The golden light of Coruscant's sun filtered through the high windows of the Jedi Council Chamber. The room was silent, save for the faint hum of repulsorlifts from distant air traffic. Twelve masters sat in their circular arrangement, their expressions serene as Dooku stood before them—his tall figure framed by the brilliant skyline.
Dooku's voice broke the stillness.
"Masters of the Council, it has come to my attention that the planet Naboo is facing a rising conflict—one that has already claimed innocent lives. My Padawan, Khan Kage, is currently on assignment there and has reported that the situation is escalating beyond local control. I request permission to travel to Naboo and provide assistance, and I implore the Council to send additional aid. We cannot allow this to spiral into a larger war."
The Council members exchanged quiet glances. The weight of his words hung in the air.
It was Ki-Adi-Mundi who spoke first, his calm tone cutting through the silence.
"If what you say is true, Master Dooku, then it is regrettable. But it is not the place of the Jedi Order to intervene in the internal affairs of individual planets. Naboo has its own governance, and unless the Senate authorizes action, we risk overstepping our mandate."
Dooku's brow furrowed. "Overstepping our mandate?" he repeated, disbelief lacing his voice. "We are Jedi, sworn to protect peace and life throughout the galaxy. Are we now to stand idle while entire villages burn?"
Mace Windu leaned forward, his expression firm. "We are keepers of the peace, not soldiers of intervention. The Order acts under the authority of the Republic. Unless the Naboo government or the Senate formally requests our aid, we cannot act."
Dooku's composure cracked. "Procedure?" His voice echoed in the chamber, sharp as a blade. "Are we truly so bound by procedure that we cannot follow the very spirit of the Code we swore to uphold? Compassion—mercy—these are the essence of being a Jedi! Have we forgotten that?"
A faint sigh rippled through the chamber before a familiar, calm voice spoke.
"Calm yourself, my old Padawan," Yoda said gently, eyes half-lidded yet keen. "Understand your frustration, I do. But bound by the Senate's decree, we are. Interfere, we must not. Send you to retrieve your Padawan, I can. Aid beyond that, forbidden it is."
Dooku stood in silence for a moment, the light from the window casting long shadows across his face. His jaw tightened, but his tone softened—controlled, though tinged with sorrow.
"Masters of the Council," he began again, "how can you allow politics to dictate when we act in defense of life itself? Innocent people die while we debate permissions and boundaries. Is this what the Jedi have become? Guardians of bureaucracy rather than guardians of peace?"
A ripple of discomfort spread among the Masters. Oppo Rancisis finally spoke, his tone firm yet measured.
"Dooku, you know well that the Jedi Order serves a greater structure. There are countless worlds, countless conflicts. We cannot insert ourselves into each one without order or authorization. To do so would bring chaos, not peace."
Dooku's fists tightened at his sides. "Then perhaps chaos is preferable to indifference," he said bitterly. "If this is what the Order has become, then perhaps it is not the galaxy that has lost its way—but us."
He turned sharply, his dark cloak swaying as he strode toward the exit. "I will leave immediately to retrieve my Padawan, but I will not stand by while others suffer."
The chamber was silent again as the great doors hissed shut behind him.
Yaddle looked down, her expression heavy with sorrow. "He means well," she said quietly, her small voice echoing faintly. "But I fear the Council's silence may drive him further from us."
Yoda closed his eyes, his ears drooping slightly. "Strong in conviction, Dooku is. But dangerous, such paths can become."
The masters sat in silence, the sunlight dimming as Coruscant's skies shifted toward dusk.
[Back on Naboo]
Palpatine, Khan, and Zef Fun were all there. The mood was heavy.
The Queen stood. "As you all know, a threat has risen. A Gungan named Wuk Kiwn plans violence against Naboo. We must stop him before war reaches our people."
Palpatine spoke next, steady. "We believe Wuk Kiwn acts alone, not representing the official Gungan leadership. Zef Fun here has worked for peace between our peoples." He motioned to Zef.
Zef bowed, calm and clear."Mesa is Zef Fun. Meesa and the gungan do not support Wuk Kiwn. meesa shall do his best to assist in any way meesa can."
A commander leaned forward. "How do we find this Wuk Kiwn person? The land is vast and we know nothing of his next step or where he could be hiding."
Khan stepped forward. "When we found Zef, we were attacked. We captured several of Wuk Kiwn's men. They were turned over to soldiers in Kaadara for questioning. Their answers should tell us where Wuk Kiwn is hiding." Khan sounded confident but tired.
The Queen's handmaiden moved quickly. "Your Majesty, we've just received the interrogation report from Kaadara." She placed a datapad into the table console.
The holo rose over the table. A map showed narrow channels, reed-beds, and one set of coordinates not far from the city of Moenia.
The Queen leaned in. "This says Wuk Kiwn's cell operates near Moenia. We have a lead."
A murmur went through the room. The commander said, "If that is so, we could send a large force and sweep the marshes."
Palpatine shook his head. "A big army will scatter them. He will slip away. Better — send a small team. Fast. Quiet. Capture the leader. Without him, the cell should break."
The Queen considered it. "That will be dangerous. We must send our best."
Khan stepped forward. "Let me go."
The Queen looked surprised. "You are a guest here, Padawan. We cannot ask you to risk more than you already have."
Khan met her eyes without fear. "With respect, I am a Jedi. My duty is to prevent loss of life. If my presence makes this safer for the people, then I must go."
Palpatine nodded toward Khan. "He showed his courage today. He knows this land and he knows how to move quietly. He will help."
Zef spoke up, steady. "Mesa know the swamp paths near Moenia. Mesa can guide you. Mesa show where Wuk Kiwn hide."
The Queen looked at Zef, then at Khan. She thought for a long moment. Finally she said, "Very well. A small strike team it will be. Two Royal Guard commandos, Zef as guide, and Padawan Khan. Palpatine will provide transport. You depart at dusk."
Khan bowed. "Understood, Your Majesty. I will be ready."
Padmé, standing at the side, reached for Khan's sleeve. "Please be careful," she said quietly.
Khan gave a small, bright smile. "I will do my best, Padmé. I promise I'll come back."
The Queen gave one last nod. "May this succeed. Go with care."
The meeting ended. Plans were set. The team would meet at dusk. The swamp waited — quiet, wide, and full of unknowns.
[Private chamber]
Kahn had taken what little time he had to rest in his quarters. The day had been long, and exhaustion weighed heavily on him. He wasn't used to constant battle—let alone the reality of taking a life. Despite his training, Kahn was still young, far younger than most who carried such burdens.
As he lay on his bed, the calm was broken by the sharp beep… beep… beep of his communicator. He rose at once and activated it. The small blue projection flickered to life, revealing the familiar figure of his master.
"Master!" Kahn said, a faint smile breaking through his fatigue.
Dooku's voice came through steady, yet tinged with concern. "Kahn… you seem tired. Are you well, my apprentice?"
Kahn straightened up a little, brushing a hand through his hair. "I'm fine, Master. Just a bit worn out. It's been a long day—and there's still more to come."
Dooku's expression shifted, his brow lifting slightly. "More to come? What do you mean by that? Explain the situation."
So Kahn did. He explained the events that had unfolded: the capture of the cultists, the information they had revealed, and the plan to strike before the rogue Gungan leader—Wuk Kiwn—could incite a war across Naboo. When he finished, there was a brief pause before Kahn added quietly, "I am doing the right thing… aren't I, Master?"
For a moment, Dooku said nothing. He could sense the weight in Kahn's words—the doubt beneath his steady tone. Though the Jedi Council had forbidden interference, Dooku could not bring himself to scold his Padawan for acting with compassion. The choice had been Kahn's, and it had come from the best part of him.
"This path is one you chose for yourself," Dooku finally said, his voice calm yet proud. "And for that, I could not be prouder. You act not for glory, but to protect others. Hold fast to that conviction, and trust in the strength of your spirit."
Kahn exhaled slowly, a weight lifting from his shoulders. "Thank you, Master. That means a lot." After a short pause, he asked, "Will we be receiving any aid from the Jedi Council?"
Dooku's tone shifted slightly, becoming brisk. "I am already en route to Naboo. The Council's decision… I will inform you once I arrive. For now, focus on your mission, my Padawan."
Kahn tilted his head, sensing something odd in that response, but decided not to dwell on it. Instead, he smiled faintly. "Understood, Master. Don't worry—by the time you arrive, I'll have everything here under control."
Dooku's expression softened, a rare smile forming beneath his beard. "Be careful, Kahn. And may the Force be with you."
The projection flickered out, leaving the room in silence once again. For the first time that day, Kahn felt a sense of calm return to him.