Trial of the Times

Chapter 37 - Political Maneuvers - Rewritten

"Welcome to Mandalore," Duchess Satine declares, as Dooku and Kenobi stop before her. Appo, who had accompanied them, stands several paces behind them. "I am pleased to see that you are not carrying weapons," she adds after a moment, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

"Of course not," Dooku hastens to assure her. "I know that Mandalore does not permit weapons, so we left ours in a concealed compartment in the ship." She dips her head in a grateful nod, motioning them to follow her to the speeder which will be escorting them to the palace.

"I must confess, Master Kenobi," she murmurs after they are seated, "That I am mildly surprised to see you here with Count Dooku. I would not have expected you to form an alliance with him." Her expression is distinctly curious, though Dooku can see an underlying cautiousness.

The former Jedi Master shifts, though his calm demeanor doesn't change. "I am not a Jedi anymore, Duchess, not since I helped Anakin escape," he replies at last, and her eyebrows rise in surprise. "You do not need to call me Master Kenobi." He pauses, giving Dooku a sideways glance. "The Council took actions I could not agree with, so I... you have heard that I am a traitor to the Republic. I did, in a sense, betray the Jedi Order. Though I am no longer a Jedi, I am not a Sith either."

"I thought Sith were long term enemies of the Jedi," she remarks. "I heard one killed your master."

Kenobi nods. "That is correct strictly speaking, but Dooku is reforming the Sith Order. They will no longer be warriors who only seek destruction. They embrace the Dark Side to achieve balance within themselves, instead of sticking to the more narrow-minded views of the Jedi."

Dooku can sense Kenobi is choosing his words carefully so that the Duchess will understand. She is not a Force user, and nor is she Force-sensitive. It is true that the Council had become narrow-minded, but Dooku had never expected Kenobi would openly admit it, and he feels rather smug at the admission. Ever since the former Jedi first came to him some weeks ago, their relationship has improved, even if they haven't spoken since. Kenobi seems to have achieved a new level of peace, one which he did not have before, and Dooku is pleased to see it, though he is well-aware that Kenobi never actually spoke to Skywalker about his feelings.

"I see," Duchess Satine replies, her posture becoming slightly more relaxed. "Might I ask what it is that changed your mind? The last time we spoke, I was under the impression that you would not leave the Order."

Something unfathomable changes in Kenobi's expression. "I left for Anakin," he replies bluntly. "The Council... arrested him, since they thought him dangerous for using the Dark Side, and I could not, in good conscience, abandon him. I rescued him, and we fled the Republic together. The Jedi will, no doubt, view my actions as the result of an attachment, but..." His voice trails off, and he shakes his head. "The Jedi don't know Anakin like I do. I couldn't – wouldn't let them hurt him."

"And now, you have been labeled a traitor as well," she states flatly. "When did he first join Dooku?"

Kenobi hesitates, and for the first time, seems unsure of himself. "It was after I faked my death," he confesses.

The Duchess' expression tightens, concealed anger in her eyes. "Don't ever do that again," she warns quietly. "It was not easy to think you dead, even if only for a short time." Dooku reigns in his amusement. So, he was right. She does have feelings for Kenobi, feelings which may well be reciprocated.

"It – I – I'm sorry," he replies contritely. "It was not a decision I made lightly. Someone needed to uncover the plot to kidnap the Chancellor, and at the time, we had no idea who he really was."

She huffs quietly but accepts his apology with grace, though Dooku has no doubt that she'll yell at him later in private. "Would you like me to call you General Kenobi, then?" she questions. "Or are you not a general right now?"