The fighting had been hard, room-to-room, but at last the weight of numbers prevailed.

The Jedi and Naboo rested, the bodies of the commandos laid out before them in two rows.

Padme had wanted to capture one of them alive, but they had refused any offer of surrender, forcing the Naboo to kill them.

"I recognize the armor," said Obi-Wan. "Mandalorian, used by their warriors against the Jedi thousands of years ago. They were merciless and ferocious, killing for pleasure. I had thought the Jedi destroyed them."

"Captain Panaka," Padme ordered, "Check the bodies for any intelligence you can find." Perhaps something of importance would be discovered.

***

Panaka and a corporal had gathered weapons, equipment, and gear from the bodies, and removed the helmet of one of them. They went to the next two men, also removing the helmets.

The faces were human, with tanned skin, brown eyes, and closely cropped brown hair.

And they were completely identical.

Panaka stood, shocked, realing with the news.

He spoke only one ominous word.

"Clones."

***

The large Republic transport arrived that afternoon. The Supreme Chancellor stepped out onto the ruined streets of Theed, surrounded by ten blue- uniformed Guards. Behind him walked Jedi Masters Yoda and Mace Windu.

Wisely, the Chancellor chose not to trifle with security.

He approached Padme, Panaka, and the two Jedi.

"My deepest condolences at this terrible time, Senator," he said to Padme. "I rushed here as soon as I could make arrangements for my transportation."

"Thank you for your concern, Chancellor," she answered, voice a mixture of tiredness and anger.

"I can assure you, Senator, that I will do everything I can to help. I have signed into law an executive order authorizing a relief grant to fund the rebuilding, as well as medical personnel and supplies."

"Naboo is indebted to you for your gratitude," she replied.

"And I have also authorized the Jedi to begin an investigation into the attack."

Mace Windu stepped forward, addressing Obi-Wan and Anakin. "Kenobi, you and Skywalker will continue to look after the Senator's security. Now tell us what you've been able to discover."

Kenobi explained all that was known about the attack, and finally broached the topic of the cloned Mandalorian commandos.

"Disturbing, this is," observed Yoda. "More destruction, there will be."

"I agree," said Windu. "There is no reason anyone in possession of cloning technology would limit themselves to the production of a single infantry platoon. This attack was clearly intended to inflict as much damage and terror as possible. Someone was trying to send a message."

"But why Naboo," asked Panaka, angrily. "We are a peaceful society. We maintain political neutrality."

"Perhaps the Senator herself was the target," Windu mused. He paused for a moment in thought. "Senator Naberrie and Aks Moe were both among the Supreme Chancellor's staunches supporters in the Senate. Perhaps the two events are related. Someone is out to destabilize Palpatine's administration."

"But Master," replied Obi-Wan, "such an activity would only makes sense if...they were planning some sort of coup."

"Act quickly, we must. Clouded, the future is. The Dark Side, I sense."

At Yoda's words, the discomfort among the group was palpable.

***

The wounded were everywhere. Set out on the streets and sidewalks near the overflowing medical facilities, lined up for blocks.

Padme had managed to organize teams of police and soldiers to maintain order, clear out onlookers from damaged areas, and distribute food and water to groups of victims. Emergency personnel tended the wounded, and the able-bodied were organized into teams to try to free those trapped inside collapsed structures.

Obi-Wan and Anakin had volunteered to help, using the Force to sense the presence of those still alive.

Obi-Wan paused next to a collapsed home. He sensed great pain and fear inside. He directed his team of men to begin clearing the debris, piece by piece. An hour later, they saw the boy.

He couldn't have been more than four years old. He clung to his dead mother, crying, his eyes looking up at Obi Wan, filled with wild fear. The Jedi reached out his hand slowly, touching it to the boy's forehead, sending soothing sensations through the Force, attempting to transfer the boy's pain to himself. When the child had relaxed somewhat, Obi-Wan lifted him gently, mindful of the severely twisted ankle. Cradling the boy in his arms, he handed him carefully to the Army medic nearby.

He had seen many such haunting sights that day and was bound to see many, many more. He could sense anger in Anakin's Force presence, not having the heart to chide his apprentice. After all, at times like these, he wasn't entirely beyond righteous fury.

This was no way to conduct a war.