**interlude sith lords**
**Dooku's Private Office – Castle Serenno**
Count Dooku stood rigid in the center of his dimly lit office, the grand tapestries and ancient Sith artifacts casting long shadows across the stone floor. The holographic form of Darth Sidious flickered before him, the Emperor's hooded face twisted in displeasure.
"It seems General Dagon Marek is growing stronger with every passing week," Sidious hissed, his voice like venom dripping from a blade. "This campaign of his is proving both his strength… and your weakness, Tyranus."
Dooku's jaw tightened, but he kept his composure. "My lord, the defeat at Orron III was—"
"Was a disaster," Sidious cut him off. "You are fortunate the fools in the Separatist Council are blaming it entirely on that idiot Passel Argente. They do not yet realize your special tactical droid — the one that rescued your apprentice and General Grievous at Dentaal — was also involved."
Dooku inclined his head slightly. "I understand, my lord. We have had some… complications."
Sidious raised a hand. Dooku's throat suddenly constricted as invisible fingers of the Force closed around it. The Count gasped, clutching at his neck.
"Yes. Your complications," Sidious growled. "Grievous is routed again and again. He takes unimportant worlds but fails to secure the major ones. He is becoming a liability."
The pressure released. Dooku drew in a ragged breath, refusing to kneel.
"But we have an advantage now," Sidious continued, his tone shifting to something almost pleased. "Mygeeto will soon be attacked. You yourself heard Dagon Marek say the Muuns will fight to the last to protect their precious crystals. Use this. Trap the Jedi on the surface. Force the Council to send their strongest masters to rescue them. If Dagon is forced to use the dark side openly to save them… the very Jedi he protects may turn on him."
Dooku's eyes gleamed with dark understanding. "A masterful stroke, my lord."
"Dispatch Admiral Dua Ningo," Sidious ordered. "He is the only experienced admiral we still have who has faced Dagon and lived. Let him lead the defense of Mygeeto."
"It will be done."
The hologram of Darth Sidious faded.
Dooku remained standing for a long moment, rubbing his throat. Then the shadows near the doorway stirred.
Nightsister Selena stepped forward, her lithe form draped in dark robes, her eyes glowing with ambition.
"I thought Grievous was supposed to be our trump card," Dooku said as she approached, a faint smile touching his lips. "But it looks like it will be you."
"Grievous is a wild dog, my lord," Selena replied coldly. "Unless he scores a significant victory soon, we should eliminate him before he becomes more trouble than he is worth."
Dooku chuckled darkly. "Yes… but that would put too much pressure on you as Supreme Commander. And we wouldn't want Darth Sidious thinking I have betrayed him… would we?"
Selena's lips curved into a dangerous smile as she stopped mere inches from Dooku.
"No, my lord," she purred. "We wouldn't want that at all."
The Count of Serenno looked down at his Nightsister apprentice, the weight of the war, Sidious's threats, and his own ambitions swirling in his mind.
The game continued.