Count Dooku, under the orders of Darth Sidious, had been tasked with ensuring the capture and suffering of Shmi Skywalker, Anakin's mother, by Tusken Raiders. However, on this day, Dooku contemplated defying his master's command. He landed in Mos Espa on Tatooine, the designated location for Shmi as per Sidious' information. During his journey, the Force tugged him towards a different encounter. A weathered farmer, his face etched with worry, addressed a group amidst the desolate landscape. As Dooku neared, the farmer's desperate plea cut through the dry air, "My wife Shmi has been taken by Tusken Raiders! I need help!"
The revelation jolted Dooku. Sidious' plan seemed redundant – Shmi was already captive. But within this twist, Dooku saw an opportunity. Possessing leverage – evidence of Palpatine's manipulation and the potential to save Shmi – he could gain Anakin's trust. Approaching the farmer, he inquired, "Is Shmi Skywalker, by any chance, Anakin's mother?"
The man affirmed with a grim nod, "Indeed, Shmi's son Anakin was taken by the Jedi a decade ago."
"I am an ally," Dooku stated, "and I can help rescue her."
"What are you, a Jedi?" the man chuckled, "They offer no help in these parts." The surrounding men joined in laughter.
"I once was a Jedi," Dooku revealed.
The man's laughter intensified, "So you intend to just waltz into their camp and rescue her single-handedly?" The entire crowd erupted in amusement.
Ignoring their skepticism, Dooku affirmed, "Precisely. Never underestimate a Jedi." He paused, unsure of the man's name.
"Cliegg Lars," the man finished.
"Cliegg," Dooku acknowledged, "Do you know where the Tusken Raiders took her?"
Cliegg's face hardened. "I was planning to follow their tracks."
"Then let's not waste time," Dooku urged. "The desert wind might erase them soon."
Cliegg hesitated, "Tusken Raiders are a formidable threat-"
"Not to a Jedi," Dooku interjected, "I can infiltrate and escape their camp undetected."
Cliegg, seeing the resolve in Dooku's eyes, conceded. "Very well. I'll guide you to their encampment."
With the twin suns blazing overhead, casting minimal shade from the structures of Mos Espa, Dooku followed Cliegg to his speeder. With a shared sense of purpose, they swiftly departed the city, venturing into the unforgiving desert landscape, and leaving Mos Espa behind.
As dusk approached, they arrived at the moisture farm where a young couple awaited their arrival. The man, bearing a resemblance to a younger Cliegg, was likely his son. "Is he our only help?" the man questioned with skepticism.
Cliegg made introductions, "Owen, this is Dooku, who claims to be an acquaintance of Anakin's."
"I was once a Jedi," Dooku added.
Owen's reply dripped with sarcasm, "So the Jedi finally grace us with their presence."
"No, I come alone," Dooku emphasized. "The Jedi likely forbade Anakin from ever returning."
"But," Owen inquired, "are'nt you a Jedi yourself?"
"A former Jedi," Dooku corrected. "Now, do you have a speeder I can borrow to follow their tracks?" Dooku pressed, aware of the urgency in rescuing Shmi.
"We can use the one we arrived in," Cliegg replied.
"Then let us hasten," Dooku urged. Cliegg took control of the speeder and began tracking the Tusken Raiders' path.
Darkness cloaked the land by the time they reached the Tusken camp. "Are you certain about rescuing her at night?" Cliegg questioned.
"Nightfall will prove advantageous," Dooku reassured, "I can infiltrate and extract without detection." Dooku disembarked from the speeder and stealthily approached the camp. He knew a diversion was necessary to lure the Tuskens away from Shmi's tent. He crept towards the Bantha pen and unlatched the gate. Moving deeper into the village, he used the Force to startle the Banthas, causing them to stampede out of the enclosure. The Tuskens gave chase, providing Dooku with the opportunity to slip into the last remaining guarded hut through the back entrance. Upon reaching the tent, he ignited his lightsaber, the crimson blade slicing through the fabric with a quiet hum masked by the commotion of the Tuskens herding the Banthas back into their pen. Faint groans of a woman emanated from within. Inside, Dooku discovered a woman bound hand and foot to a pole, injured but alive. He captured a holo-image as potential proof for Sidious in the success of Shmi's capture. The irony being that Sidious's goal was already achieved without Dooku. Approaching the woman, he employed the Force to assess her health, finding her to be in a stable enough condition for survival.
The woman's face turned towards him, weakly asking, "Who are you?"
Dooku started untying the knots for her hands, and answered "Count Dooku."
Shmi looking closer at him noticed the curved lightsaber hilt on his belt, "Are you a Jedi?"
Dooku smiled, looking at his lightsaber, "I once was."
Shmi's face brightened, "Did you know Anakin? Did he send you?"
Dooku finished untying the ropes, and Shmi fell into his arms. "We can talk later," he explained, "Let's get you out of here first. Cliegg is waiting."
Shmi stood up, insisting, "I can walk." Knowing Shmi would not relent to being caried, Dooku only led her through the cut tent flap, sneaking away from the village.
When they reached the speeder Cleigg was waiting for them. "That was quick," Cleigg remarked.
"Like I said," Dooku began, "All I had to do was sneak in and out. The faster the better."
Once all three were settled on the speeder, Shmi asked, "Now can you tell me about Anakin?"
"I never actually met him. I left the Order when Qui-Gon died," Dooku explained.
"I thought you said you were his friend," Cleigg mentioned.
"Nevermind that," Shmi interrupted, "Wasn't Qui-Gon the Jedi who would teach him?"
"Yes," Dooku recalled, "He died just before Anakin would have started training."
"What happened to my Ani then?" Shmi asked, panic rising in her voice.
"Qui-Gon's apprentice, Obi-Wan, trained him," Dooku responded, "If I recall correctly Anakin is still his Padawan."
Relief washed over Shmi at the realization that he would still be a Jedi, "Anything else you know about him?"
"Before you answer that, why did you come here if you aren't Anakin's friend?" Cliegg questioned harshly.
"In a way, Anakin is part of my Jedi family," Dooku explained, "Qui-Gon was my Padawan, making Anakin my great-grand Padawan."
"Does Anakin know you're here?" Shmi asked, adding, "Can you ask him if he can visit?"
"He doesn't know, and Jedi aren't allowed attachments, so he can't visit any of his family," Dooku answered, "I'm sorry."
They arrived at the farmhouse where Owen waited for them. He called, "Beru!" as Shmi was led inside. Beru had prepared bandages, and as Shmi was laid on a bed, she tended to her injuries, wrapping her back in bandages.
Cliegg stopped Dooku from helping Beru, "You're welcome to stay the night. It's the least I can do for saving my wife." Dooku thought it ironic, having been sent to have Shmi kidnapped, he instead rescued her derailing whatever Sidious had planned.
The next morning, the Lars family and Dooku shared breakfast around the table. "Anakin is currently on a mission, and I don't know where," Dooku began, "If he shows up, I have something for him." He produced a holo from his pocket, handing it to Shmi, "This has a message for Anakin. I want to talk with him soon." Hope lingered that Anakin would still experience the dreams despite Shmi being safe. If he did, he might arrive, and Shmi could put in a good word for Dooku.
Shmi looked at the holo, "When he shows up, I'll give this to him."
"Also, I'd rather you not tell anyone but Anakin about my rescue," Dooku added, wanting to avoid Sidious discovering his lack of following directions.
"We can do that," Cleigg assured him.
Dooku finished his milk and stood up to leave. Cliegg rose to shake his hand, thanking him, "Thanks again for saving my wife."
"It was nothing," Dooku replied, exiting the hut with Cliegg to return to his ship by Cleigg's speeder. They sped off, sand swirling in their wake.
Arriving in Mos Espa, a group awaited Cliegg. "Did you rescue her?" one of them asked.
"Yes, she's now safe at home," Cleigg responded to the man.
The men cheered, "We should celebrate in the Cantina with you."
"I need to leave," Dooku said to Cleigg as he excused himself. He walked off to his ship while Cleigg and his friends celebrated in the Cantina.