The Shadow of the Jedi

22. The Deceit and Fall of Darth Mirage

Following the successful testing of the Aggressor-class Star destroyer, we prioritised increasing manufacturing. To that purpose, we have relocated the majority of the shipyard dock, 70% of which will be used to build more Aggressor-class destroyers and the remaining 30% for support ships and corvettes. Rendili, our primary shipyard provider, has some interesting news to share. Walex Blissex, an esteemed ship designer from Kuat Shipyard, joined Rendili Shipyard and swore his loyalty to me after careful consideration.

He has been assisting us with what appears to be a new ship design that he has dubbed the "Victory Class Star Destroyer," which is a really gorgeous design in my opinion. I told Rendili to get the first prototype ready and send it my way so I could test it in combat. Walex Blissex was hesitant to launch a rebellion, but after much deliberation and soothing from me, he agreed to my demands for a new ship in my armada to fight the Republic and the C.I.S. in the future.

At Ord Mantell, I was busy assigning my governors to new territories where we could manage and rule by appointing specific superiors to oversee and develop their own regions while also lending us their resources.

Vexar Mor used his ship's cloak technology to infiltrate Kamino and collect knowledge about Kamino's cloning technology. However, he was discovered at the last minute and had to fight Master Shaak Ti, injuring but not killing her and leaving a major mark that could improve their security. Even sending Vexar Mor to sabotage Kamino is futile and a waste of time.

After a week of waiting for Vexar's return, he appeared before me with a pad containing all the kamino cloning technology.

Once I had this technology, I sent my chief scientist instructions to set up the cloning facility at these precise coordinates. I told him that replicating as much of the Kamino technology as possible was essential for Operation Rebirth and gave him a canister of my DNA. I told him that the Brotherhood would get in touch with "Shadowfall" if they found out about my death or suspected death. The code name that will be in use following my demise.

Using my intense anger and hatred as fuel for meditation, I felt something as a vision materialised before me. As the Jedi Temple burns down, I hear Darth Sidious' terrifying laugh. Trillions of voices cry in agony as outsiders from another galaxy arrive through the vacuum of the void.

The force warns me of impending events that may veer from my planned return path, which I believe Darth Sidious has in mind.

I was standing in my office, Kaydron by my side, when I received a holocommunication that worried me about something, and Count Dooku was there. He says he wants to meet because of the geonosis crisis. He also suggests that we meet alone because it concerns the outcome of the war.

Upon standing up, I ordered Kaydron to oversee and protect this base and the director at all costs until I return, and as he followed me, I directed myself to meet with Director Sakura Namad, who was surprised that I would be going on a solo mission or a meeting with Count Dooku alone, and I informed her that Kaydron would guard her for the time being.

She asked if I had military experience and told me, before I left, that she had noticed that I preferred some counter-deception methods over more defensive strategies on both the ground and in space. She congratulated me for having such a sharp mind and requested that I receive personal training in leadership and military tactics once I finished my own endeavours.

After accepting those conditions, I exited the building and paused in front of the door to hear my ego or mind tell me anything, but I ignored it and continued on to the shipyard, where I was scheduled to meet Count Dooku.

The location that Count Dooku chose peaked my interest and made me nervous; perhaps this was the force alerting me to this. I approached my shuttle and informed the pilot that I would be flying alone. He gave me the controls, and I flew to the distant location where Count Dooku had given me the order to meet.