Chapter 28 - Justice for Dooku
AN:
Before I begin this chapter, I noticed that from the reviews of the last chapter, there was some confusion over Yushan and Earth. Yushan is not Earth, it is something else entirely. Although the "Anathema" that once ruled that galactic region originated from Earth.
In addition, you may have noticed the sudden shortening of the usual chapter length. This is because I realised as I was writing, that a 50000 word length chapter would not be a good thing to release like that. I hadn't even finished it either... So, I have broken it up into smaller chapters which I will be releasing as I finish neatening up each section after each other.
Therefore, you won't have months to wait between chapters again. This has also allowed me to get ahead of myself a bit, so I'm going to try and keep this head start for as long as I can.
Please also note that the next set of chapters cover the last of the Star Wars section of my story and cover sections of Episode 3.
Unfortunately, this is not beta'd as I have had no contact with my beta for a while, hopefully everything is okay.
Thank you very much for all your support and mostly kind words, each review is a boon that gives me the drive to keep working.
Please enjoy the definitely not official release :)
-o-o-o-o-o-
As the light of turbolaser bolts splashed across his ship's shields, flaring in their futile attempt to break through that barrier, Dooku looked around the bridge of his flagship.
The battle was progressing nicely, but it was always disconcerting to witness such fury but hear nothing of it.
He shuddered slightly from his memory of the dream from Dar'yaim. For as long as he would live, he would be haunted by the roaring scream such a blast would create in atmosphere.
Everything was in place just as his Master had planned. There was just enough security to be daunting, but not enough to stop the Jedi's advance.
His hated Master, Darth Sidious, sat upon his throne at the front of the bridge, by the viewport, ready and waiting to witness his new apprentices' approach. The energy bindings ready to trigger when the Jedi got close enough to the bridge for them to enter the final acts of this farce.
Dooku glanced at the scanner screen as he passed on his patrol, his own plan was nearing fruition. The surrounding battle was in the balance at the moment, a nudge either way would bring about a win for either side.
Harry's planned arrival with his fleet would shatter the morale of what remained of both sides, then Harry could sweep in and conquer the system for himself. He would never have agreed to take control, so Dooku just had to set everything up for the survivors to demand it of him.
It was a great betrayal of his master's plan, but Dooku was Sith after all, betrayal was almost part of the job description. If a third of what he'd heard about Harry's Flagship was true, then that monster could have won this battle by itself. The damage to morale at seeing it firing most of its weapons would have been enough for most to surrender in terror.
An alert bleeped to one side and the droid at the post nodded to him.
Excellent, the Jedi had been spotted. They would be here soon enough, it was almost time to clear the board, but first he had to kill his Master.
Nodding back at the droid, Dooku watched as the droid sent the first commands to the rest of the fleet. A flick of a finger and a tiny pulse of the Force, pressed a button on the security post. The reserves he had been holding back had now been authorised to intercept the Jedi.
He had enough time to succeed, but he needed more for the best result.
As each ship of his fleet received the signal, each one activated a specially programmed droid that sat at a secure post in engineering.
From its position it prepared to take control of several posts on the bridge. Shield Power was readied to be shunted entirely to the prow arc. Targets were chosen for efficiency and flight routes projected for nearby ships, the best target was highlighted and a pulse of data sent through the comms network. A similar set of pulses were received and targets altered if required. A second pulse and response was set to confirm final targets. Speeds, angles and flight plans were calculated and readied to override the current bridge commands.
Now they waited, updating the data in real-time, ready for the trigger signal from the flagship.
Dooku's plan would result in maximum damage to both sides and leave little in the area to be able to stop or even slow down Harrys advance. Nearly the entire fleet would ram the Republic vessels in mutual destruction. Thousands if not millions of clones would die in an instant. The wreckage would rain down on Coruscant and spread the chaos and confusion further.
The death of his Master and the Jedi would be an added bonus, one he was willing to sacrifice himself to complete.
High above the system plane, his final strike waited. Two shuttles, filled with a mix of iron ore and Polonium, waiting for their own call to action. Each had a different target. The first would target the Republic Senate Chamber and the second, the Jedi Temple.
Both had every safety removed from both their hyperdrives and inertial dampers to allow this as well as having their shields unable to reactivate after leaving hyperspace.
The first would exit Hyperspace just inside the atmosphere and provide enough time to allow the Navy to target and destroy it before it could impact. The molten wreckage and iron ore would still cause damage, but not enough to destroy the ancient building. This feint would allow the second shuttle to strike its target.
The one aimed at the Jedi Temple would not exit Hyperspace so early and only leave just before impact. The sudden friction of the atmosphere and the energy leaked by the reactor would turn the shuttle into a molten mass of radioactive metal. The impact would destroy the Temple and remove any assets the Sith could acquire from the Jedi when they were dead.
These shuttles alone were a major war crime and would result in his execution by every side of the conflict. But he was damned already, why not make a permanent impression on the galaxy if he was going to lose. And if he survived, well, he had already set up the evidence for his former allies and enemies to take the fall for him. Nute Gunray would finally be useful for something after all.
Using ships to ram targets at hyperspeed was forbidden in so many treaties, it was an almost universal rule. To even consider such an act, to risk mutual destruction through such a method? You would have to be truly desperate to even conceive of it as an option.
And he was getting desperate.
His only problem, was that all these orders waited on the arrival of the Jade Imperium's Fleet, it would mean he had sacrificed everything for nothing if it did not come together as he planned.
Estimating he had, maybe, five minutes before the Jedi would get to him, Dooku spoke out loud to his Master, in an attempt to distract him whilst his strike was readied. "It will be... an embarrassment to be captured by him."
The voice that answered him was so familiar to Dooku, that sometimes his very thoughts spoke in it, "An embarrassment which you can survive, Lord Tyranus. After all, is he not the greatest Jedi alive? And have we not ensured that all the galaxy shares this opinion?"
"Quite so, my Master. Quite so." Again, Dooku sighed. Not that was saying all that much with Harry's activities repeatedly degrading the Jedi's reputation. Especially after the attack on the Senate, in order to rescue Ahsoka Tano.
The Jedi had become a laughing stock baring a few chosen heroes. He was sickened at how easily his former peers had fallen.
Today, the weight upon his shoulders made him feel every hour of his eighty-three years. "It is... fatiguing, to play the villain for so long, Master. I find myself looking forward to an honourable captivity."
A captivity that would allow him to sit out the rest of the war in comfort; a captivity that would allow him to forswear his former allegiances, when he would conveniently appear to finally discover the true extent of the Separatists' crimes against civilization, and bind himself to the new government with his reputation for integrity and idealism fully intact.
To see his future grandchildren grow up strong and powerful in safety. The new government... This had been the final goal for all these many years. A government clean, pure, direct, none of the messy scramble for the favour of the ignorant rabble that made up the Republic he so despised.
The government he would serve would be Authority personified.
The Imperium would rise even higher in public esteem than any before it, the Republic would fall and Sidious' own dream Empire would never be born. All it would take was his Masters death and Harry's arrival. If it cost his own life to bring about, then that was a price he was willing to pay.
He shook off the memory of Harry's punishment, this was not an escape, he would do his best to live, but he was well aware that this act could mean his death. But this was no selfish act, this was all for Harry.
He was a necessary evil to pave the way for Harry's glorious ascension.
His Master continued his instructions. "Kenobi must die, today, by your hand. His death will be one of the last few keys that will seal Skywalker to us forever."
Curiosity piqued at that comment, he turned to face his master, "And the last, Master?"
"Padme Amidala's fate will be the point of no return. A nudge or two will be all that is needed to finalise matters."
Dooku seemed to ponder his masters answer for a moment, "I must ask, my Master, is Skywalker truly the man we want?"
Sidious leant back in his chair as he sneered at the back of his failure of an apprentice, "He is powerful. Potentially more powerful than even myself."
Dooku turned to look at his master at this, "Which is precisely why it might be best if I were to kill him, instead."
Sidious chuckled, "I imagine you have a replacement already in mind, do you not?"
"No Master! That traitor will fall before your might, he shall suffer for his actions."
Sidious chuckled at the indignant tone. "No Tyranus, Skywalker is the piece who will bring about the final destruction of the Jedi. None shall escape his wrath and fury. Not even your errant bastard."
Dooku feigned shock at the comment, let Sidious believe that Harry was his illegitimate son, any edge was useful here.
A beep from the panel beside Sidious drew his attention and, in that moment,, Dooku carefully drew his saber hilt and readied himself, taking a deep breath. With sudden fury, he leapt across the bridge, his lightsaber igniting mid jump.
But Sidious was not there.
"Did you think that I did not know?" Sidious drawled as he lit his own lightsaber from behind the chair. "You were practically screaming in the Force about your loyalty to the boy. I've known for years, but allowed you the sensation of hope. No, now I shall destroy him and all he has built to stop me."
Sidious gestured towards the battle outside where flashes of light in the distance told him more ships were arriving. Two small stars ignited where his shuttles were hidden before they and the hope they had given him faded. "As you can see, I have already sent the signal for the reserves to arrive, an entire fleet waiting for this very moment. Fresh and hungry to defeat the enemies of the Republic. You have lost your edge Tyranus. Perhaps it is better this way, an end to the old ways and the birth of a new Path."
Strangely, Dooku felt at peace for the first moment in years as he turned to face his former Master, "Only if you live."
"Very well." Sidious chuckled as he ignited his lightsaber, "A final duel between Master and Apprentice, a most fitting end to the Path of Darth Bane. Shall we?"
Dooku surged forward with the Force, directly into a flurry of blows, the clock against him.
-o-o-o-o-o-
Today was a good day in the mind of Knight Olana Chion.
Standing on the platform behind Padme Amidala as the Senate witnessed the battle above on their displays, she mentally reviewed her master's latest victory.
Being loaned by her Master to guard Padme Amidala, with the recent death threats to her person, protected her from any accusations of failure of her duties when the CHancellor was kidnapped by Grievous and Dooku. Perceptions were wonderful things if used correctly.
The Senators saw that the Chancellor was a man of honour who sacrificed his own safety to provide his bodyguard to another. He also displayed that he was close friends with Amidala through the same act, no matter the woman's own beliefs. His rivals saw that he had Jedi Knights willing to follow his orders and the Jedi in general looked even more incompetent for failing to provide suitable guards for the Chancellor in the interim.
Not that Grievous' personal attack had been expected by the republic. But the fact that a group of Jedi, including Masters, had fallen to Grievous, simply added to their terror of the cyborg. The soon to occur discovery of evidence that implicates Master Kolar as a spy for Grievous was just extra icing on the cake.
Republic Intelligence was using the opportunity to clear house of any leaks or threats on Coruscant, especially those who were threats to her Masters plans. It would surprise many in RI as to how many of their agents had been compromised by the Seps and Imperials.
Such a pity she had to sacrifice a few of her own agents alongside them. But she could recoup her loses, especially with how the lead agent on the hunt was one of hers. Poor Mothma, he would be so upset if he ever found out before his demise. Hopefully the agent could plant enough evidence to implicate Mon Mothma as well. That would be a wonderful bonus.
That woman was just too competent to not scare Chion. She was a threat to everything and Chion could do nothing about it. Not without revealing her true nature.
The Republic navy had scrambled into position suitably enough according to the displays showing the battle above. It was such a pity that there were such heavy losses amongst those commanders whose loyalty was not truly sufficient for what would soon occur.
Skywalker and Kenobi were even now trying to rescue the Chancellor and Dooku would die without her having to raise a finger.
Even better than all that, she was now trusted by Amidala and by proxy her allies whilst Skywalker owed her.
He had even said it to her face, anything she needed from him. She just had to ask.
Mentally grinning, she maintained her façade to the public, she carefully checked the bottle of perfume she had acquired from Amidala's rooms. She was torn as to how to use it best. Scenting a letter to a secret lover perhaps? Or just to wear it herself after Amidala's demise to gain another hook in Skywalker?
She understood now, the pleasure of watching your carefully lain plans bear fruit. To see your enemies destroy themselves whilst others raise you to greater heights thinking it was their own idea.
As another Republic ship was destroyed a ripple of terror rushed through the Senate Chamber, she fed upon its succulent essence, fuelling herself and growing a little stronger from the feast. A faint but very erotic buzz rushed through her veins from the pleasure of feeding upon the senator's emotions.
If only such delicious terror could be sustained indefinitely, what sweet music she would make.
-o-o-o-o-o-
Straining against his Masters hidden and formidable strength, Dooku pondered why his Master was playing with him. As it was, he had only suffered a few scorches to his flanks, nothing too much but it was slowing him. His strength was waning in the repeated clashes, his muscles ached and the cybernetics were struggling to keep up with the battle, an obvious sign that they had been tampered with by agents of Sidious for this very moment.
His time was short, he could feel the vibrant presence of Skywalker almost there, the moon of Kenobi's power orbiting him.
A quick glance over the bridge gave him no other options, nothing had gone to plan. He could shatter the bridges windows with the last of his power, as a final blow. He would die alongside his Master, but he would die free.
Sensing his apprentice's intent, "Oh, no. That will not be happening. Now to watch the intermission." With that Sidious span, knocking Dooku away with a flourish, Sidious' lightsaber blade collapsing and the hilt disappearing into his robes, just managing to settle into his seat in time for the energy shackles to trigger, less than a second before the door opened to frame Skywalker and Kenobi.
They would have only seen a distracted Dooku, desperate to win, about to kill his hostage with a lit lightsaber.
The Jedi nodded at each other and surged forward to strike at him.
Mentally Dooku chuckled as he let out a long-suffering sigh of annoyance.
Well played Sidious, well played.
-o-o-o-o-o-
Something was wrong.
The feeling of disquiet woke Harry from his warm and soft slumber. Carefully moving a blue limb, then a green one, nudging the orange and white head off his belly onto a blue one, and climbing over the gently snoring redhead, he quietly entered the bathroom and splashed some water on his face to help wake him up.
As he rested his forehead against the cool mirror, memories of last night drifted back.
They had been drinking in celebration of the end to the War.
An end to all this madness.
Either way, they had been drinking a lot and then Xora had used her pheromones to convince the others to play a game he had described once to her. Something about a bottle? Then…
Freezing in place, he carefully raised his hand and motioned the door to quietly open with the Force, taking a quick glance, he closed the door and gently head-butted the mirror with a bone-weary sigh.
Damn his Potter Luck, they were going to kill him.
Darth Abaddon laughed within his mind, amused at the young man's problems. He could have informed him, but it was more amusing this way.
Harry looked down, happy to confirm he was still wearing trousers. An excellent start, it meant he hadn't done anything too untoward. Okay... delaying action, let them clear their heads and cool down before they could get to him. Ensure he was in public for a few hours, that should prevent awkward conversations until he could plan something else and work out exactly what happened.
He wasn't running away. It was not a retreat. It was… a tactical withdrawal. Just at high speed and without waking any of them.
He quickly glanced at the chrono in the corner, just over an hour until they arrived at the scheduled rendezvous as agreed through Dooku's agent. Maybe twenty minutes for the fleet to realign. Then it was just a final jump with his strike force to bang some heads together and bring an end to the war at last.
Maybe then he could have a real holiday. Force, he needed one.
Taking a deep breath before he would attempt to escape, no not escape remember, withdraw, to the very public bridge, he looked up to look himself in the eyes.
With no warning, agony burned through his chest, grunting in pained surprise, he clutched at the source of the savage sensation and fell to his knees, eyes clasped closed. A flash of a battle filled his vision, seeing through the eyes of Dooku, the link between master and student frayed and torn but still strong enough for this.
A flood of frustration, sorrow and regret but it all resolved to peace as he accepted his fear and prepared to die proud and strong as a Son of Seranno. A blue lightsaber and Dooku's own red one crossed beneath his chin.
He looked up into the eyes of Anakin Skywalker, a sickly yellow slowly flooding through the brilliant blue. As their eyes met, Dooku smirked at his replacement. In his final moments, he could feel Harry and knew he would be avenged.
Dooku glanced out of the viewing port to see the reinforcement fleets still arriving and sent a pulse of emotion along the link, praying that Harry would understand.
A voice behind Skywalker slowly drawled a command, Palpatine's voice, "Do it!"
Without breaking eye contact, there was a flex of Skywalker's shoulders and the blades moved.
Harry gasped as he regained awareness, the savage pain in his chest fading as the link shattered, tears fell from his eyes as he understood that the last sensation sent to him had been Dooku's pride in him. In Harry, his son.
Dooku was gone.
Dead.
The closest thing to a father he had was dead.
No, that wasn't enough.
His Father was dead.
A hollow sensation filled him, Dooku was dead. He raised his hand and examined the palm in confusion, the shock of the loss too much for him to truly comprehend at that moment.
His father was dead.
A prisoner slain by Anakin Skywalker.
Anakin bloody Skywalker.
Harry's confusion ignited into rage and anger, it surged through him, filling that hollow sensation, burning clarity back to his mind, clearing the lingering pain from his flesh. His power flared and slammed out at the mere mortal walls that contained him, the metal buckling and cracking at the pressure.
Skywalker would pay for this.
Pay for a long time.
He owed him nothing less.
He stood and straightened up, rubbing at the scar on his chest without thought, unaware that the gold sand ingrained within was duller, less vibrant.
With a metallic tearing noise, the doorway peeled away to remove itself from his path as he strode with purpose and powered across the room, his armour and robes flowing around him like a liquid as he walked, an ornate box to one side shattered and a lightsaber leapt to his belt, his magic surging and the force singing in vibrant tones, the rumble of militant drums pounding through his veins as he stalked through the ship until he entered the bridge at the heart of the ship.
Woken by the static energy of his presence and power flooding the room, the ladies on his bed watched him pass them and felt the sleep burn from their minds as they wondered what had enraged him so.
Bo-Katan bit her lip as his angry aura rushed over her, shivering at his very presence. "Is he always like that?"
"Only when he is very angry," Xora responded with a harsh tone, "This is not good." She continued as she jumped off the bed and grabbed at her uniform.
Storming onto the bridge, Harry began barking orders to the bridge crew as he moved to his throne, "Navigation, prepare a route from the rendezvous to Kamino, surprise arrival as close as you can get us. Sirius, prepare orders for the rest of the fleet, transmit the new route to the fleet on arrival. Hedwig we will most likely be jumping into an ambush at the rendezvous. Kamino will be a high intensity combat zone, begin preparations for both."
He took a breath as he focused his anger on those who deserved it, "The plan is simple. Orbital bombardment of all military facilities, ground anything in the air safely but destroy anything that fights back or tries to run our blockade. Make sure the galaxy hears my message when I send it. It's not what I wanted to start with, but beggars can't be choosers."
He glanced over as the ladies hurried onto the bridge, "Count Dooku is dead, murdered after surrendering and defenceless. The CIS will begin to crumble from his death and the Republic has shown how merciful they will be."
He waited for them to join him before he continued, looking first at Riyo, "We're going to Kamino. Military targets only, I'm letting the civilians flee. I'm going to remove the clone production on arrival. That should give the CIS time to recover and to defend their worlds should they desire to do so. It will also stop any further spread of Sidious' madness."
Motioning to Bo-Katan, he pointed to tactical, "Time for you to earn your title. I've given broad commands, make them work as best you can." She nodded and moved to her post, grabbing a datapad from an aide who had transcribed the orders and nodded at what she read. Pulling a chip from her belt, she inserted it into the tactical display and began to alter her old plans for this assault with her new resources available to her.
Turning to Ahsoka, he winced before he began. "Ahsoka, I want you to hear this from me. Skywalker was the one to kill Dooku, Darth Sidious gave the order. In person."
"No!" she denied, "He wouldn't do that!"
"I saw it," Harry sighed in pained frustration, "I saw it as if I were there. The bond between Student and Master allowed me to witness it. Anakin used Dooku's own lightsaber to behead him after mutilating him and then taking him prisoner. I am so sorry Ahsoka."
Ahsoka, nodded jerkily before leaving in a rush, her emotions in turmoil. Riyo followed, giving Harry a pained look, leaving only Xora behind.
"You lied to her," She said softly as she looked at him. "You're not sorry at all."
Harry just stared at the screens before him, reviewing the fleet status, trying to block out Ahsoka's anguish to the news, her suffering flaring in pain as she searched along her own bond to sense her old master, only to feel his satisfaction and relief. "When I go after Skywalker, I want you to make sure that there is something important for her to focus on, keep her distracted."
"As you wish." Xora sighed.
-o-o-o-o-o-
In the secured Office of the Chancellor of the Republic, Palpatine stared at Anakin for nearly a minute before he began to speak, "We are friends Anakin, are we not?"
Anakin frowned, "We are, you're one of the handful I trust in this galaxy. After Chion protected Padme, how can it be anything else?"
"That is much appreciated my young friend." Palpatine said as he smiled sadly at the young man before him, "And I tell you once again, that I need no thanks for that, I am just glad she wasn't needed and it was just a ruse to draw my protection away. But I have received some disturbing news today. There are whispers and rumours within the Senate that there are those who wish to give me more emergency powers. Disturbing powers that suggest we are nearing the conspiracies goals."
Anakin leant forward in his chair at that, "How so?"
"There will be a motion for the Office of the Chancellor to take direct control of the Jedi Council." Palpatine sat back and waited for the expected explosion to begin.
"What?!" Anakin tried to articulate words for a few moments in his anger before continuing, "They can't do that!"
"I know Anakin," Palpatine said as he raised a hand to get Anakin to stop, "we both know that, but our enemies and their allies in the senate seek to shatter what few bonds remain between us. For me to take control would turn our democracy into a tyranny. So..." He took a deep breath as if preparing himself to ask something major "I need you to do something for me."
Anakin took a deep steadying breath as he slowly leant back into his chair, the arm creaking under the strain of his cybernetic hand, "How can I help?"
"I am afraid that it is too late to stop the conspiracy." Palpatine raised a hand to stop Anakin again as he continued, "They are too entrenched and we discovered them too late to stop them, their corruption has spread through too many of their number to stop this. So, I am buying us as much time as I can to allow RI to be ready to purge the threat. Perhaps take control of the conspiracy in such a fashion as to save the Republic."
He sat and stared at Anakin for a minute as if judging him before continuing, "I want you to be my personal representative on the Jedi Council. I need you to become my eyes and ears in the Jedi Council. My Voice, my Herald."
Anakin nodded respectfully at the request, "I would be honoured, but I am not a Master."
Palpatine waved that comment aside," Yet, Anakin, you are not a Master yet. Only a Master can sit upon the Council, but you have served loyally for years, you trained a Padawan. The Jedi would call her a traitor, but we both know that's not true. Yoda himself has trained a traitor to your Order has he not? Before Dooku was a Master, he was Padawan to Master Yoda, as Qui Gon Jinn was to Master Dooku, as Obi-Wan Kenobi was to Master Jinn and finally there is you."
Palpatine stood and turned to look out his window before continuing, "You are a war hero and beloved by the Republic. Kenobi joined the council after training you and his actions leading up to the war. And his record is nowhere near as impressive as your own. How many lives have you saved over the years? How can they deny you the position that is rightfully yours?"
"Okay," Anakin nodded in surprised agreement, "I'll do it. Is there anything I need to do to take on the duty?"
"No, I'll take care of everything on my end. Hopefully this will gain us enough time to weather the coming storm." He turned and smiled as he sat back in his chair, his posture much more relaxed to Anakins sight, "I am also recalling your soldiers, they will be given the very best equipment we can for what might happen. I need soldiers I can trust to be loyal and none are more loyal than you and your men."
Anakin nodded with pride, "The Five-oh-One will serve with honour, as will I. Whilst I will not leave the Jedi just yet, I would ask that you finish the process to move me fully into the military. That way I can act without delay when the time comes."
Palpatine grinned at that, "All that the documents will need, when that moment comes, will be your signature, General Skywalker."
-o-o-o-o-o-
Chion moved silently across the dark chamber, towards the pillars surrounding the source of the light in this room. Careful to make sure her footsteps were silent. It would do her no good to be found here, she knew it was important to her Master and his plans, but he didn't tell her anything about it.
Force, he wouldn't even let her near it, she had to wait with the shuttle when they visited, even though she could feel the thrum of the powerful Sith sorcery performed within. She was meant to be his apprentice, surely, he would wish to teach her such arts?
Unless this was a test.
Or a weapon that could be wielded against him.
Either way, she needed to know what was happening. So, she would find out.
Carefully, she gently reached out with the Force and felt the saturated heart of the ritual ahead. Nothing stood out as a trap, but with her Master, you could never be sure.
Step by step, she got closer to the only source of light in the large metal chamber, finally able to see within the area. On an ancient pillar carved with Sith Glyphs of power and dreams, sat a bowl of dark grey stone with a liquid swirling within, smoke pouring from its surface and the faintest sound of screams and wails on the edge of her hearing.
A tendril of the Force was sent closer and she used it to examine the presence of the stone bowl.
It was ancient and saturated with the Force, so much so, that she wondered which came first, the Bowl or the Republic?
Stepping closer, she carefully examined the relic, running her finger tips over ancient carvings that could be pictographs or sigil's of some kind. There were a few sharp lines carved into the stone in patterns that appeared to be some form of script, but she didn't recognise it. All in all, an interesting item, but she could feel that the Dark Side had been woven amongst its enchantment to twist its purpose to a new form.
The liquid in the bowl was eternally churning like a sea in a storm, flickers of silver flashed in the bowl, looking deeper, she saw thin wormlike things with flecks of black amongst their almost silvery blue glow. Here and there obsidian versions seemed to attack the others, leaving fragments of black in the victim.
The surface of the liquid was weird however, whenever a silver worm was attacked, the liquid reflected images of violence and pain. She frowned as she caught flashes of brown hair and a feminine pout before blood poured from between the lips; black gloves crushed the delicate throat in their grip; a lightsaber rising and falling upon pale flesh; a woman screaming in agony on a bed, blood pouring from between her legs.
Chion staggered back as the nightmarish presence of the images grew too much and she laughed.
This? This was how Sidious was breaking through Skywalker's resolve and faith. Harming his rest, constant nightmares of death and pain usually inflicted by his own hand, betrayals of those closest to him.
It was impressive, but he would break under this, he would be too brittle mentally to be worthy of his future role. No, this needed a woman's touch. Smirking to herself, she carefully pulling a hair pin and touched the liquid, nothing reacted, so she pulled a thread from the edge of her sleeve and dipped that, again there was no reaction. Gently, she placed the tip of her finger in the liquid and went to yank it back at the first contact but felt a tugging and falling sensation to find herself within a misty space.
Blinking in shock, she looked around and saw the faint ripples of the silver worms flowing around the edges of the space.
She stepped back with a desire to be out of here and back in the chamber, swiftly followed by the same sensation as before to find her pulling her finger from the liquid.
She shook off the surprise and searched herself and the surroundings in the Force, afraid she had set off an alarm. When nothing happened for a few minutes, she nodded to herself, steeling her will and touched the liquid once more with her finger.
Rapidly, she found herself suffering the same sensations as before and found herself standing in the misty area once more.
Reaching out, she touched one of the silvery thread worm things and the misty area was suddenly replaced to show Anakin Skywalker having passionate sex with Padme Amidala in a silk covered bed in a candle lit room.
Chion took a deep breath in shock and collapsed to her knees with a deep moan at the rush of emotions running through her from the scene. Shuddering on the floor as her nerves fired in exquisite sensation, she gasped as she forced herself away and found she had returned to the misty area.
It took her a moment to calm her breathing and slow her pulse, but licking her lips, she found herself hungering for that sensation. To feel that passion and lust focused upon her.
Oh, how intoxicating it could be.
It amazed her how primal and vibrant Skywalkers passions burned within him. If he was half as strong in the Force as his passions felt, then he was a titan amongst men.
A titan that would be hers.
Readying herself, she grabbed out at one of the black ones and found herself in a barren and frozen wasteland, Anakin stood tall and powerful surrounded with the ruined flesh of his enemies, his armour black and smoky, the robes beneath black and dark grey. His lightsaber, burning like fire from the heart of a sun, was pulsing in match with his heartbeat. A manic grin of pleasure and victory shone upon his face.
Reaching out with the Force, she felt the vision ripple at her presence, a body in the mass disappeared and she found herself standing before her, ruined and broken. Chion touched the body and raised an eyebrow as her fingers seemed to ghost within the shattered form, healthy pink flooding out from the point of contact and the flesh was intact and unblemished. She removed her finger and it returned to the state from before.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the image of her corpse and found herself immersed into the vision. She watched in awe as Skywalker met his foes and began carving through them, a dragon fighting an army of children.
They had no chance.
Looking down, she found herself armed and armoured. Smirking, she removed the armour, leaving herself in her robes alone and her lightsaber at her belt. Frowning at her plan, she removed those as well and walked towards him as naked as the day she was born.
She watched as he massacred his rivals, standing victorious once more and stepped over the corpses of his victims to reach him. She ran a finger over his shoulder and he turned with blade raised to cut her down and his image stuttered for a second. The Sorcery confused as to how to continue, it was created to corrupt and show violence against those it fought, and a naked woman was not part of its design or purpose.
She gently took its face and pulled it closer to meet its lips with her own, showing it every iota of the passion running through her.
With a flicker the vision reset.
This time her body was waiting for her.
Chion smirked as she began to replay her actions and adjust the vision, this time, rather than gently turn him around, she grabbed his shoulder and forced him to turn, plundering his mouth with her own.
A flicker.
A reset.
This time her body was already naked but with her long hair lose, rather than in her usual bun. Chion raised an eyebrow at that, apparently the Sorcery had liked it when her hair fell lose.
She laughed and began to work, sculpting the Sorcery with her desire and intent.
It took what felt like days to twist it into her desired shape and finally she pulled free of the vision, moaning at the sense of loss, of its fiery passion taking her for its own, gasping and shuddering at the images running through her mind of her creation. Oh, how she wanted to feel that in reality. To know she had broken him to her Will and for him to thank her for it.
Smirking she sat up and chuckled in pleasure before a flicker of obsidian caught her attention.
The wormlike thread had twisted and folded upon itself, leaving an obsidian worm with pulsing veins of sanguine red throughout its form, pulsing with the beat of her heart.
Laughing, she watched as it moved to attack one of the silvery blue threads when an obsidian one surged forward to strike at her creation.
Anger and rage roared through her and she grabbed out at it, tearing it free of the mist and holding it in her hand, wriggling as it struggled to free itself. Snarling, she grabbed out at the other obsidian threads, yanking them from the mix, crushing them into a mass in her hand, until they were barely struggling and as she pondered what to do now. Glancing around, she saw no more of them and the mist seemed lighter and more peaceful.
Her master would know something had changed, he would sense the balance being adjusted, she needed to do something quickly. Glancing at the mass of squirming nightmares in her hand, she looked up and watched the mist darken around her creation as it moved. Smirking, she had her answer.
Touching her creation, she returned to the vision, and ignoring the image of her naked body, she walked straight up to the image of Anakin at the centre.
Where before, he was armoured and robed in full, now he stood tall and proud without armour, a God made flesh as he had no need of such mortal protection. His lightsaber, now replaced with a blade of crystal, its fiery core still pulsing in time with the beat of his heart. Previously, the bodies had been scorched and the hideous wounds cauterised, now they were flayed and torn open, vital blood pouring from them to stain the ground which drank thirstily at such a gift from its master.
Unlike before, where it was unaware of her presence until she became part of the story, it turned its head to follow her steps, waiting for her at the centre of the butchery.
Its eyes roved over her form, full of violence and hunger. It reached towards her and she now found herself naked, its iron hand almost close enough to grab hold of her. In amusement at its daring, she allowed the tips of its talons to touch her skin before she raised a hand before it, palm towards it to signal it to stop, acknowledging its mistress it did as commanded.
She knew then that it could only take from her what she offered or desired.
She was the Master, it the servant.
Stepping within its reach, she watched as its hunger intensified at being denied and she smiled as she placed the mass before its lips, "Eat. Eat and grow strong."
And it did.
-o-o-o-o-o-
As Thunderchild and its massive escort fleet burst into the Kamino system, much deeper than anyone had expected such a fleet to be capable of, it hacked every comms system it could and overrode whatever signal was there.
The sudden silence from all the comms systems and speakers across the world demanded everyone's attention for the few moments it lasted, before the silence was shattered by a thunderous sounding of horns that vibrated the very bones of those hearing it.
As people screamed and reeled from the cacophony, stunned by its intensity, a shadow fell upon the military bases and a cloud of fighters and troop transports descended.
The invasion force designed to take Coruscant itself was sent to act in their Emperors name.
In the civilian cities, tactical strikes lanced down from above, destroying any military asset they could find with precision. Any ships that were in the air soon found fighters driving them to the surface of the water or to land in the cities. Soldiers swept through every street, every room, hunting in every corner with their weapons set to stun.
Any resistance was immediately stunned, those who fought back outside of appearing to defend their families were executed by a blades edge, there would be no collateral damage from stray shots. Any clones were gathered and brought to the central squares and plazas of each city, where they were executed with a single shot to the back of the skull and their bodies dumped in a pile.
Treated less than broken droids thrown on a scrapheap.
Orbital fire lanced down on the city sized clone facilities, slagging them and leaving only glowing wreckage. Droids then entered the remains and hunted out what pockets of resistance remained.
Grown adult to new-born, failed or flawless, they were all slain where they stood. Every Kaminoan scientist and technician present, joined them in death.
Hedwig and Sirius led the hunt for any Jedi, using a number of the Vigiles present as hounds to seek out the Force users present. Padawans were captured alive and intact, Knights were given the chance to surrender before being cut down if they refused. The few Masters present attacked before they were offered the choice and joined those Knights who fought back.
The expected conflict against Master Shaak Ti never occurred. They found her in the ruined bunker that had once been the command centre for the city sized facility, buried and impaled under a collapsed support beam and armour panels. Her blood slowly seeping out from the metal impaling her and staining the floor red.
Nearby, a group of clones struggled to dig themselves out from the wreckage as Master Shaak Ti used her waning strength and the Force to save as many as she could by holding the wreckage from crushing them, buying them time with every heartbeat to escape a crushing death.
The last words she heard, were from Sirius, "You at least were worthy of respect."
A single cut of his blade ended all their lives.
Above all this, in orbit, the space station exploded in a corona of fire and a meteor shower began to appear in the skies on the night side of the world as the fragments fell.
By the end of the tenth hour, no single clone soldier was left alive on the planet. Kamino had been crushed with overwhelming force.
In all that time, Harry never moved from his throne on the bridge of Thunderchild, watching the array of screens depicting his forces actions. His eyes taking in everything that was done in his name.
Within another hour, no Imperial soldier or weapon remained on the world as the fleet began its return home, leaving only three words as their message for why they had done this.
"Justice for Dooku."
In the years following the war, the survivors of Kamino would thank the Imperium for its unintended mercy.
-o-o-o-o-o-
AN:
Having now watched the latest Star Wars film and finished playing Fallen Order, some of you will be wondering if I'm going to include these into my story. Whilst there are aspects that are of interest, I will not be adjusting my story for the new information. There might be expansion towards those new elements in future work or side stories, such as the Inquisitorius training facility, but I'm keeping to my version of canon.
I never liked the defined travel speeds of the new films, much preferring the old hand waving from before and the speeds from the rpg's. One thing that annoyed me about the 2nd of the latest films is why didn't the Order just jump part of its fleet ahead and cut off the Rebels escape, it wouldn't have been too hard to do and then just rinse and repeat until they run out of fuel trying to escape the blockade.
The third film is good, don't get me wrong, but personally, it was a distinct shift from how I was hoping the story would go. But, whilst it's not my usual cup of tea, I'm also a supporter of Stormpilot as a ship, Finn and Poe for those who don't know that ship name, but what do I know :)
Frustrations aside, I love Fallen Order, the depictions of the worlds are brilliant, flavourful and the final "fight" gave me goosebumps. Will they do a sequel? Probably and hopefully, I'd look forward to seeing where they go with it. But I would warn people that it's much easier to play with a pad than a keyboard and mouse. It was definitely designed for a console.
Also, in regards to the scene with Harry and the ladies waking in bed together, let me confirm that this isn't a Harem story. I actually took inspiration for it from an event that happened to my wife at university before I met her. A bunch of her friends took her back to her room in student accommodation whilst they were all drunk, they dumped her on her bed and then sat down in her room, just to catch their breath before leaving. The next thing they know, the alarm is going off and its eight in the morning, they all have hangovers, aches from sleeping in chairs and fully dressed. She was seen letting a bunch of people out of her room in the morning. Not the best image to give people, but completely innocent when explained. Not that many actually bothered to ask her, they just assumed.
Thank you to the following:
EndingF4te; AnimeA55Kicker; Comodo50; Stars90; Peachx89; Bloodwolf432; Starboy454; Lawbringer; Wolpe; Frisbeeg70; Lady Evangeline Potter; Mwinter1; FawkesPheonix; Celex Draconia; Red Demon161; Ice Fire and Blood; Black Magic99; Scorcher948; Fraewyn; William and Jack and Jake; Penny is wise; Jerm069; Balagor; Bellapom; .9279; D72; Beatshield; Neon1311; Rswknight; Seros109; Ianramos22; L4w; JPElles; Erebus D Thanatos; Mist of Rainbows; Jostanos; Alertpoet91; Vukk; Sergeant Sargent II; Gavinelo; Mecaldar; SirRussell; Moozga; S.k.f.f.f; Katsuhito; Michaelkoc1; Cameron1812; The Shadow Knows; Sao for Life; ptrtool1999
To all my Guests: Thank you for your support.
Lord of Carrion: It was Dooku, not Sidious who technically unleashed the Rakghouls, the cure was to protect that which is important to him, the rest of the galaxy can go hang as far as he is concerned, he owes them nothing. Plus it would take time, but Harry or his descendants would have the resources to reclaim the lost worlds and expand with little to no opposition. If he gets his retirement out of it as well, then he'd be happy. He is just aware, that his chances to see that dream are just that, a dream.
Bearmauls: Vasuki built his fortress of Yushan to protect his people. The tales told about him were warnings and guidance for him to follow. As for Padme, as many of us do, she is blind to the faults of the man she loves. Although I personally agree, she could have done so much better than with Skywalker, but that's the path her character was taken in the films.
Minaly 22: That quote is one I used a long time ago when playing a Necromancer who had a side speciality in making golems in D&D. Its stuck with me since and I enjoy it popping up every so often.
Ariadne Venegas: Harry has a tendency to run off and do things without waiting for support, he also has so much to do, that he keeps sending his Children off on missions or to protect the ones he cares about. What happened to Terra is going to be touched slightly on in the Echoes of Imperium stories. Nothing too spoilery, but I plan on putting a few hints in there to be found. Just got to write those chapters. As for your other notes, spoilers!
Trey of the Rebellion: Give me a message as to what you are using, I'm always happy to hear about things like that. As a GM, I love seeing people use my work and have fun :)
BaddieDZ2: Thank you for your several reviews of how utterly bad I am, but to quote a writer I am very fond of, "If you don't like it, Don't read it." I am an amateur, I spend my spare time, of which I have very, very little, writing stories for others to enjoy. I am always trying to improve my skills but I am not paid for this work. Calling me a brain dead ape, is not a helpful comment and comments like this put off many new writers looking to share their joy. I hope you find better works to read in your future.
Hvm2k2: The name was chosen for a reason, but Mara's parentage is already set in my mind. As for timeline, the Wizarding World is long, long ago in the past of the Star Wars setting for my story.
ZhaWarudo: Thank you. 7/10 is better than I expect to get with my skills at writing. As for his interest in Hermione, it's something I read in the books, but wasn't explored as it should have been. I wanted to expand into it, but without a dozen chapters for a prequel, I didn't have the opportunity to play with it at the start. It will be a major element later, although I will admit that his fixation on Hermione isn't healthy. There were 2 years of down time between his arrival and the start of his work for Dooku, he picked up a lot of useful skills, but hacking wasn't really one of them, he had technicians and specialists for that. He just had a review over their work and treated it as his, as many managers do. Kingdom building wise, I may expand into that to give background to matters in some side stories, but it wasn't relevant to this story, so I left it aside. As for Harry's advantage against the Jedi, most of that is surprise. They don't know or understand his abilities, so when he pulls reality altering affects out of nowhere, the surprise usually gives him a distinct advantage, not that it really helps against some people, especially if repeating something they are aware of. A lot of his time in the Senate was actually bravado and stopping the real threats from doing anything, if they had called his bluff, he would have been defeated. As for Harry being surrounded by women, that's simply because they are competent and available for him to recruit. By the way, can you message me and point me towards the forum chat you mentioned, if its public, I'd like to read your debate.