Lydia winced as the first cry of pain filled the room, shutting her eyes to try to blot out the horror of her situation. The electro-whip cracked down on Ahsoka's back again as Lydia attempted to pry the droid's metal hand off her and go to help Ahsoka.

Dooku smiled pleasantly at her.

"All you have to do is pledge yourself to the dark side, to obey my every command, and this will all stop", Dooku informed her calmly. Lydia sighed. Her decision was becoming to seem incredibly easy. There was no way she would sacrifice her friends for her happiness. That was not going to happen.

Lydia raised her hands in defeat. Anakin and Ahsoka shook their heads frantically.

"Don't do it Lydia! There has to be another way", Ahsoka cried out weakly. Lydia closed her eyes, sadly.

"I don't have a choice, Ahsoka", she replied. Taking a deep breath in a failed attempt to compose herself, Lydia said:

"Fine, Dooku. You win. I will join the dark side if you let them GO!"

Dooku raised an eyebrow.

"And what will stop you from running away if I free them?", he smirked. "I am not a fool-"

"Though you do a very good impression of being one!", Anakin cut in sharply. Dooku raised his hands and released Sith lightening in Anakin's direction, smiling sadistically as the younger man cried out in pain.

"Stop it!", Lydia shouted, grabbing his arm. "You promised not to hurt them anymore!"

"However, I will not tolerate insolence", Dooku told Lydia calmly. "Now, as I was saying before such a rude interruption, I am no fool. The minute your friends are out my door you will make a break for it. Here is my non-negotiable counter offer. Join me and I will keep your friends alive. Refuse me and I will execute them in your name".

Lydia stared wildly around the room. It didn't look like a compromise could be reached.

She knew that once a person pledged him or herself to the dark side, even if they were just pretending, they would be forever marked. It would show in their Force signature, and such things could not be hidden. A horrible feeling would crawl around the person's body, like a great grey worm inside them, eating away at the goodness and light within. This decision could destroy her. A choice like this was not to be undertaken lightly.

Lydia took a deep breath, squeezing her eyes shut. One thought was foremost in her mind.

I will not sacrifice my friends for my personal happiness.

And that was enough. Lydia took a deep breath, preparing to take the vows when a sudden burst of anger flared through her.

Why should this monster be able to manipulate me? I make my own decisions! This is wrong!

Lydia felt something rising within her, as if she were tapping into a deep well of power. She could feel the first stirrings of a beast just waking from a peaceful slumber. It wanted the light of day. And this time Lydia would not stop it.


Dooku watched Lydia's expression change from blank and uncaring to scared and felt a flare of triumph.

He had won! Darth Sidious would reward him handsomely!

An excited feeling raced through the Count's veins. He had never undertaken such a venture before, but he had emerged from this challenge victorious. He allowed his chest to swell with pride.

That was when the first warnings reached him through the Force. Something was wrong. Dooku took a closer look at Lydia. She was no longer scared. Her eyes burned with a fierce determination.

"Stop it!", Count Dooku ordered sharply, igniting his lightsaber and pressing the blade to Anakin's throat. "Or I will kill the boy".

Lydia shook her head at him as if her were a disobedient child.

"Don't be silly, my dear.", she scoffed. "Only one person will die tonight, and that will be you".


Ahsoka shuddered at the darkness in Lydia's voice, but felt a deep satisfaction when the victorious smirk slid off the Count's face. She attempted to push herself towards the wall but stopped with a moan of pain when her Jedi robe brushed against her open whip wounds.

A quick glance told her that Anakin's condition was no better. He was desperately trying not to let the tears of pain slip down his cheeks.

"Master!", Ahsoka hissed urgently, trembling from the effort it took to speak. "MASTER! We need to get out of here s. Dooku can't use us as hostages". Anakin groaned.

"What's the plan?", he asked weakly, a single tear sliding down his cheek. There was not enough strength left in his body to wipe it away.

"Can you move?", Ahsoka grimaced, biting her bottom lip to stop her cries of pain escaping. She was now completely oblivious of what Dooku and Lydia were doing. She had to get herself and Anakin out in one piece.