Disclaimer: I don't own anything except my OC's. Kaori Galium is the property of AngelBlue1852.
A/N: Just like chapter 11 of Fates Rewritten, expect there to be a big reference that Starwarshobbitfics should recognize.
Strangely enough, this chapter was written on March 25th, 2017. So as of this date, Fates Rewritten is still in the works. I wanted to have that story wrapped up before I resumed work on Uncertain Futures, for obvious reasons. However, I decided that I would be okay revealing things in this story that would have otherwise been made clearer in Fates Rewritten.
Anyway, this chapter takes place during the Clone Wars, in the episode "Cloak of Darkness." I just need to get something out of the way: some pretty dark things in this chapter. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Ahsoka Tano hadn't wanted to actually harm Gunray. She just wanted him to talk, and knew that scaring him would play to his greedy nature. Master Unduli, however, had already scolded her for her reckless actions.
Now the two of them were in the ship's hangar, awaiting the arrival of another Jedi. And Ahsoka decided she needed to speak.
"Master Unduli," she said, addressing the Mirialan Jedi. "Please forgive my actions earlier. I...I just wanted answers."
Luminara sighed. "I understand, Padawan." She replied. "I agree. But what you did in hopes of getting those answers was wrong. But I do not blame you for your choices, young one. I suppose it is a result of training under someone like Anakin Skywalker." Ahsoka cast a look at the Jedi Master, who added, "I do not mean anything negative towards Master Skywalker, young one. I am merely acknowledging that perhaps his...unorthodox...methods are already rubbing off on you."
Ahsoka held her head in understanding. Luminara continued, "Which is why I've requested that this Jedi arrive."
As if on cue, a small transport emerged from hyperspace, landing inside the hangar. The two Jedi walked over to the ship as the hatch opened up. Ahsoka didn't recognize the Jedi who stepped off the ship to meet them.
He had dark hair, and semi-pale skin. His eyes were a dark brown, almost maroon color. The gaze with which he addressed his surroundings almost seemed unsetlling. It could be best described as the type of person to enter a room, and all conversations would come to an instant halt.
"Knight Malfoy." Luminara said, greeting the newcomer. "It is good to see that you could make it."
"The feeling is mutual." The other Jedi replied. "And your Padawan wished for me to send you her regards."
Luminara nodded. Then the Jedi turned to Ahsoka. "I do not believe we have met. Nor was I informed that you would be here."
"I believe that would be my fault, Knight Malfoy," Luminara began. "Allow me to introduce you to-"
"Unless she has no voice of her own, I suggest you allow her to use it." Knight Malfoy interrupted. Ahsoka was stunned. This guy had just cut Master Unduli off, and she barely reacts. She didn't want to think that she was being judgemental, but the way he acted made her think she didn't like him.
"Now," Malfoy continued. "As I have said, you and I have not met before. I suppose you would have the courtesy to give me your name, Padawan."
You're one to talk, Ahsoka thought.
"Padawan, as rude as you may perceive me to be, we do not have all the time in the world." Malfoy snapped. Ahsoka shuddered. How did he know that was what I was thinking?
"Your thoughts are not very difficult to hear, young one. It is why I was summoned here in the first place. Now for all of our sakes, I will ask you only one more time. What is your name?" He explained.
Taking a breath, Ahsoka replied, "My name is Ahsoka Tano. And you would be?"
"Ah, see? That was not so hard." Malfoy said. "I am Nazo Malfoy. Jedi Knight. And who might be your master, Padawan Tano?"
"Anakin Skywalker." She replied.
He gave her a look that she didn't seem familiar with. She couldn't tell exactly what he was thinking. "The resemblance is uncanny." He said. She was about to ask him what he meant by that, but he turned to Master Unduli and said, "You may tell the captain to make the jump to hyperspace. I wish to rest for now before I see the prisoner. I suggest that you do the same, Master Unduli."
As he strode off at a rather brisk pace, Ahsoka turned to the Jedi Master and said, "He interrupted you, and it didn't bother you?"
"It is likely that he merely wants to get this over with quickly." Luminara sighed. "As patient as he is, he also hates when those around him waste time."
"He doesn't sound like the flexible type, huh?" Ahsoka asked. "Who was he trained by? Master Windu?"
Luminara very nearly chuckled at that comment. She too admitted that sometimes, Mace Windu could be excessively uptight, and she hadn't realized how alike he and Nazo were. Nonetheless, she maintained a straight face.
"No," She replied. "He was the Padawan of Ulzaar-Ahk Oros."
Ahsoka remembered the tales that had been told of that Jedi. He was a renowned negotiator, though not exactly on the same level as Obi-Wan Kenobi, but he was a skilled diplomat nonetheless. He was also among the few Jedi to agree with many of the late Qui-Gon Jinn's ideologies.
"What happened?" Ahsoka asked.
Luminara paused to recall the story. She hadn't been there, but she had heard about it. "According to Shaak Ti, Master Oros spoke before the council explaining Malfoy's extensive knowledge. He claimed that the young Jedi's understanding of the Jedi way went beyond his own. In short, he claimed that there was nothing left for him to teach."
"So, Nazo became a Knight just like that?" Ahsoka asked. "When was this?"
"Just two years after he was made a Padawan." Luminara recalled. "He was twelve at the time."
Ahsoka froze, her jaw going slack. "Twelve..." She muttered, absentmindedly. "I'm fourteen..."
"He spent nearly every free moment he had in the Archives." Luminara added. Then, she allowed herself a brief smile. "I recall speaking with Madame Jocasta recently. She said she had once found him asleep at a desk. Other times, he would spend several consecutive days doing nothing but read files in the Archives."
Ahsoka was stunned. "He goes without sleep for days on end?" She asked. "Well, no wonder he's so uptight."
"Perhaps you are right, Padawan." Luminara noted. "And whenever he did sleep, it was rarely for more than an hour. It was concerning for many of us."
"What was he usually doing in the Archives?" Ahsoka asked.
"I am not sure." Luminara admitted. "Madame Jocasta saw little wrong with Knight Malfoy's thirst for knowledge. And she told me once that she tended to avoid spying on him or going through his research. But from what I've gathered, much of his knowledge is of rare abilities and how to learn them."
Ahsoka took a moment to think on this. She still didn't feel comfortable around him. But she wanted to at least make an effort to fix that.
Luminara had retired to her quarters, leaving Ahsoka with Nazo. She awkwardly tried to put the words together in her mind. Of course, Nazo beat her to it.
"I agree that you and I did not get off on the right foot, Padawan." He stated meticulously. "However, you must understand that your Master and I have not been on such preferable terms. I find his methods to be rather...unusual. I merely feel concern for your sake, given that you are his Padawan."
"S-Sorry, Knight Malfoy." She said. "It just...surprised me to know about your, uh, persistent need for information."
"In my youth, my curiosity often surpassed my instincts to sleep or eat." Nazo replied.
"And, if you don't mind me asking," Ahsoka wondered. "What kinds of things did you learn?"
"Perhaps you will see when I interrogate the prisoner." He stated.
As the doors opened, the two Jedi stepped into the holding cell. Nute Gunray slowly looked up at them.
"Nute Gunray." Nazo stated.
"Oh, another Jedi." Gunray said. "And you would be?"
"I'm here for information." Nazo explained. "Information I know you can provide for me. Now drop the false pleasantries and let us get down to business."
"P-Please, spare me, master Jedi." Gunray stuttered. "I am just a Pawn in all of this."
"So glad of you to acknowledge this, Viceroy." Nazo replied. "And do you know what that means for you?"
The Nemoidian Viceroy remained silent. "It means that your so-called allies would very easily dispose of you at a moment's notice." Nazo explained grimly.
The Viceroy gulped. "As I was saying," Nazo continued. "You now know, hopefully, that your associates would be eager to dispose of you, and find a replacement for your position. I presume that lessens your fears about shedding some light on them. So, would you be so kind as to tell me what I want to know?"
"W-W-What is it th-that y-y-you want to know?" Gunray sputtered.
Nazo turned to Ahsoka. "You see, Padawan?" He said. "This is why I hold the Nemoidians in such low regard. Take away their armies, and have them in a corner, and they reduce to sniveling heaps. They would easily backstab one another at the first opportunity. Any species that methodically promotes such shameful levels of greed are no friends of mine." Then he turned back to the Viceroy. "As for what I want to know..." He closed his eyes, then opened them again. Only now, his gaze was like that of a viper. "Everything you know."
Gunray shuddered. "Let's start small, shall we?" Nazo said. "Where is Count Dooku?"
"I-I-I...I won't tell you." Gunray stammered. He squirmed in his chair. "I don't even know where he is."
"Oh, I believe you do, Viceroy." Nazo replied nonchalantly.
"Uhm, well, I...uh...he's...he's not at...R-Raxus." Gunray said.
"I know he is not there, Gunray." Nazo said, with a small hint of impatience in his tone. He glared at the Nemoidian. "Now I want you to tell me. Where. He. Is." He leaned in closer with every word, until his face was inches from Gunray's. The Viceroy didn't speak, but only stammered more.
Nazo sighed. He was getting nowhere this way. "I will make a deal with you." He said. "If you give me the answers I desire, and remain completely honest with me, I will set you free. You have my word." Gunray's eyes widened. Ahsoka looked at Nazo, wanting to ask him what he was thinking. "Now, do I have yours?"
"Yes, Yes, I promise." Gunray said.
"Good." Nazo said, with a satisfied smile. "Now, tell me where I could find Count Dooku."
"H-He has an estate on his h-home planet, Serenno." Gunray explained.
"Good answer." Nazo said. "Next question. Who contacted you offering you a position of power within the Separatist Alliance?"
"Count Dooku." Gunray replied.
"Very good, Viceroy." Nazo stated, as if rewarding a child for good behavior. "Now, one last thing. Who ordered you to attack Naboo so long ago?"
Gunray was completely unprepared for this. He was a nervous wreck. He briefly turned towards Ahsoka, who was merely watching from the side, before Nazo made a quick gesture through the Force, pulling the Viceroy's attention back to him.
"Don't look at her, Gunray. Look at me." He ordered. Then he turned to the younger Jedi. "Padawan Tano, if you would be so kind as to step out of the cell. I would like to conduct the remainder of my questioning alone."
"Oh, of course, Knight Malfoy." She replied. She stepped out of the cell and stood at the other end of the room.
Turning back to his captive, Nazo spoke in a low tone. "Now, I know that Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn was killed on Naboo during your Trade Federation's invasion. He was slain by a Sith Assassin. Darth Maul, if I am correct. Does that name ring a bell with you, Viceroy?"
"Uh, uh, n-n-n-" Gunray stuttered, before his chin was cupped in a firm grip by Nazo.
"Choose your words with extreme care, Gunray." He snapped. "You do know who I speak of, don't you?" He eased his grip just enough to allow the greedy Nemoidian enough room to nod his head. "And you also know of Maul's master, do you not?"
Gunray was shocked, but quickly tried to hide it under a layer of ignorance. The grip on his chin tightened suddenly. "Do not lie to me, Nemoidian." Nazo growled. "You made a promise to be completely truthful. Either you can give me the information I now desire, or I will take it from you."
Gunray remained silent. "You seem surprised that I know that there is someone else in this little game." Nazo noted, releasing his grip completely. "It's simple, really. Maul was merely the apprentice. And as Dooku did not leave the Order until after the death of Qui-Gon Jinn, it is only logical that someone else was pulling the strings. I also know that this same Sith Lord is currently employing Dooku as the so-called leader of the Separatists. And that you have spoken with him...numerous times. So I ask you this: Who is he?"
Gunray knew he was doomed. He was doing everything in his power to remain clueless, but he was also aware that he had no choice but to spill. "His name...his name is..." Although Nazo didn't care why, the Viceroy still reduced his voice to a whisper. "Darth...Sidious." He was panicking, as he knew what he was setting himself up for. "C-Count Dooku is his apprentice. That's all I know, I swear."
Nazo took a breath as he stepped back. "There, that was not hard at all, was it, Viceroy?" He asked. The Nemoidian felt himself relax against his cuffs. He was sweating profusely (A/N: Do the Nemoidians sweat? Please enlighten me, oh faithful readers).
Nazo crossed his arms over his chest. "How pleasant that in spite of your despicable levels of greed and corruption, you still have enough sense to see reason." He said. "Your cooperation is greatly appreciated, Viceroy."
Ahsoka suddenly felt a sense of unease well up in her, as if the air temperature in the room just dropped by 15 degrees.
"Thank you so much for holding true to your word." Nazo continued, as he undid Gunray's cuffs. The Nemoidian slowly rose to his feet. "Now, allow me to return the favor."
It happened in an instant. He threw out his left arm, curling his fingers almost in a choke hold. Before the Viceroy had time to even gag, his neck snapped with a nauseating crunch. Ahsoka, having watched the entire thing, jumped back in shock.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, what the kriff?!" She shouted, clutching her chest as if checking to make sure her heart hadn't stopped.
The Viceroy's limp corpse slumped to the ground, like a puppet who's strings had just been cut. How fitting, since that was all he had been: the Puppet of a Sith Lord.
Nazo cast a side glance at the young Padawan. "Language, Padawan Tano. Would your master approve of that type of talk from you?"
"At least I didn't just kill a prisoner!" She snapped back. "You said you were going to set him free!"
"And I did," Nazo replied, as if nothing was wrong. "I freed his poor soul from his slimy body. I gave him a swift and merciful death."
Ahsoka couldn't believe this. "How is that the Jedi way?" She asked.
In a voice that fell between bored and apathetic, he explained. "Consider this. Dooku would know by now that he could not retrieve the Viceroy before I got what I needed. Therefore, Dooku would likely send his little pet, Ventress to kill Gunray. Either that, or he would indeed rescue the Viceroy, and personally punish him."
"So?" Ahsoka asked, still not convinced.
"Do you believe Dooku to be a merciful man?" Nazo said. She opened her mouth to argue, but nothing came out. "My thoughts exactly," Nazo continued. "He likely would have drawn out the Viceroy's suffering for as long as he could. It would only have been when the Viceroy was begging for his suffering to end, when he was reduced to an even more spineless and pathetic heap, that Dooku would finally grant Gunray a slow, painful death."
"Shouldn't he at least have been kept alive so he could stand trial?" Ahsoka asked.
"That would be redundant, Padawan Tano." He replied, not even looking back at her. "His crimes against the Republic are rather obvious, are they not? In my mind, I have already judged him as guilty of crimes against the Republic and its people. My verdict, a swift but merciful death." There was a moment of silence, during which Ahsoka tried to pursue her argument. "And before you ask," Nazo added. "I already obtained everything I needed to know from him. That is one of my abilities, Padawan. To extract knowledge from others through the Force. That is how I know what you are going to say before you can even think it."
Ahsoka sighed, not even bothering to try and ask him, and as she predicted, he inferred her thoughts before they even existed. "No, I don't see how master Unduli will take this lightly. But this is war, Padawan Tano. Sacrifices must be made. Just know that I did what I did out of pity for the sleemo. Consider the death I gave him to be the most merciful way for him to die. I simply saw no need for his suffering to continue. I took what I needed to know, and granted him a swift end." Now he turned to face her with a raised eyebrow. "Unless you think he should have suffered more. Am I correct?"
She tried to speak, but stopped herself. "I thought not." Nazo concluded. "I am retiring to my quarters now. There is much for me to sort through in my mind. I require solitude. I suggest you do the same, Padawan Tano."
Without another word, he left her alone. Sighing, she returned to her own quarters. So much for trying to make peace with him, she thought.
A/N: I warned you this gets dark. In a way, Nazo officially knows that Darth Sidious is behind the war, though he obviously doesn't know Sidious' true identity...yet.
Ulzaar-Ahk Oros is another one of my OC's, but he isn't as prominent in this canon. To get it out of the way, he dies shortly before the war ends, as one of the Jedi casualties in the Battle of Coruscant.
When I first imagined how I wanted Nazo to act in this chapter, I turned to Severus Snape as portrayed by Alan Rickman (may he rest in peace). His methodical, down-to-business way of speaking, and his lack of tolerance for unnecessary chatter, and even his ability to completely justify his actions in a way that genuinely makes sense all add up.
And yes, Nazo was made a knight at just twelve years old. Of course, his unprecedented accomplishment of attaining knighthood even before he hit puberty was something of a concern to the Jedi Council, including Master Yoda. But hopefully, I can relay this type of info through the actual story, and not just rant about it in the Author's Note.
Also, for all necessary measurements, such as temperature, distance, or weight, I will be using the American standards of measurement, because I am an American author. Just to let those of you in other countries know.
Next chapter, I make another big jump, this time, to the aftermath of the Season 5 finale. All four of the prominent characters in this story-Anakin, Kaori, Barriss, and Nazo-will be featured prominently.
Until then, please RRF&F, and I'll see you all next time. Peace out, and may the Force be with you. Always.
