Chapter Twenty-Six
Mira

I lounged on the narrow bunk, stretching languidly as a sharp rap echoed against the metal door. Curiosity piqued, I tilted my head, catching sight of Obi-Wan as he stepped into the ship's cramped quarters. His eyes crinkled with a mixture of anticipation and amusement.

"We've arrived at our destination," he announced, a hint of excitement coloring his typically serene voice.

"Excellent," I replied, swinging my legs over the edge of the bunk and rising to my full height. Together, we made our way down the ship's boarding ramp, our footsteps creating a metallic rhythm that was quickly drowned out by the sound of falling rain.

As we emerged, a deluge of water greeted us, transforming the world into a shimmering curtain. Delicate petals from nearby Kamono trees drifted down, caught in the downpour, creating an ethereal dance of pink and white against the gray backdrop. The rain plastered my hair to my scalp, and I couldn't suppress a shiver of discomfort.

Leaning close to Obi-Wan, I murmured, my voice barely audible above the steady patter of raindrops, "I despise rain. It's unbearably damp."

Obi-Wan let out a soft snort, amusement dancing in his eyes. "You and Anakin are quite the pair," he remarked, his voice tinged with affectionate exasperation. "He can't stand sand, and you loathe rain. Between the two of you, I wonder if there's any environment that meets your exacting standards."

A wry smile played at the corners of his lips as he continued, "I suppose I should be grateful. At least your aversions are complementary. We'll never have to worry about you two fighting over preferred vacation spots."

We made our way towards an imposing structure rising from the tumultuous waters - a dome-shaped building perched precariously on stilts, its architecture a defiant stance against the raging sea below. As we approached, the entrance irised open, revealing a figure awaiting our arrival.

A Kaminoan stood before us, her form towering and ethereal. Her skin was a pallid white that seemed to glow softly in the dim light, creating a stark contrast against the stormy backdrop. Large, almond-shaped eyes of inky black scanned us methodically, taking in every detail of our rain-soaked appearance.

"Master Jedi," she greeted, her voice a melodious timbre that cut through the constant patter of rain. "It is a pleasure to welcome you to our facility." Her elongated neck curved gracefully as she bowed her head in respect, the gesture both elegant and slightly unsettling in its fluid motion.

As she straightened, I couldn't help but notice how her eyes lingered on us, filled with a mixture of curiosity and something I couldn't quite define. It was clear that our presence here was more than just a casual visit.

We were ushered into the facility, our footsteps echoing off the pristine white walls that seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction. The sterile environment was a stark contrast to the chaotic storm outside, creating an almost surreal atmosphere.

As we walked, something caught my eye through the expansive windows lining the corridor. I paused, drawn to the sight of what appeared to be rows upon rows of large, cylindrical pods. Within each, I could make out the hazy outlines of what looked like embryos and developing fetuses, suspended in a nutrient-rich fluid.

Curiosity overtook me, and I turned to our Kaminoan guide. "What exactly are we looking at here?" I asked, my voice a mixture of awe and unease.

The Kaminoan tilted her elongated head towards me, her large, dark eyes unblinking. "This, Master Jedi," she replied, her tone matter-of-fact yet carrying a hint of pride, "is your army."

The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. I exchanged a quick glance with Obi-Wan, noting the furrow of concern creasing his brow. The scale of what we were witnessing began to sink in, and I couldn't shake the feeling that we had stumbled upon something far more significant than we had initially anticipated.

"Our... army?" I echoed, my mind racing to process the implications of her statement. The notion of an army being grown in pods, rather than recruited and trained in the traditional sense, was both fascinating and unsettling.

The Kamoanin diplomat inclined his head and said, "Come, and I'll take you to our systems minister. He'll tell you all about it."

I nodded in acknowledgment, and we were led to a spacious chamber where a male Kamonian awaited us, his crested head dipping in a respectful gesture.

"Ah, Master Jedi," he greeted, "you've arrived at last."

Obi-Wan Kenobi, his weathered face etched with a lifetime of battles, took the stage. His gaze swept across the assembled dignitaries, a silent command for attention. He adjusted the collar of his immaculate white tunic, a subtle gesture that spoke volumes about his meticulous nature. "It's a pleasure to meet you all," he began, his voice a low rumble that carried across the chamber. "But I must ask," he continued, his eyes narrowing slightly, "who is it that requested this... creation? This clone army?" The air crackled with anticipation. The whispers of the audience, like the hum of a thousand engines, faded into a hushed silence as Obi-Wan's words hung in the air. He stood tall, a beacon of authority amidst the swirling currents of political intrigue.

The Prime Minister of Kamino, a figure of imposing stature with a face as weathered as the planet's own, nodded slowly. His gaze, sharp and calculating, met Obi-Wan's.

"Why, yes," he replied, his voice a low, rumbling baritone, "it was one of your Jedi, a Master named Sifo-Dyas. He requested it. Why he did so, I do not know."

The Prime Minister's words hung heavy in the air, leaving a chilling silence in their wake. Obi-Wan's brow furrowed, a flicker of unease crossing his features. Sifo-Dyas, a Jedi Master known for his wisdom and foresight, had requested a clone army. But why? And why had he not informed the Jedi Council of this extraordinary undertaking?

Describe Obi-Wan's reaction to the Prime Minister's response in more detail.

Add a line about the Prime Minister's expression.

Include a brief description of the setting, focusing on the details of the Kaminoan laboratory.

I met my friend's eyes, a shared understanding passing between us. A sigh escaped my lips, heavy with the weight of the truth. "We are saddened to inform you," I said, my voice low and somber, "that Master Sifo-Dyas passed away years ago."

The Prime Minister blinked, his expression shifting from a stoic mask to one of genuine surprise. "Oh," he murmured, his voice tinged with a hint of disbelief. "I was not aware of that."

The news hung in the air, a stark contrast to the sterile, clinical atmosphere of the chamber. The Prime Minister's reaction, though unexpected, was understandable. Sifo-Dyas, a Jedi Master of renown, had been a figure of considerable influence in the galaxy. His death, shrouded in mystery, was a significant loss for the Jedi Order and, as it turned out, for the Republic as well.

"We would like to get to know the donor for this army," I insisted, my voice firm but respectful.

The Prime Minister's assistant, a woman with a sharp, intelligent gaze, nodded. "I can take you to him. He should be back from his journey soon," she said, her voice crisp and efficient.

Obi-Wan and I nodded, exchanging a silent glance. We bid farewell to the Prime Minister, his expression unreadable, and followed the assistant through a series of corridors. We passed by a group of clone troopers, their armor gleaming under the artificial light, their faces impassive. One of them, a young soldier, caught my eye and stared at me intensely. I gave him a small nod, hoping to convey a sense of respect and understanding.

We reached a room at the end of the corridor, a spartan space with a single chair and a table. A young boy, no older than ten, sat on the floor, his brown hair tousled, his face a mix of curiosity and defiance. He looked up at us, his eyes wide and alert.

"Is your father home?" the Kamonian assistant asked.

The boy, Boba, nodded. "Yup."

"May we see him?" I asked, hoping to avoid any unnecessary confrontation.

Boba shrugged, his gaze shifting to Obi-Wan. His eyes narrowed, a spark of suspicion flickering in their depths. "Sure," he mumbled, but his tone left no doubt about his reservations.

This was not going to be an easy meeting.