Chapter Text
Cody and Rex had returned to the barracks after their extensive debriefing to find their brothers in the food hall discussing nothing but the latest news. The 501st troopers who had been on the Resolute and had witnessed the events unfolding during the mission were trying not to take too much delight in having the 212th’s complete attention as they told and retold the story of what had happened to their General in varying degrees of drama and showmanship.
Snippets of conversation could be caught as the Marshal Commander and the Captain strode by the tables to get their food, receiving respectful salutes and nods from soldiers who noticed them and weren’t too busy relishing in story-time.
“What’s been the wildest story for how it actually happened?” Rex asked quietly. “These boys weren’t there for it and I know the only thing you’ve said is that General Kenobi and the Sith fought and both fell into the pool.”
“Oddly enough, that’s the part of the story that has remained accurate,” Cody replied, taking his tray. “The General fighting the Sith is enough to satisfy.”
“Give it a few more days and it will adapt on its own,” Rex couldn’t help but sigh, sliding his tray of food onto a free table and sinking onto the adjoining bench. Cody took the space opposite him as he began to eat. “By then, though, I’m wondering what will be added to the story. I don’t suppose that you’ve heard anything from the Jedi?”
“Not yet, no,” Cody replied and didn’t fully succeed in keeping the disappointment out his voice. “I suppose they’re busy trying to come up with concrete answers instead of filling up our head spaces with theories. No doubt it’s also more likely that they would first report any information to the Chancellor. Quite rightly.” A potato was skewered on his fork by the time he had finished speaking but he hesitated before eating it.
“As you are General Kenobi’s Second in Command, I have no doubt that you will also be a highly prioritised receiver of any information from the Temple,” Rex assured him. “It’s going to be me that will be itching for news and knocking on your door every other day.”
He found victory in the fact that he had caused his brother to smile.
“I somehow doubt that,” Cody said, shaking his head. “Commander Tano, at the very least, would be quick to bring you up to speed if General Skywalker doesn’t beat her to it.”
"I take it everyone is still optimistic about getting General Kenobi back to normal," Rex said quietly, between bites. "You've got total command of the Third Systems Army at the moment. 7th Sky Corps, the 212th..."
"I'm aware," Cody interrupted, perhaps a little sharply. "And yes, we're keeping positive about this. We have to get General Kenobi back to how he was, otherwise..."
There was a lengthy silence.
"Right," Rex nodded in understanding.
If Kenobi could not be restored back to human form, then that left two options. Either Commander Cody was going to find himself promoted to a role that no clone had prepared for or - and this almost seemed worse - another General would take command. And knowing how attached the clones were to their assigned generals, that was a thought that none in the 212th wanted at all.
Expertly changing the subject, Rex pushed his now finished tray away and settled his elbows on the table to stare level-headedly at Cody.
“The other one. That was the Sith, yes? Darth Maul. Sinister looking piece of work and I’ve only seen him in dragon form.”
“Doesn’t do his Zabrak form justice,” Cody huffed into his cup and then his voice dropped to a whisper. He leant forward with a new glint of seriousness in his face. “I will tell you one thing, Rex… Compared to Count Dooku? Different kind of Sith.”
Rex frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. Don’t know how to explain it, I mean. Maul just felt different.”
“Felt?” Rex smiled a little. “Are you a Jedi now too?”
“No thank you!” Cody smiled back. “That’s something I don’t need. I mean that he just… Look, you know the Jedi say that everyone has the Force in them and that it just takes an extra amount of it for those non-Force Sensitives to feel? Well, I don’t know if it’s because of the place we were in or if it was just Maul’s presence alone but he was someone that you didn’t need to have the Force to tell was deadly. Unpredictable. You wouldn’t turn your back on him.”
“Are you saying you would turn your back on Dooku?”
“Not a chance but… I can’t explain it. You would have to feel it for yourself. I guess I do sound like a Jedi right now. Trying to explain the Force to someone. You can’t describe deep inner feelings like you can describe a good old blaster.”
Rex lifted his cup at that and nodded. “Unless we know where he is, I’m not likely to meet Maul at all so I will take your word for it.”
As he drank, he saw Cody pause. The scar that ran along the side of his face and forehead gave away the fact that he had deepened his frown a little bit.
“He will be with the Mandalorians,” Cody said. “So that narrows it down, doesn’t it?”
“You think we will actually be going after him?” Rex asked. “The times when Maul has shown up before hasn’t warranted the Chancellor’s attention.”
“Yeah, for some reason the Chancellor never saw Maul as a threat to the Republic,” Cody agreed and shook his head. “Which surprises me, honestly. I mean, that was the guy that killed General Kenobi’s Master on Naboo and apparently endangered the life of General Skywalker when he was a boy. The Senate were all too keen to get involved before our Republic/Separatist War came along.”
“I can’t speak for all the Jedi,” Rex then murmured, leaning closer as their conversation became even more quiet. “But I know Skywalker has said that more than one of their Order have expressed… what’s the word… I suppose resentment is the best I can describe it. Resentment that the Senate are not letting them be Jedi. Maul was one of two supposed Sith, not counting that Savage guy or Dooku. He would be useful in finding the second one - the one that Dooku takes orders from.”
“Well, I can tell you that Kenobi has never liked it,” Cody admitted, quickly glancing around as though the entirety of the Senate might be standing by their table and would hear them. “Even though he’s a damn fine general. He might be a Jedi but it certainly feels as though he’s been a commander in a war before… Anyway, with Maul being a dragon as well and this dodgy Force thing that changed them now being on their radar, I’m wondering if the Jedi are going to see this as being too important to ignore and will get a little rebellious.”
Rex leant back with a laugh. “Rebellious Jedi. That’s something you hear about but never believe you’ll see in your lifetime.”
Cody might have been about to respond to him but a ping on his comm device took his total attention and Rex waited patiently while his brother read the message. Cody’s dark brown eyes scanned the words and then again, making sure he had all the information before he seemed satisfied.
“We’re heading up to Centax-2. Security detail,” Cody relayed to Rex, pocketing his device after a moment.
“The 212th or all of us?”
“I’m only reading our names in the message so far.”
“What’s the mission?”
“I told you: security detail.” Cody folded his arms. “And to put out any fires if things get messy. Apparently they’re going to be studying General Kenobi’s Kyber Crystal thing.”
“On Centax-2?” Rex chuckled. “Let me guess - the Senators don’t want potential weapons of mass destruction being tested on Coruscant. Makes sense.”
He and Cody shook their heads while they shared the jokes, took back their trays and prepared to meet the Jedi back at the Temple. Within the hour, they were already en route with additional reassurances that the 212th and 501st were not needed immediately on any front lines so they could afford to leave their boys to wind down back in the barracks.
General Skywalker appeared to have found a semi-permanent seat on his Master’s soft back and he was reclined comfortably when the Clones stepped off their taxi shuttle at the Temple’s Landing pad. As for Commander Tano, she had clearly been vying for a spot between the shoulders as well but was having to make do with sitting on Kenobi’s large front paws. He had laid himself down in a very serene manner and, with his head tucked against his chest like a bird and his eyes partly closed, seemed to be enjoying the last of the day’s sunshine while they waited, permitting young Ahsoka to loosely plait a little portion of his mane.
Yoda was now no longer to be seen. He had announced that he had been drawn away from his students long enough and that while he yearned to remain by Obi-Wan’s side for the duration of this trial, he was humble enough to acknowledge that Mace Windu’s experience would be better suited for the testing of the Kyber Crystal. The Ways of the Force were Yoda’s area of expertise and he had concluded his observations for that.
When Obi-Wan and Anakin had flown back to the Temple after a lengthy flight around the Senate Buildings to give the Senators something to ogle and gossip about, Obi-Wan had offered to carry Yoda, Windu and Ahsoka down to the Temple Entrance, or so Anakin had translated for them. Evidently, the previously flight-hesitant Jedi Master had acquired a new taste for his old piloting skills and was keen to challenge his load-bearing capabilities.
Yoda, with the discrete glee of a Youngling, took up the offer with no hesitation and had jostled past Anakin to nest himself on top of the dragon’s head just as he done so before, clearly HIS seat of choice. Ahsoka was also keen to experience a flight and she had climbed up behind her Master, shielded on either side by the folded up wings. She did not want her feet to impede their movement so she crossed her legs and decided she would hold onto Anakin or the wing joints if she didn’t feel safe. As for Mace Windu, he had first declined the offer but a little persuasion from Yoda had changed his mind and he was settled behind Ahsoka’s sitting position though he had a knee placed carefully on either side of the dragon’s spine.
A few experimental flaps were enough to satisfy Obi-Wan and Ahsoka shivered in anticipation as she felt the body beneath her start to move towards the edge. Just as it had done to Anakin, all her internal organs seemed to lift into her chest when Master Kenobi had calmly dropped off the Temple roof - a stark contrast to his earlier trepidation. If she thought she heard Master Windu catch his breath, she wisely didn’t mention it. All she could comprehend was that the wind in her ears only appeared to chill her for a second before a warmth spread up through her and she found herself sitting quite comfortably and not at all afraid. With a large feathery wing spread out on either side of her, fixed to glide, she felt as though she had as much chance of falling to her death as she would on solid ground.
Anakin had his hands in Obi-Wan’s mane again but it he was considering moving them to the head feathers instead for better purchase although Yoda was a little too in the way for that.
Only a few tiny wing adjustments were needed for Obi-Wan to ride the wind in a slowly descending turn, down towards the Temple steps and when he landed, hind legs first to control his speed, Ahsoka was mildly disappointed that the flight hadn’t lasted longer.
Yoda and Windu however had been satisfied and, after patting Obi-Wan’s nose very lovingly and bidding farewell, Yoda had departed with the announcement that he had much to meditate on and left them turning towards the Landing pads to await Cody and Rex.
“Thank you for meeting us so swiftly,” Windu had greeted the Clones. “As Kenobi’s skills with the Force and Flight have been briefly looked into, we have only to understand the Crystal in his chest. If it is able to be used as Maul demonstrated, we would not be permitted to test it here on Coruscant. The Senate have been quite clear on that.”
“Understood. I only wish we could tell you more information about it,” said Cody. “Neither Captain Rex nor myself witnessed the attack from Maul for ourselves.”
“Padawan Tano, however, did.” Windu looked over at Ahsoka who, taking that to be her prompt, climbed up onto her feet, balanced quite skillfully on the large furry paw, and then hopped down.
“Centax-2 was mentioned in your message, Sir,” Cody prompted.
“Yes, we can leave as soon as possible,” Windu nodded. “As we mentioned, it would be dangerous to test such a thing here in the city. We do not know the power levels we are dealing with and have only Ahsoka’s report which, if accurate, would suggest that a more remote testing area is needed.”
“We’ve only got so long to do this,” Anakin then said. “Mandalore needs us, after all.”
Mace Windu pursed his lips but said nothing, no doubt the disapproving words from the Senate echoing in his mind.
“What ship are we taking?” Rex asked. “I do not think there are any ferries which would be able to accommodate a dragon of his size. No offence, General.”
If Obi-Wan had taken offence, he did not make it obvious. But he did twitch the tip of his tail and sigh.
“Well that’s an interesting question,” Windu answered. “You’ve all witnessed that Kenobi, in his present state, seems capable of travelling space without a ship. It might be more economical if we take a smaller ferry and allow Kenobi to fly himself to Centax-2. I have not witnessed this firsthand so it can be counted as a little extra research for my part.”
“We were under strict orders, however, to not let Master Kenobi be alone while in Coruscant territory,” Ahsoka told them, innocently looking away. Rex immediately knew that she was hiding a smile. “Chancellor Palpatine says he must not be unattended. So we could hijack some suits but seeing as your Clone Armour can be adjusted to settings that allow you to endure space conditions…”
There came the smile.
Cody and Rex stood silent as their brains tried processing and then re-processing the words.
“You- Are you asking that we…” Rex gestured awkwardly towards the dragon. “You would like us to, uh… ride the General?”
That was too much for Anakin apparently because he immediately turned his head away to splutter into his hand. Sometimes it was easy to forget that he was 22 standard years old.
“Of course you would not be permitted to ride during re-entry of Coruscant but if this is not acceptable then, by all means, we can find alternative transport,” Mace Windu was saying, ignoring Anakin who was now trying to cover up his laugh by faking a cough.
“No, I’m- It’s acceptable, General,” Cody quickly replied, standing a mite straighter. “It will just be a new experience for us. That is all. When did you say we were leaving?”
Mace Windu lifted his comm to hail a taxi and he inclined his head to mask a twitch of his lips. “As soon as possible, we said.”
Anakin hopped down and brushed his hands together.
“So which of you wants a leg-up first?”
That had been a silly question; everyone knew Cody was going to be sitting up front.
From a neighbouring landing pad, waiting with a different shuttle, Cody and Rex’s brand new experience was being observed with great delight from a group of Clones that, for the most part, had been admiring the winged creature for the better part of the hour.
They watched as Cody first climbed up onto the big monster’s back with a little help from General Skywalker and seemed to straddle the neck with his hands up, looking around for a suitable place to put them. Rex was pushed up behind him and seemed very reluctant to touch the wings but equally as hesitant to grab Commander Cody around the waist. The beast, for its part, simply lay there in a calm, regal manner, one paw crossed over the other as it allowed the Clones to get comfortable.
It wasn’t entirely clear as to how or why the Jedi had procured an animal such as that and it was even more unclear as to why Commander Cody and Captain Rex were apparently being directed to sit on it. But it wasn’t their job to think about that. They were here for another mission and despite their quirks, they always took their missions very seriously.
Crosshair adjusted his leaning position against the ship and looked away from Cody and Rex to re-check his rifle. He let out a long sigh of impatience and fished out a toothpick from his jacket to chew on.
”Why are we here, Hunter?” he asked. “Not exactly our line of work. Any old Reg could have accompanied the Jedi.”
“We have orders,” Hunter replied. He was still watching the amusing scene over on the other landing pad. “That should be good enough, shouldn’t it? These orders came from high up the line.”
“From the Chancellor?”
“No. General Windu.” Hunter eyed the stoic Jedi General from afar.
Not many were aware that Clone Force 99 reported directly to General Mace Windu. Most were content to believe they were just a sorry Bad Batch of Clones that took their orders from anyone of a higher rank.
“Ah that makes sense,” Wrecker said with a nod in the direction of another Jedi General who had been walking towards them and had currently paused to speak to a passing colleague. A young Padawan boy was at her side, all bright eyed and eager as he gazed yearningly towards the winged animal. “‘Cause he trained the General over there, right? And she’s training that kid. So they’re like his kids, yeah? He wanted the best on this job.”
Tech glanced over to General Billaba and the young Padawan and then back to his data pad. He had snapped some pictures of Cody and Rex on the back of the large animal.
“That is not how the Jedi work, Wrecker,” he was saying, “but your simple outlook on how they function is, as usual, somewhat charming.”
“Nah, I heard them say it!” Wrecker insisted. He was sat on the shuttle’s steps. “The Jedi are pretty much like parents to their little Padawans so that means they also have grandparents.”
“More like Guardians, really,” Crosshair drawled, twisting the toothpick around in his mouth.
“What’s the difference?”
“That’s probably something you won’t understand until you have a kid of your own,” Hunter told him, firmly. “Let’s face it, what clone can comprehend parents and children? Let’s just stick to what we do know.”
“What I know is that this isn’t our usual kind of mission,” Crosshair reiterated his previous argument. “Escort and security for a field trip isn’t what we’re known for.”
“If you want to ask General Windu for yourself, he’s over there.”
Crosshair did not want to ask General Windu so he shut up.
They would have gone back to watching the events involving Cody and Rex but they were standing to attention when their Jedi General, having finished her conversation, had strode towards them and stopped with a serene expression. The Padawan, despite standing neatly and politely at her right elbow, had a gleam of mischief in his eye.
“Hello,” the Jedi greeted with a bow of her head. The Jedi knew deep bows made the Clones feel awkward and uncomfortable so they resorted to the polite but much more informal alternative. “I am Master Depa Billaba. This is my Padawan, Caleb Dume. I have heard you are exceptionally skilled.”
“You have heard correctly, General,” Hunter nodded. “I am CT-9901 “Hunter”. I am the designated captain of Clone Force 99.”
“Captain Hunter,” General Billaba smiled and then asked for the names of the rest of the group, not really caring for their numbers so much. “General Windu speaks highly of you. As does Commander Cody.” She did not look over the distance to the people in question though she likely wanted to. “We look forward to working with you, however long or brief it might be.”
“Yes, on that note,” Hunter said. “We were wondering if we will be briefed on the mission soon. We have received very little information other than we are to accompany Jedi to an unknown planet.”
“Yes, that is the majority of what we know,” Depa said. “The lack of information we have ourselves might be precisely why you were recommended seeing as improvisation could be highly useful to us. Our Head Archivist at the Temple has arranged to visit a planet of unknown origin for an investigative mission and it was decided that an accompanying party of Jedi and Clones should travel with her. We know nothing of this place other than the fact that it was where an unusual occurrence has recently happened…”
Now she DID look over to the other landing pad.
“The creature?” Tech inquired.
“Oh it’s not a creature,” young Padawan Dume grinned. “That’s Master Kenobi. He was fighting a Sith again and they got changed into dragons. Isn’t that cool?”
The entirety of Clone Force 99 were rendered speechless. Wrecker, at the very least, did think that was quite cool.
Pre Vizsla turned the Darksaber around and around in his hands, his fingers gripping and feeling every angle of the hilt while he gazed out through the opening of his tent, watching their secret weapon stalk back and forth under the starlight which twinkled off the sharp metal plates of its back legs and tail. Their plan was secure and with their latest meeting adjourned it was only a matter of waiting for the ships to be fuelled and ready to go.
He thought of himself as a sane man and was not prone to violent acts of aggression as some in the Death Watch had a tendency to do when they felt the urge. He certainly knew he had control of himself and could think clearly and strategically in the face of victory. But he was not going to deny the fact that he would permit himself a few vivid daydreams about his succession to the throne and if some of those daydreams were violent… well, that was Mandalorian culture and his dedication to his ancestral roots were why he was here in the first place.
Thinking of the mighty Mand’alors that would precede him once he took the title strengthened his desire to make good on the promise that he would begin his rule from atop a ferocious beast. The finishing line was in sight and nothing was about to come between him and his end goal.
To and fro, to and fro…
While it was slightly hypnotic, Vizsla grew tired of the predictability and he stood up, the Darksaber still firmly in his fist.
The dragon did not pay him any mind when he approached but Savage, as twitchy as ever, had the Mandalorian locked in his periphery before Vizsla had finished exiting his tent.
With a cocked eyebrow that did nothing to hide his arrogance, Vizsla stopped beside him and glanced sidelong at Maul. “Now what’s his problem?”
“Simple restlessness,” Savage replied tersely. “We’ve been here too long.”
Vizsla watched the pacing creature for a few seconds more and allowed the dark seeds of his ambition to give him the confidence to lift his head.
“…Then let us fly,” he announced.
Savage looked at him sharply as Maul came to a swift halt, a set of lethal claws poised above the ground in mid-step.
“What?”
“Your brother is restless,” Vizsla smiled, “and I don’t see why he shouldn’t be allowed to warm up before the attack on Mandalore. I want to see his skills in action and make sure he truly is in control.”
The large Zabrak bared his teeth and lifted his fists.
“If he says he is, then he-”
“With all due respect to the middle-man, I would rather speak with him myself in a language we can both understand.” Vizsla’s interruption was full of a passive tone that Savage, had he not felt so taken aback by the Mandalorian’s rudeness, might have stuck him on the spot for. But Vizsla was keeping his gaze on Maul now. “Well? What say you, Sith? Would you allow me the honour of stepping aboard? If only for a brief lap of the camp although I am partly hoping you might indulge me further by allowing me to accompany the two of you when we descend on Sundari.”
Maul’s eyes seemed to glow like the eyes of a Loth Wolf but he made no move.
“You will not fly without me tonight,” Savage snarled dangerously.
“On the contrary, I must insist. If your brother is unable to speak to me through words then it only makes sense that I can learn his body language.”
“It is unnecessary.”
But Savage silenced himself when Maul finally let his front foot fall to the ground with a weight that the people around could feel through their own legs. It was a finalised stamp and with his gaze locked on Vizsla, it came with Maul’s decision.
Savage bristled and then said, in a deadly purr, “He will allow it.”
The bravado of Vizsla’s bold words before felt sorely misplaced for a brief second as the heavy load of dragon muscle slowly turned in his direction. Forcing himself to remain where he stood, Pre Vizsla felt the rush of adrenaline hit his system when Maul towered above his head, glaring down with predatory intent. He could not tell if he were mocking him or not when the dragon deliberately lowered his head and shoulders to present his new passenger with his neck. Though it showcased an incredible level of trust, Vizsla could not help but detect some kind of taunt, some hidden insult that only a Force Sensitive might have picked up on.
Vizsla had not been so close to Maul before since the transformation and he was taken aback by how striking the creature was. The dragon’s Zabrak horns were embedded deep in the skull and they curled neatly out around the head like a crown. The snaking black lines of his tattoos only served to make Maul’s Sith eyes shine like topaz stone and the darkness stood out in stark contrast against the blood red of the dragon’s snake skin and highlighted the river of shiny scales that ran down from his head, around the sails, through the gap between his shoulder blades and down the length of his spine.
A lip curled up to flash a knife-like fang and a deep growl cautioned Vizsla to make haste. He had not the time to appreciate the handsomeness of the animal.
As he climbed up to perch on the back of the dragon, Vizsla wondered if Maul might be cold-blooded due to the lack of warmth from the body. An odd idea seeing as Zabrak’s typically had two hearts which would suggest a warmer than average body temperature. Yet sitting on the back of Maul felt as though he were sitting on cool durasteel and though he waited, Pre could not detect the skin warming up at all. Perhaps the Beskar of his armour was not allowing it.
Savage stood back, visibly unhappy, giving the Mandalorian a look which promised a harsh punishment if he attempted to harm his brother and Vizsla nodded back respectfully.
A warning growl was all Maul would give him as a way of telling him to hold on and then he was in the air, wings spread over the camp and lifting them higher into the dark sky. Pre Vizsla had never felt more powerful.
As for Maul, he was privately thankful for the flight and the chance to stretch his wings. There wasn’t a chance that Death Watch would allow he and Savage to fly about as they wanted to. Not yet, anyway. He allowed his mind to wander, to plan and to strategise and consider his options. The primitive wild dragon part of his brain still occasionally got in the way but considering it was providing him with the ability to fly and spit the power of a lightsaber, he wasn’t going to bemoan it yet and anyway, he could reign it in when he needed some clarity.
Clarity such as, ‘when was he going to get a chance to return to normal?’
As far as he was concerned, his options were limited.
Either he could get back to that planet and await a new Nexus point to open in the hopes that it would reverse the transformation, or he would try and locate some alternative source of Force power. Of the latter decision, there were two options: Mother Talzin or Sidious. He knew who he would rather take his chances with. There were also the Jedi, of course, but they wouldn’t want to help him. Not unless…
He gave a violent flap of his wings.
…Not unless it could help Kenobi as well.
It was delightfully satisfying, Jenna thought, how nervous some people got when delivering news or when they were informing her of anything new or when they were letting her know that she had an unscheduled appointment from one of Dooku’s lackeys. Normally, an unscheduled appointment would frustrate her. They caused delays and interrupted her work flow. But considering Count Dooku had been getting in touch with her recently about far more interesting matters than political wars and viruses, she decided she could brush this one off.
More so, she decided, when she walked to the entrance of the facility and saw who it was that had arrived with a handful of fidgeting B1 Battle Droids.
“Oh… Hello,” she greeted, steeling herself against the sinister blank face of General Grievous. The killer cyborg was a source of mild fascination for a scientist such as herself and she almost respected him for his stubbornness to stay alive. If a few organs encased in a metal endoskeleton could even be called life. “An unexpected visitor. You know I prefer that people call ahead.”
Grievous’ body whirred and hummed as he stood straighter, taller, broad shoulders rolling back as though he were preparing to activate his second pair of arms.
“I would have to respect you to offer that sort of courtesy,” he replied, dry as ever.
Dr Zan Arbor smiled and stepped aside to lead him back towards her newly prepared laboratory. She had anticipated the reason as to why he was here but she also knew that those in power liked to have the ball in their court so she feigned ignorance.
“Always a pleasure to converse with a mutual. What does Dooku want now?” She found herself chuckling in time to the click of her heels. “I find it sweet that he doesn’t like talking to me face to face.”
“Given your personal interests,” Grievous replied, his ominously heavy clanking footstep sounding behind her, “that should not be so surprising.”
“Aww, he isn’t frightened, is he? I’m only a dainty scientist…”
“I haven’t the patience for your self-preening, doctor. Count Dooku wants confirmation that you have the suitable means for your next studies. I am here as his eyes.”
Jenna smirked.
“There isn’t much of in the way of organic material for you to be anything else, is there? Very well…” She opened the enormous hanger doors to her spacious new laboratory. “Sniff around and then crawl back to your master’s feet like the obedient little pup you are. You will see that I am always very well prepared.”
Certainly, the laboratory that was revealed to Grievous was enormous and impressive. Heavy equipment hummed in preparation and large empty tanks filled the back wall while the computers beeped and awaited input around the sides. A scattering of cautious laboratory assistants were organising vials and tools on the desks and made an attempt to not draw attention to themselves.
Grievous took it all in slowly and he curled his fingers.
“Have you an idea of what it is you are expecting?” he asked after a good few minutes.
“Force Sensitive creatures I hope,” Jenna replied and rubbed her palms together. “If my dreams are really to come true, perhaps even a Jedi or two. If you haven’t butchered them all already…”
“I would gladly spare a few Jedi if it meant they were reduced to lab rats,” the General growled. He lifted his closed fist towards Jenna and opened his palm to activate a hologram transmitter. “You know what these are?”
Jenna Zan Arbor glanced at the image presented to her and tried not to look too impressed.
“…Some species of draconic animal,” she said. “I could not confidently tell you their exact kind. Force Sensitive, are they?”
“More than that. One is a Jedi, the other a Sith.”
Jenna leaned back, brushed at her lab coat and folded her arms. Her expression was sour.
“Are you playing a joke or is this from Dooku?”
“Do I look the sort to bother wasting my time telling you a joke?” Grievous snapped and his Battle Droids immediately tensed. “A Force Nexus was responsible for this and Dooku has asked you to conduct some research. As best you can. When both are captured, they will be brought here.”
He wasn’t lying.
Now seeing the creatures for what they were, Jenna studied the image with new appreciation and a hunger grew within her eyes.
“…Fascinating. Where did this transformation happen?”
She hissed in annoyance when Grievous snapped his fist shut again.
“Unimportant. You are only needed to test their blood and capabilities,” Grievous explained, enjoying her displeasure. “Apparently you have experience in that department. I have been told that your work will later be reviewed by Dooku and his Master and from there, you can continue your work. Is that clear?”
“Do we not know their identities?”
“Yes. You have heard of Darth Maul?”
Jenna could safely say that she had and she had the decency to appear nervous for a moment before she schooled herself back into radiating the confidence of an arrogant intellectual. “It will be an honour to meet him. …The Jedi?”
She noted General Grievous’ change. He gripped his fist a little more tightly, his stance seemed to coil as if wound like a spring and his eyes sharpened. Beneath the rattle of his breath, he was withholding a great deal of emotion.
“One you have met before,” he growled. “Kenobi.”
One of the lab assistants dropped a scalpel.
But Dr Zan Arbor did not hear it. Such was her good mood.
She unfolded her arms and seemed so overcome with excitement that she did not know what to do with them. She folded them again, unfolded, wrapped and re-wrapped her coat around herself, plunged her hands into her pockets, brought them up to fiddle with her collar and let down her hair… She looked around the room, naming machinery, equipment, items… all in an attempt at trying to find something with which to ground herself.
The Force must have loved her, she decided. The Force wanted her to discover its secrets. There was no other explanation.
”Doctor?” Grievous snarled warningly, bringing her back from the brink of ecstasy. He had found her excitement nauseating. “I was told to tell you and make you absolutely aware that I will be here while you conduct your research. So do not get carried away with yourself.”
She threw her now loose locks of hair back and tittered as though she were a flirtatious college student.
“You think I will kill him?”
She hadn’t expected the stamp of Grievous’ foot and she almost jumped.
“For your sake,” he growled, “he had better remain alive.”
“Didn’t know you cared, General. Or is that your Master Dooku talking?”
“Dooku’s relationship and feelings for Kenobi are of no interest to me.” His fleshy eyes amidst the metal face were disturbing and the intensity of his glare served to remind the scientist of how dangerous he really was. “But I do intend to kill that Jedi myself. Am I understood?”
Jenna smiled.
“Always, General. We shall have so much fun together. I can’t wait.”
Her laboratory sang a cacophony of noises to harmonise with her words. It couldn’t wait either.