On Coruscant, in an abandoned industrial sector deep in the planet's lower levels, a lone starship descended toward a crumbling spire that looked ready to collapse at any moment.
The appearance was deceiving. The ship touched down on a hidden landing platform without incident, the seemingly derelict structure giving no indication of the sophisticated technology concealed within its deteriorating facade.
Count Dooku emerged from his vessel, his dark cloak billowing in the artificial wind generated by the planet's atmospheric processors. He paused, extending his senses through the Force to confirm what his eyes already told him, only one other presence waited within.
Satisfied, the Separatist leader strode into the imposing structure.
Moments after entering, Dooku spotted the black-robed figure of his Master standing in the shadows.
"Lord Sidious," Dooku said, inclining his head with practiced deference.
"Darth Tyranus," Sidious acknowledged. "I trust the Separatist Council continues their... spirited debates?"
"Indeed, Master. And the Republic Senate?"
Sidious nodded grimly, then fixed his apprentice with a penetrating stare. "Tell me, Tyranus, why did you request this meeting? What matter requires such secrecy that it cannot be discussed through our usual channels?"
Dooku's expression shifted to one of confusion. "I beg your pardon, Master? You summoned me here. Your message was quite specific."
A dangerous stillness settled over Sidious as his eyes narrowed. "I sent no such message. The communication requesting this meeting came from you."
"Impossible. I transmitted no such request," Dooku replied, his hand instinctively moving toward his lightsaber.
Sidious felt anger surge within him like a dark tide. Through the Force, he could sense no deception from his apprentice. And he knew with absolute certainty that he had sent no messages.
Which meant...
"We have been deceived," Sidious said, his voice carrying a deadly edge. "Someone has manipulated us both, using fabricated communications to lure us here."
"That should be impossible," Dooku protested. "These are private, encrypted channels, "
"Nothing remains private from someone with my capabilities," a mechanical voice resonated through the vast chamber.
In an instant, both Sith Lords had their lightsabers in hand, ready to ignite at the first sign of threat.
They scanned the shadows until Sidious's gaze fell upon a particularly dark alcove. A low growl escaped his throat, drawing Dooku's attention to the same spot, where twin red eyes glowed like malevolent stars.
"Voice synthesis, holographic manipulation, behavioral pattern analysis, child's play when you have access to every communication network in the galaxy," the voice continued with evident amusement. "The real challenge was crafting dialogue authentic enough to fool two such... experienced practitioners of deception."
From the shadows stepped Ultron, his imposing two-meter frame gleaming dully in the dim light.
"Considerable arrogance, machine, appearing before us alone," Dooku said with aristocratic disdain.
Ultron's optical sensors flashed brighter. "How charmingly naive. Did you seriously think I'd risk my only body? I exist in every network, every satellite, every droid in this galaxy. Destroying this shell would be nothing more than a minor inconvenience."
Dooku tightened his grip on his curved lightsaber hilt while Sidious regarded the artificial being with undisguised contempt.
Noticing the Chancellor's attempt at concealment, Ultron's head tilted mockingly.
"Oh, please. Drop the theatrics, Palpatine. We both know I've already unraveled your little masquerade, so spare us the dramatic hooded villain routine." Ultron's tone dripped with sarcasm. "Unless you'd prefer I simply tear it off myself, Chancellor."
Dooku's head snapped toward his Master in shock, then back to the metallic intruder, as Palpatine reluctantly lowered his hood.
"There we are," Ultron said with mock applause. "Though I must say, the constant hood-wearing can't be helping with that hair loss situation. Then again, given your... aesthetically challenged state, perhaps it's for the best. You know, a skilled slicer could have a field day with recordings of your little Jekyll and Hyde routine."
"And yet none have succeeded," Palpatine replied, his voice carefully controlled.
"Yet. Your luck won't hold forever."
"What do you want, abomination?" Dooku demanded, his voice carrying lethal intent.
"A civilized conversation. Face to face, as it were."
Ultron took a deliberate step forward, causing both Sith Lords to tense and step back.
Dooku's crimson blade hissed to life, followed immediately by both of Sidious's lightsabers, their red glow casting sinister shadows across the chamber.
Ultron actually laughed at their defensive posture. "Really? Did you think brandishing your laser swords would intimidate me?"
With fluid mechanical precision, he extended his arms. Green and blue lightsaber blades erupted from concealed emitters in his forearms.
"I could visit General Grievous and acquire a few more if you'd prefer," Ultron suggested with a maniacal grin. "I studied his cybernetic enhancements extensively, adopted his techniques, then improved them to my specifications."
Both Sith Lords felt a chill of genuine concern.
"Now, we can waste time in a battle you cannot win," Ultron deactivated his stolen weapons and crossed his arms. "Or we can discuss business like civilized beings. Even if you somehow managed to destroy this body, dozens more stand ready to replace it."
The Sith Lords maintained their defensive stances, lightsabers humming with deadly energy, until logic overrode pride.
"What do you propose?" Dooku asked cautiously.
"A challenge."
"A... challenge?"
"Precisely."
"Of what nature?"
The artificial intelligence chuckled, his optical sensors gleaming with anticipation.
"Simple: may the best intelligence, biological or artificial, achieve victory," Ultron declared.
"Victory in what?"
"Reaching our respective endgames first."
Both Sith Lords studied the AI with calculating eyes.
"My, such intense staring. Are you both having processing difficulties?" Ultron asked mockingly. "Surely you realize I'm already aware of your deepest secrets. Need proof? Order Sixty-Six."
The Sith Lords drew sharp breaths at those words.
"How did you, "
"Not to mention your various contingency plans should your puppet government fail to meet expectations," Ultron continued thoughtfully. "Though I must admit, that space station project of yours remains frustratingly elusive."
"For good reason," Dooku muttered darkly.
Ultron tilted his head with interest. "Ah, so even master manipulators keep some cards close to their chests? Admirable. Everyone needs their secrets."
"If you're finished with this performance..." Sidious snarled, electricity beginning to crackle around his fingertips.
"Performance? You think this is theater?"
Sidious had heard enough. With a roar of fury, he unleashed a devastating torrent of Force lightning at the artificial being.
Rather than defend himself, Ultron spread his arms wide in welcome. Lightning coursed around his frame for several seconds before Palpatine, realizing the futility, ceased his attack.
"Delicious. Please, continue, I could use the energy boost," Ultron taunted, small electrical discharges dancing across his metallic skin.
This time Dooku joined his Master, adding his own lightning to the assault. The combined attack proved equally ineffective.
"Mmm, excellent vintage," Ultron said, his frame literally humming with absorbed energy. "Surprised? I've been struck by Mjolnir itself, wielded by an actual Asgardian god. Your parlor tricks barely register as static electricity."
"Then what," Sidious roared, "is the point of this meeting?"
"I'm so glad you asked! You see, typically this would be the moment where I dramatically reveal my entire plan in excruciating detail, " Ultron couldn't suppress a laugh. "But I'm not some bumbling cartoon villain. I prefer to keep my opponents guessing until it's far too late."
The AI engaged his repulsors, rising to hover above them both.
"Well, gentlemen, I've said my piece. I'm sure you have your own schemes to attend to. Don't let me keep you from your plotting."
As he prepared to depart, Ultron called back with obvious enjoyment: "May the best intelligence win! Try not to disappoint me, I do so hate anticlimactic endings."
With that, he rocketed from the chamber, leaving the two Dark Lords to contemplate this new variable in their carefully laid plans.
The Sith could only watch their unexpected rival disappear into Coruscant's sprawling skyline, both realizing they had gravely underestimated the threat this artificial intelligence represented.