Concord Dawn
Dooku:
Count Dooku allowed himself an invisible sigh.
The air smelled of pinecones and fresh forest. The sound of fresh streams lightly pattering against stone was all pleasant and soothing to his ears. Vague, yet clear memories came to him, of a four-year-old noble boy, alone except for a few assigned maids and tutors, who played on riverbanks outside a majestic, encompassing castle on Serenno. One of just a handful of memories he could conjure of the planet before the age of seventy, upon which, along with some instances of boosting his memory, had given him access to a vast fortune, that now made him one of the wealthiest beings in the Galaxy.
And yet here he stood, no more than a few miles from an encampment from a growing army of Mandalorian warriors – with only his two followers for aid. He maintained the positioning tracker, ensuring it worked and set it to guide them to their destination; Manda'lor's camp. Simply landing towards the camp was out of the question. The three craft would be cornered and shot down before Dooku could get a signal to request an audience with Manda'lor. Non-Mandalorian craft did not last long in this corner of space unless they had approval.
For anyone else, it would be a sign of sure madness. But Dooku is not like the rest.
The two of the three ships that now lay dormant upon the lush fields opened. Both in the Rogue-class category of Confederacy fighters if his memory served him correctly. Out entered the two figures, uneasy and ever watchful, a mindset that they were expected to maintain always, but especially now – Skorr and Sey would fulfil their tasks, though he kept to himself how much he valued the newest arrival, former Jedi master and Weapon's master, Sora Bulq, over both of them – as well as Ventress.
He had Bulq assigned elsewhere to oversee a deal on Antar Four, and would therefore not be able to join them.
"Come, we have little time to lose. I sense we have come at just the right time."
Both nodded and fell in behind as they walked towards their destination.
Kadrian Sey looked at the back of her master's head as they walked through the Golden fields.
"If I may ask, my master, are these Mandalorians truly what we want? these savages value blood and war over following orders. With the Droids, they will follow you and whatever you desire. Even the Republic has the right of it with those Clones of theirs. Perhaps we leave now and allow Grievous to carpet bomb this planet from orbit while they are gathered as one. It could save us trouble ahead"
Dooku did not stop or look back, but still responded.
"Barbarians they may be, Sey, but they are attack dogs that are loyal to the one they deem a worthy leader. Four thousand years ago, the former Jedi and then Sith Lord, Ulic Qel Droma, bested Manda'lor the Indomitable, he then followed Qel Droma loyally until his own death. These are a people who value strength above all else. All I need do is best this Manda'lor in single combat, and according to their laws, he and his people will be honour-bound to follow me, and by extension, the Confederacy. It is the reason that – aside from the both of you – I have come without aid. Bringing the droid army along now will only leave a perception of weakness."
Tol Skorr ensured to add in his piece. Whether it was wanted or not.
"An excellent plan as always, Master. A combined army of Mandalorians and Droids will allow us to win this war easily."
Dooku maintained his calm, neutral expression. It allowed him to remain unreadable to his opponents and for them to never know his true thoughts and intentions. In this regard, it was not obvious how he truly thought of Skorr's pathetic attempts to gain his favour.
"Indeed, Skorr, while I am almost certain to win, it will still be a dangerous task. Neither you nor Sey will interfere."
Skorr said nothing but continued to maintain his pace and carried on as he and Sey shadowed Dooku. Their walk took them almost three miles, through the lush countryside and overpowering sun. The walk was nothing to the three Force sensitives, who's individual stamina could lead them to walk or run dozens of miles without tiring.
Life could be heard ahead as they drew closer to their destination. The vague sounds of yelling, in various languages, from all corners of the Galaxy, but distinctively, the language of Mando'a being the most common. The sounds – and soon appearance of ships descending and taking off across the planet, big and small, from star fighters to frigates and dreadnaughts
So, it seems the Mandalorians have been rebuilding their fleet after all… an impressive feat. The Republic does not even know of this, including his master Sidious. He would have to inform him later of this development.
Half an hour or so later, the three had come towards edge of a hill. It now overlooked a valley. The noise from the visible mass encampment was audible now. The clanking of weapons, the sounds of discharging blasters and groups of armoured beings – all bipedal, but all clearly not purely humanoid in species, singing and chanting songs of war and past glory for the Mandalorians. From the foundations of their culture, twenty-five thousand years ago on Coruscant, to the days of Manda'lor the Ultimate and his Neo-Crusaders. The Force allowed him to sense and take in their absolute revelry – in the pride that they held for their cultural ancestors and to their burning desire to surpass their deeds here and now. Dooku estimated that there were nearly 30,000 warriors here. The whole encampment and fort seemed to run for miles.
Below, the cement homes and places of convince of what appeared to have been a normal town outside of a fort. It was swelled and vastly outnumbered by the surrounding, improvised dwellings; they were crude and ugly from the outside, but clearly efficient. An understated trope of the Mandalorian culture, these huts were primarily made for temporary living until the nomads could move onto their next place of battle. They came in diverse sizes and shapes, from small, confined quarters meant to house no more than up to four people in a family, to huge sprawling complexes, partially enclosed with the local homes to serve as command and control centres, as well as armouries.
Manda'lor was here. He knew it.
"Come" was all he spoke. All he had to. The two acolytes falling in behind him. They came towards the lowest drop point from the cliff and go down, while Skorr and Sey jumped, Dooku used the Force to float down, a testament to his skill and elegance. Dooku took a moment to adjust his silken armour weave cape.
A moment that was soon interrupted. A blast rang out, the shot was just mere inches from the front of his foot. Looking up, he saw his assailant, red armour, with a jetpack, the famed visor leaving the face totally unseen.
The figure indicated that it was a female at the very least.
She was not alone. Nineteen other Mandalorian warriors sprung out from the wooded area that they had landed in. They were all enclosed in a dark blue, blasters locked onto the trio. Some had deactivated their jetpacks while some remained in the sky.
It was the female who spoke first. Her voice guttural, even within the helmet.
"You picked the wrong place for a walk. You enter Mandalorian territory without any approval. State your business and have a good reason, or we'll use you for target practice."
Despite the situation, Dooku remained deadly calm, having made no sudden or panicked movement.
"I come to request an audience with Manda'lor."
The Mandalorian warriors simply took a moment and laughed. Dooku still said nothing.
"Do you think this is a joke, you old fool, Manda'lor has no desire to entertain any outsider. Even some high and mighty, washed up ex Jedi."
So, they did know who he was.
"We know who you are, Dooku. If you came here to assassinate Manda'lor, you will be disappointed and dead."
Dooku sensed the atmosphere. The desire of these savages to kill, Skorr's barely contained anger at the insult towards his master. Sey's calculation on how best to take out each warrior.
He sighed
"Very well then."
Quicker than a blink of an eye, Dooku withdrew and ignited his red lightsaber that he had rested his palm on since the beginning of this encounter. Sey and Skorr did the same.
The skirmish lasted mere minutes, blaster bolts flew as well as palm rockets, each deflected back at a few, before the trio carved through the warriors. Only a few remained as Dooku finished them off with a barrage of Force lighting.
The sole survivor was the original leader, her helmet now taken off to reveal she was a Mirialan, Relatively young.
He placed his Lightsaber back to his belt and then used to the force to grip her throat. She immediately began to choke and futility grasp with both hands.
"You were saying, my dear young lady?"
Skorr, who still had his weapon drawn, stormed towards the disarmed hostage, his intent to kill obvious to all.
"You will pay with your life!"
Dooku merely lifted his unused hand in an easy gesture for Skorr to back down from slaying the insolent Mandalorian. Which he did, though with his look of rage still present.
Dooku turned his attention back to the hosted warrior.
"You will come with us and we will be speaking with Manda'lor"
He ensured to make it clear this was no choice.
Their walk took no more than ten minutes. Dooku ensured to loosen his grip enough so as not to choke the woman to death.
As they entered the camp, warriors sprang out almost everywhere, weapons were drown on them, yet with the Miralian being used as a shield in front and both his Acolytes flanking from the left and right, eyeing any who would seek to take a shot from behind, Dooku and his followers kept moving until before Dooku stopped as they headed inside.
"I seek Manda'lor. Inform him, bring him here and I will spare your sister in arms."
Manda'lor did come. Flanked by four yellow-clad warriors, the current warlord of the Mandalorian peoples faced down the Head of State and chairman of the CIS.
A sea of blue-clad and individually coloured warriors now crowded around to see the events that were transpiring.
The Manda'lor spoke first, his blaster rifle clutched to his chest.
"Count Dooku. What brings you here to Concord Dawn? You are not lost I assume?"
Dooku ignored the insult
"I come only to speak terms of alliance, Manda'lor." As a gesture of good faith, he released the still floating female Mandalorian who promptly headed into the crowd, with what looked to be a family consisting of a young man, an Iridonian female, as well as a visibly pregnant woman and another, more slightly older man. A Wookie also watched on beside them too, clearly, they were all familiar.
As the surrounding crowd looked to point their weapons at the trio, Manda'lor held out his hand in a signal to say no.
"And what terms would those be, Dooku? My warriors have no interest in your wealth, only combat."
Dooku moved forward, hand still on his blade, still hooked to his belt. Ready for any hint of treachery.
Which is precisely what I offer you, Manda'lor. I seek to win this war against the Republic and offer you a chance to wage glorious combat against the Republic and the Jedi alongside the forces of the Confederacy of Independent Systems."
"Why would I or my people need to align with the Separatists. We can achieve true glory in warring against you both as you please."
Dooku only slightly raised an eyebrow.
"Of course, you could… but what if I were to offer you the Confederacy, it is wealth and resources, to truly match against the Galaxy. As chairman, I could offer you my droid army, my acolytes, Navy and wealth. Not as a bribe to act as mercenaries, but to do with them all as you wish."
His Acolytes could not hide their surprise.
Even though the vast majority were helmed, even the Mandalorians seemed in shock at such an offer. Had Dooku gone mad?
Manda'lor hid his own surprise well. The Count also felt the curiosity and interest as well.
"A bold and unprecedented offer, but I see no reason why I could not just take them regardless."
"You would need best me in combat, Manda'lor. If these material gains do not interest you, then perhaps my participation in the massacre of Galidraan will suffice."
Anger and hate were the emotions that stirred from the memory of the infamous mass battle all those years ago. Shouts of anger and demands of vengeance were yelled as war cries.
"For Galidraan!"
"Vengence!"
"Slay him, Manda'lor!"
It was just as Dooku planned.
"I offer you my state and its assets as I said, but also my Lightsaber and opportunity to avenge those whom I and the Jedi slaughtered. Best me in a duel, Manda'lor, and they are all yours. But if I win, you will swear an oath to pledge yourself, your warriors and your fleet to me."
All present knew the answer before it was said.
"Manda'lor nodded his head.
"I accept you challenge, Dooku. We shall fight upon the plains outside this Fort before the sun sets on this day."
"Very well then, we will see who Force deems worthy."
The crowd chaotically dispersed, all now trying to get to the location in order to watch this bout that would determine their people's future course of action.
The true war had begun.
Author's notes
Main reason I decided to leave out the physical description of Manda'lor was because I honestly could not decide how I wanted him to look lmao. I know it probably seems lazy, but Manda'lor is whatever armour you want him to be. Mandalorians have gone back to using retro-Crusader armour as seen in SWTOR.
This story has been on the back of my mind for a while now. Dooku my favourite Sith Lord and one of my favourite characters in SW period. Felt it was necessary to do a story on him.
Next chapter will be the best possible fight I can write: Dooku VS Manda'lor, winner take all.