Y/N POV
"Sir, we're detecting an incoming ship. It's description matches that of the General's starfighter." One of the Aqualish technicians grunted. I let out a groan as I leant back in the chair resting my head on the palm of my hand. I knew it was Grievous, considering we were the only ones in the Separatist military to have ships like this. Given that this was all that came back, I dread to think of what happened to the frigates I'd built.
Turning to look at them with a blank expression, I coldly instructed "Patch us through, immediately." The Aqualish grunted again, this time translating to "Affirmative." He turned back to the panel in front of him and pushed a few buttons to reach out to the approaching craft.
Image of an Aqualish Technician:
This caused a hologram of the General to appear in front of me, instantly he snapped "What?!" I scowled and folded my arms in my seat before responding. "So, again you've cost me valuable resources and credits. I do hope you can pay for all of this!"
Grievous just snarled and let out a growl before snapping "I care less about how heavy your pockets are Minister! If it wasn't for Count Dooku insisting on us working together, I'd have killed out already!"
I retorted "I could say the same about you." There was a moment of silence before the General suddenly let out a dark laugh. I raised an eyebrow and asked in confusion "What's so funny?" Grievous responded "Skywalker shouldn't be a problem anymore."
My eyes widened for a moment before returning to normal, I didn't fully understand what he meant. I could fill in the blanks but I didn't want to be presumptuous. That's why I stated "Explain."
Grievous went on to say. "It seems Skywalker's fighter sustained damage in the battle at Bothawui. As he attempted to prevent my escape, his ship spun out of control. As for your precious vessels, they only fell because of another of Skywalker's tricks. He placed Walkers on the asteroids to ambush us!"
I wasn't even listening to that last part, I cared little for why my ships were destroyed, the cost there was the same whether I knew or not. But Skywalker's ship malfunctioning was something else.
Skywalker had almost KILLED me during the battle at Muunilinst! Not to mention his contribution to the destruction of the Malevolence! It was safe to say I'd grown to despise the so-called 'Chosen One'.
The Kaleesh cyborg changed the subject "I'm coming closer to the Station, lower the shields." I snapped out of my daze and said "Right, right." Turning to one of the other technicians on the bridge, I instructed "Lower the shields."
The technician began inputting a series of buttons. Unlike communications, the shields had a sequence of commands tied to them to ensure people wouldn't tamper with it. Only the technicians who were fiercely loyal to Po Nudo and by extension the Confederacy.
The hologram shut off in front of me, now all that was left was to prepare for the General's arrival...
Timeskip...
The door to the bridge opened up and the sound of metal footsteps could be heard. I turned give him a nod before saying "You arrived just in time." Grievous snapped out "For what?" I explained "As per Dooku's instructions, I placed a spy within the Republic's lines. An R3 unit, completely innocent at first glance. It's time to collect a report."
I walked over to the communicator, having ushered all the technicians out for this transmission. I pushed a handful of buttons, inputting the frequency for my spy. Of course it took a moment, the spy did have to find an isolated location as to not lose cover.
Soon though, the hologram appeared. For once, I held a genuine smile. Not many knew this, but R3-S6 was my personal astromech droid. I bought him after becoming the Minister of the Shipwright's guild.
Image of R3-S6:
(Just to establish, I won't be including dialogue for either R2 or R3. I feel the charm of Astromech droids is that we don't know what they're saying.)
Not too long ago, Dooku gave me an order to find a suitable spy to infiltrate the Republic's ranks. An Astromech droid was PERFECT for this. They'd never expect a small Droid on wheels would be a spy.
I introduced "R3, this is General Grievous, for the time being, you are to follow his orders as you would mine, is that clear?" R3 let out an affirmative beep and rocked back and forth. I nodded "Good, now, what have you to report R3?"
The Astromech hologram began beeping. I could make out what he was saying and it instantly caught my attention. "Skywalker's ALIVE?!" I growled in annoyance before having an idea. As angry as I was, this could twist in my favour.
I instantly instructed "I want you to get close to him as his replacement Astromech. If he is missing his last one, I want you to take that place and inconvenience him. When the time comes, strike and put him down!"
Skywalker was stronger than any Jedi I'd faced before except Windu. An internal unsuspected strike from R3 may be the perfect chance! R3 beeped in response, first agreeing to the task, but then adding another statement on the end.
This time Grievous responded "So, Skywalker is searching for his lost R2 unit. Interesting." I calmly said "Won't be a problem. It will likely be in the remains of his starfighter." Turning to R3, I told him "Continue with the operation, ensure you're appointed as Skywalker's replacement and when the time comes, deal with him."
With one final beep, the hologram shut off. As I turned to Grievous he commented "So, you plan to find Skywalker's droid before him?" I placed my arms behind my back and calmly said "Not me." Grievous asked "Then who?"
I smirked "I know someone who is PERFECT for this job..."
Gha Nachkt POV
That beeping! I hated it! But who could even be contacting me at this point?! I pushed a button to answer the transmission expecting some lowlife wanting to buy a Droid with their life saving. I wasn't expecting a familiar voice to calmly say. "Hello Nachkt."
I nearly fell out of my chair in shock. I just about managed to recover by gripping the console in front of me. Looking up, I saw the last person I could have thought of. Minister L/N stood staring down at me with a blank look.
I chuckled nervously "Minister, wasn't expecting to see you so soon after our last deal." To that he bluntly said "Indeed." This provoked me to ask "What can I do for you?" The Minister reached around to his belt, explaining "There is a very particular Droid I want you to get your hands on for me."
He revealed a hologram projector and brought up the merchandise. At first it seemed to just be any old R-Series droid. But as the hologram rotated, he explained to me. "Travel to the Bothawui system. There you will find the remains of a Delta 7 starfighter. I want you to retrieve the R2 unit that is still present inside, is that clear?"
I nodded, even after my previous exchange with the Minister, I knew not to make him angry. In fact, I knew more than others why you shouldn't, I saw what he did to those pirates that attacked my ship.
But, man's gotta earn his living. So I asked "You do know I charge a fee right? Even for you." The Minister responded "Oh I know, and you'll get it. Just get that Droid and rendezvous with me on the second moon of the Ruusan system."
I nodded "Of course Minister. As you wish." With that the transmission went down. I scowled to myself and growled. "This had better be worth the credits..."
Author's Note: And that's it for this chapter, I likely won't be able to upload tomorrow so I made sure I did it today. I really hope you liked it and as always, thank you for reading.