C3P5

"What is it that you want, General?" I demanded, politely of course, as soon as we reached somewhere that the cyborg considered 'private' enough to hold our conversation. In this case, it was the portside hangar bay. Hundreds of Tri-Droid Interceptors were stacked upon each other in racks, their insect-like eyes glittering in the light.

"You seem remarkably close to Asajj Ventress, droid," Grievous said casually, his clawed hands clasped behind his back. "I do wonder how much she cares for you, enough to give a name to what was once a mere B1 Battledroid…and to provide you with far more power than is expected of your station"

I stared at him, wondering where he was trying to going with this thread.

The cyborg continued in his grating artificial voice, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "I have been reviewing your manifests and requests that you ordered for this fleet. It is extremely…extensive. I merely wonder as to your reasoning for so many expensive modifications to this fleet."

"I did not realize you cared about cost when it comes to battle, General," I remarked drily. The kaleesh cyborg stiffened slightly at my barb regarding his own tendency to take extensive losses, but I continued on regardless. "Look, General, those requests are there to bolster my forces and tactics. I intend to win this battle. It is as you said, if we wish to win this war, the production of Clone must end."

"What exactly do you plan to do?" Demanded Grievous.

"It essentially boils down into drawing into knife fighting range and attacking head on," I said matter-of-factly. "Capital ships will run interference while transports make their way to Kamino to offload troops and vehicles."

Grievous narrowed his eyes as he eyed me critically, "Those transports will not stand a chance against the Republic's starfighter squadrons."

"Which is why I have bolstered my intial fighter wings so extensively," I replied instantly. "Vulture droids to swarm the enemy fighter wings and Tri-droid interceptors to provide escort. Even if they destroyed the transports, the assault craft will still be delivered to Ventress for reassembly."

And here it was, Grievous was actually grilling me on my plan so hard I could see his reptilian eyes boring into my brain. Were I organic, I'd be sweating in mild terror. The General would throw questions endlessly at me, from questioning my modifications to the ground troops and it's composition, the immense numbers of Droch Boarding Pods to the formation of my the fleet and their new complement of weaponry.

"And what about the modifications you've made to your frigates? Were they not to transport the assault craft as intended?"

My reply was instant. "No, I have delegated the task of transporting the assault craft in Hardcell transports, the Munificents have been modified with hardier shielding and increased heavy laser cannon batteries."

"Why not turbolasers?"

"Ventress has taken notice of a large contingent of forces deployed to Kamino, namely Naboo Carriers, I believe the term for Naboo fighters are 'battleship killers'?" I said, my voice inflectiing an unusual grimness. "I find it interesting that Naboo militia have been deployed to Kamino. Especially Naboo."

"It would put me at ease," said Grievous, suddenly drawing closer to me. His vocorecorder grill was tilted in such a way I could imagine him grinning toothily, "if several of my Magnaguards were to guard you, in case of anything that may threaten the fleet's integrity."

In other words he wanted to make sure I was really loyal to the Confederacy. I had been rather out of character after all. It was reasonable enough.

"Of course, General," I replied evenly. "I am touched by your act of generosity."

"One last question, commander," grated Grievous, almost turning away. "You have ensured victory for the Confederacy with such modifications to the plan. Why so many layers of redundancy?"

Dozens of explanations flitted through my mind. I was paranoid, I wanted to ensure total and complete victory, that…

"I believe this mission is set for failure."

Grievous had suddenly gone very still.

"Tread carefully droid. Not even Ventress can save you from the crime of treason," hissed the kaleesh cyborg menacingly.

Slowly, I nodded. "Yes, General."

"Dismissed, Commander 711," growled Grievous, waving his clawed hand imperiously.

I bowed ever so slightly and left.

-

Grievou watched the droid leave with narrowed eyes. The gall of the useless thing! To think that the battle was rigged against them, that that was the reason for so many requests and transfers. That Dooku would set him up for failure!

He growled in disgust as he made his way to the Soulless One, his personal starfighter. Keying in his code for the personal transceiver of Count Dooku he was ready to report the droid's act of rebellion and treason, but he stopped.

Something about that droid made him uneasy, yet slightly elated. It was rare to see such...ambition from a mere droid. You could not program that into a machine.

No. He would not report this just yet.

He would wait, thought Grievous as he shut off the holonet transmitter.

"Show me then, Droid Commander 711," Grievous murmured to himself as he activated the starfighter, "Show me what you are capable of."