Thank you to the 12 people who reviewed the last chapter. Here is chapter 6 and parts were taken directly from the novelization of Attack of the Clones. I also would like to thank Leyte and moonstone glows for their ideas for what I decided to do with this chapter. And yes, it may not sound realistic but my story is AU after all.
Chapter 6
Anakin watched as Padmé absently picked up the flowers around them before bringing them to her nose and inhaling their scent. Occasionally she would flick a glance toward him but it was so swift that Anakin barely noticed them. He waited as patiently as he could for Padmé to think about the answer to the question he had asked her earlier but, unfortunately, he wasn't a patient person.
"Well?" he prompted.
"I don't know," she replied dismissively but Anakin could hear frustration in her voice.
"Sure you do. You just don't want to tell me," Anakin replied sensing that Padmé was lying to him.
Padmé laughed helplessly. "Are you going to use one of your Jedi mind tricks on me?" she asked.
Anakin smirked. "That only works on the weak-minded," he replied. "You are anything but weak-minded." He adopted an innocent, wide-eyed look and Padmé, laughing, surrendered.
"All right," she said. "I was twelve. His name was Palo. We were both in the Legislative Youth Program. He was a few years older than I." She fell silent for a long moment as if thinking about what to say. "Very cute. Dark curly hair…dreamy eyes…"
"All right, I get the picture," Anakin said quickly and a tad exasperatedly. "Whatever happened to him?"
"I went into public service. He went on to become an artist."
"Maybe he was the smart one." Anakin only said that because he really disliked most politicians. That in his mind, Anakin's thoughts drifted to Obi-Wan's words. He had told him that most politicians couldn't be trusted and, almost as if he knew what Anakin was about to say, pointed out that he hadn't meant Padmé. In truth, there were some things about his Master that seemed odd since they left Ansion. He's been different but Anakin couldn't pinpoint why he felt that way. It was just a sensation in the Force and yet he had nothing to confirm it. He only had the fact that Obi-Wan seemed more distracted than usual and that was very unusual for his master and it concerned Anakin greatly.
"Anakin?"
Anakin quickly shook himself from his thoughts before glancing at Padmé whose words had brought him out of his thoughts. Padmé continued to examine him with concern in her chocolate brown eyes. "Are you all right?" she asked.
"Yes, I'm fine," Anakin replied.
Padmé didn't look convinced but she said nothing in response. "So you really don't like politicians?" she asked.
Anakin shrugged. "I like two or three. But I'm not really sure about one of them."
Padmé smiled faintly although there was a faint frown on his face.
Anakin sighed before turning his attention to the grass beneath his feet as he trailed his fingers through the grass. "I don't think the system works," he said finally matter-of-factly.
"Really? Well, how would you have it work?" Padmé asked with a touch of sarcasm.
"We need a system where the politicians sit down and discuss the problem, agree what's in the best interests of the people and then do it," he replied.
"Which is exactly what we do."
Anakin's brow furrowed doubtfully.
Padmé sighed. "The trouble is that people don't always agree. In fact, they hardly ever do."
"Then they should be made to."
Anakin could tell his words caught Padmé off guard for she was silent for a long moment. "By whom?" She asked. "Who is going to make them?"
"I don't know," Anakin said with a bit of frustration in his voice although he was really only teasing the senator. "Someone."
"You?"
Anakin snorted. "Of course not me," he said. I really don't like politics anyway, he added silently.
"But someone."
"Someone wise."
"Sounds an awful lot like a dictatorship," Padmé admitted.
Anakin shrugged letting a mischievous smile cross his face. "Well, if it works…" he trailed off hoping Padmé had gotten that he was joking by now.
As it turned out, she did for she scowled. "You're making fun of me," she protested.
"Oh no. I would be much too afraid to make fun of a senator," Anakin replied before ducking to avoid the piece of fruit she tossed at him and then caught the other pieces as she tossed them at him.
"Besides, you're always so serious," he added juggling the fruit.
"I'm so serious?" Padmé echoed before tossing more fruit at Anakin who laughed and caught it. Unfortunately, he lost control while he was laughing and had to duck away to avoid the falling fruit.
Padmé started laughing like crazy and Anakin couldn't help but join in even as he spotted a shaak nearby. A grin crossed his facial features and he briefly glanced at the laughing senator before he got to his feet and jogged over to the shaak. Leaping onto it, he grabbed hold of it and had to fight to hold on as the shaak, startled by the Jedi leaping on its back, immediately began running to attempt to get him off it.
The shaak ran past Padmé who was still laughing as she got to her feet and chased after the shaak Anakin was riding. Anakin had to use the Force to keep himself on the shaak as it attempted to buck him off. He was already starting to lose his grip on the shaak but he had to admit, it was fun even when the shaak was doing everything he could do to get him off its back.
Finally, the shaak managed to buck Anakin off and he went sailing to the ground. Feigning unconsciousness, Anakin waited. Padmé ran over to his side before kneeling down beside him. "Ani! Ani! Are you all right?" she asked rolling him over.
Anakin couldn't fake his unconsciousness for long and he burst out laughing causing Padmé to hit him. "Don't do that," she exclaimed punching him. He caught her hand and pulled her close and she immediately began wrestling with fury. Anakin, chuckling, rolled over and pinned her down. She stopped struggling and Anakin, blushing, immediately let go before rolling away. He stood up and stretched out a hand to her feeling very self-conscious.
Why the heck did I do that? He wondered silently as he helped Padmé to her feet. He already knew the answer; he really did care about Padmé.
Padmé stood up and the two of them made their way over to the nearest shaak grazing. Anakin climbed onto its back before helping Padmé up and the two of them rode across the meadow.
Obi-Wan examined the great spheres that carried the clones and he could feel their life energy in the Force. He continued to examine them as Lama Su went to his side to examine the spheres as well. "This is the first phase," Lama Su said.
Obi-Wan nodded; even though he's seen everything Lama Su was showing him before, he couldn't help but be impressed. "Impressive," he said.
"I hoped you would be pleased, Master Jedi," The Prime Minister said before he went on to explain how the clones were different from and superior to droids. He only half-listened to the Prime Minister as he continued to examine the clones all the while trying not to think about when they turned on the Jedi in the future. If he could figure out a way to stop that then he could save a lot of Jedi's lives especially if he manages to save Anakin from the dark side but does not stop Palpatine…
No, do not think about that right now, Obi-Wan told himself firmly as he asked the Prime Minister how many clones were currently in the first phase. He had to make sure the Kaminoens thought they had his rapt attention even though he already knew everything they were telling him.
The Prime Minister told him about the many hatcheries throughout the city and how the first phase was the most crucial phase. Obi-Wan nodded when appropriate as he examined the clones; the clones would fight to the death and Obi-Wan knew that many of them lost their lives during the war. It hurt his heart to think that that was very likely going to occur again.
"Come," said Lama Su before leading him into the classroom. Obi-Wan examined the students. Just as disciplined as last time, he thought with a slight nod that he was sure the Kaminoens didn't notice. He remembered what the Kaminoens said about growth acceleration last time and he briefly mentioned that this time, more because he was sure they thought he would be curious about that.
Lama Su went on to explain why it was essential while Obi-Wan continued to examine the students. "Would you care to inspect the final product now?" the Prime Minister asked curiously and Obi-Wan, like last time, could hear the excitement in his voice. "I would like your approval before you take delivery."
Obi-Wan grimaced inwardly; like last time, he didn't care that the Kaminoens didn't refer to the clones as human beings. It was one of the reasons why he always treated the clones under his command as human beings even going as far as accepting the names they chose for each other.
Lama Su led him through the commissary next and Obi-Wan could see the clones eating like last time. "You'll find that they are totally obedient," he said.
A thought came to him and Obi-Wan briefly wondered if it would be suspicious if he voiced it. He decided he would risk it. "If I may ask," he said calmly, "are they designed to be loyal to any specific person?"
Lama Su inclined his head at the question. "Yes, they are designed to be loyal to the Chancellor of the Republic no matter who the Chancellor is," he said.
That is how Palpatine was able to enact Order 66,Obi-Wan thought. Because they are obedient and loyal to the Chancellor, he could easily tell them to kill every Jedi they see and they would do it.
He had expected that to be the case after Order 66 was passed but he wanted to be sure and he figured, and was right, that the best chance he had for confirming his suspicions was to ask when he spoke to the Kaminoens again. He also wondered if there was any way to determine if Order 66 was preprogrammed into the clones and, perhaps, figure a way to stop it.
"Is it possible that they were designed to follow a specific order given by the Supreme Chancellor?" Obi-Wan asked.
Lama Su looked faintly surprised. "Actually yes. Master Sifo-Dyas spoke to us and asked if we could make it to where the clones would follow a specific order if it was given and then gave us the order. We were ordered to speak of it to no one unless they were authorized to know."
"Would this order be known as Order 66?" asked Obi-Wan casually.
Lama Su was silent for a long moment. "No one is supposed to know the number of that specific order," he admitted. "And, since you do, it is obvious you are authorized to know. We don't know what that order does as Master Sifo-Dyas never told us."
Obi-Wan pursed his lips together as he thought rapidly about what to do. "Is there any way to change that order?" he asked curiously.
"I am afraid not."
Obi-Wan was silent while he inwardly scowled. There has to be a way to prevent Order 66 from ever being issued should I fail in preventing Anakin's fall to the dark side or Palpatine's takeover, he thought. An idea came to his mind.
"Is it possible to change the number of the order and not alert anyone to the number's change?" he asked.
Lama Su hesitated. "Since you are authorized to know about the order, you are likely also authorized to change the number. However, we would have to inform the chancellor."
"I can inform the Chancellor of the change," Obi-Wan said casually. Of course, not right away, he added silently. "I mean, I would not know about this order if Master Sifo-Dyas never told me about it. Yes?"
"Yes, you do have a point. Very well. However, it cannot be changed for the clones that are currently ready for delivery. I will, however, change the number's order for the rest of the clones that are still in development. You will inform the Chancellor of the change yes?"
"Of course." Not.
"Very well."
Obi-Wan could only hope that changing the number would prevent the Great Jedi Purge from happening. He couldn't prevent the thousands of clones that already had Order 66 programmed into them but, at the very least, that would mean there would be less clones to enact the order should Obi-Wan fail in his quest.
"They are obedient," Lama Su said getting back to the original topic they were on, "and that is because we modified their genetic structure to make them less independent than the original."
"Who was the original?" Obi-Wan asked even though he already knew.
"A bounty hunter named Jango Fett," Lama Su said without hesitation. "We felt a Jedi would be the perfect choice but Sifo-Dyas handpicked Jango himself."
Obi-Wan was still surprised by that; he wasn't even sure a Jedi could be cloned and be allowed to keep their ability to touch the Force. And an army of clones who could touch the Force? It was still an amazing but unbelievable notion.
Lama Su led him down a long corridor filled with narrow transparent tubes and Obi-Wan decided to ask about Jango. "Where is Jango Fett now?" he asked.
"Oh he is still here," said Lama Su. "He is free to go as he chooses."
Obi-Wan nodded. "So he willingly stays on Kamino?" he asked calmly even though he already knew the answer.
"The choice is his alone. Apart from his pay, which is considerable, I assure you, Fett demanded only one thing—an unaltered clone for himself. Curious, isn't it?"
Boba Fett, the clone that tried to kill Mace Windu during the war, Obi-Wan thought.
"May I speak with him?" he asked. "I would like to meet him."
"I would be happy to arrange it for you," replied Taun We who was following them.
She left them as Lama Su continued with the tour; Obi-Wan, once again, watched the clones at each stage of their development. They walked to the culmination where Taun We rejoined them as they epped onto a balcony sheltered from the brutal wind and rain and overlooking a huge parade ground. Thousands and thousands of clone troopers, dressed in white armor and wearing full face helmets, marched and drilled with all the precision of programmed droids. Entire formations, each made up of hundreds of soldiers, moved as one.
"Magnificent, aren't they?" Lama Su said.
Obi-Wan merely nodded even as he thought of the war that was to come and the fact that he, a lone Jedi, could not prevent it even with the knowledge of what shall occur during the course of the war.
Later, after he witnessed the changing of the order number for the clones that were still in development, Obi-Wan and Taun We approached the door leading into Jango Fett's apartment. Last time, Obi-Wan had been examining the locking mechanism wondering if it was used to keep people out or keep Fett in. This time, he was merely going through everything he had learned that day and trying to figure out what he was going to say to Jango Fett. Should he stick with what he said last time? Or should he say something else? Obi-Wan didn't know.
"Boba," Taun we said as the ten-year-old Boba Fett appeared in the doorway to the apartment, "is your father home?"
"Yep," Boba said examining Obi-Wan for a long moment.
"May we see him?"
"Sure," Boba answered before he stepped back although his eyes never left Obi-Wan as he stepped across the threshold behind Taun We.
"Dad!" Boba called.
Obi-Wan had been surprised the last time Boba had called Jango that but, this time, he wasn't all that surprised.
"Dad! Taun We's here," the boy shouted again.
Jango Fett walked in dressed exactly as he was when Obi-Wan first saw him. The only thing that Obi-Wan really noticed about Jango, unlike last time, were the tattoos that crossed his forearms. Even now, Obi-Wan still didn't know what the strange design was. Like last time, Jango was on edge and eyeing him with clear suspicion in his eyes and posture.
"Welcome back, Jango," Taun We remarked. "Was your trip productive?"
"Fairly," the man said casually continuing to size Obi-Wan up his eyes narrowing in an almost open threat.
Obi-Wan merely gazed back calmly and impassively until Jango looked away.
"This is Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi," Taun we said. "He's come to check on our progress."
It was doubtful that Jango really cared when he said, "That right?"
"Your clones are very impressive," Obi-Wan said casually deciding to stick with what he said last time for the time being. "You must be very proud."
"I'm just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe, Master Jedi."
"Aren't we all?" Obi-Wan fell silent continuing to examine Jango. "Ever make your way as far into the interior as Coruscant?" He asked half-bluntly half casually.
"Once or twice."
"Recently?"
"Possibly…" Jango's eyes became suspicious.
Obi-Wan thought about how to proceed. Should he mention Sifo-Dyas or go straight into asking who hired him? Obi-Wan didn't know. He decided to play it safe and go with the first option. "Then you must know Master Sifo-Dyas," he said casually.
"Master who?" asked Jango after giving Boba a coded message although Obi-Wan did catch a brief, very brief, glimpse of the Mandalorian armor before Boba closed the door. He didn't let on that he saw it though even though Jango was now at his side. If he had been there a few seconds earlier than Obi-Wan doubted he would have seen the armor at all.
"I thought he was the one that hired you?" Obi-Wan said pushing confusion in his voice.
"Never heard of him," replied Jango. Like last time, Obi-Wan detected no lie.
"Really? Then do you know who hired you?" Obi-Wan asked casually and a tad bluntly.
"I was recruited by a man called Tyranus on one of the moons of Bogden," replied Jango.
Dooku. Obi-Wan thought.
"Do you like your army?" Jango asked.
"I look forward to seeing them in action," Obi-Wan replied. Although I already have, he thought but didn't repeat his thought out loud.
"They'll do their job well. I'll guarantee that," Jango said giving him a toothy smile even though he had been trying to see the intent behind Obi-Wan's words.
Obi-Wan inclined his head. "Thank you for your time, Jango," he said and then he turned toward Taun We and started for the door.
"Always a pleasure to meet a Jedi," Jango replied; like last time, his words were heavy with double meaning like a veiled threat.
Obi-Wan said nothing as he walked out of the door and it locked securely behind him.
Siri guided the starship to the landing pad that lay outside the Jedi Temple. Activating the landing gear and landing smoothly on the pad, she cut power to the main engines before getting to her feet. Ferus, who had been in deep thought throughout the entire journey, got to his feet before following Siri out of the ship.
"Master?" he said almost hesitantly.
"Yes Ferus?"
"Are you going to give Skywalker his mother's message?"
"Yes I am," replied Siri. "Probably not now since he's not on Coruscant but I will still tell him. I gave his mother my word."
Ferus nodded before he went back into thought.
Siri led the way into the Jedi Temple knowing her apprentice would follow her. The two of them walked down the meditative walkways toward the Jedi Council chamber occasionally stopping to greet any Jedi they came across. When they reached the Jedi Council chamber, Siri waited patiently for them to ask for her and her Padawan to enter.
When the permission came, she walked into the chamber before coming to a stop in front of the circle of chairs. Yoda was the only one not in his seat; he was standing in front of his seat with his fingers laced over the top of his gimer stick.
"Returned you have, Siri," he said. "News you have, hmm?"
"Yes Master Yoda," Siri replied. "It would appear Anakin's vision was right. When we neared the Lars homestead, which is where Shmi Skywalker was staying with her new husband, we found her in the clutches of Tusken Raiders. They had attacked and injured her so badly that she was unconscious. However, my Padawan and I managed to chase the Tusken Raiders away, tend to Shmi's wound and return her to her family. She is all right now."
Yoda sighed before closing his eyes and Siri felt him reaching out with the Force. "Good that is to hear," he said opening his eyes.
"This vision of Skywalker's came true, Master Yoda," Mace said, "so do you think it is possible that he will have more of these visions in the future?"
"Likely it is," Yoda said. "Warn him of possible futures they will. However, proven Siri and Ferus have that stop or alter a possible future from occurring possible it is."
"I think," Plo Koon said quietly, "that we should keep in mind any reoccurring nightmares Skywalker may have."
"Agree I do," Yoda said. "What say the rest of you, hmmm?'
There was a long moment of silence while Siri and Ferus stood waiting to be dismissed while thinking about Yoda's words. Since Anakin's vision came true, at least Siri thought it did since she didn't know all the contents of Anakin's nightmare, Siri had to agree with Master Yoda. It was possible that Anakin would have more of these visions and they may come true.
"Like Obi-Wan said," Adi Gallia said, "while it isn't very common, it is possible that some Jedi can see a future."
"Appears it would that have this ability Skywalker does," Yoda said.
Mace's dark eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "And it's also possible that Skywalker doesn't realize it," he said. "He could believe that the vision he had of his mother will be the only one he is going to have."
"Possible it is," Yoda said. "Believe this do you, hmmm?"
"I am not sure," Mace admitted before he glanced at the other masters who looked deep in thought.
Siri also thought about Mace's words. "May I speak, Masters?" she asked.
Mace nodded.
Siri was silent for a long moment as she gathered her thoughts. "Obi-Wan was the one that insisted Anakin's nightmare was a vision. Is it possible that Obi-Wan believes his apprentice has this ability and that this vision won't be the last one?" she asked.
"Know that we do not," Yoda said. "Possible it is. Answer that only Obi-Wan can."
Siri nodded.
"You two are dismissed. You two may go rest if you wish," Mace said.
"Yes masters." Siri and Ferus bowed before turning around and walking out of the Jedi Council chamber.
A/n what do you think?
Blaze: and that was chapter 6
Darth: I thought it was rather good
Blaze: so did I
Darth: although the part with the Jedi Council…
Blaze: what?
Darth: it never happened in the book or movie
Blaze: no duh. That's why this story is AU!
Darth: no need to yell
Blaze: (rolls eyes) I do so love messing around with canon
Anakin: yes, yes you do
Obi-Wan: yes, yes she does
Palpypie: mwahahahaha!
Obi-Wan: (accidentally on purpose shoots Palpypie with Waxer's bazooka and hands bazooka back to Waxer)
Waxer: so that's what happened to it
Anakin: why'd you do that? He's my friend
Obi-Wan: (puts on innocent expression) it was an accident
Blaze: this wasn't though (chops Palpypie into tiny pieces with machete and blasts him into oblivion)
Oblivion: I DON'T WANT HIM!
Blaze: (rolls eyes and chuckles) In the next chapter will be Obi-Wan speaking with Mace and Yoda, his fight with Jango, a bit of Ani/Padmé including Ani receiving a message from Siri and Obi-Wan's journey to Geonosis
Darth: really? This early?
Blaze: (shrugs) this story is going to span AotC, CW and RotS so it's not like the story's gonna end anytime soon
Darth: how much of CW?
Blaze: I'm probably going to use events in the CW movie, episodes in the CW TV series and events in some of the books. Let's just say, I am including a lot of stuff but Revenge of the Sith is going to be so AU that I doubt I'm going to start it the way the actual movie's started
Darth: ah so it is going to be an alternate universe
Blaze: yup so please review and I will post chapter 7 as soon as I possibly can but I doubt it'll be anytime soon and I'm sorry for the long author's note.