Led by Master Plo Koon and Master Ki-Adi-Mundi, the Jedi task force—including Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker—raced from one corner of the galaxy to another, determined to recover every last officer and trooper of the Judicial Forces who had been captured in the Carnelian Incident and sold into slavery.
But the goal the Jedi had set for themselves was doomed from the start.
Under Sith manipulation, several female personnel from the Judicial Forces had already been tortured to death, and recordings of it had even been circulated on the HoloNet.
"What is it, Lord Tyranus?" the old man hidden in shadow asked in a sinister tone. "Do you find such methods too despicable? Do they stain your hands and sully your noble soul?"
Kneeling on one knee, Count Dooku lowered his head and stared at his own feet without answering.
"Through victory, my chains are broken. Only through ultimate victory can the Sith shatter the chains that bind the galaxy. And to win, the Sith must be fouler than a foul enemy, more cunning than a cunning enemy."
"A few dead Judicial officers and troopers are enough to show the entire galaxy the rot of the Republic and the incompetence of the Jedi Order. Is that not worth the price? Great causes require necessary sacrifices."
"Lord Tyranus," Darth Sidious said, staring fixedly at his apprentice, "if you cannot understand that, if you cannot accept it, then go back and be a Jedi Master again. Report me to the Jedi Order while you're at it. I wish you a bright future, and I wish the Galactic Republic eternal rule for ten thousand generations!"
At those words, Count Dooku trembled and bowed all the way down, prostrating himself as he replied, "No, my Master. I have no such intention."
...
Because Max Vizsla refused to provide any further information, Obi-Wan Kenobi stated that Coruscant could not possibly pressure the Chiss Ascendancy on the strength of a single sentence alone.
"Master Obi-Wan," Max said with a faintly amused smile, "before the Carnelian Incident, a Jedi's word alone would certainly have been enough to move Coruscant, would it not?"
A direct hit.
Obi-Wan fell silent on the spot.
Max did not press the advantage. Instead, he turned and gave orders to those around him.
"You return to Bespin. Leave the Pilot Whale behind."
"Yes, Chief."
"Come on, Masters." Max started walking. "We'll switch ships. I'll take you to Batuu."
"Lord Vizsla, thank you very much!"
"No need, no need." Max waved his hand repeatedly as he walked. "If you want to thank someone, thank Master Aayla Secura."
The reason Max was being so helpful was twofold. On one hand, he really was showing respect for Aayla Secura. Of course, if Obi-Wan reported this upward and the Jedi Order started wondering why Max Vizsla was so eager to do Aayla such favors, that would be even better.
On the other hand, Max also wanted to build some goodwill with Anakin Skywalker, the Chosen One. In the original timeline, you could be used by Palpatine. In this one, perhaps you can be used by me instead, Max thought.
On August 28, Year 6 of the Galactic Standard Calendar, the Pilot Whale, flagship of the First Fleet of the Bespin Mandalorian Armed Forces Navy, emerged from hyperspace near Batuu.
"Lend the two Masters a shuttle," Max ordered.
"Yes, Chief."
"Please wait." Obi-Wan gave Max a formal bow. "Lord Vizsla, may I hire some of the Mandalorian warriors aboard the Pilot Whale to accompany me to the surface of Batuu and assist in the investigation?"
"Master Obi-Wan, I'm afraid that won't be possible." Max shook his head. "The crew of the Pilot Whale are active-duty sailors of the Bespin Mandalorian Armed Forces Navy. They are regular military, not mercenaries. I know you've gotten used to the Judicial Forces taking side work for extra credits, but our soldiers do not."
"This..." Obi-Wan hesitated, then nodded. "I understand."
"Chris." Max beckoned to Christopher Wren. "Take your people and go help the two Masters."
"Yes, Chief."
"Lord Vizsla, thank—"
"All right, all right." Max waved him off impatiently. "Go on."
...
In the holoprojection, Count Dooku was still giving his report with grave respect.
"The Zygerrian expeditionary fleet has now been assembled. Its crews will consist of Zygerrian officers and droid soldiers... It should achieve effective combat readiness within the year."
"Death Watch is stepping up its infiltration of Mandalore itself... They will launch an armed coup before the end of the year."
"Once fighting breaks out on Mandalore and draws the attention of the Judicial Forces, the Zygerrians will follow close behind and launch their expedition against Ryloth..."
"If the Mandalorians of Bespin attempt to intervene in this Mandalorian civil war, the Judicial Forces can be deployed to stop them. That will greatly deepen Max Vizsla's hatred of the Galactic Republic and make him easier to recruit."
"Through this Mandalorian civil war, the leadership of the New Mandalorians can be eliminated completely, and New Mandalorian rule over the Mandalore sector can be broken once and for all. There is deep historical hatred between the Mandalore sector and the Galactic Republic. According to the supercomputer's analysis, once this civil war ends, the probability of the sector's worlds joining the Trade Federation is far greater than the probability of their joining the Galactic Republic."
"Good. Very good. Excellent." Darth Sidious applauded in delight. "Lord Tyranus, proceed exactly as you have planned."
"Yes, my Master."
Once the holocomm ended, Darth Sidious's smile faded quickly.
This apprentice of his was excellent—perhaps a little too excellent.
In terms of methods and lightsaber skill, Darth Tyranus was already capable of posing a threat to Darth Sidious. And in prestige and personal charisma, Count Dooku stood far above Palpatine.
Should I replace him?
Let him remain a while longer, Darth Sidious thought. That young one is still too green. He still needs time to mature.
Or perhaps... should I take that Mandalorian as an apprentice instead, as an interim step?
...
Aboard the Pilot Whale, Max suddenly shivered.
"Bring me a cup of hot milk."
"Yes, Chief."
PS: The terms Known Space and Unknown Regions are names given by the peoples of the known galaxy.
The inhabitants of the Unknown Regions call their own reaches of space Chaos, and refer to Known Space as Lesser Space.
PPS: The star system containing Batuu is a trinary system—yes, that kind of three-body system—with three stars: Ubaat I, Ubaat II, and Ubaat III.
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STAR WARS: THE RISE OF MANDALORE
🛡️🔥 STAR WARS: THE RISE OF MANDALORE 🔥🛡️
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