The Star Destroyers are well into hyperspace by the time that everyone convenes in the main conference room for a conversation regarding the future. Aside from Anakin, Obi-Wan, Dooku, and Ahsoka, Rex had also been invited to attend. Anakin is glad to see that his clone captain isn't too injured to stand or move around. He had worried been about Rex, especially given the injury he'd sustained during the fight against Sidious.
"The Council went further than I had anticipated," Dooku admits as he officially begins the meeting. "I doubted they would be willing to offer us any aid but given how important Skywalker has been to the war effort, I never dreamed they would imprison him."
Anakin taps into the Force, checking on how everyone is feeling. Rex is wary of Dooku's presence, but his unwavering faith and trust in Anakin is overshadowing any doubts he might have. Ahsoka is uncertain whether or not allying with Dooku is wise, but her optimism outweighs her doubts. Of all of them, Obi-Wan is the most cautious, though Anakin doesn't know if it's because of Dooku or because of something else. Perhaps he's still troubled over his own actions – or the Council's.
The mention of the Council's actions sends a tendril of anger vibrating through him. Anakin knows that they have every reason to be cautious of him, but now that he's free and away from them, his defeat, betrayal, and hopelessness have been replaced by anger. "I have no doubt that all of you will be declared traitors to the Republic," Dooku continues. "We need to change our plans. Sidious is likely on his way to defame me to the Separatists as of right now. We can no longer rely on them for support. I have contacted a number of key people and explained the situation to them. While we can be certain they will help, it will not be enough. We need to find as many allies as we can."
"Does this mean that we've just divided the Separatists?" Ahsoka asks. Anakin can hear the amusement in her voice.
"Unfortunately," Dooku agrees. "We need their support now more than ever. I could easily see the Jedi Council – and Senate – deciding that we are the bigger threat."
Anakin winces, suddenly realizing exactly how dire their situation is. He hates politics and political intrigue, but this is something which they have to resolve together. Hard though it may be, he has to listen to what will undoubtedly become a boring discussion about politics. He can almost feel Obi-Wan's resignation and does his best not to make any sarcastic comments to him through their bond.
"What about some other clone battalions?" Rex suggests slowly. "Do you think that having them might help?"
"We could theoretically try and take much of the Republic's army," Dooku concedes, "But it will only provide us with military strength, at the moment. Until we reach Serenno, I cannot be certain how much of the Separatist Senate will pledge its support to me in the face of the most recent developments. There were few who knew that I was working with Sidious, and I imagine many of them feel... betrayed."
Yes. Okay. That will definitely be a problem. Anakin resists the urge to make a snide comment about the Sith causing unnecessary problems, especially given how close he is to asking to become one. Besides, it would only aggravate Dooku, and they don't need to fight amongst themselves. Taking out his stress on the Count isn't going to help anything.
It would be nice to have the support of more clones. Everyone knows that the clones in the 501st are some of the best, especially since they are as unconventional as he is. That's why they're superior to droids. They can improvise. They have emotions. They can think through situations. He's never seen them as disposable. They're his comrades, brothers almost. They fight together. They protect one another. But, on the other hand, they really don't need to paint a bigger target on their backs.
"Is there any chance that the Senate might be persuaded to see reason?" Obi-Wan inquires.
The Count hesitates. "Perhaps. I was considering sending them a message, giving them our side of the story, and asking them for concessions, given the uniqueness of the situation."
"I know Padme would help us if she could," Anakin points out. "If we contacted her, she might be able to rally others to our cause... but we won't be able to wait for the Senate to act, especially not right now, when time is of the essence." He remembers all too well what happened during the Trade Federation's occupation of Naboo a little over eleven years ago. When the Senate refused to act with haste, Padme and her fellow Nubians had been forced to fight for their home planet, saving it from the Trade Federation on their own.
"You are right, of course," Dooku nods. "We can play politics with the Senate, but we cannot afford to stop our hunt for Sidious. The sooner we find him, the better. We cannot afford to give him too much time to plan. As it is, he could have defeated us had I not realized he was using a Sith holocron."
Anakin twitches at the mention of what happened. That he was being compelled by the holocron doesn't disturb him nearly as much as the realization that Obi-Wan and Dooku could have died had they not realized what was happening. He knows that he could never have survived Obi-Wan's death, not if it happened like that. He's been trying not to think about it, because it's too terrifying a prospect. He would have irrevocably Fallen, and Sidious would have won.
"Let's not talk about the what-if's," advises Ahsoka, shifting closer to Anakin, either protectively or for comfort, he doesn't know.
Dooku acknowledges her words with a single gesture. "There is a limited amount we can plan without knowing where we stand with regard to allies. I am certain that much of the Separatist forces will remain under my control, so we need not fear a war on two fronts."
"Thank the Force," Anakin mutters.
"I never thought about that," Obi-Wan confesses, stroking his beard. "Do you have any ideas as to where Sidious might have gone, or how much support he will have?"
"There are one or two possibilities, but he must know that I would expect it, so I will have them checked, though I doubt we'll find anything," Dooku replies.
The tension in the air is thick, almost suffocating, and Anakin dislikes it. The situation right now is so tenuous that he feels as if he can't even risk closing his eyes for a second. Who could have thought that everything would come to this? The galaxy is in more turmoil now than it has been since the war began. But at the same time, Sidious has lost a significant amount of his power, though he does remain a major threat. Even if it might not seem that way right now, they haven't actually lost anything.
Anakin doesn't understand why he's feeling this way. He should be feeling something else – perhaps relief that they're all safe and free, but instead, he feels moody, not that he'd ever admit it aloud. The Dark Side responds in kind, whispering to him, urging him to do something with his feelings. He would like to, but suggesting a sparring match right now seems entirely too random, so he forces his jumbled emotions aside, focusing his mind instead on feeling the vibrations of the Star Destroyer, trying to find a semblance of calm.
Dooku will notice, of course; he often seems to, and he imagines Obi-Wan will sense it as well, because of how much they've spent together. He doesn't want to deal with them right now, with their questions or concerns. It's not like he can keep his feelings at bay forever though, either. It would come out eventually. He knows it, but that doesn't mean he's ready. What the Council did – it was simply unexpected. Unthinkable. How could they do that to him? Did he really mean nothing to them? After all the sacrifices he's endured? This line of thinking – it's not helping. He needs to find something to distract himself.
He can feel depression creeping up, but at least this time, he won't be facing it alone, and that's the thought he clings to as he reigns himself in, refocusing on his surroundings. If anyone noticed him zoning out for a few minutes, they don't comment for which he's grateful. Anakin lets his gaze wander to the blue and white swirls of hyperspace, visible through the viewport.
The Jedi gave him stability. Their Order gave him something to work towards, something he could try to achieve, however unhealthy it might have been. Now, he feels lost, drifting aimlessly through a void. The Order doesn't care about him anymore. The Republic will just as soon demonize as praise him, and he's not stupid enough to think that he can't lose whatever hero status he has obtained in the public eye. People are too easily manipulated. What's the point of all this? To stop Sidious and save the galaxy, but is it really worth it? Anakin winces. Why is he even thinking that? Of course, it is! That's why he agreed to join Dooku in the first place.
He needs – he needs... Understanding washes over him. True, Anakin had considered joining the Sith previously, but he'd never fully realized why he might need to. He's meant to balance the Force, right? He hates the prophecy, the destiny that has been forced upon him, but that doesn't make it cease to exist. It's always been there, haunting him. Thinking about it now, Anakin realizes how much more complete he feels while embracing the Dark Side, using the Force in its entirety with no distinctions. It's dangerous, of course, but the cost is worth it. It will force him to develop a durasteel control over himself, something which can only help him in the long run.
He needs structure. He needs guidance. He needs someone who can instruct him, teach him how to achieve complete mastery of himself. It's something he could never have gotten with the Jedi because he would have permanently been held back from exploring all of the mysteries of the Force. He would only have been allowed to see and touch the Dark Side, but the Force is bigger. To find balance within himself, Anakin realizes with a flash of insight that he needs to embrace the Dark Side. Is this, then, what it means to bring balance?
Decision made, Anakin focuses on Dooku, even as his heartrate picks up. He's inexplicably nervous, mainly because this is not something he can hide from Obi-Wan and Ahsoka, and he has no idea how they'll react to his choices. This is very different from allying with a Sith Lord for convenience. "Dooku." In an instant, all eyes in the room are focused on him, but Anakin doesn't let it faze him, calmly meeting the Count's brown eyes. "You offered to train me as a Sith previously," Anakin states.
Something like realization flickers in Dooku's eyes, though he remains silence, letting Anakin continue talking. "At the time, I was not ready, but I am now." He pauses, inhaling a bit shakily as he tries to control his anxiety. "I want you to train me. Teach me the ways of the Dark Side. Teach me what it means to become a true Sith. I want to learn."
Stunned doesn't even begin to describe the silence in the wake of Anakin's proclamation, and he can feel Obi-Wan's and Ahsoka's shock and disbelief. Unsurprisingly, Dooku is the first to recover. "Are you certain?" Is this what you really want? he doesn't add. Anakin is certain both of them remember what happened last time they had this conversation.
He doesn't hesitate, nodding firmly. "I am."
An unnamable emotion – that Anakin thinks might be pride, which seems so surreal – flickers across Dooku's face. "As you wish... Darth Vader," Dooku states simply. "Your training will begin tomorrow. And you don't have to call me Master," he adds.
Anakin surprises himself by smiling. "Good." They both know that he could never truly give that title to anyone other than Obi-Wan. It has too much meaning to Anakin – having come to mean something almost synonymous with the word father – for him to use it on anyone and actually mean it.
"Anakin..." There's confusion in Obi-Wan's voice, and something almost like betrayal on his face when Anakin looks at him. It instantly makes him feel guilty, and that fact alone irritates him. He shouldn't need to feel guilty because this is what he needs to do. Perhaps it's what they all need to do. "Is – is this really what you want?"
Before, Anakin knows that Obi-Wan would have reacted differently, likely scolding him for even entertaining such a thought, but now, he's almost visibly restraining himself. "It's what I need," Anakin corrects quietly. "I've used the Dark Side too much to ignore it. I have to accept it." His gaze darts towards Dooku for a moment before he refocuses on Obi-Wan. "I need to understand it. When I use it, I feel... whole. Complete. If I can learn how to control it, I'll be able to harness the Force as a whole when we confront Sidious next." He gives his former master a small, sad, somewhat wistful smile. "I never was meant to remain a Jedi." It's a truth he now realizes and accepts, even though it hurts.
Obi-Wan looks like he's about to protest, argue something, when Dooku pointedly clears his throat. "He has made his decision, Master Kenobi," he points out. "You can only accept it and support him now. You have been indoctrinated by the Jedi as to the dangers of the Dark Side. I won't suggest that you join Skywalker, because I know you never will, but at least try to keep an open mind while he begins to explore what has long been forbidden to him. Trust his instincts."
Something like defeat flashes across Obi-Wan's face. "Fine," he states flatly. "I still don't think it's a good idea to dabble with the Dark Side."
"The Force wants me to," Anakin replies quietly, "And it wouldn't lead me astray. It never has." He doesn't miss how Ahsoka is watching the conversation with avid curiosity. From the look on her face, he can practically see the gears turning in her mind. She's deep in thought about something, and he doesn't really need to guess what that something is.
"Can I learn?" she queries, not even ten seconds later, confirming Anakin's suspicions.
"Yes, but not immediately," Anakin tells her. "I want you first to see how I'm handling it. The Dark Side might not be for everyone." He deliberately doesn't look at Obi-Wan as he says that. "We might restart a new Sith Order based on the ancient Sith ideologies –" Dooku doesn't verbally respond, but his agreement echoes into the Force. "– But it won't happen instantly. First, I need to understand what I'm dealing with. I have much to learn before I can train you, Snips, though I suppose we can start small: accepting emotions, using them, that sort of thing."
"Be careful," Obi-Wan cautions, his unease nearly palpable. "I wouldn't want something to happen to either one of you." His distrust of Dooku is distinctly underlying his words, though he doesn't give voice to it.
"We'll be careful, Master," Anakin promises. "We always are."
The Star Destroyer jolts as it emerges from hyperspace, the star streaks fade into the blackness of space. Ahead, Anakin sees the looming fleet of Separatist ships guarding the planet. Serenno is a Separatist stronghold. It's obvious the planet would be heavily defended. It relieves him to know that Sidious hasn't been able to remove all their defenses. True, Dooku had promised to the contrary, but seeing and hearing are very, very different.
They all head to the bridge so Dooku can transmit the clearance codes, informing the droid commanders of his return as well as about their new allies. It will definitely be weird for the clones – and droids, to an extent – to be working with the opposing side, but then again, given the current chaos in the galaxy, there's nothing which isn't weird right now.
***
"Dooku wanted to talk to me, so I shouldn't keep him waiting any longer," Anakin declares. "We can speak more later. Obi-Wan, I'll meet you in your quarters." He turns, not waiting for a reply, walking down the hallway, disappearing from sight. Ahsoka hears his footsteps receding; he just finished giving them – mainly her – a brief tour of Dooku's mansion. Obi-Wan shifts next to her, expression troubled. He's been unusually quiet ever since Anakin's decision to become a Sith. It must be hard for him, she imagines, though she has no idea what he's thinking.
"May I talk to you?" he asks finally.
"Of course," she agrees, giving him her full attention. She's not upset by Anakin's decision, though it was a bit unexpected. She thought Anakin might mention it to her before blurting it aloud, but she shouldn't be surprised. Anakin has always been somewhat impulsive.
"I do not trust Dooku," Obi-Wan declares finally, stroking his beard. "I worry about the undue influence he has on Anakin." His uncertainty echoes softly into the Force. "I fear that Dooku has manipulated him into making a decision which will only bring harm. You should be cautious before following him down this path."
Ahsoka makes a face. "I understand your concern, Master Obi-Wan," she replies, careful to keep herself from sounding insubordinate, "But I trust Skyguy. He knows what he's doing, and he's following the Force. I don't think he would do something like that without asking the Force."
"Yes, but do be careful. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you." His concern is palpable, and Ahsoka can sense a hint of... well, she doesn't think that he trusts Anakin's decision as much as she does. She isn't surprised. She doesn't trust Dooku either, but her faith in the Jedi Order was shaken by the Hardeen incident. She wouldn't be shocked if the Council was wrong about the Dark Side, the same way they've been wrong about other things in the past.
"Of course, I'll be careful," she promises, with a smile. "I want to go out to the gardens before sunset. Would you like to join me?"
Obi-Wan wavers before shaking his head. "I should go meditate. I'm sure Rex or some of the others would be more than willing to join you though."
Ahsoka nods to him with a smile before meandering down the hallway, admiring her surroundings. She feels happy, optimistic about the future. Maybe they have a long way to go before the war will be finally over, but at least their chances of success are now far higher.
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