The Seeds of Doubt
by epithree

Previously (During the Prologue)…

Aboard his solar sailer, Count Dooku makes contact with his new master, Darth Sidious. The count transmits from an unknown system among Wild Space, for he could not yet risk an actual meeting with the dark lord.

Sidious explains the various stages of his plan for galactic domination, while Dooku expresses his aversion to the dark lord's other apprentice, Darth Maul.

After an update from Sidious about Maul's purpose, Dooku heads for Kamino to handle his own task.

Entry One

hyperspace, just outside the Rishi Maze

Dooku's solar sailer raced through the mottled light of hyperspace, en route to Kamino.

Seated upon the co-pilot's chair, Count Dooku glanced at the astrogation monitor. The readouts told him that the ship was now shooting by the Rishi Maze. Oddly enough, the borders of this particular zone were devoid of any obstacles. 'Splendid,' the count thought. 'Just twelve parsecs to go... ample time for me to conduct my business.'

After reactivating the pilot droid, Dooku stood up regally and headed out of the bubble dome cockpit. His cape fluttered as he strode by the bulkhead.

Headed for the galley, Dooku first entered the dark, nearby corridor where he had spoken to Darth Sidious. He stopped just before the holoprojector protruding out from the arched wall. It was currently deactivated, and Dooku was a bit wary of using it for a transmission with anyone other than Sidious. However, complete secrecy was needed if the count was to communicate with his new acquaintance.

Using the untraceable holoprojector was a risk he would have to take. To use his personal communications array at his study would be foolish, for he was about to discuss business with a bounty hunter.

Being a former Jedi Knight, the count knew all too well how efficient the Jedi were at intercepting transmissions. Count Dooku would conduct other business at his study soon enough, but now it was time to use the holoprojector.

Any reluctance to use the device was a product of the count analyzing the idea earlier at the cockpit. As he was staring at the intermingling strands of hyperspace, he had arrived at his decision. Yes, Darth Sidious would know if the device was used, but Dooku hypothesized that the dark lord would not be angered if he used it for Sith business.

It was true. He was using it for matters of the Sith Order. They just happened to be matters that he had to hide from Lord Sidious. And there was even more he had to keep hidden from the dark lord, like his secret relations with the Jedi, long after he had left the order.

'Now to the business at hand,' Dooku mentally told himself. He toggled the appropriate levers and knobs in preparation for his transmission. The corridor lights dimmed, and the holoprojector displayed crackling blue images.

Once more, the projector would be operating, but this would be a very different transmission than the one Dooku had with Lord Sidious. There would be no reverence for the man he was about to address. As a matter of fact, Count Dooku was standing in the most regal of fashions, trying to intimidate with his distinguished look. However, the count failed to realize that this man would not be intimidated.

Dooku stared at the visage before him, a holo produced with pale blue light. The shaky transmission was far more ominous when Sidious was the one Dooku was talking to.

The holo image was of a man, clean-shaven with his arms crossed. The look upon his face meant he was all business. He was wearing a simple shirt, which appeared blue due to the color of the transmission. Dooku knew nothing of the man's whereabouts. The holo only showed the man's figure, and nothing more.

The count had simply punched in the coordinates for transmission, and the man was waiting just like he said he'd be. Dooku nodded at the man ever so slightly, but that was the full extent of his greeting.

"I take it things are proceeding as planned," Dooku announced to the male humanoid with the utmost of eloquence.

The man said nothing, and he hadn't nodded. He was instead as motionless as a rock, staring at the holo image of Dooku.

The count made a mental note that this man would have to be made to respect him, but for now Dooku had to allow his behavior. The silent man was integral to Dooku's scheme.

Dooku cocked an eyebrow. "I must say, you appeared far more intimidating when we met upon the moons of Bogden." Count Dooku remembered the t-shaped visor and helmet the man had worn, along with a full set of Mandalorian armor, outfitted with many dangerous weapons. Dooku also recalled a jet pack.

The man exhaled slightly. It was the closest thing to a laugh that he would display. "Don't let appearances fool you Tyranus." The man's voice was raspy and all business.

'No flair,' Dooku thought to himself. He tried his statement as a question this time. "So the mission is proceeding as planned?"

His arms staying crossed, the man answered. "The striking points have been set... my apprentice Zam is overseeing the operation at Coruscant as we speak."

Dooku found it hard enough to trust one bounty hunter. Now this man had recruited other shady individuals to help with the trap.

"And you trust this... Zam?" Dooku asked.

"We already went over this, Tyranus. You have my word," the man explained. "Besides, you should know, your payment makes me loyal beyond reason."

Dooku allowed himself a sly smile. "Ah yes. The bounty hunter's true creed."

Now the man nodded, slowly. "If your information is accurate, then this character won't have a chance."

"Do not underestimate the target," Dooku sternly warned. "To capture a Sith, one must have precise skills."

"Listen Tyranus, for me to believe that a Sith lord has infiltrated the Jedi temple is hard enough. Now you want me to think he's able to defeat my team of bounty hunters?" The man seemed insulted.

"Without question," was Dooku's response.

"Tyranus... if what you say is true, and he's flushed out of the temple upon the balconies at precisely the time you planned, then he won't have a chance," the man said with confidence.

"Is that so?" Dooku asked dryly.

"Yes... your payment guarantees it." The man appeared to be smiling.

"Yes, indeed it does." Dooku paused. "I shall contact you with the exact time and location when my business is done." He paused once more, putting a finger to his chin. "And what do I call you?"

"Jango," the man announced with no emotion.

"Well Jango... I thank you for your professionalism and ingenuity." The count wanted to give the bounty hunter some extra incentive. "You shall be rewarded."

"Always a pleasure to serve an ex-Jedi." Jango's conclusive statement amused the count.

Dooku ended the talk by cutting the transmission. The count knew that Sidious would soon be calling for him again, now that the specially made projector was used. Designed exclusively for the solar sailer, the holoprojector had been constructed by the dark minions of Sidious.

With his private study as the destination, Dooku proceeded onward through the galley. Soon, he would deal with the next phase of his intricate plan.

Next: Dooku contacts his former padawan.