"Your concerns are noted and understandable, Chairman Hill." Palaptine said patiently, while Sidious desired to rip the haughty Muun's throat for wasting his time with this drivel. "But you must understand, the Republic's debt will be repaid after the resolve on Kashyyyk has been dealt with."
But of course, the arrogant banker's impatiance got the best of him. The Muun pointed a long slender finger towards the Supreme Chancellor. "I could care less for the welfare of a backwater planet. These are precisely the excuses your predeccesor made during his term of office. For over five years now the Republic has been in our debt, and the Banking Clan is at its wit's end."
"And we are grateful for the credits you have provided us with." Palpatine assured the irritable Muun smoothly. Plagueis certainly taught San Hill well over how to be a vocal inconvienence.
It was the third time this week the Chairman made a visit to the chancellor's office, demanding an explantion over why the promised repayment of the Banking Clan's loans has been posponed again. Gradually, Paplatine felt a headache come on with all these infrequent visits by the obnoxious Muun. The price he must pay for this position of power.
When Sidious establishes his Empire, he promises to suck the Banking Clan dry and out of comission. At least then he'll have one less headache to deal with.
"And how do you return that gratitude? By not repaying the debt and asking for even more credits!" The young Chairman - young by his species standards - had the audacity to slam the surface of the Chancellor's desk. "Had you not considered my propoasl of repaying the loan you owe us thorugh the taxes of the free trade routes Valorum had installed?"
The native from Naboo blew breath from his nostrils. "Rest assured, the Banking Clan's willingness to lend the Republic credits in these crucial times will not go undeserved. The credits your bank has provided us with will ensure the Wookiee natives of Kashyyyk will rebuild and recover from their horrific ordeal over that Trandoshan invasion. In time, the debts will be repaid, along with much more."
"Oh, my heart bleeds for them." Hill snorted, rising up from his chair. "I wonder if replacing Valorum with you was a sensible decision on the Senate's apart; you conjure up the same sorry excuses as he did. Good day Chancellor."
Sidious waited for the ungrateful Muun to leave the office before the facade dropped, a scowl overtaking his features. There was another ten minutes before he had a meeting with the Senator from Anaxes, giving him little time to dwell.
But while he had the oppoturnity.
It has been over a year now since the Battle of Naboo. Viceroy Gunray was to have his twelfth trial next week, still proclaiming innocence over the entire bloakade affiar. Quite frankly, Sidious was both satisfied and mystified by the idiocy of Gunray's sympathizers, the Neimoidian who was clearly the one in charge of the blockade.
As all save for a few were led to believe.
But currently, the Neimoidian was the least of Sidious's problems. No, a dillemma stemmed instead by one certain disillusioned Jedi. The same rogue noble from Serenno who hasn't answered any of the Sith's requests for communication and has kept quiet from galactic affairs ever since he reclaimed his title and house.
Dooku.
When Maul's life expired by the hands of the sophisticated noble, Sidious was reeling in shock. The man had never informed Palpatine he knew of Maul's existence, or had intended to go to Naboo and kill the Sith warrior. Sidious had watched the holo-recordings of the duel between the two darksiders, as he was skeptical at first over Windu's claim that Dooku dispatched of the Zabrak.
Watching the Dooku sadistically toyed around with the frustrated warrior, mocking, torutring him beofre delivering the finishing blow, with a brutal decapitation. It admittedly brought a pleased smile to Sidious's face. There was no further doubt; Dooku was a Sith. And while it showed how powerful and potentially capable the Serennian was to the Sith Lord's plans, it also unnerved Darth Sidious to no end.
Who taught Dooku this power? When? If Dooku had been aware of Maul, was he then perhaps aware of the Zabrak's master? Had Plaguies trained another desciple in the shadows, after all, to avenge him in case Sidious killed the Muun?
Too many questions, too little answers. And it infuriated Sidious to no end. Almost as much as it infuriated him on Sifo-Dyas's disappearance from the Jedi.
Dooku was either an asset, or a threat. And with the way he was blatantly ignoring Palpatine's calls, it seemed to lean more towards the latter. It'd be a shame; Dooku was the ideal placeholder candidate until Sidious found someone more worthy to replace the old fool. Either the Jedi destroy the Serennian for him, in case Dooku rejects his offer as Sidious's new pupil, or the Dark Lord finds a more promising apprentice to deal with Dooku and help him reform the Republic into his new Empire.
That is, if Dooku continued not answering his calls.
Save for only being physically a decade younger, the Count of Serenno felt like nothing had changed when sitting by this desk.
Lenaing on interlocked fingers, Dooku had his eyes closed in contemplation, thinking back on events from travelling through time. And the more he thought that to himself, the mor eplausible it appeared to be. Because what else could explain it? Qui-Gon was alive, as well as Sifo-Dyas, along the countless millions the Count had either killed himself or disposed of during his time as a Sith.
That's not to say Dooku was no longer a Lord of the Sith, but still.
It felt rather like dream, every time the Count thougth back to saving his greatest pupil's life from the brutish warrior. Maul's demise was proper reassurance that Qui-Gon would live, the only Jedi fit enough to train the reckless and irresponsible brat known as Skywalker.
The so-called Chosen One. Dooku's lips curled in distaste just thinking about the boy. Unfortuenately, the child was a part of his legacy now, depsite these changes Dooku had caused. Qui-Gon was adamant about training the boy since retrieving him from Tatooine, and was no doubt doing so as Dooku thought. Though, svaing the Maverick Jedi's life wasn't done for the boy who had decapitated the Count in another timeline.
Qui-Gon was alive, and that was all that mattered.
That reality brought a sense of relief in Dooku alongside... elation? Now there was an emotion the Count hadn't felt in quite a while. The aged Sith opened his eyes, regarding the polished surface of his black desk curiously.
That boy always brought out the worse in Dooku's behaviour. Specificlaly the sides of him the Count was more comfortable not displaying.
Moving on. Next is now the survival of Sifo-Dyas. Sidious had demanded the Jedi Master's death as Dooku's test to prove himself. But this time, that was no longer the case. Sifo-Dyas lives to this day, even now, doing as his old friend requested in conspiring to take down the Sith Lord controlling the Rpeublic.
Ah yes, Sidious. The Count continued for over two years now to ignore the relentless holocalls of his former master, who was clearly adamant in recruiting Dooku to his cause. That prompted the sneer on Dooku's face. He will never be fooled again by that old man. Sidious will fall. And the diseased Republic will follow suit, broken down and rebuilt from the ground up, into a stable non-corrupt democracy where all systems of the galaxy can co-exist peacefully without those anchoring it to the chains of corruption.
Hence why the Seperatist movement was still being created.
Dooku had told Qui-Gon he'd go about things differently, and so he shall, but not completely. Many of the Confederancy had firmly followed his convictions that the Republic must be cleaned, evolving from the past into a new era. But this time, some changes will be made. Dooku will have no further need for the leaders of the business coporations he planned on recruiting to his cause; they will be replaced forthwith after the Republic is rebuilt anew.
Yes, Sidious will be destroyed. And the Jedi will follow, by their own volition, should they refuse to adapt to change. But with Qui-Gon around, perhaps now they will see past beyond their blindness and arrogance.
Leaning back on his seat, the Count made a movement to begin a holocall. It will take years for the Seperatist cause to be created once more, but Dooku was nothing if not patient. For now, there wa swork to be done, and every moment was critical. Sifo-Dyas was preoccupied carrying out a task Dooku had lent him.
Archduke Poggle the Lesser of Geonosis and Wat Tambor of the Techno Union have expressed interest to rallying with a cause against the Republic, and Dooku intended on inviting the Corporate Alliance into the fold later today. But first, it was time to call on the services of that bounty hunter he encountered on Galidraan all those years ago, once again.
"Anakin, you've acting too rashly." Qui-Gon called out not unkindly to his student, "Djem-So requires focus and control."
His eleven-year-old Padawan nodded, taking a deep breath, exhaling and resumed the famous Form V opening stance. At Qui-Gon's nod, the boy tried again, and it brought a sense of pride within the aged Jedi Master over how progressive his Padawan was becoming.
Two years at this Temple had trained the boy well. When Obi-Wan was knighted after the Battle of Naboo, Qui-Gon was quick and adamant in training Anakin to become a Jeid, despite the Council's continuous protests. Eventually, they relented, knowing the Maverick Jedi had his former Master's stubborn streak. And already his tutelege seeme dto be paying off; Anakin's impatience and brashness at first had been cooled down by the teachings.
"Feel the Force guide your movements." Qui-Gon continued instructing his listening student, observing from the side. "Concentrate on the opposition now, than dwell on the consequences of the aftermath."
Admittedly, the Jedi Master was a little disappointed by Anakin's lack of interest towards Ataru. But it was evident that the boy was more than natural utilizing the techniques and prowess of Djem So. So, only a mere year later when Anakin completed Shii-Cho, Qui-Gon aided his Padawan's training with the heavy form, which requied kinetic energy to use; and the Chosen One was nothing if not energetic.
"Very good." He nodded his approval at Anakin's next moves swining through midair. "Keep this up, and we'll have you try against a training droid, perhaps even a fellow Padawan, should you continue practicing the form."
"Careful, Master, that might just go to his head."
Stern eyes turned to his cheeky former student, who had approached Qui-Gon while watching the session as well. Ther fact Obi-Wan's braid was no longer there was still something the Jedi Master was unuse to, and it admittedly unnerved him a little. Despite Obi-Wan's clear bitterness to believing he was simply replaced by Qui-Gon for Anakin, the young man accpted his knighthood in stride, expressing how proud he was by handing over Qui-Gon his former braid. The older Jedi still recalled the proceedings as though they were yesterday...
"There's no harm in indulging a student with a little ambition, Obi-Wan."
The younger Jedi's lips thinned, arms folded whilst they continued watching the eleven-year-old. "Many other Jedi would disagree."
"While many others would agree." Qui-Gon shrugged, a small smile raised at his student's hard efforts.
Obi-Wan then decided to get straight to the point. "The Council wishes to speak with you again, no doubt regarding over Ma- Dooku." He quickly corrected himself over addressing the now-Count by his former title.
A breath of frustration flew from the older Jedi's nostrils. Ever since his abrupt departure and reclaiming his house and title on Serenno, Dooku had disappeared from the face of the galaxy itself, eluding the Jedi spies dispatched from the Council to keep an eye on him. While many were relieved that the dark presence within the Temple was no longer around, Qui-Gon still felt a prickling sensation through the Force whenever wondering about the man. It was Dooku's faith in Qui-Gon about training Anakin that furthered the Maverick Jedi's resolve.
But to make matters worse, more and more planets have been seceding form the Republic for the first time in a thousand years, inexplicably declaring their independence and wishing to have nothing else to do with the corruption in the system. And Qui-Gon knew, either by the Will of the Force or by gut feeling, that the disappearance of his former master and these rapid seccessions was no coincidence.
Nothing was ever truly a coincidence.
While Qui-Gon was curious and concerned for his former mentor, it brought irritation to the Jedi Master over how many times the Council requested he aided them in learning what Dooku's planning. It was getting quite ridiculous. No, scratch that, it was getting ridiculous, full stop.
"Then who am I to deny the Council's wishes?" Qui-Gon asked dryly, inciting Obi-Wan's mouth to twitch upwards. Thankfully, his former Padawan didn't hold that much resentment towards him, though Qui-Gon wished Obi-Wan would cease this childish behaviour of his and understand the importance of Anakin's training.
His current student, meanwhile, obviously picking up his master's frustrations, deactivate dhis training blade and looked over curiously. "Is something wrong, Master?"
Qui-Gon shook his head. "It's nothing, the Council simply wants to speak with me." Then, on a whim, he inclined his ehad towards his previous student. "Obi-Wan here will oversee your practice until I return."
As expected, the young man gaped in disbelief. "Master, I don't think-"
"That you're capable of watching over an elevewn-year-old Padawan for a moment or so? Nonsense." Patting the younger annoyed Jedi's shoulder, Qui-Gon moved over towards the doors. "I shall return shortly, Anakin. And remember, focus and control."
They'll get along fine. If not, then Qui-Gon can always recount to Anakin one of his former student's misadventures.
Now then, time to see what the exasperation Council wanted this time.
Elsewhere, a young Jedi's training was on a whole other practical level.
"Padawan! Stay sharp!" The old Jedi yelled over the battle, deflecting another blaster bolt back to its owner. "They won't give up so easily!"
"Yes master!" A young pale Dathomirian followed her mentor's order, cutting down another Weequay across the chest. The old human nodded, silently regretting the deaths of these bandits. But whatever was necessary to liberate Rattatak of its corrupt warlords.
"Young one, on your right!" She quickly obliged and blocked a few more shots. "Don't let your emotions cloud what's at stake here. Remember, we're doing this for the people, a Jedi doesn't take satisfaction in killing!"
"Yes master!" And Ky felt a small smile on his face at his pupil's concentration, effortlessly deflecting another shot through the chest of its owner.
This village was soon to be liberated of these unwanted guests. The warlords were clealry adamant in ridding Rattatak of its two Jedi guests, but they held firm. Enough people have suffered on this world by the warlord's oppressions, and Ky Narec will be damned, after crashing on this warmongering world for a few years now, before he allwos the people to endure the suffering any further.
"Master! Behind you!" His young pupil called out in panic after meeting his brief stare.
Immediately the Jedi Master whirled around to face his opponent, a smirking Weequay who somehow approached closely, holding up his blaster. Yet Ky merely raised a brow at the blue blade piercing through out of the minion's chest, sensing a Jeid presence he hadn't felt in years.
"Master Sifo-Dyas." He greeted the newcomer casually, both puzzled and rather relieved by his fellow Jedi's sudden arrival."
"Master Narec, it's good to see you again." The younger Master nodded, followed by a blaster bolt zzoming oby his shoulder. Immediately, the two Jedi resumed in fighting off the remaining Weequay, who were clealry dismayed byt he arrival of another dreaded Jedi.
The pleasantries can wait.
But they didn't have to wait too long, with the combined help of Sifo-Dyas, the bandits were quickly retreating to the further parts of town. Sensing no othe rhostile presences around for a moment, the three Jedi deactivated their blades, the young Dathomirian rushing down to meet her teacher and the newcomer.
"Master, they're retreated! Should we pursue them?"
Sensing how eager his Padawan was to finsih, Ky placed a firm grip on the child's shoulder. "We shall rest first, Asajj. The village will be liberated soon, I promise you. For now, see if any of the people here need some assistance."
The young student nodded, and after glancing at the new arrivla curiously for a moment, obidiently walking away to some of the houses.
"A Dathomirian." Sifo-Dyas pointed out in interest.
Ky nodded, "Yes, I found her while liberating another village. She displayed remarkable Force talent, and it would have been unwise of me not to train her." That said, he turned to face his fellow comrade and shook a firm grip. "It's good to see you, after so long. Though I ponder as to how you've found me. My ship crashed here long ago, and my mission wasn't on the records."
Sifo-Dyas nodded in turn, "My arrival here wasn't at the behest of the Council, Ky. I'm here on behalf of the former Jedi you've known as Master Dooku."
At this, Ky's brow raised even higher, but he wasn't all that surprised. "Ah, so he finally left the Order?"
The other Jedi's lips twicthed in amusement. "Indeed. He has inherited his house and title on Serenno, and requested me to seek you out."
"Well then, what may I ask does the esteemed Count want from me?" Ky and Dooku never really spoke back at the Temple, only ever having to work together on a mission to Bothuwai long ago. Other than that, Ky failed to grasp any reason as to why Dooku wishes to retrieve him.
And for that matter, how did Dooku know he was on Rattatak?
At the question, Sifo-Dyas frowned heavily, and Ky noted the serious expression. "You've been away from galactic affairs for a while now, Ky, and I think it's time you returned. We need your help. Yours and your Padawan. The Republic and the Order are in serious danger."
At this, the older Master couldn't help but feel unnerved by the tone. Whatever was going on abck on Coruscant, must be dangerous indeed. "What trouble are we facing, exactly?"
"The Sith."
And that was all Ky needed to hear. He frowned just as deeply as Sifo-Dyas, folding his arms. Just mentioning the name of their ancient enemies was enough to put any Jedi on edge. "So, they're returned then."
It was a statement. Sifo-Dyas nodded. "I'm very much afraid so. And we have a Dark Lord of the Sith currently sitting in the chair of the Supreme Chancellor."
What?!
But before Ky could demand a detailed explanation, Asajj ran towards them in a hurry, "Master! They're coming back!" Both Jedi closed their eyes, and nodded, sensing the return of the Weequay along wioth reinforcements.
Ky then glanced at Sifo-Dyas. "This will have to wait. And we must liberate Rattatak first before dealing with this Sith menace." At that statement, the young Dathomirian's eyes widened in question and horror.
The younger Jedi Master nodded. "Very well. That was also the reason Dooku dispatched me here. I will help you deal with this world's warlords."
Ky nodded in turn, glad to have another fellow Jedi back them up. At the sounds of speeder engines from the distance, and the panicked yells of people returning to their homes, the three Jedi ignited their blades, two green and one blue charging forward to the opposing forces.
The liberation of Rattatak had begun.