Chapter 38

After rescuing and returning Ahsoka Tano to the Jedi, two months go by fast. Asajj's training is proceeding quickly. She tended to go dark side on her trainers when they beat in combat quite thoroughly. I had to iron that out of her. Whenever she used to do that, I would step in and beat her black and blue. None of her force powers ever worked on me. On another note, she and Vanzii were getting quite close. How that happened, force only knows.

My fleet was currently having downtime in the Patitite Pattuna system. Running system checks, simulations, and training my forces. We were also just finishing uploading resupply shipments fleet-wide, we 'bought' from Straxon Corporation.

I was on the bridge of the Moby Dick, going through reports from across the fleet as well as from our ever-expanding territories. We will soon in the limelight, how we kept it hidden for so long is nothing short of a blessing. Just then the sensor officer shouted out "republic fleet popping out of hyperspace to our three o'clock. One Venator, under Jedi general Adi Gallia"

I turn to look out the viewport to see a lone Venator trudging along. Like a lamb for the slaughter. Another reason I chose this system is that I received intelligence that there will be an ambush happening here. Apparently Grievous was going to try and capture the Jedi, I plan to add the cyborg head to my trophies. Why now you ask. For brownie points. I want public opinion on my side when the big reveal happens.

"Admiral, all ships to battle stations. Our targets will pop up right in front of the Republic cruiser. Make it as discrete as possible" I called out to Krald.

"Sir, incoming transmission from the Republic cruiser," said the coms officer.

"Bring it up on the holo-table," I said.

Soon the hologram of Adi Gallia pops up.

"Greeting Jedi, to what do I owe the pleasure," I asked

"Just saying my greetings Nomad. We are on our way back to the core. Intelligence didn't report any fleet presence on our way. What are you doing here" she asked. Of course, their intelligence didn't notice our presence. Otherwise, why would this be called the ghost fleet?

"We just received a resupply and are doing system checks and carrying out simulations. Keeps the men primed and ready for action. Plus, we are Mandalorians, training is one of our pass times entertainment" I said.

Just then as predicted Six Separatist ships pop out of hyperspace in the path of the republic cruiser. Grievous's Flagship and five Munificent. They immediately start firing on the republic cruiser.

"Looks like you got friends here to greet you," I said, sarcasm dripping from my statement.

"We need your help, Nomad. And quickly. We won't last against that many hostiles" she shouted.

"Calm your tities" I sent her a contract "Just sign the contract and I will roast these seppies," I said. She had an incredulous look. Her ship suddenly took a major hit.

"Very well" she sends back the signed contract ���Now destroy them," she says, while explosions rock her ship. I cut the transmission and turn to the admiral with a wicked smile.

"Admiral trap the separatist fleet and destroy it. I want Grievous dead and his head mounted on my wall" I said. He just chuckles before barking out orders.

The Moby dick fires its mega ion cannon at full charge, knocking out four ships. While all of my destroyers quickly rush in and surround the enemy fleet and start pounding away at the Munificent. The space around the separatist fleet is also saturated quickly with our fighters.

"Admiral, move the Moby dick and Big Bertha alongside that providence class dreadnaught and prepare for boarding action. We are taking that ship and Grievous's head" I said as I moved towards the nearest hangar.

My squad along with Asajj was waiting for me near a dropship. "We got a Cyborg to hunt," I said. This caused Asajj to chuckle sinisterly.

"Any chance I get to stick it to Dooku is more than welcome," she said. Little did she know, had I not interfered. This cyborg would have slaughtered her people. We board the dropship as it takes off. It alongside hundreds of other dropships and boarding pods rain down on the disabled dreadnaught.

We soon land in an open hangar. The dropships EMP grenade the hell out of the hangars before we land. This leads to us having a strong foothold on the ship quite quickly.

"Make sure to destroy all the piloted fighters you spot. I don't want grievous escaping" I said over coms. Just to spot a dozen LAATs flying towards the hangar. Sigh. I move towards one of the LAATs as Adi Gallia jumps out leading a squad of ARC troopers.

"What brings you here on this fine day," I asked.

"Came to make sure Grievous doesn't escape," she said.

"Really?" I ask with a tilted head, to which she nods. SIGH. "Take your troops and clear out the rear of the ship. I am planning on capturing this particular ship, so keep the damage to a minimum. After that, you can double back to make sure Grievous doesn't escape." I said. As she nods and starts leading her troops to clear out her allotted section of the ship.

I then return to my squad and lead them towards the bridge. We face stiff opposition as we cut through the droid forces that are still active. When we reach a large opening, we are greeted with the sight of Grievous and two of his magnaguards.

"You are quite brazen *COUGH* to attack me, Nomad. *COUGH, COUGH* Count Dooku will not be pleased" said Dooku.

"You should see someone about that cough of yours. Maybe I can open you up and remove that damaged lung of yours. Plus, I couldn't give a Kriff about what Dooku and Sidious think" I countered. The surprise of mentioning Sidious was quite visible.

"*COUGH* You will regret this," he said.

"Enough talking. Let's get this over with" I said drawing Gra'tua. Suddenly Four Commando droids and the four magnaguards rush us. My squad spreads out and concentrates fire on the commando droids and Magnaguards, quickly scrapping them. By then I am already exchanging blows with Grievous. He didn't expect my movements to be this quick and strike to carry this much power. The others cordon of the area while I face Grievous. This was my kill. We keep exchanging one flurry of blows after another

He is currently dual wilding while facing me. He thinks he can face me without going split handed. He will regret not going all out against me. I suddenly land two quick blows on his right arm and leg joints, while doing a parry and sidestep. This caused some serious damage. I know what he was going to do next, escape. That was his MO. Escape from foes he can't beat, so he can fight them again. I won't call him a coward, it's a proper strategy in certain situations. I tried sneaking in another strike on him, but he evades and leaps over Janak into a corridor. He is heading to the main hangar.

"This is Nomad to all forces. The primary target is heading towards the primary hangar through hallway three. Make sure the hangar is clear of all ship and destroy any Separatist ship present there. Cordon of all other exits, heavy weapon deployment is permitted. Don't let him escape" I ordered through coms, as I blazed after Grievous. I kept the pressure on him by taking potshots at him, using my heavily modified WESTAR-35s. The chase lasted a few minutes, as he ran straight into an empty hangar, fully cordoned off by my troops.

"No more running Grievous. Let's level the playing field, shall we?" I said taking out two lightsabers and igniting them, they were from my ever-growing collection. One was blue the other crimson red "Let's finish this" I said moving in to engage.

It was soon back to us exchanging blow after blow until one of my sabers grazed his face. It took out one of his eyes and left a scorched mark.

"RAAAAAGHHHHH" he shouted now really getting serious. How do I know that he was finally taking this seriously? He split his arms, from two to four. Why he didn't do that from the start can only be explained as hubris, or he was too focused on retreating. I have to bring my A-game now.

I start focusing even more. I can match his attacks and return the favor with my own counter-attacks. I can't let this drag on, or he will somehow escape. I had to end it. I concentrated further on him and his moves, everything else faded out. To others, I might be seeing my attacks as nothing but a series of blurs. I was able to get within his defenses eventually. I immediately send a strike to his right leg and the main joint for his right pair of arms. They somehow connected causing him to topple over, a few limbs short. I followed this up by launching all my ion tipped whistling birds at him. Now he was spasming on the floor. He was a tough SOB, he still tried getting up. Even with the electric currents arcing over him. I gave no leeway. I quickly stepped up from behind and lopped his head off. I wasn't one for long speeches in front of a defeated enemy. His head rolled for a second before coming to a halt, his body fell with a dull thud from its half-risen state. I finally let go of a breath I was unknowingly holding during the fight.

I look around to see my people looking at me in astonishment. They knew I was Mand'alor, but they didn't know what I was capable of. In one of the entrances, I could see master Adi Gallia and her clone detachment looking at me in shock. Many Jedi have faced Grievous before, the majority of whom met grizzly end at his hands. I didn't waste time, I picked up the dismembered heard and raised it high so all could see. Soon someone started shouting "Kote darasuum brokar Mand'alor", soon all my warriors and droid troops started joining in. Even a large group of clones were chanting.

After a minute I raise the head higher and everyone quietens down a bit. I then shouted, "Kote darasuum brokar Mando'a". Which is met with cheers. Then Doth suddenly starts chanting one of the oldest war chants.

"Taungsarang broka jetiise ka'rta.

Dha Werda Verda a'den tratu,

Coruscanta kandosii adu.

Duum motir ca'tra nau tracinya.

Gra'tua cuun hett su dralshy'a.

Kom'rk tsad droten troch nyn ures adenn.

Dha Werda Verda a'den tratu,

Coruscanta kandosii adu.

Duum motir ca'tra nau tracinya.

Gra'tua cuun hett su dralshy'a"

Followed by everyone around him and it soon picks up. Master Adi Gallia is seen standing stock still in astonishment of what is going on around her. As even most of the clones are joining in. I had a small recon droid flying about the hangar recording the events, from the moment Grievous arrived in the hangar. This is going to be good PR. This holovid shall be played across all of our territories.

While everyone is celebrating the defeat of the Supreme Commander of the Droid Armies, I went on to collect my trophies. From Grievous's lightsabers to his cloak, I will most certainly get his hidden bases coordinates and other intel from the ship's databases. Overall, a good haul.

After everything calms down, I spot Adi Gallia approaching casting conflicted glances at my new lightsaber collection. "Don't even think of asking for them, they are my battle trophies" I said, looking at her.

"I wouldn't. Their owners have joined the force. The sabers are but a reminder of them" she said, now turning her glance from the sabers to me "But I would like you to hand over the Generals corpse"

"Never," I said in a dominating tone "His remains shall return to his people. That is the minimum respect a warrior of his skill deserves. I will not have him be studied on by republic scientist" this caused her to frown.

"Can't you please reconsider?" asked Master Adi.

"No. The moment you signed the contract to save your behinds, everything we defeat or capture belongs to us. So, the answer is still a solid no. I will not hand over his remains" I said.

"Very well," she said, finally relenting. She then walks over to her clone troopers who are loading on to LAATs that had just arrived to retrieve them. Subail and Bo walk up and stand beside me, as we watch the LAATs depart to their damaged Venator.

"What do you want us to do with the body?" asked Subail.

"Tell Vanzii and his droids to take thorough scans and sample. After that cremate the body. We shall return the ashes to his tribe. I was serious when I said we will be returning him to his people. He deserves to rest in his homeworld. After all, he went through all this for their sakes" I said. SIGH. Like many stories in this galaxy, his is a tragic one as well. One of suffering, hardship, loss, and deceit. I can relate to him on some level. Just like he initially did, I too toil to guarantee the survival of my people. And soon the true Mandalore shall manifest itself in front of the galaxy.

(Time Skip)

(Jedi Temple- Coruscant)

(POV Ahsoka)

I was currently on 'shore leave' back at the Jedi temple. I had to teach some younglings meditation even on my break. These masters can be slave drivers sometimes. As I walk towards the library there was a large group of younglings and some master, including Jocasta Nu who was leaving the area. I approach and ask her "Master Nu, what's going on?"

"There has been some major development in the war, listen to the news. It will explain more than I could" she says, before slowly walking away. She was kind of distracts. I grew curious and moved towards the terminal to listen. All the younglings were abuzz with chatter while the masters were discussing among themselves as well. I was a bit far away to hear them. As the news broadcast came on again everyone quieted down.

"This is Gina Parker for the GNN News. We are bringing in more on the breaking news. It has been confirmed. As of yesterday, the Supreme Commander of the Separatist forces has been slain. And before further speculation and rumors go around, we have confirmed some details and were given a small holovid of the event. What is surprising is that the ones to take down the infamous cyborg general weren't republic troops. We will break down the events for you now.

A lone Venator class Star destroyer under Jedi General Adi Gallia was ambushed by General Grievous. But in a strange twist of fate, in the same system, a massive Mandalorian Fleet was undergoing final rundowns after receiving a resupply. Yes, it was the Ghost fleet of Mandalore. While under relentless attack, Jedi General Adi Gallia used her authority to contract the infamous fleet. This turned the tide quickly. The Mandalorians quickly destroyed all other Separatist ships and disabled Grievous's flagship. They then proceeded to board and capture the vessel. This led to a running battle with the general and the ever-elusive Ghost of Mandalore, Nomad. This drawn-out battle concluded with the death of Grievous. It has been confirmed that the Ghosts are going to cremated and return the ashes of the Infamous General Grievous to his homeworld. As a sign of respect to a talented fallen warrior.

We now leave you with a small clip of the aftermath."

With that the feed cut to a vid of Nomad standing in the middle with Grievous's severed head held high, shouting something in Mandalorian. This was followed by images of his troop including droids singing a Mandalorian war chant. The amusing part was that the clones present were joining along. Well, they were cloned from a Mandalorian warrior after all.

I couldn't believe it, Grievous is dead. He had terrorized the Republic forces for so long. He had killed many Jedi in duels, only for him to fall in a duel himself. And that too not against a Jedi, but someone else famed for killing force users. SIGH. I need to meditate.

(Senate)

(POV Palpatine)

After more than a month of healing, I am back in my seat of power. Someone dared to poison me. I know who, but I have no proof to hold them accountable. I must be cautious.

The senate was in session when the news was officially announced. Grievous was slaughtered. He was weak. But it brings to question how strong was Nomad. We had trained Grievous to kill Jedi. If he was taken down by the Mandalorian then, how strong was he? Who was he? So many questions, so little answers. It appears he had information of some sort on my schemes and my true identity, which was proven by his retaliation to my assassination attempt. I can feel that it was just a warning, for my moves against him. Yet he doesn't warn the foolish Jedi or the weak republic. What to do with him? I can only wait as he has become a hero for the republic in one fell swoop. I will have to do something, as the opportunity presents itself.

Dark clouds of anger were brewing in Sidious's mind, all the while he kept up the façade of the kind and benevolent old man. It took great control on his part to maintain this façade without it spewing out of him.

The senate continued to be in turmoil as more and more Senators cheered in celebration while some calling for an all-out push against the separatists. How long will this last? Only the force knew.