Hondo The Pirate

"Tech, go get Hunter. And Boss too. Delta Squad will be happy to have a new mission."

Without the need of being told, Dageer ordered Tech to fetch the two clones. Then, he turned back to the meeting. General Skywalker and General Kenobi were discussing something with Captain Rex and Commander Cody, after which both clones disappeared from the hologram table. The two Jedis, General Tiplee, and General Tiplar, were talking to General Shaak Ti and Broodi.

Seeing that his attention wasn't needed at the moment, Dageer ordered Hell Squad to stay at ease, and pulled up a projection of Geonosis on his datapad. He had taken part in both the First and the Second Battle Of Geonosis, but the planet was a nightmare for logistics, with all the underground caves. Even if they knew where exactly Ragout was - and they didn't - they would have a lot of problems to save him.

"Commander Dageer, how good is this new unit?"

The clone turned around to find Commander Doom looking at him, hands behind his back. Dageer knew why he was asking about Clone Force 99. The Jedis didn't pay much attention to the fact that they were shinies because they usually charged forward in battle, and didn't see the newbies dying in droves. As clones and officers, Dageer and Commander Doom were far too used to that, and knew that sometimes inexperienced soldiers were more dangerous too have then not to.

"They are green, but they are good. I still have to talk with the Jedis, but as long as we keep an eye on them, they will learn pretty quickly. I will tell Boss to do so."

Commander Doom nodded, slightly surprised by how Dageer could apparently order a clone commando around, but didn't let it show on his face. If Dageer didn't even have this ability, he wouldn't be the leader of the best special unit.

When Boss and Hunter arrived, the meeting resumed. General Skywalker started explaining his idea of getting in contact with someone who could get the needed access codes. However, that someone was difficult to trust. Eventually, Dageer had to interrupt the Jedi, and question if it was really a good idea.

"A pirate, General Skywalker? Can we trust him? I've fought against a few before, and they wouldn't hesitate to sell us out."

The young Jedi, however, smiled. Dageer had fought with him enough to know that he had a plan, and probably a really bad one - or a mad one, more accurately.

"Of course we can't trust him. Hondo will try to kill us as soon as he sees me or Obi-Wan. But once we convince him he will win something, he won't betray us. He has some weird kind of honor. "

Everyone looked at General Kenobi - the bearded Jedi knew his old padawan better than anyone, and could tell if he was being serious - only to see him sighing with his hand over his head, and shaking his head.

"Anakin is right. Hondo is cunning, but once he gives his word, he will go through with it."

"All right. Once we land, we will have to split up. Commander Dageer, I imagine Hell Squad will like to go after Master Ragout."

"Yes, General Tiplee."

"You know Geonosis better than all of us, commander. How should we separate?"

Dageer stepped forward, and put a string of codes in the hologram table, pulling up a projection of Geonosis. Of all the people present, including the Jedis, only Delta Squad probably had as much experience as Hell Squad.

"If the seppies behave like they usually do, General Ragout will be locked up on one of their main facilities, at the south hemisphere. As long as we can get inside them, Tech will discover where he is. Boss and Hunter, your units will cover these two areas. General Kenobi and General Skywalker, you go with them. General Tiplee, General Tiplar, Doom, and your men, you get the other side. Hell Squad will go get Ragout."

In a single breath, Dageer split up all their forces into three groups. Since they didn't know the actual layout of the factories, all he could do was give them a general direction. The rest they would have to figure out on their own, once they were on Geonosis.

"Are you sure you can do that on your own, Commander Dageer?"

After Dageer had explained his simple plan, there was a pause of a few seconds, before the others started discussing the details. General Tiplee and General Tiplar were surprised to see the others, including Jedis, so unconcerned that Hell Squad would be responsible for the most difficult and dangerous part of the mission all by themselves. Finally, the latter had to interrupt the conversation, and ask. To that, however, Dageer flashed one of his rare grins, before running his fingers through his helmet.

"I won't be on my own, general. Hell Squad will be with me."

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Hondo was a male Weequay, with coarse brown skin, and several bone thorns on his face. He was sitting in his bar, having a drink, and laughing with his crew, when he was warned that a Republic ship was entering the atmosphere. Like all good pirates, he laughed, and told his crew to get ready to have some fun.

They were captured immediately. As soon as they boarded the ship, which hadn't posed any resistance, they found themselves surrounded by clones and Jedis. Lots of them. Amongst which, were some familiar faces.

"Hey, hey, hey! Take it easy, oh mighty Jedis! What's up Skywalker?! And you, Kenobi! Look at you! Hahaha! It's so good to see you again!"

While he talked, Hondo started slowly backing away, prepared to jump back into his ship - and abandon his men, after all, he could always get more - but two clones, with red and brown armor, put their blasters against his back.

"No need for violence, my friends. I was just passing by to see how you all were doing. Good, I see. Now, I will be going..."

"Is this the man who is supposed to take us, Master Skywalker?"

One of the Jedis, a young Mikkian, said something that caught Hondo's attention. The old pirate turned to General Skywalker with a look of utter surprise on his face, which made the Jedi shake his head, resigned to another long and needless talk.

"Oh my. Oh my. You need me, Master Skywalker? A powerful Jedi such as yourself needs an old pirate like me? I am honored. What is in it for me?"

"Uff... Be serious, Hondo. I have a business proposition for you."

"Of course. What do you say about going to my small home? We can discuss it between a drink or two. Or many, haha! What do you say, Jedi?"

The Jedis looked at themselves, and reached a silent agreement before ordering the clones to stay down. Hondo smiled as if he was already expecting that.

Soon, the two ships landed on the surface of the planet, and the pirate crew, as well as the Jedis, and a group of clones, followed Hondo inside his den, where dozens of pirates from all species around the galaxy could be seen, talking, drinking, and laughing.

They all stopped what they were doing when they saw the Republic group, until Hondo made a gesture, and the noise returned. The only one who kept looking at them was a tall woman, with white skin, and carrying a Cicler Rifle. Hondo was quick to introduce her.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Republic, this is my beautiful friend, Aurra Sing. I believe some of you already know her?"