The hum of the deck under the Togruta's feet was quiet and steady. It was barely perceptible — the systems of the flagship of the assault fleet "Blade," a heavy cruiser of the "Valor" class named "Telos," despite being several millennia old, were tuned to perfection.
Ahsoka didn't particularly delve into the technical details of the ship's modernization, but she acknowledged that this vessel significantly surpassed any Republic starship in firepower. Against the Venator's sixteen heavy turbolasers, consolidated into two batteries of twin towers, or the Predator's fourteen heavy turbolaser twins and sixteen super-heavy turbolaser cannons of the main battery, the Telos could field three dozen twin turbolaser cannons, analogous to those that currently constituted the firepower of the main Republic spaceship — the Venator. Not to mention the numerous quadruple laser cannons serving as anti-aircraft artillery, surrounding the ship with an impenetrable deadly umbrella, batteries of ion cannons, and concussion missiles.
Of course, this ship's air wing was inferior to the Venator's — only 144 small craft, and that was after additional upgrades already in the Christoph system. However, Ahsoka had no doubt that if the need arose, this ship, leading a fleet of three dozen Hammerheads and twenty Marauder-class corvettes, supported by more than ten Acclamators with landing troops and a similar number of Pelta-class frigates in medical configuration, would be able to raise hell in any system held by the enemy. Any enemy.
The purpose of the upcoming operation was kept a great secret. Master Dougan didn't particularly explain the reasons for such secrecy. And no one present really wanted to ask him questions.
Especially when both Dashades' stern mugs peered out from behind the man's back.
A premonition of imminent danger yanked Ahsoka out of her spatial reasoning. The girl, orienting herself instantly, ducked, letting a massive vibro-sword pass over her — the mere sight of its blade made her sick.
However, the next second, a muscular gray paw that appeared before her face grabbed the girl by the throat, and Khem Val, ignoring her attempts to break free, yanked her upward, then painfully slammed her back against the floor.
Despite the fact that the entire surface of the former dining hall for the cruiser's senior command staff, which by the Grand Moff's will had been converted into a training hall, was covered with thick, resilient mats meant to reduce injuries to trainees, the girl felt the wind completely knocked out of her.
"A pathetic parody of a Sith Lord," the Dashade grumbled, examining the defeated girl. "Not one of you is worth the little finger of my former master. Incompetent amateurs."
"I'm starting to regret the master taught us Speech Comprehension," a plaintive voice came from somewhere to the right. Turning her head, Ahsoka noticed with a smile that a few meters away, Oli was on all fours, with a clear mark from the flat side of the Dashade's sword on the right half of her face. It seemed she wasn't the only one who had missed the monster's swift attack.
"I have devoured thousands of Jedi," Khem boasted. "But not one of them was as..."
"Charming?" Oli asked.
"Diligent?" Ahsoka clarified, getting to her feet right after her friend.
."..stupid," the Dashade finished angrily. "You are worthless masses of flesh. I wouldn't even bother devouring you after a victory. Oh, Tulak Hord, why is this punishment upon me?"
"You shouldn't have climbed into stasis," Oli said with hurt in her voice, rubbing her bruised spot. "You would have died long ago and decomposed by now..."
"My race lives for thousands of years," Khem countered. "And after the rituals of Sith magic, I and Usar will live another thousand, thanks to Eternal Hatred — the Dark Side's ability to sustain my body, using constant pain and anger to continue existing. And with each passing year, we only grow stronger."
"And what were those rituals for?" Oli asked with interest. Ahsoka, who had been preparing to continue the duel, realized the Dashade had completely lost interest in them as sparring partners. He slung his massive sword over his back and sat down on the floor in a meditation pose, clearly signaling them to move on to the theoretical part of the lesson.
On one hand, it was insulting. The fact that Dougan himself, who could teach both girls something more, preferred to pawn this work off on his underlings. During the journey to Yavin, Oli had sparred multiple times with Kira, while Dougan, locked in his cabin, studied some records. And Ahsoka herself, who had just come to terms with the thought that after successfully securing the loyalty of the Zeison Sha, she would become Lady Grell's apprentice, found herself back in the active army, much to her disappointment. Meanwhile, Sarkai continued her mission to recruit gifted supporters for the new Order.
The girl sighed heavily.
She had no doubt she had acted according to her conscience by finishing off each of her opponents during the trial and healing herself by draining their suffering and turning it into energy to heal her own body. That was the condition for passing the test. They just hadn't told her in time.
The leader of the Zeison Sha, despite losing his son in that battle, had kept his word. Though small, the group had joined the Order. They were probably on Tython by now — a place the girl wanted to visit. She consoled herself with the hope that one day she would reach that legendary planet...
"Darth Xarion obtained some of Emperor Vitiate's records before the fall of the Empire," Khem explained. "A Force technique that allowed him to create his own doubles. You saw how masterfully he used it during the battle with the Emperor. And he nearly succeeded in his endeavor. I know many Sith rituals and techniques that Xarion gathered over the millennia. I, like his other companions, gained access to all of it. Including — Xarion performed the immortality ritual on me, as he did on the others, the same ritual that Emperor Vitiate, according to legend, subjected his servant Lord Scourge to, to make him the first of the Emperor's Wraths."
"No kidding," Oli whistled. "I know a lot from the Jedi Archives, but immortality..."
"It's not what you think," the monster shook his head. "Throughout all these thousands of years, my body was torn apart by unbearable pain, until the nerve endings finally restructured themselves, going numb from the constant strain. Now I am not troubled by empty emotions or background pain. On the contrary, I absorb them like a sponge and turn them into deadly weapons."
"Wow... and your previous master, Darth Nox," Oli inquired. "What was he like?"
"A true Sith," the Dashade said with a hint of pride and sadness. "Ruthless to his enemies, ferocious in battle, merciful to those willing to acknowledge his dominion. His ambitions knew no bounds — he manipulated both enemies and allies."
"Hold on," Oli squinted. "I think Lady Zavros, who oversees the Academy, was once a companion of Darth Nox..."
"Ha-ha-ha," the Dashade's laugh, more like the sound of tearing metal, painfully struck the ears. "So the little Togruta survived? And considers herself a full-fledged companion? A naive fool who never rid herself of her Jedi delusions."
"I don't much like your reaction, monster," Ahsoka muttered. "I've met Lady Zavros and..."
"The Togruta is just one of Darth Nox's many intrigues," the Dashade growled. "She can talk all she wants about being a companion or assistant to the little Sith, but she's nothing more than a tool of his influence. A visible result of my former master's power."
"How so?" Oli was surprised.
"Darth Nox gave her a Sith holocron to study," Khem Val revealed. "And after she studied it, her fall to the Dark Side was only a matter of time. She became Nox's apprentice, which only underscores his boundless power and dominion over sentients."
"So... he just manipulated her to win her over to his side?" Oli understood. "That's pretty nasty..."
"Nox sought power," Khem Val countered. "He wasn't afraid of new things, he experimented with old, long-forgotten knowledge and didn't hesitate to openly support the development of new types of weapons. He supported those who were useful to him and took true pleasure in torturing his enemies. His path to the heights of power in the Empire was so swift and impressive that the greatest Sith, politicians, and military leaders sought an alliance with him. The Dark Council, mired in its own ignorance and resting on the laurels of past achievements, realized its mistakes too late — only to have almost all of them killed by the forces of the Eternal Empire."
"And Nox survived, didn't he?" Ahsoka asked, immediately getting a nod from the monster in response. "And why didn't he fight against Valkorion?"
"He went into hiding," Khem Val reported. "Gathering supporters and stockpiling strength to strike. It's not his fault that Valkorion's seekers found him first."
"That doesn't sound much like he's worthy of all the praise you're heaping on him," Oli smirked. "If he had so many supporters and allies, how did it happen that he was tracked down and killed, and you ended up serving another?"
"The usual story among Sith," the Dashade growled. "You small Jedi wouldn't understand what true strength and greatness are..."
"No, no," Ahsoka smiled. "Actually, that's an epic fail. An epic rise to the heights of power..."
"And an even more epic fall from it, faster than a whore off a skyscraper roof," the Togruta sensed serious jealousy and bitterness in her friend's words.
Frowning, she looked around for the source of Oli's discontent.
And she found it rather quickly.
While Khem was training the girls, Dougan wasn't slacking off.
On the contrary, clad in light training pants, bare-chested, he was diligently honing his own skills. With the help of two Zabraks.
Ahsoka, glancing at her friend, smirked inwardly.
Oli was jealous of her teacher because of Lady Hexid and Lady Simi, with whom the man was training. He was facing off against both former Sith simultaneously, who, armed with double-bladed swords, were trying to overcome him. Though they were doing so clad in light training suits, which not only hugged their sexy figures but also shamelessly displayed both of their charms for all to see.
"Were all Sith women complete whores?" Oli asked with distinct hatred in her voice. Taken aback by the question, the Dashade "froze" for a moment, then, following the girl's gaze, laughed again.
"Every sentient with any ambition uses all their talents to achieve a higher position than they currently hold," the Dashade reasoned. "For Sith women, there's nothing shameful about using their bodies for such purposes."
There was sense in the monster's words. Ahsoka already knew from Oli that Dougan had a weakness for girls of other races — Twi'leks in particular. The girl rightly believed, as did most of the galaxy, that the women of that race enjoyed deserved popularity among men due to their overt sexuality. As did Zeltron women, Zabrak women, and... Togruta women.
So, looking once more at how the pair of Sith ladies were furiously fencing with the Grand Moff, unashamed to strike sexy poses and display their obvious cleavages (and even to the young Togruta's eye, there was certainly something to see), Ahsoka just smirked again, feeling the fury radiating from Oli.
"Use your emotions for something more," the Dashade advised. "It will strengthen your connection to the Force, unlock new resources within your body..."
"Shut up," the Emperor's apprentice snarled, lightning-fast getting to her feet. An instant later, the Force boiling inside the girl burst into the surrounding space, enveloping her in a translucent sphere of energy. The girl's rage grew with every passing second, causing the surface of the Protective Bubble to fill with black-violet reflections. Lightning of similar color flashed across the surface of this formation. "I'll kill both of them..."
"Excellent," the Dashade rumbled, pleased with himself. "You catch on quickly, little Jedi. Few Sith sorcerers were capable of such..."
A growl came from Oli's tightly pressed lips. The Protective Bubble expanded in a series of jerks, and a Force Lightning shot from its surface, hurtling toward the Dashade. However, Khem Val didn't even stir. Extending his hand, he caught the Lightning, absorbing it without harm to himself.
"Tutaminis?" Ahsoka noticed that her friend's actions were a response to her teacher's actions. He, elegantly disarming Lady Simi, wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her close. At the same time, he tripped her, so that she fell forward, bent over his leg. Dougan, not particularly shy about the students' presence, loudly spanked the Zabrak, who had a long tail of hair woven into dreads, on the bottom, commenting, "Well, that's it, now you're working tonight in my bedroom."
"Sith sorcery," Khem grinned. Then, softening, he grunted. "My race is immune to Force attacks. One of the reasons we are the best assassins of the gifted."
"Hm," was all Ahsoka muttered. Today's lesson was dedicated to various defensive techniques. The Dashade had been patiently, though not without swearing and threats, teaching both girls techniques from his own repertoire. Unfortunately, neither of his students had succeeded — so far — in creating a Protective Bubble or Force Barrier. And at that moment, Ahsoka felt a pang of envy toward her friend.
The Togruta had learned early on that she needed both sides of the Force and used them successfully. However, as Lady Grell had said, her anatomy, emotions, character, and temperament did not suggest that the girl would eventually become someone like the ancient Jedi sages or Sith sorcerers.
Her purpose was to be in the thick of battle. Wielding lightsabers, cutting down enemies left and right, focusing on enhancing her natural talents — speed, agility, acrobatics.
But Oli...
"She has a talent for more sophisticated uses of the Force," Dougan had once said shortly before departing from Yavin. The Togruta was helping him pack artifacts and holocrons for shipment to a safer location. And the conversation had naturally turned to the Emperor's apprentice. "During her time as Jocasta Nu's Padawan, she became familiar with many Force techniques — aspects of the Light Side, of course. I am extremely impressed that she managed, without any preparation, to establish a Force Bond between us. Moreover, her personal progress, even without directed training from me, is impressive. But since our acquaintance — a full disclosure of cards — I've come to the conclusion that she can do much more. But to unlock her potential, she needs constant motivation. She instinctively rejects the use of the Dark Side, so... in short, I'm bending over backwards to shake the foundations of her Jedi dogmatism. When that succeeds... I'm not sure there will be anyone among our mutual acquaintances capable enough to stop her."
"She's a good fencer," Ahsoka recalled.
"Not every battle can be won by waving a lightsaber," Dougan shook his head. He looked thoughtfully at the outdated armor — the only one in the entire fortress. "I am certain that Oli's potential lies in a completely different area. Sorcery, complex Force techniques — that's her domain. Short one, help me put on this armor."
Only now did the girl realize just how right Dougan had been. Even if unconsciously, Starstone easily grasped what the Togruta herself could not achieve.
Guided by these thoughts, she looked at the Emperor again. Her sharp eye did not miss the masculine beauty he possessed. A handsome, manly face, strong features. A muscular body, as if carved from stone and now covered with beads of sweat, moist from the prolonged workout. His smooth, as if in a deadly dance, lunges and strikes that forced his opponent to retreat... The pressure, authority, strength emanating from this man... were attractive.
Ahsoka shook her head, driving away these stray thoughts.
Glancing at her friend, who was still continuing to condense the Force around her, Ahsoka noticed that Oli, unexpectedly relaxing, collapsed the Protective Bubble. The Force power swirling around her dissipated, as if it had never been there. The girl's emotional state leveled out — the Emperor's apprentice had regained control over her passions.
"That's enough for the first time," Khem Val growled, getting to his feet. "Pathetic, weak, and amateurish... But for a start, it'll do."
However, Oli didn't seem to hear the Dashade. Meeting eyes with Ahsoka, he turned indifferently and, waddling from foot to foot, strode toward the exit.
"Damn sluts," Starstone hissed, not taking her eyes off the pair of Zabraks, who, smiling sweetly, were helping Dougan dry off his sweat. Yeah, it looked like their training had ended too. "I hate them..."
"And do you care that they're buzzing around your teacher?" Ahsoka asked, yawning.
"What else," Oli hissed. "I... I can feel them practically dripping at the mere sight of him. Ever since he defeated their former master, they just won't leave him alone. Horned bitches..."
Ahsoka raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"You're really hung up on this," she grinned. "Watch it, or you'll burst from anger..."
"I'd corner every single one of them in a dark corner and knock their horns off," Oli said dreamily.
"So what's the problem?" The Togruta noticed out of the corner of her eye that Dougan had activated his holocommunicator, peering intently at someone's small figure. "Challenge them to a duel..."
"I can't," Oli sighed bitterly. "They're stronger — I'm not stupid enough to let them beat me. Once I've honed my skills with Khem Val's lessons, then I'll give them a real run. If," she caught herself, "the teacher allows it."
"And you're so obedient that you'd ask his permission?" Ahsoka doubted her friend's words.
"No, but... When I saw him pawing at them, I wanted to rush over and chop them both into mincemeat," Oli admitted. "But Teacher said he'd send me to study the Hero of Tython's archives if I kept acting up in class."
"Well, first of all, I didn't see him pawing at BOTH of them," Ahsoka noticed Dougan, followed by both Zabrak females, leave the hall. She stretched, relaxing her tired muscles. "Only Lady Simi..."
"You were just staring at me," Oli snapped. "I saw him corner that red-faced one and grope her..."
"Actually groped her?" Ahsoka giggled. Meeting her friend's serious gaze, she wiped the smile off her face.
"Take my word for it," Starstone assured her. "He knocked her sword out of her hand, grabbed her by the throat with one arm and her waist with the other. And pressed himself right up against her... He definitely kissed her — he just blocked it with his back, so I didn't see."
"You have a Force Bond," Ahsoka recalled. "Don't you feel everything he does?"
"Not always," Oli shook her head. "Sometimes he closes himself off in the Force. Especially at night," she remembered with a grim expression. "You can bet — he's fucking one of his whores at night."
"Oli," Ahsoka said seriously. "I think you've got an obsession with this topic. Can you think about anything else?"
"I... I guess," the girl, as if catching herself, gripped her own lightsaber hilt. "It's like he's mocking me. He knows I'm pining for him, and he just..."
"WHAT?!" Ahsoka's eyes went wide. Oli, realizing she'd blurted out way too much, guiltily pressed her lips together. "You never said you..."
"Hey, I'm allowed to have my own secrets!" Oli snapped. "And there's nothing shameful about it!"
"He's your teacher, actually," she reminded her. "And the Code..."
"To hell with the Code!" the dark-haired girl roared. "When did we ever start following it? We're building an entire Empire, plotting against the current government. Let the Jedi stick to their rules. I want Dougan, and I'm going to want him!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, buddy," the Togruta raised her hands in a placating gesture. "Easy. I was just saying..."
"You know how hard it is — being side by side with a man who means everything to you in the entire galaxy," Oli said with a hint of self-pity. "Looking at his face, his big, strong hands... Today's training was pure torture for me! In all the time I've been his student, this was practically the first time I saw him without armor, with his bare torso..."
"Hold on," Ahsoka frowned. "He's been to the Halls of Healing so many times, and you were glued to his room. Don't tell me..."
"Ahsoka," Starstone looked at her with grim reproach — the same look she'd worn when they first met in the Jedi Temple training halls. "I might be a horny, head-over-heels woman, but I'm not a pervert. I didn't crawl under his sheets or into his pants when he was comatose, and I'm not about to."
"You should've," Ahsoka smiled. "Maybe that was your only chance to get your grubby little hands on his body..."
"Not the only one," an unnatural, fanatical gleam appeared in Oli's eyes. "Teacher once said he liked me..."
"Don't lie to me at least," Ahsoka said with a skeptical expression. "If those were his words, you'd already be under his armor — no matter how much he resisted."
"Ach," Starstone waved her hand. "Maybe he didn't say it exactly like that, but the meaning's the same. Anyway, he has some hang-up about us not being able to make love until my sixteenth birthday. That's how it's done on his home planet..."
"I have no doubt you educated him about the Galactic Basic age of consent standard..."
"Of course," Oli nodded. "But he said his conscience wouldn't let him do that to me... Anyway, I have a plan."
"And what's that?" Ahsoka yawned. All this talk about Oli's raging hormones was starting to seriously stress her out. And not because the girl — though formally still a member of the Jedi Order — was spewing nonsense that, if any Council member heard it, would get her kicked out the door with a kick in the pants.
It was just... Ahsoka closed her eyes, recalling second by second the details of Dougan's sparring match with the Zabrak females. Yes, there really was a lot to learn from and watch there...
"Hey, anyone home?" The Togruta irritably opened her eyes, feeling the girl tapping on her montrals.
"I could tell you where to put your hands," Tano said angrily.
"I tried that," Oli sighed. "Doesn't help anymore. Just makes me want it more..."
Ahsoka sighed and slapped her own face with her palm.
"All your thoughts go straight to the gutter, don't they?" she asked, without much hope for a normal answer.
"What else do two girlfriends talk about?" Oli wondered.
"When the hell did we become that?" Ahsoka thought. "When you ratted me out to your teacher for not liking him? Or when you stood me up for fencing practice? Or when you distracted me in the Archives?"
No matter how hard Ahsoka tried, she couldn't recall a suitable episode from her life. But trying to explain anything to this... insatiable libido was just a waste of time.
"So, are you listening?"
"What were you saying?" Ahsoka clarified.
"That I have a plan," Oli winced. "About Teacher and my sixteenth birthday!"
"Right," Tano yawned again. "And what is it?"
"So," Oli sat down on the mats with a satisfied look. "I was browsing some sites on the HoloNet and found this virtual shop with such amazing clothes... Rick has already seen me in a nightgown — but it was modest. But when I put this on and come to his quarters after my birthday — only a few months left — he definitely won't be able to resist. And he won't have a leg to stand on — I waited patiently. I'll be sixteen, and he said that only after that age is anything possible between him and me..."
Ahsoka, having tuned out half of what her friend was saying, suddenly caught herself thinking...
"That's all wonderful," she got to her feet. "Your plan is perfect — go for it. He definitely won't resist."
"Hey, where are you going?"
"I have to," Ahsoka, closing her eyes for a moment, tried to shake off the spell. She had to deal with... legion business.
"And Rex can't handle it himself?" The girl practically radiated distrust. Ahsoka clearly felt her friend trying to peek into her thoughts, but, thank Lady Grell, she kept her thoughts, feelings, and emotions securely locked away.
"The 501st is under my command now," Ahsoka answered as indifferently as she could. This assignment had been unexpected for her. It happened right before takeoff. She... commands the legion previously led by her former teacher, Anakin... Hard to believe. But Rex and the other veteran guys from the legion received the news with joy. Like most of the newcomers in the "Ghent" ranks, they felt uneasy — the veterans of this army looked at the replacements with a certain degree of skepticism. So, as soon as the Togruta found out about it... well, she wanted to fly with them on the same dropship. But Dougan forbade it, saying he needed her on "Telos."
Though he didn't specify why.
However, replaying his words on Yavin regarding Oli in her mind, the Togruta connected them with the stream of consciousness the girl had dumped on her. And, she thought she understood why Dougan teased his student while dodging her torrent of passion...
A funny guess. But the Force told her the Togruta was thinking absolutely correctly. And if so...
Like Khem Val said — use any potential to achieve your own ambitions... Hmm, interesting. Well then, Emperor. It's time to at least partially compensate her for her exile from the Order.
"Well, my teacher gave me a legion too, the 313th, with Marshal Kaymaker commanding it," Oli recalled. "But I'm not rushing to line them up at attention, interrupting a conversation with my friend..."
"You should try it," Ahsoka cut her off, turning toward the exit. "You have to take the bantha by the horns when it least expects it."
* * *
Padmé Amidala thoughtfully stirred her spoon in a cup of caf.
"Palpatine is seizing more and more power," Bail Organa broke the prolonged silence. "It's... outrageous."
The Alderaanian senator's voice sounded tired. What enthusiasm could there be after a ten-hour session in the depths of the Galactic Senate? Especially when, as a result, the coalition opposing the Chancellor's party of like-minded senators had lost. By a crushing margin.
"Unfortunately," Mon Mothma joined the discussion, "our colleagues are increasingly comfortable with the situation where responsibility falls from their shoulders onto the Supreme Chancellor's head. Or the Jedi's."
"Whose popularity with the public is falling more and more," Bail reminded. "Especially after the negative reports from the front. Jabiim, Mimban, Aargonar... We're taking huge losses — in clones, combat equipment, starships. And it seems that only those officers and Jedi promoted by the media at Palpatine's office's behest can actually achieve anything."
"You're talking about that hussy," Mon Mothma furrowed her brow, trying to recall the reporter's name. "Elin Tyrell, I think."
"Yes," Bail nodded. "Her report on Baron Kirvan's actions... Six Jedi killed in less than two days... That would make anyone doubt Jedi competence."
"Not everyone," Mon snorted. "She seemed able to talk for hours about Grand Moff Dougan. Comparing him over and over to other system army commanders. Dougan recaptured this world. His troops defeated the Separatists there, successfully negotiated with the Twi'leks..."
"But not a single word of yesterday's evening news broadcast was a lie," noted Riyo Chuchi. "He really is... effective."
"Except Tyrell never misses a chance to mention Palpatine in the same breath as this Jedi," said Padmé. "And with such details, as if she were present at their meetings herself."
"That bothered me too," Mothma agreed. "She covered their joint trip to the Opera, after which Dougan saved the Chancellor's life. And the transfer of two more system armies under his command..."
"That's what's strange," Bail frowned. "I know Masters Unduli and Gallia. It's not their fault their predecessors couldn't achieve much success in their field. Criticizing both of them when they've barely arrived at their posts... that's low, even for Tyrell, who's known for her scandalous reports."
"Her broadcast has long been labeled 'pro-government,'" Padmé grimaced as if she'd eaten something sour. "So I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out she's being fed information straight from Palpatine's office."
"That might very well be the case," Mon shrugged. "Because only he stood to benefit from the public learning that the 'Security Enhancement and Reinforcement Act' failed its first reading precisely because of our efforts."
"That law is immoral," Organa said sharply. "These powers cannot be transferred from the Senate to the Chancellor. They are our citizens' rights — to privacy, to a fair trial and investigation..."
"You don't need to trouble yourself," Mon Mothma gestured. "I heard all this from you in the Senate the first time. And I'm not old enough to have forgotten your fiery speech..."
"Which got me branded a traitor," Organa smiled grimly. Padmé cast him a puzzled look. A dark shadow crossed Bail's face. Yes, those words from Ask Aak, the senator from Malaster, had been a harsh blow to the Alderaanian's pride.
"Senator Organa," Chuchi addressed him. "I'm very sorry that this time your speech was unable to convince the senators not to pass this law."
"As with many others," Padmé added darkly.
Those present — except for their younger colleague Chuchi — understood perfectly well what she meant.
Palpatine's seizure of power — the greatest danger any senator could imagine — had begun shortly before the Clone Wars.
Three years before the Separatist crisis, the first amendment to the Galactic Constitution was passed. It allowed Palpatine to extend his term indefinitely. On top of everything, the Chancellor now decided when to leave his post by calling new elections for his position. The initiators of this bill justified their actions by claiming that only Palpatine, with his characteristic diplomacy, charisma, and virtuosic political instincts, could resolve the brewing crisis, which eventually escalated into full-scale military action.
And as soon as the sounds of battle on Geonosis died down, Palpatine went on the offensive. Dozens of decrees and circulars flowed from his office at such a speed that the opposition seriously debated the possibility that all this paperwork had been prepared long before it was actually needed.
At the time, that only provoked jokes and thoughts that Palpatine, with his characteristic foresight, had foreseen the war and acted preemptively.
The imposition of martial law on Republic territory initially raised no questions either. Despite calls to negotiate with opponents, even Amidala's and Organa's supporters understood that mobilization was simply necessary. As sad as it was to admit, negotiating with an enemy that had enormous armed forces and the will to prove its point by force of arms was practically impossible. Both sides of the conflict were convinced of their own righteousness.
And then... everything went downhill.
The laws passed by the Senate, endless amendments... All of this centralized power in the Chancellor's hands, increasingly devaluing the usefulness of those thousands of senators who championed the interests of their peoples.
The first warning bell regarding the assumption of usurpation of power by the Chancellor was the draft of the "Security Enhancement and Reinforcement Act," which delegated to police services and security forces the authority to conduct operations based on mere suspicion, without proper evidence collection procedures or judicial warrants for such actions. In addition, the introduction of spy droids into citizens' daily lives — supposedly to identify criminal and terrorist elements. During the first reading of this law, its initiators — the Chancellor's supporters — smilingly explained to their colleagues that no one would limit citizens' fundamental rights — even though the law explicitly stated the opposite in the simplest terms. It took enormous effort for the opposition to appeal to the reason of other senators, and the law was sent back for revision.
And then came... another one. Even more alarming.
The Sector Governance Decree. An initiative that had long been in the air, but no one expected it to be given concrete proposals.
The creation of sectoral armies, the introduction of the position of Moffs, who would bear, for the most part, the burden of resolving military matters. True, the original version of the document proposed granting Moffs full powers within their areas of responsibility — including the right to dictate political will to planetary governments. Thank the Force, that last part was neutralized into a more loyal form, leaving Moffs only the right to conduct direct negotiations with planets to discuss various issues. Ultimately, decisions were to remain with local governments, in close consultation with the Moffs.
And although this greatly agitated the public — especially after two Moffs were caught in corruption and far more terrible affairs — the appointment of a renowned Jedi to one of those positions was received with relief even in the Senate.
An amendment to this decree relieved Moffs of their posts — Palpatine did this to appease those segments of the public that were literally chanting slogans about Palpatine's inability to effectively manage his own people. Instead, the Chancellor dismissed the former Moffs, simultaneously introducing an element of his own power — the institution of Grand Moffs, placing command of enlarged territories on their shoulders.
And, as if to mock all opposition, most of the commanders of such armies turned out to be Jedi — members of the Order's High Council. The same bill integrated them into the Grand Army of the Republic's structure and officially assigned them command positions. Thus, Palpatine gained almost de facto control over the Order, even receiving the nominal, Galactic Constitution-enshrined right to dissolve the Order. A measure deemed necessary by Palpatine's loyal senators, who were "playing it safe" against the extremely low but still possible chance of the Jedi getting out of control — especially since some of them didn't hesitate to defect to the enemy.
The next step was the so-called "Reflex Amendment," officially known as Emergency Amendment 121b. It granted Supreme Chancellor Palpatine unlimited power over the disposal of military property of ground and fleet units in so-called "adjacent areas." This referred to legal loopholes where planetary governments controlled their own self-defense forces. From then on, all of them passed under the absolute command of the system army commanders — the Jedi and Grand Moffs appointed to their posts at Palpatine's own behest. Consequently, the Chancellor had effectively subjugated the entire military machine of the Republic.
The bill's supporters failed to grasp that by transferring responsibility for defending planets and sectors to Coruscant, they were essentially left without their own means of defense. No military vessel could now go anywhere at the will of some planetary government, and their soldiers could be shipped to a theater of war on the other side of the galaxy.
The term "Reflex Amendment" entered senatorial parlance at the behest of its supporters, who believed that this further grant of additional powers to the Supreme Chancellor would allow the Grand Army to respond much more effectively to Separatist actions. Senator Ask Aak, speaking in support of this law, noted that the Separatists had long held the advantage due to the Republic's sluggish response, and that its army would no longer be run by bureaucrats fattened in the coffers of the Trade Federation and other traitors.
It seemed the opposition could only object to this, but... The broadcast by the Zeltron journalist covering the victorious actions on the Far Rim had finally broken all resistance.
And now, as if on cue, the Senate brought the "Security Enhancement and Reinforcement Act" back up for discussion. And if before this initiative lacked any significant justification, now... After the death of former Chancellor Valorum, blown up aboard his own ship; the destruction of terrorist cells by clone forces from the Bureau of Special Operations in the Coruscant Factory District; the capture of Mandalore by criminal syndicates...
The outright panic among senators from the Core and Mid Rim worlds had reached its peak. Everyone, without exception, was content with the fact that the war had been pushed to the Outer Rim. And no one wanted Separatist spies and saboteurs operating behind the Grand Army's lines.
The policy of harsh measures against pirates, privateers, and other scum that had raised their heads since the war's beginning, as written in this law, only provoked a wave of celebration among senators. No trials, no long proceedings. Criminals caught in the act were to be immediately executed by Republic forces, and their property transferred to the budget.
"We must resolutely oppose this centralization of power in Palpatine's hands," Padmé declared. "We cannot allow the usurpation of power..."
"And what can we do?" Bail smiled bitterly. "No matter how you look at it — everything the Chancellor does only leads to military success."
"We should enlist the Jedi's support," Mon Mothma suggested.
"The very ones who get paid from Palpatine's pocket?" Organa clarified. "And became famous thanks to the war? Maybe Master Dougan will say he doesn't like commanding three whole system armies? Or Kenobi, Windu, Koon? Grand Moff Trachta or Grant?"
"Grand Moff Dougan is a sensible man," the Pantoran said cautiously. "Perhaps if we talk to him, he..."
"We'll come and tell him he should criticize the man who gives him a salary of five million credits a month?" the Alderaanian grimaced. "The Jedi are on their own wavelength, sure, but Dougan is definitely not the person to turn to for help."
"But why?" Riyo blinked. "He's done so much for my world. Protected us from CIS attacks, built a powerful defense system, provided jobs for nearly a fifth of my citizens..."
"Unlike you, Chuchi," Mothma said coldly, "we've looked into what Dougan is actually doing in his post. Together with Unduli and Gallia, he's returning clones who were discharged as disabled to active service, instead of purchasing new, genetically enhanced clones whose effectiveness is far higher than previous models; he's conducting massive purchases of new ships and ammunition for his soldiers. Haven't you heard the latest news?"
"I'm afraid not," Padmé shook her head. She hadn't had time. She had her own personal life to sort out...
"Christophsis placed another order for ships for the Tenth System Army," the Chandrilan senator revealed. "Over a thousand 'Hammerheads.'"
"And this at a time when there are rumors that Rendili is ready to join the CIS?" Organa clarified. Receiving an affirmative answer, he leaned back in his chair, rolling his eyes. "I'm starting not to like this. One godforsaken system is literally arming an entire army..."
"That's not all," Mon Mothma said.
"Are there worse news?" Padmé was surprised.
"Much worse," Mon snorted. "After the 'Predators' were put into operation, Elder Aisel got busy again. And the new 'Hammerheads,' among other things, will now be refitted with four quad super-heavy turbolaser mounts. The very ones that make up the main battery of the 'Predators.' Not to mention that their armament has been overhauled in general, now comprising twelve twin turbolaser turrets mounted on the 'hammer.' Let me remind you that before there were only three turret mounts and one cannon mount."
"That's insane..."
"I told you," Mothma agreed darkly.
"Where do you get such information?" Chuchi was surprised.
"My dear," Mon sighed. "Be a senator as long as I have, and you too will have... friends in various circles of power."
"We cannot allow the blueprints for the new gun mounts to be transferred to Rendili," Bail declared. "If we imagine for even a minute that the planet, or maybe the company, will defect to the Separatists... we'll lose the initiative again. With the Separatists' resources and capital, they'll surely find a way to use such weapons for their own purposes."
"We need to take the initiative ourselves on this matter," Mon declared.
"How?" Padmé wondered.
"Our opposition is rapidly losing ground," Bail explained. "If this continues, we won't even be able to squeak in the Senate against Palpatine. Because all the cards are in his hand. We need serious assets in our pocket to win the support of those senators who, for instance, abstained from the last vote. And, say, negotiations with the Rendili government that would convince them to stay in the Republic — that would be a serious argument to add weight to our side."
"However, that won't stop the escalation of the conflict," Chuchi noted.
"Just like building new ships and transferring the blueprints to 'Rendili StarDrive,'" Mon supported.
"If we convince Rendili to remain loyal to the Republic, that might not be necessary," Padmé concluded. "The ships are going to defend the state..."
"Padmé," Bail grimaced, "don't be so naive. Something is clearly going on here. Elder Aisel simply ignores all our invitations to meetings, and votes on various bills extremely reluctantly, remaining for the most part a neutral observer."
"Like Senator Suuwie," Chuchi reminded. "She hasn't supported a single one of the Chancellor's initiatives yet. But she also remains deaf to our arguments."
"Why would the Christophsians need to upgrade their ships?" Bail asked. And without waiting for an answer, he continued: – They are buying starships. Which are crewed, for the most part, by their own citizens. They train mercenaries. Purchase space stations, docks. And use Hutt companies to transport all of this. Even now, Christophsis is defended no less than Coruscant itself. Dozens of ships in the system, Golan battle stations, repair stations. I've heard that on their only moon they are building something like a military fleet base. With fuel reserves, ammunition, spare parts for hundreds of ships. For what purpose?
"To help the Republic, - Chuchi stated confidently."
"Really? And why then are their ships being modernized, to the point they can compete with our starships?"
"Bail, - Padmé frowned, - I think you're going too far. I personally know Dougan, and he champions the Republic's cause. His analyses of Kuat's combat technology alone are worth something. And yet, like other Jedi, he could have simply remained silent…"
"I think so too, - said Riyo. Padmé merely smiled good-naturedly. What else could one expect from a Pantoran?"
"Think what you want, - Bail ran a hand over his face." But my political instinct tells me otherwise…
"You see betrayal in everyone Palpatine supports, - Amidala shook her head." Personally, what I heard can be interpreted completely differently.
"And how?" Mon asked with reproach in her eyes.
"Much simpler than a hypothetical betrayal, - Padmé shrugged." You're talking about some global betrayal plan on his part. I admit, I was also puzzled for a while about why he prefers outdated ships over new ones. I had to work hard digging through the Senate archives, but… After the Senate disbanded the army and fleet a thousand years ago, measures were taken to restrict fleet ownership and its production for external or unreliable Republic members. Thus, shipbuilding companies are prohibited from building and designing modern warships for systems that joined the Republic less than three years ago. Christophsis has barely been in the Senate for a year. Therefore, it's quite logical that they, to secure their borders first and foremost, bet on building ships based on outdated designs – even considering modernizations, the Hammerheads remain more than half what they were built like millennia ago. And this means Aizel can ignore restrictions on purchasing 'modern' starships. And supply the army with morally updated ships, which, under Dougan's command, are precisely keeping the Separatists and pirates away from Christoph's economy. I compiled a statistical summary. So, during the time Christophsis has been acquiring ships for Dougan, despite selling its raw materials to the Republic at below-market prices, their income has grown more than a hundredfold. And that's no longer billions – quadrillions of credits per year. It's much more profitable for them to spend a few billion but save thousands of times more, than to wait for the backlogged Kuat shipyards to produce the allotted number of Venators, with which Dougan could secure their planet. Well, for him it's profitable from a purely economic standpoint – he doesn't spend billions on buying starships, using that money to purchase clones to replace the killed ones. And for this reason, he returns disabled clones to service and refuses to purchase new soldiers from Arkanian production. He simply uses the resources he has to the fullest. There are clones who are combat-capable but due for decommissioning? So why should the Republic spend on maintaining these millions of troops if they can be useful on the battlefields? And at the same time – none of them will need to be paid a pension. And on military service, they don't receive a single credit from the Republic's budget.
"Suppose, - Bail said coldly," that this is so. And this Jedi… is thrifty… with the Republic's property.
"Property?" Chuchi flared up. "Clones are living beings. And, by the way, they are fighting for us."
"Tanks and starships also fight, - Mothma noted." Should we treat them as equals too?
"That's… immoral!" Riyo flared up. "They are flesh and blood…"
"Let's leave the question of these things and their place in the Republic for better times, - Padmé found a compromise." Something else is much more important now.
"To understand – can we trust one of our best generals?" Organa clarified with a chuckle. "Padmé, you can prove as much as you want that he's white and fluffy, but I'm used to trusting my instincts. And they literally scream every time I read reports where this being's name appears."
"That's your business, Bail, - the Naboo woman tried to make her voice sound calmer. The last thing she needed was for suspicion to fall on her too." But personally, I have no doubt that if we ask him for support, he will at least listen to us and not immediately run to report to Palpatine or the Council. Although, after Yoda was appointed Supreme Commander of the GAR...
"They all breathe the same air, - Organa said with disgust." Even though I respect most of them. But I think we should tell someone more experienced among the Jedi about our concerns. For example, Kenobi.
"I suppose I agree, - Mon Mothma nodded." He hasn't been on the Council for long, a true patriot of the Republic, and his wisdom… Legends are told about it. Which cannot be said about his ward – Skywalker, who, by the way, is also being praised across the HoloNet at Palpatine's behest. By the way, - she squinted. "Padmé, you were supposedly friendly with both of them…"
"I wouldn't call it friendship, - clear images of their wedding ceremony on Naboo rose in her memory." But good relations do exist.
"So maybe we should talk to Kenobi and Skywalker about their support for our movement?" Organa perked up. "I know them both, and I believe they, precisely, deserve trust. Kenobi is a full Jedi Master, Skywalker… In the end – he is his teacher's apprentice. And always on the side of justice."
"And despotism," Padmé added to herself, recalling that very conversation. "But effective," Anakin had told her then.
"Then why don't we seek support from Grand Master Yoda?" Riyo frowned. "He is the leader of the Order, and his word carries much more weight…"
"And he is also the Supreme Commander of the army, - Organa reminded." And if it comes to the need to openly condemn the Chancellor's actions, he could simply disband the Jedi Order – precisely because Yoda's words could symbolize the opinion of all his subordinates. And then… it's even scary to imagine what would happen in the army, where a Jedi holds every somewhat serious position. No. We need to negotiate specifically with Kenobi. At worst, with Windu. He may be stubborn and overly straightforward, but he is a man of his word…
Negotiating with Jedi about opposing the Chancellor… If someone had told her this five years ago…
"There's no logic in this, - Amidala said. Noticing the focused looks on her, she explained." Even with strong support from us, our efforts might not be enough to stop the power grab…
"I think you have a suggestion, yes, Padmé?" Organa smirked.
"Yes, that's right, - the former Queen of Naboo didn't bat an eye." Palpatine won't be able to continue concentrating power if both warring sides agree.
"Wait, you're not talking about..., - Riyo, catching herself, covered her mouth with her hands."
"Exactly, - Padmé nodded." We need to meet and discuss the situation with representatives of the Separatist Congress.
"It's unlikely any of them would want to come to Coruscant, - Organa noted." They'd simply be arrested here…
"Therefore, - Amidala exhaled," such a meeting should be held on their territory. I have a contact among CIS politicians, and I think she won't refuse…
"Have you gone mad!" Organa and Mothma gasped in unison. "No sane clone or Jedi will support your endeavor. Flying into Separatist territory, alone at that… No, Padmé, this could be deadly dangerous!"
Why immediately "alone"? Turning it over in her mind, Padmé concluded she knew someone who would ensure her safety in such a situation.
Well, it's a pity she couldn't find support from Moth and Organa on such a delicate issue. But as long as there's the slightest chance to negotiate, to resolve the conflict before it gains momentum that could threaten the very existence of the Republic...
"Yes, - trying not to show her true emotions," Padmé said. "It could be deadly dangerous…"
* * *
Staring into the murky yellow atmosphere of Taloraan, Anakin felt irritation brewing inside him.
Even though he saw a gas giant before him, and its landscapes had nothing to do with sand or Tatooine, he couldn't help himself. It seemed he didn't hate sand, but the very color palette associated with that substance.
Or perhaps, the cause of his irritation lay with the emissary Govlinder sitting across the table, who had recently replaced his predecessor as ruler of Taloraan. Rumors said it wasn't without CIS involvement – at least, Republic intelligence was sure that Count Dooku had sent his representatives here. And the wreckage of three Generous-class frigates in the planet's orbit confirmed that claim.
"Is that your final word, emissary?" Anakin asked, barely holding back his irritation.
"Alas, but it is so, General Skywalker, - the man spread his hands." Taloraan will remain neutral in this conflict.
"You don't understand the threat looming over the galaxy, - Aubrie began passionately." The Confederacy threatens all free worlds…
"And the Republic doesn't?" Govlinder blinked. "You came to peace talks at the head of an entire fleet. Four Venator-class Star Destroyers. Doesn't it seem to you that this… is a bit much to deliver a couple of Jedi to a lonely gas giant?"
"We were informed there is a CIS ship squadron here, - Anakin said." And considering our experience in dealing with them, it was fair to assume these were invasion and oppression forces…
"No need to worry so much, - the Twi'lek, whom Anakin had initially taken for the emissary's secretary, joined the conversation." Taloraan can be assured of its safety.
Giving the girl a piercing look, the young Jedi felt the fingers on his right, artificial hand clench into a fist.
Why did they need to pull him, a celebrated general, away from the front, the place where he was needed most, when any moss-covered Jedi from the Balance Corps would have sufficed here? Even a Padawan would have been too much for this gas giant.
And yet, Taloraan – a tasty morsel for each side of the conflict. A huge gas giant, whose atmosphere was permeated with gas mixtures, it primarily interested the warring sides due to the enormous tibanna content in its atmosphere – not exactly rare, but infinitely valuable gas used in modern blaster weaponry. And in turbolasers of Star Destroyers, too.
There were several tibanna suppliers in the galaxy. First place among them was held by Bespin – a remote gas giant in the Anoat sector. A beautiful place, famous for its inexhaustible reserves of various gases. With the start of the war, thousands of children left without parental care found refuge here. However, by the end of the first year of the war, the Republic found itself on the brink of a tibanna crisis, as Bespin, its main exporter, ended up in Confederate hands, deep in Separatist-held territories. And, unfortunately, the High Command of the Grand Army of the Republic had no desire to retake the planet.
Instead, the command sought other supply sources, of which there were only a few in the galaxy.
First and foremost, Taloraan – the main, and essentially – the only independent tibanna exporter. They sold it to all comers, but certainly not at the lowest prices.
Besides it, there were other planets in the galaxy with similar export items: Jenarius, Kril'Dor, Rendili, Caer, Ord-Ibanna, and Yorn-Skot, gas giants in the Melida/Daan system. Since the start of the conflict, the Republic maintained control over Kril'Dor, Rendili, and Ord-Ibanna, despite the fact that on the latter planet all infrastructure for extracting the valuable element was in decline and had long been unusable. And the volumes exported weren't enough even to supply one large fleet. Dougan's capture of the Separatist factories on Melida/Daan significantly simplified supplying the southern system armies with this most valuable resource, freeing up large volumes for other units of the Grand Army. But… considering the upcoming commissioning of new Predator-class capital ships, it would be logical to also worry about increasing tibanna volumes.
The CIS was much better off with suppliers. Jenarius, Caer, Yorn-Skot gave them inexhaustible tibanna reserves, but, as Isard's bureau reported, Count Dooku was resolutely intent on expanding his supplier circle. Considering how quickly the droid army and fleet were increasing their ranks, this was unsurprising. Especially since if they tried to capture Taloraan – the Republic would have no chance of accessing this source of raw materials – the planet is located in the Expansion Region, far from inhabited hyperspace routes and Republic territories. Almost in the Unknown Regions.
And anything could happen here.
The Council sent Anakin here at the head of a battle group to start negotiations with Magister Orlin Denasha about the planet joining the Republic and starting centralized gas supplies. However, everything went wrong from the very start.
Not only was Magister Denasha no longer in power, but it turned out CIS ships got here first. The only question remained – how they ended up destroyed.
"You're talking about your own defensive forces?" he clarified with the Twi'lek. Judging by the emotional aura emanating from her, she felt like the mistress here. Strange behavior for someone not involved in Taloraan's government.
"We prefer not to elaborate on who stands behind us, - the emissary said diplomatically." It's enough for you to know that the planet, as well as its gas extraction industry, are safe. And if the Republic wishes to purchase tibanna from us, we won't refuse. However…
"What's the matter?" Skywalker tensed. He sensed some nervousness in the emissary's behavior through the Force. And that could mean anything. Except perhaps a direct confrontation – the Jedi felt no danger to himself.
"In light of recent events, - Govlinder chewed his lips, simultaneously folding his hands in front of him." Taloraan is forced to raise export prices tenfold.
"But that's robbery!" Aubrie flared up with distinct anger in the Force. "Tibanna was already expensive, and now…"
"Esteemed Jedi, - the Twi'lek said coldly." Perhaps you could restrain your Padawan. These are negotiations, not a request concert.
"Aubrie is young, - Anakin noted." However, her reaction… well, mine is the same. I just decided to keep it to myself.
"Commendable patience, - the Twi'lek smirked." So, I think the negotiations have come to their logical conclusion.
"I think so, - Anakin felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders." I will report your proposal to the Chancellor and the Jedi Council. However… five hundred credits per unit volume of tibanna… Even the Hutts don't sell it that expensive.
And that's considering that one soldier by regulations was allocated five units of tibanna per month, and a Venator-class cruiser consumed more than ten thousand in a single battle.
"If that's the case, perhaps you should turn to the Hutts for supplies?" the Twi'lek smirked.
"Perhaps, - Anakin spread his hands." After all, they are our allies.
"So, there's no need to make a scene here, - the Twi'lek concluded." On that, I think, emissary, the discussion of supply for the Republic is concluded?
"Absolutely, Mistress Vette, - the man nodded." We were glad to meet.
"As were we, - though in the young Jedi's soul there were completely different words and thoughts." So I understand you don't even intend to discuss Taloraan joining the Republic?
"Jedi insight always amazes me, - Govlinder smiled." Such a proposal is not advantageous for us.
"Can I assure the Republic leadership that your planet will not join the CIS, and we won't have to return here at the head of an even larger destroyer group?"
"Who to join, - the emissary remarked gloomily, glancing briefly at the Twi'lek, - is Taloraan's government's business. But I dare assure you, we have nothing in common with the Separatists. Not even export contracts."
"And where then does the tibanna you extract go?" Aubrie intervened. "We saw convoys of tankers leaving the system. Their volumes are enough to supply half the Republic armada…"
"I'm afraid, - the emissary noted coldly, - I am not at liberty to discuss Taloraan's commercial contracts. On that, I think we should end all communication. Good day, gentlemen Jedi."
Out of politeness, and not at all because Anakin sincerely wished it, he gave a slight bow to the emissary and, nodding to Aubrie toward the door, silently strode in the same direction.
He couldn't wait to return to the front. These pointless negotiations had already taken too much time.