Chapter 63: Prelude To Phantom Menace Episode II
[Coruscant, Galactic City]
(3rd Person: POV)
Stepping into the party venue, which an outdoor courtyard, Marcellus stayed close to his mater and the other Jedi who had been invited to this event.
Which was being hosted by the supreme chancellor, Finis Valorum.
Who Marcellus knew was on his way out from the chancellorship.
He could see the proverbial writing on the wall, and knew that Valorum's time in office was coming to an end. Which made Marcellus wonder who would end up getting the big chair and becoming the next chancellor of the Republic.
One candidate that came to mind was his relative Bail Antilles.
While Marcellus had his mind on such things, his master Sifo-Dyas had his mind on only one.
The coming darkness that would engulf the galaxy.
The visions Sifo-Dyas had relating to the event had not stopped.
In fact they had only increased in intensity.
Yet still, even after years of getting the same vision over and over again, Sifo-Dyas was no closer to discovering what the darkness was his vision kept warning him about.
Last year he had assumed it was the Yinchorri species, but that turned out not to be the case.
Still the Yinchorri incident made a big impact on Sifo-Dyas. For it showed him truly just how unprepared the Republic would be to deal with the coming darkness he foresaw.
Given their responses and action during the Yinchorri incident.
To say nothing of the fact the Jedi Temple itself on Coruscant was directly assaulted.
If Grand Master Yoda hadn't got that warning of the attack through the Force Sifo-Dyas didn't even want to imagine what could've happened.
It showcased to him that despite all the efforts he and his allies had and were taking to prepare for the coming darkness, he still needed to do more.
'But what? What more can I do?' Sifo-Dyas thought.
With both master and apprentice lost in their own minds, they didn't notice when an individual approached them, and lightly tapped their shoulders.
The second after this happened both Sifo-Dyas and Marcellus got out of their own heads and turned to face the person who had just tapped their shoulders.
The person in question being Hego Damask.
Who neither master nor apprentice knew was a powerful Sith lord, who had been manipulating events in the galaxy for over a century. To further his Sith lines plan to see Jedi like him become extinct.
"Ah Sifo-Dyas, good to see you again." Hego spoke. "And I take it this is your apprentice?"
"Yes, he is." Sifo-Dyas replied. "And it is good to see you again as well Hego." The Jedi master spoke.
"Hello sir, I am Marcellus Antilles." Marcellus spoke. "And you are?"
"A pleasure to meet you young man, I am Hego Damask." The Muun spoke. He then offered his hand to Marcellus who shook it.
They then broke the handshake after a few second.
"So, how do you know my master, for he has never mentioned you before?" Marcellus asked Damask.
"I don't. Not really." Damask revealed. "We are simply acquaintances with shared interests and concerns who encountered each other 20 years ago on the planet Serenno." He explained.
"I see." Marcellus replied. "Well if you'll excuse me I'll let you to catch up. Excuse me." He said.
Marcellus then walked off, ending up with the Aldeeran delegation.
Doing his best to afford one of the other Jedi who had come to the party alongside him and his master, who was in the area of the delegation as well.
Jorus C'Baoth.
To say that man rubbed Marcellus the wrong way would be an understatement.
From his arrogant attitude, to his views on force-users and Jedi being superior to all other beings, Marcellus couldn't stand the man.
He recalled how Van always referred to Jorus by the nickname Hitler. Who Van explained to Marcellus was man he had heard about who believed the race he was belonged to was superior to all others.
Once he did Marcellus couldn't help but agree that the name Hitler fit Jorus C'Baoth perfectly.
The moment Marcellus was out of earshot Damask spoke up once more.
"Your apprentice seems like a fine young man." He said.
"Yes, that he is." Sifo-Dyas replied. Putting a small smile on his, which immediately fell. "Though I worry for his future."
"Oh, and why is that?" Damask asked.
"Hego, do you remember what you, Dooku, and I discussed years ago about a coming darkness that would engulf the galaxy?" He asked the Muun.
"Of course I do." Damask replied. "In fact I feel that is fastly approaching." He whispered.
"Truly, you do?" Sifo-Dyas asked.
"Yes, I do." Damask replied. "And it seems you know what I speak is the truth."
"I...I do." Sifo-Dyas admitted. "I've felt it coming for years, yet no matter how much I try to warn the Jedi, and even the Republic, they refuse to heed my warnings. I have taken some steps over the years in preparations for what's to come, but I fear, no I know it is not enough. Yet, I do not know what else I can do."
"I see." Damask mused. Keeping a neutral face on the outside. But inside he was grinning like the devil.
For an opportunity had just presented itself to him.
He and his apprentice had already decided Dooku and Sifo-Dyas had become useless to achieving their goals, but seeing Sifo-Dyas here in front of him like this Damask realized he could get some use out of the Jedi master yet.
"Well my friend I think I have just the way to ease your worries." Damask spoke. "Tell me, have you ever hard of the cloners of Kamino?" He asked.
"No, not really. I've only come across information on them briefly." Sifo-Dyas replied. "Why?"
"Because for the right price they can grow entire armies." Damask revealed. "And I think that is exactly what the Republic, the Jedi, and the galaxy needs to survive the coming darkness we both know is close at hand. An army, to fight for them."
"But, that would go against the Ruusan Reformations." Sifo-Dyas said.
"Yes, it would. But sometimes going against rules is necessary in order to do what is right." Damask spoke. "Listen, I cannot tell you what to do. But should you change your mind you know how to contact me. And if you should I will put you contact with the Kaminoans and help you build an army to fight for the future of the galaxy. Besides, the army the Kaminoans build may never even need to be used. We are simply preparing for the worst. As you have been." He explained.
Having said his peace Hego Damask left Sifo-Dyas alone, as he went to go mingle.
The Jedi master thinking deeply over the conversation he just had with his Muun acquittance, and slowly finding himself agreeing with him.
Thus showcasing that while the butterfly effects Van created changed many things, it seems others were destined to happen, no matter what he did.
Though that didn't mean destined events would happen in the exact same way.
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Standing in the cargo hold of the Milano Van stood before several targets.
The hologram of Nomi contained within the Noetikon of Light watching over him.
"Begin." She said.
"Yes." Van replied.
He then drew on the Force and threw his right hand forward, multiple bolts of golden electricity springing from it after he did.
The golden electricity arced, and struck several of the targets, but missed others entirely.
Seeing this Van stopped using Electro Judgement, and clicked his tongue in irritation.
"Better, than last time. But I know you can do better. Remember, power, focus, concentration. Those are the three key elements to mastering Electro Judgement. Now, let's go again." Hologram Nomi spoke.
"Yes." Van replied.
He then used Electro Judgement, once more.
His gold-colored lighting soaring through the air.
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A/N: Yes my friends, the Clone Wars are still going to take place.
I also wanted to show that while Van can make changes he can't control everything. Some things he can only react to after the fact.
I also decided to give you a glimpse into his Noetikon training. For he is simply not going to use them. He will be a complete beast during the Naboo Crisis.