[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

[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?

[captain_by_the_book]

He died. All the CIS leaders died, the droid army was destroyed. Like I said, the war was lost.

[generalgrievous]

My army?!

[Again that fist came up in a ball of fury. That news wasn't well received. Luckily he didn't immediately lash out at Cassian.]

.... And who is ruling this Empire?

[captain_by_the_book]

[Regardless, Cassian takes a step back.]

Emperor Palpatine rules over the Galactic Empire, sir.

[He braces himself for another round of fury.]

[generalgrievous]

Palpatine made himself Emperor?!

[Clearly not happy news. Grievous was as unaware as most who and what Palpatine really was. He growls and turns away for a moment, seething but managing to restrain his more impulsive urge to hit something or someone. If only there was a convenient battle droid around. They were more easily replaced.]

Is there anyone fighting against this Galactic Empire?

[captain_by_the_book]

[Cassian is really, really glad that he doesn't look punchable today, but he keeps himself ready to duck anyway.]

Of course. On Fest, as on many planets, resistance rose. I joined the Rebel Alliance years ago, the biggest galaxy-wide resistance organisation. Not all resistance groups are part of it, but it stands by far the best chance to succeed... one day, and in the meantime, make the Empire's life much harder.

[He peers up at Grievous.] I'm an intelligence agent.

[generalgrievous]

[Turning back toward him as Cassian talks, he listens as he circles the man, watching intently.]

So you gather intel to take down this Empire.

And what of the Jedi? Do they guard the Emperor?

[He assumes they would, like they had when he was Chancellor.]

[captain_by_the_book]

Mostly, yes, but also trained in assassination and sabotage.

[And currently very, very uncomfortable with being circled like this. His eyes find the exits, ad he starts mapping escape strategies.]

The Jedi are gone. The clones wiped them out. There is little left of the world you knew.

[generalgrievous]

[He halted. That didn't make sense. Maybe he heard it wrong.]

The clones? Why would the clones attack the Jedi? They are working together.

[Or were. Could the world have changed that much? The rest of Cassian's talk of his skills he kept in mind, interested - but he wanted to make sense of the rest first.]

[captain_by_the_book]

It's complicated. The HoloNet talked about the Jedi having betrayed the Chancellor, he was still Chancellor then. [He shrugs helplessly.] So much happened in these days, but I was just a partisan on Fest. The whys and how of politics didn't matter to me at the time.

What matters is, the Jedi are gone. There are still people who believe in the Force, but... It's different. The galaxy is a different place. Power is wielded by those who command the Stormtroopers, and the Empire's great machines of war.

[And he's really not keen to keep talking about something which agitates Grievous so.]

[generalgrievous]

[But the mood seems to have changed. Rather than being angrier, there was a lost look in his eyes for a moment as he stares past Cassian to the distance. How? How could this have happened? The Jedi being destroyed and gone should be good news but it left him with a somehow empty feeling. It had long been his goal to rid the galaxy of the Jedi - spurred on by the tampering Dooku and Sidious had done to his mind when they'd reconstructed his body - but not being there to see these events happen was a heartfelt disappointment. This man could be lying but Grievous didn't think that was so. Was there some reason that he was here instead of living through these changes and upheavals? It was something he may have to ponder. While his people were warlike and honoured warriors highly there was also a spiritual element that he knew deep within in had been long lacking due to his focus on the conflicts. His gaze again fixed on Cassian.]

If the Jedi are truly gone then... my time here may not be such a waste as I thought. It may be a chance to reflect on the past and the future.

[captain_by_the_book]

[Cassian finds himself relieved when Grievous turns pensive instead of angrier. He keeps quiet and averts his eyes, willing to give him as much privacy as he can while remaining where he is. Learning the future had been easy for Cassian, Han Solo told him of the Alliance's victory, of a renaissance for the Republic, of an Empire not yet defeated, but reduced to a toothless monster that just lacked the killing blow. That had softened the horror of Alderaan's destruction.

He meets Grievous' eyes when he addresses him again.] I hope so, sir. This place is as peaceful as anything to be found, and basic needs are easily met. It leaves time to keep yourself busy with things other than survival.

[And everyone acts like that's a good thing. Cassian for his part remains dubious.]

[generalgrievous]

Like your... security job. Not as dangerous as your former life as soldier and assassin.

[Grievous isn't so sure about this either. Even before the Clone Wars and his transformation, he was a warrior and it's all he knew. What sort of life can one have in a peaceful world? It added to the disorienting feeling in his head. Peace didn't make much sense to him. What was he supposed to do with himself here?]

[captain_by_the_book]

No, nowhere near as dangerous. I have reliable working hours, and I even have days off. It's... [His tongue darts out to wet his lips.] ...different. I keep myself busy.

[Now he is the one who feels like pacing, yet is loathe to show weakness.] I study this world and its inhabitants. For a spy there is always work in gathering intelligence.

[generalgrievous]

So you keep saying but you seem restless. Is it not satisfying to you to do such mundane work?

[But that last part had possibilities.]

Have you found out anything of use?

[captain_by_the_book]

[He gives Grievous a thoughtful look.]

Nothing noteworthy yet. I've only arrived a little more than a month ago. It takes time to gain trust.

And no, I'm not satisfied with mundane work. But we must adjust to the circumstances.

[generalgrievous]

This will take a lot of adjusting...

[His shoulders hunch up under the cloak in a disgruntled manner.]

[captain_by_the_book]

It will. [Cassian clenches his jaw.] I expect it to only get harder as the novelty of this place wears off. Some people have been here for years, while others disappear again within weeks.

[generalgrievous]

Disappear? Are they executed?

[That's his first thought.]

[captain_by_the_book]

I... It is said they are sent home.

[But now Cassian's paranoia has been triggered.]