Chapter 18: First Allies
(3rd Person: POV)
Dooku has been a Jedi for many decades.
He had served the Galactic Republic and its people. In doing so he saw many things and as such had developed good instincts and intuition.
So when he saw a holocron he had used before begin to give out previously unknown information to his most recent apprentice Dooku was not about to let the matter simply drop.
No, he wanted answers.
Answers from his apprentice.
Looking at Van Dooku saw the boy was nervous.
Then all of a sudden that nervousness he was showing vanished. Replaced with a calmness and seriousness many his age wouldn't be able to display.
It impressed Dooku.
And reminded him a lot of himself at Van's age.
Which is one of the many reasons he had chosen the boy to become his newest Padawan.
A decision that has already led Dooku into an entirely new unknown.
"I suppose you have an explanation for what just occurred apprentice?" Dooku asked Van.
"I do, master." Van answered. "It would seem like my ancestor Nomi hid information in her holocron that only I, her descendant, can access. Once I obtain the appropriate rank within the order that is."
"Yes. I gathered that." Dooku replied. "What I would like to know is why? Why did Nomi Sunrider do such a thing? More importantly, what did her hologram mean earlier when she said the information she will provide to you will help extinguish the shroud of darkness over the galaxy?" He asked.
Dooku wanted to know what his newest apprentice was involved in.
For from what he had just heard, and the own inferences he was making in his mind, it sounded like Van was at the center of something enormous and very very dangerous.
"To the question of why Nomi did what she did with her holocron, I have absolutely no idea master." Van said.
Sensing Van's emotions through the Force Dooku knew he was being truthful.
"As for your second question, that is a rather sensitive matter." Van said. Looking Dooku directly in his eyes as he did. "Master, what if I told you I knew of a coming darkness. One that will slowly engulf the galaxy itself."
The moment Dooku head those words from Van he felt shocked. For he had heard similar words before.
"Apprentice, no Van, that is enough. Stop talking right now." Dooku said.
Hearing the utter seriousness in Dooku's voice Van did as he instructed.
"Training is over for today." Dooku said. "You will speak of what has occurred here to no one. Do you understand me?"
"Yes." Van replied. Knowing that pushing Dooku at this moment would not be wise.
"Good." Dooku replied. "Now then, meet me back here in this room at the same time tomorrow. Before we go any further into what you have told me I must take care of a few things." He explained.
"Understood, master." Van replied.
He then left the training room.
Shortly after he did so Dooku closed Nomi's holocron and began taking it back to the holocron vault.
His mind filled with numerous thoughts.
Namely about the meeting he had just arranged with Van for tomorrow.
For it, would be extremely important for all those involved.
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Arriving at the training room the following day Van found himself shocked.
Not because Dooku was waiting for him.
But because he had brought another person along with him.
Master Sifo-Dyas.
The moment Van entered the training room both Jedi master's gazes landed upon him.
"Good day to you masters." Van said.
"Good day to you as well apprentice." Dooku replied.
"Yes, hello young Van." Sifo-Dyas said. "From what Dooku has told me, we have much to discuss."
"Right." Van said.
He then closed the distance between him and the two masters.
After he did Sifo-Dyas took a small device out of his pocket and activated it.
"What's that you just turned on master Sifo-Dyas?" Van asked.
"An electronic jamming device." He answered.
"You fear our conservation will be monitored?" Van asked.
"Let's just call it a pre-caution." Sifo-Dyas replied.
Basically giving Van his answer.
"Now then, let us pick up yesterday's conversation." Dooku began. "Van, you said you knew of a coming darkness that will slowly engulf the galaxy itself. How do you know this?"
"Back during 'The Gathering' on Illum when I was traversing the caves to find my kyhber crystal I ended up encountering the spirit of my ancestor, Nomi Sunrider." Van revealed.
Since if Dooku and Sifo-Dyas were being so serious about this matter then he was going to give them a bit of trust.
Hearing Van's words both Dooku and Sifo-Dyas were shocked.
They had never heard of such a thing happening before, and yet through the Force both Jedi masters could sense Van was being completely truthful. Which only added to the weight of his words.
"During my encounter with Nomi, she described various threats that would come to the galaxy, and disasters that would befall it. The first of which is the coming darkness." Van explained.
Which was not a lie.
Though of course that was not the whole truth either.
Since Van never intended to tell anyone about the memories he retained from his previous life. Lest they be ripped from his mind by a force-sensitive who thought they could use it better.
"I see. Then young Van, it seems we share something in common." Sifo-Dyas said.
"What you mean master?" Van asked.
Of course he knew what Sifo-Dyas meant, but if he didn't act like he didn't then the Jedi masters in front of him might get suspicious.
"I am gifted with extremely strong foresight. Through the Force I have seen many things and used my knowledge to prevent or change them." Sifo-Dyas began. "However in recent years a change has occurred. One vision, keeps coming to me over and over again. The galaxy engulfed in darkness and war. Like you yourself have just described." He explained.
"I see." Van said. "So since both have into this knowledge through the Force, then it must be its will we do something about it." He spoke. "Though I take it the rest of the order doesn't share your concerns master's."
"They do not." Sifo-Dyas replied in an exhausted voice.
"The council and the rest of the order would rather go on pretending that nothing is wrong, than acknowledge the fact war could be coming. Arrogant and short-sighted, the lot of them." Dooku fumed. "It's no wonder corruption has managed to flourish so greatly within the Republic. We Jedi would rather ignore the crimes right in front of our eyes than do anything about it!" He exclaimed.
"Dooku my friend, that is enough!" Sifo-Dyas shouted. "Remember we are in the presence of a young child."
"No offense my old friend, but I feel young Van has the capacity to understand my views." Dooku replied.
"Well you certainly have an interesting opinion master." Van said.
Though he agreed with Dooku.
Yet given his age he didn't want to make obvious just yet. He needed a few more years at Dooku's side before he could.
"Thank you apprentice." Dooku replied.
"Okay. You can discuss that later, but right now let us get back on the topic at hand." Sifo-Dyas spoke.
"Right you are master Sifo-Dyas." Van said. "Now here is what I propose. If the order itself will not do anything to combat the coming darkness, then I think we should take it upon ourselves to do so."
"What exactly are you suggesting young one?" Sifo-Dyas asked. "That we go against the wishes of the council, and the order in general."
"If that is what we must do to save the galaxy, then yes, I am." Van replied without shame.
"I wholeheartedly agree." Dooku added.
Hearing the words spoken by Dooku and Van Sifo-Dyas looked between master and apprentice and could only sigh.
"It seems Dooku my old friend you have finally found an apprentice just like you. May the Force help us all." Sifo-Dyas mused. He then got serious once more. "You two have made your opinions very clear, and while I do not agree with all of them, I do agree that is darkness needs to be combated. So on that note I will work with you both to do so."
"You have made a wise decision old friend." Dooku said.
"Yes, we are grateful for your assistance master Sifo-Dyas." Van said.
Extremely happy.
For he had just found and made his first true allies in his fight against Sidious.
Even if the ones in question has no idea.