TRTSS1: The Warrior of Stars! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: R1/2, SM, ST, and the other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 16
For a long time, Usagi stares at Count Dooku…
"May I come in?" Dooku asked.
"Um, sure," Usagi said, as she allowed the leader of the Separatist movement to come into his home.
"Interesting place you have here," Dooku said, as he looks around.
"Care for a beverage?" Usagi asked, as she wrapped her light robe around her body.
"No thank you," Dooku said, as he slightly turns away, before-
SNAP! Hzzzz-
SNAP! Hzzzz-
BLAM!
Dooku pushes down on Usagi's lightsaber, but only slightly.
"So, you're skills have not degraded since your expulsion from the Jedi Order," Dooku said.
"What else is there to do around here?" Usagi said. "Shoot wombats all day?"
"Indeed," Dooku said, as he lowers his lightsaber, only to have Usagi press her blade near Dooku's neck.
"Interesting turn of events, Count Dooku," Usagi said, as her yellow-colored saber glowed softly…
"You wouldn't want to kill me, Usagi," Dooku said evenly.
"And why not? I get rid of you, this war is over."
"Really? And will that remove the threat poised by the Sith?"
Usagi raises an eyebrow.
"Oh, yes," Dooku said. "I know your expulsion is merely a ruse, so that someone like ME would be charitable enough to recruit you. From there, after much work in impressing ME, you get to meet my master, the Lord of Sith, which, at that point, you will expose my master's identity."
"…"
"That is the conundrum you face, my dear. Slay me, and your mission fails."
Hzzzz-SNAP!
"Do as you will, Padawan," Dooku said, as he lowers his de-activated light-saber.
Hzzzz-SNAP!
"Humph," Usagi said, as she places her deactivated light-saber on a nearby counter. "So, you got me. Why even bother showing up if you already know what's going on?"
"Simple: my Master sees you as a part of his grand design. And, if you are found worthy, you can learn dark secrets of the Sith."
"Really now."
"Really."
Silence.
"Let me get this straight," Usagi said, as she clears her throat. "You know that I am trying to uncover the mystery regarding the Lord of the Sith, and your Master knows that I know that he knows that I'm trying to uncover the mystery regarding the Sith."
"Correct."
"Well, that explains everything," Usagi said sarcastically.
"Keep in mind that he has anticipated your eventual betrayal, and will deal with this 'fact' accordingly."
"Ah."
Dooku steps forward.
"You are a Child of Destiny, Usagi Tsukino. No matter what happens from this day forth, the Master WANTS you to know the secrets of the Sith. If you are not worthy of this honor, you will die. If you are, no matter the path you take, you ensure that the secrets of the Sith is not lost…"
"You would bestow upon me this 'honor', even if I oppose you? Even if I…might stop you for good."
"Especially then. You will have proven yourself capable of being a Sith Lord. And even if you do not, you will carry our lore long after my master and I are dust in the wind. THAT will be a legacy worth saving."
Dooku then brings out a tiny communications device.
"But, I digress," Dooku said, as he places the communications device near her lightsaber. "I will be in Mos Espa on business with the Hutts. You have until tomorrow to contact me of your decision. But I will have to warn you: once you have accepted my offer, you are to obey me without question. Understand?"
"Of course, Count Dooku," Usagi replied.
"Good. Good day."
And, with that, the leader of the Separatists leaves Usagi's apartment.
For a long moment, Usagi simply stared at the communicator device. She knew she was playing a very dangerous game, but if lives could be saved, then so be it…
Usagi then activates her vid-phone.
CHIRP!
""Watto's'," Shimi said, as she began her pitch. "How may I direct your call- Usagi?"
"Hi," Usagi said. "I need to ask you for an extended favor."
Shimi raises her right eyebrow.
"What kind of extended favor?" Shimi asked.
"Well…"
A few days later, Usagi was in front of the Jedi Council, with Master Obi-Wan Kenobi standing next to her.
"Your return, glad I am," Master Yoda said.
"The feeling is mutual," Usagi said with a bow.
"Now that the pleasantries have concluded, we can get to your first assignment," Master Qui-Gon Jinn says. "We have determined that there is a key supply hub on Arctica. It is believed that if we can take out that supply hub, it will make things difficult for the Separatist to maintain its fighting strength on Danttooine."
"Is that why Master Kenobi was the one to retrieve me, and not Master Kenobi?" Usagi asked.
"Correct," Jinn said. "Upon their arrival to inspect our troop strength on the planet, the Separatist entered the star system."
"Effectively preventing them from leaving," Usagi said with a nod.
"Correct. However, it was Master Kenobi who managed to escape to relay information on the strength of the troops of the Separatists on Danttooine, including information on the supply hub on Arctica."
"I see…"
"You, Master Kenobi, myself and Padawan Skywalker will go to Arctica to destroy the Separatist's hub," Jinn said.
"There, Padawan Saotome will join you on your mission," Master Yoda said. "After he returns to Naboo from Alderaan."
"Huh," Usagi said, as she smiled. "I will be looking forward to seeing him again…"
"Then, our first stop will be Naboo, so we can take command of the fleet there," Jinn said.
"Then, if nothing else, may the Force be with you all," Master Yoda said…
Meanwhile, on Alderaan…
With the conference over, it was time for the senators of the Galactic Republic to depart to their respective worlds. The conference theme was solidarity through peace, thanks to the fact that Senator Amidala, Senator Bail Organa and Senator Mon Mothma still believed that the conflict between the Republic and the Separatists. So far, no solution has been forth coming, other than, again, create a commission to look into seeing what ideas the conference had developed were feasible. Other than that, Padawan Saotome had a fun time demonstrating his skills in the Jedi Arts, though not without a hitch…
"…I must say that your prowess is most exquisite," Senator Bail Organa said, after Ranma entertained the local children with an impromptu performance of the Jedi Arts.
"Thanks, Senator," Ranma said, as he bows. "I just hope that you don't get in trouble because of me."
"I don't think my fiancée's father will appreciate that trick of yours, but I'll be okay…"
During the demonstration, Ranma created an illusion of a Vulcan "selat", a type of mountain cat from his home galaxy. He had conjured it using a Jedi illusion technique, just as Bail's future father-in-law had entered the scene. Unfortunately, like Ranma had been a long time ago, Bail's father had a fear of cats. Needless to say, the whole affair was embarrassing all around.
"But, please, you are always welcomed to my home."
"Thanks, I appreciate that…"
"We will continue to discuss these matters in committee, when the Senate is in session, Senator," Kasumi said, as she hugged Senator Mon Mothma.
"I hope we have more success then, Padme," Mon said. She broke her hug, and glances towards Ranma, who was talking to Bail.
"And your companion is quite handsome," Mon grinned. "His he your…'special friend'? If not, I could use a companion."
"Mon!" Kasumi said with a shocked expression. "That is so scandalous."
"I do not have too many opportunities for companionship, Padme."
"I see…"
"Can you give him my contact information? Yes, I know of the Jedi Order's prohibition against relationships, but still…"
"I will pass along your…inquiry."
"Thank you. I really appreciate that-"
"Uh-oh!" said Senatorial Assistant Jar-Jar Binks, as he accidentally trips while carrying some packages.
CRASH!
All eyes turn towards the clumsy Gungan.
"Ex-squeeze me!"
"Damn it, Jar-Jar," Ranma said, as he shakes his head in mild embarrassment…
Upon boarding the silvery craft that was the Senator's ship, Ranma straps in.
"Captain Antilles was concerned that I only have you to protect me, Ranma," Kasumi said, as she sits down in the cockpit.
"I don't see why he would be concerned," Ranma said.
CRASH!
"Whoopsie!" Jar-Jar said, as he makes another accident from the cargo hold.
"On second thought, maybe Antilles should have been with us," Ranma said, as he sets a course for Naboo."
"Why is that?" Kasumi asked.
"Somebody ought to be between me and that clown Jar-Jar," Ranma said. "One of these days…Gah!"
Kasumi merely giggles her response.
Tbc.