AN: Hello again! I hope you enjoy the next installment of Charlie's story. As always, read, enjoy, and review! May the Force Be With You.

C

CHAPTER 8

E-3PX was showing Charlie and R4 to their room. The trio stopped in front of a metal sliding door.

"Here we are, milady." the droid said. "The panel there should recognize your touch and should open the door. I do hope you find everything comfortable. The fresher is through the door on the right. I'll have food brought up in a few minutes, yes?" the droid asked.

Charlie nodded in response and thanked the droid. With a bow, it began its slow walk away.

Charlie turned back to the door, and looked at the panel, which had lit up with her in close proximity. She tapped the screen, which then requested that she place a hand to it. The panel scanned her hand, blinked green twice, and the door slid open. She and R4 walked inside.

The room was very much like that which she had stayed in on Utapau. There was a bed, desk, cabinet, and nightstand. She noted the door to the fresher that the droid had pointed out. Walking over to the bed, Charlie swung her pack off her shoulders and threw it on the bed. Along with it went her cloak, her weapons, and her utility belt.

Charlie felt that in a room within the Jedi Temple, she was probably safe from intruders. But knowing that you can never be to careful, she called to R4.

"R4, keep watch, alright?" she said to the droid. It beeped reassuringly. She gave it a pat on its round metal head in thanks.

Charlie opened her pack and grabbed fresh underclothes, and stripped off her tunic, shorts, and wraps.

She walked into the fresher, noting that it was really very nice. There were toiletries on the sink, towels on the rack, and a soft looking robe hanging on the back of the door. She only had a few minutes, and was feeling the pressure of rescuing Kenobi, so she took a fast shower. She dried, taking time to tie her hair back in its customary french braid, and dressed in fresh clothes. She was repacking her pack when there was a knock on the door.

Charlie palmed it open from the inside panel to reveal 3PX standing with a steaming plate of food and a jug of water. The droid came in the room at Charlie's invite, and placed the provisions on the desk. Charlie ate fast, wanting to meet with the council again as soon as possible. In between bites, she rewrapped her arms, slid on her boots and utility belt. She reattached her weapons, checking that she had each, and hooked her lightsaber onto her belt.

When she had finished her quick meal, she pushed the trash into the chute, and tied on her cloak. She checked herself over, making sure she had everything. Deeming herself ready and presentable, she closed her pack, swinging it onto her back, and turned to the two droids.

"R4," she said to the little astromech droid, "I suppose you should come with me." Charlie looked at 3PX, waiting for the larger droid to speak.

Finally, it did. "When you are ready, milady, I can to take you to the council." the protocol droid said.

Charlie nodded, and palmed open the door. She checked the time on her wrist comm as they walked out of the room, wincing when she realized how late it already was. It seemed inconceivable that she'd left the Sith temple only this morning. It was now only approaching evening, and it had felt like years.

She shrugged off the feeling, and together the trio made their way once again to the council's room.

The council was arguing when she arrived.

She'd left her pack outside with R4 once again, so when she walked in, her cloak and hair flew behind her. She came to an abrupt stop at the noise.

"There is no saving." Master Mundi was saying, "There is only patience and the hope that Master Kenobi is able to handle himself."

"He doesn't know the trap he's walking into!" replied Jocasta Nu, the head of the archives. "I'm sure there was a reason he couldn't find that planet, and not a good one either! Things do not just disappear from the archives. I should know! We must find a way to warn him!"

"There is no way!" came from Windu, "Have faith that Master Kenobi is careful and makes his escape without harm. If we don't hear from him within the week, then I suggest sending a rescue party. If I know Master Kenobi, I know he will find a way to contact us."

Charlie, wanting a clear answer, interrupted the conversation.

"So I take it that Padawan couldn't contact him, and he's already landed on the planet?" she asked the council.

Windu replied. "Yes." he said. " Unfortunately for us and for his safety, Master Kenobi moves with efficiency. We were unable to make contact, and even now we are unable to pinpoint his exact location. There is something about that planet. It is well hidden with strong defenses for an outer rim." He turned back to the rest of the council to continue the argument.

Then Yoda spoke. "Knows something, Master Silverstar does. Information, she has." His voice was serene as always, but when he turned to look at Charlie, she could see the apprehension in his eyes.

The entire council copied his move. Twelve pairs of eyes focused on Charlie.

Before Charlie could reply, she was being forced into a chair by yet another droid. She sank into it gratefully and sighed.

"Yes," she began, "I know of Kamino and its secrets. One of your own, a Jedi Knight or Master, or perhaps a higher up in the Senate, ordered the creation of a clone army. I'm assuming some clue led Master Kenobi to this planet, and I suspect, if its a bounty hunter you're looking for, the source will be Jango Fett. He is the DNA source for the clones, and it won't be long until Master Kenobi figures this out."

"The planet was hidden from the archives most likely by one of your own because it is a closely guarded secret by the Republic. The clone creators, the indigenous people of the planet, will welcome Master Kenobi with open arms. They always assumed that one day a member of the Republic would come and claim their army."

"Sidious and Dooku learned of its location thanks to Jango Fett, who is actually an agent for them. I fear for Master Kenobi because Fett will know of his importance, and might attempt to assassinate him for the separatists led by Count Dooku and for the dark side. It will not be difficult for Master Kenobi to realize that Fett it the bounty hunter he's looking for. If he attacks, Fett would take great pride in his death."

The council looked askance at this news. As they mused, Charlie sat relaxed in her chair. On the inside, though, she was buzzing and ready to move. She couldn't understand why it was so hard for the council to make such an easy decision.

"We have no way of and no time to discover who this traitor is." Windu replied, "I assure you, none of us have knowledge of this clone army. We will have to devote time to this later. Right now, our most important objective is Master Kenobi. I have changed my mind. We must try to secure his safety." When he finished, Charlie felt a great sense of relief at his words. They were going to at least try to save the missing Jedi.

Charlie outwardly nodded in agreement. Suddenly, she sat straight upright in her chair, remember something from earlier that morning. She gasped, and the council quieted, giving her questioning looks.

"Wait a second!" she said, by way of answer. "I had a meeting with Sidious and Dooku right before I escaped. They're planning something on Geonosis. If your Jedi attempts to capture Jango, as I'm sure he will, I believe Jango will flee to this planet. Dooku is already there! Sidious sent him right before I escaped this morning!"

The council was silent until there was a violent knock on the door. Charlie jumped in surprise. The doors opened to reveal the same padawan who'd tried to contact Obi-Wan earlier. "Masters," she said, panting, "I have news from padawan Skywalker and Master Kenobi!"

"Go on." said Windu.

The padawan collected herself before continuing.

"Skywalker sent a transmission saying that the separatists have a droid army on a planet called Geonosis. General Kenobi was captured their mid-transmission to Padawan Skywalker, but managed to relay this information. He discovered while on Kamino that the planet was hiding a clone army supposedly request by a high-ranking member of the Republic. The bounty hunter he was looking for is the DNA source of the clones. His name is Jango Fett. Count Dooku hired the bounty hunter Jango Fett to assassinate Senator Amidala. Together, Count Dooku and the viceroy of the Trade Federation Nute Gunray have built a droid army supposedly to counteract the clone army being build on Kamino. Padawan Skywalker and his change Senator Amidala are traveling to Geonosis in an attempt to rescue Master Kenobi, and call for all available help."

The padawan took a deep breath after finishing her statement.

The council was silent once again.

Finally, it was Windu who spoke.

"Contact the Chancellor's office," he said, "and relay to him all information on the droid and clone armies. Tell him we will meet him in his office shortly."

The padawan bowed and ran out.

Windu continued. "It seems as though you were correct, Master Silverstar, in your assumptions. Skywalker is headstrong and arrogant, and I am afraid he will get himself and the senator captured. We must go after them. Perhaps this clone army can be of use after all. Be ready to depart for Kamino in half an hour. We will speak to the Chancellor. I am certain he will approve of emergency use of this clone army. Do you have transportation to Kamino?"

Charlie nodded, feeling vaguely apologetic to Skywalker for Windu's assessment of him. She brushed off the feeling, and informed the council of the capabilities of her starfighter. She could even sleep while R4 flew for her. He would wake her up if necessary.

"I'll follow you." Charlie said, finishing her talk.

She, Windu, and the rest of the council stood.

Yoda spoke next. "All available Jedi, you must gather. A great battle, I feel ahead."

The door opened behind Charlie, and she walked out. She swung her pack onto her back, and motioned to R4 to follow her into the lift. Before the doors closed, she gave a final nod to Windu and Yoda.

The lift moved as slowly as ever, and Charlie was grateful that she'd brought her pack with her to the meeting. It would save her time now. Together, she and R4 made there way through the foyer. It was dark now, as it was night. Charlie still couldn't believe that she'd been trapped in the temple just this morning.

They made it back to Star Burst without incident, and she and R4 ran a full systems check.

It was a starfighter, so it had defense enough for her during a space battle, but she wanted to be sure the ship was in perfect working order after their long flight to Coruscant. It wasn't often she flew it this much within a single day.

After assuring herself it was working to her satisfaction, she walked up the ramp into the ship and R4 allowed himself to be lifted into position. She placed her pack where it had been earlier, and checked herself and her weapons. Cloak on, food and water within arms reach of the pilot's seat, saber, knives, and blaster all in working order. She was ready.

While she waited, she centered herself. She could fell, just as Yoda could, that a massive battle was on the horizon, and she wanted to be ready. Just as she came out of her little trance, R4 beeped to let her know that the Jedi army's ships were departing. She started power up, and as soon as the engines were ready, she followed the Jedi ships up through the atmosphere and out into space.

As they flew away from Coruscant's surface, she noticed many of the ships were splitting off from the group. She guessed that those were the Jedi ships containing the many ranks of Jedi that had emptied from the temple. They were to go immediately to Geonosis in an attempt to stop a battle before it could happen. She silently wished them luck, and followed the giant transport ships assigned to carry the clones into hyperspace on their way to Kamino.

"Here we go, R4." she said over the roar of the engines. "Time to prove ourselves in service to the Jedi."

R4 beeped.

"I'm going to get as much rest as I can." she continued. "I trust you to fly the ship, little friend. Wake me if anything happens."

R4 beeped again, and Charlie leaned her chair back and shut her eyes.

She hadn't realized how tired she was until R4 woke her up with a few insistent beeps, and then complained good-naturedly how hard he'd had to try in order to wake her.

It had been but a few hours, yet she still felt refreshed. She smiled at the droid, and checked the computers. They were maybe ten minutes away from Kamino, and just about to exit hyperspace. Charlie felt a jolt, and saw the blurry light lines of hyperspace leave her vision. They had exited hyperspace. she saw Kamino, or what she assumed was Kamino, only a few minutes ride away.

She left the pilot's seat in R4's capable hands for a few minutes as she used the fresher, and checked over her gear again. All was in working order, so she munched on a snack while they made the approach to Kamino. They approached what looked to the only settlement on the entire planet. It was water covered, she noted with amazement, so the buildings were on raised legs. The buildings themselves were huge, and ultramodern.

"Its beautiful." she said in awe, mostly to herself. R4 beeped in response.

They landed without much to do. There were enough platforms for all the transport ships, and her starfighter. Windu contacted her though the force to tell her to stay put. Only he and Yoda were going in.

"Fine by me." She forced herself to think, squashing the slight annoyance she had at being left behind. She put her feet up on the dash, resigned to waiting for something bad to happen.

Nothing went wrong, though, surprisingly enough. The Kaminoans were very adept at creating clones, and the army was ready for transport. They'd been expecting the Republic to arrive any day now, and were more than happy to assist in the loading of clones. Master Kenobi had apparently done an excellent job in convincing them that he was an early envoy for the Republic.

Charlie watched in amazement as clone after clone was loaded onto the ships. It did make her feel more secure, to be traveling with an army. She knew their enemies were dangerous, and that she had as much chance of dying as anyone, and yet fear seemed to elude here. She was calm, centered, and ready.

The army took off, leaving the gorgeous water-covered planet behind. The Kaminoans were waving goodbye, having left them with promises of continued creation, despite the loss of their DNA source. Charlie allowed R4 to do most of the flying as she considered the battle before them.

This time, they were only in hyperspace for about five minutes. Geonosis was close. The new planet was sand covered, and dust kicked up as the large transport ships got to close to the surface. They flew over a scene of total chaos. She couldn't see it as much as she could feel it.

Charlie broke off from the large group of transport ships, directing R4 to land next to a tall fortress that wasn't to far from the arena that housed the chaos.

"R4," she called to the droid once she'd disembarked, "keep the ship ready for me. I don't know what the situation will be when we depart."

The droid beeped his assent.

Charlie had left her pack on the ship, hoping that she would make it back to her fighter before the end of this new day. She checked that she had all of her weapons one last time, hopped on a nearby speeder, and took off towards the arena.

The force imprint coming from inside the arena was incredibly strong, so she could only assume the Jedi fighters had already begun their battle. However, she could also feel their exhaustion, trepidation, and almost a sense of overwhelmingness. Overhead, as she raced for the arena, she saw hundreds of winged creatures fleeing the area.

"Locals." she said to herself, and swore in Huttese. This wasn't going to be good.