A business proposal.

The following day came quickly and found you upon the Observation Deck gazing upon the first batch of cruisers steadily emerging from within the numerous spacedocks to join your flagship when a rapid beeping echoed out from your console. Taken aback by the sudden message considering the complete isolation of the Lehon system, you tap the to receive the message and are greeted by a hologram of none other than Count Dooku himself, standing tall and regal with his signature poise.

"Greetings Master Hazelton. I hope this message meets you well. I wish to revisit the conversation we've shared on Geonosis. As I'm certain you're aware, the Clone Wars are underway and we are always seeking new allies to our cause. After careful consideration, I believe there is much we can benefit from each other. If you are of similar interest, I invite you to join me on my flagship, the Scarlett Dawn, in the Vanqor system for a more formal discussion. Please don't delay as we still have a war to win and will not remain in the system for long. I look forward to your reply."

Curious. You hadn't expected Count Dooku to reach out to you personally so soon into the war. You also recall Vanqor from early on in the Clone Wars series and realize you'd be walking into a divergent event in the continuity. Donning your mask, you focus your God powers and reach out across the galaxy into the Outer Rim. Spotting Vanqor itself was simple enough, as was the Scarlett Dawn which was nestled deep in an ice field orbiting the planet of the same name. Closing your eyes, you begin the arduous task of propelling yourself across the Galaxy. Your destination? The bridge of the Scarlett Dawn.

Your arrival is as silent as a whisper on the wind, completely unnoticed by the B-1 Battle Droids manning their various stations. Of course, your presence doesn't remain hidden, especially not from the Sith Lord standing tall at the helm. He promptly turns to greet you.

"I see my speculations about you are correct," he says smoothly. "You are indeed a man of many talents, Master Hazelton."

"You would be surprised by the abilities that open up to you when you immerse yourself into the ****," you reply with well-mannered decorum.

The exchange has the B-1s scrambling in alarm, some comically running from your presence, stumbling over their own feet whilst others fumble with their blasters. You suppressed a sigh. Why the Separatists continued to cut corners by flooding their ranks with such useless hardware remained a mystery. A succinct command from Count Dooku properly silences them.

"Come. Let us discuss things properly in the conference room, away from irritating eyes and ears."

"Concerned of somebody eavesdropping on your own ship?" you ask as you follow his lead from the bridge.

"Hardly. I would be a poor host if I didn't properly accommodate my guests, but that being said... with the programming overload in those B-1's, they've become irritatingly chatty, and such loose lips will eventually reach the wrong ears."

You found no reason to fault his rationale or standards for hospitality, and allow yourself to be led without further words being exchanged. The conference hall in question was dominated by a chrome table at its center, flanked by numerous chairs designed with smooth angles and sharp edges, and the opposite wall was entirely a large window providing an unobstructed view of the black of space, dotted only by the glinting chunks of cosmic ice tumbling in the void. Motioning to the attending protocol droid in the corner, Dooku gives a command to bring some light refreshments and bids you to take a seat.

"And now to business," he begins as he seats himself opposite of you. "I'm pleased you have agreed with meeting me on such short notice, so I won't bore you with pointless talk. I've taken the liberty of researching deeper into the system you call Lehon, and while I've meditated on the matter I still wish to hear you confirm my theory. This artifact that you possess... would it by chance be the Star Forge from the extinct Infinite Empire or perhaps a relic from its wreckage?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes," you confirm with the barest of nods. "I've made my own adjustments and personal upgrades to the Station, though it is very much functional. Hardly the all-corrupting **** it once was in History."

"Curious indeed," comments Dooku. "You are no ordinary being then if what you claim is true. To possess a fully functional Star Forge is an irrational impossibility, and this makes you a dangerous piece on the game board should you find a means to properly man your armada. More importantly, you've chosen to wear the mask and armor of the ancient Sith Lord Darth Revan, so I will be frank with you. Are you aligning yourself with the Jedi or the Sith?"

"Neither," you answer promptly. "Both orders are flawed and embroiled in a ridiculous feud spanning most of recorded history, a feud that has brought **** and destruction to an innumerable figure of beings. For the greater good of the Galaxy, this needs to stop. Permanently."

"Then we have similar goals in mind," Dooku agrees. "I had great aspirations for the Jedi Order when I was still counted as a Master among its ranks, but the **** of my former Apprentice at the hands of the first Sith in over a 1,000 years had greatly shaken my faith. It was grounds for me to make the decision to leave and take it upon myself to seek out the Master in the Rule of Two. I found him and was awoken to the simple fact that I had vastly underestimated his power. As I was, I had no chance of ever defeating him without opening myself up to a much larger view of the ****. Out of necessity, I accepted his offer and became his apprentice. It was paramount for me to learn the ways of the Dark Side to truly reach my full potential."

Dooku then leans forward over the table, his hands folded together.

"What I propose is that with your productive aid of the Star Forge, we can bring a speedy resolution to this conflict, destroy the Sith for good, and in its aftermath, train a new Order of knights that will serve first and foremost the **** itself, not a political entity. This Jedi Order would be dedicated entirely to unlocking the mysteries of the ****. Any conflict resolution out in the larger galaxy would become secondary to mastery of the ****."

He pauses to allow his words to sink in. It was obvious he wanted the Star Forge for the ongoing conflict spreading like wildfire across the Galaxy, but to hear him propose training an entirely new order of Jedi was surprisingly offputting. You search Dooku's spirit for any signs of deception. The Dark Side was certainly there in its malevolent potency and as such the aging Master still possessed a powerful desire for greater power as all Sith. Beneath that however were the lighter, nobler intentions of a Jedi but... could you really trust him in such matters? It wasn't as if you needed him to build a new Order of Jedi... your Order. Before you could give a clear answer, the door slides open with a hiss as a B-1 droid bearing a Commander's colors addresses the Count.

"My Lord, we have an unidentified fighter vessel approaching us through the ice field at high speed," it reports in its buzzing tones.

"Skywalker," Dooku states plainly. "He has arrived at last. Mark his ship and allow him to land."

You raise a brow and reach out through space with the ****. True to Dooku's word, you find a lustrous ball of energy bearing towards you, marred only by sporadic chaos of lightning, belying Skywalker's dormant powers and inner darkness. Was this just the story playing out as written or were there other influences at work? You glance at Count Dooku curiously.

"Did you plan this?" you ask, your smirk hidden behind your mask.

"In a manner of speaking," Dooku replies with a small smile of his own. "I'm sure you've been curious to meet the Jedi's Chosen One in battle at one point or another. Come; let us greet our new guest."