Middle Ring. Metalorn.
752 DBYA.
14 years before the Mandalorian Purge.
One day later.
Darth Doom.
Looking at two kyber crystals filled with the Dark Side, I nodded with satisfaction at the material confirmation of one of my many theories that had arisen during my study of the Force and its Dark Side in particular.
The kyber crystals which were obtained from a dead man, effectively killed by my actions, are much more resistant to turning into natural red kyber... And at the same time, they are ultimately much better in quality than synthetic or abandoned ordinary crystals, also, um, turned to the Dark Side.
And they can be used in weapons whose power will be much more destructive than with ordinary crystals... Excellent.
Then I'll try to kill the Jedi myself, as soon as I get a chance to do it without arousing suspicion. As much as I'd like to kill those two brats myself, the conspiracy is paramount. I already had to fake a lot of information... Not to mention the humiliation I had to endure in front of the monks who will arrive to investigate the deaths of their comrades.
Well, my little search droids with their systems, albeit not visual, but still camouflaged, worked well. They found two lightsabers broken in half in the wreckage of the station, only a third of their bodies surviving the explosion of the reactor overloaded by my Dumbroid.
...Which once again convinced me that the locals are also far from my genius intellect. Otherwise, I wouldn't have killed them so easily, following the saying of a daring saboteur: there are no unkillable people, only too little explosives.
Even when it comes to myself, I can admit this.
Gritting my teeth, but... I can.
On Earth, they wouldn't have been able to pull this off on me, but here... No time machines, no shrinking devices... Nothing of a similar calibre could be achieved. Even if they were cobbled together on the local technical base, even if they were assembled in a hurry, they would have been crooked and deadly for the tester, but they would have worked. There had to be some kind of effect!
But there wasn't.
Nothing.
And the only answer to all this was the Force.
Which didn't like such things with what it flows through. And it flows through literally everything.
"Unhappy with the situation?" — asked Vi, sitting nearby, playing with thermal detonators like a circus juggler with ordinary balls.
The sight of a child holding a dozen such destructive weapons in mid-air was terrifying to other intelligent beings, but for some reason, it calmed me. Probably because it was further proof of my superiority over them. Even if I had technical and magical abilities, completely naked and paralysed, I would not have been afraid.
But they are afraid, even though they know full well that no one here will blow anyone up, otherwise we would blow ourselves up. Only in their minds, if it came to that, I would be able to protect not only myself but also the girl, but still.
"No, I'm very satisfied. My spy..." — "Got him from the Sith, actually." — "I flew to their base to confirm the presence of slaves there, bought a couple to distract them... And thus confirmed the feasibility of the plan." — I replied with a hint of satisfaction.
What idiots these Jedi are... Taking a conscious risk with their lives for the sake of a few slaves who will literally be back in slavery in a couple of weeks because they can't defend themselves? Phenomenal idiocy. Brainless amoebas.
Altruistic morons.
"Well... I always told everyone that Jedi are easy to kill with a good explosion... But..." — She gathered her eyes into a pile and stopped juggling the bombs. "But it was me! I exaggerated! What the hell, I brazenly screamed!" — she splashed her hands, which were covered in thick black gloves without fingers. As she said, saboteurs always feel their main weapon better with their own skin... Scales or something.
"So it was that simple?" — I chuckled, appreciating my own admiration for my achievements.
I hate empty flattery, especially when it's meant to please me... But this was sincere and unintentional...
Yes, I like it.
After all, it is direct confirmation of my intelligence and the skills I have acquired through it and through long, hard work, which most of these insignificant heroes are not even capable of. I didn't get superpowers from a spider bite, which I didn't create, nor did I get them from a super soldier serum, which wasn't created by Captain America either...
Those who claim that they don't need recognition and respect, that they are supposedly not like that... They are brazenly and blatantly lying.
This is the natural psychology of the human species. However, it is also true of most non-human species.
"Yes! Bang! And that's it! You're the one... Sith! I thought there would be some kind of cool battle with these glowing sticks that look like sex toys for horny women, but..." — causing me to smile slightly at the comparison of this ridiculous weapon, which I do not respect, the little girl continued to marvel.
I had long since hacked all the surveillance systems in this room, which the senator had assigned to us while we waited for the new Jedi, and was now changing them in real time with the help of a simple programme that altered our words to sound like typical mercenary speech. I had recorded their conversations during various missions, knowing that this information would come in handy.
"An interesting comparison, but we have to go." — Sensing two Force signatures shining with the Light Side approaching the building, I got up from my chair, casually checking my own disguise.
No, nothing had changed.
I look like an untrained prodigy. Darth Zanna, apprentice of Darth Bane
This is the perfect cover and foundation for my future plan to legalise some of my abilities in the Force. Thankfully, the Jedi sent the right people — a student and a teacher, not like last time. These Padawans will be much easier to deal with, and the Jedi teacher... When have I ever been able to keep my mind off my own plans, honestly? * * *
Same place.
Master Jedi Voonas Kapilar and Padawan Himeko.
The Jedi who entered the room showed no sign of goodwill.
After all, it wasn't every day that two knights, and quite powerful ones at that, were killed at once. And not because of some battle with a Sith, but because of... a simple explosion at a station. However, the last thought belonged not to the Jedi Master, but to his more impetuous apprentice.
According to the information they had received, the previous Jedi had been literally torn from the Temple and sent to help one of the senators who were entitled to immediate assistance from the Guardians of Peace. After all, with Rusan, they had officially become part of the Republic's judicial system and could receive its protection.
As they used to say in the Temple, and Himeko was very fond of chatting, this was done so that the events of the Cold War nearly three thousand years ago would not be repeated — at that time, the Jedi were literally expelled from the Republic because they lost the battle for their own Temple and Coruscant against a Sith landing force that greatly outnumbered them.
With the reformation of the Republic and the Order, this became impossible.
"Hmm..." — the Zeltronka said with interest as her gaze shifted from the senator, who looked quite ordinary compared to his colleagues, to the mercenary, who was effectively the only witness to what had happened.
He looked... unusual, to say the least.
He wasn't a Mandalorian, his armour wasn't their style... It was more reminiscent of the knights from ancient pre-industrial planets she had learned about in her lessons at the Temple. Well... That was probably the only thing she remembered from those boring lessons.
This mercenary also loved the colour green, which was so abundant in his hastily donned clothing that there were almost no other colours to be seen.
When their eyes met, the young girl saw in his green eyes (had he chosen his clothes to match their colour?) only immense fatigue, not possible malice over the death of the Jedi... Perhaps even those who had been killed. But there was also no panic or fear in him, and therefore this was an unlikely outcome. Usually, even the few intelligent ones who dared to kill a member of the Order quickly fled when his brothers appeared, fearing retribution... This one... No.
His emotions were nothing but weary calm and unshakeable, majestic confidence, with the arrogance of tall spires piercing the clouds...
Ahem, she's gone off on a poetic description of her race again...
In any case, that's probably what the Council of the Order thought, since they sent only one master (albeit the Seeker of Darkness) and one Padawan, rather than a whole special squad of masters.
So she won't meet the Sith again... This mercenary would have become a powerful Jedi, look how he radiates the Force even without training, but alas, he's too old...
"...So you're Victor von Doom?" — Having finished bowing to the not particularly respected Senator Himeko, the master finally turned his gaze to the knight-like mercenary.
"That was obvious without you asking." — The mercenary replied unfriendly, causing the zeltronka to sigh softly. Given the peculiarities of her people, who could perceive the emotions of other intelligent beings without the Force, it was difficult for her to once again encounter distrust towards her Order." — I have nothing against the Jedi..." — The pink-skinned Padawan opened her eyes in surprise, listening to her own feelings. And they insisted that the master's interlocutor was not lying. "But you made me wait here for two days. I am a mercenary, and I have completed my task, and I have others." — Folding his arms across his chest and looking even more... menacing, he stared at his teacher with dissatisfaction.
"I understand the peculiarities of your... activities, Mr. Doom." — The mon-calamari replied in a neutral tone, blinking his large fish eyes. "But you must understand us as well. It's not every month, or even every year, that a Jedi dies. And this time there were two of them, and not just apprentices like Himeko." — To the girl's displeasure, the master waved his hand towards the silent Padawan.
"Ha-a-a..." — The mercenary sighed resignedly, and his tiny subordinate and partner of an unknown race grimaced.
She certainly didn't have any positive feelings towards the Jedi. How... How could their Order allow such young, intelligent beings to live such a life? They were just children!
By combining Zeltron empathy and the Force, Himeko could guess the age of intelligent beings, albeit very approximately. If the mercenary in steel was definitely a very mature intelligent being, then this tailed one... She was younger than the Zeltron herself!
Shaking her head, Himeko began to listen again to the dialogue that had broken out between the teacher and this Dohm:
"...and I'm telling you, Jedi, that I don't know anything else. I gave you all the data from my droids and ship. Your fellow Jedi wanted to save the slaves. I don't really approve of that, but as a mercenary, my goal was to save the daughter of a respected senator." — Both Jedi detected the sarcasm in his last words, but the senator, nodding at Duma, prevented them from noticing. "And I couldn't wait for them on the ship. If I hadn't taken the ship away from the station, it might not have survived the explosion. Then the mission would have been completely useless. They decided to stop the crazy bandits instead of leaving. Their own death is on their hands. What more do you want?"
The mercenary was beginning to feel irritated, and sensing this, Himeko gently touched the master's hand, signalling that it was time to leave.
One of the mon-calamari's large eyes stared intently at the zeltron for a few seconds, but then blinked, and Voona's tone quickly changed:
"Well... All right. You have been very open and provided all the information we requested, so we have no further questions for you at this time. However, if anything..." — The Jedi Master's words were abruptly interrupted by explosions so powerful that they could be heard even in the Senator's soundproof office.
"What's going on?" — barked the senator, veins bulging on his bald head.
"No idea," the master replied indifferently, covering his eyes and spreading his Force throughout the area. "But there are already casualties. We must hurry, come on, Padawan."
"Yes!" — the young girl replied with a stern expression.
"Wait. I'm coming with you... Otherwise, you'll try to hang something on me again." — The mercenary jumped up with them, and despite his dissatisfied tone, Himeko saw a genuine desire to help hidden behind his thick skin... or steel, in his case.
Of course, the Jedi apprentice's mind was pricked by something strange, but she quickly dismissed it. After all, it couldn't be possible that an untrained Gifted could deceive a trained one? That was simply impossible.
The Jedi and mercenaries covered the distance to the exit of the government building with phenomenal speed, finding themselves on the streets of the capital.
The burning streets of the capital.
"This is bad," muttered the Mon Calamari, assessing the state of the city, which looked as if dozens of powerful explosive devices had been detonated simultaneously. "There are many casualties, and there will be more... Padawan, we're splitting up. Help the mercenaries over there..." — He waved towards the eastern side of the capital, where there were fewer explosions. "I'll take care of those..." — He waved in the opposite direction of the city. "And stay in touch. If you find out anything about those responsible for these attacks, let me know immediately. These may not be the last explosions."
"Understood." — Himeko nodded with a serious expression on her face. So serious that many would have been surprised to see a representative of the Zeltron people looking so serious.
"Lead the way, Padawan." — The mercenary's grunt behind the girl made her jump in place. For some reason, this Dumb had disappeared from her perception for a while...
Shaking her scarlet hair, the Zeltronka pushed away her now unnecessary thoughts.
"Let's go!" — Catching the most important thing — the desire to help — the Jedi Temple apprentice rushed forward to the nearest explosion site.
A place where intelligent beings and firefighters were already bustling about, trying to extinguish the fire. However, the blown-up building was too large and the flames had already spread, which was slowing down the process. "There are still intelligent beings there..." — wiping sweat from his forehead, said the commander of the fire engine, which was moving on anti-gravity. "But we won't be able to get everyone out. We need to put out the fire, or no one will survive... We don't have enough intelligent beings... There are too few of them, ha..." — exhaled the sergeant. "You can see for yourself, Lady Jedi, there are fires all over the city..."
"I see..." — the girl muttered, trying to figure out what was most important to do now.
It turned out that she would have to heroically rush inside and rescue the survivors. She wasn't strong enough yet to extinguish the fire with the Force alone. If only the Master were here... But he had even more work to do right now.
"Are you going to dawdle, or are we going inside?" — The demanding voice of the mercenary, who had passed the zeltronka and was striding towards the burning building with his droids, hastened her thoughts.
"Y-yes!" — reprimanding herself for her indecision, the girl rushed after him.
It was incredibly hot inside, and perhaps the only thing saving the zeltronka now was the fact that she wasn't wearing very much clothing.
If she had been wearing her usual Jedi robe and cloak, she would have been roasted in an instant, no matter how powerful she was. But Duma, clad in steel, was fine — the mercenary probably had a thermoregulation system in his armour. If she didn't rely on her agility and speed in battle, perhaps after such a clear example of the usefulness of protection, she would also have donned it. But alas, that path was definitely closed to her.
"Kh-kh-kh..." — With palpable tension, she lifted the beam out of their way and threw it aside. The mercenary's droids immediately rushed into the cleared passageway and began pulling out numerous coughing and sometimes already unconscious sentient beings.
"T-thank you..." — the Zeltronka muttered sincerely, still trying to catch her breath. This was extremely difficult to do, given the total lack of oxygen around her, which even the Force couldn't help much with.
"You're welcome." — replied this... This surprisingly generous mercenary. "Come on, your Force can help even more people..."
"Ah... Right..." — coughing, the Padawan straightened up. "The Force, you say... But you're gifted too! You're too old to be taught, but a couple of...* * *
Same place.
Darth Doom.
"...moments I can teach you!" — Finally, she said what I wanted to hear from this snotty Jedi. Why did I put on this whole circus with explosions and saving people...
Finally, I can tell the Jedi that I was taught the basic Force tricks by a member of their own Order. And since she is young and naive, she will confirm my words to my senior brothers in the Order, and none of them will suspect that a young and inexperienced brat decided to help the living intelligent beings as much as possible and decided to teach a stranger a little.
According to their rules, there is no reason to condemn her.
And that gives me a chance to continue our acquaintance and cooperation. Zeltronka-Jedi can serve as a good tool, or even an agent of influence among the Jedi. It would be advantageous to cause another great schism among them, make them fight each other, and then simply show up and finish off the survivors, eliminating the only real threat to my future plans.
Honestly, I can't consider that bunch of corrupt officials called the Galactic Senate to be a real threat, can I?
"...show me." — Pretending to hesitate, I nodded after a few seconds. "What should I do?"
"Listen to me carefully..."
"Victor." — I generously relented. Naturally, this was to make our relationship more trusting. This would make it easier to influence my future tool and lab rat for a series of experiments related to the interactions of different sides of the Force.
"Victor... Yes, that's right. Repeat my movements and concentrate on..." — the Jedi began to explain in an inspired tone, seemingly forgetting that we were in the middle of a burning building that was likely to collapse on us.
But... I didn't care either.
Only a hot breeze passed through the armour systems, and nothing more. The saboteur remained outside, so I wasn't afraid of losing my tool either.
And... Comparing the Jedi and Sith methods of teaching telekinesis, I was forced to admit... That the adepts of the Light Side were more advanced here. Unable to use many of the magnificent Force techniques due to the flaws in their ideology, considering them dark and, ha ha, unsafe, they concentrated on the basic abilities of the Force, developing them over thousands of years.
That's why the brat's story really gave me something to think about. And this is against the backdrop of all the data that Darth Bane gathered from ancient records and the information that his followers had already gathered before me!
And what will be at a higher level... No, I will definitely need a personal Jedi. So I will have to take some measures that will hurt my self-esteem. And pretend to befriend this... Trifle. However, if I think of her as some kind of pet, albeit an intelligent one... Yes, that's much more tolerable. It's easier to deal with the stupidity of animals than with the idiocy of those you consider to be fully intelligent beings.
"Yes!! Yes! Well done! That's it!" — she commented on my use of telekinesis according to the Jedi manual in a completely satisfied and enthusiastic tone.
This Himeko was so happy with what was happening and so focused on jointly lifting another large obstacle in their path that she didn't notice how I carefully reconfigured my own defences so that I could use the Force in small amounts... And not be afraid of revealing that I belonged completely and entirely to the Dark Side.
Our bond had reached such a level that even the slightest use of the Force changed the colour of my eyes to the molten suns of the Sith. It took a conscious effort to maintain the previous green hue.
Pulling out everyone we could, according to the Jedi who had taken on the role of a life sensor, we took the last group of survivors with us and made our way outside.
"Phew..." — Leaning against me, and not even realising how lucky she was to have avoided the powerful Force lightning, the Zeltronka breathed a sigh of relief. "That... Thank you for your help... Until today, I thought you were mercenaries... Well..." — She scratched her cheek shyly, looking away.
"Much worse than we really are." — I chuckled confidently, glancing at the crowd of onlookers.
And where are they... Here they are.
Journalists of all stripes finally arrived, bought off by me in advance and summoned here at the right moment. After all, if the rescue of intelligent beings from the explosions caused by my droids could be used not only to establish contacts with a young and inexperienced Padawan, but also to promote my own public image, why not do it?
As if I didn't know why the heroes were so popular. True, these fools were too moralistic to create their own incidents that they could then resolve, in order to look like heroes in the eyes of the rest of the population, and they had to look for incidents created by others.
And as soon as we headed towards them...
The Force took over.
Completely out of the blue and without any warning, a full-blown Force Vision flashed before my eyes.
I had been able to predict the future before, but... I had never done so with the help of the Force. As practice shows, the future is deceptive, and nothing will change from seeing it, because the timeline already takes into account the fact of time travel.
I learned this when I sent the Fantastic Four back in time to find Blackbeard's treasure, which was actually Merlin's legendary artefacts... In the end, Blackbeard turned out to be the Creature itself, that stupid thug from Richards' subordinates...
As a result, I didn't get those great artefacts, and that damned Richards dared to deceive me again, even though I was truly generous enough to let them go... After all, with Merlin's artefacts, neither they nor any other heroes would ever have been able to defeat me... I suppose that was when my contempt for those four pathetic tricksters began to grow...
But fortunately, the Vision of the Force did not concern them.
It concerned one of the possible futures for this young Jedi, Himeko, it seems, and myself. And it was...
Extremely, extremely entertaining and intriguing.
***
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