Chapter 2

(Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas, Sooma, Bright Jewel Oversector, Outer Rim)

Sifo-Dyas stopped for another breath. The lab was in sight; and it was perhaps the largest lab he'd ever seen in his life. Perhaps fifteen miles long, Sifo-Dyas was sure that there was more to the lab than what he could see from ground level. He cleared his mind, looked past the grinding shrieks of the smokestacks belching out smoke, past the whistle of the wind even, and searched for a safe route into the facility without being detected.

His vision zoomed past several laser gates, guarded by angry-looking armoured soldiers (which he knew through precognition were battle droids). By zooming over the walls, which in the past meant to jump over them, he flew towards one of the walls of the inner building, through an air duct.

This was going to be easy. He manipulated a large rock off to the droids' right, which they readily went to investigate. As quick as a blaster bolt, Sifo-Dyas bolted for the wall, flew over the wall, did a flip for style, rolled to the air duct, and hugged the wall. Nothing was staring at him; good. He Forced the bolts keeping the duct in place, scurried inside, and Forced the duct back to its original state. Nobody will be able to tell that he broke through there! And all this took only twenty seconds- a new record. He crawled around, carefully examining the ducts that led to every large room. One room looked very much like a surgical room: full of nasty cutting tools and very bloody. He went inside the dark room. The room reeked of gore. He searched the room for a scientific journal, notes, anything. But he found nothing.

Puzzling over what could have happened in here (and suspecting that he knew the fate of the last inspector), he reached out in the Force to detect movement and lifeforms in the next room. Nothing; he crept into the next room. This one was much larger, with more than just surgical equipment. In one corner, the one farthest from him, Sifo-Dyas could make out what appeared to be a new engine. The center of the room was riddled with tables, each standing as a center for each different field that the good doctor no doubt had a specialty in. He walked into the room. This man WAS a genius! He saw on one table some strange-looking gun connected to a dual tank of what looked like coolant. On another was a whirring disc-like object that had something written on the top, which he couldn't read in the dimly lit room. Another held what could only be an anti-gravity harness, if the floating writing utensil was any indication. On yet another was nothing except for a large datapad. Curious, he activated it, noting that the screen was a little dim. Senatorial orders from three years ago. He discarded it.

Sifo-Dyas had a bad feeling about all this. The lab seemed to be deserted. There had to be people here somewhere: guard droids, technicians, Dr. Cadia, a janitor droid, anything. But there was still nothing. That was very suscpicious. He was obviously walking into a trap. He knew what to do about that. Maintaining his stealth, he looked in the next room. Finally; someone was there. It was Dr. Cadia.

It seemed that he really was insane. He was muttering to himself about something Sifo-Dyas couldn't make out, and was snivelling apologies to the overturned chair beside him. "Republic, Republice, Republic. Republic this, maintain peace that. We'll show them the error of their ways, don't worry my friend. With these body parts from the eeevil Sithies, hehehe, oh how they'll regret putting mE HEERE!" He punched the desk in apparent anger, and immediately cradled his hand, sobbing in pain that he was convinced the desk gave to him. Sifo-Dyas couldn't see what the good doctor was doing, but he had a feeling that it was dangerous. He moved on to what looked like the Doc's private laboratory (odd that he needed a private lab; there didn't seem to be anybody else here).

Why was this mission so easy? Not caring to push his luck, he made sure to make as little noise as possible. He turned to examine what looked like the man's life's work. Charts of the Galaxy, with every weapons depository world Sifo-Dyas could remember circled. Lists of weapons capabilities, with numerous notes of decreasing coherence scribbled all over them. Mathematical formulae that branched off into childishly-written phrases such as "Look at me! I can write again","Conquer, conquer, conquer, conquer," and "Palpatine will kneel before me". There was also a computer console with a paper saying "Forget stuff here". Perhaps this was a journal of some kind. Readying himself for what might be some pretty light hacking, Sifo-Dyas stepped towards it...

(Count Dooku, undisclosed area on Coruscant, Meanwhile)

Dooku had a heavy heart. He knew this was what he had to do, but he couldn't shake the feeling of loss. He had, after all, been raised in the Jedi Temple; leaving it behind was almost like walking away from a lover. But he'd made his decision: he was leaving the service of the Jedi. He'd announced it publicly just this morning. he couldn't take it anymore: his failures at Galidraan and at Baltizaar, and his secret tempting of the Dark Side, were enough for him to take. Several of the Senators were angry with him for his recent condemnation of their inaction to save his apprentice. Combine those and the fact that his people needed a leader after the death of his brother, and he decided that he had a very compelling reason to leave. he'd only given his brother's death as the reason for his departure, but he suspected that several of the other Masters knew some of his other reasons. it didn't matter: he was leaving whether they wanted him to or not, whether they'd stop him or not. He knew they wouldn't force him to stay, however. He recalled Palpatine approaching him after his announcement. "Are you sure this is what you want, my friend?" he'd asked for the third time.
"Absolutely," he patiently replied once again. "The death of my brother REQUIRES that I go now."
"I heard that only 19 other Jedi have ever walked away from the Order."
"Indeed. My departure will make it a nice round number."
He hadn't told the Council his excuse; he knew they'd press for more. His belongings were all gathered up. Without waiting, he started to leave. He avoided everyone's gazes as he passed them so he wouldn't be stopped along the way. Just as he seemed to have gotten away in secret, he gazed upon the Temple once again. He was leaving a piece of himself behind. Part of him, the loyal part of him that would never leave his friends, urged him to go back, but he ignored it; this was his future, not there.
He turned for his ship. He jumped in suprise as he nearly stepped on Master Yoda, who carried himself as if he was standing there for hours, as if he were expecting him. "Master Yoda," he said after quickly regaining his composure, and retracting the foot that would have no doubt injure his old master.
"Dooku, why are you leaving?" He was staring at Dooku, expecting a straight answer, sternly, clearly not letting him go without a straight answer. Trying to to remember his master ever being this straightforward, he was silent for a moment, a moment where he simply stood there staring at his master, who returned the gaze, as if reading his very soul.
"Master, I cannot stay," he finally replied. "I've a duty back on Sorenno. My brother died, you see, and I am next to take the title of leader."
"Know about that, I do," Yoda replied quickly. "Something else, there is, isn't there?"
Yoda was expecting a specific answer. Slowly, Dooku answered his master's query. "Well, I also am troubled by my...failures at-"
"At Galidraan and Baltizaar."
"Yes. I cannot help but feel as if I failed those who needed me the most. This lot in life isn't mine, Master." He turned to the Temple again. "It pains me to leave this place. But I must go, Master. I've been pining to make a real difference. I cannot make such an impact within The Order."
Yoda was deep in thought. "Resolved to leave, aren't you?"
"Master, I will always remember everyone here were like brothers to me, but there's nothing you can do to keep me from leaving."
"Hmm. Yes. Something I wish to discuss with you first, there is. Feel the Dark Side in you, I do. As your master, deserve to know what is troubling you, I do."
Dooku wondered whether to tell him. "There's nothing," he finally replied adamantly, "else that I have to discuss with you."
Yoda seemed disappointed. He hated to do this to Yoda, but he no longer wished to be discussing his possible fall to the Dark Side, which he knew was what this would have become. "Remember, you must, Dooku, that the Dark Side will tempt you more than ever. Ignore it at all costs, you should. If nothing else, there is, then wish to keep you from you people, I do not. Count." He hobbled away, calling behind him "NEVER allow the Dark Side to turn you, Dooku."
Dooku watched him leave. He knew that the Council was troubled by his departure, but that didn't trouble him. He turned, and begun to enter his ship...

(Master Sifo-Dyas, Sooma, Bright Jewel Oversector, Outer Rim)

Sifo-Dyas was suprised. The computer didn't even have a password! It had to be all disposable information on this computer.
It seemed that he did find a journal here. He decided to read the last four entries.

The first one was from three days ago. It read "Little progress on the latest Specimen. I can't say that I hadn't expected this; Force-sensitive subjects have numerous difficulties that a normal person doesn't have. And this specific creation of mine MUST have their power. If, no WHEN, I succeed, it will be a glorious jewel in my crown as I conquer this stupid galaxy. Shut down funding, will they?! They don't know I heard them, so I have the advantage. They think I'm in the dark about this- HAH! The fools. At any rate, I believe I have discovered the obstacles I must overcome. It's only a matter of time..."

The next entry, from the day after, had a period of incoherent syllables strung together. A paragraph break led to the doctor writing "I've done it! I've discovered the solution. Now all I have to do is spend the next couple of days working on the Specimen according to my notes (unless I doodled on them again. If I'm lucky, then I can still make the deadline for Director Marnus's visit. He'll be very happy- he's been angry with me lately. But I'll soon change that."

Unhappy with the seriousness of the situation, Sifo-Dyas brought up the next entry, from only a day ago. "The latest specimen is ready. I must say the inspector's body has proven to be very useful in the process. But it turned out to be big- oh goodness me, yes, very big indeed. Based upon the last measurements, it's going to be eleven feet tall! But I must say, it looks beautiful. Years of research has paid off at last. The Specimen isn't finished yet- it has to undergo some lengthy procedures- but, according to The Core, it can be waken up at the precise time that the Director walks into the room, with a proper little speech to introduce my creation to the Director. He will be most pleased!

ADNSIFNEFNAF?/211DEJE2D2I8DU8F3W2DJEHJFRE9 3F830F38HIO&*ju(u*y&^f%f^i&(&(&t^rfufuytr%yryfyvyug&^r%rr%y%&

Note to self: remember to alter The Core's personality again."

Taking Cadia's life to be as crazy as he was as a given, he quickly read the final entry. "I recently communicated with Director Marnus, and was careful to mention my success. I was obviously rambling again, because he made me repeat myself, but he seemed pleased to hear that I had something special for him. The inspection will be later today, as soon as the Director gets here. Ooh, I'm giddy with pride. Or is that because I haven't eaten for days?"

Sifo-Dyas started. This was written not too long ago. After shifting through the journal, he found that "Director Marnus" was still expected to come later. He decided to watch the Doctor for a while. He powered the computer off, timed his exit so that he wouldn't be noticed, and, once again in the air ducts, watched the Doctor at his work, taking it apart and putting it back together, thus getting nowhere with it, muttering about the complexity of his own design.

(Two hours later)

Sifo-Dyas found exercising patience was harder around this man, even if he wasn't doing it on purpose. As he was about to get up and walk around to pass the time, a loud intercom activated. "Doctor Cadia! It's the Director. I have been standing at the entrance for an hour and a half; let me in please!"
The Doc jumped, muttered something, and ran for the entrance...and then turned around and messed with the arrangement of the equipment (and ended up leaving it in worse condition) before going for real. Sifo-Dyas followed him, no small task when he had to move so fast, so quietly. Barely keeping him in sight, Sifo-Dyas nearly gave out when the Doc finally stopped an opened a door to the outside world. In strode a man with immaculate features, almost like a lawyer: neatly-combed black hair, spotless business suit, wholly unimpressed expression. After Cadia grovelled for a moment, he asked why Marnus was unable to open the door himself. "Because you are here, fool. Now, you promised me "The Ultimate Weapon", I believe you put it. I want you to show it to me.
"Absolutely sir! Although, I must insist that I reveal a few other projects I'm starting along the way."
"Oh, very well; I do have the time, I believe."
They strolled along, discussing scientific topics that Sifo-Dyas couldn't understand, until they reached a glass tank embedded in the wall. "Now, here is my first attempt in creating a viscious lifeform, an animal that we could train for the cause."
"It tiny. And not very threatening."
"As I said, it's a first attempt. I wanted to make it so that it could transform into a larger monster upon command, but I haven't quite gotten that yet."
"Then why don't you simply put it down?"
"Oh, I think it's cute," Cadia replied before making baby sounds at the glass. Marnus groaned and continued on, joined by Cadia a moment later.
They continued on until they were more than halfway to where Sifo-Dyas found Cadia. They strayed into a nearby room, as Cadia explained that he'd "programmed into The Core the capability to jump from one electrical item to another, regardless of whether or not it is an electronic device. Theoretically, it can now even hack an organic's mind."
Fascinating," Marnus drolled half-heartedly, "however, I am not here to hear about the next upgrade to your computer."
"I can tell you're excited sir!" Dr. Cadia squealed, something Sifo-Dyas had to disagree with, since Marnus seemed totally disinterested in the entire affair. "And now," he said slowly, wringing his hands in glee, "for the main attraction". Follow me, sir".
So they (Marnus and Sifo-Dyas) did. They entered the room that Sifo-Dyas found Cadia in, where a table with a giant covered something lay. A dead-looking hand extended from under the cloth. sifo-Dyas was disgusted; he knew what they were going to be seeing, somehow, he just knew it. "A dead body..." Marnus murmured, unconvinced that he was about to see the results he wanted.
With a look of outright happiness, Cadia interjected "Made from that idiot inspector that came by the other day, and those Sith DNA samples I recieved before having supplies cut off. And the best part..." he trailed off dramatically, looked around as if not wanting some unseen others to hear, and whispered loudly "it works."
"Show me," was the imperative reply. Sifo-Dyas could tell this man was used to hearing such claims and the products coming up short.

With that, Doctor cadia flew around the room cackling to himself, rubbing his hands over screens of statistics regarding the creation of his, and finally threw a large lever and howled with evil laughter dripping with insanity. The room glowed with electrical energy, and several robotic arms extended to inject the dead body with unthinkable chemicals. The previously-deceased conglomeration of body parts, as Sifo-Dyas envisioned it to be, convulsed and groaned until the machines shorted out. Sifo-Dyas looked on in horror as the being, which suprised him in being seamlessly identical to a humanoid being, although it was HUGE. Apparently, cadia even went to the trouble of clothing the being beforehand: it wore colorful, almost foreign-looking robes, large enough to compliment the being's size, and a rice farmer's hat, which somehow hid its facial features very well. All that were visible on its face were glowing red eyes, and Sifo-Dyas believed he could make out its mouth, which was suggesting that it was simply interested in examining the environment. The being had an air that suggested it would find itself hard-pressed to be intimidated by anything, but also that it knew perfectly well that it was dangerous. "Director Marnus," Cadia thundered in a booming voice, "This is SPECIMEN NINE! My greatest creation". This announcement was obviously rehearsed, but Sifo-Dyas was worried by what the Council obviously had to deal with.
"I'm impressed, Doctor cadia," Marnus said, without giving away the slightest indication in his face; indeed, his expression hadn't changed throughout the entire affair. "I assume that you know what is in store for us now."
"Hmhmhmhmhmhm, yes," the demented Doc replied with an evil edge in his voice. He was stooped over and wringing his hands once again; these were evil people, Sifo-Dyas had no doubt left. Cadia continued: "With Nine alive, we now have the capability of conquering the entire Galaxy!"
Sifo-Dyas had to leave now. Suddenly, the being they called Specimen Nine snapped his gaze at the air duct. Director Marnus, looking puzzled, did as well. They all saw him! He ran. "STOP HIM!" rang through the entire air shaft before the cover for the air duct he was just over, and the rest of that area of the vent, crumpled, revealing Specimen Nine was right on his tail. Sifo-Dyas scurried like a rat would when being chased by a hawk. Mere inches behind him, the whole shaft collapsed by degrees, revealing, when he looked back, that the immense Specimen was peeling the entire thing to shreds. The chase continued for twnety minutes, the roars of the being motivation enough to continue running, before Sifo-Dyas finally glimpsed daylight.
He staggered as the area just under his right foot caved. His pursuer's man-sized hand shot up and grabbed his ankle. They struggled, but Sifo-Dyas couldn't break free. Finally, he pulled out his lightsaber and smacked the hand with the blade. The monster yowled and released him. He bolted, and burst from the vent. The guard droids processed his presence for a brief moment and fired at him. Only their guns didn't fire like any other gun Sifo-Dyas ever dealt with: instead of short bursts, their guns belched unbroken laser beams. He blocked, rolled, and sliced them all to pieces, which emitted an odd grinding noise and started to reassmeble themselves! Taking this in, Sifo-Dyas hesitated until Specimen Nine broke through the walls and telekinetically hurled the debris at him.
Sifo-Dyas took a moment to redirect the duracrete projectiles before hurling himself over the walls. Turning back for a breath as soon as the Lab was a mere stretch of steel in the distance, he saw the monster, instead of running after him as if it were mad, calmly striding exactly where he was moments before. Unsure about what to do, Sifo-Dyas drew upon the Force and began to run again...

(Finis Valorum, head of the Refugee Relief Movement, Naboo capital city of Theed, hours before, meanwhile)

Valorum had a bad feeling about something. What if things didn't go according to plan on Sooma? What if Sifo-Dyas were to need help RIGHT NOW? From what he could remember from the meeting on his ship, Sifo-Dyas's mission was important, and thus potentially dangerous. He couldn't take it anymore; something was really bugging him to go back. But he couldn't just leave NOW. Unless...
He turned to his assistant. "I believe I may have forgotten several items on my last trip. I have to leave RIGHT NOW."
Not the brightest star in the galaxy, the man didn't suspect for a second. He said that he'd cover for him until he got back, but that he had to hurry. "Oh, I will," he replied ambiguously.

(Master Sifo-Dyas, planet Sooma, Bright Jewel Oversector, Outer Rim)

He reached the plain that Valorum had dropped him off at. He had to get back to the Council. Only question was how was he going to do that with a hulking simulacrum of a lifeform that had the power of several dead Sith Lords chasing after him...slowly? Wait a minute, he hadn't even stopped to fight the thing! Did that make hime a coward? How foolish of him! He'd forgotten his weapon completely. He stood firm, awaiting the being behind him. For the next five minutes, he quietly siphoned strengh from the Force for the upcoming battle- he was going to need it; he could feel it.
The giant being soon strolled into view. "I know your kind...master Jedi," it called out as it continued to approach him, "all cowards in the face of their equals." As it drew ever closer, Sifo-Dyas came to appreciate the rumble in the creature's voice.
"My apologies. Nine wasn't it?" He called to it as if to a friend. "I'll slow down for you. In fact, I suppose you're looking for battle."
It smirked under its enormous hat. "Correct, Jedi."
Sifo-Dyas took a defensive stance. "Your move."
The creature Nine flicked its cloak and launched itself into the air. It's sledgelike fist glowed blue and crackled with energy as it descended upon Sifo-Dyas. He dodged the attack, but was knocked back from the force of the shockwave emitted by the blow's impact with the ground. While still in midair, he flipped head over heels, swinging his saber and landing a hit upon his opponent. It merely shrugged it off as if he'd only punched it! Doctor Cadia probably had outdone himself.
He landed nimbly on his feet and pulled several trees from their roots, launching them at his enemy. Nine punched the first, blocked the next two with swipes of its wrists, and blew the next from the air with a Force push. He rushed in for the attack. Left, right, left right, he was a blur. The creature matched him blow for blow, sure to smack the blade with his wrists in an advanced martial arts dance. Not only did the lightsaber not slice its hands clean off, but it also didn't even seem to give the creature pause whatsoever. It head-butted him, making the world swim. From watery eyes, he could see Nine smirking again before it almost flew to the tops of the trees, where it displayed perfect balance. It was strong, fast, virtually impervious to lightsaber attacks, AND it was smart: it was goading him, daring him to match its power, in order to weaken him. It crossed its arms, waiting.
He felt his head and discovered a small trickle of blood; nothing too bad. He quickly considered what to do. Not finding a suitable alternative, he jumped up after Nine. The two weaved to and fro, alternating between attacking and dodging each other. Each missed attack felled the tree that the other perched upon mere seconds before. after a quarter of an hour, they were running out of places to stand. If he could just keep the Specimen on the defensive... he lunged. The Specimen dodged. He lunged again; same effect. Good, he was edgeing closer and closer to where there were no trees left standing. He needed only to make it back up once more. It seemed to realize that too, so it stood there, at perfect balance, defiantly, as every downed tree floated high into the air. The creature was doing this! But it hadn't even gestured! It made a tremendous leap and landed on one of the floating logs. Damn; tthat usually worked. Undeterred, Sifo-Dyas joined it on the once-again-level playing field. he immediately had an idea. He focused upon the log he was standing on and used his mind to hurl it at his opponent. The creature merely snagged the projectile from the air...and was knocked forward by another log. In only two seconds, however, it had recovered and landed upon another log. This fight was going to take a long time.
The sound of a starship whizzed into the picture as the creature was slammed hard by a speeding Star of Iskin. Valorum! He mentally commanded the door to open, and attempted to jump inside. Specimen Nine, however, evidently had other plans: just four feet from the door, Sifo-Dyas was caught midair with the Force. He tried to push his way through the air, but it was no good. Nine drifted slowly towards him- he could FLY too?! Thinking fast, ignoring valorum's calls to him to grab his hand, he threw the lightsaber, blade first, straight at the monster's chest. He didn't care if the thud was damaging to the creature or not: he was free. He grabbed Valorum's hand before he fell, and pulled himself into the ship.
"We need to leave," he almost shouted imperatively, though unnneccessarily. Valorum rushed to the cockpit and started the ascent into space. The engines groaned, but they didn't budge. Specimen Nine was holding them with the Force! "Gun it!" He did. The ship inched forward, despite the hold on the ship the creature had. They waited, not letting up, until the ship shot forward at several times the speed of sound. They were free.
"Who the hell was that, Sifo-Dyas?"
"I'll tell you, but I need you to take me to Kamino."
"The cloners?"
"Yes. The Galaxy is about to go to war. And we need to be ready for it when it comes along."

(Count Dooku, Sorenno, meanwhile)

Dooku was dozing off at his desk. It was late, but he only just now completed the paperwork for officially becoming Count of Sorenno. his brother's death left the world in worse condition than he thought it would. He was a well-beloved ruler.
He realized that he wasn't sitting at his desk anymore. Instead, he was fighting a Sith Lord with Master Jocasta Nu, his former apprentice Qui-Gon Jinn, and Sifo-Dyas. Someone, he couldn't remember who it was, had just ordered the Sith to surrender. "You'll never escape us Plageius-"
The comm channel was chiming, and he awoke with a start. Shaking sleep from his vision, he answered the call. A robed, knobby-looking figure stood before him. "Good evening, Count."
"Who is this?"
"One like you. Someone who wishes to make a real difference in this Galaxy."
Taken aback by this statement, he quickly figured out who this must be. "You're a sith" he slowly articulated.
"Excellent deduction, Count. I have a proposal for you.'
"Hmmmm...I'm listening, nothing more."