Chapter Two: Beneath the Surface
To the untrained eye, Jedi Master Luminara Unduli was daydreaming.
Standing aboard the bridge of the Tranquility, she faced the ship's progression through hyperspace with her hands clasped, her slender shoulders relaxed, and her eyes slightly out of focus. Despite the movement of the ship her body held still, so much so that as he approached her it was almost impossible to tell if she was breathing; however, Commander Gree knew her well enough to realize that she was deep in concentration. It was a skill he both envied and admired.
He had long ago perfected the art of walking without making a sound, but even so the Mirialan woman turned to him and met his gaze with disconcertingly sharp eyes. "Commander." It was a greeting and a question.
Feet halting to stand exactly one meter away from her, his hand lifted in a salute before he spoke. "General Unduli. We've received word that Ventress' ship was sighted near Sullust not two hours ago. I've already informed the helm."
"Excellent work, Commander," she replied. The hint of warmth in her voice was indicative of praise more than any words that she could have spoken. "I only hope that we are able to capture her once and for all. Already we've spent far too much time in this pursuit."
At this they shared a look; it was not so long ago that Dooku's agent had thrown this very ship into turmoil and the memory of the incident was enough to make Gree wince – behind his bucket, of course. A small part of his mind wondered if the general shared his embarrassment over the failure, but he cast the thought aside, as he knew that Jedi did not bother themselves with such petty concerns. He cleared his throat. "I think we have a good shot this time, sir."
Her mouth curved. "And why is that, Commander?"
Though not unexpected, the question gave him pause. "We've faced her before," he said at last. "We know her movements and her patterns. We're prepared."
The Jedi Master nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "That is all true, but do not let those facts cloud your judgment. She is still wild and unpredictable." As if sensing his disappointment she gave him a look that he thought was kind. "I do have faith in your abilities, Commander."
"As I do in yours, sir." The words fell out of his mouth before he could stop them, and for a moment he considered apologizing for the informality as he felt a flash of embarrassment streak through him. I should just keep my mouth shut. It'll sound even more odd if I say anything else. However, after a moment he spoke again. "I won't fail you, General."
Until she answered, he'd thought that she had not heard his words, as she turned and faced the viewscreen once more. But when she did reply, her voice was quiet. "I know." Her headdress swayed as she gave him a sideways glance and her voice was clear once more. "Live and learn, Gree. It's the only way to survive."
After a moment's hesitation, the commander moved beside her and they watched the receding stars together.
The storm obscured the fact that it was the deepest part of night on Kamino, and Creon felt a twinge of gratitude for the additional shadows as he walked along one of the rotunda platforms. The charcoal cloak that fell to his ankles gave him the sense that he was blending into the roiling clouds themselves as he made his way to the hangar bay where he was to start his new life. Anticipation coiled within him, serpentine and waiting to strike, though he kept the feeling at bay for now; he was accustomed to holding his thoughts in check. Soon I won't have to. Soon my life will be my own and I will be beholden to no other than my work.
Any footfalls would have been silent on their own, but the rush of water against wind combined with the shuddering of pressures in the sky muted the sound of the clones until he was nearly on top of them. It was a small group of twelve units, armored but unarmed. Creon reckoned that they were on patrol, practicing for their futures on the battlefield. The moment he came into view they halted and raised their hands in silent salute, for everyone who lived on Kamino knew that it was useless to try and speak if the elements were raging.
Weak eyes, he thought as his gaze swept across them like a tide. Insufficient durability. They could be so much more than merely Human. Why the Republic saw fit to clone such an insignificant species is beyond me. Still, though, they were useful in their own ways. The ones in his labs had been resilient – to a point – but Creon knew potential when he saw it. The one thing that Humans can claim is that they are adaptable. I know that I can use that to my favor...if I only have the opportunity. No, I will not be sorry to leave this place.
He passed the units in a few strides and reached the hangar several minutes later. There were a gleaming array of Kaminoan ships, any one of which he could have taken, but he was not here to do such a menial job. His hands folded beneath his robe; Creon stood still even as the storm seethed around him, snapping like some wild creature at the dark and silent city.
Minutes passed.
Few Kaminoans fidgeted, but Creon was one of them at the moment. Save for one or two units on maintenance duty, there was no one about for a long while and he began to wonder if he'd made an error. No, he thought, watching as the hangar was brought into stark relief for an instant when a bolt of lightning struck between nearby clouds. It is the right course. I refuse to have my hands bound by the edicts of Lama Su and the Republic any longer, I must follow my true calling. My work shall not be reined in ever again. A clap of thunder made the platform below his feet vibrate and he watched as the clones across the hangar hurried away from the entrance that opened to the stormfront.
Finally a soft sound alerted him to a new presence and his eyes dropped down as another robed figure came into view; he let out a breath that he had been unaware he was holding as the figure indicated that he should follow. Not as sound could be heard above the storm, even as the strange ship lifted from its hiding place – some hidden alcove that had been overlooked – and rose through the biting wind to break the atmosphere.
If he had been more sentimental, Weave might have thought that Semele was a pretty world. Like Coruscant, it consisted mainly of a planet-wide city, though there were several vast stretches of untouched natural land that its inhabitants had gone to great lengths to preserve, more out of a desire for their own recreational amusements than to keep a part of their planet's history alive. For the most part the planet seemed to sparkle in the viewport as their transport approached the capitol city of Bez; Weave sent a transmission to the hangar where they were to set the ship down and sighed as his brothers erupted into laughter behind him.
I don't get it. He glanced back to see Crest, Traxis and Milo seated around the small table in the ship's galley, watching a replay of the most recent bolo-ball game. It's just a bunch of guys running around after a ball, knocking the sense out of each other. What purpose does it serve?
Beside him, Captain Stonewall raised his brow. "You sure I can't get you to root for Eltair? It would tip the scale in our favor." The glow of the console made his brother's hair a bright indigo and Weave couldn't help his frown.
What is it about this game that turns rational men into complete fools? "I don't really see the point of the whole thing, Captain." The words came out sharper than he'd meant and he took a moment to settle his thoughts before speaking again. "Besides, even if I decided to chose a team, I'm not sure I could show such a display of...commitment that you have."
If Stonewall noticed his annoyance, he ignored it. "Commitment. That's a very diplomatic way to say what you're really thinking. It's okay," he added with a chuckle. "Kali thinks the same thing."
At this, Weave glanced at the controls. "They gave us clearance to land." He began to make the necessary adjustments to the helm and the ship moved towards the appropriate point on the planet's surface. He cast a surreptitious look at Stonewall, whose attention was focused on the dark-haired woman emerging from the 'fresher. I can't blame him, I guess.
With this thought, Weave gave a small shake of his head. Stop, he told himself. Stop right now. It's stupid and pointless to waste energy thinking what you're thinking...there's no use wishing that things were different. He cleared his throat. "I've got this," he said to the captain. "The Wayfarer doesn't really need two to land, if you have something else you need to take care of." Weave could see the debate in his brother's eyes, the pull in two different directions between duty and desire.
But the general – Kalinda – rendered the decision moot as she approached them at the helm. "We're landing already?" She stood besides the captain and put a hand on his shoulder almost absently.
Weave didn't want to look at them so he nodded to the planet below. "We got lucky, I think. We should be landing in Bez within twenty minutes."
"Good. That'll give me more than enough time to meet with my contact." She cast Stonewall a glance and Weave tried to ignore the pang of longing he felt at their shared gaze. "You're really going out like that?"
He grinned up at her. "I can't let all of your hard work go to waste, now can I?"
"I'm glad I have at least one other person who's not in a flurry over this game, right Weave?"
The medic swallowed. "Me too, Gen...Kalinda." As if on impulse he glanced at Stonewall but the other man only had eyes for the Jedi. Everything else falls away from him when he sees her. I wonder what it would feel like to have someone in your life like that? I wonder if the Kaminoans even thought a clone could fall in love? The questions had no ready answers, so Weave gave a quiet sigh, looked back at the helm and began to guide the ship through the atmosphere.
Semele's capitol city, Bez, was in a fervor over the bolo-ball finals. The moment that Kalinda and the members of Shadow Squad left the hangar they were assaulted by a riot of purple and green – the colors for Eltair and Dremm, respectively – found everywhere from flags and pennants hung in windows and doorways, to the clothing of almost every individual that they passed. Anticipation was thick in the air as citizens and tourists alike were focused single-mindedly on the upcoming event.
"This is going to be amazing," Crest said, craning his neck to watch a screen facing outside in a nearby caf, showing some kind of pre-game discussion. "Dremm's victory...and we'll see it live." Naturally, this sparked a debate between him, Traxis and Milo, and for several moments their voices mingled with the hum of the crowd. Though it was nearly impossible for a group of five identical men to remain inconspicuous, they had elected to wear an assortment of civilian garb they'd collected over the past year to help them stand out a little less; it looked to be working, though it could have been the fact that the passers-by had other things on their minds then the bickering clones.
As she listened, Kali smiled to herself. They're just like any other men right now. It was the right decision to let the guys blow off some steam. The streets were too crowded to move a speeder through, so they were walking to their destination: one of the larger cantinas that had massive viewscreens which were showing the match. Kali glanced at her chrono. Good. Even with the crowds we should be right on schedule.
"I'm not sure how long the meeting will last," she said to Stone as they stood outside the cantina. "If the game is still going on, we'll just meet you on the ship once it's over."
He nodded, then smiled down at her as a group of young Duros males passed by, covered head to toe in purple paint and little else, swaying as they sang what sounded like a fighting song. "Suddenly the hair doesn't seem so bad, does it?"
She laughed and kissed his cheek. "Have fun." Looking to the others she raised a brow. "I don't need to remind you to keep your heads clear, do I? We're technically in the middle of a mission."
Crest gave her a salute while Traxis and Milo nodded. "We'll be the very picture of dignity and professionalism," the bald clone replied. "Though I can't promise that the shiny won't cry when Eltair gets their shebs kicked."
"Let's get a move on," Stone said, shooting Kali a last look as he urged the others through the cantina doors.
She watched them go for a moment then turned to Weave, who had remained by her side. "I lied, you know."
He looked startled. "What?"
"We have longer than I said," she replied. "I just wanted to get something to eat first, but I knew that they'd be too anxious to get going to that precious game. Hungry?" He nodded and they began to make their way through the crowded streets until they reached an open air stall from which delicious smells were emanating. Kali ran her eyes over the menu before looking at Weave. "Know what you want?"
"Er..." he studied the menu and she was reminded of the first time she'd taken Stone to a restaurant on Coruscant.
He had no clue what to order. I don't think he'd ever even been inside a caf either. She could sense Weave's uncertainty so she shook her head. "I can order for you, if you want." The words were in Mando'a, though they were disjointed and halting, as she'd only recently begun trying to learn the language in earnest. However, her pidgin version was enough to draw a smile from the clone as he nodded.
When they were called forward, Kali stepped up to the window and placed their order, noting how the server's eyes slid over Weave with suspicion, though the Lorrdian man said nothing; several minutes later they were handed trays of steaming local food which they carried to an open-air seating area along the sidewalk. There happened to be a table free, so they sat across from one another and began to eat. She could feel anxiety radiating from him, a realization that gave her pause. I never sensed anything like this from him before. But it doesn't feel anything like Stone's initial attraction to me; that was so focused and intense. This is broader and m ore elusive. He's discontent about...something.
Rather than question him, she decided to leave the matter alone for now. "Good, isn't it?" She smiled as he nodded, though he was still silent.
However, after a few minutes he seemed to relax, meeting her eyes. "Your contact is the Jedi Master Djinn Altis, isn't it? I've never heard of him before he called you the other day."
"He's not a typical Jedi," she said after a moment, choosing her words with care. "Many years ago he chose to diverge from the rest of the Order to teach in his own fashion. Most Jedi consider him and his ideas to be strange, at the very least."
Weave was listening to her intently. "Why?"
"Because I ask too many questions." They both turned to see the source of the voice: an older Human male, wearing a hood and cloak as she was. His white beard was neatly trimmed and his eyes were clear as he regarded Kali, who had risen to her feet at the sound of the other Jedi's voice. "Kalinda Halcyon, as I live and breathe...It's been a long time, hasn't it, child?"
"Hello, Master Altis," she replied giving him a slight bow which he brushed off with a wave of his hand, clasping her hands in his own and smiling at her. "We had a little extra time, so we thought we'd get some dinner." She gestured to their table. "Are you hungry? We have enough to feed an army here."
He slid down beside her and gave Weave a friendly smile. "Perhaps in a moment. Who is this lad?"
At these words, Weave sat up and gave a crisp salute as Kali introduced him. "This is Weave, one of the members of the squad I've been working with this past year." She grinned. "I'd introduce you to the others, but they're currently engrossed in the bolo-ball finals, along with everyone else on this planet, it seems."
Master Altis reached forward to shake Weave's hand, causing the clone to hesitate for a fraction of a second before he returned the gesture; after this, the elder Jedi turned to Kali, his hands folded on the table before him. "A good place to have our clandestine meeting, then. I don't think that anyone will pay us any mind." He paused to regard her and Kali felt her spine straightening almost reflexively under his steady gaze. "You look very well," he said at last. "Happy."
"It's been an eventful year," she replied. "You look the same. I think the last time I saw you was...Bespin? Was it really almost ten years ago?"
He nodded. "My students are flourishing there. You should come by again, if you have a chance."
"Perhaps." She cleared her throat and looked at her hands. "What news do you have for me, Master?"
"Ah, of course." He inhaled and reached for one of the rolls that she'd offered, though he only toyed with it. After a moment he looked at her. "Thank you for meeting with me so quickly. It is a troubling matter and I'm not sure how the Council will react. Several weeks ago a group of young clones was...taken."
At this, Weave looked up from his plate, his eyes focused on the Jedi Master. "Taken? From where?"
Altis sighed, suddenly looking much older than he was. "Their transport was en route from Kamino, heading through the Pelgrin System and never made contact with its destination. It would have been thought to be a Separatist attack but for the fact that no wreckage was found even after extensive scans. No debris, no trace of them." He looked from Weave to Kali and his face was grim. "A Clone Youth Brigade squad: eight boys in total, along with their guardian."
Kali felt a knot of grief within her chest. "Why are you uncertain about the Council's reaction? Surely they'll want to investigate the matter?"
Here the older Jedi paused, his eyes resting on Weave for several moments before he spoke. "The Kaminoans have reported that the area is known for being fraught with unstable nebulae; they do not seem to think that there were any survivors. In spite of this, I hope that the Council will investigate, Kalinda. I really do. However," he looked back at the dark-haired woman. "Something tells me that they will have more pressing issues to concern themselves with. It isn't that they don't care," he added as she opened her mouth to reply. "But I have a feeling I know what their reaction will be and you may not like it."
The table was silent for several minutes, even as the buzz of conversation and excitement rippled around them. There was another cantina nearby that was showing the finals and Kali could hear shouting and raucous laughter emanating from the establishment. She reached through the Force to Stone and gave a small sigh of relief when she sensed his happiness and excitement at the game. Eltair was winning, though it was close. When she looked back at Master Altis, he was regarding her with the air of one who missed nothing.
"I have a friend on the Council I can speak with," she replied at last, thinking of Obi-Wan. "If nothing else, perhaps the guys and I can find them."
Altis nodded again, though his tone was skeptical. "I certainly hope so, Kali." After another pause he smiled at her once more. "I have heard much talk of your exploits," he said. "You've created quite a stir."
She felt a flash of apprehension pierce her at these words, though she suppressed it. "In what regard? I haven't exactly been in the middle of any battles."
"Word gets around," he replied with a chuckle. "You've had quite a few successful missions and you've made considerable use of your talents in ways other than swinging a lightsaber around. In that regard, you remind me so much of Jonas. He was a good friend, if a bit on the stubborn side. He always made his own way."
At the mention of her first master – her father – Kali felt a thrill of old sorrow and her eyes lowered. "I'd forgotten that you knew one another." She noticed Weave's eyes flick to her; though he'd been silent she knew that he was listening to every word.
Master Altis folded his hands in his lap, seeming to choose his next words with care. "We had many discussions," he said at last, meeting her gaze. "He was always concerned for your well-being. I think he would be pleased to see what you've made of your life."
She frowned. Weave doesn't know about Jonas being my father. Not that it matters, but I'd rather keep some things to myself. I guess I'm not so different from Stone in that way. "He taught me as best he could." She looked back at Altis and took a deep breath. "You seem well enough, Master. I know that the Council is appreciative of you and your students' humanitarian efforts in the wars." It was not-so-subtle of an attempt to steer the conversation away from other subjects and he acquiesced.
"We all do what we are able, though I wonder if it will be enough." He leaned back and studied the passers-by, giving Kali a moment to study the man that her father had spoken of upon occasion.
According to the Council, he's something of an embarrassment; just a hairsbreadth short of a heretic, if it weren't for his countless acts of compassion and goodwill. She cleared her throat. "I heard about Athar. It was fortunate that the situation was resolved as well as it was, though I know that Anakin said it was your first 'taste' of the wars. But then, he's on the front lines all the time, so he's a bit biased."
He nodded, his hand creeping to his beard in a motion that reminded her of Obi-Wan. "It was...enlightening, to say the least." He glanced at Weave. "It was the first opportunity that I had to work with your brothers. Needless to say, I was quite impressed, for many reasons."
Kali watched as Weave nodded, though he said nothing. Again, she could feel...something from him, some flicker of anxiety, though it was nameless and without a solid form. Finally he looked up and gave a small smile to the Jedi. "Thank you, sir."
Weave listened to the two Jedi with unconcealed interest. He noted that the general – Kalinda, he told himself – seemed to be troubled at the news of the young clones' disappearance and wondered what the Jedi Council would make of the matter. On Kamino it was not unusual for entire groups of clones to disappear, though he'd never heard of such a thing happening mid-transport. The thought of Kamino made him shudder. They called it "reconditioning," but it was culling the herd, pure and simple. A trace of old fear squirmed in his brain, but he pushed it aside as he focused on the Jedi.
Once the talk turned to Kalinda's old Master, he found that his curiosity level increased exponentially and he realized that he knew very little of the dark-haired Jedi's life prior to the time when he'd met her. Though we've been in countless scrapes together, I don't really know her, do I? She's been alive a lot longer than any of us, after all. Sometimes he wondered if that knowledge bothered Stone, though by his brother's continued involvement with the Jedi, he doubted it. And who can blame him? To have someone who cares for you like that, regardless of anything else...could I ever be that lucky?
He frowned to himself. I should just be thankful for what I do have. It's pointless to wonder if things could be different.
There was a pause in the conversation and he heard the question before he knew he was asking it. "General Altis...what makes your students different from the other Jedi?" Both Jedi looked at one another and he felt a bit embarrassed for the sudden outburst. "Forgive me, sir," he added. "Sometimes I'm too curious."
"There's no such thing," the elder Jedi said with a smile. "Simply put, I'm rather...unorthodox when it comes to the 'normal' rules of how a Jedi's life is supposed to go. My students are allowed to form romantic bonds – even get married, if they wish – and I have several Padawans at the moment as opposed to just one."
Kalinda shifted in her seat; Weave noted that she looked uncomfortable with the talk even though she tried to keep her expression neutral as Altis continued. "I even have a few non-Force users at the academy...all who wish to learn and do a bit of good in this galaxy are welcome."
Weave nodded, absorbing the information and Kalinda's reaction, though he said nothing further. As if sensing his fellow Jedi's emotions, Altis changed the subject and the Jedi began to discuss other, more innocuous matters. It was while the Jedi were speaking of people he'd never met and places he'd never been that the transmission came through. Kalinda cast an apologetic look at Master Altis and lifted her comm, activating it to voice-only. "Master Windu?"
The voice of the Jedi Master sounded small amidst the jeers and shouts of the crowds as one of the teams scored another goal or point or whatever the correct term was. Weave leaned forward to listen. "Kalinda...we've just received word from Kamino. It's urgent that you head there immediately."
The dark-haired Jedi frowned. "What happened?"
"Creon Dai, a prominent Kaminoan scientist has gone missing," Windu replied. "It is imperative that you find out his location. If he's been taken by the Separatists, it could be catastrophic for the army. His knowledge of clone genetics..." The Jedi trailed off, leaving the thought unsaid and Weave felt a chill pass through him. After a pause, he spoke again. "Shaak Ti has been temporarily called away, so I need you and your squad to investigate the matter at once."
At the mention of what was essentially his home planet, Weave tried not to wince as he again felt a thrill of fear pass through him; this time it was harder to push away. No. No...I don't want to go back.
Kalinda's reply was swift. "Of course, Master. We'll head out at once." She paused, her eyes flicking to Altis, who was listening to the exchange with interest. "I have some news for you as well." She relayed what the other Jedi had told her regarding the missing clone cadets. "We'll look into it as soon as possible."
There was a pause before Windu answered. "Understood. However, Creon Dai must be your priority at the moment...if his knowledge is disseminated throughout the Separatists, it could mean ruin for all clones. Contact the Council once you have any information." With this the Jedi signed off and Weave watched as Kalinda took a deep breath, her eyes still on her comm. Finally she looked back up at the Jedi Master and something passed between them, some shared knowledge that Weave was not privy to; but still, it was better to wonder at their reaction than dwell on his own misgivings, no matter how hard pressed he was to do so.
After a moment she rose, Weave and Master Altis following suit. "Thank you for your information, Master. I hope we're able to do something about it." She extended her hand to the other Jedi, who shook his head and embraced the dark-haired woman.
"I would like to speak with you again, Kalinda," he said, the words so quiet that Weave almost missed them. "About many things." His voice was kind and careful, though his gaze was sharp.
She drew back and studied him a moment before indicating to Weave that it was time to go. "Perhaps, but right now we have a job to do. Good luck out there. May the Force be with you."
Master Djin Altis nodded. After he shook Weave's hand again, his own hands folded before him as he met her gaze and Weave's as well. "And you, child. Always."
A/N: Forgot to thank SerendipityAEY for your beta-ing and sachariah for your technical knowledge. You guys kick major shebs! The mention of Athar was a reference to the Karen Traviss' novel, No Prisoners.
