Chapter 29 – The Investigation Begins
DISCLAIMER: We do not own Star Wars, even if we wish we did. xD
Author's Note: In which the investigation into Tup's behavior begins... :P
~ Amina Gila
"Let's begin the test," Shaak Ti states as we both stand watching the droids and doctor gathered around Tup's bed.
"Administer the simulant," commands the Kaminoan doctor. For some reason, I get a funny feeling about her. I can't tell what it is, but it doesn't feel like I should trust anyone in this. Except maybe the clones themselves. Not surprising. I'm sure the clones were created on the command of Sidious. Even if he isn't in control of everything that happens here, he's going to have plenty of informants. A medical droid injects a substance into the clone's chest. "Remove his mask," orders the doctor, and the droid does so. The moment he does, Tup opens his eyes, but he still doesn't appear to be in control of himself. He starts thrashing wildly in his restraints.
Fives jumps up and runs over to the window separating the rooms. I can sense his panic way too clearly, and I wince in sympathy. I don't know what they're doing to Tup, but it seems to be hurting him. I can only tell myself this will be for the good of the galaxy.
Shaak Ti raises a hand towards the window, using the Force to turn on a screen, blocking the view. Was that really necessary? I think he has a right to see what we're doing to his brother. I want to snap something at her, but I hold my tongue. I don't need to get in an argument with someone who I'm supposed to be investigating with. I'm starting to get concerned I'll have to do it all alone.
"His reaction will subside," reassures the Kaminoan doctor, "The patient must be awake for the next round of tests."
"I am not fond of these types of tests," replies Shaak Ti calmly.
"Yes, but they give us all the information we need in a timely fashion," the doctor replies casually, as if the clone's feelings don't matter one bit. I suppose that's how they view them though – as nothing more than human droids. She steps over to a screen I can't see and starts poking it.
"That doesn't make it right," I grumble.
"Speed is of importance here," responds the doctor calmly, before getting back to business, "There does not seem to be any sign of infection in the blood. How curious." Tup finally stops thrashing, going still.
"Just as I expected," I mutter, glancing at Shaak Ti. I have the strong feeling the Jedi Master does not share my opinion on this. If only Anakin or Obi-Wan had been given this job temporarily instead. At least they'd pay more attention to my opinion, which I'm making largely from my knowledge of the future.
"The subject has tested negative on all accounts," reports the hovering medical droid, "This clone seems to be in perfect health."
"We must be missing something," declares Shaak Ti.
"Yes, something, but not necessarily a virus," I point out, "We have to take all possibilities into consideration, here."
Tup's eyes open and his gaze darts around the room before falling on me and Shaak Ti. With a growl, he starts struggling to break free and attack us again. I quickly back out of his sight in an attempt to make him calm down, but apparently Shaak Ti, despite being a Jedi Master and thrice my age, doesn't have the same common sense.
"Are you finished with your test?" she asks, continuing to stand within Tup's line of sight. The doctor nods in confirmation. "Then sedate him," she orders.
"Yes, ma'am." They do as she said, and the medical droid puts the mask back over his face. He's unconscious again in moments.
"It appears this clone has orders to kill the Jedi," she observes. Has she seriously not put two and two together already? It should be obvious! I hope she's just pretending. "Perhaps the Separatists found a way to brainwash him." Never mind that.
"Maybe," I retort, voice rising slightly, "But we have to consider everything. There's no way to know what could have happened. I talked to him shortly before the battle. There was nothing wrong."
She frowns. "Perhaps whatever is causing his aggression is psychological. It seems to be an isolated case." The medical droid flies over to the doctor, handing her a datapad.
"The other clone has yet to display any symptoms," she reports. Well, it's obviously not a virus or brainwashing. That doesn't make any sense. So, the only thing I can think of, especially based on what I know will happen, is... some sort of implant in him that was accidentally activated ahead of time? It's possible, I suppose. The way the clones were created in the first place was extremely mysterious... and... who knows?
Just then, the screen starts flashing and Tup begins struggling to free himself again. Possibly because he caught sight of Shaak Ti again.
"I need an answer now," she states, "This isn't just a physical manifestation of psychosis. You must have missed something."
"Maybe it's something mental that we're all missing," I suggest. There's no way I can just outright tell them my theory. If the Kaimoans are involved in a bigger conspiracy – like I'm certain they are – I don't want them getting suspicious that I know something and reporting it.
The medical droid injects something else into Tup, stilling him once more before flying over to us. "I suggest a second brain scan."
"An atomic-level brain scan? That is unnecessary," responds the Kaminoan immediately. I can't explain why, but something about the haste of her response... it just feels a little off. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but that's how someone would react if they're trying to cover something up. "The phase one and two scans we did are sufficient. He's too weak for a phase five atomic level scan."
"We should try," I object, wincing. I hope he won't die. Even if he does, this time, I know it will be for the galaxy. Besides, there's always a chance that he'll be perfectly fine. Considering that the doctor's acting as though she's trying to hide something – I think she might know exactly what's going on – I suspect he'll be fine.
"I calculate the beneficial knowledge we could gain from a phase five atomic scan is worth the risk," argues the droid in my favor.
"The only way to discover what has happened to this clone is to terminate him and do a full-scale autopsy on the molecular level," she replies. How exactly would that help?
"We must be cautious," Shaak Ti interjects. That sounded lame considering the situation. "I do not believe this is a physical ailment, but a mental condition caused by possible Separatist brainwashing."
"I do not agree. This is a virus of some kind," insists the doctor.
"We already checked his bloodstream, and there's nothing in it," I interrupt, "It has to be something else."
"I am in charge of this examination and I will decide what is best for my patient," she responds, slightly on edge.
"Actually, since the Republic and the Jedi commissioned the clones, it is our responsibility to oversee their care," Shaak Ti argues. It's probably the first sensible thing I've heard out of her so far.
"Every clone and their genetic makeup is property of the Kaminoan government," replies the doctor. Uhh... the clones are not property. It's insane they can even think of them like that. "Now, as a client of ours, I will respect your wishes, but as to the fate of this clone, I will speak to our Prime Minister Lama Su."
"And I will advise the Jedi Council," adds Shaak Ti, "I will tell them about the atomic brain scan and see how they would like to proceed."
"Very well," agrees the doctor as the Jedi Master turns to leave the room. I follow her.
Before long, we're both standing in front of a hologram of the Jedi Council.
"The Kaminoans have suggested that we terminate the clone and do a rigorous molecular autopsy to discover the virus," Shaak Ti declares, "I believe this solution is ill-advised. My belief is that Tup has been brainwashed by the Separatists using some process we do not yet understand."
"Brainwashing? How could that be possible?" demands Windu. At least he also thinks it's a stupid idea.
"General Skywalker reported Tup missing on Ringo Vinda, but after five rotations, he turned up again. That event preceded this episode. Perhaps he was compromised at that point." I get her point, but still. If that was the case, there's no reason the brainwashing would suddenly show up randomly when it did. We all know something else is going on here. Why has no one put it together?
"I believe this has nothing to do with the Separatists," I interrupt, "But rather the Sith. There was a way the Jedi were destroyed in the future I saw. I was told the clones turned on them. This has to be something far more than an occasional brainwashing, and I think this is the key to revealing the Sith Master. I suspect there is something inside the clones that is controlling them, and Tup's simply malfunctioned. When they did the scans, there was nothing out of place in his blood, and he was acting perfectly normal before the battle." Dead silence falls over the room at my revelation.
"We must find the truth behind this situation," Windu responds gravely.
"I would like to implement a level five atomic brain scan to see if his thought processes are still functioning normally. This may help us uncover the mystery," declares Shaak Ti.
"We need to," I nod in agreement.
"And what do the Kaminoans think of that?" inquires Obi-Wan.
"They feel Tup is so weak, the level five atomic brain scan could damage his neural tissue and possibly kill him. Their approach would be to terminate him, thus leaving the brain fully intact for an autopsy."
"Bring clone trooper Tup back to the Jedi Temple," Obi-Wan decides.
"Yes, examine him with the Force we shall and unravel this mystery we will," Yoda replies.
"I don't think Tup is in a condition to be transferred anywhere," I interject, "Besides, if we attempt to transport him anywhere, we could be attacked along the way as has happened before. It would probably be best to send someone to Kamino to investigate it."
After a pause, Yoda speaks, "Send Master Kenobi and Skywalker to Kamino, we shall."
I breathe a deep sigh of relief. "Good." They're the only ones I trust in this, which, come to think of it, is probably why Yoda sent them. He knows I know – or at least suspect – what's going on, and I'm grateful for his trust.