Obi-Wan Kenobi makes one of the most consequential discoveries in the history of the Galactic Republic when his investigation leads him to a secret cloning facility on the remote ocean planet of Kamino.
The Jedi Knight arrives while attempting to trace the origins of a mysterious toxic dart used to kill bounty hunter Zam Wesell. Kamino should appear in the Jedi Archives, but every record of the planet has been deliberately erased, immediately suggesting that someone is attempting to conceal its existence.
When Obi-Wan finally reaches the rain-covered world, he receives an unexpectedly warm welcome. The Kaminoans have been anticipating the arrival of a Jedi and assume that he has come to inspect the enormous project they have been developing for the Republic.
Prime Minister Lama Su reveals that 200,000 clone units are already prepared, with another million on the way. The soldiers have been genetically engineered, trained for combat and designed to follow orders with greater discipline than ordinary recruits.
Obi-Wan carefully hides his surprise as he learns that Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas supposedly commissioned the army almost ten years earlier. The revelation is deeply troubling because Sifo-Dyas has been dead for years, and neither the Jedi Council nor the Galactic Senate authorised the creation of such a force.
As Taun We guides him through the facility, Obi-Wan sees thousands of identical soldiers being educated, trained and prepared for war. The calm efficiency of the Kaminoans contrasts sharply with the enormous political consequences of what they have created.
Ewan McGregor’s restrained performance is central to the scene. Obi-Wan must pretend that he understands the situation while quietly recognising that he has uncovered a conspiracy far larger than the assassination attempt he was originally investigating.
The sequence also introduces the genetic foundation of the clone army. Every soldier has been created from the DNA of bounty hunter Jango Fett, whose connection to Obi-Wan’s investigation raises even more questions about who truly ordered the army and why.
Directed by George Lucas, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones uses the discovery on Kamino to connect its mystery storyline with the approaching galactic conflict. The clones will soon become the Grand Army of the Republic, fighting alongside the Jedi when the Clone Wars begin.
What initially appears to be a solution to the Republic’s military crisis ultimately becomes part of the Sith’s carefully constructed plan. Obi-Wan has discovered the army, but neither he nor the Jedi yet understands the true purpose for which it was created.
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