"They have dispatched a Jedi? To Dantooine?" Said Count Dooku aloud
incredulously, although his face had a hint of amusement registered on it.
After a small informative chat with Darth Sidious and now aware of this
knowledge, he was unsure as to how to proceed. All that Darth Sidious
stated was to not let this Jedi Knight get in the way of their plans. But
really! Had Dooku underestimated the abilities of the Jedi? Perhaps so, but
he was not alarmed. After all, he had the advantage of knowing that his
enemy was searching for him. And he would certainly be prepared to welcome
this visitor.
Count Dooku strode to his makeshift hangar, mounted his Sith speeder bike and activated it. He rode over hills, weaving through the masses of tall trees present on the planet. On the way, he passed many primitive villages built and occupied by the native people of Dantooine, the Dantari. Finally, he emerged from the dense shroud of trees into the main town of the planet. At least what the people of Dantooine called a town.
The town was actually constructed by non-natives - by various inhabitants from other planets. Their cumulative talents and knowledge of technology - which the Dantari did not possess - led to the building of a modern town. It wasn't altogether prosperous, but then that's how its inhabitants intended it to be. The inhabitants were not ambitious merchants or politicians; they did not mean for this town to become a bustling hub for tourists or even a miniature version of Coruscant for that matter. They were simply seeking out peaceful lives for themselves, and Dantooine presented them with this ideal opportunity to do so.
Which made such a location perfect for the undertaking of the plans of the Sith.
Count Dooku dismounted his speeder and walked for a while to a cantina on the outskirts of the town. Of all the buildings present, this one probably stood out the most. Not just for its unique architectural design but also for the various interplanetary species that it drew within its walls. He was almost positive that the designer was from Tatooine - this cantina bore so many similarities to those on that distant planet.
As he walked into the cantina, his thoughts wandered and he began thinking about the Jedi Knight who would soon arrive. Dooku frowned, his brows furrowing together. The knowledge that Sidious had provided him with was considerably limited. The information of which he was aware of was that this Jedi would arrive soon; this very evening in fact. Secondly, the Jedi had only recently become a Knight. At this thought, Dooku's frown turned upwards into a smile. This would mean that this uninvited visitor would have no experience when it came to dealing with the Sith. Perhaps he could also be taken down with a little effort and without Dooku's direct involvement. This would be preferable for both himself and Darth Sidious.
Count Dooku gazed keenly around the cantina until his cold eyes rested on a thin-faced human, sporting a graying beard and a stiff uniform.
"General Mehrkem," spoke Dooku, greeting the man.
"Ah, Count Do-" began Mehrkem before Dooku interjected.
"Not here, fool! I am Dylar Sven until I inform you otherwise!" whispered Dooku fiercely. He cleared his throat before continuing, "I need a favor. And would like to mention to you now that my master will reward you greatly if the job is done well."
Mehrkem coolly stirred his sparkling drink. "He had better. These favors don't come cheap, Dylar. Especially not during these times when the Jedi are ever-watchful!"
Dooku ignored this remark. "This 'job' concerns the Jedi, Mehrkem."
Mehrkem's eyebrows rose; Dooku had his full attention.
"This has to be organized as quickly as you possibly can. The Jedi will be arriving this evening, at the Crayd docking bay. I do not know who this particular Jedi is; all I know is that he is on his own. Which is why I will station myself near a tourist stand...I believe I can distinguish a Jedi Knight from the average person. Once I recognize him, I will nod twice, and then walk away leaving you to take him down. I do not wish to be directly involved."
"How could you possibly recognize him if you don't even know what he looks like?" retorted Mehrkem with a disbelieving glare.
"I have abilities that you merely dream about, General. But that's not important now. What is important is that you have to make use of your best men. Several of them. The Jedi are not to be underestimated. Outnumber him and corner him until he has no place to turn."
"I shall see to it personally. But before I go about this, I need some confirmation of my reward...some money up front. Otherwise, you'll have to find an alternative. And trust me, if you want this to be quick and clean, you won't find anyone else here with the same capabilities."
Count Dooku sighed. "I have with me 10,000 republic credits. The remaining 40,000 will be provided to you after you have fulfilled your end of the bargain. In addition to that, I will ensure you a position as General in the future, in the most impressive battle station you've ever laid your eyes on." Dooku smiled, and both men chuckled together.
"You have never failed me in the past. But if you fail me now, Mehrkem..." finished Dooku, leaving the other man to contemplate alternative possibilities, some of which were extremely unpleasant. Mehrkem's smile vanished instantly.
* * *
Zeydan Utos-Rii loved to fly. But in the presence of his master or any other Knights, he would attempt to mask his excitement with a bland look - sometimes unsuccessfully. Now, however, he didn't need to pretend. He was provided with a brand new freighter ship and was left all alone to pilot it. She wasn't very large - this ship - but she had the latest T-19 hyperdrive and sublight drive built in as well as shields that could deflect the laser fire from a Republic assault ship for up to five hours, providing him with more than enough time to escape. She also had some turbolaser technology built in - not as large as those used by the Republic army - but sufficiently large to put off an attack. Utos-Rii grinned and leaned back into his seat with his arms clasped behind his head. Then he sighed. He wanted some excitement...this very moment. He placed his hands on the control stick and pushed a few buttons.
The ship that was merely cruising a minute ago now danced dangerously around free-floating asteroids and into the depths of space.
Count Dooku strode to his makeshift hangar, mounted his Sith speeder bike and activated it. He rode over hills, weaving through the masses of tall trees present on the planet. On the way, he passed many primitive villages built and occupied by the native people of Dantooine, the Dantari. Finally, he emerged from the dense shroud of trees into the main town of the planet. At least what the people of Dantooine called a town.
The town was actually constructed by non-natives - by various inhabitants from other planets. Their cumulative talents and knowledge of technology - which the Dantari did not possess - led to the building of a modern town. It wasn't altogether prosperous, but then that's how its inhabitants intended it to be. The inhabitants were not ambitious merchants or politicians; they did not mean for this town to become a bustling hub for tourists or even a miniature version of Coruscant for that matter. They were simply seeking out peaceful lives for themselves, and Dantooine presented them with this ideal opportunity to do so.
Which made such a location perfect for the undertaking of the plans of the Sith.
Count Dooku dismounted his speeder and walked for a while to a cantina on the outskirts of the town. Of all the buildings present, this one probably stood out the most. Not just for its unique architectural design but also for the various interplanetary species that it drew within its walls. He was almost positive that the designer was from Tatooine - this cantina bore so many similarities to those on that distant planet.
As he walked into the cantina, his thoughts wandered and he began thinking about the Jedi Knight who would soon arrive. Dooku frowned, his brows furrowing together. The knowledge that Sidious had provided him with was considerably limited. The information of which he was aware of was that this Jedi would arrive soon; this very evening in fact. Secondly, the Jedi had only recently become a Knight. At this thought, Dooku's frown turned upwards into a smile. This would mean that this uninvited visitor would have no experience when it came to dealing with the Sith. Perhaps he could also be taken down with a little effort and without Dooku's direct involvement. This would be preferable for both himself and Darth Sidious.
Count Dooku gazed keenly around the cantina until his cold eyes rested on a thin-faced human, sporting a graying beard and a stiff uniform.
"General Mehrkem," spoke Dooku, greeting the man.
"Ah, Count Do-" began Mehrkem before Dooku interjected.
"Not here, fool! I am Dylar Sven until I inform you otherwise!" whispered Dooku fiercely. He cleared his throat before continuing, "I need a favor. And would like to mention to you now that my master will reward you greatly if the job is done well."
Mehrkem coolly stirred his sparkling drink. "He had better. These favors don't come cheap, Dylar. Especially not during these times when the Jedi are ever-watchful!"
Dooku ignored this remark. "This 'job' concerns the Jedi, Mehrkem."
Mehrkem's eyebrows rose; Dooku had his full attention.
"This has to be organized as quickly as you possibly can. The Jedi will be arriving this evening, at the Crayd docking bay. I do not know who this particular Jedi is; all I know is that he is on his own. Which is why I will station myself near a tourist stand...I believe I can distinguish a Jedi Knight from the average person. Once I recognize him, I will nod twice, and then walk away leaving you to take him down. I do not wish to be directly involved."
"How could you possibly recognize him if you don't even know what he looks like?" retorted Mehrkem with a disbelieving glare.
"I have abilities that you merely dream about, General. But that's not important now. What is important is that you have to make use of your best men. Several of them. The Jedi are not to be underestimated. Outnumber him and corner him until he has no place to turn."
"I shall see to it personally. But before I go about this, I need some confirmation of my reward...some money up front. Otherwise, you'll have to find an alternative. And trust me, if you want this to be quick and clean, you won't find anyone else here with the same capabilities."
Count Dooku sighed. "I have with me 10,000 republic credits. The remaining 40,000 will be provided to you after you have fulfilled your end of the bargain. In addition to that, I will ensure you a position as General in the future, in the most impressive battle station you've ever laid your eyes on." Dooku smiled, and both men chuckled together.
"You have never failed me in the past. But if you fail me now, Mehrkem..." finished Dooku, leaving the other man to contemplate alternative possibilities, some of which were extremely unpleasant. Mehrkem's smile vanished instantly.
* * *
Zeydan Utos-Rii loved to fly. But in the presence of his master or any other Knights, he would attempt to mask his excitement with a bland look - sometimes unsuccessfully. Now, however, he didn't need to pretend. He was provided with a brand new freighter ship and was left all alone to pilot it. She wasn't very large - this ship - but she had the latest T-19 hyperdrive and sublight drive built in as well as shields that could deflect the laser fire from a Republic assault ship for up to five hours, providing him with more than enough time to escape. She also had some turbolaser technology built in - not as large as those used by the Republic army - but sufficiently large to put off an attack. Utos-Rii grinned and leaned back into his seat with his arms clasped behind his head. Then he sighed. He wanted some excitement...this very moment. He placed his hands on the control stick and pushed a few buttons.
The ship that was merely cruising a minute ago now danced dangerously around free-floating asteroids and into the depths of space.
