The Shadow of the Jedi

25. A Dark Ascendancy (Fixed Duel and Ending)

As my forces build and prepare, I hear about the fleet in the Tion Hegemony, and the Admiral declares that they have reached an agreement on preliminary terms for a new Confederacy deal. Word has gotten out that the Separatists have concluded that the Brotherhood fleet, which is based on planets other than Raxus, is "threatening" that sector.

So, after much consideration, I gave the admiral the approval to have talks with them while I gathered my men to attack Serreno and, if possible, take out Count Dooku. He was sitting in serenity on his chair when I eventually located his force signature by focusing on the force to sense his surroundings.

As I had instructed, the recently arrived Republic naval officer-who had defected to me upon hearing of my return with his fleet of Republic defectors-saw and grew weary of the haughtiness and conceit of the Jedi, which also included the corruption of the senate.

After much debate and convincing from one of my operatives over the Separatist conflict, this young man, Captain Ardus Kaine, who had first supported Senator Palpatine and the Republic, eventually joined me, but not alone. Many Naval officers joined him, believing that the brotherhood would provide them with something that the Republic did not. Power.

I tell them of my plan to kill just one separatist in order to control the Confederacy and the separatists as I lead them to what will serve as a conference place. Count Dooku.

However, taking one man's life leaves a power vacuum. Since Count Dooku has been holding the separatists back and not utilising them to their full capacity, that is where I step in to take control and turn them against the republic.

With that, I inform them of my intention to achieve short-term peace while creating a fleet that will demonstrate our might and, upon my projected return, usher in the resurgence of a stronger military than the current droid army's weakness.

With the council of the Confederacy, they are growing weary of the war and demanding peace. I shall give them one, but using this opportunity, I shall provoke the time of peace to make the galaxy think that we weren't the ones that attacked but rather defend ourselves from a warmongering vengeful republic.

But knowing Dooku and Sidious, they will attempt to sabotage the peace; therefore, I must get rid of Dooku first, and then I shall destroy both Jedi and Sidious, becoming the next Dark Lord of the Sith.

However, after outlining the strategy, I asked Captain Ardus Kaine to share it with his subordinates, who were honoured to be present.

I then went to each of his officers while Captain Ardus Kaine stood up with them in a queue.

The captain introduced me to a Republic Navy veteran and his tactical advisor, Terrinald Screed, who shared Ardus Kaine's beliefs and was supporting Senator Palpatine. Eventually, my agent convinced him that I could give his family a better future, as he desired to live in a peaceful environment.

Jan Dodonna, his second-in-command, was next in line. Because Terrinald Screed admired and respected him, the three of them were able to collaborate without encountering any resistance because their beliefs aligned and they shared a shared outlook for the future.

My attention was drawn to another officer; she was not only the captain's communication officer but also a very accomplished pilot. Ciena Ree was her name. I've heard about her prowess in numerous encounters with the separatists. Being an outer rim settler herself, she caught the eye of Captain Ardus Kaine, who promoted her from her previous role to work for him since he thought she had a brighter future ahead of her while working for him.

Finally, this particular person, The captain praised him and referred to him as Jaxen Valen, his prodigy. Considering his core world birth, he possessed a distinct personality that set him apart from the majority of core world-born officers. The majority of world navy captains are arrogant and entitled, like one person I've heard a lot about who was incredibly foolish and clumsy at the Battle of Khorm in the early clone wars.