Count Dooku sat in deep meditation within his private chambers on his stronghold of Serenno, the opulent surroundings reflecting his noble heritage and current position of power.
The Force had been increasingly unstable in recent days, and this second wave of powerful disturbances clearly indicated the arrival of yet another of these extraordinary individuals from the distant planet called Earth. His master, Darth Sidious, had been regularly briefing him about the Avengers and their various interventions in galactic affairs, and now it appeared that this already troublesome bunch of misfit had gained another member who had somehow traveled across the vast distances between worlds.
This development was becoming far too problematic for the Sith Lord's liking. He had been struggling to adapt his strategies ever since the first group of these otherworldly warriors had arrived in their galaxy, and he had initially tried to dismiss their presence as mere coincidence or random chance. But now, with another having obviously arrived in the galaxy as well, it was clear that these people possessed some kind of transportation method or technology that the Separatists had not yet discovered or understood. If another could arrive, who could guarantee that there wouldn't be third and fourth groups appearing in the future?
From what he had observed in the holographic recordings his spies had gathered, combined with everything his master had told him about these individuals, every single member of this small but formidable organization was a force to be reckoned with and certainly not to be underestimated. Their direct or indirect involvement in several recent galactic conflicts was more than sufficient proof of their extraordinary capabilities and influence.
It seemed that every time he dispatched one of his operatives or allies against them, there was inevitably someone within the Avengers' ranks who proved to be perfectly matched to counter that particular threat. He could perhaps forgive Asajj Ventress for her initial defeat, since she had not yet completed her training and was still developing her abilities. But what about the subsequent failures of General Grievous and the bounty hunter Cad Bane?
Both individuals were highly experienced, battle-hardened combatants with extensive records of successful missions, so their defeats at the hands of the Avengers during their first encounters served as clear testament to the group's truly extraordinary abilities and tactical prowess.
The cyborg general had been training with obsessive intensity ever since his humiliating defeat, and he had recently managed to kill two more Jedi Knights in separate engagements, apparently working out his frustrations on the Republic's peacekeepers.
Similarly, Cad Bane had taken the initiative to significantly upgrade his equipment and improve his combat capabilities. The notorious bounty hunter was filled with the same burning anger as Grievous, particularly toward one specific Avenger who had apparently bested him in personal combat.
From that point forward, both Sidious and Darth Tyrannus had been forced to accelerate certain critical aspects of their overall master plan in order to effectively deal with the growing threat that the Avengers represented to their carefully laid schemes. Despite these complications, Sidious continued to assure his apprentice that everything would ultimately proceed according to their original timeline and objectives.
Most intriguingly, Sidious had even suggested that these Avengers might eventually prove useful to their cause in the long term, though the specifics of how remained unclear.
Dooku had initially been skeptical of this assessment, but his master had made certain observations that did lend some credibility to such a seemingly impossible claim.
At first glance, it would appear utterly impossible for the Avengers and the Jedi Order to ever come into serious conflict, given that the otherworldly heroes had consistently assisted both the Jedi and the Republic on numerous occasions since their arrival. However, Sidious claimed he could sense through the dark side of the Force that it was only a matter of time before the Avengers would inevitably come into conflict with the Jedi, despite their current status as close allies and trusted partners.
But now Dooku had other, more immediate concerns that required his attention. Taking a deep, steadying breath, the Count opened his eyes, rose gracefully from his meditation cushion, and departed from his private chambers.
Walking down the elegantly appointed corridor of his estate, Dooku made his way to his intended destination. The door to the training room opened automatically as he approached, recognizing his distinctive Force signature. He entered the large, spacious chamber and took his position on the raised observation platform that overlooked the main training area.
Below him, where twin crimson lightsaber blades spun and clashed in deadly arcs, his apprentice Asajj Ventress was engaged in intensive combat training.
At this particular moment, she was aggressively attacking one of her training partners while another stood at the ready, her lightsaber blades colliding repeatedly with the specially designed electro-staff that had been specifically engineered to resist and deflect lightsaber strikes.
She maintained her tactical advantage throughout most of the engagement until her opponent suddenly looked up, spun his weapon with practiced ease, and struck her hard in the solar plexus with the staff's reinforced end.
Falling to her knees and gasping desperately for air, Ventress looked up at her opponent, only to be struck across the face by the guard's weapon with considerable force. The impact sent her flying backward to land hard on the training room's padded floor.
Ventress snarled with rage and frustration as she struggled back to her feet, throwing her hands forward and preparing to reignite her twin lightsabers for another assault. But just as the crimson blades sprang to life, Dooku's voice cut through the tension in the room.
"You must learn to mature more quickly, my apprentice, if you are to become truly powerful."
Ventress turned around swiftly and saw Count Dooku approaching from his observation platform. She immediately dropped to one knee and, following the traditional protocols between Sith master and apprentice, said with respectful deference, "Master."
"Your training regimen is proving highly effective," Dooku observed as he descended to the main floor, "but I have identified several significant flaws in your combat approach that require immediate correction. You must learn to maintain better focus and concentration during battle. When you allow your emotions to control you completely, you do indeed gain access to greater raw power through your connection to the dark side. However, this same emotional intensity also creates exploitable weaknesses. You become predictable in your responses, fragile in your decision-making, and ultimately easier to defeat. Therefore, you must discover the proper balance between controlled anger and tactical focus."
"Yes, my lord," Ventress responded with appropriate humility.
"We now face many new and dangerous enemies," Dooku continued, his tone becoming more serious, "and these particular adversaries are proving to be highly adaptable fighters who possess far more power than we initially anticipated."
Ventress clenched her fists tightly in obvious frustration and barely contained rage when she heard this, knowing exactly which enemies her master was referring to.
"Put aside your pointless anger for now and save it for when it can be properly channeled," Dooku said with patient instruction. "Your initial defeat at the hands of the Avengers was certainly unacceptable from a tactical standpoint, but it was also largely unforeseeable given the circumstances. They caught everyone—including themselves—completely off guard with their sudden arrival in our galaxy. But the next time we encounter them in battle, we will not be caught unprepared. By then, they will have learned to respect our true strength and capabilities, including your own considerable abilities."
Ventress felt simultaneously motivated by her master's confidence in her potential and conflicted about her current limitations.
Her master clearly had high expectations for her skills and future development, and when Dooku had first discovered her, he had spoken extensively about the tremendous power that lay hidden within her Force-sensitive nature. But what continued to puzzle and frustrate her was how her master's own master—the mysterious Darth Sidious—had apparently learned about her existence and potential in the first place. She had never been able to figure that out, and despite her curiosity, she had never found a satisfactory answer to that particular mystery.
According to her master's instructions, all she could do for now was continue her intensive training regimen, day after day, gradually building her strength and abilities. Of course, she also carried out various missions under Dooku's direct leadership and supervision, but she was growing increasingly impatient with her inability to access the "hidden power" that Count Dooku insisted she possessed. Perhaps there were ancient Sith holocrons or archived records somewhere that could help solve this frustrating problem.
"Come, my apprentice," Dooku said, gesturing for her to stand and follow him. "There is important work that requires our immediate attention."
The two Sith left the training facility and made their way to the lower levels of Dooku's extensive private estate.
Numerous battle droids patrolled the grounds around the estate, each one individually programmed with specific protocols to guard the Count's home and protect his various secrets from potential intruders.
Eventually, they reached the entrance to what Dooku privately called his crypt—a specialized chamber that he had constructed over the past several years after fully embracing his identity as Darth Tyrannus. This room was dedicated entirely to the study and practice of the dark side of the Force, serving as a place where Dooku could further advance his own training while simultaneously developing his growing circle of followers and apprentices.
Upon entering the underground chamber, Dooku and Ventress were greeted by the distinctive sound of two lightsabers clashing together in intense combat.
The current battle was taking place between a Weequay male and a human opponent, with the former clearly maintaining the upper hand throughout the engagement.
The human combatant had attempted to overwhelm his older and more experienced opponent through sheer vicious aggression and relentless attacks, but the skilled Weequay had easily deflected and countered each assault before ultimately striking his opponent down.
When the defeated fighter fell momentarily, giving the victorious Weequay time to notice Dooku and Ventress's arrival, he called out to his fallen sparring partner using his name: "Skorr."
The young man called Skorr quickly got back to his feet and turned to see his master and fellow apprentice. Both combatants immediately dropped to their knees in respectful acknowledgment as Dooku approached them.
"Excellent performance as always, Master Bulq," Dooku said with genuine appreciation.
"Thank you for the kind words, Count," Sora Bulq responded with characteristic modesty. "Have you come to assign us a new mission?"
"In a manner of speaking, yes," Dooku replied with his typical understated delivery.
Tol Skorr was a tall, powerfully built man with distinctive blond hair and several prominent battle scars marking his weathered face. Like Sora Bulq, he had once been a member of the Jedi Order before his fall to the dark side. Skorr had been rescued by Dooku during an expedition to Korriban, the ancient birthplace and spiritual home of the Sith, and had remained completely loyal to Count Dooku ever since that fateful encounter.
However, in Dooku's strategic calculations, acquiring Sora Bulq's allegiance had been an even more valuable achievement. As a former Jedi Master, Bulq had earned recognition as "one of the greatest lightsaber combat instructors the Jedi Order had ever produced," and he had even personally assisted Mace Windu in developing and perfecting the aggressive Vaapad fighting style—the seventh and most dangerous form of lightsaber combat. Dooku was particularly interested in maintaining Bulq's loyalty, as the fallen Jedi Master's combat expertise would prove invaluable in the inevitable final confrontation with Darth Sidious.
After all, fighting against and potentially killing one's current master was an accepted possibility that every true Sith apprentice had to consider and prepare for.
As the four Force-sensitive individuals gathered together in a circle, it was somewhat ironic to realize that at one point in their respective histories, all four people currently standing in this underground chamber had once followed the ancient ways and teachings of the Jedi Order.
"I came here specifically to discuss your recent intelligence discovery, Bulq," Dooku said, crossing his arms and regarding his subordinate with obvious interest. "You mentioned that you had identified someone who might be of particular value to our cause?"
Sora Bulq nodded and activated a portable holographic projector, which displayed a three-dimensional image of an elderly man wearing traditional Jedi robes, with a distinctive cloth wrapped around his eyes in the manner of one who had lost his sight.
Dooku recognized the figure immediately. "Jedi Master Prosset Dibs?"
"Indeed," Bulq confirmed with a nod. "He apparently ran afoul of Master Windu and the Jedi Council sometime after the current war began, and has been imprisoned in the detention levels beneath the Coruscant Temple. His considerable skills and extensive knowledge of Jedi techniques would serve our long-term goals extremely well."
Dooku considered this information carefully, thinking back to the few occasions when he had spoken directly with Master Dibs and recalled the older Jedi's increasingly critical thoughts about the current direction of the Jedi Order.
While Dibs had always been a committed believer in the fundamental principles of the Jedi Code and the importance of duty, he had also been remarkably open to the controversial idea that a Jedi's ultimate loyalty should be to the Force itself, rather than to political institutions or government authorities. Dooku found himself very curious to hear Dibs's personal account of how he had transformed from being a respected Jedi Master into a prisoner confined within the Temple's detention facilities.
"Proceed to Coruscant immediately," Dooku instructed both Bulq and Skorr. "Infiltrate the Temple and liberate Master Dibs from his imprisonment. If he can be convinced to join our cause willingly, he may prove to be an extremely valuable asset to our operations."
Both fallen Jedi bowed respectfully, then turned and departed to begin preparations for their dangerous mission.
Dooku turned his attention to Ventress and asked, "Have you successfully established contact with the leader of Death Watch?"
"Yes, Master," she replied. "Pre Vizsla is awaiting a direct meeting between you and him. He wishes to meet with you personally to evaluate whether this proposed alliance would truly benefit his people and their goals."
Dooku nodded with satisfaction. "You have performed admirably, Ventress. Your next assignment will provide an even greater test of both your growth as a Sith and your resolve in the face of adversity."
"I am ready for whatever you require, my lord."