Author's note: conversations using the Force are denoted by and
Chapter Two
A hushed and expectant group waited in Palpatine's office; Jedi masters Yoda, Windu and Koon, several of the Chancellor's Guard in their spiffing scarlet uniforms, Chancellors Aide Sly Moore and of course, Palpatine himself
"The visitors have arrived, my Lord."
"Excellent! Show them in."
All their eyes were upon the door, which opened to reveal their guests. The visitors peered back apprehensively.
"Ah!" Palpatine got up and came forward, all smiles, "Please, my friends, come in!"
He watched, beaming, as they filed in. That beam faltered a moment as he caught sight of Chrrk ducking into the room at the rear, then was quickly recovered. 'Slick', thought Raskovik, watching the man intently. Chrrk had caused a bit of a stir when troopers from the Defender had cautiously stepped on board Gatehouse. She was a seven foot tall insectoid, an Ophid from the giant Hives on the Prosk Moon. Resembling an enormous beetle, she had fearsome mandibles and multifaceted eyes, and was the most polite and kindhearted sentient being you could ever hope to meet. They'd found her at the back of the Engine Room just after the conversation with Captain Brommen, recovering from a nasty blow to the head. Herzlos' Focus grenade had slammed her into a wall.
Yoda watched the Voistoki party keenly, measuring them with the Force. Mostly decent people, full of anxiety and eager anticipation in equal parts. Only to be expected, in their situation. He looked at the tall military figure of Raskovik, at Cholly who was glancing at both the Colonel and a petite woman standing beside him - Tiahn Magog, if his memory of Brommen's report served him. Both the Colonel and Miss Magog looked like they'd had a rough time of it recently. Then there was Elori Ritonko, her almond shaped eyes alight with intelligence and fury - she was chewing over the events in the Engine Room - and Blim Norfis, a young man with a shock of blonde hair who was looking about nervously. The insectoid Chrrk was serene, she did not have emotions in the sense that the others had. Beside her was Glidath Nagigg, a willowy lady who was holding the arm of the stocky Mrs Brasti. Mrs Brasti smiled at him shyly; he couldn't help but grin back. Finally, there was Jadrith Magog, a middle aged, handsome woman with sad green eyes.
Yoda's attention went back to Tiahn. This young lady was very strong in the Force, he'd sensed her approaching the office. And she didn't have the first clue what to do with it. As he looked, she frowned slightly, then dipped her head to look straight at him. Yoda found himself fixed with a hard, intense stare, the green eyes fairly blazing. Her mouth clamped shut firmly, a vertical line appeared between her brows.
The ancient Jedi master was openly gawking now. He'd seen THAT expression before.
The young woman stared a few more moments, then her gaze softened and he smiled at him. Somewhat shakily, Yoda smiled back.
"Please, be seated," Palpatine was saying, "This is an event without precedent, indeed. Allow me to welcome you all to our universe."
"We are honoured, Supreme Chancellor. I am Colonel Konstan Raskovik."
"Delighted," Palpatine was still smiling like an indulgent uncle.
His cheeks must be fairly aching by now.
Yoda glanced at the lady with the Stare. That stray thought had come from her. She noticed his attention, and looked back at him.
You and the two lads in the bathrobes can do the same as me, right? She quirked an eyebrow at him. Yoda was at a loss. Those who were untrained in the Force, and he knew that this girl was among that number, could not speak to others in their mind. Yet this young one had apparently found a way.
Yes. he told her.
You're - Jedi, right?
How could she know? She should never have heard of the word!
S'long story. I'm Tiahn. Sorry about staring at you earlier. I've never met anyone else who can do this. I got a bit of a shock.
Yoda, I am. Know you not of others with the Force?
No, a lost, sad look touched her eyes, There's no one but me.
Yoda reached a decision, To the Temple of the Jedi, you must come. Help you, we can. Tiahn grinned.
And you'll be wanting an explanation -
"Tiahn!" Jadrith nudged her.
"Whu - ?" Tiahn blinked, snapping out of the mind chat.
"You were being introduced to the Supreme Chancellor," Raskovik told her, smiling.
"Oh," she looked at Palpatine. He was STILL smiling. "Sorry, sir."
"Speaking with me, the young lady was." Yoda spoke up, "For distracting her, I apologise."
Cheers, big man!
Pardon?
"You are Force sensitive, Miss Magog?" Palpatine's eyebrows quirked up.
"Um, Mr Yoda says so."
Jadrith took hold of her daughter's hand, "Tiahn - Tiahn is the only Voistoki who's ever had these - powers," she said cautiously.
"You do not have them yourself, Madame Magog?" Mace Windu asked.
"Uh, no," Jadrith was becoming quite fidgety, "None of us do."
Don't ask her any more about this. Not in front of everyone, Tiahn's thought was full of anxiety and fierce protectiveness for her mother.
A delicate matter, this is. Yoda wasn't asking a question. She nodded, slightly.
"Supreme Chancellor, talk to Madame Magog and her daughter in private, may I?"
Palpatine glance at Jadrith and Tiahn, then nodded, "Of course. You may use the conference room next door, Master Yoda."
"Thank you, " Yoda got up and hobbled toward the door, the Magog ladies in tow. Jadrith glanced at the others, "We'll be right back."
"Take your time, old thing," Raskovik told her. The rest of the gang were smiling, they knew, and understood. Palpatine continued to look benignly puzzled. As the door closed behind them, Tiahn heard Palpatine say, "Now, Colonel, about this Herzlos person and the theft of your device - "
She looked sharply at her mother, "Konni TOLD him?"
"Aye, while you were sitting like a fart in a trance," Jadrith squeezed her hand, "Besides, how are we going to find him with out some help? We don't know this place. And what if Herzlos decides to set of one of his little toys here?"
Tiahn sighed, "You're right, I suppose. It's only fair we warn them. I just - don't like that Palpatine feller. He tries too hard to be all nice."
Jadrith shrugged, "He's a politician. They need to be all sweetness and light so they can get votes."
"Well I wouldn't vote for him - "
In the conference room, they settled down and watched Yoda, who stood before them. He sighed.
"Know of the Jedi, you do, Madame Magog. From another universe are you, and heard of us you should not."
Jadrith examined the carpet for a while, gathering her thoughts. The she looked up, "This isn't the first time someone's crossed between these two universes. The first time was thirty years ago. And Tiahn is thirty," she looked Yoda in the eye, "I think you know what I mean."
The tiny Jedi Master nodded. Tiahn smirked without much humour, "I'm an inter dimensional love child."
"Tiahn-"
"Sorry, Mum."
"We've known about the weakness in Reality for centuries. Gatehouse has been an ongoing project for nearly two hundred years. I was part of a team monitoring the Passageway and the surrounding star system. One day, when I was off for a week, I went to one of the planets near the Passageway. It's got a great lake on it, I wanted to swim. And there's no people there, it's really peaceful. I was sitting on the edge of the lake, just enjoying the sun, when this starship appears out of nowhere and crashed straight into the lake."
"From this universe, the starship was?"
"Aye. I swam out to it, in case they needed any help. It was sinking pretty quickly. These two lads managed to get out, tallest men I've ever seen. The dove in beside me and said hello," Jadrith smirked at the memory, "Like they were discussing the weather with me. We made it back to the shore - pretty good swimmers, for people who weren't Voistoki. Then we had the usual sort of discussion, you know, who are you, where are we."
"Jedi, these two were?" Yoda was furiously trying to recall who'd gone missing around thirty years ago. From the nasty suspicion forming in his usually serene mind, Yoda guessed that these two errant Jedi would be in deep trouble very soon.
"Look, Master Yoda, I don't want to get them into trouble," Jadrith leaned forward, "They were good friends to me. I know about your rules about - love. But we both felt, well, we might not see each other again. I'd never met anyone like him. He was a good man and I know if he'd known I was carrying Tiahn, he'd have stayed. He doesn't run from his responsibilities."
"What were their names?" although Yoda had suddenly recalled a period of two months when a certain Master and Padawan had vanished.
He looked at Tiahn, she had an arm around her mother's shoulders. Oh, no.
Jadrith took a deep breath, "Master Arkadi Dooku and Padawan Qui Gon Jinn."
"That's settled then," Palpatine said, "I shall ask Captain Brommen to assist you in your search for Cedek Herzlos. Pictures and descriptions shall be circulated within Republic territories. Other than that - " he spread his hands and looked at Raskovik apologetically.
"I understand, Supreme Chancellor. War is a terrible thing, and a Civil War ," he glanced sympathetically at the Jedi, "Sometimes you can find your self fighting people you care about. I do hope you can find peace."
At the back of his mind, Raskovic was very worried. They'd landed slap bang in the middle of a galactic war. It wasn't really what you got tourist brochures for. And as for who'd started the whole sordid mess-
Jadrith Magog was NOT going to be amused. Not at all.
"So do I, Captain. So do I," Palpatine suddenly brightened up, "You've all had a very busy day, my friends. You'll be escorted to your quarters, I daresay you'll want to refresh yourselves."
"We'd like to get stared after Herzlos as soon as possible," Elori said, "I for one owe him a kicking. And from what you've said about these Seperatists, I'm worried he might try to make some sort of deal with them."
"Indeed, Miss Ritonko. Our intelligence network shall be keeping an eye on the Geonosians and the Techno Union. They would most likely be the ones interested in such a Device."
The doors opened behind them, Palatine looked up, smile back, to welcome the Magogs. It froze when he saw their faces. Both women had been crying.
"Ohh," Mrs Brasti spoke for the first time. She got up and hurried to them, "You poor dears."
"We got some bad news," Tiahn said to the others. Jadrith turned away as Mrs Brasti hugged her.
"What happened?" Raskovik approached Tiahn, grasping her hands.
"Mum's friend Qui Gon died ten years ago," Taihn was on the verge of tears again, "He was killed by something called a Sith."
"Oh, Old Thing, I am so sorry," he went to Jadrith, sobbing on Mrs Basti's shoulder and stroked her hair. Elori and Glidath hugged Tiahn, "I always wanted to meet him. Now I can't."
Yoda hobbled over to the now utterly confused Palpatine, "Explain later I will. The time is not now." Mace Windu looked at Plo Koon, who shrugged.
"Palpatine nodded, and approached Tiahn, "Miss Magog, we've arranged quarters for you nearby. I feel your mother would prefer to go there," he said softly, "We've discussed most of what needs to be done regarding Herzlos, you needen't worry about it for the moment. You've had the most dreadful shock, I can tell. You and your mother should rest.."
"Thanks, sir."
The Voistoki delegation left for their new quarters, leaving Master Yoda to explain the situation to Palpatine. And when he was finally alone in his office, he stood at his window, looking at the Coruscant skyline without seeing it. He had a lot to think about.
It was dark. It was gloomy. The abandoned structure in the sparsely populated area of Coruscant was a regular meeting place for two Dark Lords of the Sith. The following scene will be sinister, gothic, over the top, and very difficult to take seriously. But that's the Dark Side for you.
Darth Tyranus watched as his master, Sidious came toward him out of the shadows, bowing elegantly to the smaller robed figure. They fell into step beside each other, strolling along the vast dusty chamber.
"Greetings, Lord Tyranus," Sidious began, "I trust you sensed the great disurbance in the Force earlier today?"
"Indeed, my Lord. I cannot discern it's source, however."
"A significant event occurred near Coruscant. Apparently, people from another universe have accidentally crossed over to visit us."
Tyranus slowed down. Sidious stopped a few feet ahead. Without turning around, he said, "One of these people was a very charming lady called Jadrith Magog-"
He waited as Tyranus digested this. "Jadrith Magog is HERE?"
Sidious chuckled, dry and nasty, "Oh yes. Your past is returning to haunt you, my friend. And she is not alone. One of her companions is a young lady named Tiahn Magog. She's thirty years old," he gazed up at the ceiling, enjoying this immensely, "and she seems to have great strength in the Force, too."
Darth Tyranus, also known as Count Arkadi Dooku, stopped breathing. Sidious turned to him, grinning evilly inside his cowl. He was holding something out to him. Dooku managed to focus on it. It was a cigar.
"Congratulations, Lord Tyranus," cackled Sidious, "You are a father."
Chapter Two
A hushed and expectant group waited in Palpatine's office; Jedi masters Yoda, Windu and Koon, several of the Chancellor's Guard in their spiffing scarlet uniforms, Chancellors Aide Sly Moore and of course, Palpatine himself
"The visitors have arrived, my Lord."
"Excellent! Show them in."
All their eyes were upon the door, which opened to reveal their guests. The visitors peered back apprehensively.
"Ah!" Palpatine got up and came forward, all smiles, "Please, my friends, come in!"
He watched, beaming, as they filed in. That beam faltered a moment as he caught sight of Chrrk ducking into the room at the rear, then was quickly recovered. 'Slick', thought Raskovik, watching the man intently. Chrrk had caused a bit of a stir when troopers from the Defender had cautiously stepped on board Gatehouse. She was a seven foot tall insectoid, an Ophid from the giant Hives on the Prosk Moon. Resembling an enormous beetle, she had fearsome mandibles and multifaceted eyes, and was the most polite and kindhearted sentient being you could ever hope to meet. They'd found her at the back of the Engine Room just after the conversation with Captain Brommen, recovering from a nasty blow to the head. Herzlos' Focus grenade had slammed her into a wall.
Yoda watched the Voistoki party keenly, measuring them with the Force. Mostly decent people, full of anxiety and eager anticipation in equal parts. Only to be expected, in their situation. He looked at the tall military figure of Raskovik, at Cholly who was glancing at both the Colonel and a petite woman standing beside him - Tiahn Magog, if his memory of Brommen's report served him. Both the Colonel and Miss Magog looked like they'd had a rough time of it recently. Then there was Elori Ritonko, her almond shaped eyes alight with intelligence and fury - she was chewing over the events in the Engine Room - and Blim Norfis, a young man with a shock of blonde hair who was looking about nervously. The insectoid Chrrk was serene, she did not have emotions in the sense that the others had. Beside her was Glidath Nagigg, a willowy lady who was holding the arm of the stocky Mrs Brasti. Mrs Brasti smiled at him shyly; he couldn't help but grin back. Finally, there was Jadrith Magog, a middle aged, handsome woman with sad green eyes.
Yoda's attention went back to Tiahn. This young lady was very strong in the Force, he'd sensed her approaching the office. And she didn't have the first clue what to do with it. As he looked, she frowned slightly, then dipped her head to look straight at him. Yoda found himself fixed with a hard, intense stare, the green eyes fairly blazing. Her mouth clamped shut firmly, a vertical line appeared between her brows.
The ancient Jedi master was openly gawking now. He'd seen THAT expression before.
The young woman stared a few more moments, then her gaze softened and he smiled at him. Somewhat shakily, Yoda smiled back.
"Please, be seated," Palpatine was saying, "This is an event without precedent, indeed. Allow me to welcome you all to our universe."
"We are honoured, Supreme Chancellor. I am Colonel Konstan Raskovik."
"Delighted," Palpatine was still smiling like an indulgent uncle.
His cheeks must be fairly aching by now.
Yoda glanced at the lady with the Stare. That stray thought had come from her. She noticed his attention, and looked back at him.
You and the two lads in the bathrobes can do the same as me, right? She quirked an eyebrow at him. Yoda was at a loss. Those who were untrained in the Force, and he knew that this girl was among that number, could not speak to others in their mind. Yet this young one had apparently found a way.
Yes. he told her.
You're - Jedi, right?
How could she know? She should never have heard of the word!
S'long story. I'm Tiahn. Sorry about staring at you earlier. I've never met anyone else who can do this. I got a bit of a shock.
Yoda, I am. Know you not of others with the Force?
No, a lost, sad look touched her eyes, There's no one but me.
Yoda reached a decision, To the Temple of the Jedi, you must come. Help you, we can. Tiahn grinned.
And you'll be wanting an explanation -
"Tiahn!" Jadrith nudged her.
"Whu - ?" Tiahn blinked, snapping out of the mind chat.
"You were being introduced to the Supreme Chancellor," Raskovik told her, smiling.
"Oh," she looked at Palpatine. He was STILL smiling. "Sorry, sir."
"Speaking with me, the young lady was." Yoda spoke up, "For distracting her, I apologise."
Cheers, big man!
Pardon?
"You are Force sensitive, Miss Magog?" Palpatine's eyebrows quirked up.
"Um, Mr Yoda says so."
Jadrith took hold of her daughter's hand, "Tiahn - Tiahn is the only Voistoki who's ever had these - powers," she said cautiously.
"You do not have them yourself, Madame Magog?" Mace Windu asked.
"Uh, no," Jadrith was becoming quite fidgety, "None of us do."
Don't ask her any more about this. Not in front of everyone, Tiahn's thought was full of anxiety and fierce protectiveness for her mother.
A delicate matter, this is. Yoda wasn't asking a question. She nodded, slightly.
"Supreme Chancellor, talk to Madame Magog and her daughter in private, may I?"
Palpatine glance at Jadrith and Tiahn, then nodded, "Of course. You may use the conference room next door, Master Yoda."
"Thank you, " Yoda got up and hobbled toward the door, the Magog ladies in tow. Jadrith glanced at the others, "We'll be right back."
"Take your time, old thing," Raskovik told her. The rest of the gang were smiling, they knew, and understood. Palpatine continued to look benignly puzzled. As the door closed behind them, Tiahn heard Palpatine say, "Now, Colonel, about this Herzlos person and the theft of your device - "
She looked sharply at her mother, "Konni TOLD him?"
"Aye, while you were sitting like a fart in a trance," Jadrith squeezed her hand, "Besides, how are we going to find him with out some help? We don't know this place. And what if Herzlos decides to set of one of his little toys here?"
Tiahn sighed, "You're right, I suppose. It's only fair we warn them. I just - don't like that Palpatine feller. He tries too hard to be all nice."
Jadrith shrugged, "He's a politician. They need to be all sweetness and light so they can get votes."
"Well I wouldn't vote for him - "
In the conference room, they settled down and watched Yoda, who stood before them. He sighed.
"Know of the Jedi, you do, Madame Magog. From another universe are you, and heard of us you should not."
Jadrith examined the carpet for a while, gathering her thoughts. The she looked up, "This isn't the first time someone's crossed between these two universes. The first time was thirty years ago. And Tiahn is thirty," she looked Yoda in the eye, "I think you know what I mean."
The tiny Jedi Master nodded. Tiahn smirked without much humour, "I'm an inter dimensional love child."
"Tiahn-"
"Sorry, Mum."
"We've known about the weakness in Reality for centuries. Gatehouse has been an ongoing project for nearly two hundred years. I was part of a team monitoring the Passageway and the surrounding star system. One day, when I was off for a week, I went to one of the planets near the Passageway. It's got a great lake on it, I wanted to swim. And there's no people there, it's really peaceful. I was sitting on the edge of the lake, just enjoying the sun, when this starship appears out of nowhere and crashed straight into the lake."
"From this universe, the starship was?"
"Aye. I swam out to it, in case they needed any help. It was sinking pretty quickly. These two lads managed to get out, tallest men I've ever seen. The dove in beside me and said hello," Jadrith smirked at the memory, "Like they were discussing the weather with me. We made it back to the shore - pretty good swimmers, for people who weren't Voistoki. Then we had the usual sort of discussion, you know, who are you, where are we."
"Jedi, these two were?" Yoda was furiously trying to recall who'd gone missing around thirty years ago. From the nasty suspicion forming in his usually serene mind, Yoda guessed that these two errant Jedi would be in deep trouble very soon.
"Look, Master Yoda, I don't want to get them into trouble," Jadrith leaned forward, "They were good friends to me. I know about your rules about - love. But we both felt, well, we might not see each other again. I'd never met anyone like him. He was a good man and I know if he'd known I was carrying Tiahn, he'd have stayed. He doesn't run from his responsibilities."
"What were their names?" although Yoda had suddenly recalled a period of two months when a certain Master and Padawan had vanished.
He looked at Tiahn, she had an arm around her mother's shoulders. Oh, no.
Jadrith took a deep breath, "Master Arkadi Dooku and Padawan Qui Gon Jinn."
"That's settled then," Palpatine said, "I shall ask Captain Brommen to assist you in your search for Cedek Herzlos. Pictures and descriptions shall be circulated within Republic territories. Other than that - " he spread his hands and looked at Raskovik apologetically.
"I understand, Supreme Chancellor. War is a terrible thing, and a Civil War ," he glanced sympathetically at the Jedi, "Sometimes you can find your self fighting people you care about. I do hope you can find peace."
At the back of his mind, Raskovic was very worried. They'd landed slap bang in the middle of a galactic war. It wasn't really what you got tourist brochures for. And as for who'd started the whole sordid mess-
Jadrith Magog was NOT going to be amused. Not at all.
"So do I, Captain. So do I," Palpatine suddenly brightened up, "You've all had a very busy day, my friends. You'll be escorted to your quarters, I daresay you'll want to refresh yourselves."
"We'd like to get stared after Herzlos as soon as possible," Elori said, "I for one owe him a kicking. And from what you've said about these Seperatists, I'm worried he might try to make some sort of deal with them."
"Indeed, Miss Ritonko. Our intelligence network shall be keeping an eye on the Geonosians and the Techno Union. They would most likely be the ones interested in such a Device."
The doors opened behind them, Palatine looked up, smile back, to welcome the Magogs. It froze when he saw their faces. Both women had been crying.
"Ohh," Mrs Brasti spoke for the first time. She got up and hurried to them, "You poor dears."
"We got some bad news," Tiahn said to the others. Jadrith turned away as Mrs Brasti hugged her.
"What happened?" Raskovik approached Tiahn, grasping her hands.
"Mum's friend Qui Gon died ten years ago," Taihn was on the verge of tears again, "He was killed by something called a Sith."
"Oh, Old Thing, I am so sorry," he went to Jadrith, sobbing on Mrs Basti's shoulder and stroked her hair. Elori and Glidath hugged Tiahn, "I always wanted to meet him. Now I can't."
Yoda hobbled over to the now utterly confused Palpatine, "Explain later I will. The time is not now." Mace Windu looked at Plo Koon, who shrugged.
"Palpatine nodded, and approached Tiahn, "Miss Magog, we've arranged quarters for you nearby. I feel your mother would prefer to go there," he said softly, "We've discussed most of what needs to be done regarding Herzlos, you needen't worry about it for the moment. You've had the most dreadful shock, I can tell. You and your mother should rest.."
"Thanks, sir."
The Voistoki delegation left for their new quarters, leaving Master Yoda to explain the situation to Palpatine. And when he was finally alone in his office, he stood at his window, looking at the Coruscant skyline without seeing it. He had a lot to think about.
It was dark. It was gloomy. The abandoned structure in the sparsely populated area of Coruscant was a regular meeting place for two Dark Lords of the Sith. The following scene will be sinister, gothic, over the top, and very difficult to take seriously. But that's the Dark Side for you.
Darth Tyranus watched as his master, Sidious came toward him out of the shadows, bowing elegantly to the smaller robed figure. They fell into step beside each other, strolling along the vast dusty chamber.
"Greetings, Lord Tyranus," Sidious began, "I trust you sensed the great disurbance in the Force earlier today?"
"Indeed, my Lord. I cannot discern it's source, however."
"A significant event occurred near Coruscant. Apparently, people from another universe have accidentally crossed over to visit us."
Tyranus slowed down. Sidious stopped a few feet ahead. Without turning around, he said, "One of these people was a very charming lady called Jadrith Magog-"
He waited as Tyranus digested this. "Jadrith Magog is HERE?"
Sidious chuckled, dry and nasty, "Oh yes. Your past is returning to haunt you, my friend. And she is not alone. One of her companions is a young lady named Tiahn Magog. She's thirty years old," he gazed up at the ceiling, enjoying this immensely, "and she seems to have great strength in the Force, too."
Darth Tyranus, also known as Count Arkadi Dooku, stopped breathing. Sidious turned to him, grinning evilly inside his cowl. He was holding something out to him. Dooku managed to focus on it. It was a cigar.
"Congratulations, Lord Tyranus," cackled Sidious, "You are a father."
