53 Interlude: The Confederacy strikes back I

Council Chamber

Raxus Secundus

Confederacy of Independent systems capital world

Three of the most influential people within the Council were gathered for this meeting.

Shu Mai – the old Gossam, who had served as the Presidente of the Commerce Guild for years. Next to her stood San Hill, the Muun chairman of the Intergalactic Banking Clan, an institution that suddenly found itself under censure after one of it's leaders played an important part in the disastrous peace conference that saw Senator Amidala in a coma within undisclosed location and got a lot of the peace inclined Confederacy parliament members killed.

Last but certainly not the least was Trest Ilroth – the new Neimoidian Viceroy of the Trade Federation. Thanks to the way their hive mind worked, he was their undisputed leader, further his ascension to the position was a good thing for multiple reasons. Chief among them was that Gunrey's death had caused the Trade Federation to stop working until a new leader could be chosen and assume the position.

The other reason was actually more important… Thanks to the way the Neimoidian hive mind worked, Ilroth was aware of his predecessor's dealings with certain Sith and deeply disapproved. Now he actually was in a position to do something, manly thanks to a fluke – the people who were supposed to be the next in line were not in position to seize power when Gunrey got himself killed thanks to being too busy running various errands for him. That very thought made Trest smile. Becoming a leader of his people and the Trade Federation thanks to his predecessor's hubris, now wasn't that some sweet irony?

"We're all here." Hill spoke quietly. "You called us here, Viceroy. I hope it's important." The tall Muun's eyes bore into Tresk's own.

The Neimoidian stared back. "Dooku was right about one thing, you know." Ilroth mussed. "The Republic senate is under the control of a Sith who is behind this war. Our dear Count just forgot to mention that he's the Sith's apprentice and running our side of the war for that man."

That little bombshell made the other leaders stare at him with disbelief. After all, those were few of the Council members who actually weren't aware who they were really working for.

"Do you actually have any proof?" Mai asked after a few moments of deafening silence.

"I actually have." Tresk smiled and pulled a small holoemmiter from a pocket in his traditional Viceroy pockets. "My predecessor kept a record of few conversations with the Sith." Ilroth activated the device and the three of them watched a few conversations between Sidious and Gunrey, the first dating as far back as the ill thought and planned invasion of Naboo.

The last was the Sith issuing orders shortly before Gunrey got himself captured and killed in that botched rescue attempt at Rodia.

"That puts the war in a new light. The madness that's been happening the lately..." Mai shook her head.

"I can confirm that the Sith assisted in the creation of the Confederacy." San Hill sighed. His colleagues stared at him at the admission.

"This is going to be good. Please elaborate." Tresk waved at the Muun.

"The Sith have been in contact with the Banking Clans for decades. We had a mutually profitable arrangement, something we've come to review after what's been happening lately."

"You didn't expect a Sith to betray you eventually?" Mai snorted.

"The mutual profit was great." The Muun muttered sullenly. "It makes no sense to nationalize our assets within the Republic!"

"And this Sith of yours has the power to prevent it?" The Gossam female needled him.

"He's the kriffing Chancellor Palpatine, of course he can!" Hill snapped back.

"Palpatine." Mai repeated in a flat tone.

"Him. Yes." San grumbled.

"That's my conclusion too." Ilroth added helpfully.

The Presidente groaned and slumped back in her chair. "It should be obvious with the benefit of hindsight, no? This senseless destruction of late? The wanton slaughter without purpose aside terror tactics? It's something that a Sith of legend should be doing. Then there's this third one – Veil."

"He was unexpected." Hill interjected. "As far as I knew, there were always only two ever since we were first contacted."

"It's the same for us… though until Naboo Gunrey believed that there was just one Sith."

"So there could be even more waiting an opportune moment to reveal themselves?" Mai asked.

Two sullen nods answered her.

"Dooku will be arriving here tomorrow." Ilroth added helpfully.

"He'll want to reaffirm his position as a leader of the Council." Hill nodded.

"The Sith would bring us to run and after their latest shenanigans there won't be peace unless we win or lose our heads." Mai sighed. "I trust that none of you want to be tried by a Republic court for mass murder and anything else they decide to throw at us if we lose?"

"There won't be a trial if a Sith led Republic wins. Just a quiet execution." Tresk interjected.

"Some of us know too much and the others could prove to be thorns in Palpatine's side once he's won."

"Well, then we'll have to make sure that the Confederacy wins this war or we all hang." Mai grimaced.

"That's easier said than done." Hill stated.

"True. However, the new leader of the Techno Union will be arriving tonight. He might not be in the Sith's pockets or even if he's bought we should try making him a better offer." Mai looked thoughtful.

"The four of us would have enough assets to make change." Tresk said. "That might be enough to confront Dooku and survive."

"It's a deadly gamble you propose." Hill looked shifty for a moment.

"It's either that or we're all dead anyway. Do you really think that a Sith would reward us with anything but death once he has no more use for us?" Mai sneered.

"It doesn't make any business sense! We could still be useful."

"You should have learned that by now, Hill. A Sith don't think like us normal beings." Ilroth sighed. "The madness of the last half an year or so should be a proof enough."

=RK=

Techno Union Suites

Rexus Secundus

"I see." Kleo Vombra, the cyborg chosen as the new leader of the Techno Union just a few days ago, rasped. He was a humanoid who had all his visible flesh replaced by cybernetics – making him look like a particularly advanced combat droid – which made it impossible to determine what species he used to be.

Those who knew him before the extensive augmentations would see little if anything left from the tall Zabrak in the hulking figure made of durasteel.

Vombra's artificial eyes scanned the three Confederacy leaders sitting in his guest suite – an almost sterile room which could be mistaken for a particularly high tech workshop. The only thing giving a lie to that distinction was the steel table in the center, surrounded by chairs that looked comfortable for those poor sods who were still mere flesh and bone instead of steel and cybernetics.

"That explains some of Tambor's shenanigans." The cyborg spoke in mechanical voice, which nevertheless could very well express his exasperation. "From the Union's point of view, my predecessor's actions on Ryloth were a pointless waste of resources with nothing of real value to gain." And a lot to lose, he didn't add aloud. "You're here for a reason, not to cry on my shoulder." Kleo's photo-receptors scanned the Council members.

"We plan to move against Dooku tomorrow. If he's reaffirmed as our leader, the Confederacy will be done for." Ilroth stated.

"We too as its leaders, you mean." Vombra gave out a mechanical chuckle that echoed within the room. "Did any one of you asked the relevant questions?"

"Can we win the war?" Tresk did so.

"We talked about it." Hill nodded. "While the situation is less than ideal, we have some untapped advantages."

"The way we've all fought on the cheap so far?" Kleo asked. "Using low quality droids and mere frigates as our main combatants?" The mere idea was an anathema for the Union's Foremans, yet they were somewhat content to pour more and more money into R&D, liquid assets made free by not needing to produce armies of top of the line droids and fleets of better ships.

That was going to change – Dooku at least had a few decent ideas. What could those people offer the Union?

"True." It was Mia who spoke this time. "We've used only our security forces so far – granted we expanded them greatly, but that's it. We're well aware that when seeking to build them we were more interested by cheap good enough solution instead of what is best."

"Can you afford enough of the best?" Kleo asked the most important question.

The three beings looked at each other, then Hill nodded.

"The Banking Clans, Commerce Guild and Trade Federation can finance the war for the next three years if we start mass producing our various high quality military units as well as various experimental designs. Our estimates are that the war would be either won or lost by the time we're about to run out of money and the economy is threatened by collapse."

"Barring enemy action against our infrastructure?" Vombra asked.

"The credits would still be available, but the economy could collapse sooner in that case." Tresk added.

"So finally you're about to open your bank accounts for the war effort." Kleo would have smiled if he still could. "In a matter of fact, Dooku already ordered such – a phased replacement of most of our current armies with better, more expensive models. The same for our navy – though it all would take some time and careful balancing."

"We're ready to pay for a victory. The price of defeat would be unthinkable." Hill grunted, in grim acceptance.

"Then we might have a deal. The Techno Union would have some conditions in order to support you."

"Let's talk business then." Mia smiled.

=RK=

Interlude: The Confederacy strikes back II

Noon, the next day

Council Chamber

Raxus Secundus

Confederacy of Independent systems capital world

Count Dooku walked in, head held high. He knew that trouble awaited him within – the sense of unease he had all morning, combined with the heightened security he noticed after landing were clear giveaways. The Councilors were restless. The Sith had no doubt that they would demand explanations, perhaps even try to remove him from the position of nominal leader of the Confederacy – something that he simply couldn't allow.

The Count felt unease, even fear, before he entered the familiar Council chambers… which were much less so today. It took all his composure and years of experience as diplomat not to halt just past the threshold. The large room was much different than he remembered. The long table that dominated the center of the chamber was cut in half and the Councilors were sitting at the far end, leaving a quite large open space between them and the door.

There were two platoons of Commando droids standing at attention along the walls, flanking him – all armed with vibroblades. Further, Dooku could clearly see a hastily installed shield generators at the far end of the chamber, generators that activated with a quiet hum and separated the Councilors from him with a thick wall of energy.

Another platoon armed with distinct sonic screamers were behind the shield, ready to step between him and the table.

"What is the meaning of this?" Dooku snapped, not bothering to hide his anger – after all, pulling such a stunt on anyone would infuriate them, much less someone of his statute.

"It should be obvious, my lord." Ilroth Tresk, the new Viceroy of the Trade Federation stood up. "Everyone in here knows what you are. Some of our predecessors had profitable relationship with the Sith. That's in the past."

"Viceroy, be careful what you accuse me of." Dooku spoke quietly, adding a suggestion through the Force.

"I..." Tresk shook his head. "I… am not AS WEAK WILLED AS GUNRAY!" The Neimoidian snapped.

"Using your powers to influence us?" A flat mechanical voice hissed.

That gave Dooku pause. He had left his previous meeting with Foreman Kleo with the impression that the new Techno Union leader was on board with the Sith plans. The Count narrowed his eyes at the gathered Councilmen. Hill, Mia, the Neimoidian… those had the strongest feeling of defiance around them. A few of the rest too, but within them the fear was stronger.

If he could handle the ring leaders properly, the rest would fell in line, Dooku knew that from years of working with them. However, two of the group were new – he had precious little first hand experience with them. In fact they shouldn't have been the new leaders of their respective factions, however the chaos and unrest caused by the war conspired to push them forward instead of more manageable candidates. Dooku was determined to ensure that their replacements were going to be more tractable.

"I'm unsure what you mean, Foreman Kleo." The nobleman answered calmly. He was more interested in the defenses set up around the room, than in what the group of dissidents had to say.

"Given all you've done for the Confederacy, some Council members insisted to give you an opportunity to explain yourself." Sui Mia spoke in a composed tone, that didn't betray any of the anxiety she radiated.

"What about everything he and his master did to the Confederacy?" Ilroth snipped.

"That we already discussed." The Gossam woman shrugged.

"This seems to be an inquisition." Dooku frowned at the Councilors. "What am I being accused of?"

"Being a Sith, engineering this war for your own profit and mishandling it to the deterrent of the Confederacy." Ilroth spoke with new found confidence. "There was just one Sith a decade ago – the one my predecessor unwisely made a deal. The one who promised him that the Senate would be handled. Then there were two – an apprentice who died on Naboo."

"There appears to be two Sith these days. One Master and one apprentice. So the Council believed when I was a Jedi." Dooku shrugged, reminding them of the role he played – that of an enemy of the Sith who was just doing what he believed best… even if that meant starting a civil war that was ravaging the galaxy. It was surprising how many beings bought the charade as truth. There were at least few on this very Council too.

"Really? I thought that there were three. Wasn't it curious that this new Sith – Veil, appeared just as we were winning the war? Just to reverse our fortunes too, especially when some of our members could confirm that our Confederacy was supposedly backed by the Sith?" Hill glared.

Dooku raised an eyebrow at that. The banker was afraid all right, anxious too, but there was a feeling of rising anger and more importantly – betrayal. It took the Count a few seconds to mentally review the more important events that might cause that and he had to suppress a wince. After the events on Neimodia, Sidious had moved to consolidate his control over the Banking Clans assets within the Republic. That appeared to be a mistake now.

"You all know that the Republic is under the control of a Sith – who is our real enemy."

"True. From certain point of view." Kleo's mechanical voice interrupted Dooku, irritating the Sith. "The apprentice would turn on the master eventually, wasn't that a part of your code?"

"It's a part of the Sith code. I am no Sith."

"Perhaps not." Shu Mia nodded, taking everyone aback. "We aren't concerned if you're a Sith or not. Only if you work against the Confederation and there is some proof about that."

"Then ask and I'll explain." Dooku nodded, fighting to keep a lid on his temper.

"We will. Why did the Sith engineered the bio-weapon attacks on Naboo and Coruscant?" Ilroth glared.

"Fellow Council members, the investigation is still ongoing." Dooku sighed. Unfortunately, Sev'rance hadn't been able to provide his anything solid on the perpetrators, besides confirming what he already knew – there was some kind of conspiracy withing the Confederacy with their own aims. "I can assure you that I have nothing to do with those attacks." Dooku was a picture of innocence as he said that. It was even the truth! He wasn't an idiot to escalate the war to such an extent at this time – doing so didn't serve his plans. "I can't speak about any hypothetical Sith within the Confederacy, much less about the one controlling the Republic."

"This charade is tiresome." Kleo gave a mechanical sigh. "We all know that you are a Sith. More than half of the Council had dealings with you or your Master while you operated as such."

That was true, however Dooku wasn't going to admit it for any conveniently placed camera so he could incriminate himself. It was clear that the meeting was a set-up, however his agents letting him walk in without a warning… He would have a long conversations about the price of failure with them.

"It's a charade, all right." Dooku snapped. "I'm being put on a trial on made up charges. Or are we going to pretend that this isn't a trial?"

"A trial? Not really. We aren't judges." Mia smiled. "Trying you for anything? That isn't in our power. However, removing you from your position within the Confederacy? That we could and did do."

"You're no longer our leader, Count Dooku." Ilroth added.

"Can't say I regret not being a part of a Council obviously chock full with backstabbers." The Sith shrugged. It was getting harder and harder to keep a lid on his anger. The Confederacy was his! He made it possible, he build it into what it was today! It was a tool for the Sith, one that would exist or die by their will.

"Still, you said I would be able to explain?" Dooku asked. He believed that the meeting was filmed and decided to play for the cameras, showing himself as the betrayed leader.

"And you lied to our faces." Mia's glared at him. "The bio-weapon attacks? Your pet, Grievous' excesses? Do you think all of us for blind fools, Count? That's not what the Confederacy stands for! That's not what we fight for!" The Gossam stood up and pointed an accusing finger at him. "Some of Gunrey's and Tambor's actions made no sense from either business or military perspective. However, acting under the influence of a Sith, who proves all the tales about their kind as true?" The old woman shook her head in disgust. "You engineered this war, you and your master and now the whole galaxy is paying the price for your games." Her words rang with conviction.

Dooku could almost respect her for knowing him to be a Sith and be ready to stand up to him despite that.

That wasn't going to make her death any less certain.

"That's a very grave accusation, Council woman Mia." Dooku shook his head with regret.

"Not as great as your crimes. You're under arrest, Count Dooku, to be handled to the Jedi so you can answer for your war-crimes." Tresk pointed at his chest.

Dooku glared back. "Do you expect me to come quietly so your cronies could arrange an accident before I could be handled back to my old colleagues?" The Count sneered.

He didn't believe for a moment that he would live if he went quietly… and even if he did, he didn't like his chances for escaping again.

"Do you really believe you can fight your way out of here?" Kleo asked with what sounded like professional interest.

"I think we're about to find out." Dooku muttered. He concentrated and extended his will through the Force, using it to activate a certain communicator he always carried with himself. Ghostly fingers entered a long pass-code within a moment, then pressed the activation button. A long string of binary was emitted – the shut down code built into the Droid armies of the Confederacy.

That was one of the contingencies his masher and Dooku himself had prepared while planning the war. So it was to the Count's great surprise that only a handful of droids shut down.

"I was wondering, if you would have a way to shut down our armies if everything I was told was true." Kleo mussed. "It appears to be so. Thank you for providing us with the code. Get him." The Foreman ordered the Commandos – all but the shut down machines were from his personal guard, build by his own specifications and having quite a different programing than the rank and file. In fact, almost all of the droids protecting this section of the city were made of personal troops provided by either him or his three co-conspirators and as such were built and programmed differently than the front-line troops.