Christa walked through the lounge and ignored the cat calls, the whistles, and the glares as she sashayed by. Tonight was her big night with some new client. A client who insisted on visiting her and none of the other girls. Who was it? She wondered.
Christa looked around, then walked toward the exit, where the client waited in the Parlor House's space room. But Tobias Semp, seemingly in a very good mood approached her.
"I have good news!" he croaked. Tobias grabbed her by the shoulders. She shook free, then stared at him, taken aback.
"Calm down you moron, what are you so excited about?"
"Kaivo's been vindicated!" he leaned closer, this time bringing his voice to a whisper… "associates in the senate argued for the Jedi Council and the courts to drop the case against him. Of course, there's one problem. His contact in Coruscant has now demanded a higher percentage of Kaivo's annual salary. Kaivo's refused, and now they're enemies. We're hoping they can work it out. I hear, it is even death to whisper this politician by name," Tobias added wearily.
"That's good news," Christa said. "For Kaivo."
She turned her back on the man and walked out the door to the Parlor House, where the client waited.
Her stomach churned as she walked down the hall to the room. Why was she so nervous? If only Obi-Wan was behind the door again. No chance of that, she knew he'd returned to Coruscant for Jedi business.
Christa walked inside. The room was somewhat dark, with the exception of holographic stars glittering across the walls. She tried to see the man's face, but only managed to make out a shadowy figure. He was tall, broad shoulders… and surprisingly aristocratic in appearance. He wore a silky black cape, and sat with his shoulders erect. She could make out his shoes… expensive.
Christa faced the wall, showing the man the back of her thong-like leotard, then slipped her leg to the side in a dancer-like pose.
She saw teeth, as the man smiled. Why did he make her so nervous? What did he want with her? She slipped to the floor and laid on her back provocatively and saw the gleam and curved hilt of a lightsaber.
Suddenly, she felt herself involuntarily rising to her feet. The air in her lungs grew tight and she instinctively grabbed her throat. She felt as though she were being choked.
The man's hand lifted in a gripping motion. He rose to his feet and walked toward her.
Christa squirmed and wiggled to get out of the man's grasp. But somehow he managed to hold her in place. And did it without even touching her.
"What are you doing to me you miserable old man?" she choked indignantly.
She saw the teeth again. The sound of his laughter assaulted her ears.
He let her go and she dropped to the floor in a heap.
Christa clutched her throat and looked up, glaring at him from piercingly angry eyes.
"So… you're the daughter of Kaivo Xha? He owes a great deal of money to friends of mine. I'm here to collect you until he pays."
"I'm not his daughter!" she raged.
"I'm fairly certain you are,"
"You old fool. You should be fairly certain of your own ignorance. I'm not afraid of you."
"Brave words from someone who is about to die," he said. "In any case, whoever you are it's widely known that he cares a great deal about you." He got close to her face… "but why, do I sense Obi-Wan Kenobi?" The man shuddered. Then smiled. "I would say he cares a great deal for you as well. A shame he'll be dead soon."
"Leave him alone!" Christa yelled.
"And you for him…" he observed. This was too good to be true. He grabbed Christa by the neck and wrung his fingers around it.
"I won't kill you now. You might be of some use."
Christa tried to peel his fingers from her throat, but the clawing was useless.
"My name is Count Dooku. Formerly a Jedi, now leader of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. You will do as I ask from now on? Do you understand?"
Christa spat. "I'll kill you first."
He flashed teeth at her. It almost looked like a smile. "You amuse me." He eyed the tempestuous beauty for several seconds then set her free.
The Jedi are going to see their end soon enough. Obi-Wan with them… But I will spare him if you convince him to join me."
"You dirty scum-bag, Obi-Wan is good."
"You're only amusing for so long," he countered. "But if you should continue to assault me with that venomous tongue of yours, I will presume to pull it from your face."
Christa felt her tongue snapping forth. She closed her lips. She'd never seen a Jedi use his powers so casually.
"I won't do this to him. I love him," Christa said. "You'll have to kill me." She lowered her head.
Dooku observed the woman. "If you love him, as you say, wouldn't you want him to leave the Order? To be with you?"
"Of course," Christa nodded. "But it will be his decision to leave. Not mine."
"I was a Jedi once. When I left they turned against me. I'm afraid you'll never have him. Because they will kill him when he goes. Unless, you convince him to join me and my crusade against the Republic. I will protect him from the Order. We'll destroy them together, and do away with them for good."
"Do away with the Jedi? I want no part in this."
"I'm afraid you're already involved. If I don't have your cooperation I'll be forced to use force. I will kill him. Then I will kill you."
"Don't-" Christa said.
Dooku walked toward the door. "I'll be in contact."