Chapter 8. Faces of Harry Potter
The following week Harry led Hermione and Ron to the Chamber every evening to talk about sith philosophy and teach them meditate to connect with the force.
"Your connection to the force is deluded." Harry explained. "It is fortunate that you started practicing this year, a mere year more – and you would have been unable to see beyond magic."
"The force comes in many aspects, magic is merely one of them. It is, however, unique. This aspect utilizes the force in the most peculiar way – to change the Universe to a practitioner's desire." he walked in front of Ron and Hermione, who sat on the chairs he conjured. "The price, however, is losing the true connection to the force. Children have it – it is called accidental magic by wizarding community. The more you practice with a wand, the more you connect with magic and the harder it becomes to tab into other aspects of the force."
"But you have a strong connection to the force, Harry." Hermione objected. "And you're just like us!"
"That is where you are mistaken, Hermione." Harry smiled gently, but the gleam of orange eyes ruined the image somewhat. "I am older than I look and I was already a master of the force before I started Hogwarts."
"But how is that possible?!" Hermione cut her friend off.
"Perhaps I will tell you one day." Harry replied mysteriously with his smile never faltering. "Now you will use as little magic as possible. I do not expect you to abandon it completely, we do have to keep up appearances, but don't use magic outside of the classroom."
"Alright, is this why you stopped paying attention in classes?" Hermione asked again. Harry's smile widened.
"As sharp as ever, Hermione," he complemented the girl, "but wrong this time. Think, did I really stop paying attention to all classes?"
"McGonagall!" Ron gasped.
"Exactly." Harry replied. His little infusion of the force to the boy's brain did help Ron's mental capabilities and improved his focus. "With all that known, why would I pay attention to McGonagall and not anyone else?"
Hermione already opened her mouth to say "she's scary", but thought better of it. The Harry she knew a couple of month ago would have agreed with her, this Harry, however, enraged Snape on daily basis for personal amusement. For some reason the idea of him fearing any professor in Hogwarts did not seemed plausible to Hermione.
"It's the subject." Harry interrupted her musings, and drew surprised glances from both Ron and Hermione. "Transfiguration. It's more or less the only thing the force cannot do. I want to master it. That's why I've spent all nights since the beginning of this year practicing transfiguration."
"But when do you sleep, Harry?" Hermione asked, her eyebrows raised in surprise.
"He doesn't." Ron replied flatly. Then he frowned. "As least I've never seen you sleep since the first night, mate."
"You wouldn't." Harry said lightly. "Because I indeed do not sleep. I meditate for an hour – that's enough for me."
"Something changed in you, Harry." Hermione said softly. "You weren't like this before."
"You're right." Harry looked at the girl, his glowing orange eyes boring into her brown. Finally, his irises turned to their normal green color. "Maybe someday I will tell you exactly what happened. Now, continue meditating. I need to do something."
In one big jump Harry got on top of the statue of Salazar Slytherin and sat there cross-legged. His eyes were closed. Instinctively Ron and Hermione knew that there friend wasn't in the Chamber anymore. Sure, his body was still there, but not his mind, not his presence. Slowly, the two teens sat on the floor and attempted to meditate again.
xxx
Iokath is a giant artificial world. It is possibly the biggest structure in the Galaxy, built by a sentient species. Now, however, it was devoid of life, only droids dwelled there, vigilant as ever. There was, however, one exception. A tall boy with black hair and vibrant red eyes in black robes walked inside the main administrative center of the planet.
"I see now what the use of that hollow body is." SCORPIO said, not looking up from one of many control panels around her.
"One body can be very restricting." a tall boy answered. "This is the most efficient way I can keep up the charade on Earth and manage Iokath and the Empire." he flexed his glowed hand. "But I have to say, this body is better than Harry Potter's original one."
"The original one bears signs of malnutrition and has many foreign substances in it." the droid replied monotonously. "I removed them all during the cloning process. This is the reason for increased height."
"Thank you." Harry nodded. "Now then, how is the fleet coming?"
"Iokath total battleship production power is estimated around 1500 units per year." SCORPIO said. "Naturally, this planet is equipped to produce enough droids and machinery to equip all battleships. As you ordered, I started the reparations to the planet after thousands of years of neglect. Damage was not extensive, but it will take approximately a year and a half to repair completely."
"Good, I want one battleship around Earth." Harry instructed, walking to a large window of the tower. "It is a very rich world. I will conquer it."
"Understood." the droid nodded.
"The biggest issue so far is people." Harry said, looking at the heart of Iokath. "I have millions of droids, but only a handful of people under my command. I want you to remedy that. When the fleet is ready, have three battleships fly to three different Hutt worlds and buy some slaves – as many as you can. Have them moved to planet Dromund Kaas and grant them freedom. I imagine slaves will be quite grateful. Local sith hopefuls will assist you in management of the population."
"Very well." SCORPIO nodded. "However, I predict resistance. Some will want to return to their home worlds. Living organisms tend to be attached to their places of birth."
"No," Harry chuckled, "people are attached to their families. Buy whole families of slaves if you can: men, women, children, even elderly people."
"Understood." SCORPIO nodded.
"Good." Harry nodded. "I will be off to Mandalore then. They have a lovely civil war brewing. It would be a shame to miss it."
xxx
Back at Hogwarts Albus Dumbledore was sitting in his office, contemplating one Harry Potter and recent changes in the young man. He was dreaming again last night. About Harry flying in space again. He was sure that the dream was true, even if it was reported to him by everyone he asked that the boy spent night in Gryffindor tower. Somehow, Harry found a way to be in two places simultaneously.
This was bad. Dumbledore was sure that this power was dark and Harry somehow gained mastery of it. This force, as Harry would call it in his dreams, was dark and could not bring anything good. He needed to stop Harry from using it, he must save the boy from himself.
On another note, Ron and Hermione reported on the boy's behavior just minutes ago and told him the very same facts that everybody did. Harry was secretive, but did nothing criminal or bad, except for ignoring any and all professors except McGonagall during her lessons. Severus especially would throw a temper tantrum every time he was asked about Harry. Apparently the boy found a way to infuriate the potions master with mere words and glances. Albus had to admire that, however begrudgingly.
And yet, Dumbledore's instincts were telling him that something was kept away from him, that Ron and Hermione didn't in fact tell him the whole truth. And Albus Dumbledore never dismissed his instincts. This warranted further investigation. However much he hated it, Albus would have to read Ronald's and Hermione's thoughts – it was for Harry's sake.
xxx
Lial Bressdan, president of Czerka Arms, sat comfortably in his chair. His office was large and nice-looking. It was a round room, with half of the walls made of glass and giving wonderful view of Corusant. For now, headquarters of Czerka were on this planet – it helped recruitment efforts, not to mention the partnership with the Republic – a true treasure throve.
All of a sudden the shadows in his office started to grow, becoming more pronounced. His intercom sprang to life.
"Sir, you have vice-president Durar wants to speak with you." his secretary Rorie Ffaz, told him. Lial frowned. What did that old geezer want now?
"Alright, let him in." he replied.
Vice-president of Czerka Arms Ra'rek Durar was notorious for overseeing more shady businesses Czerka had. As much as Bressdan wanted to shut them all down, he couldn't. The board of directors just didn't see that these exploits were another blight on the reputation of the corporation, preventing it from dealing with the more righteous clients, such as jedi, who constantly needed some weapons or other – guardians of peace indeed. Ra'rek Durar was also on the board of directors and one of the major stock holders, he was also the most insistent on developing his shady branch: supplying terrorist organizations, such as Death Watch for example. Gods, that man would fit in nicely in Czerka of the old times.
"Vice-president, what did you want to discuss?" Bressdan asked as soon as the old man walked into his office. Lial noted, however, that something was not right with his vice. The man seemed to give off sinister aura – well, more sinister than usual anyway.
"Mr. President, we need to speak privately." Durar addressed his boss. Lial nodded and pressed a special button under his table, disabling all cameras and surveillance in his office. Some of the deals of the corporation should never be recorded.
"What is it?" Lial asked with a sigh. "I told you once and will tell you again, we are not expanding drug networks."
"I couldn't care less about your opinions, you petty fool." Durar said, yet the voice did not belong to the old man.
"Durar?" Lial asked carefully.
"He is dead." the body replied. "He is now my vessel, as are you."
Purple and black tendrils left Durar's glowing magenta eyes and coiled around Lial, paralyzing him. Soon, tendrils entered the presidents eyes as well.
"The troubles I have to go through to not lot the jedi sense me." Lail muttered not in his voice. Both men's eyes stopped glowing and Lial pressed the button under his table.
"Very well, vice-president, thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will think on your proposal and tell you of my decision later." Lial nodded as he said these lines in his usual voice.
"Thank you, sir, this is all I ask." Durar nodded and left.
As soon as the doors were closed, Lial turned to face the windows. He smiled. "Well, it seems Czerka is in for grand reforms…" he chuckled darkly as his blue eyes flashed angry red. He turned back to the table and activated the intercom.
"Ms. Ffaz," he said, "summon Mr. Kosox. Tell him to bring expansion strategy files with him."
"Yes, sir." came a reply.
Lial smiled. Czerka will become number one in the galaxy… It will supply all sides of the coming civil war with weaponry. And then…
xxx
The jedi temple was a grand structure, old and majestic. It inspired the sense of awe and tranquility simultaneously – a very rare thing on Corusant. Its five towers stood proudly over the surface of the planet and overlooked the ever busy city. In the highest spire sat the jedi council. Despite peaceful times, members of the council were distressed.
"The veil of the dark side I feel." Yoda started the meeting.
"As do I." Windu nodded. "We all found it upon our senses after that incident on Naboo."
"No, not the same the neture of the veil is." Yoda shook his head, startling the council.
"I'm not sure I feel the difference, Master Yoda." Shaak Ti said. "Can you elaborate?"
"Stronger the dark side became." Yoda replied after a nod. "Less slippery, yet more pronounced and sturdy the veil got. Unable to even peek behind it I am." he sighed. "Moving in the shadows great darkness is. The nature of it I do not know, cautious we must be."