Star Wars: How to Become a Galactic Emperor

Chapter 10 | A Pleasant Party

"Qui-Gon! You mustn't run ahead of me." Dooku scolded his young apprentice as they exited a turbolift.

They strode along the scarlet carpet past sleek white furniture, gold trim along the ceiling, and a spacious emptiness. There was a noticeable absence of windows. The overhead lights blinded them with stark illumination.

Qui-Gon quipped, "Catch up, Master!" He pointed to the grand navy door before them. At the center was a symbol of the Republic. "I'm so excited! I can't wait to see the Chancellor!"

Dooku put a hand on Qui-Gon's shoulder and told him gently but sternly, "Qui-Gon, we're a team. Although I may be slow, the whole point of a team is to work together. To combine our strengths and weaknesses. Do you understand?" Qui-Gon nodded along.

Dooku's words went in Qui-Gon's ear and out the other ear. Dooku sighed deeply as Qui-Gon rang the doorbell to the Chancellors quarters.

Dooku could sense folly and unprecedented chaos awaited them on the other side of the door. It was called a "party" or what Dooku would call it: a gathering of the uncivilized.

An unruly Kel Dor answered the door with a bottle in his hand. Dooku's nose crinkled at the smell of his breath, "What are you ringing the doorbell for? It's a PARTY!" The Kel Dor stumbled forward and fell.

Dooku caught him by the arm and set him upright. He told the Kel Dor sternly, "Be careful." The Kel Dor barely acknowledged Dooku's words.

The party goer leaned against the wall, slumped down, and began to snore. Dooku rolled his eyes as he swept past and Qui-Gon followed uncertainly behind.

It was what Dooku expected, an over-the-top penthouse because of course the civil servant Chancellor owns such a place. Dooku guessed it must have been sleek and clean hours ago. Now it resembled nothing of its former self. It was strewn with rubbish.

Many of those who surrounded him were either Youth Senators, senators, or bureaucrats.

Qui-Gon whispered to Dooku as they seamlessly dodged flying drinks and falling party goers, "Where is Master Sincer?"

Dooku ducked as a younger Wookie jokily threw a punch at a mouthy Mandalorian, "I believe she's already arrived..." Dooku mumbled to his apprentice.

"There she is!" Qui-Gon pointed to the northeast corner up atop a mezzanine overlooking the party.

Master Sincer was almost unrecognizable. One could think she was a roguish bureaucrat at a glance. The only thing that could possibly give her away was the gold tattoo on her left shoulder: the symbol of the Jedi. The other tattoo was on her right shoulder, the symbol of the Republic.

Master Sincer was speaking to Chancellor Harrow himself. Many other bureaucrats and senators were attempting to get a word in but failed. Some gave up, joining their fellow fame seekers drinking exotic wine and tasting savory appetizers.

Dooku and Qui-Gon stepped atop a floating platform that ascended to the indoor balcony. The Chancellor swiveled around as Dooku stepped onto the mezzanine with his padawan beside him.

Dooku greeted him, "Good evening, Chancellor Harrow. You have quite a lively celebration occurring." He gestured to the festivities that surrounded them.

A server seamlessly appeared and handed Dooku a drink. He offered Qui-Gon one as well, but Dooku deterred the server. Qui-Gon frowned but remained silent.

Chancellor Harrow spoke, "Ah, thank you, Dooku. It's all thanks to the Jedi that I may enjoy my celebration without fear." The Chancellor looked the middle-aged Jedi up and down, "So, they sent you and Master Sincer to survey the party?"