Yes, I know that I said that the next chapter will be released on the 25th, but I decided to expand on the story a tad bit more. I must admit, Sora Bulq is a very cool character, and he really needs to be introduced to The Clone Wars series. Anyhoo, enjoy!
The Providence-class star ship Invincible was surrounded by Muunificent-class escorts. Behind them was a Trade Federation Starship, with a constant line of cargo frigates going in and out. Behind that, was the planet Koru Neimoidia, a green and gray-swirled orb on the starry backdrop of the Koru system. The Neimoidians had colonized the world thousands of years ago to harvest its rich deposits of duranium ore and cortosis crystals. As their mining technology improved, vast tracts of lush rainforest had been mowed down, rivers dammed and redirected to power the facilities. Pollution had so ruined the atmosphere that the clouds were now gray, and the sunset's colors varied with the chemicals being spewed into the air.
It all disgusted Sora Bulq.
True, the Weequay had left the Jedi, and thus the Republic, and many senators were trying to push an eco-protection bill through the Senate, but, as usual, Trade Federation Representative Lott Dod had managed to bog down the bill in arbitrary motions, restrictions, treaties-of-something-or-other, investigatory actions, and appeals that the bill would become law well beyond the lifetime of the Senators, if it became law at all. And while the Supreme Chancellor had amassed extreme emergency authoritative powers, he still could not stop the works of the Trade Federation, whose profits would continue to pour into the pockets of Trade Federation officials, many of whom were leaders of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. In effect, they were giving the money that the Separatists were using to fund the war to them.
What disgusted Sora Bulq even more was that the Jedi Council did nothing to stop it.
He still supported the Jedi, and it pained him to kill any of the Order, but the only way to ensure true democracy was for the Jedi Council to sieze control of the Senate, and something so radical would never happen under the guidance of the current masters, who were so arrogant that, to them, any change was a bad change.
Dooku had shown him this, and that is why he had left.
Did he harbor doubts? Did he toss and turn in his bed at night over the thoughts of the Jedi he had slain, Jedi who thought that they were fighting for justice, Jedi who he had once trained?
Yes.
Absolutely yes.
But just looking at a world like Koru Neimoidia, so corrupted and ruined by self interested businessmen while the Republic did nothing, reaffirmed his resolve.
And what really disgusted Sora Bulq, was that he was indirectly working for the people who had ruined the world.
"Oh, what a tangled web we weave."
The voice behind him made the dark Jedi jump to his feet. He turned to face the hologram of Dath Tyrannus, known to most as Count Dooku.
"I was simply meditating on who my allegiances actually belong to Master."
The elderly man in the flickering hologram furrowed his brow in what looked like confusion. "Where do they lie?"
Sora bent his head at the neck in a gesture of respect. "To you, my master. And to the Jedi, and to democracy, yet I find that the only way to achieve our goal is by working for the enemies of what we stand for."
Dooku folded his hands and gave his apprentice a dark smile. "Worry not my apprentice. When we have achieved our goals, those who we 'work for' will be dealt with."
The image of Nute Gunray, Poggle, San Hill, and Wat Tambor sprawled dead on the floor by his hand made Sora smile to himself. "I eagerly await the day my lord."
"Very good Sora," Dooku smiled. "I also await that day."
"Why have you contacted me, my lord?"
Dooku straightened. "I have received word that Master Skywalker and his Padawan are coming to pay you a visit. As you know, Skywalker shares many of our views, yet he has yet to realize how to implement those changes."
"I am aware of this."
"Skywalker would be a great asset if he were to be brought over to our side, made to see things our way. However, his Padawan is tethering him to the Republic."
Bulq furrowed his brow. "You mean for me to kill a youngling my lord?"
"Certainly not my apprentice," Dooku assured. "His Padawan is also a visionary, but not quite in the same league as her Master. If we can sever her from the Jedi Order, and perhaps to our side, then we stand a better chance at enlightening Skywalker."
"What must I do master?"
"Master B'dard Tone is also on Koru Neimoidia, and he too has unorthodox views, yet he too is tethered by a Padawan. I'm sure that you remember Master Opel Scorra?"
Sora nodded, but did not speak. He had killed that Jedi. He remembered her because she had sealed her Padawan in another room, and the youngling had watched as the Weequay had slain his Master.
Dooku seemed not to notice. "I want you keep them delayed until Ruune Haako can get off world, and, if possible, orchestrate a situation that isolates the two Padawans together."
"It will be done, my lord."
WOOO! Merry Christmas y'all! Sora came out so well! And Dooku is such a manipulative douche! Anyhoo, what did you think? Rate and Review PLZ!