- 27 BBY -
- Coruscant, SBI Central -
In the Senate Bureau of Intelligence, concerning news has just been reported. The Senate Bureau of Intelligence is the largest intelligence agency in the Galactic Republic, operating under the partial oversight of the Senate Intelligence Oversight Committee. Unlike Republic Intelligence, which serves the military, the SBI is a civilian agency tasked with political and internal security matters.
During the growing unrest, the Loyalist Committee is considering expanding the SBI's authority, a move that is to be further reinforced by Chancellor Palpatine in the future, during the Clone Wars. With these enhanced powers, the agency already does, and will continue to, play a more significant role in surveillance, counterintelligence, and political investigations throughout the Republic.
However, even before the outbreak of war, the SBI suffers from widespread corruption. Some lower-level agents are known to accept bribes in exchange for spreading misinformation or aiding corrupt senators in manipulating political outcomes.
The door to SBI Director-General Armand Isard opens, and a young man enters. He breathes heavily and holds up a paper in his hand. Isard looks at the young man and waits for him to tell him what is going on.
"Director... news has arrived."
"And what might that news be?" Isard asks.
"... It appears that someone matching Count Dooku's description was spotted..." the young man says and hands the report to the Director.
"This is concerning. With the growing unrest we've observed, there may be something amiss. And we already suspect that the Count of House Serrenno has something to do with it. He should be playing a major part in it. The question is, what does he want there?" Isard asks.
"Reports say he was spotted on board the mobile Rokak'k Baran station," the young man says.
"Within the Gree Enclave? What could he possibly want there?"
"Sir, there are also claims of his utilising a vessel with a particle-wake unlike any encountered before."
"Then the answer is rather simple, he is making contact with Gree crafters or operators to inquire if they know anything about the technology," Isard comments.
"I thought usually visitors who are permitted onto the planet Gree conduct scholarly, diplomatic, or trade negotiations. Why would Count Dooku be allowed entry?" the young man asks.
"Huh? Dooku is the Count of Serrenno. One of the wealthiest houses in the entire galaxy. And credits or resources grant you anything—even an audience with the grand council of Gree. Now, get out, I need to make a call," Isard says and waves the young man out.
The Director-General calls an old acquaintance in the Jedi Order. And a second later, the hologram of a wise Quermian Jedi Master, Consular and also current High Council Member, is seen.
[Why, Director-General Isard, what a pleasant surprise.]
"Greetings, Master Poof. Do you have a moment?" Isard asks.
[For you, I do have one. How may I be of service?]
"Our spies have discovered a potential sighting of Count Dooku on board the mobile Rokak'k Baran station," Isard starts.
[The Gree Enclave? Peculiar. I assume it is for some technological problem, is it?]
"As usual, you are spot on. But there is more. I have been told that there may be more to this than meets the eye, as several reports of enemies of the Republic were also sighted in the Gree Enclave, but on different worlds. I find that to be highly unusual."
[And most probably untrue.]
"You also believe that? I was also wondering. Something isn't right. But there could only be one solution to this."
[Someone is spreading false information. Have you checked with the spies who have told you this? They might know more.]
"I have. But I have lost contact with several of them. So there should be some truth to this, no? The only question is, why would anyone want to make up such a lie?"
[To hide the truth. If I am right, only one of those reports should be correct. The important one.]
"You mean Count Dooku? But if he's behind this, why didn't he also execute the spy who reported his presence?" Isard asks.
[Because once information is known, it matters not whether or not the messenger lives or dies. The others had to die, to confuse you and keep you guessing. Count Dooku is, after all, a skilled politician. But if he employs such tactics already... hmm, I will speak with the Council and see what should be done, Director. Thank you for your call.]
"Thank you, Master Poof."
.
- Coruscant, Jedi Temple Archives -
In the calm and quiet of the Jedi Archives, the aged Jedi Master Ashka Boda is moving around the holocrons and other Jedi artefacts he has gone through. Boda is a revered member of the Librarian's Assembly of the Jedi Order. Boda maintains the extensive collection of holocrons and other Jedi artefacts located in the Archives and looks after them. A moment later, he feels two fellow Jedi Masters approach. Boda smiles seeing such visitors and approaches them.
"Master Poof, Master Baas, what a pleasant surprise that I find you here. I was thinking about you, Master Baas. Funny how the Force works sometimes, isn't it?"
"Truly, the Force's will remains a mystery even after all the years I have been alive now," Baas says.
A Krevaaki male, Bodo Baas, was descended from Jedi Master Vodo-Siosk Baas. He was trained in the ways of the Jedi by a master who had lived since approximately 1000 BBY. He is one of the most knowledgeable Jedi when it comes to the Force and currently serves as a diplomat.
[Picture]
"Indeed. There is never a moment when we can claim to know everything," Poof agrees.
[Picture]
"So what brings you to the Archives today, Masters?" Boda asks.
"A mission, for you, Master Boda," Poof says.
"A mission for me? What is it?"
"Earlier today, I received a call from the Senate Bureau of Intelligence's Director-General Armand Isard. He told me some concerning news, and it concerns the Gree Enclave. I presented what I had been told to the High Council, and it was decreed that you should be the one to go there," Master Poof says.
"The Gree Enclave? Interesting. And what is this about then?" Boda asks.
"It's about Count Dooku."
"Hmm, Dooku. And what are we to do?"
"I will explain everything on the way, it would seem that time is of the essence," Poof says and walks out. "I will see you at the Jedi spaceport in two clicks. Get everything you need."
Master Boda and Master Baas are now alone in the archives. After a moment, Baas addresses his friend with a concerned look.
"Boda, my friend. I have had a bad feeling about this mission. And I am here to warn you," Baas says.
"A vision?"
"No. The Force has been clouded for a while now, and the future is getting foggier as time goes on. Something is brewing, and that's why I am here. To give you this," Baas says and hands something to Boda.
Boda's eyes widen in surprise at seeing what it is.
"Master Baas, I couldn't possibly-"
"You can and you must. I had a feeling about it, and if what I feel is right, then you will need the knowledge it can grant you. So please take it. Just don't lose it."
"I will guard it with my life, Master Baas," Boda says.
And so it happened. Ashka Boda and his fellow Jedi Master Yarael Poof of the High Council and Jabidus Inspra lead a team of four additional Jedi to the isolated Gree Enclave to investigate the sighting of former Jedi Master Count Dooku. The galaxy has been in unrest, and the death of Master Yaddle has upset many. Despite it being five years since she passed, most of the Jedi Archives still miss her dearly. The galaxy was going to change, and dark powers seemed to be at work. The Jedi couldn't fail.
.
The Gree are a species of tentacled grey cephalopods from the planet Gree in the Outer Rim Territories. Each Gree has six tentacles and an oversized head, in comparison to baseline and near-Human body proportions, and stands between 0.8 and 1.2 meters tall. The species evolved in a Type II atmosphere, and generally cover their lower faces with odd spongy devices, presumably breathing masks, in Type I atmospheres.
[Picture]
The Gree are one of the oldest and most advanced civilisations in the galaxy. Much of their history was shrouded in mystery, even to the Gree themselves, as the secrets of their origins were lost to time. Most scholars believe they evolved on their homeworld, Gree, hundreds of thousands of years before the rise of the Galactic Republic. After a long period of development, they are thought to have discovered hyperspace technology, which enabled them to explore the stars.
Extraordinary technological achievements, including advanced navigational computers, drove their early expansion. Gree historians referred to this flourishing era as "the most ancient and forgotten days." At the time, the Gree were far more advanced than most species they encountered, many of which had not yet reached the industrial age. During this period, the Gree engaged in trade with these civilisations and even ruled some of their worlds. However, they strictly adhered to a policy of not sharing their technology unless a civilisation was theoretically capable of developing it on its own.
.
- Space above Planet Gree -
In a modified Gree sailship, the size of a small freighter, a Gree trader is currently giddily moving through the halls of his ship and makes his way to the main Galley, where a hooded figure is waiting for him. The Gree doesn't know this man, nor does he care who or what he is. All he cares about is the small device he holds in his hands. Technology. Almost sacred to the Gree society, at least Gree technology is.
""Local vertex has been tangented. Guildshift aligns through my personal parallel. Yet I analyse that the Operators will perceive a high purple shift in this device-form you sphere'd to me, non-native tangent. Which vertex did you originally secant this construct from?"" the Gree asks the figure.
The Gree language is strange to outsiders. It employs metaphors based on geometry and colours, which other species have difficulty understanding. What the trader basically said was that he had notified his guild master contact on the planet below and was sure that the Operators, the highest caste in Gree society, would most certainly be interested in what the stranger had brought him.
"I found it on an old wreckage located on the junk world of Lotho Minor. When I saw it, I had to come here and give you my proposal," the stranger replies.
""Vertex resounds—marvellous, layered marvellous. This construct-form spirals toward personal red rhombus. Perhaps now, my shift ascends and I may blue tangent with Guildvertex Prime," the trader says absentmindedly.
The stranger stands up and places his hand on the tentacle equivalent of a shoulder.
"Indeed, my new friend, indeed. But you should think bigger. Why stop at becoming a Student or Senior Assistant to a Master or Guildmaster, when you yourself could become that Master and lead the guild as you see fit?"
The Gree trader almost passed out from the thought. He wiggles in place, while not taking his eyes off of the small device the stranger gave him a while ago.
"But now, to business. Have you done as you were asked, trader?"
""Form matched to prior vertex. As was tangent, so was shift. I spiral as instructed.""
That meant yes.
"Good, then the time is close. I want-"
*beep beep*
""Already? Guildvertex casts signal with early tangent. Spiral not yet aligned for such a call.""
The Gree trader walks over and takes the call through the holoprojector. The stranger stands behind him and listens to their conversation.
"""Guildvertex. This vertex spirals from Trader Drom-kukru'k. Has your form absorbed the shared data-shift?"" the trader asks whether the Master has gone over the data he sent him.
""Spiral affirmed. Device-form pulses with high purple parallel—vital. Bring construct to Guildvertex without delay. What tangent does the non-native vertex demand in exchange?"" the Master asks, wanting to know what the stranger requires for the ancient Gree technology.
At that moment, the stranger moves into the range of the holoprojector.
"All I require, oh great Guild Master, is an audience with you and a small request. I am sure we will solve this to our mutual satisfaction," he says.
""Define vertex. What spiral birthed your form? What minor tangent do you seek in exchange for the construct-form?"" the Guild Master asks.
"Names are of no importance at this time. When we meet face to face, I will gladly reveal all of it. I only ask that you ensure no one is aware of my arrival," the stranger says.
""As your vertex wills. Drom-kukru'k, spiral toward Guildvertex; secure non-native vertex within your parallel. Cloak spiral from all senses. Silence is the current—no tangent shared until further shift.""
After agreeing to the request, the Guild Master ends the transmission.
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I will be honest here. I used AI to create the speech of the Gree, to make it feel authentic. The story and the interactions and everything else, apart from what belongs to Star Wars, are mine.
I don't use AI and will not. But you understand, I am a novice and English is not even my mother tongue. So I hope this is alright.