Chapter 236 - Dear Dageer (1/2)

The Separatist group was composed of only twenty clanckers, but all of them were commando droids. Dageer had fought them on more than one occasion, and he knew they were deadlier than an entire battalion of B1 units. It appeared the seppies weren't taking any risks.

The leader of the commando droids gestured for his men to stop, and continued by itself. Seeing that, General Secura did the same. The female Twi'lek walked forward, until she and the droid were only two meters apart. Both had their melee weapons - a lightsaber and a vibroblade - but there was no doubt about who would be faster to pull it out if needed was.

”Jedi... We brought our prisoner... Bzz... Bring your's forward.”

”You first, droid. Unless I am sure Master Plo Koon is safe, Tambor isn't going anywhere.”

The commando droid looked at her, his white eyes flashing. He had orders not to give the Jedi to the Republic unless Emir Wat Tambor was safe in their hands.

”The Jedi is... Safe. R0-S5, bring him forward... Stop there.”

One of the commando droids pushed General Plo Koon, and he stumbled forward, almost falling. After he walked about twenty meters, the clancker held his shoulder, keeping him from moving.

Now that he was closer, Dageer saw that the general seemed... anxious. He couldn't talk, and the eyes of the Kel Dor weren't easy to read. However, Dageer had long grown used to reading a person's body language, and General Plo Koon was too tense and nervous. Even in his situation, Jedis usually were calm. There was something wrong.

”Commander...”

”I know. Everyone, stay in your positions, and be prepared to fight. Bly, something is going to happen.”

Cell wanted to warn Dageer. His sharp eyes had already discovered the same problems as Dageer. Commander Bly and his men were more used to open battles, so they hadn't noticed.

”What is wrong?”

”I don't know yet. But keep your aim on the commando clancker. Aim for the head.”

”All right.”

General Secura was focused on the commando droid, and didn't notice General Plo Koon's warnings. She motioned for the clones to bring Wat Tambor forward. She and the droid had gotten in a silent agreement to do the trade at the same time.

When one of the 327th troopers stepped ahead to take Tambor, Dageer moved to grab the Separatist's arm. With his head, he gestured for the clone to stay, and took his place. The man was confused, but he stayed quiet. Now wasn't the time to show indecisiveness.

While he was leading the Separatist, Dageer let his eyes dart from side to side. They were on a landing platform, but obviously, it wasn't being used. Bunches of crates laid here and there, but they had scanned it from the ship, and there was no droid hiding inside them. The most they found were some small life forms, animals of some sort.

The buildings on the north and the east blocked the vision of any sniper, whatever side it may be. Clearly, the seppies had chosen the location carefully. They wouldn't be able to ambush the Republic there, but the Republic also wouldn't be able to catch them off guard.

Still, Dageer's instincts told him there was something fishy going on. The closer he got to General Plo Koon - who was now being brought forward too - the stronger this feeling got.

When he arrived by the side of General Secura, she too had noticed General Plo Koon's weird behavior. Frowning, she looked at the device preventing him from speaking, and turned to the commando droid.

”Take it off.”

”I do not have... Bzzz... The tools for that. You can take it out yourself, Republic... Bzz... Sc.u.m.”

Dageer saw General Secura clench her fist in anger. She could easily destroy the device with her lightsaber, but turning it on would be considered a violation of the small truce they had to realize the trade. And, considering there were twenty blasters aimed at General Plo Koon's back, this wasn't a very intelligent move. Tied like he was, even a Jedi wouldn't be able to dodge.

”What are you waiting... for? Bzz... Trade the prisoner.”

Both Tambor and General Plo Koon walked forward at the same time, and crossed paths. With the trade completed, both sides were preparing to return to their sh.i.p.s and leave when a dark figure jumped out of one of the containers.

Holding two red lightsabers, the person ignored General Secura and General Plo Koon, and looked at the clone near them.

”Oh, my dear Dageer... I'm glad I have another chance to kill you.”