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Chapter 24
Really, Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas didn't relish going to the Jedi Council's back as much as he did.
But what choice did he have?
Sifo-Dyas had experienced visions of a future war that would engulf the galaxy. Desperate to save the Republic, the Jedi felt that a military mobilization was needed. However, the Jedi High Council refused to give his premonitions credence, and when he pushed too far, they removed him from his position.
Realizing that he would receive no aid from the Order and ostensibly Valorum's Senate, Sifo-Dyas secretly contacted the Kaminoans. He had first learned of their existence from Muun financier Hego Damask during a summit on Coruscant. Sifo-Dyas purported to represent the Jedi and Republic and ordered an army of Clones from the Kaminoans. He kept his actions a secret from everyone.
Admittedly, when Valorum was ousted, Dyas admitted being more joyful than a Jedi ought to be. The former Chancellor played a part in corruption, and the allowance of what happened to Naboo and Malester was a sign of what his administration did to the Republic.
Walking through the corridors of Muunilist, the Jedi Master wondered what was the reason for Damask to summon him here. Yet, apparently, a spokesperson informed him the cause of this meeting was to discuss urgent matters, ones that concerned something he couldn't tell the Council. The Jedi could sympathize with that. He'd known all too well that the Council made too many mistakes.
When he arrived at a hangar, the various guards didn't ask for his weapons, only ordering him to follow them.
The guards stopped short of the office, an unspoken indication for him to go inside. Doing just that, Dyas looked to see Damask sitting in his chair.
"Greetings, Master Dyas, I hope these days find you well," Damask greeted, his tone as always, devoid and cold.
"The same could be said for you, Magister," Dyas said, bowing respectfully. "May we speed this up? I have work to do."
"Of course," Damask nodded, "I may have found a remedy that could reorganize the Republic."
"Would you please explain?"
Damask's lips peeled back, but one couldn't exactly call it a smile. "Master Dyas," he said, standing up from his seat and moving over to him, "Master Dyas," he repeated, "I will like for you to give me an answer. Do you really believe all of the problems with the Senate would be addressed now that a new Chancellor has been elected?"
"I won't assume anything until the first year of his election, Damask," Dyas said, his lips etching into a frown.
Damask shook his head slightly. "Don't be mistaken, human, the Republic won't be fix."
"And how do you know this?" the Jedi Master inquired with a frown.
Something stirred around them.
And Dyas almost felt whispers.
The Muun seemed to twitch slightly before looking beyond. "Was it not I who taught Palpatine everything he knew?" Damask asked rhetorically, eyes distant. "Was it not I who was the one who instructed him? Who gave him the instruments he needed to rise this far?"
The feeling in Dyas' side increased. "What are you talking about?"
The Muun looked at him, daggers in his eyes. "My insolent little... disciple has been acting out of place for quite a while," he growled, and shivers vibrated inside Dyas, the aching chill rising. Dyas felt nothing but power flaring off Damask. The Dark Side of the Force.
The Jedi shivered and revolted at the stench. Was Damask, all this time, a Dark Jedi?!
Dyas' hand shot to his hilt, and he activated it, positioning it in front of him, prepared to strike.
"Oh, Dyas, would you really want to do that now when I'm trying to save you?"
"You're a Dark Jedi."
A glint flashed in his eyes for a moment before it faded. "You're incorrect, I'm afraid. I am much more than that."
The Force pulsed at those words, and Dyas felt the breath sucked out of him. He swallowed a gulp as the revelation of all this clicked slowly.
No.
Damask couldn't be...
They were all wiped out!
"You're desperate. You're afraid. Your fear blinds you."
Dyas' hands tightened over the hilt in his hands, but Damask made no subtle movement as the Jedi Master came closer and closer-lightsaber angled in front of him. The Muun didn't even show any signs of concern or fear.
"Make no mistake, Dyas, I do want to help you," Damask said slowly. "But you have to give me something."
"I will never turn to the Dark Side," Dyas stated adamantly.
"Light Side, Dark Side-why couldn't they both be balanced?" Damask inquired, shrugging. "They both can be learned."
He shook his head, "Yes, they can be learned, but using them against another is different. The Dark Side can't be wielded, but only understood. One cannot walk upstream and downstream at once. Using the Dark Side is a path to destruction."
"The Dark Side is still consider a part of the Force, isn't it?"
"No, the balance comes from the Light Side. The Force will always polarize a Force Wielder's psychology unless they totally give in to every aspect of the Force. That's nigh impossible with balancing both. If I give into the Dark Side even a little bit, it will destroy me, as it destroys everything it touches."
"Oh, so your wise Masters keep saying?" Damask entertained, seeming to find merit in this conversation. "Can the Light Side provide you with quick results? It is noted in history that those who used the power of the Dark Side were able to triumph in battle. The Jedi attempt to deny everything that makes them human while the Sith take this to the extreme." Dyas was surprised, eyes widening. He tsked. "I look to... change this. Come, Master Dyas, are Jedi not to attack an unarmed man for merely having a different view?"
Dyas kept his lightsaber poised. "I won't have a religious debate with something you know all too well, Damask, if that is your true name. The Light and Dark Sides of the Force aren't meant to be arbitrary teams. The Dark Side is all-consuming… You don't get to take a bite of it here and there when you feel like it and otherwise avoid it. That's not how it works."
"You forget that if the Jedi were wise, they would have interfered with the Republic's corruption long ago before it got out of hand," Damask stated, his voice dropping, and Dyas felt disappointment flooding from the Muun. "Do you believe that I am the only Sith? That I wouldn't take another?" He rolled his shoulders. "You have no idea how much the Sith have influenced the Republic. The same one who is manipulating your friend, Count Dooku. The same one who is subtly rising to power with every passing moment."
The Force rang truth at this, and Dyas could only barely shout. How could the Sith have gotten close to his old friend?!
Dyas shook his head, "No, no, that cannot be. The Sith are wiped out. Their kind is swept from the universe."
"Have it ever been confirmed that every Sith has been exterminated, my friend?" Damask inquired slowly. "It is an endless spectrum, isn't it? The battle between the Light and Dark?"
Unable to deny it any longer, Dyas pushed his lightsaber closer, about to push his blade through. Damask didn't turn around, but the lightsaber halted before it could have made an impact, straining under an invisible hold. The Jedi gritted his teeth like an animal. The Order doesn't have to find out. If Dyas could kill the Master, he could get to the Apprentice and destroy him as well.
"Y-you."
"Yes, allow me to introduce myself by my name, I am Darth Plagueis."
"You have to be stopped!"
"You won't be able to do that, human, not if you want to save your friend."
"You are a Sith!" Dyas hissed.
"Who has divulged this information to you with the hope of saving your precious Jedi friends and Republic," Damask, or Darth Plagueis, answered. "Don't fall for that stereotypical mindset that all of us are mustache-twirling evil villains that you feed Younglings. What if I am seeking..." he laughed somewhat, "...enlightenment?"
"I will call you a liar and report you to the Jedi Council."
Plagueis shook his head. "Too many see the Sith Code as an excuse that gives way to blind murder. I have become far more powerful through cooperation than through treachery, which shows a more nuanced look at the Sith Code."
"You know nothing of working together. The Sith betray. It's why their establishments fail. The Jedi work together."
"Brainwashed to the finest."
"Name one example..."
"I can name several. The Battle of Ilum against Malgus, the Revanites and the Anti-Revanite Coalition, on Ziost against Vitiate, on Oricon against the Dread Masters, and in the Eternal Alliance against the Eternal Empire."
"Made up by course of history..." Though he had been shocked the Force sang the truth again.
"Do with that information as you will, Jedi, the Dark Side is a constant struggle to maintain control, and it may lead to unbalance, but it doesn't mean we're predictable villain that your Holofilms and stories depict us as. This option is better than the alternative."
Dyas glared, "And what will happen if I do refuse your offer?"
"We both know the answer to that," Plagueis said with disappointment. "Revan was what an ancient Bogan user represented, before the schism of the Jedi. He used emotions to fuel his power. Anger, love, and a wodge of determination. But where he differed from other Sith is that he didn't rely on Hate. Most other Sith cultivated their anger into hatred, then let that hatred fester, disassociate from its source, until it became an attribute. They simply hated. But that shut them off from all other emotions. It made the universe bleak and meaningless, with only power remaining. They even hated themselves, causing the visible corrosion of their physical forms. This is a mistake I made and seek to correct."
"I don't believe you," Dyas said, even though doubt resided in his mind throughout the conversation.
"Revan tended to be angry, but he used that anger as a tool, and he let it go when not needed. He continued to care for people and causes. While he did not have this perpetual wellspring of hate to draw upon, he was able to use the entire spectrum of his emotions. And he maintained control and did not surrender to bloodlust, which was what made him so focused and effective."
The Muun continued. "Appreciate my graces. Were it not for me, Master Dyas, you would be dead. Your friend, Count Dooku, converted."
"Ah yes, your Apprentice, do you happen to know who he is?" Dyas asked bitterly.
"By Darth Sidious. I have rethought my position in the Sith's Grand Plan and realized the folly of delving into the Dark Side too much." Plagueis responded. "Allow me to prove myself to you."
"And what can you possibly tell me that will make me reconsider your... Sith position, my Lord?" He inquired with the same venom.
"Lord Sidious is known publicly as Sheev Palpatine."
Denial hit him as hard as a crashing ship. "You lie..."
But he felt it, try as he might. Now, he could see the truth. He could feel the Force murmuring in his ear. And at last, Sifo-Dyas understood. The Sith had never been eradicated. Very likely, they were destroyed for a brief time; but as long as one of the Dark Side drew breath, their various Holocrons across the galaxy, containing all of the ancient information that could be used to corrupt others, meant that the Sith were always around, and the Jedi didn't saw it!
And yet, while he wanted to run back to Coruscant, to flee from Damask somehow, and report the information told to him to the Jedi Council, Sifo-Dyas knew - even if he did escape - that the Jedi wouldn't believe him. It was such a saddening condition to consider how much of the Jedi had collapsed.
Plagueis's exposure of the truth unraveled the harsh fact.
But he was no longer in certainty.
If Dyas could... somehow use the Sith who could have already drawn his blade, until Sidious was defeated, and reported the Muun to the Jedi Council, it would secure a victory for the Jedi. He wouldn't ever turn to the Dark Side.
The Dark Side was a path to destruction and ruin. The Sith wouldn't manipulate him into darkness. He wouldn't allow himself to be consumed by the Sith. The Jedi had to survive. And if Dyas had to make a deal with the Devil, a deal that he would have to make sure he didn't result in his exposure to darkness, Dyas made a vow that the Sith would fall.
He deactivated his lightsaber and placed it on his belt, scowling. "If you try anything..."
"Your doubts will be quelled, at least for the short term. As I was saying about Dooku, with Qui-Gon Jinn's survival due to one Luke Skywalker, your friend wouldn't fall to the Dark Side just yet. Knowing Sidious, he may plot a way to remove Qui-Gon from the equation." The Muun stared piercingly, digging into the Force.
Dyas felt so violated. He wouldn't be able to be the Jedi he was after this. "I see..." he looked down, guilty, though he knew that Damask might be able to spill more information.
After a few seconds, the Sith placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled coyly. "We have so much to do..."
Sidious waited.
That was all he had been doing as of late.
Bugs have been placed all throughout the building. Should the Jedi charge in and demand his arrest for being a Sith due to Skywalker, it shall spread simultaneously throughout the entire galaxy. His Jedi spies have been tasked with monitoring the Council as much as they could and taking utmost caution to not be discovered.
It outraged him to know that the same manipulation that worked on countless Jedi didn't phase Luke Skywalker. That irritable Force Adept was a threat to the Grand Plan.
But with his administration remaining undisturbed throughout the past many weeks, the Naboo Sith have taken advantage of the favor of many politicians. Even his dissenters, for now, were deadlocked into the Sith's scheming and looked forward to this new age.
His datapad beeped, and Sidious stared down, seeing another report from one of his spies. He felt the ever-so-slight satisfaction that the Jedi Council had concluded with another pointless debacle that went absolutely nowhere.
The moment of levity didn't last.
Dooku, so far, has been unreachable. It was fortunate that Sidious only had him chasing after ghosts instead of revealing himself. The old man could be a problem now that he was not coming to him. Dooku cared deeply for Qui-Gon. He was very close to his Apprentice and his death would have sent him spiraling fully towards the Dark Side.
But there was Maul. Come to think of it, Dooku was unlikely to serve for long. His political acumen and mannerisms would have attracted the splintering Rim in a short time. It would be tiring to teach Maul more in that regard. This also allowed Plagueis to take advantage of what the Sith had established, either by appointing another public figure or doing so himself.
Sly Moore was a possibility, but that would raise scrutiny about how compromised Palpatine's administration would be. With Maul being unprepared for that type of work, the Zabrak would likely be unable to control his darker instincts.
Yet, should Plagueis recruit the Outer Rim's planets, Sidious would have to militarize the Republic far earlier, even without the Senate, and allow the local government to run ham without protest until a bill passed. The war of the dreams would be legitimate, and Sidious couldn't be certain if the war would result in victory. Oh, if only the Muun allowed himself to die and make Sidious's job all the more easier...
But Sidious relished a good challenge. Being at odds with Plagueis only made the coming victory all the more pleasurable... if not for the fact that the Naboo Sith would be hard-pressed to secure even more aspects of the government while Plagueis could start fresh.
"Your Excellency, three Jedi are here to see you."
Ah, what was it now? "Let them in."
Permission granted, the familiar form of Yan Dooku, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Obi-Wan Kenobi walked inside.
"Ah, Master Dooku, it's been a while. And Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, greetings." Oh, how pleasing it was to see Kenobi's scars. Sidious only lamented that he hadn't been able to cause them himself.
"Chancellor," Dooku said, bowing elegantly. "We want to talk to you about something... that should be confidential for now."
The Dark Side rippled. "Of course, anything for you, my old friend," Sidious allowed with a wave of his hand.
"The Jedi Order has been discussing much about the Sith in this occupation; I'm sure the Queen of Naboo has informed you."
She hadn't, but he'd doubted such a conversation would ever come up. The Queen was too busy on Naboo, mourning her people's deaths to be of any use currently.
"Ah, yes, Darth Sidious," Palpatine feigned knowledge in his tone. "I have been informed by the Queen."
Dooku's demeanor became passive. "Reinforced by Skywalker's story and the reports from Adi Gallia, we have talked and came to a conclusion..."
Ah, so the Council sent these three to proceed with the arrest. A foolish gamble even for the Jedi-for Sidious would easily demolish them, but he knew the Jedi were far from smart. Kenobi's scars most likely hadn't healed entirely. Jinn's older age was becoming more and more apparent. And Dooku would be the only one Sidious would take seriously in a duel. Perhaps with the deaths or agony of Jinn and Kenobi, Dooku could be driven to the Dark Side-though his loyalty would not be to him directly.
More so, via torture. If such an outcome did happen, it would be a waste of time, for Dooku's loyalty wouldn't be willingly given. Simply, too much time would be poured into the effort.
"And we suspect your mentor, Hego Damask, may be this Darth Sidious."
Wait, what?
Sidious was actually surprised at that, his eyes widening for five long seconds. He pretended to be outraged. "He is my friend!"
"Allow us to clarify..." Dooku said.
"That is a bold accusation, Master Jedi, I would like an explanation to this."
Yet... too close to the truth.
"Damask has been away from the public eye for twenty years," Jinn clarified, his face controlled. "His disdain for the Republic may explain many events."
"We know all too well about your... connection," Dooku concluded, his demeanor becoming apologetic. "And we don't want to assume that you're able to use the Dark Side."
Palpatine smiled kindly. "Of course, I will not go against the Jedi here." Oh, he could always just use the Dark Side ability that lured a predominant number of total midi-chlorians in his system to the left side of his body and take the test with his right arm.
Dooku shook his head. "Thank you, I hope you understand the concern."
"I will always be an ally to the Jedi, Master Dooku," Palpatine paused for a moment, allowing a silence to pass. He allowed doubt and confusion to pass into the Force. "I do have concerns that I think should be taken."
"Oh?"
"I do so appreciate the presence of Luke Skywalker for his assistance to my planet, but I am slightly concerned about him. He's mysterious, with no official background. He has my trust in good conscience."
"He has agreed to abide by the Jedi Council's commands on negotiations," Qui-Gon answered stoically.
"Oh, I know," Palpatine nodded, "but my curiosity has been peaked as of lately due to Skywalker's appearance." He looked at them ignorantly. "Who is the Padawan he has been allowed to train?"
"Anakin?" Obi-Wan inquired.
"Yes, yes, him. The next root of the conversation would concern you, Master Jinn." He looked at the Jedi.
"Me?" His eyebrows shot up.
"Yes, you, my good Jedi."
"With all due respect, your Excellency, I don't know the meaning of this shift in conversation."
"Oh, I didn't mean to offend," Palpatine said, guilt pouring into the Force next. "I'm just very concerned about what this could mean if Luke Skywalker's controversial... views is a disaster. I don't like the idea of spying on a hero, but it's a concern I've been having for days. I know Jedi forming attachments have proven to be destructive if some of the history read in libraries is anything to go by, but this concern involves a more recent case than those historical times."
Qui-Gon nodded slowly, blinking. "It's understandable to be concerned. What do you have to say?"
"I will like to bring a callback to," Palpatine's hands fidgeted for a moment, feigning fright, "Xanatos Du Crion."
Dooku's face paled. Kenobi's eyes widened. And Jinn's reaction was the most delicious of all. His features became ghostly white.
"I do confess that Anakin Skywalker's backstory is a tragic one based off his history," Sidious pressed, allowing fake pity and sympathy to radiate in the air. "But, correct me if I'm wrong, his mother also aids him throughout his training, and has even a closer bond. After Xanatos's obsession with his father, and what happened that led to his conversion…"
Qui-Gon's voice became blunt, "The boy is not like Xanatos, and Luke — nor his mother — is nothing like Crion. Luke did seem to care about Anakin. His mother too. Both want his well-being." Oh, this was escalating faster; he was trying to convince himself more than Palpatine.
"Oh, I agree," nodded Sidious, allowing Qui-Gon's shoulders to elevate tension, "I agree that neither set is exactly alike, but… correct me if I'm wrong, but attachment is not the Jedi way. Anakin Skywalker's bond with his mother could be dangerous. I don't want to think badly of either of them, but you have to understand…"
"I do, Chancellor, I'm sure Luke wouldn't misdirect him purposely," Qui-Gon answered. "We have confidence Master Yoda would be able to see if either of them does do something drastic."
The Force rippled at those words now...
So subtly, Sidious dove into the Dark Side. He demanded within his dark senses, seeing that the Jedi were unaware of his moment of silence, taking it as bemusement, "What role does Yoda have to play? Show me. Show me the Grandmaster."
Sidious saw himself engaging in a firm lock with Yoda, tossing the pods at the little green troll. The two of them concluded the engagement in a giant struggle of Force energy, electricity exploding between them. The Grandmaster collided with the far bottom of the chamber as Sidious cackled with mad glee, bringing himself up to a pod. He stared down at where the limp troll was mockingly. The Jedi had failed. He was still alive! The Sith won!
Only barely could Sidious contain his widening eyes. He knew better than the Jedi to take visions lightly.
He was more than bemused about how he came to blows with that little green menace in the Senate Chamber, but he'd allow time to reveal that mystery to him. Sidious wanted to savor his victory when it came after all.
The Sith was already halfway there, with the law hanging over the Jedi's head. Did Skywalker recognize that too?
"I fear their emotions may be clouding their judgment," Sidious said slowly, doing a masterful display of closing his eyes in guilt. "There are strict laws in place about why we cannot go to war with the Hutts, and as Chancellor, I have to do what is paramount in the Republic, but there is the fact that they might do something that we can all regret. I have no doubt a young boy would hate slavers, and if Luke fosters that reminder via his mother, it can bring unsettling implications for the Republic."
"It breaks the laws of the Republic," Qui-Gon stated coldly, looking disgusted.
The emotions flaring off of the Jedi were delicious.
"The love between parent and child is beautiful and fragile, but like all things, it could be converted to worse means as Xanatos proves," Sidious dug in deeper. "I didn't tell you this to instigate any problems between you and either of the Skywalkers, but can we assume that those would be the only slaves freed?" He wasn't telling a lie either. He sensed it whenever he was around the whore and slave brat. And even without evidence, Jinn wouldn't think rationally.
"Agreed," came the flat response from the Maverick. He loved shattering bonds...
"If Luke Skywalker does indeed start a war with the Hutts, as Chancellor, it is my duty to, well, you know what I have to do to all complicit in crimes, no matter their past assistance to people," Sidious sighed a prolonged sigh.
"We will keep a close eye on him, Your Excellency," Dooku announced.
Qui-Gon exhaled in frustration. "He is a good man. I have no doubt about that. But his goals and beliefs are troubling. They go against the Jedi way, and can lead to other complications in the future." He sighed, too, eyes lowering. "I don't wish for him to be held under suspicion-not after he did a favor for a sovereign member of the Republic and the Jedi Order. Will it be too much to..."
"Of course," Sidious declared, "this conversation will not leave this office." He fixed them with a severe stare. "However, I do hope that this will not be something that I'll come to regret. As Chancellor, it is my sworn duty to protect the Republic."
"Qui-Gon will talk to him," Dooku proclaimed, "you needn't worry about that, Chancellor."
"I'm sure I won't. Forgive me but I have much work to do so if this is the end of the conversaton." The Jedi bowed as one and left, leaving Palpatine sitting in the chair, grinning.
While it wouldn't destroy the friendship between Skywalker and Jinn, the Maverick would be more averse to what Luke was "poisoning" Anakin's mind with. He would have to research the laws of the Republic and tighten the hold of religious laws to ensure that Skywalker didn't find a loophole about him as he just did with the Jedi.
Oh, it was so fun to troll the Jedi...
