A/N- Thank you for the new follows and reviews. I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I'm enjoying a short vacation with my family finally. Stay safe! -GP
Chapter 20
Location: Imperial Center, Senator Clovis's Chambers
Month 3 Day 1 Year 28 BBY
Senator Rush Clovis leans in his chair eyeing the older man debating with him. The older man's white hair is short and his brown eyes shine in determination. The man always gets what he wants. The older man is near his mid-sixties or near his early seventies. To the growing Empire, he is the right hand of destruction: the right hand man of their Emperor. Count Dooku's tone is cool and collected. This Senator has been stubborn and a thorn in his side for the past three months.
" All you need to do is approve the proposal by the Emperor and approve the funds from the Banking Clan," Dooku comments in a sharp tone.
Rush leans forward watching the older man. This ageing droid is persuasive in his demands. Every other week or so, he either sends a holomessage or has sent a representative from the Inquisitors to see the push through of the funding the Empire needs in their new project. Rush had tried to push off the approval of the funds as long as possible. He wants the Senate to approve of the project the Imperial Navy was to build and he has doubts about these plans.
" I cannot without the approval of a committee on these specs for this Battle Station. There are certain aspects of this station that would concern the Senate." Rush states clearly, careful with his choice of wording. He has to be careful and not piss off the Count. Count Dooku is the second to the Emperor himself and he does not want to lose his reputation or head for anyone- or anything. But those specs are concerning to him. There are certain parts of the proposal that use Kyber crystals for a large sized laser and those specs are against many Building regulations as some might consider it to be a larger weapon to kill masses. And that is Rush's concern. He is not one to care for many, but he doesn't want blood on his hands it would ruin his career.
Dooku dismisses, " Those specs do not need the approval of the Senator nor a committee. This project is a personal project for the Emperor himself. He will be sorely upset to know that a lowly Senator such as yourself would halt his projects."
Rush gulps hearing the threat in the man's voice. The lump in his throat grows. He is young and newly elected to the Senate, but he is also the head of the Imperial Banking Clan after his adopted father had been murdered the year prior. He is the one in control of the committee of the Imperial Banking Clan and many come seeking loans for their projects. But to have the Emperor need funding with this " personal project" can cost his seat in the Senate if it is not followed by regulations, and with the Banking Clan if they ever caught on to any sort of deceit. But the biggest threat is the Emperor's. The Emperor can be seen as a generous man to his " friends" and those who obey him.
" I will-" He begins his compromise for a bit more time, however his secretary's comm interrupts his speech.
" Yes?" His voice holds annoyance as she comes onto the comm. " Sir, your wife is here. She wishes to speak to you."
He eyes Dooku and asks for approval. Dooku smiles that sickly smile and replies, " I'd love to meet your lovely wife."
Rush takes this as approval and murmurs to his comm, " Of course send her in."
The panel to his office slides open and his wife's bright smile greets him. She steps in carrying a basket of food with her. Her brown eyes are drawn to the older man in the room. She stops her stroll into the room and asks, " Am I interrupting something?"
Rush plasters a fake smile on his face and gestures for her to come in. " Of course not dear. What have you brought me?"
Padme' smiles at him and suggests, " The Chef thought you'd like a fresh salad with fresh fish as your lunch today. I thought I'd bring it to you myself."
Rush smiles and takes the basket from her. The basket had covered her growing belly. She had finally begun showing fully and the official announcement had been made to those on his planet. She is a stunning creature and his to command and possess.
Dooku rises out of his seat and bows to her. " We have never met M'lady. It is a pleasure to meet you and Congratulations are in order I see."
Padme's smile grows brightly. She rubs her stomach out of habit and states, " Yes, only three more months. I'm ready."
Dooku smiles back genuinely and has the young woman's happiness. She is so bright within the force. Her force signature shines so great- but the untapped power is not radiating from her. It radiates from her unborn child. This child is force sensitive and the power- this kind of power he's only felt once before. It is unique in such a way he knows like it's his own blood. The force presence is similar to his masters which isn't possible. The Emperor is old enough to be the girl's grandfather and all experiments to enhance his master's powers inside the womb of a woman had failed, except one.
One child had been created via the force and the use of his master's DNA. They had been successful with one slave named Shmi. But that child was at least 20 years old and this girl is younger than that age. She might be 18 at the most. So can it be that the child is an offspring of the boy's?
It is highly possible, but the boy is located at the Imperial Academy. His master needs to be made aware of the existence of this other unborn child. The child's existence is a threat as the child will become powerful like his or her father. A threat or a blessing in disguise? He can use this knowledge to threaten the Senator.
" It is a pleasure to meet you, Count Dooku." Her sweet voice suggests. Her tone is innocent and sincere. She seems to align herself with the ideals of the Empire and not of the Rebels.
He smiles and takes her hand and kisses it. Dooku has always been polite to those in the Court, unlike his cruel master or his apprentice. He suggests, " It is a pleasure as well Lady Clovis. I do need to continue my meeting with your husband in private though."
Padme's mouth forms an oh and she turns to her husband. She places the lunch basket onto his desk and suggests, " I thought you could use a nice lunch."
Rush smiles and says, " Of course and I will see you at dinner tonight."
She nods and takes her leave, before leaving she replies, " It was a pleasure to meet you Count Dooku."
Dooku bows his head slightly and suggests, " The pleasure is all mine, my dear."
Padme takes her leave and as the door slides shut Dooku turns back to his prey. He has leverage against his opponent now. His brown eyes dance with amusement as he proclaims, " Your wife is lovely, it's such a pity the child isn't yours."
Rush's green hues narrow and he dismisses, " You are a fool, Dooku. The child is mine."
Dooku chuckles darkly at his comment and he surmises, " That child is force sensitive, very powerful in the force. You are not force sensitive and the child's mother is not as powerful, which suggests the child's father is."
Rush's mouth forms a thin line and he retorts, " And what will you do with this information, sir?"
Dooku shrugs and runs his hand along the basket Padme had just left. " It depends on your approval of the project for the funds. Or perhaps such a scandal will arise-"
Rush rises from his desk and he seethes out, " Do not threaten me, Count. It is not wise to threaten the head of the Banking Clan."
Dooku laughs darkly and surmises, " As you know it is unwise to not do the bidding of the Emperor. I may let out a scandal- but the Emperor might just send out an order for yours and your wife's heads served to him."
Rush's green eyes fall upon the photo on his desk. It is a holo photo of his wedding from three months prior. His wife's life isn't so important as his reputation or his own life. But if a scandal did emerge he'd be ruined. He'd lose everything.
Rush peers back at the older man and he murmurs, " I will approve the funding. Please tell the Emperor he will have the necessary funds for his " personal project."
Dooku's smile grows with his achievements in their little argument. He never lost. The force always has a way of leading him to the skeletons in his opponent's closets. He bobs his head and replies, " Good and congrats on your future child."
Dooku turns and strolls out of the man's office in triumph. He has many things to share with his master- many interesting things.
To Be Continued.