"Fascinating." He murmured, stepping past Tan'ya to examine the table. After a few moments he selected a few sweet meats on skewers with cheese and dried fruits, as well as a cup of wine.
Looking over at Tan'ya, he paused to take a breath from his breather, before saying to her, "All force sensitives I know are the opposite. They strain to reach the force, where you struggle to keep it at bay."
...
Tan'ya stared at him, before asking, "Do you know much about the Force?" Hesitantly, she tried to read him, but he felt just like any other being, less powerful than average even though his mind was so tightly woven she couldn't sense any thought or intention from him at all.
"I know some." The muun turned to watch the crowd, while taking a sip of his wine and another puff. "Different cultures have different ideas of what the Force is, and find different uses for those who are sensitive. Do you know of the Chiss?"
"I've heard of them, but never done any extensive reading. I believe they're related to the Pantorans?"
"Descended from the same stock, yes. The reason our side of the Galaxy has never been able to deeply explore or colonize the Unknown Reaches is because of a Hyperspace phenomenon called the Galactic Barrier, which prevents the formation of stable hyper lanes. It's impossible to travel the ever shifting and closing pathways without precognition, and so the Chiss recruit all their Force Sensitives to become a class of professional navigators. They don't share more with us than they have to, but I do often wonder if maybe they've put their most gifted people to a better use than we have." He tilted a hand over to his Sun Guards. "The Galaxy has plenty of warriors, a profession that makes them inherently expendable. Do we really need Jedi as protectors? As I read history, it seems to me that the only thing they exist to protect us from that our normal warriors couldn't, is the fallen version of themselves."
He fell silent, chewing on his food and taking another sip of wine. He regarded Tan'ya, clearly waiting for her response.
After a moment, something came to Tan'ya and she smiled to herself, sadly. "'Soon will there not be a soldier? Everywhere the commonwealth will reign and will rule all in safety. The empire will forge no arms and will furnish no rations, the bantha will be kept for the plough and the orbak will be bred for peace, there will be no wars and no captivity, in all places peace will reign, in all places our laws, and in all places our judges.'"
He looked at her for a long moment. "I don't recognise that quote."
"It's from a… minor kingdom, in the history of a local world. Probus was a successful ruler in his own right, though overly grandiose by our standards to call himself by the title Emperor when he had not even one entire planet to his name. In the end, his soldiers and mercenaries heard his speculations, and killed him to protect their own interests." Tan'ya met Hego's gaze. "I'm sure we all dream of a peaceful galaxy, with no need for Jedi and no fear of the Sith, but it will simply never be. There are plenty of other Dark Force users out there than just fallen Jedi, and a rose by any other name smells just as sweet."
Hego considered her answer, before nodding once, in agreement. "You must be right then. It seems a shame to me that we must have Jedi, when we could have artists, scientists and engineers, but without something to replace them and keep the peace, they're needed as they are." He reached out a hand, which Tan'ya shook. "Hego Damask. It's nice to speak with you in person, Tan'ya Serenno."
"Thank you, the pleasure is all mine."
...
Dooku watched Asajj schmooze with his noble clients, and felt the deep satisfaction of seeing years of work paying off. He had trained Asajj into an able warrior and diplomat, who was engaged in conversation with both Duke Harrad and Duchess Satine, and had them both interested and engaged with what she had to say about Jedi training.
Mixed in with the amusing stories and the almost mischievous, infectious energy Asajj brought to the conversation, she seamlessly wove in points about the absolute necessity of the New Temple. The result was that Asajj seemed almost cocky, but with the genuine talent to back it up. In the end it would be his decision to assign a world to his newest knight and protege, but the way things were going, Dooku thought he was likely to start receiving bids!
As He watched his former padawan he felt that sense of melancholy return. Komari was dead, killed by Dooku's own hand, Rael refused to speak with him at all since he'd destroyed the blockade and Qui-Gon was slain by an assassin sent by Dooku's own ally. Would Asajj one day be the same? Lost to Dooku forever?
He switched his gaze over to the refreshments, where his daughter was talking with Hego Damask. He seemed genuinely engaged in the conversation he was having, raising his breathing apparatus back to his lips while nodding at a point Tan'ya had made. Concerning. Damask was one of Palpatine's associates, why was he talking to her?
Dooku felt no strength in the Force coming off the banker, but his mind was a tightly woven steel trap. Someone had clearly trained him to resist intrusion, and trained him very well. There was no way one of Palpatine's cronies would spill the Grand Plan to his daughter, though. Most likely he didn't even know what the plan was, just another mundane man of influence caught in Sidious' web.
Definitely Dooku would have to find out what they were talking about later, though.
"You've done well by her."
Dooku glanced over at Ky Narec, then realized the man was looking towards Asajj.
"Thank you for showing such care for her." Ky said, regarding Dooku. "And I'm sorry for what happened to Master Jinn. I… can't imagine the feeling."
Had Dooku's dark thoughts been so obvious to Ky?
"Thank you." Dooku said.
After a moment's hesitation, Ky tipped back his wine and swallowed it all in a single gulp. Wincing at the strain he put himself under, he looked at Dooku through watery eyes.. "You used the Dark Side. At Naboo, on that Nemoidian."
Dooku's eyebrows shot up at that, and he turned to regard Narec. "You dare to accuse me?"
"Peace, please! I'm not accusing you of anything." Narec, held up both hands. "I know that you did, though. And so does Asajj. We both sensed it."
Dooku grit his jaw. "Only someone who has touched the Dark Side can detect it."
Ky's face fell, and he lowered his eyes. "Asajj was born on Dathomir, I'm sure the Dark Side comes to her quite naturally, while I have my own skeletons buried on Coruscant." He hesitated, before adding, "We need to talk about this. About the New Temple, and its future." He finally looked into Dooku's eyes, and said firmly. "I refuse to be a part of a resurgent Sith Order, especially when we've already done so much good."
Dooku scoffed. "Of course I'm not planning-"
Ky held up a hand to forestall him. "I didn't think you were. You know as well as I do that accidents happen, that good intentions can have terrible consequences. So, before this goes any further, we need to talk. In private, before you leave again."
Dooku frowned, examining the man. Usually Narec was something of a weakling, but on this issue he was clearly resolved. "Of course." Dooku said, after taking his measure. "When the party's over, we'll discuss this in depth."
Hopefully they could resolve this peacefully, Dooku was pleased with the great work Narec was doing at the Temple, but if the man was going to become a liability then he would have to be replaced. Hopefully that could be avoided.
Across the room from them, Queen Amidala made eye contact, before making her way over accompanied by her solitary handmaiden. Dooku almost felt sorry for the young Queen, being elected to office at such a young age and to face such a major crisis. Most likely Darth Sidious had something to do with her election, seeking to put a teenager in office who could easily be manipulated.
Well, two could play that game.
...
Apparently, chapters write themselves faster when Power Stones are involved. Who knew?
Feel free to test the theory go ahead, toss a few my way.
...
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