The light mockery that danced in Lorian's eyes inflamed Dooku. The old resentment balled up in his chest, the choking rage he had felt as a boy. Now it joined the fury of a man. Dooku felt it surge, and he didn't fight it.
He was older now, and wiser. Anger no longer had the power to make him sloppy. It made him more precise.
'Talk all you want. You will never leave this room,' he said with such icy control that the smile faded from Lorian's eyes.
'Let's not be so dramatic,' Lorian said uneasily.
'Master give me my lightsaber!' Qui-Gon called.
The words only buzzed faintly, as if they came from a long distance away. Dooku did not need his Padawan. Qui-Gon would only get in his way. He needed to finish this alone.
Lorian had seen his intent in his eyes. Between them now was the knowledge that Dooku would not allow him to surrender. He fired the blaster. Dooku deflected the fire easily. There was no way that Lorian could win this battle. Dooku could see the desperation in his eyes, the sweat forming on his brow. He enjoyed seeing it.
Lorian kept up a steady barrage of fire while he swung the vibroblade, using the same Jedi training he had absorbed so long ago. Dooku kept advancing. He knew perfectly well where Lorian was headed — to Qui-Gon's lightsaber. Dooku decided to speed up the process. He lunged forward and with an almost casual swipe severed the vibroblade in two.
Then he whirled and kicked the blaster out of Lorian's hand.
Lorian sprang and fumbled for Qui-Gon's lightsaber. Dooku allowed him to pick it up. He had no reason to fear.
Qui-Gon cried out, but Dooku didn't hear what he said. All his focus was on Lorian now.
'Go ahead, attack me,' Dooku said, holding his lightsaber at his side, letting it dangle casually. 'Show me how much you've forgotten.'
Lorian activated the lightsaber. Even in the midst of a battle Lorian could not win, Dooku could see the pleasure the former Jedi took in holding a lightsaber again.
He leaped at Dooku. The first strike was easily deflected. Without his connection to the Force, Lorian could not handle the weapon as he once had. Dooku enjoyed this humiliation the most. He parried Lorian's attacks, barely moving.
'Pity,' Dooku said. 'You were a worthy opponent once.
Now a flare of anger lit Lorian's gaze. He suddenly shifted his feet, moved unexpectedly, and came close to landing a blow.
Dooku decided it was time to stop playing with him. It was time to show him what fear was. Time to show him who the winner was.
He moved forward in perfect form, gathering the Force and molding it to his desires. His lightsaber danced. Lorian managed to evade one strike and parry the next, but it cost him. He stumbled with the effort.
'Master!'
Qui-Gon's voice cut through the heart of Dooku's concentration with the same annoying buzz.
' Master. Stop.'
Qui-Gon did not shout this time. Yet his tone penetrated Dooku's concentration better than his cry had. Dooku looked over. Bound and helpless, Qui-Gon looked back.
That gaze. Dooku almost groaned aloud. He saw integrity and truth there, and he could not hide from it. He saw himself through Qui-Gon's eyes, and he could not do it. His Padawan had revealed to him what he should have known already. He could not go down this road.
He deactivated his lightsaber. Lorian took a deep, shuddering breath.
'It's over,' Dooku said.
Chapter 13
Dooku handed over Lorian and Eero to Coruscant security. He didn't speak much with Qui-Gon on the journey back. Dooku knew that there were things that needed to be said, but he wasn't sure what they were.
He knew that Qui-Gon had saved him from something, and he was grateful. Yet he did not want to admit that he had come so close to violating the Jedi code he was so proud of upholding.
They walked past the rows of cruisers in the Temple landing area, the place where he had said good-bye to Lorian so long ago, for what he thought was forever.
'So what did you learn from the mission, Padawan?' he asked Qui-Gon.
'Many things,' Qui-Gon answered neutrally.
'Name the most important one, then.'
'That you will withhold facts from me that I need to know.'
Dooku drew in a sharp breath. He did not appreciate a rebuke from his apprentice. This natural assurance of Qui-Gon's could get out of hand.
What Qui-Gon needed was a little more fear of his displeasure.
'That is my decision,' he answered severely. 'It is not for you to question your Master.'
