22 BBY, four months prior to the Battle of Geonosis

Sheelal stood before a large holographic map of Kalee on a table, arms folded. Nineteen years had passed since his ascension to chieftain, and yet the war with the Huk had gotten far, far worse. Many more tribes had fallen, to the point where the Kolkpravis was now a symbol of hope for the Kaleesh. Sheelal had carved a reputation for himself, and wanted to save his people.

"As you can see, the Huk have taken to the surrounding mountains and are stripping them of resources," uttered the Kaleesh woman on the other end of the map. Her name was Ronderu lij Kummar, or Ronderu as most called her, and she wore a mask much like other Kaleesh as well as having two swords slung along her back. Ronderu was the leader of the Izvoshra, an elite cadre of Kaleesh warriors that answered to Sheelal alone. While many speculated Sheelal and Ronderu to be romantically involved, Sheelal saw her as more of a sister in arms.

"It's like every time we begin an offensive we're pushed back again. Where are they getting the resources for their invasion from?"

Sheelal was angered by the Huk and their ability to seemingly return from any defeat. It infuriated him to no end.

"My guess? The Republic. We spotted multiple shuttles with the Republic insignia landing in Huk territory. I think it'd be best to-"

"THE REPUBLIC?!"

Sheelal slammed the table in frustration, causing the hologram to jitter for a few seconds. The Republic, the only known government in the entire galaxy, was aiding his sworn enemies!

"The Republic denied OUR request for aid due to the Naboo situation taking priority, but they're willing to supply our ENEMIES?! I SHOULD RIP THEIR HEARTS OUT OF THEIR-"

Before Sheelal could finish his rather...gruesome sentence, a Kaleesh guard rushed into the building Sheelal and Ronderu were in.

"Chieftain, a ship landed outside our village. And it doesn't look to be a Huk one."

A robed figure walked out of a brown-colored ship. His face was covered by a hood, concealing his identity. As he walked down the ramp of his ship, Sheelal and Ronderu approached.

"Who are you and why have you come to us outsider?" Sheelal asked.

"I wish to speak with your chieftain. He's made quite a reputation for himself."

"That would be me. And to have the right to speak with him..."

Sheelal brandished his slugthrower rifle. While it was a primitive weapon in terms of its projectiles, it had a blade on the end to allow it to function as a melee weapon.

"...you'll need to best him in a duel of honor."

As Sheelal readied his weapon, one of his guards tossed the stranger a sword, which he picked up.

"So be it."

The stranger, with an arm behind his back, lunged at Sheelal with the sword. He parried the blow with his rifle, pushing the stranger back with both of his hands on the rifle. The next few seconds would consist of both warriors landing blows against each other, with no clear winner in sight. Sheelal had years of experience fighting the Huk, but this stranger had a unique fighting style to him. He relied on careful, precise strikes rather than Sheelal's reckless blows.

"You fight well outsider."

"Well enough to gain your respect I assume?"

"More like well enough to be distracted."

At this point, Sheelal kicked the stranger squarely in the chest, causing their hood to fall off and reveal a grey-haired old man. His sword flew into the air, allowing Sheelal to catch it. Grinning beneath his mask, he looked to the stranger with a sword pointed at him.

"I yield."

Sheelal sheathed his rifle as he handed his guard the sword. He then helped up the stranger.

"You've proven your worth. What do they call you?"

"Count Dooku."

Dooku and Sheelal sat at a table together, with a guard bringing some tea to the table. As Dooku drank from it, Sheelal looked towards him.

"So what brings you here Dooku?" asked Sheelal.

"I came here to see if the legends about the conflict here were true. That the Huk were indeed enslaving your people."

"Bastards, the lot of them. They came to OUR world and treat it like it's their own! And the worst part is that they have the Republic's backing as well as that of the Jedi dogs!"

Dooku nodded as Sheelal expressed his anger. Sheelal however couldn't help but eye Dooku's waist, or more specifically, metallic cylinder on it.

A lightsaber.

"You didn't say anything about you being...being a JEDI!"

Sheelal immediately rose from his seat, but Dooku put his hand out reassuringly.

"Former Jedi. I'm disgusted with what they've become actually."

Sheelal sat down immediately, listening intently to Dooku. This former Jedi intrigued him.

"Let me just say that I'm on a journey of sorts to find those who have distaste for the Republic. Can I count you among them?"

"Of course Count," replied Sheelal. "I only wish the best for my people."

Dooku nodded reassuringly at Sheelal. The two of them had common ground it seemed.

Some time after his encounter with Sheelal, Dooku's ship was leaving Kalee. As it remained above the planet, ready to jump into hyperspace, Dooku got up off of the cockpit and went to the back of the ship. Pressing a few buttons on the side, a large hologram of a hooded man emerged as he kneeled before him.

"Lord Sidious, I have found the perfect candidate for the Separatist military leader...and a tool to sow fear among the Jedi."

"Excellent work my apprentice. The Jedi will soon have an enemy to sow chaos among their ranks."

"All I need now is for you to begin preparations on your end. I'll return to the planet's surface once they're underway."

"Of course Lord Tyrannus."

The hologram shut off as Dooku got up. He was ready for the next phase of his master's plan.