The Imperial Bane returned to orbit around Gwori, joining the massing fleet of upgraded Recurant-class destroyers and Diamond-class frigates. The General looked out upon his fleet and chuckled.
Lucia came from behind him, standing a short distance away next to the droids inputting commands. The General turned back to see his commander and began walking back towards the command table. Lucia followed. "So, now that we have our agreement with Jabba, let me know how we should go about recruiting your kin." The General asked, leaning against the table which came to life.
The image of Naboo took form, the hologram fading in and out of view. Lucia hit the table and the image's clarity improved. The shape of an Imperial blockade formed around the planet, the color of the hologram taking a red glow. Lucia leaned forward and studied the hologram. "Ever since the Death Star's destruction, the Imperial Navy has been stationing fleets above worlds of high importance. Since Naboo is the homeworld of the Emperor, the navy has seen fit to protect it and ensure no rebellious groups arise." Lucia manipulated the hologram, zooming in on a specific portion of the world, showing a gap within the patrols. "My family owns a destroyer, which protects their section of Naboo, but It is still going to be difficult to get by without alerting the rest of the defense fleet."
The General looked at the map, studying the patrol patterns of the fleet and how one of thr destroyers was not a solid red, but a lighter red, indicating it as the destroyer her family commanded. He then looked to Lucia and grinned. "I have an idea, but it will require that you and the Red Commandos go alone. Would you be up for that?" His green eyes studied her as she thought of her response.
"I don't really care for the concept of going back to Imperial controlled space with just myself and the droids. Could we possibly get those two jedi to assist us?" Lucia asked, getting a hum from the cybernetic leader. She saw him staring at the table, his eyes shifting constantly, like the waters in a storm.
The General turned to Lucia and nodded. "You go down to the brig and see if they would help, I need to arrange for a method of transport, and I believe I know the smuggler for the job." Lucia nodded, walking away. The General turned to a Droid at a terminal and gripped the chair. "Droid, prepare a communication..."
------------------------Tatooine----------------------
The cantina was hectic; people with morally questionable background chatted and drank together, getting the sandy floor wet with spilt spirits. People talked, laughed, yelled, and some were even punching, but other than the slight violence, the cantina had an atmosphere of a party.
A hooded figure walked in, slowly studying the cantina. He saw a Weequay standing against a wall with a cloth blocking the door way. The figure quickly maneuvered within the chaos and towards the Weequay, causing the suspicious fellow to stand up straight. The hooded figure shifted his hood, revealing himself to also be a Weequay, and showing the bandana that was wrapped around his forehead.
The guard, having seeing the bandana, nodded and relaxes, allowing the hooded Weequay to pass through the cloth doorway. On the other side was a whole different party, but rather than being filled with a random assortment of scum, all of the patrons here were Weequay pirates. The hooded figure removed his hood, feeling more comfortable with his surroundings, but stayed alert, scanning the room as if looking for someone. The pirate then spotted a crowd around a table, and he knew he'd find the person he was looking for there. The Weequay moved towards the crowd, where he heard a raspy voice talking about laser swords and jedi; dangerous things to be talking about during this time.
The crowd dispersed as the Weequay pushed by, bringing into view a Weequay wearing goggles and a crimson coat draped over his shoulders. The cape looked like it had seen better days, but the Weequay didn't seem to mind. The man turned to the newcomer and lit up. "Ah, hello, my good friend! What can Captain Hondo Ohnaka do for you?"
The new comer whispered something into Hondo's ear and pulled out a hologram communicator that dated back to the Clone Wars. The pirate captain looked at the device, and his jubilant vanished. Hondo took the device, waved to the crowd, and then walked away heading for a more secluded section of the cantina. He walked into a dark corner and activated it, and the image that formed almost caused him to jump. The shape of General grievous stood there, staring at him.
"Alright, tin can, this better be some kind of joke. From what I heard, my best friend, Obi Wan Kenobi put an end to all of your mechanical nonsense." Hondo shouted at the holographic image, his temper rising.
"Calm down, captain, i am not Grievous, or at least not the Grievous you know. I am a new model, so to speak." The hologram spoke, and Hondo noticed the change in the figures voice. He didn't sound at all like the tin can he had angered all those years ago. This voice sounded like it belonged to a young man.
"Well all things considered, what do you want? Could it possibly be something that won't waste my time?" Hondo replied, still being skeptical of the whole situation.
"A business proposition. I require some...merchandise delivered to Naboo, and I'd like for you to deliver it." The General said, causing Hondo to chuckle.
"Seriously? The audacity for you to be asking me for assistance. If you don't recall, you and your scraps came and destroyed my last base?" Hondo barked, his hand trembling as the anger flowed through him.
"Like I said, I am not the same General you faced all those years ago." The figure replied, shaking his head. Hondo then noticed that the demeanor of this figure was all wrong. He wasn't aggressive with his movement or his speech, his pastor was rather formal, even Imperial, given that the cyborg was standing tall with his claws behind his back. Perhaps this new cyborg wasn't as ruthless as the former incarnation.
"Alright, you have your smugglers. But you must return with my ship and some valuables. If this deal is not profitable, I shall not take it." He waved his arm dramatically, watching the hologram for a reaction.
The figure simply nodded and signaled for something Honho couldn't see. "An envoy shall deliver your payment to you. I suggest you cooperate. There may even be some Imperial tech in it for you." The hologram cut out, and Hondo was left to speculate whether or not he had made the right choice.
------------------------Gwori----------------------
The General studied the table where Hondo's image was, wondering if Grievous was right to try and trust this pirate; but he did not have time to wonder. A Droid ran into the bridge panicked and panting. The General turned and growled, lurching forward and almost slicing the Droid down. "Explain, you worthless hunk of junk!"
"One of the prisoners has escaped!"