Chapter 20: First Mission: Episode I

Dooku entered my room and went to sit in the chair near my desk.

While I moved to sit on my bed.

After I did Dooku began explaining the details of the mission to me.

Looks like the two of us are being dispatched Seswenna sector in the outer rim to investigate and put a stop to attacks on shipping vessels that began a month ago.

"Master I understand the mission. The question I have is why we are being dispatched? I mean doesn't the Seswenna sector have the Outland Regions Security Force." I spoke.

The Outland Regions Security Taskforce. One of the only stable and well-armed military groups currently in the galaxy due to that Ruusan Reformation bullshit. Founded by the Tarkin family the security forces handle protecting the Seswenna sector from threats such as pirates, raiders, and warlords.

"Yes, they very much do apprentice. And under normal circumstances I am sure the capture of these attackers would be left to them. Unfortunately these are not normal circumstances." Dooku replied. Putting a slight frown on face.

"What do you mean?" I asked him.

"From the information we've been provided thus far it seems all the shipping vessels that have been attack and raided thus far belong to 'Valorum Shipping and Transport'."

"Ah." I mused.

Finally understanding the situation.

'Valorum Shipping and Transport' is a company based in the Seswenna sector and headqaurtered on the planet Eriadu. Run and foubded by the Valorum family the affairs of the company are mostly handled by the branch of the family which calls Eriadu home.

Who have had a fierce rivalry with the Tarkin family for a long time now.

And since the Tarkin family has a major hand in the Outland Region Security Taskforce I can only assume those running the company at the moment think they will use this situation to undermine their authority and increase their own.

It's politics, plain and simple.

Which is definitely the reason Dooku and I are being sent in. Since Jedi are "neutral" where politics are concerned.

At least the Jedi of the current order are.

Yet another major failing of theirs in my book.

Moving on.

Seeing the look of realization pass over my face as I figured out the true reason we are being sent on this mission Dooku nodded his head. "It looks like you have discerned the truth of our involvement in this matter my apprentice."

"Yes, I have master. Politics." I spoke.

"Yes, politics." Dooku replied. "But even if this is because of politics we still have a mission to complete. So let us prepare to do so."

"Of course master." I replied.

Once I did Dooku and I discussed a few more details of the mission before we broke apart to prepare individually.

After he left my room I got a small bag and packed a few changes of clothes, my personal datapad, and a few other essentials.

As soon as I finished I headed to the Jedi temple hangar where Dooku instructed me to meet him.

A few minutes after I arrived he did.

He then led me over to a ready and waiting T-6 shuttle.

[Insert Image of T-6 shuttle here]

Walking up the ramp we entered the ship.

Then after I put my bag down, and Dooku did the same with his own, the two of us headed for the cockpit.

Taking our seats in the pilot and co-pilot chairs Dooku looked at me.

"Pay attention young Van." He told me.

"Yes." I replied.

Right after I did Dooku began entering the start up sequence for the shuttle into the console.

Detailing it every step of the way for me as he did.

Since even though we are about to embark on a mission doesn't mean my learning from Dooku is going to stop.

On the contrary. I feel on missions the lessons I learn from Dooku will increase.

Though that's fine by me. Since I am ready and willing to learn all he has to teach.

Like right now he is beginning to teach me the basics of piloting starcrafts.

He truly is a good master, if a little stern.

That's why I really hope all my efforts to keep him from becoming Darth Tyranus pan out.

Because I really don't want a day to come where I might have to kill him.

I really don't.

As Dooku finished the start up sequence for the shuttle it slowly ascended into the air thanks to its repulsorlifts.

Once it was high enough off the ground Dooku took the controls and flew it out of the temple hangar.

He then flew the T-6 into one of the many ship lanes for ships wishing to depart Coruscant.

Which actually moved pretty fast.

In hardly any time at all we had been cleared for departure by Courscant Air Traffic Control and were soaring above the planet.

Looking down at it through the window of the shuttles' cockpit I couldnt help but marvel at the planet. It truly is beautiful.

[Insert Image of Coruscant Here]

Too bad that beauty is only skin deep.

For Coruscant has a deep infection of corruption that reaches its very core.

Turning my gaze away from the planet I got comfortable as Dooku piloted the ship away from the planet, entering the coordinates for the Seswenna sector into the shuttle navigation computer as he did.

Just as he finished the latter the shuttle reached a safe enough distance from Coruscant to make the jump to lightspeed.

Which is exactly what Dooku did the second he could.

As we entered hyperspace I couldn't stop thinking how mine and Dooku very first mission as master and apprenrice would end.

I hope it does so on a good note.