Another new project hehe, I have to admit this is probably going to be my focus for a while now.
More reviews than in my other story would be quite welcome. Any criticism or questions will receive answers. Suggestions are also taken into consideration. :)
Showing old geezers how it's done: Chapter 1 / Prologue
Unknown Time, Unknown Place:
Harry couldn't believe it. Not even a month into the second wizarding world war and he had already been killed... In hindsight, believing one invincible because you managed to defeat Voldemort with a lot of luck was rather stupid and sprinting into another war just shortly after your third child was born was also not the smartest choice...
wait a minute, why was he still able to think? Come to think of it, what was this strange white light around him? Was he in the afterlife? Or heaven, perhaps? Did God really exist?.. Didn't he have to be judged first if that was the case?
"Welcome welcome, little mortal" said a voice and a... human? materialised in front of him. Tom wasn't sure if this was really meant to be a human because the figure in front of him had no facial features whatsoever.
"What... the... hell?" Harry asked eloquently.
"I can understand you might be overwhelmed Harry but essentially you are dead." The being in front of him told him. Harry could feel the peaceful aura around the figure and began to relax.
"Yeah I already guessed that, it's hard to miss a killing curse flying towards you." Harry said with a grin.
"A perceptive victim, good, very good. Now Harry Potter, your life was an unfulfilled one andfilled with one tragedy after another. Because , I, Rob, the god of chaos, offer you to begin a new life. But beginning a new life in your own universe would be a tad too boring sooo... I am going to offer to bring you into one of the many fictional worlds your world had. Oh and since I do not particulary like being blamed for everything going wrong after being reborn, I am going to erase your memory of this conversation once you have been reborn." Rob explained, adding the last part as if it was nothing. Well it wasn't like Harry wasn't familiar with things like the obliviate.
"So essentially you are a god and you are offering me to reincarnate in any fictional world of my choosing and you tell me that I wont remember this conversation" Harry tried to summarise it getting a mental nod from Rob.
"Well I offered you to be reborn, but being reincarnated is also fine. I can see why someone wouldn't want to wake up as a newborn again... so yeah that's basically right lad" Rob explained to him.
"Oh well would have been nice remembering meeting a godlike being such as yourself but alright.. hmmmm... I am choosing the Star Wars Universe" Harry mused. Growing up with the Dursleys it was pretty much the only fictional universe besides Superman and co that he was allowed to experience on the tv. The Dursleys had allowed him to watch the three movies from the sidelines once and later he had also watched the prequel ones. He liked the idea of the force and all that so the choice was easy.
"Sure thing, I wish you great fun and oh.." Rob said before he was interrupted by Harry.
"No wait, don't I get like to ask for stuff?" Harry asked swiftly. He remembered Dudley once talking to his friends about reincarnation and what Dudley was going to ask for if he had the chance.
"Hmmm" Rob said his human form narrowing it's eyes. Harry gulped as he could feel the annoyance radiating from the figure. "I suppose it could make it more fun... hmmm but only five things. Alright What do you want? Feel free to think about it, time doesnt matter here after all."
Harry thought about this for a few minutes before coming to a decision.
"Uhmmmm so
1: I want to retain all and I mean all my memories and my personality of my last life
2: I want you to make me as powerful in the force as you can without me being seen as the chosen one or anything. I still want some challenge.
3. I want my world still to exist somewhere in the galaxy.
4. I want to be reincarnared on a planet where I don't immediately get the attention of the Sith or Jedi... wait no preferably reincarnate me on a planet where Darth Sidious and Darth Vader would never lower themselves to go, the planet should also have a large population I can easily disappear in.
5. The most important thing: I still want to be able to use magic."
"Hmmmm demands 1 and 4 are totally fine and for 2... would you be happy to be similiarly powerful to Darth Maul?" Rob asked him but Harry knew that any negative reply would get him nowhere.
"... Hmm yeah sure why not? He seemed powerful, killing this Qui-Gon and all that. What about my third and fifth request?" Harry inquired eagerly.
"Your third request is fine but I will tell you that Earth will be somewhere in the so called Unknown Regions to give you a little challenge to find it again... aaaand I will alter a few things but I ain't telling you what things hehe. For your fifth request: sorry but nah I aint giving you that but... alright I guess I allow you to use it in the future. You will have to relearn every single thing again though and you won't be able to use it wandlessly like the force." Rob said giving Harry a lot to think about for the future before he remembered that he wouldn't remember this conversation soon anyway.
"Oh alright... Hmmm would you be so kind and give me the talent for occlumency to resist the pull of the dark side and?" Harry asked politely.
Harry was excited to finally be able to learn occlumency if Rob accepted this request.
"Sure thing lad. As I already said have fun and give me some entertainment please." Rob said clearly ending the conversation.
Harry wanted to say something and then thank the godlike being but before he could do so, Harry was engulfed by a bright light and he knew no more, the memory of the meeting with Rob already fading into oblivion.
**Scene Break**
April 1982 / 43 BBY, Nar Shaddaa:
Harry Peverell formerly Potter looked around wearily as he payed the droid pilot and left the speeder, his blaster tightly gripped in his hand, as he walked towards the tower he called home. Something felt... off today if he had to guess. To be fair, this wasn't the first time this had happened and it surely wouldn't be the last time but this was different. The force did warn him of incoming danger like the usual but something else was mixed with the usual feeling of 'you better watch out boy' today.
But how did he even get into this situation?
Well he had no bloody idea... okay that's not quite true. Seeing a killing curse flying towards him and feeling it hit him showed Harry he must have died. But how he ended up on a sci fi world? No bloody clue. Oh yeah and he woke up as a fucking kid again, fan fucking tastic. He had found out that day that, somehow, he had been transported to the Star Wars universe at some point before the prequel era. Or so he guessed because nobody he questioned knew about a Galactic Empire, or a giant Civil War and because of his new connection to the force, he knew they were telling the truth. In fact the Republic seemed to have been in peace for centuries by that point which made it pretty clear that the Clone Wars hadn't happened yet.. or he was so far in the future from the perspective of the movies that everyone had forgotten about the Clone Wars again, but he liked to think that his feeling was right. Knowledge about the future and stuff could never hurt and all that. The day he arrived in the SW universe he also found out he could use the force and wasn't able to use magic anymore. He had found out about this when he was quickly found by child traffickers who tried to make him come with them. Other than the clothes on his little body he had nothing at that point but he still didn't want to end up as a slave and in his desperation he threw his hands at his enemies which made them fly through the air and land against the wall with a few sickening crunches.
'Of course' he thought back then with a sarcastic laugh 'New Main character cannot not be able to use the force' when he realised what he had just done exactly. His elation didn't last long though, as 2 of his 5 assaulters didn't get up again which made the other three absolutely furious so he ran. He didn't get very far however and was quickly caught in a dead end. He should have been glad the traffickers hadn't simply shot him but it was probably just natural for them to not kill someone with what was clearly force potential, higher selling price and all that. The days he was in their 'care' hadn't been fun and he fell into a depression. His first live hadn't been the best but he quickly wished that one back compared to what he could expect from this one, which proved to be true as the traffickers abused him more than was reasonable because of the deaths of their compatriots. He had thought he had known abuse with the Dursleys but the hunters took it to a whole other level. Later he had luckily found out that while he wasn't able to use magic, he still had the potential. Though he had no wand anymore unfortunately, so he couldn't do much more than make his hand glow with a lumos for now. Over time he had also noticed that he had lost a lot of maturity, he had the memories and muscle memory of his last life but the immature brain inside his head made him behave far more childish than he liked. Luckily the woman he was eventually sold to was of the reasonable yes even loving side.
**Flashback**
It was another day of intense training for Harry Peverell. He had eventually decided on that name (not that his owners cared) as it sounded cool as fuck as his godson Teddy had liked to say and because he was actually a descendend in one of them. If Harry was already in the Star Wars Universe he couldn't go around running with a lame name like Potter. Harry missed his family but he had never much time to think about them as his owners, who he had to admit were quite smart, had instantly realised the potential he had and decided to train him to become a bounty hunter. His quick reflexes and the fact that he learned faster than any other slave they had made him to be the perfect future enforcer of their crime syndicate.
They didn't want to train him in the force and even forbid him from doing that himself (they didn't want him to become a threat to them at some point of course) but anything with a blaster was fair game to them. Not even a month of training and he had been forced to take part in one of their hunts for more slaves. He hated doing it but knew what would happen if he refused and the metal tracker on his leg made it impossible for him to run away. His anger at the unfairness of it all was obvious to him and he had already begun practising occlumency again and found that, without Snape constantly trying to rape his mind, he was actually not that bad at it.
It was on a day after another hunt where Harry found some time where he could secretly try to practice using the force. He wasn't able to do it often but because he knew what one was capable of with the force, he had been able to progress fairly quickly and over time learned how to infuse the force into his body which made him stronger, quicker and more agile. Today he was finally able to lift a few smaller rocks for more than a minute before exhausting himself.
"Boy" he heard one of his owner shout "Where the kriff are you?"
"Coming" he shouted back. He ran to the entrance room of the run down house adjacent to a small drug plantage where all of the other slaves lived and worked. He entered said room and found Hurghu, one of his masters next, to a Twilekian woman that looked with a interested and almost kind face at him.
"What were you doing again, boy?" the balding man in front of him said to him. In response, despite hating it, Harry lowered his head meekly, just like a little child. "You allowed me to take a break after our hunt today so I took a nap, master". The man clearly wanted to slap him but knew that he shouldn't do so in front of a new customer.
"Hmpf, anyway. Madam Lovissque this is the boy we have been talking about before the beginning of our little tour."
"Finally we come to your prized posession" the woman said with a chuckle "So what's your name, little one?" she asked Harry with a warm smile.
"Harry, ma'am" Harry said politely while keeping his gaze downwards. Offending a potential customer of his masters was not going to end well.
"Ohh a polite one, I like him already, and so handsome... Hmmm yes, I think I am going to choose this one, what do you want for him, Hurghu?" she asked turning her gaze to the Trandoshan hunter.
"We want 1500 credits for the boy and we ain't going lower, not for one of his calibre." Hurghu said, licking his face with his long tongue in clear greed.
"WHAT?" the woman shouted, clearly flabbergasted by the obscenely high price. "You want 200 on average for the others but 1500 for him? What in the force would make you demand 1500 credits for a small boy like him?"
"Pah don't look at me like I am a lunatic, the price is perfectly reasonable. He is able to hunt and kill. He has served us as a bounty hunter for the last couple of months and has not once failed to collect the bounty. He is strong for his age, quick, agile and exceptionally smart. He is also loyal, I am pretty sure he'd be able to survive by himself by now if he really wanted but he hasn't tried to run away once. Summarised, he is able to do several tasks already and will quickly adapt to any work you need him to do."
"Such a scrawny boy like him... A ruthless killer?" the woman asked disbelievingly.
"Oh you better believe that boy is ruthless, to be honest he scares me a little with how emotionless he is sometimes. Come boy, show the lady how good you are." Hurghu said and left the room with the Twilekian woman, Harry dutifully following behind. Hurghu left them to a secret firing range behind the factory aswell as a parkour course and another training arena.
"Boy, begin with the firing range" Hurghu ordered Harry while pointing a finger vaguely at the direction the firing range was from their perspective.
"Understood, master" Harry replied. He walked over to a small armory and equipped himself with a sniper rifle and a normal blaster rifle without scope. All weapons in the armory here were on stun setting of course and needed a password to be set to lethal, couldn't have the slaves using the weapons against their masters after all. Waiting for the signal he began scoping at the targets. A high pitched ding came from the speakers around the firing range and the targets made to look like humanoids of different heights started moving rapidly (think of the last task of the box). Harry let the force guide him and began shooting at each target once before returning to the first one. All in all he shot 36 times with 32 hits confirmed. Not his best performance but looking back at Hurghu he got a nod confirming that Hurghu was satisfied with Harry's performance but Harry got no dopamine of the gesture, he despised the man. Harry simply sat the sniper rifle down refusing to comment.
Madam Lovissque had a contemplative look on her face but before she could say anything, Hurghu gestured towards the parkour room with his hand and face telling Harry that the show was not yet over. The parkour room was pretty large but more importantly tall. As you went on you got higher and higher making the parkour increasingly dangerous. The parkour demanded a lot from the human body as you had to jump from one object to another almost constantly. The traps and the fact that you were shot at a couple times didn't make it easier.
Madame Lovissque whistled appreciatevely at the sight when they entered the room. Hurghu activated one of the several buttons on a console next to the entrance which gave Harry the signal to begin. All in all his performance wasn't the best again but a 2:16 was a good enough time for him not to have to fear any punishments.. for now atleast.
"Good now the training room." They walked into the next room which consisted of a massive training chamber with several small buildings and several entrances a few metres above a ground where the training droids were stored behind. All in all the chamber showed off the massive wealth of Harry's masters.
"Give it your all boy, show me why we have been feeding and training you for free all this time." Hurghu said with a dirty laugh and Harry had to resist the urge to punch the man.
'Feeding and training for free my ass. I worked my ass off for you these past two years' he thought with a frown but he didn't complain out loud and He saw Hurghu walking to another console and pressing a red button.
'Oh bloody hell, you old fucker. This isn't the time to make me go against the droids of level 5 for the first time' he thought. Harry saw Hurghu smirking at him and decided to finally show his fortitude in the force, it should be enough for Madam Lovissque to buy him.
'If not I am screwed. Nethertheless, Hurghu wants a show, he can get one'.
Multiple AX battle droids, a few Defender 01-X battle droids and a small horde of B1 battle droids began jumping down from the platforms around him. Harry wasted no time and sprinted into one of the larger buildings focusing his fire on the AX and Defender 01-X battle droids. One after one they were disabled by his blaster rifle but Harry began to be overwhelmed slowly. He jumped down into a corner and eliminated the couple droids there.
'It's now or nothing' he thought and began letting the force guide his actions. His movements gained a grace not seen before as he began dodging blaster shot after blaster shot. The last Defender 01-X battle droids approached him from behind. He turned around and thrusted his hand out, ripping the blasters out of the droids' metallic hands and disabling them with his blaster rifle.
Over at Arnena Lovissque and Hurghu:
"By the force. The ki... Harry is force sensetive?" Arnena whispered incredulously. She had never seen someone use the force before and the grace the kid had while avoiding the droid's blaster shots was admirable, especially for someone so young and without one of those lightsabers.
"Yes.. yes he is" Hurghu said trying to hide his astonishment and almost dismay. He now knew that there was no way he wouldn't sell the kid now. He had to, it was clear that the boy was soon going to be able to escape them without much trouble if he was already that good.
"How... how old is Harry?" she asked soaking in the sight of the small boy quickly eliminating the last B1 battle droids.
"We don't know, I don't think he knows himself. We caught him in a disheveled state somewhere in the lower levels and guessed him to be around 5 back then. That was around two years ago." Hurghu said with a grimace. The two realised that the last battle droids had been eliminated and Hurghu pressed a button signaling the end of the training exercise. Maintenance droids began jumping down from other platforms and began gathering the downed battle droids up to reactivate them at their stations for another training exercise.
"You never really followed our order not to practise your force powers, did you boy?" he asked the kid with a grimace once he had walked over to them again. The kid grinned at him and shook his head, confirming Hurghu's suspiciouns. Hurghu's grimace turned to a look of respect.
"You know boy, credit where credit is due, hat's off for being able to hide that from us all this time" Hurghu said, praising Harry for the first time ever.
"You can have your credits Hurghu, I want the boy" Madam Lovissque said and Hurghu only nodded sagely. How would he explain this to the other leaders of the hunters?... The solution was not to mention the kid had force powers at all, yes that was what he would do.
Unfortunately for him, Arnena proved to be very proud of her new aquisition and didn't hide the fact that Harry was force sensetive. Hurghu's co-leaders quickly found out about said fact, Hurghu was found dead on the streets 2 weeks after he had sold Harry to Arnena.
**Flashback end**
Arnena proved to be a caring owner and quickly became a surrogate mother for Harry. The first thing she had done, upon noticing him squinting his eyes sometimes , was getting him to a place where his eyesight was corrected. He also gained a new sister, a teenage Mirialan named Meli who doted on Harry and showed him around the city a lot. They quickly became partners in crime in many of their missions as they complemented eachother's skills quite well. Harry's new job mainly became smuggling, which was made possible by his small size, quick speed and innocent looks, combined with Meli's quick thinking and intelligence they made Arnena a lot of money by smuggling drugs, weapons and other illegal items off the moon which endeared them to her even more.
However, Meli hadn't returned from her tour today, and although there was still some time left until it could be considered unreasonably late for her to arrive, Harry couldn't shake off his growing unease. He paced around the living area, his brows furrowed in worry.
"Harry, I understand that Meli hasn't come back yet, but you have to admit that it isn't too unusual for her to be late," Arnena, a wise and nurturing figure in Harry's life, tried to console him.
"I know, Ma, but... I just have a bad feeling about this," Harry replied, his voice carrying a tinge of concern that he couldn't hide.
Arnena studied him, her eyes filled with understanding. She knew that Harry's connection to the Force often granted him insights beyond the ordinary, and she respected his intuition. However, she also believed in balance and rationality.
"Is it the Force telling you this?" she inquired gently.
Harry nodded, his gaze fixed on a spot on the floor as he tried to decipher the sensations coursing through him. "Yes, Ma, but it's also that Meli mentioned she was planning to visit the local brothel to see a friend of hers."
Arnena sighed softly, weighing the information. She knew Meli well enough to understand that she was a strong and independent young woman, capable of taking care of herself. Yet, she also knew that sometimes even the most capable people could find themselves in unexpected situations.
"... Then go," Arnena said, her voice soft but firm. "I may not entirely understand how the Force works, but the Jedi are often said to be able to glimpse into the future. Just promise me that you'll be careful, alright?"
Harry met Arnena's gaze, feeling a mixture of gratitude and determination. "Yes, Ma, I will. I won't come back until I've found her, I can promise you that."
Arnena smiled gently at his resolve, her heart warmed by the bond they shared. She reached out and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I trust you, Harry. Just remember, while the Force may guide you, your instincts are equally important. Stay safe."
With her words of encouragement echoing in his mind, Harry turned to head out, a resolute expression on his face. He knew that finding Meli might lead him into unpredictable situations, but he was prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Arnena watched him go, her thoughts a mixture of concern and pride. As a motherly figure, she couldn't help but worry for both Meli and Harry. But she also knew that their paths were intertwined with the enigmatic threads of the Force, and that they possessed the strength to navigate whatever destiny had in store for them.
Arnena shook her head fondly at the stubborness of her surrogate son.
Harry ran outside and quickly took a taxi to the brothel. Once inside however he could find no trace of Meli which made him worry even more. Letting the force guide him he payed extra to be allowed through the backdoor. Going around a corner he felt that he was approaching his sister. He could have never expected what he found next.
Meli, naked, clearly hurt and crying, was being forcebly held by one person while another was enjoying himself inside her and while another was standing off to the side, likely awaiting his turn aswell. Harry' mind went numb, not accepting the revolting sight in front of him, and stood there for a second before he regained his composure. Unfortunately, that was enough time for one of the rapists to notice him.
"Hey look who we have there" the clearly wealthy man said with a dirty laugh and his partner stopped thrusting into the girl that showed signs of exhaustion.
"Watch out Krekas, he is a dangerous bounty hunter" the man off to the side said and cautiously took out his blaster.
"That little twerp? He doesn't look like he could hurt an Ewok" the arrogant one said again with a dirty laugh.
"What is an..? Nevermind. Hey Peverell, what do you want?" the second one asked Harry who had already noticed the two to be part of Jalstik JSC.
"You bastards will release her right this instant or we are going to have a problem" Harry said dangerously, preparing to kill the three monsters.
Meli slowly looked up to see her little brother standing there. "Harry, no! Don't!" she shouted out knowing what was likely going to happen soon. Harry was in the meanwhile thinking on how to take out all three at once, he knew he was good but one kid against three armed criminals weren't good odds.
"Hey Bumo, what are we going to do with him?"
"Watch out Krekas, I mean it when I say that the kid's dangerous" one of his compatriots said to which the man only scoffed. "Whatever, we've all had our fun with the slut anyway. Come on, I am sure the kid will be a good boy" he said with another dirty laugh and then he simply... shot Meli, who was left out of the embrace of her rapists and left falling down, her now dead eyes still begging Harry not to lose it. It was to no use however. Harry saw red.
"Meli, Noooo!" he screamed and thrusted his hand forward and the man's eyes bulged when the blaster rifle was ripped out of his hands.
The other two shouted out in alarm and tried to point their blasters at him but it was too late as Harry shot them because they could even get their hands around the grip.
Harry sprinted to the last surviving man who was clearly flabbergasted and jumped on him, landing on the human as he fell backwards. The man's last moments in his life were spent gazing wordlessly into the yellow eyes of a young boy who punched the man again and again until Harry had beaten the man to death. Harry didn't know it but he had just killed Areshk Krekas, the son of the senator of the Kessel System.
It was indeed the first time he had felt the dark side overwhelm his mind so much and Harry regretfully had to say that he almost fell to it that day. Instead he chose to retreat into his mind and turned the rage into self hatred for allowing his beloved sister to die. With Meli's body in his arms, the traumatised boy tumbled home and was quickly engulfed in a hug by Arnena who tried to get him back to reality.
"It's okay Harry, don't allow yourself to become any less of what you are right now. We will bury Meli and honour the person she was to both of us, alright?" she said soothingly and while it took some time, she eventually managed to calm Harry down. Harry burst into tears and the force cried out around him.
His caring big sister just... gone, it was not something Harry could comprehend. He had always known that the Star Wars Galaxy was an extremely harsh place but to witness something like that happening to a person he loved so much... losing his family and best friends of his previous life was already hard but this was too much for the renewed juvenile mind of Harry. He didn't leave Meli's and his room for days. That day he vowed to himself he would eventually wipe out all these disgusting crimes. He had the power and the knowledge, now he only needed to get strong enough.
**Scene Break**
May 1982 / 43 BBY, Nar Shaddaa:
Jedi Master Dooku looked down on the smuggler's moon that was Nar Shaddaa from the inside of his Jedi Shuttle with a thoughtful frown. He was on a mission to Nar Shaddaa that would perhaps be his last mission ever for the Jedi Order. His doubts about the Order had grown over the last few years, especially since Master Windu had been appointed to the Jedi Order instead of him. It made it clear to Dooku that the Council didn't appreciate his efforts, as far from the protocol they might be.
But back to the mission: The Senator of the Kessel System had requested the Jedi Order to help find his missing son. The young man's last whereabouts had been Nar Shaddaa, a popular vacation spot for him apparently. That alone rang a few alarm bells inside Dooku's head. Nar Shaddaa was not the place you went for vacation, you went there for business of the more illegal type whether it be trafficking, drugs, weapons, artifacts; If you named any illegal good you could probably buy and sell it on Nar Shaddaa.
Letting the force guide him, he orbited the moon a few times until he felt that the force had given him a direction he should fly to. Dooku then steered the shuttle down into the atmosphere, flying it towards one of the landing pads. Walking out of the shuttle, he left it in the care of the many maintenance droids thinking 'Whover owns this tower must be very wealthy indeed. A business partner of young Areshk. I can only hope they won't make my investigation difficult', not that he particularly wanted to continue an investigation like this.
He saw a protocol droid guarded by a few BAF-969 defense droids approaching him. A curious choice for a guard droid, Dooku had to admit. "Greetings Master Jedi, I am C-55-A-127, what is your business with Jalstik JSC today?" the protocol droid greeted him in it's robotic voice.
"I am investigating the disappearence of an individual. This is the next step of my investigation as all existing clues have lead me here. I wish to talk to the owner of Jalstik JSC" Dooku said in his baritone voice.
"As you wish Master Jedi, If you would follow me please" the droid responded and turned around. Dooku let himself lead through a large sliding door into the tower, the defense droids following him and the protocol droid, this Jalstik didn't seem to trust Jedi very much Dooku concluded from what he had seen so far. This floor of the tower was obviously the entrance hall, which almost screamed 'I have no idea what to do with my money'. Dooku was able to spot a couple of elevators and almost thought he'd be lead into one of them before the droid stopped.
"If you would take a seat please, Master Jedi, I will go and make sure Master Jalstik will be made aware of your arrival" the protocol droid said before leaving into an adjacent room. Dooku sat down with a polite nod and immersed himself in the force trying to find out more leads to the solution.
A few minutes later saw him accompany the protocol droid again as it lead him to one of the elevators.
Dooku's suspicion about Jalstik not trusting the Jedi was proven the moment he entered the well maintained office.
"What can I do for you Master Jedi?" Jalstik, a male besalisk, said, his voice full of mistrust but surprisingly lacking any malice.
"Well met Mr. Jalstik, I apologise for any inconvenience I am possibly causing you. I am Master Dooku investigating the disappearence of Areshk Krekas who is the son of the senator of Kessel. Nar Shaddaa is apparently a moon where he goes often to. My investigation has lead me to your doorstep" Dooku said in a respectful tone, raising an eyebrow when Jalstik proceeded to bang his head on the table two times.
"I swear that boy is going to be the end of me... Where do I begin, Master Dooku? Yes I know him, we are business partners of sort but that merely consists of a mix of bribery and blackmail by him to give him access to the brothels I own in the area. Normally he wouldn't be allowed to as the house rules forbid anyone underage to enter the brothels but you know how they are in the Senate" the man said with a 'what can you do' shrug and Dooku couldn't help but agree with the sentiment.
"Was there any difference in his behaviour recently?" he asked.
"From his frequent visits with one of the new employees of one particular brothel I can safely say that the fool has been smitten with said girl" Mr Jalstik said, clearly hiding something important.
"So you are saying that I have been called here because the son of a senator has run away with a girl of the lower class?" Dooku asked with well hidden annoyance but Jalstik only shook his head.
"No I doubt it is that. From what I know the girl has refused his advances everytime so far. Master Dooku, if I may speak freely. The boy doesn't seem like to be the type of 'man' to take no for an answer. I suspect he has tried to force himself on the girl and payed the price." Jalstik said with obvious satisfaction.
"Would you be so kind and give me directions to the brothel in question, Mr Jalstik?" Dooku asked politely wanting to bring his investigation to an end.
"I will have one of the guards escort you there. The girl belongs to the Lovissque Clan who a few months ago aquired one of the most well known bounty hunters in the area. Master Dooku, the kid is absolutely ruthless and noone around here wants to get his attention" Jalstik told Dooku and Dooku could feel fear rising in the besalisk's mind at the mere thought of the kid.
"... There is a child who is a bounty hunter?" Dooku asked with a frown at the absolute barbarity of it all.
"That is correct, Master Dooku.. or well rather he was. Since Madam Lovissque bought him he has stopped collecting bounties but the memories of the carnage he often left behind remain."
"If he is as dangerous as you make me believe then I will go there alone, there is no need for you to get your men into dangerous situations."
**Scene Break**
Jalstik provided Dooku with directions to the brothel where Areshk Krekas was known to frequent. As he left the opulent tower, Dooku couldn't help but feel a sense of unease settle within him. The information he had gathered painted a picture of a young man with a disturbing sense of entitlement and a penchant for cruelty, in other words: The average descendant of a long time senator. The situation was more complex than he had anticipated at first.
The night had draped Nar Shaddaa in its neon glow, and the air was filled with a mixture of excitement and danger. Dooku walked through the crowded streets, his Jedi robes setting him apart from the assortment of species and individuals engaged in various activities. The bustling nightlife of Nar Shaddaa had always been a stark contrast to the serene halls of the Jedi Temple.
Finally arriving at the entrance of the brothel, Dooku felt a palpable shift in the atmosphere. The sounds of music and laughter mingled with the low hum of whispered conversations. The brothel's exterior was adorned with intricate lights, and the entrance was guarded by a pair of imposing individuals who eyed Dooku with suspicion.
"State your business," one of the guards growled.
"I am Jedi Master Dooku, and I am here to inquire about an individual," Dooku replied calmly, his presence and aura commanding respect.
The guards exchanged glances before one of them nodded and stepped aside to allow Dooku to enter. The interior of the establishment was opulent, with an air of indulgence that was difficult to ignore. Dancers moved gracefully on stages, and patrons lounged in decadent seating areas.
Approaching the counter, Dooku's eyes locked onto a woman who seemed to be in charge. Her gaze met his, a mix of curiosity and caution evident in her expression.
"Welcome to the Crystal Serenity," she said, her voice holding a sultry note. "I am Selene, the madam of this establishment. How can I assist you?"
Dooku gave a nod of acknowledgment. "Greetings, I am Jedi Master Dooku. I'm here to inquire about a young man named Areshk Krekas. I've been informed he visited this establishment frequently."
Selene's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of wariness crossing her features. "Ah, yes, Areshk. He has been here a few times, but he's not one of our regulars. He tends to keep to himself."
Dooku's gaze remained steady. "I'm investigating his disappearance. Do you know anything about his recent activities or associates?"
Selene hesitated before responding. "I'm afraid I can't share our clients' private information without their consent, Master Jedi."
"I understand the importance of privacy," Dooku said calmly. "But lives may be at stake. Areshk Krekas is missing, and I fear his actions might have put him in danger."
Selene's eyes held a mixture of concern and reluctance. "Very well. Areshk did frequent a private room here. He often requested the company of a young woman named Meli. She was a waitress here."
Dooku's heart sank at the mention of Meli's name. He had a bad feeling about this revelation, and his worry deepened.
"When were they last seen together?" he inquired with determination.
"About two weeks ago. Before you ask nothing of note happened, or atleast noone of our employees here reported anything." Selene said softly.
"Can you tell me more about this Meli?" Dooku asked, his tone soft yet urgent.
Selene's gaze clouded with sorrow. "Meli was a sweet and talented girl. She was kind-hearted and a favorite among both the staff and the patrons as she was here because she liked the job and you could tell. We were devastated by her sudden absence."
Dooku's instincts were confirmed. Areshk Krekas and Meli were connected, and their fates were intertwined. The pieces were coming together, and the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Selene," Dooku said with genuine gratitude. "If you hear anything about Areshk or Meli, please contact me."
As Dooku left the Crystal Serenity, his thoughts were consumed by the unfolding puzzle. The Force whispered to him, guiding him to the next step of his investigation. He knew that he was edging closer to the truth and he was certain that the next stop of his investigation should be the Lovissque Clan.
**Scene Break**
The meeting room was adorned with intricate tapestries, soft lighting casting a warm glow on the elegant furniture. Dooku sat composedly at the head of the table, his demeanor giving away nothing of the internal turmoil that churned beneath his serene facade. Seeking a meeting with Arnena Lovissque, a member of the Lovissque Clan, was a strategic move in his investigation. He knew that she held valuable information, and he was determined to unearth the truth.
As the doors to the meeting room opened, Arnena Lovissque entered, her presence commanding attention. She was a woman of poise and intelligence, her gaze sharp as it met Dooku's.
"Greetings, Jedi Master Dooku," Arnena greeted, her tone respectful but guarded.
"Madam Lovissque, thank you for granting me this audience," Dooku replied with a nod.
Arnena took a seat, her posture composed as she regarded Dooku with curiosity. "To what do I owe the honor of your visit, Master Jedi?"
Dooku's eyes held a gentle intensity, he had eventually decided to ask for the girl as he was sure that she would lead him to the senator's son. "I seek information regarding the whereabouts of a young woman named Meli. She was a waitress working in the Crystal Serenity."
Arnena's expression remained unreadable for a moment before she nodded. "Meli, yes. She was a talented and beloved member of our clan and like a daughter to me. Her disappearence has left a void that we are still trying to come to terms with."
Dooku's keen gaze never wavered. "I fear that Meli's disappearance is connected to a dangerous situation. I need to know what you might have learned about the circumstances surrounding her vanishing."
Arnena's fingers traced an intricate pattern on the table, her thoughts seemingly distant. "I wish I could provide you with more information, Master Jedi. However, our establishment caters to discretion, and the privacy of our clients is of utmost importance."
Dooku leaned slightly forward, his voice soft but persuasive. "Madam Lovissque, I assure you that my intentions are solely focused on finding the truth and ensuring justice."
Arnena's eyes met Dooku's, her expression revealing the struggle within her. Eventually Dooku realised that he wouldn't get further without a little prodding. Waving his hand he gave her the command to tell him about Meli's whereabouts. Armena's slowly eyes glazed over and Dooku was impressed with her ability to fight the mind trick.
"I cannot continue to withhold information, but I must implore you to understand the delicacy of this situation," Arnena said with a hint of resignation. "Meli was killed by a trio of men. Their identities remain unknown to us."
Dooku's brow furrowed at the revelation, his determination solidifying. "Was Areshk Krekas among those men?"
Arnena's gaze shifted, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I cannot confirm the details of the incident. It happened swiftly, and we were unable to intervene in time."
Dooku narrowed his eyes, disappointed about the lack of success but she truly didn't appear to know more.
"Hmmmm is there anything you can tell about Areshk Krekas?" he asked but the bewildered look at the topic change told him that she hadn't even heard of the name.
"Nevermind.. Is there anyone you could defer me to?" he asked with a grimace. If there wasn't one then he might have hit a wall in the investigation."
Arnena grimaced and went over to the wall where she pressed a golden button on a console.
As the tension in the room grew palpable, the doors opened once more. A small boy entered the room. Dooku felt a palpable wave of Force radiating from the young boy, a presence that was both surprising and concerning.
"Harry, come here," Arnena called gently, beckoning the boy to her side.
Harry walked over to Arnena, his eyes curious yet guarded. Dooku couldn't help but observe the child, his senses heightened by the Force.
"Harry, this is Master Dooku. He is here to help us find out what happened to Meli," Arnena explained.
Dooku studied the young boy closely, his discerning gaze assessing the child's demeanor. "Hello, Harry. I understand you were acquainted with Meli."
Harry's gaze met Dooku's, his expression open yet guarded. "Yes, I knew her."
Dooku sensed that the boy seemed to recognise him but didn't dwell on it. "Did you witness anything on the day she disappeared?"
Harry hesitated for a moment before his gaze dropped to the ground. "I saw three men. They hurt her... badly."
Dooku's heart clenched at the implication. "And then?"
Harry's voice was quiet, but his words carried a weight beyond his age. "I... I hurt them back. I wanted revenge.. and I didn't want them to hurt anyone else."
Dooku felt a mixture of concern and understanding. The Force radiated from Harry in a way that was both remarkable and disconcerting. The child was powerful, a fact that raised questions about his past and the circumstances that had led him to this point. What worried him most however was the grief and anger the child in front of him held in his heart.
"Harry, may I ask how you knew to defend yourself in such a way?" Dooku inquired gently.
Harry's eyes met Dooku's, their gaze unwavering. "My previous masters... they made me hunt others a lot."
Dooku's heart sank as he realized the truth. Harry was the child bounty hunter he had heard about from Jalstik. The revelation painted a tragic and disturbing picture of the young boy's life.
"Harry, I am truly sorry for what you have endured," Dooku said sincerely. "But I must ask, were these men responsible for Meli's disappearance?"
Harry's gaze held a solemn intensity. "Yes. They hurt her... and I couldn't let them get away with it."
Dooku's mind raced as he processed the information. He knew that he had to handle this situation delicately, for Harry's sake and for the justice that needed to be served.
"Harry, would you be willing to show me where this happened?" Dooku asked, his voice gentle yet firm.
Harry hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly. "I can show you."
As Harry's words hung in the air, Dooku's thoughts were a whirlwind of possibilities and concerns. The road ahead was fraught with challenges, but he was determined to uncover the truth and ensure that justice was served for Meli and for Harry. That he had come here for the senator's son was pushed to the back of his mind.
**Scene Break**
Harry led Dooku through the labyrinthine alleys of Nar Shaddaa, his small form moving with a confidence that belied his age. Dooku followed closely, his thoughts a maelstrom of questions and considerations. The neon lights cast an eerie glow, illuminating the seedy underbelly of the moon.
Finally, they reached a secluded spot behind the brothel, a dimly lit area that seemed to hold an air of somberness. Harry came to a halt, his gaze fixed on the ground.
"This is where it happened," Harry said softly, his voice carrying a weight of memories.
Dooku's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the area. He could sense the lingering echoes of violence, the residue of pain and anguish that had stained this place. Stepping closer, he studied the ground, his trained eyes noting the faint signs of a struggle.
"Thank you for bringing me here, Harry," Dooku said, his tone gentle yet serious. "Can you tell me which one was Areshk Krekas?"
Harry pointed to a spot on the ground, his expression a mixture of determination and sadness. "He was right here."
Dooku's gaze followed Harry's gesture, his heart heavy with the weight of the truth when he saw three bodies slumped in a dark corner. The realization settled within him that Areshk was indeed one of Meli's killers and was now dead.
"Harry, I need to confirm something. Please stay there for a moment"
"Thank you, Harry," Dooku said, his voice carrying a deep sincerity. "Harry, you showed incredible bravery in protecting Meli and seeking justice."
Harry's gaze met Dooku's, a mixture of gratitude and determination in his eyes. "She was like a sister to me. I couldn't let them get away with it."
Dooku's thoughts raced as he assessed the situation. He could feel the raw power of the Force emanating from the young boy, a potential that was both remarkable and perilous. Nar Shaddaa was a place where darkness thrived, and the risk of Harry succumbing to its allure was undeniable. He simply couldn't take that risk. He had to get Harry Peverell away from here.
**Scene Break**
Dooku and Harry returned to the Lovissque tower, the air heavy with a mixture of tension and anticipation. As they entered the opulent entrance hall, Arnena Lovissque awaited them, her gaze curious yet guarded.
"Welcome back," Arnena greeted, her voice carrying a sense of formality.
Dooku nodded respectfully. "Thank you, Madam Lovissque, the investigation has been concluded and I thank you for your cooperation. I wish to discuss a matter of great importance however."
Arnena's eyes flickered between Dooku and Harry, her curiosity deepening. She could already see where this was going "Please proceed, Master Dooku."
Dooku's gaze shifted to Harry, his expression gentle yet serious. "Madam Lovissque, I must emphasize the danger that Nar Shaddaa poses to someone as young as Harry. This moon is a haven for the dark side, a place where even the strongest can be tempted. For his safety and the safety of others, it is imperative that Harry finds a different path."
Arnena's gaze softened as she regarded Harry, her concern evident. "I understand your concern, Master Dooku. But what path are you suggesting?"
Dooku's gaze met Arnena's, his tone measured yet earnest. "I would like to offer to buy Harry from you. I believe that he has the potential to become a Jedi, a guardian of peace and justice. Harry's potential is extraordinary, and it would be a tragedy to see it squandered. With proper guidance, he can shape his destiny for the better."
Arnena's eyes held a mixture of contemplation and determination. "Master Dooku, I appreciate your concern, but I cannot make this decision for Harry. He is like a son to me, and his future should be his to choose."
Dooku's gaze held a mixture of determination and compassion as he crouched down to look into Harry's eyes. "I would like to offer you a different path, Harry. Would you be interested in training as a Jedi?"
**Pov Change**
Harry's eyes widened in false surprise "I... I don't know much about Jedi," Harry eventually admitted, trying to fill his voice with uncertainty.
Dooku put one of his hands on Harry's shoulder, his expression reassuring. "Jedi are guardians of peace and defenders of the galaxy. As a padawan you would learn the ways of the Force and to use your abilities to protect and help others. Your potential is immense, Harry, and with the right training, you can learn to harness it for good."
Harry's gaze met Dooku's, a mixture of curiosity and longing in his eyes. "Would I have to leave Nar Shaddaa?"
Dooku nodded. "Yes, but you would gain a new family and a chance to make a difference in the galaxy."
Harry's small hand clenched into a fist, his resolve firming. "I want to do it. I want to become a Jedi and protect people."
Dooku's heart swelled with pride for the young boy's determination. "Then, Harry Peverell, I would be honored to take you as my padawan."
Harry's young eyes held a mixture of wonder and determination. He turned to Arnena, his voice soft but resolute. "Ma, I want to do it. I want to become a Jedi and make a difference."
Arnena's gaze softened, a mixture of pride and sadness in her eyes. She approached Harry and crouched down to his level, her arms opening in a warm embrace.
"Harry, my dear, I will always support you in whatever path you choose," Arnena said, her voice filled with love. "If becoming a Jedi is what you truly want, then I believe in you."
Harry hugged Arnena tightly, his gratitude and affection palpable. "Thank you, Ma."
As they pulled away, Arnena met Dooku's gaze with a nod. "Master Dooku, I trust that you will guide Harry on this journey."
Dooku inclined his head respectfully. "I will do everything in my power to ensure that Harry's potential is realized in the best way possible."
And he would, even if the Council refused Harry. In that case he would have to accept that the Jedi had lost their way and train Harry outside the Order.
The scene ended with a sense of resolution and hope, the bond between Harry and Arnena unbreakable even as their paths diverged. As Dooku and Harry prepared to embark on a new chapter, the future was uncertain but filled with the promise of purpose and growth.
Chapter End
