The Bounty Huntress
Traitors Abound
(author's note, Sorry, I've been slumming on putting up another chapter. Busy with getting votes for my Commercial at www.2003ion.com, If you would like to vote for me-- Send an email to olo@peoplepc.com.)
"I'm afraid food will have to wait for the moment." Obi-Wan turned to Lesrhett. "I want to know what information you have." The emphasis clearly on you as his eyes bore into Lesrhett.
Lesrhett sighed and returned to stand before the two Rebellion leaders. "I have information on the Emperor's plans that may interest you."
"Is that so?!" Bail responded tight lipped, while glancing at Obi- Wan. Obi-Wan had his eyebrows pulled together. Sim had never said anything to him. He felt agitated with her, always playing games the way she did. All the time they had been together and she had said NOTHING!
"Yes, question General Oorgg. Actually, I would take the job of torturing it out of him if...."
"That's enough, General Oorgg is one of my closest advisors and I trust him implicitly."
"Yes, and it has made you go blind." Leshrett responded flatly. "He refuses to make any move against the Emperor because..."
"You!" began Viceroy Organa in an explosion of heated emotion. "How dare you come in here with..."
"I dare because whether you believe it or not I care what happens in the Rebellion. Have I not shown that enough times already? General Oorgg can no longer be trusted. He sees the Rebellion as the losing side and no longer cares to be a part of it."
Bail crushed his right fist into his left palm. 'It can't be true,' he thought. But doubts began to fill him. It was true, for weeks General Oorgg had stalled on a number of plans to move against Imperial Forces. And as much as the Viceroy hated to admit it... all information the bounty hunter had ever given him had been correct. Over and over in the past, Leshrett had come through often unasked, with important information at crucial moments. Bail looked somewhat helplessly at Obi-Wan.
"You need proof," started Lesrhett, "then check General Oorgg's quarters and garner his commlink records. Then you'll have your proof. I am certain you will find untraceable links, go from that point." Lesrhett turned, then stopped. Slowly moving back to face Viceroy Organa. "A move against the planet Kamino is imperative. The Emperor has been silent because he is certain his Imperial troops will be the end of the Rebellion."
Bail's shoulders dropped with relief as a short laugh escaped his lips at Lesrhett. "The Imperial Troops have been defeated. The Battle of Coruscant was the greatest triumph of the Rebellion." Bail stated emphatically, "I don't want to start the conversation like this but..." Lesrhett's head shook no.
"If you know something tell it." Snapped Obi-Wan suddenly.
"What I know, " enunicated Lesrhett very carefully, "is that the Kaminoans have developed a faster cloning method. Pressured by the Emperor they have gotten slack on refinement of their clones and are simply multiplying the numbers as quickly as possible. And more, have built newer facilities on their planet. One is not yet operational, the other is and the main factory has never stopped out put. Your triumph, or whatever, has given the Rebellion a false sense of security. One the Emperor, Lord Tyranus and Darth Vader are all ready to exploit. Check your ranks carefully. Spies are all around you. When you decide you can treat me better than sewer scum let me know. You'll need the blue prints to the Kaminoan factories." Stepping closer to Bail and Obi-Wan, " for that matter, you will need clearance codes to get through the Imperial Forces guarding all of the planet Kamino."
"And you are saying you have all of this?" Bail asked scornful still.
"I can not assure you peace, Viceroy." Lesrhett began in a contrite voice. "But buy you time. Time that all Freedom Fighters will need desperately. Think about it, three factories developing clones. What army do you have to defeat numbers like that? Because we are now looking at 10's of millions. Clones, with one purpose only-- to obey the Emperor and destroy the Rebellion." Lesrhett fell silent to let the words sink in. " Do I get my R-2 unit?"
Viceroy Bail Organa pointed to the doorway and Lesrhett left the room.
*****
"What he says, is it true, Obi-Wan?" Bail asked at last.
Obi-Wan was silent. Remembering the clone factory as he had first seen it. A picture of the luminious beauty of Tuan We floating in his mind . "What do we know of Imperial movements at present?"Obi-Wan asked.
Bail made a face, "Nothing," he replied flately. Then, " I refuse to believe that General Oorgg..."
Obi-Wan waved his hand. " Perhaps there is more to it than what we know, than what Lesrhett is telling us. Think, really, it's not impossible for spies to be amongst us. The Emperor has his ways and not to mention... " Obi-Wan sighed heavily, " we can't forget Bail - a number of Jedi turned to the Dark Side. "
" Hmm. " Bail fell silent and walked to his desk. In his hand he turned over a hologram with photos of so many loved ones he had lost over the years. " I have dealt with this Lesrhett for several years now. " He gave half a laugh and sat in his chair. " Are you not going to ask about it? "
" What is there that you want to tell me? "
" He has always brought me good information, the best. It was on his adivce that I sent you to secure the arms from Palakor. I knew of no where that any of great calibre were being produced. I don't like it though. How did he know you would be caught leaving? " Looking boldly at Obi-Wan. "Does it not seem a strange coincidence, a whole grand set-up to get into my good graces and then accuse one of my finest generals of being a traitor. " Bail shook his head. " Sewer scum indeed, I think."
Obi-Wan flinched slightly. None of it made sense and his stomach growled.
" I'm sorry, we should get you some food. "
" No, first we must come to a decision. You said this bounty... bounty hunter has always brought you reliable information. " Suddenly feeling bold, as if some force inside were pushing him to ask all and any questions about Sim's past activities while he had the chance, he asked. "Bail, how did you come to know Lesrhett?"
Bail looked away for a moment slightly embarrassed to have to admit his dealings with the Bounty Hunter. " After the battle of Geonosis, I recieved information of a possible attack on Alderaan. One of my aids, Groggit, yes, William Groggit brought Lesrhett to me. He's dead now. Sir Groggit. There is nothing I can ask him." Bail was silent.
" Then fine, check all files on General Oorgg's commlink and any of his aides you may be suspisious about. If you find nothing, then we do not trust Lesrhett. Otherwise... " Obi-Wan's words left off.
" You will keep an eye on him? " Bail asked. Obi-Wan nodded. " Then it's settled for now. "
Both Bail Organa and Obi-Wan Kenobi felt for a minute like old men, not men in their prime as the weight of finding out who they could trust and who they cound not bore down on them.
*****
Sim looked at the broken down droid in front of her. " Will this do? " asked Lieut. Haythorn.
"You have had special dealings with General Oorgg. " Sim began probing the Lieutenant's mind.
" I don't know what you are talking about. " stated Lieut. Haythorn.
Sim ran a hand over the top of the little droid and there was a whirl and a click, but it failed to activate. Continuing the mind control, "You will confess all to Viceroy Organa when you are questioned on your activites concering General Oorgg and Darth Sidious."
" I will confess all, of course. " The Lieutenant spoke.
" Then I have no need for you any longer. Return to your post. " And Sim waved a hand at him to go.
" I will return to my post now, madam. " He bowed stiffly and left the parts and scrap room off the docking bay area.
Sim knelt before the droid, not bothering to pay any attention to Lieut. Haythorn as he left. " You, little guy, now you will be a piece of work. " She said and she pulled off her mask and let down her long black hair.
As most people blink their eyes, with that same minute expense of energy, Sim mind locked the entrance and went to work.
(author's note, Sorry, I've been slumming on putting up another chapter. Busy with getting votes for my Commercial at www.2003ion.com, If you would like to vote for me-- Send an email to olo@peoplepc.com.)
"I'm afraid food will have to wait for the moment." Obi-Wan turned to Lesrhett. "I want to know what information you have." The emphasis clearly on you as his eyes bore into Lesrhett.
Lesrhett sighed and returned to stand before the two Rebellion leaders. "I have information on the Emperor's plans that may interest you."
"Is that so?!" Bail responded tight lipped, while glancing at Obi- Wan. Obi-Wan had his eyebrows pulled together. Sim had never said anything to him. He felt agitated with her, always playing games the way she did. All the time they had been together and she had said NOTHING!
"Yes, question General Oorgg. Actually, I would take the job of torturing it out of him if...."
"That's enough, General Oorgg is one of my closest advisors and I trust him implicitly."
"Yes, and it has made you go blind." Leshrett responded flatly. "He refuses to make any move against the Emperor because..."
"You!" began Viceroy Organa in an explosion of heated emotion. "How dare you come in here with..."
"I dare because whether you believe it or not I care what happens in the Rebellion. Have I not shown that enough times already? General Oorgg can no longer be trusted. He sees the Rebellion as the losing side and no longer cares to be a part of it."
Bail crushed his right fist into his left palm. 'It can't be true,' he thought. But doubts began to fill him. It was true, for weeks General Oorgg had stalled on a number of plans to move against Imperial Forces. And as much as the Viceroy hated to admit it... all information the bounty hunter had ever given him had been correct. Over and over in the past, Leshrett had come through often unasked, with important information at crucial moments. Bail looked somewhat helplessly at Obi-Wan.
"You need proof," started Lesrhett, "then check General Oorgg's quarters and garner his commlink records. Then you'll have your proof. I am certain you will find untraceable links, go from that point." Lesrhett turned, then stopped. Slowly moving back to face Viceroy Organa. "A move against the planet Kamino is imperative. The Emperor has been silent because he is certain his Imperial troops will be the end of the Rebellion."
Bail's shoulders dropped with relief as a short laugh escaped his lips at Lesrhett. "The Imperial Troops have been defeated. The Battle of Coruscant was the greatest triumph of the Rebellion." Bail stated emphatically, "I don't want to start the conversation like this but..." Lesrhett's head shook no.
"If you know something tell it." Snapped Obi-Wan suddenly.
"What I know, " enunicated Lesrhett very carefully, "is that the Kaminoans have developed a faster cloning method. Pressured by the Emperor they have gotten slack on refinement of their clones and are simply multiplying the numbers as quickly as possible. And more, have built newer facilities on their planet. One is not yet operational, the other is and the main factory has never stopped out put. Your triumph, or whatever, has given the Rebellion a false sense of security. One the Emperor, Lord Tyranus and Darth Vader are all ready to exploit. Check your ranks carefully. Spies are all around you. When you decide you can treat me better than sewer scum let me know. You'll need the blue prints to the Kaminoan factories." Stepping closer to Bail and Obi-Wan, " for that matter, you will need clearance codes to get through the Imperial Forces guarding all of the planet Kamino."
"And you are saying you have all of this?" Bail asked scornful still.
"I can not assure you peace, Viceroy." Lesrhett began in a contrite voice. "But buy you time. Time that all Freedom Fighters will need desperately. Think about it, three factories developing clones. What army do you have to defeat numbers like that? Because we are now looking at 10's of millions. Clones, with one purpose only-- to obey the Emperor and destroy the Rebellion." Lesrhett fell silent to let the words sink in. " Do I get my R-2 unit?"
Viceroy Bail Organa pointed to the doorway and Lesrhett left the room.
*****
"What he says, is it true, Obi-Wan?" Bail asked at last.
Obi-Wan was silent. Remembering the clone factory as he had first seen it. A picture of the luminious beauty of Tuan We floating in his mind . "What do we know of Imperial movements at present?"Obi-Wan asked.
Bail made a face, "Nothing," he replied flately. Then, " I refuse to believe that General Oorgg..."
Obi-Wan waved his hand. " Perhaps there is more to it than what we know, than what Lesrhett is telling us. Think, really, it's not impossible for spies to be amongst us. The Emperor has his ways and not to mention... " Obi-Wan sighed heavily, " we can't forget Bail - a number of Jedi turned to the Dark Side. "
" Hmm. " Bail fell silent and walked to his desk. In his hand he turned over a hologram with photos of so many loved ones he had lost over the years. " I have dealt with this Lesrhett for several years now. " He gave half a laugh and sat in his chair. " Are you not going to ask about it? "
" What is there that you want to tell me? "
" He has always brought me good information, the best. It was on his adivce that I sent you to secure the arms from Palakor. I knew of no where that any of great calibre were being produced. I don't like it though. How did he know you would be caught leaving? " Looking boldly at Obi-Wan. "Does it not seem a strange coincidence, a whole grand set-up to get into my good graces and then accuse one of my finest generals of being a traitor. " Bail shook his head. " Sewer scum indeed, I think."
Obi-Wan flinched slightly. None of it made sense and his stomach growled.
" I'm sorry, we should get you some food. "
" No, first we must come to a decision. You said this bounty... bounty hunter has always brought you reliable information. " Suddenly feeling bold, as if some force inside were pushing him to ask all and any questions about Sim's past activities while he had the chance, he asked. "Bail, how did you come to know Lesrhett?"
Bail looked away for a moment slightly embarrassed to have to admit his dealings with the Bounty Hunter. " After the battle of Geonosis, I recieved information of a possible attack on Alderaan. One of my aids, Groggit, yes, William Groggit brought Lesrhett to me. He's dead now. Sir Groggit. There is nothing I can ask him." Bail was silent.
" Then fine, check all files on General Oorgg's commlink and any of his aides you may be suspisious about. If you find nothing, then we do not trust Lesrhett. Otherwise... " Obi-Wan's words left off.
" You will keep an eye on him? " Bail asked. Obi-Wan nodded. " Then it's settled for now. "
Both Bail Organa and Obi-Wan Kenobi felt for a minute like old men, not men in their prime as the weight of finding out who they could trust and who they cound not bore down on them.
*****
Sim looked at the broken down droid in front of her. " Will this do? " asked Lieut. Haythorn.
"You have had special dealings with General Oorgg. " Sim began probing the Lieutenant's mind.
" I don't know what you are talking about. " stated Lieut. Haythorn.
Sim ran a hand over the top of the little droid and there was a whirl and a click, but it failed to activate. Continuing the mind control, "You will confess all to Viceroy Organa when you are questioned on your activites concering General Oorgg and Darth Sidious."
" I will confess all, of course. " The Lieutenant spoke.
" Then I have no need for you any longer. Return to your post. " And Sim waved a hand at him to go.
" I will return to my post now, madam. " He bowed stiffly and left the parts and scrap room off the docking bay area.
Sim knelt before the droid, not bothering to pay any attention to Lieut. Haythorn as he left. " You, little guy, now you will be a piece of work. " She said and she pulled off her mask and let down her long black hair.
As most people blink their eyes, with that same minute expense of energy, Sim mind locked the entrance and went to work.