FORESIGHT and SCOPE: BOOK TWO

C H A P T E R F O R T Y-T H R E E

"What do we do now?" Omega asked.

"We have no choice, Half-Pint." I sighed, setting a hand on the young girl's shoulder. "Right, Riyo? We are getting closer to gathering everything we need to take down Rampart. I can feel it." My reassurance seemed to work, even if it was temporary. "Let's give her a call. The worse she can say is no."

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I've never met Halle Burtoni and have only heard rumors about her. When the Kaminoan gracefully strolled into Riyo's personal residence, her permenant scowl sent me signals that some of that idle chatter may hold some truth. Like all Kaminoans, Burtoni had a slender physique and a long neck, but her figure had become stooped with age. When she approached the three of us, I noticed her quivering as she moved. She had lavender eyes and nearly luminescent skin, and her features bespoke the evolution of her species by her slightly darkened spots upon her upper neck and the tops of her hands. Her regalia included a headband with jewelry that draped down both sides of her head and traditional Kaminoan sentorial robes that cinched over her wide hips.

"Senator Burtoni." Riyo immediately rose to her feet from the sofa and greeted Burtoni when she was escorted by the Pantoran's personal guards. She politely held out her hand to gesture her guest to take a seat. "Thank you for coming."

"Are armed guards really necessary?" Burtoni inquired bluntly. Though I had shed my headpiece and veil, I still donned my servant robes; I subconsciously patted my hip to ensure myself my weapon was covered. Riyo dismissed her guards with a nod, and we all proceeded to seat ourselves. The Kaminoan promptly posed herself on the chair as Riyo jumped straight into business. "There is a matter I must discuss with you."

"Then speak." Burtoni waved on.

"Could you tell about the missing Senate appropriation funds that were earmarked for operations on Kamino?" I watched the Kaminoan sway her gaze from Riyo at the mention of 'funds' and I couldn't help but sneer at her derisive behavior. The Pantoran continued her pitch, despite the bad manners. "Funding for the cloning facilities has been siphoned off for over the past year. You had to have known."

"Of course, I did." Burtoni stated.

"Where did the money go? Who diverted the funds?"

"You're a fool to bring me here." Burtoni derided the young senator, turning her attention to us. "Do you know what happens when you dig around where you shouldn't?"

"Your people deserve to—"

"My people are gone." Burtoni interrupted with exasperation. The aggressiveness in her tone revealed her honest feelings. "The few remaining Kaminoans scattered throughout the galaxy are of no importance to me, and therefore, not my concern."

Okay...so more and more of those rumors are true...I was disgusted by the slender creature before me, but I bit my tongue. It was not my place to impede on the senators' debate. However, I had forgotten to remind Omega on the other side of Riyo of that.

"How can you not care about what happened on Kamino?" the young girl asked in a solumn tone.

"Why do you care, child?" Burtoni questioned in a belligerent nature.

"Because I'm a clone, too."

"We both are." I elaborated, crossing my arms over my chest. "We were both there when the Rampart's Venators opened fire on the city. While we did survive its destruction, a part of all clones, not just the two of us and the rest of our squad, died that day...I'm sure you can understand how that would make us angry and perhaps vengeful."