Forty Six

"Judd, Syd and Docks, you're with me and the Commander. Suit up, grab your kits and meet in Hanger Bay Five in fifteen." Rex had walked into the quarters and spoke quickly before he turned on his heel and left.

The three men looked at one another and jumped into action. They packed away their gear before they left for their new RV point to await further orders.

This was it.

They had been assigned to the 501st for the past standard month, but unlike the regulars, had managed to miss out on the more 'troublesome' hops.

Syd and Docks stepped out in front, jostling one another to get to the Hanger Bay first.

Judd was happy to follow from behind.

He was nervous, and wanted more than anything to prove to his Captain that he deserved to wear the infamous blue.

They were greeted by a soldier standing at parade rest.

He recognised the stripes on his armour.

He had met Hardcase in the rec room and in the gym but the new recruits had little to do with the regulars; they kept mainly to themselves.

Sure, they would fight alongside one another as one, but when it came to their downtime, the groups became smaller; more personal.

"Welcome aboard ladies," they all smiled into their buckets when they heard the humour in his voice.

#

Rex dodged other troopers down the barracks corridor and opened the door to his office.

He had run out of time.

Opening the hologram he began to dictate a message, to her, and hoped she would consider what he was about to ask.

Rex looked at the black electronic projector and tossed it in his hand smiling. "Finn," he ordered and a trooper was immediately at his side.

He then passed the tiny holopad to his personal aide with strict instructions for its delivery.

#

She headed into the meeting that had been scheduled for every second third day. Gem quietly waited for the others to enter, sitting patiently at the large table for the young doctor to arrive and finally get some time to chat about her ideas involving their research project.

Gem had read up on various medical articles that reviewed the benefits of both therapeutic and reproductive cloning, of which stem cells played a vital role.

Her thoughts then drifted to the conversation she had with Olphina, who eventually had revealed that she too, was involved with a clone.

Gem wasn't at all surprised to hear that Commander Fox had chosen the beautiful older blonde woman from Oriis. Olphina was a true Diplomat in more ways than one, and her frank discussion with the more senior Senate member had forged a new friendship.

One that now went way beyond political interests.

She could still see the horror on Olphina's face when she explained the aging process of the men followed by her interest when she had divulged her and Dr Boll's wild experiment into slowing or stopping the process altogether.

All she could think of was what she could do to aid in the research, and she hoped it lay embedded, deep within her uterus.

#

"Hello Gem, good to see you again," Sionver said as she said down next to the young Representative at the table.

"You too, Sionver, you too," Gem replied.

The two had become firm friends, and they sat out the meeting, no one any the wiser that they had had already begun the laborious task of deciphering the genetic manipulation by the Kaminoans.

They left together; heading back to Gem's quarters, all the while talking and laughing like two young women sharing wardrobe secrets.

Gem punched in the sequence and entered.

Reed was sitting at the dining table, and lifted a mug of caf up to greet them.

'When did you get in?" Gem asked quickly placing a kiss on his forehead.

"An hour ago. Apparently I have a 'run' to do in the Oriian sector?" he smiled the perfect smile.

He always did know how to make her feel better.

"How's Carriss? Did she come along this trip?"

"Good and no, busy with work. Sends her regards, Dr Boll," he said extending his hand to the Bivallian and raising an eyebrow, "been busy I see?"

Both Gem and Sionver had told Reed about their plan. They needed a pilot to deliver equipment surreptitiously to the Oriian facility.

They had to also to give him the opportunity to opt out if he wanted.

Reed however had been given a second chance on life thanks to Gemma and would not think of denying another brother the same opportunity.

They were a team.

They sat at her dining table.

"Ok, an update. Senator Carr knows of our plan."

There was no point coming in soft.

She watched the other two open their mouths in protest; they had made a pact not to tell another living soul about this project. Gem raised a hand, "before you say anything, I know. It's just things have changed a little and I needed to inform her. She is a good ally to have." Sionver sat back quietly and allowed her friend to continue.

"There is also something else. Sionver, I am," she swallowed hard, this admission harder than telling the Senator. She straightened and said, "I'm pregnant." The two continued to sit at the table, both expressionless. " Well, that's not the response I was hoping for."

"Gem," Sionver said cautiously, "what have you done?"

Gem slumped slightly.

"I thought if I got pregnant you could use the genetic information and compare it against that of the soldiers. See which genes are the same, try and map the genetic codes in some way. I have also been reading up on the use of stem cell research and the advantages of - "

"Gem, wait. Stop!" Sionver had stood up and was walking around the table.

"Have you thought through the ramifications of donating this embryo to research. What does Rex think about this?"

Gem had been caught out again.

Reed was still sitting with the same goofy expression, not understanding all the 'lab chat,' as he called it.

He merely continued listening to the two woman, happy not to be involved any further than donating blood and moving equipment.

"Gem , I don't need the cord blood or the stem cells. I have plenty of Reed's. They are all clones, so it is all the same. The baby has half your genetic material also."

"I know, that's exactly it," Gem interrupted, "maybe we could locate the gene for aging in me and use it some way to - " She stopped, looking at the doctors kind eyes staring back at her.

Gem was desperate but she knew she had hit a wall.

Then it dawned on her.

"It won't help will it?" Gem was suddenly overcome by extreme exhaustion.

The long day coupled with the episode outside the club the night before was beginning to take its toll.

"Gem," Sionver said quietly, "the only person that could help in unravelling this puzzle would be the scientists involved or Jango Fett himself. Barring either of them, it's just a matter of working through the slow process of methodically screening the soldier's DNA."

Gem stood up suddenly, the rush of adrenaline made her sway and grab the table for support. Reed noticed this and stood also.

"It's just not quick enough!" She yelled at the doctor.

"I know Gem," again quietly, "but it's the best we can do given the current circumstances. How far along are you?"

"Nine weeks."

"I know this is a difficult question, but do you plan on continuing on with the pregnancy given that the tissue offers us no tangible benefit?"

Reed turned around to face the doctor.

"Of course she does!" He couldn't believe anyone would ask such a thing, then turned to his friend, "you do, don't you?"

It was a question Gem hadn't thought through.

She was a scientist first and foremost. Continuing the gestation to full term hadn't even crossed her mind.

"Fek," she muttered under her breath, "what have I done?"

#

Reed and Sionver left the Senate building, the soldier a little overwhelmed by the turn of events.

"So you want me to continue with this week's drop?"

"Absolutely, this changes nothing Lieutenant."

She knew Gem had many decisions to make, one in particular. He on the other hand was more happy than either of them at the news of the pregnancy and obviously distressed at the lengthy discussion of the alternatives Gem had to work through – alone and without the Captain.

She hadn't thought through the logistics of being pregnant, and even though the Lieutenant was sure that Rex would welcome the news, she couldn't put aside the simple fact that she had orchestrated the life for an entirely different purpose.

None the less, it was there now.

Gem changed and sat eating a small dinner when the apartment buzzer rang loud. She opened the door and was startled to see a soldier she didn't know standing at attention.

Her heart sank.

Has something happened to Rex? No!

"Ma'am, sorry for the interruption at this late hour," he could see that she seemed genuinely alarmed at his presence.

"CT-20-5240, Ma'am. I am the Quarter Master for the 501st and Captain Rex's personal aide."

"Oh, please come in, er CT dash - ?" She questioned.

"Corporal Finn Ma'am," he continued seeing her struggle with the numbers.

"How can I be of assistance Corporal?"

"Ma'am," he removed a small circular devise from his utility belt, "I have strict instructions from the Captain to hand this to you in person."

Gem took the holopad from the soldier and looked at him blankly.

"Ma'am, if I may?" he moved forward and turned the devise in her hand. "It activates here, with this button on the side. It's a personal message from the Captain."

"Oh," again.

"Ma'am,' he stood back at attention, "I am to await a reply."

"The Captain is where exactly?"

"Kashyyyk, Ma'am."

Gem walked into her kitchen and opened up the holovid and listened to what the Captain had to say. He was blue and fuzzy and how she wished it was him in the next room instead of his aide.

She listened to the words and did precisely as he asked.

"Here you go Corporal, thank you." He stood straight as she placed the black disc into his gloved hand.

"Ma'am," he said as he turned and left.

#

Rex was on board the Resolute enroute to the leafy world of Wookiees when his wrist com beeped. He took a moment to look at the sender. "It's Coruscant, I have to take this," he said officially and excused himself from the Mess Hall.

His heart raced as he rounded the corner to his personal quarters when he bumped into Commander Tano. He stopped abruptly and stood to attention.

"Commander."

"Rex. There you are. I was just heading to the Mess, care to join me?"

She was friendly, aware of the new line now drawn between the two of them.

"Thank you Commander, but I have some work that I need to finish before we hit orbit."

He nodded and continued down the corridor.

"Sure you do," she whispered and headed in the opposite direction.

He opened his door and sat down on his bunk.

Rex steeled himself and took in a couple of deep breaths before he opened the holovid message sent from his Aide back on Coruscant.

She sprang to life in front of him.

It caught him unaware, that feeling in the pit of his stomach as he waited for her to talk.

But she didn't.

She just nodded her head, and smiled.

#