No copyright infringement intended. Just a fan's overactive imagination.
* This is a sequel to "Growing Jedi" but hopefully will stand alone. *
"So we picked up the trail of whoever hired that kaminoan to clone jedi?" Obi-Wan's voice was both determined and just a bit concerned. His arms were crossed over his chest.
"Apparently they figured ditching the ship would throw us off the scent. But the Force was with us. Fortunately, we had a team from the agri-corp there, unloading supplies at the same time. They had a couple of R5 units with them. They got these images." Master Windu's holo image relayed. "You made this discovery. You're the only ones close enough to deal with it. We're..."
"Stretched thin...as always."
The images flickered before Anakin and Obi-Wan. They shared a glance.
"Those are cloning tanks." Anakin noted.
"Occupied cloning tanks." Obi-Wan winced.
"Stang. They not only escaped with the data they escaped with some of the clones." Anakin glanced at Kenobi.
"But they aren't just running from us. They're running from everyone. Have to be. Both sides were hammering them, Separatists as well as us."
Master Windu broke into their concern. "We need you to find these people. Last location of the ship they transferred to is the moon Thejim 3. If someone out there is cloning jedi it could be a disaster, no matter which side they are on. We suspect they only stopped there to change ships. May the Force be with you." His image flickered out.
"Stang." Obi-Wan looked deeply unhappy. "Clones of me and Qui-Gon and other knights we've known. For all we know there may be others. Even if they are sane, what do we do with them?"
"I suppose it's too late to turn them into real jedi?" Anakin was serious. "They may be infants."
"I doubt that. Look at the size of the tanks and if there is growth acceleration. Here in this one..." he motioned to the holo, "you see enough to tell it's a young man..." He squinted.
"We found out where the jedi cloner went?" Ahsoka's voice, so close behind them, made them both jump. She stepped back.
"Ahsoka! Don't do that." Anakin yelped.
She put her hand to herself, hiding a smile. "Aren't jedi supposed to always be aware?"
Anakin and Obi-Wan shared a glance. Now Obi-Wan had the half smile. "Well, Ahsoka I congratulate you on your stealth skills. Whether you are using them on purpose or not."
"What if they really did clone you, Master?"
Anakin winced. "That's unlikely. We found no evidence that I've been cloned. Besides, one of me is enough. For once, Obi-Wan is right." Anakin smirked at Obi-Wan, who was still perturbed at the notion of several copies of Anakin Skywalker.
"I never thought you'd admit...for once? Obi-Wan frowned, indignant. "For once, I'm right?"
Ahsoka hastened to butt in. "But what would anyone want with these clones? If they aren't supported by the jedi or the separatists, what's the point?"
Obi-Wan frowned, dark memories stirring. "Some will do it just for the sake of science, with no care for the lifeforms involved."
Anakin and Ahsoka shared a glance. "And then there are the sith. Perhaps they meant to turn them. Can you imagine the chaos if clones of jedi were taught in the dark side and turned loose?"
Ahsoka wrinkled her nose. "Eewwwww..."
They took the Twilight, leaving Resolute to deal with the area's separatists. The ship had hopped from the moon to the nearest planet, based on their latest intel. The planet was dark when they landed. The pad to was barely lit. Gloom surrounded them and the silence was deep and brooding.
"Well, this is pleasant." Ahsoka said sarcastically.
"You said it Snips." Anakin's eyes roamed around, he cocked his head. "It's so quiet. No people about. Not even vermin."
Artoo grunted nervously. Anakin translated "No droids either."
Obi-Wan had not said anything. He was alert for the weird buzzing that hit when a clone of himself and Qui-Gon was near.
"I have a bad feeling about this..."
The elder jedi started forward. To the casual observer, Obi-Wan looked calm. His hands swung at his sides, his gaze sweeping ahead. The hanger door slid open. Sure enough, the darkness and quiet outside matched what was within. The street was empty.
Anakin frowned, turned to Ahsoka. "Ahsoka, wait here and keep an eye on the ship."
She opened her mouth to protest.
"Snips, for all we know we may need a hasty exit. They may not have stayed."
Ahsoka scowled, sourly.
Obi-Wan eyed her sympathetically. "We can check the Hanger Master's office, but there is no guarantee that they'll cooperate."
"Artoo can handle that, if we distract them."
Artoo whistled and chirped in agreement.
Obi-Wan paused. "I suggest we split up. I'll go with Artoo to the Hanger Master. You can check the area and the local directory for medical facilities that they might retreat too."
Artoo gave a reluctant chirrup.
"Go on, Artoo. Keep Obi-Wan out of trouble for me."
Kenobi did a double take, as the droid squawked a response. "He's probably asking who will keep YOU out of trouble."