The forgotten cruiser of a lost era drifted slowly in the void of space, and its small crew prepared to meet guests.
The "Interdictor-class" had three hangars according to the original design. One main hangar – with an exit from the flight deck in the central part of the opened "claw." And two more – on the left and right sides, respectively. The "Obsidian," after capturing the "Forge," was slightly modified, and the number of hangars increased to five, by rebuilding the cargo and storage spaces, which were simply discarded. The cruiser expanded its air wing but lost significant autonomy due to its inability to carry large supplies of fuel, water, provisions, and materials needed for repairs without docking.
Due to circumstances and the passage of time, only two of the five hangars were more or less preserved. The flight decks had not been distinguished by any interior refinements before, and even less so now. If it were up to Revan, he would have preferred not to show the guests the state of his ship. After all, potential allies could easily become enemies. Especially if they saw any sign of weakness from the hosts. And even though Revan was expecting Jedi now, and the representatives of the Order were known for their tolerance and peacefulness... or at least tried to maintain such a reputation. But in any case, even they would think twice about what position to take when communicating with someone weak and doomed to defeat in advance. Such are the realities of both diplomacy and war.
But now there was no choice. Postponing the meeting and looking for a more suitable place was impossible. They had to act quickly, before the Council received reports from the commission, both their own and the Senate's. Open conflict with the Order and the Senate was impossible now. All that bantha shit that surfaced during the failed coup on Mandalore had to settle down, so that the Republic would have no reason to interfere with the Mandalorians in any way. Because if the Republic suddenly imposed trade sanctions, or even an embargo on the entire sector, then Revan's planned merger of his transport company with the trading companies of Mandalore and Naboo would be at risk.
To avoid this, Revan wanted to talk to Qui-Gon, through him reach the Grand Master, and ultimately agree at least on neutrality. This was practiced during the Old Republic era, when several worlds, or even sectors, united and asked the Order not to interfere in internal politics for the time being... But then the Order was not on a leash to the Senate.
But it was worth a try. The main message of the upcoming meeting should have been the thought: "Don't meddle in Revan's affairs, and he won't meddle in the Republic's affairs." Qui-Gon, as the most adequate Jedi Revan had met since his resurrection, should have understood the thought and hint from the former Emperor, who had conquered most of the galaxy twice.
The former Jedi understood that things were not going according to plan even before the consular-class Corellian corvette entered the "Obsidian's" defensive systems' engagement zone. The guests' ship was too large to enter the dock, but according to Qui-Gon's assurances, their corvette had a small shuttle on board. It was its arrival that Revan was waiting for. However, there were far more gifted individuals on board than expected, namely – four. If Jinn could bring his Padawan with him, even though he was supposed to arrive alone, then who were the other two? A strong presence... And familiar.
Only HK-47 was present in the hangar with Revan. Risa and Mol had been ordered to hide their presence from the guests, so as not to agitate the Jedi unnecessarily. However, the ship itself was permeated with the Dark Side, which in itself should have caused discomfort to the representatives of the Order and hindered their perception.
No one expected an attack, but in case of emergency, the combined efforts of HK and Revan would be enough to hold off the enemy until reinforcements arrived.
"There are more guests than expected," Revan warned the droid.
"Maliciously: More targets – more fun, Master," HK replied cheerfully.
"They are not our enemies yet. Don't provoke anyone, but you can respond symmetrically to a direct threat," Revan said.
"Understood, Master."
"Don't kill anyone without my clear and explicit order," Revan added a new instruction.
HK flinched and noticeably hunched over, and the glow of his optical sensors dimmed slightly.
"Dejectedly: As you command, Master."
The assassin droid, despite its bloodlust, would never disobey Revan's order. The creator was sure of this.
Meanwhile, the shuttle was ready to fly into the hangar.
"Attention, outer hangar bay doors opening. Force field active," the automatic alert system announced throughout the hangar.
A small area of several hundred square meters had been cleared of debris and wreckage and prepared for the shuttle's landing. True, the mentioned junk had not been removed by the droids, so it was piled in careless heaps in the corners, so the dim lighting was only beneficial. The mobile service trusses were de-energized and could hardly be used for maintenance now... and there was frankly a shortage of technicians on board the cruiser.
The segmented hangar door slid aside, disappearing somewhere into the depths of the space between the outer hull and the hangar frame. The bluish film of the multi-phase barrier, which prevented air pressure loss on board the ship, became clearly visible in the opening. Despite the fact that the barrier did not allow air molecules to "leak" into open space, it perfectly allowed objects to pass through, which allowed shuttles to land in the hangar, even with crew members inside without protection from compartment depressurization.
A few moments later, a small D-3 transport shuttle, shaped like an elongated truncated pyramid, flew into the hangar. Frankly, an atypical choice for a transport on a diplomatic ship. The D-3 was preferred by more... militarized structures.
The shuttle deployed its landing gear and gently settled onto the deck. By this time, Revan had already identified all the gifted individuals who had arrived with Qui-Gon... and was slightly surprised. He had expected to see these gifted individuals here the least. It was too early to make contact with them, although the possibility of cooperation was actively being explored. But now Revan did not have enough arguments to bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion.
But fate and the Force seemed to have their own plans.
Through the open hatch onto the ramp came, tapping with a short, gnarled staff, none other than Grand Master Yoda himself. Following him was Qui-Gon with his Padawan. And bringing up the rear was a gray-haired man with a neatly trimmed beard and the proud posture of an aristocrat, whom Revan remembered as Master Dooku.
"Well, I'll have to adjust the plans a bit," the former Jedi thought.
Throwing back his hood and revealing his face, Revan greeted the guests with a smile.
"Welcome aboard the 'Obsidian.' It is an honor for me to host representatives of the Order," Revan said with a courteous bow.
"It is an honor for us to visit a ship so rich in history," the green-skinned Jedi bowed in return, in his characteristic manner of constructing phrases.
The other visitors then greeted Revan. HK, meanwhile, monitored their every move, ready at any moment to hurl an acoustic grenade clutched in his manipulator at them.
"Surprised by our visit, I see," Yoda said, looking at the ship's owner with a keen gaze.
"I will not deny it, I expected our meeting to take place somewhat later," Revan replied with a polite smile.
Although the former Jedi did not indicate Qui-Gon with a single gesture or glance, the Jin frowned guiltily and tried not to look at Revan. This did not escape the Grand Master and Count Dooku.
"Circumstances have aligned thus. Delay portends terrible misfortune for us. Therefore, I asked Qui-Gon to help us meet," Yoda said hoarsely.
"I am sorry I did not warn you in advance, but the Grand Master contacted me an hour before departing from Mandalore. He has arrived personally to investigate the events that have occurred and wanted to meet with you. He has very important information," Qui-Gon interjected.
"I could never instill courtesy and diplomatic sense in you, my former Padawan," Dooku said, shaking his head and quietly commenting on Jin's interference in the welcoming part of the negotiations.
"Well, I suggest we move to a more suitable place for conversation," Revan gestured for the guests to follow him.
There were no objections.
As the diplomatic procession moved through the cruiser's corridors, the former Jedi entertained the guests with "casual conversation." Rather, they asked him uncomfortable questions, and he answered them evasively.
"How is the young Skywalker's training progressing?" the Grand Master inquired.
"Quite well. The boy is talented and diligent in his studies, although at times I have to contend with his enthusiasm. I think his training level already corresponds to an average youngling of about seven years old, but he is progressing rapidly," Revan replied to the expected question.
"And does he wield a lightsaber?" Dooku asked.
The question from the strongest duelist and master of Makashi was expected. Like Revan, the Count perfectly understood the difficulties that could arise in training. Especially when there is no peer partner nearby.
"He has not yet mastered the lightsaber. However, he handles a vibroblade quite well. But... he needs someone to spar with. I and other adults are too large for him. He is accustomed to striking much higher than his height and rarely attacks the legs below the knee, as he sees no point in bending down and directing his strike downwards. Everything will be corrected over time, but now any youngling of his age would defeat him, while with older Padawans he could already fence at a decent level. Force techniques come to him with enviable ease, but there are still problems with control and dosing of effort. The boy, figuratively speaking, has a huge hammer with which he can break any wall, but lifting it and directing it is difficult," Revan said thoughtfully.
"Is he studying the Dark Side?" Obi-Wan interjected into the conversation.
Revan glanced briefly at Kenobi, suppressing a smile caused by the Count of Serenno's silent indignation, which commented on the impertinence of his former student's former student with a single silent sigh.
Revan noticed that Kenobi no longer wore his Padawan braid. This meant one of two things – either Obi-Wan had passed his trials and received the rank of Knight, or he had left the Order. However, the hilt of the lightsaber on the former Padawan's belt spoke in favor of the first option.
"He is studying the Force. All its aspects. And learning what is no longer taught in the Order," Revan replied.
"He is learning to be si..." Kenobi was about to launch into an angry tirade, but was interrupted.
And by someone he did not expect such a thing from.
"He is learning to resist the darkness," said the current head of the Order's Council.
"Master Yoda?" Kenobi stared at him in surprise.
"We no longer believe in our students. We protect them excessively, do not let them feel their own darkness within. And as a result, they are not ready to confront it," the green-skinned Jedi said sadly.
Revan nodded, surprised by how well Yoda understood one of the main mistakes in the Order's approach to training. In the Old Republic era, mentors often tested their students, throwing them off balance, provoking them with emotions and aggression. They allowed Padawans to taste their inner Darkness in controlled conditions in the training hall. They let them understand what it was like to succumb to it. After all, if you don't know what Darkness is, how can you fight it?
Revan remembered Juhani, a padawan at the enclave on Dantooine, whom he met while searching for the Star Forge with Bastila. The young native of the planet Katar, whose people were almost wiped out by the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders, was not ready for the trial. Her mentor, Quatra, saw that within the girl, who had witnessed the horrors of war and the near-complete genocide of her people, lurked hatred and burning rage, which she subconsciously suppressed. During a training fight, Quatra provoked Juhani into a furious attack and exposed herself to a seemingly fatal blow, making the padawan think she had committed an irreparable mistake. Convinced that she had killed her mentor, Juhani succumbed to fear and fled the Order's enclave, hiding in a grove nearby. The emotional shock threw the girl off balance and made her vulnerable to the temptations of the Dark Side. The fear of being killed for her supposed crime drove Juhani to seek power in the Darkness, in rage and hatred, which were supposed to overcome her fears. Thus, she fell into Darkness and called herself the dark mistress of the grove where she hid.
It was there that Revan found her, having just begun to restore his skills after Malak's betrayal. Meeting her was his trial, assigned by the Jedi Council on Dantooine. Revan defeated Juhani in combat, making her doubt the power of the Dark Side, and then convinced the girl to return to the Order and repent.
And as it turned out, Quatra did not die from Juhani's blow. Her unusual trial was meant to show the padawan that even those who diligently follow the Order's tenets and can even surpass their mentors are not immune to the Darkness within themselves and, consequently, to falling to the Dark Side.
A long time ago, Revan himself went through a similar trial when his mentors Kreya, and then Arren Kai, vividly showed him that even a talented padawan must learn to accept the limitations of his abilities and his weakness. After all, someone stronger might always appear.
Oh, how he suffered that day. And it was mainly his pride that was hurt... no, not pride - hubris. First, Kreya demonstrated the gulf in experience between them to the padawan. The mentor did not move from her spot, freezing in the center of the training hall with her arms crossed. But that didn't stop her from wiping the floor with Revan, as if he were a rag, grabbing him with the Force. No matter how much he resisted, the mentor always managed to find a breach and reach him. And after that, Kreya also trampled Revan's pride as a swordsman. The mentor did not like dueling, and wore a lightsaber only out of tradition, but that did not hinder her. The powerful Jedi Consular, who had dedicated her entire life to studying the Force, simply took control of several lightsabers and gave her student a real hell, forcing him to face a hurricane of flashing blades, hovering around and striking from the most unpredictable directions.
And after Kreya came Arren Kai. Renowned in the Order as a Master of the Sword. Until that day, Revan believed that he would at least not be inferior to her in a fight, and might even defeat her if necessary. Afterwards, lying on the floor of the training hall, he didn't understand what he had spent years learning for...
Over time, Revan managed to surpass both mentors. But that day he was crushed. Resentment, shame, and rage swirled within him, poisoning his soul and making him think of revenge, of seeking power... of might.
The mentors left Revan alone with his inner demons, which grew stronger with each minute, for almost a week. And then they wiped the floor with him again. But this time with explanations of their actions, analysis of mistakes, and a lecture on the dangers of the Dark Side and its illusory advantages.
It was then that Kreya made Revan understand the equivalence of Light and Darkness, that one cannot exist without the other, and true balance through the victory of one over the other is impossible. She also made him think about the influence the Force has on the gifted. After all, a person insensitive to the Force could get offended and forget, but a "gifted" one had no such luxury. As long as there was even a speck of dark emotion within him, the Dark Side continued to call to him, fanning his anger or intensifying his fear. Resisting it was difficult... but Revan learned, just like many Jedi before him.
This, in essence, helped him not to lose himself during the Mandalorian Wars. And there, on Malachor, in the Trayus Academy, Revan consciously chose the path of the Dark Side, deliberately weakening his self-control. And the former Dark Lord still believed that it was the right decision then.
Revan emerged from the memories, into which he had inadvertently plunged, while contemplating Yoda's words, and discovered that Kenobi was pestering the green-skinned old man with new questions.
"But how can that be?! Why aren't we trained for this now?" evidently continuing a partially missed conversation, Obi-Wan asked.
"Why, young Kenobi? The Master trained me using the same methods he was trained with. I know the taste of Darkness well, and therefore it is easier for me... to restrain my impulses. I taught Qui-Gon this as well," Dooku joined the conversation.
Obi-Wan shifted his surprised gaze from one Master to another.
"You yourself have gone through something similar, even if you haven't fully realized it yet," Jinn replied to the questioning look with a smile.
"When?!"
"On Naboo. You faced an opponent who was beyond your capabilities. That Zabrak could have killed us both. And then you saw firsthand someone who effortlessly defeated an enemy that was too much for you," Qui-Gon indicated Revan with his gaze.
"I... remember," Kenobi nodded grimly.
"I know you were overwhelmed with emotions at that moment. Both fear, and anger, and despair from your own powerlessness. But you managed to overcome them," Jinn continued.
The former padawan nodded grimly again.
"I am proud of you, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said, patting his former charge on the shoulder.
This gesture elicited a barely perceptible smile from everyone present. Each person inadvertently recalled their mentors and their own training experiences. There were many more pleasant moments in their memories.
"But not everyone faces such things, right? And I've heard many stories about those who fell to the Dark Side... After Ruusan," Kenobi voiced the thought that was tormenting him.
"After the Battle of Ruusan, our Order weakened. What actually happened, we do not know. It happened before my birth. But many share the thought that all the mighty heroes fell at Ruusan. Only mediocrities remained in the Order," Yoda said sadly.
"But... that's not true, is it?" Jinn's former padawan whispered.
"Anything is possible, young Obi-Wan. My mentor was a mighty Jedi, and I cannot say anything bad about him. But my memory is no longer the same. With the years lived and the experience gained, I have come to see many things differently. And I see that young knights are now sometimes stronger than those who were in my youth," the Grand Master creaked.
The green-skinned old man turned his gaze to Revan.
"To you, they would seem like unreasonable children," Yoda chuckled.
The former Jedi shrugged, but nodded nonetheless.
By this time, they had finally reached the restored council hall, where they could comfortably settle in. There was a slight hitch with Yoda, whose dimensions did not allow him to sit at the same level as the others. However, the Grand Master was not flustered and simply sat directly on the massive headrest of his chair.
"Well, I suppose now we can discuss the reason you wanted to meet with me. Especially with such an unusual group. You didn't bring all the Jedi involved in the investigation of the incident here, did you?" Revan asked the question that interested him.
"Only part of that squad. Master Unduli is busy with the investigation, it's not time for her to participate in our conversation," Yoda replied creakily.
Revan found nothing to object to in this statement. Luminara seemed like an open enough person and quite sensible. However, Yoda knew her much longer, so the Grand Master's opinion was worth listening to.
"And it would be better if we cast aside all unspoken matters," the head of the Council continued.
The former Jedi raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"State your true name, Knight Redeemed," the green-skinned old man creaked.
Revan shrugged. From his point of view, everyone should have guessed long ago.
"My name is Revan. Four thousand years ago, I was a Jedi, I died and became one with the Force. But something pulled me back into the world of the living," the former Jedi said, omitting the details of his resurrection.
As he expected, no one, except Obi-Wan, showed even a hint of surprise. Kenobi, however, stared at Jinn in shock.
"I thought you were joking..." he said quietly.
"Not at all," Qui-Gon grinned.
"You already know me, Yoda, my name. With me are Masters Dooku and Jinn, whom you have already met on Coruscant. Young Kenobi, of course, you know from there as well."
Revan nodded, noting the subtle nuances in the interlocutors' behavior, as Kreya had once taught him. From the first moment the guests stepped onto the deck of the "Obsidian," Revan had been monitoring them with the Force. Soft waves of invisible energy surrounded the Jedi, allowing the former Dark Lord to read superficial emotions and catch the mood of his interlocutor. Among other things, the Force calmed, set the mood for dialogue, and slightly dulled perception. Such a maneuver, if discovered, could have put an end to the negotiations, but Revan had performed such a move many times in the past and was masterfully skilled at hiding. Besides, the Dark Side's presence on board the cruiser was too strong for the Jedi to discern this insignificant influence as well.
"Well, I suppose, since we've finished with the greetings, we can get down to business," Dooku took the floor.
"Agreed," Revan supported his interlocutor.
"Until the recent events on Mandalore, we did not suspect how far the Sith's influence had spread in the galaxy. Even more so, until Qui-Gon encountered that Zabrak on Tatooine, and then on Naboo, we had no idea that the Sith had returned from oblivion," the Count of Serenno continued.
"Strictly speaking, it's difficult to call him a full-fledged Sith. In terms of training, he was more like a novice 'acolyte.' He was trained solely for killing, without proper attention to the study of the Force and the Dark Side. A useful tool, not a full student. And anticipating your question, he does not know the identity of his former master. That one never showed his face, and the only name used was a Sith one, Darth Sidious," Revan commented on the information.
"Obi-Wan shared information with us that you took this Zabrak as a student. Is that true?" Dooku clarified.
"Correct," Revan agreed.
"Are you sure of his loyalty? Could he not be..."
"No. I am sure that Maul will not betray me. For now," the former Jedi did not let the Count finish.
"For now?"
"Until he has learned all my lessons and gained enough power to defeat me. But that will not happen anytime soon, I assure you."
Revan's explanation did not greatly reassure the guests. However, no one argued. Even Kenobi restrained his thirst for justice and remained silent.
"Well, we hope you are right," Dooku nodded.
"The fact is, it's much more alarming. The Sith have managed to seduce many Jedi to the Dark Side. We didn't see even a hint of this in Ronar, who was always balanced. His student also enjoyed our trust without limit. This led to great misfortune," Yoda continued the conversation.
"Master Kim has taken refuge on Cerea with his student. Tal-Nar-Pal used one of the laws of his homeworld, created to restore the population, and became inaccessible to the Order's justice. Men are valued more than air on Cerea, and as long as he is there, neither he nor Kim, who has taken refuge in his home, can be brought to justice," the Count added.
Revan frowned.
"Tenacious," he drawled, "I thought a pierced heart would be enough, but no. Someone managed to shove him into a bacta tank."
"As well as his student," Qui-Gon nodded in agreement.
Revan did not say that Jinn had intentionally left the Cerea alive, simply showing pity for his enemy. If he had struck a little higher, aiming for the head, or finished off the fallen padawan, the problem would not exist now.
"He hasn't contacted the Order?" Revan clarified.
"No. We learned everything from an official request from a Senator from Cerea. In it, he demands that Tal-Nar-Pal be expelled from the Order without further prosecution, as he has declared himself a repatriate and intends to remain on his homeworld forever, focusing on his sacred duty of continuing the lineage. Master Ki-Adi-Mundi confirmed the legality of the request and advised not to obstruct it, as his people are extremely sensitive to the issue of demographics on Cerea. And an attempt to reclaim the padawan could lead to a complete rupture of Cerea's ties with the Republic, making the peaceful planet vulnerable to the Hutt Cartel, pirates, and other scum. The Council decided to leave Kim and Pal alone for now," Dooku added with clear displeasure.
"As far as I remember, outsiders are generally forbidden on Cerea, except for isolated Outlander Citadels?" Revan clarified.
"Correct. Which is another obstacle," Dooku agreed.
Revan thought that for a very determined droid, even such measures would not be an obstacle. But for now, it was indeed worth observing. It was probably necessary to assign the Claws the task of hacking Cerea's communication servers and trying to find out who Kim was in contact with. The chances were slim, but it might be possible to identify at least the sector, despite the encryption and the secrecy measures the enemy would employ. Revan had no doubt that the Sith knew how to keep their secrets.
"No less alarming was the fact that ships of the Trade Federation and the Banking Clan participated in the attack."
"Not for the first time," Kenobi grumbled, recalling the siege of Naboo.
"Master Sifo-Dyas has already been sent to the Muuns for investigation. As for the Trade Federation, they reported their ships missing on the same day they appeared in orbit around Mandalore. Moreover, they have already appealed to the Senate with a demand for Mandalore to return their property and compensate for all damage caused by 'Mandalorian marauders' to the Trade Federation's ships and droids. And the demand arrived almost before the Senate received the report from the Judicial Corps about the attack on Mandalore," Dooku explained the current situation.
"They were suspiciously quick to act," Revan chuckled.
"Yes, indirect evidence suggests that the Trade Federation is acting on the orders of the Sith. However, the Order cannot conduct a full investigation without the Senate's sanction."
"And the Senate will not escalate relations with the Trade Federation, fearing the reaction of the Banking Clan and the Techno Union. If these three decide to break ties with the Republic, the latter may not survive such an economic blow," Revan assessed the situation, based not only on the information received but also on the data collected by the "Claws."
And the information was alarming. The Republic was on the verge of collapse and held together only by intrigues. In essence, one spark was enough to ignite a fire.
"This will cause a schism in the Republic. It will all end in an all-out galactic war," Yoda said sadly, confirming Revan's thoughts.
"Perhaps this is what the Sith are aiming for. It is always easier to act in ruin amidst the raging fire of war. This is a favorite method of the Dark Side adepts. Darkness hides everything, and money opens the right doors. War is inevitable - that's a fact," Revan concluded.
"You are right," Yoda agreed grimly, closing his eyes.
"And the Jedi will find themselves in the thick of it," Dooku added.
The aristocrat from Serenno, who, due to special circumstances, was allowed to retain his title and receive education from his homeworld, had no difficulty calculating the Senate's behavior model in case of danger. Using the Jedi as a shield will be their first decision. In this cursed age, everyone who is lazy uses the Order for their own purposes!
The Count's eyes darkened, and a few golden sparks touched his irises, which did not escape Revan's attentive gaze. And in Dooku's emotions, a bright surge of anger was felt, which, however, was immediately suppressed.
"It is so, Master Dooku," Revan nodded in agreement.
"I don't have much time left to bear this title," Dooku replied coldly.
Revan raised an eyebrow questioningly, urging his interlocutor to explain the meaning behind his last phrase.
"The three of us have decided to leave the Order," the Count indicated himself, Jinn, and Kenobi.
"Is that so?" Revan said without a hint of surprise.
He had expected something like this. Dooku had long intended, according to Qui-Gon, to leave the Order, but remained in his position due to a sense of responsibility for his former padawan, who frequently got into trouble. Jinn also did not intend to leave until Kenobi completed his training. And, judging by the absence of a padawan braid, the training was successfully completed. And Yoda himself undoubtedly witnessed the knighting ceremony, so no one would have any questions.
"My duty is fulfilled. Obi-Wan has become a knight, and officially I am no longer his master," Qui-Gon confirmed Revan's suspicions with a smile.
"And what about the young knight himself, deciding to leave the Temple?" Revan inquired.
"I... I am staying on Mandalore. The Duchess... asked for my help," Kenobi said, blushing noticeably.
In his thoughts, the former Sith noted with a smile that there would be an addition to House Kryze... or would Obi-Wan not dare to marry Duchess Satine?
"It will be calmer here anyway than on Coruscant," Jinn said, patting him on the shoulder, supporting his student's desire to stay with his beloved.
"Yes. In the coming years, the Order will be under attack, being tied hand and foot, and with a collar around its throat," Dooku snorted.
"It is regrettable to hear such words from a former student... but I must agree. The Order has lost all its greatness. And we cannot take a step without the Senate's permission. We are few in number and have voluntarily given up armies. I tried to preserve the remnants of the knowledge that my master passed on to me... but I failed. We are trapped, we don't even see it," the Grand Master said in a repentant tone.
Revan understood the old man... The events after the Mandalorian Wars flashed in his memory. The Sith threat... He had tried to reach the Order, but they didn't listen. The Empire was ready to strike, spies of Vitiate were lurking everywhere in the galaxy... he himself was one of them until he cast off the shackles of suggestion. The Jedi were on the brink of death and didn't notice it. And what was the result? At least twice the Order was almost destroyed in a span of three hundred years. And that's not counting minor incidents.
And what about now? Is history repeating itself?
"Then do something. Why suffer and tear your hair out when you can try to fix the situation?" Revan responded.
"The Council does not agree with our suspicions. The knights are accustomed to serving the Republic and cannot separate themselves from the Senate. They are blind and fear the Darkness that carries the fear of betrayal. Others are blinded by pride and do not heed the voice of reason."
"It seems to me, you didn't just come here to complain about the difficult situation?"
He already had a fairly clear idea of what they wanted from him. And the guests did not disappoint.
"We came for help," the Grand Master fixed his gaze on him.
"Of us, only you have enough experience... dealing with the Sith. You have been on both sides and understand their methods. We have lived relatively peacefully for almost a thousand years, without serious wars and conflicts. And the Sith have turned from a real and dangerous enemy into a bogeyman for padawans," Dooku explained.
"And how can I help you? I have no army, no credits either, my power and influence remained there, four thousand years ago. All I have now is an old, almost falling apart ship, and a handful of people who are by my side only by their own will," Revan said modestly.
"You achieved success with less, didn't you? Hmm?" Yoda asked slyly.
This could not be disagreed with.
"Different circumstances, different times. In a war of all against all, I will not succeed with such a trick. The coming war will require strength, the great strength of many worlds united by a common goal."
"You have just described the Republic," Yoda chuckled.
"In its current state, the Republic will not cope. Too many worlds, too different conditions regarding taxes, trade, and support. Discontent is growing. Entire sectors are abandoned to their fate and forgotten because they do not possess valuable resources. They are simply not heard in the Senate. They don't want to listen. The inhabitants of the galaxy will be offered an alternative, and they will grasp it with all their might. Before you know it, not only the Federation with the Techno Union and the Muuns will rise against the Senate, but also most of the Outer Rim worlds, along with a solid part of the Core and Mid Rim worlds. Two giant factions will form, which will clash with all their might, and a handful of neutrals will hide in their sectors and send notes of protest to the Senate. You, like me, simply do not have what can be opposed to such power," Revan concluded.
"I fear that in the situation you described, the Republic will fall in a matter of days. The Federation's fleet already surpasses in number of large ships all that the Judicial Corps can field. And... it is still unknown whose side it will take," Dooku said.
"The Corps is the police, and not the best one. What is needed here is an army. Professional, trained, and well-equipped," the former Sith stated the obvious.
"The Republic has no army," Yoda shook his head.
"Then create one," Revan shrugged.
"It's not easy. And not quick," the Count objected.
"Jedi are no longer generals. We protect peace, not lead armies," the green-skinned elder supported him.
The answer was expected, and in a way, Revan had counted on it. His plan at this very moment could receive unexpected support much earlier than anticipated.
"If the galaxy only needs an alternative to the Republic, then perhaps we should act in this direction?" Revan suggested.
"Create a coalition for worlds that disagree with the Senate's policy and unite them, thereby depriving the Federation and its henchmen of potential allies? Is that it?" Count Dooku surmised.
The aristocrat from Serenno demonstrated excellent political acumen... and the presence of good intelligence.
"Because people and other inhabitants of the galaxy are capable of much if they protect each other. Like Naboo and Mandalore," the Count said, narrowing his already suspicious gaze.
"And what connects Naboo and Mandalore?" Revan asked, already knowing the answer to his question.
The Claws had just sent a fresh batch of information on the Senate sessions.
"Besides the friendship between Queen Amidala and Duchess Satine? Naboo's representatives fiercely defended Mandalore in the Senate when the Federation presented its claims for damages. The Queen herself appeared on Coruscant when the new senator from the Chommell sector could not convey the full extent of the Naboo monarch's indignation. In addition to new evidence of the blockade of her own world, Amidala presented her own demands for compensation for the damage inflicted on Naboo. And the entire sector stood behind her. Alderaan and its allies from the liberal camp also supported the demands. The Federation waved lists of the dead on board the droid control station in orbit around Naboo and began demanding compensation for their families from Amidala. She, in turn, presented lists of Gungans who fell during the ground battle. The Chancellor was forced to interrupt the session to quell the chaos that erupted in the stands.
It all came down to the creation of a commission to investigate the incident. If it did not find proof that Mandalore had stolen the Federation's droids and ships and then inexplicably shot them down in its own orbit, then the demands would be withdrawn... from all sides. And it so happened that you visited both planets and, moreover, personally participated in the conflicts, managing to resolve them in favor of Naboo and Mandalore, respectively.
Whether you understand it or not, I still consider you a sufficiently intelligent person, familiar with galactic politics not by hearsay, but these two worlds are ready to unite and are attracting the attention of those who disagree with the Republic's passivity towards the atrocities committed by large sectors and organizations like the Trade Federation. They see in them a symbol that arbitrariness can be fought, even if you don't have an army, and the Senate simply turns a blind eye to your problems. A third force that can, in the future, draw away part of the funds of both factions of the emerging conflict has already appeared. And I'm not the only one who understands this," Dooku explained his position.
Revan expected something similar. But he didn't think Naboo would appear so quickly on the political stage alongside Mandalore. He should have warned Amidala and asked her not to attract attention. Not now, when Revan had no available forces. Run around the galaxy personally, imposing justice and doing good? Don't make me laugh. Unleash mercenaries from the Mandalorians and Claws on the Federation leaders? It won't help. The place of some will be taken by others, and the Senate will become interested in frequent accidents, after which everyone will be demonstratively crushed. Crime is allowed to exist only as long as it pays the right people and doesn't interfere where it's not asked.
But that's irrelevant now. The plans had to be accelerated.
"And I, from your words, am connected with this new force, right? So soon we can expect a strike from one side or the other. Competitors in the galactic arena are not liked. We will be swept off the game board and not noticed. Especially since Mandalore is not too popular in the Republic anyway," Revan said, looking directly into the Count's eyes.
"Serenno will provide you with comprehensive support, as will some of our partners. I guarantee you that. I have enough weight in certain circles, being the governor of Carannia, albeit unofficially. I can help gather the right people and find allies where you wouldn't even look," Dooku said calmly.
And this was interesting. Such support would sharply strengthen the position of the new union of planets, albeit unofficial. Access to markets, credits, technologies... But in the future, more soldiers and ships will be needed. Revan's plans included the gradual strengthening of the trade conglomerate of Mandalore and Naboo and reaching the shipyards of Rendili, or Kuat. With Serenno's support, this goal could be achieved much faster. Then, unite the worlds around the conglomerate through trade and diplomatic ties, giving them what the Senate cannot provide. It was already a matter of a full-fledged Union of Worlds. But there was still a lot to be done before that.
"What will the Order do?" Revan decided to ask, seeing Yoda frown.
"We cannot help you... openly. The Council supports neutrality and does not wish to participate in politics. But it will not hinder the creation of your union either," the Grand Master rasped.
"That's something," Revan nodded gratefully.
Grunting thoughtfully, as if having just made a decision, Yoda reached into an inner pocket of his robe and pulled out a data chip.
"What is this?" Revan asked, not rushing to accept the unknown chip from the green-skinned old man.
"A sign of our goodwill. It's a registration card. For a large starship. With all the necessary Order markings, but it's not filled out," the Grand Master explained.
Revan could barely contain his surprise and maintain his composure. This was a truly priceless gift at the current moment. An empty registration card for a large-tonnage starship with markings indicating affiliation with the Jedi Order Temple. This data chip would automatically grant the vessel diplomatic status in all systems recognized by the Republic. If he entered the data for "Obsidian" there, everyone would consider the cruiser a rarity that had emerged from the Order's bottomless reserves. All questions from the Judicial Forces could be redirected to the Temple.
"Why such trust? You've known me for a short time, but you're giving me something that will strongly tie my actions to the Order. What if I use my ship's firepower to level the capital of some inhabited world?" Revan asked the question that had long interested him.
He couldn't understand why Yoda had taken such a liking to him so quickly. He had covered him in the Temple, and now here.
"Your heart and thoughts are pure, you don't look at the Darkness you are inextricably linked to. And I hope that after eight hundred years, I have learned to discern people," Yoda chuckled hoarsely.
"Not to mention that the ship's status can also be changed by sending a request from the Temple," the former Sith would have added mentally.
It wasn't a completely honest answer... but it was truthful. Revan felt it clearly, and therefore accepted the data chip, implicitly accepting the support and pledging not to put the Order in an awkward position.
"Well, we have a lot to discuss..."
The beginning of a new force had been laid, but there were still many questions that required resolution. At least a fleet and an army, which the hypothetical Union would need in the future. They needed to be prepared now, because forces capable of resolving something in galactic battles don't appear in five minutes. And Revan had one lead about a possible solution... a flimsy one, but still.