Star Wars_ Boba Fett 03_ Maze of Deception - Elizabeth Hand [9]
They grew twice as fast, and by using the learning helmets, their brains developed twice as fast, too.
"That's right," said Boba slowly. "I was on my way down to see if it's been repaired."
The clone nodded. He smiled again, and Boba wondered if his friendliness might be a result of his malfunction. Clones were usually not very emotional.
And even though there were hundreds of thousands of them, they were always alone.
Like me, thought Boba in mild surprise. For the first time he smiled back.
"I'm 9779," said the clone. "What designation are you?"
Boba thought fast. "1313," he said.
"I'm from Generation Five Thousand," the clone went on. "Is that your Generation, too?"
"Uh, yeah," said Boba. He hoped he wouldn't have to answer any more questions. Still, he was curious himself. He asked, "Why are all the troopers here on Aargau?"
"You mean us?" 9779 looked surprised. "You better get your helmet fixed if you forgot that! There are rumors that Separatists are here on Aargau. This is a neutral planet, but we clone troopers are supposed to keep an eye on them. Just in case of trouble."
Just in case, Boba repeated to himself. He wondered why the army would've brought a clone whose training was not complete. This had to be part of the training - going to a relatively stable world to learn how to patrol and defend.
"We are now approaching Level Two," the turbo-lift's mechanical voice intoned. "Please stand back from the doors."
9779 obediently moved aside. Boba started to head for the door before it opened, but the clone stopped him.
"Did you forget?" 9779 asked, his face serious. "We're going to Level Three. Got to get your helmet back!"
"Oh - " Boba stammered. "I, uh - "
But then the doors began to open. And Boba didn't have to worry about just in case of trouble.
Because trouble had found him. Standing outside the turbolift was Aurra Sing!
CHAPTER SEVEN
Boba darted to one side behind 9779. The clone stood, oblivious, as a small group of people waited to get into the turbolift with them. In the front of the little crowd stood Aurra Sing, her face dark with anger.
When she Jaw 9779 she gave low laugh of triumph.
"Gotcha!" she crowed, and lunged for the clone.
"Hey - - !" said 9779, confused, as Aurra Sing grabbed his arm.
"Sorry," said Boba under his breath to the clone, "But this is my stop."
Other people, were crowding into the turbolift now. Before Aurra Sing could spot him; Boba squeezed between the newcomers, out onto Level Two. Behind him he could hear the clone's protests getting louder.
" - let go of me! I'll have you deported!"
" I told you to wait for me!" said Aurra Sing furiously. "Did you think you'd get that money for yourself?"
That's right! said Boba to himself. He moved quickly away from the turbolift. That's exactly what I thought!
The mechanized voice made its final announcement. Then the sleek metal doors closed, and the turbolift descended once more.
Boba was on his own again.
Just how he liked it!
He quickly checked to make sure he still had his father's book and the data card.
He did. He smoothed his hair, wishing again that he had his Mandalorian battle helmet to help disguise his appearance. He wasn't sure if he wanted to be mistaken for a clone again - next time he might not be so lucky. He turned and began to look around.
He was in a long, shimmering green tunnel. As a matter of fact, everything around him had a greenish glow - the walls, the floor, even the people.
And there were people everywhere. Thousands of them!
He
saw representatives of every race he could imagine - Gotals, Twi'leks, Dugs, Ithorians, and many more - as well as beings he didn't recognize at all. Mingled among them was an occasional