| abstract
| - “There’s our missing planet, Arfour,” Obi-Wan said as they rounded a moon and Kamino came into view. “And right where it should be, too. Those archives were altered.” Despite its lack of recognition by the navcomputer, Obi-Wan found no protests after he transmitted his code. A landing zone was merely given to him with a suggested trajectory to Tipoca City. He disengaged the hyperspace ring and began his approach. A planet almost entirely covered by water, Kamino was dotted with small cities such as the one Obi-Wan had been directed to. Millennia ago Kamino had been a terrestrial world, yet climate change had altered this and the Kaminoans had adapted accordingly. This still did not excuse the pouring rain which soaked Obi-Wan to the skin the moment he left his starfighter. When he walked into the brightly lit building he was still blinking water out of his eyes, and was immediately met by one of the natives. Tall, slim and willowy with large eyes best described a Kaminoan. Those large eyes were trained on him rather comfortingly. Obi-Wan assumed this was the welcome party and readied his explanation. “Master Jedi,” the Kaminoan said in a low, sweet voice, “the Prime Minister is expecting you.” It took all of Obi-Wan’s self-control not to gape, but his voice betrayed his surprise. “I’m…I’m expected?” “Of course,” the Kaminoan replied with a smile, “after all these years we were beginning to think you weren't coming. Please,” the Kaminoan beckoned with a hand and Obi-Wan followed. The Kaminoan introduced herself as Taun We as she escorted him through the city. Obi-Wan didn’t really examine his surroundings as much as have would have liked. The luminescent white corridors of Kamino were merely secondary to his whirling thoughts. What does she mean that I am expected? he wondered. He knew he would get answers enough if he was patient, but on the whole this was shaping up to be very odd. Without further ado he was ushered into the Prime Minister’s office. “Lama Su, Prime Minister of Kamino,” Taun We introduced, a Kaminoan similar to Taun We with a grey robe rather than blue and a crest dividing his head. “Allow me to present Master Jedi…” “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” Obi-Wan bowed slightly, keeping his face neutral and his curiosity to himself. “Please, take a seat.” Lama Su made a gesture and a spoon-shaped seat like his own descended from the ceiling. “And now, to business. You will be no doubt delighted to hear that we are on schedule.” “That is…good news,” Obi-Wan managed to say, having no idea what was being spoken about. “We have two hundred thousand units ready with a million more on the way,” the Kaminoan continued. “Please tell Master Sifo-Dyas that his order will be ready on time and in full.” “I’m sorry?” Obi-Wan asked. “Master…?” “Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas,” Lama Su looked curiously at Obi-Wan. “I trust he still is a leading member of the Jedi Council?” “I'm sorry to tell you that Master Sifo-Dyas was killed, almost ten years ago,” Obi-Wan replied. “Oh, what a shame,” Lama Su said, looking as though he meant it. “He would be pleased with the army we made for him.” “Excuse me?” Obi-Wan fought to keep his voice controlled. “An…army?” “Yes, a clone army,” Lama Su replied as if it were a matter of course. “Quite the finest we have created, if I do say so myself.” “Tell me, Prime Minister,” Obi-Wan said, voicing a question that needed an answer, regardless of what the Kaminoans thought of him, “when my Master talked to you about the army, did he mention who it was for?” “Of course,” Lama Su replied with a smile, “the army is for the Republic.” Obi-Wan’s eyebrows shot up with surprise. “He said that Jedi would only command an army of lifeforms.” He regarded Obi-Wan seriously. “I’m sure you are anxious to inspect the units for yourself.” “That’s…why I am here,” Obi-Wan said with a smile. “Very well,” Lama Su go to his feet and Obi-Wan followed, Taun We trailing them both. Deep beneath the surface of the water, Obi-Wan examined with interest the long lines of clone embryo beyond the transparent walkway where he was with the Kaminoans. Each one emitting a pulse of life through the Force. “All of these are developed from the one original source,” Lama Su explained, “yet we implement growth acceleration as well as modifying the genetic structure to make them less independent. Clones can think creatively, you will find them immensely superior to droids. Here,” Lama Su gestured to some clones that looked about ten years old, all frighteningly identical, “these were developed only five years ago.” “You mentioned growth acceleration?” Obi-Wan noted dryly. “Oh yes,” Lama Su replied, “it’s vital otherwise a mature clone would take a lifetime to grow. Here we can do it in half the time.” “Who was the original source?” Obi-Wan asked. “A bounty hunter named Jango Fett,” Lama Su replied. “We would have preferred a Jedi but Sifo-Dyas had already picked him out and he has since been most accommodating.” I should think so, Obi-Wan added in thought, the idea of an army of clones strong in the Force disturbed him. “He actually helped with the training of the first units,” Lama Su replied as they passed some older clones about Anakin’s age. “Where might I find this Jango Fett?” Obi-Wan had a small idea forming at the back of his mind, the first logical one he had had ever since he had found the dart in the assassin’s neck. “Oh, we keep him here,” Lama Su told him. “And apart from his pay—which is considerable—he has only made one other request: an unaltered clone for himself.” “Unaltered?” This seemed most curious. “Pure genetic replication,” the Prime Minister explained. “No growth acceleration, no tampering to make it more docile. I cannot imagine why.” “I would very much like to meet him,” Obi-Wan said decidedly. “I would be happy to arrange a meeting for you,” Taun We replied, leaving them then while Lama Su and Obi-Wan continued the tour. They were passing clones in armour now, an all-white armour strapped to black body gloves. And the result was chilling when coupled with the helmets that were dolled out. They finally stopped at a platform where clones were on parade, perfect unison as they turned around. All exactly identical. “Magnificent, aren’t they?” Lama Su said. “Yes,” Obi-Wan murmured, yet in the severe black and white he began to sympathise with the sentiments of Senator Nalanda and the Loyalists. One what could happen, would happen to the galaxy if they failed: war!
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