Chapter Text
‘Sometimes even the worst of your enemies may turn out to be friendly.’
“So, the question remains… are you with us?”
“Or, are you against us?”
The moment frozen. The room having gone completely silent.
Cody and Rex’s eyes were on the once proud Kaminoan scientist who had haunted most of their youths standing there, mostly subdued. Nala Se’s eyes were anywhere but the two Clone Commanders in charge of the operation the scientist had been requested to work for after having been freed from the Empire by the clones. She owed them at least that much after everything. Right?
“I… am with you.” Her monotonous tone reverberated in the now silence of the room. But despite her best efforts it had sounded rather unsure even to Nala Se’s own ears.
Rex and Cody exchanged glances. Clearly, they were not convinced. And so.
“If you are not sure you want to be here then we won’t force you. But…” Rex paused for a moment, getting a slight nod from Cody as the two of them having already discussed their options in regards to the scientist and what to do if she was to decline their… kind offer.
After all, there were other cloning experts the two had gotten wind of. A few even eager to leave the Empire is so enticed. These scientists might not have been as skilled as Nala Se though. Far from her skills being the original cloner having created the clones in the first place. But, if Nala Se was not willing to join them Rex and Cody had decided not to press the matter even if a few other clones had voiced counter opinions in the matter. Because in their minds the Kaminoans owned them as much.
“If you aren’t willing to work for us we will return you to the Empire. I am sure they are more than pleased to get you back and into their ranks.”
It wasn’t a threat. Well, not really intended as such. But Rex and Cody had decided nevertheless not to let the Kaminoan loose in the galaxy either on her own as they did not trust her as far as they could throw her. And so keeping her working for them was their option to offer her instead.
Nala Se finally looked up and right at the two. Her eyes wide as large size saucers. Then again, weren’t they always. She was clearly rattled by this comment as far as Cody and Rex could tell. And as far as the Commanders could see the Empire had not been a good place for the scientist either as it had not been for any of them. The horrors written on the scientist’s face even if somewhat hard to read. That was any other than Rex and Cody as they knew better.
“I will pledge my allegiance to you. The clones.”
It was as simple as that. Nala Se’s mind made up. The scientific mind of hers having made the quick calculations of her options available at the moment. Weighing them with mathematical precision and quickly coming to this one simple conclusion on the spot.
“You are sure of this?” Cody had to double check even if the scientist’s tone had considerably changed between the two whole lines she had spoken so far.
“I am on your side.” Nala Se let her gaze wonder from Cody to Rex. The stare never faltering, never shying away.
“Then this conversation is over and the two of us trust you will do the right thing for us clones.” Rex sounded curt but then again considering whom they were talking with he really wasn’t. Simply stating the facts. Just like the Kaminoan’s themselves always did. Right to the point as briefly as possible.
As it was Nala Se had already been questioned by them, Cody and Rex among a few others. But especially their medics. Wanting go have all the intel possible of the cloning experimentation done on the clones so far and what Nala Se had done while serving the Empire. There was the data of course they had retrieved consisting with much related intel of the same. But without an actual cloning expert on board as not even Tech’s brilliant mind combined with Echo could do what the Kaminoans had honed to perfection over hundreds of years of practice.
And so having Nala Se finally working for them instead of the Empire or even the Republic was a Force sent for the clones. Having told Nala Se flat on what they wanted from her first and foremost. Their ageing reversed.
“Then I can get back to work.” Nala Se simply stated in her calm manner as if no threats had been made and there was no bad blood between them. At all.
“Yes. But before you do…” Cody glanced at Rex once again the two having been totally on the same page with each other during this whole process. Talking wordlessly with each other. Not that they hadn’t discussed the matter at length prior. But sometimes the words between them were not needed. “We will assign several of our people to be working with you at all times.”
This was to make sure Nala Se would not try anything to undermine their budding cooperation. After all, she had been coerced to do this on some level. Helping the clones even if Cody and Rex had given the other option for her. Which again wasn’t much of an option. Still, it wasn’t like Nala Se had a home to go back to either. Kamino, was gone.
“And you will be escorted by armed guards until such time we can be assured you won’t try to do something to counter our agreement or try to escape.” Rex’s tone was stern knowing how secretive the Kaminoans could be. Always scheming and plotting something or another. And no amount of captivity or coercion would change that.
Nala Se seemed to once again be assessing the words before giving a slight nod.
“These terms are agreeable.”
Clearly, her rather subdued manner was an indication Nala Se preferred the clones to the Empire having had the choice to choose the lesser of two evils.
“Good, then let’s get to work!” Rex’s catch phrase elicited a slight smirk from Cody when the two of them dismissed the Kaminoan scientist with her leaving with the two guards waiting behind the opening doors. After all, Nala Se was a prisoner until further notice.
“So, that went well.” Cody snorted after the doors closed behind the scientist and her escorts.
“Yeah, well, as long as she does what we ask I don’t really care how she feels about it or us for that matter.” Rex wasn’t fond of Nala Se that much was for sure. None of them were.
The console beeped indicating an incoming message. Cody read it quickly and motioned for Rex to have a look too. Rex reading the same intel there as Cody had.
“I think she will come through for us. She knows she owes us as much. Not to mention her fate was pretty much sealed had she stayed with the Empire.”
Cody having finally gotten the decrypted files from Echo while they had chatted with Nala Se. The ones on board the ship where they had found her among the rescued clones.
“She was bound for termination according to this file.” Rex was surprised to see the intel. But then again with the Empire no one was safe.
“Yeah. And so she chose us to remain alive.” Cody simply stated.
“Well, good for us then I guess.” Rex shook his head in disbelief the Empire never seizing to surprise him with their rather unorthodox actions.