WotH Chpt 10

==War on the Horizon - Chapter 10 ==
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===Career Options after Retirement===
30BBY/7947 Coruscant Reckoning Calendar, Eriadu
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"Did you enjoy your last voyage before retiring from the ORSF?" Gideon asked his brother with a small smile on his face.
 
"I did," Wilhuff replied as a matching smile appeared on his face. "And while I intend to pursue office here on Eriadu, I have had some thoughts in regards to how we can begin dealing with the pirate problems among the Outer Rim."
 
"Oh?" Gideon asked as they began walking toward their home. "And what new ideas have presented themselves to you, brother?"
 
"The creation of the ORSF has helped to rid the immediate area of pirates, but it has also called into question our own neutrality in some ways," Wilhuff responded with a sly look in his eyes. "So, I would like to begin placing inquiries into the local mercenary and bounty hunter guilds, should they be willing, we will begin paying them to help rid not only our sector of the pirates that plague us but also of those who might be our rivals."
 
"Hmm," Gideon chewed on the idea for a moment. "While this would help alleviate some of the sentiments that our rivals have about us, we would have to establish payment protocols and look into the laws that have been established. After all, there are many in the Republic who will not be happy that the condition of the Outer Rim is improving."
 
"We shall also have to balance this within our family's budget should we pursue this idea," Wilhuff said as he entered the house and took off his coat, hanging the ORSF uniform jacket up for the last time. "I would not seek to drain the coffers of Eriadu without proof that this will work."
 
"Yes, a case for testing should be made," Gideon considered. "Wilhuff, allow me to explore this idea as the Minister of Defense before you attempt to do anything drastic, a failed idea could cause your political career to end before it begins, and I would spare you that if at all possible."
 
"We'll discuss it more over the next few weeks," Wilhuff poured himself a glass of water. "After all, I have some time before the campaigning for the election begins."
 
"Enough!" Wilhuff said as he stood up from the table. "You have convinced me, Gideon. I will back off and allow you to spearhead this plan of ours."
 
"Good," Gideon smiled. "We'll need you to begin gathering allies within the Republic anyway, the laws surrounding this have many loopholes, and we need to take advantage of this and get you into office before someone attempts to make things harder for us."
 
"I have already spoken to a few Senators that I met in my work," Wilhuff said as he sat back down. "And the Chancellor seems to support my bid for office as well."
 
"Then you are already moving in the right direction," Gideon smirked. "Now, we should begin setting you up for further success, greatness is not given to us, but must be seized."
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===Seeking Solutions, which not everyone looks forward too===
A few months later… 7947 Coruscant Reckoning Calendar, 500 Republica, Coruscant
"I assume everything is going according to plan?" Hugo Demask asked Palpatine as they sat in the privacy of Palpatine's private quarters.
 
"Some things have not gone quite as we have foreseen," Palpatine replied. "Eriadu and the Tarkin family appeared to be swayed by a new potential ally, and it took me some extra time to reestablish myself as the one who they would need to look to for a solution in the Republic."
 
"I take it that because of your focus in that area that our plans may have suffered in others," Demask said as he sipped at his wine.
 
"Unfortunately, I have been unable to focus on persuading Dooku as I once intended. He still sits on the precipice, but I have not yet been able to balance him towards one direction or the other," Palpatine shrugged. "I intend to see how far I can push him before he tips over into the dark."
 
"Remain wary of that one my apprentice," Demask said with a tone of caution. "He served as a Jedi Shadow for many years and is a master duelist in ways that the Order has not seen in centuries."
"I believe he will succumb to the temptation," Palpatine waved his hand dismissively. "It will just take some extra time. It is nothing that the Grand Plan has not accounted for."
 
"The Grand Plan is always subject to change." Demask sipped at his wine again. "The future is ever in motion, after all."
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===Dealing frustration of Politics===
Same time, in the Jedi Temple, Coruscant
"Can you not see how far the order has fallen?" Dooku asked the Council, many of his old friends looking as if they were bored of his arguments once again. "The Senate is corrupt, and if the Republic continues to push the Outer Rim away then it will end in disaster."
 
"You are no longer a part of the Order, Dooku, and while we respect you and the position that you once held, we cannot continue to focus on your arguments when there is much to be done," Windu stated a bit coldly. "You are welcome to continue visiting the Temple, but your anger is dangerous to those within the Temple."
 
"Anger?" Dookue scoffed. "No, old friend, it is frustration that I feel, and disappointment in those who I thought were responsible enough to act."
 
With a flourish, the old man left the room, his cape fluttering behind him as he regained his bearing.
 
"It has been some time," A voice greeted him as he entered the Temple Gardens, a small figure smiling as he turned to face her.
 
"Yaddle," Dooku gave a brief smile. "It is good to see you, old friend."
 
"I sense that you are deeply frustrated," Yaddle said as she gestured for her friend to sit next to her as she herself settled into a meditation stance. "Come and meditate with me for a minute, and then we will speak of the things that cause you to worry so."
 
Dooku settled into a meditation stance with a heavy sigh, the exhale seeming to cause stress to leave him as he connected to the Force.
 
"Relax, allow your body and mind to rest," Yaddle spoke. "Every being needs rest, even someone as stubborn as you."
 
The two friends continued to meditate for a time before they both rose to their feet.
 
"Now come," Yaddle began walking out of the gardens. "Tell me your worries Yan, and allow me to help shoulder your burdens."
 
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"I see," Yaddle said as they stopped in a barren corridor that saw little use. "I have accepted an assignment and I think that you should accompany me. I believe it will help to ease some of your fears."
 
"I very much doubt that there is anything that will cause a serious change there." Dooku replied.
 
"I am asking you to trust in me," Yaddle held up a hand to stave off any arguments. "You have nearly convinced me that what you see is certain, I merely wish to have some time to reflect on it and desire the company of one of my dearest friends as I do so."
 
"I will have to set up a capable steward," Dooku stroked the slight beard on his chin as he considered the idea. "But I suppose that it is worth the time if it convinces you of what it is that I see."
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===Traveling Companion===
"I was not aware that this was a ship that the Order possessed," Dooku said as he observed the slightly more heavily armed Consular Class Cruiser that awaited them in the hanger bay of the Jedi Temple.
 
"Because it is not one that the Order possesses," Yaddle smiled. "This ship belongs to Master Faye, she has been tasked with finding younglings among the Outer Rim and seeing if they will have a place among the Order."
 
"Dooku!" Faye greeted the man as she walked down the ramp. "It has been some time since I last sensed your presence in the Force. 
 
"It has indeed been a few decades," Dooku replied. "Much has happened since then."
 
"starwars:The Force cares not for age or time," Faye replied. "That said, I have already alerted Coruscant's tower that we will be leaving, so it is time that we depart."
 
Yaddle just looked at Dooku with a smirk and a raised eyebrow, eventually following the Count on board the ship as the ramp was raised back into the ship.
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===Now, I am the Master===
"I do regret doing this," Sideous smirked as his master's life faded away. "But your time has long since passed, old friend."
 
Turning away from his master's corpse, Sideous began inputting the codes that would allow him to seize control of Plageius' massive fortune.
 
"The Tabloids shall have a field day with you," Sideous smirked. "And I shall be able to accomplish much while chaos reigns."
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===Sorting out the shipyard arrangements===
August 15, 3008/7947 Coruscant Reckoning Calendar Sullust, Sullust System, Sullust Sector Outer Rim Territories
"This is a lot of work," the person in charge of the shipyard bay we were hiring said as he looked over what we wanted to be done to the Whirlwind. "The Engines look to be in remarkable shape for their age. But the Hyperdrive needs to be upgraded to modern standards. Then, you want enough weapons and armor that if you didn't have the proper authorizations I'd have had to report you to the Republic for attempting to build a Warship."
 
"We just want it brought up to some modern standards," I replied with a smile. "The Shields are the biggest investment here."
 
"Well, you seem to be paying for everything up front," the man sighed. "Most of the refits will be done in about three months, and we're not allowed to accept full payment for this sort of thing up front or I'd be offering you a discount."
 
"Somebody filed a lawsuit, didn't they?" I asked.
 
"Yep."
 
"Some people just ruin this sort of thing for everyone," I chuckled. "The Captain and her crew have asked to watch the modifications and we're paying extra so they can learn how to repair our equipment."
 
"I did see that," the man replied. "It's a bit unusual in this day and age, but it used to be commonplace enough. We've got the paperwork sorted, and as long as your people don't get in the way of the actual work it shouldn't be a problem."
 
"Alright then," I said as we shook hands and I authorized the payment. "I'll be back to pick up the Whirlwind in three months. Try to take good care of her."
 
"She's in fine hands," the man smiled. "My boys and girls know how to take proper care of a ship."
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==Note from the Author==
The beginning and middle sections of this chapter take place during the months following the Marksman's arrival in the Star Wars Universe. The Butterflies have begun flapping, we shall see where they end.
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Chapter 10