And with November comes another update!
Hello, everyone. Welcome to my promised chapter. Appreciate the patience. I do have to state for the record that when I say 'update will come in _ month' I don't give specific dates on purpose. I need to check for lore issues as well as have my beta look it over and that can take an unknown amount of time. I know the vast majority of you don't do this but I do get a barrage of people badgering me for updates and I just need those doing so to be patient.
Moving on, I hope you guys enjoyed Tales of the Jedi, I especially did when it came to Count Dooku. More than a few of you have wondered where he factors into all of this and well let's just say the series inspired me a bit. Don't worry, I never intended Dooku to be left out but his role had been limited. For those of you who are fans of his, I hope you enjoy this chapter.
This chapter went from being 5,000 words to over 10,000 so for the people who enjoy long chapters, we're back to that normalcy now XD
Anyway, enjoy!
"All the world's a stage and most of us are desperately unrehearsed."- Sean O'Casey
Chapter 29. Call of Destiny
Yoda found himself face to face once more with the man he now knew as Luke Skywalker. He looked straight into those bright, yet sorrowful blue eyes. Each Master had to take a breath of amazement.
"The truth you speak," the Grandmaster said in awe. "A Skywalker you are. His son."
There was no need to clarify with the name 'Anakin.'
"I am," Luke responded through the peace of the garden. "Through the Force I have come back in time to prevent the nightmarish future from whence I came. To save my father, Anakin and my mother, Padme."
The Grandmaster found himself still processing the information and visions he'd just seen. Had he not witnessed them, there would be no reason to believe such a story. But then again, it was so outlandish, so incredible that the only explanation lay in the blond's claim.
"Traveled the road of time you have," he murmured. "A boon, this is. And unfortunate."
"It's the will of the Force," Luke insisted. "By your training Master, I came back. Why unfortunate?"
"Unfortunate that the future prompted such action. In grave danger you are."
He pointed an old, clawed finger at his pupil. It was not accusatory but one of deep concern.
"Know the technique I do that sent you to the past. But if change too much, cease to be you will."
"I'm aware of this, Master." Luke's grim response only reinforced the immense pity Yoda felt for him. "My fate is irrelevant compared to that of the galaxy."
Yoda understood that mindset. Sympathized with it. After all, given the opportunity, which Jedi would not take that chance? Did not their philosophy preach selflessness against the material attachment that dominated the universe?
Such a belief did not mean he had to like the grisly idea that a kind, brave soul such as Luke must give up his own life in order to create a better galaxy than the one he originated from. He gave a tired, downcast look before releasing such feelings into the Force.
"Great care we must take," Yoda told him in the most urgent tone he'd yet used. "What of Darth Sidious? Aware is he of your true identity?"
"He knows I'm working against him and has tried to break my mental defenses multiple times. But I'm also reasonably certain he knows nothing else."
Yoda nodded and made a grumbling sound of contemplation. Luke had opened his eyes in a way that stoked feelings of shame and self-disparagement. So many things made sense in hindsight: the nature of the war, Palpatine's rise to power, why he seemed so set on having Skywalker close to his side, Dooku's warning…
They'd missed it. They'd missed the sickness at the very heart of their democracy. The Sith adapted and evolved. They twisted a seemingly impenetrable fortress and its institutions from the inside. And at the centerpiece of this plan? To sway the most powerful, charismatic Jedi in thousands of years to the dark side. Their Chosen One.
"Blind have we been. Conceited. Lost our way, we did."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you right away," Luke blurted out. "Force knows I wanted to but-"
Yoda held up a hand at his pupil but his green eyes sparkled with understanding.
"An apology is not needed. Wise you were, to withhold your true identity from us."
"What should I do, Master? The Council, the Republic, the whole galaxy needs to know what's coming. And yet one mistake could ruin everything."
The ultimate question. What to do in order to stop a great evil when you were already generations behind?
"How long do we have?"
Luke calculated as best he could.
"Two weeks maximum. I can't be certain. Sidious waited three years after the start of the Clone Wars in my own time to take over. But he's accelerating his plans."
He took out a personal datapad and opened it to show a star map colored with the various territories and military movements dotting the span of the galaxy. Various shades of blue and red overlapped the Outer Rim where Republic and CIS forces clashed in a vague hue of purple.
"The Sith plan to stretch the Jedi thin across the galaxy through a series of last gasp attacks in the Outer and Middle Rim. This will occupy members of the Council and our most powerful knights, leaving the Temple defenses weakened."
The screen switched over to focus on a clone trooper outline as galactic basic data points popped in and around the soldier's bio and genetic makeup. Yoda leaned in to see the screen better.
"What you saw in that memory was protocol 66. One of the one hundred fifty contingency directives accepted by the Senate upon the creation of the Clone army."
"This order…used against us, it was," Yoda wisely perceived.
Luke nodded his head and the sallow lines on his handsome face deepened.
"Yes. The man Jango Fett referred to as 'Tryanus' is actually Count Dooku. He and Sidious secretly installed inhibitor chips capable of overriding the cerebral cortex so that the clones will be forced to obey any and all orders issued by the Supreme Chancellor. Once Order 66 comes through, the scattered Jedi across the galaxy will be gunned down with a second thought. And the Temple left vulnerable."
Yoda's heart felt like a massive stone sinking into the depths of the darkest ocean at this revelation. But he did not remove his eyes from Luke as he stowed away the data pad. The pieces were starting to fit together.
"Your father. The final element to Sidious's plan, he is."
Luke spoke with great difficulty in his next sentence.
"He's the one who led the attack on the Jedi Temple, falsely believing that immersing himself in the dark side would save his pregnant wife from dying."
"Senator Amidala. In danger she is, as well."
Again, he could infer which woman Skywalker was infatuated with. Another error that slipped his oversight. The boy's feelings for her were strong but marriage?
Work to be done there is after the war
If they survived it, that is.
Having taken in as much information as he could digest, Yoda arose from the ground and leaned heavily on his gimmer stick. But though the body was old, hope had reinvigorated his bones.
"Told anyone else, have you?
"Just Ahsoka. I haven't told Obi-Wan or my father."
"Meditate on what to do about your mother and father, I will. For now, move quickly we must to destroy the Sith."
"I agree in spirit, Master. But we can't directly confront Sidious. If he escapes or if we fail to kill him, he'll activate the order and wipe us out. The Jedi are at a strategic disadvantage and we'll be seen as traitors either way. That evil bastard is expecting us to act as we did the last time one thousand years ago."
Yoda peered up curiously and Luke was reminded of those penetrating stares he received on a daily basis on Dagobah.
"I sense you have a plan, hm?"
"I do. Its name is Bail Organa. And he's been seeking an audience with you."
"Very well. Contact the Senator I will."
Luke, now visibly nervous, bent down on one knee and humbled himself.
"Master, I ask that you lift my suspension. Whatever the rules on attachments, whatever codes I've broken, nothing is more important than destroying the Sith and preventing the fall of the Republic."
"And saving your family."
Luke hadn't said those words, but he didn't need to. It was all over his face.
"Yes," he said, a silent tear streaming down his left cheek. "For all my foolishness and contradictions, they mean more to me than anything."
Yoda reached out with his claw and placed it directly on top of the pupil's head, allowing their connection to pulse with the warm embrace of familiarity. A bond that not only transcended the Force, but time itself.
"Luke, a bigger fool there is not, than the one who stands before you."
Their eyes met yet again and this time Luke saw such affection never seen before in his old master.
"Failed we both did. And yet, through failure there is opportunity."
A wide, wrinkled smile graced the nine hundred year old toad-like face.
"Never stop learning. That is the true secret of being a Master."
Luke ordinarily did not take much pleasure in vindication. As far as he was concerned, he didn't deserve it. Repeated failures confirmed as much.
But as he walked out of the lift descending from the Ivory Tower, and the throes of Jedi Knights, Padawans, and younglings came out to give congratulations and praise, a sliver of amazement enveloped the soul, bathing him in its light. Masters and Knights shook his hand, patted him on the back, bowed– whatever sign of respect they could muster was given. Padawans asked for his advice. Younglings asked to be trained.
Of all the actions and deeds taken in service of a greater good, of all the accomplishments the legend known as Luke Skywalker achieved across multiple timelines, nothing compared to what he felt now. Living proof that his reforms, his emphasis that the Jedi were not merely a group of detached soldiers but living, thinking beings that helped people above all else. To think, feel, and love unconditionally.
But nothing compared to the looks on two people he loved most. Ahsoka and his father stood in the background, waiting until the crowd dispersed to offer their sentiments.
"Well, well look at you. Zero to hero in the span of a day," Anakin joked. He followed this with an affectionate hand placed on his shoulder (Kriff, his father's grip was strong) which Luke reciprocated.
"Master Yoda vouched for me," he told them. "It made all the difference."
Not just vouch: the Yoda essentially acted as judge and jury using an old clause in the Jedi Code that allowed the Grandmaster to give a blanket pardon for someone accused of wrongdoing. It was seldom used but the loophole proved useful in this case. Much of the Council seemed to agree with Yoda and he sensed they were questioning their original decision to issue the suspension, but Mace Windu looked as though he'd swallowed a Geonosian grub.
"Well I'm just glad someone on the Council saw sense," Anakin noted with just a hint of displeasure. "With you back in action, we can make the final push to win this war."
His comlink lit up and gave a wink.
"Speaking of, the duties of the High General call me away."
But before he departed, Anakin gave one last beaming smile, purer than the fairest sunlight.
"I'm glad you're still here with us, Luke. For what it's worth, you're not just a Jedi but a friend."
His son couldn't help but give the smallest of smiles in return but the illumination in his blue eyes could have lit an entire room.
"Thanks, Anakin."
"And don't think I've forgotten my promise. As soon as I see the Chancellor today I'm naming you as my replacement as head of the 501st. Later Snips!"
Ahsoka repressed a grin at the awestruck look on Luke's face. One could never receive enough praise from their parents, no matter how old they were.
"I sincerely wish he didn't have to interact with that son of a bitch," the blond muttered as soon as his father was out of earshot.
"I know." Ahsoka placed a soothing, sympathetic hand on his back in a show of support. "But the important thing is, you're still here fighting every step of the way. And now we have Master Yoda on our side."
"We do have Master Yoda," Luke affirmed. "His support is huge."
"And we'll need more before this is over."
Luke knew what she was getting at. Obi-Wan and Anakin would also need to be informed of the truth. Obi-Wan had not been present at the trial due to his 'mission' accompanying Satine. But how did one tell their surrogate uncle that they were a time traveler sent back in time to prevent their imminent demise?
They should be told at the same time. To prevent any confusion
Suddenly a boyish smirk graced Luke's features as a very naughty thought entered his brain.
"What?"
"Nothing. It's just the image of Obi-Wan tanning a beach somewhere on 'security detail' with the Duchess."
Ahsoka giggled at the fake quotation marks.
"Honestly, sometimes I think those two are even more obvious than Padme and Anakin."
"It amazes me how this organization claims so much wisdom and yet can't sense two of the most powerful Jedi in the Order bumping uglies with two of the most well known women in the galaxy."
"The thought had occurred to me once or twice," the Togruta said with a sly grin and Luke knew another cheeky sex joke was due to follow.
"Don't even think about it."
"I didn't say anything."
"You were about to."
"I didn't say anything!"
The two began laughing. It felt like such medicine, relief even in the face of everything in front of them. So much left to do and so little time. But who could lament the simple joy of genuine camaraderie? Such moments were worth all the power in the Force and the entire Temple's weight in gold. And yet, a tender heaviness set in seeing his father walk off.
"Hey," Ahsoka turned his cheek towards her. "He's going to be alright. Believe it. We got this, okay?"
Luke swallowed a rather large lump in his throat before nodding in the affirmative.
"Right. We got this."
The two began walking back towards the center of the Temple towards the mezzanine. Taking in the beautiful sunset overlooking the spiraling towers to the West, Luke and Ahsoka returned to planning the last phase of Operation: Save the Future.
"So what's next?"
"Tonight we have a meeting with Master Yoda to discuss our next move. Namely preventing Order 66 and exposing Sidious."
Ahsoka gave a small shudder at the sound of that name and the way Luke said it. She'd never seen Palpatine act as anything other than a benign, grandfatherly politician. But the moniker reeked of evil. An ugly vulgarity that rolled off the tongue as harsh as a slur or a curse.
"And what happens then? We arrest him?"
She really didn't believe her own question and it reflected in the grim way Luke responded.
"Do you really believe Sidious will allow himself to be taken alive?"
The answer came frighteningly easy.
"No. I don't."
Stygeon. A desolate, frozen tundra of a world known to few and attractive to even fewer. The perfect place for a secret prison for Darth Sidious and Count Dooku to stow away their most dangerous enemies.
High up in the mountains at the center of one of the plateaus sitting directly in the middle of the valley, the being known as Darth Maul was confined to the darkest of cells. Or rather, formerly Darth. Now just Maul.
Suspended in midair by the constraints that dampened his ability in the Force to almost nothing, the ex-Sith Lord stewed in the bubbling pits of his own hatred. A tar like feeling that coated the soul and simultaneously bound it. He could not move. He could not act. He'd been reduced to an impotent player in this game, unable to act accordingly.
"Sidious," he whispered. "Sidious."
Though the chains restricted a massive amount of power to sense things through the Force, the dark side had become so strong one did not need to be fully connected in order to know what it meant. The final plan, the only plan, would soon be set into motion.
The fools. They should have listened. They should have been taking pains to stop the Great Deceiver at every cost and whim. Alas, he remained shackled, the only one with the truth aside from Kenobi who spurned his offer of help. What a mistake he made in believing the naive Jedi to behave pragmatically for once.
He'll be slaughtered by his own pupil soon enough.
No, his concern seldom lay with archaic institutions and hypocrites like the Jedi Order. Being a realist Maul knew that the only reason for his continued existence was that Sidious and his stooge of a Jedi Betrayer, Dooku, wanted information. Chief among that information? The locations of his underworld bases and contacts. The Old Man would need to keep a tight lid on organized crime as the new order established itself. Once that new order came into being, his usage would come to an end.
Maul's muscles ached from a combination of disuse and torture. Dooku paid him a few visits since the day Sidious uprooted him from Mandalore. A day that lived in painful infamy inside the Zabrakian.
Brother.
Savage was dead. Mother Talzin's powers could not reach him here. And with Mandalore embroiled in its own Civil War, it left little hope for rescue. Hope was for fools to begin with. It only left one disappointed. In his own case, imprisoned.
The horrifying image of Sidious sticking twin blades into his brother replayed over and over again. The pain of that loss never stopped, acting as an endless stream of torture far more brutal than any Dooku could inflict. He'd failed at protecting Savage. He'd failed in building a base of power that could challenge the Sith. In the end, his resurrection led to nothing significant at all. Doomed to die or rot for eternity without a part to play in the chaos that was to come.
Weakened and demoralized, Maul gazed up at the gray ceiling and began to call to the Force with whatever strength he had left, willing to hear something other than the hum of the machine that binded him.
"Mother, why? Why have you forsaken me?"
Small tendrils of the dark side seeped through into the room. He tried to grab onto it like a child grabs his mother, anything to feel that connection again. The power! The life giving energy that fueled his anger and hatred, propelling him to greater achievement! He could practically taste it…
…until it vanished again, leaving him exactly where it all began. Alone and forgotten.
Bowing his horned head, Maul's hatred dissipated into despair practically resigning himself to whatever fate had in store. What was left to hang on to? What paltry belief system existed to tether him to this universe?
'Maul.'
His eyes perked up and flickered around the room for the source. He knew that voice.
'Maul.'
"Mother?"
The dark side grew stronger and Maul began fighting against his suspension chamber to fully feel its effect.
"Mother!"
'Your suffering is at an end, my son. Go to Mandalore. You will find your purpose there.'
Confused, Maul furrowed his brow.
"And how can this be achieved? I am a prisoner here with no agency of my own."
'And that is where you are wrong.'
An explosion knocked the door to his cell off its hinges, the smoke and sparks temporarily blinding him…until he saw who it was that stood on the other side.
"Lord Maul."
Captain Gar Saxon and his men dressed in vibrant red Mandalorian armor released the binders and he fell to the floor instantaneously.
"Do you have enough strength to walk?"
Two of the Mandalorians helped him in becoming upright but he quickly brushed off their assistance. Fire returned to those gleaming, permanent yellow eyes as he stretched the muscles and breathed in the glorious return of the Force to his veins.
"I have strength enough for this. Come, let us leave this place."
The rules of the game had just been rewritten. And it was time to upend the board.
Count Dooku was not used to receiving calls in the middle of a siege from his master but accepted it anyway. Not typical from the man and it certainly raised the risk of exposure.
Then again, the leader of the Separatist movement had become more and more indifferent to Sidious's beck and call and the Sith in general.
"Move our flagship out of range of those Republic Cruisers. I do not want the transmission interrupted."
"Yes, sir."
Dooku bent down and bowed his head, the usual standard sign of respect Sith apprentices gave their masters. But the moment Sidious appeared on the hologram he could sense his anger even trillions of miles away.
"Lord Tyranus."
The venom in that voice almost made him flinch.
"Master? Is something wrong?"
"I'm glad you have the wherewithal to recognize my displeasure. Can you provide an explanation for your failure?"
Bewildered, Dooku risked looking into the soulless yellow eyes glaring at him underneath that black cloak.
"How have I failed you, Master?"
"Maul has escaped. From one of the most obscure, guarded Separatist prisons no less. Taken with ease by those wretched Mandalorians."
His heart sank. He'd not heard of the news, which meant it happened within the last rotation, probably hours ago. But the fact that Sidious had to tell him…
"I apologize, Lord Sidious. My forces are stretched thin and I've been ensuring that our lines hold at the front until the proper time in which our plans can be exec-"
The windpipe closed and Dooku suddenly found himself unable to breathe and being lifted in the air.
"Let me make two things clear, Lord Tyranus: this is not the first time you have proven to be clumsy. I grow tired of such negligence. Second, the plan is mine and mine alone. Do take care to remember that."
Clutching his throat Sidious finally allowed him to gulp precious oxygen. Hacking and wheezing, Dooku summoned as much dignity as possible before responding. His next response could mean the difference between life and death.
"I sincerely apologize, my Lord. Word had not reached me of this oversight as I was engaging Master Secura and her fleet."
Sidious scowled but made no further attempt to injure his eighty two year old apprentice, instead turning to face the other direction.
"This incident on Stygeon could prove highly problematic moving forward."
"Maul is slippery and spiteful, but even his army of gangsters and pirates cannot challenge us," Dooku reasoned. "He's an outlaw with nowhere to go."
"The threat he poses is not physical," Sidious snapped, turning back around with such speed the ex-Jedi thought he would resume physical torture. "He knows too much. And that blasted witch Mother Talzin does hold enough power to challenge us. We cannot allow him to inform anyone of what is to come."
"Would he really warn the Jedi of their impending demise?"
"Assume nothing, my apprentice. It's a loose end we cannot ignore."
Dooku paused and thought for a moment at his Master's words. He needed to prove himself useful or face the same fate as Maul did thirteen years ago. Thankfully, an idea came in the nick of time.
"You mentioned the warriors who broke him out were Mandalorian. That is probably where he intends to go next."
"Weren't you just telling me you do not have sufficient forces to open another front?"
"No, but the Republic certainly does," Dooku offered. "And it offers an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. Mandalore's warrior culture could pose a threat to the new order. An attack there would remove him from his power base once and for all."
Sidious seemed to consider this.
"Yes," he said slowly. "Yes, it would be the perfect opportunity. Skywalker could lead a special task force."
Dooku felt a twinge of anxiety at the mention of that name. He knew his master had plans for the boy but every time Sidious spoke of Anakin Skywalker, it came as a reminder that his own favor was drastically falling. He only called to issue new orders or worse, punishment. Grievous and Trench were dead. The Separatists had no true leaders left besides himself.
It suddenly occurred to the octogenarian that he was probably next on the chopping block. Sidious had broken more than one promise since the events on Scipio…and plenty more prior. Bringing up the subject would be akin to suicide, he knew better. The apprentice overthrowing the master ensured the Rule of Two continued and the Sith Way. It was central to their entire order.
But this? To be treated like a common fool all in preparation for that half wit Skywalker to take his place? The indignity!
"Arrange a meeting with Prime Minister Almec offering your assistance," Sidious dictated. "Ensure that the message is easily interceptable. It will give the proper pretext for a full scale invasion."
"It will be done. And I presume that following Separatist defeat, I shall turn myself in as you requested."
"Nothing has changed in the plan, my friend."
An alternate question came to mind. One he felt comfortable enough to ask at minimal risk of punishment.
"And what of Luke Ahch-To? I hear he was fully reinstated by the Jedi Council."
Sidious gave a snarl of pure hatred.
"That rogue has become far too powerful to be ignored any longer. I tried handling the situation quietly but the time is soon coming where I will have to deal with him in a more...forceful manner. In the meantime, keep stretching Republic forces as much as you can."
"As you wish."
"Good. Stay the course Lord Tyranus and you will be rewarded most handsomely. Remember: all of this is in service to our greater goals."
Dooku bowed once more, giving no indication of the rebellious feelings that suddenly overtook him. Sidious may be able to choke people from across the galaxy, but his mental shields were well intact. And they'd prove useful in the coming days.
"Of course, Master."
The transmission ended but the once proud Jedi Master had never felt so enraged in his life. This arrangement, while profitable at first, had evolved into something else entirely. Something unequal and dangerous. He'd become a tool just like the very ex-Sith he sought to eliminate. How ironic.
I am nobody's dog or fool to be discarded so easily
"I'll be in my chambers alone. I am not to be disturbed," he told the Protocol Droid. "Cease firing until the next rotation and await my orders."
"Yes, sir."
With an elegant flare of his cape, Count Dooku of Serenno retired from battle. But not from his plans. They'd just taken a new turn. And with any luck he knew just the person to turn to for help.
Ahsoka Tano checked both ways to ensure no one was coming before entering one of the many meditation rooms that dotted the landscape of the Jedi Temple.
"There you are."
Sitting in a relative darkness, with only a dimmed light to illuminate the room sat Luke and Master Yoda.
"Sorry, I'm late. Had to make sure no one saw me."
"Of course, of course," the Grandmaster greeted, gesturing towards one of the chairs. "Please sit."
The number of people who knew the full scale of the plan to destroy the Jedi…and the subsequent counterplot to prevent that outcome now numbered three. Ahsoka had done her best to defer to Luke on the best way forward. After all, he was the only one who lived through the awful future with his family having the most to lose. But upon learning Luke had told the truth to Master Yoda, she breathed an internal sigh of relief. Having arguably the most powerful Jedi in existence on your side could only help not hurt.
"Three of us there are and three it must remain," Yoda began. "At least for the time being."
No one disagreed. A secret shared amongst two could remain so. Amongst three or more, it was information. A conspiracy. And with a Sith Lord in charge of the government they served, to be extra cautious was to value one's own life.
"Let us address the matter of Sidious first," Yoda said grimly. He turned to Ahsoka. "Luke tells me that bugged the Chancellor's office you have."
"I did. And on that front I have our first proof of corruption."
Luke's eyes lit up and she sought to temper expectations.
"He didn't openly admit to being a Sith Lord but there is some significant stuff in there."
Ahsoka took out one of her datapads and attached it to the device on her wristband. She scrolled through the list of recordings and began replaying them in succession. Some were only a few minutes while the longest lasted about fifteen. Luke heard all manner of back door dealing; political patronage for politicians who supported bills that extended or enlarged executive privilege, diverting public funds to offworld accounts at a time when a good chunk of Republic citizens struggled to get by, kickbacks from contractors in return for aggressive military spending.
It didn't come as a surprise to Luke, but being largely apolitical himself, to hear in depth the levels of corruption that this man spread like poison in a garden induced a quiet fury. Leia always fought this kind of vile self enrichment that one found in every government. She spoke of it openly many times in her own fiery, passionate way so reminiscent of their mother. This, however, was no ordinary corruption. They were key pieces to the cold, unfeeling, fascist machine he experienced first hand. An empire with a cult of personality surrounding the most narcissistic, egomaniacal man in the entire galaxy.
The last recording proved to be the worst.
'What do you plan to do about this 'Liberal Caucus'?' the deep voice of Mas Amedda inquired.
'It is a faction that remains small.' Palpatine's voice came in like a dismissive hand wave.
'But it grows in number. Make no mistake, they will try to remove you from power before the war is over.'
'Do you really think I'm not aware of that? I know how this game works, Vice Chairman. Everyone in that chamber climbs over themselves for a taste of power. But that does not make them worthy of it. It does not change the source of where that power comes from.'
'You've built a veto proof majority. Your appointees dominate the Supreme Court. The military is under the personal direction of the executive. At present, your public approval is approaching semi-divine stature. Why not deal with these unsavory elements now?'
There was an ominous pause before Palpatine gave an answer.
'This 'Petition of Two Thousand' could prove useful. When the new order arises, a fresh list of traitors will be right there for our use.'
'You could disband the Senate if desired.'
'I've thought about the ramifications of such an action for quite some time. Bail Organa has proven to be far more politically adept than I previously realized and poses an acute threat. The Senate itself is an old, archaic, festering institution, filled with mediocre beings, all of whom lack a single original thought inside their heads. Complacency breeds weakness. I aim to stamp it out.'
Luke's heart skipped a beat. Had his interference become such that Sidious would do away with the Senate nineteen years earlier?
'But as tempting as that is, it would be impractical for now. It will take resources, money, and many years before the regional governors take full control. Our plan isn't foolproof and much could go wrong. The Senate will be needed in case things take an ill turn.'
'Do you mean the Jedi?'
The Chancellor's voice took on the slightest hint of a low growl. A glimpse of the true monster everyone in the room knew lay within.
'They will be dealt with when the time is right.'
The recording stopped and a grim pall settled over the room. Only Yoda maintained an air of being unperturbed. But Luke could sense his Master's feelings. He was just as disturbed as the rest of them.
"Such treachery," he finally said.
"You're listening to the words of true evil, Master," Luke told him with unabashed frankness. "But those words are valuable nonetheless, thanks to Ahsoka."
She nodded in appreciation but frowned.
"It almost feels wrong to be thanking me."
"Follow the Force, not politics, we must," Yoda murmured. "Yet to play the game of politics, key to our survival it is."
"I believe this is the will of the Force, Master," Luke said confidently. "We are not blindly following the Chancellor or the Senate. Senator Organa might be the one good man left in that womp rats' nest. He's someone who truly has the interests of the people at heart."
"Everything I've seen of Bail Organa confirms that analysis," Ahsoka agreed.
As always, Yoda took more time to gather his thoughts before commenting.
"An ally to the Jedi and friend Senator Organa, has been. But grave risk there is in supporting his plan. Our role is one of impartiality. To break that is to jeopardize our Order."
"What are we to do then?"
Luke didn't mean to sound accusatory and the look Yoda gave him was not cross but it was reminiscent of some of the more…eccentric reminders received on Dagobah.
"Every possibility must be accounted for. The dark side clouds all," he said, closing his eyes and feeling the Force. "How do we decide when to act and when to withdraw? When to watch and when to speak? When to strike the enemy and when to let him orchestrate his own demise? All good questions…hard to answer…yes…"
Luke glanced at Ahsoka who had a pained expression. Every Knight, Padawan, and youngling in existence witnessed wise old Master Yoda get like this. As a child you grew curious with it, as a Padawan curiosity gave way to impatience, as an adult, you wondered just what the hell he'd say next.
"Master, Ahsoka has met with Senator Organa and Senator Amidala. The plan is to remove Palpatine legally under direction of Order 65. In order to succeed, they'll need evidence of his corruption. This is hard evidence."
"But Senator Amidala also said it may not hold up in Court," Ahsoka pointed out. "Especially since we didn't get a warrant to place it there. They could be arrested for bugging the Chancellor's office."
The blond knew the Togruta had a point. But time was not on their side. Not anymore.
"This battle won't be fought in the Courts. It's going to be about perception. Which side will have the moral high ground and the support of public institutions. It needs to be us, or Sidious will win all over again."
Both of them looked to Yoda once more. But this time the Grandmaster did something peculiar.
"Valid points, you both make. Thwart our enemy's designs we must, but how to do so?" He gestured towards the Togruta.
"Ahsoka?"
The deferment surprised the seventeen year old and in a thought process beyond her years, took several seconds before speaking.
"I have my reservations but this is still your mission, Luke. You came back all this way to save us. Whatever you feel is best, I'll follow."
Her unconditional faith touched his heart. The blond sensed a similar emotion from Yoda. By the Force, they really trusted him, didn't they?
The hurt and betrayed face of his nephew flashed before his eyes as if to eradicate any sense that he deserved trust. Both humanoids awaited his next words. No doubt they felt distress lingering inside those luminous blue eyes.
"Luke?"
He jolted himself back to reality and buried the trauma…for now.
"Palpatine's grip on the political system is near absolute," he said quietly but with firm conviction. "The only way to break that grip is to expose him for what he is."
"There's nothing in there about the Sith or the dark side," Ahsoka reminded him.
"There are other ways of bringing his true intentions to light. Namely Order 66."
Yoda took the opportunity to steer the conversation.
"Intend to expose these chips, you do."
"Before I was suspended, I gave a covert order to ARC Troopers Echo and Fives to report any suspicious activity among their comrades to me. I have no idea what they found or if they've found out anything. But tomorrow is my first official day being reinstated to the 501st."
Yoda tucked a hand under his chin.
"A good time for a visit then, hm?"
"What happens when these chips activate?" Ahsoka asked with a degree of hesitation at attaining such grisly knowledge. "I know they force the clones to kill us, but…what's it like?"
It was a difficult question to answer for multiple reasons but Luke aimed to anyway. They needed to know what they were facing.
"They sort of become brainwashed," he said somewhat lamely, searching for a better way to describe it. "Keep in mind, I never saw it first hand. Only in memories and as a bystander. Basically, they lose all attachment, sense of morality or anything that gets in the way of them obeying orders without question. They stop being human."
Yoda sighed. Not out of disapproval but irony. Their Order discouraged attachment and even certain kinds of emotions and yet it was these very concepts that allowed the clones to experience any kind of joy at all. Another contradiction mixed into the consternant mess the Jedi Order allowed themselves to devolve into.
"Terrible this is. Terrible…"
"This programming has several tells. From what I've been told the pupils dilate and they lose control of their actions. 'Good soldiers follow orders.'"
After an uncomfortable silence, Ahsoka was the first to break it.
"And…have any of the men experienced this yet?"
Luke shook his mane of dark blond hair.
"I don't think so. I'm sure it would have been reported by now. But I do know that some of the signs of the chip activating prematurely are intense nightmares, forgetfulness, and irritability."
"Helpful this is," Yoda interjected. "But rely solely on these plans, we cannot. In the end, a battle with the Sith is likely."
Luke knew what he was getting at and as much as every fiber inside his body wanted little part in confronting Sidious again, no amount of wishing would diminish the possibility. And it was quite possible.
"If all else fails, Sidious must be killed. There is no other way," he opined.
"Careful, Luke. Do not assume death is the only answer. Killing, the quick and easy path it is."
"Master Yoda, you saw my memories. You saw how fast he is and his power. You fought to kill him too, remember?"
"I do," the Grandmaster nodded sagely. "And should it come to that, act decisively we will. A Jedi is allowed to take life. But out of selflessness this should be. Never despair."
Luke felt all the horrible, gut twisting emotions churn inside the roiling pit of his stomach. He knew his Master was right. So why did every instinct say otherwise?
Sidious may not be alone, a dark voice whispered, which he did his best to ignore.
"He can't be confronted by one Jedi," Luke said, regathering his thoughts away from potentially having to face his fallen father again. "It will take at least four or five of the most skilled Jedi Masters to take him down. Possibly more."
"Who do you have in mind?"
He pondered Ahsoka's question and bade himself to release tension into the Force and look at the question objectively.
"Sidious is a Master of all seven forms of lightsaber combat, though he seldom enjoys using a blade," he informed them. "He's got two tucked away in his sleeves at all times. For this reason I suggest the following."
He ticked them off one by one.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi. He's the ultimate Soresu Master and would provide the necessary defense.
"Ki-Adi Mundi. Versatile, cerebral, and knows how to exploit weaknesses in the middle of a fight.
"Mace Windu. Arguably the most skilled Jedi in the entire Order right now. He's the only one with a chance of defeating Sidious alone."
"Why?" Ahsoka cut in.
"Because of his mastery of Vapaad. It's a near perfect counter to Sidious's preferred form of Juyo. He can channel an opponent's power in the dark side against them. It damn near worked the first time," he added bitterly.
"The first time? Wait-"
"Master Windu was able to disarm Sidious in his own office. He was at his mercy."
"But how did-"
Ahsoka shut her mouth, realizing the terrible truth. Her beloved master was the reason. The moment of his infamous betrayal.
"No," she whispered.
"Yes," Luke said harshly. He really didn't want to delve into that topic right now. "Much as the man has it out for me, we will need him in that kind of fight."
"And your last pick, hm?"
"Well…you, Master."
Yoda gave a small smile at the compliment, though he doubtless knew who Luke's selection would be.
"Strong am I, with the Force. Strong enough to defeat Sidious? Hard to say."
"You wouldn't be alone," Luke reassured him. "Your mastery of Ataru would be able to counter Palpatine's aggressive speed. Combined with the other Masters…I think we come out on top."
"Luke-"
"I'm sorry, Ahsoka. But there's only a half dozen people in this entire galaxy I'd pick to go up against Sidious. It's not a situation I can put you in."
"I wasn't going to say that."
She'd folded her arms and began pursing her lips. A clear sign she felt annoyed with him.
"Oh," he said, a bit sheepishly.
"I was going to ask why you didn't pick yourself and Anakin."
Clever, Ahsoka was. Always clever. Too clever for her own good. For it touched upon something that had increasingly barged its way inside what little peace and tranquility he had.
"Leave Anakin to me."
"What does that mean?" she continued to press.
"It means don't worry about it."
"But worried you are," Yoda wisely perceived, pointing a finger at the blond. "Yes, great fear there is in you, Luke Skywalker. Not for yourself, but for your father."
Luke paused, struggling to come up with a proper retort. The longer it took, the more Yoda's piercing green eyes stared and the more agitated Ahsoka became.
"Are you saying you've lost faith in Anakin?" she almost cried.
"No!" he denied. "My father is the Chosen One. He is the one that will bring balance to the Force as prophesied."
"A prophecy…misplaced perhaps." Yoda began rumblings his lips and wrinkling his already wrinkled brow. "Imbalanced, Skywalker is."
"I've seen it with my own eyes!" Luke insisted wildly, pointing to his face. "He defeated Sidious and sacrificed himself for me."
"Yet much pain there was beforehand, was there not?"
"GAH!"
Luke's pent up emotion spoiled over as he stood up from the comfortable cushion and began tearing at the edge of his fair follicles.
"This is why he turned the first time!" he roared in frustration. "Because people like you," he jabbed a finger towards Yoda. "Didn't trust him enough to treat him like a person and not a bomb about to explode. And people like you," he said, switching to Ahsoka. "Refused to believe he could fall to the dark side."
Panting, Luke sought to cool down his temper. They couldn't be discovered here and being a powerful Jedi his outburst was bound to be felt by many throughout the Temple. But the tense moment passed as he inhaled and then exhaled.
"My father is a complicated man. My job is one thing and one thing only: to prevent a repeat of him falling to the dark side. If I can help him achieve his destiny, I'll consider it a life well spent."
Luke observed Yoda and saw a rare phenomenon: uncertainty. It was not often the Grandmaster failed to offer a piece of wisdom or advice but he sensed him wrestling with something.
"Settle that issue later, we will," he said at last. "In the meantime, let us not quarrel amongst ourselves. United we must be to defeat this great evil."
"And we do believe you. We believe in Anakin as well," Ahsoka said gently. "But there's still one problem. How and when do we tell everyone?"
It was the large bantha in the room. A question that provided many possibilities but no concrete answers. And many dead ends.
"It's long overdue Obi-Wan knew the truth. Once he comes back from Spira, I'll sit him down. My father too."
"Do you think he'll believe you?"
"Truthfully, I'm still concerned he won't," Luke muttered darkly. "But now at least we have evidence that he's not such an upstanding, harmless old man anymore."
He thought about his mother, wondering if it might be wise to tell her the truth in an effort to get Anakin to see reason. No, no, that was too risky. Padme's life couldn't be jeopardized like that. If Sidious found out she knew about his status as a Sith Lord…well he didn't want to think about that.
"A theme, there is tonight," Yoda said to his younger pupils. "Trust. We must trust one another."
"And what of the Council? Do you trust them? How do you think they'll react?"
Luke's question was a genuine one and an angle that had to be considered. At least a third of the Council thought of him as a heretic at best, a Dark Jedi at worst. Would they see reason or bury their hands in the sand?
"Handle the Council I will. Stubborn they can be but not impervious to reason. Inform them at the right time, I shall."
A tentative agreement spread its warmth of understanding across the three Jedi. No being was free of sin or hubris. But together, they represented the galaxy's greatest spark for change. A light in the seemingly endless void of black that dominated the Force. Sidious had his plan. They had theirs. Failure didn't register as a word in anyone's vocabulary.
"It is settled then," Yoda said with a firm tap of his gimmer stick. "I shall speak to Senator Organa, informing him of our agreement to support his cause. Reveal the purpose of Order 66 Luke will. Ahsoka will provide more recordings. Crucial, every moment is."
It was late. Luke felt the onset of fatigue creeping up on him. But before an official adjournment, an orange light began flashing at one of the holo projectors in the middle of the room.
"Strange," Ahsoka said under her breath.
It was strange. Holo projectors in the Jedi Temple were encrypted and only members of the Order were allowed to use them.
"Anyone expecting a call?" Luke asked.
No one said a word. And yet it didn't feel like a coincidence. The Last Jedi sensed something strange in the Force. A presence he'd never felt before yet there was also a note of familiarity.
He glanced at Ahsoka, who's expression turned to one of suspicion but it was Yoda who took charge. The old master knew who it was at the end of the Holonet. But why? A lot harder to dig up.
Only one way to find out.
"Master Yoda, are you sure we should answer that?"
He ignored Luke and Ahsoka's questions and pressed the button. And who should appear then none other than the leader of the Separatists himself?
"Dooku."
Yeah, it took a lot of disdain for someone like his Master to refer to someone as though they were a curse word. Still, his sudden appearance out of nowhere intrigued Luke.
"Master."
Dooku took a perfunctory glance around the room.
"Am I interrupting something?" he said with a hint of a smirk.
"No, we were just leaving," Ahsoka said acidly, making no bones of her intense dislike of the man who took the arm of her master. "Thanks for dropping by, see you in a jail cell someday."
"There is no need to be hostile, Padawan Tano. Or should I say, Knight Tano? The news of your promotion was…surprising."
"No doubt since you and your Master tried to have me framed and executed. I'll give it an 'A' for effort."
Yoda stepped in before things deteriorated further.
"Unwanted and unwelcome your presence is Dooku. Nothing to say to you, I have."
The Count made a haughty noise of derision.
"Don't flatter yourself my old Master. My desire is to speak with the third of your number, Master Luke Ahch-To."
Luke gave a crook of the left eyebrow. Kriff, he was just so popular these days, wasn't he?
"For what purpose?" he asked carefully.
"That is for your ears only. If we come to an understanding, perhaps your colleagues may join us."
The tension was palpable and Luke sensed both Yoda and Ahsoka were concerned that Dooku might know his secret. But instinct told him otherwise. Were that the case, the Count would have surely already informed Sidious and then he'd really be in deep shit. Though never a good idea to entertain the machinations of a Sith Lord, he accepted the offer against his better judgment.
"Very well."
"Luke!" Ahsoka hissed. "Do you know what this guy is capable of?"
Yoda too gave an alarmed, quizzical stare.
"Object, I must."
"Master Yoda, I'll be fine. I'm sure the Count has much to say."
Dooku gave an ambiguous smile.
"Indeed."
"Trust me, okay?" he said to his friends. The reference to what they'd discussed earlier did enough to settle their anxiety. Slowly, they left the room though Ahsoka gave the Sith one last hard stare.
Dooku analyzed the man in front of him and decided on a test. A subtle one he often used to take measure of people, especially Jedi. First impressions were quite powerful.
"Stubborn fools, aren't they? So powerful, yet so ignorant. One of many reasons why I left the Jedi Order."
"I didn't agree to this chat to hear you wax poetic. What do you want from me?"
So there was impulsivity there. But also an unapologetic desire to get down to brass tacks.
"I risked my status, reputation, and life to initiate this meeting, Knight Ahch-To. What I have to say should not be considered lightly."
"You're a powerful man, Dooku. I'd be stupid if I did."
Hmmm, pragmatism. That certainly held merit. But he couldn't tell whether this man's temperament mirrored Obi-Wan Kenobi or Anakin Skywalker. At least not yet. Time for another test.
"Are you aware of the true nature of this war, Master Jedi?"
The blond gave a non committal answer. But it revealed much.
"That depends."
"On?"
"What your motivation is for telling me such valuable information."
There was no lie in the man's eye nor lack of insight in his words.
"That does not answer the question."
"It's a question I already know the answer to."
Dooku allowed his surprise to pass into the Force quickly, but not quickly enough. Those perceptive eyes were just as potent as any Force user he'd ever come across. Not as stoic as Mace Windu, nor as wise as Yoda, or even as calculating and soulless as Palpatine. In fact they were reminiscent of someone else he'd not thought of in a long time… his old padawan.
Qui-Gon would like him
"You are a powerful Jedi, Luke Ahch-To. That much is clear to me and anyone else that possesses a working brain. But powerful Jedi have been fooled and will be fooled again. I needed to see for myself what kind of man you were."
"Well I hope I passed the test."
Not above above a bit of humor. This Jedi was beginning to intrigue him more than any prior to his defection.
"You control the Jedi Order."
The blond shook his head.
"That is categorically false."
"Do not deny it. Whether you do so openly or covertly is immaterial to me. What's clear is that even my old Master, a being who seldom takes advice from anyone, is drawn to you. They all are."
"I assure you, my presence here is not universally welcome."
"But you are a maverick. I can see it in your posture, eyes, speech pattern, even down to the manner in which you carry yourself. It is the one thing the Jedi have lacked for thirteen years…" Dooku noted with a hint of sadness in his voice. "Until today."
"And that's why you've decided to contact me out of the blue?"
He could get to the point now. The song and dance had been thoroughly played. It was time to make his move.
"Yes, in part. Because the galaxy needs to be remade. Because the Republic does not have the means to establish true peace. It is why I embarked on my political ambitions upon leaving the Order. And it's why I'm prepared to make you an offer.
"What if I told you that this entire conflict is the work of one man? A man who goes by the name Darth Sidious, who has used his immense power and connections to play both sides in an effort to bring the entire galaxy under his thumb. It is he who deserves blame for the countless lives stolen, blood split, and destruction wrought over thousands of worlds."
Dooku played his ultimate hand and rolled the dice.
"Join me Luke Ahch-To. Together we can destroy the Sith before it is too late. I will even reveal to you the true identity of this Darth Sidious."
The Count expected a number of different reactions, perhaps arrogant denial like Kenobi on Geonosis, brutish threats from the mouth of Skywalker, sanctimonious declarations vowing his defeat from that of Yoda. But certainly not outright acceptance. Or boredom in that acceptance.
"Thanks, but no thanks. I already knew that. And I already know who Sidious really is."
Luke Skywalker took stock of the man, villain, and enigma that called himself Count Dooku. Darth Tyranus may have been his Sith title, but it didn't transcend or take over the ex-Jedi's identity like Vader did with Anakin. To the galaxy he was Dooku. Both in spirit and out of necessity.
A seasoned aristocrat, elegant, posh, and appreciative of the finer things in life; these were all characteristics that Luke could see defined Dooku. He'd only heard stories of the man both as one of the greatest Jedi in history and his role as a cruel, callous leader of the Separatists, but his primary significance in history was that of a placeholder. A segway into the empire he helped build, only to be cast aside at the moment of its inception.
The Last Jedi sensed many things. He presented an imperious, calculating, intelligent figure who's persuasive charisma convinced thousands of worlds to leave the Republic and join a sham Separatist movement. All in the name of order and freedom. Underneath, however, was a prideful, vain person, lost in the struggle for his own gratification.
His reaction to the fact he was onto Sidious and his scheme proved that.
"You know?"
"I know that you and Sidious have orchestrated this entire phony war for the sole purpose of creating an empire in which the Sith will rule over all. I know that Sidious masquerades as a Chancellor invested in the common good. And I know that you are not blameless, Dooku."
Dooku bridled at the accusation.
"Tread carefully, Master Jedi."
Luke realized the boldness in revealing his own knowledge was a huge risk. This was still the Dark Lord's right hand man. One who could run straight back to his Master and spoil any possibility of succeeding in his mission. But Luke Skywalker, Grandmaster of the Last Jedi Order, knew people– their motivations, their desires, and the instinctual urge for self preservation.
Dooku would not have reached out personally unless he felt that his future in the new order to come was in severe doubt. A development that could prove either useful or ruinous depending on the inner workings of this fallen Jedi. Whether he felt remorse for what he'd done or simply wanted a way out.
"I have said nothing that isn't objectively true," he countered. "And your offer comes from a position of instability, not strength."
"And how would you know my position?"
The Count's response veered close to demeaning. But Luke did not take his eyes off Dooku. He refused to be bullied as Sith more often than not used their immense power to prey on those they deemed to be weaker or easily bendable. He needed to show a degree of nerve.
"The offer speaks for itself. If your position as part of this conspiracy was truly secure, you wouldn't have offered to betray your master, a man you and I both know shows no mercy to anyone who crosses him."
Dooku feigned offense but began to backtrack.
"You dare question my power?"
"It's not just your power. It's your morality."
That comment earned him a full sneer.
"I don't deal in Jedi standards of morality any longer, Master Luke. I thought initially we could treat with one another. Perhaps I was wrong."
"So you don't feel any remorse over what you've done?"
Dooku's bearded frown deepened.
"I have only ever done what the Jedi Council refused to. They are the architects of their own downfall. The Republic was doomed long before I left and its flaws are too great to justify its continued existence."
Luke sighed, feeling he was going nowhere. Yoda's words to him were becoming prophetic.
'Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.'
But had he followed that mantra, the Empire would still be standing and Anakin still trapped in a black prison. People could change. He hadn't come this far to lose faith in that belief now. And though Dooku's heart had blackened and withered, Luke was not at all surprised to find himself still able to sense the same conflict in him as Vader.
"You're right about a lot of things, Count," he said at last. "The Jedi are flawed, the Republic is a corrupt plutocracy, and this war has exposed the galaxy for what it is; a chaotic mess filled with hypocrites, liars, and self serving politicians."
Dooku's smug, self satisfaction seemed to reach its pinnacle in triumph of swaying this Jedi to his point of view where Kenobi resisted all those years ago.
"But you chose wrong."
The smugness vanished from the octogenarian's face.
"I desire to bring peace and order to the galaxy. There is nothing about the Republic worth saving."
Luke wasn't having it.
"Yet for all the flaws I mentioned, there is much worth saving. There are Jedi who care about more than just detaching themselves from the world, there are Senators who work towards the common good. And there are people all across this galaxy who deserve to live their lives without fear. We don't know their names but they're just as relevant as you or I, Count. Whatever your noble intentions in the beginning, they've been twisted into justifying murder and wholesale slaughter."
"It is all for the greater good."
"Nothing good ever comes from working with Darth Sidious," the blond pressed further. Dooku may or may not see the error of his ways, but he wasn't about to cede any moral high ground. And for once, there was no arrogant or lofty retort. Doubt creeped into those golden brown eyes.
"I concede that my faith in Sidious has been shaken. That does not mean my partnership with him has not had its uses."
"There is no partnership," Luke countered. "He doesn't share power. Tell me, what did you expect? He ordered the murder of your beloved padawan. And you decided to bow down to this man?"
"Do not speak to me of Qui-Gon!" Dooku thundered. But Luke did not flinch.
"He would not have wanted you to follow this path."
"Qui-Gon would have joined my side! He would have helped me!"
It sounded more like Dooku was trying to convince himself than anyone else. A rationalization for his foul deeds. And Luke's penetrating gaze saw right through it.
"Qui-Gon Jinn followed the will of the Force, wherever it led. But he would not have followed pure evil. And deep down you know that."
Dooku's rage quieted and for the first time, took his eyes away from the rogue Jedi in front of him. There was a distinct sort of grief in them, something that almost looked like regret in not being able to protect the man he considered as a son.
"We are wasting time," he finally breathed out with an added sigh. "I learned to let my old padawan go many years ago. What matters is the future. It's evident to me you are mustering every resource available to counter Sidious before he can put the finishing touches of the Grand Plan into motion. We can help each other both get what we want."
Luke admitted that Dooku almost had him. Almost. The offer was tempting. But the last sentence revealed the true intentions of a power hungry man desperately clinging to any semblance of control possible. A man unwilling to admit his mistakes, awashed in darkness.
"You don't intend to help the Jedi or the galaxy. You intend to help yourself. I cannot trade one Sith Lord only for another to take his place."
Dooku deflated in as much as an aristocrat could while maintaining dignity and an upright posture.
"That is most disappointing."
"Fortunately, I have a counter offer: turn yourself in. Confess to the crimes you've committed and reveal Darth Sidious as the depraved leech he is. Help us take him down. I will ensure you're treated fairly."
"That sounds as though I will have to serve time."
"You will." Luke didn't mince words. "But the next Chancellor will be a man of mercy and jurisprudence. If you assist us in taking down Palpatine, there is every chance of a shortened sentence and even clemency."
That trademark bearded frown deepened into a scowl.
"I will not submit myself to a corrupt system beyond repair only to rot in jail."
"It's better than a system run by Darth Sidious. You want a chance to make the galaxy a better place? This is it, Master Dooku."
The Count's eyes lit up at the word 'Master'. A title he'd not been referred to in years. Furthermore, Luke had bowed as a sign of respect.
Who was this remarkable Jedi?
"You have earned my respect, Master Luke," Dooku replied. "But that is an offer I cannot take. I'm sorry."
Luke did not allow himself to be disappointed. But he did feel the same pangs of regret felt on Endor so long ago. The same sad acceptance that he was dealing with a man too far gone to save.
"It still stands," the blond said generously. "I wish you the best of luck, Count. Just remember, it's never too late to do the right thing."
Luke pressed the button to end the transmission and Dooku's visage disappeared, leaving him to contemplate his next move in the dark.
When at last he exited the meditation room, Master Yoda remained outside, staring outside the window overlooking the nighttime sky. The Force sang in melancholy and Luke soon realized that Yoda's emotions were the source of the sad song.
"Master?"
He came up next to the little green being. No one ever figured out what species he, Master Yaddle, and Grogu were. A secret kept to those among their mysterious race. They wielded great power. Perhaps that was the reason for being tight lipped.
"To bed, Ahsoka went. Kept watch outside I did, in case anyone happened upon us."
Luke studied his master and noticed Yoda's ears were lowered and the usual twinkle in his eye all but gone. So many received tutelage, so many looked to him for guidance they forgot that Grandmaster Yoda was also a being with thoughts, feelings, and emotional scars of his own.
"What did Dooku want?"
"Nothing worth considering," Luke said with a shrug. "He tried to sway me to his side with an offer I couldn't accept."
"Typical."
There was no denying the bitterness in Yoda's voice, and through their bond, Luke understood why. Having lost a star pupil himself, he could empathize.
"He was your favorite, wasn't he?"
"In a popularity contest, my students are not."
"It's inevitable, Master," Luke said softly. "As Jedi, we're taken from our families and raised in a life of austerity. We're not allowed to have attachments, but they happen regardless. A Master is the closest thing a Padawan has to a parent. And a Padawan is the closest thing a Master has to a child."
Yoda made a noise of contemplation but did not disagree. It was certainly a sign of how things had changed already.
"You've trained thousands of Jedi and outlived almost all of them. But he was the best," Luke said. He didn't mention Dooku by name but he didn't need to. "His loss hurt more than all the others."
"The greatest of the Lost Twenty he is."
"It goes beyond that. He was family. I…" he paused debating on whether he should openly admit his past. Exhaling, he pushed back against his anxiety. "I too lost a student who was both talented and family. It's something I'll never forgive myself for. But you should."
Luke could have sworn he saw a single tear slide down Yoda's cheek, but it could have been a trick of the imagination. In a flash of starlight it vanished. Feeling he'd said enough, Luke bowed.
"Good night, Master Yoda."
He took about a dozen steps before he was called back.
"Wait."
Yoda hobbled towards him and there was urgency in his eyes now.
"What is it, Master?"
"Tell you something, I must. Something I should have mentioned before."
Luke bent down to one knee out of respect and nodded for Yoda to say more.
"Before you revealed the truth in the Fountains, visions I saw. A prophecy."
His heart skipped a beat.
"Prophecy?"
"Discern everything, I could not. Somewhat clouded was this vision. But only now do I realize some of its meaning."
Yoda recited what he heard, word for word.
'In the coming dusk
The hour is late
A menace lurks
A hero to change fate'
Luke received goosebumps as he took in the prose, but nothing could have prepared him for the next stanza.
'The sun sets, a sacrifice made.'
"Sacrifice?"
"Incomplete, this prophecy was, but something else I saw. Something terrible."
Luke didn't know if he wanted to hear this now, but couldn't bring himself to run away or shut his ears. The words punctured like a blaster bolt to the gut.
"Blades of blue and green there were. Two men locked in combat. You were fighting against your father."
He felt like he was back on Bespin, falling into the abyss looking at the shadow of Darth Vader. Suddenly, breathing became impossible.
No, no, no, NO! This can't be!
But no lie existed in Yoda's emerald eyes. And no amount of denial could shield Luke Skywalker from the reality set before him.
Destiny was cruel. And it seemed hellbent on a battle between father and son once more.
Luke seems to be in a bit of a conundrum, doesn't he? But what do you guys think? Is the prophecy implying that he will have to do the unthinkable? Or is there something more at work here? Hmmm, decisions, decisions... ;)
Let me know what you think in those wonderful reviews! Next update is either late November or early December.
Rock on!
~The Wasp