Chapter 42: Dissent
Summary: The Jedi Order collectively freaks about the Sith and how badly they've been played over the last thousand years.
If anyone in the entire Temple had gotten any sleep last night, Obi-Wan would be surprised. As it is, he is tired, irritable, and frustrated to be dragged out of looking after Siri in the infirmary for a meeting. Not to mention if he is being brutally honest, he is still scared shitless from his encounter with Darth Sidious inside of Siri's head. It was the single most terrifying moment of his life, to be up against such a twisted, sickening, foul, dark and immensely powerful presence. He doesn't know where he got the absolutely insane courage to try and stand up to that monster alone like that. If the Elder Sith hadn't been focused on going for Siri's memories and trying not to deal permanent collateral damage, Obi-Wan knew he would have either died or been left brain dead in the struggle. It weighs heavily, to realize, to truly realize, that Siri had not being lying or embellishing or overstating Sidious's power in the slightest.
He had believed her, but he hadn't really understood, not until last night.
Roughly ninety-nine percent of the Jedi Order wouldn't last more than ten seconds in a real fight against that Sith where he wasn't toying with them. The majority of the Council would be dead in a minute. When Siri said Yoda was the only one who would stand a chance, she had meant it. Anyone else hoping to survive, let alone fight him, would have to have absolutely extraordinary teamwork or vastly outnumber him. Sidious had so much power, but the price of it... the Sith's presence, its soul, felt like it was a black hole of decay and corruption. Maybe if Siri continued walking the dark path she could beat him if Sith could truly become so powerful, but never for that price, not for that soul destroying price...
Of course, none of that mattered if she didn't wake up. The healers had put her into a mix of a coma and a healing trance to try and stop a full blown mental collapse. He had been told the hole the Sith tore through a part of Siri's memories ruptured the compartmentalization around her memories from her time as a Jedi that Sidious's Master had torn through. The healers would try to alleviate some of the damage and bandage it all together, but again, Siri's mind was a literal minefield, she was going to have to repair the damage herself or at least guide a healer into her head to do it for her. She could not shove it off this time, there was far to much damage collected to shunt away again.
He scrubbed at his face as he walked. Siri was to stubborn to not wake up. He didn't envy her though, the life of a Sith was madness. She had said it was a life of suffering, and it truly was. To have had one's mind ripped through multiple times... it sends shivers down his spine. Why did she continue to choose this path when this was all it would ever bring her? A Jedi's life was hard, a sacrifice for the sake of those they served and helped, but a Sith... it was pain for the sake of it so it seemed to him...
"Padawan."
Obi-Wan jolted a bit and turned to see Qui-Gon and Anakin coming down an adjacent hallway. "Good morning Master, Anakin."
"Heya," said Anakin with forced cheer.
The boy didn't look like he had slept either. He looked visibly jittery as well. Which was understandable for a child if he had gotten even a whiff of Sidious's presence. Obi-Wan's eyes lingered on him for a moment longer, the thought of 'over twenty-thousand' in his head. It had never hammered in more than it had last night how badly they needed Anakin to actually be the Chosen One, and how badly they needed to keep him safe to realize his potential if they wanted to have a much better chance at defeating Sidious.
"If you are heading to the meeting, you are going the wrong way," commented Qui-Gon.
Obi-Wan frowned. "I didn't get much sleep last night but I'm fairly certain the Council spire is this way."
Qui-Gon clapped a hand on his shoulder, patting it. "Ah, but the meeting isn't in the Council chambers. Its an open meeting in the Room of a Thousand Fountains."
Obi-Wan got whiplash with how fast he spun around. "It's what!?"
Qui-Gon had a strained look. "Apparently, enough Masters and Knights got together and demanded the Council disclose and discuss this with the Jedi at large. The majority of the temple got a taste of the Sith Master's presence; there is no skirting around it anymore, no considering him a distant threat or someone guaranteed to be taken down with time. The threat is real, and coupled with what Siri revealed yesterday..."
He shook his head. "It is unprecedented in our time. The danger to our Order more real and apparent to us than anything in the last thousand years. We need unity and direction..."
He trailed off for a moment, eyes half closing, listening to the Force, "The chaos I feel throughout the temple however makes me feel like we will get neither."
He shakes his head and strides past, Anakin on his heels. Obi-Wan follows in behind him towards a dark cloud of barely restrained emotions. He can't help but think this should have been put off for another day at least, to give tension a chance to bleed away. Then again, it might give time for fears to fester. Its hard to say. This is going to be one of the most difficult trials the Jedi Order has faced in a long time. They are only now realizing just how dangerous it is, and how much damage has been done. He had to leave the Archives last night after the last accumulation of acts and laws and bills had been gathered showcasing hundreds of blows to the Order in the last hundred years alone; he hadn't been able to stomach anymore. Siri had called it a death of a thousand cuts, and it wasn't a lie...
His ears twitched as he entered the Room of a Thousand Fountains, a chorus and clamor of everyone wanting to be heard. Datpads and flimsi held in hands with damning proof of damage done...
"Look at this, a repeating ten percent cut to acquisitions funding, here, here, and here, spaced out every ten years that went into effect thirty years ago attached to a recurring bill that had absolutely nothing to do with the Jedi Order! And that is only the most recent hits!"
"I've gathered together ever instance of our abilities being limited through the laws, situations we were no longer allowed to mediate in without express senate approval..."
"There are thousands of unresolved petitions to the Senate for either direct aid or judicial expediency in forcing planetary cooperation in tracking down missing Jedi or Service Corps members that never went anywhere! In missing persons reports alone I've counted almost ten thousand missing over the last thousand years! That's an average of ten a year from Ruusan to now, a number roughly equal to our current population. How many of them were murdered directly or indirectly by the Sith!? It doesn't even consider the number of dead that were known of. How was this never noticed before now?"
Obi-Wan swallows thickly at that and moves to stand next to Qui-Gon on the outer edge of the room. The Council stands at the center accepting information grimly, trying unsuccessfully to alleviate concerns. Jocasta Nu sits at a set up table covered in reports, typing and categorizing them into a list, her face pale, heavy bags under her eyes. Yoda... Yoda looks so small and frail for perhaps the first time in Obi-Wan's life. The Grandmaster is ashen as he listens to one blow after another be listed to him.
The room is utter madness.
"Well, looks like someone hosted a party when I was away," came a familiar teasing voice followed by a arm leaning on his shoulder.
Obi-Wan glanced over, a smile growing on his face. "Vos you lazy Kiffar, when did you get in?"
"About an hour ago," answered Quinlan, "Aayla and I were recalled from our mission. I hear almost every shadow except those on missions deemed to critical to suspend or abort was recalled."
Oh... oh dear. That was... well, that about fit the magnitude of the situation.
"You were on Tatooine, right?" asked Obi-Wan.
Quinlan's cheer adopted a slightly forced look. "How'd you figure that out ol' buddy of mine?"
"Uh... have you heard about..."
"Our resident dead Jedi Padawan turned living Sith Apprentice? I take it she spotted me then," asked Quinlan, eyebrow raised, "Even the Hutts took notice of the very public return of the Sith. I watched the senate sessions in a bar. Not to mention someone got a copy of you and your Master's fight against Siri and played it for us all to watch."
Obi-Wan sputtered. "How did they get it out of judicial?"
Quinlan shrugged. "Hell if I know, but its circulating in the darker parts of the Holonet. Hate to say it Kenobi, but you two got your asses handed to you."
"Thanks for the support," muttered Obi-Wan.
"So... you want to give me a run down of why the Temple is collectively having a meltdown?"
"Ah... sure," said Obi-Wan, eyes flickering to the masses surrounding the Council, "I have a feeling its going to be awhile before this really begins."
Quinlan snorted.
"Two reasons really," said Obi-Wan, trying to be fake-nonchalant and failing at it with his tone, "One, because Siri kind of dropped a bomb on how the Sith have been picking off and undermining the Jedi for the last thousand years, and two, because the Sith Master attacked Siri through the Force last night and ended up revealing his presence. It... was the darkest thing I have ever felt in my life, one of the most powerful as well."
"Oh, is that all?" asked Quinlan, his smiled heavily forced now. "Alright, so, I assume the second was caused by the first. How'd the Sith know what she tattled?"
"That... is a very good question," said Obi-Wan mildly, admiring his friend's ability to connect the dots, his eyes narrowing in thought.
"I'm sure he is raptly paying attention to the Order ever since we took his apprentice," commented Qui-Gon, "In many different ways. If he was paying attention to holonet access, he might have noticed a not so unsubstantial increase in Jedi accessing senate records, some tracking programs can even determine what part of the records you linger on."
It sounds reasonable, but Obi-Wan isn't so sure. The Force of course is as clouded as ever and doesn't feel like sharing any insights on the matter. The thing that worries Obi-Wan is the possibility of a spy. He sincerely hopes not, and doesn't want to give in to any kind of paranoia, but... he trusts his gut when the Force cannot offer aid through the Veil of the Dark Side. It tells him Sidious has eyes and ears into the Temple, and most likely more than one set, wittingly or otherwise. He can see the same thought in Quinlan's eyes as he surveys the room silently.
Obi-Wan doesn't, simply because they're not going to figure it out that way. He merely stands there, listening to his fellow Jedi rattle off one injustice after another. His heart sinking lower and lower until its plummeted out of his body and into the bowels of Coruscant. Well, if it was physically capable of it anyway. Slowly, the shouting begins to die down as the current listing dwindles away. Of course he doesn't expect this to be the end, this is just whats been found now. There were tens of thousands, perhaps millions of bills and laws passed (and rejected if they wanted to go that route) since the Ruusan Reformation. They could hunt and poke for a decade and perhaps not find everything. The point has been made however.
The Sith have been playing the Republic and the Jedi for fools for a very long time.
The Council stands at attention, various levels of stress bleeding through their faces and Force signatures. Mace Windu raises a hand for silence, and those still talking give it to him. "First, the Council would like to thank you all for volunteering to help identify how the taint of the Sith has infested its way into the Republic's politics to strike against us. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge, no matter how much this knowledge pains us. It is needless to say that the damage is... extensive."
He paused and shook his head. "No, I will not downplay it. The damage is catastrophic. The Sith adopted a new line of attack when they could not best us through mass bloodshed and war. Subterfuge, infiltration, and political manipulation all the while staying hidden. Ignorance of their existence was the Sith's greatest weapon, allowing them to act freely without our awareness. That advantage is now gone because of the Sith's weakness to betraying their own."
Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes at that, crossing his arms and glaring at Master Windu across the room. If the man saw it, he paid it no heed. "And because of this, along with the Sith Master's retaliation to the betrayal, we know how they've been attacking us, we have started to review the damage, and we have an estimate of the Sith Master's strength. The path laid before us will not be easy, but the life of a Jedi has never been easy."
"How do we deal with the Republic we've sworn to protect being used to kill us?" someone shouted.
"That's the damn question," muttered Quinlan before glancing at Obi-Wan, "Going to find my Master, I'll catch you later.
Obi-Wan nods his goodbye as Windu grimaced. "That Council has discussed it last night and ultimately, we have yet to find a way to do this without repercussions of some kind. The first method is that we keep the damage a secret and devote more resources to each mission to cover ourselves. This offers more security to each mission, but there is less of us to cover the immense amount of requests sent our way. The counterpoint is that Sith and the Senate may note this and publicly inquire why the Order is over-commiting resources to what appear to be standard missions, which we are not yet sure how to answer without revealing what has been done to us. We don't wish to advertise to our enemies our apparent vulnerability and give them a new method to attack us."
Dooku's crisp voice sounds out. "There is the possibility that this method will simply offer more Jedi on a singular platter for the Sith to murder."
Windu nodded. "That is also true. The other method..."
He looked like he had swallowed something sour. "Is to convince the Senate to repeal parts of the Ruusan Reformation."
Obi-Wan sucks in a breath, and he's not the only one. The entire room goes into a shocked silence. That... that was massive.
"In order to force the Senate to do so, especially with the Sith influencing it," continued Windu, "We would need to reveal publicly the damage that has been done to us overtime, and the manipulation of the Senate by the Sith. The initial damage is unfortunately heavy. There will be the immediate backlash of denial of evidence and accusations against the Order; it will raise fears that the reformation was meant to alleviate. It will weaken faith in the Senate and the Republic, and perhaps the Jedi Order as well for our inability to see it until it was pointed out. It also reveals an avenue to attack us that none of us wish to give any more of our enemies. But, it would potentially give us more control of the missions we are sent out on."
He frowned. "The logistics of that are still in the works, whether it would be another responsibility levied onto the Council of Reconciliation, or a new council to be created, we have not yet determined. There are many other ramifications of this to be considered as well, but, there has been only a night to dwell on this after the Sith Master's attack."
"And what about that?" someone called out, "It's a monster, but the Sith Apprentice was the only avenue we had on it's master."
Obi-Wan immediately frowns, Anakin's words echoing in his her: 'She might be a Sith, but she's still a person.'
He does not like the way Siri is objectified as some kind of creature and not a sentient being.
Windu's eyes flicker in Obi-Wan's direction. "Padawan Kenobi, I believe you came from the Halls of Healing to this meeting?"
Obi-Wan's arms fold into his sleeves so reminiscent of Qui-Gon's own stance as the collective attention turned to him. "I did, and SHE," he stresses, glancing in the vague direction of whoever had spoken before, "Is currently in a mix of a coma and a healing trance to try and stop a full blown mental collapse from the repeated mind rape she has been subjected to."
Siri is going to kill him, or at least break his nose, for revealing that at large. But damn the consequences, he's been avoiding the rumor mill as much as possible, he knows it has to be bad; if he can invoke some kind of sympathy or compassion, or at least get away from this un-Jedi like objectifying that seems to exist for the Sith, then he'll accept his nose being as bent as Qui-Gon's for the rest of his life. He will admit a bias: He considers Sidious to be an absolute insentient monster.
There is some reaction, a hush or grimace, but not as much as he likes; some even seem satisfied with that revelation. His lips thin in displeasure, there are many here that need to be reminded of what it means to actually be a Jedi, to not ruled by their fear of the Sith. Having someone's mind violated and ripped through with something taken away that they cannot get back is not something anyone, especially a Jedi, should be satisfied with. Mind Tricks were a heavy ethical gray area. What Sidious and Plaguies has done to Siri was well above that. Not to mention the other dark presences-Holocrons going through her head and leaving compulsions there. That doesn't even begin to consider other instances in the eight years of apprenticeship she had to the Sith and what else might have been done.
He clears his throat. "It is confirmed however that Darth Sidious did tear a hole in a portion of her memory, likely a targeted attack to prevent Siri from disclosing something he deemed to critical to reveal after her disclosure yesterday."
"So we have something potentially more massive that what the Sith revealed yesterday that we no longer have any potential clue about," came a shrill voice.
"Not to mention if the Sith doesn't wake up we've lost anything else that hadn't been disclosed yet," someone added in.
"How much more danger and damage to our Order is lurking out there?"
"How much has the Sith revealed so far that the Order as a whole doesn't know about?"
"Calm yourselves," comes Windu's sharp reprimanding voice, immediately commanding silence, "There is no emotion, there is peace. Be mindful of your feelings, now is not the time for the Jedi Order to panic."
Chastised, the gathered Jedi settle.
"For the moment, what we are discussing is how to deal with the ramifications of what the Sith Apprentice revealed yesterday, this is the more immediate and ongoing threat," said Windu firmly, "The Sith Master, and the implications of what might have been lost in the mental attack, are a topic for another time."
He cleared his throat. "The Council has agreed to hold this meeting publicly, and is open to suggestions on how to handle this. Either from the two options presented, or something else, and please, one at a time."
Dooku is the first to speak, "I for one have long clamored at the failings of the Senate, this compounds drastically upon them. I agree with the second method, but rather than a partial repeal I suggest a full removal of the Ruusan Reformation and a restructuring of the Senate to follow."
Windu gives him an open, disbelieving look. "Master Dooku, with respect, the Senate will never agree to a full repeal, let alone a restructuring of the government."
Ki-Adi-Mundi spoke up, "The most fearful may consider it a coup attempt, a fear I imagine the Sith would stoke."
"The Ruusan Reformation was meant to guide the Republic and the Jedi in a galaxy that the Sith no longer existed in," stressed Dooku, "Its purpose was invalidated by the revelation of the Sith's existence."
"Perhaps another method could be suggested?" came Master C'Baoth's voice.
"The floor is open," said Windu, head tilting and looking relieved to have an way out from Dooku.
That look was wiped away almost immediately when C'Baoth spoke, "Perhaps we should consider the Republic lost and either find a new government to serve in the Unknown Regions, or perhaps beyond the edge of the galaxy."
The sheer gall of the suggestion stuns the room.
"I have not yet given voice to an idea that has been brewing in my mind," said C'Baoth, "But I believe that we, as Jedi, may be able to sooth the Hyperspace Disturbance surrounding our Galaxy and slip out. Think of it, the limitless possibility that exists out there, the unknowing amount of Force Sensitives that could be uplifted from their mundane lives and turned into Jedi."
"You are suggesting that we abandon the Republic to the Sith?" asked Windu in disbelief
"This taint as you call it has been allowed to spread and rot the Republic from within for the last thousand years," C'Baoth reminded them, stroking his beard, "Underneath the visage of the Republic may be a disease we cannot cleanse."
"Perhaps we should try first," comes a voice Obi-Wan has come to dislike.
Pong Krell moves to a more middle part of the room, arms spread. "The Jedi are superior beings," and oh doesn't that elitism make alarm bells ring in Obi-Wan's head, "The Sith have hid from us, but if we go and root them out, we can begin to fix the damage and clean out the taint. The Sith surely cannot hide if a collective of Jedi go and sift through the minds of each and every..."
"Are you out of your mind?!"
"That's madness! It requires us forcibly seizing control of the Senate for a time to do so."
"The entire kriffing galaxy would come down on our heads if we tried that!"
"An extreme problem requires an extreme response," sniffed Krell, "I see nothing else working but this, or what the esteemed Master C'Baoth suggests. What Master Windu suggests will not be enough to defeat the Sith."
C'Baoth gives him an appreciative nod, and it makes Obi-Wan's stomach curl to see the two of them moving to stand together. Even without a warning murmur of the Force he's getting bad vibes from those two acting together. C'Baoth's padawan looks like she's about to wilt and wants to be anywhere but by his side. He pities Padawan Jinzler, he really does.
"If the Republic Senate was so weak," said Krell with disdain, "As to allow their morals and integrity to be manipulated and fail, perhaps they deserve to suffer the rule of the Sith while we relocate to a location more deserving of the Jedi's efforts. They are already corrupt enough as it is without the Sith."
There is a scoff of disgust from Qui-Gon that Obi-Wan barley catches before the room erupts in chaos.
"Its our duty to fight the Sith, not run from them like cowards!"
"If we leave the Republic to be turned into a Sith Empire the Sith will eventually come after us regardless."
"We'd have more time to prepare for them though."
"I don't know about going through their minds, but stationing more Jedi in the Senate to keep an eye out might be a good idea."
"That'll make the Senate question why."
"I say Krell's right, we have to stamp out the Sith now. March on the Senate and take him out, he's to dangerous to leave alive!"
Then Qui-Gon moves forward to speak, his face is a thundercloud that immediately makes Obi-Wan shrink back; he's only seen that look a few times in his life. Its not quite at the level it was when Tahl died, but it is to damn close to it to promise anything civil. "If the Jedi Order decides to take action in a manner befitting the Sith and effectively violate the minds of the entire Republic Senate and their staff, I will personally hand in my Lightsaber, take my padawans, and leave the Order."
There is a sudden hush as everyone takes note of him and his words. Anakin is watching, wide-eyed, and Obi-Wan can't help but mirror him.
"Coming from a man known to Mind Trick his way through almost every mission?" comes a taunt.
Obi-Wan's eyes twitch at that. Its not every mission, but Qui-Gon is more liberal with that ability that most. Then again, considering the situations they get into...
Qui-Gon narrows his eyes. "And I bear the weight, the responsibility, and the scrutiny of each and every instance; its come up with the Council many times and yet, I have never been censured for a specific instance of it. My padawan and I were also, need I remind you, one of the most active pair in the temple and sent on some of the most dangerous missions the Order has seen in a long time. But this is not about me. This is about the fact that it was suggested we act like the very enemy we swore to oppose, that we act like Sith and deeply betray the sanctity of the mind of thousands of individuals based on fear. And rather than unanimously and venomously disagree, some of you actually consider it."
"When does it stop?" asked Qui-Gon sharply, "We know the Sith has influence in the Senate, but we don't know if he is in it, or manipulates it from outside. Do we violate the minds of every senator, every aid, every guard, every visitor that is in that building? What if we find nothing? Do we then move onto the rest of the government? Onto every planetary government? Every corporate leader?"
He shook his head. "What is the point of stopping the Sith if in our fear and paranoia we become them?"
There is no amount of pride to describe what Obi-Wan feels for his Master right then and there. Others of course disagree.
"That is absurd," said Krell, "We are not Sith."
"If this is what you suggest, and what you believe, that the Jedi are an elitist force better than the rest of the galaxy that can impose their will upon others and abuse our powers in such a way," said Qui-Gon; Obi-Wan braced himself, tightening his shields, because Qui-Gon is about to do Qui-Gon things, "Then you might as well be."
There is no unity, no harmony in this room as it bursts into chaos, and all that does is leave a sense of foreboding and dread that hangs over Obi-Wan like a thick cloud. Obi-Wan moves over to Anakin as the boy flinches, a pained look on his face. If this is how the Order is going to be for awhile, Qui-Gon needs to focus more on teaching shielding to his brother padawan. He puts a comforting hand on his shoulder and moves to support his shields, mentally tapping against them and sending his intent. Anakin clumsily allows him in, and Obi-Wan is treated to walls of a sand infested dwelling, perhaps the boy's previous physical home, as his shields. Obi-Wan take a moment to point out weak spots and gaps, which Anakin hurries to work on. Satisfied with a quick prop-up, Obi-Wan pulls out in time as Windu again calls for order.
"Your opinion has been noted," said Windu crossly, glaring at Qui-Gon, "But I ask that we not rile up our fellow Jedi."
Qui-Gon just shakes his head, moving back to stand next to Anakin and Obi-Wan, a sour look on his face. His Master is not pleased. His Master is going to be absolutely bitching about this for weeks. Its a damn good thing he moved out to a new apartment next to Siri's then. Oh blast, if Siri ever catches wind of half the things said in here, she's going to lord it over him endlessly.
"Master Yoda," someone calls out, "You've been silent this entire meeting. Do you have any wisdom to offer us?"
Now there was an idea; he looked expectantly at the Grandmaster.
"Only one thing to say, I have," said Yoda before going silent for a long moment.
Obi-Wan's nose twitches. He has a bad feeling about this all the sudden.
"If wish it the Order does," said Yoda firmly, yet sadly, with grief and regret, "Then step down I will as Grandmaster; failed I have to not notice the influence of the Sith. Failed thousands of Jedi I have; thousands dead because blind I have been."
There is stunned shock that ripples through those present, first at his words, then to recognize and realize that he means it. Yoda, who has guided them all since before they were born for many a generation, would step down if asked to. The previous downpour of conflict is hushed in the magnitude of what the Grandmaster just said. The entire council looks blindsided. Windu's mouth is slightly ajar as he stares at Yoda. Obi-Wan can't help the chocking sound that escapes his throat, and he's not even close to the only one.
It hadn't occurred to Obi-Wan, how devastated Master Yoda would be over these revelations, on how many Jedi have died, have been murdered by Sith machinations. He didn't look okay at the start if the meeting, but Obi-Wan hadn't thought it was this bad...
'I've counted almost ten thousand missing over the last thousand years! That's an average of ten a year from Ruusan to now, a number roughly equal to our current population. How many of them were murdered directly or indirectly by the Sith!? It doesn't even consider the number of dead that were known of. How was this never noticed before now?'
Then those words echo through his mind, combined with Yoda's age and how many Jedi he had seen grow from the Creche... how many of them had been murdered under his nose... the Grandmaster must see it as a heavy personal failing. Must feel the ache of every loss all over again...
Dooku speaks first, flabbergasted, "Master Yoda, you are but one voice of many. The entirety of every Jedi Council from Ruusan to now failed to realize the Sith still existed. You have also not been the sole Grandmaster of our Order. Many came before you, even one who lived through the drafting of the Reformation when the Order was still vigilant. How can you claim sole responsibility over someone who fought the Sith and had experience facing their ways? The deception and treachery of the Sith is not your burden to bear anymore than it is mine."
There is a loud clamor of agreement. Surprisingly though, Qui-Gon is not among them. He is staring at Yoda thoughtfully, eyebrows pinched together, weighing outcomes and possibilities, pros and cons in a neutral manner that Obi-Wan is hard pressed to adopt. He himself doesn't know what to think. Its Yoda, even conceiving of the idea of him stepping down, who could possibly replace him? Then he sees C'Baoth pulling on his beard in thought, but unlike Qui-Gon, there is greed and excitement in his eyes; Obi-Wan joins the clamor voicing support for Yoda without any further hesitation. FAR better Yoda with his wisdom and experience than someone with potential radical ideas taking over instead and bringing ruin to the Order. The mere thought of C'Baoth as Grandmaster sends shudders down Obi-Wan's spine.
Dooku walks forward with purpose and kneels down in front of Yoda. "If you wish a new perspective for the Order in our leadership, then take a sabbatical, my Master. Take the time to think and contemplate and grieve and rest, then come back ready to lead us through these troubled times, but do not rob us of your wisdom out of loss."
Yoda grunts, ears flickering, his disposition not changing much, but offers, "A wise padawan you always were, Dooku."
The meeting dissolves quickly after that, with everyone directed to rest and meditate and go on with their daily lives for the time being. There will be more meetings, and a call to action at some point, but that is more than enough for one session. Dooku rejoins them, and their lineage moves back towards Qui-Gon's apartment.
"You don't like that C'Baoth guy, do you?" asked Anakin as they walked back, looking up at his Master's towering form, "I could feel it."
Qui-Gon made a disgruntled face. "Jorus C'Baoth is... a complicated matter in the Jedi Order. Typically, if one is to become a Jedi Master, they train a Padawan to knighthood and are confirmed by the Council. C'Baoth declared himself a master without doing so, the story goes that since he had just completed a high profile mission, the Council at the time allowed it. There are... there are rumors that C'Baoth only took on Padawan Jinzler as his apprentice in order to quiet down rising voices challenging his mastery, not because he saw potential or because the Force willed it."
Qui-Gon licked his lips, glancing over at Dooku who gave a consenting nod. "My Master and I did not have the most pleasant of a relationship when I was learning under him. We did not mesh well, we get along now far better than we did then, but despite our differences I know without a doubt that he did and does care, did want me to excel, and I respected him in turn. I look at Lorana Jinzler, and I see a Padawan trapped in a situation far worse than that, with a teacher who does not care and only sees her as a means to an end and an extension of his legacy rather than her own person. Some of his more vocal critics have noted to me how less self-confident she's become compared to the initiate she used to be. "
Obi-Wan blinked, a bit mortified. He had known a little bit, but to have it laid plain like that...
Anakin looked uncomfortable. "Can anyone do anything for her?"
Qui-Gon shook his head. "Unless there is actual abuse, no. If she wants to leave C'Baoth's apprenticeship, she must go before the council herself, of her own accord. And to take such a stance against C'Baoth... there are circles within the Jedi Order and the Republic as a whole who hold C'Baoth in high esteem. If she takes that route she will make many enemies and offend many people which could have a great deal of negative impact on her career as a Jedi Knight and eventual Master."
Qui-Gon looks sour. "There is also no guarantee anyone would take her as an apprentice if she leaves C'Baoth, she'd easily alienate many Masters in the Order if she did so."
He sighs. "As poor as the situation is, the alternative may be worse. It is perhaps better she simply continue on until Knighthood and then use the excuse of drifting away from her Master."
Anakin didn't look happy with that, turning to Dooku. "You don't have a padawan right now, do you?"
Dooku frowned intently. "I cannot help her. I've sworn off taking another padawan after..."
He hesitated briefly, "After I and the Council mishandled a developing situation with my last one."
Anakin fidgeted at they came to Qui-Gon's apartment, wanting to ask but sensing the subject was sensitive. Dooku apparently took pity on him and stomached disclosing it. "Her name was Komari Vosa, she was... unstable and was developing feelings for... an individual that were not befitting of a Jedi. Rather than see her transferred to another Master who could perhaps train her better, or try to handle the problem myself, she was bared from the Knight's Trials and released from the Order. She ended up stowing away on an incredibly dangerous mission the Jedi Order undertook to try and prove herself which resulted in her death."
He looked particularly bitter on that. "The entire debacle was handled poorly from start of realization of the issue to its finish."
"Umm, who was she feeling things for?" asked Anakin, confused and from what Obi-Wan could sense, not seeing an issue.
Dooku sighed. "Myself. Regardless of our own rules on the matter if attachment, it would have been beyond inappropriate for a Master and Apprentice to be in such a relationship. I, in essence, floundered with what to do about it."
"You panicked," said Qui-Gon dryly, thumbing access to the door and motioning them in.
Dooku scowled in his direction, but strode in anyway, the rest of them following in as the settle down from an eventful start of the day...
Sidious is on the prowl.
Not that anyone would see it as he strolls the halls of the Senate with his charming, grandfatherly persona. There is a sensation of potential use whispering to him through the Dark Side. A fracture and fragility that whispers of exploitation. It is also partially familiar. It does not feel of one person, but two. One he has been working on for awhile now, but the other is new to him. Something had drastically exposed those cracks in the first, deepened that weakness, and as the ultimate predator in the galaxy, he was hunting down his prey.
He came upon them a moment later, pausing in the shadow of a pillar. His eyes gleam yellow briefly in the shade, eyeing his prize.
He recognized Jorus C'Baoth, an arrogant piece of work if he ever saw one. A Jedi that, while he was strong in the Force, had an incredible amount of flaws that could be abused. The Dark Side had hinted to him years ago that he could use C'Baoth as a piece in the Grand Plan, to kill off a number of Jedi, but he had not yet seen how or why. He'd been working on destabilizing C'Baoth for years. The other is some alien filth, a Besalisk with two saberstaffs on his belt. The Besalisk feels like the more unstable of the pair curiously enough.
"Merely going around gleaning the thoughts of the meek will not find us the Sith, Knight Krell," instructed C'Baoth, "While I commend your initiative, you search in the wrong location. He will situate himself amongst the powerful senators, not the sheep needing our firm guidance."
Sidious raised an eyebrow. If he had a recording device on him, he could have gotten the Jedi Order in so much trouble and caused such a publicity incident right then and there, but no. The Dark Side whispers of, other, uses for them. And he sees it to. He's been paying attention to Dooku, had several meetings with him since Tachi's captivity in the Order, and he does not like what he's noted, how Dooku is shifting back away from the outlook Sidious wants of him, made aware of the trap that had been laid. He is not sure he can claim the Jedi Master anymore, especially with Qui-Gon Jinn still alive.
He smiles, licking his lips in anticipation and hunger, to dominate and bend them to his will. He needs... a replacement for the role Dooku was to fill. C'Baoth would serve nicely, wouldn't he? It's rather nice how tools simply fall into his hand like this. And since Vosa is lacking compared to his true apprentice, perhaps her and this 'Krell', may be of use together as a pair of tools rather than a single one. It would be entertaining to pit them against one another at least.
He steps from the shadows, and begins their seduction to the Dark Side. "Sith hunting are we my friend?"
C'Baoth starts, glancing at Sidious and wincing, more than aware of the compromising position he's been put in. "Ah... Chancellor Palpatine..."
He shakes his head. "Oh its quite alright Master C'Baoth, I'll have you know I've already been... loosely made aware of the situation revealed yesterday, and it is most troubling. I've been thinking myself on what to do about this Sith infiltration. Some more extreme methods may be warranted."
C'Baoth nods, relieved. "It may indeed Chancellor Palpatine, I am relieved to see you wanting to take initiative compared to Vallorum's stagnation."
Sidious smiles that grandfatherly smile. All to easy. "After the debacle of the Trade Federation Occupation of Naboo, strong leadership is needed. Come my friends, let us return to my office, perhaps together we can come up with an idea to ferry out this Sith Lord..."
Author's Notes:
So, I've been thinking about the Clone Wars, and future enemies. I intend for Dooku to stay a Jedi, so someone or multiple someones need to replace him. We also need more opponents, as Siri would fucking tear Grevious apart with the Force Lightning among other abilities (I suppose he could be modified to be resistant to it maybe). Not to mention a Jedi Order actively starting to train and prepare for a conflict would weaken Grevious's impact.
The potential candidates that immediately come to mind were: Vosa, Savage, (possibly) Feral, early fallen Krell and C'Baoth. I'm not yet sure if Vosa will survive to the Clone Wars or not as Sidious's current stand-in apprentice. Most of the story except for certain parts is still in rough outline form. If anyone has any other suggestions, make them. I'm not 100% aware of the entire clone wars/comics/EU/ect...
I considered Ventress, except without Dooku, would she have been found and recruited?
Then I had an awesome idea (maybe), of Siri stumbling across Ventress still on Rattatak, fallen but untrained. Both of them having lost their masters and fallen, they'd have a lot in common (and get along marvelously). I had been planning on Leia to be Siri's first and only 'direct' apprentice, buuuuut, Ventress as Siri's first apprentice is an interesting thought. IDK, tell me what you guys think of it. It would be easy to just say Sidious had a vision or felt something to grab Ventress as an antagonist if need be and people don't think it fits or want Leia to be Siri's only direct apprentice. Or hell, Ventress could stay undiscovered until Empire Era or later. Who knows...
Review Response:
Guest: Uh...
Longmoonedraptor: Oh it'll reach that level between them long before the Clone Wars even starts. Thanks.
Nerdman3000: It caused issues, definitely. IDK if I handled the Jedi freakout perfectly, but this was my attempt at it. Good prediction on C'Baoth, didn't think of an early Krell tho didja? Sidious is always a prime opportunist, :D. Whether Jinzler gets sucked into this or not remains to be seen...
Dolansosar: I already have way to many stories going on at once, but if I did do something, some kind of crossover with dumping a character from another fandom into Star Wars and seeing how that changes the storyline. It'll be awhile though, a long while.
1saaa: Slight time skip to Siri waking up next chapter, she's going to know somethings missing (the Jedi would point it out even if she didn't realize it), and she's going to be pissed. She'll get her chance at Dooku soon enough.
Masterteo89: On an alignment chart, how would you define her?
Le0nidas: Yeah, he got the memory.
Everyone else, thanks for the responses!