Sabé wasn't sure if she should be impressed or horrified with more and more of what she saw, but she was leaning very much toward the latter.

The tour had started at what could only be described as the fetus banks as they had walked through a room that felt like the size of the Senate itself, only this was filled with rows upon rows of bottled containers carrying fetuses in various stages of development. And Sabé was almost certain she could see the slow growth of the babies inside.

The Kaminoans had explained the benefits of the clones and their technology, especially as compared to droids, in a clinically detached voice that sent chills down her spine. She was not used to such inhumanity in the face of science: her past experiences had always been a fight of one side of morality against the other. She wasn't quite sure how to respond to this apparent complete disregard of morality in it's entirety as she passed a room filled with children barely older than toddlers and then another filled with young teenagers, all studying intently at their desks.

"We take great pride in our combat education and training programs." The prime minister was saying as Obi-Wan stopped outside the window that looked down into the room of teens. "This group was created about five years ago."

By this point, both Sabé and Obi-Wan were fully dry again but the cold had nothing to do with the shiver Sabé suppressed while Obi-Wan prompted carefully, "You mentioned growth acceleration."

"Oh, yes." The prime minister nodded. "It's essential. Otherwise, a mature clone would take a lifetime to grow. Now, we can do it in half the time."

"I see." Obi-Wan murmured and Sabé was almost tempted to respond sarcastically, "Do you?"

Almost.

Instead, she held her tongue, her thinned lips the only sign of her disapproval as they continued on their tour, this time stopping over a clear walkway that looked down into a canteen where fully-adult men, all identical, sat in even rows as they dug into identical meals.

"They are totally obedient, taking any order without question." The prime minister continued and Sabé fought a shiver at the thought.

'What if they were ordered to murder a child?' She wondered despite herself. 'Would they follow it without missing a beat?'

"We modified their genetic structure to make them less independent than the original host."

"And who was the original host?" Obi-Wan questioned almost absently as he stared down at the cloone army below.

"A bounty hunter called Jango Fett."

It was a good thing Obi-Wan stopped in his tracks at the prime minister's words. Sabé had stopped so suddenly, her head flying around to stare at the prime minister in shock, that it would have looked quite awkward if the Kaminoans hadn't been focused on Obi-Wan as he asked intently but with better concealed curiosity than Sabé, "And where is this bounty hunter now?"

"Oh, we keep him here." The prime minster replied quite easily as they began to walk again although Sabé's attention was now fixed entirely on the prime minister's words even if she let her gaze fall on the various clones training below to avoid suspicion.

"Apart from his pay, which is considerable, Fett demanded only one thing: an unaltered clone for himself. Curious, isn't it?"

"Unaltered?" Obi-Wan repeated questioningly.

"Pure genetic replication." The prime minister explained. "No tampering with the structure to make it more docile, and no growth acceleration."

Sabé frowned; her interest was mainly in this man who could very well be Padmé's attempted murderer (or the murderer of her attempted murderer). But even then she couldn't ignore the strangeness of the man's request: what would he want from an exact replica of himself only twenty or so younger?

Of course, all of this was outweighed by the desire to dig into this clue around Padmé's killer so Sabé was gratified when Obi-Wan said quite casually, "I should very much like to meet this Jango Fett."

"I would be very happy to arrange it for you." Their guide from before, who had since introduced herself as Taun We and who remained gliding gracefully beside them, offered.

Sabé had to admit, she was impressed; the Obi-Wan she had known was not exactly socially adept let alone almost a politician. And then she almost smiled as she thought about how offended he was sure to be if he were to ever hear himself described as such.

The almost smile was wiped instantly away however as they reached the end of their tour, a balcony that overlooked an enormous docking bay. Sabé's steps faltered and she stood in shocked silence while she and Obi-Wan stared down at the sight below.

Rows upon rows - no, squadrons upon squadrons of men dressed in pure white armour and identical helmets with matching black blasters strapped to their right, marched throughout the entire docking bay. Each was led by a trooper wearing armour marked with yellow accents and not one moved even a finger differently from their peers. Their formation and the steady pace of their march was identical to a droid army but the humanoid figures added an element of bone-chilling horror to the entire picture as the troops marched onboard huge fighter vehicles.

Sabé swallowed, her mouth suddenly extremely dry and she couldn't quite mask her fear as the prime minister stated proudly, "Magnificent, aren't they?"

Obi-Wan couldn't respond this time, even for politeness sake as he also digested the sight before him and what it all ultimately meant. Sabé was doing the same as she stared at the clones who had been created ten years ago, before the Military Creation Act was even in the talks of being created. Before Padmé was fighting battles with the Senate, before the current Chancellor Palpatine was even in power.

This was a plan that had been years in the making, and that thought made the hairs on Sabé's body rise. And then of course there were the questions: why would someone want the Republic to have an army, ten years before there was any talk of needing one? Why would they keep it a secret and why would someone from the same planet creating the army for the Republic try to have Padmé killed? Who would want a Republic Army that desperately and why?

Or perhaps it was the opposite: what if this army wasn't for the Republic? What if it was a lie to the Kaminoans to prevent their suspicions and it was instead for the Separatists? That would better explain why the existence of the planet had been wiped from one of the oldest archives in the galaxy as Count Dooku himself was rumoured to be leading the Separatist party. Except it wasn't Count Dooku but Master Sifo-Dyas who had commissioned the army and who would have had equal opportunity to erase the information from the archives. Not to mention the Kaminoans didn't exactly look like they had many qualms about who they served.

But if Master Sifo-Dyas had really commissioned an army, why had he done it? Sabé knew nothing about the Jedi master to even hazard a guess but she wondered if he had seen something in the Force. Obi-Wan had once told her that those who were very strong with the Force like Master Yoda could sometimes see the future: was it possible that Master Sifo-Dyas had seen a situation where he had felt it was necessary to build a clone army? Yet how did Padmé fit into that picture? Sabé highly doubted a Jedi Master would want someone to be killed for the army.

Or was it simply that the two cases were unrelated to one another? Bounty hunters weren't exactly known for being particularly devoted: it was just as likely that the man had volunteered to be paid to have himself cloned for a Republic army and agreed to be paid to assassinate a Senator who was interfering with someone's plans (whether that be proponents of the Military Creation Act, Separatists, or someone who just really hated Padmé).

That thought didn't exactly reassure Sabé and it still failed to answer the glaring question before her. Aside from the questions of morality in creating a clone in the first place, why would anyone go to such great lengths to create an army? What were they preparing to fight?

Memories from ten years ago flashed through Sabé's mind: palace guards shot down beside her, people lying starved to death in camps, Gungun bodies laid out in rows after brave troops fell to the droid army on the plains of Naboo, Qui-Gon with a burnt hole right through his middle from where he had been stabbed by one of the deadliest weapons in the galaxy.

She was starting to feel more than a little bit ill when something pressed against her hand.

Sabé almost jumped but instead she gripped Obi-Wan's hand tightly in return as he offered her silent comfort, hidden from any eyes thanks to the thickness of their cloaks and the close proximity they had maintained the entire time they were on the planet. He didn't look at her nor did she look at him, but Sabé felt her emotions settle a little bit more as they stood together, staring out at an army that could have been built for one thing only.

War.

The Kaminoans were surprisingly continually helpful as, shortly after the prime minister ended the tour, he requested Taun We to take them to meet Jango if they were not too tired.

Obi-Wan agreed instantly although he again signaled silently for Sabé to remain safely behind him as they followed the Kaminoan down toward what became increasingly obvious was the living quarters of the planet's inhabitants. She led them to one door in particular where, after she buzzed on the door, a child that looked identical to the ones they had seen earlier in the study halls opened the door to greet them.

"Boba," Taun We greeted the child. "Is your father here?"

"Yep." The child answered although he eyed Obi-Wan and Sabé suspiciously.

"May we see him?" Their guide asked politely while Obi-Wan observed the child.

Sabé wasn't quite sure what to think of the young boy, who looked about the same age Anakin had been when she had first met him. Unlike the Tatooine native, who had been quite chipper despite his disappointment in leaving his mother behind and who had exuded a warm innocence that made it easy to see why Padmé had grown so fond of him, this boy was almost cold. There was a calculative gleam in his eyes that didn't look right on a child and this was further cemented in Sabé's mind when the boy's eyes raked over her and then Obi-Wan, before he replied brusquely.

"Sure." He moved away to allow them to enter behind him while he wandered into the modest apartment, calling, "Dad, Taun We's here."

Obi-Wan and Sabé stepped into the dwelling behind the child, Boba, and Taun We followed behind them. The view from the sitting room was one of the outside, although Sabé wouldn't call the never-ending thunderstorm a very peaceful sight. There was also something in the air, something about the whole situation, which made her feel quite anxious and restless. Obi-Wan seemed to share her unease as he looked around carefully before they both turned as a door to the bedrooms slid open from the short entrance hall they had just passed.

"Jango," Taun We greeted the man who walked out, who was an identical match to all the clones Sabé and Obi-Wan had just seen. "Welcome back. Was your trip productive?"

Obi-Wan bowed slightly in greeting to the other man as Jango stopped before him, but Sabé noticed the other man failed to do the same as he eyed Obi-Wan and then her even if he answered Taun We smoothly.

"Fairly."

As though oblivious to the tension in the room, Taun We introduced calmly, "This is Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and his companion, Lady Sabé Lorennie. They've come to check on our progress."

Jango raised a skeptical brow but he said nothing as Obi-Wan offered politely, "Your clones are very impressive. You must be very proud."

Jango didn't pause before he answered although his tone was as careful as his gaze when he did.

"I'm just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe."

"Ever made your way as far into the interior as Coruscant?" Obi-Wan asked so smoothly that at first his words didn't fully register for Sabé. When they did, she was glad she'd followed Padmé throughout her political career because she had been very tempted to shoot Obi-Wan an admiring look.

Unfortunately, Jango Fett was apparently (and perhaps quite appropriately) much better versed in skirting truths as he didn't hesitate before he answered with a light shrug, "Once or twice."

"Recently?" Obi-Wan asked again, not even his soft tone masking his bluntness.

Sabé saw the way Boba's eyes slid to his father and she stiffened a little bit when Jango took a little longer to answer this time as he observed Obi-Wan with thinly veiled hostility.

"Possibly." The bounty hunter answered noncommittally.

But Obi-Wan breezed over the tension that was growing in the room as he observed casually, "Then you must know Master Sifo-Dyas."

Jango was clearly not convinced by Obi-Wan's smooth talking and he took a longer moment this time to respond. Strolling with a little too much force to pass as casual despite his passive stance, he walked passed Obi-Wan and Sabé to stand before the large windows in his sitting room. He murmured something sharply to Boba as he walked, and Sabé watched the boy leave before she and Obi-Wan turned back to Jango as he addressed them once more.

"Master who?"

"Sifo-Dyas." Obi-Wan repeated while Sabé glanced over curiously as she heard a faint beep and she saw Boba had closed the door to the bedroom that Jango had entered through. "Is he not the Jedi who hired you for this job?"

Sabé tensed slightly as Jango stepped up almost but not quite threateningly to Obi-Wan, standing closer than was usually acceptable before he replied in a sharper tone than before.

"Never heard of him."

There was a moment of tense silence as Sabé looked from Boba to Jango. The boy was watching his father's confrontation with Obi-Wan. The two men themselves didn't look away from each other as they sized the other up for a beat, neither hiding their mistrust anymore.

"Really?" Obi-Wan asked at last, skepticism laced heavily into that one word.

Jango's hostile expression didn't change but he did provide an elaborated answer as he finally said curtly, "I was recruited by a man called Tyanus on one of the moons of Bogden."

'Recruited for what exactly?' Sabé thought sourly; she was no politician and had never picked up the skill that Padmé had a natural talent for, but even she hadn't failed to notice that Jango had failed to mention exactly what he had been hired for even if he implied that was how he was hired for the Kaminoans.

But Obi-Wan didn't show anything except what looked like genuine friendliness if it weren't for the way his eyes observed Jango keenly as he answered quite calmly, "Curious."

The two men stared at each other for another moment before Jango's eyes finally moved to rest on Sabé where she stood just behind Obi-Wan. She couldn't help bristling just slightly at Fett's cold gaze and it was through the sheer force of training as a handmaiden that she was able to mask her irritation when he spoke.

"Who exactly is she?"

"Lady Lorennie is accompanying me as a representative of the Republic." Obi-Wan replied smoothly, showing absolutely no sign of being annoyed by Jango's lack of manners.

"Does she say anything?" Jango questioned with the same bluntness Obi-Wan had shown earlier.

"When she wants to." Sabé answered before Obi-Wan could, her tone just above frigid.

Jango's lip curled slightly before it dropped back into a flat line and he threw at Sabé suddenly, "Do you like your army?"

The temperature in the room seemed to drop at his question as Sabé's gaze turned a shade colder. However, she simply answered brusquely, "I'm sure the Republic will want to hear more after our report."

Again, Jango's lip seemed to curve into a hint of a sneer before it dropped and his gaze returned to Obi-Wan. The question and the challenge in the bounty hunter's gaze was clear but Obi-Wan's expression and tone was still nothing but pleasant as he offered, "I look forward to seeing them in action."

It was Jango's turn to be brusque as he replied shortly, "They'll do their job well. I'll guarantee that."

Sabé hid a frown at the man's words; Obi-Wan surveyed the dark-haired man for a moment longer before he finally said, "Thank you for your time, Jango."

Obi-Wan bowed his head slightly in respectful farewell and again Jango failed to return the compliment. He did however answer curtly, "Always a pleasure to meet a Jedi."

The bounty hunter's gaze flickered to Sabé.

"And his companion."

Sabé didn't show any emotion as she simply bowed her head briefly in return before allowing Obi-Wan to escort her out of the room. It was only when they were out of his sight and while she was still shielded from Taun We's gaze by Obi-Wan behind her that Sabé allowed her face to scrunch with disgust and distaste.

The bounty hunter had recognized Sabé from the moment he had faced her, she was sure of it. More importantly, he had recognized her face but something had been different in his mind. His suspicions had been simmering beneath the surface until Obi-Wan introduced her. She'd seen the realization cross his expression before it was gone; he'd placed her within his mind at last and Sabé knew it was because he had finally recognized her as one of Padmé's handmaidens. He was Padmé's would-be killer. Sabé would bet her life on it.

"Tell your council that the first battalions are ready." Taun We informed them as she led them to the doors to the landing platform they had arrived on. "And remind them, if they need more troops, it will take more time to grow them."

Sabé just nodded while Obi-Wan, still the diplomat, answered politely, "I won't forget, and thank you."

"Thank you." Taun We greeted before she watched them out the door.

Sabé tucked her hood over her head before following Obi-Wan back out into the rain, instantly becoming soaked once more. She minded it even less than she had earlier, however, as eager as she was to get away from the Kaminoans and their clones.

"What do you think?" She asked Obi-Wan in a low voice that was further masked by the rumble of thunder in the distance. They saw Taun We leave without looking back, apparently quite comfortable in believing they would leave shortly, and as soon as she was gone Sabé added, "Of them and Jango Fett. And who is Master Sifo-Dyas?"

"They are not any problem." Obi-Wan replied grimly, his friendly mask falling away and revealing the truth and depth of his own worry. "This army that they have created, however, definitely is. As for Fett..."

"If he isn't the bounty hunter we're looking for, I'll eat my cloak." Sabé replied bluntly and Obi-Wan's lips twitched but his faint smile faded quickly.

"And to finish answering your question, Master Sifo-Dyas was indeed on the Council. But that was before the Naboo Invasion… and more than ten years ago."

Sabé started. "Are you saying he died before he supposedly commissioned the army?"

Obi-Wan pursed his lips.

"I need to contact my masters on this." He murmured as they came up to their ship and R4, who had waited patiently in the rain for their return. "I felt a great disturbance in the Force surrounding this whole encounter."

"Of course." Sabé agreed. "But we should also ensure that the Chancellor and Padmé are informed."

"The Council should be able to do that." Obi-Wan agreed before he called to their droid. "R4!"

R4 beeped and whirred, facing Obi-Wan.

"Scramble code five to Coruscant, care of the old folks' home!" Obi-Wan ordered and R4 quickly opened the requested line of communication.

As soon as R4 indicated the signal had been reached, Obi-Wan began his report.

"I have successfully made contact with the prime minister of Kamino. They are using a bounty hunter named Jango Fett to create a clone army. I have a strong feeling that this bounty hunter is the assassin we are looking for."

"Do you think these cloners are involved in the plot to assassinate Senator Amidala?" Windu's voice came over the communications signal and Obi-Wan shook his head.

"No, Master. There appears to be no motive."

"Do not assume anything, Obi-Wan." Yoda's voice crackled over the comms next. "Clear, your mind must be if you are to discover the real villains behind this plot."

"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan acknowledged the wiser master's reprimand before he continued to explain his case. "They say Master Sifo-Dyas placed an order for a clone army at the request of the Senate almost ten years ago. I was under the impression he was killed before that. Did the council ever authorize the creation of a clone army?"

"No." Windu didn't even miss a beat as he answered gravely. "Whoever placed that order did not have the authorization of the Jedi Council."

"Bring him here." Yoda added firmly. "Question him, we will."

"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan agreed. "I will report back when I have him."

Before he could cut the communications, Sabé stepped up.

"Masters, I am bound to report back to Senator Amidala and to the Chancellor." She reminded them politely. "I would request that Master Kenobi's findings are conveyed securely to them."

"We will pass on the message." Windu confirmed.

"Thank you, Masters." Sabé bowed and R4 cut the communication.

"Padmé certainly cannot accuse you of not doing your duty, Sabé." Obi-Wan observed and Sabé scoffed.

"I should hope not." She answered before eyeing Obi-Wan intently. "It's not like you to comment on my work ethic and dedication. Why do I have a feeling I'm not going to like the reason you are doing it now?"

"Perhaps because you are so much more intuitive than I give you credit for; I was hoping to soften the blow." He admitted before taking a deep breath. "I want you to stay here while I go fetch Jango Fett."

Sabé's jaw set in irritation but Obi-Wan warned her gently, "Please, don't make me make it an order. Stay here with R4, Sabé. And if I do not return in half an hour and I do not respond to my communication link, alert the Council at once and then return to Coruscant."

"Is that an order, Master Kenobi?" She bit sarcastically. Obi-Wan sighed and shook his head before he opened the cockpit of his spaceship for her.

"I'll be back soon." Was all he said before he hurried off back toward the buildings.

Sabé watched him go, unable to hide her worry as Obi-Wan's hooded figure disappeared. She hated being left to watch from the sidelines, hated more that he was going into danger without backup (no matter how skilled he was as a fighter), but…

"If I hadn't promised I would listen to his commands while we were investigating Kamino..." Sabé muttered as she clambered reluctantly into the cockpit.