Chapter Text
"We've found a severe aberration in CT-9900's DNA."
Nala Se frowned at the young medic's words, looking up with uncertainty and thinly veiled worry, "What kind of aberration?"
"There are signs of accelerated aging... beyond what is standard," the medic frowned. He seemed hesitant to share the information. And she knew why.
Nala Se had recently been given permission to initiate a new experimental program. It had been several cycles since the last one had been shut down due to low funds and failed results. That was, in her opinion, her greatest failure.
Hundreds of clones had grown in her experimental facility, and every single one died before their first year. After the 98th failed batch the Prime Minister elected to defund the program.
The Jedi Master who approached them long ago had shown interest in developing enhanced clones for the Republic army. It was something the Kaminoans hadn't ventured to try until Nala Se volunteered to head the program. Standing as the lead scientist with a reliable record, it wasn’t difficult for her to receive approval from the Kaminoan Science Board.
Prime Minister Lama Su, however, was loathe to approve most cloning programs. The fragile situation of Kamino, its persons and finances put him in a position where any risk of failure could put their entire species in jeopardy. After many months of meetings, studies, and heavy persuasion, Nala Se finally won the Prime Minister’s approval.
That approval was short lived.
Her failed program put a massive rift between the experimental field and the government. One that Lama Su wouldn’t allow her to forget.
Experimental Unit 99 was her last chance.
Nala Se glanced at the five tubes, the little fetuses floating peacefully in the blue glow. They were nearly ready for decanting. She could see CT-9900, much smaller than the others and clearly stunted. Its limbs were misshapen and its movement was halting. The other four, however, seemed to be normal and thriving.
“What about the others?" She asked, memories from the past rising to the surface.
The medic, (Alta from Mandalore, she remembered) checked his data pad, frown deepening, “They seem to have no further mutations besides the ones they were designed with."
She hummed, about to respond when she heard footsteps draw closer from behind. “Terminate them," the new voice echoed in the hall.
“Prime Minister," the medic stood straight, offering a curt nod. His eyes darted worriedly to the intubated clones. Everyone in Tipoca City was well aware of Lama Su’s disdain for… imperfect products.
Nala Se greeted her superior with a flourish of her hand and a bow, masking her worry, "Terminate?” She began, “But the other four clones show no sign of anomaly-"
"The Republic has no need of defective clones, Nala Se. We do not have the resources to accommodate them, nor do I have any interest to assume the responsibility over them." Lama Su's tone was unyielding and unconcerned.
"I must protest, Prime Minister." Nala Se intoned, "I find no reason to dispose of four perfectly functioning clones. Until they show signs of unfavorable deviation-"
“I do not wish to argue this matter. The Republic asked for functioning clones. You say one clone is showing signs of undesirable mutation?” She nodded slowly in reply, “Who is to say the others will not develop the same complications? I will not risk damaging our tentative relationship with our client so you can continue to run your trivial experiments." Lama Su stated, voice firm.
Nala Se didn’t know what to say.
"If I may, Prime Minister," the medic stepped forward, his face a barely contained mask of uncertainty and a hint of anger, "Perhaps we can keep the batch, if only as a preventative measure to ensure no other unexpected mutations occur in the future. We can study their anomalies and root out any potential genetic inconsistencies in other batches."
Lama Su stilled, contemplating. His face was difficult to read, but Nala Se recognized the signs of consideration in his glistening eyes. “That… could be beneficial. But is it worth the risk of losing thousands of credits? If the remainder of this batch is a failure, these growth tubes will be wasted for nothing. We could produce an entire line of assets using this equipment."
“Perhaps there is a way to mitigate the risk." Nala Se said, voice lilting at the prospect of keeping her experiments, "Experimental Unit 99 was designed to be the perfect squad of soldiers. Should they survive until adulthood, they will each sell to our clients for millions."
Lama Su's interest was piqued, "Go on."
"They will be trained as clone commandos, the top of their class. The equivalent of what humans call ‘super soldiers.’ They will be worth triple the average clone trooper, if not more." She knew that the Prime Minister couldn’t pass up the opportunity to make more money. She never quite understood people so driven by greed. The pursuit of science and progress was much more intriguing in her opinion.
Lama Su studied the five fetuses closely, dark eyes unreadable, “What makes them so special?"
The medic handed the data pad to Lama Su, chancing a glance her way, "Here's the information on each clone."
"CT-9900: enhanced healing and regenerative properties." Lama Su glanced at the small, deformed clone, "This is the one with the accidental aberration?"
"Yes. It is the only one exhibiting these signs."
Lama Su hummed, returning to the data-pad.
“CT-9901: enhanced sensory input.
CT-9902: enhanced strength, metabolism and musculature.
CT-9903: enhanced intelligence and cognitive ability.
CT-9904: enhanced eyesight."
Lama Su returned the data pad, gliding closer to where the small clones were housed. Nala Se waited with bated breath as he studied them each carefully. "Why is CT-9900 the only one exhibiting these issues?" He said finally.
"We are not sure." She replied, "It seems to be a direct result of its mutation. Its advanced healing capabilities seem to be reversing, leeching off of its nervous system and other vital functions."
Lama Su nodded, clasping long fingers together and moving to the doors, "I want full guarantee that the remaining four clones will continue to thrive. Do everything in your power to ensure that they make it to adulthood. And that they prove worthwhile to the Republic.” His eyes held a warning, “Should you succeed, this could be an incredibly lucrative source of income for Kamino. Do not disappoint me, Nala Se." He floated out of the room, robes swishing behind him.
She let out a measured breath, grateful that she wouldn’t lose her prized batch. She knew exactly what she needed to do. She turned to Alta, "Take the remaining regenerative cells from CT-9900 and disperse them into the other four clones." She said.
The medic blinked as he processed what she was saying, “But... that will surely kill him-"
“I am unconcerned about CT-9900, as long as the others survive. Utilizing its cells in the others will guarantee their survival."
She could feel the anger radiating off of the medic. Humans were so emotional. If only they could find a way to negate such an unfortunate weakness from their clone forces.
“Extract the cells." She repeated, "Once they're integrated into the others, find a way to enhance their mutations further."
"But... their mutations are already far beyond the scope of even our most mutated subjects-"
"Do it." She rounded on him, "This will perhaps be my last attempt to successfully create a batch of enhanced clones. They must be enhanced further. As they are now, they will provide no real value to the Republic. I have many plans for the future of cloning. If I can prove the worth of these clones to the Republic and the Prime Minister, I will acquire sufficient funds to pursue those plans."
"How are we to enhance them further?" Alta questioned.
"I have some ideas in mind." She replied, "CT-9902 and CT-9903 are nearly perfect as they are. Strength and intelligence are not things that can be permanently quantified. Both of their mutations can and will grow as they grow into adulthood." She could tell by the human's face that he didn't like the direction this was taking. "But CT-9901 and CT-9904 can be improved upon."
"In what ways?" Alta asked, "Presently we cannot enhance them much more than they already are, at least not until they're decanted."
"Do what you can for now," She soothed, "Then put all four of them in cryo stasis."
Alta stared at her, bewildered, "For what purpose?"
"There is something I have been working on for quite some time." She felt a shadow of a smile on her face, "Once she is ready, I will be able to continue my studies on Experimental Unit 99."
"And CT-9900?"
“Let it continue to grow, alone. I would like to see how long it lasts."