Disclaimer: I do not own any of Star Wars, the right of ownership of Star Wars belong to Lucasfilm and I guess Disney too. The only thing I own is the characters you do not notice and the plot.
Year: 10 BBY
Chapter 20: War Might Become
In the sparring room of the Jedi Temple, Mark and Dooku is practicing with Rachelle to keep their skills sharp. The two blue Lightsabers going at the blue with a purple tint Lightsaber. Then they will switch so it will be Mark going against two, or Dooku.
First, it started out just with Mark and Rachelle until Dooku arrives who was going to train on a practice droid. Rachelle came up with this great idea of a 2 vs. 1 rotating match. Mark manages to disarm both Rachelle and Dooku at once. They were using their training Lightsabers. Rachelle, liking her plasma blade of her Lightsaber, she decides to make an exact copy for practice.
As both Dooku and Rachelle's Lightsabers left their hands, Mark uses the Force to summon them to him. Dooku eyes widen at the sight of this. Not only have Mark manage to disarm him but also Rachelle at the exact same time. "Force, Master you have gotten better." say a female voice.
Mark and Dooku turn around and see Jenna Farlay standing near the entrance with her arms cross in front. A huge look of surprise was on her face as she looks at Mark. That was when Rachelle tried to be sneaky once more.
Rachelle swings her leg around to kick at Mark's knees, but he sidestep it and uses the Force just enough to turn Rachelle's momentum against her, causing her to nail Dooku and falls down the ground hard. Dooku then slaps Mark in the head hard. "Boy, I might be 92, but I for sure if I have another 20 to 30 years, I could still duel with the best, but some got to teach you to respect your elders. I am old enough to be you grandfather." say Dooku with a smile on his face as Mark rubs the back of his head.
"Sorry to burst your bubble, but you are currently older than my grandparents." say Mark. Rachelle laughs from her spot on the floor as Dooku looks over his shoulder. "Hey, age is but a number. I happen to know some people born on Bakura or have family members that give birth that have Bakuran blood in them and that they live up close to 200 years old." say Dooku. All 3 younger Jedi looks at Dooku as if he was crazy.
"Are you losing your memories? Mark is from Bakura. They do tend to live a long time." say Jenna as she looks at Dooku. "Could be possible, you will find with age, you start to lose more than you gain." say Dooku as he stretch his arms out a bit while Mark bends down to help Rachelle to stand up.
"Force we need to take a shower before we meet with your mother and Padme for supper. We stink." say Rachelle. Jenna found this the vary opening she need to get at Rachelle. "Well, if you were as good as me, you wouldn't have work up such a sweat." say Jenna as she polishes her nails on her shirt and than blow on them with a smile.
Mark had to admit that he was worried that maybe Rachelle and Jenna might not get along well when they first meet, but they slowly became friends. Still Jenna is not on the same level of friends such as Rachelle, Ahsoka and Barriss, but she is getting there. Mark knows Jenna have some strong trust issues. It took her a couple years to trust him after she joined the Jedi Order. Through it might have help that he was the one who save her family and her from Jabba the Hutt. By the time she became his Padawan, there had a distance friendship going on which bloom into a father daughter relations then that of brother and sister.
Without any other words, Mark and Rachelle head back to their quarters. Mark decide to let Rachelle takes her shower first. Mark was laying on his bed looking up at the ceiling as he was tossing a Lightsaber crystal up into the air and catching it. He was just thinking about the evidence that he have gather on A'Sharad, Mark was able to break into the memory banks of the navigational computer within his Starfighter and found out he drop out of Hyperspace somewhere on the border of the Deep Core region of space, but not in orbit of any planet. He was there only for 20 minutes at the most when he jumps though Hyperspace back to Coruscant.
It was with Rachelle help that he was able to do that. Apparently when you delete something from that computer it not actually deleted, it just erased from the files. Just like a computer, it stores information on the hard drive even when you physically deleted that information. That was some more evidence that got stored in Mace's quarter. Then they check his communications and found that it has been activated but there were a lot of interference that even Rachelle could not fixed to see whom he was talking to.
Not only Mark thinks A'Sharad Hett is the Jedi traitor, but the whole High Council believes it. That does not look good for the Jedi Master on probation. At this rate, he had better hope they find some evidence to prove that they are wrong, or he will be expel from the galaxy.
Rachelle walks in the room with just a towel on. "You turn." say Rachelle as she make sure the towel was tied right. She might have been in love with Mark for a long time, but she is not ready to let him see her naked. Do not get her wrong that image has appear in her mind a couple of times and it does not bother her, but actually doing it seems to be a whole new story.
Mark got up and kisses her on the cheek as he walks past her. He walks to simple dresser and pulls out some underwear, a tank top and loose soft pants to wear. He walks into the bathroom. Once the door is shut, Rachelle then got change into what she is planning on wearing.
On a planet within the Deep Core region, the elderly Sith Lord walks through the places where the Construction Droids have been building Starfighters and ships that are similar to those of the Empire that is run by Darth Vader. The TIE Fighters and it various models might looks the same as the Empire, his Star Destroyers will be complete light gray.
He has been waiting years for his revenge on Master Zane, the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic and with them facing against the Empire, throwing his army of droids and Clones into the mixed will make it harder for the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic to respond. He will have to attack both the Empire and the Galactic Republic so he can wrestle control over the galaxy. So far this year he have been manipulating a Jedi against the Jedi ways and having that Jedi help the Empire.
He knows a couple things that will happen. He knows that Master Zane, the Galactic Republic and Jedi Order will be surprise at who he is. The other thing he knows is that the war that already being fought between the Empire and the Galactic Republic is going to get much worst for both of them. He will be the victor and have the galaxy under his control. It might not be like he had planned it the first time, but that has been ruin by the Jedi greatly.
With a bunch of back ups to keep him immortal by using the ability of Transfer Essence and bunch of Clone bodies made with from the template of his original body, he can keep being immortal until the last of his Clone bodies are gone. It was used by a Sith Emperor in the Sith Empire that was made after the Great Hyperspace War. He has used this ability to transfer his essence, or soul as you might call it, to other bodies. By doing this, he rules over the Empire for over 1300 years.
The elderly man made his way back into the castle on the planet and sits down in the throne while putting his fingers tips together as his elbows rests on the dark armrests. He dreams heavily of the revenge that he wants on Mark. He does not just want to kill him but turn his universe upside-down on him. Make him suffer for ruining his plans to bring down the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic.
All the way on Korriban, Darth Vader cannot help the feeling he was being used in the recent attacks against the Galactic Republic on the Coruscant. He just does not know why, but it feel like he was being manipulated and it is not by the person that Darth Solaris have manage to break the faith of the Jedi.
For some odd reason he does not think that it was her to break the faith now. It seems like that Jedi, or as the media calls him the Jedi Traitor, was also being used to manipulate him. He knows two people who is good at manipulating, one of them manipulate for the so called good of the galaxy while the other manipulate for person gain in both power in the Force and power to rule. He highly doubts that the person manipulating him and the Jedi Traitor is Jedi Master Zane. No, the only time that Darth Vader is aware of the Jedi Master manipulating someone was Darth Sidious.
Now the other one who he believes would manipulate him like this is the person that trained him but was killed by Mark on Coruscant. As far as he knows, that person would not be returning, but how it feels like he was manipulated, seem to feel as he perceive it would be like his former master manipulations.
Darth Vader hates this feeling if he did find away back, it might bring back the information of Rule of Two and he had work hard to destroy ever evidence of it. So that none of his apprentice could learn how the Sith Order underneath Darth Bane had work. Therefore stopping anyone from taking him down.
The only good thing about it, it will bring chaos to the Galactic Republic, that is if he had made an army and a navy. Then again with that good thing, could have a negative impact on the Empire by making it seem weak by letting someone else weaken them. Also, there is the chance that whatever army that he makes will come after the Empire. Guess the best thing to do is wait and see what happens. He intends to be the one who wins this war. If it becomes a 3-way war then it will be him and his Empire that raises and the Galactic Republic, the Jedi Order and his former master falls.
Still he does not know if his guess is on the dot or way off. With the track record that Master Zane have amounted since the Clone Wars there could be anyone that was a Sith. Darth Vader knows first hand that there were some Sith wannabes but never got to far due to lack of training and ways to get knowledge. It was nothing major to be consider peace was ending. It was few trying to be manipulative the Galactic Republic government and fail badly at it.
So it is back to seeing what will happen and coming on top. He will not let his Empire fall so easy due to the advancements in the Grand Army of the Republic and their fleets.
Back on Coruscant at the 500 Republica, Amelia, the Skywalkers, Maria and Mara Jade, Lillian, Kim, Mark and Rachelle was sitting in Amelia's apartment for supper and a movie night. This is the first time in Kim experience something like this since she has enter the Bakuran Military.
"Kim, I heard you are now a bodyguard, why the change in professions." say Maria. Kim looks over from the other side of the table at the red golden haired mother. Mark saw that slight glare coming from Kim. He knows the story of how she got involve with the Bakuran Military. It was due to their father that she joined the Bakuran Military.
"Well, mainly the only reason I joined was my father. I figure what recently happen on Bakura, I had enough of it. I joined to be like my father, but I no longer want to be like him anymore after he turned into a terrorist and try to kill me, his own daughter. When I was younger, I always wanted to be a Senator, now becoming Mom's bodyguard she could teach me everything about politics, so one day I could take her position, if she choose to retire. Plus more importantly, well to me that is, I can spend some more time with my Mom." say Kim looking down the table where Amelia was laughing at a joke that Padme and Anakin told her.
Maria could tell that Kim loves her mother due to the look in her eyes. "I know you were never taken from her like Mark was. Before you say anything I do not mean that offensively, I understand your mother gave Mark up to learn about his abilities and I think that was a wise choice on her part. Wouldn't you have more time with her than Mark?" ask Maria.
Kim shakes her head at that statement. "No, see after Mom gave Mark to the Jedi Order, it split her relationship with my father greatly. I was close to both of them, but my father try to turn me against Mom, and it slightly worked. I blamed Mark for losing my first friend and think of her slightly as a bad person. It amazes me how kind and forgiving she is. Most would take longer or still hate you for any actions you do against them such as that, but Mom was always there offer support." say Kim slightly hurt at remember how she used to treat Amelia. Sometimes she feels like she does not deserve her kindness and forgiveness. Some of the things she has done could be consider downright awful.
She never physically hurt her mother, but emotionally. She will ignore her, called her names, insult her base upon the lies that she believed that came from Maxus Zane. She remembers this one time, all to well, that she had her mother so upset that had her crying for almost an hour. One thing about Amelia is she is very loyal and close to her family and extended family. Kim have insulted her because of her letting Mark go and that was one of the reasons why she wasn't so close to a lot of people because her best friend was gone and she was afraid that Amelia might take them away too. She also throws in some insults there.
That day she learned how hard it was for her mother to give up Mark. Later since that day, she have learn the reason why from her mother by talking to her. She have learned that any decent mother always wants to be there for their children to protect them, help them and lead them to the right path and it is always give away someone you love so much away and knowing you might not see them for a very long time. Amelia always has a soft spot for Mark since it hurts her the most of letting him go.
Once more, this got her thinking of how life would be if her mother did not do what she did. Palpatine would have made a Galactic Empire out of the failing Galactic Republic after the demised of the Jedi Order. With this thought in her mind, she looks over to where Mark was sitting with Rachelle. Mark is happily chatting with Rachelle; he must be telling a story because of how he was moving his hand. This might not be the Mark she personally grown with, but in her eyes they are one and the same. The one sitting down the table from her is just like the one she heard stories about during his time before the Clone Wars. He is someone she is proud to have back in her life, once more.
Rachelle laughs at Mark's story, he was telling a story of when he was younger with Kim. He was telling her about the time back on Bakura when him and Kim use to play by the lake behind the house. They used to dare each other to do some pretty stupid stuff and how ever loses, they have to jump into the water and swim for a few laps around. Rachelle was laughing at some of the most funniest dares that Mark had to do. Like how he had to eat ice cream with a sprinkle of sand on it.
Luke and Leia were sitting together chatting. They both have passed their tests are now enable to become Padawans. Mara, who was sitting next to Luke have tried to passed it but, failed. So, she will have to wait until later on in the year or next year to take her test.
Already there have been a lot of Jedi Knights and Jedi Masters watching them and wants them to become one of the twins mentor. The thing is, the Council would not agree to it, because through the Force, they sensed that Leia is going to become Rachelle's Padawan. It not all the time, but sometimes when the Council senses that a connection between a youngling and a Jedi is made, then they will become Padawan and Master.
Most times, it is a Jedi who picks someone to be a Padawan. Still the High Council has to accept it. A Jedi cannot come and pick someone to be their student, the High Council much agree on all Padawan acceptations to assure that every learner gets to learn at a great level. A Padawan must feel comfortable with their mentor so that they are able to learn everything that their mentor offers to teach them, much easier. Plus, the relationship needs to be similar to that of a decent parent. Encourage when needs to be and discourage on the bad stuff, is a great way that a Padawan will learn the Jedi way easier.
Mark looks over at the twins and Mara. He feels sorry for them have to be Padawans during a war. It is harder to learn, no matter who is your mentor, during a time as dire as a war. The only thing Mark is for certain, something through the Force is telling him that this war that they are currently in will get more difficult. Oh he wants is to end the war and hopefully peace will once more become a part of the Galactic Republic.
Okay first of all, I want to wish that everyone had a great weekend. My weekend was great got to help my real dad work on cars. For those who have a bad weekend, hopefully this chapter helps get you out of that bad mood. Okay, I am rambling on right now, so to what you are mostly focus on is what I am going to explain about this chapter, so here we go.
Basically in the chapter, it gives an idea of what I plan for this war. See this idea was based on the information I gather about the Second Imperial Civil War where there were 3 major groups which were Darth Kray Galactic Empire, Empire-in-Exile (Fel Empire), and the Galactic Alliance Remnant. In this war it will be the Galactic Republic, Darth Vader's Empire and whoever is the mystery Sith is. Want more information on that then look it up on Wookieepedia.
Speaking of the mystery Sith is, this chapter also give a little more information about him. This time times it tell something more personally between him and Mark. I am shocked no one have found out. Also if you remember what you have read in the first book, you might find the connection between Mark and Darth Vader. Now, that feels like I am giving the whole secret out right there.
Still I am looking for names for Obi-wan and Satine's baby. So any ideas please let me know. they can be for boy or girl, I haven't decided the gender of the baby.
Until next time, enjoy!