By
Dan Cziraky
Of course, no one had guessed that Dooku had actually left the Jedi to pursue the path of the Dark Side of the Force. As Darth Tyranus, apprentice to Sith Lord Darth Sidious, he had orchestrated the events that led to the current galaxy-wide civil war that the news media had dubbed the Clone Wars--rumored to have been based on an offhand comment by Dooku's old master, Yoda. Unfortunately, it had been necessary for Dooku to reveal himself as a Sith Lord to Yoda and the Jedi Order during the initial battle on Geonosis, but the identity of his master reminded hidden, and that was far more important to their plans of galactic conquest.
Dooku had many agents that worked for him, allowing the Sith to influence all sorts of persons and events in ways from the seemingly infinitesimal to grandiose schemes. However, it sometimes became necessary for him to act overtly and directly, in certain situations.
The planet Orbsah in the Khen'Nar System had been an early member of the Separatists, and its monarch, King Jee'Iah'Jo, had been a key financial resource in funding the Battle Droid Armies used by the Separatists in fighting the Jedi and the Republic's Clone Troops. As the war continued to spread and more droids were needed, the king had become reluctant to part with more of his planet's wealth. It had come to the point where the monarch had finally refused to release any additional funds until he spoke directly to Dooku himself. As the count's stellar glider entered the atmosphere and the enormous solar sails retracted, Dooku prepared for his audience with Jee'Iah'Jo.
Dooku had noticed recently that his features were becoming harsher. As he wielded his Dark Side powers with more regularity, it seemed that he was aging rapidly. Although already well into his eighth decade, he had always been in such top physical condition that he was often mistaken for a much younger man. Now, his sallow complexion and hollowed eyes made him appear far older. He also noticed that his eyes were beginning to take on a yellowish tint that gave him a somewhat less-than-human look. He was still a powerful figure, but where once he was aristocratic and noble his appearance was now more haggard and frightening.
His droid pilot landed the ship at the palace spaceport, and he was ushered into the throne room. Dooku saw that Jee'Iah'Jo was being attended to by his eldest son, Prince Aw'damm, a young man well-known for his ambitions. Also present were several of Jee'Iah'Jo's top generals, as well as the Minister of Finance, Grim'muhs. Dooku removed the black hood that covered his head and bowed stiffly at the waist, as was the custom on Orbsah.
"Rise, Count Dooku," Jee'Iah'Jo intoned. "I am happy that you were able to come so quickly."
"Your highness, I would have been here even sooner, but the battle for freedom from the oppression of the corrupt Republic demands much of my attention, I am afraid," Dooku said diplomatically. "Had the request not been from someone as vital to our cause as your highness, I would have been hard pressed to make the journey."
"I appreciate your time, Count," the king said. "This war is not going as expected, I'm afraid."
"The treachery of the Republic was beyond even my wildest expectations," Dooku agreed. "This army of Clones is barbaric! To actually create living beings for no other purpose than war--it's ghastly!"
"Yes, but it has been most effective, you must admit," commented Aw'damm. "The Republic's clones can think creatively, and have been running through the battle droids like bloodwraiths through a herd of grazing shaptles."
Dooku glared at the insolent prince. "The Republic grows fat and complacent while these wretches they've created die in their places. However, I have reports that the clones are starting to question their orders. Apparently, a few batches that are less pliable and obedient made it through the clone hatcheries. The Republic has been keeping this all quiet, but I think I can safely guarantee that once the news spreads, the very question of using clones in battle will turn events in our favor."
"Count Dooku, you are talking only of possibilities," Grim'muhs stated. "I don't have that luxury. I must deal in cold figures and precise numbers, and my calculations clearly show that Orbsah will be utterly bankrupt if battle droid production increases. In fact, many key social and educational programs have already been suspended just to cover the cost of the last order we placed for you."
"For me? I'm sorry, I thought it was for us--for all members of the Confederacy," Dooku countered.
"Count, I'm afraid that a long, protracted conflict wasn't something that we ever thought possible when we agreed to join your Confederacy," Jee'Iah'Jo admitted. "The simple fact of the matter is that my people are unwilling to continue making the necessary sacrifices to allow us to contribute such huge resources to the battle."
"I've analyzed the past few battles, Count, and I honestly don't see the Confederacy winning this war," offered General Fah'Lagg, the Senior Military Advisor. "I have suggested to his majesty that Orbsah withdraw from the Confederacy while we still have anything in the treasury worth keeping."
"I see," Dooku said dryly. "And this is the opinion of all his highness' advisors?"
Jee'Iah'Jo indicated a tall, slender youth near the rear of the room. "My other son, Prince Boh'rus, feels that we could force the populace into making further sacrifices to continue contributing to the cause. The rest of us feel they have sacrificed enough, already," the king said.
"Very well, then," Dooku said with a sigh. "I can see that your decision is made. I must say, I'm not surprised by it, just gravely disappointed."
Before the king or anyone else could reply to this veiled insult, Dooku reached beneath his cloak and removed his curved lightsaber. The blade was ignited and a red slash left Jee'Iah'Jo sprawled on the floor, his head rolling across the floor. Another flash of red and the blaster that Fah'Lagg had pulled from his holster went spinning through the air, along with the arm that held it. A blast of Force lightning knocked the others away from the command center controls, preventing any alarm from being sounded. Within seconds, everyone in the room was either dead or dying, except for Dooku and Boh'rus.
"I'm sorry I won't be able to stay for your coronation," Dooku said to the prince as he put his extinguished saber back on its post on his belt. "But, I know that I'll be able to continue to count on your support."
"Naturally, my dear count," the new king replied. "I think you'll be able to count on the support of my people even more, once they learn of their beloved king's assassination by Republic agents. After all, who uses a lightsaber anymore, other than a Jedi?"
Dooku bowed, then left the throne room and walked briskly to the palace spaceport and his stellar glider.
-THE END-