Wrong Place, Right Time (Updated 2021)
A Mistique Interlude
Unknown:
It has begun.
I can feel it.
Terror, hatred, suffering...at long last, the plan of the Sith is in motion.
If only you were strong enough to witness this master. I was the one for this task of being Emperor. All this was meant for me, my upbringing, my power, all of this would have been wasted if you were to be above me.
The Vault hanger door opened up for a long arrow shaped ship with a small domed cockpit.
My apprentice is all but the same, foolishly believing that he is a true Sith lord. Table scraps are all he deserves, crumbs of my wealth of knowledge and power. He is unworthy to continue the Rule of Two. He is only a pawn in my-.
His face contorted to anger, and he felt pain within the ship. From his apprentice.
I rest my case…
He walked to the other side of the ship to wait for his apprentice to emerge.
He waited…
And waited…
It was then he realised something was wrong.
He used the force to open the hatch and rushed in as the hatch lowered. He peered towards the pilot droid, who was providing medical support for the unconscious apprentice in the ship's sleeping quarters.
What is this?! Although he is weaker than me, surely he would not have lost to the Jedi in a duel.
However, there he was, bleeding profusely.
"Why hasn't he been given proper Bacta treatment? Surely you are programmed for such menial tasks?!"
If the droid was offended, he didn't show it.
"It is more complicated than a simple surface wound. The wound has a metal fragment deep within the shoulder blade. Bone fractures around the impact area. He needs surgery that I am unable to provide. Shall I fetch assistance?" the droid asked in a droll monotone.
"Do It!"
The droid walked off to get assistance, leaving the master alone with the student.
He shook the wounded one on his unpatched side, rousing him.
"M-master?"
"Yes Tyranus. I am here, tell me what happened?…"
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Few days later:
Another day dealing with those pathetic worms…
The master was seated looking over the skyline of Coruscant, waiting for the groveling insects to discuss tax increases for the war effort. He could read them like an open holo book. In truth, they would use it as a means to increase their pay.
Just how my master foresaw it. This war must be fuelled by greed if we are to take control from the Jedi. Everyone will take a piece of the wealth I offer and they will be forced to obey my every command.
Just like how we put Nute Gunray in control of the Trade Federation years ago, they will fall in line or they will be "replaced."
There were no unknown variables in this thousand year plan...
So why did one happen that DAY!
His apprentice had now recovered with some surface scarring and relayed what happened.
The Mandolorian brought some "friends" with him. Bossk and two human siblings. One of them was called Guns and the other sibling was Roses. Pretending to be a mercenary duo and infiltrating our ranks is not an easy thing to do.
It was obvious that they were aliases to protect their identities. Dooku even took a sample of their DNA from the hair they had left in their rooms. Simply put, they did not exist -at least not in any records that they had access to.
From the small time Dooku met them, their connection to and in the Force increased. They were human yes, but as Dooku put it, "A different substance from the rest of the galaxy."
The apprentice went on as to compare it to soups and broths of all things.
His description was well put. Both are similar, but one is thicker than the other. The force flows the same as us, but their potential is extraordinary.
Dooku went on to say they didn't match Anakin in power, but they made up for it in potential. Enough potential to throw a wrench in well-laid plans if not taken care of.
The master chortled at the thought of such blank canvases.
It is well known that the basis of all paintings is light and dark, it's how anyone can be read. A canvas always starts out white. But when colors are introduced, things become darker. That is what the Sith are, fear, anger, hate, suffering, like colors on a pallet. The foolish Jedi reject these feelings and therefore are white, being unoriginal and predictable. Closing themselves off from their true nature. That is why the Sith shall win this time.
Tyranus went on to explain his attempt to sway them to our side, offering the best the galaxy could offer. They however refused, even with how naïve they appeared.
Many people hold onto moral codes because they love feeling superior to anyone else, self gratification if you will. My family was of the sorts like this. They never understood my pain. That is why they had to go. Even you, Father, who failed to see the bigger picture. So I took it all for myself! I killed the Puppet Master! I do not regret killing everyone!
He chuckled to himself at the memory of the lights fading in his father's eyes as they begged for his life.
They're all the same. They all have their price. If not today, we can sway them tomorrow. All paintings can start from scratch. Once they see what we offer, they can't possibly refuse…
But there was something else to add to the mystery. In his hand, he held the metal fragment that was removed during Dooku's surgery. What was analysed about the shrap metal was most intriguing.
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Four hours earlier:
The droid was absolutely sure as it handed the fragment back and declared, "This slug was made massed produced, however crudely."
"Explain."
"It has the obvious hints of being carved by machine, however very primitive. I did a computer analysis of the slug, bringing it back to its original form. It is made from copper and traces of zinc, that much is certain; however, the projectile had small faults in the carving process. Faults with such malleable metals have been solved for millenniums."
"Meaning?"
"This could have come from the Outer Rim. Perhaps even the unknown regions."
"Interesting…"
The droid was not done.
"That's not all, traces of brass and chemical compounds were found on it. It was made up of 68.2% insoluble nitrocellulose, 29.8% soluble nitrocellulose gelatinized with ether and 2% paraffin. Unlike compounds used for driving a force forward like an explosion, this one is used as a propellant. Much like Tibanna gas when introduced to electricity. This is the first time such a combination has been used for such a slug thrower."
"Did you say 'slug thrower?' Meaning this was not from a bomb?"
"That is correct. As I said, the chemical is meant as a propellant, not an explosive. Considering the shape and discharge around the slug, I am to assume as much."
Only Trandosians would use such weaponry, and he killed many in his younger years training; however, something was still not sitting right.
"Is there more?"
"Yes. Trandoshans use spread pellet throwers using an explosive mixture. According to my files, the closest thing for this slug would be flint locks. I do not believe this was fired from such a weapon, indicated by the impressions on the slug. And as I said, it had traces of a propellant, not an explosive. The slug was pressed together with a brass casing that held the propellant."
"If you cannot tell me what world this comes from, can you tell me why they haven't been discovered until now?"
"I cannot, but what I can tell you is that this is the most sophisticated slug thrower system ever discovered. The potential for such weaponry would be astronomical for any civilizations without blasters. It could allow continued fire at a significant rate."
The master made no reply, but played with the reassemble slug in his hand.
Primitively produced, yet intelligent enough to evolve slug throwers past single shots?
The droid noticed my stare and queried, "Shall I dispose of the slug for you?"
"No. I would like to keep it. Leave me."
The droid bowed at the command and went to do his other assigned tasks.
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Present:
He stood and silently observed the ships scuttering by during the evening rush hour. The man held the slug, moving it within his hand from side to side.
I don't take kindly to threats towards my plans. When I find the world of 'Guns' and 'Roses', I'll make sure to obliterate it if they refuse to join me. Nobody would be able to believe someone lived there when I am through with it.
Not even a second after his thoughts, he felt a tremor in the force. It was barely detectable at first, but it spread, searching for something, absorbing.
One thing was certain: They're here…
End Chapter
A/N: Chapters will be delayed due FledglingHawk2012's health crisis.
Story will resume in January. Happy Holidays.