Disclaimer: Ahem (cough cough)… I do not own Star Wars. The End.
Now with that out of the way I can get down to business!
Iile
The ball traveled up into a parabola before falling down with the gravity into Boba's grasp. It sat for a few minutes in his hands before being tossed back up towards the ceiling. Boba lay on his back on the couch in his apartment, bored out of his mind. The ball was providing a minimal amount of entertainment; just enough to keep his restlessness from overwhelming him.
"Twenty Wookies strapped to a chair, one gets shaved and now he's bare…" Boba said softly, repeating a rhyme he had come across on the Holonet. "My oh my that's a lot of hair. Nineteen Wookies strapped to a chair…"
The ball dropped to the floor as Boba lost interest in his game and he sat up and stretched out his stiff muscles. He wished that Jango was home providing him at least some company. He cracked his neck; the sound echoing through the empty room.
I've gotta get out of here, he thought and went over to the door and pulled on his boots. The hallway was devoid of the cloners and Boba made a silent trip down the corridors until he came upon the section that the other clones were confined to. He paused momentarily at the massive entrance portal before pressing his hand against the scanner to allow him access. It had been a while since he had been down this way to see his "brothers". He didn't like the feeling that the other clones gave him. They made him feel as if he would never be anything but a replica of an actual human, an experiment made in a sterile lab by the hands of the Kamino's.
"I'm not like them," he whispered to himself. "I have a father, I'm independent and I have a future of my own choice." He continued repeating his mantra as he walked up to the large window overlooking the cafeteria where the soldiers ate. A hundred people with his father's face and body filled the room, each wearing a maroon uniform indicating their present age. Emotion lacked in the room as each clone went about their own business and the conversation was limited between them. Boba sighed and moved on.
The overpass ended at a lift and Boba used it to go down three levels to where he knew the younger clones were stationed. He glanced around to make sure he was alone before exiting the lift and moving silently through the hallways. Footsteps echoed in front of him suddenly and he looked up to see two pairs of clones his age moving toward him. The clones stopped upon seeing Boba and spread out as each looked at him with hidden curiosity. Boba felt as if he was looking into one of those mirrors where it reflected out multiple images.
One clone stepped up to him.
"Where is your partner?" he asked.
"I don't have a partner," Boba replied, knowing that every clone was paired up with another, a basic in military protocol. The clone frowned slightly not grasping the concept.
"We all have partners. It's a rule."
Boba shrugged.
"What is your number?" Another boy asked.
"I don't have a number either."
This brought surprise to their faces and the silent two gestured to each other, their gazes still locked on Boba.
"I am BBD-326 and my partner is BBD-398. Why don't you have a number? Everyone has a number," the boy said motioning to himself and the clone beside him.
"I don't have a number, I have a name," Boba explained calmly.
"A name?"
"Yes. It's ahh…like a number I guess."
The four looked at each other then back at him. "What is it?"
"Boba."
"Did the Kamino's give it to you?"
Boba shook his head. "No, someone else did." He felt as if the clones didn't need to know that his father was Jango Fett; their original. Some information was best left alone, especially when dealing with others that one did not know.
The clones sensed that he wouldn't explain any further and dropped the subject.
"We have to report to the Central "A" command deck. Are you going as well?" spoke up one of the boys that hadn't conversed yet.
"No."
"Do the Kamino's know of this?"
"I don't think so," he answered, however he knew that he could be wrong since the aliens had security cameras all over these hallways and had no doubt noticed him during his walk.
As if on cue a cloner appeared from around a corner and approached the group, his white flowing suit drifting behind him with the motions of his long limbs. His liquid black eyes scanned over the boys and came to rest on Boba.
"Please report to your assigned destinations," he said in a calm melodic voice. The other four boys immediately fell into rank and proceeded down the corridor, the sound of their footsteps equaling in pace much as those of a well disciplined army. Boba turned and looked up at the tall Kamino who still watched him.
"Might I ask as to why you are not following specific protocol?" he asked Boba, his hands folding together before the thin expanse of his waist. Boba was about to reply when a voice behind him spoke.
"Boba Fett does not fall under normal regulations," said the rich voice of Lama Su, the Prime Minister of Kamino. The other cloner bowed low as his superior approached.
"Beg your pardon Prime Minister, I did not know."
Lama Su waved off the incident. "You are forgiven. Return to your duties."
"Yes Prime Minister," the cloner replied and moved off in fluid strides. Lama Su nodded down at Boba.
"I trust you are not encountering any other disturbances this evening, young Fett?"
Boba stood straight up at attention as his father had shown him to do when facing a being of superiority. "No sir."
"My, what fine obedience," commented Lama Su softly. "I see that your father has been training you well."
"Thank you sir."
"Please walk with me," the Prime Minister motioned. Boba fell into step beside the tall Kamino as they proceeded towards the military programming bay.
"I know that you must have questions about the facility and our cloning operations," mentioned Lama Su.
"Yes," Boba replied.
"I will answer them with the knowledge I have then."
"How am I different than the others?" Boba asked.
"Your father requested that you were not to be given any growth acceleration or emotion alterations. He wanted you to be pure genetic replication and I must say that because of such you have developed your own personal sense of self unlike the other clones in our facilities."
"Does this mean that I will look exactly like my father when I'm older?"
They reached the balcony overlooking the gigantic military programming bay where hundreds of other clones marched about in rank and preformed exercises and drills.
"Possibly," said Lama Su.
Boba frowned slightly not fully comprehending what the Prime Minister meant.
"I thought that since I was a perfect copy of my father that I would be just like him in every way."
"You must realize Boba that genetics are only a blueprint of the human body. They plan out a basic structure to which you will grow into but they do not determine the finer details. Since you will most likely be leaving and fulfilling your own life out in the galaxy it is most certain that you will encounter different forces during this time therefore changing you in different ways. The environment in which we live in is what creates who we are and what we look like. Certain chemical components in the air, water, or food you eat can alter you both internally and externally and the way you handle yourself and your body will reflect greatly on your health and mental fitness," explained Lama Su. He waved a hand across the air in front of him directing Boba's gaze to the cloned army.
"They have all grown up under the same conditions and were raised to be exactly the same in every way. Every morsel of food they have consumed, exercise they have completed, and space in which they have lived have been identical. Those clones have no will of their own or mental perception of the outer world and the mysteries that lay beneath its many layers. They do not comprehend or question, they only follow orders just as they had been taught. That is their lot in life and nothing else. They will resemble each other perfectly until the end of their lives and yet they will also differ from Jango since Jango has not been under the same conditions they have. Same as with you."
Boba nodded slowly at the realization of Lama's words.
"We are all different Boba, even if it is just by a miniscule amount."
"What about lifespan?" Boba asked. "I heard that clones live only half the lifetime of a normal person."
"That is true yes, as long as they have been injected with the growth acceleration serum. You on the other hand have had no such injection therefore you will not have the declined lifespan. And, as you might be interested to know, since our cloning process is the most prestigious and developed in the galaxy we have been able to minimize the breakdown of the bodily tissues that we create. That means that you can experience a longer life than most humans."
Boba smiled slightly. "That's probably a good thing then since I still have a lot of the galaxy left to see."
Lama Su chuckled softly at the comment. "Yes, yes it is."
Boba felt relieved inside and was in a better state of mind as they made their way back to his quarters. It wasn't as if he didn't want to be like his father, it was just that he didn't want to be exactly like him in every way. He wanted his own way of life and his actions to be something that came from decisions, not from genetics. The Prime Minister bid farewell at the door to the apartment and Boba went inside. He stopped short though as he saw the armored figure of Jango standing by the window, looking out at the rain. Jango didn't turn at the sound of the hatchway and Boba quietly stood off to one side feeling the heavy silence of the room. Something was troubling his father and Boba wanted to ask him what it was except for the fact that it might spur Jango into anger, and this he did not want.
As if reading the boy's mind Jango turned and stared somberly at his son.
"Zam won't be returning."
For the second time that day Boba was confused by the conversation.
"What do you mean?" he asked cautiously.
"She's dead. She failed the hunt," Jango answered flatly.
Boba looked down at the floor as his father's words sank in. Zam was dead? The fact didn't seem possible since he had only seen her a few days ago and yet now she was gone and would never return. He admitted that he hadn't liked Zam but that didn't mean that he had wanted her dead. Boba's fingers slid along the edge of his tunic as he found he couldn't lift his head to meet his father's eyes, which he could feel boring into him from across the room.
"She chose her death Boba."
"I'm sorry," he responded.
"Don't be."
Jango sighed and ran a hand through his short hair. "I'll be in the shower." With that he strode off to his room to change.
Boba sat heavily on the couch deep in thought. If Zam, a skilled and dangerous opponent could be so easily taken down then what about Kish? Was she just as vulnerable to death as Zam? And what about Jango?
With that thought Boba's eyes flew over to the Jango's closed door. It hadn't crossed his mind about what would happen to him if his father should die. Was there such a person in the galaxy powerful enough to bring down the infamous Jango Fett? Boba racked his mind searching for an answer but found that in every situation his father had been in he had prevailed therefore giving him the image of being unstoppable.
He leaned back against the cushions and stared at the ceiling his mind full of questions. What would the galaxy be like without Jango Fett? Who would bring down all of the breakers of the law and killers of the innocent? That's what he's training you for, echoed the tiny voice inside Boba's head. True… yet would he be able to live up to his father's high standards? The nagging feeling of failure at such a task was never far from Boba's thoughts and he wondered just how good of a bounty hunter he would grow up to be. Whether or not he turned out to be the best the only target that Boba had created was to become something that would make Jango proud. And this he would accomplish at any cost…
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The sound of the shower shutting off brought Boba out from his sleep. He rubbed his eyes as they slowly grew accustomed to the darkened room. The door to the refresher slid open and Jango made his way over to the storage hold, his blue shirt and hair damp from the water which still clung to his body. Boba knew that when his father was in such moods he would often go into the storage room that held his Mandalorian armour and stand staring at it for long periods of time. Once Boba had come close to asking his father about such actions but he made himself keep quiet, which in turn provided to be the correct choice since Jango hated prying, especially when it dealt with the past. What was once is now gone and nothing will change this fact, a lesson that Jango had told Boba on more than one occasion. In other words, to be known as keeping your mouth shut and facing the future, keeping your back turned to the past.
Sometimes the statement made sense but at other times it made Boba wonder if he would turn out to be like his father during such situations; an individual who refused to look back on the past and speak of it to others. It sounded like a pretty lonely lesson to be learned but according to his father, it was for the better. A bounty hunter's life was already complicated enough without adding further irritations that had already been forgotten by time.
Boba twisted in frustration on the couch and sprang to his feet, the former energy from before having returned to his body. He paced a few lines before going over to the kitchen area and pouring himself a glass of ice cold Kirawi Juice.
"Lights."
The overhead fluorescent strips flickered to life at the command and bathed the room in a harsh glow. Boba squinted against the brightness and had to hold his hand over his eyes for a few seconds for the blinding glare to fade. He was in the middle of another stretch when suddenly the door buzzer was pressed. He stopped mid-stretch and his eyebrows knit together in confusion. What the…
It took him a few seconds to realize that someone was outside the apartment. He quickly placed his drink down and went over to the main hatchway and pushed the open button. The door hissed open, revealing the tall slender form of Taun We and a stranger in brown robes who stood to one side of her. His gaze roamed over the cloaked figure making out a bearded chin and slash of a mouth beneath the garment's hood.
He shifted his attention up to Taun We as she bent over in a slight bow.
"Boba. Is your father here?"
He paused slightly before responding. "Yep."
"May we see him?"
Her tone was soft and friendly however Boba found chills traveling along his spine. He couldn't place his feelings exactly but knew that something was wrong.
"Sure," he said warily. His eyes scanned over the man once again before he turned and strode into the apartment.
"Dad, Taun We's here!" he called through the closed door of the storage room. He didn't want his father to be unprepared for their unexpected guest although Boba doubted that Jango had been oblivious to the sounds happening outside. He took a place by the window with Taun We beside him and returned to watching the man. The stranger pulled back his hood and Boba got a good look at him. Brown hair and a neatly trimmed beard adorned a young face with shining blue eyes. Boba had never seen him before and wondered what his business with his father could be. Could it have to do with a job? The man shifted his stance and Boba caught a glimpse of something concealed within the layers of his robe, a short black cylinder which quickly disappeared back into hiding with another movement of the fabric. Boba had seen that type of equipment before in the weapon programs he had studied; it was a lightsaber, used by the ancient order of the esteemed Jedi. But that would mean that this man before him would have to be one, for only the Jedi were allowed to wield such weapons…
"Jango welcome back. Was your trip productive?" Taun We's voice snapped Boba out of his thoughts and he saw his father appear.
Jango smiled smugly, looking casual and relaxed; a far cry from the mood he had been in before.
"Fairly," he replied as he rolled up the cuffs of his shirt and stood facing the stranger.
"This is Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi," Taun We introduced. "He's come to check on our progress."
"Your clones are very impressive, you must be very proud," Obi Wan said.
"I'm just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe."
"Ever make your way as far into the interior as Coresant?" the Jedi questioned.
"Once or twice."
"Recently?" the man pressed on.
Boba could feel the hostility level rise in the room even though both men portrayed a peaceful stance. The dark glint in his father's eyes and the way the Jedi asked his questions all gave away clues as to the cat and mouse games they were playing. The hidden messages behind their simplified conversation.
"Possibly," came his father's reply.
"Then you must know Master Sifo-Dyas."
Obi Wan leaned slightly to one side as he spied something in the open doorway of the room that Jango had exited from. The gleam of metallic armour…
Jango's eyes followed the subtle movement of the Jedi and he cleared his throat as he shifted his position over to the window.
"O Boba, euw de soi," he ordered his son in Huttese. Boba complied by walking over to the open hatchway and waving his hand in front of its sensor to shut it. He returned to his place beside Taun We and continued watching the exchange between the two adults.
"Master who?" Jango asked, playing innocent.
"Master Sifo-Dyas. Isn't he the Jedi that hired you for this job?" Obi Wan asked, uncertainty entering his tone.
Jango leaned in close to the Jedi, his words growing colder. "Never heard of him."
This wasn't going as Obi Wan had planned. He didn't realize that he would be having to play word games with the bounty hunter. He had hoped that the meeting would go smoothly but, really by now, he should know better. Every assignment he had been given in the past had been the same way, unanswered questions, and uncooperative beings. Obi Wan sighed deeply clearing his own thoughts before sending out a gentle tremor in the force to probe Jango's mind. Instead, what he encountered was a brick wall, Jango having blocked his thoughts from him. Obi Wan turned the sensation over to the young boy standing beside the Kamino and tried the same thing only to be slightly surprised to find that the boy had erected the same sort of barrier as his father had. This was going nowhere…
"Really?"
"I was recruited by a man called Tyranus on one of the moons of Bogden."
"Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas came to our colony before Jango arrived for the genetic extraction procedure," Taun We spoke up. "Two years before to be exact."
"Curious," Obi Wan said, slightly disappointed that his leads had gone nowhere.
Jango frowned wanting to end this. Things were getting a little to close for comfort. "Do you like your army?"
"I look forward to seeing them in action," Obi Wan said flashing Jango a fake smile, withholding the distain rising within his soul. He wanted to see them in action as much as he wanted to have six Anakin's around to train. At the thought of his young Padawan learner he groaned inwardly hoping that the boy hadn't messed up on his assignment with Senator Amidala.
"They'll do
their job well, I'll guarantee that," Jango replied, malice entering his words
now. Obi Wan took it as a sign to take
his leave and he bowed slightly.
"Thank you for your time Jango."
"Always a pleasure to meet a Jedi." There was no mistaking the aggression in the bounty hunter's voice and Obi Wan was glad to finally make his way back out into the corridor, Taun We following. He knew that his business on Kamino wasn't finished yet but he was uncertain as to what to do next. He had approached Jango only to find himself cut off on all sides with no answers. The only hint that had been given to him was the armour that he had briefly seen back in their apartment. The best course of action would be to report to Master Yoda and Master Windu, perhaps the two older and wiser Jedi could give him some help with this matter…
Back in the apartment Boba watched his father; Jango's face was creased with thought and slight worry.
"What is it dad?" Boba asked.
The dread was slowly surrounding Jango who knew that the Jedi would not be so easily rid off. Only the next time around the Jedi might bring force instead of words. He had to tell his employer about this sudden change in events, most likely the Count was unaware of these threats to his secrecy. It was time to go…
"Pack your things, we're leaving," Jango instructed Boba. "And hurry. We don't have much time."
***Well, all of you should know what happens next! That is if you've seen AOTC or not. I'm finding that I really don't like having to repeat a storyline because it slightly limits what I want to say…or makes me not know what to say that is… I hope you guys enjoyed my little explanation of clones and such. I HAVE SO MUCH PLANNED FOR OUR BOBA FETT!! I'm going insane at not writing it because I have to finish these chapters first! And I also want to begin adding in some dark contrast for my story but that happens later when Boba is slightly older. And older…and after that… Poor Boba!! Bwa ha ha ha…oh it's so late…oh I'm so tired (head hits the keyboard as I pass out and start to drool….)