Chapter Four: Ready Or Not

1080 days ABG

After the last eight months, Creon Dai had not taken to self-sufficiency with quite as much success as he'd predicted he would. Naturally, once he'd abandoned the lab at Perdax that had been created for him by Count Dooku, he had spent several weeks searching for an adequate location to continue his work. The aftermath of his decision had been harrowing and vastly more complicated than he'd imagined, so after some consideration and a little investigation, he'd managed to make contact with someone who could offer assistance. Several months later he found himself on the mountainous planet of Sethos – in some misplaced section of the Inner-Rim – relying almost entirely on the equipment and the droids he'd taken from Perdax to keep his work going.

The most irritating part of the whole ordeal had been trying to keep the juvenile clones alive once their stasis pods had given out about two months ago. As it was, three units had not survived the transition, reminding Creon that Humans required an inordinate amount of resources to prevent them from expiring, which was not something he'd ever had to bother with on Kamino; in the time when the pods had shut down to the present moment, Creon had manufactured only enough nanogene droids to inject into one unit, which he then – with great success – was able to modify.

It had been a success in more ways than one, as it proved to his recent benefactor that the Kaminoan was indeed worth the effort and – minor, to Creon's way of thinking – resources that his organization had provided.

Constructed mainly from the dark and durable wood of a long-extinct alata tree, the facility on Sethos was spacious, if a bit rustic. It had at one time in its history been the retreat of a prominent Umbaran family, though over the course of long years the Sethosian structure, indeed the world itself, had been abandoned in favor of more pleasant climes. The Techno-Union Guild owned the entire planet now, mining valuable ore as they saw fit, but they had little use for a building of this type once all of its amenities had been stripped. To say that the building – situated at the top of a rugged peak of slate mountain – was sparse was an understatement.

Still, it was unwise to look a gift-guarlara in the mouth; the statement was crude but Creon had learned that the sentiment was true enough. At the very least he could stand at his full height here. And he had his work to occupy his time. Most days he could shut out the persistent moan of the winds that shaped the mountains beyond the walls in favor of his research and his designs. His new lab was cobbled together from the equipment he'd stolen from Perdax – part of the reason his offer had been attractive to his benefactor was that little money had to be siphoned to his project – and while it was not pretty, it more than served its purpose. Already he had made extensive advances in his field.

But none of these things changed the fact that Creon Dai was growing weary of meetings of this nature.

The mechanical, nasally voice of Wat Tambor – Foreman of the Techno Union Guild – was even more grating via hologram than in person, though Creon had only spoken to him as such on one occasion. "Your new lab is still to your liking?"

The Kaminoan glanced around, noting the grime that coated everything from the cracked floor to the chipping walls. It was dark and smelled like old bones and was a far cry from the gleaming halls of Kamino. But it was his. "It suffices. I wanted to inform you that the implantation of the nanogene droids was a success. The unit continues to retain its functionality while being completely susceptible to programming at my hands. Now that it has survived the process, it has been retrofitted with the modifications that we discussed."

As much as a Skakoan could, Tambor sounded pleased. "Excellent. When will it be combat-ready?"

Creon's head tilted as he considered. "The training modules that you provided are proving more difficult to integrate into its processes than the ones I've worked with on Kamino, so possibly not for another few weeks. Presently, it is only able to be linked with the computer systems as you requested." That had been a conundrum, but after many late nights Creon had become even more convinced of his own brilliance when he'd solved the mystery of the Skakoan's unusual request that the unit be outfitted with a means to connect into any dataport. A lesser being would have wondered at the purpose for such a thing, but Creon was tired of why. He had decided to concern himself only with how.

"And the remaining units? When will they be modified?" The Skakoan's intrigue was palpable and Creon felt a note of satisfaction at the other being's shared interest in his work. He cast a glance at the only unit that he'd modified, unconscious atop one of the exam tables that he'd taken from Perdax. It had taken much sedation to keep it quiet, and the Kaminoan had developed a new respect for those members of his species who dealt directly with the creatures in the labs of Tipoca City.

Creon looked it over, ensuring that every component of the cybernetics was intact; the nanogene droids, while allowing the clone to be programmed in a more efficient manner, also made the added implants more palatable to the Human body. It had taken weeks upon weeks of research, planning and work, but it had all proved to be worthwhile, as evidenced by the gleaming and intricate veining network of wires that he'd fastened to the unit's fragile skin, woven finer than any cloth tapestry, and infinitely more useful.

Perhaps my greatest work yet, followed by the adult unit on Perdax. What a loss that was. Necessary, but upsetting, nonetheless. Indeed, he could still picture the clone to whom he'd given the implant. It was a thing of beauty, but will not be appreciated, I fear. And there was also the Force-sensitive clone that Dooku had wanted to "save" for his master, despite the fact that Creon had seen little use in that. It could've been so much more if I'd had a chance to work with it.

The Skakoan cleared his throat – or at least, that's what Creon assumed the guttural sound that emanated from it was. Evidently he'd been silent too long, admiring his own work. "I have to manufacture more of the nanogene droids, but they should be ready for implantation by the end of the week."

Tambor nodded, though the motion was faint given his bulky plating. "Very good. I am glad that you decided to contact the Techno Union about your work...Count Dooku is a powerful man, but he is a short-sighted Human, after all."

Creon gave a fluid bow which he had learned that other species cared for. "I am happy to be appreciated at long last." He paused and felt a flicker of excitement. "Additionally, the Force-user that I was able to acquire will prove most useful, I think." Indeed, that had been a coup. The one true favor that he'd asked of his new Separatist benefactors, who had carried out his request with almost laughable ease. And that fool Dooku had difficulty gathering Jedi. As it happens, they are not so much trouble. They just need to be acquired young enough.

"You have found a way to integrate the nanogene droids and the midichlorians?" Tambor's voice held anticipation. "I did not think that such a thing was possible until I read through your research."

It had actually not happened yet, but Creon had learned the value of keeping his own realities close at hand and kept his voice smooth."You will not be disappointed."

The Skakoan signed off and Creon was left alone once more. He cast a glance around the dingy room and tried to push aside the longing that he sometimes felt for his gleaming lab on Perdax. It is useless to dwell on the past. There was a small window in one side of the space and Creon could see the mountainous terrain of Sethos in the his glance was fleeting as his eyes took in the unit he'd modified, seemingly asleep. He knew better. As Creon examined the readouts from the sensors that were affixed to it, he noted that its brainwave functions were completely active, for all that it remained motionless. It is still assimilating the training modules that Tambor provided. Hopefully they will prove as useful as I hope, as I've not had a chance to test them, properly.

He meandered to his workstation and studied the data he'd collected from the Padawan. Her blood was a mixture of Twi'lek and Nautolan, though he could see that the Twi'lek was only a small part – perhaps a grandparent's influence – and it was brimming with midichlorians. Creon smiled. If I can truly integrate the two, the nanos and the midichlorians...I will be able to create an unstoppable force.

As quickly as they'd arrived on Orea, Shadow Squad was on the move once more, and Traxis felt nothing but relief to be gone from the site of the massacre on the planet's surface. I know I should be used to the sight, but it never fails to bother me. Presently, he was leaning against the bulkhead, checking over his DC-17 blasters and listening to the others plan their next move.

"Sethos: here it is." General Tallis was holding a datapad, on which she'd pulled up the intel about the planet where they were headed. "Unpopulated, mountainous, few natural resources besides ore and minerals. There's little else known about it." She frowned at the device as though it was deliberately withholding information.

Kalinda nodded, but she looked concerned as well. "I don't like the idea of just rushing in there. We have no clue what kind of place we're walking into."

"We can do a scan from orbit," the captain said. "See if we can't get a sense of what's going on while we pinpoint her signal. Perhaps that will help." Traxis could hear the warmth in his brother's voice when he spoke to the Jedi, and he wondered what General Tallis would think about her former Master's relationship with the clone captain.

None of my concern, anyway. The Jedi Council didn't reassign her, so perhaps it's not as big of a deal as she thought it'd be. He finished going over the first pistol and slid it into the holster at his hip, reaching for the second; the trigger on this one had been sticking lately, and he frowned to himself as he examined the weapon. Too much time spent using them and not enough taking care of them. That needs to change.

"Every moment we delay is a moment that my Padawan is in danger," Tallis said, running her hand through her hair. Traxis was still on the fence about the new General; she seemed capable enough, but he thought that she was rather cold – compared to Kalinda, anyway.

I guess I'm too used to the kind of Jedi who seem to give a krink about clones like us. As it turned out, the trigger-release of the DC-17 was coated with a thick layer of carbon, hence the sticking. Luckily it was the kind of thing that cleaned up easily enough, provided one took the effort. As with any weapon, the seventeens were reliable, with proper attention. Not too different from people, in a sense. But at least these I can understand and if they get broken, I can fix them. Or get new ones. He frowned to himself and ended his train of thought there.

"Honi, you must be patient," Kalinda was replying in a quiet voice. "I'm worried about her as well, but we can't afford to go rushing in. Stone's right; an orbital scan is the very least we should do."

"It will be okay, General Tallis." Milo added. "If anyone can find her, it's Kalinda and Captain Stonewall."

Everything else aside, the red-haired Jedi was proving to be an interesting addition to their group, mainly due to the fact that Milo's eyes kept flicking to her. Trax sighed inwardly. Good luck with that, shiny. I don't think she's interested. The carbon was more stubborn than he'd thought, and he glared at the substance as he tried to work it loose.

"Kalinda?" Tallis glanced at her fellow Jedi, who shrugged. "Not 'General?'"

Oh yeah. Almost forgot; protocol and all that. Traxis tried not to let his annoyance show. Why do they all care so much about labels? Isn't it enough that we just do our jobs? All that other stuff shouldn't matter. Damn, but the carbon was refusing to budge. He briefly considered using his toothbrush, but thought better of it.

"Don't get her started, sir," Crest spoke up from beside Weave at the helm.

The senior Jedi smiled at the bald clone. "Thanks, Crest." To red-haired Jedi she shook her head. "You know I hate titles like that, Honi. It took me over a year to get them to drop the epithet."

"It's strange," Tallis replied. "But not unusual for you, I suppose." She frowned at the datapad again. "Sethos. How much longer?" This was spoken to Weave, who was piloting the Wayfarer.

He did not reply immediately and Trax noted that General Tallis seemed irritated by the delay, as her brows knitted and her jaw grew a bit more tight. Finally he spoke, his voice distorted by the mic in his helmet, and Trax noted the faintest edge to his tone. "Sixteen point five hours, General."

Stonewall cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should all try to get some rest. There's not much we can do until we know more of what we're up against." The captain glanced at Kalinda and Traxis tried not to roll his eyes.

Good luck working all that out, guys. Something tells me that this woman won't be as agreeable to the sleeping arrangements that we've gotten used to.

But Kalinda only nodded. "Works for me." She paused and nodded towards the rear of the ship, to the living quarters. "We don't have a lot of room, Honi. Everyone's been bunking together."

"It's fine," Tallis replied, her expression indicating that she was a bit confused. "I can stay with you. I presume you have your own room?"

It was to everyone's credit that no one laughed. Kalinda took a breath and glanced at Stonewall. Something seemed to pass between them and he nodded. "I'll fetch the spare pallets, Kali."

"I'll help," Milo added, abruptly rising to his feet. If the new Jedi noticed anything strange, she kept it to herself.

At last the worst bit of the carbon broke free and Traxis smiled to himself; the rest came off easy as uj-cake. Something's going right, at least. Traxis slid his second pistol back in its place at his hip and stretched. "Well, if the meeting's over, I'm going to bed."

At least I know where I'll be sleeping.

"Kalinda, what's going on?" Honi spoke the moment that the door closed behind the dark-haired woman. "I could feel the awkwardness in the room when I mentioned you sleeping in your own quarters." She crossed her arms and gave the dark-haired Jedi her best discerning stare.

Kalinda regarded her former Padawan with a mixture of humor and annoyance. "Why don't you have a seat?" This is one conversation I honestly never thought I'd have with her. Funny how life works.

"Why are you being formal? It's not like you." Honi was clearly perplexed, but she took a seat on the bed regardless, her eyes fixed on her former master; after a pause, Kali sat beside the red-haired woman, folded her hands in her lap and considered her next words with care.

"Honi...you mentioned that you heard rumors about me and my squad, right?"

"Yes, but you said they weren't true."

Kalinda shook her head. "No, I denied the implication that I was involved with more than one of my men. You inferred the rest." She met Honi's eyes and watched the realization creep over the other woman as she allowed her feelings for Stone to surface. "Captain Stonewall and I have been in a relationship for some time, now. I love him." She waited for the indignation that was most certainly coming.

Clearly stunned, Honi shook her head. "You...love him? But...what about Obi-Wan?" Young and almost wistfully soft, her tone reminded Kalinda of the girl that she'd met at the Jedi Temple years ago, the one who had always looked up to Obi-Wan with the kind of adoring hero-worship that can only be formed in the heart of a child. "I thought you loved him?"

It was not quite the reaction that Kali had expected from her former Padawan, and she was thoughtful for a moment before she replied. "Obi-Wan and I have come to an...understanding." She sighed and shook her head. "We're friends, Honi. Nothing more." Friends. It was right at last, though she missed talking to him with any kind of regularity. The war had made constant communication almost impossible, especially as his role in it had grown increasingly more prominent.

"But...you loved him. I know you did, even though you never admitted it to me." Honi looked at her knees, still appearing very much like the teenager she'd been when Kali had taken her as a Padawan. "How can you choose a clone over Obi-Wan?"

Rather than be irritated at Honi's assumption that Stonewall was inferior to Obi-Wan based on his origin, Kalinda considered the younger woman's perspective. I suppose I can't blame her for feeling this way. Obi-Wan saved her life when she was just a youngling and he was only a gangly teenager. I know she's always looked up to him, in a way. Though Kalinda had not been at the Temple at the time, word had quickly spread about the near-fatal turbolift "accident" that had been thwarted by Obi-Wan's heroic actions. Stars, it must have been over twenty years ago, now. "It's kind of a long story, Honi. I'll tell you on the way to Sethos."

Honi sighed again. "What is it, then, that makes this clone so special?" She raised a brow at Kalinda. "He's young and...attractive enough, I suppose, though I've never considered them in that...capacity." Her tone was all business even as her eyes lingered on her hands in her lap.

She's never been like you, Kali told herself as she bit back her sharp reply. She's never felt the urge to be with someone in the same way that you have. It's never been her nature. When she was certain she could speak without snapping, she shook her head. "Honi, I know that you may not understand, but my feelings for Stone are deeper than physical attraction. I truly do love him."

"Love." Honi said the word as though learning a new language before shaking her head. "You're right, Kalinda. Some things don't change." She sighed and rubbed her nose, confusion emanating from her. "You love a clone. Does he love you in return? Can they love?"

Enough is enough. Patience only works for so long with her. Kalinda sat up and leveled her most impressive stare on the younger woman, something that Mace Windu had done to her on many occasions. It always worked. "Stonewall is the kindest and most honorable man I've ever met, Honi, and he's capable of a great deal more than you realize, even with your vast experience. Now, I don't care what you think about him and I, our relationship, or our feelings for one another. But you should know that I meant what I said before: as long as you travel with me, you are to treat everyone with the utmost respect."

Though she nodded, the other woman looked even more confused at Kalinda's words. "Okay, but...the Jedi Council? Do they know? They must not, if you're still together..." Honi trailed off at the look on Kalinda's face. "They know? Why have they not ordered him to be reassigned?"

This was more complicated and Kalinda gave her a wide smile, her own ire fading already. "You may as well settle in, Honi. Again...it's a long story, but I'll tell you the end: Stone's Force-sensitive, and we think it has to do with the fact that I love him." She recounted their mission to Aruna and watched as the red-haired woman's eyes grew larger and larger, even though she kept quiet. When Kali reached the point where Stonewall's Force-abilities had begun, Honi shook her head.

"Never simple with you, is it?" She looked around the room, her cheeks going pink as a new realization became evident on her face. "So...when your captain said he'd get the sleeping pallets..."

Kali laughed. "One part of the rumor is true, I guess."

But the red-haired Jedi frowned. "It's just him, though, right?" At Kali's look of incredulity she shook her head. "Right. Sorry...sometimes I can't tell if you're joking or not."

Her own face was reddening and Kalinda was at a loss for words. "Honi..."

"I mean, if you're going to forgo Obi-Wan for a clone, I suppose anything's possible." Honi's voice was completely serious and her expression was still that of someone trying to wrap her mind around a foreign concept.

She still catches me off guard with her bluntness. Kalinda sighed. "It's good to have you back, my old Padawan." Don't make me regret it.

There had been anxiousness in the younger clone's thoughts, but Stonewall decided to let him speak first rather than initiate a conversation. He never wanted his men to feel like he was likely to peer into their minds and try to read them like a datapad, which was also how Kali always operated. She doesn't even like to do mind tricks, when some Jedi don't seem to have a problem waving their hands and altering another's thoughts. So he kept his conversation light as he and Milo headed for the cargo hold of the Wayfarer. "I think we stowed the pallets with those extra blankets we picked up after our last stop in the Core," Stonewall said as he nodded towards a section of neatly stacked crates towards the rear of the room.

But Milo had stopped a few paces behind him, radiating uncertainty. "Captain, I need to talk to you about something."

Here we go. Stonewall nodded again and indicated that Milo should follow him. "Talk while we look?"

"Okay." The other man followed him and they began searching through the crates, checking the manifest that was attached to each one. After a few moments, Milo cleared his throat. "I'm not sure how to say this tactfully, so I'll just spit it out: I'd like to be considered for a promotion."

This made Stonewall pause, as it was not quite what he was expecting. But what was I expecting? "A promotion?"

Milo nodded. "I think I've made excellent progress since we've started working together, sir. I think that I'm ready to...move on." His voice had taken on the formal tone that Stonewall had not heard any of them use in private for some time. "It's not that I want to leave our group, it's just that..." He sighed and again, Stonewall felt doubt trailing from him even as the younger clone pretended to check the manifest on the nearest crate. "I know I can do more, Stonewall. I know I can offer more to the Republic and to my brothers out there, and as much as I feel...at home with Shadow Squad, I'll never be anything other than 'shiny' to the others." Though he said the words without bitterness, Stonewall had seen him wince when the others called him the nickname.

"Milo, no one thinks of you as a shiny any longer. It's just their way of teasing." Stonewall sighed at the copious memories. "It's annoying, to be sure, but they don't mean anything by it. If you want, I can say something to them..." Well, Crest and Traxis, anyway. Weave doesn't say much of anything these days.

"But that's just it...I'm not a shiny. I'm experienced, more so than most of the other clones out there, and I want more responsibility. I want to do more with my life." Milo took another breath. "Like I said...I don't like the idea of leaving, but I think it's time. For me, anyway." He winced. "I didn't know how to tell Kalinda."

Stonewall shook his head and put a hand on his brother's arm. "She'll want you to be happy, Mi. You know that. I do as well." He smiled at the younger man. "I'd be glad to put in a recommendation for you...Sergeant."

At this, Milo laughed. "Hasn't happened yet, Captain, but I appreciate the sentiment." There was a pause before he spoke again. "Will you talk to her for me?"

"I know she'll be okay with it, Milo."

The younger man shook his head. "Yeah...I know, too. But still..." He sighed again. "I'd just feel better if you said something to her first. She's got a lot on her mind right now."

It was an astute observation, though Stonewall knew that all of his brothers had gotten more attuned to the Jedi's behavior. We're like a family, in a way. A very strange family. He smiled to himself even as he nodded to his brother. "Of course I will, Mi. But she'll want to talk to you, herself."

"I know, Captain. And thank you." Milo glanced around, noticeably more at ease. "Did you check that one?" He indicated a crate at the bottom of the stack and Stone shook his head.

As they bent to examine it, Stone cast a surreptitious look at the younger man. He has grown up, I guess. I know he's not a shiny any longer, but maybe he's right about how we see him...I know that I still see the kid I met on Teyr a few years ago. His thoughts turned to Kali and he knew that she'd be sorry to see him go, though she would be glad to know that he was trying to make his own way in the galaxy. It's going to be strange not to have him around any more.

As if reading his mind, Milo glanced up. "I don't know if the others will take kindly to a replacement."

"No such thing as a replacement for a brother like you, Mi," Stonewall replied immediately. "Never."

Milo smiled and ducked his head as he examined the crate with care. "I think this is the one."

The droids came again several hours after Zara woke up in the cell next to the clone boys. They'd been playing a game to pass the time, something the others had apparently made up that she didn't really understand the point of, but was a welcome distraction from their predicament; she got the sense that they had not allowed themselves to relax or have even a little bit of hope in a long time.

"I spy something...black." There was a grin in No-Name's voice and Zara couldn't help but roll her eyes.

The others seemed to share her sentiment despite the fact that they couldn't see her. "Come on," Risky muttered. "That's all we can see."

"Or can't see," Keo and Finn said simultaneously. All the boys chuckled; that was when they heard the sound of approaching droids. Zara could feel their anxiety in the Force, almost as palatable as the abrupt scent of their fear.

"Kriffing droids." It was Risky. The metallic footsteps were drawing closer.

No-Name hushed them. "Commander Zara...can you tell if the Kaminoan's there as well?" There was an urgency to his voice that she had not heard before.

Zara concentrated. It was difficult, as she was still a little bleary from the blood loss, but her senses were attuned better than a Human's; she could almost taste salty air as well as the sickly-sweet scent of anesthetic. And she had an ally in the Force. It is him. It's that Kaminoan. She shivered. "Yes."

The boys were silent.

Deep within her chest, Zara's heart felt like it was trying to shatter its way out of the cage of her ribs. "Why? What does that mean?"

No-Name answered her, his voice very quiet and deliberate. "It means he's coming for one of us, Commander. It's what happened when he took Levy." She could feel his agitation, laced with fatigue and hunger, as if it had suddenly bubbled to the surface after he'd tried to keep it tamped down.

"Not me," Risky muttered. "They'll have to kill me first."

"I'm sure that can be arranged," Keo whispered in a shaking voice. Finn said nothing.

Zara winced at the fear that was rolling off of them. I wish I could do something to help. She could feel the faintest vibration in the floor as the Kaminoan and the droids approached. An image of her Master appeared in her mind, and she was struck with a terrible urge to see her again. Master Tallis...please help me...please...I need you, Master.

The footsteps paused outside the clones' door and she could hear the quiet beep of the locking panel. From the slits between the rooms, she could make out the shaft of light that pierced through the room as the door opened, throwing the boys into relief. Zara tried to memorize their faces even as the droids entered the room. Four boys – seeming about her age, which meant that they were six or seven standard years old – sat with their hands bound, wearing filthy uniforms, identical except for hair of various, shaggy lengths. They stared with wide eyes at the slender figure in the doorway.

The droids moved to the nearest one, a boy who looked up at them without fear even as he was lifted and carried from the room. The door slammed shut, casting them all in darkness once more. Zara tried to speak over the frenetic thudding of her heart. "Who?"

It was No-Name.

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, "favorited," or added this story to your alert list! You guys rock!

Shameless plug: be sure to check out my new one-shot, Happy Life-Day, Baby!