Age of Republic - Count Dooku 1

Age of Republic - Count Dooku 1 is the seventh one-shot in the canon comic book anthology series Star Wars: Age of Republic. The issue was written by Jody Houser, illustrated by Luke Ross, and published on February 13, 2019 by Marvel Comics.
==Publisher's summary==
THE FORMER JEDI BEGINS LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR HIS SITH MASTER! However, an unexpected encounter with an old student threatens his plans. Caught between his old life and his new, will DOOKU be able to protect the secrets of the SITH? And does he control the DARK SIDE, or is he merely its tool?
==Plot summary==
Arriving at the planet Sullust, Count Dooku narrates that he normally wouldn’t come to the planet himself, and negotiating with a corporation on their homeworld places them in a position of power which isn’t ideal. However, he isn’t here for just business matters, as his master wishes for him to forge an alliance on his behalf and he’ll be the one to execute his plans. Departing from his ship, Dooku is greeted by Representative Kap Klyp of the SoroSuub Corporation, who is pleased that they can continue the contract negotiations in person. SoroSuub has arranged for a tour of the city before dinner, and while Dooku doesn’t want this, he keeps this thought to himself as he can’t let others know about his true purpose on Sullust. 
Later, after being shown the sites of Sullust and its city, Dooku realizes that he can’t keep at this and waste time, so he comes up with the excuse that his travels have tired him and he should rest before dinner. Just then, a Jedi Knight named Jak’zin approaches Dooku and greets him, but says that he probably wouldn’t remember him since they haven’t seen each other since Dooku instructed him as a youngling at the Jedi Temple. Jak’zin will never forget Dooku’s dueling demonstration with Yoda and his inspirational skills, and when he mentions that he knew Master Qui-Gon before his death, he is cut off by Kap Klyp who wants to continue his negotiations with Dooku. However, Dooku instead asks if room for one more can be made at dinner, and Jak’zin responds that he’d be honored to join them. With this, Dooku is shown to his accommodation, and in private he talks with his master Darth Sidious, saying that the presence of a Jedi could complicate matters. Dooku asks if he knows why he’s here, but Sidous has no answer as the Jedi still keep much of their business to themselves, and so he instructs his apprentice to gain the Jedi’s trust and discover his mission while keeping his own secret. Dooku questions if he could become an ally, but Sidious reaffirms that Sith only need one apprentice. 
Later at dinner with Jak’zin and Kap Klyp, Dooku is told the rumor that some Jedi believe he’s forming a new order of Force users, but he assures Jak’zin that that isn’t the case, as he’s merely looking after his family’s business interests on Serenno. When Dooku asks Jak’zin what brings him to the Outer Rim, he receives the answer of private business for the Jedi Council. Later that evening, Dooku finds Jak’zin alone and the two take a walk which allows Dooku to tell him that he could sense that he was troubled. When Jak’zin apologizes and admits that his mission has him distracted, Dooku questions if his mission is dangerous and clarifies that when he’d heard the news of his apprentice Qui-Gon Jinn’s death, he couldn’t help but wonder if he could’ve prevented his death by staying with the Order. Jak’zin says that he can’t blame himself, but Dooku still wonders that perhaps Qui-Gon’s master could’ve saved him since his padawan couldn’t, and can’t help but notice that Jak’zin is taking this mission on alone, and wants to help him and make a difference. Admitting that Dooku was once a Jedi Master, he decides to fill Dooku in on his mission, which is to investigate a criminal group making inroads on Sullust called the Kaldana Syndicate. After learning this, Dooku notes to himself that this is the same group that his master had tasked him with seeking out. Dooku settles the matter, saying that the two of them will investigate together, and before Jak’zin can disagree, Dooku states that he’s only trying to keep him safe and can benefit him with his large financial investment on Sullust. 
Afterwards, the two of them use their Force enhanced abilities to leap through the city in search of the Kaldana Syndicate. Having tracked down their location, Jak’zin leads them to a warehouse and when he knocks on the door, a hatch opens and a blaster bolt is fired at his head, however, Dooku uses the Force to knock him out of the way. With this, he reassures the Jedi that it was a good thing that he came along, and in his head he says that it isn’t Jak’zin’s time to die just yet. Jak’zin cuts his way inside, and after dealing with two guards, he and Dooku discover that the syndicate is dealing in weapons. Just then, the two are surrounded by Kaldana thugs, but Dooku activates his own lightsaber and the red blade catches Jak’zin by surprise. As they are fired upon, the two men use their lightsabers and skills in the Force to efficiently deal with the Kaldana, but afterwards when Jak’zin questions where Dooku got the red bladed lightsaber from, Dooku answers that he made it and uses the Force to shoot Jak’zin dead with a blaster. Stepping over his corpse, Dooku says to himself that it’s a pity, and he tells the sole survivor of the Kaldana that he’s come to discuss a business arrangement with his organization. Using the Force to raise the blaster’s in the room into the air, Dooku says that he’s an agent of the man’s new master, and gives him no choice but to comply.
Later, Dooku is seen to his ship by Kap Klyp who is pleased to hear that Dooku’s accommodations were to his liking, and looks forward to doing more business with Serenno in the years to come. As Dooku leaves, he narrates that as unrest and chaos spread across the Republic, it will be that much easier for the Sith to grasp power, and the galaxy will soon be what they make it. 
==Media==
===Editions===
*UPC 759606091935; February 13, 2019; Marvel Comics
**00111; Cover A; Paolo Rivera
**00121; Cover B; Lucasfilm Ltd.
**00131; Cover C; Dermot Power
**00141; Cover D; Guru-eFX, Mike McKone
===Cover gallery===
==Appearances==
==Collections==
*Star Wars: Age of Republic — Villains
*Star Wars: Age of Republic HC
==Notes and references==
==External links==
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Category:Star Wars: Age of Republic issues