Hey everyone, letting you know, the rewrite of Coquer's Daughter(technically the sequel to this work and the origianl, Dooku's Son) is officially out with three chapters. The story is elegantly called, Daughter of Serenno. Give it a read if your curious about what the future entails. Also, everyone please thank my betas, Firehawk1100 and Mauryn for their assistance. Their help were immeasurable.
The Vengeful
A white space, devoid of the most insignificant form of life. There was not even a bug buzzing in the air.
Suddenly, lurching forward into existence, a fortress appeared.
There was a fierce battle ensuing on the battered fortress. The occupants exchanged blaster fire with the aggressors. The winning side consisted of large four-legged walkers and soldiers armored in clone garbs, but lacking any color that differentiate them from the other battalions of the Grand Army of the Republic. The other side of the conflict was an army solely of battle droids, desperately trying to hold the line.
Once again, the scenery changed. A woman with pale skin was on her knees, looking worse for wear. She tried to break free from the large hands that were holding her in place, but their grip was tight and unyielding. Her short silver-blond hair acted as a veil for her sharp teary blue eyes. She screamed something but it was muffled despite nothing blocking her mouth.
A man stepped up to her. The dark side oozed out of the man and his face was blurred beyond recognition.
"Asajj!"
Ventress woke up with a gasp, leaping out of her seat with her two curved hilted lightsabers ablaze in her hands. Her breathing, rapid as her fight senses took over her body. Seeing she was alone and still traveling through hyperspace, she lowered her weapons, deactivating them.
She hooked her lightsabers on to her belt, huffing as she retook her seat. She placed an elbow on the armrest, sighing heavily as she put her face into her propped up hand.
"Damn it…"
That marked the seventh time this month she had that haunting vision. It was getting more clear and vivid with each one that passed. She remembered when it first started, probably a day or two after the Confederate victory over Dantooine. The visions back then were bare, having the minimalist of details. They had only contained screaming and flashes of muzzles of blasters going off.
Even with the added details gained through time and meditation, it still made no sense to her. The fortress was like nothing she had ever seen before. It was grand in stature but obviously ancient with the wear and tear it had suffered. Then there were those armored soldiers. She had never seen clones wear such garments before. It was similar in some regards but the helmets were vastly different.
Finally, there was that woman.
Ventress growled low like an akk-wolf baring their fangs. She recognized the facial features of the downed woman of her vision but refused to admit who it was. That coward was weak, having to beg for help instead of using her own strength to break out of the situation she was in. And those blue eyes. How Ventress wished she could have carved them out of their socket.
If there was anything she could remember to the finest details of her vision, it was that pathetic woman's eyes. The emotions that raged in them made her angry to no end.
Scared at the prospect of death staring at her. Worry of what would come to her next. Relief at seeing her rescuer arriving at the last second. Then lastly, her deep love for the man that was the woman's savior.
Ventress clenched her teeth in frustration at the memory. That woman was weak and deserved everything that happened to her. The strong survive. It was the Sith way, and she was Sith.
Ventress turned around at the sound of the sharp cry behind her. Her eyes widened at the sight of her master lying motionless on the ground.
"Master?" she croaked, fearing the worst.
She ignored the chaos of battle that surrounded her as she walked to her master. She knelt at his side, reaching towards his downed form. Her hands stopped an inch from his body, scared to touch him.
She couldn't sense him. She couldn't sense the Force that surrounded him like a blanket. She couldn't sense the warmth he always brought her.
"No no no no."
Ventress rolled Ky onto his back. Her heart sank at the sight of his face. His eyes were dulled and half-lidded. His lips parted, like he was stopped mid-sentence.
He was dead. Her master was dead. Ky was dead.
Her father was dead.
A feral growl seeped through her clenched teeth. Unbridled rage took hold of her very being. Using the Force, she pulled her father's bloodied lightsaber into her hand, igniting it. She whipped her head to the sniper that killed the man that meant the galaxy to her. With a roar raw with fury, she launched herself at the pirate.
Ventress shook her head, stopping herself from going further down memory lane. "I am Sith," she spat.
She was no longer that pathetic teenager that was shackled by her weak Jedi master. And she refused to be that coward of a woman in the visions that plagued her.
She was strong.
She was unstoppable.
She was Sith.
She was Asajj Ventress.
The ship exited out of hyperspace. In the distance, she could see a lush green planet with seas of rust red. She pushed the flight stick forward, heading straight for the planet.
More importantly, she had a mission to accomplish and a new master not to disappoint.
Jar Jar sipped the delicious drink, slurping a bit too loudly based on the looks he received.
He chuckled nervously. "Sorry." He placed the cup down.
His senator companion sighed and rolled her eyes. She muttered something under her breath but he could not make out what it was. Probably upset that she was paired with someone like him.
Jar Jar was a simple man, but far from being a fool. He knew most of the Senators of the Republic did not particularly like him, only tolerating him due to their occupation and his close relationship he had with prominent senate members, like Padme Amidala of Naboo and Bail Organa of Alderaan.
He was still fresh in the realm of politics. Unlike his companion, who was probably groomed for the lifestyle since birth, he was hastily awarded with the position ten years ago. His Gungan people thought he, of all their people, could best represent their interest in their galaxy. Jar Jar still didn't know if it was ironic or not that his people banished him for his kind, but ultimately bumbled failed acts to help them, just to later pick him as senator to help them in a galaxy-wide scale.
At least he made some good friends along the way.
His female companion cleared her throat. "Like I was saying, Minister Marus, the Republic could provide much more than basic medical supplies to your people to combat this terrible illness that is sweeping your planet."
Marus snorted out a laugh. "And the only thing I have to do is join a war." He swirled the cup of wine in his large hand. "Continue to let my people die of an illness, or let them be one of the forgotten on the battlefield."
Jar Jar grimaced at those melancholy words. He could sympathize with the turmoil that besieged the large man. No one wanted to join a war, especially one that was on the scale as this one.
It reminded him a bit from the battle of Naboo where Padme asked Gungan Boss, Rugor Nass for assistance to fight against the Trade Federation invaders. His people's leader refused at first, declaring why they should help those that they have bad blood with. The way his friend didn't back down was inspiring to say the least. She convinced them to join her forces and now the relationship had never been stronger.
"Uh, er, well, technically, yes," the female senator stammered, clearly caught off guard from the minister's statement. "But I can assure you that the Republic and its army will protect you from any harm."
"Assure me, huh?" Marus gulped the rest of his wine. He focused his gaze towards Jar Jar. "Senator Binks, you've been quiet since we started dinner. Can you assure me that the Republic and your clone army can protect my people?"
Jar Jar froze. A roasted leg of a creature hung in his mouth. "Uhhh."
His companion sent a fierce glare his way. It wasn't his fault! Not like he knew the minister was going to talk to him while he was eating. Besides, wasn't it rude to ask a person a question while they were mid bite?
The female senator shifted her gaze to Marus, wearing a strained smile. "Minister Marus, of course Senator Binks assure you—"
"I want his words, not yours, Senator Zurriln."
Zurriln's eye twitched, her smile becoming more strained—annoyed. "My apologies, Minister." She looked at Jar Jar. Her hazel eyes promising him bloody murder if he messed this up. "Senator Binks, please assure Minister Marus of his people's safety while under the Republic."
Jar Jar swallowed the delectable charred meat. It kind of tasted like fancier gorgs. Both political figures stared expectantly at him, waiting for his words. If there was one thing he had room to grow in as a senator that would be public speaking.
"Uh, er." Jar Jar cleared his throat. "Ministah Marus, Messa can't assure yousa people's safety"
"Oh?" Marus arched an eyebrow at the denial.
From across the table, Jar Jar saw Zurriln actively trying to hold herself back from strangling him.
"War...unpredictable. Wesa won't know what will happenen da next day or da day aftah dat. Wesa can't promisen yousa dat war won't find its way to yous planet and harmen its people. But me can assure yousa dat da Republic will do everytten in its power to hep yous people and come to yours needen if requested."
Zurriln blinked, speechless at his words. Jar Jar chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head.
Did I screw up again?
Marus cracked a tiny smile. "Wisely said, Senator Binks." He faced Zurriln. "Very well, Senator Zurriln, I accept—"
The door to the dining room burst open. A man with the same hulking build as Minister Marus came rushing in with a dainty cloaked figure following closely behind.
Marus stood up from his chair. "What is the meaning of this?"
"Minister, don't believe a single word those Republic liars say," the stranger proclaimed, thrusting an accusing finger at Zurriln and Jar Jar.
"What are you talking about, Markith?"
"The Republic were the ones responsible for the "sudden" illness that's attacking our home," Markith declared, sending a glare to Zurriln.
Zurriln abruptly stood from her seat, almost knocking her chair down. "Lies, Minister!" she shouted. "We will never do such a thing!"
"We have proof, Minister Marus." Markith put a gloved hand into his breast pocket and produced a datapad, then handed it to his leader. "Thanks to Miss Asajj Ventress from the Confederacy."
Asajj Ventress removed the hood that draped over her head. Her mournful eyes and apologetic frown was for all to see. "We of the Confederacy, had heard about the illness that plagued your planet and sought to create a cure for it. And in our research, we discovered that it was manufactured by Republic scientists, having first been tested on the unfortunate souls of Serenno around two decade ago. As you can guess, Count Dooku had wanted this information sent to you right away, Minister Marus."
Zurriln scoffed. "Minister, you cannot believe the words of Dooku's lackey and enforcer. The information she'd given was obviously fabricated to—"
Marus slammed the datapad on the table. "Guards, escort the two senators off my planet."
Zurriln flinched from the coldness in his voice. "Minister Marus, please, listen to—"
"Senator Zurriln, if you wish to keep drawing breath, I suggest you stop talking."
Jar Jar did not expect the evening to turn out like this. At worst, he'd feared a soft decline of their offer. He slowly rose from his seat.
"Senator Zurriln, let's gos." Jar Jar faced the minister. "Thanken yousa per da delicious meal, Ministah Marus," he said with a slight bow of his head.
The guards moved and hovered over the two Republic Senators, ushering them out of the room. Before he left the table, Jar Jar quickly snatched an uneaten cooked leg.
"I'm taken disa to gos. It's really good, Ministah"
"The ruse was a success and the planet's ours, Master," Ventress reported.
"Very well done, my apprentice," Dooku congratulated with a pleased smile. "What of Minister Marus?"
"Infected with the deadlier strain of the illness when he touched the datapad. He will not live past the second day."
"Good. With Markith in charge, our needs for their resources will face no opposition. He has proven himself a worthy asset to our cause."
"Indeed, my Master."
Though glad the mission was a success, Ventress was displeased with the lack of Jedi killed during it. She had to make them all pay.
"Master, what is my next mission?" she inquired, letting her eagerness slip into her words. She had to make those that forsaken Ky Narec pay.
"Patience, my dear," Dooku advised. "Though stronger than when I found you, you still have much to learn about the dark side of the Force. I do not wish to lose an apprentice so soon due to their carelessness."
"My apologies, Master. I only wish to serve."
This was her life now. Until she grew strong enough to help Dooku in overthrowing Darth Sidious, she was to be used as an assassin or a pawn in the political chess game.
Dooku stayed silent for a second or two, staring unflinchingly at the woman. "Go to Christophsis and assist General Whorm in snuffing out the last of the local resistance," he ordered. "But first, come to my castle on Serenno. It's time to further refine your skills, Ventress."
The corner of her lips tugged upward. "As you wish, my Master."
Author's Note: A more vulnerable side to one of my favorite Star Wars characters, and I guess a deeper look in one of the most dislike characters in the franchise. The next chapter will include good ol' Ahsoka.
Like I said in the beginning, the rewrite of the sequel is out. Any questions about it, this story, or anything in general, just PM and I'll answer them to the best of my abilites.
Till Next Time.