Dooku held for ransom.

After escaping capture by Jedi knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, the villainous Count Dooku fell into the clutches of pirates led by the brigand Hondo Ohnaka.

Eager to get custody of Dooku, the Republic agreed to pay Hondo a hefty sum in exchange for the Sith Lord.

But Anakin, Obi-Wan and his Padawan Lizzy Kalfar had not counted on the treacherous cunning of Ohnaka and his band.

The last thing Lizzy remembered was walking to the Twilight.

(Lizzy) "Ohhh… What happened? Master?" Lizzy said looking around as she got her vision back.

(Count Dooku) "I see you are the first one to wake child." Count Dooku said from his spot at the back of the cell.

Lizzy looked up to see her Master and Master Skywalker out cold. Lizzy mentally facepalmed as she knew that this was never going to end as the two Jedi predicted it to be. She had also noticed that they were all attached to a binding that connected the four prisoners together.

(Lizzy) "It would seem so…" Lizzy said shyly.

(Count Dooku) "Excuse me for being rude as we have not properly met Lizzy Kalfar."

Lizzy looked at Dooku cautiously.

(Lizzy) "You're quite well known Dooku. I'm surprised you know my name already."

(Count Dooku) "To be Obi-Wan's Padawan is one thing to get your name around. However to infiltrate General Grievous Lair is something that does catch someone's attention."

(Lizzy) "I guess you knew of that seeing you were the one to set the trap."

(Count Dooku) "It was all I could offer for trying to hunt down Gunray."

Lizzy could remember that day with Master Fisto. It was still hard to believe she got out of their alive.

(Lizzy) "Why are you talking to me Dooku? And I mean casually like this."

(Count Dooku) "It is not evil for either Jedi or Sith to have a simple conversation. We are both unarmed and in a prison cell together."

Lizzy was about to reply when she heard Anakin groan.

(Anakin) "Master. What happened?" Anakin said as he and Obi-Wan got up from their slumber.

(Obi-Wan) "Well, I guess that pirate brew is stronger than we thought."

(Anakin) "I only took a sip."

(Lizzy) "A sip is a bit of an understatement don't you think Master Skywalker?"

(Anakin) "Lizzy? I thought you were at the ship."

(Lizzy) "I would have been but it appears that Pirates had other ideas."

(Obi-Wan) "Knocked out then I assume while me and Anakin were most likely drugged."

(Anakin) "Why would they risk losing the ransom?"

(Obi-Wan) "The deal appears to have changed. They must be trying to quadruple their payday."

(Count Dooku) "A shrewd observation, Master Kenobi."

(Anakin) "Great. It's you."

(Count Dooku) "I did warn you these pirates were devious. You will notice our shackles are bound together. I have tried to separate us to no avail."

(Anakin) "It's bad enough we have to be in the same cell, but could you at least spare me the sound of your constant chatter?" Anakin said standing up before being pushed back by Obi-Wan.

(Count Dooku) "And while I hold my tongue, the two of you will devise a brilliant strategy for getting off this godforsaken planet?"

(Obi-Wan/Anakin) "Yes!"

(Count Dooku) "Excellent. You should also choose to remain quiet while the young Padawan is busy."

Obi-Wan and Anakin looked towards Lizzy who was cross-legged meditating in her own space.

It was hard enough for Lizzy to be stuck with a very annoyed Obi-Wan and Anakin but to also be stuck with Count Dooku was a matter worth trying to clear her mind.

(Obi-Wan) "Any ideas then?"

(Anakin) "I don't know. All the ideas I have don't involve Dooku."

(Obi-Wan) "You heard Dooku and you can see for yourself. We are shackled together so we have no choice."

Lizzy continued to listen to the conversation. She felt though the dark presence of Dooku just sitting their making her shiver. The presence wasn't like Ventress on Teth rather it felt darker and colder. Before she got any further she opened her eyes to see Dooku get up and go to the door. Dooku waited for the guard to go past as he used the force to bring a plate of food with a knife towards him.

(Anakin) "Don't you think our priority should be escape first, eat second?"

(Count Dooku) "Do control your protégé's insolence so I can concentrate."

(Obi-Wan) "Anakin"

(Anakin) "What?"

(Obi-Wan) "Control your insolence. The Count is concentrating."

In a matter of seconds, Dooku had the knife inserted into the key slot and opened the door.

(Count Dooku) "Well done, if I do say so myself."

(Obi-Wan) "Most impressive." Obi-Wan said looking behind him to see Lizzy had finished her meditation.

(Obi-Wan) "How do you feel?"

(Lizzy) "It's not very comforting having Dooku here." Lizzy said sighing.

(Obi-Wan) "Understandable. Hopefully, though we will be parting ways with him soon enough." Obi-Wan said as the group went to find the exit.

As the group walked cautiously Lizzy was debating what was worse. Being a prisoner of Pirates, being stuck with Count Dooku or having to odd feeling that they didn't know where they were even going. The latter was shared with Master Skywalker.

(Anakin) "We do know where we're going, don't we?" Anakin said in an annoyed tone.

(Obi-Wan) "Hush, Anakin. Do we know where we're going?"

(Count Dooku) "Quiet." Dooku said as he took out a Pirate with Anakin going to search for a keycard.

(Count Dooku) "I was brought this way when I was captured, it was open then."

(Anakin) "I found the door key."

Unknown to the Jedi and Sith however that a monkey-lizard was watching them. The group walked to the door.

(Count Dooku) "This is the way to the hangar."

(Obi-Wan) "Yes, but are you sure it's safe?"

(Anakin) "The key works." Anakin said inserting the keycard into the slot.

(Obi-Wan) "Is it safe?"

(Count Dooku) "Of course it is."

The door opened revealing a group of pirates who when they heard the door opened aimed their weapons at the group.

(Obi-Wan) "Right." Obi-Wan said as another grouped that followed the monkey-lizard and came up behind them.

(Pirate) "Hold it right there, Jedi."

The group was taken back to the cell where Hondo was waiting for them.

(Anakin) "What were we thinking, following a Sith Lord?" Anakin said as they were put into a circle.

(Lizzy) "It wasn't like we had much of a choice Master Skywalker."

(Hondo) "What to do? What to do? What to do? I don't want to kill you, per se. In fact, you seem like decent fellows Even you, Count. This is just business, and once I get my money, we can go back to being friends. It's very simple. Now, try not to complicate things by breaking out again." Hondo said as he left the cell.

(Obi-Wan) "We have to get out of here before the Republic arrives with the ransom."

(Count Dooku) "For once, I agree with you."

(Lizzy) "Good to know we are establishing a temporary bond so we can get out of here alive." Lizzy said smiling.

(Obi-Wan) "Yes temporary. I don't think Anakin or I could last a day with Dooku."

(Anakin) "More like a second."

Obi-Wan ignored Anakin as he went up to the cell door and got the guards attention. From what Lizzy could see, her Master was about to give her a lesson into how to use a mind trick.

(Obi-Wan) "You do not want to stand guard."

(Pirate) "I do not want to stand guard."

(Obi-Wan) "You want to deactivate the cell bars and go out drinking."

(Pirate) "I want to deactivate the cell bars and go out drinking." The Pirate said as he deactivated the door and left.

(Anakin) "Not bad." Anakin said as the group left the cell once again.

(Count Dooku) "Yes, most impressive, Master Kenobi."

(Obi-Wan) "I hope you were paying close attention my young Padawan." Obi-Wan said looking towards Lizzy.

(Lizzy) "Of course Master, it was very insightful." Lizzy said with a smile.

Obi-Wan returned the smile as the group attempted to escape for the second time.

The group was again cautiously making their way through, however it seemed Dooku was slowing down whether it was on purpose or not Lizzy had no idea but it felt like he was trying to get some sort of message to Master Kenobi and Master Skywalker.

(Obi-Wan) "Hurry it up, Dooku." Obi-Wan said as he forced Dooku to duck behind crates with the rest of the group.

(Anakin) "You should be more patient, Master. After all, the count is an elderly gentleman and doesn't move like he used to." Anakin said mockingly.

(Obi-Wan) "I suppose you're right."

(Count Dooku) "I would kill you both right now if I did not have to drag your bodies."

(Lizzy) "There goes that temporary bond." Lizzy said quietly.

The group continued to make their way to an exit of any sort. Lizzy hoping this would actually work. For all of their sakes.

However it didn't take long for one of the drunken Pirates to find out that the group had escaped and they were now running for it.

As they were running Dooku had used crates to block a path. They rounded a corner and Anakin kicked down the door causing everyone to fall over.

(Obi-Wan) "Now we just have to get beyond that wall." Obi-Wan said as the group got up.

(Anakin) "Let's go!"

They began running again as Anakin took a pole and pole vaulted the wall only making it to the edge.

(Anakin) "This is not going well." Anakin said struggling to get over the edge as the weight of the three others kept him down.

(Pirate) "Don't let them get away!" One of the Pirates said as they began to fire at the group.

One of the shots hit the binding between Lizzy and Dooku forcing Dooku to fall. Lizzy, however, caught Dooku before he fell any further.

(Anakin) "Hey, what are you guys doing? You're too heavy."

Anakin was beginning to struggle even harder to hold up the group.

(Anakin) "Drop Dooku!"

Unfortunately for the group Hondo had made his way to them standing over Anakin.

(Hondo) "I guess this means we won't be friends."

The group was led back again to their cell. This time they were separated with only handcuffs. Obi-Wan, Anakin and Lizzy were sitting down while Dooku was standing.

(Obi-Wan) "We have to find a way out of here before Senator Kharrus and Jar Jar arrive. We'll look like fools."

(Lizzy) "We sort of already look like fools don't you think Master?"

(Anakin) "I think it's time to lose the dead weight." Anakin said standing up and facing Dooku.

(Obi-Wan) "Anakin.." Obi-Was said before he was interrupted by the door opening.

(Pirate) "You three, come with us." The Pirate said as they took the three Jedi away leaving Dooku alone in his cell.

The three Jedi were led to the main hall, however, this time they were attached to what appeared to be an electric device. Lizzy wondered what it would have been like if she just stayed on the Cruiser. No time to think about that now since she wasn't on the Cruiser.

Hondo walked up to the Jedi and the crowd surrounding them.

(Obi-Wan) "I take it the Republic didn't arrive with the ransom?" Obi-Wan said as the Pirates laughed.

(Hondo) "Your Republic obviously doesn't want the Sith Lord."

(Anakin) "They didn't show?"

(Hondo) "Oh, Oh, They did. They did show. With a huge army that they thought would be enough to get the better of me, Hondo!

(Anakin) "That can't be right."

(Hondo) "Are you calling me a liar?"

(Anakin) "Isn't that kind of what you do for a living?"

(Lizzy) "Master I don't think this is the best time to argue with them."

(Hondo) "You reject my hospitality, refuse to wait in your cell, and now, you're going to insult me?"

(Anakin) "I'm just saying."

(Obi-Wan) "Anakin"

(Anakin) "What? He is a pirate."

(Obi-Wan) "Yes, but this may not be the best time for you to speak."

(Anakin) "But you."

(Obi-Wan) "At all, Anakin!"

Without hesitation Hondo pressed the button on the remote electrocuting the three Jedi. For Lizzy she screamed in pain as she was electrocuted along with Obi-Wan and Anakin. This was on par with going to Grievous's lair.

However sooner than the three Jedi thought the power suddenly went out, dropping them to the ground.

(Hondo) "What happened to the power? I was having fun."

Anakin took the opportunity to get his lightsaber from the monkey-lizard as he force pulled it to him activating it and destroying the handcuffs on Obi-Wan, Lizzy and his hands. He then took Hondo from behind while Obi-Wan and Lizzy got their own lightsaber's back. The three Jedi then led Hando out to the hanger to where the Twilight was followed by the Pirates who had their weapons raised.

(Hondo) "What chance do you really have, Jedi? Now let me go, and I might let you live."

(Anakin) "Approach us, and he dies."

Then two of the Pirate tanks arrived behind them.

(Hondo) "Looks like your forces were destroyed, Jedi."

However it wasn't Pirates in the tanks but the clones and Jar Jar.

(Jar Jar) "Ani! Obi!

(Anakin) "Jar Jar?"

(Jar Jar) "Me-sa have arrived with the spicen."

(Obi-Wan) "Excellent, Jar Jar, assuming he pirates still have Count Dooku to trade." Obi-Wan said as one of the Pirate ships flew off.

The presence Lizzy felt disappeared knowing Dooku was the one in the ship.

(Anakin) "Well, that answers that question." Anakin said as he continued to body shield Hando to the ramp of the Twilight.

(Obi-Wan) "Commander, start the engines, please." Obi-Wan said as the Commander went into the Twilight.

(Hondo) "So what now, Jedi? You're going to arrest me?"

(Obi-Wan) "No. Anakin, release him."

(Anakin) "What?"

(Obi-Wan) "Captain, you have nothing we want, and since we're not prisoners anymore, you have no bargaining power."

(Jar Jar) "What? You-sa was in bombad trouble? Me-sa rescued you."

(Anakin) "No, Jar Jar. We weren't in any trouble."

(Obi-Wan) "Let's leave on even terms." Obi-Wan said as Anakin released Hondo.

The Pirates however ran up to Hondo ready to fire, the clones ready to do the same.

(Hondo) "Hold. Hold! Jedi, after everything, you're just going to walk away?"

(Lizzy) "As much as the torture did sting. Revenge is not the Jedi way Captain. We have no quarrel with you and we won't send an army to deal with Pirates that don't have anything to offer the Republic."

(Hondo) "Indeed." Very honourable, Master Jedi.

(Obi-Wan) "Oh Captain, you will find that count Dooku doesn't share our sense of honour, and he knows where you live." Obi-Wan said as the entered the Twilight and launched leaving the planet.

(Lizzy) "Well Master Kenobi, I don't know what to get out of that apart from Pirates can't be trusted and that you and Master Skywalker like to mock Count Dooku."

(Anakin) "All a part of being the Padawan to Obi-Wan Lizzy."

(Obi-Wan) "Don't worry, I think some proper rest will do us some good. Not drugged rest."

(Lizzy) "As long as I don't get knocked in the head again, then I think that's a perfect idea." Lizzy said with a smile as they went into hyperspace returning to Coruscant.

And that is the 'Dooku Captured' Arc done. It's not actually called that I don't think but both episodes didn't feature a lot so I figured to release both chapters at the same time which is why there is no authors note on the 'Dooku Captured' chapter. Still plenty more to come from Season 1 so I hope you're enjoying the ride and see you next time!