PART 3: ASTRAY ACOLYTES

CHAPTER 14: ENCOUNTER ON KAMINO

Dooku had found a solar sailor class ship on Malkrust that had still been functional and he had headed to Kamino. Landing on the wind and rain lashed planet Dooku waited on the platform for Obi-Wan, he knew that the Jedi would come to him. The doors at the far end of the platform opened and Obi-Wan came out into the rain.

"Count Dooku," Obi-Wan said.

"Kenobi," Dooku responded.

"What are you doing here Count?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I have come to deal with the aggression the Republic has shown by running my blockade," Dooku said.

Obi-Wan felt the darkness within Dooku and new the truth of the matter. "you've come here to stop the truth for getting out, the clone armies were created to destroy the Jedi, and I sense your hand in this Dooku," Obi-Wan accused the rain lashing his face.

"The Jedi are corrupt and must be eliminated from the galaxy before they destroy us all," Dooku said. "Sifo-Dyas saw it, why do you think he ordered the clone army? Qui-Gon knew it too, the senate's rote has leaked into the Jedi, and neither can be allowed to bring the galaxy down with them."

"Qui-Gon believed in the Jedi," Obi-Wan would never believe that Qui-Gon had wanted the downfall of the Jedi.

"He'd join me now if he had lived, for his lake of training I blame myself, but for the arrogance of the Jedi that brought him to his fate, that lies alone with them," Dooku said, lightning flashing overhead.

"Blame is not the way of a Jedi," Obi-Wan said, "you are alone in this pursuit, and have failed. The Senate and the Jedi Council will know shortly of the clone armies true purpose." Obi-Wan called over the howling wind.

"No Kenobi, I am not alone," Dooku said, and Obi-Wan's face suddenly had realization written on it as he understood, the force whispering the truth to him.

"Anakin." The young pirate that he'd met years ago now, and again more recently, when rescuing Senator Mon Mathma. Obi-Wan had felt Anakin's presents in the force, recently growing and sending out ripples that no longer could be ignored. Now it seemed that the young pirate had fallen in with Dooku.

"Young Skywalker has proven to be an apt pepil," Dooku said, "with his help, together we will put an end to the corruption."

"Anakin won't help you destroy the Jedi Dooku," Obi-Wan said.

"Qui-Gon trained the boy in secret," that much Dooku knew, "if not to end the corruption and to protect Anakin from it?" Dooku demanded, the wind tarring at his cap now.

"Qui-Gon believed that Anakin was the chosen one, and trained him in secret to that purpose. The boy was too old to be taken back to the temple; Qui-Gon didn't want to destroy the Jedi he wanted to bring balance to the force!" Obi-Wan called over the rising wind. Through the force he could feel Dooku's shock; the count had not known Anakin was supposed to be the chosen one.

"Turn back from this foolish quest Dooku, help bring peace to the galaxy not war," Obi-Wan called. "the Jedi need your help Dooku, come back." Obi-Wan offered trying to reach out to the old man who's wounds in the force at Qui-Gon's loss now seemed to be fettering him. Dooku was silent for a moment, but Obi-Wan felt that he'd reached the old man; something was on the verge of shifting.

The doors behind Obi-Wan opened and suddenly he heard Jango's voice, "Tyranus!" the bounty hunter accused.

"Tyranus?" Obi-Wan said, shocked turning on the spot he saw Jango Fett had a detachment of clone troopers with him.

"Open fire," Fett's order was instantaneously executed.

Dooku activated the red blade of his lightsaber and deflected several of the bolts as he beat a retreat back to his ship. It was over within minutes as Dooku's ship disappeared into the stormy skies over Kamino. "Dooku is Tyranus?" Obi-Wan asked Jango.

"Looks like it," Jango said his visor tilted upwards to the spot where Dooku's ship had disappeared.