The Fall | Star Wars Prequel Trilogy

Chapter Twenty Two

Alina sat cross legged on the bed as Sylvie recounted what all had happened and what she had seen. When she got to part about the clones numbers and names Alina subconsciously reached up to rub her forearm. She had multiple scars from her time as a slave but the one on her forearm was the worst one. The others might fade and heal over time but this one wasn't going anywhere. A constant reminder of the slave life she'd once lived.

The Hutts liked to mark their slaves, give them numbers. Force them to denounce their right to their own names, one of the only things they kept. That didn't stop some slaves however. They would call each other by their true names in whispers when they were alone. They would secretly name their children if any of them had them. The punishment if you were caught however was severe.

Her own mother had been one of those slaves, naming Alina once she'd been born. After Gardula lost them to Watto they were allowed their names again and it was certainly not out of the good of Watto's heart. It was only because the Hutts liked being the only ones to do that to their slaves. Maybe it made them feel better about how revolting they were, deluding themselves into thinking that they were all far better than everybody else.

Her grip around her arm tightened as fury shot through her. "Alina" Sylvie's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "Uh yeah? Did to say something?" She asked. The Jedi knight shook her head "I was asking if you were paying attention"

"Sorry. I was just... Thinking" Alina muttered, dropping her hand to her side, pretending to not notice the look of concern that Sylvie gave her. "As I was saying, if Zafi is telling the truth than our assignment just got much more complicated" Sylvie said "We don't have the faintest idea as to just how many bounty hunter trainers there are but considering the scale of this operation they must be large in number" Obi-Wan said. "But who hired them all?" Alina asked "Was it the Kaminoans or Jango Fett or Master Sifo-Dyas? Or was it all of them?"

The question never had the chance to be answered as a buzzing noise sounded suddenly. Sylvie moved towards the door which slid open to reveal Taun We. "Jango Fett is ready to see you now" she said. Sylvie glanced back at Obi-Wan who kept his eyes trained on the door and Alina who sat up straighter, alert and curious.

She looked back at Taun We and nodded "We will be outside with you shortly" she said curtly, closing the door. The three Jedi exchanged looks but didn't say anything. What was there to say? This meeting would either prove fruitful or would further extend the time of their investigation.

The door slid open again and Taun We stepped to the side as the three Jedi exited the room. "Follow me please" she said in her usual pleasent voice. The trip down the long hallways of Tipoca City passed in silence until eventually they came to a stop in front of a door. Taun We pressed a button next to the door and a muffled sound of a buzzer sounding inside could be heard, shortly followed by small rattles as locks came undone.

The door opened slightly and a clone stood in the doorway, arms crossed. Alina blinked in surprise, recognising Boba. The clones were identical but she'd been around him long enough to differentiate his force precense from the other clones.

She wasn't as sure if he recognised her. She sure hoped he did or she might be slightly offended that he'd forgotten her and half an hour of terrible shooting and banter this quickly. If he did recognise her he showed no signs of it. "Boba, is your father here?" Taun We asked. "Yes" He responded curtly, an edge of suspicion in his voice as he glanced at the Jedi.

"May we see him?" The Kaminoan asked, her voice patient as ever. Boba looked like he half wanted to say no "Sure" he moved out of the doorway, allowing them to enter. Alina stepped in, resisting the urge to look around. Boba led them into what appeared to be their living room. In it, an Amoran sat comfortably on the couch, arms spread out and boots on the table as if this was her own room.