Big thanks to my betas: STARWARZMYLIFE, dieFabuliererin, Cuthalion97, katierosefun.

The Captain

The hatch opened with a wispy cloud of steam and a sharp loud hiss that made Dooku grimace slightly from the toe-curling sound. He took a step forward, dissipating the cloud with the usage of the Force being welcomed with the sight of a Pau'an and Twi'lek male, armed with blaster rifles. Though they carried themselves with a serious and militant demeanor, they were far from what he would label soldiers. No identical uniforms or gear, looking like they were a planet's local militia that picked up arms at the last second to defend their home. The Pau'an especially looked out of place, seemingly uncomfortable carrying the weapon in his hands.

From the corner of his eye, he saw his son shuffling backwards, using him as a buffer between the two armed strangers. Such blatant weakness. He thought his son was braver than to cower from the mere sight of weapons. To face and dispatch two armed droids with ruthlessness and finesse, reminding much of himself when he pledged himself to the dark side, to only be afraid of insignificant insects like the two aliens before them. It seemed Dooku was right in his decision in placing his son under the tutelage of the captain.

"Count Dooku," the Pau'an greeted with a slight nod. "We were ordered to escort you and your ward to the Captain."

"Very well." He took a step forward but was stopped by a raised hand from the Twi'lek. He stared at the outreach hand with a curious raised brow before flickering his attention to the man who dared to stop him.

"I'm sorry, Count, but no weapons." The blue alien gestured to the elegant curved hilt of his lightsaber with the barrel of his rifle. "That includes your fancy lightsab—"

Instead of words exiting the Twi'lek's mouth, a sharp gasp left instead. He tilted his head to the side, staring at Dooku, confused. His mouth opened and closed but no sound ever came out. His grip on his rifle loosen and fell from his touch, clattering loudly on the grated steel ground.

His partner, the Pau'an, turned to see what was wrong with the Twi'lek. The tall gaunt individual watched as his blue companion dropped to his knees, reaching for the invisible noose around his neck. Streaks of tears stained his cheeks, selling the pure look of fear in his eyes.

The Pau'an snapped to the Count, raising his weapon at him. "R—release him!" he ordered with a quivering voice and trembling rifle.

Dooku merely kept his gaze unto the choking Twi'lek, ignoring the weapon pointing at his skull. These ruffians needed to learn respect and nothing was a better eye opener than the prospect of death staring at you. His master taught him that first hand.

"M—my lord," his son called. "What are you doing?" he questioned with fear in his voice.

Dooku didn't answer him. A Sith did not need to explain themselves. The Pau'an grit his sharp teeths, closing his eyes, bracing to take a life to save his comrade. His noble act of camaraderie was in vain. A simple look in the gray giant's direction was all it took for the Pau'an to crumble to his knees, mimicking their partner's air constricting state.

The Serennian grinned at their final display of defiance against the inevitable. The Twi'lek clawed against his dirt brown shirt, shredding it open, having his hairless chest bare to the world, while the Pau'an crawled to him, grabbing on his black boots, begging for him to stop.

"A Sith doesn't take orders." He shrugged his boot free from the clutches of the soon to be deceased. He was different from the weak willed of the Jedi Order and those of the galaxy needed to recognize that.

"Dad, stop!"

Coquer shoved his father, breaking the hold the Sith had on the two aliens. The boy saw the moment air rushed to the oxygen deprived individuals, hacking and coughing from the life that was given to them. His son pushed past him to check on the health of the two.

"Are you okay?"

The Twi'lek took a few more heavy breaths, savoring the air in his lungs. "Y—yeah. Thanks, kid—"

The blue male was lifted off his feet then dragged towards Dooku, impaled by the crimson blade of the Sith. The Pau'an scrambled to his feet, scurrying to the exit like a trapped animal. His neck suddenly snapped, filling the ears of the two Serennians with a nasty blood curdling crunch of bone. The body slumped and slid against the floor, lying motionless on the ground.

"Y—y—you—"

Dooku marched to his son, a scowl present on his face. Raising his right hand high, he struck Coquer across the face, almost sending the boy flying to the ground. His nostrils flared with his eyes narrowing at the foolish son of his.

"I warned you," he hissed. "No one can find out who you are."

Coquer cradled his bruised cheek, staring daggers at the man. "You were going to kill them!"

"I need not to explain my actions to you," he said through clenched teeth. His eyes momentarily flickered to the corrupted eyes of the Sith. "Only thing you must do is to listen to my orders. I cannot lose you too!"

Dooku closed his eyes, inhaling a sharp breath through his nose. He lost his composure. It was very unfitting of him. He took pride in his control of his emotions and rational thinking. It was a temporary lapse that would never happen again. He exhaled slowly, opening his hazel eyes, avoiding looking at his son.

"Dad…"

"I'm not your father." Dooku strolled forward. "Come, we have delayed long enough."

"...yes, my Count." Coquer hurriedly caught up to his father's side, matching his stride. "I apologize for my insubordination. It will not happen again."

"I need not your words, but your actions to see that you understand."

"Yes, my Lord."

The Harch, captain of the space ferrying vessel, gazed out into empty space, tapping against the armrest as he patiently waited for his honor guest to arrive. He was pleasantly surprised for someone as well-known as Count Dooku to seek him out for something as simple as passing along his knowledge of combat to the infamous man's ward. Normally he wouldn't accept such a lackluster offer. He was a naval officer through and through after all, having spent most of his life on warships, taking pleasure in annihilating his enemy. Teaching an incompetent kid about the art of war wasn't on the top of his list of priorities. Sadly, one did not refuse the Count.

The Harch sank further in their chair, scratching one of his chelicerae with one of his six hands. A faint, almost hushed steady clicking noise left the captain's mouth. He wondered why the former Jedi requested—more like demanded—for him to teach his ward. Not saying the act of the request wasn't uncommon. Quite the contrary honestly. He had numerous individuals throughout his long life span, sending their entreaties to have a chance to have an inkling of his skills. It was flattering in all honesty.

Whether or not he was of the illustrious order of sorcerers, Dooku was still a Jedi and they were widely known to have an adverse stance towards warfare and violence in general. Always leaning over to the power of words and democracy, instead of relying on their simplistic fabled lightsabers to save the day.

Then again, Dooku was a different case. If the rumors were indeed true, he had killed without mercy, his own brother nonetheless. Such wasn't the Jedi way. But now that begged the question, why would a Jedi, regardless if he may have willingly dipped his hands in blood, have the need of a young military commander?

"What are you planning, Count Dooku?" the captain mused barely above a whisper.

He perked up, hearing the hatch to the bridge open followed by the soft clangs of footsteps against the steel flooring. He tore his multiple red eyes away from the viewport out-looking the twinkling distanced stars and his small fleet of ships, standing from his captain's chair and made to meet with the newcomers. The captain regarded his two guests with a look over and soft clicking with his mouth.

"Count Dooku," he greeted the nobleman with a slight bow of his head. "A pleasure to finally see the face behind the name."

"Likewise, Captain Trench. You have quite the notorious reputation. "

Trench chuckled from the compliment. "As do you, Count Dooku." He took notice that Dooku and his ward were without the escorts he had sent for them. "Where are the two I tasked to get you?"

"Dead," he bluntly answered. "They had disrespected my ward and I. You will soon find out that I do not take kindly to such rudeness, nor do I do failures of any kind."

"I see…" Trench knew a threat when he heard one. It seemed he needed to put out all the stops in training the boy lest he wanted to taste the wrath of the nobleman and join his fallen men. "My utmost apologies, Count. I will make sure that it won't happen again."

"I know it won't." Dooku placed a hand on his young companion's shoulder. The Harch noticed a faint red mark on the boy's right cheek, freshly disciplined it seemed. "This is my ward I had informed you about."

"I'm Coquer," the boy introduced himself confidently as he bowed his head. "Pleasure to meet you, Captain."

Trench hummed from his simple introduction, eyeing the boy with scrutiny. Most cower in fear at the presence of his species, all due to his kind's large stature, menacing blood red eyes, and arachnid-like appearance. All characteristics individuals would find frightening. This boy in front of him seemed to be among the few exceptions.

Interesting.

"Likewise, Coquer." His mouth clicked; a quirk all his species carried when speaking Basic. "I never tutored, especially a human before. It seems our time together will be quite the experience."

Coquer bowed his head once again, this time a bit deeper than before. "I look forward to learning from you, Captain."

"As do I, boy." Trench focused his attention on the boy's master. "I will see that your ward will be a force worth reckoning with, Count Dooku."

"Good." Dooku removed his hand from his ward's shoulder and placed it behind his back. "Trench, remember, I do not accept failure." He focused his unnerving gaze to Coquer. "Nor do I accept incompetence of any caliber."

Trench took note of how Coquer tensed up from Dooku's pointed glare. Based on the boy's reaction, it seemed the rumors about the count's callousness were indeed true.

The boy recovered quickly though, ridding any hint of panic and fright from his face. He made a fist with his right hand and hovered it over his heart, bowing deeply, "I will not fail you, my Count."

Dooku regarded the boy's words with a satisfied nod. "We shall see." He turned away from the two. "I will want monthly updates of his progress. Do not be late with them." He left the bridge after the order.

Trench watched the hatch closed behind the Jedi. Such high expectations were placed upon him and the boy. He hadn't had such pressure placed upon him since he had been placed in command of defending his homeworld against raiders from the Free Colonies during the Andoan Wars. A perfect change of pace from his mundane activities as mercenary for the Corporate Alliance.

"Commodore." He calmly walked to his chair and sat in it. "Notified the rest of the fleet that we are heading back on course for Gan Moradir. We have a job we were paid to do and I rather not keep our foes waiting any second longer."

The commodore grinned at the order. "Setting course for Gan Moradir, aye." They went to relay the orders down the pipeline.

Trench moved to get comfortable in his seat for the battle to come. Based on the reports his mercenary group received, the Xan people of Gan Moradir had idiotically picked up arms against the Corporate Alliance, amassing a formidable fleet of civilian ships turned vessels of war. The bulbous headed species would be the perfect test subject to evaluate the new ships the Trade Federation wanted him to assess. It should prove to be an enlightening experience. Speaking of experience...

"Boy, come," he commanded. "It is time to start your first lesson in warfare."

Author's Note: One of the big problems of the OG was that Coquer was already a super military tactician in the beginning without real teachers, basically a mary stu. Since Trench is one of my favorite characters, who better to teach Coquer about war than the Harch himself.

Next chapter we will have a fun little combat scene and have Coquer's point of view for the first time in the story.

Criticism is welcome. Didn't have much time to look this over once more before uploading.

Next update 18 April.

Till Next Time

Updated Dec 20 2021