Sidious knelt and, after a nod from Plagueis, stood up.
"Master," he addressed the Muun.
"Tell me, Sidious," the Muun demanded. "I saw the Senate broadcast. That Jedi's Troiken Report, Light Flyingstar's, has made many poles of power pay attention to the very problem we were so diligently creating. And with which we intended to achieve absolute power and the triumph of the Sith over the Galaxy." Plagueis felt a faint bitterness. After all, he had once given the order to his loyal mercenary, Dol Agid, to retrieve for him the boy from Tustra. The boy who was called and is still called: Light Flyingstar. He possesses a powerful potential in the Force, practically on par with Sidious. And furthermore... He is not a human, but a Sephi. A member of a race capable of living up to a thousand years. Which means — he would have been the ideal Emperor, one who would live long and help rule the Empire that he, Plagueis, wants to create. No... Plagueis himself would have possessed Light's body, taken it, and ruled for a thousand years himself. But Master Yoda's untimely presence there foiled his plans, and as a result, Light became a Jedi... A very troublesome Jedi. Now it's noticeable — because of his unconventional views, different from what the Order promotes — Light is capable of creating problems.
It also added to the problems that Light possesses excellent potential and astonishing determination, because Flyingstar, Plagueis could feel it, is not inferior in ability even to some Masters of the High Council. To reach the recognized strongest among the Jedi — Dooku, Yoda, Mace Windu, who had already become famous for his unique combat style — he lacked a few steps and experience... However, regarding the latter — Light will acquire it; it's a matter of time. Some twenty or thirty years, and he will be the strongest Jedi in the Order, indisputably. But even now, not being the strongest, he has done more than an ordinary Knight of his experience and specialization could.
"Light Flyingstar's speech caused a sensation," Palpatine replied. "Not only among the media and civilians. The Senate is discussing his words with particular fervor. Unlike Valorum, who does anything to maintain the existing status quo after Ruusan. Or Tarkin, who lost many of his friends in the Militarist faction when everyone saw — what he was worth as a general."
"The Militarist faction," Plagueis snorted. "There are smart sentients among them, but individuals like Tarkin characterized it negatively... Which actually helped us a great deal, because by doing so we scared off some senators from it and made it weak enough that they wouldn't create an army before the time when it is destined for us to create it. And it's still too early for that."
"Now, however, the faction has split, not in two... A significant part has begun to regroup, rallying around Light's words," Sidious replied. "Senator Navi, from the Sumitra sector, tried to play on the fact that Light is a Sephi and become the core of the new Militarist faction, but they quickly realized that the nephew of Alaric, the King of the Sephi himself, is worthless."
"And around whom is this faction currently forming? Bail Antilles?" asked Plagueis.
"Antilles, although he partially supported Flyingstar's speech, cannot simply ignore the 'political will' of Alderaan's current rulers. And that will is to avoid militarism and encourage pacifism, so for now he can only ask uncomfortable questions, nothing more, or he himself will face uncomfortable questions from Alderaan's ruling coalition." After the Jedi Jorus C'Baoth helped avoid a conflict between House Organa and House Antilles, a 'ruling coalition' was formed between those two most powerful houses of Alderaan. In fact, the new ruler should be Bail Organa, who will soon marry Breha Antilles, the sister of Alderaan's current senator, Bail Antilles. "The new faction is gathering around August Grant, the senator from the Tapani sector. He is an arrogant but quite capable man. Not like Tarkin. His arrogance... could be said to be based on his deeds, as he served in the Judicial Forces for a long time and proved himself an excellent officer, and also... a duelist; he handles a lightsaber rapier masterfully. He is Force-sensitive, albeit weak."
"August Grant?" Plagueis repeated. "I recall receiving an invitation not long ago to a celebration for the birthday of the heir of House Grant."
"Yes," Palpatine nodded. "A year ago, his son was born. Octavian. The Grants come from a noble house — Mecetti."
"We need to control them, Sidious, and curb the growth of the militarists."
"Then... perhaps we should kill August?"
"No," the Muun shook his head. "No. To control the militarists, you'll have to establish a friendly relationship with August. You will go to the celebration of Octavian's birth with me; there I will introduce you to August."
"But as I am a senator from the Chommell sector, its government, represented by the government of the planet Naboo, might ask uncomfortable questions. After all, they too love pacifism..."
"Naturally — you can tell them you just want to gather information and contain the advance of the militarists," Plagueis replied. "It won't be difficult for you to convince the sector's leadership of your loyalty, I'm sure of that. But it should also not be difficult for you to create obstacles for the Militarist faction. Understand, Sidious, the army must be created only on our terms! If we allow other options, we will inevitably be discovered, and then all our work will be for nothing. The Jedi will not show us mercy, even though we have become stronger than we were... stronger than many of the Jedi. But how long could you hold out against the entire High Council at once, especially if they also bring in Shadows like Flyingstar? So for now, we must play exactly this game."
"I understand, Master," Sidious replied.
"Good. Bad times will not come on their own... It is in them that we will overcome our enemies and offer our alternative for the Galaxy. We will crush the Jedi... The Grand Plan will be realized."
"Yes, Master... But what do we do with Flyingstar?" Palpatine asked.
"He troubles you, doesn't he?" Plagueis looked into Sidious's eyes.
"Should I send assassins after him?"
"They would hardly succeed," the Muun replied. "No... He could become a good commander in that plan."
"You mean..."
"Yes," Plagueis nodded. "His views are already different from the Order's, which means it might be possible to arrange his exile from there and the creation of a separate faction around him, which could be unleashed upon the Republic when you become Supreme Chancellor. In this way, we would create a most dangerous enemy and gain the opportunity to create an army."
"But didn't you consider Dooku as the one around whom to form this plan?"
"They both fit. Dooku is older and stronger than Light, but that doesn't mean we should abandon Light. We will continue to monitor the actions of both and make a decision later."
"As you wish, Master."
* * *
"This speech is outrageous!" Mace Windu fumed. "We are keepers of the peace; we should not be calling for war! It seems they made you a Master too soon!"
The High Council and I were in the High Council Tower. As you might guess, we were currently discussing the results. In full session, where Mace Windu immediately started berating me.
"And what are you upset about?" I asked calmly. "I told the truth, and you can't be offended by the truth. Just look at how many supportive comments there are on the Net... Well, aside from schizos like Trinki Padaunete. But there are few schizos. Most sentients support us."
"Not us, you," Even Piell reminded me. "You spoke on behalf of our Order, but not from our Order's position! Many senators have started asking us questions."
"Let them ask," I shrugged. "Questions give birth to answers, which are sometimes correct. And correct answers lead to correct changes, which in turn can lead to the flourishing of society."
"You were made a Master for your services to the Order and the Republic," T'un noted. "But you didn't start thinking like a Jedi Master."
"And how does a Jedi Master think?" I asked the Master from the Archives. "Only the way it's written in that book you like to read most, Master T'un? But many have acknowledged the fact that the Republic itself created its own problem in the form of Iaco Stark. I, as the one who solved this problem, shared my observations and how to solve future, similar problems. And what do I hear in response from my own Order? Reproaches for having the wrong position! Should I remind you that I've served the Order for over fifteen years, Mace? You've served only a little longer than I! I've been through falls to the dark side, fought dark-siders, and quite strong ones at that. I uncovered a High Council Master who betrayed the Order. And after all that, I hear reproaches? My position doesn't coincide with what the Senate or the Order broadcasts, only because, Mace, I have seen many things that led me to the views I hold! So what's the problem? The report I presented raised the popularity of our Order."
"Raised it on militarism," Mace Windu hissed. "We are keepers of the peace, not soldiers."
"We're doing a great job of it," I said caustically. "Pirates and criminals with political ambitions, to negotiate with whom a whole senator flew! Senator Valorum, let me remind you, is considered the most likely successor to Kalpana as Supreme Chancellor! Practically... the Supreme Chancellor flew to negotiate with criminals! What have we come to in our 'peacekeeping'?"
"Painful as it is to admit," Yoda replied. "But Light is right. The Republic's weakness, all have seen. I have spoken with the Supreme Chancellor about your projects, Light."
The eyes of those present converged on the Grand Master.
"His office, like the Chancellor himself, does not agree to such significant changes," he sighed. "In his words — there is no need for much... But he agrees that the Republic needs a fleet."
"At least something," I snorted.
"Is the split in the Militarist faction not enough for you?" asked Poli Dapatan. "Many senators of that persuasion have started to gather around August Grant! He is a far more intelligent politician than Tarkin."
Grant? Hmm... Hmmm... Right! That's the surname of one of the infernal dozen of Palpatine's Grand Admirals... In all of Palpatine's Imperial Army, the Grand Admirals were the highest commanders. Above them was essentially Vader, as Commander-in-Chief. Thrawn himself, also known as Mitth'raw'nuruodo, was a Grand Admiral. Grand Admirals were distinguished by the fact that each was an excellent military leader, an extraordinary commander with unique abilities. It wasn't enough to be simply an effective admiral to become a Grand Admiral. So August Grant, it turns out, is a relative of Octavian? Maybe his father? It fits the timeline...
"Well, if those conceited braggarts become smarter, the Republic will only benefit," I replied to Dapatan. "So, what about the agreement from the Chancellor's office?"
"They are thinking about strengthening the Judicial Forces," Yoda replied. "Hmm... Hmm... They plan to build a fleet. At least two hundred heavy cruisers, the Chancellor believes, to order for the Judicial Corps."
Two hundred heavy cruisers? The Katana fleet? Immediately before my eyes appeared two hundred modified Dreadnaughts. Even if a Dreadnaught is clearly worse than, say, a Venator or an ISD... two hundred heavy cruisers are still two hundred heavy cruisers. The thought immediately came to mind that this fleet would be useful to me. What do I know about it? This fleet supposedly appeared as a response to the Stark Hyperspace War. Even if it wasn't the same as I remembered it in canon, largely thanks to me, I was able to make Kalpana move. And he started thinking about a means to strengthen the Republic. The essence of the Katana fleet was automation, thanks to which the standard crew of a Dreadnaught was reduced to two thousand two hundred men. A total of two hundred ships of this fleet were built. For the current Galaxy, this is an impressive force, not absolute, but one that inspires awe. Perhaps only several megacorporations at once could oppose it. Another feature of the fleet was that it was linked by a "Slave Circuit," a special software that subordinated all the ships of the fleet to a flagship named Katana. Hence the fleet's name — Katana.
A peculiar application of the concept of network-centric warfare. Here, in the Star Wars universe, this concept had long been fundamental. This concept is oriented towards superiority through information and communication during combat operations. And the so-called "Slave Circuit" was a unique development of this concept. After all, all information was routed through the flagship, and the fleet's ships could act in unison with it. Plus, the speed of executing orders increased. However, this played a cruel trick on the fleet. The fleet commander was infected with the "Hive Virus"; that strain caused degeneration of nerve tissue, attacking brain cells, to put it simply. This caused hallucinations in the commander. And he, in fear, ordered a hyperspace jump to random coordinates. Naturally, no one knew where the fleet went... And the fleet went completely, because what the flagship does, the rest of the ships do too. And again, I can avert this incident, change the canon, as I did with Master Tivokka. In his case, I wanted to preserve a sensible Jedi who was increasingly leaning towards reforming the Order. Especially after what he saw at Troiken. Besides, my warning saved his life. That makes him personally indebted to me. No matter what anyone says, Jedi are not capable of completely eliminating such bonds. This event made Tivokka respect me more, which added a new ally for me on the High Council.
Previously, I considered Dooku an ally, although I never had a chance for close contact with him, as I stayed away from Coruscant, working mainly on the Outer Rim. Now, Tivokka could be considered my ally.
"I believe Light is right," Tivokka growled in confirmation of my thoughts. Eyes turned to the Wookiee. "Remembering the conflict at Troiken... and analyzing the whole situation now, in general, from the outside — I understand that Light and the supporters of reformation are right. The Order and the Republic have not changed for a thousand years since Ruusan. We do not meet the demands of the time."
"Those are very bold words," said Mace Windu.
"Look within yourself and you will realize they are true."
"I believe we need to monitor the Republic," Mace replied. "And if there is a request for change in the Senate, then we will change too."
Huh. He thinks the issue of reformation is such a simple thing. At least, that's how he talks. "If there is a request for change from the Senate, then we will change too." The problem is just that we need to change radically. And such changes won't happen in an instant... And it would be better to start right now. Otherwise, we face some very unpleasant consequences... However, I'm fooling myself if I think understanding will come without serious defeats.
I could have let the Stark conflict play out. The Republic and the Order would have defeated him, but at a much greater cost. And then a much more serious demand for change could have been created than there is now. Maybe I could have changed something, besides the order for two hundred heavy cruisers of the Dreadnaught type and their modification. But I chose to declare myself and my views loudly... Maybe from some perspective, a strategic one, I acted foolishly. But on the other hand... I will need serious authority to do better things later... according to my view. And for that, I need to earn this authority. Which is what I did in this war...
After trampling Tarkin in the end... Which, by the way, wasn't exactly necessary. At one point I even considered making him an ally — after all, Ranulf was saying the right things... But in my opinion, he lacks something because he tries to take everything onto himself. His motive wasn't to defeat Iaco Stark and bring peace to the Galaxy, especially the Outer Rim. His motive was to acquire the glory of a "great general" for himself and only himself, and then to become Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, riding on that acquired authority. Not to change the Republic for the sake of a better, more protected life for its citizens. Only for his own ambitions.
As I see it — his relative, Wilhuff, is a far more worthy man from the Tarkin family. Ranulf wants everything only for himself, whereas Wilhuff did much not only for himself... Though I should remember that at the same time he did terrible things. It's bad when you have an enemy... It's even worse when your enemy is smart.
"I can only wish you luck in that difficult task — guessing the Senate's wishes," I smirked. "Although, even without much observation, Mace, I can tell you what the senators want. They won't want to change now — in their view, everything ended well. So the next thing they'll do is go to the five-hundredth house on Republic Avenue, drink champagne, and grope the actresses. Or drink the actresses and grope the champagne."
Most senators are just wasting their lives. I would change the legislation on electing senators to the Senate, too. So that genuinely capable beings come in, not just those who want to fool around. Take Navi, King Alaric's nephew, or Senator Gors, who confronted me. They do nothing except eat, drink, and fornicate. Fine "people's representatives," nothing to say. And every now and then they produce some legislative stream of consciousness, which the Senate examines "from all sides," thereby demonstrating that they're supposedly doing real work.
But apparently, we still have a long way to go before that. No one wants to change — not the Order, not the Senate... But I've sown the necessary seeds. There are beings in the Order who might end up supporting me. At least two are constantly flying with me... And soon one of them can be knighted and sent to build his own authority.
"Your humor is inappropriate," said the master of the High Council.
"Not the best joke, but we don't have a political police force, so I'll keep the right to joke about anything however I want. But that project of two hundred heavy cruisers... It interests me. It's quite possible... The Judicial Forces will stop being a toothless punching bag..."
Still, saving the fleet from the Hive virus isn't the sanest idea. No matter how hard I try, this event will change almost nothing. Plus, Plagueis and Sidious, who are playing against us, could neutralize even that. They don't need a fleet for the Republic right now. And if I fly too high again, their reaction might follow. They've clearly decided to play cautiously with me — apparently Plagueis fears that if he makes a careless move toward me, I'll expose them. After all, my position as a hunter of dark-siders obliges me. But even their "cautious game" has its limit, after which they'll try to destroy me by any means. Which means I'll just have to watch the virus kill four hundred and forty thousand beings... I could save them... But what would that lead to? What would the Sith's reaction be? The consequences could be incredible, and we'll be better prepared for them during the Clone Wars than now. So... It sounds cruel, cynical, and terrible, but I'll have to leave this move to them — those I consider enemies — without interfering at all. Except perhaps to sweeten the bitter pill of a hard decision — for me, as a more or less liberal-minded person, sacrificing sentient lives isn't as easy as it seems...
To sweeten the bitter pill of a necessary decision, I'll upload a tracking program into their computers. After all, "two hundred heavy cruisers are two hundred heavy cruisers.".. No matter how you look at it. Hmm... Maybe move them to Tanalorr's orbit? No... That planet is interesting, including to the Jedi. For now, I must keep the future "Katana" fleet a secret even from them. The best thing is for me simply to know its location — after all, it was only found about nine years after the Battle of Yavin IV. And these ships might be needed... No, they'll definitely be needed much sooner than that date...
"You do not act like a Jedi," Yoda remarked.
"If acting like a Jedi means ignoring a problem, then I'd rather not act like a Jedi, Grand Master," I replied. "Understand, this is hard for me too, but I don't see another option."
"Headstrong you are," the Grand Master grumbled. "But go you must. To your next assignment, I presume. With Master Tholme you will work."
"Good," I nodded.
"And Light," Windu called me back as I was almost leaving. "Try not to cause a galactic-scale event this time."
"Hmph... Close your eyes and imagine I'm the calmest of Jedi, Mace. I always do that. It helps."
"Only you," Windu snorted. "Only you."