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"This is Senator Garm Bel Iblis. To whom am I speaking?"
Count Dooku stood before his larger holo-comm unit and stared at the image before him. It was the holo image of the revered senator from Corellia and he looked like the years had taken their toll on his rugged features. His hair was much grayer, but he still had the same moustache and striking green eyes. Dooku estimated the senator to be about twenty years younger than himself. He was proven leader and carried himself with confidence unwavering.
It had been over fifteen years ago when Dooku first met Bel Iblis in the senate floor. The senator, along with a young officer named Crix Madine, were finalizing defense zones along the Corellian Trade Spine from marauding pirate bands. They were seeking the senate's help for funding for more and better patrol ships. Chancellor Valorum, under constant budget constraints, was not compelled to send as many ships as Bel Iblis wanted. Instead, he sent two Jedi knights to seek out the band of pirates and arrest them on their home base. The two knights were Dooku and Yarael Poof.
The Jedi met with the senator and his aide and, despite Bel Iblis's hesitation at using them, he eventually came to trust the Jedi. Dooku and Poof found the pirate base a few days later and destroyed them in self defense. The pirates would have rather died than face the particularly harsh imprisonment of Corellian jails.
In the end, Dooku found Bel Iblis to be a proud, if aloof, man whos unwavering loyalty to the Republic was a weakness in Dooku's opinion. Anyone who served a frail corrupt republic was short sighted and foolish.
"Senator, this is Count Dooku," said the Jedi. His voice was smooth and friendly. Dooku found early in his life that his voice and mannerisms could be used as a calming effect on others. He projected an aura of trust that served him well on diplomatic missions. "I wish to discuss a proposal."
Bel Iblis frowned. "A proposal? Count Dooku, do you really think I would discuss a deal with the leader of the Separatist army? I don't know how you managed to break my security protocols, but let me warn you: don't contact me again."
Dooku nodded in agreement. "Now senator, it was necessary that that I did what I did. I will be brief, I assure you. You wish to maintain an isolationist stance in this war do you not? The fall of Duro has stricken a panic on your planet and I know you don't wish to see the same fate befall Corellia."
"Get to the point, Count." Bel Iblis said.
"Stand down your defenses and call off the Jedi contigent on Corellia and my droid armies will occupy your capital peacefully." Dooku decided to cut the diplomatic tone with the senator. He wasn't falling for it. "Duro fell within hours of my armies landing on the surface. I command a superior army, senator, and my generals take no mercy. If you value the lives of your people, you will stand down."
Bel Iblis scowled. His voice dripped contempt. "Don't try to intimidate me, Dooku. Your smooth tongue and icy threats will not sway me or the proud people of Corellia. Chancellor Palpatine will do everything in his power to defend this world and to see you hunted down and killed like the petty murderer you are! No, Jedi, my defenses stay. My people would rather die fighting than bend to the will of the Separatists."
Dooku nodded. He got exactly the reaction he thought he would. "As you wish senator. You are a fool to serve such a corrupt republic. Soon, very soon, you will learn that. For now you will understand just how powerful I can be. Corellia will be mine, senator, and that is no threat."
Dooku waved a hand to a computer operator droid off to his left. The droid began entering commands in his console. Bel Iblis was about to say something in reply when alert klaxons suddenly blared all around him. Dooku watched the senator turn to an officer behind him and demand what was going on.
"Senator!" the officer exclaimed. "The planetary defense perimeter has been compromised. Our long range sensors are offline and our shields are failing!"
"Get them back online," Bel Iblis barked. "Contact the chancellor immediantly!"
Someone in the background yelled back at Bel Iblis. "Senator, communications are offline too. I am trying to restablish."
Bel Iblis pointed a finger at Dooku in defiance. "You haven't heard the last of me, Dooku. We will never yield."
With that, the communication was terminated. The Jedi pressed a button on the holo display console.
"General Grievous, you may commence the attack on Corellia at your convenience." Dooku clasped his hands behind him and waited.
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