A/N: Getting closer to the meeting with the Admiral...Keller sees something disturbing in the Republic database...

Chapter 3

Discussions

Keller smiled as the turbolift halted at the bridge. General Skywalker followed him out.

"On screen ensign." said Keller

The viewscreen activated and the Enterprise filled most of it. Skywalker whistled. "Impressive."

"This is the Flagship of the Federation. Galaxy-class, the most advanced starship we have. As large as that ship is, it could still run circles around the Resolute and probably any CIS warships that try to come through. She's got the strongest shields and weapons in the fleet. She's also one of the first starships to carry the crew's families."

"Captain, the Enterprise is hailing us." said Adams

"Put it through."

The screen changed to show the bridge of the Enterprise. Jean-Luc Picard stood and straightened his uniform, then strode towards the screen with a smile.

"Captain Keller, it's good to see you again."

"And you Captain Picard." he gestured to Skywalker "This is Jedi General Anakin Skywalker. He is the commander of the Resolute."

"Yes I've heard of him. An impressive accomplishment for one so young. General Skywalker, I've been assigned to command the ships in this vicinity. I'd appreciate any tactical data on any ships that might pass through CIS or otherwise."

"I'll contact the Resolute and have the data forwarded to you." Skywalker replied with a nod.

"Understood, safe journey to Starbase 82. Picard out."

The channel closed and returned the Enterprise and the growing fleet to the screen. Then engineering came over the comm.

"Captain, we've completed the calculations for the jump to lightspeed."

"Acknowledged. Ensign, begin docking procedures with the Resolute."

"Aye sir."

The helmsmen took the Agamemnon into the Ventral bay of the Resolute once again. And again the crew was treated to the sight of the stars shifting into lines then the solid blue of hyperspace.

"ETA to Starbase 82?" asked Keller

"About 12 hours sir." replied Adams.

"Very well." He turned to Skywalker. "You've looked at our database. I'd like to look at yours now if that's alright."

"Of course."

"Commander Trell you have the bridge."

"Aye sir."

Again the General and Captain got into the turbolift and took it to the transporter room. They materialized on the bridge of the Resolute. Keller could see the blue of hyperspace beyond the viewport, then turned his attention to the information console. He began looking into the database. He saw several things that jumped out at him. Every time the Republic made an offensive, the CIS was one step ahead. There must be a mole somewhere in the Republic hierarchy. Then he looked at the contingency orders for the Clone Army. At first it didn't seem like anything Starfleet wouldn't do. In case of imminent defeat, the clones were to disappear and turn into a resistance movement using guerrilla warfare on the CIS.

Then he saw Order 66.

"Uh...General Skywalker, can I talk to you in private?"

"Of course."

Skywalker led him to a private room to the side of the bridge. It's function struck Captain Keller as similar to the Captain's ready room. He took out a tricorder and scanned the area.

"What are you doing?" asked Skywalker

"Checking for listening devices and disabling them."

"Why?"

"Just a moment." replied Keller. He tapped some more controls then closed the tricorder, satisfied that there were no listening devices.

"What's this about Captain?"

"Tell me you read all the Contingency Orders for the GAR."

"Yes."

"In the event of Jedi officers acting against the interests of the Republic, and after receiving specific orders verified as coming directly from the Supreme Commander (Chancellor), GAR commanders will remove those officers by lethal force, and command of the GAR will revert to the Supreme Commander (Chancellor) until a new command structure is established. Contingency order 66. That one should really concern you."

"Why? The Clones know we'd never act against the interests of the Republic."

"Who decides that? The Chancellor? Now I've never met him and I'm not accusing him of anything. But don't you think its odd that only Palpatine can issue order 66? Add to that the fact that the clones are entirely loyal to him and him alone. If he does issue the order there would be a massacre. Now the war has just started, if he was gonna make a move, he'd do it near the end."

"The Chancellor is one of my closest friends. He'd never betray the Republic or the Jedi."

"Alright. I'll believe you for now. But I'd like to download this database to the Agamemnon.. I'm going to have my tactical officer do a little research for me."

"Do what you believe you have to Captain."

"Don't worry Anakin, we'll get to the bottom of this." he tapped his combadge after copying the Republic database to a tricorder. "Keller to Agamemnon, one to beam up."

A moment later he disappeared in a column of blue light. Leaving Skywalker with disturbing thoughts.

Keller stepped off the pad and walked briskly into the corridor. He tapped his combadge when he was in the turbolift heading for the library. "Keller to Adams."

"Adams here."

"Report to the library at once."

"On my way sir."

He sensed a slight hesitation in her voice and understood why. It was unusual for a Captain to meet with his security officer in the library. The turbolift stopped and he quickly made his way to the library. A few moments later Adams walked in as well. Keller looked around and saw a few crewmen at various library stations. In a semi-commanding voice he said "You're dismissed."

The officers in the library looked up and once they saw the Captain immediately took the hint and left. As soon as the last officer had left he ordered the computer to lock the doors and seal the room. Adams looked at him.

"Sir?"

"We have a problem Lt." He handed her his tricorder. "This contains the database for the entire Grand Army of the Republic. I need you to look for something."

"What am I looking for sir?"

"A possible coup in the making. Along with a plot to kill the Jedi near the end of the war."

"You must be joking."

"I wish I was...between you and me...I think their Chancellor is behind it."

"It did strike me as odd that the Republic had no military before the war. Then just as the war starts, bam! they have a massive clone army available."

"Another thing that concerns me is the contingency orders. Pay particular attention to order 66."

"Alright sir. If there is a conspiracy, I'll find it."

He nodded and sat down at the station next to her. If anyone can find a conspiracy, she can. He knew his tactical officer, graduated at the top of her class. She had an aptitude for spotting inconsistencies and conspiracies. She was at the top of her class while taking Criminal Investigation courses at the academy. He started typing commands into the computer while she worked at her own station...