Chapter Text
Disembarking the solar sailer on Raxus, the Head of State, Count Dooku, moved. His black cape billowing behind him like a storm in the night, the half-blinded man moved past the rows of security guards, civilian recruits, and droids as well. His Magnaguards loomed behind him, naturally drawing attention from his allies.
All the while, he thought about how to play his cards. Now that he was fighting a legitimate war instead of the staged one that he and Sidious originally planned, it meant that the original positions had been altered.
While the CIS Council wondered what possessed him to murder Nute Gunray, a minor explanation that came with contradictory paperwork and staged threats against his leaders motivated them to turn in another direction, as they've all wanted victory and didn't want to start a fuss. Namely, fill out successors for those empty roles—ones that Dooku personally deemed satisfactory behind the scenes.
Spineless cowards were no longer necessary for the CIS.
Dooku valued competence, cunning, and loyalty, so these people embody those traits.
One of the candidates who had been selected as a replacement for Nute Gunray was a female Neimoidian named Mahi Zratut. She was a shrewd and ambitious type who quickly ascended the ranks of the Trade Federation through her ruthlessness and keen business acumen. Unlike Gunray, she had a history of being more diplomatic and subtle in her dealings. Admittedly, when he had first interacted with her, Dooku was pleasantly surprised. With very few exceptions, Neimodians were selfish and greedy. Zratut went against that stereotype. She was intelligent, calculating, and possessed a strong sense of self-preservation, more interested in the long-term gains of the Trade Federation, and was willing to take calculated risks to achieve her goals. Her malevolent and diplomatic skills were nothing short of impressive. Soon, she would be shipped to Rodia to solve the issue with their water supplies and to ease the tension that was formed due to Gunray's incompetence and servitude to Sidious.
Wat Tambor's replacement as Foreman of the Techno Union was a Skakoan named Kam Vaza. A brilliant engineer and strategist who had revolutionized the Techno Union's production capabilities. His innovative designs and efficient management will be of amazing use in the near future. He was methodical, analytical, and disciplined. He cherished efficiency and results over personal gain, making him a reliable and effective leader, and also being one that Dooku valued.
The third replacement for Passel Argente as Magistrate of the Corporate Alliance was a human named Syala Adis. She was a former diplomat who became disillusioned with the corruption and inefficiency of the Republic. She joined the Corporate Alliance, using her political expertise and charisma to rally support for the Separatist cause. She was charismatic, convincing, and deeply devoted to her beliefs. She was a skilled orator and diplomat, able to acquire loyalty and dedication from her followers. Her political acumen and ability to rally loyalty were needed.
These people brought a fresh perspective and new strengths to the Separatist cause, aligning far more closely with Dooku's vision of how a legitimate Separatists would go.
It had been by no coincidence that the previous bankers were either a direct sabotage or so stupid that they'd completely been invested in blowing up the CIS more than any sabotage ever could. Eventually, the CIS had to be discarded for the galaxy to see, so they would rally behind the Chancellor's attempt to seize Galactic Power and transform the Republic into an Empire. However, now that it was no longer on the list, it meant Dooku had to replace the remaining Separatist Council.
Baktoid Industries produced a majority of droids; in fact, the droids that other mega corporations use were made by Baktoid. Seeing as some of the powerful benefactors and manufacturers met explosive ends, along with their droid escorts, the Separatists were going to be significantly more crippled than planned. Kudo III and Akiva were fortunately funding a fair number of them, however.
If he was of any luck, he would be able to make an example of the likes of San Hill in due time if he didn't clean up his act. For now, Poogle the Lesser may be a useful tool for his competence, as well as Shu Mai, though it depends on whether they become too much of a problem. Hill needed to die. And Dooku would see it happen.
The pain that now accompanied his body forced him to adapt. The lack of engagement on the battlefield allowed Dooku to practice with his only arm. The enhanced eye gave him quite an advantage in spotting his opponents at greater paces. And the injuries he'd suffered had gifted him with a greater connection to the Dark Side. Vengeful thoughts of killing the two flooded his every will now. Yet, as a blow to a gentleman's ego, Dooku was not powerful enough to rival either. Perhaps in the blade with Sidious if he was on his terms, but Skywalker was younger. When he'd stared at Anakin Skywalker, not once did he demonstrate the fact that he was a practitioner of the Dark Side… No, a master of it. Dooku was divorced from the countenance of Skywalker, despite the obvious differences in their ages and experience of the Dark Side.
If Skywalker accomplished his full potential as Sidious's foil, none would be able to stop him, and he may rival beyond Darth Nihilus, Darth Revan, and very possibly Exar Kun. Be it Jedi or Sith, Skywalker would be the greatest being in the galaxy, wielding the power of the Force to an unfathomable degree. The only thing that he lacked the acceleration of was the time to practice with Sidious's artifacts, as well as the others of other ancient Sith from the galaxy. But what did Skywalker plan with the Jedi, or at least Kenobi and Tachi? After all, he didn't have to save them in that arena. Perhaps he wished to convert them, or maybe he was another lost apprentice of Sidious and was not working directly. Both having their own agendas and Skywalker subverting military command while Sidious targeted political influence until the time was right was also a possibility, if either of them wanted control of the Republic...
After all, Sith were destined to betray one another.
At least, the Sith like Sidious's.
They've been defeated in their battle with the Dark Side, and thus, their vision was blinding. Perhaps Skywalker did care about the Jedi to morph them into his vision.
Fear rooted in his old heart. If Skywalker wasn't a victim of this war, and the CIS yet won, Dooku would have to live looking over his shoulders constantly with what he'd continued. He would do everything he could to kill the boy, Sidious's pawn or no. Skywalker yet lacked the full knowledge of his abilities, meaning that he was not a godly figure just yet.
He would be difficult to defeat, but it was not impossible.
The Dark Side was with him.
'What.
Was.
He.
THINKING?!'
That had been a thought that plagued Sidious since Skywalker first brought that cursed idea to the table.
It had taken much of Sidious's willpower not to unleash his incredulity and rage on the chamber itself and burn everything inside, including Anakin Skywalker. Were it not for the guarantee that the boy would one day become his apprentice, he would have seen to it that the boy was assassinated personally, along with his beloved.
While Sidious was tempted to oppose Anakin's proposals, he still had to defer to the High Command's playbooks. After all, his backup contingencies that involved burning the galaxy down as much as he could and cutting down the Jedi were down the list of what he'd wanted to, and were either to be invoked if the Jedi chose not to fight in this conflict, or finding out about him far sooner. Sidious would rather laze in his throne of power that he had worked so hard to build.
Palpatine gritted his teeth as a bit of electricity extended from his fingertips. He had been fairly certain that he had checked all the loopholes. 'After all, what type of planner would I be if I did not?'
The citizenship, who held high expectations of the Jedi, would do much of the work for him in that scenario. The Republic and Jedi Order have worked hand in hand for far too long that most wouldn't have considered that option acceptable, so much so that Sidious didn't put it past that some of his political adversaries could hypothetically become allies.
But Anakin's recommendations were not to pull the Jedi out and allow them to rest someplace where they could live and love as a bunch of farmers and monks.
It was to allow them to enlist in the Republic as either military officers or diplomats legally and with military and diplomatic training to boot; the idea was sound on paper from a logical standpoint. But it also meant that Sidious would have to sort out the inconveniences of Jedi who excelled in their positions being major obstacles and possibly hindering his rise to power a tad.
For the first time in a long while, Sidious had been caught off-guard not once but twice within the same week: Dooku's betrayal and Skywalker's change taking the cake.
Both incidents were seemingly linked to one another, but it didn't make sense. There was no doubt about it in Sidious's mind now. Anakin have grown, not only more powerful, but became far more intelligent. Be it through some studies of the now obsolete Army of the Light or spending an untold amount of his time honing his abilities and control, Skywalker had matured...
'Perhaps the fruit has matured so much that it has spoiled.' Sidious reflected darkly. He had realized now that Skywalker's IQ may have received a bonus. That the boy might have learned too much under him as Palpatine alone, that he might become more trouble than he was worth, even before he'd become a Sith. Perhaps the ultimate Sith'ari.
No, that was the Dark Side speaking, driven by the lapse of losing control. He wouldn't just abandon Anakin becoming a Sith of his dreams for this defiance.
That did bring out a delicious smirk across Palpatine's lips. On the other hand, he didn't account for Skywalker being a voice of reason. Anakin was always brash and headstrong. And perhaps, this change could shed light on the Dark Lord.
Besides, being around not one but two politicians in his time could have taught Anakin to pick up on some legalities that unknowingly played into Sidious's temporary disfavor. He had seemingly stemmed from a place of confusion, at least that was what Sidious felt with the Force.
In addition, while Dooku's movement suffered a setback after Geonosis, he was still in a position to re-equip for the losses in a few months, if not a year tops, buying enough time for Sheev Palpatine to loop in and show himself as the Republic's savior as he always did, and all the while see how Anakin was now.
So no, Sidious wouldn't kill Anakin.
He would play along. If it was any luck, if more Jedi survived, when Anakin joined him, he would be tasked to deal with the matter himself.
On the other hand...
Sidious stared down and snorted in annoyance at the remains of one of his Chancellor's robes, one that was actually acceptable even for Palpatine. He might have enjoyed power, but he was still born in the Mid Rim, and the Inner Core's outfits were nothing short of obnoxious even to him, going as far back to his time in the Legislative Youth Program.
'Ugh, I just burned my favorite robe.'
Hopefully, Palpatine would find something else close to acceptable, outfit-wise, for the next meeting.
Once again, Anakin was all but standing behind Sidious, a shadowed veil in the eyes of the secret Sith Lord. There was no love in the act. It didn't bring any sort of amusement or sense of validation, as it did decades ago. Nor to be the Emperor's Enforcer and unyielding wrath to those who question him.
It was a simple gesture: standing behind the man whom he was manipulating, much as Palpatine was manipulating thousands.
"By doing this, we're going to be striking at the heart of Muunilinst," Mon Mothma spoke up in objection. "We should preserve as many lives as possible."
"Yes, we should," Palpatine nodded in solemn agreement, "but I'm afraid we have few choices but to retaliate. The Republic itself is at stake. We're losing battles rapidly. If things don't turn in our favor, Dooku will secure a CIS victory in the matter of the first year."
That was also a grim reminder of his predicament. While Anakin didn't want Sidious to rule the galaxy, he doubted that Dooku would be much better, at least for aliens, since the elderly Count had quite a disdain for them and only saw them as underlings, necessary allies, and nothing more. With the new representatives at the head of the corporations, it only cemented the fact that Dooku and Sidious had been at war themselves now, meaning that Skywalker would have to keep an eye out on both.
Mothma slumped against the seat, defeated. A Core extremist she may be, but she would oppose Palpatine at any other time. Ideally, Anakin would want to gain her alliance eventually. The woman was a powerful voice and had drafted the pamphlet referred to as A Call to Reason. The only problem with her was not her as a person, but rather her failure to address the issues within the Republic. Perhaps she could open her eyes. Hopefully, she would. The PR of the Republic was something that even Anakin believed once upon a time.
The Rebel Alliance was not all-inclusive in their merciful treatment of Imperial prisoners; some even resorted to outright torture or tactics for amusement instead of necessity.
"The Banking Clan has factories on Muunilinst," Master Windu provided resolutely. "Building huge droid armies and massive warships."
Chancellor Palpatine tapped his fingers together as he gazed at the Jedi and Senators Organa and Mothma before him.
"I agree," he replied after a small silence. "I have been planning an invasion there for some time. If we could take both out, the biggest benefactors of the Separatists, the remaining of the Banking Clans, would be out of the war. Perhaps it will be best if we give General Skywalker a chance. His tactics over Geonosis may have saved plenty of lives, both Jedi and our new soldiers."
"With all due respect, Chancellor, Skywalker's maneuvers weren't exactly executed in the best manner, morally speaking," Eeth Koth protested. Anakin didn't fault him for it. If it were someone else in his position, with him none the wiser, he would still be the Chancellor's proud lackey, just as he was when he was a Jedi Knight and told him exactly what he'd wanted to hear.
He would just have to hope they don't go off the rails too soon and foil some of his plans that would inadvertently play into Sidious's hands.
"Master Koth, we're fighting a war, if I may remind you," Yularen chastised calmly. "It is estimated that Geonosis could have gone much worse due to your sheer incompetence and charging into an empty warzone."
"We are fighting a war," Windu agreed, inclining his head. "But we cannot lose ourselves in this conflict."
"Not all of his rebukes have been built on nothing, Master Windu!" Coleman Trebor rebuked his fellow Jedi with a strange sort of enthusiasm. "We have an opportunity to meet peaceably, offering reformations! That's what we should have been doing!"
Sme of the Jedi in the room, including Luminara Unduli, agreed. While Unduli held him in no less esteem than Mundi, that didn't mean that Anakin still had goodwill with at least some of the Jedi.
"I make a solemn vow not to lose myself, Masters," Anakin spoke up before it could have possibly escalated into a verbal brawl. "I listen to the Will of the Force, as well as common sense, and act. I won't deny that."
"Then it is settled!" Palpatine announced. "Skywalker, you may meet with the 501st for your first assignment as soon as you're ready."
"Yes, Chancellor." With measured steps, Anakin left the office, eyes of the Jedi following him.
"Master Windu..." Anakin greeted. He had quickly dropped off by Padmé's office, with the mere intention to leave behind her favorite bouquet of jasmine flowers. The Jedi Master coming here after the meeting wasn't something that he'd accounted for, but the time traveler sensed no aggression or anger centered around him. "What are you doing here?"
"This will only take up a few minutes of your time," Windu spoke brusquely as always but not unkindly.
"Then speak," Anakin permitted.
"Something is different about you. I have seen a glimpse of it when you chose to leave the Jedi Order." Windu confronted, a distant look in his eyes. "And again on Geonosis and even now. My shatterpoints are blinding around you. Your power has risen beyond mine, almost in competition with that of Master Yoda."
"I train a lot," Anakin provided, looking outside the window.
"There are liars who only lie when there's a reason to, and there are liars who also lie without a reason." Windu's expression was, well, not a glare exactly, but his look was acerbic, and his brow was definitely wrinkled. "I believe you fit the former's category."
"Hmm?"
"Your mind carries shadows where your body does not. I can see it, clear as day. And I have not been entirely truthful myself."
"Do go on," Anakin beckoned, feeling a stirring.
Change
Change
Change
Windu sighed, "When I did my investigation in the Temple of Tet-Ami on Benja-Rihn, as disorienting as it was, I traveled due to the Force 4000 years before my time to save a city from destruction."
"Oh?" Anakin raised an eyebrow in intrigue.
"I saw two different futures on Geonosis," Windu informed him, getting closer to the heat of this conversation. "One where I protested, and more Jedi and Soldiers died, leading to a much darker, more devastated outcome. And another..."
"That is why you did not protest," Anakin recognized.
A nod, "At points, selfless duty calls you to sacrifice your own spiritual needs, and do whatever it takes to protect the galaxy," he continued. "The ironic thing about Shatterpoint is sometimes it shows you things far into the future, possibilities that are clouded to the mind, yet grants you with one of the biggest rewards known to a Force Adept: Insight. With both you departing from the Jedi Order and being freed to be your own man, as well as what happened on Geonosis, much as yourself, I have decided to live with transversing the much lesser evil path."
"...So you have concluded that I am a time traveler?" Anakin deduced slowly.
He didn't remember Mace Windu being this perceptive. If anything else, he thought it would be Yoda that he could not fool, even though the old Master seemed none the wiser to his condition yet. As far as his memories went, Windu was a good-intentioned man who couldn't accept the reality of the Republic being what it always was.
The dark-skinned man confirmed with a shake of the head. Color Anakin's surprise for the day...
"And you did not tell the Jedi Council?" He persisted, even more surprised at that.
"I was tempted to, but the Force made what it thought about that crystal clear," Windu surmised.
"So what do you want out of this conversation?" Anakin asked after a steady silence of registration. "Information?"
"What happened, Anakin?" Windu inquired next, his voice nearly frantic, his face grim, "Did the Jedi survive?"
Anakin blinked. He had vastly underestimated the Korun's perspicacity. Pre-Clone Wars Windu still inherited some arrogance but hadn't yet fallen victim to complacency and near cruelty, as he had by the time of the Temple Bombing, or before that, nigh, with his cold dismissal of a young Boba Fett who'd acted out in rage and grief for his father. However, there were incidents where Windu acted from a good heart: it was the case with the Zillo Beast as well as Jabiim when a young Anakin thought Obi-Wan was dead. Behind that shell, Windu, at the end of his life, was another victim of the Jedi's complacency and the false hopes in the Republic.
The Force hummed with opportunity; if he could get an ally out of the Korunian, it could help him in his fight against Sidious, Dooku, and the Clone Wars itself. Avoid the fall that Windu made in becoming too dogmatic in this unavoidable conflict. It may take even more persuasion, but perhaps it could help the Jedi grow more naturally.
Anakin offered him a grave look, "Survive, yes, but broken and slaughtered."
"So the Republic fell..." A shot of frenzy flashed through Windu's eyes. "Dooku won."
"No, the Separatists lost, too," Anakin shot down. "The Republic was reorganized by the Sith. But the power hold was maintained."
"So that's it, then?" Windu's face was stricken. "You're here to save the Republic from... this reorganization?"
Anakin looked at him in the eyes and corrected with full sincerity, "I want to save the Jedi Order, but I cannot say that the reorganization didn't have its advantages. I have lost faith in the Republic decades ago."
Windu tensed. "So your experiences have hardened you so much that you have lost faith in the peace the Republic proffers?"
"If we are at peace, why are we at war, Master? Why are over thousands of systems rising against the Republic? Growing up, every Jedi was taught that the Republic is the greatest civilization in history. And somehow, anyone who does not disagree with the Republic is a traitor or heretic. What an amazing lie that was. The people of the galaxy have seen the corruption of the Republic, and the Jedi Order has little choice but to fight in their war. They don't see the Jedi's greatness. They hate us! And we deserve it! We've followed the Republic far too deep to reinstate ourselves as peacekeepers now. And if we don't want the galaxy to destroy itself, we need to replace it with a new era."
Windu was astonished as Anakin continued, the Force itself summoned through his chest.
"An era where the Republic is replaced with something that CAN reform and change can be made."
"In standing alongside the Republic, the Jedi Order helps complete a order, however flawed, that provides a systematic democracy." Windu's frown deepened. "We cannot abandon the Republic now nor ever. To aid the Republic is the responsibility of the Jedi. It is what we are born to do. Determining where and when to interfere, and where and when to allow events to play out, is a sacred obligation. I thought you would be an advocator of the peace we had... given how disturbing your future seems to be."
"I wish for peace, much like the Jedi, but the methods of you achieving it are rooted in obscured idealism, where everything resorts to a status quo that works temporarily instead of going down the long and difficult path as the Jedi Creed itself calls." Anakin responded with full honesty. "The galactic order won't be the same after this."
"Perhaps," Windu clearly wanted to argue, opening his mouth but clamping it shut, and finally asked, "Nevertheless, despite our disagreements on this subject, is an alliance so far outside of the realms of you?"
"I am not the enemy of the Jedi, Master Windu," Anakin answered sternly. "I disagree with your ways but am less likely to be stabbed in the back for that and watch all I care about dying before my very eyes."
"Of that, if nothing else, we agree on," Windu did a surprising gesture that nearly caused Anakin to jump; he placed his hand on his shoulder, not in condemnation or roughness, but support, and offered words of kindness. "I apologize for what you must have witnessed in the future, and vow to work alongside you with the destruction of the Sith."
Anakin suppressed a grimace, knowing that he'd deserved anything but that sympathy: "It'll take time."
"Perhaps," Windu smiled for a rare moment in his presence. "I must say I am eager to see how this play out. Patience was never formerly your strong suit."
"I suppose not," Anakin acknowledged, smiling as well.
Windu let the smile drop. "Now, what do you wish to tell me?"
While tempted to tell him about Sidious's true identity, Anakin was unsure if he would be able to take such information and wouldn't charge off in another assassination attempt. He reminded himself of how the Jedi Master's Coup gave cause for a publicity disaster for all Jedi last time. In the timeline he came from, Anakin doubted that the man's reputation would ever be properly redeemed after that. He'd settled for the second-best thing for now:
"Keep an eye on Master Billaba. Her belief that the Jedi should adapt into generals is understandable, yet not without its drawbacks, as with all things. She and one another need to be monitored. This concerns your home planet of Haruun Kal."
"Who?" Windu stroked his clean-shaven chin.
What Anakin said next completely stunned Master Windu.
"Kar Vastor."