So happy with the positive reception of the rewrite! I can't stop grinning seeing the amount of favs/follows and reviews in such a short span. I hope I can live up to the hype of the prologue.
Once again, big thanks to my betas: STARWARZMYLIFE, dieFabuliererin, Cuthalion97, katierosefun.
The Son
A solar sailer entered the Horox system. Its large golden sails began to furl itself in its canopy when it drew closer to a bright red and green planet. The sailer began its steady descent, going through the planet's atmosphere with ease. It flew fast and high in the cloudless sky to its destination, gleaming brightly from the Sun's rays.
After a few minutes of flying, the ship finally arrived at its destination. A tiny, easily missable building, surrounded by heavy foliage. It landed on the sole landing pad of the installation with grace fitting of the luxurious spacecraft. The doors of the vessel slid open with a ramp exited and met with the ground. A tall man with gray-white hair, dressed in garbs fitting of a nobleman exited the ship. He was greeted by a LEP servant droid with an olive green finish.
The droid bowed. "Count Dooku," it greeted.
He continued walking, ignoring the pleasantries the droid jabbered. "How is my son's progress faring?"
"Quite well, my Count." The droid moved quickly to catch up to the man, taking long strides with its small legs. "Though he is not exhibiting the same abilities you hold, he does possess terrifying intelligence and aptitude for someone so young."
He grumbled at the disappointing news. It was quite unfortunate. He had hoped his son would be his apprentice since he sensed a strong connection to the Force in him when he was but an infant. Dooku had hoped the grueling training he sentenced his son through would have the boy's potential unleashed to the galaxy but it seemed he would need to find a new subject to assist him in overthrowing his master. Only then would his son truly be safe from others. He just needed to bide his time now.
"Where is he now?"
"Ah, sparring at the moment, my Lord."
"Take me to him. I wish to see his growth personally."
"Y—yes of course, Count Dooku," it stammered. "Right this way."
The servant took the lead, guiding the dark lord of the Sith through the steel gray halls to his child. He wondered how long it had been since he last saw his son? He had been quite preoccupied with carrying out his master's plans the last couple of years.
Three years? No, it had to be more than that. Five perhaps?
He closed his eyes, trying to remember his son's face. He couldn't even recall the color of his hair, let alone any physical features. It seemed it had been too long since he last saw the boy.
He opened his eyes, a hint of sadness in them and a noticeable frown gracing his lips. Zen would be disappointed in him for forgetting the face of their child, lashing out at him for breaking his vow in being a better parent than his own father was to him. Being viewed as a terrible parent who only cared about grooming his only child as a weapon was a necessary sacrifice though. Sometimes keeping one's child safe meant being the villain. Hopefully Zen understood his actions from wherever she may be watching them from.
"We arrived, my Lord."
The droid opened the large doors, revealing a battered arena. In the center of the arena were three individuals. Two of which were IG-100 MagnaGuard droids—each wielding an electrostaff—towering over a human boy less than half their size. The boy was badly beaten, covered in bruises and a bloody busted bottom lip. His form was sloppy, full of openings as he used his vibrorapier as a crutch to stand on his own two feet. Judging by how heavy he was breathing and the way his battered clothes stuck to him, the boy was exhausted, looking he might keel over at any second.
His son was going to lose. That was a fact even the most inexperienced could see. A pity he didn't see how the events led up to this moment. He was sure his son put up quite the fight. Another time perhaps.
He was going to order them to cease with their duel but was stopped by the droid that led them there.
"I know how it may look, Count Dooku, but he will prevail victorious."
He raised a brow at the machine's words. Was that pride he heard from the droid? Never had he heard such emotions coming from a being of metal and oil. "How so?"
"For this is his fourth attempt at this exercise. He always succeeds at the fourth."
Just as the droid spoke those words, one of the MagnaGuard droids moved to attack. It went high with an overhead strike while its partner moved swiftly to flank their target. It was etched into their programming to conduct such a plan. One would always be the distraction for the others to attack from behind then overwhelm the target with their systemic attacks.
His son reacted quickly, crouching low and then dashing at the droid in front of him. The droid saw it coming and fixed itself, now committing an underhand strike instead. At the last second, before the blow would connect and send bolts of electricity into the boy, he brought his rapier forward at a downward angle, effortlessly letting the attack graze his blade as he maneuvered behind the droid.
The boy didn't waste the chance that was grace to him. He kicked the back of the machine's right knee, faltering its movements for his next attack. He jumped on its back, grabbing hold of its shoulder as a means to not fall off. With a fluid motion, he stabbed the droid in the center of its head and brought it down, effectively slicing the automaton into two.
The half he held onto began to fall and he rolled with the motion, heading towards his last standing opponent. The MagnaGuard tried to strike him but he was too small of a target and missed. His son unrolled at the last second, slicing the droid's legs at its kneecaps with finesse of a proficient swordsman. He didn't let the droid have any quarter and jumped on its back, halting its chances to recover and conduct a counterattack. With zero remorse he slashed at the machine diagonally, successfully decommissioning the machine and won the duel.
"Most impressive," Dooku spoke loudly, startling his son with his clapping.
His son turned around to face him, smiling despite the bruises and blood on his face. "Dad!" he cheerfully greeted.
It seemed time didn't affect his son like it did him. The boy immediately recognized him while he couldn't remember the simplest of features of his son. His son moved to meet him—dropping his vibrorapier to the ground—but tripped over scraps of metal below. He didn't make contact with the floor though, being lifted an inch off the ground.
Dooku lifted his index finger upward, making the boy stand upright.
"Always be mindful of your surroundings, or else you will find yourself among those you've defeated."
"Y—yes, Dad," the boy stammered nervously, his eyes focused on the ground.
"I need not your words, but your actions to see that you truly understand." Dooku folded his hands behind his back. "But I did not come here to lecture you. I bring good news, my son; you are leaving this planet today."
"Really?" His face beamed at the news.
Dooku could hear the excitement in his voice. Normally he would have reprimanded such eagerness, he was raising a warrior after all, but since he was still a boy, he would let it slide just this once.
"Yes. You are to finish the last of your training with a new associate of mine."
"O—oh..." Dooku saw the innocent smile of his son diminished slightly from the news. "I mean, as you wish, Father."
His son made a fist with his right hand and hovered it over his heart, taking a slight bow. An act one did when regarding an order from a noble of one of the great houses of Serenno.
Dooku knew his words and actions were harsh towards the boy but he needed him to be strong for what was to come. While not strong in the Force, the boy had other uses he could exploit. Dooku needed an ally he could trust for the troubling plans his master had in motion, and what was a better ally than his own son.
"Gather your belongings and report to my ship. You may freshen up during our journey. I will be there shortly."
"Yes, Father..."
His son moved to follow his orders, his head down to avoid his gaze. Dooku closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Everything you are doing is to protect your son.
He exhaled slowly, ridding himself of any doubt or second thoughts he had planned for his son. He would not lose him, he promised her that.
"Droid," Dooku called, gaining the attention of the machine next to him. "I want all droids of this outpost in my presence this instant."
"Yes, of course, Count Dooku." The green droid quickly scurried off to follow its master's command, tripping over its own stumpy legs.
It didn't long for the machine to gather all the residents of the small installation to his location. He had requested only a handful of droids, mainly those with caretaking programming, to mold his son's skills as well as educate him. He had muse on the idea of allowing living beings to be the one to facilitate the growth of his child but decided against it at the last second. Not only could they form an attachment to the boy—an act that he refused to happen—the hypothetical individuals could be a risk of letting the current status of his son reach his master's ears. As far as his master knew, his son died peacefully a few years back due to the illness that swept his homeworld.
The green servant droid returned with many of its kind behind it. They all filed in small columns, patiently waiting for further instructions. The LEP servant droid took a step forward to their master.
"Everyone as you ordered, Count Dooku."
"Good," he said with a nod. He gazed upon each and every single one that helped mold and shaped his son's skills and repertoire. Based on what he had seen from his son's duel, it seemed he was correct in letting droids take the helm of his son's growth.
"You all have exceeded my expectations greatly. I can see my son has learned much from you, machines." He folded his hands behind the small part of his back. "Unfortunately, the needs of your services are no longer required. Execute destruction protocol, four-delta-niner-tree."
One by one, each droid's visor suddenly changed color. What was once a baby blue or magenta purple was now a deep crimson red. They all snapped into attention.
"As you wish, Lord Tyranus," they all chorus.
The many droids huddled together, connecting through their limbs. With whirs and low screeching noise, the droids transformed and joined together, forming three large rectangular objects. A soft click graced Dooku's ears as numbers displayed on the objects, counting down from ten minutes.
The green servant droid was the only one not consumed to form the three bombs. "Will there be anything else, Lord Tyranus?"
"No." He turned away from the machine, making his way to the exit. "You are dismissed."
The droid grabbed its head. "Have a pleasant day." With a quick snap and tug, it removed its head from its body then fell with a loud metallic clang.
"What is your name?"
"Coquer."
"Where did you hail from?"
"Saffia of Serenno."
"Who are your parents?"
"Jernic and Mara. Both deceased due to an illness that swept my home."
"How did I come around you?"
"I was a servant, completing chores I was tasked with. I noticed an unfinished game of chess while conducting my routine. When I placed black into checkmate, you found me and asked if I was the one who did it. After answering yes, you made me your ward. You said I have potential that you wished to bring out and... "
Coquer trailed off, looking completely uncomfortable with continuing. His hands on his knees, tightly grasping his brown slacks as he avoided looking at his father.
"And?" Dooku asked with a demanding tone.
The boy sighed, releasing his grip on his pants. "...and that I reminded you of your deceased son," he breathed.
Dooku nodded his head in an approving manner of his son's responses. Though hesitant, all were correctly answered. While traveling to their destination, the old Sith drilled into the young boy's head his new identity. He had acquired a few enemies while preparing for his master's grand plan, and the numbers would continue to grow once war began. He cannot give his enemies a way to exploit him.
Dooku glanced at his son, examining his appearance. It would be easy to mistake his son for an orphan he took pity on. His son received his strong cheekbones and fairer skin tone but nothing else. Thankfully, the boy carried much of the same characteristics as his mother. Soft deep-set eyes, colored in a kind tawny shade. Small, almost childlike nose, begging to be poke like a button. Shoulder length hair, perfectly framing her triangle shaped head, dressed in a dark brown color. An alluring smile that promised safety and love for him.
"Stop staring, Dooku. You're making me blush."
He snapped his eyes close, taking a sharp breath. He needed to be strong. While he would never forget about Zen and the time they shared, he must place the memories of her in the back of his mind. The Sith don't take kindly to such weakness and he was sure he didn't want to get replaced anytime soon by his master for displaying such frailty.
"Dad, are you okay?"
Dooku opened his eyes, sparing his son one more look. "Yes."
He turned away from the boy, staring out the window which held the view of a fleet of ships exiting out of hyperspace and entering realspace.
"Refrain from calling me such titles from now on. You are now Coquer, my ward, not my son. I'm your count and lord, not your dad. You will only refer to me as your father when I grant you permission to."
He could sense the hesitation in his son. He knew he was asking a lot from him, but he knew the boy could do it. Strong in the Force he might not be, he was still of his blood—a blood of a Count of a great house and a Sith Lord. Dastardly combination if there ever was one.
His son heaved a heavy long sigh. "...I understand...my Lord."
"Remember, I need not your words but your actions." He began piloting the sailer to dock with the lead ship. "A mistake of any kind that would lead to an individual's knowledge of your lineage, will be most threatening to your life."
Dooku left the ominous warning in the air. He knew it sounded like a threat against his son's life but the boy needed to truly understand what the consequences were for letting his true identity be discovered. If his master found out about his son...let's just say death would be a blessing in Dooku's eyes.
His son would understand his actions when he grew older.
Dooku stood from his seat. "Come. Time to meet your new instructor."
Author's Note: Hope you like the chapter and the first appearance of the main character. One of the big things I make sure to do in the rewrite, is better convey the motivation of Dooku, as well as his relationship with Coquer. I had a lot of fun making up the culture of Serennians. Not much is known about the culture, in both Legends and Canon, so I took inspiration from the middle ages: knights, kings, and the like. You would see bits and pieces of it explored in the future.
If you have any questions or anything about this story, ask them in the review or PM me. I'll get to them as soon as possible.
The bi-weekly rotation with Coquer's Daughter will start with this chapter. So the next update will be 21 of March. Apologize for the long wait, but I've been neglecting the sequel as of late in preparation for this story.
Till Next Time
Updated Dec 20 2021