963, Choose.
Count Dooku stood there for a long time. This time, the order Darth Sidious had given him was something he could not accept.
He knew exactly how grave the consequences of killing Tang Xiao under such circumstances would be. It might even immediately cause the Confederacy of Independent Systems to fall apart.
Sidious had not given him a way to solve the problem. Instead, he had told him to make it even worse.
Just then, Count Dooku sensed something. With a backhanded wave, he pressed the door control. The secret chamber door opened, revealing someone standing outside.
It was none other than Tang Xiao!
Count Dooku clenched his fist tightly, forcibly suppressing the urge to cut Tang Xiao in two right then and there. He asked coldly, "What do you have to say, Governor?"
Tang Xiao remained expressionless. With a flick of his hand, he produced a black communicator. "I just contacted Lord Archangel of Death. He... wishes to speak with you."
"Archangel of Death..." Count Dooku paused. With a raised hand, the communicator flew out of Tang Xiao's grasp and into his own. He then glanced at Tang Xiao again. "Do you wish to take part in this conversation?"
Tang Xiao smiled faintly, turned, and left without the slightest intention of staying.
Count Dooku returned to his secret conference room and connected the communication.
A figure clad in black robes appeared in the hologram, equally sinister and gloomy, carrying even more of an aura of death than Darth Sidious.
"It has been a long time, Count Dooku. How have you been lately?" Darth Malthael's gloomy yet somewhat mocking voice came through. Clearly, he was using a Force mask; neither his voice nor his face could be identified.
How could Count Dooku possibly be in a good mood?