Cody had stealthily made his way near the bridge. He had now confirmed that the Kent had indeed been seized, but there were not many Umbarians aboard, which was why he had been able to use his familiarity with the ship's layout to remain hidden until now.
He quietly slipped into a concealed maintenance passage and arrived near the bridge ventilation shaft, intending to check on the situation inside the bridge.
But just as he was about to peek out, he suddenly heard a familiar voice!
"...Your, ah, 'artillery support' was very effective. Excellent, Ventress. It seems those foul rumors about you on the Republic's side were not entirely exaggerated." The voice was deep and resonant, full of vigor. "Next, I will board the Kent with Anakin and attempt to retake the warship. You know what to do..."
That same voice had arrested him not long ago on trumped-up charges and threatened to send him before a military tribunal!
Jedi Master Pong Krell!
And who was he talking to? Ventress? Count Dooku's subordinate? A Dark Jedi Knight?
Cody was consumed with fury, his teeth clenched and his fists tightly balled.
Betrayal! This was naked betrayal of the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order!!
"Hahahaha! Then, while all of Anakin Skywalker's attention is on me, you can plunge a blade straight through his heart! Hahahahaha!" Asajj Ventress licked her lips and grinned viciously. "Count Dooku... and the Archangel of Death will be very, very pleased! So now, I—"
Her gaze suddenly sharpened. Her Lightsaber flashed into her hand, and she turned and slashed backward!
Slash!!! The ventilation duct above and behind her was cut cleanly in two!
"What happened? Don't tell me there are still hidden threats aboard the Kent." Pong Krell said coldly.
"I never leave behind any hidden threats."