Only Wan

Episode XIII

BRYE

The last place Brye wanted to be searching for clones was the library chambers of the Temple. Not only would she have to face the librarian, but there was a greater chance that the clone would interrupt another Jedi.

"I'm fine," she said quickly to Jocasta Nu. She noted the way the chief librarian scowled at her as she returned to checking on a young padawan.

Brye had always preferred to find her own way around, to learn from her own experiences. Even when she came to the library looking for books or maps, she would try to avoid asking for help. It wasn't because she hated others, more so because she liked to learn from trail and error.

When the message had arrived at the council chamber, Brye had been quick to act. The Masters had not objected when she said she would see to the matter at once, nor had they tried to intervene.

This was her assignment – her task. She had been chosen to investigate and solve the Kamino incident, not Kollen or any of the others.

Master Kenobi is having problems in the library, the messenger had warned. He seems to be going on a rampage. He's most unlike himself.

It was not hard to find the clone, who was indeed, on a rampage of sorts. He was not throwing books around as Brye had envisioned, nor was he bothering any of the the Jedi who were peacefully doing their research. But he was certainly in a state of anger.

At one of the stations, the clone was sitting at a desk, scrolling through pages of maps and star charts. Brye watched from a distance, inspecting his movements. It was possible the cloners had altered some deeper inset personality trait and without Jedi training, the clone could slip to the Dark Side.

But as she watched the clone did nothing more than sigh. He pulled up another catalogue and started moving swiftly through it, shaking his head whenever he had to start his search anew. No one else approached.

"He's been like that all day," Jocasta said from Brye's elbow. Her lips were pressed together in a thin smile. It was a most absolute look of disapproval. "I told him the planet he is looking for does not exist. But he just will not stop looking."

"What planet would that be?" Brye asked quietly. The clone had moved to yet another map, shoulders slumped.

"Oh, I don't know. He has co-ordinates but he cannot recall where he got them from." Jocasta shook her head. "If you could help him out, I think that would be beneficial to all."

"Did he mention Kamino?"

Jocasta stiffened. "If it is not in our archives, then it doesn't exist. Now, please," she said, tugging on her sleeves. "Excuse me. I have work to see to."

"Of course." Brye managed a small smile and stepped aside to allow the elderly woman past. She didn't miss the sharp glare Jocasta threw at the clone on her way by. It would take some explaining for Obi-Wan to clear things up with Jocasta.

"Master Kenobi," Brye said, keeping her voice friendly. She stopped at the end of the long table and gave a small wave. "I was wondering what you are having trouble with. I might be able to help."

"I shouldn't tell you," the clone said heavily. He sat back in the chair and spared a look her way.

"Jocasta mentioned something about co-ordinates," she continued. "I think I might be able to help."

"Did she now? I suppose she's told everyone around here about my imaginary planet." Air left him in a deep sigh as he leaned closer to the screen. "But I will find Kamino. I known I trust my source, whoever or whatever it was."

Brye's attention shifted for a moment. Kollen and Obi-Wan had just entered the library. They would be upon them soon enough. She wanted to make sure she had the clone under control before that happened. The last thing she needed was Kollen swooping in.

"I can take you to Kamino. I've just returned from there myself." Her smile was lost on the clone, so she leaned in and lowered her voice. "The Council would like me to return. You may come with me, if you like."

"But why isn't there any record of it?" the clone said, pointing at the computer.

"It has been deleted," the real Obi-Wan said. He had his hood drawn to cover his face, a strange look for the library, but the clone was too busy stressing over the archive memories to care. "I'm sure you have questions. Let me answer them on our way."

The clone sighed again. "I don't recall meeting you before."

"Not to worry," Obi-Wan said, "I have a feeling we'll be good friends."

"Alright, since I've got nothing too lose." The clone pushed his chair away and stood, patting down his robes. Brye wondered just how long he had been sitting in that chair. Too long, at any rate.

Obi-Wan and the clone fell into step together, Brye and Kollen following behind. She did her best not to spark a conversation with her former Master. The time for jibes and constructive criticism could come later. For now, they had to focus on the task at hand.

She had been expecting to go straight to the hanger bay, but Obi-Wan led them to his private quarters where Qui-Gon was waiting for them. The Jedi was sitting on the floor meditating and completely at peace despite the sound coming from the room.

"My, that sounds like my voice!" the clone with their party said. He stepped forward and Qui-Gon moved aside, letting him into the room. The door was locked quickly behind him.

"Three down," Kollen jeered. "How many more of you are there that we should know about?"

"That should be all there is to worry about here." Obi-Wan dropped his hood with a sigh. He was so alike the clone in the action that Brye was delayed on answering.

"We should return them to Kamino," she said. "Let them be with the rest while we try and figure out what to do with them."

"No. They already escaped Kamino once. They'll just do it again." Obi-Wan stroked his beard and turned to Qui-Gon. "Make sure none of them are allowed to leave - yet. Brye and I have some more business to attend to."

Right, Brye thought. Anakin was still out there with the Senator hunting the last of the escaped clones. They had not heard anything from him - not a peep - which was strange for Anakin. He normally had the whole Temple up in chaos with news of his actions.

Leaving Qui-Gon and Kollen to their new duty, she and Obi-Wan headed to the shuttle bay. The sight of her ship made her stomach flip, a reminder that she would likely be the one driving again. She could only imagine what Obi-Wan had thought about her piloting skills.

It was important no one overhead their call. As far as the other Jedi were concerned, Anakin was not involved in any of the cloning business. Brye had made sure to forget about his appearance at Kamino when talking to the Council.

If there was one thing Brye understood, it was the desire to impress one's elders. She had seen the way Anakin had acted around Obi-Wan, that look in his eyes which begged for respect. She had no doubt Obi-Wan was confident in his padawan but to Anakin things might to be so clear.

Brye had been a padawan not that long ago. She didn't want Anakin to feel like a failure, as if he had done some great wrong for rushing to his friend's aid, even if she wasn't fond of him interrupting her assignment.

"A message," she said, reaching for the play button on her ship's controls. "It was left not long ago."

Obi-Wan took a seat and planted his chin in his hand. "I've got a bad feeling about this."

Although she did not dare to say so, Brye felt very much the same way