Chapter 27: The Zygerrian Trap - Part 1
POV: Kael Vorn
The briefing room felt smaller than usual, compressed by the weight of the intelligence reports spread across the holographic display. Obi-Wan stood at the center, his usual diplomatic composure strained as he outlined a situation that violated every principle the Republic claimed to uphold.
"An entire colony disappeared from Kiros," he said, his cultured accent unable to soften the horror of the words. "Twenty-five thousand Togruta colonists. Men, women, children—vanished without a trace."
Ahsoka's face went pale, her montrals trembling as the implications hit her. These weren't just statistics—they were her people, members of her species being sold like livestock.
"We believe they're being trafficked through Zygerria," Obi-Wan continued, activating a star chart that showed trade routes connecting the missing colony to the slaver homeworld. "The planet operates openly as a hub for the slave trade, working with Separatist forces to provide labor for their war machine."
"And Queen Miraj Scintel is about to get a very unpleasant surprise."
Kael volunteered immediately, the words emerging before he'd fully processed the decision. "I'm going."
Ahsoka was right behind him, her voice tight with controlled fury. "My people. I have to help them."
Obi-Wan's concern was evident. "The mission requires deep cover infiltration. We'll be posing as slavers ourselves to access the auction networks and locate the colonists."
The moral compromise hung in the air like poison. To save the enslaved, they would have to become enslavers, at least in appearance.
Rex stepped forward with characteristic stoicism. "I'll accompany as merchandise, sir. Someone needs to maintain the illusion."
The clone captain's willingness to submit to the degradation of fake slavery for the mission hit Kael like a physical blow. These men gave everything, including their dignity, without complaint.
[UNDERCOVER MISSION: AUTHORIZED]
[MORAL COMPLEXITY: MAXIMUM]
[TEAM COHESION: TESTED]
Preparation involved transformations that left everyone feeling violated. Obi-Wan donned the elaborate costume of a slaver captain—fine robes, jeweled accessories, and a ceremonial whip that made his jaw clench with distaste. Kael was outfitted as his enforcer, rough clothing and concealed weapons creating the image of barely controlled violence.
Most difficult was Ahsoka's disguise. The young Padawan had to appear as Obi-Wan's personal slave, fitted with restraints that were functional enough to fool casual inspection. Her usual confidence crumbled as the reality of the role set in.
Rex and two other clone troopers were fitted with shock collars and neural restraints that could deliver genuine pain if activated. The psychological weight was enormous—free men voluntarily submitting to the tools of oppression.
During the shuttle flight to Zygerria, Ahsoka broke down quietly in the cargo hold.
"I'm going to pretend to own people. My own people."
Kael sat beside her, careful not to touch in a way that might compromise their cover identities. "We're doing this to save them. That distinction matters."
But even he felt sick at the charade they were about to perform. The absence of Ventress—deemed too risky by the Council for such a delicate operation—left a tactical gap he was acutely aware of.
[AHSOKA MORALE: CRITICALLY LOW]
[TEAM PSYCHOLOGY: STRAINED]
[MISSION PARAMETERS: MORALLY COMPROMISING]
Zygerria's slave markets were opulent horror made manifest. Beings from dozens of species stood on display platforms while potential buyers examined them like livestock, checking teeth, testing muscle tone, evaluating reproductive potential with clinical detachment.
The casual cruelty was suffocating. Kael's Force Sense recoiled from the concentrated suffering—thousands of sentient beings reduced to property, their hopes and dreams crushed beneath the weight of absolute powerlessness.
Queen Miraj Scintel presided over the main auction from an elaborate throne, her beauty masking the predatory intelligence that had built an empire on misery. When Obi-Wan presented Rex and the other clones as "prime specimens," Kael had to suppress rage that threatened to shatter his cover.
"Excellent conditioning," the Queen observed, her voice carrying the cultured accent of someone who had never known want. "Your training methods must be... thorough."
The words made Kael's skin crawl, but Obi-Wan played his role with diplomatic precision. "Discipline and purpose, Your Majesty. Nothing more effective than giving property a sense of meaning."
"I want to burn this entire planet to ash."
Meanwhile, Kael's enhanced senses located the Kiros colonists—thousands of Togruta locked in holding pens beneath the main arena, their distinctive montrals visible through the electrified barriers. Ahsoka saw them too, her mental shields cracking as she witnessed her people's degradation.
Kael grabbed her arm in what appeared to be a controlling gesture but was actually support. "Hold together. We can't help them if we're captured."
Her eyes were wet but determined, reflecting a strength that would carry her through trials far worse than this.
[KIROS COLONISTS: LOCATED]
[RESCUE MISSION: PARAMETERS ESTABLISHED]
[COVER INTEGRITY: MAINTAINING]
During the main auction, a Zygerrian slavemaster began studying their group with suspicious eyes. Their body language was wrong—too compassionate, too careful with their "property." He started moving toward the guard stations, clearly intending to alert security.
Before exposure could occur, Queen Scintel herself intervened with royal prerogative.
"Captain," she called to Obi-Wan, her voice carrying obvious interest. "I would be honored to discuss your... techniques in private. Perhaps you would join me at the palace this evening?"
It was a transparent attempt at seduction mixed with business negotiation, but Obi-Wan had no choice but to accept without compromising their mission.
"The honor would be mine, Your Majesty."
This split their group at the worst possible moment—Obi-Wan departing for the palace while Kael, Ahsoka, and Rex were escorted to quarters in the slaver district. As they walked through streets lined with suffering, Kael's Codex began flashing urgent warnings.
[AMBUSH PROBABILITY: 73%]
[DOOKU'S AGENTS DETECTED IN CITY]
[COVER COMPROMISED]
[TRAP CLOSING]
Their assigned quarters were a dingy room above a cantina that reeked of cheap alcohol and cheaper desperation. The moment they were alone, Rex removed his shock collar with movements that shook with suppressed fury.
"Sir, when we free those colonists, I'm personally putting a blaster bolt in every slaver I see."
Ahsoka's hand rested on her concealed lightsaber, her usually bright demeanor transformed into something harder and more dangerous. "Get in line, Captain."
Kael spread their tactical maps across the room's single table, his Battle Analysis highlighting guard patrol patterns and structural weaknesses in the holding facilities. But his mind kept returning to the Codex's warnings about Dooku's agents.
Someone knew they were here. The rescue mission had just become infinitely more dangerous.
"We're walking into a trap, but we can't abandon those people. We'll have to spring it and hope we're strong enough to break free."
Outside their window, Zygerria's twin moons painted the slave markets in silver light, illuminating suffering that demanded justice regardless of the cost.
The countdown to catastrophe had begun.
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