The Dark Woman studied Shmi Skywalker as they made their way through the castle's halls; the mother of Anakin Skywalker, Qui-Gon's current Padawan…Anakin, the possible "Chosen One" of the prophecy, according to some.
She didn't pay much mind to that one way or another. Even if the young Skywalker wasn't the Chosen One, even if the prophecy wasn't real, it was obvious to most Masters in the order that Anakin was important- if only insofar as his potential.
Some of that importance extended to his mother. Sensing the Dark Woman's hidden presence was no small feat—even some Masters failed at that. Shmi was no Jedi, but her attunement to the Force was undeniable.
"The Count is right through here," she said, pausing to wave at the door in front of them. "Now, before I leave you, I feel obliged to ask if there are any foods you'd find disagreeable to your health? Allergies and the like?"
"None I have yet to find," Windu answered honestly while Yoda merely shook his head.
The Dark Woman scowled to herself. "Nerf meat doesn't agree with me."
Shmi had a small grin. "What luck, we're having nuna today."
With that, she made her leave, and the Jedi masters all shared a brief look before nodding. Yoda took the lead, leaping off his hoverchair and pushing it to the side as he walked up to the door and knocked on it thrice with his cane.
If they strained their ears, they could faintly hear a chuckle just before the door opened to real Dooku. "Master Yoda, I still recognize your staff knocking on my door by heart," he said with fond memory. He looked to Mace with a polite nod before raising an eyebrow at the Dark Woman. "Well, if I didn't believe this wasn't a casual meeting, I certainly don't now. Come in, I'm sure you have much to discuss."
They walked into the office, and if the Dark Woman had to give a summary? She would say it wasn't ostentatious, but definitely furnished to give the proper appearance of the ruler of a planet without trying to rub his wealth or position in anyone's face.
Dooku walked behind his desk, but seeing that they made no movement to sit, did not do so himself. "My, what could have three masters such as yourselves troubled in my presence?" Dooku asked smoothly, rubbing his beard thoughtfully.
"Count Dooku," The Dark Woman said, blunt but calm. "We are investigating leads on Darth Plagueis."
"Darth Plagueis?" Dooku repeated with a cocked eyebrow. "Now that is a surprise, from you especially. From what my friends in the Order tell me, your hunting has normally been aimed at the other Sith Lord. I don't know what I should inquire first: what has changed your course, or what has led you to my humble planet?"
Windu breathed heavily, arms crossed. "I'm sure you have also heard the...indecisiveness on how to handle Vader. That issue is not a factor with Plagueis."
Yoda nodded sagely. "Last of the Order of Bane, he might be. Sidious's plot and his, one and the same, they were."
Dooku hummed, nodded slowly. "Dealing with a matter more easily agreed upon before crossing the more uncertain bridge. A wise division, if a bit late in timing. Do you believe he has some tendril laced into Sorreno?"
"Possibly," The Dark Woman remarked. "All those years ago, he seemed more interested in you than the other masters."
Dooku scowled. "I could almost take that as an accusation."
"To the Dark Side, turned you have, believe I do not," Yoda assured firmly. "But his influence, here, it might be."
"That possibility I cannot wholly deny," Dooku remarked coolly. "I have kept careful track of all dealings on and involving my planet, but with a foe such as this, one can hardly be sure."
"The influence we fear is not through business and politics, Dooku, but the Force," Mace Windu informed bluntly.
"Oh? And what do you-" Dooku stopped as he looked to Yoda with a raised brow and a frown. The ancient Jedi merely smiled in apology. "I have not felt you subtly checking my mind and defenses like this in many decades, Master Yoda."
"Apologies," Yoda said. "Better, I hoped, it would be. For me to do this. Doubt you, I would not, if this were any other foe."
Dooku snorted, crossing his arms. "I trust I am not the only one whose mind has been checked?"
"We all have," The Dark Woman assured with a bow of the head. "Given I was delivered unconscious by Vader all those years ago, I insisted on being checked more than once."
Dooku's shoulders eased a bit at that and nodded as he took a seat. "Very well, do as you will, Master Yoda. I trust you to leave well enough alone with what you might glean in my mind."
Meanwhile
"So, that's what happened."
Vader had come to understand an interesting quirk about Plagueis. The man tried not to show weakness of any kind that wasn't manufactured or accounted for. For a Sith, it was as much a rule as it was a habit. But Plagueis did not consider long-suffering exasperation to be a weakness, and showed it openly.
"It seems we both had rather complicated adventures. You with your nutter-infested ship and me with this blight," Plagueis summarized, his hologram looking to a terminal on the side. "Your people have already sent me the preliminary numbers for the repairs. Ignoring my compensation, I am going to need to be creative with that solution. I might need to consider some of my old ideas for taking over Kuat."
Vader did not let himself be distracted by that. "You are troubled by something, something that happened on Albingi."
Plagueis scowled. It was as much for Vader as it was for the subject. "I might be paranoid. That comes with being a Sith, especially of the Order of Bane. But someone involved in this blight- the mastermind or the disease's creator? I almost feel as if the virus was addressed to me, like a greeting card."
"A greeting card," Vader repeated slowly, a thought churning in the back of his head. "What prompted that suspicion?"
"The blight was made partially from an ancient Sith-made virus, highly diluted by its own evolution," Plagueis remarked, narrowing his eyes at Vader's lack of reaction. "You have a suspect?"
"After the notes I retrieved and sent to you? Yes," Vader remarked, his mind drifting to some rather old memory. "There was a certain scientist I once knew of with a rather obsessive fondness for viruses."
Plagueis hummed. Phrasing such a "I once knew of" from Vader was obviously code for his past timeline. "We'll have to discuss that in person. Still, I will be rather interested to examine these Nutters of yours."
"Some of the rogues you helped deal with might have been Nutters as well, rather than just foolish or traitorous," Vader remarked.
Plagueis glanced up before shrugging it off. "I never noticed anything unique from their mental state, but perhaps it's something to look into. Regardless, I'm even more intrigued to visit this flagship of yours, given what that...engineer told you."
Vader considered Plagueis carefully. "You believe the Executor might have gained some form of mark within the Force?"
"I have theories, but nothing I'd care to share now before I've made my own observations," Plagueis mused. "I suppose you should know that the Black Sun is trying to put a secret bounty on your head."
"As expected. They wish revenge for my attack on one of their own, but don't wish to make themselves openly my enemies. They prefer a chance to attack me when I am weakened," Vader understood. "Is there anything else?"
"Mace Windu, The Dark Woman, and The Grandmaster are visiting Count Dooku," Plagueis remarked honestly.
Vader tilted his helm minutely. "And how did you manage that?"
"You have your side schemes, so do I," Plagueis answered flippantly. "And if one of your schemes involved a visit to Coruscant, now might be the time."
If Vader had any such plans, he did not say so.
"Now, about my compensation?" Plagueis asked with an expectant smile.
"This one may be difficult even for you to locate and obtain," Vader warned.
"Locate? You don't know the location?" Plagueis asked with just a hint of dubiousness.
"The planet they are on, yes. Who has them now, exactly? That is or will be undecided in the near future," Vader answered vaguely.
Plagueis stared. Not at the ice comment, he could work around that. "Them, Vader?" the Muun questioned with great interest.
"Them," Vader answered meaningfully. "I have kept tabs on a planet called Aridus. As I'm sure you're aware."
"Naturally. Albeit what for, I have yet to determine," Plagueis answered with a hum. "You were waiting for something to arrive there."
"And it has," Vader mused. "They'll be fighting over them soon."
"Something that could cause a civil war with its very presence? Do stop keeping me in suspense, Vader, and at least give me a name for what I'm seeking," Plagueis insisted despite a very pleased and even eager tone.
"Most call it the Jebble Box," Vader informed, pausing for Plagueis's reaction.
"Jebble? That's a planet," Plagueis recalled with a scowl. "The importance of which escapes me. What does this box contain?"
"The box itself is an artifact," Vader informed. "And within it is a Jedi, and a talisman."
Plagueis stared for a moment, the subtle shifting of his eyes the only betrayal of his emotions. "Oh. Oh, now that is a fine payment, Vader," Plagueis said slowly.
"I will not insult you by reminding you to tread carefully in handling this," Vader said plainly. "But I advise taking droids instead of anyone living."
Plagueis almost smirked at that. "I can't help but feel you speak from experience."
Vader said nothing, and that was answer enough.
"Until our next meeting, my friend," Plagueis said as the communication ended.
Vader looked up slightly in thought, now that he was alone. So, Coruscant was missing the main leaders of the Order…interesting.
Meanwhile
It took a while before Yoda had finished and determined that Dooku's mind was uncompromised. "Your own, your mind remains," Yoda said with a nod.
Dooku returned it with a scowl. It was obvious he had grown displeased with their visit. "I must assume that Shmi noticed the hidden presence of the Dark Woman. And I must further speculate that if she had not, the Dark Woman would have remained hidden, ready to strike if I proved to be a likely victim of this supposed move by Darth Plagueis."
"You are one of the strongest living Jedi," The Dark Woman reminded. "Take it as a compliment that we felt such a measure would be needed."
"Oh, I am truly honored," Dooku said acerbically, the side of his head leaning against a prompted hand. "Was this the extent of your suspicions?"
"In full honesty, yes," Mace answered solemnly. "We were wondering if you have any leads of your own on this Sith Lord."
"You're fortunate I am neither discourteous nor short of patience, or I would have asked you to leave my home already," Dooku said, letting his scowl remain for a moment longer before lessening. "That said, it would be unkind to put Madam Skywalker's cooking to waste. And I believe we have let my guests wait long enough."
The count seemed to have come to a decision, and the Jedi Masters each felt it as he stood from his desk and led them out of his office.
"Tell me, Master Windu? Are the reports as bad as I heard? About that wretched "Jaw" as they call it?" Dooku asked as they walked.
Mace hummed. "Worse, perhaps. The creatures from the lower levels continue to move and lurk upwards, hunting any they find. Even the surface isn't spared from them at night."
Dooku stroked his beard. "And is it spreading, as the rumors say?"
Windu almost sighed, almost. "If you mean, is the physical scar left by Sidious's storm somehow spreading, making more of the surface collapse in? No. Not exactly."
"Not exactly," Dooku repeated. "Oftentimes that merely means yes, with an asterisk."
"The creatures spread," The dark woman elaborated. "They mass and breed, and when forces are sent to fight them, sometimes the conflicts damage more of the infrastructure."
"It is not just a wound then, but one rotting and festering," Dooku summarized.
"It is contained for now. The Supreme Chancellor and the Senate are working on measures to neutralize the threat entirely," Windu explained.
"I'm sure they are," Dooku said neutrally. "You have been very quiet on this, Master Yoda?"
"On this matter, little to say, I have. Attended to others, as of late, I have," Yoda explained with a troubled look. "Provoke the creatures, the Dark Side does. Easy, it will not be, to cleanse such a wound."
"Great matters are rarely easy, or they would not be great," Dooku remarked as they reached a door. "But for now, allow me to introduce you to my guests."
The door slid open, and there was a small surprise waiting for them as a figure stood up in surprise from his seat. "Grandmaster? Master Windu?"
Yoda tilted his head with quirked ears, but merely chuckled at the reaction as they began to enter the dining room.
Mace furrowed his brow minutely. "Knight Kenobi," he greeted with a nod.
"Our paths cross again," The Dark Woman remarked, eyes drifting to Shmi, who was standing to the side. Not the usual Skywalker she ran into with Kenobi, but a Skywalker all the same.
"We Jedi need no introductions, I know," Dooku acknowledged before looking at the other person at the table, silently observing the various Jedi. "But allow me to introduce my other guest properly. Madam, this is Grandmaster Yoda and the Master of the Order, Mace Windu. The third is also a Jedi Master who insists on forsaking the use of a name and merely uses the moniker of 'The Dark Woman" instead."
The young woman nodded courteously. "It's an honor to meet so many distinguished members of the Jedi Order."
Dooku motioned to her while looking at the new arrival. "My friends, allow me to introduce Padme Naberrie of Naboo."
Naboo. That was a planet that often came up. Where Vader had revealed himself and where Sidious was not only born but began his political rise.
"A pleasure it is. Interrupt, I hope we have not," Yoda greeted warmly.
"Nothing pressing. Nothing more than I suspect would involve three Jedi such as you," Padme noted knowingly, but didn't pry further.
"I'm more curious as to what brings you here, Kenobi?" Mace Windu asked evenly. Not quite accusing but not quite idle either.
There was an extended silence.
The Dark Woman broke it as she strode forward. "He's been helping Naboo and Serenno on a shared project," she said, as she sat on the opposite side of the table from Padme, who narrowed her eyes. "We have no interest in sabotaging your efforts to help freed slaves."
To Padme's credit, the only show of her surprise was a sudden rise of her chest from a silent yet sharp inhale. Obi-Wan merely rubbed a hand over the lower half of his face, his expression that of a man who had been caught and was utterly unapologetic.
Mace narrowed his eyes in thought, looking briefly at Shmi Skywalker and then at Dooku. "The Liberation Lane. You run it?"
"No one 'runs' the Liberation Lane, my friend," Dooku said somberly. "Some merely maintain and expand it more than others."
"It has always been there. It has merely become...more as of recent years," Shmi remarked with a smile that was happy, but perhaps a bit bittersweet in a nostalgic way. "Now, all of you sit before the food goes to waste."
Dooku had a fond chuckle under his breath as he moved to oblige her, as did the others. The Count took his seat at the head with Yoda sitting to his right, followed by Windu and The Dark Woman. On his left was Shmi, who was the last to sit down, Obi-Wan, who looked just a tad bit awkward, and finally Padme, who appeared to be refusing to treat this as anything but a normal yet unplanned meeting.
"So," Obi-Wan started with a smile. "Not that I'm complaining, Madam, but I notice a lack of Bantha meat. Experiment or shortage?"
"Experiment, Obi-Wan. After living so long on Tattooine, I'm more than ready to try new foods," Shmi answered with a warm smile. "After all, Padme was kind enough to bring the Nuna meat for me to cook."
"I will try to bring you some Shaak on my next visit, Shmi," Padme offered.
"We appreciate that, Lady Naberrie," Dooku said with a nod before giving an amused look to his Padawan's Padawan. "Why the question, Knight Kenobi? A preference, perhaps?"
"No, merely an inquiry. You never know what little problem will affect the Galaxy next these days," Obi-Wan mused.
No one at the table could disagree with that logic.
"Very well. Now, perhaps we should address the metaphorical banthas in the room," Dooku mused as he looked to the Jedi to his right. More specifically, the Dark Woman. "How long have you known of our involvement in the Liberation Lane?"
"Long enough. I did not know you had expanded to Naboo until now," The Dark Woman remarked. "My only interest was Vader's involvement in it."
"Let me guess," Padme remarked in a neutral voice that might have been considered cold. "You believe that Vader is taking freed slaves to force into any army he might have?"
"Lady from Naboo," The Dark Woman said pointedly. "Vader is my enemy. That does not mean I am naive. I know that Vader would need no threat to convince many such souls to serve under him."
Mace Windu narrowed his eyes at her minutely.
Dooku hummed in interest. "I don't deny that I am aware of Vader's hand in the Liberation Lane. But you are not here for information about that Sith Lord."
"That Sith Lord?" Obi-Wan repeated in surprise before turning to the masters again. "You're after Plagueis."
The Dark Woman nodded. "Indeed, we are."