Chapter Seven: The Gaze from the Far Side of the Galaxy

7. A Gaze from the Other End of the Galaxy

The Galactic Republic, a colossal entity that has governed tens of thousands of star systems throughout the galaxy for over 25,000 years. Since its founding, it has been jointly ruled by the Galactic Senate and the Jedi Order.

In the year 25,018 of the Republic Era, or 35 BBY¹, stands Coruscant, the capital of the Galactic Republic, and the most advanced and bustling planet in the entire galaxy.

The Jedi Temple on Coruscant, alongside the Galactic Senate building, ranks among the most magnificent structures. Towering over a thousand meters high and more than five hundred meters wide, its immense trapezoidal main building is crowned by five soaring spires—a design symbolizing the supreme authority of the Jedi Order, the guardians of the Galactic Republic.

Within one of these towering spires stood a seventy-something elder, his hair and beard streaked with white, yet his spirit vibrant and commanding. His tone was somewhat detached as he reported, “Master Yoda, Senator Palpatine has agreed to lend his support in the Senate to expedite the deployment of the judicial fleet to relieve the siege on the planet Niele.”

Facing away from him by the hall’s window was a small, green-skinned figure, no taller than a meter, with long ears resembling those of a goblin. Leaning on a cane, he gazed down over Coruscant.

This was Master Yoda, the highest leader of the Jedi Order and a venerable elder. Hearing the report, he did not turn around but nodded slightly and said, “Well done, Master Dooku. Senator Palpatine’s aid is most important.”

His speech was peculiar, always placing the subject after the predicate, creating a somewhat awkward inversion.

Master Dooku’s reply was equally cool; he merely nodded slightly and turned to leave. As he reached the doorway, he paused and said coldly, “If sending troops to rescue a single planet besieged by pirates requires leveraging personal connections to push a bill through the Senate, then tell me—what future does the Galactic Republic have? And how should the Jedi Order conduct itself?”

Master Yoda, still facing away, took a long moment before calmly replying, “Call me ‘teacher,’ you should.”

Dooku’s cheek twitched sharply, and with a sudden turn, he slammed the door behind him.

After a long silence, Master Yoda took a deep breath, turned to look in a direction, his gaze deepened, and he shook his head softly.

Outside the door, Master Dooku clenched his anger and strode swiftly down the corridor. Approaching him were a pair clad in coarse robes—a middle-aged man with disheveled hair and a sharp-eyed young man with a crew cut.

Seeing Dooku approach, the middle-aged man stepped aside quickly, bowing respectfully. “Master.”

Though troubled, Dooku nodded in acknowledgment and continued out of the Jedi Temple.

Only once Dooku was out of sight did the middle-aged man straighten and lead his young apprentice into the room Dooku had just vacated.

“Master Yoda, you summoned me?” the middle-aged man asked as he entered, bowing deeply toward the figure by the window.

“There is a disturbance in the Force—I sense it,” Yoda said.

The man paused, then his eyes sharpened. “Could it be the dark side again?”

“No, not the dark side. Only chaos I see,” Yoda closed his eyes, attuned to the Force.

“Chaos? Where? Why now?” the man frowned.

“Unknown,” Yoda shook his head. “The disturbance in the Force grows stronger. You must see it with your own eyes. Go to the Moddell sector, Master Qui-Gon Jinn.”

“What am I to seek there?” the man inquired again.

“I do not know. May the Force be with you.” With a sigh, Yoda fell silent.

“May the Force be with you,” Qui-Gon Jinn bowed deeply once more and turned to the young man beside him. “Let us go, Obi-Wan Kenobi. To the Moddell sector.”

“Yes, Master,” the young man nodded.

...

Master Dooku returned to his quarters and activated his communicator. The tiny holographic projector flickered to life, revealing a man in his forties, wearing Senate robes and partially bald.

Dooku inclined his head slightly. “Thank you for your assistance, Senator Palpatine. Without it, the tens of millions on Niele would have suffered grievous casualties under the assault of the Biskaran pirates.”

Palpatine smiled. “It was my duty, Master Dooku. I am glad, in such a decaying era, to meet a Jedi Master like you—one who dares to break tradition and is filled with a sense of justice.”

“But this is not how I wished it to be resolved,” Dooku said, shaking his head. “This matter should never have been settled this way.”

“Our circumstances are as they are. They will not change due to the efforts of one or two individuals. We should be grateful that this was resolved. Other, more serious issues, like the recent dispute between Malastare and the Commerce Guild, are beyond our control,” Palpatine replied.

Dooku agreed solemnly. “I share your view, Senator. This is not a problem for one or two to solve. We need more allies.”

Palpatine nodded approvingly. “Exactly what I meant. But I believe, as long as we hold fast to our purpose, the opportunity for change will come.”

“I hope that day comes soon,” Dooku’s voice grew cold.

“It will. Eventually,” Palpatine said with a meaningful smile. “By the way, I’ve heard there may be some issues in the Moddell sector.”

“That’s a desolate region on the Outer Rim’s western frontier, riddled with anomalous hyperspace traps and, as far as I know, a massive black hole. It’s beyond the Republic’s control. Are problems there truly significant?” Dooku asked curiously.

“Not significant, merely concerning. If you could send someone to investigate, that would be best,” Palpatine replied nonchalantly.

“I will dispatch a few Jedi apprentices… no, better yet, I’ll send some bounty hunters from my home planet Serenno,” Dooku mused, dismissing the idea of involving the Jedi Order directly.

“Thank you, Master Dooku,” Palpatine smiled knowingly once more, bowing slightly before ending the transmission.

“Why send Dooku to handle the Force disturbance in Moddell?” a deep voice suddenly asked from behind Palpatine.

“It’s like training a cybernetic war dog. Only by constant use does it become accustomed to your commands… and finally, obey orders,” Palpatine replied with a smile.

“Is that truly your only thought?” the voice queried again.

“Of course, my lord,” Palpatine bowed slightly, hiding his expression well.

“Very good. Since that is so, the Malastare dispute lacks sufficient intensity—you will fan its flames,” the shadowed voice commanded.

“As you wish, my lord,” Palpatine’s unbreakable smile remained as he backed out of the office.

—

¹ The dating system in the Star Wars universe uses the Battle of Yavin—the destruction of the Death Star in the first Star Wars film, “A New Hope”—as the reference point. BBY means “Before the Battle of Yavin,” with the year of the battle set as 0 BBY. Years after the battle are labeled ABY (“After the Battle of Yavin”), which this story does not cover. The Galactic Republic was founded in 25,053 BBY and destroyed in 19 BBY, lasting 25,034 years. The year 35 BBY corresponds to Republic year 25,018, the starting point of this narrative.

For new readers: BBY is akin to “BC,” counting backward, while ABY is like “AD,” counting forward. That’s sufficient understanding.