The Interdictor-class cruisers were distinguished by their impressive endurance and structural strength for ships of their size. Created as interceptor vessels capable of holding off even a full combat formation until reinforcements arrived, the "Interdictors" performed excellently during the "Jedi Civil War."
Even after four thousand years, the "Obsidian," one of the first ships of the aforementioned model, showed good performance for its age. Even in its current battered state, the "Obsidian" was capable of repelling modern warships.
But for all its outstanding survivability, the cruiser was now groaning as if every bulkhead was about to give out. Waves of vibration rolled across the hull, almost bending the structures from an unknown force that seemed to strive to tear the ship apart. The screech of metal echoed through the deserted corridors of the warship, as if it were engaged in a desperate battle against superior enemy forces.
And this made the little Zabrak, about ten years old, flinch every time a particularly loud screech hit her sensitive hearing.
Poor Rina Oda'Bar was still trying to understand how it happened that in one day she found a crystal for her first lightsaber, found a mentor, and became a Padawan, and also moved from the dormitory at the Temple on Coruscant to an officer's cabin on an ancient cruiser!
Yes, of course, when she left Coruscant, Master Luminara Unduli had warned her that her future mentor, who had expressed a desire to take her as a student, would also arrive on Ilum. True, Rina seemed to have misunderstood the last part... After all, Avner Van appeared in the caves with a Padawan already! Taking a second one was not allowed according to the traditions of the Order! Or was it? Rina tried to recall if there were any rules and prohibitions on this topic, but she couldn't, as she hadn't gotten to them yet in her training. After all, why would a youngling need to know the duties of a Knight-mentor? All she knew was that a mentor chose his Padawan himself... in most cases. Sometimes they were brought together by the Force itself.
And what about her case?
Even after their first meeting at the Temple on Coruscant, when Master Van helped her defeat the nasty bully Arno in a sparring match, Rina became interested in the unknown knight, whom she had never met in the temple during all seven years of her training. And after their conversation in the Archives, which was very interesting for the girl, the Zabrak wanted with all her soul to become his Padawan. At that time, the mysterious master made the girl think about what Jedi were truly taught in the Order, and whom the Jedi now served. It was so... unusual! The Masters of the Order instilled in their students loyalty to the Order and the Light Side. They impressed upon them that Jedi should be guardians of peace and stand guard over the tranquility of all inhabitants of the galaxy... True, the "galaxy," as it suddenly turned out, was limited to the Republic... And the Jedi, instead of guardians of peace, became the Senate's "bogeyman" for uncooperative worlds.
From the first minute, Avner Van made the girl use critical thinking and ponder what was really happening. Of course, everything was not as bad as Master Van hinted, but certainly not as perfect as the senior mentors described.
Then, a rumor spread through the younglings' dormitories about an invasion of unknown individuals into the Temple. As if someone had broken directly into the Council and even fought with the Masters! The rumors, as it turned out, were spread again by the Hutt Arno. He claimed he himself saw Count Dooku escorting the intruder out. And Rina would not have believed this tall tale if Arno hadn't mentioned that the unknown impudent person who broke into the Temple was addressed by the name Van. At the same time, a recently arrived student, whom Master Jinn had found on Tatooine, disappeared from the temple. No matter how hard Rina tried to find out the details from the mentors... everyone remained silent. Only Grand Master Yoda, who conducted classes in the youngling groups twice a week, readily replied that there had been a misunderstanding due to Avner Van's actions, who had indeed visited the Temple that day for a meeting with the Council. However, everything had been resolved successfully.
Rina spent a lot of time searching for information about this knight, but there was very little information. In the archives, the first record of him dated back to almost the day of their first meeting! Her interest attracted Master Unduli, who in turn warned the Zabrak against overly active searches, as the Council did not favor Avner Van too much.
As a result, all attempts to contact Van failed. This meant that Rina's chances of becoming a Padawan to the master she had taken a liking to were approaching zero. The girl had already begun to despair when Unduli shocked her with the news that she would be able to meet Avner Van on Ilum.
And, as it turned out, not just to meet... and not only him.
The very boy that Master Jinn had found on Tatooine, to Rina's surprise, was Avner Van's student. The second student! Or rather, it turned out, the first... and she was becoming the second... This still didn't fit in her head!
The mentor, however, gave no explanations! At first, everything went well... She managed to talk to her future mentor while that boy, Skywalker, was wandering in search of a crystal. Rina herself managed to find the necessary stone in about five minutes, almost at the very entrance, which surprised both Unduli and Van! Avner even praised the girl, explaining that such things happen very rarely and, obviously, the Force favored Rina.
It was then that Oda'Bar risked asking for apprenticeship. Master Unduli even supported her, mentioning that permission from the Grand Master had been obtained even before leaving Coruscant... which Rina herself did not know.
And Avner agreed! Although reluctantly, judging by his slightly strained smile. Rina wasn't yet very good at reading emotions from a person's face, but she could sense the responses in the Force well. Master Van, unfortunately, was not felt at all, as if there was no one in his place... but something still suggested to the girl about her new mentor's mood. The inspired Zabrak secretly thought that the "Force Bond" was already beginning to form... which was far from the truth.
The joy did not last long, as something in the caves greatly disturbed the mentor. It turned out that a Mandalorian had arrived with him, who for some reason went into the caves, where she managed to get lost. It was unclear why this so greatly upset Van that he, after a dry farewell to Master Unduli, hurried to leave Ilum as if a herd of rancors was chasing him.
Rina was briefly introduced to Skywalker, shown where to live, and left in the care of some protocol droid... A very strange droid, which for some reason hit its head against the wall several times, after which it reminded Anakin of the upcoming training and went to the corner, where it seemed to have entered inactive mode.
Skywalker interrupted Rina's attempt to talk to the droid by grabbing her hand and pulling her away, whispering something about her temper and that he would get it anyway in training. Rina never understood what the matter was...
Instead of awkward conversations on the occasion of an equally awkward acquaintance, Anakin suggested working on the lightsabers, since the crystals had been found. Rina tried to show off her knowledge and noted that processing a crystal alone could take weeks, not to mention fitting all the parts. However, Skywalker's enthusiasm was contagious. Which led to them tinkering with the blanks for the hilts of future sabers for several hours.
"It's creepy," the little Zabrak shivered when another wave of screeching hit her sensitive hearing, a native of Iridonia.
"Did you say something?" Skywalker addressed the girl, who was trembling from the eerie screeching of the old ship's bulkheads.
"I'm saying it's creepy to be here when everything around seems to be falling apart..." Rina said, distracted from trying on the emitter for the future installation.
"No, it's fine. This cruiser even fought with Trade Federation ships recently! It crushed them and left without significant damage!" Anakin said enthusiastically.
The boy obviously liked ships and everything related to them. And, of course, battles! Where would boys be without battles? At least that's what Rina thought. And she was not far from the truth.
"I'm not talking about that. Don't you feel it?" Oda'Bar waved away Anakin's assurances.
The Zabrak clearly felt the pressure of the Force. And a creepy cold with a hint of Darkness.
Skywalker tilted his head in confusion and stared at Rina with a silent question in his eyes.
"There's a Force surge somewhere above us. Very powerful! I've never felt anything like it..."
"Ah, the teacher is training. Looks like he's in a bad mood again," Anakin shrugged, which stunned the girl.
He dismissed such a terrifying atmosphere so easily... as if such things were normal here... and worse could happen.
Rina cast a wary glance at the droid in the corner of the room. Did it seem to her, or did its red optical sensors indeed flash for a moment, as if promising terrible suffering to anyone who dared to approach?
"Although... he has been acting strangely today. And it seems he's decided to push Maul or Risa harder," Anakin scratched the back of his head thoughtfully, looking at the ceiling.
"Maul and Risa?" Rina asked.
"Yes, they train together," Skywalker nodded.
Two more students?! Oda'Bar no longer understood what was happening. Where had she ended up? What kind of mentor was this, who had four students?! Although... wait!
"Hasty conclusions lead to mistakes..." Rina chuckled that even in her own thoughts, the Grand Master's words arranged themselves in a peculiar order, characteristic of Yoda.
But, indeed. Why did she assume that those two were his students? They just trained together. In the Temple, mentors sometimes organized joint training sessions.
A new wave of screeching swept through the ship, and Rina felt a terrible cold, which reached her in the Force as an echo. Whoever was training there now... Rina didn't envy them.
And two decks above, in Revan's training hall, a "friendly sparring match" was taking place between Revan on one side and his two "dark" students on the other. And the battered appearance of the latter indicated that the fight was clearly not going in their favor.
Maul stood, breathing heavily and holding a shallow scorched wound on his side. A bruise was forming under his right eye, and blood from his broken eyebrow made it impossible for the Zabrak to see with that eye at all. Nevertheless, he held his staff firmly and prepared for a new attack.
Risa Farr looked no better. She had once again decided to try on a mask, imitating Revan... but it seemed she would no longer wear it. For the bloodied fragments of the mask with traces of a lightsaber lay against the far wall. The Mandalorian's nose and upper lip were broken, causing her to spit blood frequently and try to breathe through her mouth. However, despite her clothes being reduced to tattered rags scorched in many places, there were no noticeable wounds anywhere. Farr clearly coped better with defense than the Zabrak.
The eyes of both former Sith's students burned gold. Both fed themselves with rage and resentment from the shameful defeat. And it was indeed "shameful."
After all, the mentor stood before them without a single scratch. He wore no mask, and from the teacher's absent gaze, the students could clearly see that Revan was not mentally present. He allowed himself to think about something else while they were giving their all in an attempt to even touch him! At the same time, the mentor constantly frowned and snorted irritably, but clearly not in relation to their failed attacks. His eyes sometimes filled with rage, and sometimes with sorrow... However, this did not prevent the students from sustaining new injuries due to their own rash attacks.
Maul made a new lunge, waiting until Revan's gaze became unfocused again, indicating that the mentor had once again plunged into thought. However... it turned out to be a trap.
Revan lunged towards the Zabrak, parrying Risa's thrown saber on the fly. The moment the former Jedi's supporting foot touched the floor, a shockwave spread in all directions, forcing Farr to immediately switch to defense. Maul, however, was in the middle of his movement and couldn't defend himself in time. An invisible telekinetic wave nearly knocked the Zabrak over, but he was not destined to fall. An upward kick to the back from Revan tossed Maul up again, where he had to hastily block a silver blade.
Never before had the former Jedi been so furious in training. Even though Maul and Risa came out against him simultaneously. Even considering all of the Zabrak's progress... They could do nothing.
Revan clenched the hilt of his combined saber-staff until his knuckles cracked and concentrated the Force around it, sharply directing it into the sabers. The crystals resonated loudly, adding low notes to the steady hum of the light weapon. Shockwaves and lightning erupted from the blades with every swing, which added problems for the already breathless students. Just as they dodged the trajectory of a blow, they were hit by a charge of electricity.
Suddenly Maul, miraculously twisting and avoiding a collision with the black blade, managed to get close and strike. The crimson blade passed a hair's breadth from Revan's shoulder, forcing him to break off his attack and approach the defense more seriously.
The Zabrak began to move noticeably faster, as if the wound caused him no discomfort. The blows became stronger and faster, which made Revan smile for the first time since the start of their sparring.
Risa wanted to take advantage of Maul's sudden burst, but almost got hit by her ally's blade herself, after which she barely dodged Revan's black blade, but was caught by a Force push to the knee, forcing her to roll out from under a new attack.
However, Maul quickly lost all advantage when his master's eyes suddenly blazed gold. Revan changed the configuration of his weapon so often that the Zabrak could no longer keep up: was it a staff in his master's hands or two separate swords? But now everything had become much more complicated. The blades blurred into two ribbons that seemed to surround Maul from all sides. The hum of the swords changed, as if the power of the emitters had sharply increased, although the cause was the immense volumes of Force that were now passing through Revan and the crystals in the hilts.
Farr tried to help, but noticed too late the blade flying in an arc, heading straight for her head. The Mandalorian could no longer react and could only try to raise her sword in defense. The blade struck with the back of the hilt, where the pommel should have been, right at Risa's temple, completely taking her out of the fight. By some miracle, consciousness did not leave the student, but she was no longer able to get up.
Maul didn't last much longer. With incredible concentration, he managed to block the hail of blows that Revan unleashed on him, but he couldn't keep track of Risa's blade, which was picked up from the floor by telekinesis. The hilt of the Mandalorian's blade struck the Zabrak's occiput, throwing him off rhythm. Maul could no longer block two blows to the legs and chest.
"Excellent," Revan praised the Zabrak lying on the floor.
He got up on his knees with a groan and bowed his head.
"I lost... master."
"But you learned something," the master objected.
Maul looked up at Revan and frowned. Then, as if surprised by something, he nodded thoughtfully.
"Dark Rage," Revan said.
The iris of the former Dark Lord's eyes again changed color to gold. The Dark Side was clearly felt around... as if even the light had become dimmer, retreating before the power of the Force.
"It's useful in combat, but difficult to control. It partially heals wounds, relieves pain, strengthens the body, and sharpens perception. Congratulations, Maul, you demonstrated this technique for the first time today, truly. Even if only for a couple of moments," Revan said, gradually returning his eyes to their usual appearance and removing the steel and cold from his voice.
"I felt how the anger grew within me and... suddenly realized that I didn't feel pain... My wounds seemed to disappear, although I still felt burnt skin under my fingers... I felt that I could win! I almost felt the joy of victory... until everything suddenly..."
"Didn't turn against you?" Revan finished for the Zabrak.
"Yes."
"This is the flip side of using so much Dark Side energy at once. Usually, you instinctively call on the Force for help, let its energy penetrate your body, direct it, take control, and fuel it, setting the pace yourself. With 'Dark Rage,' it's a bit different. The Force flows into you in a continuous stream, overwhelming you, and it's important to let it strengthen your body, but 'not let it into your heart'... figuratively speaking. Because, as soon as it reaches it... you will feel your own rage in full measure," the former Sith pressed his palm to his chest.
"And how is this dangerous? Don't Sith use emotions? Don't we become stronger when experiencing rage?" Risa asked, having almost recovered from her peculiar knockdown.
"That's right. But here we're not talking about strengthening, but about losing control. Rage turned against oneself. It... is frightening. Right, Maul?"
The Zabrak nodded, swallowing saliva that suddenly became unpleasantly viscous.
"It breeds fear. Fear of oneself, which leads to a new surge of strength at the expense of the Force. And, as a consequence, an increase in anger and rage, which leave no room for reason. The warrior falls into a berserker state called 'Force Rage,' becoming truly strong, but extremely predictable for the opponent and dangerous for himself. This state is often confused with 'Dark Rage,' but it's important to understand that they are not the same thing. One is a controlled strengthening technique, the other is a desperate attempt not to die, caused by one's own weakness."
Listening to Revan's words, Risa shifted her gaze from him to Maul and back. The Mandalorian didn't understand how the Zabrak managed to withstand Revan's onslaught? How did he avoid losing control? Was it his training? Or was it natural talent?
"But how do you manage to hold yourself back? You don't fall into madness... although you acted more... harshly today," Risa asked, turning her head back to her master.
Revan suppressed a sad smile. Even his students noticed that in this sparring match, he was... letting off steam.
He wasn't going to conduct any significant lessons today... let alone lecture his students on the Dark Side. However, the Force always does things its own way, completely ignoring the plans of individual followers. And today... Revan was not in the mood. What happened in the caves had stirred up a real storm of emotions and feelings in him... feelings that he thought he had long since mastered. It turned out he was greatly mistaken. And it was all Tira Nomad's fault... Although, no. The blame lies with another woman who, fortunately for her, is long dead.
The former Sith shook his head, driving away unnecessary thoughts and returning to his students' questions.
"Everyone finds their own point of balance. It's important to feel it, which Maul has begun to understand. He managed to suppress his fear when the technique almost turned against him, even though he thereby deprived himself of his advantage. This is not a bad result. I've seen many who couldn't get out of this state until death... a swift one, fortunately. Remember, any fear can be overcome... just as directed rage can be endured. Even one's own. Although, the latter is the hardest. After all, to reconcile with oneself, sometimes, takes years. Anyone who wishes to use the full power of the Dark in combat must first know themselves and understand their limits."
The students carefully watched their master, catching every word.
"Think about it. Meditation will help."
Risa and Maul nodded uncertainly.
"Now, the second point that led to your defeat. Like many Sith, you don't know how to work as a team. Instead of attacking in unison, blocking my freedom of action, you got in each other's way. Hutt, I didn't even have to do much, you would have killed each other yourselves."
"I..." Risa wanted to object, but feeling a flash of anger from her master, she decided to remain silent.
"Secuta, you are skilled with a sword, but you don't pay much attention to your surroundings, while Maul instinctively controls the space around him. He could have compensated for your weakness, but you decided to use him as a diversion. What was the result? You yourself fell for surprise attacks."
Risa reflexively touched her bruised face. When Revan's blades cut through her mask, she froze in surprise... which earned her a blow from an armored boot.
"Maul. You combined Makashi techniques well with your fighting style. Even the hail of Juyo blades was blocked for a few moments, which can already be considered an achievement. However, you still lack concentration. I will think about a new training program to fix this."
"Thank you, master," the Zabrak bowed his head respectfully again.
Revan then looked thoughtfully at Risa.
"Hmm, it's quite possible that you'll be training together often from now on. Practicing teamwork won't hurt you."
"But... my mission?" Maul wondered, who was supposed to go gather information.
"Then Farr will go with you," Revan shrugged.
"What?" Risa couldn't help but exclaim.
"Any objections?" the former Dark Lord asked coldly.
"N-no," the Mandalorian bowed.
"Then it's decided. By tomorrow, prepare me an approximate route and action plan, taking into account the changed circumstances," Revan concluded.
"As you command, master."
"And go to the medbay. Let the medical droid examine you."
"Yes, master."
The training ended there, but to Revan's displeasure, he didn't feel any better. The path to his own cabin passed by unnoticed, as if he had arrived there in a single step.
From the moment Tira emerged from the crystalline labyrinth on Ilum... with a light staff in her hands, the former Dark Lord was not himself. It was too much. Combat meditation, certain character traits, and strange Force bonds... and now a weapon. A light staff with yellow blades! A weapon so familiar to him, and with the distinct imprint of its previous owner.
Just when he decided he could ignore these oddities, something like this happens...
"Revan," a voice sounded in the dim cabin.
Rage flared up again, adding speed and strength. With one movement, Revan turned to the unexpected... or perhaps quite expected guest and pressed her against the wall, grabbing her bare hand by the throat.
"And what the Sith damn it did you do there?!" the former Dark Lord roared furiously, pressing Mitth'raw'surik against the wall.
The ghost's figure suddenly lost density and passed through the grip of the enraged Revan.
"In my defense, k'a, I can say that I also ended up there by the will of the Force," Surik said, rubbing her spectral neck.
"You want to say it wasn't you who gave Nomad an excursion into history and an introduction to her relatives?"
Mithra, just in case, moved to the far wall.
"Here... yes. But you must understand me. As soon as I saw her, I couldn't stop thinking about her resemblance to Arren Kai and Brienne. This is an event previously described only in ancient holocrons! The revival of a bloodline through centuries! Hundreds of generations, a different sector of the galaxy, a different race, but common features and suddenly awakened Force talents!"
"I..."
"I myself was drawn to that cave by the call of the Force. I felt that I needed to be there. Just as I felt the need to appear on Dromund Kaas."
"But why did you have to mess with her head about the connection to Kai!?" Revan didn't stop.
"Because for me, Brienne was a student and a close friend whom I left to deal with all that crap with restoring the Order, while I went to save your ass from the Sith! I couldn't ignore the girl's legacy!"
"I don't care about legacy! Arren Kai, as well as Brienne, have long since joined the Force..."
"As has Bastila!"
Revan recoiled.
"And it was precisely her resemblance to her that got to you, not to Kai and her descendants! Don't deny it! Shan always meant more to you than you were willing to admit. Thousands of years later, you dream of her return and react sharply to any... attempts to distract you!"
"How could you..." Revan tried to protest, but Mitra pushed him with the Force, forcing him back into the chair in front of the desk.
"I dare! Because it's true! But you're so deeply mired in your grief that you don't notice the obvious things! Tira Nomad really resembles Bastila Shan! And the bond between you is an echo of the connection you had with your long-lost wife! You see it yourself, but you're afraid to admit it!"
"But you yourself said that Bastila is still somewhere out there, in the Force! She's waiting for me... I know it."
"You cannot know the desires of those who are no longer with us. The Force is multifaceted, and we will never comprehend all its mysteries. Even though the Bastila you knew joined the Force, becoming part of it... something inextricably links her to that blue-skinned girl on the next deck, who is now in far greater turmoil than you!"
Revan didn't know what to say. Mitra hit a sore spot... but spoke the truth. She dug into the barely healing wound with the diligence and care of a best friend, trying to clean out the remnants of dirt and give it a chance to heal completely. But it was a painful process... and difficult to accept.
"How did she get Bastila's sword, which she left in the cave after the 'Obsidian' died? I'm sure it's the same sword she used to fight me that time. The same blade she didn't want to keep after realizing our connection... I can even feel the trace of HER presence on the crystals in that damn staff here..." Revan lowered his face into his hands.
Surik, noticing her friend's state, slowed down and came closer.
"I don't know what she saw in that last vision, after which she got this sword. I was thrown out of the caves for a few moments... but I also feel her presence. Much more clearly than before."
"Does this mean that Bastila has become closer to me? That it will be easier to find her in the infinity of the Force now?" Revan asked with hidden hope.
Although he himself understood that his dream... his obsession... was too illusory and unattainable. One could return to the world of the living... but only if one wished it. And does Bastila want that? Did she forgive him for leaving her alone with a child on the eve of the "Purge" organized by the Triumvirate? Did the holocron keeper tell the truth?
The former Sith's gaze fell on the table, where a case rested on a small stand, which was Bastila Shan's holocron. The hologram's words were comforting... but Revan couldn't shake the thought that it was just a deception. Pleasant words spoken for another person through pain and suffering under a mask of calm and care. A lie that everything is fine... A selfless attempt to relieve the burden of responsibility for the consequences of mistakes.
"I... I don't know, Revan. Part of me wants to encourage you and support your obsession. To say that Bastila is near and waiting to return... But another part of me wants to punch you hard to make you open your eyes through pain and see that life goes on. Everything changes, and time relentlessly moves forward. Bastila is gone, and you are no longer the same as you were four thousand years ago. But there is someone nearby who has become dear to you in this new time. And the Force is giving you such hints of your connection that even a blind and deaf person would notice them and think. Perhaps you shouldn't wait for the return to this cursed world of someone who has long since left it?" Mitra said, placing her hand on her dejected friend's shoulder.
Revan remained silent.
"The funniest thing is that both these parts agree on one thing. I wish you happiness, Revan," Surik's hand gently stroked the dejected interlocutor's hair.
"Thank you, Mitra. I know."
"But it doesn't make it sweeter, does it?" the ghost chuckled, trying to dispel the oppressive atmosphere.
"No."
Silence fell in the cabin. Only the rustle of hair under a spectral hand indicated that someone was in the room.
"I have another student... who probably doesn't understand what's going on right now. I left her in HK's care, along with Anakin," Revan said quietly.
Mitra's hand froze for a moment.
"Irresponsible fool," Surik stated as fact and gave her friend a preventive smack on the back of the head, after which she returned to destroying the remnants of his hairstyle.
"And I also tried to take out my anger on my students..." Revan continued to pour out his soul.
"Sith?"
"Yes."
"Well... it's good for them."
"And also..."
"You're not at confession," Mitra chuckled.
"But sometimes you need to talk."
"Well, speak. I'll always listen."
Meanwhile.
Coruscant.
A long week of political debates, meetings, alliances, intrigues, false smiles, and hidden threats had come to an end. Palpatine, the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, could finally rest... but Darth Sidious, the powerful Sith Lord, could not afford himself such a luxury as rest.
Not now, when everything that had been built for years, according to the plan devised by his Master, had gone awry. And it no longer mattered that Sidious himself had reworked this plan, removing his mentor from it... hastily, for that matter. Nothing could be changed anymore.
Plageius was still alive, which meant Sidious remained his student, no matter how much he wanted to forget it. And therefore, the plans would have to be redone. Once again.
Sidious had managed to turn the failure on Naboo to his advantage. Fortunately, a new opportunity arose to increase tension in the Galaxy, this time on Mandalore. He lacked a student... The accursed Zabrak had fled under the wing of a new master... for which he would still pay.
But Sidious would not have reached such heights if he hadn't been able to adapt quickly to new conditions. He had to remember old acquaintances, with whom he maintained contact just in case. Thus, the Nabooan Ronar Kim, a compatriot of Palpatine, was glad to meet his "friend," not suspecting that he was walking into a trap. Plageius had taught Sidious a lot. In particular, some very useful secrets of Sith alchemy. The Jedi didn't even realize when Palpatine's words became not just a conversation for him, but an order that he could no longer disobey.
Ronar Kim and his student went to Mandalore with a small fleet of the Trade Federation, to which they still owed a debt. For reliability, they had to hire thugs from "Black Sun" as well, who were supposed to take care of the remnants of the combat-ready Mandalorians.
What a wonderful plan it was. The overthrow of the pacifist Duchess. The rise of the threat of Mandalore. Panic among their old enemies and the middle ring. Those who hundreds of years ago voted for the use of orbital bombardment against the Mandalorian worlds. And then the victorious intervention of the Senate under his sensitive leadership and the liberation of Mandalore from the "rule of terrorists."
This could become a fun tradition. For the umpteenth time, the Mandalorians were to become pawns in a big game and bait for the Senate and the Jedi. But it was all ruined by one single person!
First, his intervention on Naboo disrupted the preparation of the foundation for a future radical opposition. The Queen suddenly began to think like an adult, discarding the naive view of a teenage activist, and looking at galactic politics without rose-colored glasses. Inconvenient, but tolerable.
Worse, Maul failed to kill Qui-Gon Jinn, which should have pushed Count Dooku to the Dark Side and an alliance with Sidious... naturally as a puppet student, but who would have told him that?
Dooku eventually left the Order... but flatly refused even to talk to the Dark Lord. Although the invitation was well concealed, leaving only hints of the author's Sith affiliation, Count Serenno didn't even deem it necessary to satisfy his curiosity. And according to rumors, the same Jedi who appropriated Revan's name was involved here again.
However, after recent events, Sidious was no longer so sure that the new Revan was an impostor. The Battle of Mandalore, although it could not demonstrate the talents of the renowned commander, clearly showed that this man had to be reckoned with. Assembling a small but effective fleet to repel the invading forces in such a short time was not something everyone could do. The Force favored this man...
The failure on Mandalore almost cost him a new student. Ronar Kim miraculously survived, as did his student. Fortunately, the droids managed to drag them to the bacta tanks and deliver them to the medical center on Cerean.
The only positive result was that Kim was entirely on the Dark Side, and his exposure to the Order cut off even the slightest possibility of returning to his former comrades.
Dooku as a student, of course, was preferable. After all, Count Serenno enjoyed authority in the political arena. However, Kim was also considered a good diplomat. Although his home planet Naboo was unlikely to support him now, Ronar could "process" and win over several dozen worlds in the Middle Ring. And that would be enough. Together with the Techno Union and the Federation, the future union of radicals would gain a tangible advantage. So "tangible" that the Republic would have to be strengthened in order not to lose in the upcoming war in the very first days. Although, playing for both sides, it's hard to lose.
Even with the failure of the coup on Mandalore, the region was destabilized. The Duchess decided to abandon the pacifist path, which had already stirred up the Senate's diplomatic swamp. In addition to the concern of worlds lacking powerful planetary defenses, several companies producing repulsorlift vehicles and walkers put forward a number of proposals for sanctions and trade restrictions against Mandalorian enterprises. Undoubtedly in response to the rise in shares of "Mandal Motors." Of course, born warriors would again produce military equipment. According to rumors, Mandalorian factories had already received several orders for tanks for planetary self-defense forces.
According to preliminary estimates by analysts, the Mandalorians would create their army and fleet in less than a year. Equipment replenishment would take several more years, but the start would be laid before the end of next year. The Senate would be concerned. In such a situation, it would be much easier to push through a proposal for the reform and rearmament of the Judicial Forces. Hmm, thank you Duchess Satine and her assistants!
But another problem remained. Plagueis. According to Sidious's plan, the mentor should no longer have been alive, but he had escaped assassination by hiding from everyone. Only recently did Hyogo Damask begin to appear in public... although it could have been a double. The Dark Lord rarely contacted his apprentice and in a rather aggressive manner, which would have been normal if not for one important detail. Loyal people had already informed the Chancellor that Jedi Saifo Dias had left Coruscant and was heading to Muunilinst to meet with a representative of the Damask Capitals. The official version was that an investigation was underway into the theft of ships from the Banking Clan and their appearance in orbit around Mandalore. Only Sidious knew that his mentor had a long-standing friendship with Saifo Dias, secretly manipulating the Jedi and sending him visions of an impending conflict. Nothing complicated, just true visions of the future, without any illusions... but that was enough to make the Jedi panic. Or was his anxiety caused by the disappearance of his son? Does he even know that Mizar Marr has long been a victim of Plagueis's experiments? Most likely not. After all, even Sidious had to put in a lot of effort to uncover this secret of his mentor.
Well, it's worth keeping a closer eye on Damask. Perhaps another attempt should be made to eliminate him? Or should we wait until the mentor calms down a bit and relaxes? Yes, that would be the surest way. After all, this Sith cannot be defeated just like that! Many have tried, but none have succeeded. Sidious was no fool.
However, it is worth preparing better. If the Mentor does not "retire," then at any moment, one might have to fight in the future war for real.
The Republic will need an army and allies.
And who could be a better ally than yesterday's enemy? If one person could so spoil Sidious's plans... then what will he be capable of with the support of the Supreme Chancellor?
Sidious let out a hoarse laugh. Oh, this will be an interesting turn.