Special Commission

by Glass Houses (ghouses@ureach.com)

Archive: M_A, CKoS, others please ask first

Rating: G

Pairing: N/A

Spoilers: Ep II

Summary: Hope can be a dangerous thing

Feedback: You betcha

Notes: not beta'd

"Please tell your Council if they need more units, we must have more time to grow them!" Taun We implored Obi-Wan as they prepared to part.

Obi-Wan nodded, and pulled up his hood in anticipation of the rain pounding the landing platform just outside. His hands were shaking, he realized. It had to be now. If he were going to do this thing, it had to be now.

"Master Kenobi?" the Kaminoan gently prodded, and Obi-Wan realized he'd been about to answer her.

It had to be now.

"Of course. I plan to give a full report of your progress to the Jedi Council as soon as I arrive on Coruscant. I know they are interested in purchasing more units, based on that report."

"Oh..."

Obi-Wan could see the interest spark in Taun We's huge oval eyes.

"There is one thing you could do that would guarantee a most...glowing review of your work here."

"Of course, Master Kenobi. I'm at your service," replied the lilting voice.

Obi-Wan reached inside his tunic and removed a small brown linen pouch, tied off with an old, worn piece of leather.

"Inside you will find a genetic sample for a special unit I would like to commission...personally.

"I need as much growth acceleration as you can safely manage, but no behavior modifications. You will contact me on my personal frequency when the unit is the equivalent of sixteen standard years old."

He reinforced the request with a small wave of his hand as Taun We moved to take the pouch.

She opened it and drew out a long lock of brown and gray hair. "Only one unit?" she asked with some confusion.

"Yes, just one unit" Obi-Wan reiterated, pushing harder with the Force. "You will explain the importance of this to your Prime Minister."

"I will let Lama Su know how important this unit is..." the Kaminoan replied, her voice flatter than usual.

"Master Kenobi, should the clone receive the same training as the others?"

"No!" Obi-Wan turned to go. Time was short and he could sense Fett was preparing to leave. "He's to be kept in isolation. I will transfer appropriate teaching materials to you when I reach Coruscant. You will update only me on your progress."

Taun We bowed in acquiescence, and Obi-Wan walked into the pouring rain before he could chance his mind.

The loneliness he could handle. Had handled, for ten years now. But he had not realized the awful, clawing, overwhelming power that hope had over him until an hour ago when he'd toured the cloning facility. It was *hope* that he was powerless to resist.

By all the Gods, what had he just done?

End