, but Nute could tell he was pleased with the comment nonetheless. The General always had a soft spot for flattery, and was awful at detecting sarcasm.

Padme spoke up, her voice still weak but determined. "We need to start thinking about our next move. We can't just sit here and wait for the Empire to come after us."

Shu Mai nodded in agreement. "We need to rebuild the Commerce Guild. It won't be easy, but we can't let them destroy everything I've… we've… worked so hard to build."

The rest of the group rolled their eyes at Shu Mai's comment, and continued on.

Rune Haako chimed in, "We also need to consider reaching out to other separatist factions. We are split across multiple holdouts across the galaxy. We can't do anything while isolated."

Nute nodded, considering their words. "I will reach out to any contacts I have left. We need all the help we can get."

Nute then cleared his throat, bringing the attention of the group back to him. "There is one major thing we need to decide on right now. Where should we go first?"

Grievous was the first to respond. "We need to go to Raxus. We must cement my claim as the leader of the CIS."

Rune spoke up next. "That will mean getting through the Kashyyyk blockade. It won't be easy."

"We simply have to turn the tide on Kashyyyk then," Grievous replied, dismissing the concerns.

Nute shook his head. "With what forces? I have heard the same rumors you have, that our forces there are battered but not beaten. Unless we arrive with reinforcements, our presence there will do nothing to break the Republic blockade."

Grievous muttered that he was the reinforcements, before the group silently pondered their options.

Padme then spoke up, asking if she could suggest something. The others turned to face her, and she began to propose a different plan.

"What if we go to Naboo?" she asked.

The rest of the group expressed their distaste for the idea at first, but Padme pressed on. "As you all have mentioned to me, times have changed. I have allies in the senate who are not happy with the formation of this Empire. While not at first, they would eventually be open to helping the CIS in the face of this common threat. After all, we are all fighting for our liberty, and while you all think it would be best to fight for a liberty independent from that of the Republic, we fight for the same thing, nonetheless. I am sure that if we arrived there, with you all as my caretakers, we could make great inroads in bridging the divide between us, and in moving on from old grudges."

Nute seemed to consider this. "That could be a good way to gain strength before making any moves on Kashyyyk."

This glimmer of hope left Padme open to go further with her request. "Well, I have already talked to my people on Naboo. It seems as if there are several groups across the galaxy that have been made enemies of the Empire through circumstance. I believe if we gather all of those groups on Naboo, we could have a summit to openly align ourselves as an anti-Imperial faction."

The Separatists present reeled at the insinuation of a summit, something that could expose them to danger, or their past enemies.

It was Rune who questioned Padme further. "Senator, if our former enemies are there, how could we be sure..."

Padme was quick to defend the peaceful nature of the summit. "This is just a plan for now, representative Haako. But, let me assure you, on the honor and peaceful nature of the Naboo, that every delegate present will not have violence in mind. I suspect that my people have already taken in many surviving Jedi, who no longer wish to quarrel against the Separatists. My allies in the senate also do not harbor a grudge against you all, for they have been calling for peace alongside myself since before this war began."

This reassurance brought considerate nods from the Separatists present, who seemed to be interested in forming new allies during these changed times.

Even Grievous simply grumbled but ultimately acceded to the plan. "Just make sure our defenses on Kashyyyk hold until we get there," he said.

Nute, optimistic about this turn of events, couldn't resist making a quip, turning to Grievous. "Well, at least your new black armor will leave your identity a secret to the Naboo."

Grievous glared at him, but the others chuckled.

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Finally, it had come time for their departure from Polis Massa. As a neutral planet, they had been treated well, and helped them all prepare for what would come next. The group then entered into the J-type starcruiser, and began their journey across the galaxy. Before taking off, Grievous did have one last thing to say.

"I have already made progress on finding allies," Grievous mentioned to the rest of the group.

"Oh?" Shu Mai responded. "And who are they?"

"He is a Pirate Lord that has been a great ally for us in the war against the Republic. He may be eccentric, but that is a risk we will have to take. We are meeting with him before we arrive on Naboo, there will be no compromise on this."

The group accepted Grievous' detour, and moved into space, sheathipede close behind, toward their next destination.

Below: Another Galaxy Map for context.

 

[Lord Cheddar]

Is the great HONDO OHNAKA, PIRATE EXTRAORDINAIRE the person Grevious was talking about? Is he going to be a regular feature or will he serve as a background character?

On one hand, he's a genius at piracy, and therefore probably extremely good at guerrilla tactics. On the other hand, I doubt Grevious would be able to restrain himself from doing terrible, terrible things to him if he has to stand him for more than a few hours.

 

[Count saruman]

i hope the cis survives and killed the republic.

 

[The_Last_Despot]

Is the great HONDO OHNAKA, PIRATE EXTRAORDINAIRE the person Grevious was talking about?

Click to shrink...

No, I considered Hondo but I wanted someone who would be more of a staple for the crew, plus I have an OC who is a Pirate from around this region. So, I just put him into the story. Im sure he would know Hondo though... Sorry if I disappointed lol

 

[The_Last_Despot]

From the Emperor's office on Coruscant…

Palpatine's fingers were white as they gripped his desk in a rage. In front of him were the latest headlines from the local holo news, published by an agency that had largely supported him through his tenure as Supreme Chancellor. The headline read "New Empire, Old Problems", and was a polemical piece regarding the fact that the conflict against the Separatists did not change as a result of Palpatine's ascension to Emperor. Moreover, the scathing article accused him of embezzling funds through his newfound power, although they couldn't possibly know that the money was being funneled to a project that was more destruction than leisure based. As he scowled at this latest hit piece, he felt the week of chaos take its toll on his body. Restructuring the Republic into the Empire was a monumental task, and since his now famous speech, he was not able to find any time to rest. From designing and implementing the Moff system, to placating the insatiable Senators, and attempting to lay the groundwork for the Stormtrooper program, it was all planned under the assumption that the droid army would be no more. And yet, his apprentice had failed to execute on what Palpatine saw as a trivial task—to use his newfound powers with the dark side to quickly dispatch those corrupt bureaucrats on Mustafar. Vader, meanwhile, was left to rot in a medical bay, largely blind in one eye and confined to a specialized suit for the rest of his life. Palpatine had already considered disposing him for another—the man would not stop asking about his wife, no matter how many times Palpatine said she was dead. Regardless, it was not completely his fault for his failure, although he would be fully punished for it. Vader's report was completely unexpected—Not only did that brutish Kaleesh somehow survive and make it to Mustafar, but that wretched Kenobi made an appearance there as well. Apparently, their combined onslaught against Vader was simply too much to handle at his stage, let alone to do so with Padme there. Palpatine thought for a second that those two cretins had somehow found a way to team up on Utapau, that they conspired against him due to some intelligence that was leaked. But, after a thorough purge of his inner circle, not a single person was found that could have given away any crucial information about his plan.

Based on Vader's report, it seems as if his apprentice assumed the death of Grievous, alongside every other Separatist leader when the base began to implode on itself. He mentioned personally executing various members, however the fate of some were left a mystery. Upon further examination of the rubble from some of his Coruscant guard under the command of Commander Fox, their reports inevitably confirmed this to be mostly true, although several bodies were yet to be found. In a location inundated with lava, Palpatine could not be sure that any specific council members were alive, but was left unhappy with these findings. What was certain was that Grievous made his escape on the fighter that he arrived there in, and that Obi Wan left with Senator Amidala on her personal craft. Both parties represented a major thorn in his side, although Grievous retaking leadership of the CIS was not necessarily something he was worried about. In fact, one of his contingencies called for a Separatist civil war, should he fail to immediately strangle their organization on Mustafar. As for the other party, this was much more troublesome for him. Kenobi and Amidala were two strong influences on his new apprentice, and had already left him useless once. He would have to keep Vader away from them for now, and try to track down and destroy them to fully push Vader over to his side.

With so much to think about, and so much more to do, Palpatine slumped into his chair, absolutely mentally exhausted from it all. If everything had just gone to plan….

Just then, his personal comms beeped, signaling that he was receiving a holo-call. It was his trusted aide Mas Amedda, who informed him that he had a visitor.

"Who is it? I am hardly in the mood for any trivial meetings," Palpatine hastily informed Amedda.

"It is a certain Wilhuff Tarkin, my Lord," Mas Amedda replied calmly.

"Let him in."

A moment later, a middle-aged human entered the room, carrying a slightly bored expression, although Palpatine knew that the man was hiding his overwhelming excitement regarding recent events. Tarkin was, after all, nearly as power hungry as Palpatine himself.

"What is it, 'Grand Moff' Tarkin," Palpatine asked, ignoring the half smile that crept onto Tarkin's face. "if this is about your recent ascension to Moff, then…"

"That is not why I am here, Emperor," Tarkin replied. "I simply am here to deliver an intelligence report from my sources on Eriadu." Palpatine listened closely. "Reports suggest that one of those wretched pirates that inhabit the region made a recent communication to a high-ranking Separatist official. The Pirate's name is Auro Praxis, and we have had a bounty on his head since the early days of the war. While he is not a significant threat in his own right, I do think that the communication itself is of importance. I suspect his communication was made to General Grievous, which would corroborate our current intelligence."

Palpatine nodded, agreeing with the Moff's deduction. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Tarkin. Do not worry about that wayward General, he may yet be of use to us…"

Tarkin bowed gracefully, sensing that his presence was no longer needed. As he left the room, Palpatine gazed off once again, trying to think about how he could even back up those words…

 

[The_Last_Despot]

Name: Auro Praxis

Rank: Pirate Lord/Privateer

Faction: Confederacy of Independent Systems

Age: 24

Race: Human

Canon: No

Weapons/starships: One providence class dreadnaught "striking star", two accompanying munificent class, and two recusant class ships. Several untraceable barges that he uses for transporting goods between planets. One modified DL-44 blaster pistol. Land forces of several hundred battle droids, 4 commando droids, 4 Droidekas. Several vulture and tri-droid fighters.

Homeworld: Drunkenwell

Appearance:
6'1 human male, slightly tan skin, short curly brown hair, and moustache. Always ensures their CIS uniform is pressed and fits well. Wears a navy cape alongside his white naval outfit, with the navy confederate hex alongside several questionable medals.

Bio: Auro grew up on the heavily industrialized squalor of Drunkenwell, where his poorer family struggled to get by under the corporations. In that environment, he learned to fight for every dollar, scrap for every small benefit, in order to better his family's prestige. The environment became one he was able to excel in, finding himself beginning to climb the corporate ladder at a young age, and bringing status alongside it. The war changed everything on Drunkenwell, shifting things toward a war footing and therefore shifting corporate priorities. Auro, sensing potential profits, began purchasing damaged CIS ships and repairing them on planet. He did so for a profit, but towards the war's end he had also collected a small fleet himself. His fleet was on call for the defense of the Drunkenwell system against republic forces, and he had spent the last 6 months of the war fighting a rolling skirmish with republic forces as they struggled to maintain supply lines for their outer rim sieges. As a raider, profits followed, and so did his motley collection of older vulture droids and horribly optimized Recusants. His OOM model commander droid, OOM-42, known to Auro as "42", also wears a navy cape, and has taken a unique personality from its years of service. The chaos that ensued following the foundation of the empire has left Auro as a Pirate Lord of a motley fleet, raiding around the Eriadu system as a pseudo-privateer for the CIS. He is serviceable when in command during a fleet battle, but especially excels at transporting goods and supplies to other CIS worlds and escaping dangerous engagements. He is one of the 4 Pirate Lords that frequent the Eriadu system, much to the chagrin of the Tarkin family.

 

[The_Last_Despot]

Spoiler: Eriadu Planet Description

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​

As the J-type emerged from hyperspace within the Eriadu system, Padme, Nute, and Grievous stared out of the viewport, their eyes filled with awe at the beautiful sight before them. Eriadu was known for its opulence, and as they drew closer, the planet seemed to sparkle like a rare gem. The bright blue oceans and lush green landmasses stood out in stark contrast against the darkness of space, and the group couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder as they approached.

As they navigated their way towards the outer edge of the system, carefully avoiding any local patrols, a transmission came through. The hologram of an OOM command droid, dressed in an unusual naval cape, flickered to life before them. Nute's eyes narrowed in curiosity as he took in the droid's attire. The droid instructed them to land in the Striking Star's hangar bay, and they complied, soon spotting the massive ship as it loomed into view.

As the J-type touched down inside the hangar, the group observed their surroundings. Half-filled storage boxes were strewn about the area, and the occasional tan-colored vulture droid stood guard, a sign that these were older models. The sight was both impressive and slightly disconcerting, as it was clear that they had entered a hidden stronghold of sorts.

The group cautiously descended the exit ramp, only to be greeted by an unexpected sight. In the middle of the hangar bay, a lavish table had been set up, complete with fine linens and delicate crystal glasses. Auro Praxis stood at the head of the table, a wide smile on his face as he poured glasses of wine for his guests.

Auro Praxis, with his short curly brown hair and a moustache, exuded an air of confidence that was unmistakable. His voice and mannerisms were distinctly western, and his sense of style was certainly unique. Despite not being a Separatist Grand Admiral, he wore the dress of one, setting him apart from the rest. Auro's warm welcome was almost disarming, as he offered them seats at the lavishly set table.

"Welcome, my friends! Please, take a seat and let's break bread together. We have much to discuss," Auro said with a charismatic smile.

Nute raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the man's demeanor. "You seem quite... hospitable, for a Pirate Lord."

Auro chuckled in response. "Ah, yes. Well, I find that diplomacy and good manners go a long way in this galaxy. Especially in times of war."

The group hesitantly took their seats around the table, and Auro continued pouring wine for each of them. He engaged in light banter with his second in command, the commander droid "42," who had developed a unique personality after years of service under Auro's command.

"42 here tells me you're looking for allies in the fight against the Empire. And I have to say, I'm quite intrigued," Auro said, raising his glass in a toast. "But before we discuss business, let's enjoy this meal together. After all, we're all civilized beings here, aren't we?"

As they began to eat, the group exchanged concerned glances at the unappetizing dishes before them. One dish seemed to consist entirely of blue tentacle-like creatures, while another appeared to be a mixture of various roots and vegetables, mashed together into an unrecognizable paste. Padme bravely took a few bites, but her expression betrayed her true feelings about the meal.

Auro noticed their discomfort and stepped in, grinning broadly. "I've been trying to teach 42 how to cook," he explained, gesturing to his commander droid. "None of us aboard the Providence know the first thing about it." Meanwhile, 42 stood at attention, almost as if the droid was looking for compliments.

Grievous let out a low chuckle, not bothering to hide his amusement. "I don't eat, but I suppose this is a new level of terrible even for those who do."

Padme somehow managed a diplomatic smile, swallowing another bite with some difficulty. "It's certainly...unique," she offered.

Auro laughed heartily at their reactions. "It's a work in progress, I'll admit. But the wine makes for an easy way to get through it."

As they continued to eat, Padme decided to get down to business. "So, Auro, how long have you been operating in this system?"

Auro took a bite of his meal, pausing for a moment before answering. "Around six months, give or take."

"And what have you been up to during that time?" Nute asked, eyeing the pirate lord suspiciously.

Auro chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Oh, you know, the usual. Raiding Republic convoys, pillaging Imperial ships...nothing too out of the ordinary."

Rune Haako raised an eyebrow. "And what have you found during those raids?"

Auro reached out and grabbed his glass of wine, a wistful look crossing his face. "Well, I remember one particularly memorable battle against a Republic convoy in this very system."

Padme leaned forward, interested. "What ended up happening?"

Auro leaned back in his seat, swirling his wine glass as he spoke. "So there I was, chasing down this Republic convoy in the Eriadu system. Intel suggested that this was some Tarkin family cargo. With me, I had my fleet of older vulture droids and Recusant-class ships, but they had some newer ships and heavy escorts—even a Venator. The stars were a blur as our ships clashed in heated combat, lasers flying through the void of space."

He took a sip of wine before continuing. "After a long and grueling dogfight, we managed to push past their fighter screens and disable their flagship. Really, it was the work of this here Striking Star that turned the tide of things—she can take quite a beating. The ship shook with the impact of each blast, and the sound of fighters zipping by filled the air. But that's when things got interesting. Right when we had them where we wanted them, we saw a shuttle launch from the crippled ship and head for Eadu. We knew we had to act fast if we wanted to secure whatever it was they were carrying."

Auro paused for dramatic effect, taking another sip of wine. "So I ordered my crew to board the Republic ship. It wasn't easy, as they had some tough security protocols in place. It was so tough, that I had to lead from the front to make any progress. A couple of thermal detonators later, we had our opening. The explosion shook the deck, and the smell of burnt metal filled the air. Those security forces were tough as hell, but we managed to fight our way through their defenses and reach the cargo hold."

Nute leaned forward, intrigued by the story. "What did you find in the cargo hold?" he asked.

Auro smiled wryly. "It was a strange and eclectic collection of goods. But what caught my eye was a strange, gaudy object that seemed to be the centerpiece of the cargo. It was adorned with jewels and gold plating, and it had a strange energy signature."

Padme raised an eyebrow. "What kind of energy signature?"

Auro shrugged. "I'm not exactly sure. All we know was that it had this strange pyramid shape to it, and was engraved with all sorts of weird markings—ancient languages and symbols I couldn't quite decipher. Whatever it was, I knew it was something valuable, and I wasn't about to let the Republic take it back. So we grabbed it and made a hasty retreat, jumping to hyperspace before they could catch us, the stars streaking by as we made our escape."

He leaned back in his seat again, taking another sip of wine. "That's the kind of thing I live for. The thrill of the chase, the rush of battle, and the unknown riches you nab from them in the end. It's what keeps me going in this crazy galaxy."

Grievous chuckled. "I can certainly relate to that."

Nute looked thoughtful. "You mentioned the Tarkin family earlier. Are they a major presence in this system?"

Auro nodded. "Oh yes, the Tarkins are one of the most powerful families in the sector. They have their fingers in all sorts of pies, from mining to shipping. They're not exactly known for their subtlety, but they're certainly effective. They operate from their family estate on Eriadu, and their influence stretches far and wide."

Padme looked concerned. "Do you think they'll pose a threat to our mission?"

Auro shrugged. "It's hard to say. They're not exactly fans of the Separatists, but they're not all exactly fans of the Empire either. They're all about their own interests. But if they get wind of our presence here, they might try to interfere. They're a cunning lot, and they'll seize any opportunity to advance their own power."

Nute nodded. "We'll have to be cautious, then."

Auro raised his glass. "To caution, then. And to whatever riches this galaxy has in store for us."

Grievous sat up straighter in his seat, looking Auro Praxis in the eye.

"Auro, we're not just here for a friendly dinner," he said. "We have a proposition for you."

Auro leaned back in his seat, his interest piqued. "I'm all ears," he said.

Grievous continued. "We need an escort to Naboo, and we also need your help in taking Kashyyyk."

Auro raised an eyebrow. "Naboo sounds fine to me. But Kashyyyk? That's a tough nut to crack. Why do you need to go there?"

Nute spoke up. "We need to secure Kashyyyk to gain access to the Perlemian. If we can't beat back the Republic forces there, we'll have to smuggle ourselves through the blockade and make our way to Raxus."

Auro rubbed his chin thoughtfully, considering their request. "And what's in it for me?"

Grievous spoke up again, his voice growing more aggressive. "Helping the Confederacy should be more than enough. You already dress like an Admiral."

Nute put up a hand to calm Grievous down. "Auro, we understand that every good deal goes both ways. By assisting us during our time of need, there will be plenty in it for you. Once we reach Raxus, you'll have access to CIS funds that will more than compensate you for your troubles. And for every droid you lose, we'll provide you with a newer model, free of charge."

Auro's eyes widened, clearly enticed by the offer. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he mulled it over. "Well, you certainly know how to make a persuasive argument," he admitted.

He looked around at the group, sizing each of them up. "You all seem like a capable bunch. I'll admit, I'm intrigued by the idea of helping the Confederacy. It's been a while since I've been a part of something bigger."

Auro laughed, a twinkle in his eye. "Now that's what I like to hear. It's a deal. You can make yourselves at home aboard the Striking Star, and we'll get you to Naboo right away."

Grievous nodded, satisfied with the outcome of their negotiation. As they rose from the table to make their way into the Striking Star, Grievous couldn't help but feel a sense of cautious optimism. He was worried that they would have looked weak entering Naboo space with only a starcruiser and a Sheathipede, and now that issue had been solved with this modest fleet. Moreover, with Auro Praxis on their side, perhaps he stood a better chance at cementing his claim on Raxus.

Shortly after the dinner ended, the accompanying Sheathipede also landed in the hangar, impressing Auro with the quality of droids aboard. He was particularly impressed with the magnaguards, which he asked to spar with much to Grievous' annoyance. While Grievous himself made himself comfortable in the ship's bridge, the rest of the crew settled into their measly quarters for some privacy and rest. Providence-class ships were hardly known for their luxurious cabins; however it was better than traversing the length of the galaxy in the meagerly armed J-type. The protocol droids and R2D2 were able to get some droid service in the Striking Star's hangar, and soon the ship—alongside the rest of Auro's fleet—entered hyperspace on route to Naboo.

 

[The_Last_Despot]

Hi everyone! Thank you all for reading this far... I've had a blast writing this, and without editors or anyone besides you guys giving your reactions, I also thank you for looking past my mistakes when writing lol

Just wanted to let everyone know that i'll be traveling to Cuba for spring break tonight, so my updates over the next week may get a bit... choppy. That being said, unless I can't charge this laptop of mine, a little time away from home won't stop me from writing! We will see what happens.

Also, feel free to let me know what you think of the direction of the story, and whether the first OC is tolerable... One more will make their appearance on Naboo, although any other OCs would be to flesh out the peripheries of the story rather than be a part of the core group.

Lastly, I need a name/species/droid type for the leader of Separatist remnants on Kashyyyk for when that part of the story comes. All I know so far is that they will be a stalwart defender against all odds, and that they will take advantage of the Empires... treatment of the Wookies to help turn the tide there. If anyone has a good character to throw in, please let me know! If you want to come up with a Jedi, that helps too as many of them will be taking refuge on Naboo. If you are interested in adding a character to the story, maybe try and write up a character sheet like I did with Auro Praxis? That would be super helpful I think.

Thanks again for reading!

 

[1gnit3]

Name: C4V-T70L, Alias Troll

Rank: General

Faction: Confederacy of Independent Systems

Age: 1.3 Standard Years

Race: Super Tactical Droid

Canon: No

Weapons/starships:

Homeworld: Raxus Secundus

Appearance: Just one of these guys.

Bio: C4V-T70L begin as one among dozens of Super Tactical Droids manufactured to replace the flawed Tactical model. He hasn't been fighting for long, being a fairly recent model, and all of that time has been spent on trying to conquer Kashyyyk, AKA one of the most deadly living planets in the galaxy. In his campaigns against his mostly Wookiee foes, Troll gained a measure of respect for Kashyyyk's absurdly dangerous ecology, as he was forced to adapt his warfare plans around it. No organic commanders were willing to spend enough time on Kashyyyk to perform regular memory wipes on him, so this respect grew, and even extended to the Wookiees themselves, both as survivors of this hellhole of a jungle and as worthy opponents. As the Clone Army arrived, Troll put his hard-earned experience regarding warfare in hostile terrain to good use, bringing down dozens of clone brigades before they could adjust to the jungle. Of course, as the Wookiees shared their own jungle expertise with the clones, the tide began to turn in the Republic's favor. But now, things seem to have changed slightly. The Wookiees and the human soldiers so longer seem nearly as eager to work harmoniously. Troll theorizes that this might be a result of the new tone set by the Republic now naming itself an Empire. Regardless, this new friction presents an opportunity, he is sure. What he isn't sure about is how to capitalize on it. He may be among the most flexible and free-thinking commanders in the Droid Army, but his assets in space are tellingly outnumbered. Troll endures, but if something doesn't change, he will be forced to either retreat from Kashyyyk or face utter defeat.

Note: How is this? There was a Super Tactical Droid named Kraken, so I thought I'd roll with a fantasy names gimmick. I think you should decide the exact number of resources Troll has access to, since it's your story.

 

[The_Last_Despot]

Note: How is this? There was a Super Tactical Droid named Kraken, so I thought I'd roll with a fantasy names gimmick. I think you should decide the exact number of resources Troll has access to, since it's your story.

Click to shrink...

This is wonderful! Love the fantasy name, and fitting story as to how he has been able to hold on. STdroids are perfect for this role, as they have the adaptability to use everything to their advantage, especially with the lack of oversight over him. Looks like they'll be the one!

 

[BurningSaiyan]

I just found this story today and it's extraordinary! Poor Vader lol, he got even more fucked up. Also wonder when Kenobi's gonna show up?

Very nice charecterization for Gunray. It's feels odd that I'm supporting a capitalist POS who's run an organization that profits from preying on the outer rim, but better him than a fascist.

 

[The_Last_Despot]

I just found this story today and it's extraordinary! Poor Vader lol, he got even more fucked up. Also wonder when Kenobi's gonna show up?

Very nice charecterization for Gunray. It's feels odd that I'm supporting a capitalist POS who's run an organization that profits from preying on the outer rim, but better him than a fascist.

Click to shrink...

Kenobi has a nice invite to the convention on Naboo! A bunch of recognizable faces will be there...

Also you're absolutely right about Nute--but, after a near death experience, the loss of his Trade Federation, and allies who are morally better, he will himself become better with time. I don't really think anyone is unredeemable, although he was certainly a bad guy for most of his life. Better than the fascists! Those Core human-centric elitists...

 

[Cataquack]

Lastly, I need a name/species/droid type for the leader of Separatist remnants on Kashyyyk for when that part of the story comes. All I know so far is that they will be a stalwart defender against all odds, and that they will take advantage of the Empires... treatment of the Wookies to help turn the tide there. If anyone has a good character to throw in, please let me know! If you want to come up with a Jedi, that helps too as many of them will be taking refuge on Naboo. If you are interested in adding a character to the story, maybe try and write up a character sheet like I did with Auro Praxis? That would be super helpful I think.

Click to shrink...

I have a recommendation for a fitting droid type: the A-series "Pollux" assassin droids. They were designed by a demented scientist back during the Great Sith War, built to fend off Dashade assassins while he hid in the depths of Kashyyyk. He died from natural causes there, but his droids lived on, and were enhanced further by a Rakatan artifact they found on Kashyyyk. Thousands of years later, they were bought up by Dooku. They became notorious during the Clone Wars, fighting alongside the Nimbus commandos of Jabiim and even Asaj Ventress. Most were destroyed in the course of the war, and some apparently stayed with the Nimbus commandos (who sold out to the Empire), but the New Essential Guide to Droids said that the survivors went back to the forests of Kashyyyk, creating the perfect opportunity to get them involved.

Furthermore, it would be really interesting if one of the Pollux droids took a few pages out of the book of Alto Stratus, the founder of the Nimbus commandos. Although his successors were cowardly turncoats who joined the Empire after his death, Alto himself was a genuinely passionate, charismatic nationalist, who called out the Republic on neglecting his backwater homeworld but still insisting on controlling it for its valuable mines. Moreover, he was also a fierce, cagey, and ruthless fighter, who led a successful guerrilla war against the Jedi and clones. Perhaps the Pollux droid leading the war on Kashyyyk decides to adopt some tricks from his mentor's playbook?

I'm not quite sure on how things would exactly play out, but I'm envisioning a an ancient assassin droid that is somewhat reminiscent of HK-47 in theming, but significantly different, too. A ruthless assassin droid who has developed charisma as well, and is prepared to make the Empire bleed for every foot they take on Kashyyyk, a planet that he sees as his home in a fashion. He'd specialize in a wide variety of ranged weapons like his kin, but he'd also wield an old-fashioned sword, much like Alto did. Interested?

 

[The_Last_Despot]

Interested?

Click to shrink...

I absofreakinlutely am. Looks like the Super Tactical Droid Troll will have a lieutenant that he found during his struggles on the planet, and they will be employing guerilla tactics against the slavers!