[Video - Arrival]

[generalgrievous]

[A skull-like being appears on the network - but no, it's not a human skull and it isn't the creature's actual head. Instead it is some sort of mask, through which yellow eyes glare angrily. These are the only part that looks to be truly alive, however. Much of the rest of his body is hidden by a cloak wrapped around his shoulders, but what other parts that can be seen are robotic, yet skeletal - including a claw-like hand currently clutched into a fist. Some may be able to tell he's some sort of alien cyborg. His metallic voice is harsh.]

Where are these so-called City Guardians and your military operations?

Your explanations are not satisfactory. It was a mistake to bring me here and I demand that you return me to my ship at once.

Comments

[generalgrievous]

Bills... bills... The red bills? That is the currency here?

I got some of them... I arrived with them, although with no memory of being transported here.

[There's a touch of bewilderment again before he shakes his head, growling.]

This is unacceptable!

[He seems to have gone off on a different tangent.]

[captain_by_the_book]

[Cassian waits, a bit at a loss what to do about this outrage. He wants to be helpful, but... There's nothing he can do about these demands.]

I realize that. I wasn't pleased either. But currently nobody knows what to do about it. There are people, or at least one person, who has spoken of trying to break the shields around the cities, but I don't think there are any proper plans in motion. None that I know of, anyway.

[generalgrievous]

Then the people must rise up and destroy the shields in order to be free.

[It sounded simple enough to him.]

Why are they not doing so?

[captain_by_the_book]

[Well... In real life the General's more exhausting to deal with than what Cassian saw as a kid on the HoloNet.]

As I understand it, the shields are the only thing protecting us from... creatures. I don't truly understand their nature yet. But I've been told they are lurking outside the shields, and have in the past pierced them and attacked. Nor do we have any idea what lays beyond the shields, and since they are powered by magic, our means of bringing shielding down wouldn't work either.

I suggest you speak to Emerald Sustrai, she is working on this.

[generalgrievous]

What sort of magic? Do you mean the Force?

[captain_by_the_book]

No. Magic magic. That pull white rabbits from a hat magic trick magic. I can't explain it. They say that the fear of Everglade's population powers the shields.

[generalgrievous]

Everglade?

[captain_by_the_book]

One of the cities.

[He thinks for a moment before adding, judgement in his voice.]

You didn't pay a lot of attention to the initial briefing, did you, sir?

[generalgrievous]

[He makes a dismissive huffing sound at the words.]

It did not give me the most important information. It was a travel brochure. A distraction.

You seem to have accepted this situation.

[captain_by_the_book]

[ Cassian pauses, face carefully blank. His military posture becomes a little stiffer yet at his discomfort. ]

Not as such, sir. It's... complicated. This place can bring you here, though you have died. I died. I assume whatever keeps me alive here though I should be dead will cease to function once I leave this place. Otherwise I would be a lot more impatient to return to my duties.

[ Another moment of hesitation. ]

I'm also still not convinced it isn't an elaborate set-up. Some kind of prison or interrogation based on psychological warfare. In which case nobody here can be trusted, escape attempts are part of the simulation, and I'm just a rat in a maze.

[generalgrievous]

I am not dead.

You think this is some sort of prison?

[That might make more sense, he thinks.]

... Where are you? No. Come find me. I am in the place they call Genessia Commonspace. I wish to talk with you face to face.

[captain_by_the_book]

I know where that is, yes.

[ And if it were anyone else he wouldn't meet with a man of Grievous' reputation, but there are very old, almost forgotten loyalties at work here, and Grievous is giving orders. He's used to obeying orders. ]

I won't be long, sir.

[Action]

[generalgrievous]

[It is nearly impossible to miss the seven feet tall cyborg pacing back and forth with his cape billowing behind him. His gait is agitated and as commanding as he is, he's also been used to taking orders more recently. There are no orders here. No way to contact Dooku. He doesn't want to admit feeling somewhat at a loss, stranded here without his guards or his army. Not to say he was frightened, but there was a small anxiety within him at feeling like there wasn't much he could do about changing the current situation he was in. And so he paces and waits for Cassian to make an appearance.]

[captain_by_the_book]

[In person, the General is a far more intimidating sight than he had ever been on the HoloNet. But Cassian's used to faking it, so his pace doesn't falter as he approaches the General, even if he feels very wary and just as aware that maybe, just maybe, he should have brought backup. Grievous has killed Jedi</>, if he gets angry with him... Better not to think of his chances.

He has to crane his neck to look into Grievous's eyes.]

Sir. I'm Cassian Andor. You wished to speak in person?

[generalgrievous]

[He turns at the voice and stalks over to him.]

Yes. Cassian Andor.

[He takes a moment to critically size the man up. The silence grows before he speaks further.]

You seem to be more helpful than most here.

[captain_by_the_book]

[Okay, and he's even taller up close. Just as tall as Kay, but he feels taller.]

I was a child during the Clone Wars, but I fought on Fest. While I was not formally a Separatist, our insurrectionist cell was backed by the Confederacy, and fought the Republic troops.

[Still, he keeps his face carefully blank, hoping he won't be asked why he got involved.]

[generalgrievous]

[The look and height is meant to be menacing and the glare from those yellow reptilian eyes enhances the effect.]

Good to hear. Did you ever fight any Jedi?

[captain_by_the_book]

[His eyes widen momentarily before he catches himself. Right. Right. He comes from a time of very different enemies...]

No, never. I never ran into Jedi. We fought clones. Urban warfare against clones and their walkers, mostly.

[generalgrievous]

Clones.

[He growls the word and clenches a claw-like hand into a fist.]

So you fought with them and survived. Impressive.

[captain_by_the_book]

I was a child. It was luck, not skill.

[But now he's eyeing him warily again, taking note of all that anger.]

[generalgrievous]

Are you just being modest or do you no longer have any wish to fight?

[captain_by_the_book]

[Annoyance shows briefly before that, too, is fought down.]

Realistic. I gained skill since then.

[generalgrievous]

You said the war had ended. What happened?

[Yes, he remembers he said it was lost but he wants details.]

[captain_by_the_book]

The Republic won. Of a sort. But it stopped being the Republic, it was destroyed inside out. The Galactic Empire it became is an enemy to all.

[generalgrievous]

And Count Dooku?