Padme trembled slightly before man in front of her. The elderly Count Tyln Dooku.
"Now, senator, I have told you the truth of the Sith Master in control of senate. Will you join the Seperatisits?"
Padme swallowed.
"Yes," she said, his voice hoarse.
Dooku handed her a glass of water.
"This should help your throat."
Padme was surprised and suspicious.
Why was this man, this murderer, being so kind to her?
She took the glass and drank it.
"Now then, my lady, come with me. The other Seperatists leaders are waiting."
The young Nubian followed the Count to the meeting room.
Nute Gunray nearly a heart attack when he saw her.
"What is she doing here?! Jango, kill her!"
Jango Fett didn't move.
"I take orders only from the Count, viceroy."
Boba stiffled a laugh at the embarassed look on Gunray's face and approached the elderly man with his father and bowed.
"My lord," Jango said.
"Jango, Boba," Dooku returned, placing a hand on Boba's head as he passed him.
Boba looked up at his father with a smile, knowing he had been accepted by the elderly Count, and Jango returned the smile, happy that his client had accepted his clone son.
"The execution will take place shortly," another leader said.
"Good," Dooku said, though he didn't mean it.
I hate my job. Force, I hate my life.
This thought would never be said aloud.
*************
Dooku was relieved and worried as he watched the battle droids be destroyed by the Jedi. He watched as several Jedi, many of whom had been his friends and allies, fall before the heavy fire.
Jango soared towards Mace Windu, and Padme gasped softly.
Dooku bit back the automatic urge to warn the Council Member and kept his grip on Padme's arm.
Boba joined the Count and senator to watch his father.
Jango engaged Mace in a short battle before he was decapitiated.
Dooku allowed his jaw to open some in shock at Mace's action, and he felt the shock and grief from Boba beside him. After a moment, he managed to put his free hand on the boy's shoulder.
This wasn't good. It never was.