"Keep on your guard, my young Padawan." Qui-Gon instructed as the two Jedi explored the damaged village, scanning for any life forms. "Let the Force guide you. If there are any survivors, we will know."
Anakin nodded, yet was unusually quiet. Qui-Gon didn't blame the young boy; this was his first arrival to a sight of a massacre. Charred bodies left and right, either by blaster bolts or holes and slashes across their chest, and the aged Jedi Master had a very good inkling as to where they originated from.
This would only further the Council's suspicions more and more.
Having been tasked with investigating Rattatak, Qui-Gon and Anakin's mission was to seek out Master Sifo-Dyas and return him to the Temple, as the Council had many questions for the Jedi Master. And Qui-Gon had a very good idea to what many of those questions were. Even he desired some answers; the Force has been... Quiet, lately, emitting a soft melody and drifting away from any inquiries the Jedi sought through meditation.
It intrigued the Jedi... And unnerved them.
Whatever the Force was hiding from them, Sifo-Dyas was involved. Qui-Gon was certain of it.
"Master..." Anakin's cracked voice pulled the Jedi from his reviere, the twelve-year-old looking at the . "Who could've done this...?"
"A good question, Anakin." Qui-Gon replied gently, noticing the young boy's stiff posture. "Calm yourself, center yourself through the Force. You may look away if you wish." His pupil immediately obliged, shutting those eyes closed tightly to no longer look at the sight around them.
Sensing no presence nearby to ambush them, the aged Master knelt down next to a Weequay corpse, concentrating. According to their records, Rattatak was ruled by multiple warlords who held an oppresive tyranny over the system, a Weequay army mainly at their command alongside the best warriors and beasts they can find. So why would Sifo-Dyas come here? What motivation would a Jedi Master have to travel to such a babaric world?
Had he come to liberate them?
...What was this?
Something was sticking out from the corpse's pocket, looking to be a datapad. "Excuse me." Qui-Gon said poilitely, pulling out the item and inspecting it, turning on the message transferred into the datapad. And upon doing so, his eyes widened in surprise and awe.
So the Force has been fortunate.
"Master?"
He glanced at his hesitant pupil, "Yes Anakin?"
"Can we look elsewhere?"
Not wishing for his Padawan to stomach the sight either - though all Jedi must witness these kind of things first-hand - the aged Master nodded, "Of course. We must return to Coruscant anyway. Master Sifo-Dyas is clearly not here, but we do have something that could aid our investigations."
Anakin nodded, relieved, before glancing around him and exclaiming quickly, "Master?"
The Force warned him. A green blade ignited and deflected the blaster bolt as Qui-Gon whirled to face the near-assassin, body shielding his Padawan from view.
A Weequay, with a rifle, snarled at the sight of the lightsaber, "Jedi..." It didn't take long fro Qui-Gon to noticed the scorched wound on the Weequay's shoulder, "And I thought we were rid of you..."
Eyes narrowing slightly, Qui-Gon inquired with his blade held up, "You've been acqauinted with a fellow Jedi, then?"
With hollow laughter, his enemy gestured with widened arms, "We all are." Emphasized by the numeorus Weequay emerging form the shadows of the buildings, the corners, and even from rubble. Immediately, both Master and Apprentice stood back to back, green and blue lightsabers raised defensively. "You will pay for killing our masters." The same Weequay sneered contemtibly, raising his weapon with the others.
All aimed at the two Jedi.
"Do not despair." Qui-Gon said quietly, feeling Anakin's fear through their bond, "Anakin, the Force will guide you." From behind him, the young boy nodded, expression from nervousness to that of resolve quickly, the Force strong in him. Stronger than any Jedi Qui-gon has ever met.
And he had every right to feel pride for his student.
With the Force commanding their movements, blades of blue and green met the oncoming red bolts.
On Dathomir, another battle was taking place, albeit one-sided.
Left and right, Zabrak warriors fell to the might of this invader, this man who'd dare enter their village without the Nightsister's blessings. Otherwise, they would've been informed. Yet tyr as they might, warrior after warrior fell in agonizing pain from the blue arcs of loightning sparking dangerously from the hooded being's fingertips. The fallen Zabraks weren't dead, they would only feel the consequences for facing a man of great power.
The remaining ones standing were now hesitating, considering their options. The cloakced invade only moved forward, slowly, caculatingly, as though enjoying the fear present on their faces. Whoever this man was, he was no stranger to suffering.
He was its master.
Still, out-powered or not, they were still Zabrak warriors, and they would fight to the death! Their shared conviction prompted the yelling men to charge, raising their handcrafted clubs and swords, and, once again, fall back onto the dirt ground by the power of this invader, who simply wlaked past them without a care in the world. In just a matter of under a minute, the entire village's population were downed by the black-hooded being.
Save for one.
The yellow and black Zabrak hesitated, young and uncertain of his own capabailities, evn as the cloaked man approached him. Wincing, he slowly glanced at his fallen brother, the only family had had left, broken and beaten on the ground in a matter of seconds.
No... He will avenge his brother's himuliation!
With a battle cry, the remaining standing Zabrak charged forward, swinging down his weapon towards the invader's chest and-
W...What...?!
Every part of his body froze, the weapon barely inching from the opponenet's cloaked chest. By just lifting a finger, this invader had stilled the Zabrak's entire body without delay. And, from beneatht eh hood, he could see the cruel smile and yellow sinister eyes. The invade raise dhis hand, lightning cackling from his fingertips, and the young Zabrak braced hismelf for the fearful end-
"Feral!"
Then, some mystic power pushed the young Zabrak back, the air knocked form his lungs, and he barely looke dup in time to see his older brother recklessly charging in to save him, only to be suspended in midair and thrown in a heap downwards. The hooded being towered over the lying Zabrak, who managed, with some sturggle, to at leats kneel submissively; a trait taught whenever Nightsisters found them worthy as a mate.
"Kill me..." He heard his brother say towards the hooded stranger, "But spare my brother..."
He wouldn't! "Savage, no!" Feral cried out, attempting to stand before the invade wave dhis hand and force dhim to roughly sit back down, observing Savage thoroughly.
"You would die for this weakling?" The figure croaked in a raspy voice.
He had to stop him! "You can't brother!"
But both stranger and sibling were ignoring him, and Feral could onlyw atch helplessly at the horrifying realization he will enver see his brother again.
"Yes..." Savage replied, head bowing, awaiting the killing blow like a true Nightbrother.
"Hmm..." The figure said contemplatively, "A trait I must rid of you overtime." What...? "Rise, Nightbrother." Slowly, Savage obliged, regarding the invader warily.
"You're not going to kill me...?" He dared ask.
The hooded figure responded wahile turning, motioning for the Zabrak to follow, "Should you fail in my plans for you. I am in need of a servant, and the Force appears to be strong in you, Nightbrother. Come."
Savage lingered for just a moment, meeting Feral's pleading eyes with hesitaiton... And sorrow. He wouldn't... Would he?
Yet the invade wasn't tolerating the sentimentality. "Hm, I suppose this can be considered your first test to becoming my surboniate." With powers similiar to the Nightsisters, Savage's weapon flew into the stranger's open palm, offered towards the uncertain Zabrak. "Kill him."
"W-What...?" Savage asked in disbelief.
The invaded replied in displeasure, "Kill your brother, Zabrak, or else the whole village will feel the consequences."
He wouldn't... Savage truly wouldn't... Would he...?
Yet that look in his older brother's eyes, reflected soemthing Feral didn't entirely like. "Brother, wait!" Savage hardly listened, almost as if in a trance, slowly advanced on the backing away younger sibling, who felt himself against a wall now, unable to escape the upcoming killing blow. "You wouldn't kill your only family, would you?"
Savage, upon hearing such, hesitated, andf a brief flicke rof hope rose in Feral's chest. But that squashed down at the strnager's goading words, "He is a shame to your family and the Nightbrother's warrior ways. Destroy him now, and embrace your true destiny! The Nightsisters, after all, won't be too pleased learning this village and all its people will burn."
No...
"I'm sorry, brother." Savage, with hardened regret, raise dhis club over the scared sibling. "May the spirits watch over you."
NO!
One swing over the head was enough, and Feral never moved again.
"I see..." Dooku muttered contemplatively, mulling over these new rather troublesome events. "You did well in informing me about this, Mother Talzin. Be assured I will do everything in my power to aid you avenging your people."
"That would be much appreciated, Count." The hologram of the aged woman replied, her voice echoing rather sinsterly evern though this method of communication. "The Nightbrothers are far too injured to provide my clan with future offsprings. This must be rectified immediately. I trust as we heal the warriors, you shall seek out this dark being who dared step foot on Dathomir without our consent?"
"Unquestionably." Though Dooku already had a suspicion as to the identity of this elusive dark being. "I shall inform you upon learning anything."
In another timline, Talzin and her Nightsister clan had become enemies of Dooku's after numerous assassination attempts. In addition, for granting the cast-out Ventress a place to live and rejoin their clan. Having desired no loose ends, Dooku had ordered the cyborg Grievous into launching a full-scale attack on Dathomir in an attempt to destroy his former apprentice and the Nightsisters.
A mistake the Serrinian will not repeat again.
"Incidentally." The Count began smoothly, "Is there a name to this supposed abducted Zabrak warrior?"
"It matters not." Talzin waved dismissively, "He is expendable, and dead for all we care, after forcibly murdering his brother, according to the Nightbrothers who were concsious enough to observe the events. They called him Savage Opress."
Dooku made no visible reaction, but inwarldy, he winced. Trust Sidious to tkae him by surprise on all accounts. The Count knew he should've recruited the brute's services long ago. "Thank you for the information. We will speak again soon."
"I certainly hope so, Count." And just like that, the hologram of the witch disappeared, and Dooku allowed himself an exhale of relief.
It was highly likely the purpose for Savage's kidnapping was Sidious's desire for a replacement apprentice until he finds the perfect candidate, as he had done with the Count in that other timeline. A part of him pitied the Zabrak; as if he hadn't been abused by the galaxy before, now he will suffer the cruel training of a Dark Lord of the Sith in full force. Dooku was lenient - at least in comparison to Sidious - with his teaching to Savage.
Perhaps, if given enough time, he could put the Zabrak out of his misery before Sidious is through with him.
But still, this presents another obstacle they must face. No doubt his rival will use Savage as dark desciple, to hunt down the Sith's enemies to abduct or dispose of them. Dooku will have to be more cautious than he possibly was currently; without the Nightsister's magicks, Savage wouldn't be strong enough to defeat the Count, even with Sidious's teachings. But arrogance has always been a fatal flaw of the Sith, one Dooku must overcome at all times.
Despise one of your major character traits being arrogance. A mischeavous voice similiar to Qui-Gon said in his mind.
"Master... Cound Dooku." From the doorway, Master Ky Narec entered the large office, that stern expression and judging eyes as constant as ever. Pausing by the desk, the old Jedi folded his arms, "The representatives from the Techno Union and Commence Guild have arrived, and are being escorted to the dining hall as we speak."
Some good news, at least.
Dooku nodded, standing up elegantly, "Thanks you, Master Narec." But the Jedi made no further movement, only his eyes observing the Count walk around the desk. "How goes your pupil's training?"
"The facilities you provided here have been effective in educating my student." Ky admitted, walking beside the Count but still eyeing him warily, "Her studies of the Force were limited on Rattatak. The books of knowledge you have over the Jedi ways have been beneficial in teaching Asajj, rather than the bloodthirsty conflict against us back there. For that, you have my gratitude."
But not his trust. Dooku couldn't blame him; anyone within a mile radius could sense the darkness pouring off the former Jedi, He could cloack that darkness, but he, despise his reservations against the Order, needed the Jedi's alliance against Sidious. Not the entire Order's, mind you, as they were no better than the Sith's movements. Over time, Ky Narec and his unnerved pupil will trust the Count as much as Sifo-Dyas currently did.
"I must regret to inform you, despite the education of young Ventress's studies, you both have little time to continue on for a short while."
Ky raised a white brow, "You have a first assignment for us."
It wasn't a question. Dooku nodded, "A world named Jabiim will be overrun by Trandoshan mercanaries, eager to take the lands for their own means. You are to enagage them and liberate the system from their onslaught."
"Jabiim." The aged Jedi Master repeated, furrowing his brow, "As I recall, it is an Outer Rim world with its own seat on the Senate. Wouldn't the Republic send aid?"
"Ah, the Republic has ignored its crise for help numerous times." The Count said, sighing regrettably, "Though it pays its taxes, Jabiim futilely attempts again and again to gain the Republic's ears, while its lands are stripped bare, and its people slaughtered by greedy mecernaries. You are to repel this attack, and convince the leaders of Jabiim to join our ever-expanding alliance."
"Your independence movement." Ky said thoughtfully, "Another system you wish to take advantage of."
Dooku waved off the remark, "You and your pupil have until the evening to prepare. I suggest you take this matter seriously, Master Narec; for the Republic will reveal its corruption once they learn the real treasures that system has to offer."
Then, as Ky frowned and excused himself from the Count to inform Ventress of the new assignement, the Count made his way to where the representatives were waiting. He opened the doors and greeted the Gossam and Skakoan openly, "Gentlemen!" He clasped his hands friendly, "We have much to discuss."
"I must once again thank you, Master Kenobi, for bringing this messgae to me." The esteemed Chancellor of the Republic said, setting the datapad on his polished desk and gesturing to an empty chair, "Would you like to take a seat?"
Obi-Wan bowed gracefully, truthfully eager to get out of the office and entire Senate building as soon as possible. Outwardly, he expressed a calm and collected face, "I must respectfully decline, Chancellor; you must be quite busy for me to disturb any meetings."
"Come now, Master Kenobi, I always have time for the Jedi who helped saved my home planet years ago." He waved dismissively, "I insist. I would like to at leats interact more with one of Naboo's famous Jedi heroes."
"I only did what I could, your Excellency." Yet the young Jedi Knight, now in hid mid-twenties, found himself sitting down anyway, "Your people were in danger, and I, as a Jedi, acted accordingly."
"Of course, of course." Palpatine nodded, albeit knowingly, eyes reflecting graciousness and... An expression even the young Jedi couldn't decipher. The Chancellor was rather subtle for his own good. "So, tell me, have you found yourself a suitable Padawan as of yet?"
Obi-Wan wasn't too surprised by the question; it wasn't a great secret that the young Jedi Knight has found himself reluctant to take on a student of his own, much like Qui-Gon had after Xanatos. "I'm afraid not, Chancellor." He responded calmly, folding his arms.
Palpatine nodded, his features changing ever so slightly, adopting a sympathetic and understanding expression. "Master Kenobi, I may be a politician, but I am still human." It was no great secret that Obi-Wan had a wary perspective regarding politicians in general. "And I know when someone is troubled. If there is anything I can do..."
Shaking his head, the young Knight replied casually, "I am fine, thank you your Grace." A lie, but he didn't feel compelled to share his concerns with Palpatine of all people. The man was slippery as they come, Obi-Wan had learnt over the years.
So why did a small part of him wanted to trust the man...?
"Of course." The Chancellor conceded, steepling his fingers, "Then tell me, have you heard from your Master recently?" But before he could answer, a beeping noise was heard from the Chancellor's desk. "Yes?" Palpatine inquired to his holographic scretary.
"Representative Binks is here on behalf of Senator Amidala for the recent bill." Somehting in Palpatine's expression flashed for a brtief moment, and Obi-Wan could tell what it was; a grimace. Even the friendly-going and deceitful leader of the Republic held some distaste towards the Gungan who somehow got a position in politics.
Not that Obi-Wan disliked Jar Jar, but even a Jedi has his limits.
And when Palpatine allowed the Gungan entry, Obi-Wan was suddenly hit by a wave of disturbance, the Force echoing danger. And from behind the Chancellor's desk, out of the large window viewing the city of Coruscant, Obi-Wan spotted a flash of silver. "Chancellor!" The young Jedi Knight eylled in warning to Palpatine's oblivious, Force Pulling the stunned man over the desk towards the Jedi, both ducking at the floor just as Representative Binks entered the office.
An onslaught of red bolts blasted through the windows into the red office, flying over the desk and two lying men. From the sounds of several bolts there was also an obnoxious cry of pain. An d finally, as the blasters ceased firing, the Force alerted Obi-Wan that the danger wa stemprorarily gone. Yet just in case, the Jedi immediately stood up and ignited his blue blade, in case the attacker attempted another try to assassinate the helpless leader.
"Are you alright Chancellor?" Obi-Wan inquired after cautiously waiting for the attacker to reveal himself once again, and helping the poor man stand up.
"I am well, Master Jedi." Just as he said this, the security guard barged in, blasters and staff raised to protect their leader to the bitter ened. But upon noticing the damage of the room and sight of no intruder, the guards still held their weapons cautiously and began scanning around, some tending to the Chancellor. Palpatine said after wvaing off an insistent guard in blue armor, "I must say, thank goodness you were here, Master Kenobi. Who knows what could've happened! You have my thanks and that of the Republic's."
But now, Obi-Wan supposed with a pang of regret, the gratitude of the singing corpse of the Gungan on the floor. Not even Jar Jar deserved such a gresome death.