Disclaimer
All characters appearing in the Star Wars saga are copyright Lucas Arts and the Walt Disney Cooperation. No infringements of these copyrights are intended, and are not authorized by the copyright holder.
All original characters are the property of Celgress.
Star Wars AU The Triumph of Darth Plagueis: Episode Four – Attack of the Clones Part 2
By
Celgress
Kamino
"You say the poison used to assassinate Co-Supreme Chancellor Palpatine originated here on Kamino?" the Kaminoan Prime Minister asked Jedi Knights Obi-wan Kenobi and Siri Tachi.
"That is correct" Obi-wan replied.
"Republican Intelligence has discovered not only was the poison manufactured here on Kamino, the darts used as the delivery device we also produced here" Siri further elaborated.
"Your revelations are most, disturbing" the Kaminoan Prime Minister said shaking his head. "When you requested an audience I had assumed you were interested in a progress report on the Clone Army, not…"
"Wait a minute" Obi-wan said interrupting the Prime Minister, "progress report on the 'Clone Army', what Clone Army?"
"The one the Jedi Order commissioned be created to protect the Republic" the Kaminoan Prime Minister replied without hesitation.
"What are you talking about Prime Minister?" Siri said in confusion. "I've never heard of such a project, have you Obi-wan?" Obi-wan just shook his head.
"The arrangements were all made by a Jedi Master one Sifo-Dyas, a decade ago following the Naboo Crisis" the Kaminoan Prime Minister said. "He ordered us to keep Clone Army existence a closely guarded secret. Perhaps this is why neither of you are aware of the project? Could it be you lack the security clearances required? If so, I humbly apologize regarding this breach of security."
"We should contact the Council at once before we proceed any further" Siri said Obi-wan nodded in agreement.
Coruscant – Jedi Temple, Council Room
"Troubling this news is" Jedi Grand Master Yoda said, "hmmm, Master Sifo-Dyas he spoke of yes?"
"Yes Master Yoda he stated Master Sifo-Dyas was the figure behind the creation of the Clone Army" the hologram of Obi-wan answered a hologram of Siri by his side.
"Know nothing of this the Council does, most strange this is" Yoda mused.
"Masters how should we proceed?" the hologram of Siri asked. "Should we continue our original investigation into the connection between Kamino and the assassination of Co-Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, or should we instead concentrate on discovering the truth about the Clone Army?"
"Unless anyone objects I think you Siri should investigate the Clone Army while Obi-wan looks into the assassination plot" Mace Windu answered, no one objected thus the motion was carried. "Contact us once you have learned more about either subject, may the Force by with you both."
Kamino – A Secret Room
In a small, dark chamber the Kaminoan Prime Minister and infamous Mandalorian bounty hunter Jango Fett stood before the holographic image of Count Dooku. "What is your bidding Lord Tyranus?" Jango Fett asked the image while kneeling on one knee.
"Two Jedi Knights have recently arrived on Kamino. They are on the cusp of learning the truth about both the Clone Army and our involvement in the assassination of Co-Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. Jango you must eliminate these Jedi before they discover the truth, now leave my presence."
"At once my lord, they will be done" Jango Fett said before getting up and leaving the chamber via a hidden exit.
The image of Count Dooku turned its' attention toward the Kaminoan Prime Minister. "Prime Minister it is imperative that no one especially the Jedi, are made aware of Orders 66 & 72."
"Do not worry my lord I assure you the hidden protocols built into the Clone Army will remain secret" The Kaminoan Prime Minister said. "You have my word they will never be uncovered."
"For both your sake and that of your world, I hope you're right" The image of Count Dooku blinked out of existence. The Kaminoan Prime Minister felt a lump forming in his long throat, as a chill ran down his body.
Coruscant – Upscale Restaurant
Supreme Chancellor of the Republic Hego Damask was having supper with Jedi Padawan Anakin Skywalker and Senator Padme Amidala in one of the finniest eateries on the galactic capital. It had been three standard solar days since the political discussion between Damask and Amidala had taken place at the very same booth where the party was now seated. Anakin was shyly stealing glances at the Senator while trying hard not to blush. If Padme noticed his interest she gave no outward indications. Padme for her part was more interested in chatting with the Supreme Chancellor than flirting with a young Jedi, which she was vaguely aware was forbidden anyhow.
"Thank you for inviting me to dine with you this evening Supreme Chancellor Damask" Padme said.
"Please child no need to stand on ceremony, call me Hego" Damask said with a disarming smile, glancing at Anakin. "All my friends do."
"I'd rather not sir" Padme said tersely, her eyes darting around nervously.
"If you insist Senator Amidala" Damask said with a shrug, continuing in his grandfatherly like way "Tell me what is on your mind this evening my dear?"
"Have you given any further consideration to my proposal Supreme Chancellor?" Padme asked
"Which was?"
"Refusing any emergency powers the Senator may grant you as a result of the current crisis."
"Oh now I recall. I'm afraid my answer remains unchanged Senator. If I did what you propose it would undoubtedly lead to political breakdown within the Republic, which I cannot allow under any circumstances. You are aware the vote in favor of the bill must be a two-thirds supermajority of the sitting Senate or the extra powers will not be conferred?"
"I am Supreme Chancellor."
"Senator you must also be aware of the possible negative effects my rejection of the overwhelming majority opinion of the Senate would have, in the current galactic-political environment we find ourselves in?"
"Supreme Chancellor while I am painfully aware of…." Padme never got a chance to finish her sentence.
On the other side of the ornate dining room the massive bay viewing port exploded inward. A figure clad entirely in black, including a black face mask devoid of eye holes, leapt towards the party's booth while drawing a single bladed, blood red, light saber. The mysterious figure swung his blade at Padme, who screamed in terror.
It was only the timely intervention of Anakin which prevented catastrophe. Anakin leapt in front of the assailant, his own light saber drawn. Blue met red as the two blades clashed. The blades remained locked together for several seconds before the Mysterious Figure skillfully disengaged his light saber from Anakin's. The two then circled each while patrons screamed and scurried away from the scene of battle.
No matter what move Anakin attempted the Mysterious Figure swiftly countered. More often than not the Mysterious Figure simply sidestepped Anakin's saber strikes at the last possible instant. The Mysterious Figure's body swayed left and right back and forth with a smooth, liquid grace that was beguiling. On the rare occasions their blades did meet Anakin found no matter what he tried he couldn't penetrate his opponent's defence, worse yet when the Mysterious Figure began pressing the advantage Anakin quickly found himself overwhelmed.
Anakin had been backed into a corner was barely holding his own against an intense barrage of rapid saber blows when Jedi Masters Kit Fisto and Plo Koon entered the dining room, followed by several security agents. Seeing he would soon be outnumbered the Mysterious Figure disengaged from the weary Anakin and using the Force threw several tables at the group entering the restaurant before beating a hasty retreat out the same broken window through which he had entered.
Jedi Temple, Council Room
"A Sith" Mace Windu uttered with a mixture of astonishment and trepidation, "Are you certain of this?"
"The assailant used a red bladed light saber" Plo Koon said from the middle of the chamber where he, fellow Master Kit Fisto and Padawan Anakin Skywalker stood facing the seated council members. "Furthermore there was a darkness about the assailant one deeper than any I have ever sensed before."
"I concur" Kit Fisto said. "The assailant was not only well trained in both light saber combat and the use of the Force the assailant also reeked of the Dark Side."
"What to say about this have you Padawan Skywalker?" Yoda asked.
"The assailant was powerful, as good as any duelist I've trained with here at the Temple. The assailant was able to dodge several of my quickest light saber strikes with ease. It took everything I could muster just to hold the assailant off. This was without him resorting to the use of Force powers."
"Find this assailant, learn the truth we must" Yoda said.
"Masters Fisto and Koon will lead the investigation into the possible motivate and identity of this assailant" Mace Windu said. "Until the assailant has been neutralized Senator Amidala will required protection, as will Supreme Chancellor Damask. While the Supreme Chancellor assures us he is fine the Senator has decided to take us up on our offer of protection. Padawan Skywalker your actions must have made quite an impression on Senator Amidala as she has personally requested you be her bodyguard. Under normal circumstances the Jedi would appoint a knight or even a master to such a position. However in light of the fact Senator Amidala has made it abundantly clear she only feels comfortable with a Jedi she has already met being her bodyguard, consider the assignment yours Padawan Skywalker. With the condition if you feel you are in over your head at any time contact the council at once, understood?"
"Understood?" Anakin said, barely containing his excitement.
Kamino
"Impressive" Siri Tachi said observing the production of thousands of Cone Troopers. "May I ask who the template is?"
"The template is renowned Mandalorian bounty hunter Jango Fett" a Kaminoan scientist, a member of the group who was giving Siri a guided tour of the facility, answered.
"A Mandalorian, Jango Fett" Siri repeated. "Aren't Mandalorians warriors typically extremely aggressive?"
"There is no need for concern Jedi Knight Siri" another Kaminoan scientist informed Siri. "We have altered the genetic makeup of the clones so that there natural aggressive tendencies will be more manageable. It wouldn't do to have soldiers which cannot follow orders because of extreme aggression."
"Tell me how was this Jango Fett compensated for the use of his genome as template for the Clone Army" Siri asked. "What did you give him in return, credits?"
"In return for the use of his genome Jango Fett was given several million credits and one unaltered clone which he is currently raising as a son" a third Kaminoan scientist stated. "Why do you ask?"
"Just curious" Siri replied. "Tell me do you know where Jango Fett and his 'son' can be found?"
"They currently reside in housing block three sub-section twelve of this facility" The first Kaminoan scientist answered.
At this revelation Siri excused herself from the tour. Soon as she was away from the prying eyes of the Kaminoans she contacted Obi-wan. "Obi-wan this is Siri come in." There was no answer. "Obi-wan this is Siri respond." Still there was nothing. "Obi-wan this is Siri please respond."
Outside on the landing platform of the massive ocean born facility Obi-wan was in no condition to respond. Mere moments ago Obi-wan had been outside checking the Jedi star fighter that had brought the knights to Kamino when he had received an urgent message from Coruscant Intelligence Services informing him that the darts used by Durge to assassinate Co-Supreme Chancellor Palpatine had been a modified version of the standard weapons used by Mandalorians. Obi-wan didn't have time for this to fully register before he was blind sighted by Jango Fett, in full blue & gray Mandalorian battle armor.
Obi-wan quickly recovered from the sneak attack, and soon was deflecting blaster blots with his light saber. Jango Fett and Obi-wan tangled with each other atop the wave washed platforms neither maintaining an advantage until Jango Fett activated his rocket pack. Taking to the air Jango Fett used one of his gauntlet mounted grappling ropes to ensnare Obi-wan. Warpping the wire tightly around the Jedi's body Jango Fett flung Obi-wan into the depths of the turbulent ocean which surrounded the facility on all sides, where Obi-wan subsequently lost his light saber. Again and again Jango Fett dunked the helpless Obi-wan into the monstrous waves, until the poor man was half drowned. Pulling the hapless Jedi back onto the platform Jango Fett deactivated his jetpack. Landing on the platform in front of his prospective prey Jango Fett spoke in a cold voice.
"I was killing your kind when being a Jedi Knight meant something" Jango Fett leveled his blaster rifle with Obi-wan's head.
"Over here!" Siri yelled from behind Jango Fett.
Jango Fett whirled around firing several blind shots at the second Jedi. Siri easily deflected them all and cut Jango Fett's blaster rifle in half with another swing of her purple blade. Jango Fett attempted to go airborne, but Siri was one step ahead of him. She used the Force to send a small speeder which was parked nearby into a mid-air collision with the bounty hunter. Even before he got back to his feet Jango Fett fired his second wrist mounted grappling hook at the Jedi. Aided by the Force Siri proved too fast for him however, before Jango Fett could pull himself free Siri decapitated him with a powerful two handed swing of her light saber.
With Jango Fett taken care of Siri turned her attention to the injured Obi-wan, however before Obi-wan could fully recover a small ship whizzed by overhead shooting a volley of laser blasts at the two Jedi. Who were forced to jump into the ocean of Kamino or face certain death. The ship was Slave I, it was piloted by Boba Fett the 'son' of Jango Fett. Slave I raced toward the horizon leaving Kamino behind.
Coruscant
Darth Plagueis had just experienced another premonition, his most important yet. In it Plagueis found himself on the arid desert world of Tatooine. While rays of the twin suns had beat down relentlessly upon him the Chosen One of the Jedi Anakin Skywalker had come before him carrying his dead mother. The middle aged woman had been killed by Tusken Raiders. There amongst the lonely sands of that Force forsaken world young Anakin would enter into a Faustian pact with the current grandmaster of the Sith Order. An agreement would be struck which would taint the soul of the Chosen One forever. At the behest of Plagueis Anakin would offer him the lives of the Tusken Raider tribe, including their women and children, who had killed his mother if Plagueis would return her to life. Within a few short days the fate of the Chosen One would be linked to his own forever. Darth Plagueis smiled the Dark Side was indeed generous.
To Be Continued