Chapter Text
It had been two months since leaving the Jedi Order and joining Dooku and his confederacy. During this time Striv Gr'en had been quite busy. After joining the Confederacy of Independent Systems, Striv had been appointed junior ambassador to the Confederate Parliament. Among the tasks, this job included were assisting in negotiations with systems thinking of joining the cause, delivering supplies to worlds suffering from the poor economic conditions under the Republic, and many other tasks that Striv felt were more in place with what the Jedi Order had taught him growing up, yet did not practice lately.
There was also the matter of completing his training in the ways of the Force so that Gr'en could create a new generation of Force wielders uncorrupted by the Republic, to maintain peace throughout the Separatist worlds. So far, the training had been somewhat like Striv's training as a padawan under Master Kcaj, yet also quite different. For one thing, Dooku, who served as Striv's mentor, was very devoted to the founding principles of the Force that the Jedi had been forged under, yet was more attuned to it than some members of the Order, even those on the Jedi High Council. Among the things Dooku had further taught Striv, was how no amount of control over the galaxy could match that of the very source of all life which was the Force. He'd also encouraged Striv to study ancient knowledge around Force wielders outside the Jedi Order such as the Nightsisters, Soccerers of Tund, Theran Listeners, Baren Do Sages, and even the long-deceased Rakatas. Some of these groups practiced the dark side of the Force, yet Dooku still encouraged his apprentice to study them as they would expand his understanding of how the Force worked. Their views differed greatly from the Jedi, yet provided Striv with a much wider understanding than the Jedi could ever provide.
And it wasn't just the Force that Striv had continued to study. At the moment he stood before Count Dooku in the latter's private office on Serenno as the two faced off in a lightsaber duel. While Striv had originally been a preferred user of Form VI during his apprenticeship with Master Kcaj, in the months since beginning his training under Dooku, he had grown fond of both the second and fifth forms of lightsaber combat under the advice of his new master.
They certainly had their advantages over fellow sword fighters, particularly those trained to use lightsabers too, which allowed Striv to better block Dooku's strikes.
"Good. Very good," Dooku complimented, bringing his blade back so that it was held right in front of him, and pointed up at the ceiling.
With his blade down, Striv bowed to his mentor. "Thank you mast-" Striv was cut off when the Count slashed his crimson blade out, cutting the young apprentice's cheek.
"You must never allow for distractions of any kind, no matter who you're fighting," Dooku scolded. "One moment I could be your ally, but less than a second later I could strike you down."
Grinding his teeth in pain with a hand covering the hot open flesh that Dooku's blade had just slashed, Striv responded, "Yes master. I understand."
"Do you?" The Count slashed out again at his apprentice in a series of swipes. This time Striv was not caught as off guard as he'd been moments ago. Striv managed to block the attacks by gripping his sabre with both hands and even succeeded in using the Force to push his opponent back.
Not letting his guard down again, Striv held his blade up, eyes watching Dooku for any signs of another attack. Instead, Dooku deactivated his weapon, placing the hilt on his belt and then started clapping.
"Your training has come a long way," Dooku praised.
While still maintaining his guard through the Force, Striv deactivated his sword and put it away, clipping it to his belt. "I have you to thank for my success master," he responded, bowing towards his mentor.
"Indeed." In a swift movement, the Count reactivated his blade and struck at his pupil, who reactivated his blade and had it up in a defensive position just in time to block Dooku's attack.
This pleased the Count. "Impressive. Most impressive. But a master only plays a part in the student's success. It is the student who is eager to learn, and chooses to learn properly that deserves the full credit."
Striv felt touched by the Count's praise. "Thank you, master."
"You are welcome, my apprentice. Now," he said, returning his weapon to his belt again while changing the discussion. "I have a mission for you."
This put a spring in Striv's heart. He always enjoyed an opportunity to use his abilities to help the Confederacy further bring peace and order to the galaxy in whatever way he could. "Diplomatic or humanitarian?" he asked.
"A humanitarian mission," Dooku answered. "Are you familiar with the world of Kalee?"
It didn't ring a bell in the young man's mind. "Can't say I am master?"
The Count didn't appear surprised by this. "I would suspect not. It's not a favoured world in the Republic as it is located within wild space, far from its precious core worlds. Its natives, the Kaleesh, are a warrior race, though not as well-known as the Mandalorians. They have, however, fought a few conflicts in galactic history, including one between them and an insectoid species, known as the Yam'rii species which invaded their homeworld nearly two decades ago. The Yam'rii slaughtered countless members of the Kaleesh population, though the latter managed to drive them back and strike a few massive counterblows to the former. Sadly, despite their efforts, the war ended in the Yam'rii's favour and the Kaleesh were put into a state of economic turmoil."
"You wish to recruit them to our cause?"
"It is not always about gaining more allies," the Count responded. "I believe that we as a government dedicated to bringing about true justice should do our part to help those in need with no reward other than the satisfaction of helping others. That is why I have arranged for a generous sum of food and other essential supplies to be delivered to the people of Kalee. You and Senator Mina Bonteri's husband, Ordell Bonteri shall accompany the shipment and help supervise its distribution throughout the planet. Further details of the world and the mission will be provided while en route."
This was exactly what the former padawan had signed up for when joining the Confederacy. "Thank you, master. I look forward to serving the people."
"One more thing," Dooku added. "When you arrive, I wish you meet with a leading member of the people's military, one who has become a legend among the Kaleesh. He goes by the name Grievous."
That was an interesting name Striv thought to himself. He wondered if there was any story about the name's origins, or why this leader went by it. He figured he'd probably learn about it while on Kalee.
"While you're there I also advise you to keep your previous affiliations to the Jedi hush," Dooku advised. "Near the end of the war the Jedi assisted the Yam'rii in defeating the Kaleesh, and many, Grievous included, aren't welcoming to members of our former order. As such, I recommend no use or showing off of your lightsaber on this mission, and to keep your Force powers hidden. Am I understood?"
"I understand Count," Striv said, giving his mentor one final bow.
A few days later, Striv, alongside Ordell Bonteri stood aboard the bridge of one of several cargo freighters en route to Kalee.
Throughout the trip, Striv and Ordell went over all the details involving supplies they were bringing and where they'd be delivered exactly on the world. They also took a bit of time to review the current state of the Kaleesh people. According to reports, the Intergalactic Banking Clan, or IBG for short, was providing aid in paying back the Kaleesh's debts forced onto the world by the Republic after the war; in exchange for the assistance of their people's top warlord, Grievous, and his skills as a warrior to use in collecting other debts owed to the Banking Clan. While this arrangement had helped improve Kaleesh's economic condition, Kalee and its natives were still far from fully recovering.
What shocked Striv most about the conflict was that it was the Jedi who stepped in under the request of the Senate to aid the Yam'rii, who'd invaded Kalee unprovoked. Worse they only listened to the Yam'rii side, and not the Kaleesh. The Jedi weren't even helping the Kaleesh in recovering or investigating the Yam'rii for their crimes against the Kaleesh people.
Despite his issues with the Jedi due to their continued blind loyalty to a corrupt Republic, he'd still thought that they would have some decency to do the right thing; which wasn't the case for what they did involving the Kaleesh. It was no surprise that Dooku had requested Striv not bring his lightsaber for this trip, instead carrying a vibroblade half the size of his usual weapon. Along with this, Striv had stopped wearing Jedi robes since he joined the Confederacy. Preferring now a matching grey shirt and pants, with a gold sash with the Confederacy symbol on it, along with a long, naval blue coat.
"It's hard to believe the Jedi would take sides without first hearing both parties," Striv confessed.
"Not really," Ordell flat-out stated. He wasn't a big supporter of the Jedi and the Republic they served. When Striv first joined the Confederacy, despite being welcomed in by his wife, Ordell showed obvious signs of distrust towards the ex-padawan. "The Jedi have blinded themselves to the point where they think everything the Senate does is right. Despite knowing that it's full of corrupt politicians who care only about their personal, selfish interests."
As he said this, Ordell looked at Striv in disgust, as if Striv had been involved in the mess on Kalee. It caused the young humanoid to look away in shame. To be fair he couldn't blame his associate for hating the Jedi, for what they'd done to innocent people as he'd been a Jedi not too long ago.
At this time, a series of beeps ran throughout the ship as they existed from hyperspace before a lush, jungle world.
Accompanied by a few security guards, Bonteri and Striv made their way down the ship's main ramp. By this time a group of Kaleesh natives had arrived to greet their guests. The main one in the center of the group wore red and white robes while the others wore brown cloaks and gey armour plating and were armed with either rifles or swords. All members of the group also wore white, skull-like masks with different markings on them to, as Striv had learned, signalized their tribes.
"I am Tenfare. Head Trible Leader and overall leader of Kalee," the leading Kaleesh addressed.
"We are representatives from the Confederacy of Independent Systems," Ordell introduced. "I am Ambassador Ordell Bonteri and this is my associate Striv Gr'en. We come bringing food, power packs, medical supplies and other necessities to help your people in its dark hour."
Though their faces remained hidden by the masks they wore, the way Tenfare's and his conspicuous eyes looked from Ordell and Striv to their ship and the supplies already being unloaded, told the former padawan that the Kaleesh people were suspicious. "Why do you bring this to us? What do you wish for in return?"
Both Ordell and Striv had expected the locals to be hesitant about taking gifts from uninvited guests. They'd also prepared themselves should they refuse to accept their help if they chose to. "We've come to help you rebuild what was lost in your devastating war," Striv explained. "We know you are in grave debt from war with the Yam'riis and their allies in the Republic Senate. We only wish to help you restore what you lost."
Tenfare didn't seem convinced. "Again, I ask what are your true intentions? The ones you are trying to hide from us?"
"I assure you there is no hidden intention to this," Ordell explained. "Only to rectify the errors made by the ignorant Republic. We don't share their views. Where we come from, the voice of the people is valued, and we believe in decisive action in bringing justice to those wronged. We sympathize with what your people have gone through under the corrupt Senate. Please let us help you as you don't deserve what has been brought on to your people. I promise you we will only remain long enough to distribute the supplies we have brought, afterwards we shall leave and not return unless you approve it."
There was a long pause, as Tenfare again looked back and forth from the ship to the supplies, and finally back to the ambassadors.
"Very well," the Tribes Leader, said at last. "But we will have warriors overseeing your distributing of these supplies to make sure you aren't hiding anything. One mistake and I assure you, the Kaleesh aren't a forgiving race, nor are we one to trifle with."
"Thank you, High Leader Tenfare," Ordell bowed, which Striv did as well. "You won't regret this."
"Oh we'll see," Tenfare replied. "We'll see."
It took some time for all the remaining transports to land and for supplies to be unloaded. But within a few days, supplies were already being distributed to nearly half the planet, and its people were more than grateful for the Confederacy's aid.
"I must admit I was hesitant to allow you off-worlders onto our land," Tenfare confessed to Striv and Ordell one morning while the two guests were handing out food to one of the villages in the planet's western region. "The war with the Yam'rii and our encounters with those meddling Jedi Knights have made our people question outsiders."
"Oh it is completely understandable," Striv assured. "Both the Republic and the Jedi haven't set the best example these days."
"To say the least," Ordell added.
"Indeed," Tenfare agreed. "Still, you offworlders and those you represent are a much better group than others we've dealt with in the past."
"And we in turn thank you for your appreciation," Striv said. "Oh, and if I may great leader, I was told I should speak with someone in your world who calls himself Grievous."
"Ah, Grievous, one of the finest warriors ever birthed by our gods," Tenfare praised. "To what interest do have in our grand leader of the Izvoshra?" he asked suspiciously.
Striv hesitated for a moment. Count Dooku didn't want the Kaleesh, who'd only begun to trust the Confederacy, to suspect any ulterior motives for bringing aid to them. Heck, Striv still didn't fully understand his master's interest in the Kaleesh warrior.
"I was under the advisement of my mentor Count Dooku," Striv explained. "He's been teaching me in the… warrior ways and thought I should meet one of such high prestige as Grievous is said to be. I might learn a thing or two from him. If you don't think it would be wise for me to see him I understand and shall focus on my main priorities with distributing the remainder of our supplies to your people."
The Kaleesh leader rubbed his chin a moment as he thought it over. On one hand, it was true Grievous didn't like outsiders, most Kaleesh didn't these days. On the other, any warrior in training would benefit from learning from the master of warfare that Grievous was. Besides, given all he'd done for Kalee, perhaps this young humanoid was worthy enough.
"He has just returned from another one of his missions that he has undergone to help our people in repaying our dept to that ignorant Republic," Tenfare responded. "He is out hunting with his eldest son, Donahue, in the eastern rainforests."
"We've been meaning to begin sending supplies to that region of your world. With your permission, I'd like to take some supplies to the eastern rainforests and begin distributing them and perhaps seek out Grievous?"
The leader of Kalee hesitated a moment but eventually approved Striv's request. "Very well. I'd recommend the village of Korre, Grievous has family there, and it is closest to where our general had gone hunting. I'll inform the local tribe, the Kyara, who inhabit the village of your arrival. But no funny business child."
"Thank you," Striv bowed in respect.
Not too long later Striv arrived at the Korre village. His first instinct was to begin searching for Grievous but he quickly reminded himself of his main purpose for coming to Kalee. A few hours after unloading and distributing supplies, Striv headed out, leaving his droid C19-77 to remain and further supervise the distributing until his return.
The planet's sun was setting, as darkness was falling. Despite his Force training allowing him to see in the dark, Striv found it difficult to navigate his way through Kaleesh's thick rainforest. Even with the Force to guide him, it took him some time to locate the famous warrior. The forests were packed with countless lifeforms of many different forms, making it almost impossible to locate Grievous' life signature.
Only when he heard the sound of nearby gunfire and a creature crying out that followed that Striv got his bearings.
Within a few minutes of careful walking, Striv found what he was seeking.
General Grievous. Looking exactly like the other warriors of his people with a skull-like mask, ripped clothing and fully armed with several weapons including two swords; one he held in his hand, the other rested in a sheath on his back. The warrior didn't appear to notice Striv, seeming to be occupied with examining the dead carcass of a massive lizard.
He then felt, what he believed to be the muzzle of a gun, poke the back of his head.
"Don't move," a younger voice said from behind.
"You must be Donahue," Striv guessed, which was proven right when he felt the muzzle temporarily lower for a moment before the young Kaleesh repositioned his weapon back and Striv's head.
"How do you know my name? Who are you?" Donahue demanded.
"I am-"
"An emissary from the Separatist movement," Grievous answered having left behind the dead lizard for the new prey his son had caught, with his blade raised in a defensive position between him and Striv. "Yes, I was informed of your arrival by a fellow warrior earlier. Your people wish to create a new government to rival the vile Republic and seek allies to join your cause. For which I will have no part. Distribute your supplies and leave at once. I've known from experience what you outsiders are cable off, and despite what you may claim, your so-called confederacy is just another group seeking to gain power."
Having already received similar backlash from other Kaleesh natives since arriving, Striv wasn't offended by the warrior's backtalk about the Confederacy. He'd witnessed almost every member of the species he tried to give food or offer medical assistance, appear to be skeptical of his intentions. The recent war had caused the natives to distrust outsiders and for good reasons. "I understand your uneasiness about getting involved with another galactic government," Striv replied. "Especially after what happened to your people against the Yam'rii…"
"Then you should have no problem following my instructions and getting off my world. We have enough problems with outsiders without your confederacy creating more."
"I assure you, the CIS is not looking to bring your people any problems," Striv defended, though Grievous wouldn't have it.
"I don't listen to weak, pathetic ambassadors from off-world. Only a true warrior that proves himself in battle."
"I'll have you know, I'm quite the swordsman myself," Striv said, instantly regretting his boasting of his skills. But it was too late.
"Oh really? Then prove yourself," the Kaleesh warrior challenged. "Donahue lower your weapon."
His son did not argue with his father and again moved his gun. Afterwards, his father pulled out the other sword resting behind him, tossing the weapon over to Striv who managed to catch it. It certainly felt much different from that of a lightsaber handle, a lot lighter and thinner.
The Kaleesh warrior then charged towards Striv, whose own fast reflexes were what barely allowed him to block the attack Grievous unleashed. Still, the impact nearly caused Striv to fall off his feet. Remembering all his years of training in sword fighting, Striv regained his composure, positioning himself into a defensive stance. Grievous lunged again first at Striv's head then his chest. Despite being in a better fighting position, due to his unfamiliarity with the sword he held, Striv was only able to barely block the attacks, unable to make a proper counterattack.
Though his defence held for a couple of minutes, eventually the experienced Kaleesh warrior broke through Striv's position with a hard slash at his sword and an even stronger kick to the knees. Losing both his balance and grip on his sword, Striv fell onto his back while his weapon landed nearby, but out of reach. Grievous angled his blade, pointing it millimetres away from Striv's face. "You have skill. Not with this sort of sword, but still, you have some skill with sword fighting nevertheless," Grievous admitted.
"It's different from the type of swords I've studied," Striv confessed. "Much different."
"And still you refused to back down."
"I don't back down easily," Striv stated. "Though perhaps you could give me some pointers with the type of sword you use. Allow me to learn from a seasoned warrior such as yourself," he suggested.
Grievous thought it over a couple of minutes. "Very well. You seem capable enough," Grievous replied while raising his blade and allowing Striv to get up. "And I could always use a new sparring partner."
Throughout the next few days in between distributing supplies, Striv participated in several sparring sessions with Grievous. During this time Striv learned a great deal about the Kaleesh warrior. For one thing, the reason why he became known as Grievous, was due to the immense pain he felt from losing a female warrior he'd grown to love so much that he begged the gods of his race to bring her back from the dead after she was drowned by the Yam'rii's.
Striv also learned quite a bit about sword fighting from Grievous. Having only been trained in lightsaber combat throughout his entire life, Striv was quickly outmatched by the Kaleesh warrior. Yet under his apprenticeship with Count Dooku, and from the advice from Grievous, Striv had learned to better understand his opponents; reading their body language and predicting their movements. For if he could do this, he could figure out how to defeat them regardless of what weapon they used. In one of their latter duels, Striv was able to get the upper hand as Grievous had slowly begun to underestimate his opponent. As he began to gain the upper hand though, Grievous began using a series of new, more brutal yet discrete strategies. Managing to retake the duel and eventually outmatch the former padawan.
"I must say you possess impressive skills General," Striv complimented after losing the match.
"As do you young one," Grievous, in turn, praised. "I couldn't help noticing you were improving quite fast throughout our fights. You certainly aren't just some measly ambassador. You know the ways of combat. How is that?"
"I was studying it long before I joined the Confederacy, and have continued to hone my skills since joining the cause. I feel they will come in useful as our government continues to grow. As a trained warrior I hope to defend confederate worlds against criminals who will wish to exploit our us, or even the Republic itself."
The Kaleesh warrior nodded his head in agreement. "Yes while I don't think much of your confederacy or its politics, I respect your boldness in choosing to rebel against the Republic. I am also aware that the Republic does not care for those they feel would threaten their corrupt control over the galaxy like you guys. It is why they keep the Jedi under a tight grip. So that they will carry out their whim no matter what."
Striv admitted to himself, throughout his time as a padawan, he did feel like whenever he went on a mission, it was to please the Senate and the politicians who made up the governing body while ignoring the pleas of the people of the galaxy. Whenever he spoke to those said peoples they didn't praise the Jedi as guardian protectors but instead as enforcers of a corrupt system. It was further proven as Grievous explained that despite the atrocities the Yam'rii inflicted on his people, the countless deaths of both warriors and helpless civilians, not to mention the enslavement of many more, the Jedi Council chose to act in defence of the Yam'rii simply because they gained the Senate's favour; something that had happened similarly to other worlds across the Outer Rim. It was another reason why Striv had chosen to leave the Jedi Order.
"A word of caution," Grievous said. "If you and your separatists continue to prove yourselves a threat to the Republic, as you are by your continued acts of aid to worlds like Kalee, they may attempt to crush you. And unless you're willing to surrender, then war will be your only course of action."
"Many throughout the galaxy, both on Republic and Confederate worlds have said similar thoughts," Striv admitted. "Though many also wish to avoid war at all costs. I don't wish it as many will die due to a full, galactic-scale conflict."
"Yet if it comes down to it, what would you do?" Grievous asked.
Striv knew in his mind he shouldn't want to fight a war, but if the Republic gave in to violence, as he feared they would then he wouldn't sit by and let them destroy everything the CIS had created. "Fight to preserve the Confederacy as best I can. If the Republic won't allow us to exist peacefully then I will not hesitate to fight back. Besides, you know all too well that the Republic isn't the holly embodiment of peace that they claim it to be. Not anymore."
Grievous chuckled in response.
"Well said young Gr'en. Well said."
"The mission is going smoothly Count," a hologram of Striv reported to Count Dooku several days later, inside the Count's office on Sereno. "Most of the supplies have been distributed throughout the planet, and its people are most grateful. Hopefully, this will help them in rebuilding what was lost from their conflict against the Yam'rii. We should be set to leave within another rotation or so."
Clasping his hands together while grinning in satisfaction, Dooku replied, "Good, very good. Tell me, what has this mission taught you about your former order?"
"This only further shows just how blind the Jedi truly are to what's going on around them."
His apprentice continued to please the Count. "What about the warrior I sent you to meet? Grievous?"
"A highly skilled fighter. Shows remarkable abilities in both swords, rifles, and hand-to-hand combat. Quick to adapt and a fast learner. I sparred with him myself several times. He was quite the challenge; even when I gained the upper hand once or twice."
"How would he face in a duel against say… a Jedi master?"
Striv seemed to pause for a moment, appearing not quite to understand the reason for his mentor's question. "I believe if he were to be given proper study about our arts; he could challenge maybe the entire Jedi Council. He's also very honourable. If I may say so Count, I think he would be a tremendous asset to us, especially if the rumours are true that the Republic might be considering the creation of an army to stop us from 'taking' other worlds as they're calling what we're doing."
The Count rubbed his beard as he responded, "I will consider this my apprentice."
Ending the transmission from Kalee, Dooku reset his transmitter to another frequency. Less than a moment later, a figure appeared, concealed by a dark hooded cloak.
Getting on one knee, Dooku bowed before the hologram.
"My Master."
"Lord Tyranus?"
"Our new asset has once again proven himself. He's confirmed my suspicions about another potential ally, one we have been looking for in the next stage of your plans.
A smile formed on the Dark Lord's mysterious face. "Tell me everything."