Hello, Goodbye

Chapter 2

As he hurtled through the blackness of space, the man in the escape pod saw the face of the strange woman grew smaller through the window of the exit hatch. He saw that he was leaving a massive spaceship and the lights across its haul illuminate the dark sky like a city in the night.

With a roar, he saw another object approach. It looked like a moon. This strange large white, round mass seemed to drift maddeningly close to the vessel of light that he feared that the two would collide, but then he realized it wasn't a moon at all—it was an enormous space station of the likes he'd never seen before in his life.

In a whispered voice he spoke without even thinking, "…the Death Star…"

Then unexpected the pod was rocked violently back and forth as the massive station loomed close. The G-Force of the engines rippled waves of exhaust into the emptiness of space and tossed the pod like a leaf in a storm.

The man, who hardly knew his own name was knocked unconscious and was, sent sailing into the unknown…

***

"Curses upon you, daughter!" shouted Lord Blackswan. He couldn't believe his own ears. Never in a million years did he expect such treason. It was until this moment unimaginable. He never thought his third daughter would betray him.

"What do you expect me to tell our ally now that you've throw our best clone into the black waste?"

Lady Thrice stood humbly in place with her head cased down. "I could not in good conscious allow him to be taken as sacrifice, Father."

Lord Blackswan paced back and forth ill at ease. Lord Sidious was an unforgiving man. He knew that if left up to him his lovely Lady Thrice would be sentence to death without hesitation. Lord Blackswan knew Thrice was a bit wild and not as refined as her other sisters, but she was one of the most skilled and loyal—this breaking of the rules was out of character.

"Tell me truthfully, why? I know you have honor Lady Thrice, but this is not like you. I want to understand."

With a sigh, Thrice look up at Lord Blackswan. She crossed her arms and shook her head.

"I can't really explain it. I know I shouldn't care, but—a warrior such as he would be a waste to that Emperor. I know he plans to turn him black and ugly, but I can't let it be so."

In a surprised tone, Lord Blackswan replied, "You've grown soft, Thrice."

"No! I am a warrior."

Lord Blackswan laughed, "And a woman too."

"Enough! I will present Lord Sidious the second clone. After all, he is easier to manipulate than the first. He's just as promising."

The elder man warned, "We are not here to play favorites, Thrice."

In an angry flash, Thrice shouted, "And you should not have made such a promise! The buying and selling of souls makes us demons."

"I cannot undo what is already done, Milady. And as it stands, we will have no choice but to present the Emperor with the second clone. I am now regretting that I ever assigned you to train the clones in the first place."

"Don't worry Father, you won't be disappointed. The Emperor will never know."

"Let us hope, daughter."

***

Lord Sidious greatly anticipated his appointment with the new cloners immensely. Goldbird Society and their scientist were one of the most advanced he had ever seen. He had great plans for them. Their leader, Lady Goldbird was a hard young woman who offered her services in exchange for a planet all her own. Such a simple thing as a ball of dirt was nothing compared to the promise of longevity. To refuse such an offer would be utter stupidity.

With a deformed smile hidden behind his hood, Lord Sidious strolled into the Goldbird ship with wicked glee. His apprentice was indeed in for a surprise. Lord Sidious had deliberately not told Lord Vader about the special clone commission. He wanted to see his face when he saw his former Master rise from the dead.

In a raspy voice, Vader asked, "Master…why are we on the Goldbird vessel?…"

"Patience, my apprentice. All will be revealed in good time."

"…Yes…my Master."

Once the Emperor and Lord Vader entered the Great Hall a pair of uniformed clones closed the doors. Vader did not like clones. Clones were only useful as storm-troopers, but any outside thinking or acting they were no more than living puppets—no more than droids. He did not see how the Goldbird clones differ from their own. The Goldbird clones weren't all the same like the Empire's. Some looked more a lot to each other than others. They looked more like family members than carbon copies. He wondered if this slight change in looks was all that separated them as individuals.

Vader concluded that perhaps his Master wanted a new set of clones.

Inside the dome-like room of the Great Hall stood a small group of people. A lady dressed in an elegant black robe approached them. She bowed neatly and gazed at them with her ruby red eyes.

Inwardly, Vader snared; there was something of Padme about her. One, her hairstyle was too much like the Naboo and secondly her sharp clear gazes. This woman had a senator's spirit. She had no fear in her eyes.

"Greetings, Emperor. Lord Vader. I am Lady Thrice, my Master is Lord Blackswan. He is Lady Goldbird's advisor. This man here is Dr. Rin, our memory scientist. And lastly, this man here is—"

"Obi-Wan!" shouted Vader.

TBA…

Thanks for your review XxRandom NemesisxX. I feel like I'm on a roll. I've been reading some Star Wars fanfics and I've got to say its become my new muse. Plus, I really like McGregor. And clone are cool.

Again, thanks a bunch. Please review.