Chapter 31: Palpatine

Finishing up my breakfast I leaned back and stretched my arms into the air.

HK-47 staring at me the entire time I did.

Like he does most of the time we are alone.

At first I found it highly unnerving. But now I find it comforting in a way.

I have no idea what that says about me that I feel at ease being stared at by a sociopathic assassin droid.

Though I'm sure it doesn't mean much.

"Query: Master, now that you have finished consuming the fuel needed to sustain your fleshy and watery body, may we discuss my next assignment ? Eager Statement: I am excited to get back out there and continue my primary programming of exterminating meatbags."

"Whatever you say HK." I mused. "But first, as usual I require a status report." I spoke.

"Statement: Very well master." HK-47 replied.

He then began giving me a detailed report on his activities, and on all the operations I am having him manage.

For despite HK-47 repeatedly stating he is neither a service or protocol droid his organization and management skills are impressive.

'Revan really outdid himself when he made this droid.' I thought.

In no time at all HK-47 had finished giving me his status report.

"As always HK, thank you for your cooperation." I told the him.

I then gave him his next assignment.

When I did his eyes glowed brighter. "Statement: Master, a plan like this is not the Jedi way at all. It seems my choice in selecting you as my new master a few years ago was not wrong. I do not think I will ever be bored following your orders." HK-47 spoke.

"Just like you say to me all the time flattery will get you no where HK. Now then, excuse me. I have to go and meet my master." I explained to him.

"Statement: Ah, you mean the meatbag known as Dooku. The one who helped you organize a following of Jedi from within that group of pathetic pseudo-pacifists who you will use in the coming war, and to turn the Sith you have told me about into nothing but a mass of flesh with no life. Query: When will you introduce me to the meatbag Dooku master? Statement: For I would very much like to meet him." HK-47 said.

"Soon, HK, soon." I told him.

Which is not a lie.

I will introduce him to Dooku.

But not until he leaves the order.

Which is a part of the original story that still seems to be on track. Over the past five years Dooku has only grown more disillusioned with the Jedi Order, the Senate, and the Republic.

He's made some very public speeches against all three institutions.

And he won't stop. No matter what anyone says to him. Even me.

I mean I knew this was coming but still, it's one thing to read about it on a page, and another to see it with my own eye.

Again, I know this had to happen but it doesn't make it any less harder to watch my mentor, and a man I have come to consider like a grandfather, voice his concerns at the top of his lungs and have no one acknowledge him. No one take him seriously.

Now I truly understand that Dooku must leave the current Jedi Order.

But thanks to my intervention he won't walk down the path of the Sith and end up as Darth Tyranus. I am almost sure of it. Still, that doesn't mean I am going to let my guard down.

For you never know what will happen.

It's as master Yoda always says: Always in motion is the future.

Oh and speaking of introducing HK to people I need to find a time to introduce him to the rest of the members of the coaltion.

Since the only ones who know of his existence and him serving me are my childhood friends. Marcellus, Serra, and the others.

By the way Marcellus and I finally brought the others into the coalition some time ago.

But that is a story for another time.

Moving on.

Cleaning up the kitchen from my breakfast I went to get dressed.

I then left my apartment and headed to meet Dooku.

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[Senate Building, Senate District, Coruscant, Galactic City]

Finding myself outside the Senate Building I couldn't help but marvel at it.

[Insert Image of Senate Building Here]

For no matter how many times I see this place I cannot get over it's majesty. Nor the fact the history of the galaxy has been decided here over and over again for centuries.

I stared at the building for a few more seconds before heading inside.

The security guards and droids letting me pass through without any problems thanks to me wearing my Jedi robes.

Upon entering the building I followed the directions Dooku gave me, over my comlink this morning, on where to meet him.

In no time at all I found myself in front of a door to an office.

Walking up to it I pressed the button on the control panel located on the right of the door to notify people inside the office I was outside it. A moment after I did so the door to the office slid open and I heard Dooku's voice.

"Van, come in." He said.

So with that I entered the office.

As the door closed behind me I stopped Dooku sitting on one of the couches in the room.

While seated next to him in a chair, next to the couch he was sitting on, was none other than Sheev Palpatine, also known as Darth Sidious.

[Insert Image of Sheev Palpatine/Darth Sidious Here]

The man who commits atrocities without a second thought, and is the Star Wars universe love child of Sosuke Aizen and Yhwach from Bleach.

A powerful two-faced bastard who thinks nothing of sacrificing those loyal to him.

"Ah, you must be Van Sunrider. A pleasure to finally meet you. Dooku always speaks highly of you doing our conversations. I am Sheev Palpatine, senator from Naboo and representative of the Chommell Sector." Palpatine spoke. Giving me a kind and grandfatherly smile as he did.

One I had to resist with all my might not to recoil in disgust from.

For if Palpatine even suspects for a second I know he is not simply an old man like he pretends to be, I'm dead. No if, ands, or buts.

Because if Sidious truly came for me I would not be able to fend him off. I may have gotten stronger over these past five years, but I am still nowhere near ready to take this bastard sitting in front of me on in a head on battle.

But give me a few more years and I will be.

Then once I am, Sidious ass is grass.

However until that happens I will bide my time.

"A pleasure to finally meet you as well senator Palpatine. My master also mentions you in conversations we have." I spoke.

For in which I think is a stroke of excellent luck despite me being Dooku's apprentice for five years this is the first time Palpatine and I are meeting face-to-face.

Since no matter how much I wanted to, or even subtly tried, I couldn't break the relationship between Palpatine and Dooku.

I mean sure, I could've told Dooku the truth about Palpatine being Sith but decided against it. For I felt that if I did thinks would end up horribly worse than in the original story, or the path I am currently walking down. Especially since Sidious master is still alive and kicking.

Dealing with one Sith Lord will be hard enough, but two.

No thank you.

That's why I'm going to let Palpatine do me a favor and kill his master for me.

It will be his gift to me, even if that bastard doesn't realize it.

Though of course I am preparing countermeasures just in case that part of the original story is kriffed given all the butterfly effects I am causing.

But I really hope that part remains the same.

"Come, join us." Palpatine spoke.

"Thank you." I replied.

I then went to sit on the couch opposite of Dooku.

Feeling Palpatine through the Force after I did, and just like I suspected I could sense no force-sensitivity that all. The Sith Lord truly feels like just an ordinary person in the Force right now.

That's just a broken ability he has.

It also makes me wonder if I can learn it as well.

"So tell me young Van, how has it been having Dooku as a master?" Palpatine asked me.

"It has been interesting." I mused. "I will say I have never been bored while training under my master." I explained.

Choosing my words very carefully.

Since I didn't want to give Palpatine anything I didn't want him to have.

"Yes, I can see that. Dooku is certainly not a boring person. Despite his rough exterior." Palpatine said.

"I have to agree with you there senator." I spoke.

The two of us sharing a laugh.

Mine being fake.

Since I've anticipated this day would come and learned how to fake reactions and facial expression. Some of which I studied how to do on my own, while some of which I learned from tutoring from HK-47.

For besides his assassination skills that droid is a treasure trove of knowledge.

From his time with Darth Revan, to his time with Meetra Surik, to all his other masters, that droid knows a lot of shit.

Shit which he is teaching me.

I'll say it again, I'm so glad that HK is on my side.

Dooku, Palpatine, and I talked and conversed for a bit longer.

But soon it came time for me and Dooku to leave for Palpatine had business to attend to.

"It was very nice meeting you Van. I hope to see you again soon." Palpatine said.

"Yes, you as well senator." I told him.

Spewing bullshit that would make the dao of bullshit shed tears of joy.

Palpatine and I having exchanged goodbyes Dooku and I left his office.

As we made our way back to the Jedi temple, my master spoke to me.

"You seem to get along well with Sheev." He said. Using Palpatine's first name.

"I do, I hadn't noticed." I spoke. Really I didn't.

"Yes. A shame I didn't introduce you two sooner." Dooku said genuinely.

"Well these things happen master." I spoke.

"Yes, they do." Dooku replied. "So Van, allow me ask you this one last time. Are you sure you are ready?"

"Yes, master. I am." I replied.

"Very well. Then I will make the necessary preparations." Dooku spoke.

"Thank you master. And it's been an honor having served as your Padawan." I said.

For Dooku is getting ready to put me forward for the Trials of Knighthood.

The time has finally come for me to become a Jedi Knight.