The Storms of Kamino: Crosshair

Accusations

When I arrived at Rampart's office to show him my completed plan for the clones retirement, I was disoriented to see Crosshair standing opposite of the formidable Admiral.

"Doctor L/N," he said. "I'm so glad you could join us. Please, sit." He signaled to a chair next to Crosshair.

"The Commander here was just briefing me on the recent events that took place on Ryloth. Terrible thing, if only more could have been done to apprehend the insurgents responsible for such destruction." He glared at Crosshair, trying to make him feel small under his judgmental gaze. "So, Doctor, have you completed the task I entrusted you with?" His eyes fell upon me and my palms started to get clammy with nerves and pressure.

Crosshair began to stand up. "I should go."

Rampart held his hand out. "There's no need. As a clone, I'm curious to see what you think about the Doctor's plan."

They both watched me as I took a deep breathe and began. I laid out all the details, the conversations I had with many of the clones and all the services they requested, plus a few of my own ideas for good measure. I wanted to leave nothing out and make sure they were taken care of. Crosshair and Rampart were quiet as they listened to what I had to say. When I finished, I sighed with relief, feeling like I had done a thorough job. My heart sank when the Admiral started to laugh, hushed at first, but soon it had turned into full hysterics. He wiped a fake tear from his eye and said, "You can't possibly think that the Empire has enough resources for all that."

"I don't understand what could possibly be so funny, Admiral," I responded, an aggravated tone in my voice. "You asked me to come up with a retirement plan for the clones, and I have done so."

Rampart picked up my datapad with all the information and scrolled through it. "Relocation, supplies, transportation, jobs, weapons? It's just too much to ask."

I slammed my palms on his desk. "It is not too much to ask! That's what they need to live, not just survive. They are people, not objects that you can discard whenever you feel like it."

The Admiral took a defensive roll back in his chair. "Please, Doctor, I need you to calm down."

"I will not calm down! I did my job, now it's time for you to do yours. Unless..." An epiphany hit me as fast as a ship travelling in hyperspace. "Unless you never meant for this to even come to fruition in the first place. What are you planning?" I was so fired up, I hadn't noticed three troopers come into the room.

"Guards, restrain this woman and take her to the detention level. Perhaps we can have a more civilized conversation after you clear your head and stop talking nonsense and conspiracy theories."

Rampart smiled slyly as the troopers grabbed my arms. "No, get off me!" I screamed, trying to shrug them off.

Crosshair had been silent the entire conversation up until now, but as the guards began to drag me away, he said to Rampart, "You can't do this."

"Hold your tongue, Commander, or I'll see you thrown into the brig right along side her," he responded, scowling.

I could tell Crosshair wanted to protest more as he looked at me, but I shook my head. This was my responsibility, my mistake, not his, and I didn't want to make the situation worse than it already was. All I could do was watch his pleading eyes as they carried me away and threw me in a cell.