"<strong>DOOKU!</strong>" Fal's voice roared through the cavernous rock of the underground base.<br/><br/>Dooku promptly emerged from some corridor, smiling. "Yes, my favorite agent?" Ventress was behind him, and Fal could feel her fuming at the comment.<br/><br/>"You<em>know</em>I don't participate in this sort of thing. Why is she on my list?"<br/><br/>Dooku smiled. "Whatever do you mean, my Jedi friend?"<br/><br/>"Whatever's in this girl isn't natural. There's nothing remarkable about her!" His words stung him. He didn't mean that. "Why would you send me after her if not to study whatever this is, that you planted?!"<br/><br/>"I resent that accusation," Dooku said smoothly. "But you are correct. I sense... you've become fond of her. Very well, she is yours. We have the data we need." Dooku tossed him a vial. "Give her that. But I warn you, Carani. Challenge me so directly in front of my apprentice and she<em>will</em>be forced to defend my honor." Ventress growled like a chained dog.<br/><br/>Fal moved quickly back to the medical bay.