-[music thumping] -[patrons chattering]
The entire galaxy believes Rampart's lies, even the Senate. It's not right.
Well, there's nothing we can do about it. Let it go.
How can I? Kamino was our home, and we destroyed it.
All those cities, all those people, gone, because of what we did.
[sighs] We were following orders.
Oh, were we? Then-- Then why is Rampart covering it up, huh?
I'm sorry, Slip. I can't stay silent any longer.
Wait. What did you do?
I sent a message to Rampart.
Gave him the chance to tell the Senate the truth before I did it myself.
-[music continues] -[vehicles whirring]
[wind whistles]
Cade! Cade, stop!
You know what Rampart's capable of. It's too dangerous.
Slip, we're not bad men, but what we did was wrong.
Please, I need your help. Together we can--
[grunts]
[people screaming]
[clone trooper] Secure the perimeter.
While the cataclysmic storm on Kamino was tragic,
the reality is that without the production of new clone troopers, we are vulnerable.
Admiral Rampart's proposed Defense Recruitment Bill will keep us protected.
[crowd murmuring]
I concur with the honorable delegate of the Banking Clan.
A new conscripted military is what this galaxy needs.
One comprised of the people, who fight for the people.
This recruitment bill has been discussed, debated,
and tabled each session for a reason.
There are more pressing matters in the galaxy right now
than the costly creation of a new military.
The war is over.
Perhaps where you reside, Senator Pamlo.
But the Mid and Outer Rims are rife with insurgents.
We must be protected.
The deployment of the clone army was a result of the Emergency Powers Act,
put forward by then Chancellor Palpatine during the Separatist crisis.
Shifting to a military of citizens swearing loyalty
fundamentally goes against the principles of this body.
I strongly disagree, Senator Organa.
Where does the Emperor stand on this issue,
since he remains absent from these proceedings?
The Emperor, as always, trusts this delegation to act in the best interests
of all galactic citizens.
And what about the interests of the clone troopers?
Why are they not included within this legislation?
The clone army cannot sustain given their accelerated aging
and should be slated for decommissioning.
They are not droids to simply be shut down.
These are soldiers who defended us, defended our worlds.
Mmm, I didn't realize you spoke on the clones' behalf, Senator Chuchi.
If we don't, who will?
After all they have sacrificed, you now wish to discard them?
Leave them with nothing?
Is that how we repay them for their service?
[crowd chattering]
Is that what this Empire stands for?
How can we debate commissioning a new army
without a plan in place to care for our current one?
[chattering continues]
I hear your concerns, Senator Chuchi.
Allow me to assure this delegation that provisions are in place
to aid the clones as they begin to be phased out.
What do you know about their needs, Admiral? Have you asked them?
Or do they not get a say in their future?
I am open to discussing any and all provisions you,
or the clones, have in mind.
If we work together, I am confident we can adequately address their concerns.
Well, until then, I motion to table the vote on the Defense Recruitment Bill.
I second.
[crowd chattering]
Governor Tarkin assured me you were capable of getting the Senate
to support this bill.
I am not the one who will suffer if it doesn't pass.
It will. A few vocal senators will not derail us.
They already have.
If any of them begin to dig further into what truly happened to Kamino,
then this legislation is at risk.
And so are you.
I have measures in place to ensure that doesn't happen.
Let Senator Chuchi make her demands for the clones.
Once she's appeased, the Defense Recruitment Bill will be approved
long before any of the provisions she's seeking come due.
For your sake, Admiral, be certain there are no more surprises.
So, that's it? We served our purpose and now they want us out?
That's why I'm here, to better understand your needs.
I need to stay a trooper. Can you make that happen?
Well, no, but once a clone has completed the required rotations--
Yeah, the Empire declares us obsolete. We know.
Talking won't change that.
But it can change your futures. I can craft a pension plan--
Pension plan? [scoffs]
I'd rather be out there fighting those insurgent groups that keep popping up.
And what happens when you're too old to fight?
That's not a scenario we are trained to think about.
It's time you did. All of you.
As difficult as it is to accept, your military service will come to an end.
You get to choose what your lives will be.
You've spent years fighting for us. Let me fight for you.
Tell me how to help and I will make sure Admiral Rampart's bill meets your needs.
Thank you for trusting me. I'll do what I can.
[Slip] Senator.
Yes?
Are you truly intent on helping clones?
You have no representation in the Senate.
You deserve to have someone speak on your behalf.
It won't matter. Admiral Rampart can't be trusted.
Why not?
He's lied to you. To everyone.
Kamino wasn't destroyed by a storm.
It was an attack ordered by Rampart himself.
Why would you make such an accusation?
I was there, aboard his Venator.
He had us open fire on the cities.
If that were true, the Senate would know. Someone would have come forward.
Rampart made sure no one could.
Clones who tried to speak up were either reassigned,
went missing or ended up dead.
You don't look well, trooper.
The name's Slip.
Check my service record if you don't believe me. CT-0409.
You seem like one of the good ones, Senator.
Be careful.
Everything all right?
Yes. Everything's fine.
-[control panel beeps] -[door opens]
[footsteps approaching]
[guard] Senator Chuchi, Admiral Rampart is expecting you.
Have you located trooper CT-0409?
Not yet, but we will keep looking.
-[horn honks] -[speeder engine slows]
[engine rumbling]
-[comlink beeps] -It's Slip. [sighs] I'm in some trouble.
I've heard you can help get me out, but you have to hurry. I don't have much time.
[announcements echoing on PA]
You expect the Empire to fund a new military and full pensions
for millions of clone troopers?
If that is not manageable, Admiral,
then perhaps now is not the time for your recruitment bill.
Oh, I wish that were the case,
but the murmurs of rising threats and insurgency are more than rumors.
My priority is keeping the galaxy safe.
But I do agree with you.
The future of the clones requires further discussion and planning.
We owe them that, for their service.
Something troubling you, Senator?
The storm that caused the cities of Kamino to fall.
How is it that you survived?
[sighs]
I was taking part in a training exercise off-world.
If I had been present, perhaps more could have been saved.
It was a tragedy.
The majority of the Kaminoan population was lost, Admiral.
That is beyond tragic.
Indeed. But we must move forward.
Perhaps it is easier for some than others.
Good day, Admiral.
[announcements on PA, indistinct]
[footsteps approaching]
Senator Chuchi. You've received a secure communication.
From whom?
-[speeder approaching] -[no audible dialogue]
[droid beeps]
Yes?
[beeps]
It's all right. Wait here.
Senator Organa?
Hello, Riyo.
-R2-C4, keep an eye out. -[chirps]
You caused quite a stir during yesterday's session.
Curious how speaking up for what's right has become an act that causes a stir,
unlike inaction, apathy, or ignorance.
Indeed.
I heard you had a meeting with Admiral Rampart. Was it productive?
Surprisingly so.
I expected more pushback, yet he conceded to many of my requests for the clones.
Rampart is skilled at saying all the right things.
Especially when he doesn't want anyone looking deeper.
So I've been hearing.
There are other whispers if you listen closely enough.
The issue of clone rights is part of a much bigger picture.
These insurgencies that have arisen.
Their numbers are growing, and the Emperor is afraid.
If systems begin to revolt as they did with the Republic,
that will threaten his new Empire.
It's rather convenient, wouldn't you say?
How a catastrophic storm destroyed the cloning facilities on Kamino,
making way for the Empire's new military.
Tipoca City, designed to be submersible,
weathered thousands of storms over the years,
yet it's suddenly wiped off the map.
I spoke to a clone
who claimed Rampart gave an order to attack the Kaminoan cities.
Did he offer proof?
He said he was assigned to the ship that opened fire.
If we can convince him to testify.
Where's the clone now?
In hiding. My guards are out searching.
Be careful, Riyo. You may not be the only one looking for him.
[control panel beeping]
Have you located the clone?
Not yet. But Senator Chuchi's guards have also been searching for him.
Follow the senator. If she finds him, handle it.
The senator as well?
Yes. Ensure it can't lead back to me.
Understood.
[footsteps approaching]
[comlink beeps]
I'm at the rendezvous. Where are you?
[contact] I'm en route. Hang tight.
[footsteps approaching]
[Chuchi] Easy, trooper.
[Slip] Senator?
You're a hard person to track down.
What are you doing here?
I believe you were telling the truth about Admiral Rampart.
I want you to help me.
No. No. No, no. No, no. I'm leaving once he gets here.
Who?
Someone who can make me disappear, where the Empire can't find me.
How did you even find me?
Were you followed? If you can get to me, so can they.
I can protect you. Once the Senate hears what you have to say--
Senator, you're not listening to me. They already killed Cade.
My life is in danger. Yours will be too.
You have to go.
Wait!
His attack on Kamino didn't just affect the cloning facilities.
Rampart wiped out entire cities.
Those who perished, including the clones who died trying to speak the truth,
they deserve justice.
Testify before the Senate.
Rampart must be held accountable.
Senator, I must insist we leave. It's not secure here.
Yeah, he's right, and you don't need me.
The evidence you want is aboard Rampart's ship.
Check the bridge's command log.
I saved a backup to the central system---
[guard] Protect the Senator!
We have to go.
We move out on three.
[creaks]
[grunts]
[blaster rifle clicks, beeps]
[door opens]
[guard groans]
I'll draw him out. Run for the door. Get to the speeder!
I'll be right behind you!
-[blaster fires in distance] -[guard shouts]
[pounding]
[gasps]
[blaster stunning]
You all right, Senator?
Captain Rex? Wha-- What is going on?
I was hoping you could tell me.
I came to meet a clone contact of mine when I heard the blaster fire.
You were who Slip was meeting?
He's dead. So are my guards.
[sighs] What happened?
Slip told me about what truly happened to Kamino.
I wanted him to testify before the Senate.
[Rex] Someone was sent to make sure that would never happen.
[visor beeps, whooshes]
A clone? Why would a trooper do such a thing?
He's not a trooper.
Not sure what he is, but I suggest we question him somewhere more hidden.
And I have just the place.
[restraints rattle]
[Chuchi] Where are we?
Couple friends of mine own this garage. They're gone for a bit.
Nice of you to join us. You got a name?
Hmm.
You're not wearing any identifiable markings.
Who do you work for?
Don't want to talk about yourself? Fine.
Tell me whose orders you were following, and I'll let you go.
No, you won't, Captain Rex.
You're fighting the wrong battle, brother.
You're limited.
So, what does that make you?
A believer.