NOBLE: The Bad Batch

𝟑𝟏: Life and Consequences - 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏

18 BBY | Month 3, Day 3-5
Coruscant | Imperial City - Imperial Military Base
Rampart's Office — About 4 months later 

The cityscape of Coruscant glows dimly beneath the thickening clouds, neon lights flickering against the dusk. It is nearly nightfall, and in the high-rise office of Vice Admiral Edmon Rampart, the only illumination comes from the soft blue light of his datapad and the occasional flash of speeders racing by.

He sits rigidly behind his desk, fingers tapping absently against the smooth surface. His thoughts are elsewhere, tangled in the tightening web of his own making. The hunt for CT-0409 remains unfinished, the upcoming Defense Recruitment Bill looms overhead, and now—this.

His wife, Delara Ivel, is prying. Asking too many questions about Kamino, the destruction of Tipoca City, and the operation he had buried beneath layers of classified reports. And if she has suspicions, others surely do as well. He doesn't know the names: Sera Madreth, Matsuo Yoshida, and even Noble—the clone medic who should have been nothing more than a footnote in this story, the blame for Kamino's fall. Instead, she has proven to be a persistent threat with her recent pop-ups.

A sharp chime breaks the silence. Rampart's fingers still. He exhales, straightens his posture, then answers the call. A hologram flickers to life—a masked operative standing stiff, arms crossed, a sniper rifle slung over his back.

Rampart's voice is calm, detached. "Have you located the clone?"

"Not yet," the operative replies. "But Senator Chuchi's guards are also searching for him. Lady Valorum as well."

Rampart presses his lips into a thin line. Of course they are. Chuchi has been relentless ever since Kamino, and Valorum? That is an almost expected complication; Toni and Tara have always been trouble in his eyes, especially with Senate situations.

"Follow them," the Vice Admiral orders, his voice carrying no room for debate. "If they find him, handle it."

The operative does not react. "All of them?"

Rampart doesn't answer immediately, a slight hesitation, but he cannot afford anyone to disrupt his plans. "Yes," he confirms finally.

Then, after a pause, he adds, "And the clone is not the only witness. If Chuchi or Valorum learns that my son knows the truth, they will go to him." He exhales sharply. "And if I knew any better, that blasted Jedi who nearly stopped the Kamino operation is involved somehow... She must be handled as well."

The operative remains motionless. "What are your orders?"

Rampart leans forward, voice lowering. "Before you resume the hunt for the clone, take Marien to the Works. He cannot be found." He hesitates, if only for a fraction of a second. "And ensure this does not trace back to me. If the Jedi interferes..."

"—Understood." The transmission ends after the operative cuts off the vice admiral. The room falls into silence once more. Rampart releases a slow breath, tilting his head back against the chair. He has done what needed to be done. It is for Marien's own good. The boy has no understanding of what is at stake, no comprehension of the delicate balance Edmon Rampart must maintain within the Empire.

And yet, a small weight settles in his chest. If Marien does die in the Works or anywhere for that matter, Delara will never forgive him. She loves their son, cherishes their family, and with another child on the way... this will shatter her. It is not an outcome he desires, but if protecting his career—his legacy—requires sacrifice, then so be it.

He turns his gaze back to the cityscape. Around this time, Marien is likely with his friends from school or perhaps lingering at the First Battle Memorial, lost in thought. On any other night, Rampart might have gone to retrieve him. But tonight is different. Tonight, the decision has already been made.