Star Wars:The Apprentice

As we continued walking through the corridors of the Trade Federation ship, I kept glancing at Dooku. It was strange—this was one of the few times I had been allowed outside the facility without the explicit goal of killing someone. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to consider this a privilege or just another test. 

Still, something lingered in my mind from our last conversation. Dooku's words had stuck with me. He had once believed in the Jedi, just like I had. And now, here he was—one of Sidious' apprentices, one of the key players in the coming war. 

And I was walking the same path. 

I wasn't sure what compelled me to say it, but as we entered an elevator, I blurted out, "You know, this is probably the closest thing to a break I've ever gotten." 

Dooku arched a brow. "A break?" 

I leaned against the elevator wall, arms crossed. "Yeah. You know, going outside without having to kill someone. It's nice." 

Dooku gave a low hum, something between amusement and disinterest. "I suppose even Sidious must allow his hound to breathe every once in a while." 

I snorted. "Thanks for that." 

The elevator doors opened, revealing a grand hall within the Trade Federation ship. Neimoidian officers bustled around, their beady red eyes glancing in our direction before scurrying out of the way. Dooku's presence was enough to command respect—mine, however, earned only curiosity and occasional fear. 

As we walked toward the meeting room, I decided to push my luck. 

"You don't talk much about yourself," I said. 

Dooku barely spared me a glance. "There is little need." 

"C'mon. You can't tell me you don't miss *anything* about the Jedi." 

Dooku remained silent for a moment. Then, to my surprise, he actually answered. 

"I miss the refinement," he admitted. "The discipline. The civility." 

I gave him a side glance. "Pretty sure those aren't exclusive to the Jedi." 

Dooku's lip curled slightly. "No, but they are certainly *lacking* among the Sith." 

That caught me off guard. "Then why stay?" 

Dooku stopped in front of the massive double doors leading to the meeting chamber. He turned to me, studying me with his sharp, calculating eyes. 

"I could ask the same of you," he said. 

I hesitated. 

That was a question I had been avoiding for years. 

Why *was* I still here? 

I forced a smirk. "Guess I just love getting tortured every day." 

Dooku didn't return the humor. "You jest, but I see the conflict within you, Venator." 

I stiffened. 

He continued, "You still hold onto foolish notions of light and dark. You hesitate. You question. That is dangerous." 

I frowned. "Because questioning things is a *bad* thing?" 

"Because *doubt* is weakness." Dooku turned toward the doors and pressed a button on the control panel. As they slid open, he added, "And weakness is something our master does not tolerate." 

I clenched my jaw but said nothing as we stepped inside. 

The meeting was already underway. Nute Gunray and several members of the Techno Union stood around a long holotable, discussing logistics, fleet movements, and, most importantly, their growing dissatisfaction with the Republic. 

Dooku took his place at the head of the table, while I stood slightly behind him, watching, listening. 

This was politics. 

The kind of thing I never cared about. 

But now? 

Now I had to care. 

Because if I didn't, I'd never understand what Sidious and Dooku were planning. 

I wasn't just here to learn how to kill. 

I was here to learn how to *win*. 

And for that, I needed to understand the game.