Welcome to the beginning of the rewrite of my first—and most popular fic—Dooku's Son, cleverly renamed, The Son of Dooku. Took a lot of time and effort. I got took excited for you all to read this and decided to upload today.
The Prologue
"I'm pregnant."
Dooku blinked at hearing those two words, unable to utter a simple response. He never thought he would hear those words spoken to him ever since he joined the Jedi Order. Then again, the elderly man guessed he should've seen the eventual outcome coming a klick away when he first met her.
"How far along?"
"Four months," she answered.
He blinked again, his jaw tensed and his thin lips in a neutral line. If it weren't for the many years of strict training he underwent as a Jedi, he was sure his lover, Zen, would be shocked by the vivid expressions he could emote. For four months, he was unaware he had a child arriving. For four months, Zen bore the burden of pregnancy alone.
"I see…" Was all he could muster to say, still reeling in from the shocking news.
She closed her eyes as she sighed heavily. She slowly opened her tawny colored eyes, avoiding contact with his. "I don't expect you to drop everything, especially not your Order, to play husband and father." She wiped away a single tear that snuck its way out. "But you at least deserve to know you have a son on the way."
A son? His son. He felt happy to hear such words. To hear that he would have a chance to be a better father than what his own was, having abandoned him to the spine-wolves after the discovery of his ability, hoping they would devour his freak of a son.
He blinked at his own thoughts, unsure where it came from. He hadn't thought about his father since the brief confrontation they had during his mother's funeral. Dooku could still vividly remember the fury and disgust his father's eyes carried when he arrived at the solemn event.
Dooku gazed upon his wife. Her usually vibrant lively eyes, that carried love and affection for him, were downcasted with guilt and shame, begging for him to forgive her like she had committed the unholiest of crimes. His love's short lithe figure shuddered ever so slightly as she actively held back the tears that wanted to be unleashed to the galaxy. Her slender fingers balled up in tightly clenched fists, turning her knuckles pure white.
It was then he realized he hadn't spoken a single word for quite some time, elected to silence as he mulled over his own thoughts. She probably thought he was disappointed or angry at her for the pregnancy, ruining his calm and peaceful lifestyle as a member of the Jedi Council.
"You don't deserve to be here. Leave, now, or else I force you, freak."
Those were the first and final words his father ever spoke to him. He refused to be anything like that man. He would be a father his future child deserved, and that started with being there with his wife.
"That's all I wanted to say, Dooku. I promise to not reveal the child—"
"Zen," he interrupted, his voice soft and gentle. Tension left his body as the corner of his mouth tugged upward in a slight grin. "You know the type of man I am."
He could see the clouds of penitence starting to part from her deep set eyes but still held the darkened skies of worry and fear in them. "A—are you saying…"
"I'm saying, we've kept our marriage a secret for so long—what's another one to add to the list."
A smile broke out of her face, bringing life into her tawny eyes once more. Though as quickly it came, it vanished, leaving no trace of it ever existing. "But you're a Jedi. You have responsibilities to the—"
"I will leave the Order," he stated without hesitation.
Zen was speechless at his words. Dooku could not blame her. It was unheard of for a Jedi to leave the Order they were grown and groomed in since childhood. It was a long time coming in his opinion.
He detested the growing corruption of the Galactic Senate, and every one of the Republic, including his former Master, Yoda turned a blind eye to it. The disillusion of his Order, thinking they were unstoppable and incapable of any fallacies were just idiotic and would be their own downfall one day. It was time for him to start a new life.
"A—are you sure?" she stammered. "You will be leaving your entire life behind for some pregnant forty year-old woman."
"And you will be starting a new life with a sixty year-old former Jedi Master," he countered. He smiled at her holographic form, finding her speechless expression quite humorous. "If you are willing to have me, of course."
She chuckled, presenting him with a dazzling smile. He loved the way she smiled at him, seeing the love her eyes held for him. "I'm already carrying your child, Dooku. Of course I want you."
"Good, it would certainly be awkward if you didn't," he jested with a teasing smirk. "I shall ask my friend from the Senate for assistance in reaching you as well as procuring funds for our future. I'll contact you when I depart."
"Sounds like a plan, dear. I'll be waiting for you." She placed hands on her growing stomach, gazing lovingly at the baby bump. "We'll be waiting for you."
His new life would start soon and with it, his child and wife. "I love you, Zen."
"And I love you too, Dooku."
Dooku walked through the halls of the Senate Building heading towards the elevator that led to the Chancellor's suite. The many senators of the Republic greeted the Jedi Master as he passed them by—a courtesy act due to his position in his Order.
If it weren't for him having a seat on the council, he doubted these insufferable politicians would even grant him a passing glance. All were a disgrace to the ideals they supposedly swore to uphold.
The elderly Jedi reached the elevator. With a deep calming breath, he entered. He pressed the button for his desired destination. As the elevator began to climb, Dooku tried not to think about his negative views towards the Republic. His wife disliked the talk of politics. At least he knew there was a chance of change among the corrupt with the election of the new Supreme Chancellor.
The elevator dinged, signifying its arrival. The doors opened slowly and he was welcomed with the sight of a wide corridor with crimson red flooring and walls. It was the first time he had been to the newly minted Chancellor Suite, having been constructed shortly after the Battle of Naboo. It had a somewhat odd feel that the Jedi Master couldn't be his finger as to what it was.
He moved along the corridor, taking in the decor. There were bronze statues organized in a straight line, guiding him to the main office. Dooku recognized a few of them, being sculpted after ancient philosophers and deities of various religions. The Jedi entered the spacious office of his friend but was halted at the entrance by two Redguards with the crossing of their force pikes.
"Master Dooku?"
His trusted friend and only true ally of the Senate, Sheev Palpatine, stood from behind his desk and hurriedly walked to him. "Stand down, let him through," he ordered his security forces.
The Redguards uncrossed their weapons, granting Dooku passage into the office. Palpatine met him halfway, greeting with a kind almost fatherly smile and a hearty handshake.
"It is nice to see you once again. It has been too long, my old friend."
He welcomed the smile with one of his own. "Likewise, Chancellor."
"Come," he ushered the Jedi to follow him. He directed him to the other occupant of the room. "I'm sure you remember Miram?"
"That I do." Miram stood from the luxurious seat, greeted him with a handshake. "Are you still in the academy?"
Miram was a young human woman, just reached adulthood if the Jedi's memory served him correctly. She was dressed in an ashen gray uniform, fancied into a militant style with her brunette hair tied in a high tight bun. Not surprising given her choice of career as an officer in the Coruscant's Planetary Defense Corp.
"I graduated last week." She released his hand. "I start my first day in three rotations. Thank you for asking, Uncle Dooku."
"She had graduated at the top of class with scores that are record breaking," Palpatine stated proudly.
"Most impressive," Dooku admitted. "You should be proud of your accomplishments."
"Thank you for your compliments."
Palpatine chuckled at the young girl's indifferent response. "Now, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, my friend?"
"It's a…" His eyes flickered to the girl before back to his friend. "Private matter."
The ever present smile of Palpatine's falter at those words. "I see. Guards, leave us alone for a few minutes." He placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Miram dear, I'm deeply sorry but it seems I have to cut our schedule time short. I promise to make it up to you sometime soon."
"Of course, Father, I understand," she accepted with a nod. She turned to face Dooku. "Uncle," she said, inclining her head respectfully.
"Miram," he replied with the same courtesy.
She moved to exit the room with the two Redguards following closely behind, leaving the two elderly men alone. Palpatine walked around his large desk and took a seat in his exquisite chair. He motioned for Dooku to take the seat across from him.
"Now, what is troubling you my old friend?"
Dooku's lips parted but no words came out. He was unsure of what to say. That his love of his life was pregnant with his child? That he was planning on leaving the Order that fed and housed him? That he came here to beg to receive any amount of credits to help his new family?
He swallowed down a lump that was stuck in his throat. It was best to rip the bacta patch off instead of teasing it. "Zen is pregnant."
Palpatine blinked, stunned from the announcement. The Chancellor was one of three individuals in the galaxy that knew of his forbidden relationship, the second being his closest friend, Sifo-Dyas, and his friend's master, Lene, being the third. The Chancellor was actually the one who officiated his secret wedding.
Palpatine quickly recovered from the shock. He smiled brightly at Dooku's good fortune. "That's wonderful news! Congratulations, my friend. But." His eyes softened as looked at Dooku with worry. "What about the Jedi Order? What are you going to do?"
"That's actually the reason why I'm here."
"Oh?" Palpatine pondered with a curious raised brow.
"I'm leaving the Order but as you can guess, the Jedi don't pay their devotees. I came here in hopes you will loan me credits to support my wife and future son." He hated how he was abusing the friendship he cultivated throughout the years. It was completely against his morals and culture as a Serennian. "You have my word that I will return it with interest."
"Dooku, there's no need to pay me back. I will give you what you desire."
"Thank you, Sheev. I truly appreciate it."
"Of course Dooku, of course. But..." Palpatine's smile gradually disappeared, taking with it the jollity and warmth the man always brought to a conversation. "We both know that will only be a temporary solution for your family, and I cannot supply you with annual funds for you for the rest of my life. You know how deep the corruption of the Galactic Senate goes. If one could find a possible weakness to exploit, they will not hesitate to use it to their advantage. A Chancellor sending credits to a Jedi who forsaken the Order just to raise a family is caused enough in being blackmailed, regardless of what our relationship might be."
What his friend said was the truth. The corrupted officials of the Senate, blinded by greed and craving of more power, would never give up a prime opportunity in having the Grand Chancellor under their beck and call. To pass unjust laws to fill their pockets with credits and to expand their territory.
"May I offer a suggestion?" Palpatine waited for the okay to continue. Once given, he said, "why not return to your homeworld, and claim the title of Count of your great house?"
"We both know I can't."
He wondered why his friend even offered such a ludicrous idea. His brother, Ramil, was the current Count of Great House Serenno. While he wasn't close to his family, with the exception of his sister, Jenza, he couldn't usurp the man simply because he needed funds.
Could he?
"Keep an open mind, Dooku. With the title of Count, you not only claim the family fortune your house is known for, but also protection that you would desperately need in the future with the rest of the great houses backing you."
"What do you mean?"
Palpatine smiled. It was that of sympathy. "Dooku, my friend, do you honestly believe that the Jedi would leave you and Zen be with a possible Force-wielding child not under their supervision?"
"...No…"
While the Jedi Order could accept him leaving their hypocritical organization, he doubted they would accept him caring and raising his own child, teaching his son the ways of the Force. They would be too afraid of the off chance of his child being seduced to the dark side and possibly bringing forth the Sith once more. It was one of the reasons why they took children that showed a connection so young.
"You may not want to admit it, but you have the makings of a great politician with your charisma and your way with words. Mix that with your stature as a Jedi Master, I'm sure the people of Serenno would welcome you with open arms."
"...There could be opposition. You know how my late father detest my kind."
"Perhaps, but you are close to your sister—Jenza is her name, right?" Dooku gave an affirmative hum and a nod. "I'm sure she could weed out any dissidents that may have objections to your rule." He leaned back in his chair, crossing his fingers over each other. "But this all depends how far you are willing to go to protect your wife and child."
Dooku blinked, pondering at the idea his friend suggested. Like always, Palpatine was right. He would never have to worry about credits again with the abundance of money his family held. The Jedi won't leave him alone, always questioning his every move to see if he would turn. The people of Serenno, while deeply respecting the leader of his family's house, could stage a coup and his sister would be the only one on his side to stop it and cement his rule.
His sister had also worded caution of their brother's rule, turning almost tyrannical since the passing of their father. Maybe taking the title from his brother was the only chance for his fledgling family to have peace.
"You might be right, Sheev. I think claiming my birthright might be the best course of action for my family."
"Excellent, Dooku. I shall give you my full support in your endeavor. But first, let's have a toast." Palpatine reached underneath his desk, taking out a bottle of red liquid and two small glasses. He filled them up with the fluid. "It's Alderaanian wine, your favorite." He handed one of the glasses to Dooku while picking up the spare.
"Thank you, my friend. Your counsel was most needed."
"Of course Dooku. Now," he raised his glass in the air, "to your future son, and perhaps, his guideparent, hmm?"
Dooku chuckled lightly. Since he was brought into the fold about Dooku and Zen's relationship, Palpatine was always adamant if ever he sired a child, he would be the child's guideparent. "Maybe my friend." He lightly tapped his glass against his friend's. "Just maybe."
Big thanks to my betas for the assistance for this prologue: STARWARZMYLIFE, dieFabuliererin, Cuthalion97, katierosefun.
Next chapter will be release next week, 21st Feburary.
Updated Dec 20 2021