Chapter 7: A Gaze from the Far Side of the Galaxy 

The Galactic Republic, a colossal entity ruling over tens of thousands of star systems for ages. Since its founding, it’s been governed by the Galactic Senate and the Jedi Order, side by side. 

Republic Calendar Year, 35 BBY {Note 1}. Coruscant, the capital of the Galactic Republic and the most advanced, bustling planet in the galaxy. 

The Jedi Temple, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Galactic Senate as Coruscant’s grandest structure. Atop its massive, kilometer-high, trapezoidal main building rise five towering spires, a symbol of the Galactic Republic’s guardians—the Jedi Order—and their supreme authority. 

A white-haired man in his seventies, sharp-eyed and dignified, stands within one of the temple’s high towers. His tone is cool as he reports, “Master Yoda, Senator Palpatine has agreed to rally support in the Senate to deploy the Judicial Fleet directly to break the siege on Niele.” 

At the window, facing away, stands a small, green figure, barely a meter tall, with long ears and a wizened, goblin-like appearance, leaning on a cane as he gazes out over Coruscant. 

Master Yoda, the Jedi Order’s highest leader and a revered elder. Hearing the report, he doesn’t turn but nods, saying, “Hard work, you have done, Master Dooku. Most important, Senator Palpatine’s aid is.” 

His speech is peculiar, always flipping the subject to the end, making his sentences sound a bit awkward. 

The man called Master Dooku responds curtly, nodding slightly before turning to leave. At the door, he pauses, his voice icy. “If saving a planet besieged by pirates requires pulling personal strings to push a bill through the Senate, then tell me, where is the Galactic Republic headed? And what place does the Jedi Order have in it?” 

Yoda, still facing away, remains silent for a long moment before replying softly, “Call me Master, you should.” 

Dooku’s cheek twitches. He storms out, slamming the door behind him. 

After a while, Yoda takes a deep breath, turns, and gazes into the distance, his eyes growing profound. He shakes his head gently. 

Outside, Dooku strides down the corridor, barely containing his anger. Approaching him are a master and apprentice dressed in simple cloth robes—a middle-aged man with loose hair and a spirited, short-haired young man. 

Seeing Dooku, the middle-aged man steps aside and bows respectfully. “Master.” 

Dooku, though irritated, nods in acknowledgment before exiting the Jedi Temple. 

The middle-aged man holds his bow until Dooku is out of sight, then leads his young apprentice into the room Dooku just left. 

“Master Yoda, you summoned me?” the man asks, bowing deeply to Yoda at the window. 

“A disturbance in the Force, I have felt,” Yoda says. 

The man blinks, his gaze sharpening. “Could it be the dark side rising again?” 

“Not the dark side, this is. Only chaos, I see,” Yoda replies, closing his eyes to sense the Force. 

“Chaos? Where? Why would this happen?” The man frowns. 

“Know, I do not,” Yoda shakes his head. “Growing stronger, the disturbance in the Force is. With your own eyes, you must see. To the Mordell Sector, go, Master Qui-Gon Jinn.” 

Qui-Gon asks again, “What am I looking for?” 

“Unknown, it is. May the Force be with you,” Yoda sighs, falling silent. 

“May the Force be with you,” Qui-Gon bows deeply again, turning to the young man beside him. “Let’s go, Obi-Wan Kenobi. To the Mordell Sector.” 

“Yes, Master,” the young man nods. 

… 

Back at his quarters, Dooku activates a communicator. A holographic image flickers to life, showing a man in his forties, dressed in senatorial robes, slightly balding. 

Dooku inclines his head. “Thank you for your help this time, Senator Palpatine. Without it, the millions on Niele would’ve suffered gravely under the Biskaran pirates’ siege.” 

Palpatine smiles warmly. “It’s what I must do, Master Dooku. I’m glad, in these corrupt times, to meet a Jedi Master like you—someone bold enough to challenge tradition and brimming with justice.” 

“But this isn’t how I wanted it handled,” Dooku shakes his head. “This shouldn’t have been the way.” 

“That’s the reality we live in. A few of us alone can’t change it,” Palpatine says. “So, we should be grateful this issue was resolved. But bigger problems—like the recent dispute between Malastare and the Corporate Alliance—are beyond our reach.” 

Dooku nods gravely. “I agree, Senator. This isn’t something one or two people can fix. We need more allies.” 

Palpatine nods, pleased. “Exactly my point. But I believe, as long as we stay true to our principles, the chance for change will come.” 

“I hope that day comes soon,” Dooku’s tone grows cold. 

“It will. In time,” Palpatine says, his words carrying weight. “By the way, I’ve heard there might be some trouble in the Mordell Sector.” 

“That’s a desolate part of the Outer Rim’s Western Reaches, riddled with hyperspace anomalies and, from what I know, a massive black hole. It’s beyond the Republic’s control. Is whatever’s happening there important?” Dooku asks, puzzled. 

“Not critical, just something I’m curious about. If you could send someone to check it out, I’d appreciate it,” Palpatine says lightly. 

“I was going to send a few Jedi apprentices… but no, I’ll hire some bounty hunters from my homeworld, Serenno, instead,” Dooku says, quickly abandoning the idea of involving the Jedi. 

“Thank you, Master Dooku,” Palpatine flashes another cryptic smile, bows slightly, and ends the transmission. 

“Why send Dooku to handle the Force disturbance in the Mordell Sector?” a deep, ominous voice suddenly asks from behind Palpatine. 

“It’s like training a Cyborrean battle dog. The more you task it, the more it grows used to your demands… until they become orders,” Palpatine replies with a smile. 

“Is that truly your only motive?” the voice presses. 

“Of course, my lord,” Palpatine bows, his expression perfectly masked. 

“Good. Then the Malastare dispute still needs more fuel. Go stoke the flames,” the voice commands from the shadows. 

“As you wish, my lord,” Palpatine replies, his flawless smile intact as he backs out of the room. 

{Note 1}: In the Star Wars universe, time is measured relative to the Battle of Yavin, the event in Star Wars: A New Hope where the Death Star is destroyed. BBY stands for “Before the Battle of Yavin,” with 0 BBY being that year. Years after are marked ABY, “After the Battle of Yavin,” but this story doesn’t cover that era. 

The Galactic Republic was founded in 25,000 BBY and fell in 19 BBY, lasting 24,981 years. So, 35 BBY corresponds to 24,965 years since the Republic’s founding. This is the starting point of this story. 

For new fans: think of BBY as “BC” (counting backward) and ABY as “AD” (counting forward). That’s all you need to know for now! 

[Easter Egg Image 1: Master Yoda] 

[Easter Egg Image 2: Master Dooku]