Tension hung thick around the Republic Detention Center on Coruscant. Even confined to his high-security cell, Count Dooku still managed to hold himself in a regal manner. There was little respite from the circumstances that reminded him he was behind an almost invisible blue force-field of confinement.

It was Senator Padmé Amidala who appeared in the cell, her face etched with concern. "Count Dooku," she began firmly, though desperation clawed at her voice, "you can see the devastation this war is wreaking across the galaxy. The Republic is prepared to negotiate; we can bring an end to this bloodshed."

Dooku's sharp, pointed eyes locked onto Padmé. A shade of a smile played upon his lips as he turned to reply, "My dear Senator, your idealism is laudable, but quite misdirected. This war runs deeper than you could ever fathom."

It was Senator Riyo Chuchi who stepped forward, her golden gaze locked onto Dooku with an intensity that even caught the Count off guard. "Count, please," she implored, "think of the innocent lives caught in the crossfire. As the leader of the CIS, you have the power to stop this madness."

For a moment, Dooku felt oddly connected to the young senator of Pantora. His mind was elsewhere, still reeling from his defeat at the hands of Skywalker and Sidious. The Attraction System hummed through his mind, pounding into him the need to get stronger.

"Senator Chuchi," he replied, smooth as Alderaanian silk, "your worry for the health of the galaxy is... touching. However, the Separatist cause is a just one. The corruption of the Republic is too thorough for simple negotiation to fix."

Padmé's anger almost boiled over. "And your answer to that is to have war without end? Count, you were once known as a great and noble Jedi Master. There must be some part of you that sees the wrongness down this path."

Dooku's mind raced, half of him yearning to explain the thousand complexities of his situation, the joined consciousness, the Attraction System, his plans to refashion the galaxy. But he held back; such revelations would only complicate matters further.

"Senator Amidala," he said, his words hefted by experience, "my time as a Jedi is precisely why I stand where I do now. I have witnessed the Republic's failings firsthand—failures that delve far deeper than you realize."

During the discussion, Dooku felt Riyo's eyes fixed on him, a look showing fascination with something else that he could not quite put his finger on. Were it any other time, he would have detected more than her developing attraction. After all, his mind was pre-occupied with thoughts on surpassing Skywalkers and Sidious; the bitter taste of defeat still lingered on his palate.

Eventually the senators withdrew and left, their task uncompleted. As the door of the cell hissed shut, Dooku at last focused all his awareness on The Attraction System. "Display CIS strategic overview," he ordered, voicelessly.

A holographic map of the galaxy appeared before him, projected for his eyes only. It showed details of troops on the move, resources being spent, and possible hotspots throughout the ravaged galaxy.

"Interesting," he mused. "General Grievous has made some... unexpected moves in the Outer Rim. Perhaps this captivity provides an opportunity to refine our strategy."

He worked the holographic display with mere thoughts, and a notification appeared. "Power enhancement cycle completed," Dooku noted with satisfaction. "Initiate absorption."

An enormous charge of energy flowed through him, his connection to the Force redoubling its intensity. He could sense his already phenomenal abilities growing, expanding beyond where he had heretofore believed they were feasible.

"Prepare simulations of potential escape scenarios," Dooku instructed it. "At current power settings and with built-in Republic security algorithms."

As it began its analysis, Dooku considered the specifics of his meetings with the senators. The one from Riyo Chuchi was an interesting one. Maybe this could be a lever.

"Analyze recent interactions for signs of influence or attraction," he directed.

The system immediately displayed a report, indicating a series of subtle cues in Riyo's body language and inflection towards vocal patterns. At the end of that analysis, Dooku's eyebrow did the smallest rise.

"Interesting," he murmured. "It would seem our young senator finds me quite… compelling. Not what I was looking for, but possibly better."

For a fleeting moment, he considered how this information could be used. But something—some instinct born perhaps from his Jedi training, or some trace of the college student's more principled instinct—made him hesitate.

Dooku shrugged off the thought and shook his head, returning his focus back to the plans. He knew that his captivity was just a temporary setback—the opportunity to be stronger as his enemies grew so sure of his continued captivity.

It was much later when Senator Riyo Chuchi found herself back in front of Count Dooku's cell. The field hummed softly, projecting its faint blue shine over the Count's regal features. Dooku sat there quietly, his eyes closed as if in meditation.

"Count Dooku," Riyo's voice was melodic in breaking the silence. "I certainly hope that I'm not intruding."

Dooku allowed his eyes to open slowly, a flicker of amusement reflecting from within when he landed them on the young Pantoran senator. "Not at all, my dear. You provide me with a welcome change from the monotony of domestic imprisonment."

Riyo stepped closer to the force field, her golden eyes studying Dooku with intensity. "I've been thinking a lot about that last conversation of ours, Count. There's so much about you that doesn't add up."

A small smile tugged at the corner of Dooku's mouth. "Oh? And what, pray tell, has piqued your interest, Senator?"

"Your mannerisms, for one," Riyo replied, her voice laced with fascination and frustration in equal portions. "You speak of the Separatist cause with conviction, yet there's something about you... different. Something I can't quite place."

Dooku stood with an easy grace that belied his athletic form. He walked to the force field and stood but inches from where Riyo stood on the other side. "Perhaps, my dear, you are merely seeing what you wish to see."

Riyo's breath caught in her throat as the proximity of Dooku's presence sent an unexpected thrill through her. She steeled herself, determined to retain her composure. "I don't think so, Count. There's more of you than meets the eye, isn't there?"

Dooku chuckled softly, rich and resonant. "We all have our secrets, Senator Chuchi. Even you, I suspect."

The Attraction System, humming at the back of his mind, kept him aware of minute body language changes in Riyo—the slight dilation of her pupils, the quickening of her pulse. It was impossible not to be impressed by her tenacity and razor-sharp mind.

"You deflect, Count," Riyo remarked, the ghost of a smile had almost found her lips, "but I am not so easily dissuaded. I will find out what makes you run, what makes you tick."

"A noble pursuit," Dooku replied, his voice smooth as the finest Coruscant silk, "though, Senator, I must warn you, the path you tread is a path riddled with… complexities."

Riyo found an eyebrow arching, her interest more than piqued. "Complexities? Like…?"

Dooku hesitated, weighing his words. The mixed consciousness inside him - part Jedi Master, part college student - wrestled with how much to reveal. "Let's just say, my dear, that the galaxy is far more intricate than even your considerable intellect might imagine."

"Now who's seeing what they wish to see?" Riyo countered, a playful glint in her eye.

Dooku laughed, amused by her quick wit. "Touché, Senator. Precisely what I would describe your company in return."

Indeed, the more he spoke with, the more he found he was relishing this verbal sparring far more than one would with a recalcitrant politico. The sharpness of Riyo's mind and her will were refreshing challenges to which he felt a kinship with the young senator.

"You know, Count," Riyo said, after a moment of comfortable silence had passed, "I can't help but wonder what path your life might have taken under different circumstances."

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The count's eyes met hers. A flicker of something—one hundred percent unreadable—passed. "An intriguing thought, my dear, but the past is immutable. We can only forge ahead with the choices before us."

Riyo nodded, her eyes trained on Dooku's. "And what choices, might you say, lie before you now, Count?"

For a moment, Dooku dared allow himself fantasy: another path, one in which his wondrous powers were turned to the task of reworking the galaxy into something finer. The tactical portion of his own mind, honed by The Attraction System, quickly kicked back in.

"That, Senator Chuchi," he replied, mysterious smile glued onto his face, "is a question for another time. For now, let us merely bask in this moment of… connection."

As Riyo unwillingly took her leave, Dooku returned to his contemplation. Before the Count knew it, the sterile confines of the Republic Detention Center seemed to shrink with each of Senator Riyo Chuchi's visits. Count Dooku was always a mystery, but a surprising interest in these encounters now blossomed within him. As the force field shimmered into transparency and revealed her lithe form, Dooku's enhanced senses picked up the subtle change of demeanor.

"Senator Chuchi," Dooku greeted, his rich baritone carrying a warmth that belied his circumstances. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your company today?"

Riyo's golden eyes met his, a mix of emotions swirling within their depths. "Count Dooku," she began, her voice softer than usual. "I… I find myself drawn here, seeking answers to questions I'm not even sure how to ask."

Dooku's lips twitched into a small, knowing smile. The Attraction System crooned quietly under the surface of his conscious mind, providing him with running read-outs of Riyo's emotional state. Her attraction toward him was growing; an intriguing and cautioning fact both.

"Perhaps," he offered, stepping closer to the force field, "the answers you seek lie not in questions, but in conversation. Tell me, my dear, what weighs on your mind?"

Riyo hesitated, her fingers twisting together, a rare display of nerves. "I… I've been thinking of the path I've taken, how it led me to this point. Sometimes I wonder if I'm really making a difference."

Dooku's eyes softened for a moment, some real empathy catching in them. "It is your journey, Senator. But if you wish to share it, I will listen."

And it was in the silence of the detention center that Riyo began to unwrap the tapestry of her life. She spoke of childhood on Pantora, of expectations placed upon young shoulders. Her voice trembled as she told him about her first attempts in politics and, certainly, all the lessons learned through the triumphs and heartaches.

"I never thought I'd find myself confiding in you like this," Riyo admitted, a rueful smile playing on her lips. "There's something about you, Count. Something that makes me feel… understood."

Dooku nodded, a smile playing on his lips. "Understanding is a rare commodity in this galaxy, Senator. One should treasure it when found."

As Riyo continued to bare her soul, Dooku remained a captive audience, offering measured responses and gentle prodding. The Attraction System alerted him to the deepening of Riyo's emotional connection, her growing trust and affection.

"And what of you, Count?" Riyo asked, her eyes searching his face. "Surely there's more to your story than what the holonet reports?"

Dooku chuckled, rich with undercurrents. "My dear Senator, my tale is a long and complex one. Perhaps not suited for these… restrictive surroundings."

Riyo felt the disappointment curling in him, but Dooku's augmented charisma took the edge off it. "I see," she said, though it didn't sound as if she did at all. "I just… I feel as though I have bared my heart, and still you're a mystery to me."

"Mysteries have their place in the grand tapestry of the galaxy," Dooku said, with a hint of promise in his voice. "I just want to assure you, Senator Chuchi, that your trust isn't at all misplaced. In time, when circumstances permit, I may share more of myself with you."

Riyo remained standing even as the conversation came to a close, each movement screaming reluctance. "I'll be back soon, Count Dooku," she breathed.

"I look forward to it, my dear," he replied, his tone warm yet guarded.

As the force field shimmered back into opacity, Dooku stepped back towards the center of his cell. The Attraction System provided a detailed analysis of their interaction, confirming what he already suspected—Riyo's growing affection toward him was undeniable.

Still, knowing this, Dooku couldn't help but be suspicious. His combined consciousness—the wisdom of a Jedi Master tempered by the practicality of a college student—counseled against full trust while still confined. The strategic part of his mind, the one nurtured by The Attraction System, had already begun forming plans now that Riyo's attachment meant both an asset and a complication.

"Hold, patience," Dooku whispered to the dark with centuries in his voice. "All will be as it must. For now, we wait, we watch, and we prepare."

Dooku shut his eyes in meditation.

* * *

Riyo Chuchi's visits to Count Dooku became more frequent and intimate. Tension between them had grown into a dance of imagined kisses, touches, and undressing words.

There had been something a bit off about Riyo all day, but she was typically one with a calm demeanor, using her features to hide many secrets. Today, it was different. Her controlled golden eyes flashed now, their intensity a surprise even to Dooku's heightened senses.

"Count Dooku," Riyo began, so softly that she could barely hear her own voice. "I need to speak with you about something."

Dooku arched his brow, his curiosity and wariness intertwined on his face very skillfully. "Please do, Senator. What plagues you so?

Riyo drew a long breath, consisting of steadying herself. "I've fallen in love with you, Count, madly, stupidly, against all rhyme and reason, and anything I ever knew. In love with you."

The insinuations seemed to hang heavy in the air. Dooku's head was a hive of further activity as The Attraction System began to flood him with data regarding Riyo's emotional state, corroborating the veracity of her words. He said nothing for one long moment, his face unreadable.

"Senator Chuchi," he said at last, rich baritone carrying a thread of gentle warning, "I'm not sure you should permit yourself to have such feelings for someone like myself."

Riyo's eyes flashed fiercely. "And why not? Because you are a prisoner? Because of your past? I do not care for either."

Dooku shook his head, his lips curling into a rueful smile. "My dear, there are so many reasons this is… unwise. Reasons I cannot fully explain, even to myself."

He thought of the merged consciousness inside himself, the college student's memories and perspectives in open war with the weight of his own experiences. He thought of the power of The Attraction System, the superhuman capabilities it bestowed upon him, and the immense gulf this created between him and others. Then there was Ventress and Sev'ranc Tann—would she actually accept him seeing other women?

"You don't know me as well as you think you do," Dooku went on, his voice suddenly soft but firm. "There are aspects of my being that would be… difficult for you to understand or accept."

Easing forward until she stood at the very force field, Riyo blazed her eyes. "Then help me understand. Let me in, Dooku. I'm not some naive girl who doesn't know her own mind."

The Attraction hummed beneath his consciousness, a constant thrumming confirmation of Riyo's intention. He found himself appreciating her spirit more—the fire and the determination of her resolve, unswayed by his own.

"Your passion is admirable, Senator," something slipped in his tone, finally human, "but love requires a foundation of trust and understanding, something two people—important as they may be to the galaxy—have not yet founded between themselves."

Riyo's shoulders sagged, but her eyes didn't lose their fire. "Then let's build it. I'm not asking for promises or declarations, Dooku. I'm asking for a chance."

Dooku regarded her thoughtfully. While he hadn't fallen for her, other than just simply being attracted to her, he could have an appreciation for her bravery, her intelligence, and her drive. The college student part of his mind whispered of potentialities, of bonds that went beyond the walls that currently confined him.

"Very well, Senator Chuchi," he said finally, his voice tinged with something new—perhaps not love, but a true openness. "Let us continue our conversations, let us see where goes this. This feeling between us. But I warn you, rein in your hopes. The journey is far from over; the path is far from clear."

Riyo's face all but shone with the mixture of relief and hope. "Oh, all I want is the grace of knowing you, Count. Truly knowing you."

Even after they had talked further, Dooku began to feel as though he were exploring emotional terrain made new to him. The Attraction System explained to him what Riyo was feeling, but he was left with an intricate confusion of appreciation, caution, and curiosity.

He knew very well that his intended goals, his grand goals for the galaxy, still remained. But staring at the senator on fire before him, Dooku wondered if perhaps there could be room for unpredictable alliances, for connections he might not see coming.

***

The Chancellor's measured strides rang out along the immaculate halls of the high-security detention center. This was an unexpected visit to his seemingly captured apprentice. As the guards stepped aside, bowing deferentially to the leader of the Galactic Republic, Palpatine's benovolent facade remained firmly in place.

With a hissed warning, the door to Dooku's cell opened to reveal the Count sitting in a meditative posture. At Palpatine's entrance, Dooku's eyes snapped open, and an instant flicker of recognition passed between them.

"Leave us," Palpatine commanded the guards, letting his voice carry the weight of unquestionable authority. The space seemed to condense with dark energy as the last guard left and the door sealed shut.

With a flick, the kind features of Palpatine disappeared, to be replaced by the dark silhouette of Darth Sidious. His eyes were yellow pools of malevolent intelligence as he regarded his apprentice.

"Dear Count," Sidious began, his voice a low, menacing purr, "How the mighty have fallen. Or have they?"

Dooku rose to his feet, his movements perfect, although his hands were held uselessly out to the sides by the restraints. "Master," he acknowledged, his tone carefully neutral.

Now he began to pace around Dooku, much the way a predator might its wounded prey. "Your defeat at the hands of Skywalker was... most convincing. Almost too convincing, wouldn't you agree?"

Dooku's face betrayed nothing, but inside The Attraction System clicked into overdrive, analyzing the words, the tone, the way his Master was holding his body. "I played my part as instructed, Master. The boy believes he has bested me."

A cruel smile touched Sidious's thin lips. "Indeed. And yet, I sense… something different about you, my apprentice. A change, perhaps?"

For a moment, Dooku wondered what he was talking about. He already knew about The Attraction System, about where he came from. So what was he talking about? "The experience has… given me a new perspective, Master."

"Perspective," Sidious repeated, savoring the word. "How intriguing. And what new perspectives have you gained, Lord Tyranus?"

Dooku did not flinch from Sidious's gaze. "That the game we play is far more intricate than even I had thought. That pawns may become queens, given the right… circumstances."

Sidious's eyes narrowed. "Careful, my apprentice. Such talk borders on treasonous."

"Merely an observation, Master," Dooku said smoothly. "After all, isn't that the way of the Sith? To always seek greater power?"

The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of that prospect hanging heavy while master and apprentice locked gazes. It was Sidious who finally spoke, his words laced with calculated malice.

"Perhaps, Tyranus, I underestimated you. Your defeat at the hands of the young Skywalker was to be the key to his own eventual turn. But now…now I find myself wondering if such a replacement is necessary at all."

One of Dooku's eyebrows rose just an inch. "Master?"

Sidious smiled again, the yellow teeth showing. "The boy is strong, yes, but undisciplined. Unrefined. You, however, have more than proven your value time and again. Perhaps it is time for a final test of the Sith heritage."

"What do you mean?" Dooku asked, already letting the Attraction System process the most probable scenarios.

"A confrontation," Sidious hissed. "You and young Skywalker. A battle to determine who is truly worthy of standing at my side as we reshape the galaxy."

Dooku bowed his head, preluding any indication of the glare of determination from his eyes. "As you wish, my Master."

Sidious steepled his fingers in front of his robes, satisfied. "Excellent. I shall make the arrangements. Until then, continue to play your part, my apprentice. The Republic must believe in your captivity."

At that, Sidious's form shimmered and changed, reasserting once more the kindly visage of Chancellor Palpatine. He exited the cell, leaving Dooku alone with his thoughts.

As the door sealed shut, Dooku allowed himself a small, grim smile. The Attraction System hummed in the back of his mind, offering strategic options and possible results.

"Ah, my dear Master," Dooku whispered almost inaudibly to himself. "You've sealed your own fate. There will be no confrontation with young Skywalker, no test of the Sith legacy. Before your grand plans can come to fruition, I'll end you."

Dooku closed his eyes and opened the bottomless well of power that The Attraction System gave him. His increased connection to the Force throbbed through him like a heartbeat, and he could almost see threads of destiny shifting, realigning themselves to his whim.

"The future of the galaxy," Dooku noted, "lies not in the hands of Sidious or Skywalker, but in my possession. And what a future it will be."