The Darker Side | Chapter 3 | Assuring Sith Success

MOVING ON WITH THE GRAND PLAN

The death of Darth Maul has forced me to alter my plans slightly, but I am not dissuaded. There is nothing a Sith Lord cannot overcome.

A few days after Qui-Gon’s funeral, Plagueis and I shared a meal together and discussed the next steps of the Grand Plan. We realized that the Trade Federation needed to evolve into a significant—meaning dangerous—force for the Republic to reckon with, but we felt it was not enough on its own. We also realized that the citizens of the Republic would never trust the droid armies that once attacked them and threatened their peace once the final phase of the Grand Plan was in motion. Thus, the Trade Federation on its own could not be redeemed in our eyes as a benevolent faction, especially since the financial audits proved too difficult to reconcile.

You see, over the years, a stunning discovery of the Trade Federation’s (and other corporations) annual audit reports revealed that no one actually knows who holds the galaxy’s debt. To finance debt, the Trade Federation (like any other galactic corporation or system) purchases bonds that are issued by authorized galactic banks (such as Damask Holdings) who sell bonds on behalf of the galactic systems. These bonds are then sold on the galactic financial markets. The list of bond holders is one of the galaxy’s best kept secrets. Although the borrowing corporations pay interest to the holders, they technically could know who owns them. Yet a legally organized ordinance of ignorance forbids the disclosure of bond holder identities…or should I say the bonds holder, Sith Lord Darth Plagueis. You should recall, from my earlier entries, that his civil identity is that of a Muun Magister, Hego Damask, of Damask Holdings, one of the galaxy’s most powerful and influential financiers and political lobbyists. Essentially, at the time, over fifty percent of the galaxy’s public debt was illegitimate but the Senate was powerless to do anything about it. I understand how complicated all this must seem, but you must understand that your security and safety is priceless, and the Sith use this money wisely for the advancement of the Grand Plan.

So, where was I, oh yes…Plagueis and I decided it imperative for the Trade Federation to evolve into—or become part of—a greater threat to the galaxy. As a result, a few other key steps became clear to us:

The Republic would need an army of its own to defend itself and promote security. (The Sith would see to this.)
The taxation of the trade routes by the Trade Federation would need to be increased over time. (I would see to this in the Senate.)
The Trade Federation would be reorganized, along with other systems and corporations, into the Confederacy of Independent Systems. (The Sith would see to this.)
The Republic would need increased income for public defense due to the Confederacy of Independent Systems incursions. (I would see to this in the Senate.)
The interest revenues from bonds and loans would be funded through Damask Holdings to solicit and encourage support along the way.
Viceroy Gunray would need to receive a sentence of innocence at his upcoming trial and then remain in his position in order to ensure the cooperation of the Trade Federation. (The Sith would see to this.) (After his arrest on Naboo, Gunray was taken to the Republic courts on Coruscant and charged with Acts of War.)
I would befriend young Anakin Skywalker and undermine enhance his Jedi training so that he could later embrace a larger perspective of the Force (and become my Apprentice).

With Plagueis focused on the financial aspects of the Grand Plan (and his incessant research on cheating death), I was free to begin executing small steps in the Republic Senate. To this end, I realized that it was time to acquire the skills of a certain disgruntled and former Jedi Master that I had been associating with (as Palpatine) for some time now. (With Darth Maul dead, I was free to recruit a new Apprentice.)

Jedi Master Dooku had already snared the attention of the Sith. His frustrations with the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic allowed us to seed his mind with more disillusion about the established galactic life. During a mission on his homeworld of Serenno with his former Apprentice, Qui-Gon, his friend Sifo-Dyas, and Jedi Councilor Jocasta Nu, he met—and secretly became interested in—my master Darth Plagueis (as Hego Damask), who immediately sensed the torn nature of his soul.

This is when Plagueis took an interest in Dooku. (It is at this point that I realized Plagueis had secretly devised a back up plan incase I failed him. I was not amused.) On the upside, Plagueis (as Hego Damask) introduced Dooku to me (as Palpatine). Over time, I became one of his closest confidants. With eager pause I listened as he bellyached about the Jedi’s inability to resolve anything. You can imagine what a source of information he was to Plagueis and I about the Jedi as well. I could tell that Dooku would become a Sith, but I wasn’t sure how yet.

As it turns out, death is a powerful motivator. Dooku was furious when he learned of the death of Qui-Gon Jinn at the hands of a Sith Lord. A few days later, Dooku abandoned the Jedi Order, citing unreconcilable differences of opinion, and earned himself a place on the Lost Twenty roster—a silly list of Jedi who had left the Order for one reason or another. His release from the Order allowed him to return to his family and reclaim significant wealth and his royal title of Count of Serenno. But now I sensed he needed purpose, and I was happy to provide him with one.

We scheduled dinner at an out-of-the-way location so that I could speak openly and probe his mind. This would allow me to assess whether or not I would need to kill him at the end of our meal. When I offered my sympathies to the loss of his former Apprentice, he admitted to a desire of hunting down the second Sith Lord to exact revenge. To my pleasant surprise, he revealed that he had changed his mind and sought an alliance with the Sith. When I questioned him on the boldness of his decision, he told me that he now believed the Sith thought as he did and that they, in his estimation, had the resolve to accomplish the reformation of the galaxy. He also believed the Jedi shared accountability with the mystery Sith Lord as they were unable to foresee the return of the Sith.

My my, how far from grace he had fallen. I sensed disappointment, hurt, and anger churn in his soul as he spoke to me. I welcomed his candid words and thanked him. In return, I spoke with him (vaguely at first) about the Grand Plan. I felt his inner lust for power surge with every word I spoke. His keen intellect grasped the finer points of the plan and he re-expressed his disappointment with the Jedi, the Republic, and the Galactic Senate’s corruption. He too wished to see a true power rise and extinguish the unscrupulous and corrupt bureaucrats from the galaxy.

As he spoke, I calculated that the financial resources at his disposal, his personal desire for power, and the surge of the Dark Side through his very being would be enough to make him my new Apprentice. There were a few (secret) matters that needed financial backing that I could not consult Plagueis on. I extended an offer to Dooku and laid down the rules. Without hesitation, he pledged his loyalties to me and I promised him greater power in the Dark Side of the Force.

After lunch, my new Apprentice, Darth Tyranus, took his place at my side and we began strategizing actions that would continue to bring Plagueis’ Grand Plan into fruition. I’ll be honest here, Tyranus’ fate was already sealed as he pledged himself to my teachings. I already knew that Anakin, with his incredible Force-potential, would be my final Apprentice. It would take time, but together we would restore peace and order throughout the galaxy.

With a new Sith Apprentice in play, the time had come to restore the Rule of Two and destroy Plagueis once and for all. But before I get too carried away, I would like to elaborate on four of the key next steps that I just outlined. There are details that I feel you should know before I can move on to the next phase of the Grand Plan. You will find it most enlightening. Note these points are not in order.

THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC

The Republic would need an army of its own to defend itself and promote security. (The Sith would see to this.)

After the invasion of Naboo had been dealt with, Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas secretly traveled to Naboo (behind my—Palpatine’s—back and that of the Jedi Council) and ordered a clone army for the Republic that would eventually be called into service by the Republic to defend against the attacking droid armies of the Trade Federation. Plagueis provided funds from Damask Holdings and Sifo-Dyas paid the Kaminoans.

When I learned of this action, I became infuriated and instructed Tyranus to work with Syfo-Dyas on selecting an appropriate specimen for cloning. The soldiers had to be resilient, accustomed to hard living, be ready to die fighting, and eventually, be capable of slaying Jedi. Dooku ruthlessly sorted through a few candidates before hiring a Madalorian assassin, mercenary, and bounty hunter named Jango Fett to serve as Prime for the clone soldiers. (Oddly, Fett agreed on the condition that, in addition to payment, the Kaminoans would give him one unaltered clone—to be his son, known today as the bounty hunter Boba Fett.)

Once the final business transactions were done, I instructed Tyranus to murder his friend Sifo-Dyas so as to keep the creation of this army secret from the Jedi and the Republic. Next, Tyranus, assuming the identity of Sifo-Dyas, made his way to the Jedi Archives on Coruscant and covertly erased Kamino, Dagobah, and a number of other star systems from the Jedi Archives. With Kamino and other key systems deleted from the master star charts, no one would be able to stop the Grand Plan.

Perhaps my greatest contribution and achievement in the creation of the clone army and the advancement of the Grand Plan was the introduction of Clone Protocol 66. Tyranus provided the Kaminoans with a specially designed bio-chip they could replicate and implant into the clones as they were created. This chip contained the neural codes for Clone Protocol 66 which, when activated, would ensure total obedience in the clones and cause them to violently lash out against the Jedi. You’ll see why this is important to the security of the galaxy soon enough.

Kamino served a second purpose to me…and the Grand Plan. Years later, I instructed them to continue (discreetly) the intense research Lord Vader had begun with Starkiller. I had planned to use this research for my own designs. The work behind Starkiller’s clones fascinated me and I wondered if it were possible to make a clone of my body and then transfer my consciousness through the Force to that new, younger body. If it were possible, I would succeed where Plagueis struggled in his search for eternal life.

Unfortunately, it is still impossible to clone a Force-sensitive being. (But I feel we are about to turn this corner.) You see, the living midi-chlorians in our cells that convey the Force through us interfere with the cloning process. Many have tried, but all Force-sensitive clones result in an aggressive, mentally unstable being that needs to be put down like a rabid animal. Or a Jedi.

REORGANIZATION OF THE TRADE FEDERATION

The Trade Federation would be reorganized, along with other systems and corporations, into the Confederacy of Independent Systems. (The Sith would see to this.)

Over the next few weeks, I met with Darth Plagueis and Darth Tyranus—separately of course—and we devised plans that would ensure future stability and security.

Eventually, it was time for Tyranus to play step into the limelight. Using his royal and political standing, he began seeding the ruling minds of the galaxy, especially those of the growing Separatist movement. The charismatic leadership of my political idealist Count Dooku stirred up anti-Republic sentiments and gained bold favor with the poorer systems of the Republic. He patiently encouraged these systems and corporations to think about the creation of a future Confederacy of Independent Systems (CIS). (The CIS would become a large and menacing distraction for the Republic—and the Jedi.)

In the beginning, only minor and weaker systems seceded from the Galactic Republic on the grounds of unfair and excessive taxation and incalculable corruption in the Senate. But as Dooku’s ideals spread and rooted themselves in the hearts and minds of many opposed to the corrupted Senate, dissatisfaction beget armed resistance against the Republic. This angry revolt needed to be harnessed and finessed before it had a chance to interfere with my plans.

Dooku used his growing influence as a soap box upon which he directly called for entire systems to secede from the Republic and join the Separatist movement. As his infamy spread through the galaxy, he became sought after and rumors of Count Dooku sightings dominated the evening news. As Palpatine, I sought to meet with him to propose peace, but he never responded.

Pity.

As time passed, it became clear to many in the Republic that the Jedi had become ineffective at containing the escalating conflict. The Republic began to consider a Military Creation Act to better oppose the Separatists with an official Republic military. I knew the Republic’s faith in itself would eventually bring about its undoing.

Over the years, more and more systems began challenging the Republic because they shared a similar view with the CIS: that the Republic was a weakening government whose mindless bureaucracy could not accomplish anything.

To the chagrin of the Jedi and the Senate, these systems rebelled and broke away from the Republic. Along with some of the mega-corporations, (The Corporate Alliance, Trade Federation, Commerce Guild, InterGalactic Banking Clan, and the Techno Union) these entities refused to be steamrolled by the corrupt Senate and its heavy taxation. As more and more groups liberated themselves, Dooku finally established his powerful Confederacy of Independent Systems. The influence of the CIS quickly disrupted the galaxy and distracted the Jedi with relentless conflicts that constantly called upon them to settle petty disputes before they escalated into the full-scale battles. Unfortunately, the indefatigable Jedi were not always successful.

SECURING VICEROY NUTE GUNRAY

Viceroy Gunray would need to receive a sentence of innocence at his upcoming trial and remain in his position in order to ensure the cooperation of the Trade Federation. (After his arrest on Naboo, Gunray was taken to Coruscant to be charged with acts of war.) (The Sith would see to this.)

The success of the Trade Federation’s influence and the creation of the CIS relied on the leadership of Viceroy Gunray. I deemed it imperative that he maintain his control of the Trade Federation and his hold on its purse strings. However, the failed Battle of Naboo resulted in his arrest. The Republic Senate insisted that he be transported to Coruscant for trial on charges of Acts of War. With the significant funds at our disposal and the mastery of the Sith at obstructing judicial proceedings, Dooku assisted Gunray through four trials in the Supreme Court.

All four trials failed. Can you believe it? Gunray’s failed sentencing enraged the Republic citizens of the galaxy and set the stage for Dooku to continue his work. After all, with such an exquisite public display of failure, who would want to remain with the Republic?

I love obfuscated bureaucracy.

Immediately after his release, Gunray resumed his position as Viceroy of the Trade Federation. In exchange for his continued support, Gunray asked Dooku to assassinate Senator Amidala in the future. Dooku promised to do this when the time was right.

And so, the Trade Federation, under Gunray’s insistence, joined Dooku’s separatist movement and Gunray was named Head of the newly formed Separatist Council and Commander of the newly formed Separatist Army (until Grievous entered the scene).

GUIDING ANAKIN

I would befriend young Anakin Skywalker so as to undermine his Jedi training, so that he could later embrace a larger perspective of the Force.

At the funeral of Master Qui-Gon Jinn, I promised the boy that I would watch his career with great interest. And I meant it; thus began our long-standing friendship. I associated with Anakin through Master Kenobi and at the great annoyance of Master Yoda. He—and the Jedi Council—proved wary of the mixing of politics with Jedi training. No matter, I made sure to discuss politics with Anakin whenever I could because his mind needed to be shaped in a more holistic fashion than the Jedi were willing to provide. It was difficult at times to separate him from his master, but nonetheless a strong bond of polite friendship formed and I won over his trust.

As one of his few outside-the-Jedi-Temple friends, Anakin shared candidly with me the successes and challenges he faced. For instance, he loved to tinker. He built his own workbench in his room so that he could repair and create droids that performed various duties around the Temple.

What troubled him in particular was the way the other padawans treated him. They sensed that his skills and abilities were far beyond their own, and that made them uneasy.

Pity.

All I had to say to encourage him were things like, “It’s too bad that they are jealous of your power.” Or, “They really should let you do more, you are so incredibly gifted. Can’t they see how special you really are?” Every so often, I would call into question the Jedi Council’s judgement.

Not everything was easy, though. Whenever Anakin reflected inwardly—as both Jedi and Sith are prone to do—a great power and burning pain from the future dominated his meditations. I realized quickly that his skill of foresight was more developed than anyone realized. (This is probably why he is such a gifted pod-racer and fighter pilot—he can anticipate with great ease.) The Jedi only challenged him to let go of his fears. I always sensed three things with Anakin—fear, anger, and hate. I knew these powerful passions would give him strength as a Sith one day. But only when he was older would I begin insinuating the Jedi-taught Light Side wasn’t the only way one could—and should—appreciate the Force.

THE TRAGEDY OF DARTH PLAGUEIS THE WISE

Over the years, I watched Plagueis become too captivated obsessed with his quest for eternal life. Now that I had been elected to the esteemed Office of Supreme Chancellor, I could safely eliminate Plagueis and ascend to the role of Sith Master.

Recently, his sudden interest in Count Dooku displeased me. With Darth Tyranus now at my side, the time had come to restore the Rule of Two and destroy Plagueis, once and for all. As I have explained, there can only be two Sith Lords. This is the first and only reality of the Sith. No one, not even me, can change that. There will always be only two: a Master and an Apprentice.

One warm evening on Coruscant, Plagueis and I attended an enchanting dinner together and then joined a cohort of Coruscant’s nobility at the premiere of an experimental Mon Calamari piece (the first time I saw Squid Lake) at the Galaxies Opera House. After, we retired to Plagueis’ penthouse suite in the Kaldani Spires building. It was here that I employed my deception and reviewed the Grand Plan several times with him, each time teasing out greater detail with immense tediousness. I also kept his goblet full of wine and as he drank he became increasingly intoxicated.

When he had passed out, I stepped over to him and stood over his sleeping frame. I reached out with the Force and probed his mind and soul. I admired the great power that he commanded, though it wouldn’t be enough to save him from me. How grateful I was to the immense knowledge Plagueis taught me about the Dark Side of the Force. For years I listened and learned from my Master, Darth Plagueis the Wise, and with his permission trained the young Zabrak as the Sith assassin Darth Maul. He didn’t have to allow that, but he trusted me. I was also grateful for the economic and financial machinations that he had masterfully conducted over the years. It was very clear to me at the time that the Grand Plan would not be in the solid shape it is today had Plagueis not dedicated his life as Sith Lord to it. And so, on behalf of the galaxy, I thanked him for his service.

You might say it was unfair of me to extinguish the life from Plagueis as he slept. But I ask you, was it unfair of him to manipulate a seventeen-year-old boy into patricide and the murder of his entire family over political discord and personal advancement? Was it unfair of Plagueis to believe he could forever embody the Sith’s power and cheat death? To reject the core tenant of the Rule of Two? To willingly and knowingly acquire another Sith Apprentice right in front of me with the intention of replacing me because I had become, in his eyes, too reckless?

Yes.

When I wised up to Plagueis, I realized that I had to fulfill the Rule of Two. Thus, my real plan all along involved his murder so that I might ascend to the role of Sith Master. Then, Darth Maul could take his place at my side as my Apprentice. Unfortunately, Maul died prematurely, which set things back until the Force gifted me with a stronger Apprentice in Darth Tyranus, thwarting Plagueis’ plan to replace me.

And so, as he slumbered, I destroyed Plagueis and restored the Rule of Two. Raw power surged from my hands and ripped through the air repeatedly, tormenting and torturing Plagueis. Interestingly, he did not fight back. I paused my murderous assault and wondered if he had succeeded in his research, or if he actually didn’t have the will to live any longer. Or perhaps the fool was too drunk to comprehend that he was dying. I drew deeply on the Dark Side and blasted him once again.

Poor Plagueis never saw his death coming because he was completely distracted by his quest for eternal life. So great was his knowledge of the Dark Side was that he could resurrect the dead and save the ones he loved by influencing the midi-chlorians in their bodies. He could save everyone around him that he loved, but he couldn’t save himself…from me.

With Plagueis out of my way, I was free to continue the Grand Plan and secure peace throughout the galaxy.

ADVANCING THE GRAND PLAN

In an effort to get to the next part of the story, I will provide you with highlights of events that occurred over the next ten years so that you may embrace with high regard the toil we endured to bring you the beloved Galactic Empire you enjoy today.

As the years passed, we made preparations for war against the Republic. Count Dooku, at my behest, carried out a number of key actions that assured the success of the Grand Plan. Now that I think about it through the writing of my memoirs, his presence at my side as Sith Apprentice was instrumental to our success. Although he had retired from public and political life, this did not stop him from rallying systems to the CIS.

Early on, I instructed him to make contact and befriend the Geonosians, a (creepy-looking) insectoid species with impressive technical and engineering skills. Various Battle Droids are the lucrative products of the advanced Geonosian factories, but you would never know it while observing their homeward from space. Everything they do is underground for dual purposes: to avoid a lethal radiation that plagues the planet’s surface and to escape detection from spying starships in orbit. If the Jedi had been smart enough, they would have put two and two together—the long-snouted shape of the B1 Battle Droid’s heads resembled the head of the Geonosian physiology. Yet I digress…

Thus, Dooku arranged a meeting with Archduke Poggle the Lesser and impressed him with his knowledge of ancient Geonosian atmospheric sailing vessels, a technology that had escaped the rest of the galaxy. Poggle, thrilled that an off-worlder was familiar with their history, gifted Dooku with an interstellar sloop ship. Dooku later outfitted the ship with a solar sail. When I asked him why, he said, “It looks pretty.” When his answer was met with silence, he laboriously explained (you must understand how much Dooku loves this ship and its technology) that the solar sail propelled the ship and allowed it to go to hyperspace without the use of a standard hyperdrive. Indeed, the Geonosian’s command of technology is was impressive.

As Count Dooku worked the galaxy’s political systems, Tyranus studied with me in a remote area of Coruscant known as The Works and I taught him about the nature of the Dark Side.

Not long after, the Bando Gora cult reemerged and began spreading throughout the galaxy. This cult was a pitiful attempt at a black market mafioso scheme, complete with assassinations, dealing deadly drugs, corruption, and chaos. Their notoriety grew quickly and I decided they needed to be destroyed. The kind of chaos they sowed threatened the realization of the Grand Plan.

Interestingly, a disturbance in the Force around the Bando Gora pointed toward one of the Lost Twenty (I assumed, never having bothered to confirm it), who was Dooku’s former Jedi Apprentice. Through some ordeal with the cult earlier, she had seized control of the entire criminal organization. I ordered Tyranus to hunt down, kill his former Padawan, and end the Bando Gora once and for all.

This is when Dooku hired Jango Fett to be the Prime for the clone army. Tyranus decided to kill two birds with one stone. He placed a bounty of five million Republic credits on his former padawan Komari Vosa. This caused the galaxy’s most feared bounty hunters to compete against one another. By having them eliminate each other, Dooku gained the perfect specimen for the clone army.

Finally, Jango Fett, with the help of Zam Wesell, subdued and captured Vosa alive. Dooku, who had been monitoring the events, appeared and destroyed the lost Jedi. This did not bode well with Fett, who demanded payment. Dooku countered with an offer of greater wealth, but Fett didn’t trust him because of his Jedi past. Ultimately, Fett agreed to be cloned with the conditions I mentioned earlier. Tyranus succeeded in both his tasks.

The masquerading Count Dooku skillfully imposed himself upon many of the galaxy’s affairs in order to align events to the promotion of the Grand Plan, much of which remained off the Jedi Council’s radar. Dooku silently manipulated many events in the years leading up to the Clone Wars. For instance, when the Wookie Trade Guild refused to honor (and thus pay) the Trade Federation’s taxes, Dooku covertly aided the Trade Federation in an assault on the Wookie planet of Kashyyyk. At the end of the battle, the CIS successfully defeated and destroyed the Wookie army that supported the Wookie Trade Guild, leaving no survivors.

While Dooku excelled at manipulating the political machinations of the weaker systems and persuading them to secede from the Republic and join the CIS, he was not the military commander that Lord Vader proved to be. I needed to secure a brilliant military commander who would lead the CIS armies against the Republic.

ENTER GENERAL GRIEVOUS

While the Geonosians continued building an army of battle droids, I decided it was time to secure a megalomaniac warlord to drive the business of war forward. While the Geonosians are fearful in their own right, they did not have the capacity to wage a war that would span the course of a decade. Only a Kaleesh warlord, whose very upbringing infused the principle of war as an essential part of life, could succeed in this matter. A deeply spiritual people, they believe that those who accomplish great deeds in this life become gods after death.

I instructed Dooku to make contact with the Kaleesh and secure a powerful warlord from their ranks. Combined with the right encouragement from the Sith, and their expressed interest in the CIS, Dooku met with a Kaleesh Warlord named Grievous, formerly known as Qymaen jai Sheelal.

Reconnaissance on Grievous indicated that would be the perfect being to accept the mantle of Supreme Commander of the Armies of the Confederacy. However, we believed he would remain too distracted by petty rivalries that consumed his home planet. (A species bread for war is always at war.) He needed to be properly motivated—and we needed a way to control him.

Dooku and Poggle the Lesser devised a plan and sabotaged Grievous’ shuttle with an ion bomb. The Kaleesh survived the explosion but was gravely injured. Dooku swooped in and rescued the unconscious and dying warlord. Supported by emergency medical equipment, he survived the trip to Geonosis. Dooku made a side trip home to Serenno to collect the blood from the secretly hidden corpse of Sifo-Dyas.

The Geonosians were able to reconstruct Grievous’ body, but he would forever be a cyborg. His menacing new armored exoskeleton encased only his vital organs and brain, which we enhanced so that he would be a more effective tool of war. The experimental transfusion of Sifo-Dyas’ blood assisted his recovery and life, but it did not induce an ability to wield the force.

Blast.

Regardless, Dooku was quite pleased with Grievous’ reconstructed fearsomeness. His armored exoskeleton proved most intimidating. When Grievous regained consciousness, he was completely unaware of (and quite furious about) what happened to him since the explosion. Dooku met with him and explained that while on a completely separate intelligence gathering mission for the CIS that put them in proximity to Grievous, the CIS foiled a Jedi attack that resulted in the destruction of Grievous’ shuttle. Count Dooku shared that he had been able to rescue Grievous and through the medical technology of the Geonosians, sustain his life until he could be rebuilt on Geonosis.

Dooku made sure to impress upon Grievous the gratitude he should feel for being alive, and that if he wished to show that gratitude to the galaxy, he would join with the CIS and become the first Supreme Commander of the Armies of the Confederacy. To further sweeten the deal, Dooku promised Grievous that he would personally train him in lightsaber combat so as to refine his cyborg nature into that of an expert lightsaber duelist. The fool’s lust for power and revenge on the Jedi rallied him to our cause without difficulty.

Now, I had Dooku in one hand and Grievous in the other. Together, we had the expert warlord we needed to lead countless droid armies in the upcoming galactic war, a task Dooku had no desire to perform.

I can’t help but smile I as reflect on the magnificent work the Sith accomplished for the galaxy. The plans we laid magnificently culminated over the course of a decade.

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