31 BBY
Count Dooku began the Galactic New Year with an inspection. His daughter proudly showed off his own House Guards to him, and Dooku could clearly see their competence. He'd fought in many battles before, and had seen what the best warriors in the Galaxy, the legendary Mandalorians, were capable of first hand. Though his House Guards didn't quite meet that lofty bar, Dooku couldn't think of any other military force he'd seen that was as fit, enthusiastic, and cynically disciplined.
Apparently, while Dooku had been distracted with other things, Tan'ya had been taking her personal army on frequent, long ranging hikes through the jungle where she enjoyed occasionally calling down artillery strikes on them with a battery of turbo blasters borrowed from Serenno's Defence Force. A strange mix of feelings overcame Dooku at the revelation, a mixture of pride at his daughter's talent and discipline, and fear over what Athemeene would do if she found out.
"There's just one thing, though." Tan'ya was explaining to him afterwards. "They're armed with blasters and armored in plastoids, which is standard across the Galaxy for good reason, but they won't really have much of an edge in a fight without more specialized equipment. They're good, but still not enough."
"Did you have something in mind?"
"I did have a couple of ideas, but they would all be very expensive." Tan'ya said. "A mixture of directed energy shields that resist blaster fire and subsonic slugthrowers that bypass the shield would be quite effective."
Slugthrowers? He was uncertain about the idea of using such primitive firearms, but she seemed sure of the statement. "That seems… unfeasible, with our current means." For the price of ten thousand directed energy shields, Dooku could almost buy a warship.
Tan'ya nodded in agreement, though looked disappointed. "The other idea I had was to create armor from blaster resistant metals."
Dooku almost scoffed in disbelief. He didn't think there were any large cortosis seams being mined in the Galaxy, not since the last of what was known and easily accessible had been mined up and used in the New Sith Wars. Everything that was left was privately owned, collected from scrap and broken down ancient artifacts. Expensive beyond belief. If the energy shields were unfeasible, then cortosis was a fantasy, let alone beskar. Trying to wrestle even a single ton of beskar from the Mandalorians would probably result in generations of war.
"I know, but I was thinking we could probably use sacanium." Tan'ya continued, and brought up a recording on her holopad of a blaster test performed on different forms of durasteel. "Zersium durasteel is the most common kind of durasteel, but it's only able to stop blaster rounds when thickly plated and shaped correctly, like a starship hull. Phrik durasteel can temporarily block a lightsaber, and stop blaster rounds at low velocities. Sacanium durasteel is rare, but reportedly even hardier than phrik. I wasn't able to find any published blaster testing for them, but I can't see why a thick plate of it shouldn't at least be somewhat blaster resistant." She looked up at her father. "I know you're reluctant to bring the Galactic Mining Guild to Serenno, but we could at least hire a small, private mining outfit to start unearthing the stuff. We can start testing ourselves to see what we can do with it."
Dooku considered her suggestion. As long as they weren't trying to sell the sacanium on the Galactic market they shouldn't attract much notice.
"We'll speak with your Auntie Jenza about it, and see what can be done." He promised Tan'ya.
A few days later, Dooku and his daughter took a speeder to the Advisory. It was a short journey through the city, but to his eyes it looked like it was doing better. Some of the wealthier people were driving around in shiny new speeder models, and he could see many of the older buildings were having work done on them to install new electrical systems or repair damaged roofs. It was good to see, though Dooku supposed the district that separates the Palace from the center of government was likely to be the wealthiest on the planet. If Serenno did have a prosperous middle class, they could be assumed to reside here.
As Dooku entered the Advisory, the bureaucrats hushed up and avoided eye contact. They cleared a path for him, and bowed as he passed. He didn't think much of it, such respect was owed to the House of Serenno, and he naturally disliked their kind anyway.
Jenza was never trained as a Jedi, and had no ability to shield her mind at all. He felt her reluctance when he presented Tan'ya's proposal, along with her nervousness about telling him no.
"You have objections?" He finally asked.
Jenza hesitated for a moment more before explaining. "The security arrangements we already have with the Trade Federation have been more than adequate. If our security needs are already being met, then I think there are more important things for our government to focus on. Our planet's life expectancy is below fifty for adult men, and we're in the republic's top one hundred worlds for amputees as a percentage of the population." She shook her head. "Look, digging into our Sacanium seams is a nice idea in theory, but we're already struggling heavily with our energy sector as it is."
"We're facing power shortages?" Dooku asked, surprised.
Jenza nodded. "Not shortages exactly, it's just a terribly underdeveloped sector. Our planet doesn't produce enough energy to meet our population's needs. Most villages are dependent on expensive solar power panels for any electricity that they have, which is dangerous because of power surges, and unreliable because of the weather. Even in regions like the open savanna's where rain is rare, days are still shorter in winter and longer in summer, resulting in power floods and power droughts."
"How are we powering our cities?" Dooku almost felt embarrassed to ask the question; he'd been so focused on his diplomatic efforts that he had to admit he hadn't been keeping up with the day to day affairs of his homeworld, let alone something as seemingly insignificant as why the lights still worked.
"Reactors run on imported plasma, but we're purchasing it at a rate set by the Senate. Unfortunately, at the moment, we just don't have the infrastructure to get power out to the towns and villages, and until we do it's just not cost efficient to expand our power supply. Without more power we can't afford to build up our heavy industries, like mining."
Tan'ya spoke up for the first time in that conversation. "We have plenty of natural gas, as well as oil and coal. Why can't we just make old fashioned coal fire and oil fire power plants?"
"Because that would be illegal." Jenza replied. "It would violate Republic regulations on environmental protection."
Tan'ya scoffed. "The damage we do to the environment with our logging industry already must vastly exceed the potential effects of a little global warming."
"You may be correct, but we have to follow the rules as written. Some planets can find their way around it thanks to their friends in the Senate, but our world is just… not an immediate concern to them."
Which was a nice way to say that because Dooku was not taking part in the corruption and favor exchanging ways of the lobbyists and the slugs in the Senate, his people were suffering.
Without an expanded energy sector, they couldn't build up their industries. Without that, they couldn't mine up their own sacanium and turn it into usable goods.
"I'll start doing some reading." Tan'ya promised Dooku as they left the Advisory together. "If the Megacorps are leaving loopholes in legislation to allow themselves to skirt around the regulations, there may be some we can slip through as well. Coal-fired power plants would absolutely meet our needs."
"Don't stay up reading too late." Dooku warned her. "You'll be starting classes at the New Temple soon, once I've arranged a teacher for you."
Irritation was clear on her face; Tan'ya clearly thought what she was doing was more important than mere lessons, and it was, but she wasn't the only one who could be reading old Senate Bills. Whatever Tan'ya's strange gift at navigating paperwork and bureaucracy, she was still a powerful Force user and had to master it fully, lest it master her.
"Have M8 assist you, but you can't neglect your other duties." Dooku said firmly, then added. "I'll call our lawyers and see if they find something as well."
The next day, Dooku set out for the New Temple. His daughter remained in her room at the palace, reading through volumes of legislation on her new datapad and making notes as she did. It was impressive to see her focused so heavily on a task, especially at such a young age.
Thinking about it, Dooku thought he had been similar when it came to mastering the lightsaber.
When he arrived at Indinor, Dooku immediately went to the head office to speak to Narec about the specialized classes for Tan'ya.
Before he could, the man met Dooku at the loading ramp to speak with him about another matter.
"When do you think Asajj will be ready to become a knight?"
Narec's question gave Dooku pause. Her skills were suitable for the role, and she'd learnt enough about how to conduct herself as a Jedi to properly represent the New Temple without embarrassment. If anything, Dooku supposed she was practically ready now. The only reason he hesitated was because as the first Knight to graduate from the New Temple, he wanted her to be faultless to all criticism. But that was impossible. The orthodox Jedi of the Grand Temple could never accept her, and would always criticize or downplay her achievements.
Even knowing that, Dooku was still worried.
Of his three previous padawans, Komari Vosa had fallen to the Dark Side and died shamefully, having to be put down like a rabid dog, and Rael Aveross disliked Dooku immensely, all but calling him a fallen Jedi the last time they spoke. Only Jinn stood upright as a proud member of the Order, though his reputation as a maverick was almost as great as Dooku's own.
Dooku worried what it meant for Asajj that he had such mixed success in his prior padawans.
"Let me consider it some. I'll have an answer for you today."
Narec nodded in acceptance. "We need more knights. Not to say you should rush her through her training, but I just don't want to see her being held back."
"I understand." Dooku reassured him. "Now, I'm here to talk to this Green Jedi."
"Sturn?" Narec said, "He's been wanting to talk to you for a while now as well."
Was that the Correllian's name? When they met in his office, Dooku thought it matched the man quite poorly. He was on the shorter side of average with a receding hairline and worry lines wrinkling his brow. Like many Jedi Masters he moved with a serene grace, though his soulful brown eyes seemed to hold a lingering sadness. Even in his resplendent green and gold formal robes, he seemed like less of a 'Sturn' and more of a Brittle.
"It's good to finally meet, Master Dooku." He spoke softly, and indicated a chair. "May I take a seat?"
Wordlessly, Dooku indicated that he should. Watching the man gently lower himself into the chair, Dooku found himself feeling more and more unimpressed. A feeling that was cemented as Sturn took out a tabac cigarra. "May I?" He asked.
Dooku's nose wrinkled slightly, but he nodded. Good habits made good Jedi in his view, but then he supposed Rael Aveross was also a smoker and a drinker, and he was a fine Jedi.
Sturn lit his cigarra and took a puff, easing back into his chair. He obviously believed this was going to be a long conversation, so Dooku took out three fine glasses, and opened the fridge under his desk to take out the sealed bottle of wine he kept there for diplomatic meetings.
"Oh, yes please." Sturn smiled, but Narec held up his hand.
"I have to get back to the faculty office. I've too much work to do."
Dooku put one glass away as Narec left, and kept Sturn in the corner of his eye as he watched the Correlian take a sip of wine with open relish. At least he had good taste. It was a very fine bottle, aged to perfection from the most renowned vineyards on Serenno, with that less sugary, richer, more bitter flavor that Dooku had personally grown to appreciate.
They sat in silence for a moment, Dooku tasting his own wine and fixing his gaze on the other man who merely smiled.
"This is very good." Sturn said. "I'll have to get a copy of the label so I can buy some for myself."
"You can afford it?"
Sturn laughed softly, and shook his head. "Probably not. You're a very wealthy man, Count. Does your family enjoy such luxury? My students chatter that your son lives in a Palace."
Dooku's nose twitched in annoyance like that. Of course Kenth would be isolated for being well off. "Children are like that, even among Jedi."
"Oh, no. Kenth is very popular." Sturn smiled, fondly. "He's always in the thick of things, playing with the other boys. He has your confidence, but not your, uh…" He glanced at Dooku's face, then continued. "Well, he's just not as impressive as you are. You may want to consider arranging a playdate for him, I'm sure you can accommodate the other Younglings in his creche at your Palace."
From there conversation naturally flowed to Kenth's classes, and what Sturn and the other Masters were teaching him. By all accounts, Dooku's son was an energetic, perhaps too boisterous young boy who fearlessly approached any task, and quickly became bored with any amount of book learning or sitting around. These traits matched with what Dooku had heard of from his wife, but hadn't had a chance to experience much of himself, a thought that left him strangely wistful.
When had he last made time for any of his children?
"I think he's a lot like you." Sturn said. "Or at least I get that impression from this short meeting. I happen to be rather good at reading people."
Yes, but any force sensitive could claim the same.
"What are your plans for Tan'ya?" Dooku asked.
It turned out he had quite a few. Correllian Jedi had their own ways of training younglings, though the aims of the lessons seemed much the same from what Dooku remembered on Coruscant. As they chatted, Dooku found himself getting drawn into the subject more and more, offering suggestions to the man from his own time as a youngling.
They talked for hours, and as they did Dooku found himself getting more comfortable with him being his daughter's teacher. He seemed normal, if not particularly brilliant, and friendly without being overly familiar.
"Actually, that was something I've wanted to ask you about." Sturn continued. "My other student who I wanted to put into the advanced class with Tan'ya-"
"The Mandalorian child?"
"Yes, little Via." He shook his head sadly. "Poor girl. But Via wanted me to ask you about the New Temple's views on marriage?"
Dooku paused at that. He could hardly forbid it when he was in wedlock himself, now could he? Though he was concerned about permitting relationships between Jedi. The last thing he wanted was for it to interfere with their duties. He certainly couldn't imagine calmly sending his own wife to conduct the dangerous duties of a Jedi. "I would allow it, as long as it's not between two Jedi."
Sturn smirked, looking down into his wine glass.
"Something amusing?"
"Uh, nothing just… Making a relationship like that forbidden will only make it more appealing to some."
Dooku watched the wistful look Sturn was giving his own reflection, seeming lost for a moment. "Do you have experience in such matters?"
"...I'm a widower." He said at last, looking up at Dooku. "The life of a Jedi is a very dangerous one."
"I'm sorry for your loss."
He nodded in thanks. "It was my son who recommended I look into your temple, actually."
They talked for a little while longer, before Sturn finished one last glass of wine and left to go get ready for his afternoon classes.
Dooku considered the man after he was gone, and found himself vaguely liking him. It seemed a cruel fate to lose a beloved partner, but when he thought about it Dooku realized that was most likely his own wife's destiny. Athemeene might well outlive him by half a century!
Perhaps she would be happy to escape her ancient husband who neglected his children.
With a sigh, Dooku resealed the wine and put it away, before taking out his holocom. With a few flicks of his fingers he pulled up an old contact and dialed it. It rang for a long time, Dooku slowly losing his patience as it did. After a minute had passed he hung up and put the device away.
It seemed that Rael still wasn't prepared to talk to Dooku again. If only Qui-Gon didn't already have a Padawan, then perhaps he could be persuaded… Though from what Dooku had heard, Jinn had only taken on Kenobi with incredible reluctance.
Why were there so few Jedi that Dooku could really trust? If only Asajj was a few years older.
Maybe a few years being trained by Sturn wouldn't be so bad, and when Asajj had passed her own knight trials she could take Tan'ya to be her padawan? The Council on Coruscant would complain, no doubt they would want one of their own to be her teacher, but they wouldn't be able to do anything about it. Not if Dooku was still technically honoring their agreement.
Was Asajj ready to become a knight already? Her skills were more than sufficient, and she had developed much composure under Dooku's tutelage. It was just so hard to know how she would fare under the pressures of real life. Her diplomatic work with Dooku hadn't given her much chance to face real danger out in the field, and there was no telling how she would handle it until she did.
That was it then, really. Dooku would give Asajj a chance to demonstrate her competence in the field, and that would decide if she was ready for knighthood.
His holocom beeped, and Dooku was surprised at the number.
"Rael. I wasn't expecting to hear from you." He answered it, smiling.
It wasn't visible through the blue projection of the hologram, but Rael was dark skinned and dark haired, with brown eyes. Normally he projected a more carefree persona, but now Rael did not smile, his eyes narrowed slightly in distaste. "I wasn't going to, but then I considered what's been happening and decided I owed you that much."
Recent events? Dooku's mind raced, trying to pick up on what he could be referring to, but the only thing he could think of was Sifo's death a little over two months ago. "You were invited to the funeral, but didn't attend."
Rael raised an eyebrow. "No, haven't you heard? About Naboo?"
"The blockade?" Dooku recalled. "I've heard, but that's of no concern to me."
"No one told you?" Rael shook his head. "Qui Gon was on Naboo, Dooku. He was in the Palace when the Federation began its bombardment! He's still missing."
Dooku felt his stomach plummet. If Qui-Gon was on Naboo, that meant Sidious would certainly kill him! Especially if he threatened his bid for the Chancellorship! He was so shocked he almost didn't hear Rael speak again.
"I was sure someone would have told you. I only found out because I was talking with-"
"I'm sorry Rael, I'll have to call you back." Dooku hung up.
He dialed Yoda this time, and was answered quickly.
Yoda opened his mouth, but Dooku interrupted him. "Qui-Gon is on Naboo. Why did you send him there? Why was I not told?!"
"Calm yourself, Master Dooku." Yoda held up a hand. "A great Jedi, Qui-Gon is. If I told you what dangers he faced, no time would there be for anything else. So often it is."
"Damn it, you old fool." Dooku snarled at him. "Was Galidran not enough?! How many more Jedi must you send to their deaths because you won't learn?"
Yoda stared at Dooku for a long moment. "Tried have you, to keep a headstrong Jedi from rushing to battle?"
Oh, what a tripe. Dooku hung up without another word, and was in the process of dialing Sidious' number when he stopped himself. He couldn't call from here, not when the line would go through the New Temple's network. Anyone with administrator access would see his call.
Hastily, Dooku deleted the number then left his office. He hurried through the halls, not paying heed to the Knights who ducked out of his way, or the line of younglings pointing at him with excitement as he rushed past. He took the steps up to landing pad two at a time rather than wait for the elevator. Inside his ship he immediately made sure his onboard communicator wasn't connected to Indinor's network, before dialing Palpatine's number manually.
Of course the slimy old man ignored his first call. Dooku had to dial three more times before Palpatine finally answered. He'd obviously been in the middle of something, because wind ruffled his hair and robes slightly, likely he'd stepped out onto a balcony before taking the call.
"This number is for emergencies, Dooku." He growled dangerously.
"This is an emergency, Palpatine." Dooku replied. "Qui-Gon is on Naboo."
The Sith shook his head, sighing pityingly. "Your former padawan is of no concern to our plan, Count. If he stands in the way of the good of the Galaxy, then there's no helping it."
"The Chancellorship is practically already yours! Recall the Federation fleet."
"The election isn't until next month. I may be likely to win, but until the seat is in my hands the blockade will stay in place." Palpatine said, coolly.
"Damn it, Sidious-"
"Do not call me on my emergency line and do not use that name where it might be overheard, fool!" Sidious hissed, teeth bared with rage. "If you wanted to have control over events, you should have answered my call months ago when I was planning this! Instead you were busy sulking like a craven child over a man that you helped kill!"
Dooku hissed right back. "Do not place the blame for that at my feet! That was your doing, not mine!"
"Oh, please. Now you sound like the Jedi Council, passive, unmoving, desperate not to be blamed for your own inaction. You knew it had to happen and you approved of it! Just as you knew that any Jedi sent to intervene at Naboo would be in danger, too. Enough empty sniveling over weakling Jedi!" He snarled.
Dooku opened his mouth to reply, then closed it. He was right, damn him. A cold shiver ran down Dooku's spine, as in that moment he realized he was trapped, helpless. This was a situation of his own making, each of his actions mounting one after another to lead him to this point.
He wanted to protect his dear student, just as he wanted to save his friend, but interfering here risked their plan. Everything he had built, and everything he was working towards would be undone if his connection to the Sith was ever revealed.
Dooku hung his head, helpless and ashamed.
"Goood." Palpatine droned out breathily. "Remember, this line is for emergencies. Next time you want to discuss our plans-"
"Next time?" Dooku raised his head, feeling cold anger surge through him, an angry voice hissing in his ears. With sudden clarity, he remembered Tan'ya's discovery, and what it meant for her and his whole family. The Dark Side called to him, and fearlessly he seized it. "Who will you demand I sacrifice next time, Sidious? My children? My wife?!"
"Of course not, friend. Of course not-"
"Do not call me friend, Sith!" Dooku spat. "On your lips it means pawn! Tool! You would cast me aside in a heartbeat the second it suited you!"
Through the Dark Side, Dooku felt that thread linking him to Sidious tugging.
"This is just a misunderstanding, Dooku." Sidious murmured, softly. "I can give you everything you ever wanted, no need for sacrifice. With the power I offer you can have friendship everlasting. Knowledge and power, everything you could ever want. Your loved ones need never die."
Dooku found himself calming, his rage and fear giving way. Was Sidious really to blame for this? Wasn't Yoda the one who sent Qui-Gon to his fate? Dooku needn't panic over a trifle, not when there was a much greater enemy to focus on.
"Yes, that's it." Sidious whispered. "Just come to Coruscant, and we can discuss this there. We can redraw our plans if we must. There's no reason at all we can't have everything in-"
Drawing on all the Dark Side he could hold, Dooku focussed every fiber of power he had into that thread. He poured every ounce of his hatred, every bitter thought that ever touched his heart, and every ounce of despair over the future of the Galaxy into what seemed like a ball of foul fire. To that he added every loved one who had died for incompetence, and the regrets over Dooku's own actions influenced by this man. He laid it all at Sidious' feet, channeled from the darkest corner of Dooku's soul into that narrow thread, connecting him to Coruscant.
As Dooku's feelings traveled back to the beating black heart of the corrupt Republic, it burned away that connection with it, forging a new one in its place. Still connected to the Dark Side, all of his hatred, rage and fear were directed to a single narrow point.
A message had been sent, and a name given. Nemesis.
A hundred thousand lightyears away, Darth Sidious received all of it, pausing mid sentence. His holographic image stared up at Dooku's face, and he sneered. "So be it."
Then he hung up.
Dooku collapsed back into his chair, energy spent. He released the burning cold of the Dark Side, feeling relief as it dissipated. Despite everything, he laughed.
"That's right. So be it." Dooku growled, before reaching for his holocom. He considered his options and what he was about to do, before deciding there was no real other choice.
To save Qui-Gon he needed a navy, and his first Hammerhead wasn't going to come out of production for months. The Trade Federation was already a puppet of his mortal enemy, and so to rely on it for protection was beyond foolish. He may as well break that connection cleanly, on his own terms.
With a feeling of reluctance, he called his own daughter's holocom.
"Yes, Father?" Tan'ya answered.
"Tan'ya, I need you to take the House Guard, and use it to commandeer our Trade Federation defense picket. Use any means or subterfuge necessary, but we need command of those ships."
Tan'ya blinked, gaping. She sat up, having been laying in bed reading what was probably old senate bills. "Father, are you sure that's wise?"
"Tan'ya, you must act now. I do not have time to explain." Dooku answered her. "The Trade Federation are now our absolute enemies. Seize the ships, do it now."
His seven year old daughter stared at him for a long moment, before her face hardened. "Yes, Father. I'll begin right away."
Dooku nodded and ended the call.
To send his daughter to do such a thing would normally be unthinkable, but she had direct command over the House Guard, and Dooku realized that she was the only one on Serenno he trusted to do such a thing.
He stood up, and strode down the ramp of his ship and back to the New Temple to marshal his resources.
The Count of Serenno was going to war.
With repeated motions, Asajj Ventress worked through her lightsaber forms alone. Usually only two or three hours were seen as enough for practice for most Jedi, but already she knew that wasn't enough for her. Her teacher was Dooku, and he had informed her that a professional athlete would usually train for six hours a day, even without stims to aid in cell regeneration, just a diet of protein and electrolytes. When he was a Padwan, he'd trained vigorously to master the lightsaber and earn his reputation as the Galaxy's greatest duelist. So that's what Asajj did as well.
Her dream wasn't only to be a Jedi Knight one day, or even just a Jedi Master. It had taken a while for her to realize, but Asajj slowly came to think that Dooku hadn't realized he was training her as his replacement. She was traveling with him constantly, shaking hands at all the same diplomatic parties that he did. The Duke of Raxus knew her personally, as did the Duchess of Mandalore, the Duke of Axxila, several Senators, a few CEOs of megacorps operating in the Outer Rim, and many, many more.
Most politics was done via trust and personal relationships, and these contacts were an important tool for the Grand Master of the New Temple to leverage. In addition to the personalized lightsaber training for Asajj, Dooku had been careful to teach her about how to stand, walk, talk and act around power.
There was almost a ritual to how things were done when two sentients that could command planets met, maybe better described as a common culture. Not even that, it was a disposition. Power required an appearance, an external facade. True power didn't need to make threats, the threats were implicit. Asajj didn't know quite how to describe it, but she had seen it many times now.
Perhaps the best way to think of it was certainty, or maybe confidence that toed the line to arrogance.
All Asajj needed was a chance. She wanted to command, to lead others. Only a Padwan, yet, but when the time came, if she really was to replace Dooku as the Grandmaster, she needed a flawless reputation as one who thrived under pressure and handled command well. Someone like Master Narec.
She smiled at the thought, as her lightsabers flashed in front of her. Those were the two that had trained her, Dooku and Narec, and she felt that if she could combine their traits she would be almost perfect. Personable, tireless and focussed like Narec, with the ability to inspire trust in others, while being grand, commanding and composed like Dooku. Of course she would keep an eye out for other great leaders she could learn from but-
All of a sudden, every hair on the back of her neck rose up with a spine tingling shiver. For a moment on Indinor, something rapidly burned through the force, like a cold fire. For less than a second, Asajj felt a terrible fear that she couldn't describe as everything went dim. It wasn't her own fear, but someone else's honed to a razor edge.
Then it disappeared like it had never been there. The heatless fire was gone, leaving Asajj chilled at the memory of it. The lightside which had been glowing throughout the room as she practiced and drew more in towards her, now seemed dim and scattered.
Quickly toweling the sweat off herself, Asajj stepped out of the New Temple's practice hall to see she wasn't the only one that had been disturbed by what happened.
Narec was out in the hall, looking just as surprised as Asajj felt. He hadn't drawn his lightsaber yet, but his hand was on the hilt.
"Master, what was that?" Asajj asked. "For a moment it was almost like something was burning away the Force itself!"
"...That was the Dark Side, and a lot of it." Narec answered, frowning at her. "A very powerful Dark Side presence just moved through the Force here on Indinor."
That only left Asajj feeling more confused. "I thought only someone who had used the Dark Side could feel it. To a Jedi it just seems like a brief shadow in the Force."
He nodded. "It's likely you touched the Dark Side when you were a newborn on Dathomir, before you were sold into slavery. When you were young you used the Dark Side a few times before I taught you otherwise." He considered what to do before frowning. "I need to go find Dooku, and see if he knows what's happening."
Narec turned and walked down the hall, and Asajj frowned at his retreating back. A worm of worry worked its way into her gut as a thought occurred to her.
Her former Master hadn't explained why he knew what the Dark Side felt like…