This is the story of General Grievous before he became his true self.
Qymaen jai Sheelal was born on the planet Kalee. While its jungles were considered to be the some of the most beautiful in the Galaxy, Kalee was a harsh, unforgiving world: torn by war and famine where those only with hearts of steel could brace its perils. It was in this hell that Qymaen forged himself into one of the most fearsome generals in his tribe. The elders of his tribe hailed him as the reincarnation of their greatest warriors. For generations his people had been at war with the insect species known as the Huk or as they were known in their tongue, ‘Soulless Bugs’. Savage and greedy, the technologically advanced Huk desired to enslave the Kaleesh people and plunder their resources. What followed was a devastating war that lasted decades, the warmongering Kaleesh refusing to bow down to the Huk colonies. In the latter decades of the war, Qymaen lead victory after victory against the vile invaders, rivers running black with the blood of the Huk he had slain. By the age of 22, Qymaen had slain so many Huk that the Kaleesh people considered him a demi-god, the bulk of the Kaleesh army being placed under his direct command. As the years went by, Qymaen began to feel grief of indescribable depth, while the tide of the war had been turned in favour of his people, he cannot help but mourn the warriors he had lost in his numerous engagements, most of all, his beloved Ronderu who Qymaen can still see in his dreams even after her horrific death. While he tried to cast off his doubts, Qymaen realized he was destined to mourn her forever, the void in his heart left forever unfilled. Following this realization, Qymaen cast off his old identity, adopting a name appropriate for being destined to grieve forever and more terribly he was determined that he would not do so alone, he would be Grievous, as well as heartbroken for the rest of his life. However as the general embraced his new identity, little did he know just how far this transformation would go or which he would ultimately become.
The morning carried the scent of fresh blood as Grievous made his way to his starfighter. As he approached his clan’s shaman, Grievous had reflected on how things had gone so horribly wrong. Sensing that their defeat was near, the Huk, being the cowards they were, appealed to the Senate for help, fabricating a tale that it was the Kaleesh who started the conflict. The Senate, in its blind haste, had sent the Republic Navy and a Jedi task force to intervene. Grievous’ people once again being slaughtered to the last. Grievous had never liked the Jedi or the Republic, but now his hate for them and their corrupt Republic was as bright as Kalee’s sun. He hated the Senate for being blind to the Huks’ manipulations; he hated the Jedi for their blind obedience and ritualistic ways, but most of all he hated himself for not being able to prevent his people suffering before it was too late. As he knelt before the elder, the shaman proclaimed Grievous as his people’s last hope in this war, citing that the spirit of his ancestors would watch over him in the coming battle. As Grievous took off in his starfigher, he wondered if his ancestors were truly pleased with his actions. If he was a demi-god, why was he losing. What kind of general could he be if he could not even defend his tribe. Grievous’ attention was ripped back to reality as his ship began to buck and short circuit, his systems failing one after another, his ship began to plunge into the oceans below. Grievous made his way to his escape pod when suddenly, his ship exploded.
On the shore on a platform, a dark figure watches as the General’s body is retrieved by his faithful droids. He is informed that the General has survived but has been severely injured. After shocking the warrior into stasis, the dark figure instructed his guards to load the body onto the transport and take their prize to Geneosis. As he watches the ship climb into the night sky, the dark figure pulls out his comlink and informs his associates that their plans for the General have succeeded and that they can commence with their experiment.
“Am I dead?” “Ah, you are awake my friend, and yes, very much alive. But your body has sustained nearly fatal wounds, due to your accident–” “Who… are –?” “My apologies. I am San Hill, Chairman of the Intergalactic Banking Clan. And judging by your cloak we found, you are a Kaleesh General, are you not?” “A very fortunate one I might add. A Banking Clan frigate accidentally picked up your escape pod’s emergency beacon in the Jenuwaa Sea.” “Your crew was not so lucky, I’m afraid–. But you, dear General, your mind and vital organs are safely in our care here on Geneosis.” “Geneosis?! …An honourable leader dies alongside his soldiers! I ORDER you to bring me back to Kalee!” “How touching, General. Do you really think the IBC would go through all this trouble only to let you die? You will not even survive the journey back to Kalee …let alone another four hours without a blood transfusion, however, as fate would have it, your accident is almost… a blessing. You see, we have been funding a Geneosian bionic technology project, and you, General are the perfect candidate for our experiment. An experiment that will plunge you back into the heart of battle.” “What good is an amputee in the heart of battle?” “Therein lies the beauty of this technology. We can guarantee you a new self-sustaining body with appendages, free of cumbersome life-support systems. In fact, your new abilities may even surpass that of any… Jedi.” “The sooner I return to exterminating Huk colonies, the sooner I can redeem–” “Your destiny is now beyond your futile wars with neighbouring planets. After all, the Republic is really to blame for all the Galaxy’s struggles. A Confederacy of Independent Systems is in the making and a great war is unavoidable. You will command the largest droid army in history, and in return, the IBS will relieve Kalee of its famine. After you help us introduce a New Order into the Galaxy, you will be free to return to your people… as their greatest hero.” “Your “New Order” is meaningless to me. ARRRRRRRGH!!!” “To die in a bacta tank does not befit a great warrior general such as yourself. Shame–what would your ancestors think?” As San Hill’s words ran through Grievous’ mind, he thought of the dishonour he would bring if he died here; they were offering him a chance to live again, a chance to rejoin the fires of war and bring death to the Republic he hated. He weighed at the disfigurement of his body against the dishonour of his people and his ancestors. It was no contest, he submitted to the changes.
Thanks to Wookieepedia for photographs.
