Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Some say that things always have a way of working out in the end. No matter how dire the situation, fate will always guide its tides toward a happier end. Sometimes this rings true, but sometimes…… just sometimes you wished to grab fate by its neck and take every last gasp of air it held within its lungs. 

    -24 BBY-

A low static hum runs through the air as the old cargo ship creaks rhythmically. The sounds stem from the metal hull straining against the hyperspace around it, the age of the ship showing in every crackle. The noises are almost a comfort to your solemn form. Your head presses against the cold metal of the ship's interior, your fingers lightly trace the crevices and gaps between welded metal. Your eyes stay fixated on the little specks of rust above your head as your thoughts refuse to rest; instead they become a cacophony of thoughts spiraling with no end. 

One of your mother’s old lullabies comes to mind as you shift in your rather uncomfortable seat. The melody was soft and subtle, something passed down through the generations by her grandmother and her grandmother before her. Her melody echoes in your mind as it rises above the cacophony, and gently lays your mind to rest as it once did when you were a child. You are jolted from your comforting hums and give a sharp inhale as you feel the ship descend out of hyper-space.

The pilot calls out your name as the ship begins its descent onto the watery planet below. His rough voice echoes off the rickety metal walls of the ship as he beckons you to the front. You rise from your seat and make your way into the cockpit, watching as the harsh rains meet the windshield of the ship. 

      “Welcome to Kamino” he says gruffly, his voice twinged with a hint of fatigue from the long journey. 

Your eyes widen at the sheer amount of water that covers the planet, your destination, Tipoca City, sits high above the water upon stilts. Kamino was extremely hard to find information on, the only thing you could find out about the planet was how its citizens lived in elevated cities and were highly intelligent. You wondered why they would need your expertise when you just graduated from Coruscant’s Medical school, but the individual who posted the application insisted you were perfect for the role.

Ree’An’s eyes glance back at your astonished face as he comms the city below, letting them know about your arrival. A voice comes through the comm that approves your landing, and the pilot begins to steadily descend towards the now open hangar. Your body shifts from the abrupt change in momentum, and your hand shoots out to grasp the back of the pilot's seat to steady yourself. He lets out a heady laugh at your squeak of shock. Your eyes narrow into a glare, and you huff at his quiet chuckles at your misfortune.

      “Ya’ know ya’ could’ve sat down” he grins at you from beneath his wrinkled face and thick mustache. Mirth swims within his dark eyes.

      “Oh stow it old man” you grumble at his accented jests. He simply laughs harder and pats your arm as he expertly lands the ship, the rain becoming muffled with the closing of the hangar doors. The ship makes a loud hiss as he presses the button to lower the ramp. You hear the creaking of the hydraulics and the sound of metal screeching and grinding against itself as the ramp lowers behind you both. Before you can blink, his face falls into a grim expression, worry leaking into his gaze.

      “Be careful kid” he says firmly “The Kaminoians aren't known to be the kindest folk in the galaxy” his eyes shift from you to the lithe Kaminoian approaching the outside of his ship. The almost silent sound of her steps startling you a tad. The Kaminoian was tall, thin and extremely pale, so much so it slightly hurt your eyes. She wore a monotone dress with a simple sash around her waist. Her large unsettling eyes locked onto you as she gracefully made her way towards the open ramp, an AZI droid following her. 

      “I hope you know what you're getting yourself into” he mutters as he makes a shooing motion towards your form as he gestures vaguely towards the now descended ramp and the patiently waiting Kaminoian. “Now get out doctor” he huffs from his seat. You roll your eyes at his comment and give his shoulder a firm patt as you turn away from the cockpit.

      “I’ll do what I can Ree’An” , your voice half joking and half serious. You smile softly at him as you pull your bag upon your shoulder and begin to exit the ship. 

Your footsteps make a soft clanking of shoes on metal as you walk with a consistent, steady gait down the ramp towards the sole Kaminoian. 

She raises a hand to her chest and greets you with a bow before introducing herself, “Hello I am Cora Dima, a scientist here at Tipoca City. I will be your escort to your director”. Her melodic voice slightly startles you, and her calm demeanor is borderline unsettling. Even so, you nod in reply as she leads you from the humid hangar and into the actual city of Tipoca. Each step you take feels like both restrained curiosity and a death sentence. A new and unfamiliar planet with a shiny new job could be both an opportunity and a nightmare wrapped up in a perfectly packaged watery grave. 

As you approach, the doors to the interior swoosh open and part automatically for you and the Kaminoian–that you are hurriedly following. There is a small rush of air. You briefly blink, clearing your eyes and coming face to face with the white, sterile walls of Tipoca city. The eggshell-colored walls harshly greet your pupils as you make your official entrance into the main halls of the metal city. 

Cora Dima doesn't speak as she, and the AZI droid, lead you through the long halls of Tipoca city. Her pace is languid, but her abnormally long limbs make it hard for you to keep pace with her. Your hands tighten their hold on your satchel, and your eyes scan and take in the sensory depravity that is Tipoca city’s interior. It’s borderline depressing how mind-numbing the halls are,

      ‘They're probably allergic to color’ you think with a small smirk. Coming from a vibrant home planet that consisted of lush plants and colorful art, the cold and heartless environment of Kamino is a harsh slap to your normally engaged visual cortex.

      ‘If I can't add any life to my quarters I'll definitely need to up my dosage’ you muse to yourself. You're honestly surprised the residents haven’t gone insane, but you were not an expert on Kaminoian biology. 

Cora Dima abruptly halts, and you almost smash face-first into her back. A small squeak reverberates from your shoes as you rapidly cease your forward momentum. You decide to shoot the Kaminoian a dirty look behind her head, feeling awfully unamused by her lack of warning. 

You watch the AZI droid float forward and punch in a code on a panel, and the door whooshes open to reveal the medical bay. Cora Dima gracefully leads you and the AZI droid into the room. She gestures for you to sit down atop one the cots. You do so, feeling the coolness of the fabric beneath your hands. You inspect your surroundings quietly, observing the various cabinets and tablets and technology. 

The room was slightly dimmer than the hallways despite being lined with an array of cots and screens. The walls held multiple cabinets, so you assume they are filled with medical supplies. The AZI droid quietly floats away to grab some syringes full of some mystery liquid. Your eyes widen in horror at the sight, and your mind quickly rushes to think over what the force was happening. 

Cora Dima, as if sensing your distress, lays a clam hand on your cloth clad shoulder to reassure you, “There is nothing to fear, we must simply make sure you will not compromise the delicate immune system of the experiment or any of the cadets”

You give her a questioning look and open your lips to respond before a sharp pain fills your arm. You wince and loudly hiss. You snap your head towards the AZI droid that's currently retracting a syringe from your arm. The droid ignores your nasty glare and wipes the area clean before lining up and inserting another syringe. You sigh at the harsh treatment, but simply let it happen.

‘This job better be worth it’ , you think as the AZI droid gives you 5 more shots before deeming you completely safe for occupancy in Tipoca City. 

Cora Dima nods gently at the droid and gestures for you to stand and follow her out of the medical bay. You heave a heavy sigh and follow her, but not before sending the droid the nastiest glare you could. She leads you out the medical bay–back into the harshly lit hallways. You rush to catch up to her long strides, beginning to sweat a bit as you overexert yourself. Shots and now more walking? It couldn't be a worse day. You pass a few groups of young boys, they all look the same and march in sync. 

You do a double take and think to yourself ‘These must be the cadets Cora Dima mentioned’. 

You turn your attention back to Cora Dima’s back, and you continue your efforts into matching her long strides. Thankfully, the walk was quite short to this new destination. She punches in a code, and the door whooshes open. Much like the last one, you are briefly forced to blink to clear your eyes as she leads you into the quiet room. It’s a simple laboratory, which judging by the data pads lying around, was probably used as an office from time to time. There is a quaint table in the center with medicine cabinets and screens along the walls. The lab is unfortunately still a blaring, horrifying, and all around mind-numbing shade of white. You realize that your brief hope to decorate your own space with some color is slowly becoming an unattainable dream.

You startle as you take notice of the tall presence currently typing upon one of the screens; your body jolts at the shock.You hadn't noticed her standing there when you walked in, your mind having been too focused on inspecting the minimalistic room (seems these white walls were already dulling your senses). The figure's height is startling as she towers over Cora Dima who was, by your standards, extremely tall. But alas, this Kaminoian was just as graceful despite the added height. The new Kaminoian gracefully turns at the intrusion, and lays her large eyes upon your smaller form.

Cora Dima says your name clearly to the Kaminoian, “As you requested Nala Se. She is vaccinated, and of no danger to the experiment.”

The figure, now known as Nala Se, hums in approval and gestures for Cora Dima to exit. The shorter Kaminoian bows before she makes her exit to leave you alone with Nala Se’s towering figure. Now alone with Nala Se, your eyes decide to follow her graceful form and examine her blue and red robes as they flow off her thin frame. This small detail only adds to her graceful appearance. The oval accessory on her forehead catches your eye next as the metal glints softly off the fluorescent lighting in sharp contrast to her matte skin. Briefly, you praise the force because, finally, there is some color to look at. The colors of her robes and her oval accessory are a lot easier on your eyes than the blinding, sterile white of the halls and room. She stares back at you softly; her form inches slightly forward as she addresses you. 

      “It is a pleasure to meet you” her tone is almost enchanting as she says your name. Your eyes widen and you feel yourself leaning forward onto your toes as you hang off every word as she continues, “I am Nala Se, the chief medical scientist here on Kamino and you will be reporting to me.” 

She shifts and glides around you, “You must be wondering why I specifically chose you for the position, am I correct?” 

You notice her voice melodically glides along the pronunciation of each word, and it's odd to your human ears. Your eyes narrow slightly as you nod in agreement. You had wondered earlier as to why you had been chosen over all the other experienced candidates that had applied. After all, you had just finished medical school and this job paid extremely well and came with a lot of perks. You had been hesitantly surprised at their almost immediate acceptance of your application. In the galaxy, it was quite rare for a student to find such a well paying job straight out of school. So, the fact that they had picked you so quickly had been bothering your mind for a while now. You do not end up answering her, seemingly rhetorical, question before she continues to speak.

      “Let me preface this by acknowledging your extensive experience with pediatrics. I was impressed to learn that you were one of the student researchers on the team that developed a vaccine for the shivering flu. You proved yourself to be an invaluable asset to the medical field, and it made you perfect for this position.” 

You try to insist you were merely an inexperienced student during that time, but she raises a pale hand to stop your interjection as she continues to float around your frozen form.

      “You may not see the value in your talents, but I do,” she insists, her tone full of finality, “Allow me to expand upon the specific reason that I requested your expertise.” 

She stops her circles and stares directly into your eyes. “I have desired a dedicated pediatric medic for a specific experiment for a while now. That is why I hired you.” 

Your eyes flicker across her long face as you absorb her words. Experiment? What the hell kind of experiment are they doing that they want a pediatric medic specially on site. This reeks of all sorts of shady business. 

      “What kind of experiment?” you challenge as your eyes search her cold ones for answers. You are not about to become complacent to crimes against children.

Nala Se simply hums and replies “You are a human female, yes?” 

You deadpan at her question–she was joking right? When her face shows no sign of joking you exasperatedly agree with a nod of your head.

      “I assumed as much. You will report to me as a medical assistant, however, you will more often than not be left to do your work on your own.” 

You stare at her, bewilderment filling your gaze. ‘What is happening right now?’

She continues smoothly, ignoring your obvious flabbergasted expression, “In addition, you will assist with the development of my experiment” 

      ‘There's that word again’  you think. 

Your mind begins to race as you think of what she could mean by experiment. You briefly go over everything you know. She requested you because you have experience with pediatrics so it has something to do with children of some sort. Your heart drops at the thought of them doing unethical experiments on children. 

      ‘If they were’ you think ‘I’d take those kids and run for it in an instant’

The door lets out a hiss behind you before it abruptly opens. You turn to see why the door opened and stand frozen in shock at the presence in the doorway. A young girl stands there, no older than 7 or so. Her skin is a healthy tan complexion, and her hair is a bright light blonde that falls in short curls. Her large brown eyes stare at you with a curious wonder as you observe her abrupt entry into the formerly tense and still quite confusing situation. Her robes are surprisingly similar to Nala Se’s, and she even dons a similar head piece on her small forehead.

Her eyes trace your form in amazement, as if she hasn't seen a human female before. It's almost startling how shocked she is at your presence, so much so that she slightly shys away, obviously not knowing what to do with the stranger in front of her.

      “Omega,” Nala Se hums to the child, her tone a softer ethereal tone that contrasts with her earlier words. She gestures toward your form. You wring your hands together at the sound of your name, an anxious habit you have yet to break.

      “She will be your new mentor for the time being. Say hello” Nala Se states. 

The child or-Omega’s eyes widen at the news. Noticing her apprehension, you give her a soft smile and a little wave. Despite your own hesitance, you can't help but pity the small child. She takes a moment to process the information, but your gesture must help to ease her nerves because almost instantly she is all over you. Her hands wrap around your midsection and pull you into a tight hug, her face and eyes beam up at you.

      “Hello! I’m Omega” She chirps happily, her eyes shining with childlike curiosity. You gape visibly at her sudden change in behavior, the change from shocked and shy to excitable and open is enough to send your mind tumbling. You recover from the mental whiplash and give her head a soft, but reserved pat. You glance at Nala Se’s form that's still standing off to the side. She is watching the interaction with something akin to a soft smile on her face. Nala Se lets out a noise reminiscent of a chuckle at Omega’s eagerness. You lock your bewildered eyes with Nala Se as she inches closer to you and Omega’s interlocked forms. 

      “Omega has needed a human influence in her life for quite some time, but finding one I saw as adequate was quite difficult” Nala Se sighs, her hands moving so they rest in front of her. You give her a confused look, she must not be as smart as you thought if she thought you're going to be a good caretaker for a child. 

      “Where are her parents?” You ask, your hand shifts slightly so it rests on the back of Omega’s head. She nuzzles her face into your stomach at the attention and you can't help but soften.

Nala Se makes an indistinguishable noise as she replies, “She is a pure blooded clone with no modifications. She has no parents. I was tasked with her upbringing, but she is not like the other clones.” she pauses as she gazes at Omega’s nuzzled form, “She ages the same as natural born individuals, which makes her development a lengthier process. She needs someone of a similar species and background to help with her growth” 

You stare at Nala Se, eyes swimming with confliction at her words. Omega lifts her head from your stomach and grins up at you as you continue to rub her head full of curls. “I-I don’t understand” you stutter, trying desperately to comprehend what you had gotten yourself into.

      “Your planet of origin was unfortunately decimated not too long ago, yes?” Nala Se inquires bluntly, her tone certain of the answer but attempting to be polite.

You grimly nod at the reminder that your once lively home planet was now uninhabitable. A once vibrant epicenter of art and life now reduced to a dark grey rock void of life that now endlessly floats throughout the galaxy. The planet is presently reduced to nothing more than memories of its inhabitants that had managed to escape and small holo-images found on one’s datapad . The memory makes your stomach churn uncomfortably, and you give a curt nod as a reply. You didn't appreciate the reminder and you make it obvious.

      “You no longer have a home–no attachments that could take your focus away from your work. Omega has never had the chance to experience these things; therefore, you are the ideal candidate to help her throughout her developmental years. You share a common background, species, and you have an interest in children’s medicine, so theoretically you are the perfect individual to take over my place as her primary caregiver.” Nala Se insists her hands cupping one another.

Before you even have a chance to reply to everything horribly wrong with her assumption she continues, “The pure blooded clone before her, Alpha, is in the care of the source of their genetic code, Jango Fett. Jango has been raising Alpha as his own son which exponentially improved the progress of Alpha’s growth. He is far more improved intellectually, and I can only assume it circles back to the similarity in species during the critical phases of development.”

Nala Se paused to take a short breath. She looks at Omega with what you assume is a softer gaze, and loses the clinical edge to her tone,  “Because of the current success of Alpha’s distinctive upbringing, I found it best to try and replicate what has been working with Alpha into Omega’s own upbringing.” 

The expression on your face must be a mix of conflict and confusion because Nala Se elaborates further, sensing that it would be necessary to explain in simpler terms. 

      “In common tongue, she needs a mother-like figure. We Kaminoians are not suited to assist in her needs, no matter how hard we may try. This is why I requested you”

Your eyes stay locked on Nala Se, an unreadable look on your face as your hand stops its mindless caressing of Omega’s head; which has since found its way back into your stomach. The room becomes eerily quiet as you mull over everything Nala Se has told you. It's astonishing how genuinely confused you are. You were told that Kaminoians were borderline ruthless, another reservation you'd had upon learning of your assignment. 

Yet, the one that stands in front of you was so concerned with the livelihood of the child currently clinging onto you that she had searched to find someone who could properly care for her. It's almost heartwarming how much she cares for Omega. Your thoughts fly throughout your brain as you debate on the very questionable ethics of this, but in the end, Omega’s nose nuzzling into your stomach solidifies your resolve. Nala Se knew her limitations and is trusting you to take care of something precious to her, something you understand very well. 

You tiredly sigh and nod “...alright” you say simply, accepting your new role as glorified babysitter.

You give Nala Se a questioning look “You know I’m only 20 right? That’s a little young for a mother-figure” 

She nods and doesn't look the least bit apologetic as Omega lets go of your midsection, and the young child instead opts to grasp your hand. You roll your eyes at the dismissal of your young age, but choose to focus on the little girl currently swinging your conjoined hands back and forth. A soft smile begins to appear on your lips at the sight.

      “Your youth will be a valuable asset and is not directly destructive to the process of caring for a child” She states evenly. Your lips part in a rough sigh as Nala Se turns to Omega.

      “Now that everything is settled, Omega?” Said child's head pops up at the mention of her name. Nala Se motions towards the door as she continues, “Will you show her around and help her get settled in?” She asks gently, her tone slightly lighter when talking directly to the child. 

You briefly ponder over the softer shift in tone. You wonder if this choice is the Kaminoians' attempt at emulating a human mother softly talking to her child. Omega nods enthusiastically and begins to tug on your arm, insisting the tour begins right now. Nala Se smiles lightly as you get dragged out of the room by Omega as she rambles happily about Kamino and about how excited she is to have a friend that isn’t a droid. You give Nala Se one last look before you're suddenly rushed down the hall. Your brain now beginning to become flooded with information from an excited 7 year old.

      “And this is where I sleep!” Omega pops the p in the word sleep as she grins up at you, her breathing slightly erratic from dragging you all over Tipoca city. She tugs on your intertwined hands as the door to her room slides open with a swish. Her excitement at showing another person her room rolls off her in waves, and her small form is almost shaking with excitement. Your eyes land upon her room, and you try not to cringe. It is quite small and minimalistic, the only decorations being a poster or drawing upon the light grey walls. 

The light gray was an improvement from the stark white of the laboratory, but to you it was still equally offensive on your eyeballs. Her bed is built into the wall, a normal twin size bed that is better suited for an adult rather than a small child. Her sheets are a slightly lighter shade of gray than her walls with a small clone trooper doll tucked neatly under her sheets, but overall her bed is just so empty. The thought of a sweet child like Omega growing up in such a desolate and clinical environment breaks your heart. Omega either doesn't notice the sadness floating in your eyes or decides not to comment on it as she leads you throughout her quaint room. 

      “It’s kinda ….” You halt your words as she looks up at you expectantly, obviously proud of her small sanctuary. You audibly gulp and give her a wobbly smile as you finish your thought. “It’s really…nice” 

Her eyes seem to sparkle like a thousand stars at the insincere compliment, obviously not picking up the strain in your voice. She rams into you head-first and squeezes your middle section once more. She bounces on her feet as she lets your waist go, her hand once again grasping at yours.

“It gets better!” She squeals, her excitement lifting the corners of your lips into a small smile. Despite your initial hesitance, you knew that this child was too precious for you to deny. So, you follow dutifully as Omega pulls you out of her room and towards the door right next to hers and swings your conjoined hands. “Your room is right next to mine!” She chirps happily, her tiny fingers typing in the code to open up the door to your new quarters. 

Your eyes burn at the immediate assault on your retinas from the sheer stark whiteness of the room. The set-up is almost identical to Omega’s, but without the personal touches of the cheerful girl. You notice your bed is slightly larger than hers, almost akin to a full size.

 ‘Nice’ you celebrate internally, the idea of getting a more adult bed makes you grin a little. But other than the nicer bed, the rest of the room is still a war crime against your psyche. The bland, colorless walls would make you insane in a matter of days–you were upping your dosage for sure now.

Your eyes brighten with amusement as you ponder over how you'll go about redecorating the sad, depressing room. “Hey Omega” her curls bounce as she looks up at your concentrated look, “Wanna help me decorate?” you ask, knowing her answer before she can even respond. 

She lets out a loud squeal and starts to run around you, your body turning with hers as she refused to let your hand go. 

      “ YES YES YES YES YES!!” happiness radiates off her small form, her grin brighter than a Tatooine sun. She leaps around the stale room tugging you along, her mouth running a mile a moment with ideas of how to breathe life into your new room. Your hand falls from hers as she rushes around gesturing towards where you can put posters, hang up supplies or-or maybe even have a wall of plushies. 

A loud chime reverberates from Omega’s comm-link and echoes off the bare walls. It startles the young girl so bad that she trips. Your body moves out of instinct, and your arms rapidly snatch her into your chest before she can fall to the ground. Her back hits your chest hard and she makes a loud huff at the sheer force of the pull. You look down at her exasperatedly, the ordeal making your eye slightly twitch at her clumsiness. She simply unapologetically grins up at you before she clicks a button on her comm-link to read the message. Her face falls after she reads the message. 

Your fingers brush a curl from her face, “What’s wrong?”, you ask lightly trying to not upset her further. Omega sighs dejectedly and releases herself from your grip. 

      “Nala Se wants me back at her lab” she says softly, her face giving away her disappointment. Her eyes snap into yours as she fiercely exclaims “Don’t decorate without me ok!” 

You gingerly nod at her sudden spunk. You barely have any time to react as she rams into you for a final hug before taking off out the door. The door whooshes shut after her swift exit. You gape open-mouthed at the whirlwind of that entire interaction but quickly shake it off. ‘She’s just a kid’ you muse to yourself, eyes catching scuff marks on the floor from her near tumble.

      ‘A very weird kid’  you grimace and roll your eyes. You mentally count how many times she has already slipped on accident or slammed her entire weight into you during the brief encounter. You heave the almost forgotten satchel off your shoulders with a quiet huff. The satchel unceremoniously falls to the ground as you slide down the wall to lay with it.

 The stark cool of the floor feels refreshing as you stare into the harsh white lights on the ceiling. Your fingers trace small crevices in the metal floor, your eyes aching in exhaustion. This job may or may not be the biggest mistake of your life…. But even so you can’t just leave. No matter how much the harsh lights and monotonous aesthetics of Tipoca city piss you off to the furthest extent, you have made a decision and by damn you'll keep it. 

      ‘Kriff…… what am I gonna do?’ your eyes glaze over as your mind wanders to dusty old memories. It had been years since you’ve been home, years since you lost everything. Maybe this could be a fresh start? After all, it couldn’t be that horrendous, and anything was better than the loud bustling levels of Coruscant.

The fields of vibrant grass and loud splashes of waves on the rocky cliffs of your home fill your ears. You let your mind wander to memories of the soft caress of the tall glass just grazing the tips of your fingers. But soon, the cold metal seams of the floor pull your mind back to reality. There was no green grass, not anymore. Just the cold hardness of the floor in Tipoca City. 

Your head snaps toward your comm-link at the soft chime it gives. You shuffle up into a sitting position and smile lightly as your eyes light up in recognition of the message from your friend. The tapping of your finger fills the silent void within the room, you hit send and slide back down to the floor letting your mind wander once more.

Omega lets out a shaky exhale as she stands silently outside of Nala Se’s lab. Her small hands absentmindedly picked at the cuticles around her nails. ‘The new lab assistant seems nice’, she thinks. She even gave her a hug! Omega couldn’t remember ever being hugged back. Normally, she's swatted away like a nuisance. 

The sting of knowingly being unwanted never quite left her tiny frame—But you'd actually talked to her! No one had ever really talked to her before. It was always ‘Be Quiet Omega, Stop getting in the way Omega, Stay Still Omega, Don’t cry Omega, It doesn't hurt that bad Omega.......’ But your hands were gentle and you listened! She is giddy and excited, the last few years of her life have been excruciatingly lonely and filled with harsh pokes and prods; but, you're different and she vehemently decides that she likes different. 

      ‘Maybe I can make some drawings for he-’ 

      “Omega” Nala Se’s voice halts her muttering instantly. The Kaminoian shifts to the side so the young girl could step into the lab.

Omega’s stomach lurches and her eyes widen. Her skin shines with a cold sweat as she picks at her cuticles harder and harder with each step she takes into the lab. Her fright filled eyes scan the room and she picks harder when she sees the table. There is a table for her to sit upon with a plethora of needles and equipment surrounding it. It's always the same table, the same chill, and the same bottomless feeling of terror overtaking her small body. She feels her lungs falter, a hurricane of sobs begging to be released but are quickly silenced by the sharp pain of breaking the skin of her fingers. Even with the new breakage of skin, she continues to pick and pick. All the while her once warm, lively complexion pales. She feels sick and alone and… and…and… scared. 

Nala Se easily lifts her upon the table, Omega’s body is almost limp from fear. She doesn't know if Nala Se ever notices the terror vibrating through her every atom, or if she simply doesn't care. What was once a welcoming cold touch is now an icy grasp that positions her arm outwards and rolls her sleeve up. Her full arm is now fully exposed to the chill of the lab. Omega’s eyes refuse to look at Nala Se as she prepares one of many needles.

      “Now, make sure to stay still Omega. We have a lot of tests to do” Nala Se’s voice echoes in her head accompanied by a scorching pain in her arm.

Omega’s eyes glisten with tears. She feels another sharp stab in her arm and the tears begin to fall. The tears cascade down her round cheek, but she doesn't move. Her body is still as stone upon the sterile table. Her eyes frantically look down at the metal floor in an effort to distract herself from the pain, a lump forming in her throat. She flinches at another searing stab. She hates needles.

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Chapter Text

     “What about here?” Omega chirps, her small arms reaching as far as they could even with her placing her whole weight on the tips of her toes. 

You look up at the young girl holding up a small botany poster with all her might and your hands cease their unpacking of the box of your stuff that had just arrived a day ago. You make a face of contemplation before giving her the go ahead, to which she grins brightly and slaps some adhesive strips onto the poster. 

You stifle a giggle at her enthusiasm and continue to unload your box of possessions. You shift a little to get more comfortable because you've been sitting on the cold floor of your room for far too long at this point. A small smile makes its way to your lips as you think over the past week of your new role as a medical assistant/glorified babysitter on Kamino.

It's only been a few days since your chaotic arrival on Kamino, but you're quickly starting to enjoy the brightness the young girl, currently shaking her hand to rid it of sticky adhesive, has brought to your days. She makes an exasperated whine and shakes her hand faster and faster to get the strip off her tiny hand. 

     “Omega - Omega stop-” you shake your head and laugh before you scoot over to her. Your hands reach out to carefully peel the strip from her hand, your smile growing at her ridiculous attempt at getting it off. Your eyes pause on the bandages around her fingers and your fingers lightly caress the bandages. 

You open your mouth to ask her what happened, but she interrupts your question with a quick thanks before skipping around you to grab more items from the pile you've been organizing on the floor. Your eyes flicker with concern for a moment until she giggles loudly and continues to rummage through your stuff. You roll your eyes at her enthusiasm to decorate and sigh as you take in the less bare walls of your room. 

You've been decorating for a while now, even though you didn’t have a lot of decorations to begin with, Omega has decided to make some for you. She mostly makes drawings of droids and animals she's seen only in her studies on her datapad, but you appreciate the sentiment nonetheless. She insists on making you feel at home and that means her sticking to your side like glue. 

In all honesty, it was quite overwhelming to go from being an anti-social medical student to having a seven year old refuse to leave your side and subsequently talk your ear off every chance she got. 

     “-hats this?” Omega asked curiously, her voice snapping you out of your short tangent. You turn your head towards her and see her holding up a pink ball of fluffy yarn. She stares at it with large mesmerized eyes, her tiny fingers gently caressing its soft texture. 

“That's my yarn” you reply. She makes an ‘oooo’ sound and responds without tearing her gaze away from the yarn, “What's it for?”. Her fingers keep petting the ball of soft fibers and you snort at her reaction to something as trivial as yarn. 

     “It’s for making things like blankets, clothes, toys-”

     “-TOYS!” she gasps loudly, her face lighting up like an explosion in the night sky as her gaze turns towards you. It is almost as if she is vibrating from excitement, her curls bounce around her head while she looks at you as if you'd personally plucked the stars in the sky and gave them to her.

     “Yea toys” you pause for a moment and mull over her reaction, a small pit forming in your stomach, “...do you have any toys Omega?”. Your eyes lock onto her round face as her face falls a little before she shakes her head. 

Oh sweet maker there's no way this child didn't have any toys. You can physically feel your heart break a little at her sullen look. She’s just a kid and yet the coldness of the Kaminoians knows no bounds because they didn’t even give her a toy? You are going to have some strong words with Nala Se at your next shift or so help you god. 

Omega’s gaze turns back to the ball of yarn, her fingers return to caress its soft fibers once more. Her lips press into a small pout and your eyes flicker from her face back to the yarn a few times. 

     “Hey” you start slowly, trying to get her attention. She looks at you from out of the corner of her eyes, and you continue now that you have her attention, “I can make you a toy if you'd like. I used to make lots of toys for my siblings, so I've gotten really good at improvising patterns. If you tell me what you want I can make anything.”. Her head turns to meet your eyes as they begin to sparkle, you notice a small reluctance in her eyes but decide to ignore it. 

     “..anything?” she asks shyly.

     “Anything.” You echo back to her with a smile.

     “..Can it be this color?” she gestures to the yarn she has been petting. 

     “Pink?” you easily supply.

She nods excitedly before speaking, “I like pink. It's pretty” she smiles as her warm brown eyes glide over the yarn. You make a confused face at her reaction, it's almost as if- sweet maker this child had never seen the color pink before. 

Yeah, you are definitely having strong words with Nala Se the next time you see the Kaminoian. 

     “So, what were you thinking, Omega?” you ask her and she turns towards you with the brightest smile you've ever seen on a child to date. 

She ends up asking for a kriffing Womp rat plush. Apparently she had seen some holo-pics during one of her daily lessons and thought they were  ‘so ugly and the cutest’. You laugh at her explanation and tell her you could make it work. She squeals with joy and almost tackles you to the ground in her excitement.

You let her look through the yarn you have and she insists her Womp rat needs to be completely pink and  have a little bow on his head. Her giddy expression after you agree to her idea makes you smile and you start working on her rat after you have finished organizing your belongings in your room. 

A while later, you find yourself alone in Nala Se’s lab with the half finished Womp rat on your lap as you crochet row after row of its pudgy body. Omega insists you make him as ‘derpy’ as possible and you happily oblige. You hum to yourself as you lose yourself in the repetitive motion that is crocheting. You had finished looking over Nala Se’s newest research almost a standard hour ago, so you decided to take a break and work on the rat. Crocheting is quite relaxing and you quickly find yourself enjoying the monotony of the process. 

As if sensing your relaxed state and punishing you for it, your commlink goes off with a message from Nala Se, informing you that you are needed as a stand-in for a medical droid that was malfunctioning. You sigh and quickly pack the half finished Womp rat into your bag and set off to the med day you are being requested at. If there is anything you hate about this job it is the spontaneous shift changes you have. The breaking of your carefully planned schedule always rubs you the wrong way, but there isn't anything you can do about the inconsistent changes.  

The medbay’s doors open with a whoosh and you step inside. An AZI unit floats to you and informs you of the situation and what is needed of you. You listen to its directions and your muscle memory takes over as you go over to one of the cots to begin a standard check up.

You find it annoying that, of all people, they keep sending in you as a substitute when the others couldn't show up for their shift, but Nala Se insists it is good for your medical training to get as much hands-on experience as you can.

You don’t exactly hate being on fill-in duty, it is just slightly unsettling for you to be the sole human doctor in a room full of Kaminoian doctors. Back at medical school, the other students were cheerful, friendly even. It startles you just how vastly different Kaminoians are regarding social constructs. They are cold, unforgiving, and uncaring especially towards the clones.

     ‘The clones’ you think briefly.

You met a few clones so far and have scarcely interacted with them (not counting Omega), but even so the treatment they receive is downright diabolical. You shudder as you remember how coldly one of the Kaminoian doctors said their names or well numbers. The cadets are sweet as could be, especially whenever you speak softly to calm their nerves, but the absolute terror in their eyes towards the Kaminoians is unsettling. Your hands subconsciously grip at the handle of your bag as you watch the last few cadets be led away from the med-bay, a sour taste filling your mouth. 

A beep came from your chronometer, alerting you that your shift was over. The beeping is lost on you, its noise sunk into the cacophony of your mind. Everything you see, hear, and read is all connecting and building into something so much larger than you anticipated before. Your eyes steadfastly keep locking onto the door where the younger set of cadets were being led out through.  

Something isn't right. Ever since you set foot off of that transport ship, every atom in your body screams that something is off. Why are the Kaminoians making so many clones? Why are they all of the same individual? Why do they not have names? Why do their numbers start with CT? 

Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?

Your mind keeps screaming at you to do something, say something. The screeching built and built till it hit a crescendo until…. It was gone. You breathe in deeply and steady your resolve: You need to talk to Nala Se.

     “You seem… unsettled” Nala Se’s melodic tone rings out after she utters your name as you storm into her lab. Her large cold eyes gaze down at you, no emotion, just deep pools of dark abyss.  You heave in a few breaths, you had speed walked to her lab and definitely scared some other inhabitants out of your way with the furious look on your face. 

     “What are you doing with the cadets?” you growl, a primal urge rearing itself from the deepest parts of your biology. 

     “Pardon?”

     “Why are you making so many clones?” you restate and she slowly blinks in reply. Her slim mouth stays shut. You see red. Hurried steps join your gasping breaths as you storm closer to the tall Kaminoian. She doesn't even twitch as you get close enough to grasp her in your clenched fists.

     “What is happening here?” you bite out as you feel every ounce of rage seep into your words. Nala Se sighs lightly but she still doesn't move a muscle under your scrutinizing gaze. 

     “We have been commissioned by the Republic to create a clone army. It is quite simple” she states matter of factly, “They requested excellence and I will deliver nothing but the best.” 

You squint in confusion, “An Army? You're creating living breathing people to be pawns in some kind of conflict they didn't choose to be in?” you cry out, the gravity of what you have inadvertently signed up for hits you at full force. 

     “They are not people but Kaminoian property. We can do with them what we wish.” 

     “Property?” you seethe as your rage comes back full force and your arms swing out in defiance, “PROPERTY??” You gasp as you feel yourself starting to hyperventilate. Nala Se reaches out a hand as if to comfort you but you swiftly shake it off. 

     “DON’T TOUCH ME” you hiss out, a look of pure disgust overtaking your face at her motion before a look of horrifying realization takes its place,  “....Is-Is Omega property as well?” 

A look of hesitation flashes over her face before she responds , “She is, by definition yes. However, she is not made to be a soldier. Her purpose is more… delicate”

You sharply inhale, “Then why did you hire me to watch after her? If she's just property, then why am I here? Why not give her to a gaggle of nanny droids?”  

     “...You do not seem in the right state of mind to be-”

     “-I dont give a kriff. I need the truth Nala Se, not some evasive bantha-shit excuse you cooked up in your sick mind”

Nala Se pauses at your tone and her eyes finally flicker away from your furious form for a moment. “Omega is as I have previously stated, a pure genetic clone of the individual Jango Fett-”

     “I already know that-” Nala Se raises her hand to silence you as she continues.

     “She is a failsafe. She was not made to be a soldier or serve any purpose besides existing purely as a backup for his genetic code. The other clones have a distinct purpose, expertly crafted and engineered to be the perfect soldier. I see to it that they would exceed the expectations that precede them….. However Omega’s initial purpose does not serve any active initiative. Her purpose is entirely passive in nature.” 

She pauses for a moment.

     “She has the flexibility to be an individual. A capability the other clones do not have access to, this I cannot help with in any capacity whatsoever , but Omega…..Omega can be guided to be more. She has the capability to evolve into a unique individual and is not serving a discredit to her purpose. I….I want Omega to have more, this is why I have brought you here. You have already proven to be an exponential asset in her development, however if you wish to leave Kamino I will have no qualms.”

You freeze, the idea of abandoning Omega scorching your heart more than you like to admit. You've only known her for a week, but she is undoubtedly the sweetest child you've ever met and you couldn't just leave her. The weight of her unfinished Womp rat plush hangs heavy in your bag, the feeling grounds you in the moment.

     “...I want to stay-but I want you to swear nothing horrific is happening to those cadets” you plead to the lithe Kaminoian. You know she couldn't guarantee the safety of every single cadet housed within the walls of Tipoca City, but you need something to hold onto. Some semblance of hope for the livelihoods of the sweet cadets that don't know any life besides the sterile walls and cold touch of droids and Kaminoians. 

     “I cannot guarantee the-”

     “Please” you cry out, tears gathering in your eyes. Your voice briefly cracks and a flash of something comes over Nala Se’s face and she takes a moment before placing a cold hand on your warm shoulder. 

     “I will do my best, but know I can only guarantee the safety and proposed happiness of Omega. I am still the head scientist in Tipoca City, so my duty comes above all.” 

You solemnly nod and accept her answer. You know she can't realistically do what you're asking, but you need to know you're not making a mistake. That you didn't make a mistake by coming to this planet or by letting yourself get attached to Omega. A small part of you becomes attached to Nala Se as well, her soft voice and small kindnesses has helped ground you so far in your first week on the job. Even so, she has made her stance clear. She can not be trusted, not fully at least, but you don’t have anyone else. You are stuck, alone on a planet you have little to no knowledge of. 

You have to scavenge for treasure in the enormous heap of trash you have been handed by the universe. Maybe, just maybe you can do something worthwhile with your life. Maybe you can help Omega have some semblance of a childhood. Maybe you can help the countless cadets residing in the city. Maybe. 

But you are alone, no one to help you or come to the rescue. This job might be the biggest mistake of your life as it continues testing your morality as a human being, but a tiny part of you whispers that it was fate. You are needed here and even though it's proving to be entirely more than you asked for, you are here to stay for better or for worse. 

     “..Thank you Nala Se” you mutter. She nods and gently reminds you that your daily meetings about Omega’s development start the next day. You nod and silently leave her lab, your knuckles go white from the intensity of your grip on the strap of your bag. 

The next few days are tense to say the least. You and Nala Se have reconciled to a certain degree but not nearly enough for you to completely trust the Head Scientist. However, you can't stay mad for too long as Omega finds some way to make you smile. It is incredibly endearing and has reinvigorated you to the point you finish her stuffie in one sitting after briefly neglecting the poor thing. 

Said stuffie is now held out in your arms while Omega sits in front of you with her hands covering her eyes. You are both in your room since Nala Se hasn't had any significant work for you or Omega. Said girl sits at the table in your room with her legs kicking in excitement. She can hardly contain her excited giggles as you kneel down so you are eyelevel with her.

     “Alright Omega, open your eyes…..NOW!” you grin as Omega uncovers her eyes and squeals with pure joy. Her curls bounce as she jumps around your standing form, her finished pink Womp rat plush held out by your hands. 

She lets out a loud screech and snatches the plush from your hands. 

     “ILOVEITILOVEITILOVEITILOVEITILOVEIT” she chants over and over again as she jumps repeatedly, squeezing the life out of the stuffie. You can't help but laugh at her adorable gratitude. You watch as she nuzzles her flushed nose into its plush head and giggles.

     “It's PINK!” she squeals happily. You simply nod and agree with her. She squeaks in pure unfiltered joy and starts rambling about how awesome he is and how everyone needs to see him. You reach out to caress the fluffy curls of the young girl, but she instead makes a beeline for the door of your room and dashes out of it.

You scramble up after her but she's already halfway down the hall before you even reach the door. “OMEGA!” you call after her but she continues rushing around with the rat stuffie above her head like a prize. 

Everyone she passes swiftly meets a face full of pink yarn, accompanied with the squeal of a child introducing her new best friend. You rush after her and apologize to the recipients of her enthusiasm on the way. She rounds a corner and you pick up your pace so you don't lose her. 

     “Omega-”

     “Hi this is Pinky!” you freeze as you come face to face with the fair haired girl holding her rat stuffie right in the face of a disabled individual wearing a maintenance uniform. The left side of his face is sunken down and he stands with a crooked posture. He kind of reminds you of your grandmother, her left side being paralyzed almost her whole life. 

He has a smile on his face as he softly speaks to Omega, “Why hello Pinky.”. Omega grins at the fact someone finally has acknowledged her stuffie and the man tenderly reaches out to shake the stuffie’s hand. The scene is absolutely adorable, but you are not exactly ecstatic to be sweating and gasping in air after chasing a small child. 

Omega, hearing you approach, has now turned her curly head to look at you with a beaming smile on her face as she chirps out your name. “Look look! He said Hi to Pinky!’ she happily exclaims.

You sigh and place a hand on her small shoulder, “I see ‘Megs but you can't just shove him in everyone's faces. Besides” you give your chronometer a quick look to confirm the time, “It's your nap time”. She visibly deflates at the idea of taking a nap when she is so obviously excited, but you have an idea of how to make this work.

     “Why don't you go show Pinky your room and then I'll come tuck you both in” you coax. Omega scrunches her face in concentration before eagerly nodding her head with a sweet m’kay. She turns on her heels and skips back down the hall towards her room. You sigh in relief after her form disappears behind the corner. You turn to the mysterious man and immediately begin apologizing. 

     “I’m so sorry! I hope she didn't bother you too much-” you trail off to wait for him to give his name.

     “Ninety-Nine” he supplies, “And it was no problem really. She’s really sweet.” he gives you a lopsided smile that you return earnestly.

     “It's nice to meet you Ninety-Nine” you hold out your hand for him to shake and give him your name. His eyes light up at the motion and he eagerly shakes your hand in return. 

     “Did you make her stuffie?” he asks after you finish with your handshake. You simply nod and he grins. “The craftsmanship was very well done.”

You flush at the compliment and thank him.  You try to continue the conversation before a comm device on his arm goes off, calling him to clean up the training area.

He clears his throat, “It was nice meeting you” he utters your name, “If you or the little need anything fixed or cleaned let me know” his smile lights up his face and you immediately decide you really like this guy. 

You grin back and walk backwards in small steps back towards Omega’s room, “Lemme know if you ever want any stuffies or anything knit.” he laughs at your remark and waves at you before limping away. You spin on your heels and head towards Omega’s room, a smile still present on your face. 

Yea, you definitely liked that guy. 

Omega is waiting for you when you return to her room. She sits happily on her bed, Pinky currently held tightly to her chest as she grins at your arrival. You exhale a small smile and walk over to the girl. Your hand waves up, motioning for her to scoot off her covers so you can tuck her and her new stuffie in. 

She scoots with a soft oomph and grins up at you while you pull her grey blanket over her and Pinky. She shifts a little to get comfortable before pulling the stuffie back into her small chest. Omega peers up at you through her lashes, a look you get quite often enough to be familiar, stemming from the past few days of watching her. 

     “..story?” she asks softly as if simply asking is something taboo.

      “Of course” you say happily. Her small pout curls into a smile as you reach for the datapad by her bedside and turn it on. “What are we feeling today Megs?”. She furrows her brow in concentration for a few moments before a wide grin appears on her face.

     “I want one of your stories” she shifts in the sheets and pulls Pinky closer. You blink in surprise and lightly sigh as you place the datapad back where it was. You motion for her to scoot over before you lay down next to her. You wrap an arm around her and she smushes herself into your side with a smile. She adjusts Pinky a few times as you watch in amusement at her clear affection for the stuffie.

     “Ready?”

     “..Ready!” she grins and snuggles closer to your warm side. 

The hand that wraps around her small form starts drawing small shapes as you begin telling her a story from your homeworld. You barely get past the first few sentences before she is softly snoring, a small blob of drool leaving her mouth and making its home on your robes. Even though her drooling on you is absolutely disgusting, you can't find it in your heart to be mad at her. A gentle smile finds its way to your face once more. You were beginning to notice you were smiling a lot more lately than you ever had before, especially ever since you had begun caring for Omega.

Your fingers stop their drawing on her arm and you give her head of curls a quick kiss before you slip away from the sleeping child. Once you free yourself from her surprisingly strong grip she lets out a loud snore. Your hands cover your mouth as you suppress a cackle at her ridiculousness she can't hide even in her sleep. You reach out to smooth the covers over Omega and Pinky before you silently leave her room, a smile still present on your face. 

The tension within Nala Se’s lab is palpable. The silence buzzes all around you. It is almost as if you can feel it burrowing underneath your skin, festering under the surface waiting for its moment to claw its way to freedom. 

You take a deep breath, the noise echoing within the lab. Nala Se stands across the room, her beady eyes unwavering on her newest research. The past few days have been tense to say the least, but you know there isn't anything significant you can do at the moment. The best plan is to do your job and take care of Omega while you learn more about what exactly is happening on Kamino.

     “You are on prescribed anxiety and antidepressants, correct?” Nala Se’s elegant voice shatters the silence around you. Your head turns at her words and you blink confusedly at her. Her beady eyes are locked on you, awaiting a response. 

     “I am yea..” you say, your voice is slightly raspy from not using it for a stretch of time. 

     “Will you send me the current ones you are on?’

     “....huh?” you give her a skeptical look, but her calm gaze is unwavering.

     “I will need the official names so I can procure them for you when it is time to get them refilled. Unless you wish to stop taking them?” She blinks and you furrow your brows. 

     “Ok sure” you mutter. The entire interaction is not something you would expect from her.  It is almost as if she is being… nice. She has been more soft the past few days, but her insisting on making sure you got your mental health medication is borderline strange. 

The medicines you are on aren’t hard to get, but they can be easily swapped out with another generic brand. And yet, she insists on knowing the specific brand you use. It was thoughtful, caring, kind. 

Maker did it startle you. Nala Se isn't kind, she is methodical and logical to t. It might just be her wanting you to be mentally stable, especially since you are spending all of your free time outside of the lab with Omega. It may be irresponsible to leave a mentally unstable individual in charge of a child. It makes complete sense, but you know- you know it dealt with something deeper than that. 

The next day she hands you your specific prescribed medicines. Her face is still unchanging, but her voice is softer than you’ve ever heard it before. 

     “Do inform me if you require any new medications or request a dosage change.”

Her statement isn’t heartfelt, but you can feel the emotion behind the gesture. You nod at her and continue on your assigned work that day without complaint. 

Over the last few days you notice just how differently she treats you and especially Omega. It didn't take a Jedi reading your mind to see she cares for the young girl and now you. Albeit, she cares for the child exponentially more than for you, but you can see the cracks in her cold outer shell. She isn't all science and numbers, she has the capacity to care for others in an illogical way. This is perfect. It is just what you needed.

You can't fully trust Nala Se. That much is clear from your argument the other day. However, she does have a sliver of a conscience that you are determined to expand to more than just yourself and Omega. She isn’t completely heartless and you plan to use that to your advantage. 

Her mind may operate by formulas and data, but her heart still ran warm. That warmth is used sparingly, but it is still there. It hasn’t been fully overtaken by the coldness of her mind or profession. She is complicated, hard to understand, and by the maker- so straightforward. But…. she was growing on you. 

You flash her a smile and a gentle wave at the end of your shift before you leave to go find Omega. She doesn't smile or wave back but there is a flicker in her eyes as she nods at you. Your lips curl into a grin at her acceptance of the olive branch you extend in her direction. 

It is a start. A slow start, but a start nonetheless. 

Fic Playlist:

Chapter Text

The harsh lights of Nala Se’s lab greet you with the swoosh of the door. It's been almost a month of your indefinite stay on Kamino, and to be honest, it's not as bad as it could be. Everyday is the same monotonous schedule: wake up, check on Omega, work in Nala Se’s lab, be late for lunch, do routine check ups on the younger clones, and finally spend the evening watching Omega (if she wasn't preoccupied with helping Nala Se). Honestly, how a child that young can be any help with lab procedures is something you'll never understand. 

You swiftly make your way around Nala Se’s tall, elegant form as you settle into your assigned area for the morning. Your form clad in your uniform which consists of robes quite similar to Nala Se’s and Omegas’. You also don atop your head a matching headpiece. (Omega was quite ecstatic to see the resemblance to her own headpiece when you had finally gotten your uniform issued after a bit of waiting.) With said final touches, you look like you almost belong here, almost…

Nala Se has her back turned to you as she types indiscreetly upon the main monitor in the room, probably adding a new page to a file she has creatively titled, ‘Project Omega’. Every morning you have these so-called ‘progress reports’ about Omega. The reports detailed any behavioral and physical changes she has noticed within the last full rotation. It’s mind numbingly repetitive and just another thing to add to the list of war crimes on your psyche, but she insists on them every day for Omega’s well being. 

      ‘Yeah, going to these meetings every morning is bad for my well being. If this keeps up, she's going to have to create another file just for me.’ you think grimly as Nala Se finishes her typing. 

She turns to face your much shorter form. Her hands fold over one another gracefully, her large eyes gaze into yours before she starts the ‘Omega meeting’ as you like to call it. Her melodic voice fills the room as she goes over every. single. event. from the last full rotation. Each hour broken up into detailed sections of every mother kriffing movement Omega has made. If it was practical, you are certain that she would make you count the small child's breaths. Nala Se continues on, her voice so monotone you think you just might nod off. To be honest, you stopped listening after she started discussing Omega’s morning bowel movement. Your face twists in disgust as Nala Se describes it in detail. You could barely hold back the gag at the unnecessarily descriptive information.

      ‘This is actually torture’ you grimace internally as her voice continues without consideration for your well being, much less the poor child we were discussing.

Absent-mindedly, your fingers clasp around your steel necklace, its form great to fiddle with whenever you aren't paying attention. The soft ribbon is barely noticeable upon your neck, while the steel’s shape itself is reminiscent of a sun, the pendant having lost its original chain years ago since you'd had it since you were small. Your fingers glide over its cool surface and trace the groves you’ve long since committed to heart long ago. Nala Se’s voice fades into a fog of nothingness as your mind drifts away to a long forgotten memory. 

      “Momma!” little feet tumble across the field of wildflowers. Specifically, your tiny feet rush across the lush green fields that are trickled with blinks of colors.  Your legs are barely able to support your own weight as a sweet breeze plays a sweet melody through the trees. You eventually reach out towards the graceful form laying in the flowers, her hair laying around her like a halo. Her presence exudes an aura of safe and calm.

      “Hello my mùirn” she says softly, her voice the most beautiful thing you've ever heard, “What have you got there seudag”. Her eyes gaze upon your chubby hands full of small blossoms, and her smile grows as her eyes almost seem to glow in the mid-day sun. 

      “Fwowers!” your young form chirps as you tumble onto her chest. She laughs upon your landing, shaking you gently as her chest rises and falls. 

      “They’re lovely my mùirn” she smiles, her hands pulling your chubby ones to her face so she can kiss your soft knuckles. 

      “Just like you” she nuzzles her nose into yours, the action causing you to burst into giggles. 

Her eyes trace your plump face as you giggle, and her lips curl into a content smile. She reaches up to brush some of your locks from your forehead while her other hand curls around the familiar sun pendant upon her neck. You crawl up so you can rest upon her chest. You pat at her hand covering the pendant in curiosity. She was always fiddling with it, so it was only natural that you wanted to see what all the fuss was about. She looks down at you, mirth swimming in her eyes.

      “Here my mùirn” she says, her hand unclasping the back of the pendant as she sits up easily.

You fall into her lap as she pulls it from her neck and gently places it upon yours. Your eyes innocently staring back at her. “A gift for a gift” she states as she clasps the pendant, falling to your chest. Your head snaps down to it as wonder swirls behind childlike eyes. 

      “Weally?”you gasp, chubby hands immediately grasping the pendant and running your fingers all over it. 

She nods as she takes hold of the discarded flowers by her side, her fingers gliding over the slightly crushed blossoms. “Yes my mùirn, but you gotta promise to treasure it, ok?”, her hand cups your face lovingly at her question. 

You nod enthusiastically, “Kk mommy”

She begins humming her lullaby, and her gentle hands pull you into her chest. She rhymically sways your intertwined forms, her voice mummering the lyrics into your small head. 

      “Suantraí sí, a linbhín.

      Luasc go mall sa chliabhán

      Lú lá luí, a linbhín-

      “You seem to not be listening” Nala Se’s voice feels like a tidal wave of cold water upon your skin.

Your eyes blink rapidly as they adjust to the stark white lights and dull nature of Nala Se’s lab, a stark contrast to the lush vibrance of the memory that had possessed you. The fog of the memory slowly begins to fade. The cold steel of your pendant grounds you as your eyes finally focus on Nala Se’s unimpressed form. At least you think she's unimpressed; you aren't that great at reading her yet. Her lanky form glides towards you with piercing eyes that never leave your own. You can almost taste her disappointment as you begin sputtering apologies and promises to take her meetings more seriously. She simply stares at you as you stammer about, rather unreactive at your attempts to, hopefully, not get in trouble. 

      “I’msorryNalaSeI’lllistenIpromiseI’msorr-” she silences your lightning fast blubbering with a silent raise of her hand. Her eyes gaze into your frenzied ones as she elegantly lowers her hand once more. Your mind is still in a state of shock from the vivid memory of your mother, so maybe you should have shut up earlier.

      “It has come to my attention that my meetings may seem a little excessive”  she starts off slowly, the words sounding foreign as they roll off her tongue. Her eyes slowly trace your anxious form, taking in your slightly disheveled state as she continues, her voice firm, “So I have come to the conclusion that we shall stop these meetings indefinitely” 

Your eyes widen so much you can almost feel them fall out. Her voice echoes both in your brain and off the barren walls of the lab as you try to come to terms with the sudden development.

      “....w-what” you croak out in confusion. Nala Se was adamant that these meetings were imperative to keeping Omega’s development on track and now she wants to cancel them? Your feelings must be written all over your face because Nala Se decides to elaborate.

      “I have found that this more clinical way of treating Omega’s development might in actuality be stagnating it. So, until further notice these meetings will cease and in its place we will add more time spent with Omega. In detail, you will be teaching, aiding, and monitoring her in her growth.” 

She pauses and turns her head away for a moment to collect her thoughts. Soon enough she speaks again, and her tone betrays her finality despite her head remaining turned away, “I have deemed this the best course of action for Omega’s wellbeing.”

You gape at her, wracking your brain desperately for answers about what could’ve changed her mind about her approach. Your brain draws up blank before she interrupts your thoughts.

       “I have noticed your reluctance to my clinical methods and hence concluded that you cannot rightfully connect with Omega if you are forced to treat her like a project. Additionally, in my analysis of her day to day moods, Omega has shown signs of melancholy at not being able to engage in more rudimentary activities with you.” she explains, her voice developing a tone foreign to her normal monotone expressions. If you didn't know any better than you would've thought she seemed almost uncertain.

Your eyes lock onto hers as she gazes at you with an unreadable expression behind her eyes. It’s no secret that the Kaminoians don’t experience emotions like most species, and instead have a more logical outlook on emotions. But, the look Nala Se is giving you makes you wonder just how much you truly know about her kind. It's almost as if she's looking at you with eyes of regret. You take a moment to process, but once again she continues before you can respond. 

      “She may be a clone but she is still a human. She requires more affection and attention than I initially hypothesized. Something that I or any droid…. cannot give” she mutters as she slumps over slightly, her last words making you wish to reach out and hug her lanky form. She straightens her form quickly and continues on, appearing to snap back into her usual monotonous self, “So from now on you will be assigned to her daily needs. You know better than I about what humans really need.” 

You stare at her, and your eyes fill with understanding at the scientist's explanation. Nala Se does care about Omega, obviously more than she should. She logically acknowledged her misjudgment into the complexity of Omega’s needs. In logical terms, she misjudged the importance of introducing the human mother variable into the equation. 

You reflect briefly over the last month. You've grown exceptionally fond of the young clone, her light brightening up every inch of the room she is in. Her sweet and eager demeanor always strives to help wherever she can, so much so that you get whiplash whenever she shows her mischievous side. It's almost impossible to not love the little girl.

You finally begin to empathize with Nala Se’s confliction at her approach to raising Omega. You can clearly see that she just wants what's best for the young one, even if it goes against everything she deems right and true. Your mother’s face flashes before your eyes at the thought. Your eyes prickle with tears as you try to ignore the brief ache in your heart.

The silence has stretched thin between you two. Your lips curl into a small smile of understanding as you whip the wisps of tears from your eyes. Finally, you give a heartfelt reply, “I can do that Nala Se”

She looks at you with a hint of shock at your tears, but she quickly relaxes her face and nods.

      “Good, You are dismissed for the time being.” she says in her normal ethereal tone, her voice bringing slight goosebumps to your arms. You nod and wish her a good day as you make your way out the lab. Her eyes don't leave your form until the door whooshes closed behind you.

Time slowly ticks as your mind remains caught in a whirlwind of emotions. The day creeps on slowly as the meeting with Nala Se continues on loop within your mind. You feel conflicted. Your thoughts are torn between understanding and confusion over the Kaminoian's decision. (Not that you were going to complain about skipping the literal shit talk that had become your morning routine.)

You currently reside within the dull grey walls of your assigned med-bay. After the meeting, instead of going to check on Omega like you had wanted, you were called to fill in for another medic who fell ill. Your hands move with a practiced precision over the injured clone resting on the cot within your assigned med-bay. He was a cadet that had been injured during a training exercise. His whining over his injured side has not stopped even once. You have been trying to give him a bacta shot for thirty minutes now but each attempt fails miserably due to his consistent and constant thrashing.  Your eye twitches in annoyance at another yelp from his restless form after you have brought another bacta shot close to his ribs.

      “Ok, enough, it's not that bad!” You huff, trying to find the area you had sanitized before he had moved again.

The clone deadpans at you as his form scoots away from you and the bacta shot within your hand. You let out an exasperated sigh at his meanderings before you place your free hand on your head. This was supposed to be an easy check up, in and out and then onto the next patient. But no! This cadet had to turn a simple task into an extra 30 minutes because the needle was apparently too. karking. big. You inhale sharply, forcing your face to curl into a fake smile with an exhale. The bedside manners beaten into you at med-school return in a pinch. 

      “Alright” you start slowly, trying to keep the annoyance from your tone, “Lets try this one more time ok? It's just one bact shot and then you're all done” Your voice comes out strained, the slight hint of malice that you feel for the clone seeps through the cracks of your sweet medic persona. 

Said clone looks at you with shock, obviously disturbed by your menacing tone. You gently walk towards him, the bacta shot at the ready in your dominant hand. You place your other hand on his chest so he stays put. You give a small, strained smile as you begin to count down, planning to inject the shot when you finish the sequence of numbers. However, things don’t go as planned. 

Being ever the nuisance, the clone jerks his body away and slaps the shot from your hand. The syringe falls to the floor with a sharp clink. The room goes deadly still, both you and the clone cadet staring at the fallen bacta shot as it rolls smoothly across the sleek metal floor. You clench your fists, knuckles turning white from the force of how hard you're clenching.

      “THAT'S IT!” you lunge at him, your body pinning him down to the cot.

He screeches and thrashes against your form. His larger frame allows him to wrestle his body halfway loose for a moment, but he doesn't make it far. Fueled purely by rage, you yank him back onto the cot. You position yourself so that his back is pressed against your chest and you roughly squeeze his head into the crook of your elbow to complete the tight headlock. 

You wrap your legs around the flailing cadet’s torso, locking your ankles, to keep him from moving too much. He tries to break free, but while he's distracted your hand flails for the extra bacta shot in your pocket. Upon grasping the syringe, you yank it from your pocket, take off the safety cap with your teeth, and jab it into his ribs. His thrashing continues until you press the button that releases the bacta into his bloodstream. You quickly yank the device away from him as you release him from the headlock, raising your arms in victory as you lay back on the cot panting.

      “YES!” you breathlessly laugh at him “I WIN AND YOU SUCK!” you point an accusatory finger at him. 

The cadet hasn't moved from the cot and simply stares at you with a grimace, obviously upset that you , a medic, got the better of him, a trooper. He grumbles at your celebration as he watches you wipe some sweat from your brow, standing.

      “Now get out of here you kriffing drama queen” you insult him as you point towards the door with your thumb. 

The cadet gives you a sour look before sliding off the cot and heading towards the door of your med-bay, his voice muttering something about how he's not a drama queen as he exits. After the doors close you silently flip him off before walking over to grab the forgotten bacta shot. 

Not even the children you've treated have resisted that much. It astonishes you how batshit crazy these clones can be, but alas, you are getting paid to treat them so no harm no foul. (although this event has officially made you seriously consider asking for a raise).

The next few minutes fill with you furiously typing your report on today’s patients and other less important order forms that you needed to complete. The med bay is, dare you say it, quiet. There are no more patients for you to deal with at the moment, so it’s the perfect time to catch up on your forgotten reports. You normally wait until the last minute to complete them since you see them as a waste of time, but Nala Se insists they need to be done…… Thinking it over you may have a bit of a procrastination problem. 

You scowl at the patient report you're currently working on, trying to remember exactly what this specific clone had come to see you for a week ago, assholes all look the damn same too. The filled out portion of the report had what you had used on him but not why. You apparently had used a bacta patch on him, so it must have been a minor injury.

Deciding to take the L on this one, you make an educated guess at what the clone had been there for and quickly type it up. You let out a sigh as you open another patient form, however this one is far more recent so you easily began to fill out the empty spaces. You are so engrossed in your typing that you fail to notice the small head of light blonde curls creeping into the room. 

Omega silently walks towards your focused form, her wide eyes looking over the report but quickly losing interest. She huffs softly before shoving her head into your back, her arms wrapping around your waist. You jolt at the sudden touch. 

Your hands hover over the keyboard as you crane your head to peer at the top of her head, her face fully nuzzled into your back. She seems ….off. Normally whenever she came to see you in your clinic she’d be bouncing off the walls and talking your ear off. However, this time she didn't say anything and had opted to slam her body into your own. Your eyes glide over her curly hair as you free up a hand to rest over hers. 

      “What’s wrong ‘Megs?” you ask gently, hoping that the affectionate nickname you gave her would lighten the mood. She doesn't respond for a moment but she tightens her hold on your waist almost knocking the air out of you. You bite back a grunt and take a deep breath as she takes a moment before mumbling indiscernible words into the fabric of your robes. Your eyebrow raises at her mumbled words and you shift in her hold so her head rests on your stomach. You sit sideways in your chair and gently pet the soft curls, trying to coax her out of her hiding place. 

      “ ‘Megs you need to speak in common” you softly chide, your voice taking on a playful tone in an attempt to make her laugh. She shakes her head as she mumbles again. Your lips pursed at her insistence on not properly communicating. 

      “Please ‘Megs? I can't help if you don't tell me what's wrong” you explain gently. 

She groans into your robes, her tiny face peaking up at you with a crestfallen expression, “..you didn't come to eat lunch with me today” her eyes have small tears in the corners, “I was lonely”

Her voice is soft as she continues, “I-I thought you forgot about me”

If your heart isn't broken already, the look of sheer woefulness on her face definitely shatters it. Oh sweet maker, this child is going to be the death of you. You know she's gotten attached to you, after all the main reason you're on Kamino is for her. But, you grossly underestimated just exactly how attached she has gotten. Her honey brown eyes stare into your own as her tears grow. You know instantly that you have to do something to fix this.

      “Hey-hey don't cry ‘Megs...” you soothe as you fall to your knees. You make yourself level with the distraught girl, “I’m so so sorry I missed lunch. I would never ever forget about you”. You reassure her and bring your hands up to cup her round cheeks as you softly wipe away her tears. 

Her little lip wobbles, “Promise?” she mutters, her glassy eyes looking into your own.

In a flurry of emotion, you pull her head to the crook of your neck and give her head a kiss. “Promise” you firmly say into her curls, her hands gripping the fabric of your robes as she pushes herself into your arms. 

She lets out a soft sob into the crook of your neck and you pull her closer as you start to rock her side to side. You begin to give gentle shushes into her hair as her sobs get louder. She buries her nose uncomfortably into your neck but only after her cries get softer. You hold her tightly, still rocking her until her cries fully subside. Omega lets out a shuddering breaths into your neck as her hands still grasp onto you for dear life.

      “You ok baby?” you murmur into her hair, the pet-name slipping out without you thinking. 

She nods into your neck, so you begin to un-intertwine your forms but she makes a noise of protest at your attempt to pry her off. You give a soft laugh at her clinginess and let her continue to stick to you. She lets out a little yawn and you grin at her unintentional cuteness. 

      “Come on’” you lift her into your arms as you stand up, her legs wrapping around your waist, “Let’s go to your room”.

She doesn't respond, but she instead nuzzles her nose into your neck again as you adjust her in your grasp. Once you're sure she's secure, you exit the med-bay and make your way down the bright halls towards her quarters. Her room was quite far from your med-bay, so by the time you tapped the code into the door panel you heard a soft snore escaping her lips. It took every bit of willpower you had left within yourself to not laugh at the snore. She moves slightly in your arms and makes a few noises in her sleep as you walk into her room.

Her room is still the same as the day you landed on Kamino, except now it's cleaner than before and her bed sports her Womp rat plush you'd made for her. ‘She cleaned’ you muse to yourself, your strides moving you both towards her small bed. It takes a bit of adjusting, but once you secure her sleeping form in your left arm, your right one reaches out to pull back her covers.

Omega makes small noises as you lay her down in her bed, her nose scrunching up in displeasure. Your hands grab her covers and smooth them over her small form, making sure to tuck her in well before you place Pinky into her small arms. 

      “Snug as a bug in a rug” you murmur to yourself as you double check her covers. With a curt nod at your work, you lean down to give her forehead a kiss. You brush her curls away from her face before standing back up to make your exit. 

      “ ‘lease don’ leave” Omega tiredly whispers, her eyes slightly open and staring directly at you. She makes a grabbing motion at you and, against your better judgment, you sit down next to her bed. She reaches for your hand and pulls it so her cheek is resting in the warm center. You watch her silently as she uses your hand as a pillow and mutters a soft goodnight before promptly falling back asleep, her breathing evening out and filling the room with its soft nature. 

Your eyes dance across her peaceful face, the tips of your other hand come over to lovingly caress her chubby cheeks. The heart you once thought was broken beyond repair had fully shattered into dust. This child….she is way too kind for this god forsaken galaxy.

It hurt so much knowing that she has never known the love of another, never felt the warmth fill her chest and heart. The dust of your heart melts from the heat and turns to hot glass. The glass molding into a new form reminiscent of what it once was. One of love, one of joy…….one of longing. 

You had once thought that you'd never feel that warmth again, your planet having been taken from you so abruptly. And yet, here you are. That warm fire reignited within your chest, the feeling almost alien as you watch the child sleep. Silent tears fall from your eyes at the feeling that burns so fiercely in your chest cavity. Briefly it feels as though your body could erupt into flames. 

Tears continue to fall down your cheeks, you keep your sobs within your chest so as to not wake Omega from her dreams. You didn't think you had the strength within yourself to love again. After all the loss you've faced, you figured it'd be easier to let go of that once comforting warmth. 

Yet, the moment you met Omega you could feel that she needed you, needed that long extinguished fire you had kept so firmly cold and snuffed out. And maybe just as she needed you, you needed her too.  You didn't think you could give her much, if anything at all, but you’d give her everything you could.

Time passes, and your silent tears fall slower and slower until they slow to a stop altogether. You continue to look down at Omega, her face was warm and soft within your hand. The feeling brings a smile to your face. You may not be the best person to raise a neglected clone child, but you're sure as hell going to give it your best shot. Omega deserves much more than the cold nature of Kamino and you resolve to be the one to give it to her. Your other hand falls away from her face and instead reaches for your pendant. 

      ‘You deserve a bright future Omega. I promise I'll give you one’ 

Your eyes close and everything goes black, your mind falling into the deep abyss of sleep and slips into the realm of dreams. 

You awake to an aching pain within your back, your lips curl to release a groan into the blankets you found your face nuzzled into. The soft pitter patter of the everpresent rain of Kamino can be heard through the walls as you try to blink away the fog of sleep from your mind. You feel a weight in your hand and try to grasp whatever it was in your palm. A soft whine reverberates throughout the room and your eyes shoot open as you sit up suddenly.

Omega lays there in her bed, her round cheek still pressed into your hand with one of her hands gripping your arm as if to make sure you would stay with Pinky squished between her upper arm and chest.

Her small lips open with little puffs of air, her breathing still even as she continues to sleep. Your fiercely beating heart calms as you take in her peaceful form, a smile making its way to your lips as she nuzzles into your hand absentmindedly in her sleep. Your heart melts at the scene and you can't help but lean down to press a soft kiss on her brow. She makes a small noise in her sleep at the affection, but quickly settles again.

Your smile grows and fondness fills your eyes like the oceans of Kamino, overflowing and all encompassing. A soft melody rings out within the quiet room, your lips curling to form music from your homeworld. The song comes naturally, one that your mother would sing often, it always reminded you of her undying love and now you sang it for Omega hoping she'd feel its warmth enveloping her in her sleep.  

Your free hand comes up to gently caress her soft head of curls, they were tangled from Omega softing in her sleep but you were careful to avoid the knots. 

      “Mo stór é mo leanabh” you sing softly, the notes falling from your lips like honey. Omega makes a noise in her sleep after your eyes close in content at the feeling of singing in your native tongue once more. 

      “Mo sheod gan chealg, Mo chuid den tsaol mór. Seoithín seothó,”  

Omega makes another noise in her sleep, her sleep foggy eyes peering up at you while you continue to sing in a language she doesn't understand. She tries to hum along, but she loses track of the melody in her sleep-hazed mind. She smooshes her face back into your flush palm and nuzzles her whole body further into her covers. 

      “...hmmmm ma” she mutters out tiredly as her breathing begins to even out again. Your ears don't catch her soft call, so you continue to sing your lullaby. 

      “Nach mór é an taitneamh. Mo stóirín ina leaba. Ina chodladh gan bhrón, A leanbh, mo chléibh.”. You sing until your voice grows hoarse from lack of water. The final notes of the song ring out within the room, your slightly labored breaths joining in the soft caress of sound. You never noticed Omega wake up, your mind too encapsulated within your own fantasy to be aware of your surroundings. Your lips release a sigh before you shift your palm from under her soft cheek. She makes a noise of protest, but you silence her with another gentle kiss on her forehead. Muffled footsteps fall upon deaf ears as Omega continues to sleep peacefully as you silently shuffle out of the room. You turn back to look at her adorable face once more before leaving the room. 

      ‘Sweet dreams little bug’ you think as the door to her room whooshes shut behind you. 

Nala Se greets you the next morning with her elegant tone as always. She had a load of work for you to look over today, so the time spent in her lab seemed like minutes when in truth hours had passed. Nala Se was okay company, her presence was mostly filled with a comfortable silence as you both worked separately. It was a consistent daily occurrence that you grew to appreciate.  Your fingers glide across the keys of your datapad as you continue to scan over and add notes to some of Nala Se’s new research on genetics, however both you and Nala Se startle out of the comfortable silence when an excited yell of your name, accompanied by the door whooshing open, is heard.

Omega stands in the doorway with a large grin on her small face as her chest rises and falls with heavy breaths. Nala Se makes a noise and gets ready to chastise the young girl, but you speak before she can. 

      “What's up Omega?” you ask her, your eyes looking over her flushed form. ‘She definitely ran here’ you smirk to yourself.

Omega bounces on her feet and takes a big gasp of breath before exclaiming, “ It's lunch time!” she happily exclaims. You chuckle at her adorableness and Nala Se makes an unreadable face at the young girl. Omega’s smile falls and the happy glint in her eyes dissolves as Nala Se gives her a stern look and begins to speak firmly.

      “Omega we are in the middle of important research you can’t-”

      “It's ok Nala Se” you interrupt the lithe Kaminoian before she can scold the girl fully, “I promised her we’d eat lunch together”. 

Omega looks up at you hesitantly after your interruption and Nala Se stares at you, her unblinking eyes startling you while you rise from your seated position to stand next to Omega. Once you're in grabbing range Omega latches her hand into yours and swings them back and forth as she grins happily, the joy returning to her eyes.

      “I’ll be back in a standard hour” you assure the strict scientist and she releases a gentle sigh before waving her hand for you two to leave. Omega bounces at Nala Se’s acceptance and starts to pull you toward the door of Nala Se’s lab. She rambles the whole way to the mess hall and even throughout the entirety of your lunch. 

For someone so small, she must have lungs of steel with how much she can talk someone's ear off. Her bubbly voice continues to chirp happily even as you both walk back to Nala Se’s lab. Once you reach the door however, her rambling stopped and her once perky steps were now slow and heavy. 

You look down at her and notice a pout forming on her face. You place a hand upon her head full of curls and pull her into a soft hug as you bend down to give the crown of her head a kiss. Your head nuzzles into her curls before you ask, “Same time tomorrow?”

Her arms grip your robes tightly at the sentence, her curls bouncing up and down at the force of her head nodding. “..promise?” she asks softly.

      “Promise” you mumble back, your lips leaving a loud kiss on the crown of her pale hair. She giggles at the affection and hugs you tighter before you usher her off back to her lessons with her tutor droid. The smile not leaving your face even as you returned to your boring work with Nala Se. 

Fic Playlist:

Chapter Text

      “Keep the line moving lab scrapper” 

      “You being pushy isn't making the line move any faster” you mutter harshly as you take a step forward in the lunch line. 

The trainer behind you gives an angry huff at your retort, but chooses to ignore your snark. You know it’s nothing personal, after all,  it's just lunch time and there is a particularly long line of starving trainers and cadets behind you waiting their turn to get some much needed sustenance. If it was personal, then you’d definitely be getting fired for disorderly conduct. 

Omega stands happily in front of you and holds out her tray so she can get the last part of her meal. A beige bowl of some unknown, questionable-looking soup is placed on her tray and she says a quick thank you. She steps out of the way and you take her spot to get the last of your food. She stands behind you, rocking on her feet as you step into her previous position in line.

      ‘As if you could call this food’ you think bitterly, your eyes looking down in disgust at the brown mush the kitchen had decided to serve today. ‘I need to start making my own food or else I’ll starve to death’. The server places an identical, disgusting beige bowl onto your tray. Afterwards, you step out of line towards Omega.

      “You ready bug?” you raise an eyebrow at her politely waiting for you to get the rest of your own lunch. Patience wasn't in this child's DNA, but she refused to eat without you so she rocked on her feet to pass the time.

She nods happily, her curls bouncing at the movement. Her tray rattles a little at her enthusiasm but surprisingly nothing falls off. You laugh. She really is too adorable sometimes, but that's expected for a seven year old.

      “Let’s bounce” you grin down at her as you both make a bee-line for the exit of the mess hall. You have intentionally made it a habit to not eat in the mess hall with the other clones because even after all this time on Kamino, the stares never went away. After a week of almost all eyes in the room burning holes into your back, you made the executive decision to have lunch with Omega in the privacy of your room. 

The privacy makes it easier to connect with said child and the setting allows you to listen to her ramblings without the loud chatter of the mess hall. It's honestly hilarious how different she is with you than everyone else. Normally, she’s polite, has a collected demeanor, and does not speak much to others. However, once she’s in your presence that air of sophistication leaves her body. She clings onto you like a bacta patch to a wound and then proceeds to talk your ear off about anything and everything. It isn't annoying by any means, but it does sometimes surprise you with how hard the girl could hold on. 

After the night where Omega stole your hand to use as a pillow, you’ve grown significantly closer. The whole lunch debacle made you prioritize your free time with her and you haven't missed anything since. It's almost impossible for you to get carried away with work when every time you get her for lunch and her afternoon ‘activity time’ (as Nala Se calls it) her whole face lights up and she is immediately launching herself into your arms. 

She always has to be either physically touching you or in close proximity to you. You know it's not the best thing that you're indulging her so, but everytime you try to widen the distance between you two, her honey brown eyes gazing up at you sadly make you cave. Besides, you're making up for seven years of zero affection, so it balances itself out. 

The walk to your room isn't a quick one, but Omega’s rambling about how complicated Nala Se’s experiments were this morning makes the walk seem short. She goes on about how tedious it was and that she got so bored she was about to fall asleep. You stifle a laugh at her boldness. You both approach your door and Omega quickly puts in the code. The door opens with a soft whoosh of air and she bounces inside with you behind. 

Omega’s shoes make a small squeak with her rushing to sit down at the table within your room. It wasn’t a nice table, just a bland grey metal table that slightly resembled the ones in the mess hall, but it did its purpose so you couldn’t be to upset. You set your lunch tray down next to Omega’s, your hand reaching to pat her curls as you walk over to your nightstand. Omega grins at the affection and begins eating, the rustling of you looking in your nightstand drawer background noise to her chewing. You let out a soft ‘aha!’ when your hand clasps around a familiar cylinder bottle. You walk back over to Omega’s sitting form, her eyes closed as she takes a large gulp of her water. 

      “Time for your vitamins” you nudge her skinny arm after she sets her cup down. Her honey brown eyes peer up at your neutral face, trailing over to the hand holding the bottle of vitamins with an unimpressed squint. Her eyes flick back to yours as you raise your eyebrow at her reaction. 

      “Come on Omega, you gotta take ‘em with every meal.” she turns away from you, grumbling as you twist open the bottle to shake out two thick orange pills. Since Omega has never been outside a day in her life, she had to take copious amounts of vitamins to make up for the lack of sunlight as well as the lackluster nutrition the meals they provided on Kamino gave. Omega hates pills, every time she has to take them she throws a fit. Sometimes she holds them in her mouth until Nala Se leaves and then spit them out. 

This of course highly upset the Scientist, but Omega couldn't care less.  She’d been required to take a handful of pills with every meal before you had come along, but not too soon after you arrived on Kamino, you helped Nala Se craft a single pill for her to take. It's infinitely better than the eight she used to take, but to her it was still torture. You assume her fear was more than a simple distaste of pills, but instead stemmed from a trauma having to do with said pills. Even so, she needs to take them so there isn't much you can do. 

      “Megs” you say firmly, your free hand reaching out to cup her cheek to turn her face towards you, “I know you hate them, but you need to take them so you grow up big ‘n strong”. You give her a soft smile at the end, trying to ease her anxiety but she still pouts at you. She narrows her eyes and you sigh. 

She’s not budging, time to try a new tactic you guess. Your eyes scan over the walls of your room searching for something you can use in this situation. Another cylinder bottle comes into view and you immediately have an idea.

      “How about this?” you start slowly as you walk over to grab the bottle of vitamin D pills and turn back to her curious form, “We can take our medicine together.” You shake the pill bottle for good measure and raise an eyebrow waiting for her response.

 Omega looks apprehensive for a moment, her hand coming up to twist a lock of her curls in concentration. Her bottom lip pouts as she thinks over your proposal, her nose wrinkling at the memory of the taste of her daily pills, but knowing she wouldn't be alone in the endeavor helps to ease her fears a little. She gives a reluctant nod to your proposal as you walk back to her seated form. 

You place her orange pills in her hand before you shake out two of your own into your hand. Omega looks at her pills in disgust as you pass her a cup of water. You grab your own cup after she takes her cup from your hand and she looks up at you apprehensively. 

      “Ok ... .ONE TWO THREE” you countdown quickly before your hand pops the pills into your mouth and she does the same, the grimace never leaving her face. You wash the pills down with a large gulp of the water and Omega’s face scrunches in distaste as she copies you. A large bleh coming from her mouth after she successfully swallows her pills. 

You grin at her, “Good job Megs!” you hold your hand out for her to high five. She makes another face of disgust before giving you a low energy high five. 

      “....can I eat now?” her round eyes peer up at you from her seated position.

      “Go ahead” you motion for her to continue and she dives into her food like a ravenous beast. You smile at her enthusiasm as you take a seat next to her and start to eat your own food.

Your face twists into its own grimace at the blandness of the food. Today was a simple cream colored soup served with bread, a brown bar made of some sort of oat and a pile of light gray mush. It didn't look appetizing at all, but it was what was served so it's either the bland mush or starve.

      ‘Maybe I should invest in my own food’ you ponder as you dip your bread into the soup and take a bite. The more food that disappears from your plate the more you think over your offhand idea. It really wouldn't be a bad idea, probably a little hard but not impossible. You'd have to ask Nala Se if you could import some items.

       ‘Definitely a mini stove or oven’ you think as you remember the lack of cooking supplies within your room. Putting aside the logistics for now, you're sure that if you use your own credits and double check with Nala Se your idea is feasible. 

      ‘This could work’ you think. Your hand lifts up the brown bar to your mouth to take a bite. Omega’s chewing joining your own as your mind makes a list of everything you need. Your eyes look over at Omega eating happily, a small smile on her face as she enjoys eating alongside you. If she enjoys the dull food they serve in the mess hall, then you're sure she'd enjoy a home cooked meal. One that isn't made to be strictly nutritious or mass produced for an army, but one that’s made special with seasonings and love cooked into its very essence. Your stomach churns briefly at the memory of your mother’s food, the food on Kamino could never compare. You reluctantly take another bite of your bar as you tune back into Omega chirping about something funny she saw earlier in the halls. You half-heartedly listen to her story as you settle on a decision. 

      ‘I’m getting us some actual food even if it kills me’ 

Nala Se’s lab is as quiet as ever when you enter for your shift. She is knee deep in the midst of developing a new format for future clones, one that’s highly complex and innovative, so much so that you were tasked with assisting her. Given your knowledge of pediatrics and medicine in general, your insight would be an enormous help in making sure the mutations she develops would be sustainable. You aren't exactly ecstatic to be working on developing a new line of clones, but the order came from Lama Su (the minister of Tipoca city) so you don't really have a choice. 

The success of Clone Force 99 had warranted the new exploration into new genetic mutations for even more advanced clones in the future.

You’ve read Clone Force 99’s files and they were…..interesting to say the least. Their mutations are fascinating, however the repercussions of the mutations are what concern you. CT-9901’s mutation is the worst of the batch: health-wise. His enhanced senses would be an exceptional aid in the battlefield, however the overstimulation, migraines, and possible hemorrhages makes your skin crawl. Having to be aware of every vibration, electromagnetic wave, or even molecule has a strain on the mind like none has seen before. The immense pain he must be in every waking moment must be agonizing. 

The sheer number of deaths from the trials they conducted just to get one viable unit is quite staggering, so knowing you are now aiding in the development of another unit is quickly taking its toll. 

You blink a few times to clear your head. Clone Force 99 is already in training and has passed the trials with flying colors. There isn’t anything significant you can do for them now. They are cadets who are in adequate health, and you are a doctor who needs to focus on her work. 

Nala Se calls your name softly. You turn your head towards her and she motions for you to join her by her main monitor. 

      “This strand should show more promise than the last iteration” she says in her normal ethereal tone as she points toward the newest strand of DNA she’s manipulated. You're currently still in the early stages of development, so you and Nala Se are still crafting ideas of mutations and test strands. It's quite tedious, but fascinating work even if the implications aren’t the best. 

Your eyes skim over the DNA code Nala Se referred to and give a quick nod, “Do you want me to simulate it?” you ask. She nods and clicks a few buttons to send you the sequence for you to run through a simulator to see if it will hold up within an entire DNA Helix. A soft ping resonates in the room and the sequence pops up on your data-pad. 

You quickly input the sequence into the simulator and wait for it to output the results. A soft hum of the machinery fills the room as you wait for the results and Nala Se goes back to typing on her monitor. You remember your earlier plan and purse your lips in thought. The data pad shows the simulation is still running the sequence, so you take the leap.

      “Nala Se?” she hums at you calling her name so you continue, “I was wondering if …..” you pause to lick your lips in thought. She continues to type at her monitor, so you continue.

      “Is there some way I can get some cooking supplies delivered here?”  her typing stops and she turns her lithe form towards you. Her eyes look at you, a hint of confusion behind them.

      “Why would you need cooking supplies? The food provided here has the daily required nutrients for an adult human.” She states matter of factly. You let out a frustrated sigh. You had expected her to respond like that, but you persist, knowing how to get her to relent.

      “I think it would.. aid in Omega’s development exponentially.” you look her dead in her large eyes. She stares back at you, her eyes flickering between yours. She takes a moment to ponder your request before giving you a small nod, her pale digits returning to typing at her monitor.

      “That sounds adequate. But I will require a list of what you need as well as a census of the upsides to this expenditure.” you grin and pump your fist with a mouthed ‘YES’. You mind tunes out her typing as you quickly make a reasonable list of cooking essentials. A soft ping breaks your concentration. The screen of your data-pad flashes with the results the simulation has calculated. 

[ DNA STRAND VIABLE: PROCEED ]

A rhythmic light flashes off the screen of your data-pad, the light encompassing your face as you gaze conflictingly down at the screen. Your eyes erratically read over the results, silently begging for them to be wrong, but no matter how many times you re-read the output it never changes. You can't- you can’t - you won’t. The strand holds, but it's not viable for a healthy life. The clones that would come from the code would be dead within years, maybe months, overcome by the strain of the mutations. The pain- the unbearable constant pain their lives would be.  It wouldn't be a life, just a rush of debilitating agony before they die. You can't do that to someone, you can’t- you can’t- you can’t- you can’t- You Can’t- You Won’t-

Nala Se calls your name softly. A bead of sweat falls down your forehead as a familiar metallic taste fills your mouth. You don’t even notice yourself biting the inside of your cheek, and you're more surprised at how hard. You try to blink the glazed look in your eyes away as you make eye contact with Nala Se.

      “What are the results?” her voice echoes within the confines of your mind, the normalcy of it horrifying you. She drafted the strand, she knew what she was creating. She knew. The wise words of Ree’An echo in  your mind.

       ‘The Kaminoians aren't known to be the kindest folk in the republic, I hope you know what you're getting yourself into’

You know the Kaminoians are scientists, strictly logical beings that strive for innovation in all aspects of the word, especially cloning. They are not known to sit idly by when they can create more powerful, more useful, more mutated specimens. Specimens. That's all the clones are to them, nothing more than specimens for them to experiment on. Just property they can toss away when they don't like the outcome. Clones are just property, not people-

      “..The strand failed Nala Se” you rasp out. She simply hums and returns to her typing unbothered by the results, “I shall begin a new draft then”. Your eyes frantically search her turned form for an answer, any hint of morality behind her pale lithe form. Your face falls further, if that was even possible, as you find none. The lab felt so cold, your skin prickling with goosebumps at the feeling. Your eyes return to your data-pad and quickly delete all remnants of the successful test from its data-base. Your lungs heaving as you try to calm down, you can't let her expect anything is wrong. 

The walls felt more sterile than they ever have. The whites of the walls were burning brighter than any sun. The humming of the electronics all around the room consuming you. The noise creates a cacophony of noise in your mind. The loudest of all is your erratic heartbeat thumping within the confines of your ribcage. 

Everything is closing in, the implications of your actions, your aid, your compliance with the sickening immoral development of this new age of clones. The once too harsh lights were now almost too dim. You try to breathe normally, but your efforts are in vain. The sheer panic settling deep within you, it burrows into your very bones. Thoughts flew at the speed of light within your head, hitting the walls of your skull and making your head fill with pressure as if it would explode at any second.  

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. THUMP. THUMP. THUM-

Everything goes dark as the pressure builds to a crescendo and explodes. Your body hits the grey floors of Nala Se’s lab with a loud thud. 

Soft russell of grass, the gentle caress of the plants, they always make you feel better. Your face lays upon the welcoming nature of the field, your arms gripping themselves so taught they turn white. The tears won't stop, no matter how much you try and plead they continue to cascade down your face.  Why did this hurt so much? Why did it have to be you? Why? Why? Why?

A sweet hand lays upon your head, the lithe fingers caressing your locks as you continue to sob. Your heart aches as your sobs grow with your thoughts, the body attached to the hand seats itself behind your lying form. Another gentle hand lays itself upon your back, rubbing small circles into its heaving movements. 

A gentle shoosh flows along the wind, “My mùirn, why are you so upset?” your mothers voice calls out behind you. You hiccup at her voice. Doesn't she know? She has to know, know that you're abandoning her and your family. That you're selfish and cruel and-

      “You shouldn't cry my mùirn”, her hand pulls a loose strand from your wet cheek, “You will do great things. This opportunity proves that” Her words don't do much to soothe your aching heart. 

      “B-but I don't wanna leave you” you gasp out between sobs. The thought of abandoning your family, your home is too great for you to handle. One of your hands releases its grip on your arm to instead hold onto your sun pendant. 

She takes a moment to reply, “..The wind whisks us away and guides us to where we belong. Even though it hurts or seems unkind, it does so for a reason. I know you're scared, but you were chosen for a reason my mùirn”, she cups your wet cheek so your tearful eyes look into her soft ones, “You are one of a kind, undeniably intelligent and caring. You have far too many gifts for us to keep you here.”

      “This is your calling, to save lives and protect ones who cant protect themselves. You will be the doctor that develops a cure and save countless lives throughout the republic.”

      “B-but what about you? Or dad? Or or-”

      “We will be just fine. Your father, I and your siblings will miss you but we know your calling is out in the stars.”, her face turns toward the setting sun on the horizon, its light enveloping the field in a cascade of color, “You'll find your place amongst them, I'm sure of it. Now, no more tears my mùirn. You'll be just fine”

She pulls you close, cradling your head into her chest. Your breathing is still uneven, but the tears have trickled to a stop. She coos into your hair as she lays her head upon your own. Her hands caress your back, coaxing your lungs to stop spasming and instead breathe evenly. You let out a shaky sigh at her affection, never wanting to let go. 

      “I'm so proud of you my mùirn”

You awake with a loud gasp. Your heart beats erratically as you shoot up from your lying position. The bright lights of the room startle you and you squint as your eyes adjust to their harshness. A voice calls out your name and you look around to see who calls you. 

Your eyes land on Omega, her form is huddled beside the cot you're currently laying on. Her hand grips your own as she scoots closer to your form.  Your eyes take in her appearance and pause for a moment on the familiar pink Womp rat stuffie she cradles to her side with her other hand, and then you notice her face. Her eyes are puffy and slightly red, you notice dry tear tracks on her round cheeks. 

      ‘She's been crying’ you grimace in your head.

      “Nala Se said you fell ‘n I was so worried!” she cries out, her brows furrow with the grimace on her lips as she grips your arm and Pinky harder. You wince a little at her loudness and shift so you face her a little more and give her hand a soft squeeze.

      “ ‘m ok bug.” you say softly, trying to soothe her anxious look, you rasp out “Where are we?”

She stands up before crawling onto your cot and laying down next to you, her hand never leaving yours. “Your room” she says and your eyes fill with recognition at the familiar walls and softness of your bed. You hum in response and use your free arm to pull her closer. Her head finds its way onto your chest with her curls tickling your nose. A sweet silence fills the room and you close your eyes as you focus on Omega’s rhythmic breathing.

      “...you were out for a few hours and you weren't waking up-” you gently shush her ramblings and give her a squeeze. You mutter apologies into her curls as your free hand caresses her back. The warmth of her small body was a comfort. She snuggles closer and lets out a soft exhale as she drifts to sleep. 

The events of the past cycle appear to have taken a heavy toll on the small girl. She is quite the worrier, her young brain thinking of all the ways things can go wrong. She cares so much, almost too much. Her sweet nature is always a comfort but you definitely need to have a talk with her about caring too much. Omega lets out a noise in her sleep and you huff at her adorable mannerisms. 

What had happened in the lab today was not according to plan. Nothing the past two months had been. You have to be more careful, especially considering the sleeping child snuggling into you. You couldn’t let your own faults get in the way. You couldn't let the Kaminoians succeed in creating a new kind of advanced clone. You won't let them create a life that's entirely made up of suffering. You refuse too. 

There’s a war brewing on the horizon, an inevitable one that would cost many lives. Most of these lives being clone lives, the same clones you have treated and watched grow scarily fast over the past two months. They are treated as assets, but you know they are people. People that were created in a bacta tank, but people nonetheless. Ones with feelings, personalities and above all a life.  A life they deserve to live knowing love and compassion. 

The Kaminoians assume you'll just sit back and let them create clones so misshapen they'd know nothing but pain. But, they are wrong. It goes against everything you've worked for, believed in. You won't let them succeed like they had with clone force 99. You won't let them hurt anyone else. Your grip on Omega tightens as you mull over your thoughts, her head snuggling closer in her sleep. Your eyes stare up at the ceiling as you think over everything. You know what you have to do, but the question is, do you have the strength to pull it off? 

      “Kriff” you swear, a metallic thud ringing through your room as you mutter to yourself, “Why is this so difficult! It's just a damn oven” 

It has been a week or so since your accident in Nala Se’s lab and you have been ordered to rest for at least two cycles before returning to your position. You had attempted protesting profusely but Omega’s pleading eyes ultimately broke your resolve. The seven year-old is ecstatic to be your quote unquote ‘doctor’ while you are on bedrest. 

An AZI droid, AZI-3 as Omega has donned him, since his full name is ‘Waaay to long’,  has been stationed to watch over you as well. But, Omega consistently shoves the droid out of the way because he ‘isn't doing it right’. She barely lets the droid get one look at you before her tiny hands are all over the droid, insisting she can ‘handle the patient on her own’. AZI-3 would simply scoff and insist he’s programmed to provide the utmost care to any patient human, clone or Kaminoian to which Omega always responds with a resounding ‘Nuh-Uh’.  

Their bickering is quite amusing to you because Omega, at one point, tries to launch herself onto the poor droid, and you can't help your outburst of intense laughter at her ridiculousness. Over the next cycle Omega, albeit hesitantly, gets over her hostility towards the poor droid. She is still highly reluctant to let him fully care for you, so she’s quite ecstatic when your medical leave ends after two more cycles. Omega often enjoyed the droid’s company; she just didn’t trust him regarding your health. It was a very sweet endeavor, and seeing how much she cared for your health hardened your resolve. You were going to give this child the very best. 

Your first day back was quite light workload wise. Nala Se has asked you what has to be at least a million questions about what had happened. Her scientific mind is never satisfied with your vague answers and she eventually relents to let you work in peace. 

After an agonizingly long shift, she tells you that the cooking supplies you requested had arrived and are being delivered to your quarters. You've never run so fast in your life, Nala Se simply sighs and continues with her research. You slam into a few cadets and droids on the way, but you just yell out an apology as you continue to run. 

You slide into your room and actually fall over when your eyes land upon the stack of crates on your floor. Immediately your hands are all over the crates dumping out their contents. Nala Se has ordered quite a few things to your surprise. She got you a Cooling Chamber, Food Synthesizer, Hypersonic Oven, Thermapad, and a Pressurized Steamer along with quite a bit of ingredients and food stuff. 

She definitely had gone a little overboard especially since you only put in a request for half of these items but you definitely aren't complaining. You're almost vibrating from how excited you are, instantly you begin setting up all the appliances Nala Se ordered; which is how you have ended up in your predicament. 

You don't take into account that you are downright horrendous at installing or fixing machinery. The smaller ones are easy since they don't require a lot of assembly, the larger ones however…..they were a different story. You manage to get everything but the hypersonic oven installed. It's been almost 2 hours of you fiddling with the oven and failing to get it to turn on. The instructions are pulled up on your datapad, but even after following them to the letter it still isn’t turning on. You let out an exasperated groan. This dumb oven is going to be the death of you-

Beep

      “Oh You gotta be kidding me” you sigh as your head thuds down onto the stove. After so much fiddling, it finally turns on. Thank the maker it finally turns on. Your forehead rests against the cold surface for a moment, mulling in your stupidity, before your chronometer goes off. It alters you to the time. You wince at how late it's gotten, and realize you only have a small sliver of time to cook before Omega busts her way into your room for dinner. 

      “Alright” you lift your head up and clap your hands together with a new sense of determination in your eyes, “Let's do this” 

Time passes by quickly as you meticulously reach for and add ingredients into the pot you have placed upon the stove. You don't have enough time to cook anything exceptional, so your grandmother’s stew has to suffice. The recipe is simple, but the taste and warmth it always brought you is unmatched. 

Your grandmother had always made it whenever the winter solstice started upon your home planet. You smile at the memory as you stir the stew carefully, your other hand grabbing a pinch of seasoning to go into the pot. The smell reaches your nostrils and you greedily breathe in the scent. 

      ‘Just like home’. You bring the ladle towards your lips and taste the stew. The light brown liquid warming your insides on its way down your throat, it tastes just like you remembered except for the lack of sweet potatoes. Nala Se hadn't ordered any, so you make do with normal potatoes. Even so, it still tastes amazing . You hum in approval at the flavor and consistency and set the stove to a simmer.

The door whooshing open gets your attention and you turn your head to see Omega bouncing into the room. She grins at you before her eyes latch onto the foreign objects within the room. She shuffles towards your form by the stove as her honey brown eyes take in the new appliances. You smile softly at her curiosity, your arms crossing in front of you as you watch her inspect the appliances. Her nose crinkles as she smells the air and her eyes grow even wider before she stands on the tips of her toes to smell the simmering pot. 

      “What's that?” she turns to look at you, her eyes filling with curiosity as she continues to sniff the air, “...and why does it smell so good?”. 

You snicker a little at her question and rub her head of curls before you grab two bowls from the counter. (They're just simple bowls from the mess hall that you swiped earlier just in case.) Omega continues to stare at you in wonder as you grab the ladle and pour the steaming stew into each bowl.

      “This” you lift up the bowls of stew before setting them down onto your small table, “is stew from my home planet. I made it for us”. You walk back to grab some spoons and set them next to the still steaming bowls. 

      “Why?” she asks innocently, still standing by the stove with her eyes following your every move. 

You raise an eyebrow at her question, “Because the food they serve here is bland and you need to experience flavour at some point in your life,” you smile at her. Her eyes widen slightly as she rocks on her feet mulling over your response.

      “Come on bug it's good, I promise” you gesture for her to come sit down. Her eyes flicker between you and the bowls before she rushes to her normal seat. She plops down and she reaches for the spoon beside her bowl. She gives the stew another sniff and takes one more look at your smiling face before lifting a spoonful into her small mouth. 

Before she can take a bite you lean forward to blow some cold air on her spoon, making the temperature more suitable for eating. She gives a soft thank you and takes a large bite, the spoon coming out of her mouth completely clean. Her eyes almost bulge out with how wide they go as she makes a loud gulp. 

You stare at her expectantly, waiting for her to say something or give any sort of reaction. The room is silent for a moment before the floodgates open as suddenly Omega starts shoveling spoonful after spoonful into her mouth. She makes a noise of  joy and her grin only grows wider after each bite. 

      “Woah woah calm down bug it's not going anywhere” you laugh at her enthusiasm. She hums in response and just keeps slurping up the stew as if she's never eaten a day in her life.  You rub her back in an effort to get her to slow down. She grins up at you, her eyes sparkling with a questioning gaze and you know whatever she asks you won't be able to say no.

      “Can you cook everyday?” she bounces in her seat as she keeps putting spoonful after spoonful. You laugh and your eyes crinkle as you continue to watch her enthusiastically eat. 

You take a moment to breathe in some air before replying to her question, “....yea I can cook everyday if you'd like” She squeals in happiness at your response, her small body almost doing a happy dance in her seat. 

      ‘Oh my maker, she's too cute’. You reach for your own spoon and blow some air on it before finally taking a taste for yourself. You tear up a little and smile, it tastes so much like home. Even with the different ingredients, it still fills you with the warmth of love and home. The coldness in your chest from before replaces itself with a soft and warm ember. You hum happily as you take another bite.

It’s as if everything that's happened the past few days just melts away. The stress and anxiety long gone from your mind. Instead, all you can think of is the small child next to you, slurping stew as if her life depends on it. There’s no experiment, no complications, no questions of morality. There's only you and Omega.

 Her bright smile and chirps of how her day was and how good the stew is grow that warm feeling and makes you smile. You listen to Omega’s rambling and compliments quietly and enjoy the thought that it is just the two of you enjoying a good meal together. 

There's no distractions, no paperwork, no one else. Just you and Omega, together, like a family. You smile at the thought, and Omega’s laughter echoes off the metal walls. You cherish the feeling, the pure love that fills you, and the small bubble you've made for you and her. You’d keep her safe, cherish and love her. You swear on your life. 

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