A.N: Sorry for taking a little while longer on writing this chapter. With school, work, and the occasional writer's block it took a little bit of time to complete this chapter. Thank you guys for waiting and showing my story some love! I'll try my best to release chapters as soon as I can. Hope you enjoy the read!
"Hello, my old apprentice. It has been far too long." The Elegant Dooku greeted. "Master Dooku? What are you doing here?" "Well, I've decided upon taking a new protégé." "You have seen firsthand how effective his teachings are, Qui-Gon. You should have the utmost confidence in your old master." "I… Understand, Master Mundi. I have learned a great deal of wisdom from his teachings." "Your vote of confidence in me is most appreciated, my old apprentice. I shall see to it that he grows to be a fine Jedi." "But there is one question I would like to ask you, Master Dooku." Qui-Gon glanced back. "Yes?" "Forgive my precipitousness, however, last I heard you were eagerly pursuing to reclaim your title as the count of Serenno, not to mention your apparent disagreements on how the Republic is governed. I am not so sure how instilling this attitude of materialism and rebelliousness into a padawan, especially the chosen one, could result in producing a fine Jedi." Hiding his offended pride behind a smile, Dooku retorted, "You shall be pleased to know then, my old friend, that I have relinquished all ties to Serenno and have given up in my vain pursuit of that title. Also, I have come to see that it is not my place to question the Republic or the council, for that matter. I am honor bound to fulfill the privilege I have as a Jedi master of the Republic." His smooth speech was enough to convince most of the council of his change of heart, but not master Yoda, and certainly not Qui-Gon.
"I see… Well, it appears I have no choice in the matter either way. I suppose I will just have to have faith in you, my old master." Dooku placed his hand over her his chest and gave a bow in respect.
"Speak with master Dooku, we must. A challenging padawan learner, he has before him." "Yes, master Yoda. I shall begin on my assignment as well. I shall report to the council with all that I find." Qui-Gon followed with a bow and left the chamber.
Although Jinn could not convince the council to allow himself to teach Anakin, he did not doubt for a moment that Dooku had some sort of ulterior motive. Master Dooku was once one of the wisest of Jedi, second only to his master, Yoda. It was his obsession of his birthright and inheritance back on his home planet of Serenno that slowly began to poison his mind. Soon, he began to question the Republic itself as well as some aspects of the Jedi code. '…relinquished all ties to Serenno… given up in my vain pursuit of that title…? He vigorously chased after it for so long and now he has suddenly abandoned his passionate pursuit? No. There was something wrong here…' Qui-Gon thought to himself as he left the temple. A sigh left his lips, "I have a bad feeling about this…"
While walking down through the crowds of Jedi and guards, Qui-Gon had bumped his shoulder into a familiar Jedi unknowingly walking beside him, "Oh. Forgive me, I did not see you there … Syfo?" The Jedi returned Qui-Gon's surprised face, "Qui-Gon Jinn? Is that you? I didn't know you had returned from Naboo already! Oh, it's so good to see you!" They exchanged a warm hug as Qui-Gon gave a warm smile, "Syfo Dyas, my old friend. It is good to see you too."
They walked through the current of people and walked together to a less congested platform of the courtyard, "I hadn't expected to see you back so soon on Coruscant Qui-Gon, but it's so nice to see your face again. Tell me all about your travels. I want to hear everything." "Syfo, This past week has been… difficult, to say the least. So much has happened, and I fear it is not yet over." "Ah yes… I heard of your padawan… My deepest condolences, old friend. I shall be at the funeral tonight to show my support." "Thank you, Syfo… Actually, now that I have you here, I wished to ask you, I have seen the council more than usual this past week. The times I have, however, I haven't seen you in your seat. Have you been out on an assignment this whole time?" "Ah, well… No. The council deemed it necessary to… remove me." Qui-Gon turned to him with concern, "Remove you from the council!? Why?" Syfo took a deep breath, "Because, I, like you, can see that something is coming. Something that is far worse that a blockade of one small planet… War is coming Qui-Gon Jinn. I tried to convince the council even before the invasion of Naboo, that we needed to be prepared with an army of our own, but they would not listen. They deemed me an extremist and expelled me from the council." "Syfo… I had no idea…" "It's alright, old friend. But you understand, don't you? You see it too, can't you?" "Oh, well… I sense a great darkness looming near, that I know. Whether it is war, I cannot say." Syfo Dyas held his chin in his fingers and stared blankly in thought. Just then he caught sight of something upon the steps of the temple.
"Syfo…" "Qui-Gon, I must go attend to some… business. We will speak soon, my friend!" He rushed off before Qui-Gon could get the chance to say his goodbyes. This meeting seemed only to further Qui-Gon's anxiety. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, calming his mind. "Alright, now, let us see what my Sith friend has to say." He told himself as he hailed a transport to take him to the Detention Center within the city.
"Please place your lightsaber in here, master Jedi. Unfortunately, weapons of any kind aren't allowed within the prison." the guard said, extending his hand toward another guard behind a small opening in a blaster proof booth. "Of course." "We will return it upon your return, master Jedi." The guard behind the booth assured. Qui-Gon gave him a nod. They traversed through the hallways of cells housing gamblers, spice dealers, and bounty hunters. The occasional sneer was thrown at the Jedi, but he ignored them. "We've interrogated him for some time, but we don't seem to be getting anywhere. I think he's been trained to even withstand torture much less a simple interrogation." "Interesting. What makes you say that?" "Well, Those black markings on his skin, they actually aren't part of his skin. They were nearly burned on him as tattoos. Also, we noticed many different cuts and scars on his back, chest, and torso. They seem to be cuts by a lightsaber." Jinn's hands stroked his beard. "The origin of his kind have been known to inflict such wounds as a means of discipline and training. I'm not at all surprised you did not get him to talk." "Well, we were able to get one thing out of him." They came before a door that recognized the badge of the guard, unlatched and slowly crept open. "He calls himself Darth Maul." The chained Zabrak tilted his head up and smiled, "Hello, decrepit Jedi."
The guard kept his blaster trained on the Sith. "Maul, is it? I've come here to ask you a few questions." The Sith cackled, "Of course you have. I've been waiting for you, Jedi." Qui-Gon gave him a half smile, "Oh? Well, I am sorry I kept you waiting." "I had you, you know." Maul's expression turned to anger, "Only one or two more seconds, and I would have buried my lightsaber in your gut. But that pathetic boy had to rush in like a fool and take your place." Jinn was wise enough to know what Maul was trying to do. Instilling anger would cloud the mind and make one act irrationally and predictably. "A padawan is an insect. Killing the master brings the most pleasure." He returned to his cackling while Jinn continued to remain unfazed. "Who is your master, Sith?" Jinn asked bluntly. Maul ceased his laughing and darted his eyes to meet the Jedi's. "I know you are an apprentice. You like to brag about how victory was just before your grasp, but you are sloppy. It was because of your pride and uncontrollable emotions that my padawan was able to deliver your means of defeat to me from right under your nose." Maul's face filled with grimace. "The truth is that you are the one that is pathetic and foolish." Maul roared as he extended his chained arms toward the Jedi. Qui-Gon pushed his palm forward, using the force to slam and pin the Sith against the wall. "Enough!" The guard yelled. Jinn let go as Maul fell back on his steel bed.
"I see now that I am wasting my time here. Enjoy your stay, Darth Maul." "Wait!" Maul called, while catching his breath between laughs. "You want information, right? Well, you're going to have to do me a little favor first, Jedi." Jinn turned his head to face back.
"Why would I do any favors for you? There is most likely no way to confirm whatever information you have to give." "True. But I'll give you something you can put your trust in." "Oh? And what is that?" Maul's face changed once again, but into a serious demeanor, "My will to live." The Jedi returned his response with a puzzling look.
"You seem to know your history of the Sith, Jedi. What do you think my master is going to do with me having lost my legs and in the midst of a Republic Prison, knowing all that I do? I am certain he has already implemented a plan to ensure my death. In fact by this time tomorrow I suspect that I will most likely be dead." "What are you saying?" Jinn asked coldly. "I don't harbor any grudge against my master. It is simply the way of the Sith. I would do precisely the same thing if our roles were reversed, but I'm not ready to die just yet. I will give you a name if you transport me to a holding in your Jedi temple, where I will be guarded by Jedi and can be sure no bounty hunter or assassin can reach me." "A name? Your master's name?" "No. Not my master's." Qui-Gon scowled. "You waste my time, Maul." Qui-Gon turned to walk through the door and as he was just under the doorway, Darth Maul spoke once more, "My master's master."
Qui-Gon stopped in his steps. "Your master's master? Once again, Sith, you waste my time. Whoever your master's master was, he must be dead by now. I know of your 'rule of two.' The fact that you are his apprentice now means that he has killed his master already." Maul flashed another dark grin, "True, my master took me as his apprentice, but what makes you think that means that his master is dead?" Jinn narrowed his eyes at the confident Maul. "Give me a moment to confer with the council." He said to the guard, then walked back down the hall for privacy.
"It is too dangerous. He cannot be trusted." Mundi exclaimed. "Mundi is right Qui-Gon, there is no way to confirm whatever name he decides to give us and I do not like the idea of keeping a Sith in the temple." Windu added. "I agree." "I concur." The councilmen voiced, one after another. "Forgetting one thing, all of you are." Yoda announced. "Know not what the Sith have in store, we do. Correct, Darth Maul is. Execute him, his master will try to do. No reason to lie, he has." "I agree with Master Yoda…" Jinn intervened "…I can sense his desperation hiding behind his fear. He would not risk us not taking him in, he would surely die if we refuse. Besides, I do not mean to underestimate this Sith, however, he is crippled. He has no legs on which to stand and cause any resistance." The councilmen pondered and looked toward each other. "I don't like it… but perhaps you have a point…" Windu Confessed. "…Alright Qui-Gon, We'll send a transport to the detention center. Well bring him into our custody." "Very good, Master Windu." Jinn gave a bow as the hologram faded.
Jinn walked in the room and signaled the guard to leave them for a moment. The guard nodded and complied. "The council has agreed to take you in, Maul. A transport is on its way to escort you back to the temple." "Very good." Maul spoke with a dark grin. "I am no fool Sith, we both know this arrangement is only temporary. We can't keep you guarded in the temple forever. You have some sort of plan you are not telling me." Maul let out a laugh, "Perhaps I do and perhaps I do not. You will just have to wait and see, won't you Jedi? But, it seems I must now keep my end of the deal." Jinn focused his gaze on Maul.
"My master knew him as Darth Plaguis. A truly remarkable Sith." "Plaguis? I have never heard of such a name." Jinn retorted. "Of course you haven't. But I am fairly certain you know of him. You may have even had the pleasure of meeting him once or twice." Jinn narrowed his eyes once again, "The name, Sith." Maul raised his eyes to meet Jinn's and smiled, "You would know him as Hego Damask."