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At the time, there was great unrest in the Galactic Senate. Several hundred solar systems under the leadership of the rebel leader Count Dooku had declared their intentions to leave the Republic, and the panic caused the Senate to suggest making an army to protect the Republic.
In his office on Coruscant, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine discussed these matters with six Jedi Masters.
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“I don’t know how much longer I can hold off the vote, my friends. More and more star systems are joining the Separatists.”
“If they do break away…” one of the Jedi Masters started, but was interrupted.
“No! I will not let this Republic, which has stood for a thousand years, be split in two. My negotiations will not fail.”
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“But if they do break away,” Jedi Master Mace Windu warned, continuing his statement, for he was the one who had said the first part, “you must realise there aren’t enough Jedi to protect your Republic. We’re keepers of the peace, not soldiers.”
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“Master Yoda, do you think it will really come to war?” Palpatine questioned.
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The small green frog-like creature seemed to be deep in thought. “Worse than war, I fear. Much worse.”
“Master Yoda, what do you sense?” asked an alarmed Chancellor.
“The Dark Side clouds everything… …impossible to see, the future is.”
The Chancellor then nodded and said: “We will discuss this matter later.”
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Meanwhile, an older Obi-Wan Kenobi discussed with Master Yoda and Windu his twenty year old Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, who was about to go on a mission.
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“I am concerned for my Padawan,” the wise Jedi said. “He is not ready to be on his own.”
“If the prophecy is true, he is the one who will bring balance to the Force,” answered Mace Windu.
“But he still has much to learn. His skills have made him, well, arrogant. I realise now what you both knew from the beginning… …the boy was too old to start the Jedi training and his pride…”
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Yoda cut him off. “Yes, yes, a flaw more and more common among Jedi. Too sure of themselves, they are. Even the older… …more experienced ones.”
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“Obi-Wan, you must have faith he will choose the right path.”
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But disobeying his orders, Anakin Skywalker had been driven to Tatooine by visions of his mother dying, and so far he had learned that she had been captured by the vicious Tusken Raiders…
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…tracking them down had been easy, but by the time he found her, she was just about to die.
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In a rage, he murdered the Tusken Raider tribe…
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…not one of them was left alive.
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Following his own duty, Obi-Wan Kenobi traveled to the rainy planet of Kamino, following a mysterious trail that had started with an assasination of a Senator.
However, he was surprised to see he was expected when a Kaminoan greeted him. “Master Jedi. We have been expecting you.”
“I’m expected?” the Jedi asked with a clueless looked, for he had made no appointment.
“Of course!” the alien answered in a high-pitched voice. “After all these years, we were beginning to think you weren’t coming.”
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“I trust you will enjoy your stay,” continued the small-headed Kaminoan. “You will be delighted to hear that we are on schedule. Two hundred thousands units are ready, with another million well on the way.”
“That’s… …good news.”
“Please tell your Master, Sifo-Dyas, that his order will be met on time. Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas is still a member of the Jedi Council, is he not?”
“Master Sifo-Dyas was killed, almost ten years ago,” said Kenobi, though they never really found out how.
“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. But he would’ve been proud of the army we built for him.”
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Following Obi-Wan’s confused look, the Kaminoan, who was called Taun We, took him to a viewing window.
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Far below, several beings in armor were claiming different weapons and helmets with visors in the shape of a ‘T’. The ones without their helmets on seemed to have similiar faces, besides, perhaps, some age differences.
“A Clone Army,” Taun We explained. “And I must say, it’s one of the finest we’ve ever created.”
“Tell me, when Master Sido-Dyas first contacted you about the army, did… …did he say who it was for?”
“Of course he did. This army is for the Republic.”
“Who was the original host?”
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“A bounty hunter called Jango Fett.”
This, Obi-Wan thought, might be a clue to solve the puzzle which led him here, about finding the assassin who tried to kill Senator Amidala, former Queen of Naboo. He said: “I would like to meet this Jango Fett.”
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They moved along to the next window. Faces covered by helmets, thousands of clone troopers boarded a transport.
Obi-Wan gazed in amazement, but the Kaminoan spoke. “Magnificient, aren’t they?”
The Jedi gave a small nod.
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As requested, Obi-Wan later met with the bounty hunter, Fett.
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“Your clones are very impressive,” said Obi-Wan. “You must be very proud.”
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“I’m just a simple man, trying to make my way around in the universe,” the bounty hunter answered, his gaze cold.
A curious tone rose in Obi-Wan’s voice. “You must know Master Sifo-Dyas…”
“Master who?”
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“Sifo-Dyas. Is he not the Jedi who hired you for this job?”
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Jango paused. “Never heard of him.”
“Really…”
“I was recruited by a man called Tyranus on one of the moons of Bodgen.”
“Just curious…”
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“Do you like your army?”
“I look forward to seeing them in action.”
“They’ll do their job well. I’ll guarantee that.”
Obi-Wan bowed. “Thank you for your time, Jango.”
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“Always a pleasure to meet a Jedi.”
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Obi-Wan’s visit to Kamino was soon over.
“And remember,” said the Kaminoan before he left, “If you need more trops, it will take more time.”
But based on various hints, Obi-Wan had come to believe that the bounty hunter Jango Fett was the assassin of Senator Amidala…
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…and so he would not leaving here without a fight or an arrest.
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The bounty hunter, now in full armour, decided it would be a fight.
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PUNCH!
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KICK!
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A blast from Jango Fett’s pistol sent Obi-Wan flying off a ramp…
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…but without him knowing, the Jedi had caught on to a pole while falling down.
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This allowed Kenobi to follow Fett in space in secrecy, which led to him the planet Geonosis.
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Once he had landed, he found mysterious Separatist Droid Factory, which he made his way into.
Count Dooku, head leader of the rebellion, appeared to be in a meeting with other Separatist leaders, including Viceroy Gunray of the Trade Federation.
“With these new battle doids we built for you, you will have the finest army in the galaxy,” one Separatist said.
And then Dooku himself spoke. “As I explained to you earlier, I am quite convinced that ten thousand more systems will rally to our cause. Our friends from the Trade Federation have pledged there support. And when there droid combined with yours, we shall have an army greater than any in the galaxy. The Republic will be overwhelmed, and the Republic will agree to any demands we make.”
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The Count then waved his hand toward a Rodian, who was standing beside a strange cloaked figure in white armor.
“And may I present to you Bodotor Thuvat, leader of the Nockudumey Terrorists. His organization has battled against the Republic over two times now, and he has agreed to aid us when we are in need… …and the other way around.”
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However, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s presence was discovered, and he had been captured. However, Obi-Wan learned many things from Dooku’s ‘interrogation’ of him. The Sith Lord had told the Jedi Knight that another Sith Lord called Darth Sidious was controlling the Senate.
But Obi-Wan had told him: “I don’t believe you.”
Dooku, though, had continued about it, and told Obi-Wan that if he joined him, they could destroy the Sith and bring peace to the galaxy. But Obi-Wan had not hesitated to refuse, and so he was sent for execution…
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