It had been seven years since Sev'rance Tann began her training with Count Dooku. From an inexperienced Chiss to mighty warrior and strategist, she had become the right-hand enforcer for Dooku. He looked back on their journey as they stood on a balcony overlooking the capital of Serenno.

"You have come a long way, Sev'rance," Dooku said, enhanced charisma making his words warm. "Your mastery of the Force and military tactics has actually bettered my expectations."

Sev'rance turned to him then, her red eyes shining not just with admiration but something more. "It's all thanks to your guidance, Master. You've given me more than I ever dreamed possible."

Their relationship had become more complicated, more intimate over the years. The attraction Sev'rance had felt from the beginning had deepened into something profound, a bond transcending the normal master and apprentice.

Dooku sensed her emotions, his heightened perception picking up the minute shifts in her body language. "Your feelings betray you, my dear," he said softly. "As they have for some time now."

Sev'rance did not look away. "I have never tried to hide them, Master. My loyalty to you, to our cause… it is unwavering."

Their physical familiarity had become an reflexive part of their relationship, something neither one of them recoiled from anymore. Dooku's new self, with his combined memories and augmented body took a certain solace in their touching.

"Come," Dooku said, his hand extended. "Let us retire to my chambers. We have much to discuss regarding our next move against the Republic."

As they walked, Sev'rance's hand found his, a gesture that had become familiar over the years. "Of course, Master. Though I hope our… discussions… won't be limited to strategy alone."

Dooku allowed himself a small smile. "Patience, my dear. All things in their proper time."

They pored over galactic maps and intelligence reports in Dooku's private chambers. Their minds moved as one; years of shared experiences allowed them to sense each other's thoughts.

"The Separatist movement grows stronger by the day," Sev'rance said, her finger tracing a path across the Outer Rim. "Yet the Republic maintains its hold on the Core Worlds firmly."

Dooku nodded, his silver beard glistening with the light. "Indeed. Which means that our next moves must be weighed with extreme care. Your insight has proven most valuable in this regard."

Sev'rance brightened at the praise. "I live to serve our vision, Master. Together, we will remake the galaxy."

The further the night went on, strategy made way for more personal matters. Sev'rance felt herself drawn to Dooku, as she had been a countless number of times before.

"Master," she began softly. "All these years at your side. They mean everything to me. I hope that you realize just how much it means that my loyalty, my affection… It's not because of what you've given me, but who you are."

Dooku held her gaze, heightened senses picking up sincerity in her words. "I know, Sev'rance. Ours is a bond unlike any other. Forged in the fire of ambition and shared purpose, never doubt its value to me."

With the rising of the sun over Serenno once more, Dooku and Sev'rance stood on their balcony, bodies touching, united in their vision for the future.

"The galaxy awaits us, my dear," he said, his arm about her waist. "With you by my side, there are no limits to what we can achieve."

Sev'rance leaned in to him, her determination more solid than ever before. "I am yours, Master. In all things, until the end."

Finally, Dooku allowed himself to be satisfied as they turned to the rising sun. In his mind, he could feel the hum of the Attraction System, reminding him of the power that brought him so far. Sev'rance at his right hand, loyal and devoted, Dooku was ready for anything the future held.

* * *

It had been several years since Count Dooku's resignation from the Jedi Order and, more significantly to him, the tragic death of his former apprentice Qui-Gon Jinn. The galaxy was ripe for change, and Dooku knew it was time to make his move. With Sev'rance Tann at his side, he readied himself for a moment that was to shake the very foundations of the Republic.

"Are you quite sure about this, Master?" Sev'rance asked, her red eyes flicking up and down the datapad with their plan. "Hijacking a HoloNet station is no small task."

Dooku, in his new blue uniform with badges and achievements, was an imposing figure. His silver beard and hair contrasted strikingly with youthful, handsome features—a paradox which really added to his enigmatic aura.

"Certainty is a luxury we cannot afford, my dear," Dooku said, his enhanced charisma lending weight to the words. "But necessity demands action. The Republic's corruption has festered for too long."

At night, Dooku and Sev'rance infiltrated the Republic HoloNet station on Raxus. They disembarrassed minimal security by Dooku’s mastery of all seven lightsaber forms with Sev'rance's tactical brilliance at their side.

As they reached the main broadcasting room, Dooku turned to Sev'rance. "Remember, timing is everything. The moment I begin speaking, encrypt our signal. We can't have them cutting us off prematurely."

Sev'rance nodded, her fingers dancing across the control panel. "Understood, Master. You'll have the entire galaxy's attention."

Dooku stood before the holorecorders, his blue cape billowing dramatically behind him. With a nod to Sev'rance, he began his address.

"Citizens of the galaxy, I am Count Dooku of Serenno," his voice boomed across countless worlds. "I come to you today not as a former Jedi but as a concerned citizen who can no longer stand idly by while our Republic crumbles under the weight of its own corruption."

He spoke pensively, each syllable charged with the ability of his heightened charisma and confidence. "Too long have the Outer and Mid Rim worlds been forced to suffer under the yoke of a weak, corrupt bureaucracy. Our voices have been silenced, our needs ignored—all while Core World elites grow fat upon the fruits of our labors."

As Dooku continued, his passion practically dripped from the holotransmission. "I stand before you today to say: Enough! The time has come for us to take control of our own destiny. To forge a new path, free from the shackles of Republic oppression."

Sev'rance watched the transmission feeds, nodding in satisfaction at the ever-growing number of systems tuning in. "It's working, Master," she whispered. "They're listening."

Dooku's eyes blazed with intensity as he reached the crescendo of his speech. "To all who have felt the sting of Republic neglect, to all who yearn for true freedom and justice, I say this: Join us. Together, we shall fashion a new galactic order, one that shall serve the many, rather than the privileged few."

As Dooku finished speaking, the galaxy erupted into reaction. On thousands of worlds, the members of all species debated, argued over, and cheered on his words.

Back in the safety of their ship, Sev'rance turned to Dooku, her eyes shining with admiration. "That was… incredible, Master. You've lit a fire that won't be easily extinguished."

Dooku allowed a small smile to curl at the corners of his mouth, heightened senses already detecting the ripples of change spreading through the Force. "Indeed, my dear. This is but the first step. The Separatist movement has been born, and with it, the promise of a new future."

Then, Count Dooku would institute a systemic campaign to foment unrest throughout the galaxy. Dooku was once again an imposing figure, despite his youthful appearance, with his silver beard and hair as he traveled from world to world, sewing seeds of rebellion.

Following this news, Chancellor Palpatine showed the public his effort to negotiate. But each time, Dooku declined, using such opportunities to further belittle the Republic.

During a broadcast on the HoloNet, Dooku addressed the latest offer from Palpatine. "The Chancellor speaks of peace, yet his actions betray the truth. The Republic cannot be reformed from within. It must be dismantled and rebuilt anew."

By the time Dooku's plans came to fruition, entire systems openly declared their intention to secede. The Count, empowered by enhanced abilities and merged memories that gave him a unique lens through which to view galactic politics, led at the head of this movement.

It was a private moment, just him and his right-hand woman, when Dooku reflected on their progress. "We've set the galaxy aflame with the promise of change. Soon the old order will crumble, and from its ashes, we'll build something truly remarkable."

His companion nodded. Her eyes gleamed with the same ambition. "And what of Sidious's plans, my lord?"

Dooku's face hardened. "For the present, we play our part. But remember, my dear, in this new galaxy we're forging, there's room for only one true visionary."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

* * *

Count Dooku's polished solar sailer slid through Geonosis' dusty atmosphere once more. Reflective surfaces glimmered against the hard sunlight that scorched this dry world. The ship was approaching the surface. Dooku was at the viewport, enhanced senses drinking in every detail of the rocky landscape passing beneath him.

"Geonosis," he said, loud, his voice filling with the charisma he had learned over the years. "A world of industry and secrets, soon to be born to our revolution."

As he emerged from his ship, Dooku was met by a delegation of Geonosian officials, headed up by Archduke Poggle the Lesser. The insectoid creatures buzzed with anticipation, fixing their compound eyes on the tall figure of the Count.

"Welcome, Count Dooku," Poggle's translator droid intoned. "We are honored by your presence."

Dooku inclined his head, the light dancing across his silver beard. "The honor is mine, Archduke. Your people's craftsmanship is unparalleled in the galaxy. It's time we discussed how to best utilize those skills."

Deep within the hive-like structures of the Geonosian capital, Dooku sat across from Poggle and the representatives of Baktoid Armor Workshop. The room hummed with the sound of Geonosian wings and the whir of translator droids.

"Gentlemen," Dooku began, his enhanced charisma filling the room, "we stand on the precipice of a new era. The contract between Baktoid and Geonosis has served you well, but I propose we take it further."

The Baktoid representative leaned forward. "What exactly are you suggesting, Count?"

Dooku's eyes gleamed with the knowledge granted from the Attraction System. "A partnership that will reshape the galaxy. Baktoid's designs combined with Geonosian engineering, shall create an army unlike any the Republic has ever faced."

As the negotiations rolled along, Dooku used his advanced senses to read the room, rolling with each subtle shift in mood as he served up a vision of a galaxy free from Republic interference, where corporations like Baktoid were free to run their business interests without bureaucratic meddling.

"Imagine," he said, his voice booming with assurance, "battle droids that can stand toe-to-toe with clone troopers. Tanks that can withstand the fiercest bombardments. With your combined expertise, we can make this a reality."

Poggle chittered excitedly, his translator conveying his words: "And what of Geonosis' place in this new order, Count Dooku?"

Dooku turned to the Archduke; his expression was grave, yet reassuring. "Geonosis shall be at the heart of our revolution, Archduke. Your world shall be remembered as the forge that shaped the future."

Dooku finally got to his feet at the close of the negotiations. His imposing physique was like an advertisement for the Attraction System. "Gentlemen, what say you? Shall we renew this contract and usher in a new age of prosperity for us all?"

There was a moment of silence and then the room erupted with agreement. Poggle's wings buzzed as he signed the contract, followed by the Baktoid representative.

A small smile escaped Dooku's lips as he added his own flourish to the document. "Excellent," he rumbled, his voice resonating with portent. "Let us waste no time. The foundries must begin work immediately."

As Dooku was about to leave Geonosis, he stood again at the viewport of his solar sailer. He watched as the world below him came alive. Factories began cranking out battle droids and weapons in record numbers.

"Soon, the galaxy shall truly see the might of the Confederacy," he whispered, the interface for the Attraction System flickering again in his vision, detailing the process of his plans.

With one final nod to Archduke Poggle, the ship of Count Dooku rose into the sky, leaving behind a world transformed—the first of many in his grand design for a new galactic order—and through the star-studded expanse of the Tion Hegemony, a sector steeped in history and ripe for change, Count Dooku piloted his sleek solar sailer. With the ship approaching, Dooku thought that this ornate palace, which would serve as his new headquarters, had strategic importance to the move.

"The House of Tion may control this sector," he mused, enhanced senses drinking in every detail of the approaching world, "but with our presence, they'll soon see wisdom in supporting our cause."

Upon landing, Dooku was greeted by Lord Matteus Tion, the current head of the ancient house. The nobleman's eyes widened ever so slightly at Dooku's youthful yet distinguished appearance—a testament to the Attraction System's power.

"Count Dooku," Lord Tion bowed slightly, "welcome to our humble sector. We are… honored by your decision to maintain a presence here."

Dooku smiled, oozing charisma as he spoke. "The honor is mine, Lord Tion. Your sector's long history of independence aligns perfectly with our vision for a galaxy free from Republic corruption."

As they walked through the palace halls, Dooku wove a subtle tapestry of promises and opportunities that resonated with confidence and decisiveness lent by the Attraction System.

"Imagine, Lord Tion, a future in which the Tion Hegemony is not some sort of footnote appended to the annals of galactic politics, but rather a principal player in shaping the destiny of events across countless worlds."

Lord Tion became interested. "And how precisely would we achieve such prominence, Count?"

Dooku's eyes gleamed. "By standing with the Confederacy of Independent Systems, of course. Your support would be… invaluable."

With the Tion Hegemony safely in his pocket to serve as a base of operations, Dooku turned his attention to a crucial meeting with the CIS military leadership. The grand hall of the palace had been transformed into a war room, filled with beings from across the galaxy.

As he entered, the sea of Chiss uniforms in blue—red eyes gleaming with intelligence and ambition—were facing Dooku. There were warlords of all shapes, each form a testament to the far-flung appeal of the Separatist cause.

At the head of the table were two figures who immediately drew in Dooku's notice: General Grievous, his cyborg body glistening in polished silver under the hall lights; and Sev'rance Tann, the brilliant Chiss tactician whose sensitivity to the Force had attracted Dooku's interest.

"Welcome, my friends," Dooku's voice carried across the room, silencing all conversation. "Today we lay the ground for a military force that shall shake to its foundations the Republic."

Grievous's metallic voice grated as he spoke. "We have the numbers, Count, but raw recruits do not win wars."

Dooku nodded, acknowledging the general's point. "Indeed, General. That's why we've gathered the finest tactical minds in the galaxy. Sev'rance, would you care to share your insights?"

Sev'rance Tann stepped to the fore, her red eyes raking the room. "Our strength lies not in numbers, but in innovation. The Republic relies on ancient Jedi tactics. We will create something entirely new."

As the meeting wore on, Dooku found himself slipping with ease from diplomatic charm to military assertiveness, his enhanced abilities allowing him to move fluidly around and through the complex dynamics of the room.

"Gentlemen, lady," he began to address the meeting, "what we are building here is more than merely an army. It's the vanguard of a new galactic order."

The room was charged with excitement and anticipation. Dooku felt the Force swirl around him, heady with all that was possible. His eyes lingered on his generals and advisors who stood at his sides—the faces, and he knew this was but a beginning.

"The Republic thinks they know war," he said, his voice low but carrying to every corner of the room. "We'll show them what true conflict looks like. And when the dust settles, a new era of independence will dawn across the stars."

The meeting adjourned & Dooku caught Sev'rance's eye. There was a glimmer of understanding between them, a shared sense of the Force that hinted at future possibilities.

As the military leadership filed out of the grand hall, Count Dooku's sharpened senses tracked subtle shifts in atmosphere. The air thick with martial strategy gave ground to one of financial calculation. Another key meeting was to be held in this Tion Hegemony palace—a stronghold of Separatist ambition—to secure the economic underpinnings of looming war.

Dooku stood at the head of an ornate table, his blue uniform and cape an impressive figure against the ancient Tion artifacts that formed a backdrop for his appearance. The silver beard gleamed in the warm light of the chamber as he surveyed the arriving dignitaries.

First to make his entrance was Nute Gunray, Viceroy of the Trade Federation. His nervous energy pulsed in the air as he shuffled in, flanked by ever-present advisors.

Gunray bowed slightly, his eyes flicking nervously around the room. "Count Dooku, the Trade Federation is…eager to hear your proposals."

Next came San Hill, the gaunt Muun chairman of the InterGalactic Banking Clan. His calculating gaze took in every detail of the room, assessing potential profits and risks.

"Chairman Hill," Dooku nodded, "your financial acumen will be invaluable in the coming days."

Last to arrive was Wat Tambor of the Techno Union; his environmental suit hissed as he approached the table.

"Foreman Tambor," the voice of Dooku had a ring of respect, "your technological innovations shall be the backbone of our cause."

When the corporate leaders were all seated, Dooku remained on his feet, his enhanced physique and commanding bearing demanding every eye on him.

"Gentlemen," he started, his voice loud and clear across the room, "we are at a crossroads. The Republic's corruption and inefficiency have created an opportunity—one which we must grasp with both hands."

Nute Gunray shifted uncomfortably. "Count, we have already pledged resources of great value to your cause. What more can you ask of us?"

Dooku's eyes gleamed with intensity. "Not ask, Viceroy. Offer. I am offering you a galaxy where your businesses can flourish without the smothering regulations of the Republic."

San Hill leaned forward, interested. "And how do you plan on this, Count?"

"Through unity," Dooku said, his confidence radiating through the room. "The immense merchant fleet of the Trade Federation, the financial networks of the Banking Clan, the unparalleled innovations of the Techno Union – together, they form an economic powerhouse to rival the Core Worlds themselves."

The silence was broken by the modulated voice of Wat Tambor. "You speak of war, Count. Wars are expensive."

Nodding, Dooku accepted the point. "Indeed they are, Foreman. But consider the returns. Imagine worlds clamoring for your droids, your ships, your financial services – all free from Republic interference."

With his words, Dooku wove a tapestry of future profits and galactic influence. Enhanced by the Attraction System's gifts, his words painted a detailed picture of a galaxy where corporate interests were to reign supreme.

"The Tion Hegemony is only the first step," he went on. "From here, we shall build alliances across the Outer Rim and beyond. Each world that joins our cause becomes a new market for your goods and services."

San Hill's eyes gleamed with greed. "And the Banking Clan would be at the center of this new economic order?"

"Naturally," Dooku smiled. "Who better to manage the finances of a galactic revolution?"

Nute Gunray, at what seemed to be his emboldening, spoke up. "Naboo's blockade by the Trade Federation was costly. We need assurances, Count."

Dooku turned his piercing eyes on the Neimoidian. "Viceroy, Naboo was merely a prelude. With our combined strength, we shall have the power to blockade entire sectors, if so we deem. The Trade Federation shall be feared and respected across the stars."

As the meeting went on, Dooku smoothly addressed every misgiving and objection. His years of Jedi training in the fine art of diplomacy were well-honed, along with a boost from the Attraction System, to full display.

At last, as the galactic sun began to set outside the palace windows, Dooku sensed the shift in the room. The corporate leaders were convinced.

"Gentlemen," he said, his voice final, "shall we put this on paper? The Confederacy of Independent Systems will need your wholehearted support in the war to come."

One by one, the corporate chieftains nodded. Contracts were pulled out, terms were bargained for, and signatures attached.

As the meeting ended, Dooku rose once more, his blue cape fluttering, as he addressed the room: " Today we have set down the foundations of a new galactic order. Your faith in our cause shall be rewarded a thousandfold. "

The corporate leaders filed out, their minds buzzing with visions of profits and power. Dooku remained, looking out across the Tion Hegemony as twilight fell.

The interface of the Attraction System flickered in his view, showing him all his accomplishments for the day. With the Separatist military might and now the most powerful corporations in the galaxy backing their economy, Dooku felt the currents of the Force swirling around him full of promise.