As the Sith planned to go to war with the Republic in six months, Daimon was heading to the world of Kamino to meet with them as they had requested a meeting with him specifically a few months ago.
He didn't know what it was for, but he always looked for to seeing the Kaminoans ever since they were discovered 500 years ago. In the beginning they mainly remained isolated due to their xenophobic views of other species. This was because they saw themselves as a superior form of life, but this didn't stop them from being polite to outsiders. To them, any species that sought self-improvement was worthy of respect, but those who did not, or refused to because morality were seen as inferior.
It was different for the Imperium since Gen'Dai and most other species who lived in the Imperium were genetically improved in many ways. Because of this, the Kaminoans had great respect for Daimon and the Imperium. Then adding the fact that the Imperium was the strongest empire in the galaxy, it also made them have even more respect.
Besides, the Imperium, there was really nobody else that they had a similar amount of respect towards, but they still maintained limited contact and trade with every major empire and faction. Though this contact was limited and they were hoping to keep it that way, until now that as.
Arriving in the Kamino system, Daimon was greeted by the glowing blue ocean planet which he came to admire. And unlike most planets, Kamino didn't have a fleet of ships defending their world or an orbital station to defend themselves.
That was because they thought that they had never needed it. But after a recent incident, they would have to change their minds.
The Luminary stopped in orbit above the planet and Daimon boarded a shuttle to the surface with Lord Maxim, a few Empyrean Guards, Balance Keepers, and Cortana.
The shuttle descended through Kamino's atmosphere as the rain from the raging storm hit the viewport of the shuttle and obscured the pilot's vision. Fortunately, the pilots that flew the Emperor were the best of the best that the Imperium could offer so the storm wasn't a problem.
A few minutes later, Tipoca City, the capital of Kamino had come into view. It was a massive city that stretched above the water's surface with dome-like structures enclosed by walkways.
As the shuttle began to land, a delegation of Kaminoans were already waiting on the landing platform. They stood perfectly still despite the wind and rain which showed that they had become accustomed to this type of weather.
The lead Kaminoan stepped forward as Daimon descended the ramp. She was tall with pale skin that was almost luminescent in the grey light.
"Emperor Daimon," she said. "I am Prime Minister Taun Lara. I appreciate that you took time out of your busy schedule to come personally."
"You asked for me personally," Daimon replied. "And I have great respect for your people as you have for mine, but it seems that you may also have a particular matter on your hands that warranted my presence."
"We do." She turned and gestured toward the main entrance. "Please. The rain is not a concern for us, but I understand it is less pleasant for other species."
They moved inside, with the sound of the rain cutting off as the doors sealed behind them. The interior of Tipoca City was the same as it had always been. Clean white corridors that curved with the dome's layout, soft ambient lighting, and the faint hum of environmental systems.
Daimon had been here four times over the past five centuries. Each visit had been different in purpose but consistent in the atmosphere that it created. The Kaminoans inhabited their city the way they inhabited their work, with a kind of total concentration that left no room for decoration or sentiment.
They were led through several corridors and into a large chamber that served as the city's primary conference room. Several other Kaminoan officials were already present, standing around a central table. They slightly bowed their heads as Daimon entered.
"Please sit," Taun Lara said, and the group arranged themselves around the table.
Lord Maxim remained standing near the entrance alongside the other Empyrean Guards. Cortana and the Balance Keeper stood behind Daimon. This many guards in one room may not have been allowed in some other empires, but the Kaminoans knew that the Emperor was an important person which necessitated the need for this many guards.
Plus, it was not a bother to them, so they didn't care and would always let them all in.
"You mentioned a recent incident," Daimon said. "I'd prefer to begin there."
Taun Lara appreciated directness. She didn't want to waste time on greetings and things like that. "A few days ago, some pirates had invaded one of our cities looking for our cloning technology. At first we didn't immediately assume they were pirates because they were being led by a Force user so we assumed it was the Sith. But after investigating it more, we have determined that it was a group of pirates led by some rogue Force user not associated with any known Force Orders." she explained the situation that had happened a few days ago and pulled up the video footage that they had.
"Hurry up and find it." shouted the Force user from the video ordering the others around. "We don't have much time."
"We can't find the cloning technology. But we got a couple of Kaminoans who might know where it is." said one of the pirates, dragging two Kaminoan scientists forward by their collar.
The Force user walked up to them and looked down at the two. "Where is it?"
Neither of them spoke, which seemed to frustrate the Force user considerably. He raised his hand and began to apply pressure through the Force, not enough to kill, but enough to make the point clear.
"The secondary laboratory. Level seven, corridor nine." one of them finally said.
The footage cut off there.
Taun Lara deactivated the display. "They found the laboratory. However, they did not find what they were looking for specifically. Our most sensitive cloning templates and the associated research are stored in a location that is not accessible through the standard facility layout. They took what they could carry and departed before our security teams could contain them."
"What did they take?" Daimon asked.
"Partial genetic sequences. Preliminary research on accelerated maturation processes. Several years of documentation on cross-species cellular compatibility." She paused. "Nothing that would allow them to replicate our full capabilities. But enough that someone with sufficient resources and intent could use it as a foundation."
"And the Force user," Daimon said. "What can you tell me about them?"
Another Kaminoan official, a male who had been silent until now, stepped forward. "Our security systems captured biometric data during the incursion. The individual demonstrated abilities that were consistent with high-level Force sensitivity. However, the techniques used were unusual. The way he moved. The way he used the Force. It did not match the patterns associated with either the Jedi Order or the Sith."
Daimon thought about all of this for a moment, while Cortana had already begun cross-referencing the description of the pirates and the Force user through Imperial databases.
"The two scientists who were coerced," Daimon said. "Are they okay?"
Taun Lara seemed mildly surprised by the question as she didn't expect Daimon to ask about the wellbeing of two scientists. "They are physically unharmed. Psychologically, the experience was distressing. We have provided appropriate care."
"Good." he said. "Now since you invited me here, I'm assuming there is more you want to say." They could have told him all of this over a call, but they called him here which meant that there was more to what they wanted.
"In response to this incident. We have determined that no matter our policy of isolationism, some species or more specifically people of the galaxy act like barbarians. As such, it is in our best interests to get more engaged in the galaxy, while also learning about potential threats that may come for us again. We cannot rely on our isolation to protect us any longer."
"Tell me what you have in mind," Daimon said.
Taun Lara folded her hands on the table. "The Imperium is very powerful and established and we would like to work with you in a mutual research and defense accord. We would contribute our expertise in biological sciences, genetic research, and accelerated development techniques to the Imperium on a formal basis. In exchange, we would ask for help in establishing a defense force to thwart any would be invaders."
Daimon didn't need to think much about this request. It was a no brainer for him. "I accept your request Prime Minister Taun Lara." replied Daimon. "If you would, I can have Cortana here work with your people to draft a resolute agreement and we can assist the Kaminoans with whatever they need."
However, before Taun Lara could Cortana spoke up. "We have numerous contacts coming in from the far side of the planet." she reported. "They appear to be more of those pirates that attacked a few days ago."
"Our security systems should have detected them." said Taun Lara.
"They most likely used stealth systems to hide their approach. The fact that we have only just detected them, means that they have some type of advanced stealth technology." explained Cortana. "The storm is providing significant sensor interference but I'm counting forty-three vessels inbound. Small craft, likely boarding class transports. They appear to be converging on three separate city platforms."
Daimon was already standing. "How long?"
"Approximately ten minutes before the first wave reaches the outer platforms."
Taun Lara turned to her officials and spoke quickly in the Kaminoan dialect. Two of them departed immediately. She turned back to Daimon. "Our security forces number approximately four hundred. They are not soldiers. They were designed to manage internal order, not repel an organized assault."
"Don't worry Prime Minister, we'll assist in this matter as a start to a hopefully long and relationship between us." said Daimon as he walked out of the room to deal with and find out the motive behind these attacks.
At the same time, the Luminary had already launched support craft to the surface and was moving to the far side of the planet to find out where the pirate ship was and capture it.