Rising up from a Nobleman to Intergalactic Warlord!!

---Coruscant ---

After a lengthy security check-in at the spaceport, I flagged down a taxi and asked the driver to take us to the Nebula Noshery. As we entered the entertainment district, everyone looked out over the city's breathtaking neon lights. Advertising a plethora of goods and services, Ilulu and Tohru were having a hard time wrapping their heads around all the activity. Accustomed to the laid-back, mundane lifestyle of their village, all the lights and sounds were a bit overwhelming for them.

"Here I thought the Kingdom's capital was chaotic…", Tohru muttered, looking down at the sea of people on the walking path, "This is beyond ridiculous…"

"You can say that again.", Ilulu agreed, leaning over the edge of the taxi. "Where are all the animals and trees? Does this place not have any nature?"

"Unfortunately, it was all sacrificed in the name of progress.", Clarice answered, pulling Ilulu back into her seat. "It may not look like it, but we are several miles above the planet's surface. Please try not to fall; it is a long way down."

"If I did fall, I could just shapeshift into a dragon.", Ilulu remarked, with a proud smile.

"Please do not use dragonification here. The humans of the Galactic Republic do not know what dragons are. If you change in front of them, they will probably try to kill you.", Lucoa warned them.

Promising to refrain from doing so, the two of them went back to taking in the sights while the rest of us relaxed.

---A Short Time Later---

Arriving at our destination a short time later, we disembarked the taxi and headed inside the restaurant. Making my way up to the hostess station, I inquired how long it would be for a table that could seat all seventeen of us. Giving me an apologetic smile, the hostess informed me it would be well over an hour as all the large tables were in use. Nodding my head, I was about to have her put my name down when a familiar voice cut through the ambient noise of the restaurant.

"Duke Stark, would you care to join us for dinner?", Duchess Satina called out, waving to me from the back of the restaurant, "We have plenty of room for all of you!"

Wanting to keep this special occasion stress-free, I was about to politely decline, but Mylene had other ideas. Accepting her offer without hesitation, my wife beckoned us to follow her as she began weaving through the crowded room. Following her lead, the group followed her through the crowd and into the private area.

"Thank you for allowing us to dine with you this evening, Duchess Satina.", I said, entering the space. "Are you certain it is alright for us to… join… you…"

Noticing that Ahsoka, Anakin, Bo-Katan, Obi-Wan, and Padme were with her, I got the sense this was no chance encounter. Looking at the two men, hoping they would explain what was happening, both men quickly averted my gaze.

"Of course, we have more than enough room for everyone.", Satina assured me with a warm smile. "Bo-Katan, this is Duke Victor von Stark of the Holfort Kingdom. He is the gentleman I have been telling you about."

Rising from her seat to greet me, the two of us exchanged a firm handshake before taking a seat. Taking a moment to observe me closely, she gave her sister a side-eye glance before speaking.

"I have heard quite a lot about you from my sister and Pre Vizsla.", Bo-Katan spoke, looking me in the eyes, "Let me start off by saying thank you for helping the Mandalorian people. For the first time in our history, we are all working together toward a common goal. It is hard to believe that just a few months ago we were at each other's throats; now we are one of the most prosperous star systems in the Outer Rim."

"Happy to hear things have turned out well for you people.", I chuckled, taking a seat between Lucoa and Mylene.

"Has Pre Vizsla managed to track down Dooku and take him out?", Mylene inquired.

"We tracked him for several months, then he just vanished into thin air.", Bo-Katan remarked, with a miffed expression, "Originally, we thought he went into hiding, but according to Palpatine's journal, Dooku has been completely unresponsive for over a month now. He thought his apprentice had gone rogue on him."

Fully aware that Dooku was not that kind of man, I was certain there was more to this story than meets the eye. Disappearing exactly one month prior to the assault on his master was far too coincidental for my liking. Few individuals were aware of Palpatine's real identity, yet the enemy not only knew he was a Sith Lord, but they also knew his Sith name.

'I bet they approached Dooku, and he turned them down as well. Unlike Palpatine, though, Dooku had no reinforcements and ended up being taken back alive. For the enemy to expose themselves like this, the two men must have encountered something they are seeking. Whatever it may be, I need to find it before those bastards get their hands on it.', I thought, deciding to investigate it later.

"So with the Sith Lord and his apprentice out of the picture, I assume the Clone Wars are winding down?", Deidre asked.

"Absolutely, both sides have already agreed to a ceasefire. We begin formal talks with them next week.", Padme said, genuinely relieved that the end was in sight.

"Well, that is good to hear. That means you can focus your attention solely on the joint front with the Imperium, right?", Aela asked.

"Haha, we wish…", Anakin sighed, "A Tyranid Fleet was spotted at the southern edge of the galaxy a week ago. The resources and troops we deployed against the Separatists are now being redirected to intercept the fleet. Two entire star systems have been lost so far, and a third will likely be lost before our forces arrive. I am being sent out in two days to help lead our forces."

Grabbing hold of his hand tightly, Padme was understandably unhappy about the news. As a senator, she was privy to all the horrors those damn bugs left in their wake. While she clearly did not want him to go, his wife silently supported him from the sidelines while wearing a brave face.

"Well, if you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to ask. The Tyranids are a threat that extends beyond borders.", I said, with a reassuring nod. "So does that mean you will be unavailable to join us for the operation in the Imperium of Man?"

"I am afraid so.", Anakin acknowledged, looking at his Padawan. "Ahsoka and Bo-Katan will be accompanying you instead."

"We look forward to working with you!", the two women said, bowing their heads respectfully.

Confirming my suspicions that this was no mere coincidence, it was clear she had orchestrated this rendezvous with Obi-Wan's assistance. After what I had seen two days ago, I assumed the two of them were now romantically involved with one another, which made me happy. Instead of simply forgetting about me, though, Satina has switched to pushing her warrior sister onto me. While I could respect her dedication to establishing a permanent connection between the Republic and me, I felt sorry for her poor sister. From what I could remember, she had no interest in romance or starting a family.

"How soon can you be ready to leave? Victor has some preparations he needs to complete before the battle.", Mylene stated, staring at the two women intently.

"I am ready to leave at any time.", Bo-Katan answered, looking Mylene dead in the eyes.

"Same with me.", Ahsoka seconded, with a curt nod.

Temporarily halting the conversation, our attention turned to the waitress as she entered the room. Taking our drink orders and rattling off the specials, we took a moment to look over their extensive menu.

"So… does anyone have any recommendations?", Clarice asked, with an apologetic smile, "This menu is enormous and a bit daunting to read in a short time."

"The Cosmic Cow ribeye is the most popular dish on the menu.", Ahsoka answered, "The Nebulas Trout is also good as well."

"Cosmic Cow?", Amallyn questioned.

"We call them Cosmic Cows because they only appear where Galactus has recently been. While I think it is reckless to get anywhere near him, there are many organizations that carve out a living hunting the animals that follow the World Eater.", Padme commented.

"To clarify, it is likely the best cut of meat one can purchase on the open market," Obi-Wan insisted.

Glancing at the price, Roxanne's eyes nearly popped out of her skull in shock. Looking to me for approval, I telepathically told my group to order what they wanted. With our net worth over five hundred billion credits, a few hundred thousand credits were not worth worrying about.

'For that amount of money though, it better be far superior to wagyu beef!', I thought, as the waitress returned with our beverages.

Setting our glasses down on the table, the waitress took our orders and promptly left the room. Closing the curtain behind her, we got back to our original discussion.

"If I may, what became of you two after I left? I assume the High Council was none too happy to discover both of you were romantically involved with senators.", I questioned.

"Well… uh…", Obi-Wan stuttered, with an embarrassed expression, "We were forced to sit through a three-hour lecture on breaking one of the Order's oldest tenets. Once they were finished, Master Yoda repealed the tenant, stating it was necessary for the future of the Order. He admitted that the Jedi Order should have removed it long ago when they began making exemptions for specific races."

"Now that we had no reason to hide it, Padme and I made our marriage public.", Anakin stated, holding his wife's hand tightly, "Obi-Wan and Duchess Satina also made their relationship public as well."

"Congratulations to all four of you!", Olivia said, raising her glass up, "To your happiness and newfound freedom."

Clinking our glasses together, everyone took a long sip of their beverage and then began to laugh heartily.

"That is why we are here celebrating today. What about you?", Satina pressed us.

"Well…", Mylene replied, "Lucoa and I recently found out that we are pregnant!"

Rushing over to them, squealing like schoolgirls, Padme and Satina congratulated them while Anakin began choking on his drink. Leaning over to smack him on the back, Obi-Wan asked his friend if he was alright. Nodding his head, Anakin assured his former mentor that he had just swallowed wrong.

'Oh my, it would appear my wives are not the only pregnant women in this room tonight.', I thought, 'Good on you, Anakin!'

Putting work discussions to the side for the rest of the night, all of us celebrated the momentous occasion together.