"Master Dooku, always a pleasure to see you. Forgive me for being so tardy, I had something to finish. And what is it that the Jedi Council wishes of me? I am always willing to serve you for you have been of aid to me many time in the past," Palpatine graciously spoke to him, though he wondered why Dooku had been sent to him. In all his dealings with the Jedi Order, he had always worked through the leaders of the Order. It was usually Master Yoda or Master Windu who came to him.

This departure from the normal procedure though...this had been intriguing enough that he had taken the time out of his busy schedule to come and see what Master Dooku had wanted.

"Nothing, Chancellor Palpatine. I merely wished to bid you a farewell as I have done to so many of the Senators here that I have had the pleasure of getting to know better over the years," he smoothly spoke, turning away from the view of the city to face him.

For all that he had requested to his presence, Dooku was rather surprised to see him in person. He had been fully prepared to leave a message conveying his deepest regrets that he must leave the service of the Republic. His breeding would not allow him to depart without a word.

Though he had been aware of the fact that the Chancellor had often made time for the Jedi in the past, those visits were scheduled. Or the Chancellor himself requested their presence so that he might benefit from their wisdom and insight.

They did not suddenly drop in, asking to see him. As this visit was spontaneously sprung upon him, it took Dooku a moment to recover from his surprise.

He watched him walk towards him, steadily taking in his appearance. There seemed to be something dangerously off about the Chancellor, but he couldn't quite figure out what it was. Dooku found it rather disturbing.

"Farewell?" Palpatine repeated, blankly. "That sounds rather final for a Jedi. Are you on a mission of some kind that you already know you won't be returning from?"

"No mission, Chancellor. I am leaving the Jedi Order."

Palpatine blinked, staring up at him, mind reeling. He was honestly shocked by this calm pronouncement. In all his years in the Senate, he'd never known something like this. "Leaving? Why would you wish to leave the Jedi? Are you not happy?"

"It has nothing to do with my happiness, Chancellor. I have become quite disillusioned with the way things are now within the Order. The Jedi have become nothing more than gangsters for the Senate. We have lost our way and our true purpose. Once, we were the moral authority of the Galaxy, a voice of reason and compassion when no other voice would speak. Now, we are merely a fist sent out to solve the problems more suited to the politicians who are elected to serve the people of their worlds so that they may sit back and relax in fat and indolent behavior, ignoring the problems they have been elected to solve. We are used to force settlements between the denizens of the Galaxy, which is not what we are raised for. We are not supposed to be thugs for the Senate."

"You do realize how treasonous your words sound, Master Jedi," he said, quickly finding his voice in the discussion. His mind was quickly running through various scenarios about how to make the most of this situation.

"Forgive me for sounding so. I do not mean them to be treasonous for I mean no disrespect towards the Senate and your own office, Chancellor. Still, I know that I can no longer serve this Republic when it goes against the dictates of my own conscience. I can no longer be a Jedi when I feel that we are not living up to our potential. We are meant to be moral authority, not political puppets."

"They are still rather strong words, Master Dooku. Not many would be as forgiving as I," Palpatine murmured, studying his companion's cold and impassive profile.

"They are how I feel," he replied, turning away from the study. Decidedly uneasy with his look, he continued to speak, trying to ignore it. "I cannot be silent when I know what I must say. To do so would be to dishonor myself-and to mislead you, Chancellor, something that I cannot do."

Outside, the evening began to color the sky in deepening shades of gray. He breathed in, letting the feel of the city fill him even as he let it go. This world with its fast bustle and constant noise was no longer his to immerse himself in and Dooku found he was grateful for that fact. The very essence of the place wearied him.

"I can see why you would feel disillusioned for you have spoken eloquently. They may be hard words for me to hear but I appreciate you honesty. Tell me, though, is that the only reason? It seems to me that you have served so faithfully all these years, why would it affect you now? Would it be presumptuous of me to ask if this has anything to do with the unfortunate loss of your old Padawan, Master Jinn?"

"It would be terribly presumptuous of you, Chancellor. While I may admire you as many of my colleagues do, I hardly consider you to be a personal friend of mine," he stiffly informed him. Glancing back at him, he sighed, unbending slightly in the face of the unquestioning support the man had always given the Jedi. "But as you have always shown an interest in Jedi affairs that have never breached good conduct, I will forgive it."

"You are quite generous. If I may ask another boon of your generous disposition then, is Master Jinn's young apprentice to go with you?"

Dooku's his lip curled up, somewhat disdainfully as he thought of how best to answer the query. It was not an unreasonable or even far fetched idea when one considered the deep bonds of family within the Jedi Order. The boy was, after all, an extension of his family through Master Jinn.

But the thought of taking Anakin Skywalker with him to his home-nay, his sanctuary-was absolutely ludicrous and laughable. It was, more importantly, quite beyond his comprehension. "No, Chancellor. Padawan Skywalker is not to go with me."

"Why not? Is he not, in your Jedi terms, your grandson? Would it not comfort you to have family near you at this time?"

"He may be granted that title by some. They would be well within their rights to think of him that way. I am not one of them, Chancellor. Padawan Skywalker is safe," he admitted, somewhat reluctantly.

Again, Dooku could not say why.

"How do you know?" Palpatine asked, moving to stand beside him

"Master Yoda has informed us that he is on Bandomeer."

"Bandomeer?" For the second time that day, he was truly shocked by something. Shaking his head, he couldn't quite grasp the implications of his words. He knew what that meant-it had never occurred to him that they would send away such a promising youth.

Everyone on Coruscant was aware of what it meant for a Jedi youngling to be sent away from the Jedi Temple to that planet.

And he could not comprehend it. It made no sense to him for he could see potential inside the child. Potential he had not seen in sixteen years-ever since one young man had been in the Temple. "Why would the Jedi Council send him there? Surely such a talented, Force sensitive child as he is could have found another Master to train him. Was he damaged in some way through Master Jinn's death?"

"No, he was not damaged," he informed him, though he privately had his doubts. The sudden breaking of the bond between Master and Padawan would've been enough to shatter even the strongest mind. In a child such as Skywalker, the repercussions of such a loss were incomprehensible.

"If you will forgive me for bluntly saying this, Chancellor, none of us wish to train him. He is wild, unpredictable, and to connected to his past. There are few who wish to train such a willful child. As for the Jedi Council, they did not send him away. They have good reason to wish him close to their watchful eyes. He left us of his free will," he glanced over and watched the Chancellor as he spoke. Catching once more that faint hint of…something in the Chancellor's face.

It was most disturbing.

"I do not presume to know about Jedi affairs, but why hadn't anyone gone after him? He is a young child. How do you know he even made it safely there? Is it not a hidden world?"

"It is. As for why we have not gone after him, Master Yoda says that he is safe where he is. Do you doubt the word of our venerable leader?" A slightly poisonous disdain for the Chancellor's words touched his voice.

"I thought you did not approve of the Council's behavior."

"One can dislike a person's behavior, Chancellor, yet respect that person just the same. I will always revere Master Yoda for he is wise in many ways," he mildly pointed out.

"Well said," he smiled suddenly. "But since you are leaving, will you be going to get him? As a man with a family, I really feel that he should be with family."

"Chancellor, he is with Obi-Wan Kenobi, Master Jinn's former apprentice. He is another grandson, if you will," he conceded. "Therefore, he is with family." His gaze sharpened then, piercing the other man where he stood. "Is there a reason for all of these incessant, not to mention pointless questions about Padawan Skywalker?"

"I merely wish to know about his welfare. My home planet was saved because of his valiant efforts in a dangerous race to help my Queen," Palpatine reminded him, a slight bite in his words. "A woman and people he knew little of and yet, he was willing to risk his life in a race so that they would receive the aid they needed to get to Coruscant. If not for his noble actions that day, Naboo would have fallen. My people-and most importantly, my friend Padme would be a slave. I owe it to him."

"I ask your pardon for my sharp words, Chancellor," he graciously apologized. "This week has been most taxing upon my fellow Jedi and myself. Yet, I should not have allowed my emotions to diminish my judgment."

Impressed by his honest admission, Palpatine waved it off. "There is nothing to forgive. What you have gone through would have crushed a lesser man. Much has changed for you and even though you are a Jedi, the feelings of loss are unimaginable to me. Losing Master Jinn must've been a tremendous blow."

Inclining his head, Dooku said nothing, sensing that he was not finished. A part of him was intrigued to hear just what this was about.

"Would you mind if I kept in touch with you?"

"Why?" he asked him baldly. Facing him, he studied his expression, trying to read the truth behind this...stunning question.

"I find your touch of honesty and honor-as well as your courage in speaking up for your convictions-refreshing. Your perspective is unique for you have been a Jedi and will now walk in the ways of more normal beings. I believe that you will have much insight to offer us on how best to serve the Republic. In blunter words, I wish to offer you a place on my staff. As an advisor," he explained. "I know that the politics of the Republic is what has caused part of your disillusionment but, with your active participation, we may change that."

The offer was appealing-very appealing. It was a challenge to both his intellect and his strength of convictions. To take an active part in the inner workings of the government, from the highest office, to be able to change things for the best, it was tempting. To think that he, Count Dooku of Serenno, would restore the Republic, would put it on a higher course…

Yet, he wouldn't do.

Something felt wrong, felt off about this offer.

Shaking his head regretfully, he firmly refused. "I regret that I must decline your generous offer. While I will never withhold advice should you ask for it, I have much to do. There is much left unspoken in my life that I must settle before I make any firm plans."

"It saddens me to hear this for I think that this offer would help you," Palpatine murmured. "I would've benefited from a partnership with you."

"As would I," he agreed softly.

"Still, I will appreciate any advice you are willing to give me. My door will always be open to you. Please, feel free to offer any help at anytime. I would deeply appreciate it. I thank you for at least taking the time to think about my offer, it will never be taken away from you if ever you change your mind."

"I shall keep that in mind, Chancellor. I wish you the very best in regards to your future endeavors in bettering the lives of those within the Republic." Bowing, he left him alone. But the thoughts and feelings would not leave him.

Troubled, he walked back to the Temple. Knocking on a familiar door, he smiled sadly at the man who greeted him and entered, the door shutting softly behind him with finality.

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Contacting his Master, he waited to hear of his fate. "Master, the boy is not here with his mother. Should I remain where I am and wait? Or leave and continue my search elsewhere?" he asked, hoping for some insight. Some wisdom on his next move, on what he should do.

"Of course you must leave Tatooine. I have just come into possession of vital information concerning the whereabouts of our illusive Anakin Skywalker. The boy is not going to go to Tatooine. He is on Bandomeer-with an Obi-Wan Kenobi, another former apprentice of the departed Qui-Gon Jinn."

"Bandomeer?" he repeated, faintly dismayed. There was something about the name that chilled him. He had heard of it before. But where? And why would the brat go there?

"A Mid-Rim World," he coolly informed him. "It is a hidden Jedi world. I would've thought that you would know that little fact."

"Then how am I to find it?"

"You aren't."

"Master?" he asked, not quite sure he had heard him say that. Not quite sure he wanted to believe what he'd just been told.

"I am ordering you to return to Coruscant immediately. This mission to retrieve him now is one that I am entrusting to far more capable hands than your own rather useless ones. Hands that will not fail me as you continuously have," Sidious said, watching him, a cruel smile twisting his lips.

Maul growled under his breath, careful not to let his displeasure show. If only, he thought, leaving it unfinished. It would not do to let his Master know what he was thinking for it would only lead to problems-for him. "Yes, my Master."

Sidious nodded, slightly disappointed in this lack of reaction. Yet, he was not wholly displeased with it. If nothing else, it proved that Maul was loyal and trustworthy-a fine apprentice in all ways but one.

He lacked the sheer raw power and impulsiveness of one Anakin Skywalker to make him truly the apprentice he sought.