The soft hum of data terminals filled the quiet sanctuary of the Jedi Temple Library. Holoscreens flickered with ancient texts, mission records, and galactic archives. Amid the rows of towering shelves sat a young boy, no older than thirteen. His dark hair fell loosely over his brow as he read with intense focus, his amber eyes scanning every line with quiet determination.
"Khan," a firm but composed voice called out across the chamber.
The boy looked up from his monitor, his face brightening as he recognized the tall, distinguished figure approaching. Clad in the traditional brown robes of the Jedi, Count Dooku strode with regal confidence—his hands clasped behind his back, expression unreadable.
"Master!" Khan greeted, waving energetically. "How was the meeting with the Council?"
Dooku stopped before him, a faint sigh escaping his lips. "As well as it could have gone."
Khan tilted his head, sensing the familiar discontent behind his master's carefully chosen words. Dooku had always maintained a critical stance toward the High Council—a sentiment that had subtly shaped Khan's own outlook over the years.
"So... they're not going to act on what we discovered?" Khan asked, his hopeful tone giving way to frustration.
Dooku shook his head slowly. "They believe there is insufficient evidence. Their faith in diplomacy... remains unshaken."
Khan's hands balled into fists on the edge of the desk. "It's not right. The senator failed his people—he let them starve. There has to be justice."
A faint smile tugged at Dooku's lips. His padawan's fire reminded him of himself, once. "Do not let your feelings cloud your judgment, my young Padawan. Without the Council's support, we must tread carefully. Justice pursued without caution can become vengeance."
Khan took a deep breath, steadying his thoughts. "I understand, Master."
Dooku took a seat across from Khan, his cape folding neatly around him. For a moment, the library's silence filled the space between them—until Khan broke it.
"We did everything right, Master. We followed the evidence. We saw it with our own eyes."
Dooku gave a slow nod, his eyes distant. "Yes... I can still hear the cries of the people."
The flickering glow of the holotable between them shimmered, casting shifting light on their faces—and in its glow, memory resurfaced.
[FLASHBACK – Planet Thalonis, Two Weeks Earlier]
A dusty wind howled over the worn stone streets of Thalonis. Buildings stood crumbling under the weight of neglect, and emaciated civilians huddled in alleyways, watching the approaching Jedi with hollow eyes.
Dooku and Khan walked side by side through the marketplace—or what remained of it. Half the stalls were empty, their tarps fluttering in the dry wind. Children watched them with a mixture of awe and suspicion.
"They look at us like ghosts," Khan muttered.
"Because to them, that's all the Republic has ever sent—empty promises," Dooku replied, his voice laced with bitterness.
They pressed on, questioning locals, cross-referencing shipment logs and planetary records. In the archives of the governor's palace—thanks to Khan's clever slicing—they found the truth:
Republic credits meant for food, medicine, and infrastructure were being funneled into off-world accounts. The planetary ruler and their loyal senators had grown rich, while the people starved.
In the dark of the palace archives, Dooku's fists clenched. "This… insult to justice. And the Council refuses to see it?"
Khan, standing nearby with a datapad still glowing in his hand, looked up at his master. "If we let our anger drive us, we'll lose the people's trust. We can't just strike out. We have to expose them. All of them. And give the Republic no choice but to act."
Dooku took a breath. Then another. The rage simmering within cooled—not extinguished, but tempered. He placed a hand on Khan's shoulder. "You are wise beyond your years, Padawan."
[PRESENT – Jedi Temple Library, Coruscant]
The memory faded. Dooku's jaw tensed slightly. "I still find it difficult not to act with force. Corruption on such a scale should be rooted out like a tumor."
"But we can't do it alone," Khan said, folding his arms. "Not without getting branded as traitors. We need someone inside the Senate—someone who cares."
Dooku stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I may know a few voices in the Senate who haven't yet drowned in compromise."
Khan leaned forward. "Then let's reach out to them. Start building support."
"And while we do that," Dooku added, "we must prepare for the possibility that we are watched. If the corrupt know we're onto them…"
"They'll try to silence us," Khan finished.
Dooku nodded. "So be it. But they will find we are not so easily silenced."
[POV SHIFT – Senator Varrik Hallen, Office of Thalonis]
The deep shadows of the senator's private office cloaked the room in quiet menace. Heavy drapes muffled the sound of speeders in the Coruscant skyways. Senator Varrik Hallen sat at his polished desk, the glow of a secure holoprojector reflecting off his dark eyes.
The image of the planetary ruler of Thalonis crackled into view. Regal in appearance but cold in expression, the ruler's voice oozed with contempt.
"Two Jedi," the ruler said, "snooping where they did not belong."
Varrik frowned. "I thought the Council had refused to act on their findings."
"They did," the ruler said. "But that old fool Dooku and his little shadow still move. They're looking for allies. If they speak to the right people... we'll both be exposed."
The senator rubbed his temple, already dreading the outcome. "What do you want from me?"
The ruler leaned forward in the projection. "Cut the root before it grows. Hire someone. Professionals. The kind that aren't intimidated by lightsabers."
Varrik's voice lowered. "You want me to kill Jedi?"
"I want you to protect our interests. If you don't, I promise you: when the Republic comes for me, they'll come for you too."
A long silence. Then: "I know who to contact," Varrik said coldly.
The ruler's hologram blinked out.
Varrik leaned back in his chair, pulled up a private comm channel, and spoke just a few words:
"I have a mission for you."
[POV SHIFT – Upper Senate Lobby, Coruscant]
Sunlight streamed through the high-arched transparisteel windows of the Senate Rotunda's upper lobby. Master Dooku and Khan stood at the edge of a marble platform, waiting as aides and envoys bustled around them.
Then he appeared: calm, composed, every step measured and practiced.
Senator Sheev Palpatine of Naboo.
Dooku's stern demeanor softened—if only slightly. "Senator Palpatine. It's good to see you again."
Palpatine smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling just enough. "Master Dooku. You honor me with your visit."
"This is my Padawan, Khan Kage."
Khan gave a respectful nod. "Senator."
Palpatine extended a hand in greeting. "A pleasure. I've heard of your mission to Thalonis. Troubling developments."
Khan blinked. "We were told the Council hadn't informed anyone."
Palpatine chuckled softly. "I have ears where I need them, young one. You'll find that information flows quickly here—if you know where to listen."
Dooku stepped in. "We've uncovered evidence of systematic corruption. We believe the senators of Thalonis, along with their ruler, have embezzled relief funds. Billions of credits, stolen from the mouths of their people."
Palpatine's expression sobered. "If what you say is true, then it is a grave injustice indeed. I will help however I can. The Senate must stand for the people... or it stands for nothing at all."
Dooku nodded, still studying Palpatine's face. "I knew I could count on you."
Palpatine's eyes flicked, ever so briefly, to Khan.
"And the Council? They support this effort?"
"No," Khan answered. "They've chosen not to get involved."
Palpatine made a quiet sound of disappointment. "A shame. But not unexpected. The Council often prefers inaction to confrontation."
Dooku's eyes narrowed slightly. "You've said something like that before."
Palpatine's smile returned—measured, charming. "Have I? Merely an observation."
Palpatine's tone dropped a note, as though lowering the volume would make the words weightier.
"There is… a lead," he said, folding his hands behind his back as he walked slowly to the edge of the window. "One of my more discreet informants intercepted data suggesting that funds embezzled from Thalonis were transferred offworld to a private account."
Dooku's brow lifted. "Where?"
"A financial clearinghouse controlled by the Techno Union. On the mid-rim investment world of Galderrex. Massive trade and credit exchanges take place there under constant encryption, away from the eyes of most Republic auditors. Difficult to confirm without proof—but the movement of funds aligns suspiciously with dates of relief shipments to Thalonis."
Khan exchanged a glance with his master. "That's the best lead we've had."
"Indeed," Dooku said, his voice resolute. "We'll leave at once. Any lead, no matter how uncertain, is better than none."
Palpatine nodded slowly, letting his next words linger with subtle gravity. "Should you find the account, Master Dooku… it could provide the leverage necessary to see justice done. And perhaps, replace the current senator with someone more... suitable. Someone who truly serves the will of the people."
Dooku gave a respectful bow. "You have our thanks, Senator."
Palpatine offered one last thin smile. "Of course. I only want what's best for the Republic."
[Orbit of Galderrex – Jedi Starship "Serenity's Path"]
The planet Galderrex loomed ahead, a sprawling web of trade hubs and neon-lit skylanes. Giant orbital docking platforms dotted its upper atmosphere like mechanical satellites, each alive with the comings and goings of corporate freighters, diplomatic shuttles, and security patrols.
Within the cockpit of the Serenity's Path, Khan adjusted the descent vector, entering the ship's credentials into the landing request system.
"Traffic's thick," he muttered. "Looks like half the galaxy's funding flows through this place."
"As expected," Dooku said, standing behind him with hands clasped. "The Techno Union doesn't invest lightly. If the corruption trail leads here, it will be buried deep in layers of credits, ciphers, and private vaults."
Khan gave a wry grin. "Good thing I like puzzles."
"Focus, Padawan. This puzzle may try to kill us."
What neither Master nor apprentice noticed was the shadow trailing them through the planetary grid—a sleek, modified hunter's vessel flying under forged credentials and a stolen transponder code. Its silhouette disappeared against the bustle of incoming traffic, but its pilot watched them with a predator's patience.
Inside the cockpit of the hunter's ship, a tall figure in battle-worn armor adjusted their visor, locking onto the Jedi vessel.
"Target confirmed," they rasped. "Acquisition authorized."
[Planet Galderrex – Tech Constructs Headquarters]
A gleaming spire of durasteel and transparisteel, Tech Constructs stood like a dagger piercing the polluted sky of Galderrex. Below its surface façade of innovation and corporate wealth flowed a darker truth—one known only to its shareholders and collaborators.
Dooku and Khan stood at the base of the tower's grand entryway, draped in fine cloaks resembling off-world investor garb. Their lightsabers were hidden, their identities buried beneath forged credentials and names.
"Smile just enough," Dooku said quietly, "but never trust a man who smiles back."
"I'll try to remember that," Khan replied under his breath, adjusting the sleek datapad hanging from his belt.
[Inside Tech Constructs – Upper Floor Investment Lobby]
They were greeted by a well-dressed protocol droid. "Gentlemen, welcome to Tech Constructs. Please, this way—your appointment with Director Mezo is ready."
They were led into a pristine meeting chamber, where a rotund middle-aged corporate director greeted them with false charm and a handshake that lingered too long.
Dooku took the lead, matching Mezo's corporate small talk with polite interest and veiled superiority.
While the two exchanged words about "sector growth" and "multilateral tech acquisitions," Khan drifted subtly to the periphery, unnoticed. He slipped down a side corridor—his every footstep guided by the Force.
[Data Vault – Lower Maintenance Wing]
In a dim-lit sublevel filled with hums and security lights, Khan moved quickly through maintenance corridors. After slicing open a service panel, he dropped into a dark access tunnel that led to the vault room where Tech Constructs' most sensitive financial records were stored.
A glowing interface blinked to life as Khan patched in his datapad.
He worked fast.
Incoming transfers… Senatorial clearance codes from Thalonis… diverted aid… multiple recipient accounts…
He pulled up dates, transfer logs, and routing maps that showed how billions of credits meant for planetary relief had instead been funneled into private holdings—some of them in systems far beyond the Republic's easy reach.
Khan's fingers flew over the interface, copying the data onto a secure harddrive.
But just as the transfer reached completion—he felt it.
A ripple in the Force.
Danger.
Without hesitation, Khan dropped low and ignited his lightsaber with a sharp snap-hiss just as blaster bolts screamed through the doorway. He brought his blade up in a fluid arc, deflecting one bolt into the ceiling, the next into the floor.
Two guards in Tech Constructs security armor stood in the entry, rifles drawn and firing without hesitation.
They're not ordinary security, Khan realized. They were waiting for me.
He leapt sideways behind a console, then raised a hand and pushed—the Force rippling out and hurling both guards backward into the hallway wall with a crash of armor and shattered tiles.
No time to fight. No time for subtlety.
Khan turned, slashed through a vent grate, and leapt inside—vanishing into the ventilation system as alarm klaxons began to howl.
[Comlink – Encrypted Channel]
"Master," Khan whispered, breath ragged as he moved through the vent shafts. "I've got the data. Everything. It's all here."
Dooku's voice answered through static. "Excellent work, Khan. But the building is in lockdown. Something triggered an internal alarm."
Khan's eyes narrowed. "I may have had something to do with that."
"Meet me at the ship," Dooku said without irritation. "I'll find my own exit. Go quickly, and stay unseen."
The comlink went silent.
Khan looked down at the harddrive in his hand. The proof was there—corruption, conspiracy, and greed.
Now they just had to survive long enough to use it.
[Galderrex – Streets Outside Tech Constructs Headquarters]
Khan stepped out into the open, keeping his head down, the harddrive secured beneath his cloak. The distant echo of alarms still rang from behind him, but no one appeared to be chasing him—yet.
He moved fast but with purpose, weaving through the crowd as speeders hummed overhead and pedestrians bustled about their daily routines. His ship was only a few blocks away now.
Then—he felt it.
A flicker in the Force.
He turned just in time to see three figures emerge from the crowd—clad in light red armor, visors down, and heavy blaster rifles raised.
No warning.
The first shot came screaming past his shoulder. Khan dove behind a transport loading container as civilians scattered in panic. Shouts rang out, speeders halted, and chaos unfolded in the street.
Blaster bolts scorched the air, hammering the container with heavy impacts. Khan peeked up and saw no clear line to the ship. He was pinned.
Can't go forward. Then I'll go around.
He burst from cover, running down a narrow side street, dodging incoming fire as the red-armored mercenaries gave chase. He turned left, then right—each shot that missed him sent civilians ducking for cover. Within moments, he veered into a less crowded alleyway filled with storage crates and shadowed corners.
Khan skidded to a stop and pressed his back against a wall. He slowed his breathing, reached into the Force, and waited.
The first mercenary rounded the corner—and found Khan already airborne.
Khan leapt down with a controlled strike, grabbing the man's helmeted head and slamming him into the wall with just enough force to knock him unconscious. As he landed, the other two mercenaries spotted him and opened fire.
Khan ignited his blue lightsaber mid-roll and brought it up to deflect the incoming blasts. One bolt bounced off his blade and struck one mercenary's blaster, exploding it in a small burst of sparks. The other raised his weapon to fire again—but Khan moved with lightning precision, slicing through the blaster in a single stroke.
Before either could react, he raised a hand and unleashed a powerful Force push, slamming both attackers into the wall. They crumpled unconscious beside their comrade.
Khan exhaled, deactivating his saber as he glanced around to ensure no further surprises were coming. Civilians were nowhere nearby now. The area was quiet again—tense and still.
His comlink buzzed.
"Khan," Dooku's voice came through, calm but firm. "What's your status?"
"I was intercepted, Master," Khan replied. "Three attackers—same red armor. No insignia. They came at me without warning."
"You captured them?"
"Yes. They're unconscious. I'm sending my location now."
A short pause. "Well done. I'll be there shortly. We'll bring them aboard for questioning—if they were sent by the Thalonis senator, this may be the final piece we need."
[Later – Aboard the Serenity's Path]
The captured mercenaries were restrained and unconscious in the ship's hold. The harddrive, now fully decrypted, displayed damning proof: illegal fund movements, falsified records, and transfers tied directly to both the Thalonis ruler and Senator Varrik Hallen.
As the stars stretched into hyperspace and the ship made its jump to Coruscant, Khan stood beside Dooku in the cockpit, watching the swirling void beyond.
"We have everything now," Khan said quietly.
Dooku nodded. "Yes. But exposing this will shake the Republic. Let us hope that Senator Palpatine truly is the man he claims to be."
Khan didn't answer. He just looked out at the stars—wondering how deep this corruption went, and how many more shadows waited in the dark.
[Coruscant – Palpatine's Private Landing Pad]
The Serenity's Path descended through the golden haze of Coruscant's upper atmosphere, gliding onto the polished durasteel of Palpatine's secluded docking platform.
Senator Palpatine stood at the edge of the landing pad, hands clasped behind his back, an ever-composed figure framed by the shining spires of the capital. At his side were several of his personal security officers—a quiet but effective force known more for discretion than display.
As Dooku and Khan descended the ramp, the guards moved in to take custody of the unconscious mercenaries.
"These men attacked my Padawan," Dooku said grimly. "No insignia. No voice. But they carried out their orders with lethal precision."
Palpatine's gaze lingered briefly on the prisoners. "I'll see that they speak."
Dooku gave a curt nod and handed over the harddrive. "And here is everything we recovered. Transaction logs. Secure account numbers. Interplanetary credit trails. It all links back to Senator Hallen and the ruler of Thalonis."
Palpatine's smile was cool and calculating. "This will be more than enough."
Khan stepped forward, unsure. "Is it truly over, Senator?"
Palpatine placed a hand gently on the boy's shoulder. "Not yet. But it soon will be. With this evidence, justice will find its way through the halls of the Senate."
[Scene Change – Galactic Senate Rotunda]
The Senate chamber echoed with murmuring voices, senators and aides whispering as floating platforms shifted into position. The central podium rose with a slow mechanical hum—Senator Palpatine of Naboo at its center.
He stood tall, calm, his tone clear and commanding.
"Fellow Senators," he began, "I come before you with the grim truth of betrayal—not by an outside force, but from within our very own ranks."
Gasps rang out as holoscreens flared to life, displaying the hard evidence: falsified supply logs, intercepted fund trails, and security footage from Tech Constructs. Names, locations, and time-stamped transactions scrolled across the displays.
"And if the data is not enough," Palpatine continued, "we have testimony from hired assassins—mercenaries paid to silence the Jedi who uncovered this deception."
The three mercenaries, now awake and restrained, appeared on a side platform. One of them—a grizzled man with a scarred jaw—confirmed what the data showed.
"Orders came from a man named Hallen," he said. "Paid to eliminate the Jedi before they could get offworld. Everything was about keeping the truth buried."
Cries of outrage echoed through the rotunda.
The central platform of Senator Hallen began to descend even before the official vote was cast. By the time Palpatine finished speaking, the man had been placed under arrest by the Senate Guard, along with warrants issued for the ruler of Thalonis.
[Later That Day – Senate Hallway Outside the Chamber]
Palpatine stood with Dooku and Khan in a quieter corridor, still glowing with the energy of recent victory.
"The people of Thalonis will receive the aid they were denied," Palpatine said. "The corruption will be rooted out, and reforms put in place."
"And who will oversee this reform?" Dooku asked, eyes narrowing slightly.
Palpatine smiled with practiced humility. "A trusted friend of mine from Thalonis. Loyal to the Republic. A man who truly wants what's best for his people. I've already put forth his nomination as provisional representative while elections are arranged."
Dooku raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
Khan glanced at his master, then back to Palpatine. "Then it's truly over?"
"For Thalonis," Palpatine answered. "Yes. Thanks to your courage and your Master's resolve."
As Dooku and Khan turned to leave, Palpatine's expression softened into something unreadable—half pride, half calculation.
"Such potential," he mused to himself. "In both master and apprentice."
Author Note: This story was suppose to be a 1 and done as I practiced my writing, but overtime ideas started to pop into my mind and now here we are. There is gonna be a change in story structure going forward from here, so if it feel different that's why. Welp hope you are able to find some enjoyment from this story. This is mostly for fun and unless I see people really like this, updates are gonna be based on how I feel, but again if enough people enjoy this I'll take responsibility.