Bloodlust: Crisis/Chapter 13

"I must commend your actions, Master Jedi." Baron Administrator Calvaro Hyarkis looked awful. His face was bruised and battered, he walked with the help of a cane, and, most noticeably of all, his left arm was gone at the shoulder, replaced by a mound of tightly-wrapped linen bandages. There were bags underneath his eyes and his eyes themselves had lost their spark. Hyarkis spoke in a resigned tone as emotionless as that of any of the droids that would have been marching through his city. Atairis-Deta may have been untouched by the war, but Baron Hyarkis most certainly had been.

"Thank you, Your Grace," Artel bowed briefly.

"And you will hand the power back to the state?"

"The battle is won, Baron; of course. This city is no longer under martial law. You and the state have the power now, Your Grace."

"You have my thanks, Master Jedi." Hyarkis beckoned for Assari to tend to his wounds. Assari had stayed inside the spire during the battle, and now tended to his master's injuries night and day. "Without your guidance, Master Artel," he nodded at Artel, "and your intervention, Master Mundi," he nodded at Mundi, "this would not have been a victory."

"Indeed," agreed Artel. "But let's not forget my apprentice here. Her quick actions saved the city." He tapped Opa on the shoulder and smiled down at her.

"Supplies are being delivered to the system as we speak," Mundi reassured the Baron. "Your famine is at an end, Your Grace. In light of recent events, I am sure that you will remain loyal to the Republic-"

"No." Hyarkis's voice was suddenly strong. "No," he repeated, looking Mundi in the eye. "We will not stay with the Republic. I have decided to... to forsake the Republic and to join the Separatists."

Artel was aghast. "But... but..." he stammered. "But... we saved the city!"

"That you did. But who was it that brought war to our system in the first place?"

"The Separatists-"

"You, Master Jedi," Hyarkis spat, pointing accusingly at Artel. "You came here offering support, but if I had bowed to the Trade Federation's wishes in the first place..." He trailed off and looked down at his stump of an arm. "This," he said, pointing at his arm, "would not have happened.

"Leave this system, Master Jedi, and take your clone troops with you. Never come back, or you'll find my new Separatist allies will be most... welcoming."

Artel was still shocked, but Mundi bowed reverently and left. Artel had no choice but to follow him, casting one last glance back at Hyarkis. He watched as a single silvery tear traced its way down the Baron Administrator's cheek, and then he was gone.