Unfortunately, I can't just go and join the separatists. No, actually I can. Count Dooku will accept me. He needs expendable pawns. He will likely make me one of his dark acolytes, and as the dark acolyte I will be used, and used, and used, and then discarded. No, I don't like such a future.
Shuu shook his head.
If I'm going to join the CIS, I need to be strong enough to be considered as a valuable pawn by Count Dooku. No one sacrifices such a pawn easily. It shall guarantee my safety and my position in the CIS but only to the moment when I'll be considered too strong or too independent. Thus, I need to be careful in the CIS if I don't want to be liquidated.
But how can I become stronger? What must I do? The man though.
Of course, I need to train with my lightsaber more.
The initiate Tu was efficient in the first lightsaber combat form – Shii-Cho. A simple but effective style with no complicated movements. All jedi initiates studied this combat form since the very beginning. Another combat form could be chosen and studied when the initiate would assemble his or her own lightsaber.
As many jedi, Shuu had chosen Niman as his second combat form.
Regular training will help me to restore my previous battle skills and this is also the good starting point for further progress.
As well, I need to go to the library to gather some knowledge. The separatists will use numerous droids, so I believe it shall be useful to learn the appropriate Force power – like Mechu-deru. This Force power will allow me to understand mechanical systems intuitively and extract my influence over them. Unfortunately, in the temple this technique can be taught only to the selected number of jedi – the jedi tech specialists – because this power is considered dark. Wait a sec! As I remember there is a mention of Mechu-deru in the guidebook for the initiates! I was given a copy!
The man tried to remember what was written in the guidebook. Though it was a long time ago, he still remembered a majority of its content. Unfortunately, Shuu couldn't remember anything useful about the Mechu-deru in the guidebook except the short introduction section about this Force power.
Nonetheless, I need to read this book once more. I could forget something.
Okay, this is how far I can improve my personal strength. But is this enough to become a valuable pawn to Count Dooku? Definitely not! Therefore, I need to borrow power from others. This power is their money, soldiers, political connections, and etc. Actually, a lot of gigantic corporations have such resources in abundance but they can't be touched by me because Darth Sidious and Count Dooku are gathering them into the Confederacy of Independent Systems currently. But even if there were no these two, it still would not be easy to seize such corporations alone, even for a Force user. They could (and surely they would) call the jedi for help. It means the legal companies must stay out of my consideration list. I need those organizations who can't call the authorities for help. Then what kind of organizations am I looking for? The right answer is the criminal organizations.
Shuu didn't like the idea of becoming a criminal lord himself but it was the most effective way to get what he wanted.
As I remember there are many criminal organizations in this universe, but the most powerful criminal organizations are the following: Black Sun, the Hutt Clan, and the Pyke Syndicate.
Of course, there were more but the man could remember the names only of these ones at that moment.
The Hutt Clan is out of consideration. It's quite difficult to control them. The hutts can be used as the enemy of my future organization. It will consolidate all those criminals who will be under my rule.
But Black Sun and Pyke Syndicate look like good targets.
The man remembered some information that he read on Earth. In 33 BBY Black Sun was weakened significantly by Darth Maul, the Dark Sidious' personal assassin. He had killed all vigos (leaders) of Black Sun. As a result, it had fractured the criminal organization.
Now, I believe, they shall recuperate in general. But still they shall have fear towards the Force users. That's good. I can use this fear to my benefit. Okay, then I believe Black Sun can be my first goal. The next one – Pyke Syndicate. I will conquer these organizations as it did Darth Maul in the cartoon.
For now, it will be the draft of my plan.
As well, I need to think about my goals in the CIS. I guess the primary one is to get a personal army of droids. Plus, a territory that will support the said army. Huh, it seems that I need my own state?
The human had come to an unexpected conclusion. What can I say? The dire times are coming. Soon the galaxy will not be as safe as before for a very long time. Only those ones who have an army and fleet will be able to survive.
The man sighed. But can the CIS give me an army or territory? Yes, they can. Will they do it? No, they will not. They are businessmen, not a charity organization. Then what shall I do to convince them?
The initiate Tu pondered and realized that it would be very difficult to get some territories from the CIS. It will cost me a lot.
Besides, he didn't believe that the separatists would give him anything valuable. They are going to start the war to enrich themselves, not to give slices of pie to anyone. Therefore – no, I need only an army from the CIS. The territories I need to conquer myself.
The jedi knew that the territories couldn't be seized randomly. They must be chosen carefully. The human didn't want to suppress endless uprisings or rule over a bunch of barren rocks. Besides, he didn't wish to clash or compete with other separatist leaders over some planets. Such conflicts will not bring any use to anyone.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Okay, stop Shuu! Let's first think about how to get an army from the CIS. The founders of the CIS are a bunch of businessmen who look only for a profit. Then... I may buy an army.
Taking into account that the separatists have millions of droids currently and will be producing them in great numbers, I don't believe that they will refuse me. They can even give me a discount as a fellow separatist. But... It doesn't look like a smart choice. Why do I need to buy the droids when I can invest in their production? The portion of the produced droids will be mine.
The CIS founders are businessmen, they shall understand this logic. Wait a sec! Understand this logic?! They are businessmen! They must do this! Because how are they going to resupply their personal forces?!
Anyway, I need money to invest in the droids' production. Actually, a lot of money. That's why I need to seize control over the criminal organizations.
But there is also the secondary goal that I want to reach in the CIS – a membership into the Separatist Council. It will make me a legitimate ruler in the eyes of separatists if (or rather when) all other members of the council will die. Besides, this position will give me much power in the CIS and the most important – control over the droids. Perhaps, I will be able to stop their deactivation at the end of the war?
But, of course, a membership in the said council will make me a primary target in the eyes of the jedi and the clones. And that's not good. Perhaps, a membership into the council is not worth all that trouble?
Anyway, many of my efforts will be wasted if the CIS lose the war. And with alive Sheeve Palpatine this possibility is almost guaranteed. But still it is worth it. This is much better than participating in the war on the republic's side or going into hiding when the war ends.
Even if the CIS lose the war, by that time I shall have enough power to take a high position in the future rebel movement. Together we will defeat the evil emperor to bring back the corrupted democratic regime.
The human smirked.
Okay, that's enough for today. I have a plan. I know my goals. What I need now is to have some sleep... Or do I need to spend some time on the HoloNet?
The HoloNet was a vast and curious place.
A half hour, I guess?
The man took the datapad.
+
Next morning
Shuu sat on his bed and watched the pet holoshow. The images of pets were displayed into the air, right above the handheld holoprojector that the human held in his right arm. For new Shuu it was unusual to watch the moving holograms.
This holoshow got some boost of popularity several years back due to one particular accident. The bolstyngar named Boshuda, the runner-up of the show, had devoured the winner of the show - the wilwog named Itipiniwi. The jury, due to the absence in the rules a clarification of what shall be done in such a situation and due to the absence of such an accident in the past, declared Boshuda as a winner. Technically, it was decided to consider that Itipiniwi was forfeited.
Master Rig Nema, a jedi healer, entered the Main Hall of Healing and began her regular morning examination of the patients. Soon she came up to Shuu's bed.
“How do you feel today, jedi Shuu?” The woman questioned.
“I feel better. Thanks to you, master Nema.”
Shuu smiled.
“That's good to hear. But there is no need to praise me.” The female jedi said calmly.
Next fifteen minutes she examined the man.
“Your body is healing quite well, jedi Shuu. As I predicted, tomorrow you may leave the infirmary.” Master Nema said. “Now I need to proceed with my examination. May the Force be with you, jedi Shuu.”
“May the Force be with you, master Nema.”
The woman turned around and moved to another patient.
Tomorrow I will see the famous Jedi Temple with my own eyes?!
The excited human took the datapad. He opened the “Galactic Top 40,000” chart. The top songs of the galaxy were presented here. The jedi tapped the first song when he had put the earpieces into his ears.
Music is a good choice when you need to calm down.
+
Next day. Morning
The initiate Tu walked confidently along the large corridor towards the High Council Tower. The memory of old Shuu helped the man to navigate in this huge complex. The human wore a new set of dark brown robes with his old belt kit at his waist and a lightsaber on his right side.
The initiate Tu wasn't alone in the corridor. The two jedi far ahead walked in the same direction and it looked as if they had a conversation. Also, a hurrying LEP-series service droid that carried a tool kit in its arms passed by the young jedi.
Soon the man reached his destination and entered the turbolift which then moved up to stop at the highest floor.
Shuu came into the small lobby. The floor, the walls, and even the ceiling here were covered by larmalstone. It was stone, milky in color, that cost a fortune, because the stone could be mined just in a single place in the galaxy – the Roche asteroid field.
The doors to the Council Chamber were guarded by a pair of temple guards, armed with deactivated lightsaber pikes. Their identities were concealed by formal robes and ivory masks.
Each guard carried a set of keys on his or her belts. These keys, as old Shuu knew, could give access to the restricted areas of the temple. As well, the members of the Jedi Temple Guard were considered the best fighters in the Jedi Order.
The initiate Tu halted right in front of them and spoke calmly. “Greetings. I am jedi Shuu from the AgriCorps. The masters ordered me to come.”
The guards shared a glance. One of them nodded and another one went into the council chamber.
“Please, wait.” The temple guard said impassively.
In a short period of time the second guard returned and Shuu was allowed to come in. The man saw the twelve stone seats in the circular chamber. Only five seats were occupied.
“Masters.” Shuu bowed.
“Jedi Shuu.” Mace Windu greeted him and then said. “We have summoned you to hear what had happened on your last mission. Please, share with us your story.”
“Yes, master Windu.”
Then the young jedi used the memory of old Shuu to tell what had happened on Ukio. No one interrupted him when he was speaking.
When Shuu finished his story, Yoda questioned. “Capture the smugglers alone, why did you decide to?”
The human looked at the grandmaster. Perhaps, old Shuu didn't know the answer himself, but new Shuu believed that he realized why his predecessor did that. Old Shuu, deep inside his heart, didn't accept his fate of being just a member of the AgriCorps. That's why he went to that warehouse alone. Old Shuu wanted to show his own worth to the Jedi Order.
“I did what I thought right.” The human replied.
“What you wanted to say, is it?” The oldest master in the Jedi Order asked, staring at the young jedi.
The initiate Tu decided to say “Yes, it is” at first but then he realized that it was the perfect moment to say everything that his predecessor wished but couldn't due to his upbringing, ingrained respect to the members of high council, and of course own fear.
But I'm not him. New Shuu thought. Okay, I'll do it for you, old Shuu. I hope it will help you to find peace.
“You are right, grandmaster. It isn't what I wanted to say.” The initiate Tu said and stared at Yoda.