Time: Now Location: Palpatine's secret clone labs Dr. Thalia Padi was waiting at the entrance when Palpatine arrived with his escort of scarlet clad guards. The gray haired woman, clad soberly in shades of gray and a pristine white lab coat, bowed deeply as he scowled at her. "Your majesty, I appreciate your hasty response to my communication." "Yes...yes, Dr. Padi. Your rare missive alarmed me. We need to talk--privately" "If you would follow me, your majesty." She led him to her office in the back corner of the lab, passing the gleaming equipment that initiated and supported the creation and growth of full-body clones. She opened the door to her office and ushered him into it, offering him her desk chair before turning on the compscreen and displaying a readout for him. Reports, graphs and printouts were neatly stacked in the center of the desk as well, along with several datacards. As Palpatine glared at the data on the screen, she said, "In the course of a random audit of inventory of stored genetic materials, consumable supplies and energy consumption, I discovered that there is missing material from the genetic storage facility. And missing supplies. Enough to create and maintain a full body clone. Also," she continued as she pressed a key and changed the screen's view, "I discovered a discrepancy in the power drain on our plant. Apparently someone, for over than a year, has been powering a sparti cylinder that has been in offline storage due to a recurring maintenance problem. When I investigated the tube, I found that the external visual readouts had been disabled and there would be no way for someone to be aware that it was in use." She took a deep breath and finished knowing that she had failed her master. "Sire, I believe that someone has made an unauthorized duplicate. I make no excuses for not realizing it was happening, but it was very cleverly hidden, and if I wasn't meticulous about my periodic audits and inventories, it might not have been noticed for some time to come." There are very few who had free access to this highly secured facility. The Emperor scowled and glanced at the clone cylinder in the room and shook his head. "There is no doubt. This entire lab must be transported to another location with utmost secrecy." Padi bowed deeply. "I will do as your majesty desires. Do you intend to transfer my staff as well, or shall I be provided with new individuals to train once the transition has been made?" He rose from the chair and moved to the cylinder holding his primary clone and caressed the shining surface with a pale crooked finger. "It must be protected at all costs, Padi." "With my life, Majesty. And when I cannot be in the lab itself, this room is sealed against all others. None can enter, save yourself." "In answer to your question--My own guards and aides from the ECLIPSE will assist you in this move. We are not certain whether the minds of the present staff have been tampered with. The thief may have done more than just removed supplies and samples and used that cylinder, Doctor. The ECLIPSE has the capability to move this entire lab and its contents to a new location. I will personally interrogate your staff, and you and I will further discuss the future changes in the next operation." Palpatine stared hard at the printouts laying on the desk and gingerly picked up one of the datacards lying there. "I want a complete copy of your findings, Padi. Once we finish transferring everything aboard I want to read the report on the ship at my leisure." "It will be as you wish, your majesty." The doctor nodded and glanced at a surveillance monitor mounted on the wall showing alternating shots from various holocameras mounted in the facility. One of the images was of a conference room with a dozen lab technicians seated around the table. Most looked very nervous and any conversation was muted. "I had them wait in the conference room, your majesty. Would you desire to deal with them now?" "Yes. Now." (to be continued)
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