Count Dooku, who had left, was not giving up. He believed that Cort was on this planet but simply didn't want to see him.
Murto, meanwhile, relayed Dooku's message to Cort.
"Hmm... you want us to join the future Independent Systems Alliance?" Cort sat in his office, pondering whether this would benefit Mandalore.
After some thought, he realized it would bring Mandalore nothing but harm. First, this was a destined-to-fail war; it was all just a plot by Sidious to destroy the Jedi Order.
He only needed to wait until Sidious became emperor, then gain a higher position himself, and then stab him in the back. Why should he join the Alliance's camp? Was it for those unrealistic fantasies and backward logistics?
However, he had to stop Dooku from meddling in Mandalore; who knew what trouble that guy would cause.
"Tell Count Dooku that we will meet in Reception Room Three this afternoon; after all, I am very busy." Cort no longer had any respect for Dooku, who had already begun to extend his reach into Mandalore.
That afternoon, Dooku arrived at Conference Room Three first, waiting for Cort to arrive.
After waiting for a long time, Dooku realized he had been tricked; Cort had no intention of coming.
He then directly crushed the water glass in front of him with The Force.
But just then, Cort arrived late. "My apologies, Great Master Dooku, I was just discussing with people from other planets why the Outer Rim's environment is deteriorating day by day. I've kept you waiting. I heard you were looking for me."
Cort walked in, saw the shattered glass on the floor, and then had a Protocol Droid clean it up before sitting opposite Dooku.
"The last time I saw Duke Cort was on Coruscant, wasn't it? I didn't expect to see you as a Duke again so soon. I forgot to congratulate you!" Dooku congratulated him with feigned sincerity.
"You truly are forgetful, Great Master. It was a mission on Kalee," Cort reminded him.
"That's right, I didn't expect to forget things in my old age. But Kalee is also a tragic place, exploited by the Republic and invaded by other planets." Dooku clearly brought up Kalee on purpose.
"Those are things of the past. Now, Kalee, thanks to the Outer Rim Alliance, exports many local specialties every year, and many people can go to the Mandalorian Sector to find better jobs. So, it has escaped its previous predicament. But what exactly brings you to Mandalore? I don't think you're a person who drags things out, especially since Murto has already reported to me." Cort didn't want to reminisce about the past; he just wanted to know if Dooku's thoughts aligned with his own.
"Don't rush, Duke Cort, there's still plenty of time. I imagine that as the Governor of the Outer Rim Alliance and the Duke of Mandalore, you must know the current situation of the Outer Rim. Therefore, I want to establish an independent Outer Rim organization to achieve true independence for us in the Outer Rim, instead of paying taxes now and receiving no special treatment." Dooku stated his idea.
"Why do you think that, Count Dooku? You should know the current situation of the Republic. This is not a problem of the Republic, but a problem of the entire Galaxy. We should make corrections instead of engaging in meaningless internal strife, just as you have infinite wealth but haven't contributed a single cent to the people of the Outer Rim, haven't you?" Cort retorted, as he indeed had the right to say so.
"How can you think that? What does this have to do with my wealth? What we need to do is integrate all the partners in the Outer Rim that can be rallied for an independence movement to let the Republic know our thoughts and the true situation. And Mandalore is a leader in the Outer Rim; I need you." Count Dooku changed the subject from his wealth to the Outer Rim issue.
"But you still haven't said how to solve it. Will independence make it a different kind of planet? Think about it, Count Dooku, your decades as a Jedi Knight have only taught you this: the only way is to destroy the Republic?" Cort was righteous at this moment.
Dooku was momentarily unable to respond, but Cort continued immediately.
"You keep saying it's for the people of the Outer Rim, but the first thing that should be improved is their lives, not expressing your political will here. Will the people of the Outer Rim be happy after you start a war? Have you thought about what would happen if you lose? You haven't, because this is all just your scheme, a scheme to achieve your will!" Cort exposed Dooku's and the Sith's plan.
These words instantly startled Dooku. He hadn't expected Cort to be able to deduce this far; it was unimaginable.
But he quickly adjusted his state. "What you said is completely wrong! This is all for the happiness of the people of the Outer Rim. If we don't fight, the Republic will forever ignore the Outer Rim! This is about saving them. Besides, why would you think we would fail? This is a righteous act."
Cort nodded, indicating his agreement, but he didn't want to engage further, because no amount of argument would make Dooku normal.
He had long passed the point of no return, with only one path leading to darkness.
"Or perhaps you don't have full authority to decide this matter. After all, Mandalore currently has a dual-power system. Perhaps I should discuss this with Duchess Satine. You are still just a child and cannot make these decisions." Dooku used the simplest method of division, sowing discord and suppressing.
"You truly don't understand me, Count Dooku. Do you think I would react to what you just said?" Cort countered.
"No, I wouldn't at all, because it's completely meaningless to me. No matter who is the ruler of Mandalore, it won't change my heart that loves Mandalore, and besides, it's not a dual-power system." Cort articulated his thoughts.
But just then, a Protocol Droid came knocking at the door.
"Uh... Duke Cort, you have a call. They say there's an urgent matter in the council that needs to be discussed, and they ask you to go to Coruscant." The blue Protocol Droid walked in and reported the situation.
Cort stood up at this moment. "My apologies, Count Dooku, I think there's an urgent matter in the Galactic Senate that requires my presence, so let's end this conversation for now. Or, whenever you're free, you can come to Vadir again to discuss it with me." He then directly left Reception Room Three.
Walking out of the room, Cort felt Dooku's Dark Side grow stronger at this moment, clearly angered by him.
He asked the Protocol Droid beside him, "Didn't I say to come in after the cup broke? Why did you come early?"
"Great Master, there really is a message waiting for your reply. It's truly a message from the Galactic Senate."
"Let me see." Cort took the holoprojector and found a message from Palpatine saying that the Republic was currently preparing a plan and asking if he wanted to participate.
Cort became interested. What plan was so urgent that it even called him to Coruscant? He then opened Palpatine's previous council report, which had several eye-catching large characters written on it.
"Outbound Flight Project"
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