Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed or Star Wars. They belong to their respective copyright owners. This story is not created with commercial aim. I make no money from it.

Phase 15: Of Masters and Apprentices

=RK=

Part 1

=RK=

Kuat of Kuat Residence

Kuat

Kuat looked over the world that was his legacy through windows twice as tall as he was that covered a whole wall of his suite. The view was stunning as it should be – his home was close to the top floor of a space-scraper that came close to touching the upper edge of the atmosphere. Gleaming canyons made of metal and glass, rivers of flying vehicles... It was magnificent and it was untouched by war.

For the young man, who was the heir of Kuat, his whole world was a symbol of the duty he had to his people, a duty that trumped the bounds of family. His soft aristocratic features twisted in a scowl at the very thought. The House of Kuat, it was meant to be the protectors of their world, the whole star system and even the sector – yet, somewhere along the way, his relatives lost sight of that goal. Too many of them saw themselves as peerless, as those who the people had to serve just of the family name they were born to.

His aunt, Onara, the current Director, was a prime example of that trend. Kuat turned his gaze away from the beautiful cityscape and looked back down to the data-pad in his hands. Finally, after years of digging, making deals and seeking the like minded people within the family, he had what he needed to cut out the tumour that twisted their house, yet he wasn't sure he dared use it at a time the Republic was on the precipice of annihilation.

He browsed through the files – bribes, both taken and given, blackmail and most damningly, treason. Kuat watched the recording again, marvelling that Onara dared speak the worlds aloud. He wasn't sure how his friend managed to get this recording out of the woman's secure office and to be honest, he didn't care. Once he was sure that it was the genuine article, that was all that mattered. This was what he had been working for ever since he was a young teen and saw his family for what it really was – a bunch of self-centred bastards who would eagerly sell the whole galaxy for profit and power.

"You have nothing to worry about, Admiral, CEO Harrington. I didn't let Corellian system fall just to ride to their rescue now. What is left of the Republic can pay the price for liberating them. We will sell them all the ships, material and support they can pay for and when the dust settles, our position would be unchallenged." Onara's own tongue damned her.

Yet, did he dare use this? He could certainly prove that what many in the media accused his House was true. However, the consequences of revealing it... He rubbed his forehead. Kuat was not blind – he knew that there would be many on his world who would support Onara if he went public. She could claim that she did what she believed best for Kuat, for them and damn the consequences! Hells, his aunt might even believe it, certainly she wouldn't be the first Kuat who knew that what was best for them had to certainly be best or at least good enough for the rest of the Kuati!

He had to handle this carefully. There had to be a way to excise the rot that took hold of his House and perhaps do it in such a way that wouldn't doom the Republic. Kuat needed advice and he knew just who to speak with.

"Ziva, patch me through to Admiral Livingston. If he is currently unavailable, arrange a quiet meeting." The young heir called his secretary.

If anyone knew how to handle the treasonous behaviour of his aunt, quietly mind you, that would be Jonas Livingston. With that taken care of, Kuat returned his attention to the long list of bribed and blackmailed people. Some needed to be removed from their positions, others could prove to be valuable allies in the months to come. He had to contact them covertly. His chief of security should be able to handle that, surely?

Kuat glanced at his antique wooden desk and frowned.

"Ziva?" He asked aloud and again no answer came. That wasn't like her – Ziva Noirte was possibly the best paid personal assistant in the whole sector and she earned every credit with hard and excellent work. "Ziva?" Kuat repeated. When the silence from his desk continued, he raised his left hand and the comm unit carefully hidden in a decorative bracelet that was a gift from one of his younger cousins.

"Kevin, do we have a problem?" He addressed his chief of security.

The comm remained silent. Now, Kuat began to feel nervous. Did his aunt figure out what he possessed? Did she have his security compromised? He got up and all but ran to his desk where he had hidden a pair of hold-off blasters – a gift from his late father for just such a case. He got the weapons out and hit the panic button built into the desk for good measure.

There were no alarms, no shields coming online, no durasteel shutters slamming to cover the windows.

Nothing.

"It's of no use, child." A female voice echoed around the large office.

Kuat dived behind his desk, which was incidentally reinforced with ship-grade armour below the ancient wood.

"Did Onara send you?" He asked, playing for time.

"In a matter of speaking. Don't worry, she is my next stop." The woman said.

Kuat was sure she was cloaked, though her voice came from somewhere in front of his desk. At least the assassin wanted to play games instead of taking him out while he was unsuspecting – and that was a chance he couldn't afford to waste. The heir kicked a certain panel, which should have activated automatic defences programmed to shred anything but a few pre-designated people, like him. A brief electronic whine came from the floor and ceiling, however the masked turrets didn't come out of their cradles.

"Not good..." Kuat muttered and blindly opened fire while keeping himself covered by the desk.

"I can pay you! Triple what Onara offered!"

Black smoke popped behind his desk and suddenly there was a not particularly tall figure standing above him. Kuat moved as fast as he could in a frantic attempt to aim at the assassin, however before he could point his blasters as the woman an invisible hand grasped him and hauled him up until he floated just above his desk. The same power twisted his arms and hands until he pointed his own weapons at his neck.

"I can assure you, child, you will be paying me for my time."

The figure became more substantial as if a hologram made of smoke turned into flesh and bone in front of his eyes and a red haired woman who looked just a bit younger than his aunt stood before him. She smiled pleasantly at him a dazzling sense of motion followed and Kuat found himself seated in his sinfully comfortable chair. A swish of smoke followed and the woman was sat on top of his desk surrounded by a quickly evaporating halo of that same black smoke that heralded her first appearance. She had a data-pad in hand – his data-pad and was looking at the screen.

"I can use this." She happily nodded to herself. "Kuat of Kuat," Her eyes sparkled in amusement. "You're going to tell me all your deep, dark secrets, then you are going to make some transactions and kill a few people."

"I will do no such thing!" Kuat snarled despite the fear spreading from the pit of his stomach.

"You wouldn't?" The woman was smiling at him mischievously. Her lips didn't move, yet he heard her clear as a day, in his head! "What makes you think you have a choice, child? The Jedi you so admire made it so I have no choice but come out and play and there will be a hell to pay. Now tell me, who are your closest confidants? Who knows about this intelligence windfall?" She waved the data-pad.

Kuat glared defiantly.

"I do so love when they think they have a chance..." The woman whispered. Her face changed, it became older, marred by deep wrinkles. The veins under her skin became more and more pronounced until they looked like cracks into her face that pulsed with black itchor. And her eyes – they were two bottomless pits of malice and hatred.

Something cold and unyielding brushed against Kuat's mind. It probed and prodded all the while the woman continued to speak right into his head.

"I do wonder, who do you hold most dear? Who you can't bear to see harmed?"

Visions of inhuman torture of men, women and children flashed in front of his eyes... and he knew them all – friends and family. All he could hear was their screams and pleas that he made the pain stop. Kuat screamed and then the nightmare changed – he stood in front of the windows of his office and watched his beloved homeworld burn. His own screams joined those of the tortured innocents for what felt like forever, until his mind could no longer handle the horror and he blanked out.

Kuat came to with a start and looked wildly around his office. Such a nightmare... He froze and then tried to crawl into his chair. The woman shaped monster sat on his desk and Ziva was right beside her, offering her a cup of steaming team. The horror took up the offering, winked at him and brushed a finger down the side of the younger woman's face. Ziva's skin lost its colour and became like that of a mummy. She had just a moment to scream in pain before she turned in little more that a bag of leathery skin and bones held together by her designer dress.

The monster sipped her tea, sighed in content and smiled at him.

Kuat blacked again and when he awoke, it was to yet another nightmare...

"Make it stop, please!" He begged the next time he saw the monster.

"Why would I do that, child?"

"I'll do anything, I swear!" Kuat vowed.

She gave him a terrifying smile and waved him to come closer.

=RK=

Part 2

=RK=

Blue conference room

Kuat Drive Yards HQ

Kuat

Light blue wood panels covered curved walls and were in turn half-hidden by crawling azure plants that glowed with bright azure light. Everything, from the tastefully chosen furniture to the shape of the room was carefully chosen in order to put members of dozens of species at ease – just like multiple similar places within the various KDY offices across the galaxy. It made both negotiations with clients and rivals as well as meetings between employees much easier and productive.

Today, Onara Kuat, met with various directors who ran the shipyards and logistics spread out throughout the Kuat system in order to get a more hands-on update on how their work for the Republic was going on. Naturally, no one mentioned that for most intents and purposes the Republic was already gone and that it was KDY that played a key role in that happening, though everyone present strongly suspected it, though only a few of them knew that for a fact.

"As you know, after the Separatist attack, we lost almost twenty percent of the expanded shipyards and industry, primary due to lack of time to properly fortify the new sites combined with the sheer number of ships the enemy sent at us." The director overseeing said shipyards said. "We've already restored seventy percent of the losses, in no small part thanks to resources provided by the Republic." He said with a straight face. It wasn't like there was a more important industrial system left to the Republic after the fall of Corellia, which simply made Kuat indispensable and got them absolute priority as far as resources and military protection were concerned, not to mention the fact that their already significant political power rose sharply and all Onara had to do achieve it was to keep their fleet home. "We estimate that in a month, perhaps forty to forty five days, we'll have our industry equal the pre-attack levels. Unfortunately, due to resource shortages, we'll be unable to facilitate further expansion even though we'll soon have a new batch of trained workers for such an effort."

"We'll do it once the Republic pushes the Separatists back and re-establishes control over the rest of the Core. Meanwhile, some of those people will be quite useful in rebuilding recovered star-systems." Onara said. For substantial fee that would further increase KDY's revenues of course. "What is the status of the new construction?"

"We have about a hundred Block I Venators that began construction a few months ago and about seventy of the older pattern Acclamators. For the expanded construction cycle, we've got two hundred Block II cruisers and half that number of Assault ships. We're still expanding Victory construction as well as conducting tests on the Imperrator project. We do have the Mandator II's construction proceeding apace. The bottleneck in resources and completed parts after the unpleasantries on Coruscant means we're practically twenty percent behind schedule in our Republic capital ship contracts. Construction of lighter ships is actually ten percent ahead of what was projected, thanks to salvaged equipment after the battle. We did the same for the heavy ships, however that wasn't enough to offset the loses in industry so there we're still behind. Naturally, salvaged enemy equipment wasn't really compatible for our designs and usually had to reprocess it before using it."

So far everything was more or less as the reports indicated, which was good. Onara hated surprises – they were seldom pleasant ones.

"What is our resource and logistics situation?" She turned to another director when she heard everything she needed to know about the shipyards operations.

"Not as good as we wish, though better than we feared all things considered..." A long winded, though important explanation about resource acquisition and allocation followed. It was boring yet not something Onara could afford to skip. All the industry in the galaxy wouldn't help Kuat if they lacked the resources to fuel it.

An incoming call interrupted the meeting. Onara frowned at her comm – her people knew better than to disturb her when she met a significant number of the most important officers within the corporation. Whatever it was, it was important and likely not good news. She activated a privacy field and received the call.

"Director Kuat, I've got Captain Gerd Gollian from KDY security. He needs to talk with you about your nephew and claims it could not wait." Onara's assistant reported briskly.

"Put him on." What did that boy do this time? He had been a thorn in her side for years now. Didn't he understand that family came first?

"Director Kuat, Captain Gollian. I regret to inform you that half an hour ago, Kuat of Kuat had a mental breakdown. He shot his chief of security and personal assistant before turning his blasters upon himself. We do have the whole accident on recording but despite that we're currently investigating for foul play as per procedure. I beseech you to increase your own security just in case. What are my orders, Ma'am?" The Rodian security officer reported.

Onara stared at her comm for a few long seconds while her mind struggled to process the information. Snapping and shooting people? That didn't sound like her nephew. If she ever wanted to remove him by arranging a very final accident, that wouldn't be how she would do it. It was so out of character that recording or not, Onara didn't buy it was an accident. "Investigate." She ordered. "The building is locked down, I presume?"

"Along with the whole sector of the city." Gollian confirmed.

"I don't believe this was an accident. Find out what happened, Captain, then report to me."

"I've got my best forensics specialists on the case as well as people dissecting both the recording and the security systems. If there was foul play we'll figure it out and find the responsible party, Ma'am."

"Good. Do send me that recording." Onara ordered and cut off the call. "Bery, clear the next hour or two from any meetings I have – either cancel or re-schedule." She took down the privacy field, finished listening to the logistics situation and then cut the meeting short and dismissed the other directors. Only after they left, she checked her terminal for the recording, which was in and screened for mawlare, then proceeded to watch it.

=RK=

Ever since she awoke within the Mandalorian Embassy a few days ago, Ahsoka couldn't stop feeling chills and nothing could really properly warm her up. It didn't take her long to figure out what it was – her mind was open to the Dark Side. She could feel cold anger through her very connection with the Force and it was all Veil's fault! Whatever he did at Bothawui, the backslash damaged her. Ahsoka's emotional control was all but gone and with anger being her constant companion, she was not fit to command.

She still didn't know how exactly she got bundled up as an apprentice to their other resident Sith, however it was unfortunately true that Zash was possibly the best person to help her handle her issues with the Dark Side. After all, no matter how scary, it wasn't like the woman was insane, right?

That belief lasted until they got to Kuat and the crazy Sith took her along when she went out to break a few dozen laws, commit torture, murder and what could be considered an act of war, all the while she had a great deal of fun. Actually, that was the worst! Whatever happened, Ahsoka found herself intimately connected not only with the Dark Side but with Zash. She could clearly experience everything the Sith felt and that... A very different chill ran up and down the Togruta's spine. When Zash tortured or as she put it, interrogated, Kuat of Kuat, the woman experienced almost sexual pleasure from the act of dominance and the man's anguish. Ahsoka felt it all and not so small, treasonous part of her mind, enjoyed it as well. Ever since what happened in the R&D facility, she hadn't felt more alive than at that moment.

Even now, a few hours later, Zash's lessons still rang clearly in Ahsoka's mind.

"Suppressing your emotions is counter-productive, Apprentice. Revel in them, use them, however do not let them use you." Zash smiled gently at her. "I'll tell you a little secret on how to keep yourself sane. From time to time, you need to let loose; to feed the Dark Side and all those wicked desires that she makes you enjoy. I'll advise you that when possible, you do it in a constructive manner." She waved at the whimpering form of Kuat.

Ahsoka stared at the broken man, at how he spilled every secret he had and while a part of her loathed what was happening, there was another piece of her psyche that sneered at the self-righteousness instilled in her by the Jedi.

"Is it worse to break and kill a few men, if that can prevent the deaths of millions?" Zash asked. "Look at him." She pointed at Kuat. "He has the best of intentions, his people's interests in mind. However, if we let him do what is best for them, what is left from the Republic will pay the price. Tell me, Ahsoka, what a Jedi would do and who doing so would serve best?"

It was at that moment that Ahsoka began to comprehend how insidious Zash truly was. The woman could twist even the worst of acts and show them in a light that the former Jedi could help but agree that they served a greater purpose... and if committing said acts felt oh so good... well, that was just a nice bonus, wasn't it? Who knew that the path to the Dark Side could be so slippery and enjoyable. Even the fact that the Jedi part of her hated everything that Zash was doing, that she wasn't acting to strike down the Sith, that internal disconnect and self-hatred, merely fed the Dark Side.

A light nudge through the Force pulled Ahsoka out of her thoughts. She saw the last director walking out of the conference room and she followed Zash's cloaked form in slipping inside. The door slid closed behind them and left them alone with their quarry. They were going to twist and turn another person, another despicable act, yet, what choice did they have? Without Kuat, the galaxy would fall to the Separatists and the Dark Jedi allied to them. Even worse, thanks to Kuat of Kuat, they now had proof that Onara and KDY betrayed the Republic for their own gain... and that was enough to anger Ahsoka enough that she found it hard to care what would happen to them. This wasn't what a Jedi should ever do or think. But she wasn't just a Jedi any longer. She was a soldier too, one sworn to protect the Republic and more importantly, its people and Onara betrayed them all. Millions, perhaps billions died thanks to Onara's actions and Ahsoka couldn't help but hate her for that.

Zash floated a data-pad in front of the traitor and let it fall to the wooden table with a loud clatter that startled the woman. Onara jumped from her seat and turned around in fright. Her eyes widened comically when she saw them bring down the Force based cloak that made them invisible to both people and sensors.

"You've been a naughty girl, my dear." Zash chided lightly. "Read." The voice broke no argument. Onara flinched at the tone, her fear spiked and all colour drained from her face.

Their quarry was by no means stupid. Untrustworthy, corrupt, murderous and treacherous? Sure. Stupid? No. Ahsoka simply couldn't help it but revelled in watching Onara connect the dots. If Zash had the timing right, Kuat should have just received the news of her nephew's death. Their mere presence was enough for her to figure out exactly what happened and what was their previous stop.

Onara's fear was delicious and Ahsoka hated herself for savouring as if it was the best thing she ever tasted. She was actually looking up to what came next and even worse, she was thankful when Zash sent her a nudge of approval and reassurance through their weird bond.

"Treason my dear, it never prospers, for when it does so no one any longer dares call it such. Yours won't prosper." Zash began. Her voice had a weird lilt to it – it was darkly seductive and a surge of heat shot through Ahsoka's body; and that was just an echo of the power levelled at the Kuati woman, who recoiled back into her chair. It took the Togruta a few moments to figure out that those words weren't actually said aloud, yet Onara did hear them too – her emotions confirmed it. "My condolences." The tone subtly shifted into something that resembled a funeral dirge. "Senator Danu perished during the traitor's attack upon the Senate. It must be a grave blow to lose your nephew so soon after the demise of your dear friend."

The message was sent – the Chancellor and her allies upheld their part of the bargain. Danu was no longer a problem, the same was true for the man behind him – Kuat of Kuat and after interrogating the young man, they knew who his allies were, among other things. One way or another, they would cease to be a problem, soon.

Ahsoka flinched at that thought. Most of them were good men, patriots, yet she just thought of them as mere obstacles that had to be disposed of and... and... She swallowed a lump that formed in her throat. That course of action could be the best for the galaxy as a whole. If a few good men had to be sacrificed to more easily keep Kuat in check, then so be it. It made sense. It was the obvious choice and not one that a Jedi should be even think of pursuing. But Ahsoka was no longer a Jedi, was she? What was she, anyway?

"My precious little Apprentice, of course." Zash's amused voice sounded in her mind and it spread warmth through her heart that pushed the chill of the Dark Side away for a moment. "Now pay attention."

"Onara, do you know why this kind of war would have never happened back in the Empire?" Zash was asked.

The Kuati woman was taken aback by the sudden shift in both topic and tone from the Sith. Ahsoka's Master actually felt curious to hear the answer.

"I'm certain I wouldn't know." Onara bit off an angrily despite the terror she felt.

"A group of corporations led by a single Sith Lord and his apprentices?" Zash chuckled merrily. "Even if they somehow had the third largest military in the galaxy, it would be of no use. Their fleets, their armies?" The Sith made a dismissive gesture. "Could they protect the people who run those corporations from the wrath of the Empire? What use are those when there were hundreds of Sith supporting the Empire who could simply walk through the best of defences in order to have a heart to heart chat with the CEOs in charge of those corporations?"

Just as Zash and Ahsoka did today. They first slipped through the best security KDY had, interrogated Kuat of Kuat in his own office, then arranged him to have a mental break-down and shoot himself... just as they simply walked to speak with Onara herself.

"What do you want?" The traitor asked.

Zash cheerful smile terrified Onara and Ahsoka loved every last moment of it.

"We are going to have a long and productive conversation, my sweet child. Ahsoka, be a dear and clear Onara's schedule for the next few days. She'll be in mourning for the nephew she loved so much."

By the time they were done with Kuat, the woman would be their creature. Ahsoka shivered in both anticipation and revulsion.