"Conversation"
'Thoughts'
Reading/Writing
"Hologram Communication"
"YELLING"
In Orbit Above Kamino
Dooku looked at the watery planet of Kamino through the cockpit window of his T-6 shuttle as he exited Hyperspace. He had been assigned the mission to begin negotiations with the Kaminoans by Yoda, while Sifo-Dyas was looking for a suitable Mandalorian warrior to serve as the clone template. To a degree, Dooku was slightly put off by this task as he had already started looking into five different senators for suspicions of corruption. Still, since Yoda had asked him to do this, it showed that despite everything that happened between them, it meant that Yoda still trusted him, which meant a lot to him. Because of that, Dooku was willing to take a small break in his brief investigations and go to Kamino to speak with the Kaminoan cloners.
Disengaging the autopilot and taking control of the shuttle, Dooku carefully flew the T-6 shuttle through the torrential rain of Kamino as he approached the planet's capital city: Tipoca City. Thanks to the data that Dooku acquired from the Jedi Archives, Dooku was able to input the coordinates to the capital, and soon it came into view. The city was a collection of domes and platforms connecting those domes on high elevated stilts that went down to the ocean floor. Dooku had read in the Archive data that Kamino, at one point, had continents and land masses. However, the continuous rains eventually caused massive and consistent floods, so the remaining Kaminoans began building their cities into what they were now.
Finally, Dooku put the shuttle down on the landing platform and shut down the ship's systems while listening to the rain outside pattering against the shuttle's hull. Finally, after Dooku made sure to shut off all of the shuttle's systems and power, he exited the ship, surrendering himself to the drenching water that fell from the tumultuous storm clouds of Kamino. Ignoring the rain that fell on him, Dooku strode across the platform and walked through the doors which opened before him and allowed him entry into the domed building that served as part of Tipoca City. Using the Force to clear as much of the water off of him as he could, Dooku looked up when he sensed that someone was approaching him.
Doing so would allow him to see a Kaminoan approaching him. The Kaminoan was tall and slender, with a graceful, gliding walk, and wore what appeared to be a circlet on its bald head, indicating to Dooku that the Kaminoan was a female; according to the limited data that Dooku found, a male Kaminoan had a fin on their heads, and that was the only thing that differentiated them from the females. Once the female Kaminoan was in front of Dooku, she bowed as much as her slender form could allow her, and Dooku returned the bow. Dooku observed that she was, likely by her people's standards, quite beautiful and could sense through the Force that she had a gentle and caring nature, if a tad naive. Her two hands had three fingers on them, and her black eyes had white pupils.
"Welcome, Master Jedi, to Kamino; I am Taun We, administrative aide to the Prime Minister of Kamino," The Kaminoan said, her gray eyes looking into Dooku's. "To what do we owe the honor of your visit?"
Dooku looked back into Taun We's eyes. He could sense that she was an administrative aide and was likely sent to him by the planetary leader.
"I would like to speak with your Prime Minister," Dooku responded, choosing not to beat around the bush. "I have a potential business deal that I believe will be lucrative for your people."
Taun We looked at Dooku with interest before gesturing him to follow her. As Dooku followed her, he looked around him, noting the symmetrical and white hallways of the Kaminoan city as he followed his guide. Eventually, Dooku and Taun We were in front of a door that smoothly opened, revealing a simple circular office where a male Kaminoan was waiting for them.
Almost similar to Taun We, the male Kaminoan was exceptionally tall and slender, but that was where the similarities ended, as the Kaminoan had a crest that ran along the top of his head and down the back of it. The Kaminoan Prime Minister wore unique black robes paired with pieces of white armor that protected his chest and shoulders and a tall collar piece that went up the length of his neck and stopped just short of the base of his skull. The Prime Minister's nostrils were connected to his upper lip by a thin "u"-shaped slit, he had three fingers on each of his hands, and his eyes were black with white irises.
Dooku followed Taun We up to the Kaminoan Prime Minister and bowed in respect to his host while Taun We gestured towards the Prime Minister as she prepared to make the introductions.
"Allow me to introduce Lama Su, Prime Minister of Kamino," Taun We said, introducing her superior before gesturing towards the Jedi. "And this is Jedi Master.."
"Dooku, at your service, Prime Minister." Dooku said, completing Taun We's sentence respectfully.
"I trust you will enjoy your stay," Lama Su replied, gesturing for Dooku to sit in one of the pod seats that lowered from the ceiling. "Please, take a seat. So, Master Jedi, to what does Kamino owe the honor of a visit from a representative of the Jedi Order?"
"Master Dooku stated that he is here to make a lucrative contract with Kamino on behalf of the Jedi Order, Prime Minister Su." Taun We stated as she prepared a couple of slim chalices for the Prime Minister and Jedi to drink from.
Dooku observed Lama Su's interest in Taun We's words as he looked in his direction. Dooku couldn't help but grin as he understood why Yoda sent him here; he was one of the Order's best diplomats and could more than secure a beneficial deal on behalf of the Jedi Order. He just needed to play his cards right, and the Kaminoans would hopefully be more than willing to make the clone army Yoda was looking for.
"Intriguing; I am most interested to hear about this contract that you have to offer for my people, Master Jedi." Lama Su replied, his three fingers stroking his chin.
Dooku readjusted himself in the chair, leaning forward as he looked at Lama Su.
"I am here, on behalf of the Jedi Order, to commission your people to create a clone army," He began, subtly using the Force to perceive Lama Su's reaction. "For the Galactic Republic. The Grandmaster of my Order, as well as a good friend of mine, have been having visions of a potential war that will happen in approximately thirty years. Since the Republic doesn't currently have a standing military, the Jedi have no choice but to create one in total secrecy. As we don't wish to use droids as they can easily be reprogrammed against us or sabotaged, the Jedi Council believes that creating a clone army is the best option. And what better place to turn to for a clone army, than the cloners of Kamino?"
Dooku could feel the pride in Lama Su as the still young but slowly aging Jedi Master chose his words carefully. Dooku was an excellent diplomat, drawing on some experience that he picked up from politicians with whom he interacted in the past. Dooku may not like politicians all that much, but he knew when to draw on certain advantages regarding said politicians. With the rise of Lama Su's pride, Dooku knew he had the Kaminoan Prime Minister's attention.
"I must admit, Master Dooku, I am impressed," Lama Su replied, his pride still evident through the Force. "Kamino would be honored to create a clone army for the Jedi and the Galactic Republic. Do you have a genetic donor for the army? Or does the Jedi Order wish to clone certain members of the Order itself?"
"No, Prime Minister, the Jedi Order is not looking to clone one of its members," Dooku replied, shaking his head. "And as it currently stands, we do not have a potential donor as a genetic template for the clone army. However, a good friend of mine, Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas, is currently negotiating with the Mandalorian government in the hopes of hiring one of their warriors to serve as the clone template: it is also the hope of Master Yoda that, in doing so, will be the first step to forging a better relationship between the Jedi Order and the Mandalorian warriors."
Dooku didn't need to use the Force to know that Lama Su was impressed by what he said. The Mandalorians were, after all, exceptionally well known for their combat skills.
"Yes, the warriors of Mandalore are quite well known for their exceptional combat skills and thus would make an excellent clone template," Lama Su said, his small head nodding. "I trust then, Master Jedi, that you have a certain Mandalorian warrior already chosen for the role?"
Dooku minutely shook his head while keeping eye contact with Lama Su.
"No, we currently do not have a suitable Mandalorian warrior to serve as the genetic template for the clone army," Dooku simply replied. "I can assure you that Master Sifo-Dyas is looking for a Mandalorian who will serve as a genetic donor for the clones, but he has yet to find one. As far as I know, he should be on Mandalore right now, negotiating with Duchess Satine to find an exceptional warrior who will be the perfect warrior to clone.
"Until he finds a perfect DNA donor, I am permitted by Master Yoda to discuss how the Jedi Order will pay for the clone army," Dooku continued, his right hand reaching into one of the pouches on his belt, pulling out a clear Kyber crystal. "Which will be in the form of Kyber crystals that are unusable for lightsabers."
The eyes of Lama Su and Taun We, the latter of whom mostly kept herself quiet between the Kaminoan prime minister and Dooku, widened in surprise as they gazed upon the valuable gem in Dooku's fingers. Kyber crystals were extremely valuable gems, perhaps the most valuable in the entire Galaxy, and could only be found on certain planets that were kept secret by the Jedi. The two Kaminoans knew that this was because Kyber crystals were the most important part of the Jedi lightsaber. Many throughout the Galaxy knew that the Jedi referred to the Kyber crystal as the heart of their lightsabers and gave the iconic Jedi weapon their specific blade colors, ranging from blue, green, and a few purples to rarer yellow colors. So for the Jedi to be willing to use certain Kyber crystals that couldn't be used for their lightsabers as a means of payment intrigued the Kaminoans, and Lama Su was willing to admit that he may have been salivating at the idea of accepting such crystals.
"I see. Well, I don't see any problems with accepting Kyber crystals as payment," Lama Su said, clearing his voice to recover from his surprise. "As for the current lack of a genetic donor for the clone army, we Kaminoans are a patient lot, and thus we are willing to hold off on finishing the contract when your fellow Jedi finds a suitable donor."
Dooku grinned as he placed the Kyber crystal back into his pouch, rising from his chair. Lama Su copied the Jedi Master's movements and watched him return the crystal to where he pulled it from. He was slightly disappointed to see the Kyber crystal disappear from view but recomposed himself as needed. He graced Dooku with a small smile, feeling that the Jedi Order might end up being one of, if not the BIGGEST, clients that Kamino would ever take on.
"Of course, Prime Minister," Dooku stated as a smile graced his noble face. "I'm pleased that we were able to come to reasonable terms for our contract. Once Master Sifo-Dyas has found a suitable Mandalorian warrior to serve as the genetic template, you will receive payment of approximately five hundred thousand Kyber crystals, which should be enough for the following years until the war finally arrives. Even then, if it is required for continuous production of clones, you will continue to receive considerable payments from the Jedi Order in the form of Kyber crystals."
Lama Su was subtly excited by Dooku's terms and was eager for the Jedi to find their donor. Kamino always managed to find profitable deals, but if everything went well with what Dooku was asking for on behalf of the Jedi Order, then this would undoubtedly turn out to be Kamino's most profitable contract!
"Of course, Master Dooku," The Kaminoan Prime Minister replied. "We shall eagerly await your fellow Jedi and the Mandalorian warrior."
Dooku nodded in response before following Taun We out of the office. The Jedi and female Kaminoan walked in relative silence, but they possessed auras of respect for each other as they returned to the landing platform. Bowing to one another, Dooku exited the building and returned to his shuttle as the rain fell. Despite being drenched by the rain, Dooku walked up the gangplank and entered the shuttle before returning to the cockpit and beginning the takeoff procedure.
As the T-6 shuttle exited the planet's atmosphere, Dooku turned on the ship's autopilot before turning on the holo-communicator to contact Yoda. In short order, the holographic image of Master Yoda appeared, the glowing blue hue of the hologram filling the cockpit and illuminating Dooku's regal features. Of course, Jedi vessels were also equipped with color-filled holo-projectors, allowing Yoda's green skin and the brown hues of his Jedi robes to show through the hologram.
"Dooku, your mission, how goes it?" Asked Yoda, a massive grin on his face.
Dooku grinned as he shook his head. Ever since he was Yoda's apprentice, Dooku knew that Yoda possessed a unique way of getting someone to see the positive in life. It was one of the few reasons why they had such a strong bond.
"I've made contact with the Kaminoans and spoke with the Prime Minister," Dooku replied, calming his facial expressions back. "I explained the contract we wished to have with them, and he was quite pleased with the terms. He was particularly pleased with how we plan to pay them for the job."
Yoda stroked his chin as Dooku explained how his meeting with the Kaminoan Prime Minister went.
"Good, very good," Yoda remarked, pleased with the report. "When Master Sifo-Dyas succeeds in hiring the Mandalorian, he is searching for, he will bring the Mandalorian to Kamino."
Dooku perked up at hearing Yoda say that.
"I take it, then, that Sifo-Dyas was unsuccessful in negotiating with the Mandalorian Duchess?" He asked, his voice possessing a tone of slight disappointment.
"Not quite, but mildly successful, it was," Yoda answered. "In a difficult situation, Mandalore is, and all of its remaining available warriors, they have need of. However, the name of a Mandalorian bounty hunter on Tatooine, Duchess Satine and her sister have provided."
Dooku chafed at the idea of hiring a bounty hunter to be the clone template. It was one thing to hire a warrior to do this important task, but at least warriors had honor. Bounty hunters, on the other hand, were unpredictable and often cared only for themselves. Granted, the Jedi were prepared to pay the warrior they chose to clone, but if they hired a bounty hunter, then it was likely that the Jedi would end up paying more than what they initially expected. Still, the bounty hunter was apparently a Mandalorian, so perhaps there was a chance that the Mandalorian bounty hunter still valued honor. However, Dooku would only take that hope with a grain of salt.
"Are you certain that hiring a bounty hunter, Mandalorian though he/she may be, to be the genetic template for the clone army we're commissioning for is a good idea, Master?" Dooku asked, criticism etched in his voice. "Bounty hunters aren't well known for being honorable when compared to warriors, and not all bounty hunters are that well skilled in combating either Jedi or numerous other foes they may encounter."
Yoda nodded in understanding to what his former apprentice was saying. Admittedly, Yoda was also apprehensive about hiring a bounty hunter rather than a warrior for the task they were seeking for. Still, in a vast Galaxy, one couldn't afford to be picky.
"Understand your concerns, I do, my old padawan," Yoda replied with trepidation in his voice. "Equally as fond of hiring a bounty hunter, I am not. However, a Mandalorian, the bounty hunter will be, therefore, value honor, and greatly skilled, the bounty hunter will, and the kind of bounty hunter that can be accepted, that will be."
Dooku couldn't help but sigh in slight defeat, knowing that Yoda was correct. After all, the Mandalorians were known for many things, but among them, they were vastly known for being an honor-driven people. So, if Yoda believed that a Mandalorian bounty hunter would be the best choice, they would have to create a clone army, then Dooku would swallow his pride. After all, nothing was more important to Dooku than doing what was best for the people of the Galaxy, and that was something that Dooku always strove to do.
"Very well, Master Yoda," He replied, accepting the hand that fate handed to them. "Did the Duchess and her sister say what the name of this Mandalorian bounty hunter on Tatooine was?"
Yoda nodded his head, his mouth opening to speak.
"Yes, Jango Fett, the name that was given to Sifo-Dyas was." The Jedi Grandmaster said.
Dooku reacted to the bounty hunter's name, sitting up rigid and his face paling. He couldn't believe the name that he and the Jedi were given. After all, it had been some time since he had heard the name Jango Fett.
'It can't be,' Dooku thought as he slumped in the pilot seat. 'I can't believe that of all the Mandalorians, and it would be Jango Fett that the Force was directing us to.'
Yoda watched in concern as he witnessed Dooku's body tensing up at the mention of Jango Fett. Throughout the course of his career as a Jedi, Yoda had trained many padawans, and out of all of them, Dooku was not only Yoda's finest padawan, but also his favorite. The bond they both shared as master and apprentice was stronger than any other Jedi, and in many ways, Dooku had become like a son to Yoda despite them being of different species.
"Means something to you, the name of Jango Fett does, Dooku?" Yoda asked, concern for his former padawan clearly etched in his voice.
Dooku looked up at the hologram of his master. He sighed heavily as he thought of the last time he encountered the Mandalorian named Jango Fett.
"Unfortunately, yes, it does, Master," Dooku said as he slumped heavily in the pilot's chair, forgetting his noble posture. "Do you, by chance, remember my mission to the planet of Galidraan and the unfortunate battle that took place there?"
Yoda's eyes widened as he realized what Dooku was talking about before sadness began to show through them. He sighed softly as he nodded his head. This was all the confirmation Dooku needed to know that Yoda knew what he was referring to.
"A good day for the Jedi, that was not," Yoda said sadly, barely noticing the slight nod of Dooku's head. "Lost, so many Jedi and Mandalorian lives, and all for nothing."
"Indeed, Master Yoda, it was not a good day," Dooku confirmed before continuing. "And what's worse was that the Jedi Order and the Republic were deceived by the Governor of Galidraan, who sent the notice of the Mandalorians on his planet. As you may recall, Master, the Governor of Galidraan, reported to the Senate that a clan of Mandalorian warriors were on his world and were killing people and ransacking villages. So in response, the Senate ordered a Jedi task force to be sent to Galidraan to stop the Mandalorians, and I volunteered to lead the task force.
"Of course, when we arrived at Galidraan, I immediately felt that something was wrong, but I didn't have time to figure out what it was," The dark-haired Jedi continued, getting lost in his story. "And so we went to the location where the Mandalorians were. When we got there, I had hoped to speak with the leader of the Mandalorian clan peacefully so as to avoid any unnecessary violence or bloodshed. Unfortunately, my former apprentice, Komari Vosa, decided that peace talks would be pointless, and went ahead and attacked without orders. One thing led to another, and soon it was just a massacre, with only a handful of Jedi, and only one Mandalorian warrior, still alive; and the sole Mandalorian survivor, was Jango Fett, Master Yoda."
Yoda nodded in understanding now, fully comprehending what Dooku had told him. Galidraan was, in many ways, an eye-opening event that showed both Yoda and Dooku how detrimental the ties between the Jedi Order and the Republic Senate were. The Jedi wanted to serve and help the people of the Galaxy to the best of their abilities, but many corrupt senators in the Republic Senate would often turn a blind eye to the greater needs of the people and only send the Jedi to planets where they hoped to gain the most rewards. As such, the Jedi could not provide any aid to those who needed them the most, and the corruption in the Senate would only worsen over time.
One such example of where the Jedi wanted to aid galactic citizens but couldn't because of the Senate's inability to allow them was the ongoing practice of slavery in the Outer Rim territories, especially in Hutt-controlled space. It was a well-known fact that despite the Republic's anti-slavery laws, there were still pockets of criminal groups in the Outer Rim who still practiced slavery, but because the Senate seemed to be turning a blind eye to it, the hands of the Jedi, in extension, had their hands tied behind their backs and couldn't do anything about it. It was a tough pill to swallow, but hopefully, in time, the Jedi will find a way to break free of the Republic Senate's grip and finally be able to provide the appropriate aid needed by the people of the Galaxy.
"Master Yoda, with your permission and blessing, I'd like to go to Tattooine and help Sifo-Dyas recruit Jango Fett." Dooku said, a hope of redemption for the Galidraan incident growing in his heart.
Yoda nodded gently, understanding why Dooku was asking this. By a strange twist of fate, the Force was giving Dooku a chance at redemption for what happened on Galidraan. Dooku was the one who led the Jedi task force sent to Galidraan, he was the one responsible for all of the lives of the Jedi who followed him, and to a degree, Dooku was the one responsible for the lives of the Mandalorians they were sent to confront. Dooku always felt a great deal of shame for what happened on Galidraan, and now he was seeing a chance to make up for it, and Yoda wasn't going to deny him that. Yoda wanted Dooku to find a sense of inner peace from the Massacre of Galidraan, and now he was being given a chance for it by the Force.
"Grant my permission, I do, Dooku," Yoda replied with a smile. "To Tattooine and meet up with Master Sifo-Dyas you shall, and find Jango Fett. Help Sifo-Dyas to recruit Jango Fett and find peace not only for yourself but with Jango Fett as well, you must."
Dooku smiled as Yoda finished his sentence. Ever since he was a child, Dooku knew Yoda only wanted what was best for him, and Dooku always appreciated his former Master for it. Yoda was the closest thing to a father figure for Dooku. It was partly because of Yoda and Dooku's former apprentice Qui-Gon Jinn that Dooku had not yet left the Jedi Order, despite becoming disillusioned with the Republic Senate.
"Thank you, Master Yoda," Dooku said, bowing his head in respect to his former master. "I shall set course for Tattooine immediately. May the Force be with you, my former Master."
"And with you, my old Padawan," Yoda replied, his smile still present as the hologram cut off. "And may you find inner peace."
Dooku quickly took hold of the flight controls for his shuttle before turning off the autopilot and setting the navicomputer. Once his course for the desert planet of Tattooine was set, Dooku watched as the stars elongated before finally entering the blue void of hyperspace. Jedi Master Dooku was on his way to Tattooine, where his friend Sifo-Dyas was heading and where the Mandalorian bounty hunter Jango Fett, was awaiting his unknown destiny.
And that, my friends, is the end of this chapter. Will Dooku and Sifo-Dyas be able to recruit Jango Fett to be the genetic template for the Clone Army? Will Dooku and Jango be able to put the past behind them and find a sense of peace after Galidraan? Will Jango Fett be willing to put aside his hatred for the Jedi and agree to help them? Find out in the next chapter of Star Wars: A New Beginning!
This chapter was posted on May 4th, 2023; May the Fourth Be You!