Star Wars_ Legacy of the Force 01_ Betrayal - Aaron Allston [198]
“Stormtroopers will never have to fight Jedi,” said Vader. “Only Rebels.”
Lekauf inhaled and held his breath as the six clones marched in. Vader heard it, however hard the man tried to suppress it. They looked as Lekauf himself might have a few years earlier, with that same expression of permanent optimism. And, Vader hoped, they would be equally efficient soldiers.
The clones, wearing the same Imperial armor as the Cuis batch, lined up in front of the dais and saluted. They were flash-trained from decanting to make them competent soldiers who could function in any army, but Vader needed them to be better than that. He needed them to meet the standards of the Kaminoan-cloned troops that still made up the majority of his stormtroopers.
“No lightsabers.” Vader’s voice boomed across the gymnasium. “Use durasteel staffs. This is an exercise. I want no serious injury.”
Palpatine turned his head very slowly to look at him. Vader hooked his thumbs over his belt, waiting for the challenge.
“How can you test their suitability if you handicap them?” Palpatine’s voice was soft and insinuating, as it always was when he was planting an idea. “Is this not a concession?”
“No, my Master. It creates more realistic conditions for the test.” Vader stood his ground. “They need only to perform well against Rebels, who are not Force-users. Just men.”
Palpatine paused for two heartbeats, his sign of silent disapproval. “Very well.”
Vader beckoned to Sheyvan to join them on the dais to clear the gymnasium floor for combat. The clones paired off, one Lekauf to each Cuis.
“Begin,” said Palpatine.
Lekauf swallowed again.
The clones stalked each other, durasteel rods clasped in both hands. Then metal crashed as they smashed staff against staff, struggling to drive the other back. One Lekauf clone, the name NELE stenciled on his chest plate, brought his staff around in a low arc to upend his opponent. But as soon as the man fell flat on his back, he sprang to his feet again in one move and threw the Lekauf clone almost the full width of the gymnasium with a massive Force push. He hit the wall, the impact of his back plate making the hall echo, and struggled back to his feet, shaking his head to clear it.
The other five Cuis clones laid aside their staffs and sent their opponents’ weapons spinning from their hands with a single gesture. All the Lekauf clones were knocked flat on their backs and pinned down by an invisible hand.
It had been a very brief demonstration. Lekauf looked resigned to his fate, hands clasped behind his back, eyes fixed straight ahead.
“I would not expect any man to defeat a Jedi without adequate weapons,” said Palpatine.
Vader wasn’t sure if that was a verdict of failure or simply an observation. He glanced at Lekauf. “No, Master,” he said, addressing the Emperor but watching his aide. “Perhaps we should now try this again without allowing use of their Force powers.”
“No, I have seen enough.” Palpatine pulled his cowl a little farther over his face. “I will take the Cuis clones and train them more. Your Lekauf batch may yet prove useful for other tasks.”
We could simply clone an entire army of the Cuis template. We know what they can do. But a soldier is the product of constant training. They need to see action.
“I suggest that we put them all on active service and see how they perform,” said Vader.
Palpatine paused again. “Yes. But commission a battalion of Cuis models from Arkanian Micro anyway. I’m impressed by how much the clones have retained of his Force abilities.”
Lekauf’s clones had picked themselves up and were waiting at stand easy with their hands clasped behind their backs.
“Does that mean we’re returning to Imperial Center?” Lekauf asked, unable to disguise his desperation.
“Yes, Lieutenant, it does.” Vader strode ahead, and Lekauf managed to match his pace. His