Glory to the Confederacy (Star Wars x Male Separatist Reader)

Chapter 22: The Narrow Escape

Y/N POV

It soon became concerning when the Pod Hunting team didn't respond. Normally they wouldn't be that long, there's be a sweep of the remains for survivors then they'd report back. This had been a flawless method in every encounter before now. Even Jedi were powerless due to the vacuum of space. 

This time however, things seemed different. There was no word from them for a while. Our ship continued to sweep through the debris field searching for either them or any remaining escape pods to exterminate. Neither was found.

One of the pilot droids turned to us and informed "There's still no word from the Pod Hunters. Grievous responded instantly, ordering "Reduce speed and activate your scanners! We will find who is responsible!"

The droids did exactly that and I took particular interest. If there was any remaining power source in the wreckage we'd be able to pick it up easily. For a a brief moment there was nothing. However, a light signal began coming through. 

I leaned forward, asking "What is that?" Grievous stepped down from the podium where Dooku was stood, approaching the scanner in question. The droid operating it explained "We're picking up a faint signal from a droid. But not one of ours, they're right behind us."

I instantly instructed "Well turn the ship around then!" I found it odd that it would be a Droid signal we'd pick up. But even so, we couldn't afford to take any chances, a droid did make sense on how they'd overpowered the Pod Hunting team. Space wouldn't affect them as it would a Clone or Jedi.

Grievous let out an angered roar before barking "Move us into attack position!" As per both of our instructions, the droids began inputting in the controls for the ship to turn. Slowly but surely in moved itself around to face the source of the signal.

And it was at this point, the source of the signal became apparent. It took the form of a whole ship and took off into the debris field. I could just about see it through the rubble and was somewhat confused to see a Corellian G9 Rigger-Class Freighter.

Image of a Corellian G9 Rigger-Class Freighter (The Twilight):

The ship sped away at great speeds into the debris. I glared in irritation. These Freighters were built by old competition of my own Shipwright's Guild, the Corellian Engineering Corporation. A company I'd had my eyes on acquiring for some time.

A pilot Droid informed us "Sirs! The enemy is attempting to flee through the debris field!" Dooku coldly warned us "General, Minister, I don't want any witnesses." Grievous barked out "Energise Plasma Rotors!"

The droids all began inputting buttons. Just as before, the Ion Cannon slowly began to charge up. My focus remained on the freighter as I had trouble keeping my eyes on it. The ship was doing bizarre manoeuvres, effortlessly evading the debris despite its close proximity. The more I looked though I realized I recognized these manoeuvres, I'd seen them before.

My eyes widened in realization. SKYWALKER! I stepped forward and snapped "Prepare to fire the Ion weapon and prepare the cannons for an all-out onslaught!" One droid responded "Yes sir." And began inputting the buttons for the automated cannons.

One of the droids manning the Ion cannon said "Target range almost locked sir." Grievous' eyes narrowed in a look of determination as he declared "They're not going to make it." It took a moment before another Droid told us "Enemy ship targeted."

At this Grievous yelled "FIRE!" The familiar ball of purple energy shot out after the ship. Even then it continued to weave its way around the debris, managing to somehow keep just that bit ahead of the blast.

The anticipation was palpable, both myself and Grievous went silent and stared straight ahead. Victory was right there, in our hands as the Ion ball began to catch on the ship. But in an instant, everything just got swept away when the Freighter jumped into lightspeed, vanishing from the blast's range and our scopes.

Grievous extended his arm out in front of us and roared. I understood his rage entirely, but right now my mind was focused on something else. I slowly looked to Dooku who stared straight ahead blankly. Grievous spun to face him as well and snapped "Now the Republic will learn of our Ion Cannon!"

Dooku slowly turned and stared back at us. His eyes shifted occasionally between us both. For a moment, no words were spoken. However he soon spoke up, his voice filled with disappointment. 

"Your failure is most unfortunate. Especially yours Minister L/N." He turned on his heel and began to walk away, what he said next made a wave of discomfort and even FEAR wash over me. "I will have to discuss this with my Master."

I had learned since Geonosis of Dooku's shadowy Master. I spoke up and said "Count, with all due respect, I wish to remain here and continue to observe this ship in your absence. The failure here will not be repeated."

Dooku stared back at me "See that it isn't." With that he departed the bridge leaving both myself and Grievous. I turned to see several Battle Droids all looking at us, I just ordered "Get back to work!" 

Dooku POV

As I boarded my ship and began my departure, my mind was racing. I will admit, I felt disappointed in Y/N, when I told him of his father, I knew exactly what he would do, what would happen. It was all part of my plan, to break that wall the Jedi had feebly tried to put up.

But, he took too much pride in the ships his company built. I saw the glee he had watching the Ion Cannon fire. His greed had consumed him, his lust for wealth and additional credits would be his undoing one day.

For now though, I was placing faith in him to maintain this ship...

Author's Note: And that's it for this chapter, of course not the Malevolence Arc as a whole since I plan to include all three episodes. I really hope you enjoyed and as always, thank you for reading.