Setting: Jedi Temple – High Council Chamber
Date: 25 BBY – Three Years Before the Clone Wars
The Briefing Begins
The atmosphere in the Council Chamber was unusually still.
Twelve seats encircled the floor. Masters Yoda, Windu, Plo Koon, Fay, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Adi Gallia, and Shaak Ti were among those present. Cain stood before them, golden eyes steady.
Beside him were Anakin, Seris, and their Masters: Obi-Wan and Adi Gallia. Master Fay stood behind Cain silently, letting him lead.
Cain bowed respectfully. "Thank you for receiving us, Masters."
Yoda nodded. "Truth, your mission has brought. Details, we await."
Cain activated the first datapad, projecting the Kaminoan display they'd all seen before: troop growth rates, training routines, accelerated aging protocols, command integration with Republic military hierarchy.
"Everything we saw aligns with the Kaminoan presentation," Cain said. "Except for one detail they didn't mention."
He tapped the next file.
A holographic image of a cerebral cross-section appeared, rotating slowly.
"This," he said, "is a sub-organic biochip embedded in every clone's brain. Coded to respond to command-level phrases... and preloaded with behavioral override protocols."
Shaak Ti frowned. "We were told those were stabilization regulators. Nothing more."
Cain zoomed into the chip's neural interface.
"They're not," he said. "They're failsafes. And triggers."
He tapped again.
A list of encrypted files appeared: Order Protocols 1-150.
Mace Windu leaned forward, reading aloud. "Order 65. Removal of Chancellor under Jedi threat. Order 66… Execution of all Jedi leadership if deemed traitors?"
The chamber fell quiet.
Cain let it sit.
"It's not just a military force," Cain continued. "It's a weapon. Built to turn on us. These chips ensure they won't question the command."
Master Gallia spoke. "Where did you get these files?"
Cain glanced toward Plo Koon and Fay, who both gave a single nod.
"Encrypted within hidden sectors of Tipoca City's archives," Cain said. "Verified and translated by trusted sources."
Yoda's ears lowered. "Disturbing, this is. Truth, it appears."
Ki-Adi-Mundi looked doubtful. "And who would design such protocols? Surely not the Kaminoans alone."
Cain turned and loaded one final file.
A Kaminoan commission record blinked into existence—signed not by the Jedi, not by the Republic, but by a man named:
Tyranus.
He pressed play on the holovoice attached.
The figure's voice echoed. Smooth. Cold. Regal.
"I am Tyranus. I speak for the client. Jango Fett will do. Begin production immediately."
The voice faded.
Cain turned back to the Council, fire behind his words.
"Tyranus is Count Dooku. A former Jedi Master. Leader of the Separatists. And the one who hired Jango Fett."
A ripple of shocked silence passed through the chamber.
Mace Windu stood slowly. "Count Dooku… commissioned the Grand Army of the Republic?"
"Yes," Cain said. "Before the Separatists even had a name."
Yoda's eyes narrowed. "Foreseen, this was not. Planned, this has been… for many years."
Shaak Ti frowned deeply. "The Kaminoans knew. They withheld it. And we didn't see it."
Cain stepped forward. "You weren't supposed to."
He looked at every Master now, unwavering.
"This army isn't for protecting the Republic. It's for ending the Jedi. Slowly. From within. It's a trap. Carefully laid. We are walking into it willingly."
Master Ki-Adi-Mundi stood. "This is an explosive claim from a Padawan. And while I respect young Cain's dedication, we must not leap to conclusions without oversight."
Cain didn't back down.
"You don't have time for oversight," he said. "They're growing two new generations. ARC troopers. Specialists. The Republic will have an unstoppable army under their command in another year."
Yoda tapped his cane slowly, eyes closed.
"Proof… strong, your data is. Confirm, we must. But act, soon we may need."
Fay finally spoke, voice quiet but clear. "Cain has risked much to bring this forward. We cannot afford to dismiss this just because of his age."
Plo Koon added, "He has not once failed to tell the truth. Even when it was difficult. That matters."
After the Council recessed to verify the files, Cain stood outside the chamber, arms crossed, face taut.
Anakin stood beside him.
"They don't want to believe it," Anakin said quietly.
"Because it means they were outplayed. Years ago," Cain replied.
Seris leaned against the wall. "They still might bury it. Hide it to protect the image of the Order."
Cain nodded. "Then we keep copies. We share it with those who will listen. Senators. Generals. Jedi."
He looked to his friends.
"I'm done waiting for permission to stop this war."
Scene 6: Codex Entry 012 – Reflections
The Jedi Council is fractured.
Even now, faced with proof of betrayal, some won't act. Not because they're evil—but because they're afraid.
Yoda listens. Fay believes. Plo watches. But others… will try to suppress it. To "contain" it.
I know now that the Jedi cannot be saved from above.
They must be saved from within.
And if not… I'll build something better in their ashes.