The Negotiator and the Fire Fang

The Infiltration of Vardos: Boiling Point

"Please, come in Master Jedi." A male voice called from within the office. Windu, Cordelia, and Stak all entered.

A man in his thirties with slicked back dark hair and a large stature sat behind a wooden desk, his fingers inter linked. He watched them intently, like a hunter watches his prey.

After the incident in the cave, the remaining Republic forces made their way to Kestro to speak with Versio. The other four troopers stood at attention outside while the leadership dealt with Garrick. They had also managed to get a transmission through to the Republic. Master Ki-Adi Mundi was on his way with reinforcements as they spoke. Windu was not happy. He hadn't trusted Versio from the beginning, but trusted him out of necessity. That got him ambushed.

"Hello Inspector Versio." he said cordially. "Protectorate Gleb will not be speaking with us?" Versio sat forward.

"I am afraid not. She has some important business to take care of so you are stuck with me. What can I do for you, General Windu?" The way he said his title, General Windu, it sounded almost like an insult. He was glad Skywalker wasn't here. That boy lost his temper quicker than a drunken pirate loses credits in a game of Pazaak. For her flaws, Cordelia seemed to be slow to anger.

"What you can do for me is explain how Count Dooku and the Separatists knew about a mission that only you, Gleb, and my men knew about." Windu asked, keeping his emotions in check. Versio leaned back nonchalantly.

"I'm not sure. Perhaps one of your men slipped? It could because of all that cloning garbage. No one knows how those Kaminoans do it so efficiently. Cloning is one of the most intricate sciences in the galaxy." the Inspector General stated. Stak tensed up next to them, but said nothing. "There could be... side effects."

"One of our men did not slip." Cordelia bit back, slamming her palm on the top of his desk. So much for being slow to anger. Versio simply raised an eyebrow at the remark. Windu didn't have to say anything to her though. She released her anger immediately and recentered her emotions.

"What the consult is trying to say is, it was definitely not on our end." Mace explained, giving her a death glare. She clammed up instantly. Versio picked up a reddish drink from his desktop and took a long sip through a straw. He swallowed before placing it back. It landed on the table with a clink.

"Perhaps you were spotted?" "Not likely." Windu countered. Versio leaned forward and stared Windu directly in the eye. A bold move. A dangerous move.

"Are you suggesting something general?" he asked innocently. He knew damn well what Windu was asking. "Perhaps you have a mole in one of your officers. Perhaps one of them let it, as you say, slip." Garrick broke the eye contact first.

"Impossible. My men are highly trained. They are loyal and obedient. They would never disobey a direct order." he explained. Windu's suspicions flared up instantly.

"Loyal and obedient to who? Certainly not the Republic." he countered, narrowing his eyes at Versio. The Vardosian gave a smirk.

"I can assure you, none of my men leaked anything to Count Dooku and the Separatists. You have my word on that." Versio said.

"Is there anything else I can do for you? My daughter Iden turns five today, so I'd like to get home and be with my family to celebrate. Not that any of you would understand that, the idea of family." he said, his venomous words sugar coated with a smile. Cordelia balled her hands into fists. That anger was back, but this time it was not alone. It was accompanied by grief, guilt, and mourning. It was accompanied by pain.

"Don't you dare tell me what I do or don't understand." the Gray spat, taking a few steps towards him.

"What are you going to do Jedi?" he taunted. She smiled mischievously. "I'm glad you asked." She Force pushed him against the back wall, sending his chair flying. She took out her silver saber. She brought it up an inch from his nose.