The Storms of Kamino: Crosshair

Deception

"Doctor, over here," a hushed voice called to me from the corner of my cell. I went over to inspect things, ducking down to avoid the cameras.

"Who's there?" I asked, when AZ-5 appeared from seemingly out of nowhere. Even though he startled me, I had never been so happy to see the droid in my life.

"AZ! What are you doing here?"

"Rescuing you, of course," he said, nonchalantly. "CT-9904 sent me. He's a bit tied up at the moment so he couldn't come himself, but he told me to tell you that you need to leave Kamino as soon as possible."

Leave Kamino? Why? I thought, but I didn't have enough time to worry about that now. All I could focus on was AZ getting me out of here. He was fidgeting with the controls when the forcefield disappeared and I was free. 

I motioned at him to follow me as we made our way outside. We went out into the entryway and I started to turn right while AZ turned left.

He pointed down the hall. "Doctor, the hanger bay is that way."

"I know. I'm not going to the hanger."

"But, CT-9904 said we had to get off Kamino," he protested.

"I know what he said, AZ. There's just something I need to do first. And, I'm going to need your help."

"What is it?"

I smiled. "We're going to break into Admiral Rampart office."

-

The journey to the Admiral's office was treacherous, but we managed to get there without encountering any troopers. AZ pulled the panel away that enclosed the controls and the doors burst open within minutes.

I raised my eyebrow. "Impressive. Where'd you learn to do that? It's something I certainly never taught you."

"I'm not with you 24/7, Doctor. I have learned many skills over the years. Now, are we going to commit a felony, or are we going to stand here and chat?"

I held my hands up in defense. "Sorry. What's got your wires crossed?"

"I just have a bad feeling about this," he responded as we went inside. The doors closed with a loud thud, causing me to jump. The room was dark, with Rampart's desk resting in the middle, along with his computer. I sat in his chair and turned it on, searching for anything incriminating against him. There were a set of files that were encrypted, but a passcode was required.

"AZ, could you access these files? They're the only ones that need a password. My gut tells me he's hiding something in there."

He plugged into the mainframe and began his work. "I thought, as a doctor, you were told to trust your head, not your gut, as you put it so eloquently."

"I don't need your sass, just do what I asked, please," I said, exacerbated.

The passcode auto filled when he finished and a number of documents filled up the screen. They were a proposal to a project entitled War Mantle and my breathing quickened as I began to read to latest report from Rampart to Admiral Tarkin.

The conscripted soldiers of project War Mantle have preformed admirably compared to their clone counterparts and it is of my opinion that this program will benefit the Empire much more than the Kaminoan cloning facilities ever did. With the upcoming orbital bombardment of Kamino and all Kaminoan scientists and essential personal relocated, the secrets of their cloning technologies will be within our grasp. I appeal on your behest to fully partake in the abolishment of all Kaminoan cities and provisions if this request is accepted.

Underneath this message was a separate one from Admiral Tarkin. I went to open it, but hesitated. I was afraid of what the response might be, that this horrible plea was actually something that was not only going to happen, but something that was going to happen soon. Tears began to well in my eyes because part of me knew what the answer was. I clicked on the message, holding my breath and I saw it in big, bold letters. Request approved. I let out an audible sob. All of those innocent people, who have done nothing wrong accept live their lives the only way they knew how.

Crosshair's warning, I thought. Did he know about this? Was he trying to help me? I felt like I couldn't think straight, like I was going to be sick. I had to get out of here. But, first I had to find Crosshair.