69 Interlude: Intelligence woes I

Borealis

Coruscant

When most people imagine clandestine meetings, they think about dingy bars, dark corners or abandoned warehouses. Perhaps secure rooms deep in the bowels of an intelligence agency or a ship in space. That perception wasn't entirely wrong. When he was an active agent, Marik Yle had his share of escapades, bar crawls and skulking through places where most civilians would fear to tread.

Even with all the responsibilities and headaches attached to his new job, he really didn't miss the bad old days. Instead of being stuck in the back of a cut-throat infested drinking hole and left wondering if the patrons would decide to start a fight and potentially blow up his op, nowadays Marik dined in the private rooms of Coruscant's best restaurants. Places like the Borealis offered discretion and an excellent menu. Not to mention that this was practically the SIB's backyard and as secure as it could get.

Marik sat in small, tastefully decorated room with a décor that radiated class. The place was shielded so clients could talk privately – away from pesky reporters and competitors - and was swept by Yle's people before he got in. Even better, as far as anyone was concerned, he was down in the main restaurant, dining with his wife – something he would rather do than leave to a body double. However, this conversation couldn't be postponed and it wasn't one he could comfortably hold back in HQ.

His guest got in and sat down across the table from him. Marik nodded at the Twi'lek woman. He knew that she was supposed to be meeting with the Senate's appropriation committee right now and had a double of her own handling that. While such cloak and dagger games were usually reserved for holomovies, they did occasionally have their places.

"Marik. You called. I hope this is important, given the lengths we had to go to maintain plausible deniability for this meeting." Director Fell looked raised a hand and looked at her blue skin. "This paint is a pain to get off."

Her face was off too – thanks to detachable implants meant to fool face recognition software.

Marik on the other hand had to simply exchange places with his double in the fresher – he did get the better of the deal tonight.

"I do. We need to discus our resident Sith and the trouble the Jedi are causing." Yle frowned. "Yesterday I was approached by Master Piell – to discuss the war effort. At least that was the official excuse. While we did discuss it, he was more interested in evaluating my opinion on Veil and how I would react if he continues to gain power."

"We do have contingencies in place – the Chancellor insisted we do so after Veil revealed himself as a Sith." Ivon pointed out.

"Piell was more afraid of our new friend gaining more power legally. He was also concerned that certain Senators might be falling under the Sith's sway. Perhaps even the Chancellor if Veil's influence isn't contained." Marik explained.

"Ah." That was all his colleague offered.

"The conservative elements of the Jedi Order tried to remove him through the Senate and found less support than they expected. My sources tell me than Piell and Tiin have been meeting with a lot of Senators lately and not only with Sylvaris' friends. I know your people have been working closely with Veil's special ops outfit. I need to know what he's planning." Marik continued.

"Officially? Causing trouble for the Seps and recovering caches of tech and resources he stashed for a rainy day while he was with the Empire. I have it on good authority that we'll be seeing some tangible benefits soon. I'm sure he has been running some side projects too – the kind that would benefit him personally, but that's to be expected. You know better than me what he's been up to on Coruscant." Ivon offered.

"Thanks to his efforts we've got control over a significant chunk of the local underworld and have been able to intercept some of the CIS channels that go through it. Feed them disinformation, the works." Marik said, showing one of his cards, though he was pretty sure his colleague at least suspected about that particular operation. "I'm more interested about ship buildup, especially now that he has the Mandalorians at his beck and call."

"Veil will have a decent sized modern navy under his control in about two years. It will take that long to build the hulls and train crews – unless the Seps object. The one item of particular interest I have is that Veil has been outfitting a handful of Venators with Imperial technology. My people haven't been able to get details, though its slow going. There won't be more than a few upgraded units ready before the Seps come calling."

"Some kind of super weapon?" Marik snorted. Those usually tended to be a major resource sink for no tangible gain, though now and then the Sithspawned things actually worked.

When Ivon frowned, Yle raised his hands in surrender. "I know, so far Veil hasn't been known for flights of fancy. If he upgrades ships, whatever he's got is going to work. It's another question how effective it will be against modern tech. However, I doubt that a few ships will be a game changer in the short term. Until Mandalore's navy is up and running, our Sith friend won't have the muscle to be a major military threat. Even then, unless the Confederacy wrecks us, that won't change overnight."

"Still you do have concerns, Marik. You wouldn't have called me otherwise." Ivon stated.

"That's true. Just in case the Jedi aren't too paranoid, we'll need to update our contingency plans. The political situation changed since we made most of them. Veil is at least a reluctant ally with Amidala, Organa and Mothma's cliques and by all accounts the Corellians are growing closer to him."

"They did practically give him one of their star cruisers as a flagship." Ivon nodded. Allocating the Freedom to Veil's command was a powerful statement coming from Corellia. That ship alone could take on a fleet and win.

"At worse moving against him without durasteel clad evidence that he works against the Republic might at the very least see the Corellians pulling back into an uneasy neutrality. Given its situation Naboo doesn't have much choice for the time being and will be with us, no matter Amidala's personal feelings, but if her husband gets thrown to the krath hounds by the tribunal things might get messier on that front too." Marik summarized.

"That's not enough support to be a direct threat, but its sufficient to cause us some major troubles." Ivon looked thoughtful.

"I'm actually not concerned that Veil will be pulling a military coup any time soon. I've studied what we had in the archives on the man. Despite his initial misgivings, the Chancellor seems to support him nowadays." Marik spoke carefully.

"Don't tell me you buy in that nonsense!" Ivon chuckled.

"That Veil influences Palpatine?" Marik snorted. "Not really. That the Chancellor might have decided to ally with his good friend Mandalore? Amidala's little friends aren't the only ones concerned that Palpatine has been gathering too much power in his hands. The man's support is very high and now he is good friends with a successful and charismatic general." Marik frowned. "No, it's not a Sith coup I'm afraid of. Its what Palpatine and Veil practically running the Republic would mean, I fear." Marik sighed. "And I'm afraid what the Jedi and some Senators might do to prevent such an outcome." Yle laid down his cards.

He has been studying Ivon Fell ever since she became the Director of ONI. As far as he was able to figure out, the woman was utterly devoted to the Republic. Marik really hoped he hadn't misread her character.

"Palpatine is already one of the most powerful men in the galaxy. Arguably the most powerful. Don't you think that becoming a dictator in all but name would be too much trouble for too little gain?" Ivon asked after thinking for a long time over what Marik told her.

"The Chancellor is a very good politician. I know for a fact that the nice old man he presents himself as is at least partially an act. He didn't remain a Chancellor for more than a decade without getting his hands dirty. I honestly can't say if Palpatine would be tempted by more personal power." Marik chuckle. "He might even go for it just to reduce the headaches the Senate have been giving us all lately."

"I'll grant you that." Ivon said. "What are you going to do if your concern's are founded and they go for it legally?"

"I'm sworn to protect the Republic, democracy." Marik frowned. "Since becoming the Director I've seen exactly how much of the latter there is in the Senate. If Veil tries a coup – that would be simple."

"We have plans for it." Ivon nodded. "A lot of them and they're good ones. However, if Palpatine and his new friend gain enough support to practically control the Senate?" Fell sighed. "I know its unlikely with all the furor that Veil becoming Mandalore caused, but still. It's our job to plan for the unlikely. If the Jedi try acting outside the law, things should be simple too." Ivon interjected.

"Legally? Yes. Politically? Militarily? At this point its going to be anything but." Marik shrugged. "The Jedi did a great job of destroying both their political and public support."

"They're getting desperate, aren't they? And desperate people make foolish decisions. Often quite messy too."

Marik simply nodded.

"What do you have in mind?" Ivon asked.

"I'd prefer to have operatives ready to move at very short notice against any eventualities. Navy support and orbital deployment capabilities could get useful." Marik explained.

"Ready to reinforce critical locations and disrupt any coup in progress if things get that far?"

"Or arrest conspirators before they could throw the Republic into chaos."

"There are at least three contingencies that more or less cover such an idea."

"I want people who don't figure in any of our contingency plans. Just in case."

"I see. Something can be arranged."

"Do you have any new information about the Confederacy's strategic aims?" Marik changed the topic.

"We know for sure they'll be seeking to connect the territories they control and will be striking at the hyperlanes connecting them which are under our control. My operatives have heard rumors, as well as intercepted partial orders, indicating that the Seps will be trying to cut off everything beyond the Inner Rim from reinforcements and supply coming from the Core Worlds." Ivon said.

"Not unexpected. Any indications what are they going to do about our industrial advantages? Even if we keep just most of the Core and Inner Rim, that still will keep us ahead."

"We both know about the massive buildup at Fondor. Still no hard evidence if they will go for Kuat or Corellia and the Seps have to cripple one of those systems if they are to have a chance."

=RK=

Interlude: This family thing isn't all its cracked up to be

=RK=

Jole Solo's apartment

Corellia

"Raar?" Traaw inquired.

"No way!" Jole shook his head in denial. "I didn't plan for this!" The Corellian waved at his brand new uniform. "I'm supposed to be a cargo hauler, kriff it!"

The large Wookie, who was outfitted with a uniform of his own consisting of a colorful sash going over his right shoulder looked unconvinced. Traaw snorted too.

"Uncle, did you plan this?" A disgruntled looking younger Solo entered the room. Han had a uniform of his own – a school one in his case.

Jole turned his attention to his young nephew. "This I can take credit for!" He beamed at the kid, who looked anything but happy.

"I don't need to go to school! I'm sure you two can tech me loads of useful stuff!" Han grumbled.

"You can learn loads of useful stuff at school too. Meet new friends, especially girls..." Jole trailed off when his XO roared in amusement. "Don't you start."

"Ew! Why would I need to meet girls, they're icky!" Han grimaced.

"We're not having this conversation now." Jole shook his head to Traaw's mirth. "If you're good, I'll even make sure to keep you away from cousin Tiion and won't have her explain things to you."

That threat made Han blanch. He had insisted on meeting the rest of the family. After pestering his uncle for a month Jole caved in, much to the youth's displeasure. It turned out that most of the relatives left on Corellia were either mad like aunt Tiion or utter bastards with Thrackan Sal-Solo acting as a poster child for the latter group. Most of the decent Solos left in the galaxy were either spread all over or died during the Separatist attack on Coruscant when they found themselves at the wrong time in the wrong place.

"I'll be good!" Han exclaimed. He was honest too – well mostly…

Dewlanna chose that moment to enter the dinning room bringing a large tray covered with a rich breakfast. The old Wookie had been acting as Han's mother ever since he met her after becoming a part of Shrike's crew. Until he had his fortunate run in with that Republic general at the spaceport and was later introduced to his uncle, Dewlanna had been the only one to ever give a kriff for the younger Solo.

Han still couldn't wrap his head around how she ended up working for his uncle. He had simply asked if there was something that could be done about it, informed Jole that Shrike might cause trouble and the next thing Han knew was that Dewlanna had arrived ready to begin her next job and he had been assured that Shrike wouldn't be a problem ever again. All his uncle said about it was that he cashed in on a favor and that was that.

"Roarrw?" Dewlanna asked.

"Han here isn't too keen on going to school." Jole pointed at him.

"Hey!"

"Raar!" Traaw laughed at the show.

"Traitor!" Han pointed at Jole's old friend, then subdued when Dewlanna gave him a disappointed look.

Solo the younger grumbled and got to his seat, then began to devour his breakfast. Finding his family was supposed to be all good! While it was pretty great, being forced to go to a useless school was anything but! Meeting the rest of the Solos currently on Corellia had been a major disappointment too, but at least uncle Jole was pretty great when he didn't make him do useless stuff. School – who needed it when Han could be learning useful stuff instead?

"Wraarg?" Dewlanna asked after getting to her own seat.

"I got a proposition I couldn't really refuse – a commission in CorSec Navy as a Commodore. The pay is good, the benefits nothing to sneeze at, and as things stand we'll have a chance to get some more payback." Jole explained.

Huh. That explained the new uniform, Han thought.

"It also means that for the foreseeable future we'll be in system." The older Solo nodded at his friend.

Traaw voiced his agreement around a large bone he was chewing on.

=RK=

Interlude: A fallen Jedi's plans

Republic Cruiser Vengeance

Hyperspace

After loosing Kira, Jerrod found keeping his boundless fury under control almost impossible. His very presence had caused deaths and loads of destroyed equipment before the Jedi Master was able to channel his emotions into something productive.

Even now, weeks after the fact, all Perrion dreamed of was vengeance. He wanted to march to Coruscant, face Vael and tear out the Sith's still beating heart, then crush it with his own hands. He wanted to see the Sith controlled abomination that was today's Republic burn in the flames of hell.

But most of all, Jerrod wanted to be back home with his wife and all the friends he lost still alive. He knew that was a naive, impossible dream. All he had was vengeance and duty to the death – to see that there could be a future which wasn't profaning all they fought and died for.

Figuring what to do, how to achieve his goals without succumbing further to the Dark Side – because Perrion wasn't totally blinded by his fury, had been very hard. More than once he had to go out in the mountains alone and unleash his anger on the surrounding area in a bit to calm himself enough that he could think more or less clearly.

In the end it was Denii's arrival and General Garza having enough of his antics and sitting him down to talk, that allowed Jerrod to get his head out of his backside and began acting as the experienced Jedi Master he was supposed to be.

They discussed their options, those that were left now that their presence was exposed, and reached an unpleasant conclusion. In order to succeed they had to find allies. Simply continuing to bid their time and replenish their forces was no longer viable.

The Republic was out for obvious reasons. The same was true for the Hutts and the various small neutral policies and systems. However, there was a ray of hope. A spark of light in all the darkness choking the galaxy.

The Confederacy's leadership had seen the truth. They had arrested the Sith controlling them and were determined to root out Dooku's master too. That's why Jerrod was en route to the Confederate capital to offer the Remnant's services in eradicating the Sith controlled Republic. Perrion was sure that before the end, he would face Veil and have his vengeance.

=RK=

Interlude: Two Jedi and a Sith

Hangar bay

Republic Cruiser Unflinching

location classified

General Rahm Kota glared at the Commando unit shadowing Mace Windu. Even if the former Master had been in the wrong, having Clones holding the man's leash was infuriating. Of course, given what Kota learned just a few days ago, he wasn't sure that Windu had been wrong in the first place. Quite the opposite in fact.

"That's far enough, Commander." Kota frowned. "My men will ensure that Windu will cause no trouble. Go to the mess hall and have something hot to eat."

"Sir, we're under orders to…" The Commander disagreed.

"That wasn't a suggestion, soldier. I gave you a direct order and you will follow it." Kota's glare intensified. Clones – he found them lacking when the heard about them and now that Rahm knew the truth, he was beginning to loathe them even if it really wasn't their fault.

"Sir, yes, sir!" The Commander saluted.

Kota nodded and two squads of his militia – all armed and armored to the teeth went to escort the Commandos. When they were finally out of sight, Mace sighed in relief.

"I appreciate this, old friend." The former Master nodded. "Being looked down at as a potential traitor by my troops, it grates."

"Walk with me, Mace. There is someone you need to meet." Rahm turned around and headed out of the cramped hangar of the Venator. "I was the one sent to pick up Dooku when the Confeds decided to deliver give him up as a gesture of a good will. I naturally expected a trap but orders are orders and any chance to get him back in our custody..." Kota trailed off. "Five days ago we arrived to find two Separatist fleets tearing each other apart. Then a third arrived and joined the one being attacked. They contacted us in the middle of the battle and very politely apologized about the delay in handing us the prisoner."

"Infighting? Possible civil war?" Windu wondered aloud. Rahm felt a surge of hope in Mace.

"No such luck. Just a bunch of Dooku sympathizer trying to rescue him. They obviously walked into a trap and were wiped out. For a change the Separatists held up their word and actually delivered Dooku. He's in a pretty bad shape but alive."

"You've kept this under wraps." Windu sounded surprised. "I've heard nothing about it, nor have any of my contacts."

"I did." Kota admitted. "I talked with the man. After what happened to him and after I filled him in on the latest developments, he talked. As far as I can tell, Dooku told me the truth as he knew it."

"Not good?" Windu inquired.

"I'll let you decide for yourself. I'd appreciate if you watch him carefully for any deception. What Dooku admitted..." Rahm sighed. "It changes everything. You were right, Mace."

"About what?"

"Veil. The Sith. We're in more trouble than we ever suspected."

=RK=

"Master Windu, good to see you again. I would offer to shake your hand but as you can see..." Dooku shrugged.

The Count was sitting on his cot and looked regal even in plain white prisoner garb. Mace examined the man he once considered friend. Dooku had no arms.

"Did you run in another pirate?" Windu asked.

"No. Just my former friends deciding that I might be too hard to contain if they let me keep my remaining hand." Given his predicament, Dooku sounded far too amused. The man was in such good spirits that it made Windu on edge.

"You've been telling some interesting things to Master Kota here. Will you share them?" Mace asked.

"I had lot of time to think lately. To wonder about how things went so wrong so fast." Dooku's face became severe, yet the count's presence in the Force was almost serene.

While Windu could sense the stench of the Dark Side on Dooku, the aristocrat was actually at peace right now.

"After talking with Kota here about what happened after my imprisonment, I was confused at first. However when I thought about it, things fell into place. My Master used and discarded me. Its obvious. The plans he shared with me, our grand design, all was deception. Do you know what Sidious taught me? That there could be only two real Sith at a time – a master and an apprentice? I believed myself to be the second. The apprentice. I was wrong."

"Please continue." Windu stared intently at the captive. Everything Dooku was saying was the truth – the man believed every word he was uttering and wasn't even trying to access the Force or use other deception.

"Things went exactly as Sidious and I planned. Until Veil appeared from thin air. He was an enigma at the time – a man without past, yet he was revealing more and more abilities that indicated his connection with the Dark Side. He even claimed to be a Sith..." Dooku chuckled darkly. "Do you know the truth, Master Windu? I have only conjectures, deductions, though they make sense. What I know is that the Sith have always been around. They've been planning and plotting for centuries until everything culminated in this war. When I created the Confederacy and told everyone that the Sith were controlling the Republic I told the truth. A truth I shared with Kota here." Dooku's amusement grew.

"Do it then. I'm curious what you're going to claim." Windu spoke calmly, while feeling anything but. The implications of what Dooku was saying were severe.

"A bit of history first. I believe Kenobi uncovered the records. It was him wasn't it?" Dooku asked.

"What records?" Mace inquired.

"About the creating of your valued Clone army. Kota here has the right idea you know. It was us Sith who ensured that the Republic will have an army to fight this war. It was us who allowed you all to last more than a few months before being overrun."

"Why?" Windu asked while his mind was busy struggling with the revelation. The Council knew that there was something wrong with the creating of the Clone Army. Sifo- Dias had died shortly after he commissioned the army. That was too convenient. Yet, the Kaminoans actually had records of the Jedi meeting them, his signature and biometrics on the contracts.

The Council investigated and reached a dead end. Was Dias compromised, had he aligned himself with the Sith or simply been deceived? No one had a good answer.

"Because the war was deemed a useful tool. A distraction and a way to concentrate more power in the Chancellor's hands." Dooku explained.

"The Sith intend to control the Chancellor and through him the Republic." The revelation was horrifying.

Dooku laughed and Kota shook his head. "I thought that too. We aren't so fortunate." The Jedi said.

"My master. Darth Sidious – the Dark Lord of the Sith, has been controlling the Republic directly for more than a decade. You've met him many times, Master Windu. You know him as Sheev Palpatine." Dooku's chuckled mirthlessly.

"Impossible! We would have noticed something!" Mace shook his head in denial.

"I thought so too before he demonstrated his mastery over the Dark Side." Dooku shrugged. "He betrayed us all. Used us against each other. For power, for vengeance. The Confederacy was supposed to be dealt with and the Republic victorious. I was meant to have a change of heart at the end, after the Jedi were dealt with and the Republic transformed into the First Galactic empire." Dooku mussed. "Instead here we are. The war has escalated. I believed things had gone wrong and Sidious simply lost control. But now I wonder..." Dooku trailed off. "Will you pay attention? I'm tired of repeating my story. He wanted to hear it six times already." The count nodded at Kota.

Windu shook his head and tried to concentrate. If this was true, if the Republic was already under Sith control…

"Veil." Mace whispered.

"Another Sith. I no longer have any doubts about it. He is Sidious' real apprentice. I was simply a means to an end. I never expected that the Sith would come into the open. It was never a part of the plan." Dooku had a far away look on his face. "You know that whatever I tell you, it will not be enough? Veil made sure of that. Even if Palpatine is revealed as a Sith, he can find a way out of it thanks to his apprentice. Most of the Republic won't care and me claiming that Palpatine is behind the war would simply not be credible. At best it would be considered a Confederate ploy to destabilize the Republic at the worst time."

"He's quite right unfortunately." Kota grumbled. "I've had days to think about it. We have no proof but Dooku's word. If we go public it will be enough to throw the Republic into chaos. Perhaps enough to ensure that the Confederacy wins while we're all too busy dealing with the fallout. Not necessary enough to see the Chancellor removed legally."

"Palpatine has been controlling the Republic for years. He has broad public support and directly and indirectly controls at least half the senate even after new crop of Senator arrived. Do you really think that you can remove him legally at this point?" Dooku's chuckle grew sinister.

"We tried to remove Veil legally and had more than the words of a traitor and a mass murderer to use against him." Windu spoke quietly. He was busy concentrating on his unique talent with the Force and seeking a the best possible path to the future. "Outing Palpatine might create big enough chaos to see him removed as Chancellor. That's probably the best we can hope for legally. Doing so would leave him freer to be Sith." Windu grimaced. "Doing so now would all but guarantee a Separatist victory." The former Jedi Master closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Whatever we do we'll have one chance."

"You're talking about a coup." Kota frowned. "It's not going to work without significant support among the army."

"Not necessary. We might need just enough to secure most of Coruscant while dealing with the Sith." Windu countered. "The aftermath of the Confederacy attack might be our best choice."