Obi-Wan, Sabe, Lama Su, and Taun We come out onto a balcony. Below
is a huge parade ground. The rain and wind are brutal.
Thousands of Clone Troopers, faces covered by helmets, are
marching and drilling in formations of several hundred.
Lama Su (beaming) says to Obi-Wan and Sabe "Magnificent, aren't they?"
Obi-Wan nods slowly. Sabe turns to him ("Magnificent is not the word I would use Obi-Wan") Obi-Wan smiled (" Finally we agree on something, I think now that's one politician that I can say is trustworthy or more so, a politician I like.")
The tour continues through a classroom filled with identical boy clones. Lama Su beamed with pride " We take great pride in our combat education and training programs. This group was created about five years ago." Obi-Wan frowned (" I don't care if they think they are manifacturing clones, they're human Sabe, I can feel the force in every single one of them") Sabe frowned . Obi-Wan replied dully "You mentioned growth acceleration..." Lama Su turned to him " Oh yes, it's essential. Otherwise, a mature clone would take a lifetime to grow. Now, we can do it in half the time. Those items you saw on the parade ground were started ten years ago, when Sifo-Dyas first placed the order, and they're already mature."
The next day the tour would continue, but as night fell Obi-Wan himself would have very difficult discissions to make, including the feelings he had of the girl he was protecting. Could he break the very code that meant his entire
life. The one that had allowed him to meet Qui-Gon, the promise he had made.
?NEXT DAY?
Lama Su conducts Obi-Wan through a large eating area. Taun We follows as they walk by hundreds of clones who look
exactly alike, all about twenty years old, dressed in orange. They are seated at tables, eating. Lama Su turned to Obi-Wan "You'll find they are totally obedient, taking any order without question. We modified their genetic structure
to make them less independent than the original host." Obi-Wan looked at Sabe ("Original Host huh, i wonder?") She turned to him ("A question, a thought, maybe Interpretive dance?") He turned to Lama Su "Who was the original host?" Lama Su turned to him his face blank " A bounty hunter called Jango Fett. We felt a Jedi would be the perfect choice, but Sifo-Dyas hand-picked Jango Fett himself." He turned to Sabe ("A bounty hunter? Maybe the one we are looking for?") He turned back to Lama Su " Where is this bounty hunter now?" He looked at him with oddment " Oh, we keep him here."
The tour continues through a long corridor filled with narrow, transparent tubes into which clones are climbing.
Once in the tube, the clone goes to sleep.
Lama Su turned to Kenobi and Sabe "Apart from his pay, which is considerable, Fett demanded only one thing - an unaltered clone for himself. Curious, isn't it?" Kenobi looked confused " Unaltered?" Lama Su explained "Pure genetic replication. No tampering with the structure to make it more docile... and no growth acceleration." Sabe turned to Lama Su " Beg my pardon Sir, but uh as a delegate of Amidala's party, I am wondering what sort of man is this Jango Fett and why would he need a clone of himself?" Lama Su blinked as if not expecting her to say anything, especially not that "Well Miss. Sabe, that's what is so peculiar, He should not need one, especially not with those modifications" Obi-Wan turned to Sabe and winked before turning to Lama Su " I would very much like to meet this Jango Fett." Taun We turned to him " I would be most happy to arrange it, for you."Taun We bows, and leaves.
Padme and Anakin are in the middle of an idyllic hilly meadow, its lush grasses sprinkled with flowers. At a
distance, a herd of Shaaks graze contentedly.
Beyond is the shimmering expanse of the lake. Several other lakes stretch to the horizon. The warm air is full of
little floating puffballs. They sit on the grass, in a playful, coy mood, talking. Padme is picking flowers. He looked her " Who was your first kiss, you were mine. See I told you mine, you should tell me yours" Padme blushes " I don't know..."
Anakin grins ruthlessly " Sure you do... you just don't want to tell me." Padme grins only half-serious " Are you going to use one of your Jedi mind tricks on me?" Anakin smirks " They only work on the weak-minded. You are anything
but weak-minded." The compliment lowers Padme's resistance. " All right... I was twelve. His name was Palo. We
were both in the Legislative Youth Program. He was a few years older then I... very cute... dark curly hair...
dreamy eyes." Anakin interupts realitively angry " All right, I get the picture... whatever happened to him?"
Padme recognizes his tone and immediately complies " I went into public service. He went on to become an
artist." Anakin gave her a dark look " Maybe he was the smart one." Padme turned to him shocked " You really don't like politicians, do you?" Anakin turns to her " I like two or three, but I'm not really sure about one of them. (smiling) I don't think the system works." Padme turns to him eager to turn the subject " How would you have it work?" Anakin is no longer playing, his tone turns serious "We need a system where the politicians sit down and discuss the problem, agree what's in the best interests of all the people, and then do it." Padme agrees "That is exactly what we do. The trouble is that
people don't always agree. In fact, they hardly ever do". Anakin's voice turns darker " Then they should be made to."
Padme gets defensive " By whom? Who's going to make them?" Anakin turns angry " I don't know. Someone." Padme's voice is accusing " You?" His anger lightens as he says "Of course not me." Padme questions " But someone." Anakin replies " Someone wise." Padme sounds angered and that's when anakin realizes he went too far with her and he attempts to take it back but she is still accusing " That sounds an awful lot like a dictatorship to me." When he realizes how to get her to trust him again a mischievous little grin creeps across his face."Well, if it works..." Padme stares at Anakin. He looks back at her, straight faced, but can't hold back a smile. Padme laughs " You're making fun of me!" Anakin's tone turns sarcastic " "Oh no, I'd be much too frightened to tease a Senator." She laughs " You're so bad!" Padme picks up a piece of fruit and throws it at him. He catches it. Padme throws two more pieces of fruit, and Anakin catches them. he declares" You're always so serious." Padme stares at him increduous " I'm so serious!" Anakin then starts to juggle the fruit. Padme laughs and
throws more fruit at him. He manages to juggle them too until there are too many, and he loses control and ducks,
letting food fall on his head. They both laugh.
Then Anakin stands in front of a Shakk, yelling at it and waving his arms. Padme starts laughing as Anakin runs in circles,
chased by the Shaak. The Shaak crosses in front of Padme, with Anakin riding it, facing the Shaak's tail. Anakin attempts to stand on the galloping Shaak"s back, but the Shaak bucks, and Anakin loses his balance and falls off. PADMÉ laughs even harder. Anakin lies still. Concerned, Padme jumps up and runs to where Anakin is face down in the grass. She shouts" Ani, Ani! Are you all right?" She turns him over. He is pulling a stupid face at her and laughing. She yelps in mock fury and takes a swing at him. He catches her arm. She struggles. They roll over in the grass, embracing, and looking into each other's eyes.Her leg lands on top of his groin and she stares at him with shock in her eyes. Anakin kisses her on the lips, suddenly, they become aware of the contact between them. They let go of each other quickly and sit up, looking away.
Anakin stands up and holds out his hand to her. She takes it. He pulls her up. And now they are easy together, not
self-conscious any more. Anakin jumps on a Shaak's back. Padme scrambles up onto the Shaak behind Anakin. She puts her arms around his waist and leans against his back. Anakin digs his heels in. The Shaak starts forward, and they ride away.
Taun We, Sabe, and Obi-Wan stand in front of the door of Jango Fett's apartment. Taun We waves his hand, and a muted bell
rings. As they wait, Obi-Wan notes the door lock entry mechanism.Then the door opens, and a ten-year-old boy, Boba Fett,
looks at them. He is identical to the boys in the classroom. The boy is scrutinizing them with his eyes. Taun We questions the boy " Boba, is your father here?" There is a brief pause. the boy seems way beyond his years as he pears at Obi-Wan and Sabe. he turns to Sabe and then looks back at Taun We " Yep." Taun We looks at him expectedly " May we see him?"
The boy looks back at Sabe again " Sure." Another brief pause, then Boba Fett steps aside, and Taun We, Sabe, and Obi-Wan go through. Obi-Wan, Taun We, and Boba Fett enter the apartment. Obi-Wan looks around the room. Boba takes Sabe aside " Have we met?" Sabe shakes her head adn Boba questions her again " I think I've seen you on the Holo, are you related to that senator?" She shakes her head " No, uh I'm her handmaiden though" Boba looks her over again " Yep must've been where I seen Ya" He turns into the room and yells " Dad! Taun We's here!" Jango Fett comes in from the bedroom. He wears a jumpsuit. He is unshaven and mean looking, his face pitted with scars of old wounds. There are a couple of weird tattoos on his muscular forearms. He eyes Obi-Wan with suspicion. Taun We looks at Jango "Jango, welcome back. Was your trip productive?" Jango glances at Sabe before replying "Fairly."Obi-Wan and Jango Fett size each other up. Boba Fett
studies both of them. Taun We introduces the two of them " This is Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. He's come to
check on our progress. And this is Sabe Maberrie, she's a party to Senator Amidala" Jango looks at Sabe oddly. Sabe is detered and grabs Obi-Wan's hand. Jango Fett turns to Obi-Wan "That right?" Jango Fett's eyes fix ObiI-Wan coldly.
Obi-Wan 's voice is cold as he says "Your clones are very impressive. You must be very proud." Jango Fett turns towards Sabe " Ah , Amidala's party huh, Veto the Military Creation is her whole thing huh? Hear alot of people aren't happy with her, Nute Gunray in particular, anyways" he turns to Obi-Wam " I'm just a simple man, trying to make my way in
the universe, Master Jedi." Obi-Wan glares at him "Aren't we all?"
Obi-Wan eyes the half-open bedroom door, through which a couple of pieces of body armor can be seen on the floor.
Jango Fett registers Obi-Wan's look. He moves in front of him, blocking the view.
Obi-Wan clenches Sabe's hand.He then gives Jango, a 'If you touch her, I'll kill you' look.
" Ever make your way as far into the interior as Coruscant?" Jango gives him a dirty look "Once or twice."
Obi-Wan gives him a look of question" Recently?" Jango eyes Obi-Wan carefully "Possibly..." Kenobi gives him a look before wrapping an arm around Sabe's waist "Then you must know Master Sifo-Dyas?" Jango turns to Boba and then in Huttese says " Boba, close the door."Boba moves to close the bedroom door. Jango smiles thinly at Obi-Wan. " Master who?"
Obi-Wan gives him a smirk remarkably like Qui-Gon. " Sifo-Dyas. Is he not the Jedi who hired you for
this job?" Jango actually gives him a look of confusion " Never heard of him." Obi-Wan gives him a look " Really?"
Jango looks at him closely " I was recruited by a man called Darth Tyranus
on one of the moons of Bogden." He glares at Obi-Wan who gives him a shrugg " No? I thought..." at this point Taun We interupts " Sifo-Dyas told us to expect him. And he showed up just when your Jedi Master said he would. We have kept the
Jedi's involvement a secret until your arrival, just as your Master requested." Obi turned and gave Sabe a look of curiousity" Curious..." Jango changes the subject "Do you like your army?" ( Well, I'm not a soldier and I don't believe in war, Sabe, ") "I look forward to seeing them in action." Jango grins "They'll do their job well, I'll guarantee that." Obi-Wan steers Sabe towards the door "Thanks for your time, Jango." Jango grins ferally " Always a pleasure to meet a Jedi, and of course his friends." Obi-Wan, Sabe, and Taun We go out. The door slides closed.
Jango turns to his son. He is deep in thought. Boba can tell somethings wrong " What is it, Dad?"
he stares out the door " Pack your things. We're leaving. It's funny though he comes looking for information to protect Sabe, but he brings her right into the Lion Den. Still I don't trust him."
The setting sun touches the mountain peaks. The lake glows in the rose-tinted light. Floating lamps gleam softly like
jewels at the lodge. Nandi places dessert in front of Padme. Teckla does the same for Anakin. The dessert is some kind of fruit.
Anakin is in rapid discussion with Padme, he's basically showing off. "And when I got to them, we went into... aggressive
negotiations. (to Teckla) Thank you." Padme grins staring at Anakin fondly "Aggressive negotiations," what's that?"
He seems unsure as to which to put " Uh, well, negotiations with a lightsaber." Padme laughes " Oh.I should've known."
Padme picks up her fork and goes to spear a piece, but it moves! She frowns and tries again - the fruit moves. She
looks up at Anakin. His eyes are on his plate. Padme yells at him playfully "You did that."Anakin looks up - wide-eyed innocence." What? "Padme scowls at him. Padme jabs at the fruit - Anakin subtly moves his hand and it lifts up from the plate and hovers in front of her. She gives him a look " That! Now stop it!" Padme laughs, as does Anakin. She reaches out for the fruit- it loops. " Anakin!" she shouts. Anakin moves his fingers. The fruit flies into his hand. he gives her a look " If Master Obi-Wan caught me doing this, he'd be very grumpy." Padme laughs ('Why does Obi-Wan always come into my Anakin's equation, your Anakin, NO! HE'S NOT MY ANAKIN! THERE"S NO WE!") Anakin is pleased. He cuts the fruit into several pieces and sends one back to PADMÉ. She bites it out of the air and laughs. Little know the conversation that will follow. Or the consquences they will eventually Succumb to. All they know now is the fun of the moment , but eventually that fun will become still...very still. Padme doesn't know the darkness that will betray their relationship or the pain that will break them.
A fire blazes in the open hearth. Padmr and Anakin are sitting in front of it, gazing into the flames. She looks
up as Anakin leans in to kiss her. Padme sadly replies " Anakin, no." It's a sad no, a no that tells her she lies that secretly she wants Anakin's kiss but can not bring herself to justify their relationship. But even Angels like Padme cannot lie to themselves, not for long. Anakin frowns, he's sad and angry . the clothes she wears bothers him, no they torment him, yet still he cannot lie to her, he must tell her the truth, even if it kills him. " From the moment I met you, all those years ago, a
day hasn't gone by when I haven't thought of you. And now that I'm with you again, I'm in agony. The closer I get toyou, the worse it gets. The thought of not being with you makes my stomach turn over - my mouth goes dry. I feel
dizzy. I can't breathe. I'm haunted by the kiss you should never have given me. My heart is beating, hoping that kiss
will not become a scar. You are in my very soul, tormenting me. What can I do? I will do anything you ask..."
Silence. The logs flame in the hearth. Padme meets his eye, then looks away. ("You say you will do what I ask, can you give me up, can you leave me be? Can you?") Yet Padme can not bring herself to say those words. Anakin commands her " If you are suffering as much as I am, tell me." Padme does not respond well to an order in fact she's shocked " ...I can't. We can't. It's just not possible." The haunting in his voice leaves yet a relentless sort of pain comes to his words " Anything's possible. Padmé, please listen..." Padme sanps, she rises to her feet "You listen. We live in a real world. Come back to
it. You're studying to become a Jedi Knight. I'm a Senator. If you follow your thoughts through to conclusion, they
will take us to a place we cannot go... regardless of the way we feel about each other." Yet Aanakin does not listen, all he knows is she feel something " Then you do feel something!" Padme continues standing " Jedi aren't allowed to marry. You'd be expelled from the Order. I will not let you give up your future for me." Anakin shakes his head "You're asking me to be rational. That is something I know I cannot do. Believe me, I wish I could wish my feelings away... but I can't." Padme shakes her head defiantly " I am not going to give in to this. I have more important things to do than fall in love."
There is silence as they stare at the fire. Anakin is thinking. He comes to a conclusion " It wouldn't have to be that way... we could keep it a secret." She stares at him sadly " Then we'd be living a lie - one we couldn't keep up
even if we wanted to. Mt sister saw it. So did my mother. I couldn't do that. Could you, Anakin? Could you live like
that?" Silence for a moment. Anakin's response is not the agreeing response she thought it'd be "No, wait Yes I can Padme, I can't be without you. Tell me Padme can you live never knowing what could have been, what we could have had, children, love, marriage? Screw the council I can't just let you walk out of my life. I won't I love you too damn much, forgive me for my love but I do, and I can't stop, I try but I can't it's not possible, but if you can do that , just leave, if you can do that then I'll go to the council, tell them that i can't protect someone I care about so much, and of course I'll be thrown out, but I don't care. I'd rather be thrown for defending our love, then just let you walk away." And Padme stared at Anakin before launching herself into his arms " I care for you Ani, so much, I love you, and I can't walk away knowing what we could have had, you're right, I love you!" They kissed and they loved each other on that very couch that had once been their agony. But life has a way of throwing curve balls, and tommorrow would be the most trying day of their lives... And in the clouds above, a man wept for the pain and sorrow his children would suffer, at their own hands.
-Adame
Hey I have a question, do you know what the year in star wars that this is all going on?