Disclaimer: Disney owns Star Wars, not me. All the characters and places (except for my OC Analise Joy) belong to them.

"aaaa"-talking out loud."aaaa"-talking through a holo or com. 'aaaaa'-inner thoughts. aaaaa-talking through a Bond

AN: I'm changing things up a little with the clones. The age acceleration thing bothered me, so I'm making Obi-Wan bothered by it too.

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Chapter Thrity-Six

Obi-Wan kept his hands folded within the sleeves of his robe as a proper Jedi would. Locked onto his face was a vague expression of only the most basic interest in the topic being presented to him. Lama Su walked behind him, taking smaller steps so that he didn't outpace their guest. Taun We came behind him, always ready to jump in and offer some comment or another.

The pair escorted Obi-Wan along a walkway. The sides and top were glass, clear so that at any point along the tour Obi-Wan able to simply turn his head one way or the other and be able to see everything.

Right now on either side were circular plates. Stuck into these were see-through containers in which floated beings. Babies, male human babies. Thousands of them. Obi-Wan gripped his bracelet, feeling uneasy.

"The main difference between droids and clones is that clones can think creatively. They are able to independently think and solve unexpected problems that pop up. You will find them immensely superior to droids in that and many other ways." Lama Su beamed with pride as they moved from the first stage to a view overlooking one of the many schoolrooms. "We are most proud of our extensive combat education and training programs. After they have learned the basics, our clones thereafter take classes in only those subjects that will help them on the battlefield. these clones were created five years ago."

Obi-Wan turned to face the window. Row upon row of identical young boys were standing at computer terminals. Each boy standing at a terminal wore thin caps with devices that monitored everything from pulse to brain waves. At the bottom of the room Obi-Wan could make out the figures of boys moving among the taller Kaminoans who towered over them.

He felt sorry for the boys. Even before the Order changed its rules and Code to allow for more freedom, Jedi Younglings were still allowed to be children. Even if their games doubled as training exercises and free time grew shorter and shorter with each passing year.

"They are only five years old?"

"Yes, we use growth acceleration so that the clones age quicker. Otherwise a mature clone would take a lifetime to grow."

"Wouldn't that mean they die faster from natural causes?" Lama Su waved a hand.

"It is of no matter. We can always make more and if they die too soon, we use their deaths to find ways to make the clones better and stronger."

He frowned. To a Jedi, all life was sacred. The clones were alive and while identical Obi-Wan was sure that each one had their own personality. Their own identity. The clones were living, breathing, thinking beings.

He was glad Qui-Gon and Analise were not here. His betrothed and future father-in-law were gentle souls wholly in-tune with the Living Force. Hearing Lama Su's callus words about the clones would have the pair massing a breakout of the clones.

"I am not sure the Council will share your viewpoints on the use of age acceleration. In fact I know they will not." Obi-Wan raised a hand as Lama Su started to protest. "I am not saying that they will require you to stop using it to bring the clones to full maturity, but they will want to see it halted after that though. Is there a way such a thing could be done?"

"I believe so." Taun We stepped in. She was a gentle Kaminoan and in all honesty had never felt comfortable with the attitude most of her fellow Kaminoans had towards the clones. "One of our doctors and scientists, Nala Se would be the one to know the most."

"Thank you." Obi-Wan bowed to Taun We before they moved on. "I think that would make the Council feel better. All life is sacred to us."

"A wise belief Master Kenobi" Lama Su broke in. They were now moving past a canteen filled to the brim with fully grown men. "Now you need not worry about any outbursts or refusals to follow orders from the clones. We had modified their genetic structure so that they are totally obedient." One of the men cast a glance up to the walk-way. Obi-Wan covered a smirk. That particular man did not look to wholly obedient. The look he shot the pair of Kaminoans by his side was one of challenge while he peered at the Jedi with curiosity.

"Why change their structure?"

"Their template is a man who simply embodies the word independence." Lama Su gave a long suffering sigh as if there was nothing more trying to him than a human who was strongly independent.

"Who is the template?"

"A bounty hunter named Jango Fett. He is particularly skilled at his trade." Obi-Wan stopped in his tracks which made his two guides stop.

"And where is now?" Lama Su smiled.

"We keep him here. We need fresh DNA periodically, so it is easier if he is housed here, but we do allow him to leave for business trips." Obi-Wan nodded and they began to move again. "We provide housing here for him, as well as a handsome sum for the use of his DNA. He did have one request, a rather odd one; but we honored it." Lama Su waved a hand a little bit, the Kaminoan equivalent of a shrug used when something was beyond their understanding. "He wanted a clone, totally unaltered."

"Unaltered?"

"A direct genetic copy. No age acceleration or genetic modification. He treats this clone as his son. I do not understand."

A bounty hunter. One whose base was far away from any real Republic presence with a seemingly unlimited amount of credits and the freedom to come and go as he pleased. It might be who he was seeking.

"I would like to meet this bounty hunter." Obi-Wan kept his tone light and pleasant. "I would like to talk with and I am sure the Council would be interested in knowing the man from whom the clones came from."

"I will be happy to arrange it for you." Taun We bent down a little as they passed a room filled with clones being outfitted with battle armor. "He is on his way back so you might be able to meet him tomorrow."

"I look forward to it." Lama Su gestured, upset that Obi-Wan's attention were not on his product.

"Come. This will allow you to fully take in all we have done." Obi-Wan allowed himself to be escorted out onto a balcony overlooking a hanger. Lama Su and Taun We allowed Obi-Wan to step forward to look at the view. A never ending sea of white. Clones marched through Obi-Wan's view, up a ramp to somewhere else. Obi-Wan knew not where. He caught flashes of color, blue and yellow on some of the clones. He did not stop to think what it meant.

Before lay a army. The future fighting force of the Republic.

"Magnificent isn't it?" Lama Su's voice was filled with undisguised pride.

Obi-Wan glanced at the Prime Minister of Kamino than turned his gaze back to the troopers below.

Magnificent wasn't the word he would use to describe it.