Plans are Laid
"If you have need of anything..." began Taun We.
"I have need of being left alone." Snapped Anakin/Darth Vader.
The gracefulness of Taun We was lost on Anakin/Darth Vader, but she felt his palpable hatred. "Of course." She replied coolly before stepping out of the room.
Anakin/Darth Vader felt an impatience growing. 'What is the real reason I am here? To look at Clones, ridiculous.' He stomped across the room, clicking his mechanical hand. Somehow the noise was calming to him. In someways it reminded him of his days on Tatoonie as a slave in Watto's shop. A foolish, know-nothing boy with big dreams, who built and re-built every mechanical machine, droid, or pod-racer he had managed to get his hands on. Click, click, whirl. He rotated his thumb about. When would he hear from Lord Tyranus, or better yet, the Emperor. Anakin/Darth Vader was no fool now. The Emperor had been sending him on more solo missions. A noticeable rift in the Emperor's attitude toward Lord Tyranus had been evident ever since the loss at the battle of Coruscant. Anakin/Darth Vader had noticed it yet Lord Tyranus was too sure of himself to take notice.'Those on high fall far.' The Jedi saying crossed his mind and irked him. Mainly because Obi-Wan had said it to him so many times in the past. He stopped suddenly, a twist of his hand, and the viewport opened. There was nothing to see but storm clouds and water. Then he sensed it, across the star systems, from somewhere far away, Lord Tyranus was dead. He closed the viewport. "Oh, yes." He said to himself, "I have security issues to tend to now." Strangely, he felt very satisfied with this turn of events.
*****
"I was beginning to think you had left me without saying goodbye." Sim had felt Obi-Wan's presence approaching and had unlocked the door. Though he had promised Bail to keep an eye on Sim, a couple of days had gone by since their arrival. During the time Sim had moved about the docking bay from room to room picking up any parts she had cared for and never spoke to anyone. She had no need as she had used mind control to cloak herself from everyone's sight.
"From what I've heard, I would imagine you and the Viceroy have been too occupied to think much on me."
Obi-Wan wanted to contradict Sim; instead he moved toward her R-2 unit.
"Ask me." She said.
"Will it blow up if I touch it?" He asked jokingly. Then wanted to slap himself as a flash of pain crossed Sim's face.
"Orion and I were never able to have children," she began, "this little guy is my baby." She raised her eyebrows joking, but her sudden smile failed and she began in a more serious tone. "Get to the point, Obi- Wan. You have never been one to dance in circles. Better yet, I'll just tell you. How do I know so much? Is that what you're wondering? Simple, I just know, the visions. At the temple, even after, I could not see clearly often times. Then visions I would never want to witness would come to me. Answers to questions I never even asked." Sim wiped dirt and grease from her hands. Obi-Wan realized she looked tired.
"Have you been resting?" He asked.
"I haven't time for rest now. The time for rest will come later."
Obi-Wan made a face. "Yes, it's you that has always been the one to dance."
She stood before him now. A deep saddness in her eyes, she reached out her hand and placed it on his cheek. She pressed her forehead into his chin and instinctively Obi-Wan wrapped his arms about her. He felt a choking sensation close in on him.
"Fine. No riddles today because I want to tell you what I know Obi- Wan." They looked at each other carefully. Obi-Wan felt certain that at last she would confess her feelings leaving him free to do the same for once. Sim began speaking slowly. "The plans we make(pause), the dreams we dream (pause), are not what life gives us. Whatever happens, all I ask is that you remember something good about me." At that, she pulled away roughly, the moment of closeness gone. "Perhaps we had a chance once, but there were always more important things to attend." She turned her face to one side, and though she stood directly in front of him; she seemed small and alone.
"Sim," he gripped her shoulders, fine he would go first, and he took a deep breath, "I have always..."
Sim tore away from him. "Don't say it. Don't do that to me now! I don't care to hear, not anymore, not after so much time." She gripped her hair and seemed wild, out-of-control, and twisted her hair in her hands as if in terrible pain. Jerking her hands downward, letting go of her hair, "If you have something more important to say to me then say it, otherwise leave!" And Obi-Wan saw a momentary flash of hatred pass through her dark eyes.
"Bail wishes to see you." He was stunned and sick with confusion. How could Simi be so warm then so cold? 'Simi,' he thought, 'Have I ever really known you? Will you never give me a chance now that I want something so different for us.?'
Sim was moving toward the door. "Hmmph, took him long enough." She said with disgust. She had picked up her grease rag but flung it back down. Passing by a workbench she reached out one hand and her bounty hunter helmet flew up to her.
*****
The hologram showed incredible detail. Bail steadied himself. 'There is no doubt, Lesrhett knows exactly what he is talking about,' he thought. Now Bail understood how so many of his closest comrades had been convinced to turn against the Rebellion.
"The third clone factory will be operational soon. But there are weaknesses in the newer model of clone."
Viceroy Dalconia stood up. "How is that?"
"The speed of production, pure and simple. Under the pressure of the Emperor, the Kaminoans no longer can make top of the line clones with the most impressive military arsenal. What's more, I believe the Emperor doesn't care. He believes his strength will lie in sheer numbers alone."
Flipping a switch, Lesrhett pointed to Tipoca City. "These columns here," the bounty hunter began pointing out, "are the main structural foundation for the entire city. Blow them up and," Lesrhett's hands flew out, "no more city, no more factory."
"Easy, talk, you." Everyone turned to look at Yoda. "Not easy. Much must be accomplished. First, past the Imperial fleet, get one must."
Lesrhett's voice lowered softly. "Of course, Master Yoda. On my home planet I have the Imperial cruiser that was carrying Master Kenobi. I have Imperial clearance codes as well. Shipments are already going out daily from Tipoca City and Marica City, the 2nd factory, as well." Lesrhett's shoulders shrugged. "What is one more ship passing by?" Lesrhett's head moved surveying the effect of the words on all present. The tension was high, yet hope was higher.
"Help, will you?' asked Yoda.
"Of course, I have already studied the blueprints and devised...."
"Wait a minute." started Viceroy Organa, "no one has agreed or asked that you lead a force into this battle."
"Then you?!" Lesrhett offered back.
"You are a bounty hunter and...."
"The best hope you have Viceroy. I do not insist on leading, I will be happy to tag along in an advisory position if that is more comfortable for you."
"Go, this one will." Yoda's platform floated up, signalling to everyone his intention to leave the meeting.
"With all due respect Master Yoda, I will own up to the fact that Lesrhett Galway has been a great help...in a number of ways. But I believe his going along not to be necessary."
Yoda seemed to comtemplate this for a nanosecond, "Necessary, it is."
Mummuring rose among the remaining leaders and Bail felt himself out- numbered. He looked to Obi-Wan, who was looking strangely at Yoda.
"I will speak to General Toomaksu. He leads extaordinary groups of ammunitions experts. He will be the one to know how to bring down these columns." Bail said at last.
"With my help." answered Lesrhett coolly. "Then it's settled. I will go and I will not fail with your help Viceroy Organa."
The meeting closed.
"If you have need of anything..." began Taun We.
"I have need of being left alone." Snapped Anakin/Darth Vader.
The gracefulness of Taun We was lost on Anakin/Darth Vader, but she felt his palpable hatred. "Of course." She replied coolly before stepping out of the room.
Anakin/Darth Vader felt an impatience growing. 'What is the real reason I am here? To look at Clones, ridiculous.' He stomped across the room, clicking his mechanical hand. Somehow the noise was calming to him. In someways it reminded him of his days on Tatoonie as a slave in Watto's shop. A foolish, know-nothing boy with big dreams, who built and re-built every mechanical machine, droid, or pod-racer he had managed to get his hands on. Click, click, whirl. He rotated his thumb about. When would he hear from Lord Tyranus, or better yet, the Emperor. Anakin/Darth Vader was no fool now. The Emperor had been sending him on more solo missions. A noticeable rift in the Emperor's attitude toward Lord Tyranus had been evident ever since the loss at the battle of Coruscant. Anakin/Darth Vader had noticed it yet Lord Tyranus was too sure of himself to take notice.'Those on high fall far.' The Jedi saying crossed his mind and irked him. Mainly because Obi-Wan had said it to him so many times in the past. He stopped suddenly, a twist of his hand, and the viewport opened. There was nothing to see but storm clouds and water. Then he sensed it, across the star systems, from somewhere far away, Lord Tyranus was dead. He closed the viewport. "Oh, yes." He said to himself, "I have security issues to tend to now." Strangely, he felt very satisfied with this turn of events.
*****
"I was beginning to think you had left me without saying goodbye." Sim had felt Obi-Wan's presence approaching and had unlocked the door. Though he had promised Bail to keep an eye on Sim, a couple of days had gone by since their arrival. During the time Sim had moved about the docking bay from room to room picking up any parts she had cared for and never spoke to anyone. She had no need as she had used mind control to cloak herself from everyone's sight.
"From what I've heard, I would imagine you and the Viceroy have been too occupied to think much on me."
Obi-Wan wanted to contradict Sim; instead he moved toward her R-2 unit.
"Ask me." She said.
"Will it blow up if I touch it?" He asked jokingly. Then wanted to slap himself as a flash of pain crossed Sim's face.
"Orion and I were never able to have children," she began, "this little guy is my baby." She raised her eyebrows joking, but her sudden smile failed and she began in a more serious tone. "Get to the point, Obi- Wan. You have never been one to dance in circles. Better yet, I'll just tell you. How do I know so much? Is that what you're wondering? Simple, I just know, the visions. At the temple, even after, I could not see clearly often times. Then visions I would never want to witness would come to me. Answers to questions I never even asked." Sim wiped dirt and grease from her hands. Obi-Wan realized she looked tired.
"Have you been resting?" He asked.
"I haven't time for rest now. The time for rest will come later."
Obi-Wan made a face. "Yes, it's you that has always been the one to dance."
She stood before him now. A deep saddness in her eyes, she reached out her hand and placed it on his cheek. She pressed her forehead into his chin and instinctively Obi-Wan wrapped his arms about her. He felt a choking sensation close in on him.
"Fine. No riddles today because I want to tell you what I know Obi- Wan." They looked at each other carefully. Obi-Wan felt certain that at last she would confess her feelings leaving him free to do the same for once. Sim began speaking slowly. "The plans we make(pause), the dreams we dream (pause), are not what life gives us. Whatever happens, all I ask is that you remember something good about me." At that, she pulled away roughly, the moment of closeness gone. "Perhaps we had a chance once, but there were always more important things to attend." She turned her face to one side, and though she stood directly in front of him; she seemed small and alone.
"Sim," he gripped her shoulders, fine he would go first, and he took a deep breath, "I have always..."
Sim tore away from him. "Don't say it. Don't do that to me now! I don't care to hear, not anymore, not after so much time." She gripped her hair and seemed wild, out-of-control, and twisted her hair in her hands as if in terrible pain. Jerking her hands downward, letting go of her hair, "If you have something more important to say to me then say it, otherwise leave!" And Obi-Wan saw a momentary flash of hatred pass through her dark eyes.
"Bail wishes to see you." He was stunned and sick with confusion. How could Simi be so warm then so cold? 'Simi,' he thought, 'Have I ever really known you? Will you never give me a chance now that I want something so different for us.?'
Sim was moving toward the door. "Hmmph, took him long enough." She said with disgust. She had picked up her grease rag but flung it back down. Passing by a workbench she reached out one hand and her bounty hunter helmet flew up to her.
*****
The hologram showed incredible detail. Bail steadied himself. 'There is no doubt, Lesrhett knows exactly what he is talking about,' he thought. Now Bail understood how so many of his closest comrades had been convinced to turn against the Rebellion.
"The third clone factory will be operational soon. But there are weaknesses in the newer model of clone."
Viceroy Dalconia stood up. "How is that?"
"The speed of production, pure and simple. Under the pressure of the Emperor, the Kaminoans no longer can make top of the line clones with the most impressive military arsenal. What's more, I believe the Emperor doesn't care. He believes his strength will lie in sheer numbers alone."
Flipping a switch, Lesrhett pointed to Tipoca City. "These columns here," the bounty hunter began pointing out, "are the main structural foundation for the entire city. Blow them up and," Lesrhett's hands flew out, "no more city, no more factory."
"Easy, talk, you." Everyone turned to look at Yoda. "Not easy. Much must be accomplished. First, past the Imperial fleet, get one must."
Lesrhett's voice lowered softly. "Of course, Master Yoda. On my home planet I have the Imperial cruiser that was carrying Master Kenobi. I have Imperial clearance codes as well. Shipments are already going out daily from Tipoca City and Marica City, the 2nd factory, as well." Lesrhett's shoulders shrugged. "What is one more ship passing by?" Lesrhett's head moved surveying the effect of the words on all present. The tension was high, yet hope was higher.
"Help, will you?' asked Yoda.
"Of course, I have already studied the blueprints and devised...."
"Wait a minute." started Viceroy Organa, "no one has agreed or asked that you lead a force into this battle."
"Then you?!" Lesrhett offered back.
"You are a bounty hunter and...."
"The best hope you have Viceroy. I do not insist on leading, I will be happy to tag along in an advisory position if that is more comfortable for you."
"Go, this one will." Yoda's platform floated up, signalling to everyone his intention to leave the meeting.
"With all due respect Master Yoda, I will own up to the fact that Lesrhett Galway has been a great help...in a number of ways. But I believe his going along not to be necessary."
Yoda seemed to comtemplate this for a nanosecond, "Necessary, it is."
Mummuring rose among the remaining leaders and Bail felt himself out- numbered. He looked to Obi-Wan, who was looking strangely at Yoda.
"I will speak to General Toomaksu. He leads extaordinary groups of ammunitions experts. He will be the one to know how to bring down these columns." Bail said at last.
"With my help." answered Lesrhett coolly. "Then it's settled. I will go and I will not fail with your help Viceroy Organa."
The meeting closed.