Rain's P.O.V.

Rain stared at the walls of her cell, the dull grey color filling her with a sense of weariness, despite the endless buzzing of her busy mind. A feeling of foreboding loomed over her, leaving her to wonder what would happen now.

I'm past the point of no return.

In her mind's eye, she saw her squadron lying dead, heard their screams resounding in her head, the look of confused betrayal on their faces.

What must Mira think of me now?

Rain felt the ship lurch slightly as it dropped out of hyperspace, signalling that she had arrived at Serenno.

The moment was fast approaching when her life or death would be decided, the moment when she would be seen worthy of learning the dark arts or would be rejected and cast aside into a meaningless death.

Rain clenched her hands into fists, trying to stifle her trembling.

This WASN'T meaningless. It can't have been.

An image of Mira flashed through her mind and she felt the prick of tears in the back of her eyes.

I'm so sorry to have hurt you like this. One day you'll understand.

Rain was startled out of her thoughts as the door to her cell slid open. She looked up to see Grievous standing there alongside her droid escort. She got up and followed him without a word.

She was led to a ship hangar where she boarded a transport with the General and his magnaguards. They headed down to the surface of the planet and landed at the cliffside castle of Serenno. As Rain stepped off the ship, she gaped in awe at the grand architecture before her. Stretching before her feet was a long, paved walkway lined by beautiful gardens on both sides. Beyond that rose majestic monoliths stood in a row, leading to the main entrance. In the heart of the palace, overlooking the path, was a round stained glass window almost appearing like an eye gazing down upon the quiet glory of the grounds. Surrounding the castle was a number of relay towers, stabbing into the sky. The sight was so stunning, it almost made her forget the tension of the moment.

Almost.

Rain fell into step beside Grievous, still taking in the scenery as she walked. As they neared the main building, she could see a figure in the distance, waiting for them. Her stomach tightened into a knot and she had to force herself to keep walking.

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Count Dooku.

There was no mistaking him. He certainly looked like a Count, but as Rain noted his stiff and grim manner, she found it strikingly contrast from the beauty of his home. But from what she'd heard of the Count, she hadn't expected him to be at all a pleasant fellow.

"General. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Dooku's gaze shifted to Rain. "Who's this?"

Rain, quickly gathering her nerve, bowed her head courteously and prayed the tremor in her voice wasn't too noticeable, "Rain Callyn. You have a very nice home."

Why would you say that, idiot?!

Grievous narrowed his eyes at her before replying, "She's a new recruit. Or so she says."

"A Jedi, I see," Dooku remarked, "And what compelled you to defect? A rather bold move, I must say."

"I wasn't interested in following the Jedi Order's guidance for any longer, but I couldn't sit on the sidelines of this war."

Rain dropped to her knees, lowering her head and taking a deep breath.

I can't show any fear.

"I need you to teach me everything you know."

"I appreciate your enthusiasm, Miss Callyn," Dooku said, "I sense you have already had some experience in using the dark side. For that reason, I will teach you, and perhaps through my knowledge you will be able to better learn to control that power."

Rain felt a wave of relief, which was quickly followed by confusion.

Surely he must be mistaken. I have no experience with the dark side...

Her thoughts trailed away and she was struck by the memory of when she had rescued Mira on Trandosha. In the heat of the moment, something had taken ahold of her, something cold and unforgiving.

It was my own hate, and because I let it get the better of me, those innocent prisoners ended up dead. I killed them, for no reason other than they were in my way.

She shook the thought away, getting to her feet.

"Thank you...Master," she said.

It felt strange applying the title to a face as different from Master Aayla's as Dooku's was.

Rain's memories carried her back to one of her first missions on the battlefield. A Separatist bomb had been set among civilians and Rain had failed to get to it in time. Several innocents had been killed in the explosion, and by the time Rain had returned to Master Secura's position, she had been on the verge of tears.

Aayla had simply laid a hand on her shoulder and told her, "Don't cry. It's not your fault."

All Rain had wanted was a hug.

Don't. Can't. Shouldn't. Words I heard a thousand times over. I was never good enough for anyone. Not my mother, not the Jedi. This is my chance to change that. I'm not going to hold back anymore. Whatever happens from here on out, I can take it. The stronger I grow, the less people will be able to ignore me.

"We will start your training at the earliest convenience," the Count was saying, "Though I should warn you not to underestimate what it is you're asking for. This will be nothing like the training you received in the Jedi Temple. There will be no room for weakness."

"I understand," Rain answered readily.

"Good." Dooku allowed himself a gentle smile before turning to Grievous. "Thank you for bringing her here, General. I'll take her off your hands."

Grievous bowed and Dooku turned to leave. Rain paused before following him.

"Till next time I suppose, General," she said, "Perhaps in time we'll be able to forget our past as enemies and accomplish great things together."

"We shall see," was all the reply she got.

Then, with a flourish of his cape, Grievous departed.