Senator Bonteri's estate stood in the wealthiest district of the city: white stone walls, pale blue flowers climbing along the terraces, and a silence broken only by the distant roar of waterfalls. That was what caught my attention as I took a brief walk to admire the scenery. The entire place felt artificial somehow—like the set of an incredibly expensive film. I kept getting the strange impression that even the decorative cliffs were made of papier-mâché.
Stopping before the massive gates, I turned toward my escorts. The four MagnaGuards stood motionless behind me, completely out of place in the peaceful surroundings.
"You'll stay here," I ordered, keeping my voice calm and even. "Secure the perimeter. Do not enter unless you receive a direct signal from me—or combat begins."
The droids nodded in perfect unison, their red optics briefly glowing brighter. I knew they'd still record every sound in the vicinity, but at least they wouldn't be looming over me inside the drawing room.
"Kem," I called quietly, glancing toward the dense gardens surrounding the villa. "You know what to do."
"I'll stay in the shadows, partner," the Dashade replied from somewhere near a tree, putting deliberate mockery into the last word. "If these chatterboxes become too annoying, just say the word and I'll rip their spines out before they can scream for help. Too many flowers here… their stink needs to be balanced out with the smell of blood before I develop an allergy."
"Just keep an eye on the droids," I sighed tiredly as I headed for the entrance.
But before stepping through the doors, I paused for a moment and closed my eyes.
Now came the hardest part of this "diplomatic mission."
The darkness inside me—the same darkness I always fueled with anger and hatred—strained against its restraints, desperate to break free. It wanted to tear everyone here apart, to cast aside all this pointless rhetoric and drown in blood alongside Kem. If I relaxed for even a second, any remotely Force-sensitive person in the room would feel a chill crawl down their spine and instinctively recoil from me.
That couldn't happen.
Once again, I was forced to suppress my emotions, burying the power of the Dark Side deep behind carefully constructed mental barriers. Every time, it escaped faster than before despite all my precautions. Tonight, I tried a slightly different method: I imagined a perfectly still lake, its surface smooth and undisturbed, while everything monstrous and dark slept at the bottom beneath layers of clear water.
Finally, the doors slid open soundlessly, and I stepped inside.
Bonteri's drawing room looked nothing like a conspirators' den. There were no shadowy corners, no hooded figures glancing suspiciously at every newcomer. Instead, I was greeted by warm lighting, luxurious carpets that swallowed every footstep, and the soft clink of glasses. The air carried the scent of rare tea and expensive food.
This was the intellectual elite of the Confederacy: well-dressed individuals with polished manners and eyes full of that same naïve hope that they could still change something.
To be honest, it irritated me.
They sat here in comfort and safety, discussing freedom and justice while droids on the edges of the galaxy turned living beings into shredded meat and their Trade Federation allies squeezed conquered worlds dry. Still… I couldn't show my true feelings. Not yet.
"Lord Brutus, we've been expecting you," Mina Bonteri said as she stepped away from a small group and approached me. She wore an elegant gown, and there was something in her eyes that looked like genuine warmth. "Please, come in. Allow me to introduce my friends."
She led me toward a circle of guests. There was an elderly Pantoran with a bored expression, a human senator I didn't recognize, and—to my surprise—a Toydarian.
Though, in this galaxy, stranger things existed.
After introductions, I learned his name was Kathu-Nemo. Unlike everyone else, he refused to sit, hovering at eye level with rapidly beating wings. His long nose twitched constantly, and from the moment I entered, his beady little eyes had been fixed on me with open suspicion.
I immediately understood: this man would be my biggest problem tonight.
"Our hero," the Toydarian rasped, with not a trace of the gratitude the others had shown. "Lord Brutus, security attaché… and Count Dooku's personal protégé. What a remarkable coincidence that you just happened to be in that park at precisely the right moment."
I felt irritation stir inside me, but outwardly I only smiled politely. The decorative scars I'd applied earlier tightened slightly with the expression, provoking unease in those around me through the Force—which was intentional. The important thing was that these details became what people remembered about my appearance, making it harder for anyone to later connect this face to Taales. Thankfully, there were clearly no cameras here.
"Life is full of remarkable coincidences, Senator," I replied casually. "Sometimes they save your life. Other times… they give you a chance to change the world for the better. The important thing is recognizing the opportunity when it appears."
Out of habit, I tried to probe the minds of those around me, searching for a weakness to exploit—fear, greed, uncertainty, anything.
Instead, I slammed into a wall.
Right. Toydarians.
Their minds were naturally resistant to Force-based influence.
For a brief moment, tension coiled inside me. I was used to most beings being open books, but this flying little pest remained completely closed off. I couldn't push him, couldn't subtly manipulate him into sympathy. I'd have to convince him the old-fashioned way.
"Coincidences…" Kathu-Nemo drifted closer, his wings buzzing like some oversized insect. "'Those who wait for opportunity without acting are fools.' That's what they say on my homeworld. We deal in politics here, Lord Brutus, and in politics everything has a price—and a buyer. So tell me: why has such a talented officer suddenly become so sympathetic toward senators who interfere with his master's military budgets?"
"Kathu, Lord Brutus risked his life—" Bonteri tried to interject.
"Lord Brutus is a professional, Mina," the Toydarian cut in without taking his eyes off me. "And professionals rarely do anything without a reason. Come now, Attaché. We're all friends here. Why did Dooku send you? To spy on us? Intimidate us? Or perhaps arrange a few more 'heroic rescues' until we obediently approve every insane proposal the Count puts forward?"
Silence fell across the room. The senators froze, watching us carefully.
The situation was dangerous. If I started making excuses or lied poorly, the Toydarian would see through me instantly.
"You're right, Senator," I said at last, forcing the same cold steel into my voice that Dooku used when issuing orders. "The Count sent me for exactly the reason you suspect. I am here as his attack dog—to monitor you, identify dissidents, and, if necessary, deal with them."
A quiet gasp swept through the room. Mina Bonteri paled, while the Toydarian smirked triumphantly.
But I didn't let him speak.
"The Count believes discipline is the only thing holding the Confederacy together. He sent me to enforce that discipline. But there's one problem he doesn't know about…" I paused, letting my gaze drift across the room. "I've spent too long on the front lines. I've seen the Trade Federation loot the very worlds we swore to protect. I've watched the Techno Union squeeze workers dry under the excuse of military necessity. And a long time ago, I realized we are slowly becoming a mirror image of the Republic—with all its corruption and bribery, just under a different flag."
And technically, none of that was a lie.
I finally looked directly into Kathu-Nemo's eyes.
"That's why I saved Rampori. And why I came here alone—not to threaten or control you, but because I'm tired of watching the Confederacy rot from within. The Count sees you as a threat to be managed. I see you as the only chance this…" I gestured around the luxurious room, "…doesn't end with one tyrant simply replacing another. If you disappear, the CIS will become nothing more than Gunray's personal feeding trough. And I have no desire to serve in an army like that."
"Don't mistake me for a benevolent idealist, Senator," I continued quietly, leaning forward slightly. "I'm not driven by virtue. I'm driven by political calculation. I'm loyal to the Confederacy—not to Gunray. And if saving the idea behind it means betraying my master's methods, then so be it. But I need allies capable of more than eloquent speeches. I need allies willing to prove their resolve through action."
Kathu-Nemo froze midair, his wings briefly losing rhythm. He clearly hadn't expected such blunt honesty.
I could feel the mood in the room shifting. Shock gave way to cautious curiosity. Even the Toydarian fell silent for a moment, processing what he'd just heard.
I stood before them as a soldier finally willing to admit that the path he had followed was leading somewhere terrible.
And judging by the way Mina Bonteri was beginning to look at me, my gamble on partial truth was starting to work.
"A warrior who realized the flaws in his own path…" the Toydarian muttered thoughtfully, rubbing his long nose. "That sounds far more believable than the fanatical Confederate loyalist we imagined."
I subtly relaxed my shoulders.
The first barrier had been crossed.
But this was only the beginning.
Now I had to convince them that Dooku's metaphorical "attack dog" was capable not only of barking at its master—but of sinking its teeth into his throat.
"Well then, Lord Brutus…" the Toydarian finally settled onto the back of a nearby chair, still watching me with skepticism, though the earlier hostility had faded. "If you truly intend to cooperate, then we'll have plenty to discuss. Otherwise, I assume we'd already be dead despite all our precautions. But remember—we are not playing at soldiers here."
"I'm aware of that, Senator," I replied, accepting the glass a servant droid offered me. "There are no prisoners in this game. Either we reform the Confederacy, or it devours all of us. And I've already made my choice."
Somewhere in the back of my mind came the strange feeling that I had returned to familiar territory.
And in a way, I had.
The "Light Sith" persona—the man Taales once tried to be while attempting to reform Vitiate's Empire from within—came disturbingly naturally to me. Mostly because, at one point, I truly had been that man. Now all that remained was to wait until these idealists decided I was trustworthy enough to reveal their real secrets.
Until then, I intended to enjoy their company and their excellent tea while trying not to think about the fact that Kem Val was probably outside in the gardens choosing a "victim" among the estate guards.
"Looks like this evening just became interesting," I muttered under my breath before taking the first sip.
The game had entered a new stage.
The discussion was finally becoming productive. Kathu-Nemo had stopped trying to sting me with accusations and had shifted instead toward probing how much I knew about the Corporate Council's internal dealings. Meanwhile, I was preparing to begin the real objective: gradually redirecting their loyalty toward me personally.
Then my wrist terminal vibrated once—short and subtle.
A change of plans.
Looks like I'll have to improvise. And those jokes from our flying friend about another heroic rescue may turn out to be prophetic after all, I thought as I interpreted the coded rhythm Kem and I had agreed upon beforehand.
Movement outside. Droids. Not yours.
I froze almost imperceptibly, glass halfway to my lips.
This wasn't part of my operation. Someone else had intervened.
And whoever was approaching the estate now was operating professionally. Worse, they clearly weren't here to negotiate. Judging by Kem's brief signal, they were either commando droids or a specialized corporate kill team. Most likely the Techno Union—or perhaps the Trade Federation—had independently decided that Mina Bonteri had outlived her usefulness. And with Dooku's attaché conveniently visiting tonight?
Perfect opportunity to eliminate everyone at once and blame it on "Republic infiltrators"… or even on Dooku's own envoy.
"Lord Brutus? You look as though you just found a Jedi in your tea," Kathu-Nemo chuckled suspiciously, still hovering in the air instead of sitting down.
"Worse, Senator," I replied calmly, setting the glass aside. "I found evidence of catastrophic incompetence in the local security detail. We have visitors. And they are definitely not servants bringing dessert."
At that exact moment, a muffled sound echoed from deeper within the estate—not an explosion, but the unmistakable crack of a lock being blown open by a breaching charge.
The senators panicked instantly. Someone gasped, someone else reached for a communicator, but static already crackled through my terminal.
Jammers.
Whoever planned this had come prepared.
The situation was bad. Under normal circumstances, I could simply extend my hand and reduce everything in sight to smoking wreckage with a storm of Force lightning. But Kathu-Nemo and the others were watching me. One flash of true Sith power and my carefully crafted image of the disillusioned philosopher-soldier would collapse instantly—along with my restraint.
And then I might "accidentally" fail to stop a few blaster bolts aimed at that oversized flying insect.
So I improvised.
"Everyone stay where you are!" I barked.
This time, I stopped hiding the Force entirely.
But instead of crushing their wills, I used something closer to what old records called Battle Meditation—though on a much smaller, rougher scale. Gently, like threads of silk, I brushed against the minds of Bonteri, the Pantoran, and the others.
Everyone except the Toydarian, of course. There was no point trying.
I didn't plant commands in their heads.
I transmitted calm.
A mental tranquilizer.
The panic vanished almost instantly, replaced by a strange, icy certainty. They suddenly knew exactly where to move, which columns to hide behind, when to duck, when to stay still. To them, I became less a man and more a tactical instinct guiding their movements.
"Mina, get everyone deeper into the corridor behind the reinforced doors. Kathu-Nemo, move with them—you're an obvious target up there!"
Even as I spoke, I drew my saber.
The orange-black blade hissed to life just as the panoramic window exploded inward in a storm of glass. Four BX-series commando droids in matte-black armor rocketed into the room using jetpacks.
Techno Union, most likely.
Far more dangerous than standard B1s or even B2s.
Outside, the sounds of combat erupted—metal crashing against metal as the MagnaGuards engaged the attackers. Good. That meant I'd have an alibi. Self-defense looked much better than "protecting political dissidents."
Calm. Think of the still water…
I repeated the mantra internally while the bloodlust inside me twisted violently against its restraints. The Dark Side wanted slaughter. It wanted me to tear the droids apart with my bare hands and rip their servos free while they still functioned.
Instead, I moved with controlled precision.
Fast enough to shield the retreating senators while deflecting blaster fire back into the attackers. One droid lunged at me with a vibroblade, but I simply shifted aside, letting it pass, then sliced neatly through its knee joint.
Fighting myself was harder than fighting the droids.
Every movement had to appear noble. Controlled. Measured.
I deliberately avoided the most efficient methods. No lightning. No brutal Force crushes. Only disciplined bladework and defensive technique.
"Lord Brutus, behind you!" Kathu-Nemo shouted.
Despite my orders, he hadn't retreated. He hovered beneath the ceiling, watching the battle with wide eyes.
I had already sensed it.
Two more jump troopers burst through the side terrace. Through the Force, I felt one of my MagnaGuards outside get blown apart by a shaped explosive charge.
Good.
One less recording device reporting back to Dooku.
The second I "accidentally" exposed to enemy fire when it moved to protect my flank.
Sorry, boys, I thought cynically. Your insurance policy doesn't cover employer betrayal.
Meanwhile, Kem was enjoying himself immensely in the gardens. I could feel his savage delight through the Force, accompanied by the distant shriek of tearing metal.
Three minutes later, it was over.
Six shattered BX commandos lay scattered across the expensive carpets, hydraulic fluid soaking into the fabric. I finished the last one with calculated restraint—deactivating my saber and sending it crashing into the wall with a short Force shove.
Even then, I was breathing like a hunted animal.
Not from exhaustion.
Holding the Dark Side back in the middle of combat felt like trying to stop an erupting volcano with bare hands. My head throbbed from the strain of maintaining control over both myself and the senators simultaneously.
I deactivated the blade and turned around.
No casualties.
The senators slowly emerged from cover as the effects of the meditation began to fade, allowing fear to return.
But now that fear wasn't directed at me.
Mina Bonteri approached first, her hands still trembling slightly.
"You… you saved us again," she whispered. "And you're… more than just a soldier. What I felt… it was like calm in the middle of a storm."
I only nodded tiredly, unwilling to trust my own voice.
At that moment, Kathu-Nemo slowly descended until he hovered beside me at shoulder height. He studied the wrecked droids for a long moment before looking back at me.
The suspicion was gone from his expression.
Only a strange, heavy respect remained.
"You didn't touch my mind," he said quietly. "The others… they moved like they were following invisible music. But I wasn't part of it. I saw everything clearly. You didn't try your tricks on me, Brutus. That speaks well of you."
"I respect free will, Senator," I lied smoothly, suppressing a dry smile. "Even when that will is directed against me."
The Toydarian nodded slowly, as though finally reaching some conclusion.
"Count Dooku sent us a monster to frighten us," he rasped. "But it seems the monster would rather protect the garden than trample it. Mina… you were right. We can work with this man."
Bonteri straightened, and something new entered her posture.
Resolve.
"Senators," she said firmly, "tonight we saw the true face of those who control the Confederacy. The Techno Union is willing to murder its own allies for the sake of political obedience. If any of us still had doubts, they're gone now. From this point forward, we will pursue more than petitions for peace."
Her gaze shifted toward me.
"We will prepare for full-scale reform. And we will need protection."
In her eyes, I finally saw exactly what I had been working toward.
Complete trust.
"Lord Brutus…" she said quietly. "Will you become our sword in the shadows? Will you help us purge the Confederacy of those who turned it into a slave market and a corporate prison?"
I clipped my saber back onto my belt.
"I already told you, Senator," I replied evenly. "You are looking at a soldier willing to fight for the Confederacy he swore an oath to serve."
XXXXXXXXX
I reached my apartment deep into the night. I didn't even have the strength to take off my boots. I simply collapsed into an armchair, feeling the Darkness inside me finally break free, spreading through my body in its familiar cold.
The MagnaGuards… well, two of them had been reduced to a pile of expensive spare parts at the Bonteri estate. The remaining two were now standing guard at the door. I'd have to come up with a very tearful story for Dooku about how I "barely survived while protecting his interests," and how "conspirators from the Techno Union" tried to frame him by eliminating Bonteri through my hands. The Count loved layered intrigues like that—he'd swallow it whole and even praise the initiative.
"Heh-heh-heh…" came a voice from the corner. Khem Val stepped into the light, wiping his claws on a scrap of black metal. "Master, you've outdone yourself today. So much deception in one place… These sentients… they look at you like a savior. If only they knew what you felt when you were 'coordinating' them…"
"They don't need to know that, Khem," I said, opening my eyes and looking at my hands. They were still slightly trembling. "Let them see what they want to see. Idealists need a hero. Dooku needs a loyal servant. And that's how it should remain."
"You've caught a bigger fish than you expected," Khem said, crouching down to meet my gaze. "You're not just spying anymore. You're leading them. Leading them to slaughter."
"No, Khem. To a bright future—and only that. Remember that," I said firmly, though my voice carried a quiet laugh that sounded more like the hum of a running chainsaw.
With a heavy sigh, I stood and walked to the window. Raxus slept, bathed in soft moonlight. Somewhere out there, in the government district, Mina Bonteri and her supporters were already drawing up lists of "reliable people." They believed in what they called the "Dawn," and they believed in me.
Touching the cold glass, I thought about the future. The game was becoming far more complicated now, because every move I made was effectively under Dooku's and Sidious's noses. It was only a matter of time before I was discovered, so I needed to reduce the quantity of my actions—but increase their quality.
"Tomorrow will be a difficult briefing," I muttered, summoning Dooku's face in my memory. "But the first step has been taken. The Dawn faction exists. And it belongs to me."
Somewhere inside me, I felt a faint echo—not quite "approval," but more a satisfaction at a job well done. It wasn't Taales' emotion, but rather my own perception of the world when I was effectively thinking with his mind. The idea of seizing power from within… it was very much in the style of the old Sith, so I could understand where it came from.
The game continued, and this time I was playing on both sides of the board at once. I just had to avoid getting lost among my own pieces. And to make sure that didn't happen, I wouldn't sleep tonight—I would plan my next moves. From this moment on, my small "revolution" could be considered underway, and its end would be either my death… or Dooku's.