I'm back, and I just wanted to thank my 50+ followers and over 20+ favorites. I appreciate it especially since the day I posted my last chapter this story gained a its record of most views. Thank you I really appreciate it.
Obi-Wan and Taun walked silently through the translucent corridor to see the Prime Minister. The lights from the hallway began to hurt his eyes, so Ben offered to take his place. Having lived nineteen years on a planet with two suns, this should've been a cakewalk for him. Obi-Wan agreed and now Ben was in control. Unsurprisingly, the corridor did not bother Bens' eyes, as he didn't squint while walking. Ben looked around the area and noticed all of the Kaminoans working. Suddenly, Taun We came to stop in front of a large door. The aide keyed in a code to unlock the door. She motioned for Obi-Wan to enter the office.
Obi-Wan nodded with a polite smile and entered.
Obi-Wan noticed the Prime Minister, Lama Su, sitting patiently in his curved chair in the middle of the room. Obi-Wan knew that Lama Su was expecting him. The Prime Minister was studying him. Waving his hand a similar chair was gracefully coming down from the ceiling, offering the Jedi a seat.
Taun began to introduce Obi-Wan to the Prime Minister. "Greetings, your grace." He said bowing in front of the Kaminoan leader. "It is an honor to meet you, at last,"
"My many thanks, Master Jedi," Lama Su said warmly. "I trust that you are going to enjoy your stay here with us. We are most pleased that you've come at the best part of the season," Lama Su said. Both Kenobis weren't sure if he was joking about that last part, but decided it wasn't that important.
"You make me feel most welcome," the Prime Minister said feeling proud.
The two talked for a while until Lama Su's face turned serious and business-like. "Now then, I hope that you will be quite delighted to hear that we are on schedule. Two hundred thousand units are ready, with another million on the way."
Memories from the Clone Wars flashed vividly in Obi-Wan's mind. Countless images of soldiers dying or already dead began to haunt his mind. He tried hard to repress those images. "Ah," He mumbled. "That is… good news."
"We thought you would be pleased," said Lama Su full of prime. "Please tell your Master Sifo-Dyas that we have every confidence his order will be met, on time."
Obi-Wan began to look gloom "I'm afraid to inform you that Master Sifo-Dyas was killed ten years ago."
Lama Su blinked in surprise, registering the news. He looked a little upset. "Oh," he whispered. "I see… I'm very sorry to hear that, but I'm sure that he would have been proud of the army we have created for him."
"The army," echoed Obi-Wan. "Yes… the Grand Army of the Republic, am I correct?"
"That you are, Master Jedi," the Prime Minister replied, looking to have recovered from the shocking news involving Sifo-Dyas. "You must be anxious to inspect the units for itself."
Obi-Wan smiled thinly. "That's why I am here," Obi-Wan answered. It was true from a certain point of view. He was there to see the Clone Army and deal with their template, Jango Fett. "Shall we proceed, then?"
"Of course." The Prime Minister said getting out of his seat as Obi-Wan did.
As always, it was hot on Tatooine. The sun was also shining brightly in the sky.
Padmé's brow was sweating as she followed Anakin through Mos Eisley. They ignored the looks they got from the gruff looking people and aliens in their path. They would stop looking at them when Padmé gave them a death glare. She looked at Anakin and her face softened. His face was grim and determined. Ever since they landed he hadn't said a single word. All he did was just walk through the town and zigzagging his way through the people. She had no idea where they were heading, but didn't ask because she feared Anakin would yell at her.
Suddenly, Anakin came to a stop at a shop. He noticed an overweight toydarian wearing a black hat and vest too small for him. It took a while for Padmé to remember him, but she did.
This was Watto, Anakin's former slave master.
Anakin began to walk up to the Toydarian.
"Chut chut, Watto," Anakin greeted curtly in some language Padmé couldn't understand.
"Ke booda?" Watto responded in surprise. Despite not understanding the language Padmé could understand that Watto couldn't recognize who he was talking to.
"Di nova, chut chut!" Anakin responded.
"Go ana bopa!"
"Ding mi chasa hopa," Anakin said opening his hands out. Watto gave Anakin a piece from the broken droid and went to work on it. Wattos' eyes widened in surprise as he saw Anakin work on the droid. In a matter of moments, Anakin set the droid down. In a microsecond, the droid's optic began to glow blue, chirping in binary.
Watto looked at the droid dumbfounded before he began to slowly raise his gaze to meet Anakin's eyes.
"Ani?" The toydarian asked recognizing Anakin. "Little Ani?"
Anakin answered the Toydarian with a slight grin, making a huge grin to form on Watto's face. "You are Ani!" He cried, gaining the attention of the surrounding area. "It is you! Ya sure sprouted!"
Anakin tried not to wince at that last comment. "Hello, Watto." He simply said.
"A Jedi! Waddya know?" Watto chuckled as a greedy look began to form on his face. "Hey, maybe you couldda help me wit some deadbeats who owe me a lot of money…" He suggested before Anakin cut him off.
"My mother, Watto," Anakin interrupted. "Where is she?"
"Oh," Watto said as his gleeful look turned to one of anxiety. "Oh yeah, Shmi. Ah, she's not mine no more. I sold her."
"Sold her?" Anakin asked completely shocked.
"Years ago," Watto explained, rubbing one of his arms sheepishly. "Sorry, Ani, but you know business is business. Sold her to a moisture farmer named Cliegg Lars, least I think it was. Believe it or not, I heard he freed her and married her. Can you believe that?"
Anakin shook his head trying to digest what he had heard. A moisture farmer bought his mother, freed her, and then married her? Another fear popped up in Anakin's mind regarding his new stepfather. Did he treat her right or did his mother go from one form of slavery to another? The mere thought of the later made his blood boil. "Do you know where they are?" He asked tensely.
Watto began to ponder, rubbing his neck. "Long way from here. Someplace over on the other side of Mos Eisley, I think."
"I'd like to know." Anakin said determined.
Watto had a tense look on his face when he looked into Anakin's eyes. "Yeah, sure," he said. "Absolutely. Let's go look at my records."
It didn't take long for Watto to find his records regarding Shmi, and her new family. Apparently, she was living at an old moisture farm stationed in the Great Chott flat in the Jundland Wastes. Anakin and Padmé tensed when they learned about how the area was recovering from raids led by the Tusken Raiders. After Watto was finished telling them that, Anakin and Padmé ran out of the door like there was no tomorrow.
"Ani du Jedi," The Toydarian mumbled as memories of Anakin as a child coming into work flashed in his mind. "Waddya know."
As Obi-Wan walked through the labs, he noticed the glass spheres that contained the embryos surrounded in some blue liquid. He felt a little uneased being here as he saw millions of humans being grown like crops. Not helping were the memories of the last time Ben saw these clones.
"I trust that you are pleased, Master Jedi." Lama Su said breaking Obi-Wan away from his thoughts. "You'll find that our clones are immensely superior to the regular soldiers of your Republic's Army, and the droid armies manufactured by the Commerce Guilds as well. Our methods have been perfected over many centuries, and that has ensured many that our soldiers are the best."
"I see," echoed Obi-Wan. "You must be proud of your achievement."
"But of course," the Prime Minister said proud of himself. "We take great pride in our combat education and training programs." He said before stopping to look at a class of Clones, who despite looking 10 were probably a fifth of that age biologically. Each of the children were on the consoles which Obi-Wan did not know what they were doing, but he didn't care. He just wanted the "tour" to be over.
"Would you like to inspect the final product, now?" Lama Su asked excitedly. Obi-Wan repressed a shiver with how he said "product". Ben felt a little disgusted. Despite their betrayal, he had always seen the clones as people. He remembered how he helped his battalion after their nightmare with Jedi Master Pong Krell was over. The way Su said product reminded him of how Krell saw the Clones as tools for his agenda.
"You'll find that they are totally obedient," the Prime Minister kept on saying, his assistant nodding in agreement behind him. "We modified their genetic structure to make them less independent than the original, of course."
"And the original was…" Obi-Wan said feigning ignorance.
"A bounty hunter named Jango Fett," Lama Su retorted without any hesitation. "We felt that a Jedi would be the perfect choice, but Sifo-Dyas handpicked Jango himself."
"Dooku." Ben said.
"And where is this bounty hunter, now?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Oh, he lives here," Lama Su said casually. "But he is free to come and go as he pleases. Apart from his payment, Fett demanded one thing in return; an unaltered clone for himself. Curious, isn't it." He said.
Memories involving Jango's heir began to come back to Obi-Wan as soon as the Prime Minister said that last sentence.
"Like father, like son." Ben said.
"I would very much like to meet this Jango Fett, if you don't mind." Obi-Wan asked.
Lama Su looked to his assistant, who nodded and said, "I would be very happy to arrange it for you."
With that being said the tour moved to its climax. As Obi-Wan and the Prime Minister looked down and saw thousands of white armored soldiers marched below.
Behind him, Lama Su asked him, "Magnificent aren't they?"
Anakin pushed the Twilight's speed past its normal limits. The ship flew past the Jundland Wastes. Fear was plaguing Anakin's mind, to him the ship was moving at a snail's pace. It has been ten years, ever since he last saw his mother. He didn't know how she was going to react to his return. Would she be happy and accepting or would she reject him in favor of her new family.
"That one," Padmé said pointing out to the horizon to a little beige speck. Anakin squinted and saw a moisture farm.
They found it.
The brief feeling of relief turned to one of anxiety. Anakin let out a shaky breath, his body trembling.
"I…I'm really going to see her again," He breathed out.
Padmé reached over to squeeze his arm in a comforting gesture. "I know," she smiled softly at him. "Don't be nervous."
"Easier said than done," He chuckled nervously, bringing the ship down at a nearby bluff that overlooked the farm. "It's just… I've left her alone to fend for herself on this planet for ten years, and I've never attempted to make contact with her. I'm scared she won't remember me or worse…" His breath hitched. "She'll reject me."
His eyes began to swell with tears as he thought of his mother. The kind woman who raised him from birth, tucked him in bed, and would comfort him when he was upset.
"Oh, Ani," Padmé whispered as she held his hand. Anakin tensed up as he felt her soft hand hold his callous one.
"She wouldn't do that. I know you're scared, believe me I am too. But in the short time I have known your mother, I can safely say she is one of the most kind-hearted people I've ever met in the galaxy. When you brought us to your home she didn't protest about housing us or question any of the decisions made by Qui-Gon." Her eyes softened, as Anakin's morose expression didn't change. "Trust me, Ani, things won't turn as bad as you think. She's still your mother, and she'll love you regardless of who you now are."
Anakin was silent for a moment, thinking about what Padmé had just said, before sighing. Maybe he was wrong; he shouldn't let his fear overwhelm him. He remembered what Master Yoda said about fear and its path to the dark side.
"Thanks, Padmé." He said softly, smiling back at Padmé as she beamed back at him.
"No problem," she softly replied.
Anakin shut down the Twilight, and made their way out of the ship. With each step he made towards the farmstead, a sense of dread began to return to Anakin.
Suddenly, a droid walked out of the farmstead's entrance, forcing the two visitors to come to a complete halt as they observed its design. It was a very thin droid, dull gray in color, and with its metal coverings beaten from years of harsh weather conditions. Anakin noted that its stiff movements meant it needed a good oil bath soon as it made its way towards them. Both Anakin and Padmé were not expecting this.
"Salutations, sir and madam," the protocol droid greeted. "How may I be of service to you, today?"
After a brief minute of silence, Padmé answered slowly. "We're here to see someone. A Shmi Skywalker, if you know her?"
"Mistress Shmi?" echoed the droid, pleasantly confused. "Oh, I'm afraid she's…"
"Threepio?" Anakin asked having just recognized his old droid. Padmé soon recognized him as well. They hadn't recognized him because the last time they saw C-3PO he was mostly just held together by wires and scrap metal.
Threepio was silent for a minute as he observed Anakin. His optics suddenly lit up as he recognized his old creator. "Oh my stars!" Threepio exclaimed as he started to tremble violently. "By the maker, Master Anakin! Oh, I knew that you would return here one day, I just knew you would!"
Padmé watched smiling at the reunion as C-3PO hobbled over Anakin taking his flesh hands into his own rusty metallic ones. "You've grown up to be a bright young man, just as I knew always knew you would. Oh, my circuits, I'm so pleased to see you again!"
"I am too, Threepio." Anakin responded smiling. "But, I've actually come to see my mother. Is she somewhere around here?"
As soon as Anakin asked, Threepio's joviality collapsed as he shrunk back. "Oh," C-3PO suddenly said. "Oh, dear… I think it would be in our best interests if were to go indoors for this." He then spun jerkily around on his heel, and made his way back to the homestead, motioning to the duo to follow him.
Anakin and Padmé both exchanged nervous looks and followed the droid towards the entrance.
Minutes later after the tour had concluded, Obi-Wan and Taun We made their way towards Jango Fett. The Prime Minister had left to one of the Kaminoan doctors regarding the Clones' health. They passed several other aides and Clones. Ben offered to take control when talking to Jango Fett. Obi-Wan willingly let Ben take control. Once he took control, Ben believed he recognized one of the clones. Ninety-Nine if he had to guess mainly because the Clone looked to be older and deformed. They finally made their way to Jango Fett's room.
The door opened up, revealing a young Boba Fett giving Obi-Wan a wary look before it disappeared once he saw Taun We. Ben repressed a shudder again knowing what a hassle the boy would become after the death of his father. Though, having heard about Boba Fett's reputation during the Empire, he could at least say his father would've been proud.
"Boba," Taun greeted warmly. "Is your father here?"
Boba nodded without hesitation. "Yep."
"May we see him?" the Kaminoan asked.
"Sure." Boba stepped back, his eyes never left Ben for a microsecond as both the Jedi and aide stepped back across the threshold. Boba called out to his father, and it didn't take long for the esteemed bounty hunter to come out wearing a simple blue shirt and trousers.
He looked just as how Ben remembered; his face had many scars both old and new with unshaven stubble. He was more physically imposing than the members of Death Watch. Ben noted that Fett seemed to always be on edge judging by the look on his face.
"Jango, welcome back. Was your trip productive?" Taun We remarked.
"Fairly." Jango said casually.
This is Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi." Taun We introduced Ben. "He's come to check on our progress."
"That right?" Jango asked.
"Your clones are very impressive." Ben said recalling his conversation with Jango in the old timeline. "You must be very proud?"
Jango shrugged, and made a subtle hand motion to Boba. "I'm just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe, Master Jedi." He said smiling.
"Ever made your way as far into the interior as Coruscant?" Ben asked noticing Fett's armor in the closet like last time.
"Once or twice." Jango stated like he did the previous timeline.
"Then you must know, Master Sifo-Dyas." Ben said.
Jango then walked away from the closet and spoke to Boba in a language Ben didn't understand. His assumption was Mando'a. Boba walked towards the closet and pushed a button on a tiny console closing it blocked the sight.
"Sifo-Dyas?" Ben questioned. "Isn't he the one who hired you for this job?" Ben asked. He knew what Fett was going to say, but Ben wanted the timeline to remain as similar as it was. This would make his changes more predictable.
"Never heard of him." Jango stated.
"Really." Ben said.
"I was recruited by a man called Tyrannus on the moon of Bogden." Jango explained.
"Curious." Ben said. He already knew the answer as to who Tyrannus was, but feigned ignorance not trying to gain any more of Fett's suspicion.
"Do you like your army?" Jango asked.
"I look forward to seeing them in action." Ben said.
"They'll do their job well. I'll guarantee that." Jango said. Ben observed Jango, it appeared that Fett actually did care for his clones or were at least proud of them.
"Thank you for your time Jango." Ben said.
"Always a pleasure to meet a Jedi." Jango said. Though Ben knew he was lying about that entire sentence.
And with that, Ben walked out of the room with Taun We. He knew Fett was planning on leaving to Geonosis with his son. Though, Obi-Wan was still not done. Not yet at least. He already planned on learning more about the chips the Clones had in them. As well as, inform the Council.
After leaving Jango's room, Ben told Taun We that he planned on staying at Kamino for the rest of the night. His excuse was that he had a long trip on the way to their planet and could still inform the council. Luckily, Taun We bought his excuse and said that he could happily stay for the night. She went to Lama Su and told the Prime Minister about the Jedi's request to which he agreed and offered him a room. It took a couple of minutes for the room to be ready, but it wasn't too long for them. His goal was to head towards one of the computers and learn more about the biochips.
He noticed a vent above him, and leaped up. He touched it causing the vent to open where he leaped up and entered into the shaft. He started to crawl having memorized the path to the terminal room from where he was staying. Unlike everything, else on Kamino the ventilation systems were completely dirty. They were filled with dust, which caused Ben to use all of his willpower to not cough.
"So disgusting." Obi-Wan said with disdain.
"We've been in more disgusting environments. Besides this isn't the worst." Ben replied.
Eventually, Ben made his way to a terminal. It was currently being used by one of the Kaminoan scientists. Quietly, Ben removed the hatch. He snuck up behind the scientist and proceeded to choke him into unconsciousness. Once the scientist was out, Ben went onto the terminal.
He went to the finder browser, which would allow him to make his search easier. Once he found it he clicked on it and began to type "Inhibitor Chips". He found it and began to read about them.
The chips were originally designed by Sifo-Dyas as a built in safeguard against rogue Jedi or Sith. He found a section that talked about the Orders that the Clones would follow when activated. Specifically, Order 66 where Ben realized how much involvement Dooku had. He wasn't worried too much, though, as Ben knew Palpatine would throw Dooku off a cliff if it meant Anakin would join him. He tried to see if he could make any edits, but couldn't guess the right password. He looked into the scientists mind, but couldn't find the password.
"Must not have the right clearance." Ben thought.
"We should inform the Council." Obi-Wan said.
"You're right." Ben said a little disappointed. A more mischievous side wanted Ben to switch Order 65, which would lead to the army arresting the Chancellor, and Order 66.
Obi-Wan jumped up through the air vent and put the opening back in place.
Back on Coruscant, in Yoda's chambers, the Grand Master was with Master Windu when he received a call. It was Obi-Wan, no doubt with news regarding Kamino. The near nine hundred year old Jedi activated the comm and a hologram of Obi-Wan appeared.
"Masters," Obi-Wan began. "I've made contact with Lama Su, Prime Minister of Kamino."
Yoda nodded in approval. "Very good, Master Kenobi. You have found the answers we seek, I presume." Yoda said.
"Yes…and no…" Obi-Wan said. "I have learned that on Kamino there is a secret clone army being made for the Republic. The project was commissioned by Sifo-Dyas."
Windu and Yoda frowned. They remembered how ten years ago a little while before the Naboo invasion, that Sifo-Dyas said the Republic needed an army. This led to Sifo-Dyas being removed from the council. He was believed to be dead after the former Chancellor, Finish Valorum, requested he lead negotiations with the Pyke Syndicate.
"Continue." Master Windu stated wanting to know more.
"Jango Fett is here and when I questioned him he said he was recruited not by Syfo-Dyas, but a man called Tyrannus." Obi-Wan said.
"Who is this, Tyrannus?" Mace Windu asked.
"That's what I don't know. Jango Fett didn't tell me. He just told me that he was recruited on the moon of Bogden." Obi-Wan said.
The Korun frowned.
"The Clone army, tell us more." Yoda asked.
"So far, Jango Fett is the template for the army. The first legions of soldiers have been created with another million on the way." Obi-Wan said.
"A million?" Windu echoed in disbelief.
"Yes. I'm on my way to Jango. I know he wasn't telling me everything he knew." Obi-Wan said.
"May the force be with you." Both masters said.
Meanwhile on Tatooine, Padmé stepped outside the old moisture farm to see Anakin watching the twin suns set in the distance. Because of this the area was bathed in a golden hue. Even from her distance it was clear that Anakin was tense as she looked at his shoulders. She couldn't blame him after hearing from Shmi's husband, Cliegg, about what had happened. She was been gone for more than a week by Tusken Raiders. Upon hearing this, Anakin was resolved to finding his mother. Fortunately, Anakin's stepbrother, Owen Lars, loaned Anakin his speederbike.
She quietly moved towards Anakin, who suddenly spoke without turning. "You're staying here with the others. They're good people, you'll be safe."
She felt happy knowing Anakin was no longer worried about what kind of people his new stepfamily is.
"Anakin…" She tried to say before getting cut off.
"I know she's alive," He said, still glaring at the twin suns.
From behind, Padmé wrapped her arms around his torso in a tight embrace. "Find her," She whispered, "Bring her back home."
"I won't be too long." He said as he headed towards the speederbike.
Padmé could only watch with tears in her eyes as she saw him ride away towards the sand dunes. She prayed to Shiarya to keep him and his mother safe.
Back on Kamino, Ben walked towards Jango Fett's ship: The Slave I, a modified Firespray-31-class patrol and attack craft. His goal was to destroy it before Jango could leave to Geonosis. He had enough skill in negotiation to get the Mandalorian to comply. He activated his lightsaber, but before he could strike the ship a jolt of electricity came out of the ship and electrocuted him. He was pushed away from the ship.
Ben suddenly remembered how it was to be electrocuted. It was nowhere near as painful compared to Count Dooku's sith lightning. In fact he could barely feel anything as his muscles tensed up.
"Well that was a rousing success." Obi-Wan said sarcastically.
"Would you like to take a chance, then." Ben said annoyed.
"No, I'm good." Obi-Wan said in a similar tone he used when something like this would happen to Anakin.
Ben struggled to get up as he grabbed onto a guard railing. He grabbed the lower bar and started to pull himself up. His right arm was still good, but his legs and other arm were still paralyzed. A couple of seconds later and he could feel his left arm and used it to grab the top bar. He put both of his arms behind the railing and leaned back, trying to get support to stand until his leg muscles started to ease. He suddenly felt sore.
Just as luck would have it though, the door he used to get to Slave I opened and out came Jango with Boba.
"Love the defense measures, Master Jedi. It's called a stun field, an electromagnetic spectrum that activates whenever the ship is not in flight. It will unleash fifty thousand volts on anyone who attacks it with any plasma-based weaponry. Be it blaster or lightsaber." Fett said. Kenobi didn't need X-Ray vision to see the smug and amused smile underneath that helmet.
Ben sighed his legs were no longer tense, but they started to feel wobbly. He used the force to get his lightsaber back from the ground and ignited it.
That's a wrap. I hope you liked this chapter. How will Kenobi deal with Jango Fett while not fully balanced? Will Anakin find his mother? See you next chapter, and thanks for your support.
