A New Player in the Force (SW/Lite Gamer)

[Grimmouse197]

You know I'm thinking at this point having the gamer part included at the start was a mistake.

 

[cosmicfox]

I am pondering the benefits of eidetic memory, since we only focus on the downsides.

Basking into peaceful, joyful or positive memories, if they are as vivid as the negatives memories,
they should trigger the same effects.

Meaning our hero could :
- Use them to facilitate manifesting any light side ability.
- Immerse himself into them when subject to his anger/control issues. It would switch his brain toward the associated positive emotions.

It is an ever balancing act, but would be a safety net.
Even plunging himself back into memories of emotional balance and emptiness could facilitate meditation.

 

[USSExplorer]

You know I'm thinking at this point having the gamer part included at the start was a mistake.

Click to shrink...

Oh, if I could go back in time and restart things, I'd either pair it all the way back, ala what I've done with Game of Kingdoms, or remove it completely.
I also know far more about the EU now than when I started 6 years ago

 

[ClassHole]

I'm a bit confused at this point on why he is still waiting to re-build his lightsaber? I know he says he is still getting comfortable with the new changes.... but isn't part of getting used to his new normal doing tasks he'd have done before....... like sparring with a lightsaber, to understand what combat will be like with his new raw exposure to the Force? At this point he's had several months of downtime, multiple different times. Not having built something by now, even something temporary for training/protection, seems very foolish to me. Also seems to be actively holding back his improvement at this point, which is a bit annoying, given he's already taken such a huge step back in the recent chapters with the whole Natural Selection thing.

I'm glad he's back with Dooku for a bit.... frankly him blindly following Adas path seemed naive and foolhardy to me. Glad he can brainstorm with a Master like Dooku and hopefully find his own way of blending everything together, rather than just apeing Ancient Sith's techniques.

Anyways, thanks for the chapter as always!

 

[MandTeKad]

I'm a bit confused at this point on why he is still waiting to re-build his lightsaber? I know he says he is still getting comfortable with the new changes.... but isn't part of getting used to his new normal doing tasks he'd have done before....... like sparring with a lightsaber, to understand what combat will be like with his new raw exposure to the Force? At this point he's had several months of downtime, multiple different times. Not having built something by now, even something temporary for training/protection, seems very foolish to me. Also seems to be actively holding back his improvement at this point, which is a bit annoying, given he's already taken such a huge step back in the recent chapters with the whole Natural Selection thing.

I'm glad he's back with Dooku for a bit.... frankly him blindly following Adas path seemed naive and foolhardy to me. Glad he can brainstorm with a Master like Dooku and hopefully find his own way of blending everything together, rather than just apeing Ancient Sith's techniques.

Anyways, thanks for the chapter as always!

Click to shrink...

Because he doesn't trust his force prowess and is still undecided on his full path; he is not fully centered in the force and wants to do his saber correctly this time where last time he merely based it off Dooku and wrote off his saber as a tool

He's certainly not blending; but you'll see

 

[ClassHole]

Because he doesn't trust his force prowess and is still undecided on his full path; he is not fully centered in the force and wants to do his saber correctly this time where last time he merely based it off Dooku and wrote off his saber as a tool

He's certainly not blending; but you'll see

Click to shrink...

Right, but isn't fighting with a lightsaber part of his relationship with the Force? Especially given his combat focus? If so, he literally cannot fully centre himself until he's gotten used to fighting with his new connection... so he'll never build one, if thats the case. I get that once he's fully in control and moving forward he wants to build a saber that's unique to him and his connection with the Force, using the rare materials he has, but to not build something quickly in the meantime, for training and to tide himself over seems pretty stupid. All Jedi learn and train on "training sabers" for years before building their own, no? So its not like using a temporary generic saber would be unforgivable. Plus he's actively reducing his combat abilities for no other reason than he wants to eventually feel good and build something perfect.

This is setting aside the fact that Cam literally in this chapter, is freaking out about the limited time he has to train himself and his Padawan..... but he's fine having now wasted over a year, with absolutely zero focus on lightsaber training, again, just so he can feel good when he finally builds his perfect lightsaber..... that makes no sense to me.

He should be training up his skills, while getting used to this new force connection, slowly honing in on his own personal combat style that fits his new relationship with the Force..... then his real true lightsaber should be the final piece of the puzzle that connects him to his final and complete combat style. Knowing the piece that is missing would help him design and shape the lightsaber. The idea that he starts with his new saber, then designs and builds his new combat skills with the new connection makes little sense to me logic wise, let alone story wise.

 

[MandTeKad]

Right, but isn't fighting with a lightsaber part of his relationship with the Force? Especially given his combat focus? If so, he literally cannot fully centre himself until he's gotten used to fighting with his new connection... so he'll never build one, if thats the case. I get that once he's fully in control and moving forward he wants to build a saber that's unique to him and his connection with the Force, using the rare materials he has, but to not build something quickly in the meantime, for training and to tide himself over seems pretty stupid. All Jedi learn and train on "training sabers" for years before building their own, no? So its not like using a temporary generic saber would be unforgivable. Plus he's actively reducing his combat abilities for no other reason than he wants to eventually feel good and build something perfect.

This is setting aside the fact that Cam literally in this chapter, is freaking out about the limited time he has to train himself and his Padawan..... but he's fine having now wasted over a year, with absolutely zero focus on lightsaber training, again, just so he can feel good when he finally builds his perfect lightsaber..... that makes no sense to me.

He should be training up his skills, while getting used to this new force connection, slowly honing in on his own personal combat style that fits his new relationship with the Force..... then his real true lightsaber should be the final piece of the puzzle that connects him to his final and complete combat style. Knowing the piece that is missing would help him design and shape the lightsaber. The idea that he starts with his new saber, then designs and builds his new combat skills with the new connection makes little sense to me logic wise, let alone story wise.

Click to shrink...

Um what; Cam has generic sabers and training sabers; he's certainly not slacking on his or Anakin's saber training; he's just got an ego and so doesn't want to use a generic sabers in true combat

 

[ClassHole]

Um what; Cam has generic sabers and training sabers; he's certainly not slacking on his or Anakin's saber training; he's just got an ego and so doesn't want to use a generic sabers in true combat

Click to shrink...

Well thats good.... felt like we haven't gotten any indication he's been training up his lightsaber skills at all, if I missed that, I apologize.... though if he has been training and has a training saber, why can't he spar with Dooku? Either way, that solves most of the issue I had..... except his whole ego thing, which is beyond dumb, and you'd think after he lost Anakin he'd have been focused on being as combat prepared as possible, but he's not immune to stupidity and arrogance I suppose.

 

[MandTeKad]

why can't he spar with Dooku

Click to shrink...

Because he hasn't regained enough of his stride to be comfortable doing so

but he's not immune to stupidity and arrogance I suppose.

Click to shrink...

No one is

 

[kukukkuii]

I'm with Cam on how weird it is to be viewing Anakin as his son. There's only 8 years of an age gap between them.

Other than that, loving book 3 so far. Let the story cook for a half year before diving back into it.

 

[USSExplorer]

A/N: As always, a huge thank you to those helping with lore and planning for this and my other stories.

And again, this chapter was released to those of sufficient rank on the story's Discord (it pays to talk) about a month ago. For those who support my writing, then it was released between 1 to 4 months ago (and those supporters can also access chapters that far in advance).

If joining the Discord or supporting my writing interests you, there is a link at the end of the chapter for how to do so.

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3.07 Chancellors and Royalty
… …​

Feeling a gentle prod against my mind from a familiar source, I slowly pulled back from the deep meditative trance I'd been in. While I felt safe against losing myself to the Force, at least barring something dramatic affecting those I cared for, or a large enough group of people that it echoed through the Force across the galaxy, I was still mindful of my actions.

The Force was, for the most part, there to help me, but I knew that it wasn't always going to agree with my intentions and ideals. I had to secure myself against it, and others who could wield it, if I wanted to survive the coming decades. As one such situation was fast approaching, that was why I'd been in a trance every time Raven soared through the mysterious energies of Hyperspace.

As my eyes opened, I looked at the cockpit's chronometer and a small smile came to my face. Moving one hand to an organic section of the room, I reached through the Force for Raven, letting her know I was pleased and thankful for her alert. Around my hand, lights flickered and danced as I felt her pleasure in serving me. We were still a short while from emerging from hyperspace, and I wanted to be alert when I did. Not only to handle the system's flight operations but to prepare myself for what awaited me in the Republic capital.

Checking the displays, I ensured that everything was working within expected parameters and that nothing had changed too dramatically while I'd been meditating. Nothing was, but a few readings were slightly out of sync with where I'd wanted them to be, so I'd have R2 check the mechanical systems linked to those readings once we landed.

Along with HK, the astromech were the only other ones coming with me to Coruscant. The droids were the only ones that the Banite Sith couldn't read with the Force. Or at least the ones least likely to be at risk of being probed by the Banite Sith. There were accounts, according to records I'd read not long after being knighted, that spoke of a Dark Art that allowed a Force user to sense, manipulate, and even control mechanical devices such as droids. I'd never spent any time learning how that was done – mainly as the knowledge of Mechu-deru was restricted to Jedi Masters – but it was something Plagueis and Sidious might well be able to do. Because of that, and wanting to ensure no one tampered with Raven while we were on Coruscant, the droids would remain with her.

Anakin, as intended, had remained on Mtael's Gift with Simvyl and Fenrir also remaining behind. The Cathar chose to stay as he wanted to atone for what happened to Anakin about half a year ago. I'd told him several times that I didn't blame him for the Trandoshans kidnapping him, but it seemed he still needed to absolve himself. As for Fenrir, the tuk'ata had never felt at ease on Coruscant, choosing to spend most of his time on Raven. Allowing him to stay with Anakin, and thus free to hunt on the various uninhabited continents of Gaia, would keep him happy. I just had to hope that he didn't pick a fight with something that was currently too great a challenge for him. Dooku had assured me that when Fenrir travelled to the planet, either he or Vosa or both would remain nearby to protect the creature. While I was reluctant to have that bitch anywhere near Fenrir, Dooku felt she was trustworthy enough to do so, and I was willing to accept his word that she wouldn't step out of line around the tuk'ata. Of course, I might've suggested to Fenrir that if Vosa got too uppity, close, or aggressive, he was free to remove a limb or two to remind her of her place.

As Raven raced toward the hyperspace exit point for Coruscant, I again wondered if perhaps I should've waited a few more days before arriving. There was still a week to go until the premiere, and the less time I spent around the Co-Chancellors slash Banite Sith, the better it would be. However, arriving the day before the premiere and then leaving the day after carried a chance they might fear I no longer trusted them; or at least was distancing myself from them without reason.

When he'd contacted me, Chancellor Damask had hinted that he and Palpatine wished to speak with me about a private matter, which I inferred was a reference to the Vong. I didn't know what the pair had dreamt up to counter an extra-galactic race of invaders who were seemingly unconnected to the Force, but I wanted to remain in the loop regarding those plans as, regardless of which of us won the coming war, the galaxy needed to be ready for the threat the Vong posed.

According to Dooku, the shroud I'd created around my mind – to hide both the change in my Force connection and my thoughts – was acceptable. He did, however, warn, that when pressed even gently by a Jedi Master as experienced as himself, to say nothing of a member of the High Council, there was a good chance they'd detect the slight flaws in the shroud. While he felt a Jedi wouldn't choose to slip through those flaws, I knew the Banite Sith wouldn't hesitate to do so. Because of this, I'd spent the voyage to Coruscant meditating on both strengthening that shroud and also on creating a partially false layer just behind it. The layer drew on the truth of what I was hiding, but only exposed some of it while mixing in falsehoods that, I hoped, would shield my deeper, more dangerous thoughts and memories from all but the most concerted of mental probes.

If either of the Banite Sith, never mind the pair working together, tried to smash through my defences, there was fuck all I could do to stop them. However, if that happened, Raven would sense it. She was under orders if the connection we shared felt broken or suppressed she was to alert the droids. They had a set of protocols – which, for safety, I wasn't aware of – to use, with the worst-case scenario being to contact the Jedi and, I suspected, alert the High Council to the fact the Co-Chancellors were Banite Sith Lords.

Returning my thoughts to Dooku, with him now safe from becoming Darth Tyrannus, I had spent time wondering just when and how deeply I should bring him in on my concerns and plans. I trusted him, but I knew he saw the galaxy through rather blunt lenses. Either someone was a useful tool or a potential threat. I had caught the faintest of hints during the times he'd been testing my mental defences, where I felt he might feel I was something different. That didn't mean he necessarily cared for me, more that he saw me as someone who could, maybe, carry forth his ideals and legacy.

I knew that he maintained great doubt about the Jedi, and while I'd not asked directly about it, I suspected it would only be a few years at most before he left the Order. If he returned to Serenno and became Count, that was something I could greatly use to my advantage. Not least the access to credits that would dwarf anything I'd earned or would earn, from the Lord of the Rings and Knights of the Old Republic series and my various musical creations. However, there were a few issues with that happening.

The most pressing was that, when he was taken as a Jedi, he'd forfeited all claim to becoming Count of House Dooku. While he was still a member of the house, which was the greatest of six houses that ruled the planet and accompanying sector, his younger brother had inherited the title a few decades ago, and he had a son who would inherit after him. In the other timeline, I suspected that not caring about them, Dooku had them removed, probably via an accident. While the Dooku I knew might well see no issues with taking such actions, I couldn't count on it.

While he'd not clearly stated his intention to leave the Order, the way we'd spoken about how certain artefacts inside the deeper sections of the Jedi Archives, and how he wished to 'redistribute' them, hinted that when he did leave the Order, he wanted to take those items with him. I didn't know what they were exactly, but I suspected some, if not most of them would be holocrons. While I'd only scratched the surface of what Adas could teach me, mainly as I was concerned that learning more from him risked heading down a path I wasn't certain I wanted to travel, the idea of hidden knowledge appealed. Not just because it might help me defeat the Banite Sith – and if needed, the Jedi Order – but because lost abilities and techniques might help with whatever came after the wars were over and I had to rebuild the galaxy.

The biggest issue with gaining access to any of that knowledge was where it was located. Breaking into the Jedi Temple was something few people were brave or crazy enough to attempt, and the Archives were one of the most heavily defended locations in the Temple, and located deep inside it as well. There were two powers I'd had before taking Natural Selection that should be of use – those being Phase and Teleport – but they were also two that I'd not begun anything more than considering relearning; or in their case, determining how the powers should work.

I'd spent a short amount of time speaking with the Dark Woman about phasing as she was one of the few Jedi Masters who could phase which meant I had some ideas to work from. I'd also had lessons with Jedi Masters such as Plo Koon and Giiett about the laws of science for this universe, however, most of my theoretical understanding of how those powers worked was linked to memories I retained from before my rebirth. Other verses had used powers with similar effects, and I was basing my understanding on how the Force allowed those powers to work here on those sources. Or more accurately, I was using them as a working base until I discovered something better.

However, for both powers, there were major issues as to why I'd not moved beyond theoretical consideration. The biggest was that, to put it simply, I instinctively knew that I wasn't quite ready to begin reusing them. Another major issue was overcoming the fear that when I next used the powers, I'd fuck things up somehow, and thus either end up trapped halfway through a wall or teleport to the wrong location.

Yet, before either power was relearnt, I had to rebuild my lightsaber. My initial plan, of somehow repairing the damaged crystal from my blade, had been shot down. First by Dooku and then by Adas. While I could, in theory, create an artificial crystal to replace the damaged one, doing so was considered something only a Sith did. That meant that even though I had the other crystal, a replacement krayt dragon pearl, and had the Mantle of the Force aligned entirely with me, I wasn't yet able to build a new lightsaber.

Well, technically I could as I had a half dozen crystals that would work in a lightsaber. However, none of them had a connection to me, like the other crystals – including the ruined miniature crystal – held. Because of the feeling of finding one that I was drawn toward and that I was still considering the materials to use in its construction, I was holding off on building a replacement main lightsaber.

Those thoughts were pushed from the front of my mind as Raven reached out to me. My hands moved toward the controls as I understood what was happening, a few seconds later the familiar rush of alternating energies that occurred when moving into or out of hyperspace rushed over Raven's hull. After that, the stars returned to their expected locations and a quick check of the navigation computers confirmed we'd arrived in the Coruscant system.

Information quickly filtered in detailing the various comings and goings of ships of virtually every size and function. They moved around in lines controlled by the system's sprawling flight control organization, reminding me of workers moving around a hive; all serving the queen, which in this case was Coruscant.

The area we'd arrived in was one set aside for people with connections. Be that members of the Senate, special guests, or members of the Order. Even then, I wouldn't be allowed to approach the inner system without approval, and almost on cue, the communication console beeped for attention.

Opening the channel, I was greeted by a Togruta in the uniform of the system's defence fleet. "Please confirm your identity," the alien asked bluntly, sounding bored of their job.

"Jedi Knight Cameron Shan aboard the Jade Raven," I replied while Raven transmitted out ident codes.

"One moment." The Togruta looked down, working at whatever console he was stationed at, going over the code I'd sent and confirming it against those on records. "Identity confirmed. Welcome back to Coruscant, Master Jedi. Your ship has been expected for some time. As such, you have Cresh-One clearance."

"Understood." Cresh-One was one of the higher clearance codes and a standard code for Jedi and important visitors.

"There is a request from Chancellor Damask's office to both alert him of your arrival and request you alter your flight path for the Senate. Is this acceptable?"

"Yes." I couldn't say no to the Chancellor, even if I'd have preferred a few hours planet-side before having to go face to face with the Chancellors.

"One moment. Flightpath and clearance altered. Besh-One clearance granted." I blinked in surprise as that clearance code was used only for special guests of Senate members. Amusingly, it meant that not only wouldn't I have to worry about customs searching Raven, but that I had a direct flightpath to the Senate building. "Please stay upon your assigned flightpath."

"Understood," I replied as I pushed power into Raven's engines. While getting there early would mean facing the Banite Sith before was ideal, it would let Raven enjoy herself a little before spending a week or two grounded.

The Togruta glared at me. "That was not a request. Your vessel has thirty-four infractions registered against it. Even with Jedi and Senatorial clearance, that sort of behaviour will not be tolerated."

"Yes, sir," I said, tossing the bureaucrat a mock salute before closing the channel. "Thirty-four, huh?" I added looking up at the ceiling. "Let's see if we can get that up to forty before we land." Raven's amusement and agreement radiated through the Force. "Kicking in the burn."

… …

---

… …
(Hego Damask's POV)
His eyes were scanning another round of mind-numbingly pedantic reports submitted by various members of the Senate and the frankly improbable number of sub-committees that required his signature. Some even insisted that he provide an opinion. Plagueis had grown used to dealing with such reports while in his guise as head of Damask Holdings, however, the amount of needless paperwork that the Senate produced, which Sidious claimed was done so the Senators, their adjuncts, and other members of staff, could feel important, was on a level that made clear that even without the Grand Plan's actions over the last millennium, the Republic would've fallen into chaos. All that had come before himself and Sidious had done was simply accelerate that decline and direct it along paths that best served the interests of the Sith.

He knew this was not all the paperwork he had to face, as Sidious had an equal pile arriving daily in his inbox, however, in the year since becoming Co-Chancellor, Plagueis had moments where he considered if the plan that had placed him here had been worth it. Decades had been spent shopping events to ensure Sidious, in his guise as Sheev Palpatine, could be elected Chancellor of the Republic, and from there have Plagueis' public persona appointed as Co-Chancellor, yet when he had time to review the various steps that led to this time and place, Plagueis did wonder if there might have been a wiser path to take. Or at least one that would save him from devoting so much of his valuable time and focus to the pathetic mewing of beings as far below him as a beast of burden was to any sentient.

Yet, for all that dislike of his new position, Plagueis knew the benefits outweighed his distaste for the drawbacks. Not only did he, along with Sidious, have complete access to any record the Republic held – most of which was, sadly, less accurate than what the Order of Darth Bane had gathered over the last thousand years – but it allowed him the chance to shape and influence events in ways he could never do as head of Damask Holdings. One of those ways was the individual that Plagueis sensed approaching his office. The Jedi Cameron Shan.

There was no way the descendant of Darth Revan – the Sith Lord whose ideas had helped shape the Order Darth Bane had created a thousand years before – would remain with the Jedi. Even lacking the ability to peer into the future, something Plagueis' former Master, Darth Tenebrous had stripped from him, it was clear to any that Shan's path lay away from the inward-looking and distracted Jedi. Yet the Jedi continued to not only allow him to remain within their Order, but they foolishly believed Shan was their Chosen One.

Shan was powerful for his age and had the potential to surpass any Jedi, but he was not there yet. Nor was he the Chosen One. That prophecy was a false one that was nothing more than a pale imitation of the concept of the Sith'ari. That title, in theory, might have belonged to Darth Bane for his actions in showing the Sith the true path. However, Plagueis believed that he was the Sith'ari, or that in the decades to come, he would become it. And, amusingly to him, it was because of Shan's emergence and changes that Plagueis was on the path needed to be the most powerful Sith to ever live.

His research had accelerated in the years since he had first met Shan, to the point he could manipulate the midi-chlorians within his body; granting him an ability no Sith had ever wielded. In time, Plagueis knew he would rise to a level of power that none since the Celestials had wielded, and with that, he would shape the Force to his will, bend it for eternity to his desires.

That didn't mean that the plan of him sharing power with Sidious was in any way being discarded, or that Shan might not have a role to play in the new era Plagueis was creating – every empire needed a Wrath to enforce the will of its Emperor – just that, Plagueis felt he would be the first among equals in the New Order.

Turning his mind fully to Shan – whom he had been alerted to having arrived in the Senate building and was being escorted to this office – Plagueis wondered what the changes he had sensed meant. Plagueis had sensed Shan's arrival in the system; the way the Shroud of the Dark Side that he and Sidious had placed over the Force alerted him to the Force user's arrival. However, the more Plagueis had probed the Shroud, the more intrigued he found himself growing about this upcoming meeting.

In preparation for it, Plagueis had slowly grasped control of the Shroud, ready to use it to determine what changes had occurred to Shan. The change in Shan's Force presence, even though the Human attempted weakly to hide it, by itself was worthy of research. This was, after all, the second time Shan had altered his connection to the Force in ways that Plagueis had yet to determine. That this latest change generated ripples in the Shroud, something only the most powerful of Jedi Masters – or those that posed a threat to the Grand Plan – could do, was another matter that needed to be carefully examined in the upcoming meeting. Along with that, however, Shan had discovered some form of Sith training to hide the fury that, even half a star system, Plagueis had sensed that vibrated within the Human's core.

Plagueis remembered vividly the first time he had encountered Shan, and how under the flaws in his style, the inklings of one who enjoyed battle – found a thrill in the hunt – existed. Plagueis and Sidious had seen how that thrill had grown when Shan spoke of his battle with those strange aliens who were unconnected to the Force, and then when viewing the recording of Shan's defeat of Sidious' assassin, how he embraced the ethos of the Mandalorians – a group the Sith had employed often in the past to weaken and kill Jedi – into his combat style. Everything since that first meeting had made clear that Shan's path lay toward how the Force was meant to be wielded, yet as he felt Shan moving in an elevator toward this office, Plagueis knew Shan was aware of this path and felt as if he was close to embracing it. The question, or the latest one to add to the list that surrounded the enigma of Darth Revan's descendent, was how and where Shan had learnt ancient Sith teachings on hiding the truth of the path he was close to accepting.

Around half a year ago, a wave of pure, unrestrained rage had pulsed over the Force, the Shroud making it clear to Plagueis and Sidious while muting the Jedi's chances of sensing the event. Through meditation, Sidious had determined that the wave of rage was, as both he and Plagueis had believed, generated by Shan. The Human had, for reasons that neither of them had yet been able to determine clearly, snapped.

The flood of rage and destruction Plagueis had felt had been almost unstrained. A few weeks later, Plagueis had sensed the rage come forth once again, though this time, without mentioning the matter to Sidious, Plagueis had been able to determine that Shan's rage, once unrefined and unfocused, had hardened. This second event had seen Shan channel his desires into a cold, brutal edge. One that only someone with training in the ways of the Sith could develop, at least in such a brief period of time. That the hints of that training were seeping from Shan as he approached Plagueis' office, only increased his interest in determining when, where, and how Shan had gained that training.

Plagueis would not be forcing the matter today. Shan's purpose in the Grand Plan, while still unsettled, was clear. However, he intended to probe cautiously to see what he could learn from the false Jedi when they met. That Sidious would not be present for the initial stages of this meeting – instead, distracted by a minor matter that he could not avoid – granted Plagueis the chance to investigate Shan in isolation. He knew that he and Sidious would, within a decade or two, rule the galaxy in a New Order that would rise from the ashes of the Republic and Jedi. However, Plagueis wanted to see, without his apprentice's presence, how Shan fit into the Grand Plan, and how the Human might be subtly directed toward the choices that best helped Plagueis' vision for the future.

Plagueis placed down the report – one detailing a request from the senator from Corellia for lowering their tax burden further – on the to-do pile on his desk. His hand was over the small console on his desk before the intercom beeped and flashed for attention. "Yes?" He asked, making sure to not respond too quickly and generate any hint of surprise from his assistant.

The Munn that manned the outer office was one of several that Plagueis had brought with him from Damask Holdings. As Plagueis lacked the figures who'd spent decades around the Senate, he had drawn from his former public role. Like Sidious, many of Plagueis' upper servants knew the truth of who Damask was, and had sworn themselves to his service, and the outside team he had brought from Damask Holdings had helped to enforce one of the major reasons Palpatine had pushed for Hego Damask to become Co-Chancellor: That the Senate, and those working in and around it, had grown self-interested instead of serving the people who elected them.

It had not taken Sidious much work to gather support for Hego Damask to become Co-Chancellor. The groundwork for generating a lack of trust and support for the Senate and the office of the Chancellor had been laid down over the last fifty-plus years. While Hego Damask was a shadowy figure to many, Damask Holdings was a reasonably well-known, highly successful, and respected entity; the appointment had generally generated positive reactions. The only worlds that had expressed concern were those in the Core and along major hyperspace routes, that exposed a Human-centric ideology. That, however, played into the plans Plagueis and Sidious were developing for how to enact the final stages of the Grand Plan, as did the fact all of Damask's staff were non-Human.

"Jedi Cameron Shan has arrived."

"Send him in." Plagueis rose before the doors slid open, his tall form casting a long shadow across the polished floor. The Human entered with steady, unhurried steps. "It has been some time, Master Jedi," Plagueis greeted, stepping forward, a gesture meant to communicate a sense of equality. A minor courtesy, perhaps, but one he had yet to extend to any other Jedi.

Shan offered a thin smile as he strode into the centre of the room. "That it has, Chancellor," the Human replied, extending his arm in the age-old gesture of camaraderie. "And might I offer my congratulations on the, if not direct promotion, then change in direction?"

A chuckle rumbled low in Plagueis' throat. "Thank you for being one of the few to phrase it as such." Most others had either fawned or fumbled, offering hollow congratulations while subtly hinting at the favours they sought from the new Co-Chancellor. He'd grown accustomed to that, after decades running Damask Holdings, yet he anticipated that this conversation with Shan would not tread that familiar, tedious ground. "I must admit, when Chancellor Palpatine extended his invitation for me to join him as co-Chancellor, I was... hesitant."

"Changing a tank of sharks for an arena of kath hounds?" Shan's smile widened.

Plagueis allowed himself a soft laugh. "A succinct metaphor, though not how I might have phrased it." He broke the handshake, turning slightly to gesture toward the comfortable arrangement of sofas near the far side of the office. The circular glass table, encircled by three sofas large enough for three men apiece, was where Plagueis liked to put those he wished to consider him a friend—or where he and Sidious encircled a sentient in their coils, without ever making it seem so. "I understand business, economics, and the way the Republic's machine functions on a grand scale. Some of that carries into politics, yet most of it... does not. As we've seen with the recent debacle surrounding Naboo."

"Has Damask Holdings' association with the Trade Federation caused you trouble?" Shan asked, his tone casual, though the question was laid bare early in their exchange. It gave Plagueis pause. Shan was no fool, and his inquiry, though gentle in the Force, struck at the core of what others feared to speak of openly.

Plagueis hesitated only a heartbeat before answering. "A few murmurs, yes, from those who enjoy shouting scandal without cause. Some, in less... reputable publications, even hinted I played a role in orchestrating the blockade." He dismissed the notion with a wave of his hand. "But such voices are distant echoes, drowned out by the educated and the reasonable." Reaching the sofas, Plagueis halted and gestured toward a well-stocked stand, brimming with exotic bottles. "Might I offer you a drink?"

The display was designed to impress—a selection of rare spirits from every corner of the galaxy. Plagueis himself had little interest in such indulgences; the taste and texture of alcohol held no appeal, not after his injuries on Sojourn, now healed. Still, he had learned to play the part. Among the bottles was a Nabooian whisky that Sidious favoured—dangerous, but not without refinement.

"Sure," Shan said, his eyes drifting over the unfamiliar labels. "It seems I'm uncertain of my options."

"Might I suggest Nabooian whisky? Chancellor Palpatine holds a particular fondness for it."

"Thank you." Shan dipped his head in appreciation.

Plagueis moved to the bar with the ease of long practice, selecting the cleaner of the two bottles. The other, lightly marked near its rim, held something a little extra—something for those more easily swayed. Shan, however, was no such fool. A trained Jedi, he would sense anything untoward before it touched his lips. No, this was not the time for trickery. Plagueis poured two glasses and returned, offering one to Shan before settling himself into the opposite sofa.

The Jedi took the glass with a nod. "I notice you no longer wear your mask."

Plagueis took a measured sip of his own Munn brandy, the taste wholly irrelevant to him. "After Mandalore, I began an intense regimen of treatment. It took years, but the damage healed in time." He tilted the glass toward the mask on display near his desk. "Yet, the mask remains close. A reminder of what I am. Power, no matter how vast, cannot make one invulnerable." He smiled faintly; the gesture steeped in meaning. "Not yet at least."

"A feeling I can relate to." Shan's smile faltered just slightly as he raised his artificial arm, drawing attention to the replacement limb.

"Such scars remind us of our missteps. Of the lessons we must learn and never repeat." Plagueis' gaze lingered on the false limb as Shan took a sip of his whisky.

"Ooh, that's nice," the Human muttered. "But yes, this is a constant reminder of my weakness," he continued, lifting the glass. "Thankfully the replacement doesn't force me to switch arms, ensuring I can continue to savour something this delightful." He smiled again, this time more genuinely. "Might I ask the name of this brand so I can add some to my stores?"

"I shall have a crate delivered to your apartment," Plagueis countered smoothly, seeing an opportunity to ingratiate himself further. The Jedi Temple or Kaldani Spires—wherever Shan chose to reside—it mattered little. Either way, it was a gesture of goodwill, a favour that could be called upon later. He might even arrange for a small, discreet device to be hidden within the crate. If Shan detected it, well, it could be written off as a mistake, an error on the part of some underling. But if not...

"That's too generous," Shan said, brow furrowing slightly. The brief slip in his composure revealed something Plagueis had long suspected. For just an instant, the Jedi's defences wavered, allowing Plagueis a glimpse into the depths of his mind.

The power radiating from Shan was raw, primal—unrefined but vast. Like a reservoir barely contained beneath the surface. It thrummed with an ancient cadence, far older than Shan himself, far more dangerous than his outward appearance suggested. Intriguing.

"I can't accept it," Shan said, the trace of unease in his voice undeniable now.

"Consider it a gift between friends," Plagueis replied smoothly, maintaining the air of warmth and hospitality. Inwardly, he was already dissecting what he had sensed, what he had glimpsed. There was more to Cameron Shan than the Jedi let on, something Plagueis would uncover in time. "And friends should not stand on ceremony."

Shan paused, then nodded. "Then, in the spirit of friendship, I gratefully accept."

Plagueis settled back, his mind already turning over the implications of what he had felt. Whatever secrets Cameron Shan harboured; they were more than worth the pursuit. Perhaps more dangerous than even Sidious had imagined.

Shan had learnt Sith teachings. Not those of Darth Bane, but those that lay at the core of the Sith ideology. Ones that traced their roots back, if Plagueis recalled correctly, to when the followers of Bogan were expelled from the Je'daii Order and exiled, eventually discovering Korriban and the Sith species. Plagueis had to restrain his curiosity to dive any deeper into Shan's mind. As much as he wanted to learn the answers to this new riddle, he knew that doing so now carried risk. The Force warned him that Shan had done something to protect himself, though if Plagueis was interpreting what the Force was sensing, this protection was not aimed at him and Sidious, but at protecting Shan from the Jedi.

For a moment, Plagueis wondered if perhaps choosing a young rebellious boy from Naboo as his apprentice was a mistake. That thought was dismissed in the next instant, as without the way Sidious had played career politician and inserted himself into the heart of the Republic, the Grand Plan would be nowhere near as close to completion as it was. Still, the idea of taking Shan as his apprentice was one that held appeal to Plagueis. Shan had the potential to match Sidious, surpass him even, but any attempt to cultivate that potential would have to be done so remotely. The final stages of the Grand Plan had to take priority.

As they sipped their drinks, enjoying a moment of comfortable silence, Plagueis considered the differences between his apprentice and the young Human sitting opposite. Sidious had a natural ability to hide his Force presence that even now, decades after he had begun the Naboo's training, he still could not fully pierce the protections Sidious generated. Sidious was powerful, but he chose, much like Plagueis and Darth Tenebrous, to hide that power; to present a public persona of one far less threatening than they truly were.

Shan was an entirely different breed of creature. He was power, aggression and fury that was as of now, still unrestrained. It was, Plagueis realised, like gazing into the first stages of a solar storm as it began to form. Yet, while Sidious kept his power hidden, misdirecting others from its devastating potential, Shan chose to simply hold it back. The process Shan used was a poor, barely held-together facsimile of what he had once appeared as; something distant and isolated within the Force. Yet Plagueis could see that, if the power Shan held back was ever unleashed, it had the potential to shatter worlds with simple effort.

Either Shan would harness his power properly, as it had seemed he had begun to do, and rise to be a powerful Dark Sider, or he would lose control and become a wild beast. Either way, Plagueis could see paths down which to guide Shan that would decimate the Jedi and Republic, and make the Grand Plan's final act a thousand times more devastating than it currently was intended to be.

"Will Chancellor Palpatine be joining us?" Shan asked, breaking the silence.

"He shall be joining us shortly. There was a matter regarding the invasion of Naboo that needed his attention that he was unable to avoid." Plagueis knew Sidious would explain the details once he arrived, and that it would draw Shan's attention.

"How is the investigation into the Trade Federation progressing?"

"About as slowly as one would expect," Plagueis replied. "The exact details are a personal matter for my Co-Chancellor, and I feel it is best I allow him to bring you up to speed once he arrives." Shan nodded, accepting that and took a fifth sip of his whisky. While not the strongest drink that a Human could have, the Nabooian variety was potent. If he were not a Force user and thus trained to purge the toxins from his system, Plagueis might fear Shan would be inebriated before Sidious arrived.

After another ten minutes, in which Plagueis and Shan had spoken about several mundane events relating to their lives over the last year, the door to the office slid open. Plagueis turned, seeing his apprentice entering in a slightly hurried fashion. While he might not be able to pierce the protections Sidious used to hide his Force presence, after decades of training him, Plagueis knew how to sense the faint fluctuations Sidious generated within the Force when nearby.

"I do hope I'm not late," Sidious said, using that silken smooth grandfatherly tone he favoured when speaking with those he wished to ingratiate himself with, as he moved into the Force.

"Not at all uncle," Shan said as he stood, moving to greet Sidious. "I was just learning about the changes that have been forced upon the Senate due to their being Co-Chancellor."

Sidious' expression faltered, some concern slipping through. "I do hope such an irritating and boring discussion hasn't in any way soured your mood," he replied, grasping Shan's flesh and bone forearm with both of his hands.

Shan chuckled. "No. Thankfully Mag… Chancellor Damask was able to explain the rule changes without me feeling an urge to finish my glass."

Sidious smiled widely. "Thank the Force for that. I know that when I had the changes explained to me and was required to explain the rule alterations to the Senate and then get their support for my decision, I struggled to make it through the presentations without boredom overcoming me."

"I suspect that, given the Holonet reports about the Senate, that is something you have faced for some time, and, without it sounding as if I wish to cause you pain, that you and Chancellor Damask endure for years to come."

"We understand your meaning, even if the idea of spending anything more than a single term as Co-Chancellor has yet to become appealing," Plagueis interjected from the sofa where he remained sitting. With the attention of Shan returned to him, Plagueis gestured to the other sofas, suggesting the pair sit.

Sidious moved to Shan's side, and after placing a gentle hand on the young Human's back, guided him toward the sofas. Once closer, Sidious smirked. "I see that my Co-Chancellor has suggested a familiar drink for you."

"Indeed. The whisky is one I am quite enjoying," Shan said as he moved back to his seat.

Sidious stepped around the sofas and moved toward the stand behind Plagueis. "Then it would be remiss of me to not join you in sharing a bottle."

Shan sat down, offering Plagueis a nod which he returned, and then picked up his glass enjoying another sip of the whisky. "Oh, before I forget," He said just as Plagueis heard Sidious pick up his glass. Shan shifted, his artificial arm sliding into his robes. Plagueis watched carefully, curious as to what the Human was doing even as the Force assured him there was no incoming threat. "I wished to thank you, Chancellor Damask, for the ancient Jedi blade you gifted me for what happened on Mandalore, and to celebrate the ascension of both of you to the position of Chancellor."

Plagueis, sensing a faint shift in the Force – one hinting at a not-unwelcome surprise – placed his glass on the table between him and Shan. At the same time, Sidious moved to the third sofa and settled down as Shan searched around inside his robes.

"There is no need for you to feel obligated to return the favour. Your actions on Mandalore saved my life whereas this position isn't one I, thankfully, had to fight for my life to acquire."

Shan chuckled at Plagueis' comment. "True, but it is still a momentous moment to have two of the few people in this galaxy I consider colleagues hold the most powerful office in the Republic." It was interesting to Plagueis that Shan used colleagues instead of friends, but from the probe he had behind Shan's outer mental barriers, the Muun knew the Human was being trustful.

Plagueis nodded, accepting the reasoning only to then freeze as Shan pulled two wrapped objects from his robes. When the hand had searched for the gifts, there had been no hint in the Force of anything occurring, yet just before the objects appeared in his view, Plagueis had sensed an odd shift in the Force. That, however, was quickly ignored as the objects radiated in the Force in ways that Plagueis should've sensed before Shan had even entered the office.

Plagueis, along with his equally surprised – though only they knew the other was surprised – watched as Shan placed the objects on the table between the trio. The one that instantly had Plagueis' attention – which had a triangular shape was closer to him while the other – which was a cube – was placed near Sidious.

"What exactly are these?" Sidious asked with curiosity in his tone. That curiosity wasn't for the gifts, as both Sith could sense them through the Force and were well aware of what lay under the covers, but for how Shan had snuck them so close without either Sith Lord sensing them. Another wrinkle in the enigma that was Cameron Shan, and one that, along with the others, Plagueis assured himself he would uncover.

"As I said, I wanted to celebrate your position as Co-Chancellors, uncle, and when I was in your former office, I noted several pieces of art there. Forgive my prying, but I searched for them on the Holonet and was surprised to discover that they held connections to the Jedi."

Sidious gave the younger Human a warm, grandfatherly smile. "I had no idea you were that interested in my passions."

"I'm not, but the random burst of curiosity I had in a moment of solitude led me to research the items that decorated your former office. Then, after your elevation to Chancellor, the idea of offering something to celebrate your position." He paused and looked at Plagueis. "Your positions, I should say. The idea of celebrating that felt the right choice to make."

"Your actions in freeing my home from the illegal shackles of the Trade Federation are worth far more to me than my current position," Sidious replied, being the consummate politician.

"Perhaps, but I still felt I should honour our friendship with these gifts," Shan countered, showing some skill in convincing others. That was a subtle change in the Human, but one Plagueis had expected as Shan was now a Jedi Knight, and the Order, for all its flaws, made sure its members were decently skilled in public discourse as they rose through the ranks.

"Then in the spirit of friendship and the alliance we share, I am honoured to accept this… whatever it is." Sidious chuckled gently, gesturing at the still-covered object. The ease with which Sidious could convince others of his sincerity continued, even nearly half a century later, to impress Plagueis. While the Muun knew how to pretend to be Hego Damask perfectly, Sidious was a born master at the art of subtle misdirection and verbal trickery. The very reason that when Plagueis had searched the Force for his apprentice's true name, the word Insidious had come to mind. The Human from Naboo was born to slide his way into the graces of any around him; an effect that had advanced the Grand Plan to the point where Plagueis knew he would be the one, alongside his apprentice, to bring it to fruition. "May we uncover what you have brought us?"

"Of course," Shan replied with a good-natured smirk. The Jedi was enjoying the moment, and Plagueis made sure to reward him with a look of a seemingly genuine smile.

His arm stretched out, his long thin fingers grasping the cover and lifting it clear. Even though he knew he'd see a familiar red triangular pyramid under the cover, when his eyes landed upon it, Plagueis inhaled genuinely. Being gifted a Sith holocron by a Jedi while sitting in his office as a Co-Chancellor of the Republic was an ironic moment of such proportions that it deserved a truthful reaction.

"Oh my." Plagueis turned at his apprentice's authentic-sounding reaction. "Is this…"

"A Jedi holocron," Shan finished with a wide amused grin. "And that, Chancellor Damask, is a Sith one."

"I have never seen such a thing in person," Plagueis replied convincingly even as, in the deepest part of his mind, hidden from even his apprentice, he laughed at the sheer absurdity of the moment he was experiencing. Yet even as he did, the question of where Shan had acquired these holocrons danced around his thoughts. "Is it permissible for you to grant such objects to us?"

Shan shrugged. "What the High Council doesn't know about won't hurt them," He said in a quieter, conspiratorial tone. "Besides, knowing the Jedi Chief Historian, if I handed them over to her they would be locked away in some vault for years, if not decades. I'd probably also be dragged before the Council for days explaining where and how I obtained them. Specifically, that one," He added pointing at the Sith holocron in front of Plagueis.

Shan then leaned forward. "It would be wise to ensure that they aren't present in your offices if a member of the Order comes to speak with you." As he finished he offered an exaggerated wink, which drew an honest amused reaction from Plagueis.

"As much as the reaction of Masters Yoda or Windu to seeing such a thing in my office intrigues me, I accept and understand your caution," Plagueis replied. One day, he would display the holocron openly, but for now, he would heed the young Human's caution. Not least because having the Jedi learn about the holocron and how it came to be in his possession would place Shan in a position that currently didn't serve a useful purpose.

"As do I," Sidious agreed, his fingers brushing against the surface of the inferior Jedi copy of a Sith holocron. "That said, I am curious to learn how and where you discovered these marvellous items."

Sidious leaned closer, adding to his inquiry and Plagueis was pleased to see even during this moment of surprise, his apprentice was continuing to strengthen the connection he shared with Shan. Plagueis' connection to the Jedi wasn't as strong, as it lacked the personal connection that Sidious had developed with Shan while the younger Human had posed as his nephew during an assignment from the Jedi. Still, Plagueis intended to maintain and strengthen the connection as Sidious was doing so that Shan might unwittingly be brought into enacting the final stages of the Grand Plan.

"Yours I found many years ago on one of several expeditions I took part in below the Temple." Plagueis' brow rose, not expecting to hear that such items had been abandoned in such a location. "From what I've learnt, the tunnels there were once used by the Order thousands of years ago. Over time, and after multiple wars, they were abandoned and are now overrun by various creatures."

Shan turned to Plagueis. "This one, however, was one I discovered by chance. During a recent voyage of self-discovery, the Force led me to a location that subtly radiated the Dark Side. I faced a few challenges there, but in the end, clearing the area was a simple matter. That holocron, which is inert as far as I can tell, was the only thing I found there, and when combined with the other, I felt it would make an interesting gift for you Chancellor."

Thanks to his mental probe, Plagueis knew there was more to the story Shan was telling, but not enough to suggest that the Human was attempting to deceive him. If he wanted, Plagueis could discover what was being withheld, but doing so would require a more potent analysis of the Human's mind. Doing that would alert Shan to the truth of who Plagueis was, and while knowing the truth appealed, Plagueis knew Shan had a role to play still in the Grand Plan and that removing him from the equation could cause unexpected, and potentially devastating, ripples to that plan.

"Then like my Co-Chancellor, I am honoured to accept your gift, and will ensure that the Jedi remain unaware of its existence." Shan nodded, pleased with Plagueis' words. Plagueis knew that, once this meeting was over and he could withdraw to a more secure location, he would examine the holocron Shan had gifted him, but he doubted there would be anything of value held within it. Still, the item would have a place of importance in his residence simply for the improbable amusement of a Jedi gifting a Sith holocron to a Sith Lord. "I have seen images of holocrons, but I never expected to physically see one, much less be its owner."

"Then I'm happy to have fulfilled a long-held desire," Shan offered with a wide smile, enjoying the moment even if he might not understand the full depth of it. "If you have further questions about them, such as how to activate the Jedi one, I would be happy to demonstrate that to you. Though I would suggest we do that somewhere further from the Jedi Temple than our current location."

"Perhaps your apartment at Kaldani Spires?" Sidious offered.

"I do intend to stay there while here. The Temple… there are several members of the Order I would prefer to avoid," Shan offered, piquing Plagueis' curiosity. From the probe he was using, the Muun knew senior members of the Jedi would be able to pierce Shan's defences and sense the same darkness that Plagueis did. However, the brief images of several – some familiar – other members of the Order suggested that wasn't Shan's primary reason for staying clear of the Temple. "If it is acceptable, Chancellor."

"But of course," Plagueis responded. "The apartment – one of the best in the building besides my own – was transferred to the ownership of one Cameron Williamson not long after I granted it to you."

"Thank you," Shan said, not concerned about Plagueis using his penname. As he spoke, his flesh hand moved to the replacement limb and scratched at the metal as if it itched.

"Has the arm been causing you any issues?" Sidious asked, changing the subject based on Shan's actions.

"No, just a few lingering phantom pains."

"From what I hear that is something that continues for some time," Sidious said, his gaze on the replacement limb. "I note that you haven't chosen to have synthflesh placed over it."

Shan smirked and lifted the arm, using his other hand to pull back the sleeve of his robe and expose the full device. Plagueis noted the distinctive rippled effect of beskar covering the surface; a wise precaution to add to something that was both a weakness and a clear target for an opponent. Plagueis had known his mask had presented a target for any targeting him. That Shan had taken that flaw and turned it into an advantage, one that would allow him to grasp a lightsaber was another sign that the Human saw things through the eyes of a warrior.

"I did consider it. However, with the, shall we say extra features, then any time I use those the flesh would rip," Shan answered. "It's simple enough to hide its presence by wearing a glove so others are unaware of it." Shan turned the arm around, exposing the underside. That then slid open, revealing a chamber that was currently empty, but Plagueis noted was large enough to hold a lightsaber hilt. An interesting design choice, and reminiscent of how Plagueis hid his hilt inside a seemingly innocuous location. "Thank you again for the design," Shan added as he closed the section and lowered his arm.

"It was the least I and the Republic could do to honour your sacrifice in freeing Naboo," Sidious countered. "Much as Queen Amidala and the Naboo Ruling council by granting you citizenship on Naboo along with a residence in the Lake Country."

Shan chuckled. "I've yet to visit the place, but according to the details, I'm led to believe it's located close to both where the Queen grew up and your family's manor."

"It is, though I have not had much time to return to Convergence in the years since I became a member of the Senate. Perhaps, if time ever allows, we might arrange a shared vacation to Naboo. While far different from where Chancellor Damask lived, I believe he would enjoy the solitude of the region."

Plagueis lowered his head, accepting the idea put forth by his apprentice. It was unlikely to occur, as the demands of State and whatever plans Shan had for his future would take precedence. However, the idea of spending even a single week on a remote planet around Shan would be an ideal location to delve into the mysteries that seemed to swirl around the time-displaced Force user.

"On the chance the Republic is free of a crisis that requires the attention of its Chancellors, I shall endeavour to find time in my far quieter schedule for a shared vacation." There was humour at the idea in Shan's tone and facial expression, but underneath in, at the edges of what Plagueis could sense in the Human's mind, hints of concern, if not outright fear, flickered. Why that would be, Plagueis couldn't sense, but it was something he would need to meditate on later, on the remote chance that, for a currently unknown reason, Shan was in some way frightened of Plagueis and Sidious.

"Might I ask what other features the Mandalorian engineers added to your arm?" Plagueis probed. He expected Shan to be hesitant about directly answering, and before a verbal response came, Plagueis sensed that uncertainty from the Human's mind.

"I would prefer to keep such things unsaid, Chancellor. A few of the suggestions they offered, and that I may or may not have taken onboard, skirt Republic law."

"Understandable," he replied, accepting the excuse. Many parts of Republic law were, even ignoring the twisted logic applied after the Seventh Battle of Ruusan, so flawed and outdated that Plagueis still struggled to understand how they remained active. Yes, previous Sith Lords had influenced events to ensure the Reformation remained in place, but until Sidious came along, the direct ability to guide the Senate had never been present, meaning moves should have been made to lift some of the Reformation's restrictions. That they hadn't was both a blessing and curse that Plagueis and Sidious would have to untangle over the coming years for the Grand Plan to come to fruition.

"How has the Jedi Council reacted to your limb?" Sidious asked, taking control of the conversation in the way Plagueis had intended. Sidious would lead Shan down certain paths of inquiry while Plagueis would interject at times to probe for kernels of information that might be of use. "I suspect they would be concerned about more Mandalorian influence on your choices."

Sham bit down back a bark of laughter. "Much like the holocrons," he gestured at the table where the objects still rested, "The Council is unaware of the design and features of my new limb. As they haven't asked for details, I have chosen to not offer them." That had Plagueis smiling, as it was another sign that Shan was distanced from the Council, meaning he was free of their illogical thinking. With time before events reached their crescendo, that distance could be exploited to turn Shan into a useful element of chaos in the Republic, if not shape him into becoming an instrument of his and Sidious' to enforce the new order once it came into effect. "If I must speak with them, I will wear a glove and avoid drawing any attention to it."

"A wise choice," Plagueis offered while raising his glass. Shan returned the gesture.

"Chancellor Damask mentioned you were handling something relating to the invasion, uncle. Is there anything you can tell me about how the investigation into the Trade Federation is progressing?"

Shan's change of topic was a logical one, and that he was comfortable shifting smoothly, another sign he was learning the art of controlling – or at least guiding – meetings. Another small facet that could be turned to the Sith's benefit.

Sidious sighed loudly, showing annoyance. "Sadly, no. With the death of the Viceroy Gunray alongside that of his senior commanders, the trail has gone cold. Ideally, we would gather the files from the command vessel the Federation used to find more information. However, the Mandalorians are reluctant to provide the Republic access to the core of said vessel. So much so that when the Jedi assigned to that sector attempted to access the vessel, the Mandalorian leadership expelled him from the sector and filed a formal petition with the Senate."

That petition had not been one aimed at the Senate or Jedi overreaching, but at the fact that the Lucrehulk was private property. Even though the two most powerful figures in Mandalorian society had been involved in the battle for Naboo, they had acted outside diplomatic channels, and as such the Jedi who had trespassed had inflamed tensions between the Order and the Mandalorians. Plagueis already saw ways to use the strengthening and boisterous Mandalorians to help with the Grand Plan, but it was not yet time to antagonise those in the Outer Rim, not with the issues the death of Viceroy Gunray caused.

The new directorate of the Trade Federation, while not having the spine of even members of the Senate, wasn't as weak as Gunray had been. Sidious was working to bring them into line for what was to come, but the death of Gunray would push the project back slightly. With Master Dooku no longer a viable figurehead for the insurgency that would challenge the Republic, the delay caused by Gunray's death was manageable. Additionally, with him now as Co-Chancellor, it was conceivable that Plagueis could remain in office alongside his apprentice for longer than they might otherwise be able to by exploiting the rules of the Senate to their advantage.

Shan grunted at Sidious' description of events in the Mandalorian sector. "That the Council didn't see that reaction coming is embarrassing. The Mandalorians have long memories and still resent the actions taken by the Republic and Order centuries ago."

Plagueis nodded at Shan's words, remembering the flawed action taken during the Mandalorian Incision. While it was an unusually proactive one for the Jedi to take, there was some logic behind them having done so. The Mandalorians were rearming in the Outer Rim and the Jedi feared another conflict only a few centuries after the New Sith Wars. The flaw in their action was not in striking at the Mandalorians, but in believing that not wiping out the culture would somehow ensure the Mandalorians came to heel. They were a warrior people and the only way to break that resolve was to shatter their will to fight. Something Darth Revan had done millennia before over Malachor V.

While it was a minor point, Plagueis found it an amusing point of symmetry that the Jedi had tried to destroy the Mandalorians with the Incision. Yet now, with the chosen template of the Clone Army that was being constructed for the coming war, a Mandalorian would be the form of the Jedi's executioners. The Mandalorians would be a minor threat; the new order would have to be ground to dust after the Republic and Jedi fell, but before then they would have the chance to enact their revenge on the Jedi. In the service of the Sith, of course.

"Yes. The current Senator for their sector was quite clear in stating that when the incident was brought before the Senate," Plagueis offered, remembering the rather colourful language the Human had used to describe the Jedi, and by extension the Republic.

"Still, if those files would help the investigation, I can reach out to those who took the Saak'ak as payment for their help. While I don't think they'd allow Republic technicians to examine the core, I think I could convince them to provide a copy of it for a price." Shan rubbed his chin the way many Jedi did only to stop almost instantly and look at the hand as if offended by it. "At least if the vessel hasn't been broken apart and sold for scrap."

"It has not," Plagueis offered. "Our most recent intelligence reports suggest the Mandalorians are converting it into a defence station over their capital. Technically the armaments on the Lucrehulk violate the Ruusan Reformation. However, as it was the Trade Federation that armed the vessel, and with the Senate distracted by other matters – most of which are irritatingly irrelevant – no formal vote has been taken to demand the Mandalorians de-arm the vessel or hand it over to Republic security forces."

"Probably for the best," Shan commented with a chuckle. "Duke Adonai and the others are… less than impressed with the Senate. As their ancestors never agreed to the Reformation, instead having it forced upon them by the Republic and Jedi after the Dral'Han, I suspect that any request to disarm would be met with the opposite."

Sidious pulled back, seemingly shocked by the statement. "You think they would declare war on the Republic?"

"To conquer it? No. The majority of the Mando'ade have little interest in returning to those ways. However, if the Republic and Jedi demanded they disarm, insisted that they give up their spoils of battle and ignore their history and culture, they would fight." Shan paused there and as he ran a finger around the rim of his glass, Plagueis sensed the conflict this topic was causing within the young Human. "They couldn't win," Shan said as he continued, "but that has never been an issue for them before. Nor would it be again. However, if they went to war, defending their rights to self-governance in their sector and the apparent overreach of the Senate, they would not hesitate to fight as brutally as the legends claim that they did. Nor I suspect, would they do so alone. Many in the Outer Rim have grown, to put it gently, disenfranchised with the Republic."

"Would you stand with the Jedi or the Mandalorians in such a conflict?" Plagueis asked, taking the opportunity to see which way Shan's loyalty lay.

"I… I don't know," Shan said after a few moments of looking down at his glass. He sighed loudly and then looked up at the ceiling before continuing. "I'm Mando'ade yet a Jedi. To fight for one means betraying the other and the friends I have there. Either I become labelled a Dark Jedi – at best – by the Jedi, or marked as dar'manda by the other Mando'ade." He sighed and shook his head again. "That is a choice I pray I'm never forced to make."

Everything Shan had said was genuine, but through the crack in his mental defences, Plagueis sensed that he was holding something back. Images and feelings for people in both ideological camps fluttered through Shan's thoughts, with the daughter of Duke Adonai Kryze and A Jedi Padawan by the name of Serra Keto – the one taken by Master Windu as his apprentice – being the most prominent. Along with those images were the faintest of hints that, if the matter were forced, Shan would side with the Mandalorians. A useful titbit Plagueis felt he could use to shape Shan's path as he desired, and one that brought some amusement given Darth Revan's work to shatter the clans so long ago.

"While we cannot place you above the values this Republic holds dear – values that I freely admit have fallen far from the core of the Senate's thinking – I want you to know that I," Sidious paused and gestured at Plagueis, "That we will do what we can to ensure you aren't forced into that position." Plagueis nodded, agreeing with his apprentice's position. "There are voices in the Senate calling for attacks on the Mandalorians because of their choice to fight for Naboo. Thankfully, they are a very minor minority, and I have personally made sure their demands are kept from the Senate floor."

"Thank you," Shan said after Sidious' statement.

"Since we are all now present, and other matters handled, perhaps it might behove us to move to the reason we wished to speak with you before the Holomovie premiere of your creation," Plagueis said, shifting the conversation along. "A matter that brought us together in the first place."

Shan looked at him carefully, being mindful of his expression. "You've located more Vong?" Through the probe Plagueis had in his mind, he felt the pleasing flickers of rage hinting at the Vong brought forth. Shan kept it deep within himself, but now that he knew what to look for, Plagueis could sense the well of anger that rested at the very base of Shan's core.

As before, images of Duke Adonai's daughter and Shan's fellow Padawan flashed through Shan's mind, including a few that showed Shan indulging in more emotions than just his rage. There were hints of others that Shan had enjoyed carnal pleasure with, but it was the Mandalorian and Jedi that Plagueis sensed were Shan's greatest weaknesses.

Shan would turn from the Jedi, of that Plagueis was now assured. The Jedi would never allow him to remain in their ranks if they learnt of his connections to the two Human females. Yet, Plagueis also felt that Shan would jump before he was punished or imprisoned. That was an interesting facet that he would have to discuss with Sidious. Shan would be a useful tool, and potential ally, for the fall of the Republic. The trick was going to be guiding the young, and potentially immensely powerful Human in ways that helped more than hindered the Grand Plan.

"Sadly, no. If they have agents in Republic space they are doing an excellent job of remaining far from any light," Sidious replied with a shake of his head. "However, another Jedi has approached us about a project that has the potential to be turned to our advantage. Potentially even allowing us to locate Vong bases beyond Republic space." There was a flicker of curiosity from Shan; something that reminded Plagueis much of himself when a project grasped his attention. "Are you familiar with Jedi Master C'baoth?"

Shan paused, his eyes narrowing as he thought about the name. From behind the Human's shields, Plagueis saw an image of the Jedi Master hazily form. Shan was well aware of C'baoth but wasn't saying so instantly. That was very interesting.

"I've met him once or twice, though I know his Padawan, Lorana Jinzler better." As Shan replied, Plagueis sensed that C'baoth's Padawan was close to Serra Keto. Another small thread that might be of use.

"He has approached us with a rather interesting proposal. One that involves setting up new colonies beyond the Republic's borders and expanding our intelligence in the process."

"What exactly is he proposing?" Shan asked carefully, hints of doubt forming in his mind.

"An expedition, one of considerable but not insurmountable cost – in credits, resources, and people – into the Unknown regions. The base proposal would see around twenty to thirty thousand sentients, mainly civilians but accompanied by experienced hyperspace explorers and Jedi, into the Unknown Region. The current plan has them departing from Fondor, and with each new jump beyond Republic borders, navigational beacons would be deployed. The expedition would explore the systems surrounding those beacons, but their mission is to find the hyperspace lanes for others to follow while, if a suitable world is located, establishing a colony to act as a hub for Republic expansion into the area."

Shan leaned back, taking in the description of C'baoth's proposal. Even without the silver of connection through Shan's mental defences, Plagueis would have sensed Shan's scepticism of the idea as the Human didn't fully hide it from his expression. "While ignoring the Vong, it has some merit. The Republic has been almost embarrassingly reluctant to push into the Unknown Regions or Wild Space for the last few hundred years," Shan said slowly, surprising Plagueis in that he knew of this. The reason, beyond the Senate being engulfed in factional infighting during that time, was because the Sith had actively worked to prevent the Republic and Jedi from creating hidden colonies. Such things had the potential to cause unneeded complications for the Grand Plan, and if not for the threat of the Vong – and a few other considerations – Plagueis and Sidious would already have dismissed C'baoth's proposal. "However, if we consider the Vong, then the expedition is a waste of time."

"You maintain that the Vong came from beyond our galaxy?"

"Yes," Shan replied instantly to Sidious' query. "As I mentioned when we last spoke on the Vong together, Sekot was quite clear in referring to the Vong as Far Outsiders. That name alone makes clear that the Vong come from somewhere beyond the Unknown Regions."

"Are you certain the planet spoke to you, and it wasn't just the Force offering some form of insight or suggestion?" Plagueis asked. The concept of a world strong in the Force – beyond through the fauna and flora that lived upon it – wasn't as uncommon as many might believe, however, he retained doubt that any planet, even one as strong in the Force as places like Tython and Ossus were said to be, could communicate with a Force user.

"While the conversation took place within a fraction of a second for everyone around me, I know that I spoke to Sekot. Raven allowed me that connection as she was born of myself and Sekot." Plagueis nodded at Shan's words, accepting. While he and Sidious had yet to convince Shan to allow them to travel aboard his unique vessel Plagueis knew it was the only surviving Sekotan ship in the galaxy, suggesting that the planet held a connection to everything it created.

"If I might ask," Plagueis began, deciding to explore a train of thought regarding Shan's vessel, "I am curious as to how your vessel still functions. Others owned a vessel built by Sekotans, yet now, from what I have discovered, all have essentially withered and died."

Shan smirked and Plagueis sensed his amusement at the Jade Raven being one-of-a-kind. "As I said, it was through Raven that I was able to speak with Sekot. The planet warned me that my vessel would die when it left, and aware of that – and having no interest in dying in deep space – I acted." Plagueis leaned forward, curious as to how Shan had saved himself and his vessel. "I used the Force to shift the bond Raven held with Sekot to me."

Plagueis blinked, surprised at hearing that. A moment later, he sensed a shift in Shan's mind and as a different, yet almost familial presence reached through the Force to Shan, Plagueis was pushed from Shan's mind. Plagueis blinked, shocked at what had happened, though he recovered as he understood that it was the vessel that had helped Shan push away Plagueis' probe, using the moment of astonishment Plagueis had experienced at hearing how Shan had survived the departure of Sekot.

"I… I had no idea that such a thing was possible," Sidious said gently, wonder and disbelief clear in his tone and body language.

"Nor did I at the time," Shan replied with a chuckle. "Master Fay was also less than impressed with my actions, but as it saved our lives, and that of the others with us, she chose to absolve me of punishment for my recklessness."

Plagueis nodded, both in agreement with Fay's choice and at how Shan described his actions. Reckless was an apt word for doing what he had done, yet as he thought on the matter – and his interest in observing the Jade Raven closely actively grew – Plagueis realised that Shan's actions were another moment where he failed to act like a Jedi. Instead of following their pathetic ideal of allowing the Force to decide their fate, Shan had lashed out and bent the Force to his demands; an action that had saved him, Master Fay, the vessel, and others. An impressive, if dangerous for one so young, display of power and another hint that Shan was destined to step away from the Jedi.

"Well, I…" Sidious paused and looked at Plagueis, "We are glad that your instinctive choice worked. Without it, we would have remained blissfully unaware of the threat to the Republic these Vong represent. And we would have lost a young friend."

Shan nodded, accepting the comment and he seemed pleased to have Sidious and Plagueis consider him friends. Plagueis wished he were still inside the outermost defences of the Human's mind, as he wondered if there might be something Shan was hiding from them. However, he knew that unless another moment of shock occurred to Shan, he'd be unable to slide past the barriers the Jedi had around his thoughts without alerting him.

"Is there anything else you can add that can support your theory that the Vong come from beyond our galaxy?" Plagueis asked, shifting the conversation back on-topic. While there was still a decent amount of time until either he or Sidious would need to end the meeting, if they tallied too long on a side issue such as Shan's starship, it would cost them that time. It might also make Shan even more reluctant to allow either of them access to his remarkable vessel.

"Beyond the fact that Sekot referred to the Vong as Far Outsiders and that their technology, unless you've discovered anything about it, is entirely unlike anything in the Republic, no. However, I know in my heart, and in the Force, that the Vong aren't from our galaxy or even one of the satellite galaxies nearby."

"I still find it hard to comprehend that any species could endure the centuries, if not millennia, that it would take to traverse the distance between our galaxy and its comparable neighbour."

"As do I, uncle. However, when one eliminates the impossible…" Shan trailed off.

"… all that remains, however improbable, must be the truth," Plagueis finished. He was well aware of that statement, in the various forms that it existed within the Republic. Hearing it from one so young was unexpected, but in this situation, it was logical that it was used.

Shan nodded, pleased to see Plagueis finish what he was saying even as Plagueis continued. "Like both of you, I remain reluctant to accept the concept that the Vong originate from beyond our galaxy. Such things are beyond my areas of expertise." True for Hego Damask if not so for Plagueis. "That said, if the Vong are preparing to invade the Republic, then they would need some form of forward operation. If that was inside Republic space, or in a system known to us, then it would only be a matter of time until rumours would begin to swirl in cantinas in the Outer Rim of a new species existing beyond the laws of the Republic. While I admit that, given our positions in society it is unlikely that such rumours would reach us directly, the various sources that Damask Holdings have spread throughout the galaxy have heard nothing. Based on that, it is not logical to accept that the Vong's base is somewhere beyond the Republic's influence. Such as the Unknown Regions?"

Shan took his time considering the matter, showing once more that he was mature enough to understand that careful consideration was required for any major decision. While he thought on the matter, Plagueis considered C'baoth.

Sidious had cultivated a friendship with the Jedi Master; a title C'baoth had appointed for himself, and the Jedi Council had allowed him to keep. That made clear that C'baoth had an arrogant streak that was exploitable, and he had a natural capacity to persuade others to his side. That would serve him well if he were convinced to play the role Plagueis had hoped to place Master Dooku into. That it was because of the Human before him that Sidious had to shift from Dooku to C'baoth was not lost on Plagueis.

"It does. It would also allow us to scout out other potential threats that might exist beyond the limits of Republic sight." Plagueis nodded in agreement, pleased to see Shan had a small streak of paranoia and caution. Those might well allow him and Sidious to further manipulate Shan to accelerate his departure from the Jedi. "While the final choice lies with both of you, I see no harm in allowing Master C'baoth's idea to be further considered. Though I can see ways to enhance the project."

"It is probable that, given his ability to convince others of his point of view, Master C'baoth could gather the funding needed for this project without Senate approval," Plagueis offered honestly. "That said, if we do offer our support, we would, of course, demand greater input into the project and its goals."

"Which is where I see ways to enhance things," Shan offered almost conspiratorially. As if he enjoyed the idea of corrupting C'baoth's project to serve his interests.

"Such as?" Sidious asked gently, taking the final sip from his glass.

"Expanding the number of people involved, be they civilians, explorers, and Jedi, in the mission. Adding dedicated reconnaissance vessels to probe further from the main vessel after each successful jump. Researchers trained to spot signs of advanced civilizations in these remote systems the voyage would travel near to. Maybe even adding a decent military compliment on the chance a hostile threat is discovered."

"All very sound suggestions, and ones we will pass along to Master C'baoth when we next speak with him about the project."

Shan nodded at Plagueis taking on his ideas. Those ideas were ones he and Sidious had already considered, but there was value in letting Shan believe he had come up with them. "That said, I still doubt they'll find any sight of the Vong. Fondor is on the wrong side of the Core. Even if they do, I suspect that the Jedi assigned to the mission, unless able to think laterally, will stand little chance against a decently seasoned Vong warrior."

"I concur that the chances of locating the Vong in the Unknown Regions are remote. As you said, there is the potential that this proposal might reveal new threats to the Republic, but might I postulate another theory? That the Vong's use of organic technology and immunity to the Force isn't unique? There may well be a race in the Unknown Regions that has similar abilities. Discovering them would, in theory, allow us to create a base to work from for countering the Vong whenever they make their move against the Republic."

Shan inclined his head. "There is wisdom in your words, Chancellor, and it is another reason that support for Master C'baoth's project has merit. My concern there would be getting the Senate to do anything about it. From what I have read on the Holonet, the attempts by your Co-Chancellor to advance any form of re-armament of the Republic have met with stiff resistance."

Sidious sighed loudly at the reminder of the delays and misdirection the Senate was inflicting on Chancellor Palpatine's attempts to strengthen the Republic's security forces. "Sadly, you are correct on that," Sidious replied in a tired tone. "Like yourself, I remain convinced that increased security for the Republic – in the Core and beyond – is the best way to secure the galaxy. However, many are reluctant to see the wisdom of this position."

In truth, the reason measures for increased funding for security or military projects had failed to make it from the Senate floor was that Sidious was acting from the shadows against himself. Plagueis was also working, though his focus was on business leaders elsewhere, getting them to pressure their Senators to not support Palpatine's proposals. If they moved too soon, then the spark needed for the destruction of the Republic would fail to ignite as intended. That would dent the levers they needed to pull to initiate the fall of the Republic while ruling it from its centre.

"I have faith in you uncle, in both of you," Shan added, giving Plagueis a nod to make clear he wasn't favouring one Chancellor over the other, "That you will bring the changes needed for a safe and secure galaxy through the Senate. I just hope that they arrive before the Vong make their move."

"You flatter us with your faith, Cameron," Sidious replied with one of those warm, grandfatherly smiles that no one who didn't know the truth of the man could ever believe was anything but genuine. "While the Senate is designed to serve the people of the Republic, many of its members are more interested in self-gain and influence than pursuing the duties expected of them. It grows more complicated in that, with my elevation to the Chancellorship, every position on every panel in the Senate is now up for grabs. Each Senator is out for themselves, seeking a position of importance on various sub-committees and tribunals. Once Magister Damask was approved as my Co-Chancellor, that chaos only grew more powerful as now the Senators had two figures to not only seek patronage from but attempt to turn to their agenda."

"The more things change," Shan muttered with a grunt of annoyance. Plagueis was not sure where Shan had experienced the rantings and ravings of such self-interested fools as he had been dealing with in the Senate, but it was clear his dislike of the current setup of the Senate was genuine. "I wish there was something I could do to help, but beyond suggesting taking some Senators out the back of the building and convincing them to see reason, there's little I can do to help."

Plagueis allowed a true smile to spread over his face at the idea. He wouldn't deny that he had considered arranging meetings between his true self and a handful of Senators and knew that Sidious regularly felt the same. The pathetic mewling of the various so-called civilised sentients that composed galactic governance was a test of his patience that Plagueis had not expected to have to endure at this point in his life. Sadly, as much as the idea of dismembering various Senators wasn't possible, nor was Shan's factitious suggestion of other persuasive methods, the fact the Human had gone there as a joke was an interesting and amusing moment.

"Perhaps there is something you might be able to do," he said slowly as an idea came to mind. "I understand from my Co-Chancellor that you have no interest in setting foot inside the Senate Chamber and addressing its members."

"Not unless it's to burn the place down, no," Shan shot back with a smile that made it clear he was joking.

Plagueis nodded, putting aside the ease with which Shan could joke about violent options. "Then perhaps you might be willing to speak to a handful of reporters? There you could put forth your opinions on how the failings of the Senate, and the lack of proper security for the Republic, created the situation which placed a peaceful world like Naboo ended up in the crosshairs of a galactic conglomerate."

Shan tapped his chin until stopping suddenly and again looking at the hand as if it had done something to insult him. "I'm uncertain what good that would do, Chancellor," he said after lowering the offending hand. "I'm only a Jedi Knight and a young one at that. And then there's how the Council would react to me making policy without consulting them on the matter. Without going into detail, I have little interest in being pulled before them yet again."

"That is indeed an issue, and as all Force users are nominally under the control of the Jedi Order, there is little we could do to influence their decisions."

"Probably would make it worse," Shan added with a sigh and a shake of his head.

"Indeed, though perhaps I can see a way around at least the latter of those issues," Sidious offered, taking the point over as intended. "When we attend the premiere of your creation, we will no doubt be asked our opinions on it and several other matters. It would not take much for a rumour to be released regarding the investigation into the Trade Federation to reach the reporters. With that, they would ask our opinion. If, while one of us answers that question, you were present behind us, perhaps even offering a few nods of agreement, it would provide extra weight to our words and grant you protection from the threat of the Jedi Council questioning you for speaking on the matter."

"In theory, that should work," Shan said slowly, once more weighing his thoughts before speaking. "However, wouldn't using such a public event to call out the inaction of the Senate cause those members loyal to the Federation and its allies to become more stubborn in their resolve to deflect and obstruct your work?"

Sidious laughed softly. "Once more you show an understanding of how politics works while having no apparent interest in stepping into the arena."

"Some of the first lessons of my grandfather and then from you, uncle, have had more of an effect on me than perhaps I would like," Shan explained with a smirk, drawing a chuckle from Sidious.

"It seems they have. And to answer your question, while there is a risk that having you subtly support our position regarding the Trade Federation and increased military spending will alienate and harden the stances of the more disagreeable Senators, it is not them we need to convince. Public support for increased security has risen steadily since the invasion of Naboo, and while there is not yet majority support for any sort or restoration of a centralised military, there is a large and growing minority who back the concept."

"I hadn't realised the public, or at least those on Coruscant, clamoured for such things," Shan said slowly, faint, indistinct hints of worry emanating from him.

"Nor do most of the Senate and their adjuncts. However, polling carried out over the last year backs up my words. Indeed, support for increased security spending stands at around sixty-five per cent." The polls Sidious was mentioning were ones discretely supported by Damask Holdings and phrased in such a way that the idea of increased security and military forces held a greater appeal than the other opinions.

"Then, so long as I'm not asked for a direct opinion – in which case I will defer to the position of the Council to not interfere in affairs of the Senate – I see no issue with this idea. Even if I'd prefer to avoid the limelight altogether," Shan added with a disarming smile.

It was obvious to anyone that Shan had no interest in being drawn into the political arena, but as Plagueis had observed today, on occasion before, and from talking with Sidious, the young Human had a spark for knowing how the game was played. It was a shame that he was just barely an adult by Human standards, as with another decade of training and guidance, there was a path where Shan would be a greater orator than Master Dooku was and would have made an excellent figurehead for the internal threat the Gran Plan needed for its final execution.

"There is one other concern I have," Shan continued slowly, his smile falling away. "By standing so firmly in your camp I might draw attention to both of you that I'd prefer not to do." By the time he finished, Shan's focus was purely on Plagueis.

"I have spent my life living with the threat of assassination by lesser beings," Plagueis replied, "my mask is a reminder of that. Therefore, I fail to see how having it publicly known that I consider the Hero of Naboo a friend would increase the threat against me. Particularly considering the threat has risen significantly since becoming Co-Chancellor."

Shan inhaled deeply, his artificial limb reaching toward his belt. "The reason I say this Chancellor, is that after the events of Naboo, and my battle with the Sith there, I discovered something deeply concerning." Shan pulled a small datacard from a pouch on the belt. "You and the Jedi Council are not the only ones to have seen the recording of my duel. Master Dooku was also given a copy, one he shared with a former Padawan of his that he has been… counselling."

Shan leaned forward and handed the datacard to Plagueis. As he did so, the Muun saw his eyes glance at Sidious. Plagueis' brow rose as he took the datacard, wondering where Shan was going with this. Around them, Plagueis sensed a faint shift in the Force; one almost imperceivable but to those with decades of experience listening for such minute alterations.

"Beyond a rather unenjoyable review of my technique in the battle," Shan continued with another disarming smile once he had leaned back, "it seems his former Padawan, one Komari Vosa, had seen the Zabrak before."

"Who is this Vosa?" Sidious asked, his face curious even as the weak ripple in the Force grew fractionally stronger. Plagueis knew these gentle changes often lead to something major, but he currently failed to see where Shan was taking this discussion.

"Beyond having been part of the failed Jedi operation Baltizaar," Plagueis knew instantly of the operation in question, "Vosa was the head of the Bando Gora during my… residency with the group."

Plagueis' brow rose, both at learning the failed Jedi had been the Bando Gora's leader – as it was probable she was a figure of importance during their involvement in the attack on his compound on Sojourn – and because Shan's fury was rising. It was understandable Shan held resentment toward the one responsible for his torture by the Bando Gora, but that was a minor issue as Plagueis sensed he knew where this topic was heading, and he could feel flickers of his own, deeply controlled rage shifting.

"I'm not sure if you're aware Chancellor, but it seems the Bando Gora under her leadership were involved in the attack on you that left you needing your mask."

"I was not," Plagueis replied honestly, allowing a hint of his anger to slip into his tone. Between them, Sidious sat perfectly still, no hint of anything amiss in his body nor within the force. Yet, as his master, Plagueis knew this was a sign Sidious was either hiding something or bracing for an assault. That, when combined with Shan's words created some rather concerning questions; ones that seemed to feed the infinite pool of rage that Plagueis kept under control within himself.

"Ah, then I shall have to reach out to my Master and see if she would be willing to provide full details of the attack." Plagueis nodded his thanks, though it was immaterial. The others involved had all been dealt with. Or at least the ones that Sidious had managed to locate. It was strange, in many ways, that he would fail to learn of the involvement of a Dark Side cult in the attack. "Anyway, it was just before my time under her care," Shan made little effort to hide his feelings on that, though he pushed them aside as he continued, "that she met the Zabrak. Indeed, according to her, and that datacard holds a recording of her report to Master Dooku, he was involved, indirectly it seems, in the attack as well."

Plagueis blinked, letting a hint of his surprise and rage slip out. "I was unaware that I had acquired the attention of the Sith," he said slowly, his eyes staying on Shan and not, as he wished, his apprentice. The barriers he placed around his mind to both hide his true persona from others and maintain external composure were at their fullest; a position they had not been in several years and one only used when either his impulses threatened to overwhelm him, or he was about to step into a true test of his abilities.

To his side, Sidious showed shock at Shan's words, yet Plagueis couldn't tell if this was an act or a truthful reaction. Voices whispered that his apprentice had attempted to remove him from his position of Dark Lord of the Sith; to usurp his position and power without directly challenging him. Plagueis was enraged that Sidious would both do so without directly facing him and that it suggested Sidious no longer wished to rule the galaxy as equals. If he ever had.

"Nor did I Chancellor," Shan replied, granting Plagueis something to focus on and prevent the cold fury of a raging star that dwelled within him from engulfing the room they were in, and the planet they stood upon, in his desire for answers and vengeance. "However, once I learnt of it, I felt I had to inform you of it. The issue was that I couldn't risk sending such dangerous material over the Holonet. Nor even by a secure courier." Shan glanced toward the large window that was behind Plagueis' desk before continuing. "I feel the Sith are watching me closely, and I didn't want them to be aware that I knew of this, thus I felt it best to deliver it personally."

A few minutes ago, Plagueis would have been amused at how right Shan was about the Sith watching him, and how blissfully unaware he was that he was speaking with the sentients in question. However, with the reveal of Sidious' assassin's involvement in the attack on him, Plagueis found nothing even remotely amusing. Indeed, the only thing that swelled within him was a desire to learn the truth from Sidious, and if necessary remind his apprentice that while they were Co-Chancellors, he was the Master and Sidious the Apprentice. "I thank you for this information," he said to Shan, separating the rage directed at Sidious from the persona of Hego Damask, "and I will speak with my personal security about increasing their efforts to protect me."

As he said that, Plagueis slipped the datacard in his hand, one he had almost come close to crushing at the shock of learning Sidious had a hand in the attack on Sojourn, and his desire for vengeance, into his pocket. He would be reviewing the recording on it carefully. Ideally, while Sidious was writhing on the floor in unbridled agony as Plagueis reinforced that he was the Master.

"This is troubling news and something that needs further investigation," Sidious said slowly, no hint of fear of Plagueis slipping into his performance nor leaking from behind the immaculate defences he had around his Force presence. If not for knowing that Palpatine was a stage for Sidious, Plagueis would have believed his Co-Chancellor was shocked and deeply concerned by what Shan had revealed. "While it isn't your forte, perhaps you might speak with Senate security to see if there are any flaws in the protection – both in the Senate and at the upcoming premiere – around Chancellor Damask and myself that a Sith could exploit?"

Shan nodded. "I doubt there is anything I would find that could be exploited, but I see no harm in doing so. The Sith now seem to prefer moving from the shadows than open declarations of war." Again, such a statement should have brought Plagueis some amusement, yet it failed to do so. The persona of Hego Damask simply nodded in response as Plagueis fought to retain control over it, as for the first time in decades, he questioned his actions with Sidious and wondered if he, like everyone else, had been deceived by the Human from Naboo.

"Excellent," Sidious reached into his robes, and for the faintest of seconds, the Force whispered to Plagueis that his apprentice was going for a lightsaber. That he was going to attack both himself and Shan here and now. Plagueis pushed aside those feeble whispers from the Force. He had long ago mastered his control over it and would never return to the mindless creature he had been in those early years under Darth Tenebrous' tutelage. "Sate," Sidious said into the small communication device he pulled from his robes, "bring in a copy of the security for the premiere later this week along with the layout of protection in the Senate." He closed the link without waiting for a reply from his primary adjunct.

An idea formed in Plagueis' mind, one that might allow him to learn the truth of Sidious's role from one not nearly as skilled in misdirection as his Apprentice. Sate Prestage knew the truth of who Palpatine was, and while he had training to serve the Sith, he was not sensitive enough to the Force that he would be able to resist Plagueis' questioning. The same was true of the others that Sidious had relied on for years as first a Senator and now Chancellor. The others might know something, but if any of the group was aware of Sidious' plans, it would be Sate. From the simple Human, Plagueis would learn the truth, or at least move a step closer to discovering it.

Plagueis pulled his hand from his pocket, releasing his grasp on the datacard. He didn't wish to damage it, not before he could examine it carefully and go over the events that resulted in the destruction of his compound on Sojourn.

As Sidious shifted the topic, asking Shan about what he had been doing over the last year, Plagueis' mind rewound to roughly the same amount of time. Back to the evening after Sidious had been confirmed as Chancellor, and Plagueis had arrived to celebrate the next step in the Grand Plan coming to fruition.

They had shared a toast over Sidious' success in manipulating events to serve their purpose and wondered how the assassin would do against Shan on Naboo. While they enjoyed a drink, there had been a moment when the Force had shifted, and they had felt ripples of rage reaching across the galaxy. Shan had, for a few moments, lost his control and in those moments, Plagueis had sensed the Force tensing: as if expecting some grand change.

At the time, when nothing had seemingly happened he had dismissed it. Afterwards, once news of Shan's victory reached them, he believed that was what the Force was readying itself for. Yet now, with this additional information of Sidious' assassin being involved in the attempt on his life, Plagueis wondered if the Force had been expecting Sidious to make his move against him. To alter the plans by striking him down and becoming the new Dark Lord of the Sith.

He would not be sure of that for some time, perhaps not even after interrogating Sidious and his minions, but Plagueis now had to consider the possibility that Sidious was not as committed to ruling as an equal as he had claimed for several decades.

That drew Plagueis' thoughts back to Shan, and to the young Togruta Padawan who had been captured when Master Sifo-Dyas had died. Perhaps, just perhaps, he would need to implement a contingency plan, much as Tenebrous had done with Venamis. A second apprentice to gain revenge if Sidious proved as disloyal as he might well be.

… …

---

… …
(Cam's POV)
I stood on the balcony of my apartment in Kaldani Spires. It was as impressive as Chancellor Damask had suggested and while technically it was under the ownership of my pseudonym, it was mine. The idea that anyone seeing a Jedi enter the building and spending the night would wonder who I was visiting amused me more than It probably should, as did the fact that the apartment was as heavily bugged as I'd expected. So much so that I wondered if there were monitoring devices in the toilet, waste bins, and the like.

Because of those bugs, I was routing everything through my arm, ensuring the signals weren't filtered through the building's communication grid first. Even with military-grade encryption installed in the limb, I'd rather not take the chance the Banite Sith learnt about whatever I discussed. Amusingly, if they did somehow catch the transmissions I'd made, and then break the encryption, they'd discover I'd only spoken to HK about how he, R2, and Raven were doing.

My ship was docked on one of the lower levels of the tower, in a larger hangar than most of the other vessels and vehicles present. As the Spires were a high-end private complex with private security, the lowest floors had been converted into hangars and garages, some of which could handle the arrival of a light cruiser. Raven wasn't that big, but the hangar assigned to this apartment was large enough for such a vessel.

To reach my apartment I'd first had to navigate the Sun Guard that Damask Holdings had as security, and then because my apartment was close to the penthouse, deal with the Senate Guard. Neither group had caused me any issue as each stepped willingly aside for a Jedi, but I suspected the former would be less cordial if I arrived in full Mando'ade armour.

Turning back and looking into the apartment, my gaze saw the insanely large bed that dominated an almost as impressive bedroom. That thing was big enough that five or six people could sleep in it comfortably, and that was before the two smaller rooms attached to it for attendants were taken into consideration. Sadly, I didn't have anyone to share the bed with, nor would I as it would mean revealing just how close I was to certain people.

Turning back to take in the skyline of the sector the Spires were located in as the sun slowly set, my focus shifted toward where the Senate and Temple districts were. I could make out both buildings easily enough, and it was to the Temple my thoughts turned. Or more accurately, Serra.

I knew she wasn't there as I could sense she was far above me, but it was hard to not think about her while on the planet. That she was away was another matter, and I couldn't help but wonder if Windu was actively choosing to keep her away from me by taking a mission while head of the Council. However, that was likely just some paranoia on my part as Windu shouldn't know I had returned for the premiere of Fellowship of the Ring.

There was also the fact that, even if Serra had been in the Temple, I wouldn't head there to speak with her. The defences I'd created around myself weren't anywhere near as ready as Dooku had suggested they were. Plagueis had breached them barely a few minutes into my arrival in his office, and while the Interface had alerted me to the intrusion into my thoughts, there was little I could do to drive him from my mind. The only saving grace I had was that he didn't push too deeply, as that would've revealed what he was to me, and that reaching out to Raven while talking about how I saved her, and her then reaching back had been enough to push the probe from my mind without Plagueis reacting.

If either of those moments had gone differently, then I'd not be standing here and HK and R2 would have alerted the Council to the fact the Chancellors were Banite Sith Lords. Thankfully, that chain of events – and the chaos it would've unleashed along with my probable death – hadn't come to pass. Still, it was clear that after the premiere, I had to stay the fuck away from this world until my mental defences were ready to engage Jedi Masters and Sith Lords.

While Plagueis had broken through that outer layer of defences I'd created, the fact he hadn't pushed deeper, and that I'd made sure to keep thoughts about Anakin buried as deeply as I could manage – even using the pit of rage I had created to manage the fact I couldn't let go of such emotions properly as a screen – meant he and Sidious shouldn't be aware of my son. I'd let images of others, including Serra and Bo, slip out as the Banite Sith were aware of my connection to both, and not revealing anything would've alerted Plagueis that I knew of his probe. Which again would have resulted in either my imprisonment and torture by him or death at his hands.

Regardless of how much Plagueis did or didn't know, I'd be leaving the planet as soon after the premiere as I could. Ideally, that very evening, but I suspected the Chancellors, along with Padmé and a few others, would want me to attend some after party or other.

I sighed to myself, wondering how the premiere would go, and if the changes I'd insisted on that had been made in my former life to make the movies more enjoyable would appeal to enough that they'd be the success I felt they should be. I'd earned a ton of credits from selling the rights already, but the better the movies did, the more I'd earn from them and the holonovels, and potentially draw in new readers to the Knights of the Old Republic series.

A gentle vibration from my artificial arm cut me from my thoughts. Lifting my arm, I opened the comm channel with a thought and a small hologram of HK appeared on top of my forearm.

"Information: You have an incoming call, Master." His voice was relayed to a small receiver I had in my ear, ensuring that any recording devices would only catch my side of any conversation I had.

"From whom?"

"Answer: Jedi Padawan Rachi Sitra."

My brow raised at hearing Rachi was contacting me. The only person I'd reached out to at the Temple as I'd approached Coruscant had been Tedra. "Route it through, though increase encryption as high as you can." There was little I expected either of us to say that would be troublesome, but the less the Banite Sith knew of my friendships with other Jedi, the better it would be for them and myself.

HK's hologram disappeared without a response and a few seconds later the familiar shape of a Twi'lek Jedi replaced it. Since the hologram generated a blue image, there'd be no way for any recorders to know exactly which Twi'lek I was speaking with.

"Hello Cameron," Rachi said with an amused smile, "it's been some time."

"That it has. How are you doing?" I asked, avoiding using her name.

Rachi shrugged. "As good as normal. Master Nu is busy reorganising sections of the archives, and as such I've had more time than normal for private study."

"That's nice," I replied wondering why she had contacted me but not saying it because of who might be listening.

"Tedra has just left on a mission with Master Ti," Rachi said, answering the question of where the young Zabrak girl was. "Since she didn't have time to respond to your call, she asked me to do so." The smile she wore grew wider. "According to her, it seems you like to be kept abreast of what's happening within the Temple."

"That's a simplistic way to put it, but not entirely inaccurate."

Rachi chuckled. "Then why don't you just come to the Temple and see for yourself?" She shifted her stance, pushing her rather ample chest to the forefront. "I have been longing to know when I could next spar with you." The way she said spar suggested she might have another meaning to the word, which was in keeping with her character. While she had long since toned down the flirtatious tones and gestures, as Serra now didn't react as aggressively to them as she once had – thank the Force – Rachi still enjoyed doing so. At least, from what I'd learnt the last few times I'd been to the Temple when she spoke with me.

"Do you enjoy lying down and looking up at me that much?" I shot back, teasing her. I didn't intend to bed her, but as the idea of casual relationships was acceptable to the Order, provided they stayed that way, if she made clear that she wanted to take the flirting further I'd not say no. Bedding a Twi'lek – along with females of a few other species – was a personal goal of mine, but I wasn't going to bed just any Twi'lek that caught my eye. I had some standards no matter what Bo and Naz might jokingly say.

"Perhaps," Rachi replied with another soft chuckle, "or perhaps, like many in the Order, I wish to test myself against the first Jedi in centuries to defeat a Sith." My brow rose, wondering how she had learnt of that. While the Council had forbidden me from speaking of the matter and had likely done the same for Serra, it seemed the Temple's rumour mill was as active as ever. "For the record, Serra's not spoken to anyone but a handful of Masters about the death of Master Drallig. Nor has Tedra said anything." The young Zabrak didn't know much, but it was good to see she could keep a secret. "Sia-Lan, however, has no such issues." Rachi's expression slipped, and she shook her head. "I don't know what you did, or perhaps didn't do, but because of her, the Temple is aware of what happened on Naboo."

"How did the Council react to her doing that?" The order they'd placed on Serra and me was stupid, as even if we had obeyed – which I hadn't – the Mando'ade had copies of the fight recorded, and the Naboo would speak about things as well. Yet the fact that Sia-Lan was the one to reveal it to the Order, in what I suspected was an attempt to turn more of them against me, was amusing.

"I don't know exactly, but about two months after Naboo, Sia-Lan and her Master left on assignment. One they've yet to return from." I laughed gently at her getting punished for trying to bad-mouth me. "What did you do to anger her?" Rachi asked, leaning closer to the projector.

"Don't know, don't care," I replied bluntly. If Sia-Lan wanted to continue blaming me for Master Drallig's death, that was her choice. She wasn't someone I particularly cared about, however, if her actions influenced Serra and cost me my oldest friend, then I'd be returning to the Temple to spar with Sia-Lan. An event she would not enjoy in the slightest.

Rachi smirked widely. "Scuttlebutt is that she's not happy you spend more time with Serra, Aayla, and even me instead of her." Her tone was mischievous, and I couldn't help but laugh at the implication of her suggestion.

"Bad-mouthing me to others isn't going to fix that issue," I replied with a shake of my head. "Anyway, how are things at the Temple?" I asked, shifting the conversation to one of the reasons I'd initially reached out to Tedra.

"Honestly, not much. Most of our friends are away on assignment, so it's far too quiet around here for my liking." Rachi paused as if considering something. "Actually, your friend, Darihd?" I nodded confirming that and knowing where this was going. "Well, he and Master Sifo-Dyas are overdue for their assignment. Or at least that's what Master Nu has hinted at when I've asked about them."

"I'm sure they've simply been delayed by unexpected complications," I replied, ignoring that I knew the pair were dead. I'd failed Sifo-Dyas' Changing Fate quest, and the consequence of that was losing Darihd as well. I'd mourned for my friend, but let go of any residual anger about it as best I could as I'd not wanted it present when I'd met the Banite Sith.

"Probably," Rachi replied though I wasn't sure she believed it. "Anyway, while I've got you here, can you tell me what you've been up to? If you do, I'll tell you what I've discovered." She ended that with a wink; one hinting that I'd like whatever it was she had to say.

I wasn't so sure I would as while Rachi was pleasant enough, she often dove deeply into mysteries that I didn't have much interest in. "Not that much, I've just been wandering the galaxy, letting the Force guide me to where it felt I needed to go," I replied as I moved into the apartment, figuring that if I was going to endure an enthusiastic report of her dealings since we'd last spoken, I might as well get comfortable.

It wasn't like I had much to do this evening, so I figured letting the cute Twi'lek explain whatever project had caught her eye was as good a way to pass the time as any. At least without leaving my apartment and wandering some of the lower levels of the planet.

"Somehow I suspect there's more to it than that," Rachi queried, her eyes watching me carefully. "The idea that you've spent a year without getting into some sort of trouble is as likely as Master Windu smiling."

"I'll have you know I've seen him smile," I shot back, ignoring the dig about how my luck seemed to draw me into trouble. "But there was one instance when I ran into a group of Trandoshan slavers-come-child-kidnappers."

As I reached the main sofa in the centre of the living room, I settled down into it, reaching for a glass of Nabooian whisky. As Chancellor Damask had promised, a crate had been in the apartment by the time I arrived. Said crate carried several monitoring devices so it wouldn't be getting brought aboard Raven. A few of the bottles had similar issues, but as I wasn't willing to leave behind the whisky, those bottles – or at least the ones I didn't finish before I left Coruscant – would be slipped into my Inventory, preventing the Banite Sith from tracking my movements.

"Disgusting," Rachi said, shaking her head. "I hope you turned them over to Republic security forces?"

I chuckled before taking a sip of my whisky. "No. They were reluctant to allow themselves to be captured so I was forced to enter aggressive negotiations." Rachi chuckled, catching the implication. "Anyway, what has been happening in the Archives? Any new holocrons popping up?"

It was unlikely she'd know such things, but learning even the slightest detail of the security arrangements for the Archives might have value in future. And while she wasn't present, Watching Rachi speak animatedly, even if just as a holocron, wasn't the worst way to spend an evening.

… …

---

… …
As the doors to the transport opened, I raised my arm, shielding my eyes from the blinding cornucopia of camera flashes. "This was a bad idea," I muttered as Chancellors Palpatine and Damask stepped from the transport, into the visual assault. Once the pair were out, I moved toward the exit, praying the cameras, reporters, and whoever else was out there kept their attention on the Co-Chancellors and not on me and who I was escorting.

"Agh!" The faint call of despair came from Padmé, who had insisted that I was her date for the premiere of Fellowship of the Ring.

That Padmé was here wasn't surprising as I'd assured her long ago that she'd get tickets to this event. However, Palpatine, seeing it as a way to reinforce the message he would deliver to the reporters tonight, had made Queen Amidala his personal guest, and with her insistent that I be her Plus-One, it meant I had to travel with the Co-Chancellors, removing any chance I had to avoid Palpatine's scheme to link my star to his and the idea of increased security for the Republic.

I stepped to one side, shielding her as best I could from the frankly insane number of people and droids outside the transport. Behind them, when the flashing of the hundreds, if not thousands, of cameras, lessened, I could see the evening sky of Coruscant. There, ships moved around in unison, blissfully unaware of what was happening far below them.

Padmé's fingers moved around my arm, and I felt her push up on her feet. "Thank you," she said gently, making sure to speak just loud enough that I could hear her over the voices of reporters shouting questions at the Co-Chancellors. That they would choose to do that instead of waiting until either Chancellor was ready was something that irritated me. While I disliked the Banite Sith being in charge of the Republic, they were heads of state, and decorum should be observed. Even by what I suspected were entertainment reporters and not serious journalists.

"At your service, Your Majesty," I replied just loud enough that she should hear me. I couldn't see her face, but with it now easier to sense her through the Force – because of Natural Selection and the physical contact – I knew she enjoyed hearing my words. "However, I can't promise to get you through these vultures as quickly as we'd like." Nor as violently as I might wish to try as doing that would not only cause issues with the trio of politicians I was travelling with but draw the attention of the Jedi Council.

Her hand squeezed my arm even as she stifled a laugh. "Sadly, it is a fact that no matter how advanced a society becomes, the need for people to know details that are not their concern remains. At least here they have some form of civilised behaviour."

"This isn't civilised," I replied as I moved to exit the transport, Padmé at my side. "On Mandalore, if these people and I used the word very lightly, pushed a clan Alor, the Alor would be within their rights to consider it a challenge of their authority and respond appropriately."

"It's a shame we aren't there," Padmé replied with a soft laugh. She leaned further into my side as we walked along the short gangway from the transport down to the ground. That had her dress, another of those over-the-top monstrosities that Naboo seemed to like, fold in on itself as it was pushed up against my side. "I would enjoy seeing how a certain Alor dealt with such a challenge."

I chuckled but kept my eyes ahead. "As would I, but sadly we're on Coruscant and acting that way would reflect badly on our host." Even in her makeup and dress, she still looked alluring, and I had to remind myself that she was fifteen. Yes, that meant by Mando'ade law she was technically an adult, and with her parent's permission, she was free to pursue a relationship under Naboo law. However, the Republic Age of Responsibility was sixteen, and I was not going to bed anyone under that age. No matter how attracted I was to them. "Nor I suspect, would the Jedi Council approve of the Alor's actions."

"If they came for you, all of Naboo would protect you."

I almost stuttered in my steps at hearing not only her words but the conviction in them. She meant that, and while it was incredible to hear – and a little enticing – the idea that a planet as peaceful and loyal as Naboo would be willing to defy the Republic for me was both unexpected and exhilarating.

"… and that is why, my Co-Chancellor and I, as we attend a premiere of a holomovie detailing the fight against an overwhelming threat, feel this issue cannot be avoided or ignored." Palpatine's voice reached us as we moved forward, distracting me from thoughts about Padmé and Naboo. The Chancellor extended an arm, gesturing to us as we approached. "The failures of successive Chancellors and sessions of the Galactic Senate in not considering the need for a centralised security arrangement is why a world such as my homeworld was forced to endure the terrors the Trade Federation inflicted on it."

"If not for the resolve of the Naboo, exemplified by Queen Amidala when she broke through the Federation's blockade and then stood before the Senate and demanded change, we would have remained blissfully unaware of the horrors the Trade Federation was capable of. Horrors that, due to ill-advised resolutions passed by the Senate and approved by previous Chancellors, my homeworld was forced to endure. Had she not stood before us, challenging the failings of the once glorious but now sadly weakening heart of democracy, then none would have moved to help Naboo. And undoubtedly, other worlds would now be facing similar terrors."

Padmé lowered her head, accepting Palpatine's compliments, however the man's eyes were upon me. "The Senate, despite my pleading and Queen Amidala demanding change, chose to do nothing. As did the vaunted Jedi Order. However, into that breach of concerned citizens of our great Republic stepped her citizens. None more so than Jedi Knight Cameron Shan. The Hero of Naboo," I flinched, not liking that title as I wasn't the only one to fight to free Naboo, and my actions in gathering a liberation force had been self-serving as I feared how I'd do against Maul, and what my presence would have changed. "He reached across the galaxy, gathering former slaves, mercenaries, and warriors and formed them into a cohesive force under his command."

While I was disliking the attention, mainly as I wanted to stay as far from the limelight as fucking possible, I once more found myself marvelling at Palpatine's words and how he could turn them to make almost anyone believe whatever he said.

"Mandalorians, a people in millennia past who had tried on several occasions to destroy our magnificent Republic, came to Knight Shan's call. They rallied under his banner and, in actions that shame me and the rest of the Senate, did what we would not. They fought for democracy, for freedom.

"Why they did so does not matter. What does is that in fighting to free Naboo, they shame the rest of the Republic. The Republic is meant to stand as the guardian of the walls of freedom. We in the Senate are elected to guide this freedom, to nurture it, yet in the hour of need for one of those we are meant to protect, we failed to do so."

Palpatine's arm fell away, and he turned back to the reporters and floating cameras almost dejectedly. "That is why Chancellor Damask, and I believe that while the Ruusan Reformation still has a critical role to play in ensuring the strength of the Republic, it is time to look at certain elements of it. The wars that ravaged the galaxy a thousand years ago have been consigned to the pages of history books. However, in choosing to continue to follow the blanket rejection of protection that the Reformation brought forth, even as the threats the Republic faced were internal, not external, we have seen our vaunted Republic grow weaker. It is far past time that we work to bring forth a stronger, safer, and more secure Republic that works to protect all its citizens instead of simply those who can influence the corridors of power with the credits and power they have gathered by exploiting the flaws in our system."

"Are you calling for a rearmament of the Republic?"
​

"Do you wish to raise an army?"
​

"What about those calling you a despot?"
​

"Is this just for the Core?"
​

"How will you pay for this security?"
​

As those and several dozen other questions flew at Palpatine, Damask slipped back and turned to face us, using his Co-Chancellor to shield himself, and by extension us, from the press. "I am sorry if this brings up any painful memories, Your Highness," the Muun said, offering a smile that wasn't entirely comforting. While he had been without his mask for a while, it seemed he was still struggling to re-adjust to using facial expressions. "We had hoped that politics might stay off the agenda for tonight, but it seems we overestimated the quality of the reporters."

"It's quite alright Chancellor," Padmé replied, moving to stand directly at my side, her hand remaining on my forearm, which as the cameras continued to flash, was sure to draw speculation in the media about our relationship. "I am well used to the demands of the public wishing to know details of how a government is run. Thankfully, at least for this visit, I'm not the primary focus of the public's attention."

Damask lowered his head at her words and then gestured to one side, trying to steer us away from Palpatine as he dealt with the mewling mob. "How is the rebuilding going?"

"The cities and towns are all rebuilt, or close to being so," Padmé replied as she moved to his side. "However, we are still working to locate the nearly twenty thousand citizens the Federation abducted before we achieved our liberation." I slipped back, letting Damask escort her toward the venue for the premiere. That would, I hope, dissuade any in the media from suggesting anything untoward was going on between her and me, but I knew it wouldn't silence the rumours entirely.

"That the Trade Federation would sanction such actions is truly repulsive. That, more than my new position, is why I instructed Damask Holdings, before I relinquished control to a board of directors, to dump any holdings we had in the Federation and its subsidiaries."

I managed to keep any surprise at hearing that from showing on my expression. I knew there would be links between Damask Holdings and the Federation, so his move to remove that connection before becoming Co-Chancellor was logical. Framing it as a response to the Federation's actions would also help shield Damask from those suggesting he was only dumping the stock because of his new position. The Federation's stock price had taken a pounding since the invasion, and was still at historic lows, so dropping that stock as it crashed would've cost Damask a considerable amount of credits. Not enough that it would damage his company's bottom line, but enough to leave a mark.

"Knight Shan," I paused as Palpatine said my name, letting Damask escort Padmé toward the venue. Turning to face the Human Chancellor, he offered me a small smile, one suggesting he was displeased about something. "A moment, if you could."

I nodded and moved toward him even as he returned his attention to the gathered media. "For those who don't know, this is Jedi Knight Cameron Shan. He was instrumental in gathering the forces that fought alongside Queen Amidala to liberate my homeworld." As he spoke, he placed his hand against my upper arm, suggesting to the crowd that we shared a friendship. "While the Senate and Jedi Order leadership chose to not intervene in the plight of innocents, Knight Shan, along with those who rallied to his banner, did. He is proof that while the government may be failing the ideals this great Republic should uphold, the people who inhabit the galaxy remain committed to those ideals."

I nodded, accepting Palpatine's words and slid a foot back, wanting to escape the throng of reporters as soon as possible. "Master Shan." The voice, which came from an older Togruta male, prevented me from getting away as I'd intended. "If I can ask, why did you move to help Naboo when the Senate and the Jedi Order chose not to?"

I glanced at Palpatine. My expression was calm, but the simple look should, I hope, express my displeasure at having to engage with these beings. He offered a small smile in response, even as I turned back to the Togruta. We had arranged that I wouldn't speak with the reporters, but it seemed this alien hadn't gotten the memo. Or more likely, had been placed there by one of the Banite Sith to force me to make a statement that would further the wedge between myself and the Jedi.

"First, while I understand the standard honorific for a Jedi is 'Master' I am but a humble, and rather young, Knight." That response drew a few amused chuckles from the mass of bodies that I struggled to see as the cameras continued to take pictures; the flashes making it hard to focus on anyone for long. "As for why I decided to intervene in the ongoing crisis on Naboo, my reasons are my own. All I will say is that, in my admittedly short life, I have seen more of this galaxy than I suspect many people here have. Most of it was incredible; be that because of the fauna, flora, or sentients that lived there, or because of some stellar wonder. However, even on Coruscant, there have been moments where I've seen events and actions that run counter to everything the Republic, the Senate, and the Jedi Order are meant to represent."

"Is that why you chose to involve yourself in the internal politics of a sovereign world of the Republic?" The question came from a Rodian and carried a slightly confrontational tone. "And why you acted without permission from the Jedi Council?" I stared at the alien, reaching out through the Force for a hint as to his motives. However, beyond the fact he carried some dislike of me, I couldn't pick up anything else. At least not with so many other sentients around him.

"As I said, the full reasons for gathering others and helping free a world that was illegally and immorally oppressed by a corporation that was acting out against potential legislation in the Senate are mine and mine alone. All I will say is that before I was taken in by the Jedi, I was raised by my grandfather, and he had a very simple rule that I still follow to this day. That all it takes for evil to thrive is for a good sentient to do nothing."

Before the Rodian or any of the others could ask a follow-up question, I continued. "That is all I shall say about the matter" I turned to Palpatine. "Chancellor, this is your arena, not mine."

"Of course, of course," Palpatine replied with a wide smile as he extended an arm toward me. "Before you go, let me once more express the gratitude of myself, Queen Amidala, and the people of Naboo for your help in ensuring that we continue to enjoy the freedoms and liberties the Republic espouses."

"I did what was needed, Chancellor. Nothing more," I explained as we shook hands, the cameras going off faster as if they didn't realise we already knew each other. The fact I'd arrived in the same transport as him and Damask should've made that clear.

I wasn't happy that Palpatine had allowed some of the reporters to address me, but I could call him out on that later. For now, it was better for both of us if he used whatever appeal there remained because of my status as the Hero of Naboo to enhance his reputation further. Yes, it would tie my star to his, but that was a minor issue currently as I wasn't moving against him and Damask. Indeed, when that moment came, I already had a few ideas of how to use this connection to the very top of Republic politics to my advantage.

"Which, as I've said several times, is more than most others would even consider thinking about, never mind doing," the Chancellor countered as we ended our handshake. "Now, I believe I have kept you from your mission long enough. Even as Chancellor, I know better than to annoy the leader of my planet."

I offered him a nod and then pivoted letting the final comment linking me to Naboo, Padmé, and him slide. Once turned, I looked down the carpet – which was a deep, rich purple instead of the red it had been in my former life – noticing various Senators and what I assumed were other people of importance in the Republic, moving down the carpet toward the venue. Thankfully, due to his race's height and appearance, it was a simple matter to locate Chancellor Damask in the throng of people, and I moved forward, sliding around those hanging around on the carpet to speak with reporters or have their pictures taken. A few gave me glares for cutting in front of them, but most just ignored me.

As I came closer, I saw Padmé was still at Damask's side, and she turned, as if sensing my approach. The Chancellor continued speaking to whoever was in front of him, though my focus was Padmé. "Sorry," I said once close enough to speak without having to shout, "Chancellor Palpatine decided to push me in front of the cameras while talking about increasing security in the Republic."

"I cannot blame him for that," Padmé said as a wide smile spread over her face. A smile that looked out of place with her regal makeup and clothing in place. "You saved my world from oppression. Is it wrong that the Chancellor and others would want people to know of your actions, and to ensure you are properly rewarded for your actions?"

"Your Majesty is right, as always," I replied, lowering my head to avoid her gaze. While her tone remained formal, there was a spark in her eyes that I didn't want to deal with. At least not for another few years.

"Those of us born into power usually are." I lifted my head and turned toward the known but unexpected voice. I had to fight to keep a look of shock from my face as I discovered who it was that Chancellor Damask was speaking to.

"King Medes," I said slowly, lowering my head in respect for him and his position, "I hadn't realised that you were a fan of the holonovels behind this holomovie?"

Medes snorted. "I am not. My wife, however," he glanced to his right, my left, as he continued, "is. Knowing that this would be the social event of the year, she and my daughter were quite insistent that we attend."

"Queen Radej," I said, greeting Medes' wife as I took her hand in mine and lifted it to my lips, "I hope your journey here was uneventful and your world is prospering." As I finished, I placed a caste kiss on her knuckles.

"It was, and our people are," Radej replied as I stood, and she offered me a warm smile. "The agreement you brokered had brought untold wealth and improvements to our people already, and there are still years to go before it truly comes to fruition."

"I'm led to believe that it benefited you as well," Medes added.

"I was knighted not long after the agreement was reached," I confirmed. "While I'm unsure how much that helped the Council determine I was ready for promotion, I know it did play some part."

"Then it seems we have all benefited from the contract," Radej said, a wide smile on her face. "Something my husband was explaining to Chancellor Damask as you arrived."

"Knight Shan does have a tendency to be in the right place at the right time to help all of us," Damask offered and knowing where this was going, I fought back the urge to roll my eyes. "He was the one who arranged the forces that helped free Naboo from the clutches of the Trade Federation, and he was present to rescue me when I was stuck on Mandalore at the beginning of their most recent civil war."

"I'm sorry I'm late fath…" the voice, one I knew well and had wondered if would be present as soon as I saw King Medes, trailed off as I braced for what was to come. "CAM!" Miraj called out loud enough that nearly a dozen people turned our way as she rushed toward me at a pace just short of a sprint.

"Miraj!" Medes snarled out, exposing his teeth. "Be mindful of your behaviour."

"Sorry father," Miraj said, slowing down drastically and looking down for a moment. "I was just surprised to see Cameron here."

"As am I to see you here, Princess." As I said that, Miraj lifted her head, and I offered her a smile. "I'm here as the guest and escort for Queen Amidala of the Naboo." I extended my arm toward Padmé, which she took gracefully, hiding how happy my words had made her.

"I felt it was only fair to invite Cameron," Padmé explained as she shifted closer to me, which drew a slight glare from Miraj. "When Chancellor Palpatine extended an invitation for me to attend the premiere, I felt it right to reward Knight Shan after his actions in helping save my world, and to ensure I had a date worthy of my station."

"We heard of what happened to Naboo even on Zygerria," Medes commented, a scowl coming to his face. "The actions of the Trade Federation were despicable. Invading a peaceful world simply to protest the actions of the Senate. Such a lack of honour." I bit back a comment about honour coming from a species that had once, and if I failed my quest linked to Miraj, would return to slavery. "How is your world recovering?"

"Slowly but surely, we are taking steps so that the Federation or anyone else won't find us such a tempting target for enforcing their will upon us." My brow rose at Padmé's tense tone, though less at the idea that Naboo was shifting to what sounded like a proactive stance on defence. I'd heard from Gar, Rook, and others that the Naboo had hired many Mando'ade to train an enlarged, and if things went to plan, better-armed defence force making clear Naboo being more assertive with regards to its defence now. Still, that Padmé would espouse that change was an interesting alteration that I would have to consider to see how it might help with what was to come. "If not for Cameron, and those he rallied under his banner, that is something we would never have been able to do."

"Yes, we all owe Knight Shan, in differing ways of course, for helping us in our hours of need. Something I, and my Co-Chancellor, hope will continue into the future as we work to reform the Senate and Republic security."

"A stronger, safer Republic is something any true citizen would support, Chancellor," Medes said, agreeing with Damask's words.

"As much as I enjoy talk of politics," the others smiled or laughed gently at my words, knowing well my dislike of the subject, "perhaps we might head to our seats? I am quite interested in seeing this story told on screen."

"There is still some time before events start, but it would be best if we were in our booths before it commenced." I nodded at Damask, glad for the support. He didn't realise that my intent was more based around getting Padmé and Miraj apart as the pair might start sniping at each other over me than my genuine issues with politics, but he was helping.

"Would you sit with us, Cam?" Miraj asked, moving to my side, the one free from Padmé's presence. "I'd love to hear about your adventure since we last spoke."

"Unfortunately, as you heard, I am here as Queen Amidala's escort, and as such am expected to spend the performance in her company." My answer came quickly as I didn't want Miraj to bring up Anakin, even indirectly. Certainly not in front of Darth Plagueis. "However, once the show is over I promise that I shall find time to regale you with my adventures at whatever afterparty we must attend." Another issue that existed was the potential for Padmé and Miraj to develop a rivalry over me. Perhaps it was arrogant to assume that would happen, but both were interested in me, and I didn't want to cause issues to develop between them.

"Understandable and acceptable," Medes agreed with a nod, his eyes taking in the fact I had his daughter on one arm and Padmé on the other. "However, perhaps we might talk as we walk toward our seats? I'm curious if you, Chancellor Damask, or Queen Amidala know anything about the author, or have thoughts about his latest work."

"Yes, it is quite unusual that one of the heroes of this new series shares their family name with yourself, Cameron," Damask commented, not the slightest hint of amusement on his long, angular face nor radiating through the Force. I'd prefer if that hadn't been where he took the conversation, but at least it moved things along and created a topic that would distract Miraj from Padmé's presence.

"That, Chancellor, is because Bastila Shan was a true historical figure, and also my great-grandmother." Miraj stopped suddenly, caught out by that revelation. Her parents did the same, forcing me, Padmé and Damask to do likewise. Nearby, I saw a few others who were trying to subtly listen in on the conversation the Chancellor was having stumble as their heads whipped around at my statement.

"But she lived nearly four thousand years ago," Radej commented, drawing a chuckle from me.

"She did, and I was born that far back as well. Though I'm happy to say I don't look a day over a thousand." Padmé laughed softly at my self-teasing while Damask offered a smile of amusement. The Zygerrians, however, stood there in even greater shock. "As we walk, I will explain how that is possible, and perhaps tell you a few details about my ancestor; at least those that won't spoil the surprise that I'm sure the author is going to reveal in their next work."

… …

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… …
...
This story is cross-posted on Fanfiction.net, Archive of our Own, and Royal Road.
...
For those wishing to join the Discord for the story, the server link is:
For this series: Heart of the Force
For general chaos/Gamer stories: Shiro's Gaming Omniverse
(Those on the story server who engage in chat can earn access to a chapter ~3 weeks before it goes public).

For those who wish to support my writing, and get access to drafts and completed chapters anywhere from 1 to 4 months earlier head to one of the links below:
Patreon: USSExplorer
SubscribeStar: USSExplorer
and now Kofi: USSExplorer

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Regardless if you join the discord or support my writing, I hope you enjoy the story and suggestions, valid criticisms, and ideas are always welcome.
And of course;

May the Force be with you. Always​

 

[DarkthShadow]

Man, I love the whiplash Cam gave everyone in earshot of his bomb drop about Bastila and his relation to her, as well as him regaling them with his hyperspace jump miracle XD.

 

[Cend]

Just had a hilarious thought: the Grand Plan the two Sith are trying to bring to fruition gets stalled again and again (in perpetuity) through Cams and their own actions against each other so they have to do good things for the Republic to stay in power so they're even able to follow that plan.

 

[alec_potter]

Delightful read. Plagius POV was really well done. Kudos to CAM to plant that doubt in his mind, though not sure how Palpatine would strike back for it.
So, Drahird lives. Poor fella, in this case better dead.
Also what happened to the holocron of Satele Shan? Has Cam revisited it after becoming a Knight?

Enjoyed all the flirting/fun Cam does with SW hotties.

 

[Dragon Fire]

@USSExplorer, I'm surprised you post here as well. Used to follow you on fanfiction.net under the name Dragon Bone Z. Keep up the good work and I hope you are doing well.

 

[USSExplorer]

A/N: As always, a huge thank you to those helping with lore and planning for this and my other stories.

And again, this chapter was released to those of sufficient rank on the story's Discord (it pays to talk) about a month ago. For those who support my writing, then it was released between 1 to 4 months ago (and those supporters can also access chapters that far in advance).

If joining the Discord or supporting my writing interests you, there is a link at the end of the chapter for how to do so.

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3.08 Fire and Blood
… …​

I leaned back, letting Raven enjoy the shifting of energies that began rushing over her hull as she slipped into hyperspace. A loud sigh slipped from me, relieved to finally be away from Coruscant; or more accurately to be free from interactions with the Banite Sith that now ruled the Republic as its Co-Chancellors.

A series of whistles and pops drew my attention, and I turned to see R2 and HK standing behind me. "Agreement: The astromech is correct, Master. You seem unnaturally pleased to be departing the system. Query: Was the attention of the females not to your liking?"

I chuckled and rolled my eyes. "No, HK. There was nothing wrong with Padmé or Miraj. I'm just glad to finally be able to slip away from being drawn into politics. Again."

HK's photoreceptors mimicked Human reaction by blinking. "Analysis: You continue to proclaim to dislike politics, Master, yet on multiple occasions you have shown an ability to convince others to do as you wish. The clear examples of this are with the group designated the Lokella and the gathering of forces assembled for the liberation of Naboo. In the words of the Creator, you have the knack for getting things done and gathering others to help you."

"Both of those were based on combat situations, HK. I much prefer leading others into battle than standing inside a gilded suite and speaking with others who lack the resolve to back up their words. At least on the battlefield, it's clear who you are fighting and what you need to do."

"Affirmative: That is indeed true, Master. The Creator also spoke of preferring the battlefield to deal with the internal matters of the Jedi and Republic. At least when he chose to return to their Order for the whining meatbag." I bit the inside of my lips, knowing he was speaking of Bastila and, as amusing as it was, not wanting to have him impersonate her again. "Request: Might I suggest we find some pitiful group of meatbags? Ones that would improve the galaxy by their removal. It may well alleviate some of your stress."

Chuckling, I shook my head. "As tempting as the offer is, I'll pass. We need to collect Anakin." I reached into my robes and pulled out a small datacard. "I need to give him this." Turning the datacard over in my fingers, I continued. "It's the schematics for the 3P0 series of protocol droids."

Technically, the information on that datacard was classified and trademarked information, belonging to Cybot Galactica. However, as the series had been in existence for over a hundred years, and were close to ubiquitous throughout the Republic – or at least the developed parts of it – they weren't as secure as CG might wish. Add in that, if you went down a few levels into Coruscant's under-levels everything and anything was for sale, acquiring the schematics wasn't that difficult. Nor expensive.

What I saw on those levels, even when only a few dozen below the glittering surface of the Republic Capital, were more signs that the Jewel of the Republic was nothing more than a sham. On the surface, it was everything it claimed to be, but the moment one looked at it with anything approaching an inquisitive glance, the façade faded away, revealing the rotten, corrupted core that was the heart of galactic governance.

I had used that corruption to my advantage here, but it had been hard to not scourge many of those I encountered from existence. Or at least more than I already had. It wasn't my fault that several groups, seeing a Mandalorian in beskar, thought they could kill me and take my armour. Nor was it my fault that, after their pathetic attempt at an ambush had failed, even if by some miracle of the Force, Republic security investigated the matter, there was nothing left of that scum to identify them.

At the mention of a protocol droid, R2 whined amusingly loudly and the smile I wore grew wider. Even though C-3P0 would never exist in this timeline – not with the project I had in mind for Anakin – it seemed R2's issues with that droid, or at least its series, existed with my R2 as well.

"Translation: The astromech is concerned you feel we are unable to handle anything you might need a droid for. A sentiment I completely agree with, Master."

"If I intended for Anakin to build a basic protocol droid, then I'd have found something like these," I waved the datacard in the air, "years ago. No, what I want him to do, given his fondness for technology, which you can both attest to, is create something superior. And, with what I hope he will create, I think you will both be interested in offering suggestions for what will, from the outside, look like a simple and pathetic protocol droid."

HK's photoreceptors flickered again, and I swore I could hear the circuits in his brain sparking as he processed my words and deduced my intentions. "Speculation: This new droid would be designed for far more than just service, would it not, Master? Perhaps intended for covert insertions and eliminations."

I clicked my tongue as I used my free hand to create a finger-gun and shot the ancient assassin droid. "Got it in one. Which is why, among other things, I want Anakin to alter the kill switch all 3P0 series droids have. Oh, there would still be a physical one on its frame, but it wouldn't shut down the droid. The true button would be located internally where only Anakin, I, or if you managed to damage the external shell, either of you could target it."

Leaning forward, I continued before HK could complain about the possibility of him being replaced. "I know you were designed for assassinations, and are scarily good at it. However, in this era, your frame is rather unusual. Add in that the cover art for the second book of the Knights of the Old Republic series will have you on it, and it will be hard for you to quietly slip into a place that I might need you to go for those gentle removals of undesirables."

"I don't expect I will have much need of such removals, but I'm not naive enough to believe there will never be the chance that I won't prefer that to other methods. Converting a 3P0 model into something that was something more than capable of carrying out such actions without being detected nor traced back to me, is a smart way to prepare for those moments. With your programming and R2's growing skills with circumventing systems, I believe both of you would be extremely interested in helping my son with this project."

When I stopped, R2 let out a long, deep whistle. My smile widened at hearing that and then seeing HK, in an organic gesture, placing a hand on his chin: or at least what would be considered his chin. "Conjecture: While any such droid would be massively inferior to myself, there is wisdom in your words, Master. Having support," R2 beeped angrily," Correction: Further support on such missions could, conceivably, increase the odds of any mission being completed with all objectives achieved. Addendum: There are many missions on which the Creator and previous Masters sent me where, while I completed the assignment, it would have been far more efficient to have capable support." His hand came down from his chin. "Retraction: Based on your statements, Master, I rescind my concerns about adding another droid to our collective."

R2 beeped in agreement. "I'm glad you approve," I said, slipping the datacard back into my robes. "However, which of your suggestions are applied to the project is entirely up to Anakin," I continued as I spun back around, returning my focus to Raven's displays. "I'm sure that, once he gets over his excitement of my challenge, he would be more than receptive to your suggestions for this potential droid he might be creating."

"Musing: Yes, Master. I already have seventy-nine potential improvements that could be made to the external design to improve the droid in a variety of ways. Contemplative: Does this interest in the creation of a covert insertion droid you wish for the Young Builder to create pertain to something that occurred on the Republic capital, Master?"

"Not directly," I replied with a shake of my head. "I'm just simply thinking ahead to possible instances where it might be useful to have such an agent in our ranks. As you well know, I prefer to meet my opponents on the battlefield, but I'm nowhere near stupid enough to believe that ideal is shared by the majority of those who would seek to challenge me. There will be cases where, as you discovered with Revan and others, the removal of a target is easier to achieve without the need for large-scale combat."

Against anyone on my level or beyond, I doubted even a group of droids as skilled as HK would have much luck. Certainly not against a well-trained Jedi Master or Sith Lord. However, even on Coruscant, such sentients composed an insignificant percentage of the population. More often than not, my targets would be non-Force users. Obvious targets currently would be those like Sate Pestage who were so close to Chancellors Palpatine and Damask that they had to know the truth of who those two truly were.

I knew that someone as loyal as Sate wouldn't be an easy target, but I knew HK could take him out and make it appear an accident. Yet HK was known to the Sith, so his being anywhere near Sate's location if the attaché died might draw questions I'd prefer to avoid. That was one place where a third droid, one unknown to anyone outside my closest circle of friends and family, could operate with ease.

There would be other times, such as long-term undercover operations, or scouting in places I might not be able to enter, where a seemingly innocent-looking protocol droid would be useful. One such potential place was within the Jedi Temple. A droid wouldn't be able to enter the Vaults, but they would be able to access computers that I might otherwise not be able to. Well, if I didn't want anyone linking me to a theoretical data breach at any rate.

The same logic could be applied to others, such as high-ranking figures in organisations, mega-corporations and the like that would form the CIS. Sliding a droid loyal to me into their ranks had the potential to be extremely useful. Which was perhaps why, if Anakin completed the project I had for him to an acceptable level, I might have more than a single droid made. Not that anyone else bar me would know of that, at least for some time.

"Observation: This project is an unexpected decision by you, Master. However, it is one I greatly approve of. Not only does the ability to insert an agent into enemy forces, either for deep reconnaissance or target acquisition or removal, but for helping to improve the skills of the Young Builder. Query: If this was not brought on by events on Coruscant, might I ask why it has come to your mind now?"

"Just acting on several expressions I heard in my youth. The most apt are 'it is better to have and not need than need and not have,' 'if one seeks peace, they must prepare for war', and 'sometimes you need a turbolaser, sometimes a surgeon's blade'. While we aren't at war now, I can sense one coming. The storms I sense growing in the Republic might not lead to all-out war, but there will be places where I will have to intervene. As I know, even with both of you, Anakin, Simvyl, Fenrir and Raven at my side, I cannot be everywhere at once."

"Assessment: Again, there is logic in your words, Master. It continues to please me to see your awareness of the dangers that exist in the galaxy."

"I'm glad you approve."

"Addendum: While the expressions expected meatbag inefficiency, they are accurate. I must, however, admit to being unfamiliar with the last one."

I chuckled. "It was one my grandfather used to say. At the time, I didn't understand it, but as I've matured I've seen the value in those words."

What I was avoiding here was that those words, in a more primitive form, had come from my grandfather in my former life. I'd heard similar examples of it from others throughout both lives and found giving it some personal spin worked well. Oh, I was sure I wasn't the first sentient in the galaxy to express that thought, not even in those words, but I had yet to hear it from another.

"Query: I am curious why a former Chancellor of the Old Republic would use such a phrase."

"As am I, HK. Sadly, I'll never be able to ask him when and where he learnt it. I do hope that, if Anakin is up to the task, we might see the expressions in action in a few years."

"Assessment: I believe we will, Master. The Young Builder is extremely gifted with improving the superior form of droids. I have no doubt he will be capable of emulating my Creator as you hope." There was a pause before he continued. "Contemplative: With permission, I would like time to consider further concealed alterations that could be added to this droid."

"Go ahead, and take R2 with you. He might not have your understanding of what could be of use, but he might have ideas you fail to consider. Or at least considered less important than others." There was a series of beeps from R2 and a second later I heard the cockpit's door slide open and then close.

Knowing I was now alone, I leaned back in my chair. Raven could handle flying herself along the current hyperspace lane. As my eyes began to close, my mind drifted back to events of Coruscant, starting with the premiere of Fellowship of the Ring.

Just as with the original sources, the novel had been changed for movie format. From what I'd read of some early reviews, there had been some complaints regarding that, but overall, the reviews were overwhelmingly positive. Padmé and Miraj had said as much at the main afterparty for the premiere, with both saying the casting for Aragon was good, though I suspected both ladies felt I would've been a more suitable lead.

The actor, along with the rest of the cast, were well received, but in my mind, they weren't on-par with the cast when I'd seen the movie in my former life. That was likely a bias on my part, along with a feeling that I was disrespecting the work of Tolkien by re-publishing his work in this galaxy, but it was an opinion that no one would ever hear of.

After the premiere, I'd run into my publicist, Shokvo, in the corridors of the theatre. From what he was saying, it sounded like the movie was going to have a better opening week on Coruscant than first thought. Much of that came from the fact the Co-Chancellors had both attended it, turning the movie into something of a requirement for anyone in the corridors of power to observe. Using that, the early screenings across the Core were selling out rapidly. So much so that the latest projections had me earning at least three hundred million credits by the end of the week.

If the movie had the legs of other movies that had debuted to such success, then within a month I could be looking at north of a billion credits from my cut of the production. According to Shokvo that was only the lower end of the current projections, and didn't consider any merchandise that would be sold because of the movie. Even if that was where it stayed and carried through with the other two productions, then I was looking at having at least five billion credits to my name simply from the holomovies within three years. When added to my current, and still growing, take which was a little north of one-point-three billion credits from my novels, and the expected interest in turning the Knights of the Old Republic series into holonovels, then I could see my net worth top ten billion credits long before the Clone Wars began.

That number, or any of them really, sounded impressive if compared to my former life. However, in this life, in this galaxy, it was but a drop in the ocean. Damask Holdings, for example, had a profit margin of nearly a hundred billion credits last year, held assets worth over fifty times that, and had a market capitalisation of nearly a quadrillion credits. And Damask Holdings was, while incredibly powerful, not even in the top one hundred companies in the galaxy.

Truthfully, seeing how much mega-corporations such as the Trade Federation and Techno Union were worth was frankly, terrifying. They could offer bounties for someone's head that would easily be worth more than the entire GDP of many mid-sized Republic worlds.

Yet even though it barely scratched the surface of the financial might of my likely opponents in the coming wars, several billion credits had some use. Cash in Hand had long since been completed, but beyond gathering the credits I had little use for that many currently. Save for preparing for what was to come. I had around three hundred million in my Inventory, with the rest spread out between Clan Shan accounts with supposedly isolated Mando'ade banking institutions, several dummy accounts, and the primary account for payment for my work.

While I was going to be busy with training alongside Anakin for a while yet, I planned to hire a suitable Mando'ade accountant, if such a thing existed, to begin investing in companies that would be useful for the coming decades. Mandalmotors and Incom were two such companies, as while they were major ship producers they weren't as massive as KDY, CDC, and SST, but that was a benefit. Investing what I had would grant me more influence in the companies than those larger ones, and using smaller companies, while limiting the ability to create technology and warships – once those were needed – they were more likely to be ignored by the major players in the lead up to the coming war.

Returning my thoughts to the planet I'd just left; I wondered what the next moves of the Co-Chancellors would be. The reveal of Master C'baoth's plan to send a mission into the Unknown Regions was an interesting one. If it had happened in the other timeline, then Sidious would've worked to ensure the mission failed. He couldn't have a colony protected by Jedi existing after he executed Order 66. More than likely, the mission had suffered some form of failure, costing the lives of everyone onboard it.

In this timeline, however, with the threat of the Vong hanging overhead, I wondered if that would still be this project's – Outbound Flight was the working name for the proposal – fate. I knew the Vong didn't come from the Unknown Regions, yet for all I could be certain of that, and make that clear to the Co-Chancellors, they couldn't simply take my word on the matter. That was why the plan for Outbound Flight would if they took on half of the suggestions I'd given them during our discussions in the days leading up to the premiere, be far more likely to succeed. Or at least succeed in part.

The Jedi on the mission would still, in the eyes of the Banite Sith, have to die. That was a certainty. The trick was ensuring it happened slowly, to not draw the attention of the High Council enough that they requested sending more Jedi to support the project. I didn't know how the Banite Sith were going to manage that, but I knew they would.

I could also admit to being curious as to what existed in the Unknown Regions. Half of the stories and rumours I'd heard and read about the large expanse of unexplored space were terrifying, and that was being kind. I doubted there was anything out there that, if it arrived in the known galaxy during the Clone Wars or after, could challenge the military might on display, but I'd rather nothing from that region ever emerged into the Republic's borders. Working to take down the Banite Sith and train the Chosen One was hard enough to do without races that harvested the souls of others, or living, sentient, slime. Those things could fuck off back to whatever hell-inspired holes they'd crawled out of.

Now, while I'd managed to avoid too much interaction with the Co-Chancellors at the afterparty, others had approached me to speak. Thanks to Observe and the Force, I knew most of them were only doing so to see if I might offer some route into the confidence of one or both Chancellors. Those beings I politely dismissed, though some didn't take the gentle hints and as this was a public location where I had to behave, I couldn't persuade them to leave in the manner I might've liked. In those cases, I was saved by my constant companions for the party; Padmé Amidala and Miraj Scintel.

As I'd feared, once the premiere was over, Miraj had sought me out hurriedly, ensuring she and her parents attended the same afterparty as I, Padmé, and the Co-Chancellors. Walking from the theatre with two royals at my sides had drawn a lot of attention from the media waiting outside, though thankfully no call had come from the Temple regarding the situation.

At the afterparty, the two royals had spent the entire time I was there either at my side or close enough to it that they could reinsert themselves into any conversation I was involved in. While that was useful for extracting me from people who wouldn't take the gentle hint that I didn't wish to continue speaking with them, at others it was a hassle.

The pair hadn't instantly hit it off, both seemingly seeing the other as a challenge to having my attention. As the evening had worn on, Padmé had brought up that I had given her a lightfoil and taught her the basics of using it. Miraj, seeking a chance to prove she was better in some way than Padmé, had insisted they spar before they departed Coruscant. I had tried to dissuade them from the spar, making clear that I didn't think it was a wise choice to do so, however, Padmé had agreed.

That spar should be happening about now and about the only upside to it happening, beyond me making sure I wasn't present for it and thus wasn't forced to pick sides, was that Chancellor Palpatine and King Medas had made clear to both ladies that they would only be sparring and not outright duelling. I did note that while Medas had made that clear to his daughter, he approved of the duel, which given the Zygerrian mentality that the strong should rule the weak wasn't a shock. All I could hope was that however the spar went – and I expected Miraj to win as she was older, stronger, better trained, and Zygerrians were physically superior in many useful ways for a duel – I hoped it didn't evolve into something more than a polite rivalry.

I wouldn't deny that there was a part of me that was amused and, if I was being entirely honest with myself, pleased to see females fighting for my attention. However, I didn't want them to start despising each other as both, if I played my cards right, had roles to play in the way I was trying to shape the future to my advantage. Plus, if things went badly, it might result in diplomatic fallout between their planets, and by extension Chancellor Palpatine. While I might enjoy the annoyance that issue would cause him, it would be something he would hold over me, and I feared how he might, without revealing it, use it to have me help the plan he and Plagueis were slowly bringing to fruition.

A nudge through the Force from Raven, had me opening my eyes. "I'm okay lass," I said gently, placing my right hand – the natural one – on a section of her skin. "Just thinking about things, nothing to worry about."

The panel around my hand flickered with various light patterns and I felt Raven's relief that I wasn't troubled too deeply by events happening on the planet we'd just left. Raven was perhaps the only female who was close to me that I didn't fear growing jealous over the attention I received from others. That, perhaps, might be because she was in many ways more like a daughter than a partner; or perhaps she understood that because of the bond we shared, she would never be challenged when seeking my attention.

Closing my eyes again, I pushed thoughts of Coruscant and those I'd left there aside. When I woke I'd need to start planning out the next leg of my and Anakin's training. Until then, I would enjoy some, hopefully peaceful, rest.

… …

​

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​

… …
I moved toward Anakin's cabin, and once there pressed the buzzer to let him know I was outside. After nearly ten seconds, when he failed to respond in any way, I pressed the buzzer again. Once more, Anakin didn't respond. I knew he was fine; I could sense him easily through the Force, his thoughts centred on a particular matter – one I suspected I knew – but he wasn't responding to my call.

"Raven," I said softly to the ship, and a second later the door hissed open. "Thanks."

Stepping inside his quarters, I saw him sitting at his desk, leaning intently over a clutch of datapads. Moving closer, I saw that, as I'd suspected, he was working on the project I'd given him not long after we'd left the Lokella system. The top pad contained the schematics of the 3P0 series droids that I'd given him. One of the others, based on the detailed weapon descriptions mentioned, had come from HK, yet it was the one in Anakin's hand that drew my attention as I moved closer.

Much of what was on the pad was beyond me, even if my Mechanics [Droids] skill was in the low Master tier, but from what I could see, he was hard at work altering the internal circuitry of the droid in ways that, even with my limited understanding, knew would be both more efficient and much more expensive. Cost wasn't going to be an issue, though I hoped the finished product didn't end up costing more than a freighter, as that would be a large amount of credits to sink into something I might not need. At least for the next few years.

Looking back at HK's pad as I came closer, I saw that while most of the displayed suggestions seemed logical, many likely violated some Republic statute. That was to be expected of HK, as he felt such statutes – and I agreed in some cases – were merely suggestions that could be followed if one wished. Much of them also went far beyond what a droid designed for espionage, infiltration, and even assassination might need, but I knew HK was simply being through in the options he offered to Anakin. The other pads were either a collection of publicly available details on other types of droids, which I assumed were being used by Anakin for new ideas for his droid, or files that I couldn't make heads or tails of.

"Anakin," I said once near him, however, his focus remained on the pads before him, his fingers tapping away at the one he held, or sliding through technical displays on the others.

I wanted to speak with him about our intended destination of the Shapers of Kro Var. The planet was classed as being in Wild Space, and as such there were no commonly used hyperspace routes that led to their system. The closest I could get was taking first the Corellian Trade spine and then slipping over to the Great Gran Run. That, amusingly, would take us in the general direction of Endor, however, we'd be turning off those better known – relatively speaking – hyperspace routes onto ones that were barely used. I'd make sure to stop on a world in the sector to confirm the maps I'd gained from the Celebratus Archives were accurate because the last thing I wanted to do was get lost in the depths of nowhere, or worse, from faulty navigational data.

"Anakin," I said again when he failed to even acknowledge my presence. As before, he failed to respond and when I spoke the third time, my hand reached out for his shoulder, and I gave a gentle nudge through the Force. "An'ika."

I wasn't sure which of the three actions I'd taken broke the spell he was under, but he jerked back and blinked. "Huh? Cam? When did you get here?"

"Just a moment ago," I replied with a grin. "I know you're enjoying your project," I gestured with my hand, slipping it from his shoulder and indicating the datapads on his desk, "however, I was hoping to speak with you about where we're heading, and learn what you learnt from Master Dooku while I was away."

I'd not spent time on Matel's Gift beyond collecting my son. While I could have done so, I was concerned Dooku would wish me to spend time there, refining my training under his gaze. As useful as that might be, and how I wasn't opposed to it, I wanted to move on to the next sect I wished to train with.

"Ah, um, okay." Anakin put down his pad and looked up at me, though his eyes seemed conflicted. "I mean, Master Dooku's very skilled but, well…. he's not you."

My grin grew as I moved over the room, figuring I'd use his bunk to sit since he occupied the only chair in the quarters. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Anakin chuckled and then shook his head. "It is. I know you're not my father b…"

"We might not share blood, An'ika," I cut in, "but I am your father. The Jedi and Republic might not accept that, but I swore a vow when I adopted you and brought you into my family, into my clan. I would move the stars themselves to keep you from harm, and destroy anyone or thing that threatened your safety."

I spoke with conviction, making clear I meant every word I said, and I sensed Anakin's mind shift back to his ordeal at the hands of those shabyr lizards who had dared take him from my side. Even with that group dead and sent to their god in disgrace, the urge to unleash hell upon the entire species still burnt brightly within me. The only reasons I'd not done so, were first that I'd struggle to protect Anakin if I unleashed a blood feud on an entire species, and that such an action, as I was now, wasn't one I was capable of completing.

"I…" He gulped though there was no fear in the action. "I know." I nodded, pleased he understood that and that he wasn't going to dwell on his experience. At least not currently. "Um, I didn't do much training with Master Dooku. He wanted me to spend time meditating to gain more self-control."

"Oof," I muttered remembering many such lessons and meditations on the matter, from both Dooku and Fay. Normally after I'd done something reckless or dangerous, which was an almost amusingly common occurrence.

Fay had expected me to meditate on how I might've resolved those situations more peacefully, or at least without inflicting so much pain onto others, while Dooku focused more on making sure that, when such situations occurred in the future, I reacted with more consideration and thought before rushing into the fray. The lessons from him had sunk in better than Fay's, but I knew that if placed under stress, I still moved too quickly at times, not thinking if there were other ways to approach the situation.

"What about the others? Did you spend time with your sister?"

"Yes!" Anakin snapped back excitedly, any discomfort with his time training with Dooku washed away by the joy he felt when thinking about his sister. "I mean, she can't talk or really play with me, but just sitting with her and Ferox…" His voice trailed off as a wide and honest smile spread over his face. One that was infectious. "Oh! I, um, spent time with Miss Vosa as well," he added once he'd recovered from his bout of joy.

My brow rose at hearing that. I knew Vosa was interested in Anakin, and had tried to help save Shmi when the station had been attacked, but I was still reluctant to have her near him. Her interest wasn't, thankfully, as deranged as it had been toward me, but she had sensed his power when Shmi had died.

Dooku might've been accepting of her being near Anakin, but I wasn't, and I'd be sending him a message asking for his reasoning on the matter. He might've been, and in many ways still was, my Master, however, Anakin was my responsibility.

"Yeah, she wanted to see what I'd learnt." One of his hands grasped his pad in a sign he was concerned about something. "She, um, she didn't seem happy about what I'd learnt and offered some suggestions to help me grow stronger."

"I would be interested in hearing and seeing what those were later," I said as calmly as I could manage. Anakin didn't have my issues with Vosa, even liking her for trying to save his mother, but even then, with his willingness to see the good in everyone, he knew I didn't want her around him. The fact he'd at least told me about the interactions he'd had with the former Bando Gora leader was a sign he enjoyed and wanted to keep my respect and trust. "Moving on, what do you know of the Shapers of Kro Var?"

"Um… Just what was on the datapad you gave me," he replied. I leaned forward, wanting for him to continue, and from the way he shrunk into his chair, I suspected he'd forgotten much about the Shapers. "Um, they use the Force to control what they consider the elements. Fire, water, wind, and earth."

That was accurate, though the files had added that while most Shapers focused on only a single element, some could shape more than one element while the most powerful of their order were rumoured to be able to control the base elements and more powerful ones. Those reports hadn't been confirmed by the records I had access to but, knowing what I did of the Force, it should be possible for anyone with sufficient training to control the elements and more natural forces.

Now, we'd not be staying with the Shapers long enough to learn how to shape all four base elements, but I felt we'd get a good understanding of their techniques. Perhaps even gain insights into using such things that were missing from Jedi teachings.

"What else?" I prodded when Anakin stayed quiet after his initial statement.

"Uh… The Jedi consider them a Dark Side cult but because they're isolated and don't move around the Republic, the Jedi generally ignore them."

"True enough." If the Jedi were truly interested in bringing balance to the Force by defeating the Dark Side, they'd move to remove cults like the Shapers, or the Nightsisters of Dathomir, especially as to most of the Order, the Sith were gone; assigned to history as a failed order. Instead of doing that, the High Council, and through them the rest of the Order, allowed themselves to be guided and ordered around by a Senate that was so corrupt that it represented a challenge to the Jedi's belief of balance.

Thinking about the Nightsisters, my thoughts returned to when I had considered learning from them. Or at least one of the other clans of the Witches of Dathomir. The idea had quickly been dismissed as every clan believed that males were little better than slaves and breeding stock. While I would be interested in learning how they tamed rancors enough that they could be ridden, I had no interest in spending the rest of my life in chains.

Anakin's face scrunched up as he tried to remember the rest of the data on the Shapers that I'd shared with them. wanting to see how much he could recall; I stayed silent as he ransacked his memories. "They… um… they dislike the Jedi."

"Yes, but why?"

"Because of how they… how we use the Force."

My lips twitched at his slip. I was training him with an inclination toward Jedi philosophies, but a little over a year since I'd adopted him, it was clear that path didn't hold as much appeal as he might've expected a few years prior.

"Specifically?" I asked, figuring I could use this discussion or at least the time before it became about the exact details of our time with the Shapers as a teaching moment. There was more value in learning, remembering, and then recalling something than having it stated over and over to you by others.

"Because we can move things with a gesture."

"The gesture isn't technically needed," I replied gently. "Or at least, I don't think it is. To me, it's very much about training yourself to do something without thinking. Much like the concept of muscle memory, and how repetition of the various velocities means that, when battle comes, you know how to move your lightsaber without having to think heavily about it. You can immerse yourself in the moment, focusing on everything around you and trust yourself to know how to react and when." I raised my hand. "To me, this," I flicked my fingers up, raising the datapad with the 3P0 schematics on it into the air, "shouldn't need the gesture to be done, though I still do it because it is what I expect to happen when I wish the Force to obey me."

I had been experimenting with moving objects without gestures, simply because of the potential advantage it would offer in a multitude of situations. It was doable, though without the gesture the action was more difficult. I was training myself to find it easier, as the ability to manipulate objects without the telltale sign of a Force user doing so, had great potential use, at least most of the time. On Kro Var, such an act would be problematic at best.

"Returning to the Shapers, they believe that using the Force in unseen ways is abhorrent. So, the more common abilities a Jedi might use of Telekinesis or Telepathy are downright outlawed in their society. If we are caught displaying those powers, then at best we face life imprisonment. At worst, they'd try to execute us.

As Anakin gulped, one hand rising to his neck, I knew that they'd not kill us on the spot. Instead, we'd be prepared for some form of custom for executions. That would take time to arrange, so we'd be imprisoned for a short while, which would be more than enough time for HK, R2 and Fenrir – who the last I saw him was resting in the central area of the ship – to free us.

"Yeah," I said, gesturing to Anakin's hand that was near his throat. "That is why, while we are on their planet, we won't be mentioning that we're Jedi. Not at any point in our training. As far as they are to know, we are Mando'ade: buir bal ad. I expect that they will train us, but that we'll have to do so without our armour as the Shapers retain a distrust of technology. We'll likely have to do our training in simple robes they provide."

"What about your arm?" Anakin blurted out, bringing up a point I'd already considered before coming here.

"We'll have to see what they decide. I hope they will understand that I need it, and I'll lean into that by hiding the fact I'm comfortable with my right hand as much as my left, but if they demand I remove it, I will. They shouldn't see a problem with me losing a limb in combat, they are, after all, a warrior culture. I'm sure they've had far worse happen when Shapers battle to settle matters. The odds they've not seen worse injuries than mine are about as good as a Wookie marrying a Trandoshan."

As intended, Anakin laughed weakly at the bad joke. It was clear both from his body language and through the Force, that he hadn't fully recovered from his ordeal at the hands of those lizards, though I didn't think he ever would entirely move past it. Such traumatic events had a way of leaving long-lasting impressions on someone no matter how mature or strong they were.

Ideally, he would release the feelings linked to those memories into the Force, and I should teach him how to do that. However, I knew he wouldn't. He took everything far too personally, much as I did, and it would be hypocritical of me to say he should do that when I didn't. Yes, I couldn't because of Eidetic Memory, but that didn't mean I couldn't learn to let go of much of the anger as it formed.

"What about HK and R2?"

"They will remain on Raven, as will Simvyl. He has some Force potential, as all sentients do, but I don't think he'd be able to learn to draw on any element in the time we're going to be present. That doesn't mean he'll be idle, as I expect he'll focus on the training he received with the Matukai and Echani. However, that is up to him. All I'll ask is that he keeps an eye on Raven, and along with HK makes sure no one decides to do anything funny to her."

I doubted anything would happen, but since Raven was unusual, there was always the chance that someone might take an undue interest in her. HK and Simvyl would have clear rules of engagement if such an event occurred, and even if HK disliked them, he would obey them.

"Now, we still have several weeks until we reach Kro Var, but I want you to practise for our time there. There will be no mental usage of the Force until we arrive."

"What about during lightsaber training?"

"Any external mental use of the Force," I clarified, my smile widening at him seeing the mistake in my words. It hadn't been intentional, but it was good to see his mind was alert to flaws in orders. "Drawing the Force inward, as we learnt to do with the Matukai, shouldn't be an issue. Not least as it's highly unlikely that the Shapers could sense us drawing the Force inward. Haran, I'd be shocked if they didn't do something similar themselves."

Anakin nodded, understanding my words, though he stopped a moment later and then frowned. "Won't they ask about why we're coming to them for training?"

"They will," I responded with a chuckle. "Which is why we'll be shifting the truth of certain events slightly." I leaned forward, so he could hear the tale, based heavily on half-truths, that we'd be spinning for the benefit of the Shapers.

… …

​

---

​

… …

I watched as Raven's ramp descended, my eyes alert to any threat that might be outside. I couldn't sense anyone that close, but that didn't mean I was going to lower my guard. "Remember, no sudden movements."

"I know," Anakin responded with an annoyed sigh. Given I'd been making clear the rules for him to follow while we were here, focusing on the story we'd be spinning and how to conduct ourselves during the first few days, several times a day over the last few weeks, I could understand his irritation. That didn't, however, mean I wasn't going to slip in one final warning.

When we'd arrived in-system, it had been clear the Shapers didn't have much in the way of a centralised government or technology. There was no station in orbit, nor any single channel to speak to someone on the planet. Once in upper orbit, Raven's sensors had detected various groupings of people dotted around the planet's four continents. There wasn't anything bigger than a small city – by Earth standards – on the planet, but I'd avoided going to such a centralised location, as there was more chance of running into another visitor who might recognise me.

Instead, trusting the Force to guide me where I wanted to go, we'd flown over the most uninhabited continent. Most of the people there lived in mobile groups, seemingly travelling from one location to the next. There were a few large structures which, based on the scans, seemed to be temples or monuments, but I avoided them as well on the chance they might be sacred.

In the end, the Force had led me to what appeared to be a permanent settlement of around a thousand sentients. As we'd flown over, I'd sensed their reluctance and concern at our arrival, and as such I'd landed Raven a few kilometres from the settlement. We'd remained here waiting, and now, about three hours later, a group of Shapers had approached.

None carried blasters or anything as advanced, preferring blades and other simpler, but not ineffective, weapons. Seeing that, and thinking I could use it to my advantage, I'd removed every weapon I visibly carried bar my beskad. My gauntlets and replacement limb still had everything installed in them, though to hide the fact I had the replacement arm, I wore black gloves over both hands.

I had considered adding the Sith war blade Hego Damask had gifted me as well, but I dismissed the idea. To the naked eye, the blade appeared to be nothing more than an old, but exquisitely crafted weapon. However, one trained to sense the Force as Shapers might well be, should be able to detect the Force within it, a hint that the Force had been used during the blade's creation. Thus, it remained in my Inventory, which was true of anything linked to the Jedi or Sith that might give us away. Even items I'd kept in hidden compartments on Raven were in there, as I wasn't taking any chances.

"Observation: I have already computed the most efficient pattern to remove potential threats, Master. Along with the next three hundred and forty-two. If your oratory skills are insufficient to persuade the local meatbags that we come in… peace, I stand ready to assist."

"I think I'll be up to the task," I replied, ignoring the subtle hints at my potential inability to speak my way out of trouble, and HK having to be peaceful. "And don't activate any of those plans until I command it."

I knew he wouldn't act without orders, but I wanted to be sure. Plus, he and R2 would be remaining on Raven while Anakin and I spoke with these Shapers. My son's part, or at least his ability to convince the Shapers that his story was a hundred per cent truthful, was going to make or break our odds of being trained with this tribe.

If he wasn't up to it, it wasn't a huge matter. There were other tribes to which we could head. I just hoped things didn't turn sour in our first encounter, as while I knew I could take everyone out there with ease, I didn't want to place Anakin in danger.

… …

"When the Trandoshan came close to me, I panicked," Anakin said slowly, hints of fear and anger in his tone, body language, and unintentionally emanating through the Force. "H-he was going to kill me, so I wanted him gone. I brought my hands up to protect myself, but…" he looked down at his hands for a moment, "something happened. I felt something react to my wishes and the world exploded. Dust and sand were thrown up, and when it cleared enough I… I saw the alien had been blown away and had a metal pole sticking out his chest."

I stood at Anakin's side, one hand on his shoulder for comfort as he detailed events on that planet. Or at least the events we were basing our reasons for coming here around. He'd done well, steering clear of my Jedi training, slipping around it when he spoke of how we'd met, the Lokella, the death of his mother, and then my adoption of him under Mando'ade law.

The biggest shift was the one he'd just made, suggesting he'd used either the wind or some form of explosion to knock back and kill that Trandoshan, and while I kept my eyes on my son, I tried to watch the Shaper who was standing with us in the building we were in. The building was at the edge of the settlement and was where the scouting party who'd come to Raven had brought us. at least after I'd convinced them we'd come to seek training with their people.

"How exactly did you manage to push back a being much larger, and I assume stronger, than yourself?" The question came from Aranaris, a member of the villages' tribal council. He wasn't that old, looking to be in his forties or fifties, but he was a council member. I suspected that was why he had so many tattoos over his upper body. Almost all seemed to be stylised flames, though around his waist the tattoos appeared to be more akin to rocks.

The men who'd brought us here had all had tattoos as well, though they'd only had flames ranging from those covering their arms to the leaders of the group having them over their chests. I was curious about the reason for the tattoos, both in number and style, but that could wait until, provided things went well with Aranaris, we were accepted for training.

"Um," I felt Anakin gulp and as he looked up at me, I offered a nod of encouragement. Even without the ability to sense the Force, anyone could tell he was hesitant about the question and possibly slightly unsettled. Whether that came from not trusting himself to fool Aranaris, or because of some lingering issue with killing the lizard, I couldn't say, but I felt the elder would believe it was the former, and thus it would help sell Anakin's story. It might also, if we were lucky, have Aranaris dismiss any small flaws in the story Anakin was spinning. "I don't really know sir. I mean, I wanted him gone, but at the time I don't know how it happened." He looked up at me again. "Thanks to my father, I know now that it was the Force coming to my aid, but at the time I was too shocked to think about what I'd done."

"When my son reacted as he did, I was little more than a hundred metres away around a large pile of debris," I said, cutting in and shifting Aranaris' attention to me. "The sensors in my armour detected shifts in air pressure and temperature, which had me pushing myself faster to reach him.

"When he came into sight, I saw one Trandoshan impaled on a metal skewer, his flesh burnt and smoking and his life all but over. Another was poaching Anakin, my son kneeling on the ground staring at his hands in shock, which took all of my attention. I understand your people distrust technology, but if you wish I can provide a recording of what I saw that day."

The recording was one I'd worked on with the droids, altering recordings and data to show what we wanted it to show. The odds were Aranaris wouldn't want to see it, given the Shapers' distrust of technology, but I wanted it ready on the off chance he did want it. The distaste of technology had extended to us, and Anakin and I had only been allowed inside the settlement, so to speak, after we removed our armour. We still wore the underweave and I still had my arm attached, and my beskad was at my hip, but the rest was back on Raven.

I knew Bo and others wouldn't have been happy about me removing my armour to gain entrance to the settlement, but this wasn't training a Mando'ade could do. Well, except perhaps for Naz and those like her who had enough Force Potential to conceivably learn some Force disciplines.

Aranaris looked at us carefully, judging our words. What I didn't sense was him searching for the truth in the Force, which was a relief. While I knew I could hide the fallacies in our story from him, I wasn't certain Anakin could. "It sounds as if your son can control the cleansing flames," He said slowly, measuring his words. "Not an uncommon display when one with The Gift is in danger. Still, I must ask why you came to us instead of heading to others with understanding, however flawed, of The Gift. Such as the Jedi."

I scowled for a split second before dismissing the expression. "I won't get into the full history of my people and the Jetii, but it is best described as a lack of trust and in some cases respect between us. Don't get me wrong, many Jetii have the potential to be great warriors, but instead of embracing that, they choose to remain loyal lap dogs of the Tsad Droten: The Republic.

"They placed themselves in servitude of the Republic, as deeply flawed as it is, after the same conflict that galactic records show drove your ancestors to this world." Aranaris nodded, knowing at least some of what I spoke of. "A few centuries after that, as my ancestors united under a strong leader, the Jetii feared what we might do. Without investigation of our motives, they convinced the Republic to strike our worlds, reducing much of the surfaces to barren waste.

"We were making no moves toward war with anyone. Haran, we were just emerging from a period of multiple civil wars over who should lead us. Yet the Jetii chose to attack without provocation. They sought to destroy our culture and crush our will, but they failed to understand something. All Mando'ade follow a code; the Resol'nare. Sentients have and will continue to die for causes, but ideals never die. Something the Jetii should understand, yet chose not to when bombarding our worlds from orbit.

"Some of my people, after the events of the Dral'Han as we called it, chose to abandon our ways, and follow the Republic. They are dar'manda: traitors. It is only now, over eight hundred years later, that we have cast off the yoke of those traitors and reclaimed our worlds in the name of the Resol'nare!"

I paused there, taking a few breaths to restrain some of the anger I'd let slip out as I'd spoken. While I didn't hold the hatred of the Jedi and Republic that many Mando'ade did, I understood the sentiment, and it was easy to draw upon the rage that was buried deep inside me to suggest I hated the Jedi.

Once calmer, I squeezed Anakin's shoulder. "Even if that history, and far, far more, didn't exist between my people and the Jetii, I wouldn't ask them to train my son. They would take him from me, deny me the chance to see him ever again claiming it was their right to train him, and that our ways were insignificant compared to their beliefs."

"Your people place that much importance on a child even if it doesn't share your blood?"

"Yes. To us, family isn't simply those you share blood with. It's those who fight beside you in battle, those who you choose to risk everything to protect, and who would burn the stars from the sky to help them." I looked down at Anakin and smiled. "When I first met him and his mother, they were slaves. I managed to free them easily enough and take them to a group of similarly free slaves. However, a little over a year ago, an attack funded by the Hutts," Anakin scowled at the mention of the giant slugs, "resulted in the death, among others, of his mother. Sensing his need to become stronger and gain vengeance, I adopted him and have been training him in the ways of my people ever since."

Aranaris listened attentively as I spoke, hopefully catching the emotions in my tone as he weighed my words. He wouldn't use the Force to get a sense of me, at least not intentionally, but I felt the story Anakin and I had crafted was good enough that it would fool an unsuspecting Jedi Knight, though perhaps not a Master. Even without the Force, he was mature enough to be able to read the subtle signs in someone's body language to catch if they believed what they were saying. Thanks to years of being a friend of Chancellor Palpatine, I'd subtly learnt from a true master how to deceive anyone, though I knew I was far from his current level, never mind where he would go in the coming years.

Time drew on as we stood in silence, waiting for Aranaris to comment.

I find little in your words or body to suggest deception," he eventually said. "The boy will be trained with our young. However, I have yet to hear why you feel you should be trained alongside him."

I chuckled, knowing this would come but wanting to appear amused at my lack of explanation. Everything, even my comments on the issues between the Jedi and Mando'ade, was focused on getting Anakin permission to train with the Shapers. That was because his story was based on facts, from a certain point of view. Mine at least, was going to be based on a complete fallacy.

Hiding that I had, at least before Natural Selection, been able to control the four base elements of the Shapers' philosophy was going to be my greatest challenge while here. Amusingly, taking Natural Selection helped there as while I had all the lessons in my head, including the more scientific ones from Jedi Masters like Plo Koon, I'd yet to spend any real time working on harnessing them since the change. That was because I had always intended to head to the Shapers for training. Now I was going to have to lean heavily into my Social Skills to convince him of what I was about to say, putting them through another test, though one I considered far easier than continuing to hide what I was and what I knew from the Banite Sith.

To that end, I had a quest designed for me to raise Deception and Persuasion by, at a base 50 levels by the end of my training with the Shapers. If I failed, either by not being accepted for training or a lack of effort, then it'd cost me a decent chunk of XP, but it was worth the effort.

I was around halfway to Level 32, which would be another Perk Point. I was leaning toward taking Stat Boost, so my combined physical stats would have their limit lifted to 75. From what I could determine, that was the absolute peak that a Human could reach. While I was happy with how my life had gone, I did wonder if perhaps I'd made a mistake during character creation in taking Human as my species. However, there was nothing I could do about that, nor was it worth wasting time wondering about what might have been. Instead, I turned my attention to Aranaris and began spinning my spiel.

"After I'd rescued him from the Trandoshans, and ensured they never repeated their customs on others," that drew a short nod of approval from Aranaris, "I asked a medic I trust implicitly to test Anakin. From what he said, Anakin has the potential to be extremely powerful in the Force." Aranaris looked at Anakin heavily, trying to judge the truth in my words. "On a hunch, I had the medic test me as well. Throughout my life there'd been moments where I'd moved a touch faster than I should've, or when I knew instinctively what was about to happen a moment before it did. Until Anakin's ordeal I had put all that down to training, but understanding that Anakin could use the Force, I grew curious. I was shocked to discover that while nowhere near as potentially powerful as my son, I could learn to use the Force."

"Given what you have revealed about the Jedi, how did that make you feel?"

"For the first hour or so, I felt wrong. As if I'd been infected by the failings of the Republic. However, with time to consider it, I saw it as another weapon in my arsenal, one I needed to learn how to wield for it to have worth."

Around us, I could feel the Force shifting, hinting the decision was in the air. Part of me wished to use the Force to help ensure Aranaris made the choice I wanted, and I knew the Force would do that if I so demanded. However, there was a chance that Aranaris would sense what I was doing, and realise I wasn't the simple mercenary I claimed to be.

"You are not the first people to come to our world seeking training, though the first to visit my village in my lifetime." He leaned closer. "Most visitors head to one of the larger settlements elsewhere on the planet, so why did you come to us?"

I shrugged. "A hunch I guess. The less people know that Mandalorians are here training, the less likely it is that the Jedi get wind. As much as I'd enjoy showing them how they've failed as warriors, I won't put my son at unnecessary risk." I smirked. "Just to be clear, your people are not the first we've approached and trained with. We spent around half a year with the Matukai. They're another group of Force users outside the Jedi's influence, with a focus on drawing the Force inward to make the body stronger and faster."

I didn't know if the Shapers knew anything about other Force sects beyond the Jedi, or if they used the Force in similar ways to the Matukai. By revealing this now, I could explain away instances where Anakin and I moved faster than we might otherwise be able to in advance. That should mitigate the risk of anyone questioning our story.

"Such training is offered to those we consider Apprentices. The second true rank of warriors among our people." He leaned back, one hand coming up to stroke a long beard. "It will be interesting to see how someone does knowing such techniques before learning to shape their first element. As it will to see how an adult with some understanding of how to use The Gift does in training. Perhaps it might even offer new insights into the training of our warriors."

I nodded, pleased he wasn't upset about us training to draw the Force inward, and that he could already see the benefits of having us train with his tribe. There was an undertone of something, perhaps uncertainty over our story, but if he wasn't going to touch on that concern, I wasn't going to ask about it. The less he openly questioned our story, the less likely he was to see through the lie in it until, I hoped, we were finished with his training and off-world.

"I will speak with the other Elders," Aranaris added, making me smile. He moved toward the door of the room, though as I moved to follow he gestured for us to wait. "You are to remain here as my guests until a decision has been reached."

I disliked being confined in the room, not least when I could easily sense the dozen Shaper warriors around the building waiting for any sign we were a threat. However, if the roles were reversed, I'd have done the same.

"How long will that take?" Anakin blurted out.

Aranaris stopped and turned back to us. I feared he might dislike the question, but as he offered Anakin a warm smile, I knew that wouldn't happen. "I see the impertinence of youth is a universal constant," he said as his eyes found me.

"Only in those with the desire to make their mark on the galaxy," I replied with a grin.

That drew a short chuckle from the Shaper Elder. "Very true." He returned his attention to Anakin. "Based on what you and your father have told me, I'm inclined to accept your presence among the tribe. Now I have to convince the other Elders of that, but my voice carries enough weight that I don't foresee it taking more than an hour or two at most."

Anakin accepted that, and Aranaris left the room. While the door was open, I saw two Shapers standing there. They had accompanied Aranaris to this meeting, but it appeared that they would be remaining behind. More security to ensure we didn't do anything rash.

Like those that met us at Raven, they carried simpler weapons; one with a sword, the other an axe. Their eyes, as had been the case for any that had seen us, had been drawn to my beskad. I was unsure if I'd be allowed to train with it, at least for the entirety of our stay here, but it offered me a potential inroad to getting better acquainted with the warriors of the tribe. As would their tattoos.

The meanings seemed clear, and I was sure Adas would be interested in them as well. The holocron was curious about the Shapers and had asked me to speak with him at least once during my training so he might learn about their culture. The ancient Sith King – a true Sith unlike those of Bane's lineage who bore little in common with the original beliefs of the species the name had come from – was wiser than he let on. Or at least knew how to withhold enough information to keep me interested in continuing to learn from him.

I understood what he sought from me, and I understood the dangers of heading down that road. But with me unable to ever let go of my emotions – good or bad – the Jedi path wasn't one I could walk. Certainly not the path the current High Council was taking the Order down. That road led only to one place, which I was intent on stopping.

The trick for me was to learn from Adas without losing myself to his ideals, or the depths of the Dark Side before I was able to master it as I wished.

… …

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… …
"… and that's about it so far," I said as I sat in my quarters, the holocron in front of me glowing as its gatekeeper listened carefully to my words. "I'm sure there's more to come in the Apprentice classes, but I'll not know that until tomorrow."

It had been about a month since we'd arrived on the planet and begun training, and I was finally moving up. Spending that month in a class with young learners had been irritating, but I had endured it. Beyond it feeling like a test from Aranaris and the other elders, I knew that you had to crawl before you walked. Or in this case, understand the element you wished to Shape before attempting to do anything more than summon it to your hand.

Those I'd be joining in the Acolyte group were closer to my age, though most were in their mid-teens while I was eighteen. Amusingly, the names the Shapers had for their ranks, were a mix of ranks the Jedi and Sith had used. Or at least older Sith orders. After Apprentice, there was Warrior, Knight, and then Master for your chosen element.

Interestingly the tribe that the Force had guided us to specialised in Fire Shaping. I'd half expected that given the tattoos of the Shapers in the tribe, but it was nice to have the confirmation as that was the element both Anakin and I were most inclined toward using. We both had some inclination toward Air Shaping, but that wasn't going to be learnt currently.

Regardless of the tribe, Shapers learnt to master a single element first. then, if they had the inclination and desire, they could learn another. Thus, someone like my trainer, Master Walrion, could be a Master of one element, but an Apprentice of another. Those who could master two or more elements were the Grandmasters of their culture, with those rare individuals who could master all four elements were considered a Supreme Master. From what the tribe knew, there was no Supreme Master currently, but that wasn't uncommon. Not only were they a semi-isolated tribe on the remotest continent, but Supreme Masters' only seemed to be born in times of great strife.

Within the tribe, there were a handful who could wield multiple elements, with them often in positions of importance. Interestingly, the Shapers considered one's primary element as a guide to the sort of person they were.

The rarest of elements as a primary was Earth. Those who could shape it were regarded as incredibly dependable and practical. In battle they were considered if they had mastered the element, the most difficult opponent to overcome; much like a mountain, they could be near-impossible to disrupt or knock over without an insane amount of power used against them.

Water Shapers, like Earth Shapers, were considered dependable as well but were generally calmer and more reserved. Those who mastered the element were said to be able to sense the gentlest of changes in another's emotional state and knew exactly what to say to help those with which they were speaking. Water Shapers were highly sought after as tribunal members – their version of courts – and diplomats to send to other tribes due to them, like water, being able to flow around obstacles to reach their destination.

Air Shapers were regarded as free spirits. They often wandered the land, travelling from tribe to tribe, guided by their curiosity about what lay over the next hill. They were also the best for creating new ways of doing things, that same drive of curiosity helping shine their mind toward seeing things in ways few others could. Given Anakin's ability with technology, it wasn't a surprise that he was considered almost as strong with Air as he was with Fire by the Masters. I lacked the cutting insight he had, but my drive to wander and explore showed I had an affinity toward Wind as well.

However, for both of us, Fire was where our hearts lay, and after learning of what it represented, that wasn't a shock. Fire Shapers were bold, aggressive people; those willing to rush into danger to help others. Their passions burnt bright, leading them to do what needed to be done. However, that same drive could also be a problem if the Shaper didn't learn to overcommit and do the wrong things for the right reasons. If they learnt to temper that heat, then Fire Shapers were considered the greatest of warriors and commanded armies when tribes went to war.

"Interesting," Adas commented as he stood still having listened to my report. "This blade they had you train with, show it to me."

Since we were in my cabin, a good few kilometres from the settlement, I reached out and used the Force to do so. The blade floated up into the air, turning along its axis to show all points to the ancient Sith King.

The blade was about the length of my beskad, which was longer than most such Mando'ade weapons, and a touch heavier. It was also blunted as while Master Walrion and her helpers weren't against trainees striking each other with their blades, they didn't want unnecessary damage done to us. The blades thus left bruises when they struck, or at least they did if wielded by some with the strength to do so.

While I had to hold back on my blade work while training to become an Acolyte – because of the age and skill of my groupmates – I hoped that wouldn't be the case from tomorrow as I began studying to become an Apprentice Shaper. Regardless of that, I would still have to hold back with using the Force, at least externally. There hadn't been any instances with the children where there'd been an instance when drawing on the Force would be the easier choice, but I knew that wouldn't last. While he might have more need of drawing on the Force to defend himself, Anakin was doing well at not doing so. I could only hope that remained the case over the coming months.

"A teaching weapon, one sadly blunted to avoid injury. I would have ensured the blade was at least partially sharp, to remind the younglings that it wasn't a toy, but I can understand why that isn't the case, and why they gave you such a blade when training with their youngest potential warriors." I ignored the comment about having to train with children, as it was one I'd snapped at myself about on occasion over the last month. "It certainly isn't on par with your beskad, to say nothing of the weapons my armies wielded, but I can see potential in its design."

"They use the Force to strengthen their blades," I said as the training weapon continued to rotate around in the air. "Nothing like how the Force was used in the creation of the war blade Plagueis gave me, but from what I've heard, it's the same principle as what I learnt from the Jedi about how to strengthen any object with the Force if there is a need to do so temporarily."

"While that is probably true, you should still listen to their methods on the unlikely chance they offer an insight you had not yet considered." Adas paused. "When will you consider training with the war blade?"

"Probably not for some time, and even then the beskad will remain my choice as my secondary weapon."

"Understandable, but you shouldn't discount a Force-forged blade as an option. The blade you have is powerful, though not comparable to the axes I wielded in war. Ones so powerful they could shatter the hulls of those who thought to invade and conquer those I ruled over."

"The Rakata."

The gatekeeper nodded. "Yes." He paused for a moment. "It is interesting that your ancestor has history with them; or at least one of their great war machines. Almost as if it were a sign that through the Rakata, we were destined to meet."

"Perhaps." My response was noncommittal as I didn't want to even hint that my choice of Revan as an ancestor was an active choice on my part.

"I remain disappointed that this Star Forge is gone. The potential for it to help us prepare for the wars we sense coming would've been immense." I nodded, agreeing with the sentiment even if I was glad the Star Forge was gone. Something that powerful, if it fell into the wrong hands, had the potential to fuck up the galaxy if given time to prepare for war. "Returning to the Shapers, they have potential as useful warriors in an army, but they remain limited by flaws in their beliefs. Flaws I'm sure you are well aware of."

I chuckled, knowing full well he wanted my opinion on the Shapers. The tricks he used were the same as ones I used with Anakin, and that Dooku had used when training me as his Padawan. The difference between Adas and myself was that I was trying to have Anakin focus on the ideals of the Jedi. Those lessons weren't sinking in well, and it was clear now – if it hadn't been a year ago – that he wasn't cut out to be a Jedi: at least as how the Council would expect.

With Adas, while he spun his words well, he wasn't hiding his intent to teach me how to draw upon, wield, and dominate the Dark Side. The only upside was that his teachings were based on what true Sith would've learnt, and not what those in the Banite Order had followed for nearly a thousand years. Yes, that plan was working, but it didn't feel like the correct choice to take.

I often wondered if Bane had somehow learnt from Revan, as he was one of the few Old-era Sith who had used a Rule of Two. Learning the truth was highly unlikely, but the question was one of many that I had linked in numerous ways to my ancestor. Of course, to get answers, I'd either have to wait for him to reappear and speak to me about them, or somehow discover information from the Banite Sith.

That was something for far into the future, and I replied to Adas' comment. "Their ability to harness the world around them, to shape and use it how they do is impressive. Perhaps even beyond what most Jedi and Sith could do. However, that is because the Jedi and Sith embrace a wider view of the Force and how it should be used." There was more to it than that, but that was the answer I felt Adas wanted to hear.

"Yes. Against a properly trained Sith, or even a Jedi, most of the Shapers would be little to no threat. Their Masters, however, might well be more effective against Sith Warriors or Jedi Knights, but in a prolonged conflict, their narrow-minded views would result in their deaths. Now, if they chose to work in concert, ambushing a Jedi Master, they might well stand a chance of taking them out; provided of course, that the Jedi Master in question was caught unaware." A nod came from me, signalling my agreement even as Adas continued.

"As you said, the flaw in their beliefs is their greatest weakness. It does, paradoxically, offer great strength as one who focuses heavily on a certain aspect of the Force can overwhelm others who aren't as well versed. The challenge, as both agree, is that these Shapers focus too narrowly on how they use the Force. However, if there was a need for a combat-capable Force sect in war, the Shapers have the potential to be extremely effective; particularly if deployed in situations designed to maximise their skills."

Again, I nodded as I had already added the Shapers as a potential resource to draw upon when it came time to be a coalition to challenge both the Republic and the CIS. Such a coalition would be termed as Separatists by Republic media, but I had no intention of allying with the majority of the CIS, or at least the mega-corporations that ruled it from the shadows. Those who genuinely believed that the Republic had failed them and also disliked the companies that provided the power to the CIS were potential recruits for my forces, as were those Republic worlds who stayed with it simply because of hatred toward the mega-corporations, or who didn't want to change from one suffocating overload to one far worse.

Taking time to train Anakin and myself was a risk, but with Gunray and his closest subordinates removed from the board, and Dooku shifted away from becoming a Banite Sith pawn, I felt I had time to do so. Those actions would delay the Banite Sith's plans, though I wasn't foolish enough to believe that it had ended their plans. With Damask as Co-Chancellor, they held more political power than they might have in the other timeline and now had ways to circumvent Republic laws about time in office without rushing to generate a crisis.

What might work in my favour there was that it was uncertain how Republic courts would rule on the idea of someone serving three terms as Co-Chancellor while being elected twice. The matter was already being discussed on the Holonet, though if it were brought before the courts, I knew the Banite Sith would move to ensure the ruling was in their favour.

That was why I'd dropped the hint about Maul being involved in the attack on Sojourn. Sidious was actively seeking to remove Plagueis, but I felt the Muun wasn't aware of that threat. At least he wasn't until the reveal of Maul's actions. Now, if things went even slightly well for me, Plagueis would begin to distrust everything Sidious told him. Not only would that generate the smallest of wedges between the pair, but it could unravel a few threads in their plan. I just had to be ready to pull on those threads to further weaken them before the Clone Wars erupted.

"This trial you underwent to become an Acolyte, what did it involve?"

"Nothing more than proving my competency with what was taught, but wielding the Force to control fire and with a blade. While easy to manage, I've had to be cautious with how quickly I've mastered their instructions, not wanting to risk giving away that I have prior training." So far, that had worked, but I knew there were a few voices from some of the younger Shapers that my rate of improvement was far too good to be anything but due to previous training. I was going to have to be cautious going forward, as there was a chance that someone would place me in a situation where to avoid harm, I had to draw upon the Force in ways not yet taught to me.

"For the Apprentice trials, the blade will be replaced with one sharpened, though not to levels that could cause a fatal accident. However, I'm told the goal of those trials isn't to defeat your opponent with the blade but to show your understanding and control of your chosen element is enough to allow advancement to more difficult training. I assume to do that, it requires creativity and ingenuity to if not defeat, then out-move my opponent. If it's clear that one fighter is superior to the other, the Masters will step in to avoid potentially fatal injury, but I'm unsure of anything more."

I intended to pass the Apprentice trial as, beyond wanting to advance as quickly as possible, that would be the second of five objectives for my time with the Shapers. I'd passed one by advancing to Acolyte, but the higher ones – to become a Warrior, Knight, or Master – were beyond me. at least with me intending to not spend more than half a year on Kro Var.

"Hmm," Adas began as he considered my words. "I understand the choice to not use fully sharpened blades, but is it disappointing. One cannot determine what a potential warrior is capable of unless they are placed in mortal danger. A lesson you have learnt several times in your life, from when you were attacked by Sith as a youngling, through your trial with the Mandalorians and up to the challenge the Sith Assassin gave you on Naboo."

I'd told Adas much about my adventures to prove I was worthy of his training, to see how he would react, and slowly earn his trust. So far, it seemed my stories had worked with Adas, and he was willing to teach me what I wanted. I was aware he wanted me to go further and faster down the path he intended, but I was being cautious. The Dark Side would swallow me whole if I entered it without fully understanding it. Indeed, I suspected that it was only because of the Interface that I hadn't fallen during the events with the Bando Gora and Vong. I'd lost that protection now, and while I was open to learning what I could use of Adas' teachings, I didn't want to fall as deeply into the darkness as he did.

"Ritual combat is something to be encouraged," Adas continued, "and hearing the Shapers, like the Echani and Mandalorians use it, reminds me of my youth. I had to scratch and claw for everything I earned, be it proving my worth to my tribe to uniting my world under my banner. However, from how you describe it, it's clear that the Shaper duels are but pale imitations of what a warrior should face to prove their worth. Nor do I expect that, when battles between tribes take place, the victor savours their triumph by drinking the blood soup from their defeated enemy's skull."

"I haven't heard anything about how disputes between tribes are handled, nor do I suspect I will," I replied, pushing aside all my distaste for what he'd mentioned. He knew I wasn't going to do that or things like it, but continued to mention them as if to judge if I was unworthy of continuing to train under him.

He might claim that there was power in drinking the blood of someone strong in the Force and that it could be used in various rituals and incantations, but I had shab'an interest in doing that. Now or ever.

"Understandable, but I expect if you did, I would be disappointed by their rules. Few species have the resolve and power to truly delve into the Force as a warrior should." While his tone was neutral, I could catch the slight inflexion that hinted at his disappointment. "On the topic of combat, have you given any further thought to how to rebuild your lightsaber?"

"Not heavily, no," I replied, knowing he was meaning my main blade. The yellow shoto blade was a backup weapon for me, and until Anakin created his lightsaber, the one he was training with when time allowed. "I want to attempt to rebuild or repair the crystal, and intend to use beskar or phrik as the coating of the hilt, but beyond that, nothing."

I had spent the year-plus since the lightsaber's destruction acting more as a Mando'ade than a Jedi, but not having the hilt at my waist continually left me feeling incomplete. The crystals, including the Mantle of the Force, were all aligned completely with me, yet I hadn't found anything on how to repair the damage done to the micro-crystal that formed part of the focusing array within my old lightsaber.

If I wished, I could've taken a random crystal from my Inventory – I had ten such crystals – and used that in a lightsaber, but the microcrystals had been the ones I'd found in the crystal cave on Ilum. I'd worked to find them; facing, and defeating visions of two possible extreme paths I could walk in the process, and not using them in a new lightsaber was wrong. Thus, I preferred to at least attempt to repair the damaged crystal, or failing that, work to find a new one.

"Then perhaps it is time I offered an alternative to blindly searching in the hope of finding a suitable replacement. During my lifetime, lightsabers were unknown, but due to previous holders of this holocron, at least those who proved themselves worthy of my instruction, I have learnt several secrets related to them and other powers. One such secret is how the Sith craft crystals for their weapons."

"You mean the reason every Sith lightsaber uses a red crystal?" I asked slowly, my thoughts turning to lessons with the Jedi about how unlike them, the Sith didn't seek out a crystal. Instead, the Sith crafted such things from their hatred and rage, from the darkest depths of their souls. According to those lessons, the Jedi claimed a true Sith lightsaber was weaker than a Jedi one because the crystal was not forged naturally by the Force. I suspected the Sith claimed the opposite, but while I had crystals from Sith, the last time I'd Observed them, nothing had been revealed to suggest either side was telling the truth.

"Yes. The process was revealed to me many millennia ago but one of the few worthy of learning at my feet." I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at the arrogance of the gatekeeper, thinking those who'd come before me had been beneath him. Adas had been a warrior king, ruling for centuries but that was but one world in a galaxy of hundreds of thousands of them. "The process, rather amusingly, has its roots in techniques and rituals dating back to before even my rise as the Sith'ari."

"Who taught you?" I asked, ignoring Adas referring to himself as the Sith'ari – their Chosen One. The title, given his rule lasted for centuries, only ending when he drove the Rakata and all their advanced Dark Side-powered technology from Korriban, was well earned. I wanted to hear who had once owned this holocron, as that might well grant me the chance to plot the rough course it had taken over the mill…

"Freedon Nadd." The mention of that name knocked me out of my thoughts. "You have heard of him?" Adas asked, seeing the shock on my face.

"He lived before my ancestor did," I replied slowly, drawing on studies in the Jedi Archives. "He conquered Onderon and ruled there for upwards of a century before the Jedi arrived and, so they claim, defeated him and his followers easily." There was more to the story, much more, but this wasn't time to reveal everything I knew of Nadd.

"Yes, I was made aware of his defeat several centuries later by the next who proved themselves worthy." A deep, almost guttural chuckle came from the gatekeeper. "It was not long after learning of Nadd's fate that the matrix of this holocron went dormant. Remaining so until you awoke me from my slumber."

Well, that would make plotting the holocron's route considerably easier, though there were still massive holes in it. Not least how my mother managed to gain possession of it, and stored it with her belongings in the Vault on Ordo.

"This process, what exactly is involved?" There was no harm in hearing about it, though I was hesitant to consider it any further than that.

"I sense reluctance in your tone."

"Obviously." My response was dry, and lacking in detail. "Trusting the words of a long-dead Sith, even one as powerful as yourself, without question would be beyond foolish." Plus, I was concerned about heading further down the path Adas wished for me to walk. I wasn't going to follow his intentions. No, I would forge my own path through the Force in the coming decades.

Another deep, guttural chuckle rippled from the holocron. "If you followed my words blindly, then I would be even more hesitant to instruct you than I currently am. Teaching other Jedi the fallacies taught by their Order is an effort I have grown weary of over the countless years since this holocron was created.

"That said, the fact you are aware of the dangers my lessons contain and how my desires don't entirely align with yours, is a sign that your mind is more open to the truth than the magnitudes of failed Force users that have or will exist in this galaxy and beyond."

I smirked, amused that my logical unwillingness to completely trust Adas had, in some small way, earned me some of his respect. I felt I now knew, after a year or so of truly learning from him, what he wanted to hear and how, but that didn't mean I was always honest with him. That was a dangerous path to walk.

Adas had ruled his people for hundreds of years, and this holocron was over twenty-seven thousand years old, so this gatekeeper had had more than ample time to learn and evolve further. Yet for all that I was learning from him, I had no intention of heading down the deeper, darker, and more dangerous paths he wished to show me.

With war slowly forming on the horizon, I knew that I would have to fight, that I would have to do things many might consider horrible if not downright diabolical. However, if that was what it took to defeat the Banite Sith, and correct the failings of the Jedi and the Republic, then I would do so. There were just some lines I refused to cross.

Learning exactly how the Sith forged their crystals wasn't one of those lines. "What exactly is required to create such a crystal?" I asked, wondering if it might offer some insight into how to, if not repair then at least reforge my damaged microcrystal.

… …

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… …
The blade in my hand flashed, cleaving through the arrow of fire arcing toward me. The Force coursed through the blade, bending to my will as the flame dissipated, leaving only faint embers where its threat had been.

The memory of my first mistake in Acolyte training burned hotter than the flame itself. I'd learned then that pride could sear deeper than fire. Now, standing at the threshold of my Apprentice trials, there would be no such error—no hint of weakness.

The Acolyte trials had been mere sparring matches within the safety of the settlement. The Apprentice trials were harsher, with six tests in a single day, each demanding more than the last. Failure meant half a year's wait, an eternity to someone who had already lingered here for five long months. Victory was my only path forward.

Four trials had passed, three ending in duels where my opponents, consumed by resentment, had faltered, and fallen before my steady hand. But this one—a boy my age, cautious and sharp—held his ground, sensing that I was no easy target. I felt his rage, raw yet focused, stirring his attacks with force, but it was nothing compared to what I held within. Since Anakin's abduction, I'd honed my emotions to a lethal edge. But here, that edge remained sheathed, restrained. The time to reveal myself had not yet come.

The dying embers of his fiery arrow gave way to a flick of my wrist, sending five bolts of flame hurtling toward him. Each bolt was a distraction, an irritation, calculated to make him falter. His blade rose to meet them, and he retaliated with a wave of fire, pushing it forward with all the focus of his intent.

I met his fire with my own, conjuring a wall of flame. In the midst of the blaze, I surged forward, my beskar-arm braced against the searing air, cutting through the flames like water. He knew what that arm could do, having seen me send another opponent to the ground with a single strike. His blade rose, deflecting, creating an opening I could have seized—but restraint kept my power in check. Not here, not yet.

Our world narrowed to the rhythm of combat, the Force binding us in a ritual dance of fire and steel. Shadows flickered at the edge of my vision, where the Masters watched, unaware of the true power I kept veiled. My blade shifted, gripping the hilt with both hands as flames spiralled around my beskar limb. The boy's eyes widened, his stance faltering as he watched the fire coiling around the metal.

He raised his free arm, desperate to deflect, but his fear betrayed him. The strike was mine—until a resonant bang shattered the silence. The sound jarred me, just enough to miss my mark, my fist glancing past his form. A surge of fury flared within, raging against the interruption, yet I forced it into a cold, tempered edge.

The Keeper approached as I surveyed the boy, his robes singed, marked by flames. I remained untouched. I'd won, though no one would call it victory. The true question was whether the restraint I'd shown, the power I'd kept veiled, would be understood.

The man offered us a smile once closer. "You both fought well and while neither achieved victory, I judge that you are both ready for the final trial." As he spoke, another member of the Hall – easy to determine by the deep brown clothing they wore, similar in many ways to Jedi robes though without much of the undergarments, moved forward. Knowing what he wanted, I twirled my blade around and presented the hilt to him and my opponent did the same. "That will come this evening after you have both rested and recovered from your previous trials."

We bowed to the Custodian, accepting his words though I felt ready to face whatever the final trial was right now. I knew that was adrenaline and my lust for battle talking, but with the Force under my command, I didn't fear any of the others fighting to become Apprentices nor would I lash out and break my cover simply to satiate my urges.

The Custodian offered me a smile. "You show remarkable ease for an off-worlder with sliding into alignment with The Gift."

I smiled back, having faced this question multiple times during my time with the tribe. "When one is born into warfare, one learns to accept every advantage one has. However, it was only recently that I learnt why I had an advantage of knowing how and when to move before it happened; one I trained with another sect before coming to Kro Var."

"Yes, I have heard you trained with a group called the Matukai," I nodded confirming that, "once your trials are over, regardless of how you fare in the final test, I would enjoy speaking with you about the training you did there. There is wisdom in studying how others view The Gift and how it is used."

"Certainly, though they are the only other Force sect I've visited with my son. I have interacted with the Jetii, but I've never asked them much about their philosophy, and from what I understand, your people have little trust in the Jetii because of how they use the… Gift."

"Indeed." The Custodian turned after getting in the final word and walked away. After giving my opponent a nod, I turned and moved toward where those from the tribe I had trained with were gathered, savouring the understanding that only the time limit had saved my opponent from defeat. He might still have been granted permission to attempt whatever the final trial was, but I suspected that wouldn't have been the case.

As I moved, my smile grew wider as I revelled in how easy it was becoming to slip into the Force; to have it flow around me, granting me insight of what to do and when while ensuring it did as I wanted. It'd been over a year and a half since taking Natural Selection and it was almost instinctual to do so, though I understood that coming to continually rely on it risked leaving me open to moments when the Force was either blocked or when another had greater domination over it than I had.

I'd spent thousands of hours, most nights since I barely required sleep, deep in meditation working to align the Force with my goals, to ensure it was my ally and not my enemy. Now, there had been moments, lasting no more than a nanosecond, where the Force seemed to hesitate, not wishing to aid me as I desired, but those were becoming less common and so far in my training, yet to expose me to true danger.

"You passed!" The exclamation came from Pamaris, one of my fellow Acolytes from the tribe. Most of the others were reluctant to get close to me, fearing me as an outsider, but Pamaris wasn't. That may well be because his inclination lay with Water and Wind, as it made him inquisitive and patient with others. Pamaris had passed all four stages of the trials as well, while most of the other students hadn't, which probably explained the glares I was getting from them.

Their opinion, however, didn't matter. Nor did Pamaris' nor even Master Walrion in all honesty. All that mattered was completing as much of the training as possible in the remaining month or so I intended to spend on Kro Var. Each day remained a challenge, needing to walk the fine line between showing impressive regular improvement and not having that improvement be too great, and thus risk discovery of what I truly was.

Some of the other students in the tribe, and even a few Warriors, had attempted to force me to break my façade, going so far as to carry out actions that had left me slightly wounded. The urge to lash out, to strike them down for their actions remained strong, but I was better than my base desires; certainly, better than those fools who dared challenge my power. The only thing that might, conceivably have me break cover would be a threat against Anakin.

Only one Warrior had even suggested that, and after I'd beaten him down viciously for the threat – without drawing on any Force power I might add – the village had understood that I wouldn't tolerate such comments or behaviour toward my son. That warrior, once the matter had been deliberated on by the Elders, had been sent on with a caravan travelling for months to one of the few cities on the continent. They had yet to return, which was good for the pitiful excuse for a warrior. If he suggested going after Anakin again, I wouldn't be as lenient in my response. Nor hold back on revealing the full extent of my power to him and his tribe.

Now, while I'd kept myself distant from most of those I was studying alongside, by choice and by circumstance, Anakin hadn't, which was entirely expected. He was very much a people person, always seeking the best in others. Two of his group, a pair of twins not born in the village, had become his newest friends.

It was this ability of Anakin's to make friends and seek the best in them, that I felt had been exploited by Sidious to turn Anakin into Vader in the other timeline. Now, I couldn't claim to be immune to this same failing, seen when Serra had been in danger on Naboo and when Anakin had been kidnapped, but I was better able to handle the dangers of having relationships with others due to my maturity. Anakin had a long time to learn that control, though while I was teaching him how to do so I wasn't going to deny him the chance to make friends as we travelled.

"Yeah, but I should've won," I replied to Pamaris, knowing if I stayed quiet any longer he might think I was ignoring him. I wouldn't classify him as a friend, but he was sociable with me.

"Perhaps," a new voice said, drawing my attention, revealing that Master Walrion standing nearby, "but victory in your last duel was not required. All you had to do was prove your capability against someone as skilled as yourself. Those you defeated in the earlier rounds were unready for their trials," around us, several members of his tribe looked away, reminded of their failures in earlier duels, "this last trial was to show you were ready for your final test."

"That doesn't sound ominous at all," I muttered, using a wide smile to make clear I looked forward to the challenge.

"What is life without challenge?" He replied, matching my smile. "Now come. You have time before your final trial, and it would be wise to use that to rest and prepare."

After giving Pamaris a nod, I followed Walrion. Around us, most of those in the tribe who had come to attempt their Apprentice trials glared up at me. I, however, didn't care; they had proven themselves unworthy of the position they sought while I had not. All that remained was one final test, but I could feel the Force sliding around me, offering its help to ensure I emerged victorious.

… …
As the green flames surged closer, I dove to one side, their scorching heat grazing past as I rolled into a landing. Pain flared in my left leg—a harsh reminder, tempting me to unleash fury on the fool who dared wound me. But surrendering to that urge would be a surrender of my purpose, my control, and the Force itself.

Instead, I channelled the anger inward, sharpening my focus, and honing my movements to a razor's edge. Yet, even as I rose to retaliate, my power felt constrained, a fraction of what I could wield if I allowed the Force to surge unchecked. Five months of holding back, lowering myself to match those around me, grated against every instinct. But now, so close to completing my trials, I couldn't risk shattering my disguise.

The flames gathered at my fingertips, yet before I could release them, the emerald blaze arced again toward my new position. "Enough," I growled, springing forward to evade the green inferno as best I could. Unlike the previous duels, this one stripped me of my blade, pitting me against a Fire Master. Survival alone was the objective—time was the only measure of success. Yet, the Custodian's cruelty lay in concealing the duration, forcing each Acolyte to fight as though every second might be the last.

Rushing across the arena, I scanned for anything I could use. This duel wasn't held within the Hall of the Four but in an open arena, like a colosseum with rows of seats filled with eager spectators, those who had failed their own trials watching hungrily. Every attack I attempted was swallowed by the Fire Master's flames, his green fire devouring my efforts with effortless contempt. The cheers that rose with each failed attempt only fanned my irritation.

I knew the Fire Master wasn't aiming to kill, though he wouldn't hesitate to wound. In truth, if we clashed with full strength, I would crush him; he wielded the Force narrowly, through a singular mastery, while I could command it in ways he couldn't comprehend. Yet here I was, forced to endure this torment, to bide my time.

Then I saw it—a pillar of stone, no doubt raised by an Earth Shaper in an earlier duel. It was broad enough to shield me from view, at least briefly, and I sprinted toward it. To the spectators, the seconds I spent rolling, rising, and darting to the pillar would seem brief, but to me, with the Force amplifying each sensation, it was an eternity, my mind racing through strategies, discarding each in turn as inadequate.

Just as I reached the pillar, four steps from cover, all thoughts of strategy fled. Around the pillar, another funnel of green flames twisted toward me, the Fire Master's trap. Fury erupted, raw and consuming, pulsing through my veins as I realized I had no escape.

I couldn't stop, couldn't veer from the path, couldn't reveal my power to evade what was coming. In the agonizing slowness of the moment, I braced myself, arms raised in a futile guard against the oncoming blaze. I closed my eyes, the searing heat enveloping me, burning through layers of will and flesh alike. I knew the cost this might exact; it might end my trials here, rob me of my chance to ascend as an Apprentice Fire Shaper.

But I wouldn't flinch, wouldn't turn away. If this was how the duel would end, I would face it head-on, unyielding. Pain blazed through every nerve as the flames devoured me, their heat an all-consuming fury—and then, mercifully, the world faded into darkness.


… …

​

---

​

… …
As I lay in the bed, my gaze returned once more to my arms. Bar the beskar-covered replacement which showed no hints of damage as far as I could tell, I wore bandages from my shoulders down each arm. Those were the last bandages I had, with those for the rest of my body having healed in the days I'd been lying here.

The Shapers had a substance that accelerated the healing of the skin, and from what I'd seen, I wouldn't have any marks left on my chest, back, and legs. I could've healed the wound quicker, but that would mean drawing upon the Force and desiring it to restore my skin to its natural state. Such an act, while faster and less painful – even with the numbing agent the Shapers added to their medicine and bandages – would've ruined my cover, and after enduring the mind-searing pain from the duel with the Fire Master, I'd be a son of a Hutt before I made such an elementary mistake.

When I'd first awoken, and been told of my scars, of which my arms had taken the brunt of the blow, being the only section of me, outside of my head, the Water Shapers – or at least those who had learnt to harness their gifts for healing – had told me I would retain the scars from my trial. At least those on my arms. Those elsewhere would heal fully, and my hair – burnt away by the flames – was already beginning to return. I'd started to enjoy having slightly longer hair, allowing it to reach down past my shoulders, and not feeling it there – instead, having to endure any breeze on my exposed skull – was perhaps more off-putting than the scars hidden by the bandages.

For a few moments I had considered healing the scars that would be left once I left Kro var, but Master Walrion had entered the room not long after and stated why the scars on my arms were important. The scars that lay under the bandages were badges of honour to the Shapers, with every one of them, all the way up to the Grandmasters, having such marks if they learnt to Shape fire.

Other elements could leave scars, but the only element – at least of the base four – that always left such marking was fire. The issue, as I lay in the bed after nearly a week, was that no one had explained why the scars were important. I had a few ideas, but without confirmation, I couldn't be certain of anything.

That had meant the anger I felt for having to endure the bandage, for being forced to experience the pain of my body being engulfed in flames, only grew stronger. Thankfully, after time training with the Matukai, and the Shapers, and learning some ways to focus such rage from Adas, I had no issues controlling my rage. Shaping and guiding it in the ways I wished was child's play and while that was a simple matter for any who understood the power that lay in achieving dominance over one's emotions, it was such a relief to have that. Particularly when I remembered my time with the Bando Gora and fighting the Vong.

The upside, or at least the biggest one, to being stuck in a bed for a week was that it granted me time to think. On both the next few steps while on Kro Var and the ones I needed to take to regain what I'd lost from taking Natural Selection and where Anakin and I would head next.

I couldn't see us staying on Kro Var for much more than another month. I wanted to see what new techniques I would learn as a Fire Apprentice, but after that, there was little need to stay. I'd seen enough from Fire Masters, and painfully experienced more, to see ways I could harness my training to further my abilities. Perhaps in ways that few Jedi and Sith might ever consider. What also assured me that our time with the Shapers was growing to a close was the way Anakin was slowly becoming agitated. As if he longed to move on and explore more of the galaxy.

I shared the same sensation but was better able to hide it from others, but I could sense the Force shifting as if suggesting we needed to move on. That some unknown problem was slowly forming not far into our future. Because of that, my thoughts turned toward powers I had yet to rediscover.

Phase and Teleport were the two obvious examples of such powers. While I knew I could use them, I had remained reluctant to attempt either. Screwing up with them could easily prove fatal. I'd known I needed to learn how to harness the Force properly before attempting to reapply those powers, and as my time with the Shapers grew to a close, I felt it was almost time to add them back into my arsenal.

They were extremely powerful abilities, but their usage in combat – bar for quick withdrawals – was limited. Or at least they had been before taking Natural Selection. Once I was again comfortable using the powers, I'd have to test if that still held, but my feeling was that they would. Still, they offered me avenues that remained closed to most other Force users, and I'd have to start trusting their use, if not in direct combat, then to move into or out of such situations faster. It had been a regular flaw of mine too, when forced into rash actions, that I'd not used them, and that was a flaw I wished to remove.

I'd given more thought to Adas' suggestion on the creation of a new crystal for my lightsaber, and while I was reluctant to commit to it, as it was an obvious path down a road I wasn't comfortable travelling, there was some wisdom in at least attempting the process. Or using it in another way that he might not approve of, but might be more suitable to my needs.

That would come once we were away from Kro Var, but I'd also have to make sure that I didn't leave Anakin and the others waiting around on me while I attempted what I wanted to try. Fenrir and Simvyl were growing agitated with the boredom of not doing much. They went out hunting and training every other day, but both wished to do something else. Raven wanted to fly, her desire to feel the wind surging over her skin growing with each passing minute. As for the droids, while R2 seemed unaffected by such an extended period with little to do, HK had stated a desire to find some meatbags to test his latest calibrations upon.

The only issue with leaving Kro Var soon was that we'd not get the chance to study with an Air Master. Even if we travelled to another tribe elsewhere on the planet, Master Walrion had made clear none would train me until I had become a Fire Warrior. Even then, most wouldn't begin teaching a secondary element until I had mastered the first. That was, even if Anakin and I had the potential to shape air, there simply wasn't the time to commit to the training, so I'd have to learn the ability on my own through trial and error.

I didn't think I yet had to reinsert myself into events of substance in the galaxy, but I knew that the time I had to prepare myself and Anakin before the first beats of the drums of war sounded was growing to a close. Nearly eighteen months had passed since Palpatine had been elected Chancellor, and another month after that Damask had joined him as Co-Chancellor. By now the pair would have the levers of power aligned to ensure they remained in office for as long as was necessary before a galactic crisis ensured none would want them to step down.

Whoever they had chosen to replace Dooku as Darth Tyrannus – if that name was still used – would soon be ready to begin stirring the pot. Assuming it remained a Jedi Master, then it wouldn't take much to search the Holonet for mentions of a member of the Order speaking out publicly on the failings of the Republic in the Outer Rim, but to search for that I needed to be away from Kro Var and back in civilization.

The question, once that figure was revealed, was determining if they had the acumen of Dooku to influence others in the ways he had in the formation of the CIS, or if they would travel down a slightly different path. That, however, would only become clear once I knew who the Banite Sith's puppet was.

Even if I had to wait a few more years to discover the puppet, I could start making moves to prepare. The development of a third faction, one offering another path forward, was perhaps my best choice. That faction would be far smaller than the Republic or CIS, but with the right people, planets, and companies backing it, I felt it held a good chance to royally fuck up the Banite Sith's plans, perhaps even offering sight of the path through the coming chaos that I and Anakin had to thread.

Something hinted to me that beyond us and Dooku, Maul and Vosa had roles to play in finding and then widening that path, however, I was unsure of what those roles would be, and in the case of Vosa, if I wanted to accept her service.

The obvious non-Force users to focus on were the Mando'ade and Lokella. The latter were small but dedicated toward goals I could support and would induce new forms of chaos into the Banite Sith's plans. The former, however, had the potential to derail things majorly. There were, potentially, hundreds of millions of Mando'ade spread across the galaxy, and if they could be united under a single banner, under a new Mand'alor, and bring the full strength of their arms and technology to bear, they could be incredibly useful.

However, they alone wouldn't be enough, but I had a few plans, some downright insane that I could enact that might, if not outright help my cause, then disrupt the Banite Sith's plans. One such group was the Anzati, or more accurately their assassins.

From the general stories on the Holonet that one read of the Anzati, they sounded like this galaxy's version of vampires. Feeding on the 'soup' or 'luck' of others to enhance themselves and live longer was the stuff that gave people nightmares. More so when one considered that they considered those strong in the Force delicacies of the highest order.

When one dug into their culture, however, one saw that while all that was true, only those who lost control of themselves and became little more than feral beasts deserving of nothing but a quick and painful death, attacked and fed on others so indiscriminately. The majority of the species lived for centuries, learnt to control, and rise above their urges, and through those centuries if not millennia of life, trained to become some of the deadliest fighters in the galaxy, with many specialising in assassinations. So much so that HK considered them the apex meatbag species for such missions, which from him was as high praise as he could offer to a sentient.

All that meant that I would be safe to train with an Anzati Master Assassin if they were willing to train a Force user. However, Anakin and the others wouldn't save perhaps for Simvyl. For the droids, Fenrir, and Raven, it would be another five or six months of sitting around, but I felt the time was something Anakin could use.

I was uncertain how easily I could slip away from my training to oversee Anakin's; however, he had his project waiting for him. He'd not been able to focus on it while we were on Kro Var, but nearly half a year of training by himself aboard Raven would grant him the time to create his droid; something that might help keep HK and R2 occupied as well, at least to some degree.

The door to my room sliding open drew me from my thoughts, and a moment later Master Walrion stepped in. "Good Morning. How goes your recovery?"

"The pain's gone, and I can finally feel my fingers," I said, flexing them for emphasis, savouring the relief.

He smiled at the sight. "Good. The healers expected you'd be ready for the final bandages to come off today. Then we can begin the last stage of your trial."

I frowned, puzzled. The battle with the Fire Master was supposed to be the final test. "I've finished the duels," I said, watching as he stepped further into the room, a hint of amusement on his face.

"Yes, the duels are done," he said, his smile widening, "but you've yet to be confirmed as an Apprentice of Fire. You still need the markings that signify you as one of us."

"How are the tattoos applied?"

"The process is simple." He raised his arms, revealing the intricate flames etched from his hands to his shoulders. "Look closely, at the places where the flames seem to meet and intertwine."

I leaned in, examining the stylized flames that danced up his skin. They crept under his clothing, but I knew they extended across his chest. The markings were striking, giving the impression that his arms were alight, an effect that became even more mesmerising when he summoned flames to dance across the tattoos. The ink seemed to come alive, each line of fire blending seamlessly with the real flames, a merging of flesh and fire that was both a mark of power and a promise of what lay ahead.

"Do you remember how in your first lesson; I spoke of what my tattoos represented?"

It took only the slightest bit of effort to have the memory come to the forefront of my thoughts and in crystal clear detail. "That they mark your mastery over the flames, and display to others you have proven your status as a Master of Fire."

Walrion nodded and lowered his arms. "Indeed, and you have now passed your Apprentice trial, it is time for you to gain your first markings." That held some appeal, as I had no issue with tattoos, at least not when they weren't as all-consuming as Walrion's. "Each Shapers' markings are different," he continued, moving closer to the bed, "the marks shaped by events of their trials. The scars your arms bear will form the base of your markings, and the more dangerous the trial, the greater the scars one can experience." I nodded, seeing the logic in that.

"What about the other elements?"

"Those are not as prone to scarring the body as fire, but where they do they are used in the markings. For example, Master Ranalis' markings to show his mastery over earth are based on scars. At least the ones showing his status as Master. Earlier trials rarely leave the same lasting impression as the cleansing flames do."

"In that case, I'm honoured to accept my markings," I said with a smile. A tattoo should always have meaning, signifying something the person did or earned, and not just a mark because they liked a picture. The idea of healing the scars was gone now, replaced by the understanding they carried respect and honour with the Shapers.

"Good. The Custodian and the other Masters were concerned you might reject markings based on personal belief."

I chuckled. "You remember the markings on my armour?" He nodded, remembering when I'd brought part of the armour to show the sigils I bore for both my clan and myself. I'd done so as Anakin had detailed the story of my verd'goten to his friends, and it had spread through the tribe to the point I had to prove them with a recording of the hunt. While many disliked the use of technology to show that, almost all were impressed that I downed the greater krayt dragon with nothing more than a knife. "Then I'm uncertain why you would think I would reject marks of honour and courage."

Walrion grinned. "I knew of this, but the others did not. They needed me to confirm that you were agreeable." He turned and moved toward the door. "I will have the healers visit you soon to remove the bandages. Then this evening, your markings will be created so that you can display them with honour on your travels."

… …

​

---

​

… …
I watched carefully as I ignited the fuel at the centre of the furnace. Having taken days to gather the ferrocrete needed for it, craft that into shape, and then build the forge, the last thing I wanted was for it to fail as I started the fire at its core.

Quickly, the heat rose, stifling the surrounding environment. The Force protected me from the worst of it, yet I could see the air around us simmer from the intense temperature emanating from within the forge. The flames inside roared; twisting around seeking freedom to destroy everything around me, but I knew I couldn't allow that. I had to take control of the flames, control the heat they generated, and focus toward helping me achieve my goal.

Adas had been clear that to forge a crystal in such an intensive way, the Force user had to be the dominant party; they had to ensure for however long the process took that the fire obeyed them in every way they demanded. For the Sith, that meant building a crystal from scratch, applying each layer of lattice one at a time, painstakingly using their fury to endure the time and effort needed to do that, and ignoring the pain brought forth by the intense heat of the furnace as they knelt before it. I was uncertain if I could do that, and with the cracked crystal available to me, I hoped I wouldn't have to.

Once the flames were hot enough, I opened one palm, and using the Force lifted my cracked lightsaber crystal into the furnace. Attempting to repair the crystal using the method the Sith used to create their crystals was a longshot, but since there was no other way to recover the crystal for its primary purpose, I figured it was worth a shot.

On the journey to this remote planet – one in a system known simply by galactic coordinates rather than a name – I'd spent hours using the Force to examine the two micro crystals down to their atomic structure. Or at least as best as I could. The Force had resisted helping me, almost as if it knew what I intended and wanted to stop me, but it had bent to my will and assisted my work; just as it was going to do now.

Even as the crystal floated to the centre of the furnace, I could feel it buckling under the heat. The crack within it widened as the heat affected the lattices within as the flames probed for more weaknesses to exploit. If I was simply trying to repair the crystal, then that would be an issue, but I understood that I couldn't do that. No, what I was attempting was to break the crystal down and rebuild it into something usable.

Focusing my emotions into a fine edge, using it to slice through the Force as it tried to prevent me from accessing the elements that went into the creation of the crystal, I got to work.

In the depths of his holocron, I knew Adas expected this to fail, for it to become nothing but a waste of my time. However, I felt I had to try. This crystal was one I worked to acquire, defeating the worst possible versions of myself in the process, and then discussing the future for a brief moment with Revan.

My mind knew what I had to do, and the Force would bend to my desires helping me achieve that. This was going to take hours, if not days, but I felt the effort was worth the risk.

… …
I slumped back, the exhaustion of what I'd done finally catching up with me as I felt my work was finished. However, before I could saviour rebuilding my crystal, I felt a shift in the Force and a flare of Danger Sense. Understanding what was about to happen, and as the ferrocrete of the furnace began to glow ominously, I reached out and engulfed the furnace in a Force bubble.

The furnace exploded spectacularly, and I had to shield my eyes. The bubble I'd created held, and I felt it strain against the pressure that slammed into it. However, I wasn't letting the bubble fail. If I did, I was dead. The Force bent to my desires, strengthening the bubble, ensuring it withstood the onslaught inside.

Opening my eyes, I saw the flames moving slowly around the inside of the bubble, desperately seeking a weakness it could exploit; a gap to escape and unleash its fearsome fury. The hand that had shielded my eyes from the initial explosion came up, helping me focus on strengthening the bubble. The flames inside moved around slowly, allowing me to see individual spikes of flame fight with the bubble and other spikes, seeking to assert their dominance over each other.

The heat and intensity from the flames were easy to feel outside the bubble, far surpassing anything I'd seen any Shaper generate and control. That, however, didn't mean I couldn't control them. Closing my eyes, I focused on the flames, attempting to assert my will over them. Before Kro Var, this would never have worked, but with my training with them to draw upon, and the full breadth of the Force at my command, I wouldn't be losing this battle. The fury of the ferocious flames would bend to my desires.

The flames pushed back, somehow understanding that an outside force was threatening them. Their intensity grew stronger, challenging my position, but I wasn't going to lose this battle. Reaching inward, I found the source of my emotions, those filtered and focused into a razor's edge and drew on that. Every cell in my body was fuelled by my emotions, pushing the Force to strengthen me further and bend the fury contained in the bubble to my demands.

I watched, a small, delighted smirk creeping onto my face as the flames, dancing to their nature, slowly started slipping in intensity. The air inside the bubble slowly was dying out as it was fed upon by what had destroyed the furnace. Knowing this was the moment to begin to end this struggle, I reached out, grasping control of the flames while at the same time shrinking the bubble.

The flames, those that bent easily to my demands, turned on their compatriots, feasting on them even as the space available to the fire shrunk. Those flames not under my control slammed into those that were and the bubble, raging against what was happening, but I didn't care. I knew this battle was over. All that remained was to snuff out the remaining strands that refused to obey me.

This kept up until the only flames left within the bubble were subservient to me. Wanting to end this farce and see what state my crystal was in; at the same moment, I had the flames shoot upwards and opened the top of the bubble. The fire easily accepted my wishes and raced skyward. They rose like a rocket, and then on my command, once high enough to not be a threat to anyone, I flicked open my hand.

The flames exploded outward, resembling a firework with such intensity that if this was a habited planet, I suspected those in orbit might well have seen the momentary flash before the flames died.

With that done, I slumped back on my legs. To anyone watching, everything that had happened had taken place in merely a few seconds. With the Force enhancing me, time had passed much slower for me, and it felt as if I'd just run a marathon. Yet even in my exhaustion, I felt a surge of delight. I had dominated the flames and proved my dominance over them. now all that remained was to…

"Fuck!" the word slipped from me as I saw that, where the furnace had been, all that remained was ash. The ferrocrete not consumed by the flames slipped away as a gentle breeze past over us. "FUCK!" I screamed, my voice blasting away the remaining dust as I understood that, at some point, while I'd been fighting the flames, the crystal I'd worked for Force-knew how long to rebuild was gone. Reduced to ash along with the furnace.

The ground around me cracked, the dust scattered with the shockwave that emanated from me as the rage I'd drawn on to control the flames was if only for the slightest moment, unleashed fully. Plants were ripped from the ground, the topsoil and their roots shredded by my rage, while trees metres from me bent and cracked as my fury slammed into them.

As the blast of fury eased, I looked at the spot where the furnace and crystal had been. The ground around it hadn't endured my fury, clearing a ditch around that spot and me. Yet where the furnace had stood, the ground had turned to glass, which had then shattered when I'd lost my control for a fraction of a second. As I regained control of my fury, I sensed Anakin's panic. Behind that, similar feelings of worry came from Raven and Fenrir, the former also expressing a primal desire to fight those who had angered me.

Once the rage was reforged into a cold, hard blade, I pushed it back down inside myself and then reached out to the trio. I let them know, with feelings pushed through the Force, that I was fine and not to worry. Raven and Fenrir accepted that easily, though there was doubt coming from Anakin. Another wave of reassurance, mixed with disappointment and determination settled his doubt and I brought my thoughts back to my location.

Rebuilding the crystal had failed, much as Adas would've expected it to. However, as I reviewed what had happened, and what had caused the furnace to explode, I understood my flaw. Or at least the one I felt had caused the destruction of my old crystal. The mistake hadn't perhaps been in attempting to reforge the crystal but in the construction of the furnace. Reviewing the memories of its explosion, I could see where the flames had first weakened and then engulfed the ferrocrete. I saw the flaw in the design. One so slight it had slipped my attention in the furnace's construction.

A small growl of annoyance slipped from me as I understood that, because of the failure of the furnace, the chance to reforge my old crystal was gone. Now I would be forced to do as Adas had suggested; to create a focusing crystal purely from my control and domination over the Force. It angered me to have failed, to have lost a small connection to my past, but the notion that I now had to follow Adas' instructions - to accept that his way was the only way - infuriated me to my very core.

I shifted around, wanting to stand for the first time in Force-knew how long. The muscles in my legs protested, straining against what felt like days of inactivity, yet within a short while I was standing. Carefully turning and stretching – I might not experience cramps as most sentients did, but I could feel pain in my body from being stationary for so long – I worked out any potential kinks in my muscles and sinews. Once I was recovered, I would begin anew. I needed a new crystal and knew this was the time for me to forge one, and thus, while I raged at Adas being right, at my failure, I would push forward. Not because Adas said this was the path to take, but because as the Force swirled around me, I knew this was what I had to do.


… …

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… …
This story is cross-posted on Fanfiction.net, Archive of our Own, and Royal Road.
...
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[Idovelicus]

I'm confused. Isn't "building a crystal from nothing more than his desires" exactly what Adas wanted him to do? This "I didn't fail, I learnt so I could succeed later in doing it my way anyway" sounds like drowning in copium. Didn't he fail exactly like Adas said, and isn't what he intends to do now exactly what Adas wanted him to do? What am I missing here?

 

[MandTeKad]

I'm confused. Isn't "building a crystal from nothing more than his desires" exactly what Adas wanted him to do? This "I didn't fail, I learnt so I could succeed later in doing it my way anyway" sounds like drowning in copium. Didn't he fail exactly like Adas said, and isn't what he intends to do now exactly what Adas wanted him to do? What am I missing here?

Click to shrink...

Why are you assuming you missed something, Cam has suddenly gained a real connection to the force instead of a gamer filtered one, he is feeling all of the intensity all of its influence over his emotions, and thinks that he can learn from one of the greatest Sith Lords in galactic history, and not be led down the path the sith Lord wants him to, why do you assume he's right?

 

[Idovelicus]

Why are you assuming you missed something, Cam has suddenly gained a real connection to the force instead of a gamer filtered one, he is feeling all of the intensity all of its influence over his emotions, and thinks that he can learn from one of the greatest Sith Lords in galactic history, and not be led down the path the sith Lord wants him to, why do you assume he's right?

Click to shrink...

No, I'm assuming I'm missing something because Cam literally described to himself exactly what he understands is Adas' intended method. What you're describing makes sense before he attempted to reforge this crystal like this, but the inner monologue he has afterward isn't that. It's literally "Adas told me this would fail and to do X, but it didn't fail, it taught me to do something else, Y, which is exactly like X". Do you see what I mean about drowning in copium? It's not even arrogance or hubris, which is what you're describing as far thinking he can learn from Adas only to the degree he wants to. It's just outright lying to himself so transparently it's like "1+1=3, yeah that makes sense".

 

[MandTeKad]

No, I'm assuming I'm missing something because Cam literally described to himself exactly what he understands is Adas' intended method. What you're describing makes sense before he attempted to reforge this crystal like this, but the inner monologue he has afterward isn't that. It's literally "Adas told me this would fail and to do X, but it didn't fail, it taught me to do something else, Y, which is exactly like X". Do you see what I mean about drowning in copium? It's not even arrogance or hubris, which is what you're describing as far thinking he can learn from Adas only to the degree he wants to. It's just outright lying to himself so transparently it's like "1+1=3, yeah that makes sense".

Click to shrink...

Yes; the greatest gift of the darkside is the ability to decide even yourself is something I've heard before
The fact he tried to do it another way instead of fully just doing what Adas wanted from the start is enough for him to decide himself into thinking he is not following the path Adas wants

 

[Idovelicus]

Yes; the greatest gift of the darkside is the ability to decide even yourself is something I've heard before
The fact he tried to do it another way instead of fully just doing what Adas wanted from the start is enough for him to decide himself into thinking he is not following the path Adas wants

Click to shrink...

... Are you being deliberately obtuse? (This is not an insult, to be clear)
My complaint is that this self-deception, if I'm not missing anything, is so simplistic that the only explanation for it is that Cam has the self-awareness and logical prowess of a third-grader.

 

[MandTeKad]

... Are you being deliberately obtuse? (This is not an insult, to be clear)
My complaint is that this self-deception, if I'm not missing anything, is so simplistic that the only explanation for it is that Cam has the self-awareness and logical prowess of a third-grader.

Click to shrink...

No? This is a deliberate self deception where Cam is willfully blinding and refusing to see what's happening; helped/hindered by the dark side to do so

 

[Idovelicus]

No? This is a deliberate self deception where Cam is willfully blinding and refusing to see what's happening; helped/hindered by the dark side to do so

Click to shrink...

And apparently the Dark Side is so powerful in its control of his mind it can make him phrase things TO HIMSELF in a way that is, quite literally, equivalent in logical value to 1+1=3? Again, the problem is that if this is the intent, it's portraying Cameron in this moment as being deceived DUE TO displaying the self awareness and logical prowess of a third grader.
To simplify, by your thesis, the Dark Side isn't misleading him, it's literally reducing his cognitive abilities to a juvenile level. That's just dumb, to me at least.
Or, maybe I'm missing something and Cam intends to do something different from what Adas suggested. Hence the question.

 

[MandTeKad]

And apparently the Dark Side is so powerful in its control of his mind it can make him phrase things TO HIMSELF in a way that is, quite literally, equivalent in logical value to 1+1=3? Again, the problem is that if this is the intent, it's portraying Cameron in this moment as being deceived DUE TO displaying the self awareness and logical prowess of a third grader.
To simplify, by your thesis, the Dark Side isn't misleading him, it's literally reducing his cognitive abilities to a juvenile level. That's just dumb, to me at least.
Or, maybe I'm missing something and Cam intends to do something different from what Adas suggested. Hence the question.

Click to shrink...

No? Cam just sees the fact that he attempted another path as proof enough that he is not following Adas blindly and can now do what was suggested with no reservations

 

[Idovelicus]

No? Cam just sees the fact that he attempted another path as proof enough that he is not following Adas blindly and can now do what was suggested with no reservations

Click to shrink...

That's... Not at all what he thought to himself. To him, he corrected the mistake, which wasn't doing this but poor construction of the furnace. That's why it's so weird. His thought process seems to be "Adas thought the process would fail, but he was wrong, the process succeeded but a different factor failed; now I can correct that and do... What Adas wanted me to do". Do you see how this is weird? He seems to think he still isn't doing what Adas to do, but something that just happens to be the exact same thing. 1+1=3.

 

[MandTeKad]

That's... Not at all what he thought to himself. To him, he corrected the mistake, which wasn't doing this but poor construction of the furnace. That's why it's so weird. His thought process seems to be "Adas thought the process would fail, but he was wrong, the process succeeded but a different factor failed; now I can correct that and do... What Adas wanted me to do". Do you see how this is weird? He seems to think he still isn't doing what Adas to do, but something that just happens to be the exact same thing. 1+1=3.

Click to shrink...

Hmmm; may have written it wrong
Will check

 

[MandTeKad]

That's... Not at all what he thought to himself. To him, he corrected the mistake, which wasn't doing this but poor construction of the furnace. That's why it's so weird. His thought process seems to be "Adas thought the process would fail, but he was wrong, the process succeeded but a different factor failed; now I can correct that and do... What Adas wanted me to do". Do you see how this is weird? He seems to think he still isn't doing what Adas to do, but something that just happens to be the exact same thing. 1+1=3.

Click to shrink...

Read this last 2 paragraphs again; we reworded it

 

[Idovelicus]

Read this last 2 paragraphs again; we reworded it

Click to shrink...

It's much more coherent now, yeah. Big up to you and the OP.

 

[Treken]

Tbh I think it's really only a matter of time until Cam falls to the dark side, however, I don't think he'll stay fallen or go complete Sith mode. Somebody or some event will pull him back.

I say this because so far after he got the eidetic memory perk, we've been operating as if the perk is more "relive the experience" than "perfect recall". It always feels like when he thinks of previous events it's like he's back there at that moment instead of reviewing an event with some emotional detachment that had occurred with time passing. Though admittedly he has experienced some traumatic events which would be hard to get over, but he also doesn't seem to be interested in ever actually moving past it.

Unless stated in earlier chapters and I forgot, he doesn't seem to work through his feelings and pushes them deeper for them to boil instead getting it out his system so he can think clearly. In his defense, he is currently having to deal with an emotion amplification field on a galactic scale with no filter anymore but he has had time to develop his own stress methods to help deal with it.

And lastly I'm convinced Adas was playing 4D chess with Cam in getting him to destroy his crystal.

A small growl of annoyance slipped from me as I understood that, because of the failure of the furnace, the chance to reforge my old crystal was gone. Now I would be forced to do as Adas had suggested; to create a focusing crystal purely from my control and domination over the Force. It angered me to have failed, to have lost a small connection to my past, but the notion that I now had to follow Adas' instructions - to accept that his way was the only way - infuriated me to my very core.

I shifted around, wanting to stand for the first time in Force-knew how long. The muscles in my legs protested, straining against what felt like days of inactivity, yet within a short while I was standing. Carefully turning and stretching – I might not experience cramps as most sentients did, but I could feel pain in my body from being stationary for so long – I worked out any potential kinks in my muscles and sinews. Once I was recovered, I would begin anew. I needed a new crystal and knew this was the time for me to forge one, and thus, while I raged at Adas being right, at my failure, I would push forward. Not because Adas said this was the path to take, but because as the Force swirled around me, I knew this was what I had to do.

Click to shrink...

Like he for sure used reverse psychology to convince Cam to think it was fine to go through with using a dangerous process to recreate his crystal when he's never done it before. It was pure hubris on Cam's part because there was definitely a part of him that wanted to succeed on the first try just to prove Adas wrong. Now that he failed he ultimately has to exactly what Adas wanted, yeah no, bro you got played. Also yeah the Force obviously wants you to do this as not only do you have no other choice besides finding another one, you're basically it's favorite person besides Anakin and this could very well be the dark side influencing you but you have convinced yourself that it's simply destiny or fate that's leading the way towards the path you seek.

 

[Saraphima]

Honestly a lot of the recent chapters kinda feel like Cam is slipping to the dark side more and more. He's not balanced in the slightest, he's just rage and hate that he keeps bottled up inside. I don't like this. To be clear I don't care for the Jedi much either, but both Jedi and Sith are extremes at the opposite ends of a scale, and extremes tend to not be good. Really not liking cams thought processes since... I suppose since he started just bottling everything inside. Eidedic Memory shouldn't make him unable to let got of emotion. That's not how memory works. Time dulls the emotions related to memories after all. Even if he can't forget, over time the rage would lessen. Someone else said this, and I agree, Eidedic Memory is sounding more like it forces him to relive moments again and again, which is not what Eidedic Memory is IRL.