Author Notes

So this story is already longer than the other ones and could go on for a while. As long as readers enjoy it that is all that matters.

Rule34Economy 4

Star Wars 5

The Infinity and Beyond. In Orbit of Ruusan.

While the Clone Wars raged across many worlds in this galaxy things were peaceful here on Ruusan. The mission we'd been hired for, to take a certain Senator to Rodia, wasn't going to happen for a couple of more weeks. This gave waifu plenty of time to finish building their lightsabers, for further study, and for the bioroids to work on the base that Andromeda was having built down on the planet.

As for me, I was practising with my newly improved powers. By now one of the empty space on the ship had been massively expanded by magic and then sealed off so that no passengers would stumble across it. This room would only be used for training by waifu and myself, leaving the gym free for guests or for the waifu who just wanted to do some more normal kinds of exercise.

I was wearing my new armour. A suit based on that worn by High Guard officers which had been modified slightly so as to not impede my fighting style, and with magic spells cast upon so that many kinds of attacks would simply bounce off the armour or fail to break it. Also I had a helmet to go with the armour which would keep me safe from gas attacks and give me other forms of vision if I ever needed them. It even made my voice sound much more intimidating than it normally did, but to avoid looking like a Sith Lord I wasn't going to wear a cape or a robe.

"Start them up," I said to Tonks.

At the start of this level of the game, I'd given the former Aurora authority of the ship's security, and that included the bioroids and robots that would protect the ship if it was ever boarded as well as escort us when we ventured off the ship. My encounter with Dooku on Tatooine had made it clear to me that I needed some bodyguard droids, so Rommie had repaired the Mangadroids that Ahsoka and I had demolished while on that sand-covered rock.

"Yes, Captain," said the witch.

While the droids, which had modified and dressed in a version of the High Guard body armour for extra protection, were meant to protect me, they were also here to help me train, and with a verbal command from Tonks they started up the training exercise and attacked me. Their electro-staffs were active but on a low setting so they could not do me any real harm with their weapons.

This didn't stop them acting as if this was a real battle, and soon I was on the move, as I had to dodge the electrified ends of the staffs. In the past I'd had trouble with just two of these droids, however, as I was now much stronger than I had been I was able to duel four of the machines.

Now under Andromeda's command, as she oversaw the actions of all the droids on board this ship, be they bioroids or metal ones even if Tonks was in charge of them, the bodyguard droids attacked. I let the raw power of the Force flow through me as my silver blade met the ends of the electro-staffs.

I kept up a solid defence, blocking every strike no matter what angle it came from as the robots backed me into a corner, preventing me from going anywhere and greatly limiting the movements of my sabre. They should have easily beaten me at this point, but I lashed out with the Force and sent two of the droids across the room, and two droids at my sides staggered back as they tried to remain upright. They both failed and soon fell over.

This gave me a chance to strike. Before the droid to my left could return to its feet I'd jumped onto it and I removed its head before bringing my sabre around to block a blow from the droid which had been on my right. That machine had recovered quickly, and the droid I'd decapitated wasn't out of the fight just yet, but it would need another second or two to return to its feet and other droids were only just getting up so I had a moment to turn my attention to the droid that was attacking me.

One on one these droids were no longer a match for me, and in short order, I cut its staff in half as well as the droid as I lept and performed a powerful downwards strike. This meant that there were now only three droids active during this training session, and two of them would need a moment to reach me, a such I was able to finish off the headless droid with a blast of deadly magical lightning.

While spells were much easier to perform with a staff or a wand a mage such as myself could use spells without such tools at the cost of more strain on the spellcaster. This was why I didn't simply blast two remaining droids with Dragon Age style magic, as even trying would have left me drained to the point that I'd be unable to perform during the next part of this training session.

The two droids came at me, with one attacking directly while the other tried to circle around me. I made sure not to drop my guard and reacted to the movement of both droids. Since I couldn't pull off the same trick as before. I tried something different.

I jumped and landed behind one of the bodyguard droids, and sliced in two lengthwise, separating the torso from the legs in a single smooth motion that I was sure looked very cool. The last remaining droid was not like an organic creature that might have decided to run upon seeing all its comrades in pieces on the floor, no it kept up the attack, trying to strike me.

This time I used a gun, my phase pistol, to finish off the droid. While my sabre kept the staff from striking me I reached with my left hand and shot the droid on the stun setting, this did nothing to the droid, but Andromeda registered as a kill shot and had the droid stand down.

"Clear this up and repair them, I'll want to practice again soon" I ordered Andromeda.

A group of bioroids, who I didn't practice against like I did the metal droids as they could actually feel pain, quickly came in and picked up the pieces. When they left the still standing bodyguard robot went with them. They would all soon be in working order again.

"Your turn," I said to Tonks.

Like me, the former Auror wore a modified version of Highguard armour, only without the helmets that had been built recently as there were no chances of gas attacks or distracting smoke during these training sessions. The CIS didn't tend to use such things despite how much sense it made to arm your robot army with weapons that only effect organics such as toxic gases, harmful chemicals, and even fire if it didn't get too hot would not melt any droids. Yet the droids kept using only blasters and some heavy weapons. An oversight in my view, and perhaps one done on purpose by the Sith.

"I'm going to kick your arse" Tonks promised.

She lit up her lightsaber, which had a pink blade due to the use of the colour changing charm on the crystal Tonks had bonded with, and then she charged me. This was foolish as while the spirits of the Valley had shared their knowledge and power with us, as much as they could, I was the only member of our group that had actually used a lightsaber in combat outside of memories so Tonks just went right past me with a needlessly powerful swing. She'd built her lightsaber quickly, but she was not prepared to use the weapon in battle.

"It is your arse that will be kicked," I told the witch.

More likely spanked as I was so into that.

"Captain you have an incoming call from the Naboo Embassy on Courscant," the ship's AI let me know.

We'd have to get back to the training later as a certain Senator would be wanting to make arrangements with me for the transporting of herself and supplies to the world of Rodia.

(Line Break)

Nar Shadda. Hutt Space.

Aurra Sing, also known as Nashtah, was once a female Jedi Padawan, but following a series of tragedies and misfortunes, she left the Jedi Order to become a vicious bounty hunter who specialized in Jedi and political assassinations. These days she spent most of her time in the employ of Count Dooku, who now had another job for her. He'd been sending a lot of credits here way since even before the Clone Wars had started as the leader of the CIS had needed many people dealt with during his rise to power.

His small hologram was now displayed on the control console on her small space-going vessel. Sing was a well-paid bounty hunter and while her starship didn't look at all impressive that was a surface impression she'd created on purpose, she'd invested quite a lot of her pay into this craft, and it was far more than it appeared to be where it really counted.

"Count Dooku," she said, "You have work for me?".

There could be no other reason, the leader of the CIS didn't make social calls, at least not with the likes of her.

"I have a task for you Aurra Sing" the older gentlemen confirmed "Soon the Senator of Naboo will be visiting the planet of Rodia, and while there she will be handed over to Viceroy Nute Gunray. With her will be a former Jedi by the name of Gothic, I wish for you to oversee the transfer of the Senator to the Viceroy's custody, and should this Gothic interfere you will slay him".

Neither Dooku or his master could be sure that his Gothic had anything to do with the recent turmoil in the Force, but they couldn't rule him out either. He could be a threat or even an asset, either way, testing him seemed like a good idea. If Sing killed Gothic then he was dealt with and was unlikely to have been important, but if he escaped Sing he was worth further investigation, should he kill Sing then all they'd lost was a bounty hunter. If worst came to worse Gunray should be able to escape while the bounty hunter battled the former Jedi. The Viceroy was a coward who would run at the first sign of danger.

"Jedi kills are expensive" Aurra reminded the count.

This wouldn't be the first time she'd killed a Force-user for the CIS leader.

"You will be paid well," assured the Count "but do not fail me".

Those who had been corrupted by the dark side were not known for their forgiving natures.

"Met with Gunray" Dooku ordered, "He will supply you with the details and forward you whatever amount of credits you desire as a down payment".

With that, the hologram turned off and a set of coordinates were soon set to the bounty hunter who used them to set a course once she'd gotten out of the moon's atmosphere and into open space.

(Line Break)

The Infinity and Beyond. Hyperspace.

"We'll be coming out of hyperspace soon," I said the Senator as I entered the hanger bay.

Already the two shuttles here and Padme's own ship were getting load with the vital supplies arranged by Padme to be sent to Rodia in its time of need. Unlike in the show, the Senator had an entire cruiser taking her to Rodia so she arranged for many supplies to be sent to the struggling world.

When I insisted on taking down a small army of the armoured and masked bioroids, she started throwing her political weight around. Not her actual weight as that wouldn't have been at all effective and was a skinny and short person.

"This is a peacekeeping mission, Captain Gothic. Diplomacy is needed here, not more warmongering" she chided me "Sending me down with squads of armed troops will only send the wrong message to the people of Rodia".

I closed my eyes and employed an ancient Jedi exercise to help clear the mind of emotions that I'd learned from one of the freed spirits. Not to suppress them as the Jedi of old hadn't been so into that as the modern versions, but there were times when becoming upset simply didn't help, and you needed to think more clearly. This was one of those times.

While thinking about what to do I reminded myself that I could not simply mind trick the senator into agreeing with me as she was too strong-willed, but I couldn't let her go off and get captured as the Chancellor had sent me a recorded message making it clear that if I wanted to get paid and earn more goodwill from the Republic, which would lead to more jobs, then this was Padme's mission, and I was to do my very best to keep her safe while following her orders.

At least while on the planet, no one but me was the master of my ship, and until now Skywalker's secret wife had been well behaved. We'd even dined together, a chance for me to use my food lure on her, and we'd had what I thought to be a rather stimulating debate on current galactic matters. Now she was certainly taking her role seriously, and not caring that this made my so much job harder.

"Senator Amidala, in order to fulfil my contract, which is to keep you safe until you return to Coruscant" I was now saying "I need to actually protect you and that means landing with my troops. If nothing else they can unload the supplies".

She did not look pleased with my suggestion. It was if she wanted to get into some kind of trouble. That could be the case. I'd sensed that she was both lonely and frustrated. Maybe she kept ending up dangerous situations because it led to her getting attention, and it often did result in her seeing her husband who could be away for months at a time due to the war.

"Captain Gothic, I've known Senator Farr since I was a child," she said to me "I am in no danger while on Rodia".

That simply wasn't true.

"Senator I sense that you are in danger" I warned her.

While the turmoil within the Force did prevent me from getting a clear look at the future, I could sense danger ahead, and I'd seen the Clone Wars show so I knew what could happen down there.

"My Uncle's world is in crisis and his people are starving" she replied, "I won't add to his problems by bringing soldiers to his peaceful city".

I tried to reason with her.

"You've been the target of bounty hunters before" I reminded Padme "and Rodia is far from the Core worlds. There could be Separatists in the area".

She turned and gave me a small smile.

"I know that you left the Jedi Order, but I'm sure that you're no less capable than any Jedi Knight," she said, "I'll be quite safe with you".

Appealing to my male pride wasn't a bad idea of hers, and she was right to an extent as even when pretending to be Jedi that creature known as Jar Jar Blinks (who I'd refused to allow on my ship as he was a clear health and safety violation) had been able to help Padme out, so I shouldn't have much trouble. Yet I could not help feeling that it would be foolish to go down there without some firepower.

"At least allow a small escort" I insisted "Myself and a couple of my crew, to act as an honour guard".

She decided that a few people acting as an honour guard would not be deemed an insult by her Uncle. For me, it meant that since I wouldn't have a small army with me down on the planet that I'd have to come up with another plan for when the poodoo hit the air circulation system.

(Line Break)

Landing Bay. Rodia.

The Senator's Nubian transport and my shuttles arrived at a group of facilities meant for the loading and unloading of supply ships. Given how empty the place was it became clear to me just how desperate the people here must be. If they didn't have the means locally to support their civilization and there were no supplies coming in then it helped to explain why the Rodians were so desperate that the local senator would take Nute Gunray up on his offer.

Amidala, who was wearing a white coloured set of clothing, that included a blouse and pants, with a dark coloured cloak draped over one shoulder, walked out of her ship as the droids she'd brought with her, simple machines meant for simple tasks, began to unload some of the supplies she'd brought with her.

As my two shuttles opened up, one piloted by Isabela the other by Andromeda remotely, as Rommie was back on Ruusan, I quickly left the shuttle I'd ridden down on. With Hoshi and T'pol at my side, we moved over to the Senator, who already had Tonks with her as a bodyguard.

We were soon led to an open courtyard, that looked like a great place for an ambush. The Senator we met there and Padme exchanged greetings in Rodian which only Hoshi would even try to translate, and my attention was directed towards the danger I knew was coming rather the words being spoken.

"You are talking about a friendship I could not see, Padme," said Ferr as we were walked through the courtyard.

I drew on the Force and used it to expand my senses. Droids were hard to detect, but not impossible to pick up if you knew what to look for, as while they were not living things, they still existed and they were causing the local wildlife some disturbances.

"Where was the Republic when our ships were decimated?!" the xenos leader was now asking "Where was it while my people are starving? We were left out here alone! Isolated without help from anyone!".

The local senator was quite agitated. I could feel his anger, fear and shame. He was not happy about he was being forced to do.

"Uncle we've brought supplies" Padme insisted "there's much more on the ship and soon the Senate will...".

He didn't let her finish.

"I'm sorry. It is too late" Ferr lamented as he shook his head.

Padme was now very upset.

"Uncle, what did you do?" she demanded to know.

Any moment now she'd find out, and I was now wondering what else was coming aside from droids, there was a presence I'd not felt before. Something dangerous and strong in the dark side was on its way here. One of Dooku's dark Jedi perhaps?

"I am sorry, my dear. Nute Gunray, the leader of the Separatist faction of the Trade Federation has promised us generous help" the alien said, "I must do what is best for my people".

Now was the time for me to act.

"Tonks get her back to the ship!" I ordered.

Of course, I'd planned ahead. Tonks would apparate Padme back to the shuttle and then take off if I commanded her to, with Andromeda controlling the shuttle while Tonks altered the Senator's memory just enough that she wouldn't recall exactly how she got back to the shuttle.

"Hey! What do you think you are doing?!" Amidala yelled out as she vanished along with Tonks.

We were soon surrounded by twenty B-1's and a couple of Super Battle droids. Most of them were pointing their weapons at Hoshi, Isabela, T'pol and I. We all activated our lightsabers, and that made the Rodians with us start to panic. Thankfully for everyone involved the droids didn't open fire without any orders to and the local senator was too shocked to even think of giving such an order.

"Call the Viceroy and tell him you have captured the Senator," I said, using the Force to encourage the command "and then stand down these machines".

He did as I ordered. This was good as I'd hate to kill the guy. All I'd have to do once he'd made the call was alter a few memories and then wait for the Viceroy to make his appearance so I could capture him. The bounty on that alien had to be a big one given all the trouble he caused.

(Line Break)

Landing Bay. Rodia.

After some memories were modified, and promises were made, it was time to ambush and capture the Trade Federation Viceroy. If successful the Rodians would not suffer for their betrayal, it wouldn't be mentioned to anyone in the Senate, and Padme promised that more supplies would be sent. Heck, I'd be happy to hunt down the pirates who were raiding the shipping if the bounty for Gunray turned out to be high enough.

I waited in the shadows behind a stack of crates near the landing pad as did some of my waifu and a whole squad of bioroids. A terrified Senator Ferr and a bunch of his underlings who were formed in half-circle now stood in front of the location where the Neimoidian ship was supposed to land and they made up the expected welcoming committee.

They even had a squad of B-1s as an escort. Apparently, the droids stationed here were at Ferr's command, as they been gifted to him by Gunray. I felt sure that they'd turn on the Rodian leader if Gunray ordered it, so I'd made sure that my waifu knew to use their magic to silence anyone from the CIS who had a mouth to speak with so that they couldn't issue any commands to the robots, that kind of magic was not visible so no one would see it happen and it would wear off soon after the battle was done as such it wouldn't prevent any questioning.

I'd also made it clear to everyone involved that any organic members of the CIS needed to be stunned as they were worth more alive, and not just for a share of the bounty, which the Rodian people could use to buy more supplies, but also because they needed to be questioned.

A large transport was now heading our way, and all seemed to be going as planned, aside from the fact that there were a pair of vultures were escorting the Viceroy's craft but they broke off and headed back to space. There was a Trade Federation ship up in orbit that they could dock with.

Up there was a Lucrehulk-class battleship which was the primary capital ship of the Trade Federation's Defense Force. Most Lucrehulks were modified from enormous cargo hauliers. Upgraded and modified versions were later used by the CIS Navy for the war going on these days. That vessel had no idea that my cruiser was nearby and that upon my signal it would ambush the battleship. Not that I needed to as we'd already signalled the Republic, who should have ships and plenty of clones on the way, even a few Jedi.

As it came closer the transport turned around so that its engines and the loading ramp in its back was now pointed towards the waiting delegates as the small vessel landed. Soon the shuttle's ramp slid to the ground revealing Nute Gunray who was escorted by a pair of B-1's and another of his race, as well as a cloaked figure who stank of the dark side. She, I could sense a female presence, could be one of the dark Jedi who followed Dooku. I'd sensed a more distant danger early on she must be it.

The mere presence of the robed humanoid made me very glad that Hermloine had found a design for an amulet that could mask a person's presence in the Force. Merril had used wood from a tree used to make wands and carved them into amulets while also making some charms that the Dalish elves believed would bring people good fortune. If the good luck charms worked or not I didn't know, but the amulets kept the presence of myself and the waifu hidden form nearby Force Users.

Once we actually used our powers the amulets would be of limited use, but the element of surprise was not to be underestimated.

"The citizens of Rodia salute you!" the local leader greeted.

Ferr made a theatrical bow to Gunray.

"Yes, yes, as they should. Now, where is the Senator?" asked an impatient Viceroy.

She was close by.

"Up in the tower," said the Rodian.

The plan called for the Viceroy to be moving towards the tower when we struck was foiled by the robed figure who stopped the Seperists from leaving the landing bay, and I knew that this was the time to signal the ambush. When the waifu and bioroids started their work I raced towards the robed figure, knowing that I was the only one with a chance of stopping her.

When the robe dropped to the groud the woman, who must be Aurra Sing, flipped backwards to avoid my lightsaber strike, the silver blade nearly claiming her life in all the confusion caused by the ambush.

"Sneaky," said the pale-skinned woman as I chased after her "An ambush, not typical for a Jedi".

For some reason, I smiled upon hearing that.

"I am no Jedi," I told Aurra Sing.

She flipped a few more times, showing off some impressive acrobatics as she jumped on to the roof of a nearby building. Easily avoiding a few shots that were sent her way.

"She's mine," I said over the comm "Secure the Viceroy, don't let him call his ship".

Some Jedi would be here soon. I didn't need the Force to tell me that, but Sing would fall to my blade. I had to take her out, as if I didn't she'd just come after me again, and I felt guided towards that action. When I got up on the roof, having jumped that high with the aid of the Force, I began to channel the power of the dark side, I could use both the light and the dark, and as they were simply two sides of the same coin, and I knew that to stop either side corrupting me I just had to use both as evenly as possible.

Aurra Sing's red bladed lightsaber met my silver blade in a frenzy of action. I could tell that like myself she had once been a Jedi Padawan, and she had more experience fighting Force Users than I did, but I had been to the Valley. If I'd not she would have taken me by surprise with powerful Force Push. Alas for her I was prepared and I was able to use my own powers to steady myself.

After that, I went on the offensive letting the dark side fill me as we traded blows. I had more raw power and the wisdom of many Master had been imparted to me, perhaps not fully, but the sheer amount of knowledge of the Force I had because of the experiencing was staggering. Still, I couldn't contain all that information and many of my waifu were spending time making records of their new information.

This was not the time for me to consider such things as I was deep in the Force, or the Force was deep within me, perhaps both, who knew? And Sing was on the defensive. I could feel her rage and her pain, Aurra Sing was one of the most powerful and ruthless bounty hunters in the galaxy. Had she taken me on from range she could have escaped me, but close up I was the better warrior.

She possessed a great hatred of Jedi, believing that they had abandoned her, I didn't know why, sensing things the Force wasn't something that precise, but I could feel her hatred towards the Jedi. I had no rage towards her, I just wanted to take down a threat, so I did not let the dark side consume me, and in the end, I proved to be the superior warrior.

With my sheer power and strength, I battered down the dangerous woman's defences and removed part of the arm that held her lightsaber, then I summoned her weapon to my left hand before it could vanish into the streets below. I wanted my trophy.

When she lashed again with the Force I was actually driven back, and nearly overbalanced. I'd taken my focus off her for just a moment, and that had been enough for her to strike at me with the Force. I needed to be more careful in the future and to only collect my trophies from the dead.

While cradling her injured arm she ran, leaping from rooftop to rooftop and I had been a mere Jedi she might have gotten away, but I was no fool in robes, and I had my magical powers so I quickly placed Sing's lightsaber in my pouch of holding, the corrupted crystal could be healed later, and took out my wand.

The Impediment Hex that I sent at Sing only hinders the movement of the target, slowing it down or stopping it in its tracks. It was only temporary, lasting on average for a few seconds, but that was more than enough time for me to use Force Speed to catch up with the bounty hunter and to remove her head with my lightsaber.

As he rolled away I realised that I had just killed someone. I'd not done anything so savage until now, and as the dark side left me I felt revulsion about what had just happened. Then I reminded myself that she'd come here to kill me, this had been self-defence, I was not a murderer.

Upon hearing a noise I looked up and saw some Republic ships coming down close to the city, with smaller vessels now heading in for a landing. Hopefully, they would have the supplies the people of Rodia needed, and with a military presence in the system, the pirates would scatter. Perhaps they'd return or move on elsewhere, but that wasn't my concern as I wasn't here to solve the galaxy's problems.

(Line Break)

The Works. Courscant.

This place was once a manufacturing powerhouse known throughout the galaxy. However, the businesses which operated within The Works were eventually driven elsewhere due to the increasing cost of doing business on Coruscant, leaving the once-booming industrial sector neglected and abandoned. As such, they made a fine hiding place for the Sith while operating in this world.

At the start of the Clone Wars, Count Dooku arrived in the Coruscant tower located here in The Works to inform his Sith Master, Darth Sidious, that the war between the Republic and Separatists had begun. The Dark Lord had been pleased with the news, as it brought them a step closer to the completion of the Sith's plans.

Palpatine was not so pleased with this latest development, but nor was he unhappy, as while the Senator from Naboo was still around and capable of interfering with his plans, and the fool Nute Gunray had been captured they had at least been able to test the former Jedi known as Gothic. As for Gunray he could be recovered or killed as needed. The CIS still needed his support so a rescue was more likely and he already had ideas on how to deal with that minor problem.

"So he killed the Bounty Hunter," the dark lord said to his apprentice.

The hologram of Count Dooku was kneeling before Palpatine.

"According to reports from my spy on Rodia" replied the count "My spy did not see the fight, however, Aurra Sing's headless body was found by the Rodians as was her head, according to my agent it was removed by a lightsaber as the neck was cauterised".

Palpatine would soon have all this information as well, the Jedi who'd been sent to Rodia would report to the Council who report to him.

"Impressive," said Palpatine "Sing was an effective killer, yet this proves very little as he may have simply gotten lucky, or he may have had help".

Dooku, who was in the market for a powerful apprentice, also didn't consider this victory to be enough to cause him to take any drastic action.

"I will meet with this Captain Gothic myself as the Supreme Chancellor and assign him a task, a true test to see if he is of us to us or if he can be cast aside" decided the Dark Lord "There are many battles taking place across the galaxy".

Normally a failed Jedi wouldn't be worthy of this much attention, it was just that both of the Sith felt certain that this Gothic was somehow connected to the recent turmoil in the Force, the fact that neither of them could see him playing a role in the future only confused the matter even further.

"Very good, my master," said Dooku.

He still had Ventress, she was proving to be less competent than hoped, but she was strong with the dark side.

"I will contact you soon my apprentice," said Palpatine.

The dark lord had many other matters that needed to be attended to.

(Line Break)

The Infinity and Beyond. Hyperspace.

"I do not understand why you insisted not taking Nute Gunray directly to Courscant," asked the Jedi Master.

Luminara Unduli was a Force-sensitive Mirialan female Jedi Master of present-day Jedi Order. She commanded the 41st Elite Corps of the Grand Army of the Republic and was the master of Padawan Barriss Offee. Before the Separatist Crisis, Unduli took on her Padawan, a fellow Mirialan named Barriss Offee[; this was in keeping with the traditions of her people, as Mirialan Jedi were only to take their own as Padawans. Together, they fought in numerous battlefields of the Clone Wars, before Offee turned against the Jedi Order and bombed the Jedi Temple.

Mirialans were a near-human species native to the planet Mirial. They had skin ranging from green to yellow skin to pink or purple and most had traditional black geometric tattoos on their faces that symbolized personal achievements. Though most members of the species got the traditional facial tattoos, not all did. More traditional Mirialan families felt strongly about the custom. Typically, these tattoos were done after a Mirialan completed a special task or achievement and expressed the achievements or expertise unique to each Mirialan

The species had a strong connection with the natural world and typically believed in the Force in some sort spiritual way, and I'd also read that they were near-humans who could breed with my species, which meant that their ancestors had been humans who had evolved a bit differently due to the planet they'd spent so many generations on.

As for why the two Mirialans were on my vessel, they and a small number of clones were here to oversee the transfer of Nute Gunray from Rodia to the chief world of the Republic.

"Because the sooner we get our guest to Coruscant the safer we all are" I explained to the Jedi Master who had strode on to my bridge with her padawan in tow without an invite "Gunray has powerful friends and a lot of wealth, and those friends of his are already plotting his escape or to silence him so the sooner we get to a secure facility the better".

Luminara Unduli didn't seem impressed by my solid reasoning, and her Padawan might as well be a statue as she just stood there, watching us.

"And I assume that this has nothing to do with the bounty," said the Jedi Master.

Mostly it did.

"Since the Senator from Naboo decided to stay on Rodia for a while I could have just handed over the Viceroy to you Jedi directly and gotten paid via a bank transfer later," I told Luminara Unduli "But I believe in finishing in what I start".

More than likely Nute Gunray would be silenced in prison or broken out by Cad Bane or someone like him, but that wasn't my problem. I just wanted the credits for his capture as I did have some expenses and there were plenty of things in this galaxy that I wanted to buy. But I also wanted to alter the events that made up this war to see it made a difference.

"Will you allow us to question the Viceroy?" requested the Jedi Master.

Since the CIS didn't know the route my ship was taking there was little risk of the Separatists attacking us.

"Yes," I allowed "And perhaps later you'd care to join me for dinner".

The Master accepted the offer for both of them and then they left. I didn't think I could bind a Jedi Master, but that Bariss girl turns to the dark side later, and perhaps at that point, I could bind her if I lured her as I had done to Ahsoka. Only time would tell.