PROLOGUE:
Dr. Lin-Aiyo stared at the developing embryo floating in the blue amniotic fluid that circulated in its tank. The rain battered at the building, creating a consistent trickling sound as the precipitation slid from the roof above.
She was the lead scientist of the secret experimentation initiative only known as Project: Stormbreaker. Their task was a daunting one: to create the ultimate Jedi. A Jedi that could take on entire armies singlehandedly, whose honor would trump that of nobles, and whose bravery would challenge the greatest of soldiers. The team was made up of the six greatest minds Kamino had to offer.
Currently, the small team was working on two specimens, SB001 and SB002. Two genetically-engineered humans, created entirely from scratch to represent two of the most common perceptions of the "ultimate Jedi". The first, SB001, was a male, and would have brown hair, pale skin, and piercing bright blue eyes. He was to be named Nova. An unparalleled engineer and designer, with more skill, cunning and cleverness than that of any general. His force power would be stronger than any naturally-born being could ever possess. He was designed to take on impossible tasks and solve them alone, or occasionally with a partner. More specifically, with his brother.
His brother, SB002, was to be called Daniel, and would have sandy-brown hair, tan skin, and sharp, lime-green eyes. He was designed to be a leader. To be an example. To be someone to inspire other soldiers and lead them into glorious battle, always emerging victorious. And as a team, Nova and Daniel were designed to be unstoppable.
The entire project was the brainchild of Lin-Aiyo's late grandfather, Yiskar Xaris. When he passed away, she took over the project, and conferred his last name to the two brothers that he had loved as though they were his own children.
Nearly 12 years later, a slightly older Lin-Aiyo watched through a viewport as tween-aged Nova and Daniel sparred with training lightsabers in small, white arena. Nova wore a small, red coat which reached to his knees, and a pair of skinny brown cargo pants. His hair was wild, but not unkempt, as though the boy intentionally kept it in disarray. It fell into his face as he dueled. Daniel wore similar attire, albeit yellow and black. His hair was shorter and well-groomed, and stayed in place as the two brothers sparred. The brothers dueled in a flurry of slashes, parries, and blocks. After nearly 15 minutes of non-stop dueling, Nova knocked Daniel onto his back, and pointed his blade at Daniel's chest. Then, with a huge, beaming smile, Nova lowered his blade and started laughing. Daniel joined in. Nova helped his brother to his feet, put an arm over his shoulder, and the brothers walked out of the arena, still laughing.
An elder Kaminoan approached Lin inside the observation room.
"Are they ready?" he asked, in a slow, hoarse voice.
"I do not know. They still have much maturing to do..." Lin sighed, and turned to face the elder. "I still feel that this is not what should become of them. They are far too young to experience the horrors of war." Lin slowly turned back towards the viewport. The elder sighed heavily.
"I feel that you are right," he said. Lin whipped back around to face him, surprised at his agreement, but she knew he wasn't finished.
"But...?" she inquired.
"But, I am afraid we have no choice. The Republic is in desperate need of them. Our clone-manufacturing division simply cannot keep up. We need another solution. We need them."
Lin turned back to the viewport and sighed. "Very well, then. I shall brief them tomorrow."