rasalvatore.attackoftheclones-第26章

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er　beauty。　He　could　tell　that　Padme　sensed　his　stare；　but　she　pointedly　continued　to　look　out　over　the　water。
　〃We　used　to　lie　on　the　sand　and　let　the　sun　dry　us　。。。　and　try　to　guess　the　names　of　the　birds　singing。〃
　〃I　don't　like　the　sand。　It's　coarse　and　rough　and　irritating。　And　it　gets　everywhere。〃
　
　Padme　turned　to　look　back　at　him
　
　〃Not　here；〃　Anakin　went　on。　〃It's　like　that　on　Tatooine…　everything's　like　that　on　Tatooine。　But　here；　everything's　soft；　and　smooth。〃　As　he　finished；　hardly　even　aware　of　the　motion；　he　reached　out　and　stroked　Padme's　arm。　He　nearly　pulled　back　when　he　realized　what　he　was　doing；　but　since　Padm　didn't　object；　he　let　himself　stay　close　to　her。　She　seemed　a　bit　tentative；　a　bit　scared；　but　she　wasn't　pulling　away。
　〃There　was　a　very　old　man　who　lived　on　the　island；〃　she　said。　Her　brown　eyes　seemed　to　be　looking　far　away；　across　the　years。　〃He　used　to　make　glass　out　of　sand…and　vases　and　necklaces　out　of　the　glass。　They　were　magical。〃
　
　Anakin　moved　a　bit　closer；　staring　at　her　intensely　until　she　turned　to　face　him。　〃Everything　here　is　magical；〃　he　said。
　〃You　could　look　into　the　glass　and　see　the　water。　The　way　it　ripples　and　moves。　It　looked　so　real；　but　it　wasn't。〃
　〃Sometimes；　when　you　believe　something　to　be　real；　it　bees　real。〃　It　seemed　to　Anakin　as　if　she　wanted　to　look　away。　But　she　didn't。　Instead；　she　was　falling　deeper　into　his　eyes；　and　he　into　hers。
　〃I　used　to　think　if　you　looked　too　deeply　into　the　glass；　you　would　lose　yourself；〃　she　said；　her　voice　barely　a　whisper。
　〃I　think　it's　true　。　。　。〃　He　moved　forward　as　he　spoke；　brushing　his　lips　against　hers；　and　for　a　moment；　she　didn't　resist；　closing　her　eyes；　losing　herself。　Anakin　pressed　in　closer；　a　real　and　deep　kiss；　sliding　his　lips　across　hers　slowly。　He　could　lose　himself　here；　could　kiss　her　for　hours；　forever　。　。　。
　
　But　then　Padme　pulled　back；　suddenly；　as　if　waking　from　a　dream。　〃No；　I　shouldn't　have　done　that。〃
　〃I'm　sorry；〃　Anakin　said。　〃When　I'm　around　you；　my　mind　is　no　longer　my　own。〃
　
　He　stared　at　her　hard　again；　beginning　that　descent　into　the　glass；　losing　himself　in　her　beauty。　But　the　moment　had　passed；　and　Padme　gathered　her　arms　in　close　and　leaned　again　on　the　balustrade；　looking　out　over　the　water。
　
　　As　soon　as　the　starlight　shrank　back　from　its　speed…shift　elongation；　Obi…　Wan　Kenobi　saw　the　〃missing〃　planet；　exactly　where　the　gravity　flux　had　predicted　it　would　be。
　〃There　it　is；　Arfour；　right　where　it　should　be；〃　he　said　to　his　astromech　droid；　who　tootled　in　response　from　the　left　wing　of　the　fighter。　〃Our　missing　planet；　Kamino。　Those　files　were　altered。〃　R4　beeped　curiously。
　〃I　have　no　idea　who　might　have　done　it；〃　Obi…Wan　replied。　〃Maybe　we'll　find　some　answers　down　there。〃
　
　He　ordered　R4　to　disengage　the　hyperspace　ring；　a　band　encircling　the　center　area　of　the　starfighter；　with　a　pair　of　powerful　hyperdrive　engines；　one　on　either　side。　Then　he　took　the　Delta…7　away；　gliding　in　casually；　registering　information　on　his　various　scanners。
　
　As　he　neared　the　planet；　he　saw　that　it　was　an　ocean　world；　with　no　visible　landmasses　showing　behind　the　nearly　solid　cloud　cover。　He　checked　his　sensors；　searching　for　any　other　ships　that　might　be　in　the　area；　not　really　sure　of　what　he　should　expect。　His　puter　registered　a　transmission　directed　his　way；　asking　for　identification；　and　he　flipped　his　signal　beacon　on；　transferring　all　the　information。　A　moment　later；　to　his　relief；　there　came　a　second　transmission　from　Kamino；　this　one　containing　approach　coordinates　to　a　place　called　Tipoca　City。
　〃Well；　here　we　go；　Arfour。　Time　to　find　some　answers。〃　The　droid　beeped　and　set　the　coordinates　into　the　nav　puter；　and　the　fighter　swooped　down　at　the　planet；　breaking　atmosphere　and　soaring　along　over　rain…lashed；　whitecapped　seas。　The　trip　across　the　stormy　sky　was　rougher　than　the　atmospheric　entry；　but　the　fighter　held　its　course　perfectly；　and　soon　after；　Obi…Wan　got　his　first　look　at　Tipoca　City。　It　was　all　gleaming　domes　and　angled；　gracefully　curving　walls；　built　on　gigantic　stilts　rising　out　of　the　lashing　sea。
　
　Obi…Wan　spotted　the　appropriate　landing　pad；　but　did　a　flyby　first；　crossing　the　city　and　circling　about；　wanting　to　observe　this　spectacular　place　from　all　angles。　It　seemed　as　much　a　work　of　art　as　a　practical　and　magnificent　piece　of　engineering；　the　whole　of　the　city　reminding　him　more　of　the　Senate　Building　and　the　Jedi　Temple　on　Coruscant。　It　was　brightly　lit　at　all　the　right　places　to　highlight　the　domes　and　curving　walls。
　〃There's　so　much　to　see；　Arfour；〃　the　Jedi　lamented。　He　had　visited　hundreds　of　worlds　in　his　life；　but　viewing　a　place　as　strange　and　beautiful　as　Tipoca　City　only　reminded　him　that　there　were　thousands　and　thousands　more　yet　to　see；　too　many　for　any　one　person　to　visit　even　if　he　did　nothing　else　for　the　entirety　of　his　life。
　
　At　last　Obi…Wan　put　his　fighter　down　on　the　designated　landing　pad。　He　pulled　his　hood　up　tight　over　him；　then　slid　back　his　canopy　and　scrambled　out　against　the　wind　and　the　rain；　rushing　across　the　permacrete　to　a　tower　across　the　way。　A　door　slid　open　before　him；　spilling　out　brilliant　light；　and　he　went　through；　crossing　into　a　brightly　lit　white　room。
　〃Master　Jedi；　so　good　to　see　you；〃　came　a　melodic　voice。　Obi…Wan　pushed　back　his　hood；　which　had　offered　little　protection　from　the　driving　rain；　and　brushed　the　water　from　his　hair。　Wiping　his　face；　he　turned　to　face　the　speaker；　and　then　he　paused；　caught　by　the　image　of　the　Kaminoan。
　〃I　am　Taun　We；〃　she　introduced　herself。　She　was　taller　than　Obi…Wan；　pasty　white　and　amazingly　slender；　with　gracefully　curving　lines；　but　there　was　nothing　insubstantial　about　her。　Thin；　yes；　but　packed　with　a　solid　and　powerful　presence。　Her　eyes；　huge；　almond…shaped；　and　dark；　were　sparkling　clear；　like　those　of　an　inquisitive　child。　Her　nose　was　no　more　than　a　pair　of　vertical　slits；　connected　by　a　horizontal　one；　sitting　on　the　bridge　above　her　upper　lip。　She　reached　out　gracefully　toward　him　with　an　arm　that　moved　as　smoothly　as　any　dancer　might。
　〃The　Prime　Minister　expects　you。〃
　
　The　words　finally　distracted　Obi…Wan　from　his　bemused　perusal　of　her　strangely　beautiful　physique。　〃I'm　expected？〃　he　asked；　doing　little　to　hide　his　incredulity。　How　in　the　galaxy　could　these　beings　possibly　have　been　expecting　him？
　
　〃Of　course。〃　Taun　We　replied。　〃Lama　Su　is　anxious　to　see　you。　After　all　these　years；　we　were　beginning　to　think　you　weren't　ing。　Now　please；　this　way。〃
　
　Obi…Wan　nodded　and　tried　to　play　it　cool；　hiding　the　million　questions　buzzing　about　in　his　thoughts。　After　all　these　years？　They　were　thinking　that　I　wasn't　ing？
　
　The　corridor　was　nearly　as　brightly　lit　as　the　room；　but　as　his　eyes　adjusted；　Obi…Wan　found　the　light　strangely　fortable。　They　passed　many　windows；　and　Obi…Wan　could　see　other　Kaminoans　busy　in　side　rooms；　males…　distinguished　by　a　crest　atop　their　heads…and　females　working　about　furniture　that　was　highlighted　at　every　edge　by　shining　light；　as　if　that　light　supported　and　defined　it。　He　was　struck　by　how　clean　this　place　was；　everything　polished　and　shining　and　smooth。　He　kept　his　questions　to　himself；　though；　as　anxious　to　see　this　Prime　Minister；　Lama　Su；　as　Taun　We　seemed　to　be　in　getting　him　there；　judging　from　the　swift　pace。
　
　　The　Kaminoan　stopped　at　one　side　door　and　sent　it　sliding　open　with　a　wave　of　her　hand；　then　motioned　for　Obi…Wan　to　enter　first。
　
　Another　Kaminoan；　a　bit　taller　and　with　the　distinctive　male　crest；　greeted　them。　He　looked　down　at　Obi…Wan；　blinked　his　huge　eyes；　and　smiled　warmly。　With　a　wave　of　his　hand；　he　brought　an　egg…shaped　chair　gracefully　spiraling　down　from　the　ceiling。
　〃May　I　present　Lama　Su；　Prime　Minister　of　Kamino；〃　Taun　We　said；　then　to　Lama　Su；　she　added；　〃This　is　Master　Jedi…〃
　〃Obi…Wan　Kenobi；〃　the　Jedi　finished；　nodding　his　head　deferentially。
　
　The　Prime　Minister　indicated　the　chair；　then　sat　back　in　his　own；　but　Obi…　Wan　remained　standing；　soaking　in　the　scene　before　him。
　〃I　trust　you　are　going　to　enjoy　your　stay；〃　the　Prime　Minister　said。　〃We　are　most　happy　you　have　arrived　at　the　best　part　of　the　season。〃
　〃You　make　me　feel　most　wele。〃　Obi…Wan　didn't　add　that　if　the　deluge　outside　was　〃the　best　part　of　the　season；〃　he'd　hate　to　see　the　worst。
　〃Please。。。〃　Lama　Su　indicated　the　chair　once　more。　When　Obi…Wan　finally　sat　down；　the　Kaminoan　continued。　〃And　now　to　business。　You　will　be　delighted　to　hear　we　are　on　schedule。　Two　hundred　thousand　units　are　ready；　with　another　million　well　on　the　way。〃
　
　Obi…Wan's　tongue　suddenly　seemed　fat　in　his　mouth；　but　he　fought　past　the　stutter　and　tucked　his　questions　away；　and　improvised；　〃That　is　good　news。〃　　　〃We　thought　you　would　be　pleased。〃
　〃Of　course。〃　〃Please　tell　your　Master　Sifo…Dyas　that　we　have　every　confidence　his　order　will　be　met；　on　time　and　in　full。　He　is　well；　I　hope。〃
　〃I'm　sorry；〃　the　overwhelmed　Jedi　replied。　〃Master？　。。。〃
　〃　Jedi　Master　Sifo…Dyas。　He　is　still　a　leading　member　of　the　Jedi　Council；　is　he　not？〃
　
　The　name；　known　to　Obi…Wan　as　that　of　a　former　Jedi　Master；　elicited　yet　another　surge　of　questions；　but　again；　he　put　them　out　of　mind　and　focused　on　keeping　Lama　Su　talking　and　giving　out　potentially　valuable　information。
　〃I'm　afraid　to　say　that　Master　Sifo…Dyas　was　killed　almost　ten　years　ago。〃　Lama　Su　blinked　his　huge　eyes　again。　〃Oh；　I'm　so　sorry　to　hear　that。　But　I'm　sure　he　would　have　been　proud　of　the　army　we've　built　for　him。〃
　〃The　army？〃　Obi…Wan　asked　before　he　could　even　think　the　direction　through。
　〃The　army　of　clones。　And　I　must　say；　one　of　the　finest　we've　ever　created。〃　Obi…Wan　didn't　know　how　far　he　could　press　this。　If　it　was　indeed　Sifo…Dyas　who　had　missioned　an　army　of　clones；　then　why　hadn't　Master　Yoda　or　any　of　the　others　said　anything　about　it？　Sifo…Dyas　had　been　a　powerful　Jedi　before　his　untimely　death；　but　would　he　have　acted　alone　on　an　issue　as　important　as　this？　The　Jedi　studied　his　two　panions；　even　reaching　into　the　Force　to　gain　a　feeling　about　them。　Everything　seemed　straightforward　here；　and　open；　and　so　he　followed　his　instincts　and　kept　the　conversation　rolling　along。　〃Tell　me；　Prime　Minister；　when　my　Master　first　contacted　you　about　the　army；　did　he　say　who　it　was　for？〃
　〃Of　course　he　did；〃　the　Kaminoan　offered　unsuspiciously。　〃The　army　is　for　the　Republic。〃
　
　Obi…Wan　almost　blurted　out；　The　Republic！　but　his　discipline　allowed　him　to　keep　his　surprise　well　buried；　along　with　the　tumult　in　his　thoughts；　a　mounting　storm　as　furious　as　the　one　that　raged　outside。　What　in　the　galaxy　was　going　on　here？　An　army　of　clones　for　the　Republic？　missioned　by　a　Jedi　Master？　Did　the　Senate　know　of　this？　Did　Yoda；　or　Master　Windu？
　
　〃You　understand　the　responsibility　you　incur　in　creating　such　an　army　for　the　Republic？〃　he　asked；　trying　to　cover　his　confusion。　〃We　expect；　and　must　have；　the　very　best。〃
　〃Of　course；　Master　Kenobi；〃　Lama　Su　said；　seeming　supremely　confident。　〃You　must　be　anxious　to　inspect　the　units　for　yourself。〃
　〃That's　why　I'm　here；〃　Obi…Wan　answered。　Taking　Lama　Su's　cue；　he　rose　and　followed　the　Prime　Minister　and　Taun　We　out　of　the　room。
　
　　Lush　grasses　sprinkled　with