Chapter 294 - An Obvious Trap

Unbeknown to them, Hell Squad and Ragout were being watched by a small, black, floating ball. A probe droid.

"Bzttzzz... Bzzz... Ttt..."

The probe let out a series of weird noises, before floating after the group quietly. The data it was sending traveled quickly, arriving in a dark room on Red Stone.

------------------------------

Count Dooku looked at the images on the screen in front of him, and frowned. He had expected the Republic to send two or more Jedis. He wanted to kill them, and deal a suffocating blow to the Republic and the Jedi Order. He had never imagined that only one Jedi - and an ordinary one, considering he didn't recognize the Togruta - and a squad of clones would be the ones to come. It seemed they were underestimating him.

"Uhmm?"

Staring at the video for a while, he saw one of the clones turning his head back. He looked straight at the probe droid, but then looked forward again, as if he hadn't seen anything. He probably hadn't. The probes were designed to be almost undetectable, even when being looked directly upon.

But even if it had been discovered, the white-bearded Sith lord wouldn't care. The Republic force was already in his claws, and couldn't escape his trap. What surprised him, however, was the design of the clone's helmet. A single brownish-red horn adorned the right side of the helmet. A drawing he had seen very recently.

He quickly flipped through the intel the Separatist had, easily finding an image of Dageer, and from the other members of Hell Squad. The CIS had acquired those from the invasion, and consequent escape, of the prison orbiting Sull.u.s.t. Count Dooku had never heard of Hell Squad before that, but when the Separatist dug deep, they found many occasions that they were probably involved. That made them put Hell Squad on the same threat level as Delta Squad.

"Interesting. Someone even Asajj couldn't kill... So, this must be Ragout. He faced so much pain... Uhmm..."

Half an hour later, three speeders left the city. One of them carried Count Dooku, while the other two were piloted by MagnaGuards.

They only stopped a couple hundred kilometers away from the city, and Count Dooku sat on the ground, eyes closed, meditating. Now, all he had to do was wait. And he was patient. He had waited ten years for the Clone Wars to start, and even now, he still had to make any big moves. Waiting a couple more hours to start his big plan was nothing. But when he did, he would destroy the Jedi Order. He would tear it apart, piece by piece.

----------------------------

"General, we are being followed. A Separatist probe droid."

Hearing Dageer's whisper, Ragout resisted the urge to turn around, and look for their stalker. Instead, he continued walking normally.

"Don't look back. Let's wait to see if it does anything else. If not, then we will just ignore it."

The clones glanced at each other, somewhat unwilling. They didn't like the idea of having their every move observed.

"Sir? We could be walking into a trap."

"We most certainly are. The fact that we are already being watched means that Dooku knew we were coming. Whatever trap he prepared for us, it has been set in motion a long time ago. But now we know that. This gives us an advantage."

Dageer looked at his general, and shrugged inwardly. He didn't like the idea of knowingly going into an ambush, but he knew Ragout would do that anyway. And he wouldn't be anywhere other than by the Jedi's side.

"You heard the general, men. Stay sharp, and weapons ready. Let's see what the seppies have in stock for us."

...

Dageer could see Count Dooku long before they got close to the Separatist leader. He wasn't making any effort to hide, and just sat on the ground, eyes closed, and legs crossed. The MagnaGuards by his side turned on their electrostaffs, making purple sparks fly, but even then, Count Dooku stood in the same position.

"Count Dooku. I see you were expecting us."

Not surprised, Ragout signals Hell Squad to stop when they were a few dozen meters away from Count Dooku.

"I thought the Jedi Order respected me more than to send a padawan and a bunch of clones after me."

The Sith didn't even open his eyes, or move, as he said that. However, he was somewhat stunned by the lack of reaction by Ragout or the clones. Apart from a slight chuckle, he couldn't sense anything else from them. Their minds were calm.

"I'm not a padawan, Dooku. Don't try to play games with me. Now, surrender, and we can end this war now. No more fight, no more death."

"Haha... Ragout, right? You know, I met your master. I helped train him."

"He told me. He told me that you were a great Jedi once. But you lost yourself, Dooku. You gave in to the dark side. However, it's not too late."

"Too late for what? To become another pawn in that rotten being you call a republic? Or to become one of the feared Jedi, to say I fight for the people of the galaxy, when the truth is you are all drunk by the power and position you have?"

As he said that, the bearded Sith lord got up, smiling.

"I prefer to steer clear from all that corruption, young one. The Confederacy Of Independent Systems never wanted to start a war. But you all couldn't give up control. You were too used to it. If the only way for us to be truly free is war, so be it."

"War is never the answer, Dooku. You should know that better than anyone."

"Humph! Kill them."

Hearing him, the two MagnaGuards stepped forward, and spun their electrostaffs threateningly. But before they could get any closer, three shots rang out.

The heads of the two droids disappeared from their shoulders, and they walked a few more steps before collapsing. The third laser aimed for Count Dooku, but the Separatist dodged by turning his body slightly, and raised an eyebrow.

"I was wondering where the last member of your unit was, Commander Dageer. So you know you were being followed? Smart move. That must be Dab, I presume."

Dageer said nothing. Ever since Brain had been captured, they had known that the enemy would acquire intel on them.

"I was acquainted with a clone too, commander. You might have known him. CT-7034. Shield."

Dageer clenched his fist, and Hell Squad tensed up. Even Ragout felt anger when he heard it.

"You... It was you who made Shield betray us?"

"I didn't make him betray anyone, commander. I only helped him by showing what the Republic does to the clones every single day. You feel the same."

It was as if Count Dooku wasn't solely speaking to them, but whispering something deep into their minds. Dageer wanted to believe him. No, he believed him. He started to lower his blaster, while his brothers did the same.

But suddenly, an image came to his mind. An old, broken, scarred helmet. The screams of his brothers. He would never forget. Hell Squad wouldn't forget.

He lifted his blaster again, aiming directly at the Sith.

"Your tricks don't work on us, Dooku."

// AUTHOR'S NOTE //

Hey, guys! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I really liked writing this one.

I had never really showed how the Separatist viewed the war, and this was something many of you had suggested, and had wanted to do for a long time. I am glad I finally did it.

If you read some of the comics, especially the darker ones, you will see that the Republic was actually pretty fu***d up. Like most governments on the history of our planet - and in all countries, and all eras, don't come getting political on me, please - there are a lot of people wanting to do good, but many more who are corrupt, greedy, and selfish. The Republic was no different.

Of course the Separatist aren't saints either, but I think it's only fair I showed - even if just a little - their point of view.

Anyways, like I said before, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and may the Force be with you!

Discord link: discord.gg/Gdv2arS