Standard Disclaimer. See chapter one. Warning: *Characters are pulled out
of timeline. You will find Maul in the same story as Xanatos.. (Spoiler
.yes they will be appearing)
Chapter Three
Dooku's True Colors
Anakin Skywalker was getting a headache. He wished Count Dooku were off fighting the rebellion instead of arguing with the father of the most beautiful angel in the known galaxy.
In the short time as an aide to the Count, Anakin had witnessed the man become both charismatic and charming or course and uncultured. Most often, he was the first but when people disagreed with him or were just as stubborn as he was, Dooku became the later. Anakin was positive that when they left, Councilor Yoda would never invite them back to his private quarters. Anakin felt sure he would never again set eyes on the beautiful Padmé.
Qui-Gon sat at the table and watched the boy sulk miserably, before turning his attention to the men at the corner table playing a game of chess. He could see that tempers were beginning to flare. Yoda's ears had flattened and Dooku voice had grown strident.
A spasm of irritation crossed the Count's face as he once again rose from the small table and began to pace. "Yoda. you are supposed to be the law here on Naboo. Yet I see much lacking in this area. The Emperor is very unhappy with your lack of progress in catching the elusive Jedi." His words were now spat with contempt. "If you truly want to discourage lawlessness you will see justice carried out. .Mine or should I say that of our liege."
Yoda's walking stick rapped on the floor angrily and the tiny green being's black eyes gleamed. "Tell me my job, you do. Think my duty, I do not do?"
"I haven't seen much proof that you are doing your duty. An escaped prisoner and thief robbed me last night right here on the outskirts of Theed," the Count ranted. He turned to the healer and said, "You, Healer. You have a responsibility as the main Healer to see that the law is not broken."
Padmé gave a startled gasp, looking back and forth between her adoptive father and the Count. Anakin, who stood next to her chair, glowered at the count. He wished a vortex would open and suck his commanding officer into it. Yoda's ears were lowered flat as he regarded the Count with cold speculation. Only Qui-Gon remained impassive.
Dooku threw up his hands in disgusted resignation. "Your silence tells me that I am alone in my crusade for justice, that you are happy with this criminal flaunting the law." Dooku's voice boomed angrily. "Very well you just wait. I will do things my own way and you will see my justice!"
"Like your tone, I do not. In my quarters you are, properly act, you will." A spasm of irritation crossed Yoda's face as diminutive Councilor jabbed his stick in the air. "Manners this Jedi has. The same for you, I cannot say."
Even to the untrained eye, one could observe that the Count looked as if he wished he had the Jedi's laser sword. He glared, lips pursed with suppressed fury, first at Anakin and then at the tiny green being. "I was not elected to my position by the royal family before the Emperor killed them for treason. I would not know your interpretation of a good servant to our sovereign. I have earned my way and have the right to define it as I see fit." His words were ground out between clenched teeth. "My definition," he repeated, grinding his right fist into his open palm, "Is one who sets a course of action and accomplishes everything they set out to do. By whatever means necessary because the history will focus on what is done. not how. Do I make myself clear gentleman?"
Padmé sprang to her feet her eyes snapping. "Father, Count Dooku. Stop this I beg you," she implored.
The room became quiet as a new voice asked the question no one else dared to ask, "And what do those 'means' include, Sir?"
Dooku whirled around at the voice of the intruder. A ginger haired young man of average height walked into the room, bent down to kiss the top of his little sisters head, and took a seat at the chess table across from his adoptive father.
Obi-Wan Kenobi, this is. Adopted him, I did." Yoda said proudly as he got down from the table and placed a tridactyl hand on the young man's knee.
The Count was pleased and smiled broadly. "I am happy to see that not everyone is apathetic to catching this rebel. We need someone who is interested in our Emperor's plans for action in this .city. I am pleased to meet you Obi-Wan. To answer your question ---. Every person has their price, even the criminals. For most, it's money but for others it's freedom. One of these criminals will come forward and inform against his fellow band members. This.This 'Jedi' as the people here call him; how absurd, the Jedi were only a myth.nothing more than sorcery and hocus- pocus."
Qui-Gon rose from his chair and set his teacup on the tray provided by the servant. Politely he informed the agitated Count, "I would warn you sir ..I'm afraid that you will find the people of this area are an independent people. They have dealt with too many hardships. You will discover that they," the Healer paused to find the right words, "Do not frighten easily."
Dooku smiled sardonically, "Their women and children, I take it they do not frighten easily either?'
"Frighten younglings, you would?" Yoda leaned heavily on his stick. "So low you would not sink."
Count Dooku bowed slightly, "I will do what ever I think is necessary to achieve my goals, and my main goal is to capture the Jedi," he replied brown eyes snapping. "I think that the men and women will start talking as soon as their children are enfolded in the Emperor's service. He always needs people with the rebellion. I have planned for an aggressive military recruiter to visit the city of Theed."
"Slavery it is! Yoda shaking his walking stick threateningly.
"Father! Please!" Padmé implored.
"Speak you will not," her father ordered. Levitating his chair so he was at eye level with the Count, "Military Recruitment Specialist! Mention them again, you will not. Leave, you will. More of your talk, I will not take. Go now you will."
The whine of Yoda's hover chair could be heard as the ancient person left the room.
Count Dooku stared after him. "Well, what did I say wrong? I suppose that you Mr. Skywalker, who have gotten so close to these people, can tell me. You look absolutely miserable. Speak up, man."
Obi-Wan studied the Count's face critically. He saved the Count's aide from answering. "My sister. Count" the young man spat the word count "Was to attend school on Coruscant when a recruiter forced her into Palpatine's military force. She was stunned unconscious and dragged away. It happened six years ago.
Tears ran freely down Padmé's defiant face. "My father took all three of us from the orphanage when they were five and I was an infant. Our parent's were killed in the uprising on Naboo. It was Obi-Wan's and Bant's eighteenth naming day," She cried. "We haven't had a communication from her or about her in all of these years. Now you will understand my father's feelings a little better, Your Honor."
Anakin caressed Padmé's bare arm with the back of two fingers. "I can, Padmé, Believe me."
"Do you deny that our Emperor needs people? Do you deny that it is not an honor to serve our sovereign anyway we can?" Count Dooku's jaw clenched and he spoke through clamped teeth.
"No Sir." Anakin flushed under his commanding officer's steady gaze.
"Then hold your tongue."
The general turned to Obi-Wan. "Please thank your father for his hospitality and the fine meal. If I upset him, I am sorry. I make no excuse other than I'm under orders and orders are given to be followed."
"Mistress, Healer Jinn, Master Kenobi," the Count bowed. "Your knights have asked for the Emperor deal with them harshly and I believe that everyone should get what they ask for. We will take our leave of you now."
He walked to the door with a military gait. Anakin Skywalker kneeled next to Padmé and took one of her hands. "Please believe me when I express great regret for what was done to your sister." Anakin murmured as he pressed his lips to her hand.
"Mr. Skywalker, I said we are leaving. Did you not hear me?" Dooku snapped.
Hurriedly, Anakin left the room.
"That man is horrible. How do they create people like him!" Padmé fumed.
Her brother grinned. "Skywalker.horrible? Why little sister I was under the impression that you found him quite pleasant."
A blush stole across Padmé's youthful features. "How can you joke at a time like this Obi-Wan Kenobi? You know what I meant. The Count exhibited his horrible manners to our father. He was rude. and threatening, too!"
Qui-Gon Jinn looked completely calm. "Padmé my dear. We must have faith." He stood and picked up his old cloak. "I too must leave. The Ambassador comes for the first meal tomorrow."
From the window, Padmé watched as the Healer clambered up into the small- dilapidated old speeder and shook her lovely head. "Sometimes Obi-Wan, I don't think that he even cares what's going on in the world. He simply scuttles around in that old speeder and drinks tea with diplomats. That's when he is not in the library with Mace."
Obi-Wan snickered. "Well that's the life of the head physician of Naboo, I expect. What would you have him do? Join the Jedi and his band of knights?"
Padmé burst into giggles. "Healer Jinn, one of the knights? I can just see him tearing through the night in that old speeder."
The laughter soon died as the children of the head of the Council watched as Count Dooku made his presence known to the people of Theed. Across the rolling hills bonfires blazed, while the homes of the people were burned by the torches of Dooku's men.
tbc
Chapter Three
Dooku's True Colors
Anakin Skywalker was getting a headache. He wished Count Dooku were off fighting the rebellion instead of arguing with the father of the most beautiful angel in the known galaxy.
In the short time as an aide to the Count, Anakin had witnessed the man become both charismatic and charming or course and uncultured. Most often, he was the first but when people disagreed with him or were just as stubborn as he was, Dooku became the later. Anakin was positive that when they left, Councilor Yoda would never invite them back to his private quarters. Anakin felt sure he would never again set eyes on the beautiful Padmé.
Qui-Gon sat at the table and watched the boy sulk miserably, before turning his attention to the men at the corner table playing a game of chess. He could see that tempers were beginning to flare. Yoda's ears had flattened and Dooku voice had grown strident.
A spasm of irritation crossed the Count's face as he once again rose from the small table and began to pace. "Yoda. you are supposed to be the law here on Naboo. Yet I see much lacking in this area. The Emperor is very unhappy with your lack of progress in catching the elusive Jedi." His words were now spat with contempt. "If you truly want to discourage lawlessness you will see justice carried out. .Mine or should I say that of our liege."
Yoda's walking stick rapped on the floor angrily and the tiny green being's black eyes gleamed. "Tell me my job, you do. Think my duty, I do not do?"
"I haven't seen much proof that you are doing your duty. An escaped prisoner and thief robbed me last night right here on the outskirts of Theed," the Count ranted. He turned to the healer and said, "You, Healer. You have a responsibility as the main Healer to see that the law is not broken."
Padmé gave a startled gasp, looking back and forth between her adoptive father and the Count. Anakin, who stood next to her chair, glowered at the count. He wished a vortex would open and suck his commanding officer into it. Yoda's ears were lowered flat as he regarded the Count with cold speculation. Only Qui-Gon remained impassive.
Dooku threw up his hands in disgusted resignation. "Your silence tells me that I am alone in my crusade for justice, that you are happy with this criminal flaunting the law." Dooku's voice boomed angrily. "Very well you just wait. I will do things my own way and you will see my justice!"
"Like your tone, I do not. In my quarters you are, properly act, you will." A spasm of irritation crossed Yoda's face as diminutive Councilor jabbed his stick in the air. "Manners this Jedi has. The same for you, I cannot say."
Even to the untrained eye, one could observe that the Count looked as if he wished he had the Jedi's laser sword. He glared, lips pursed with suppressed fury, first at Anakin and then at the tiny green being. "I was not elected to my position by the royal family before the Emperor killed them for treason. I would not know your interpretation of a good servant to our sovereign. I have earned my way and have the right to define it as I see fit." His words were ground out between clenched teeth. "My definition," he repeated, grinding his right fist into his open palm, "Is one who sets a course of action and accomplishes everything they set out to do. By whatever means necessary because the history will focus on what is done. not how. Do I make myself clear gentleman?"
Padmé sprang to her feet her eyes snapping. "Father, Count Dooku. Stop this I beg you," she implored.
The room became quiet as a new voice asked the question no one else dared to ask, "And what do those 'means' include, Sir?"
Dooku whirled around at the voice of the intruder. A ginger haired young man of average height walked into the room, bent down to kiss the top of his little sisters head, and took a seat at the chess table across from his adoptive father.
Obi-Wan Kenobi, this is. Adopted him, I did." Yoda said proudly as he got down from the table and placed a tridactyl hand on the young man's knee.
The Count was pleased and smiled broadly. "I am happy to see that not everyone is apathetic to catching this rebel. We need someone who is interested in our Emperor's plans for action in this .city. I am pleased to meet you Obi-Wan. To answer your question ---. Every person has their price, even the criminals. For most, it's money but for others it's freedom. One of these criminals will come forward and inform against his fellow band members. This.This 'Jedi' as the people here call him; how absurd, the Jedi were only a myth.nothing more than sorcery and hocus- pocus."
Qui-Gon rose from his chair and set his teacup on the tray provided by the servant. Politely he informed the agitated Count, "I would warn you sir ..I'm afraid that you will find the people of this area are an independent people. They have dealt with too many hardships. You will discover that they," the Healer paused to find the right words, "Do not frighten easily."
Dooku smiled sardonically, "Their women and children, I take it they do not frighten easily either?'
"Frighten younglings, you would?" Yoda leaned heavily on his stick. "So low you would not sink."
Count Dooku bowed slightly, "I will do what ever I think is necessary to achieve my goals, and my main goal is to capture the Jedi," he replied brown eyes snapping. "I think that the men and women will start talking as soon as their children are enfolded in the Emperor's service. He always needs people with the rebellion. I have planned for an aggressive military recruiter to visit the city of Theed."
"Slavery it is! Yoda shaking his walking stick threateningly.
"Father! Please!" Padmé implored.
"Speak you will not," her father ordered. Levitating his chair so he was at eye level with the Count, "Military Recruitment Specialist! Mention them again, you will not. Leave, you will. More of your talk, I will not take. Go now you will."
The whine of Yoda's hover chair could be heard as the ancient person left the room.
Count Dooku stared after him. "Well, what did I say wrong? I suppose that you Mr. Skywalker, who have gotten so close to these people, can tell me. You look absolutely miserable. Speak up, man."
Obi-Wan studied the Count's face critically. He saved the Count's aide from answering. "My sister. Count" the young man spat the word count "Was to attend school on Coruscant when a recruiter forced her into Palpatine's military force. She was stunned unconscious and dragged away. It happened six years ago.
Tears ran freely down Padmé's defiant face. "My father took all three of us from the orphanage when they were five and I was an infant. Our parent's were killed in the uprising on Naboo. It was Obi-Wan's and Bant's eighteenth naming day," She cried. "We haven't had a communication from her or about her in all of these years. Now you will understand my father's feelings a little better, Your Honor."
Anakin caressed Padmé's bare arm with the back of two fingers. "I can, Padmé, Believe me."
"Do you deny that our Emperor needs people? Do you deny that it is not an honor to serve our sovereign anyway we can?" Count Dooku's jaw clenched and he spoke through clamped teeth.
"No Sir." Anakin flushed under his commanding officer's steady gaze.
"Then hold your tongue."
The general turned to Obi-Wan. "Please thank your father for his hospitality and the fine meal. If I upset him, I am sorry. I make no excuse other than I'm under orders and orders are given to be followed."
"Mistress, Healer Jinn, Master Kenobi," the Count bowed. "Your knights have asked for the Emperor deal with them harshly and I believe that everyone should get what they ask for. We will take our leave of you now."
He walked to the door with a military gait. Anakin Skywalker kneeled next to Padmé and took one of her hands. "Please believe me when I express great regret for what was done to your sister." Anakin murmured as he pressed his lips to her hand.
"Mr. Skywalker, I said we are leaving. Did you not hear me?" Dooku snapped.
Hurriedly, Anakin left the room.
"That man is horrible. How do they create people like him!" Padmé fumed.
Her brother grinned. "Skywalker.horrible? Why little sister I was under the impression that you found him quite pleasant."
A blush stole across Padmé's youthful features. "How can you joke at a time like this Obi-Wan Kenobi? You know what I meant. The Count exhibited his horrible manners to our father. He was rude. and threatening, too!"
Qui-Gon Jinn looked completely calm. "Padmé my dear. We must have faith." He stood and picked up his old cloak. "I too must leave. The Ambassador comes for the first meal tomorrow."
From the window, Padmé watched as the Healer clambered up into the small- dilapidated old speeder and shook her lovely head. "Sometimes Obi-Wan, I don't think that he even cares what's going on in the world. He simply scuttles around in that old speeder and drinks tea with diplomats. That's when he is not in the library with Mace."
Obi-Wan snickered. "Well that's the life of the head physician of Naboo, I expect. What would you have him do? Join the Jedi and his band of knights?"
Padmé burst into giggles. "Healer Jinn, one of the knights? I can just see him tearing through the night in that old speeder."
The laughter soon died as the children of the head of the Council watched as Count Dooku made his presence known to the people of Theed. Across the rolling hills bonfires blazed, while the homes of the people were burned by the torches of Dooku's men.
tbc