Chapter 19
Obi-Wan sat in his fighter for a moment, watching as the everlasting rain of Kamino drummed against the glass canopy. He was mentally collecting himself, preparing his mind for his mission. Now was not the time to worry about Anakin, or even to mull over the problems in the Republic. He must concentrate on the task at hand. There were still many unanswered questions about the Clone Army. Those doubts centered specifically on the army's creation. Obi-Wan was fairly certain that Master Sifo-Dyas had no knowledge of the army being built in his name. But that was just Obi-Wan's opinion. He was here to gather facts.
With his mind properly focused, Obi-Wan was ready to begin. He ran over his gear in his mind. Holo-graphic recorder, voice recorder, and comlink: one last thing he needed to check. He glanced at his belt to be sure his lightsaber was ready. He had never once forgotten it, yet he still checked before every mission. He was a bit taken aback when he realized that he had not one, but two sabers clipped to his belt. Anakin! Obi-Wan had forgotten to return the weapon to his apprentice. He silently cursed himself as he unclipped it. If Anakin faced any sort of danger, he would not be prepared. How many times had he lectured Anakin on the importance of keeping one's saber by one's side? Yet here he was, the teacher, holding his student's lifeline. Obi-Wan almost tossed the weapon onto the seat beside him, the changed his mind and clipped it back on his belt. An extra saber might come in handy.
"All right then," he said, taking a bracing breath. He pulled his brown hood over his head and lifted the canopy. Leaping lightly onto the loading platform he waved at R4 then walked to the glass doors. As they opened a very wet Obi-Wan stepped into the bright hallway.
A familiar figure glided toward him. It was Taun We, the Kaminoan in charge of meeting with clients. She made a deferential motion with her hand as she reached Obi-Wan. "Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi." She said in her slow drawl. If not for the serious look on his companion's face, Obi-Wan would have laughed at this unnecessary use of his full title. As it was he bowed his head and replied.
"Taun We, I am pleased to see you again. If I might, I should like to speak with the Prime Minister."
Taun We nodded. "Of course, follow me."
Tipoca City had a sterile environment. When he had first seen its graceful curve, Obi-Wan had been struck by its architectural beauty. Now he knew that the beauty was unintentional. It appeared only as it coincided with frugality and purpose. The Kaminoans did everything as efficiently as possible. A side glance at Taun We confirmed this theory. Her clothes were functional and non-constricting, obviously no fashion dictated what she wear. She had not a spare ounce of flesh on her tall frame, and her smooth strides were carefully calculated to cover the longest distance possible while using the least possible effort. The artificial light of Tipoca City beamed from the walls and ceiling. Light fixtures would perhaps have been more attractive, but this way was certainly more efficient.
Obi-Wan thought grimly thought that if it were possible to use the motion of water, from waves or rain, for an energy source, the Kaminoans would have found a way. Of course, that was impossibility. Even the smallest child knew that chemicals and complicated devices were the only possible source of energy. They turned a corner as he thought that the only possible industry on this ocean planet was cloning. Farming and livestock breeding would never happen. The everlasting rain would hinder mines and factories. Besides, what would one mine? The only natural resource Kamino had to offer was water - lots of water.
"The moisture farmers of Tatooine would have a field day!" He muttered aloud.
Taun We heard him as she paused before a doorway. "I'm sorry?" When he shook his head she motioned him into he room. "The Prime Minister awaits."
As Obi-Wan bowed before the crested Kaminoan he half wondered if the prime minister ever did anything other then sit in his chamber. Obi-Wan chastened himself and forced his mind onto the mission at hand. "Prime Minister, it's a pleasure to see you again.
Lamu Su inclined his head to acknowledge the Jedi's words, the motioned for him to take a seat. "How may I help you, Master Jedi?"
Obi-Wan paused and looked at Taun We. For some reason he didn't feel right about letting her hear the story. She saw his glance and tactfully exited. Lama Su repeated his question.
"May I help you? Have you come to order more clones? As you know, we have been deprived of our original host. Although it is possible to take genetic material from a clone, we prefer fresh information. The cost will be considerably more in this manner." His eyes flickered slightly at the thought of money, then and idea occurred to him. "Perhaps the Republic has asked you to be the new host! We have always believed that a Jedi was the most desirable source for a clone army."
Obi-Wan felt no small sense of alarm at Lama Su's words. The thought of thousands of force-aware soldiers sent into the galaxy made his blood run cold. They would be trained to use their powers for death and destruction. In that case what would make these clone soldiers any different from the Sith? He shuddered, as he answered, "No, I'm afraid that's not why I'm here." He took a deep breath and launched into his carefully honed story. "The Senate questions the efficiency of clones. Although there can be no doubt that they are doing a marvelous job, questions arise. Droids are both faster to build and cheaper. Admittedly, they cannot think creatively, but the Republic wishes to know if the one makes up for the other. A citizen army is also being considered. Although they could not be as well trained, they would have loyalties. The clones are merely obedient, whereas citizens would be fighting for their homes. And then - " he paused and tried to think of a tactful way to say his next piece so as not to offend the reputable cloner. "Some of the more conservative members of the Senate have reservations about the - moral concerns of a clone army." He did not add that he himself found the practice slightly atrocious.
If Obi-Wan had expected Lama Su to be offended, he was mistaken. To the Kaminoans, the clones brought in money, period. They had no concerns for the moral standards of others. In fact, unless reminded by an outside source, they were unaware that the entire galaxy did not share their lack of morals. With dignity Lama Su stood. "What would you have me do, Master Jedi? Shall I cancel the Republic's order?"
Obi-Wan stood as well, rather more quickly then the Prime Minister had. "Good heavens, no! I merely ask permission to gather information to present to the Senate. I am sure that they wish to continue business with Kamino."
Lama Su returned to his seat and nodded. "I understand. One should always know the fine points of one's investments. I will call a guide."
Obi-Wan remained on his feet, part of his mind wondering at the callousness of growing human beings for the sole purpose of allowing them to be killed. He shrunk from the thought of calling children investments.
Obi-Wan sat in his fighter for a moment, watching as the everlasting rain of Kamino drummed against the glass canopy. He was mentally collecting himself, preparing his mind for his mission. Now was not the time to worry about Anakin, or even to mull over the problems in the Republic. He must concentrate on the task at hand. There were still many unanswered questions about the Clone Army. Those doubts centered specifically on the army's creation. Obi-Wan was fairly certain that Master Sifo-Dyas had no knowledge of the army being built in his name. But that was just Obi-Wan's opinion. He was here to gather facts.
With his mind properly focused, Obi-Wan was ready to begin. He ran over his gear in his mind. Holo-graphic recorder, voice recorder, and comlink: one last thing he needed to check. He glanced at his belt to be sure his lightsaber was ready. He had never once forgotten it, yet he still checked before every mission. He was a bit taken aback when he realized that he had not one, but two sabers clipped to his belt. Anakin! Obi-Wan had forgotten to return the weapon to his apprentice. He silently cursed himself as he unclipped it. If Anakin faced any sort of danger, he would not be prepared. How many times had he lectured Anakin on the importance of keeping one's saber by one's side? Yet here he was, the teacher, holding his student's lifeline. Obi-Wan almost tossed the weapon onto the seat beside him, the changed his mind and clipped it back on his belt. An extra saber might come in handy.
"All right then," he said, taking a bracing breath. He pulled his brown hood over his head and lifted the canopy. Leaping lightly onto the loading platform he waved at R4 then walked to the glass doors. As they opened a very wet Obi-Wan stepped into the bright hallway.
A familiar figure glided toward him. It was Taun We, the Kaminoan in charge of meeting with clients. She made a deferential motion with her hand as she reached Obi-Wan. "Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi." She said in her slow drawl. If not for the serious look on his companion's face, Obi-Wan would have laughed at this unnecessary use of his full title. As it was he bowed his head and replied.
"Taun We, I am pleased to see you again. If I might, I should like to speak with the Prime Minister."
Taun We nodded. "Of course, follow me."
Tipoca City had a sterile environment. When he had first seen its graceful curve, Obi-Wan had been struck by its architectural beauty. Now he knew that the beauty was unintentional. It appeared only as it coincided with frugality and purpose. The Kaminoans did everything as efficiently as possible. A side glance at Taun We confirmed this theory. Her clothes were functional and non-constricting, obviously no fashion dictated what she wear. She had not a spare ounce of flesh on her tall frame, and her smooth strides were carefully calculated to cover the longest distance possible while using the least possible effort. The artificial light of Tipoca City beamed from the walls and ceiling. Light fixtures would perhaps have been more attractive, but this way was certainly more efficient.
Obi-Wan thought grimly thought that if it were possible to use the motion of water, from waves or rain, for an energy source, the Kaminoans would have found a way. Of course, that was impossibility. Even the smallest child knew that chemicals and complicated devices were the only possible source of energy. They turned a corner as he thought that the only possible industry on this ocean planet was cloning. Farming and livestock breeding would never happen. The everlasting rain would hinder mines and factories. Besides, what would one mine? The only natural resource Kamino had to offer was water - lots of water.
"The moisture farmers of Tatooine would have a field day!" He muttered aloud.
Taun We heard him as she paused before a doorway. "I'm sorry?" When he shook his head she motioned him into he room. "The Prime Minister awaits."
As Obi-Wan bowed before the crested Kaminoan he half wondered if the prime minister ever did anything other then sit in his chamber. Obi-Wan chastened himself and forced his mind onto the mission at hand. "Prime Minister, it's a pleasure to see you again.
Lamu Su inclined his head to acknowledge the Jedi's words, the motioned for him to take a seat. "How may I help you, Master Jedi?"
Obi-Wan paused and looked at Taun We. For some reason he didn't feel right about letting her hear the story. She saw his glance and tactfully exited. Lama Su repeated his question.
"May I help you? Have you come to order more clones? As you know, we have been deprived of our original host. Although it is possible to take genetic material from a clone, we prefer fresh information. The cost will be considerably more in this manner." His eyes flickered slightly at the thought of money, then and idea occurred to him. "Perhaps the Republic has asked you to be the new host! We have always believed that a Jedi was the most desirable source for a clone army."
Obi-Wan felt no small sense of alarm at Lama Su's words. The thought of thousands of force-aware soldiers sent into the galaxy made his blood run cold. They would be trained to use their powers for death and destruction. In that case what would make these clone soldiers any different from the Sith? He shuddered, as he answered, "No, I'm afraid that's not why I'm here." He took a deep breath and launched into his carefully honed story. "The Senate questions the efficiency of clones. Although there can be no doubt that they are doing a marvelous job, questions arise. Droids are both faster to build and cheaper. Admittedly, they cannot think creatively, but the Republic wishes to know if the one makes up for the other. A citizen army is also being considered. Although they could not be as well trained, they would have loyalties. The clones are merely obedient, whereas citizens would be fighting for their homes. And then - " he paused and tried to think of a tactful way to say his next piece so as not to offend the reputable cloner. "Some of the more conservative members of the Senate have reservations about the - moral concerns of a clone army." He did not add that he himself found the practice slightly atrocious.
If Obi-Wan had expected Lama Su to be offended, he was mistaken. To the Kaminoans, the clones brought in money, period. They had no concerns for the moral standards of others. In fact, unless reminded by an outside source, they were unaware that the entire galaxy did not share their lack of morals. With dignity Lama Su stood. "What would you have me do, Master Jedi? Shall I cancel the Republic's order?"
Obi-Wan stood as well, rather more quickly then the Prime Minister had. "Good heavens, no! I merely ask permission to gather information to present to the Senate. I am sure that they wish to continue business with Kamino."
Lama Su returned to his seat and nodded. "I understand. One should always know the fine points of one's investments. I will call a guide."
Obi-Wan remained on his feet, part of his mind wondering at the callousness of growing human beings for the sole purpose of allowing them to be killed. He shrunk from the thought of calling children investments.