Summary: "'You keep telling me that I am different from the others, that my intelligence has been enhanced. Let me really show it to you. I know that I can repair the machine.'" A young Tech steps up, catching the attention of Kamino's Prime Minister. He doesn't know how much of a mistake that is, not yet. One-shot.
The Hazards Of Brash Actions
CT-9907 was quietly working on his studies when one of the decantation machines suddenly stuttered to a halt, only part way through the process of draining the tube of an infant clone.
He turned to look at it with a frown, glanced over his shoulder at the Kaminoan scientist working across the room.
"Nala Se?" He spoke up, getting her attention. "The machine has stopped."
"Has it finished?"
"No."
The Kaminoan drifted over to the machine beside his workstation, a silent displeasure radiating off of her. He watches as she tapped a few different buttons, which he recognized to be diagnostics troubleshooting, before she detached the pod from the machine.
"What are you doing?" He asked, watching her with interest.
"This clone's decantation has failed. It will not be expected to survive." Nala Se explained.
"It's going to die?"
"Yes."
"Is there anything that can be done to save him?"
"With the machine out of order-"
"-I think I can fix it." He blurted. "I have watched you use it, and I'm almost certain that I understand how it works. Nala Se, I can save him."
She gently shook her head down at him. "You do not understand. The machine is out of order, and cannot operate. The chance is too great that you could make things worse if you tried to correct the error."
Something in him hardened. "You keep telling me that I am different from the others, that my intelligence has been enhanced. Let me really show it to you. I know that I can repair the machine."
"It is not my decision."
"Who's decision is it?"
"The Prime Minister's, of course."
"Why can't you ask him?"
"I can see that you feel strongly about this, young one." Nala Se was amused, in a gentle sort of fashion. "If it settles your mind, then I will go ask him."
She began to stride towards the door.
"Can I come?" He asked.
The Kaminoan shook her head. "I need you to monitor the infant's vitals while I am away."
He gave a firm nod in response. "I can do that."
"Very good." Nala Se bade him a brief farewell and made her leave from the lab.
For a few long minutes, he remained rooted to the spot at his workstation, frowning at the inoperable machine beside him. He was at war with himself, trying to decide whether or not to remain seated or to leap into action and help the infant anyway. Its vitals still appeared to hold true, but he was uncertain that they would remain that way.
Besides, from a couple of short interactions, he knew well that the Prime Minister was not a very kind creature- chances were that he would deny 9907's wish and the infant clone would die. The child's life is on the line, it should be obvious what you need to do.
...I am going to regret this.
He climbed to his feet and approached the decantation machine.
As he read the diagnostics Nala Se had done, he plugged the infant's pod back in.
The tube connecting the pod to the machine hadn't been damaged. None of the child's limbs were stuck in the opening of it either. The pod was still whole.
He knelt down and carefully opened up the front panel of the machine's front. A liquid quickly poured out onto the floor and he winced as his goggles fogged up. Ah, that would do it.
The tank inside had overflowed and waterlogged the entire system. No wonder it quit.
After pushing his goggles up to his forehead, he grabbed the sterile towel that he was fairly certain had been intended for the infant and mopped up the floor. He dried the inside of the machine the best he could, grabbed an unused bucket from nearby. He hefted up the tank, and somehow managed to pour some of its content into the bucket- enough to leave room for what remained in the pod, anyway.
The machine hissed the moment the tank was put back into position, sealing it so that it would not leak.
That was easier than I expected. He closed the machine, pushed the bucket aside, and stood up to look down at the monitor. He hit a few buttons, quickly getting it back to the main screen, where a button labelled "Begin Process" flashed at him. He smiled.
Once he pressed the button, the process of draining the infant's pod resumed. He watched with a curious gaze, listening to the sound of the liquid as it was sucked from the incubation pod and dropped into the tank within the machine.
There was a small sadness, suddenly, as he realized that he would never really know the child he was saving. The child was a normal clone, Nala Se had told him, and would train and grow under normal circumstances. They would likely never meet.
He gazed at the infant's small face as he opened the pod, after it had finished draining. So young. Doesn't know what he's in for yet.
His lips quirked sadly. "Good luck, vod'ika."
It wasn't much longer later that the doors opened.
"Nala Se!" He chirped brightly, turning to face her, even without his goggles on properly.
His excitement faded at the sight of another shape following along after the scientist, and he recognized Lama Su's voice. "This is one of the enhanced clones?"
"Yes." Nala Se supplied. "This is CT-9907. The cells in his temporal lobe have been altered to collect and understand more knowledge than that of the average clone. Unfortunately, it makes him prone to studying my equipment with much interest."
"And his eyes?"
"The result of an unsuccessful operation to enhance them."
"Nala Se?" He inquired again, quieter, not fond of how the two Kaminoans spoke of him, but unable to pull himself away. When she turned to him, he managed to confess what he had done in her absence. "...I fixed the machine."
"Yes, you have." The scientist agreed, seeming to float over to it, where she gingerly picked up the infant.
"You...You knew?" He frowned, squinting in confusion to get a better look at her face, before remembering his goggles and pulling them down. She wasn't angry in the least. "Was it a test?"
"Of a kind." Nala Se confirmed.
"Did I pass?" He wondered aloud.
"But, of course." She assured him, setting the infant back into the pod after inspecting its physical condition. "As you are aware, your intellect exceeds that of most clones. Many would have hesitated during such a delicate process."
"But I hesitated." He told her.
"For the right reasons, I am sure." Nala Se almost-gently rested one of her large, pale hands on his shoulder.
"He is a valuable asset." Lama Su spoke once more, his words directed at the scientist- 9907 wondered if the Prime Minister ever spoke to clones. "How long ago was this one decanted?"
"CT-9907 was decanted approximately five years ago." Nala Se informed him.
"Has he had any contact with the outside subjects?"
"He has only left the lab for tests and operations that cannot be performed here."
There was a considering look in the Kaminoan's eyes that sent an inexplicable shudder up his spine. "May I suggest that you allow him some free reign in the more common areas? Perhaps starting with the midday meal tomorrow?"
"Of course." The scientist consented. "CT-9907 is ready- aren't you?"
"Tech." He blurted, without thinking.
"What's that?"
He could feel their gazes burning into him, and he swallowed uneasily. "I want to be called Tech."
As the tension in the air tightened, he kept his gaze averted to the floor, not daring to speak again for fear of anger directed towards him- he could almost feel such an emotion radiating off of them after what little he had just spoken. He silently willed them to accept his wish, to forgive his lack of tact in speaking so bluntly.
"...Very well." He heard Lama Su finally reply, his voice as neutral as always, though he had an inkling that they would not call him by his chosen name.
From what he- Tech- had gathered, the Kaminoans weren't fond of individuality. But he was different enough already, with his genetic enhancements and his damaged eyes. He couldn't get much more different, could he? (If only he knew).
"Tech, do you believe you are ready to integrate with the main population?" There was the slightest hint of distaste- and spite, perhaps- as the Prime Minister spoke the name, but it was clear he was making an effort to stay civil.
He slowly lifted his eyes to the Kaminoan, and nodded.
Tech was not ready, not at all.