Author's Notes:

1. I do not own SW or any of the official SW characters.

2. These letters should not be taken literally

3. This story is AU

4. I'm having co-writers write the part of the Trade Federation.

The author of these notes will be clearly labeled.

Timeframe: Towards the beginning of AOTC through ROTS. (I doubt I'll take it into the OT, though it could be interesting. That'll depend on whether my co-author wants to do that).

The story starts just after Zam was shot and Obi-Wan has been assigned to track down the bounty hunter who tried to kill Padme. Obi-Wan has already been to the Jedi Archives, not finding them to be much help to him.

And the story begins...

Timeframe: From the end of TPM through ROTS

The quick background story of the Dooku and Trade Federation PT Notes-

The Naboo battle is now officially over, and Palpatine has been elected Supreme Chancellor of the Senate. Dooku has decided that it is time to withdraw from the Jedi Order, and he has already turned to the Dark Side. Of course none of the Jedi know this yet. He wishes to withdraw from the Jedi Order. At the request of Darth Sidious, Dooku contacts Nute Gunray of the Trade Federation to entice him to join the Separatist cause.

And the story begins...

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Note 1: (old version of Note 1)
To Nute Gunray and Rune Hakko of the Trade Federation,

I heard about your terrible embarrassment when you tried to invade the planet Naboo. I am very sorry that it didn't work out for you. I heard that you were working in league with a Sith by the name of Darth Sidious. What happened? I know one of the Sith died (that's been big news) but I heard that it wasn't the Sith you were working with. So what ever became of this Darth Sidious? He did not protect you? That's terrible. I even heard rumors of this…that Darth Sidious betrayed you. Is that true? If so…well he is the head of the Senate…Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, is he not? As you can see, the Republic is no good. I, Count Dooku, am breaking away from the horror called the Republic. I am going to try and take over the Republic with an invasion army…but the problem is I have no army. I understand that you have TONS of battle droids…and that they can be made very quickly. If you will join me in my Separatists movement, you can fight back at the horrible things that Palpatine did to you. I will need your help…I need your droid army…and with your droid army you will be able to take over the Republic. There is no way that the Republic could ever come up with an army powerful enough or as large in number as a droid army. What do you say? Are you going to let the Republic get away with the wrongs they did to you? Join me in the Separatists movement…it is the only way you can get back at the Republic.

Count Dooku

Note 1

Five years after the Trade Federation of Naboo: (real version of Note 1 – it is to this that Nute Gunray will reply)
To Nute Gunray and Rune Hakko of the Trade Federation,

I heard about your terrible embarrassment when you tried to invade the planet Naboo. I am very sorry that it didn't work out for you. I heard that you were working in league with a Sith by the name of Darth Sidious. I wanted to let you know that I, too work with him. Do not worry about the Naboo invasion, my friend. What happened there was not your fault. If it had not been for Queen Amidala and those with her, the victory would have been yours. I want you to know that Lord Sidious and I are doing everything in our power to secure the Trade Federation's well being.

What happened to you was also the failure of the Republic.

I, Count Dooku, am breaking away from the horror called the Republic. I am going to try and take over the Republic with an invasion army…but the problem is I have no army. I understand that you have many battle droids…and that they can be made very quickly. If you will join me in my Separatists movement, you can fight back at the horrible things that the Republic did to you. I will need your help…I need your droid army…and with your droid army you will be able to take over the Republic. There is no way that the Republic could ever come up with an army powerful enough or as large in number as a droid army. What do you say? Are you going to let the Republic get away with the wrongs they did to you? Join me in the Separatists movement…it is the only way you can get back at the Republic.

Lord Sidious will keep his promise to you and reward you, should you continue to support my cause.

Count Dooku