A/N-Hey, just want to say I'm so happy to have a review!
Also the inspiration for this story comes from 'The Baby Batch' by Courtesy Trefflin A cute little one shot that I just couldn't get my enough of.
So little shout out to them.
Chapter 2 -9902
It was only a few weeks after naming 9901 'Hunter' and discovering his talents when things changed for both of them.
Nala Se came in one morning wail Omega was playing with Hunter on the floor. Behind Kaminoan a new egg shaped cradle floated in behind her.
Looking up at Nala Se, Omega looked to the cradle behind her, it wasn't unusual for the Kaminoan to come and check on Hunter's progress and she seemed pleased, but she never bought anything with her before, other than AZ.
The droid still hovered as far from Hunter as possible but he no longer cried every moment that the droid came near to change him, well at least he didn't cry more.
"Omega, come and tend to 9902." The Kaminoan said by way of introduction.
Blinking she pushed herself up floor, leavening Hunter to play with the colorful ball 99 had found for him, and hurried over to meet 9902. She was excited to look in on the new baby brother. When she looked down into the cot her eyes nearly popped out of his head, He was so BIG.
"Oh Wow!" She said and 9902 smiled up at her and giggled. "He's so big!"
"Yes Omega, 9902 is larger than 9901 by 5.2% at the time 9901 was removed from his tank." Nala Se told the girl. "He increased in size during the last phase of his growth cycle. He is also 2.6% larger than a standard clone. We will have to monitor his growth to see if this trend continues into maturity."
Omega reached down into the cot and gave him her finger. 9902 grabbed a hold of it and stuck it in his mouth to suck on right away.
Giggling Omega looked up at Nala Se, "I think he's hungry."
"Nonsense," She said, "He only just came out of his tank."
"Well, maybe he would like to meet his brother." Omega said and reached into the cot to pick 9902 up, she was amazed at how heavy he was already.
Lifting the new baby up out of the cot and into her arms Omega was glad she had cut her hair because he grabbed onto the shoulders of her shirt and pulled himself up against her.
"He's really strong too," Omega said as she noticed the difference between the two babies. She carried him over to the play mat and lay him down beside Hunter who stopped what he was doing and looked at the bigger newborn.
9902, was laying on his back staring up at Hunter as only a newborn could do. Hunter looked confused before reaching out with his little hand only to have 9902 grab his fist and stuff it in his mouth to suck on.
Omega giggled and beside her Nala Se sighed, "Maybe he should be fed." She finally said and motioned to AZ.
The droid ever obedient moved forwards but stopped when Hunter looked at him as he got too close. His little face scrunched up and he let out a wail.
9902, who was still sucking on Hunters little fist, just looked around with wide eyes in confusion before opening his mouth too and began to cry louder then Hunter.
Nala Se's eyes dark eyes looked between the two and then to Omega.
"AZ, get back." Omega hurried over to Hunter and picked him up. She tried to shush him as she patted his back.
"Interesting," Nala Se said as she watched as AZ left to his corner and Hunter quieted in Omega's arms. As soon as Hunter stopped crying, 9902 also quieted down.
"Hunter doesn't like AZ." Omega explained.
Nala Se cocked her head to the side, "Have you come up with a hypothec as to why that is?"
Omega wasn't sure what the big word meaning so she scrunched up her little face and thought.
"He doesn't like lightning storms either and he always knows were a Com-link is hidden." She said to Nala Se and set Hunter back down next to 9902 who was now waving his arms and legs in the air as if trying to figure out what they were used for.
Nala Se seemed pleased with the news and she left shortly after leavening Omega and Hunter alone with 9902. The brothers seemed to be happy together and Omega was glad for that. She had been a little worried that Hunter wouldn't like his new brother.
Omega watched as 9902 grabbed at everything that came his way, mostly his brother but he also grabbed at his tiny feet and tried to suck on his own toes. Omega giggled and tried to give 9902 the ball that Hunter had been interested in earlier. The little clone tried to mouth it but all he managed to do was drool on it before it slipped from his hands and bounced away.
9902 began to cry and squirm as if trying to go after it but didn't know how to get his body to do what he wanted.
Beside him Hunter was sucking a thumb as he stared down at 9902.
Omega bit her lip and knew she had to stop 9902 form crying, but unlike Hunter she didn't know how this new clone would react. Reaching down she picked him up, he was heavy, and set the boy in her lap since it was an effort to hold him up.
9902 still whimpered so she grabbed a stuffed toy and held it infant of his face. "Here we go, there's no reason to cry." She looked to Hunter, "Isn't that right Hunter?" She asked the older but smaller clone.
Hunter was still sucking on his thumb before crawling over to her and 9902 and leaning against his brother.
It made Omega smile seeing how Hunter liked his brother; She had been worried that Hunter didn't like anyone but her and 99. They were, other than Nala Se, the only people he had met (as far as she knew) …and AZ who he couldn't stand.
"Omega, it is time for feeding." AZ said as if knowing she was thinking of him.
"Right, this little guy is hungry." She tickled 9902's cheeks, he gave her a gum filled smile and she grinned back at him.
She wanted to concentrate on 9902's first feeding but Hunter did not like AZ and would not tolerate a feeding form him. Omega bit her lip wishing she had a second set of hands to help her right then. But it was just herself and AZ.
"Sorry Hunter," She told the baby knowing that he probably didn't understand her words right then. "I promise I'll feed you right after I'm done with your brother, okay?"
Hunter just stared at her before sticking his thumb in his mouth to suck. Well whatever that meant, Omega was glad he wasn't crying as she quickly got the bottle of milk for 9902.
Because of his size, Omega set the big baby in her lap and held the bottle for him. She was amazed when his little hands grabbed at the bottle and began slurping happily; He even put his feet up to help support the bottle. By the end Omega was only holding the bottle at the proper angle while the new baby devoured his meal.
She kept glancing up at Hunter to make sure he was okay and tried not to smile as he had given up on sucking his thumb and was now playing with the blocks, stacking them up oh so carefully before looking at her and clapping his hands together.
In her lap 9902 finished his bottle in record time and Omega made sure to burp him before she set him down, hoping he would just go to sleep after his meal as Hunter usually did. She quickly got the next bottle off of AZ and turned back as she heard a crash of blocks tumbling.
9902 let out a gleeful squeal as he knocked over the blocks that Hunter had stacked up. She almost winced, thinking that Hunter would start crying because of the destruction, but he just clapped his little hands together. His brother just put his head down and crawled forwards as if he was a demolition droid.
Omega giggled as he scattered all the blocks, he wasn't all that steady, and it was amazing that he was so strong even being just out of his tank. She took the bottle over to Hunter and sat down next him.
"What's he doing, Hunter?" She asked as 9902 was just having too much fun. "Is he wrecking all your hard work?" She pulled Hunter into his lap and gave him bottle and he seemed to give no more thought to the destruction his little brother was involved in.
She loved to see the joy on 9902's face. Omega looked down at Hunter, "He's just a big old wrecking ball, isn't he?" She giggled and cocked her head to the side. "Wrecker…" She looked to the large baby who was now in the middle of the carnage of toys.
"I think your brother's name is Wrecker." She told Hunter as he happily sucked on his bottle.
Omega might be young and small but she loved this job, she loved her brothers, even if they could be loud and smelly at times. She looked around the small room and wondered if it was big enough for Wrecker's energies.
She giggled as he looked at Wrecker, the big baby looked back at her and giggled happily in response.
Omega wasn't so happy a few days later, she was tired and cranky. Neither Hunter nor Wrecker was any happier then she was at the moment. Wrecker had so much energy; it was all Omega could do to keep up with him.
Hunter was crabby in a different way; He would sit and stare at the door for no reason that Omega could figure out. He didn't like to be moved from his spot either.
Wondering what he could be so interested in, Omega would open the door and look out, making sure to keep Hunter in her arms at the time, only to see nothing out of the ordinary. She saw Clones, younger and older walking the halls or strangers in even stranger clothing accompanied by the Kaminoans or droids.
She couldn't ever figure out what it was that set him off. But she didn't have the energy to focus on that, she rubbed at her eyes again. Hunter was seated at his post in front of the door, again.
Wrecker was tearing through everything, He was crawling at high speeds and nothing stopped him. Well, almost nothing. Food stopped him but then he would just have more energy for after.
She was rubbing her eyes sleepily and trying not to be cranky. Babies got to be cranky but that was because they didn't know how to communicate. She wasn't a baby anymore, she was older then some of those big grown up clones. Omega knew she was different, they all grew up so fast while she felt like she was cursed to be small and helpless forever.
Omega wanted so much to be treated like the big clones that were her age. The job of looking after her brothers was important to her, she pushed herself to look after them no matter how tried she got or now cranky or impossible the task might seem.
The blonde girl was so tried out from her big responsibilities that she didn't even notice the door open and old Clone 99 came inside.
He looked down at Hunter and smiled. The little clone baby lifted up his hands as if asking to be picked up.
"99?" Omega blinked her eyes, her hands full of toys that she had picked up after Wrecker had scattered them.
99 reached down and picked Hunter up into his arms as he limped into the room, "Omega." He said to her, "You look so tried."
"I-I'm okay." She said and bent down to pick up another toy only to drop several more.
"Oh little sister…" 99 said shaking his head. "You need to take care of yourself if you're going to take care of your brothers." He looked down at Wrecker, "You can always ask for help."
Omega rubbed at her eyes again and sniffed. "I-I'm just trying to do a good job." She might have a big grown up task but she was still a child.
"You are, sister, you are." He said and patted her shoulder. "Old 99 will help out."
"Really?" She sniffed and rubbed her eyes again.
He offered her a smile and Omega couldn't help but sniff back big tears, she was so tried, she didn't want to be but it was so hard…
"We clones got to take care of each other." 99 told her with a kind smile. "Come on, to bed with you, and I will watch them while you sleep."
Omega nodded her head, "Thank you." She said softly and wiped her eyes again.
99 helped tuck Omega into bed before putting the two baby clones in their own cots and gently rocking the egg-shaped beds back and forth until they also drifted off into dream land.
Omega was much better days later when Nala Se came to see her, 99 had made sure to check in on her at least once a day to let Omega have some much needed time to herself. Even if most of the time it was just to get clean, take a nap or take a short walk.
The Kaminoan seemed pleased today but it was always hard to tell with their faces in a permanent frown. Nala Se cast her large dark eyes on the two baby clones, Wrecker in a pile of block toys Hunter had stacked up only to have the bigger clone knock them down. It almost seemed to be a game with them.
"Good morning Nala Se." Omega said brightly, She had gotten a good night's sleep last night, neither baby had fussed too much in their feeding and they seemed content to play together.
Nala Se looked at Omega and nodded her small head, "Omega." She said, "I will be testing 9901's abilities today." She told him.
"Oh!" Omega blinked. "Okay…"
"Have the droid bring him…" She gestured to AZ but as soon as the droid moved to Hunter the baby let out a shriek of protest.
Even Nala Se flinched at the sound.
"I could carry him," Omega said.
"And what of your other charge?" Nala Se wasn't mad, she was testing Omega and even though Omega didn't realize that, the young clone tried to solve this problem too.
She looked to Wrecker who was although the younger of the two, he was much more destructive. While Hunter was adventurous, He wanted to be out doing things, he had tried so many times to get out the door when it was open.
"He can come, too." She said with a grin.
"And how will you carry both of them," Nala Se asked.
"Um…" Omega didn't have an idea for that and the Kaminoan sighed softly and went to the storage cupboard to pull out what appeared to be a baby harness.
Omegas eyes brightened and she hurried over to get it on her back and secure it in place. They tried to put Wrecker into the harness first but he was almost too big for it and he squirmed and tried to pull at Omegas short hair.
In the end Hunter was in the harness looking around wide eyed and calm while Wrecker was in Omega's arms …at least for a short time. He wanted down the moment they were out the door and even though he was unstable on his feet he was determined to go.
Nala Se led the way down the hallway with Omega and the baby clones in tow. They drew stares from the passing clone brothers, particularly when Wrecker would demand to be let down so he could try to charge ahead with a burst of energy.
The trio was falling behind Nala Se when Wrecker suddenly charged forward again and ran right into the legs of a set of Cadets.
Omega winched slightly as the cadet actually stumbled and fell over backwards, the rest of the squad stared down at the little baby clone in shock, as he then crawled on top of the cadet and sat on his chest.
The Cadets, decked out in green and gray with their dark hair cropped short, looked to be older then Omega, young teens but Omega knew they were probably her age. Growing up with no children her own age, Omega was very mature for her young age. Like the clones, her mind had aged, if not her body.
Omega hurried over to them, "I'm so sorry!" Omega almost panicked. "He's just excited to be out."
One of the cadets, there were five of them in the squad, burst out laughing.
"Here that Droidbait?" The clone cadet said, "He's just excited to see you!" He laughed again as 'Droidbait' shot the other cadet a dirty look; Omega got the feeling he was a real Cutup…
"Shut up 4040," He huffed, "And Stop calling me Droidbait!"
"Ah! Don't worry Droidbait, at least it wasn't a klanker this time." One of the others cadets said with a grin.
"5555, I'm not Droidbait, its 2010."
"Yeah we know, Droidbait." The seconded one said with a chuckle. "And the names Fives." He looked to Omega and grinned, "He's Droidbait cuz he…well, the droids just love him."
"Shut up." Droidbait blushed darkly as he tried to sit up but Wrecker seemed to think Droidbait needed to stay down and he flopped down onto of the older clone. The air rushed out of him and he looked at the baby in shock.
Omega winched at the look on his face.
Fives just chuckled and looked at her, noting that she wasn't in a cadet uniform like others her age or size. "You're not a cadet?" He asked.
"Ah, no I'm Nala Se's….assistant." She said looking up at them. Nala Se hadn't called her that but what else could she say.
"I didn't know Clones were trained for that." One of the cadets said, he had a data pad in hand. "I don't see anything in the regulations…"
"Corse not Echo." Fives elbowed him, "The regulations are for book worms like you."
"Stop calling me Echo." Echo glared at him. "Its 1409…"
"Sure thing, Echo." Fives grinned and looked down at Omega, "You're on Babysitting duty?"
Omega smiled, "You could say that," She said. "Nala Se wants to test H…9901 here." She said indicating Hunter on her back.
The others raised their eyebrows at her but it didn't get uncomfortable because right then Wrecker started sticking his chubby hands all over Droidbaits face.
"Guys come on, a little help here." Droidbait tried to push the strong baby off of him but Wrecker was having too much fun making Droidbait squirm.
Omega moved to pick Wrecker up off of him when the last of the Squad who had been standing off to the side with his arms folded looking a cross between amused and annoyed stepped forwards and plucked the baby off of Droidbait.
He was actual shocked at how heavy Wrecker was. He also wasn't prepared for when Wrecker stuck his grubby hands all over his face, grabbing his nose.
This just made 4040 laugh even harder, the other cadets chuckled, even Droidbait who had pushed himself up off the ground.
"He's really … strong." The cadet said, his voice destroyed with his nose in Wreckers hand. Wrecker opened his mouth in a happy toothless smile.
"That's 782," Fives said jerking his thumb at the clone holding Wrecker, "We call him Heavy, cuss he brings us down." He whispered that last bit with a grin.
Omega grinned, "Omega," She said, "That's 9902, or I like to call him Wrecker."
"I can see why…" Heavy said as he detached Wrecker's hand form his face.
Fives cocked his head to the side, "You said the longnecks were testing them?" He asked interested.
"Hunter," Omega said. "You can come watch it you like…." She stopped just as the words came out of her mouth because she didn't know if Nala Se would allow it. "I mean …if it's okay with Nala Se."
"What's so special about that one?" Droidbait asked as he dusted himself off.
Omega opened her mouth then closed it and grinned. "You should come and see." She was very proud of Hunter and his abilities to find electronic things.
Fives looked game, Echo seemed to be lost in his data pad, and wail Droidbait cocked his head to the side uncertain, 4040 grinned and 782 looking put upon with Wrecker still in his arms.
"I'm Game," Fives said.
"You might regret that when they become our replacements." 4040 laughed.
"They're babies," Droidbait said, "What can they even do?"
"Took you down," 4040 grinned.
"We don't have time…right?" Heavy asked still holding Wrecker, this time at arms length as the baby tried to grab at his ears.
Echo looked up from his data pad, "We have time." He said, he might not have seemed interested but he grinned just a little, "I kind of want to see what this guy can do." He looked at Hunter for a moment and found the baby staring back at him…or staring at the data pad in his hand.
Omega smiled and looked up to see Nala Se waiting at the end of the corridor, she winced just a little. "We best hurry." She said and reached for Wrecker but the bigger clone just tucked him under his arm like a football.
"Lead the way." He said clearly thinking Omegas small arms couldn't handle the big baby that had taken down Droidbait. Little did he know is that Wrecker always liked being in Omega's arms, he would fall asleep there and it had taken time but her arms were stronger then they looked.
But she was glad Wrecker seemed to enjoy the fact that he was weaseling with a bigger clone brother. She hurried down to the hallway to Nala Se who gave her that look. Disapproving and wanting an explanation.
Omega shifted her feet, "Sorry Nala Se." She bowed her head a little, "Wre-9902," She corrected quickly, "Got away from me."
"I see." The kaminoan looked at the squad for a moment, "You are Domino squad…"
"Yes ma'am." The squad of teenage looking cadets jumped to attention. They all looked a little nervous but also pleased that someone as important as the head scientist knew of them. Well all except 782, 'Heavy' to his brothers, since Wrecker was now trying to fit the cadet's hand in his toothless mouth.
Kaminoan were an odd people, even to the clones they had created. It was hard to tell what was going through their analytical minds and until they spoke, it could go either way.
"I…I invited them to watch Hun-9901's tests, to make up for 9902" She winced a little. "Wrecker kind of…bulldozed into them." She shifted a little uncomfortably knowing it wasn't really her place to extend an invitation.
Nala Se looked to the Domino squad and raised a brow. "I have invited the Jedi master Shaak Ti to watch the tests." She told Omega, "Along with other scientists…" there was a frown in her voice but she looked to Domino squad and cocked her head to the side. "They might...prove useful."
Domino Squad looked at each other suddenly a little worried.
But none of them were backing down because well… they already had a reputation and they would do anything to prove themselves even if it wasn't in combat.
Omega looked back at the squad and grinned a little sheepishly.
Echo stood next to Fives and his other batch brothers looking out over the training room. It was a big room but a much smaller portion of it had been sectioned off and a sort of maze had been set up. Omega, the young clone in charge of the baby clones seemed to know what they were doing as they sent Hunter down on the starting mat alongside Wrecker who almost immediately tried to knock over a part of the maze.
Nala Se gave Omega instructions before moving to the viewing platform with the other scientists and Jedi.
The five Cadets were standing behind Omega and the baby clones while they waited for their instructions. The old clone 99 came into the training room with a small box in hand, he was slow but determined. When he reached them he offered a kind, lopsided smile before handing them each a communications rod.
"What are we supposed to do?" Droidbait asked staring down at the rod in his hand.
Omega turned to them and looked over their shoulder, "You have to hide the com-links somewhere in the maze." The smile on her face was bright. "You have to make it good."
The five Dominos looked at each other then Droidbait shrugged, "Okay," He said even though he had doubts in his mind.
Echo didn't say anything but he agreed with Droidbait, what was this supposed to prove? He looked to Fives and gave him a grin and they disappeared into the maze to hide the com-link. It was not huge, as tall as their shoulders but with different levels platforms. He figured if a baby was looking at it, the maze would be huge. There were cubby holes and floating shelves that moved side to side or up and down. Everything was that stark white gray that was almost hard on the eyes.
Echo and the rest of his squad brothers hid their com-links in the maze before returning to stand by Omega. She had her own data pad that she handed to them. There was an overview of the maze they had just gone through.
They were just waiting for tests to start.
Besides him 4040 leaned over to Echo, "Are they gonna do some baby racing?" He asked.
On the other side of 4040 their brother Droidbait elbowed him as a voice came over the speakers.
"Begin!" The voice rang out and Omega set Hunter down and stepped back and picked up Wrecker who seemed willing to fallow his brother anywhere.
Domino squad looked at the data-pad and watched as 9901 crawled his way thru the maze. It wasn't exactly a maze, or at least it wasn't a hard one, but there were obstacles and barriers that needed to be worked out.
Echo's eyebrows shot up into his hairline as he watched the baby clone crawl along in his jumper and stop at the first crossroads before turning right and heading straight for the spot Echo had hidden the com-link.
"There's no way…" Echo muttered, but watched as the fresh out of the tank baby crawled to the moving platform and pulled himself to his feet and reaching for the moving target.
His little body however was too short to reach and his motions too wobbly and he fell down onto his rump. Echo winched as he saw that little face scrunch up in frustration before wailing.
Omega had been with them watching the screen and the blonde clones mind was not on Wrecker who had been content sucking on his fist. He perked up at his brothers cries and made his way into the maze too.
Omega winched, "He's frustrated."
The Domino squad could have guessed that, but Echo watched as in the corner of the screen that was focused on Hunter, Wrecker came into view. They watched in amazement as Wrecker crawled over to Hunter and flopped down beside him, the smaller clone looked to his brother before climbing onto Wreckers back. He reached up and this time he was able to find his prize.
"A couple of clones just out of the tank, work together better than we do." Droidbait couldn't help but lament.
"How the hell did he find that com-link?" Fives asked.
"What is he like…a Jedi?" 4040 asked his voice low.
The five in Domino squad looked at Omega, who just shrugged.
"I don't know how he does it," Omega offered, "But he hates thunderstorms and he can't stand the nanny droid…"
"Is that why you're looking after them?" Fives asked.
"I guess." Omega shrugged again.
"Huh, never thought the long necks would ever make a Nanny Clone." 4040 grinned then looked at Omega, "No offense, brother." He said holding up his hand.
Omega opened her mouth to correct his error on her gender when Nala Se's voice came over the comes.
"Omega, please gather 9902…before he destroys the tests."
Omega winched and hurried to go and collected Wrecker.
Fives grinned shaking his head. "Think we're looking at our replacements' boys."
"Don't even joke about that," Heavy huffed.
"Don't worry' Brothers," 99 said as he was standing off to the side but listening just the same. "They are only two brothers with desirable mutations…" He sighed, "The Kaminoans have not been able to duplicate the specific anomalies."
"So… They're one of a kind?" Echo asked.
99 nodded his head and sighed softly, "I hope the Kaminoans are able to make use of their talents." He says, "so many brothers who developed mutations are …" He fell silent then, "Decommissioned."
It was in that moment that Domino squad realized just how lucky They were compared to the two new clones. There might be pressure on them to be a good soldier but at least they knew deep down that they were made with a purpose.
The two baby clones didn't have that, they might work there whole short lives only to be told they had no use to the Kaminoans.
Omega came back a short time later with little Wrecker in there arms looking a little frazzled since Wrecker did not want to stay put. He squirmed demanding to be put down and eventually Omega had to set him down because otherwise she would drop the baby.
"H-How's he doing?" Omega asked and Fives held out the data pad.
Hunter was on the move again, the others had hid the communication rods more or less closer to the ground, but behind walls or just out of sight under a box or tucked behind a cube.
"He's found two." Fives said, still amazed.
Just as Hunter started to crawl down one of the narrow hallways he suddenly stopped, everyone watched confused but it soon became evident when one of the panels that made up the wall of the maze fell over.
Omega gasped; if Hunter had keep going on as he had been he would have gotten hurt. Her head wiped around to stare at the maze. The first thing she noticed was that Wrecker was gone, Again.
She winced knowing she was in trouble.
"I don't believe it…" Behind her one of the Domino squad said.
Omega blinked and looked back at the screen they were holding between them. It was clear the moment she set eyes on the screen and saw Wrecker standing in the now open hole in the maze.
"Did he just…"
"It must be flimsy."
"Yeah…yeah…"
Omega winched again and new she had to go and get Wrecker. Hurrying away from the squad she decided to take Wreckers path and found the opening he had made for himself. When she got to him he seemed quite pleased with himself. He sat on the fallen panel grinning his big toothless grin. He was clearly proud of himself, Omega couldn't help but smile although it was a laced with worry.
She hurried to go pick him up but as if he knew she was going to get him Wrecker turned on his little bottom and began crawling away, At speed.
"Oh no you don't," She said and stretched her short legs to catch up with the baby. Wrecker let out a shriek in protest as she picked him up.
Wincing Omega tried to calm him down but he wasn't having it.
As she was distracted with Wrecker she didn't realize that Hunter had stopped his quest and was heading back for Wrecker. It wasn't until she felt his little hands grab a hold of her legs did she realize he had come back.
Omega didn't know what to do, standing there with one baby in her arms and the other with his little arms around her leg holding her in place. She didn't know if she was thankful or not when Nala Se's voice came over the speakers.
"The Test is ended." The Kaminaon's voice sounded pinched and frustrated.
Omega ducked her head and her cheeks burned, She would have slunk away but she was stuck with Hunter attached to her leg. Thankfully the Domino squad came to her rescue. They seemed leery of Wrecker who was still protesting at the top of his lungs, but one of them, Fives she thought, reached down and plucked Hunter form her legs allowing her to move.
Wrecker still struggled in her arms and Omega couldn't help but feel thankful when the one they called Hevy got fed up and plucked the baby form her arms.
He, Heavy, looked put upon but Wrecker stopped wailing and stared up at the Domino.
Omega was thankful for the help but she still felt her cheeks flush as she fallowed them out of the training room. As they walked she felt a hand on her shoulder and she looked up to see Echo, he smiled at her just a little, It wasn't much but it was enough to let her unclench.
"I think you got a harder job then we do." He said softly with kindness.
"Oh?" She asked.
"Yeah, I mean all we have to do is learn how not to die, you have to make sure your brothers don't." He gave her shoulder a squeezed. "You're a good Brother." He told her softly.
Despite the fact that she wasn't a 'brother' Omega felt her chest swell with pride.
Back in the waiting area, Omega looked at the Domino squad and sighed, "You might want to go." She said, "Nala Se didn't sound pleased."
Fives who was holding Hunter frowned. "Are you going to be in trouble?" He asked.
Omega shrugged, "She just lectures me," she said. "I don't want her to think it was your fault."
Echo standing beside his brother looked down at his data pad, "Regulations state that if we leave now we would be in dereliction of duty…"
The rest of the squad just groaned, clearly they had suffered threw Echo's obsession with regulations for a while now.
Omega pressed her lips together to suppress a giggle.
"Despite the Wrecking ball here," 4040 jerked his thumb at thumb at Wrecker, "That little guy was a real Hunter." He chuckled at his own bad joke. Clearly he was the resident 'Cutup' of the group because the rest of the Domino's rolled the eyes.
Omega was envious of them and their brotherhood, but maybe in the future Hunter and Wrecker would share that kind of relationship with her.
"Omega," The voice behind her maid her wince and the boys shift nervously.
Turning she looked at Nala Se, "Yes Nala Se?"
"The Jedi Shraak Ti will see 9901 now…as well as 9902." She turned her small head and focused her dark eyes on Domino Squad. "You cadets are no longer required," The way the long neck said it, she didn't think they were required in the first place but had humored Omega out of some sort of affection.
Not that the Domino Squad understood their creators minds. They were just property after all, solders built to serve in the army.
Domino squad looked at Omega and she smiled sheepishly at them. "Thank you." She whispered as they helped her get Hunter back into the baby carrier and handed her Wrecker who finally seemed to have decided to take a nap.
"No problem brother," Echo said with a smile on his face. "Maybe we will see you again."
"I'm studying to be Nala Se's medical assistant." Omega told them. "If you're ever in the medical wing you might." She hefted Wrecker up and gave them a wave before hurrying to Nala Se.
The Domino Squad stood there for a moment.
"Can't say I'm not glad were training to be solders." Hevy said with a snort.
"You wouldn't have the bed side manner." Fives snorted.
Echo shock his head as Fives slung his arm over his shoulder and they headed to the exit, He couldn't help but look back at the blonde clone the two baby clones. He wondered if he would see them again in the future…
Omega shifted nervously as she stood in front of the Jedi Master, The Togruta was so pretty, with her blue and white striped montrals and lekku that looked like a fancy head dress to Omega. The Torgruta orange and white skin made her look like some kind of painted queen. While her face might appear royal to Omega she wore the plain robes of the Jedi.
The young clone didn't know much about Jedi only that they basically paid for everything so they needed to be respected, even feared. Holding Wrecker tightly in her arms she stared up at the strange woman with her unreadable face.
Nala Se was speaking with her while Shaak Ti was watching Omega and the two babies that the young clone had yet to set down.
Finally the Jedi turned her attention to Nala Se, "I wish to see them unrestrained." Shaak Ti said.
"Of course, Master Jedi," Nala Se said with a bow of the head.
Omega took that as the single to let Wrecker down, it was good because he had started to squirm again. The big baby Clone sat on his butt for a moment looking around before pushing himself up to his little feet, he was never content to stay still when running around was an option.
Pulling the baby carrier off her back Omega got Hunter out and set him down on the ground next to where Wrecker would have been if he had stayed put.
Hunter looked up at her with confused eyes as she stepped back.
Omega offered him an encouraging smile, "It's okay Hunter." She told him. "Nala Se just wants to show you off to this nice lady here." She knew that as a baby Hunter probably didn't even know what she was saying but he always liked it when she talked to him.
Shaak Ti stood back and watched with her dark eyes, Wrecker ran around on unsteady legs before rushing right at the Jedi. She could have easily stepped aside when the baby had charged her but she only sensed play in the baby clone. So she held her ground and was actually a little shocked at the power behind that young clone.
She didn't get pushed over, not like the young cadets form earlier. Shaak Ti cocked her head down at Wrecker as he grabbed a fist full of her brown robes and pulled.
"You wish me to come?" she asked a smile tugging at her lips.
Wrecker suddenly grinned at her with his wide toothless grin. Shaak Ti allowed herself to be pulled forwards to where Hunter sat. Omega stood back nervously as she waited, she didn't know what the woman would do but the soft smile she offered her was encouraging.
"You have been caring for your brothers," Shaak Ti said to Omega.
"Yes ma'am." Omega tried to be respectful but she was still a child so she fidgeted nervously.
Shaak Ti smiled at her and invited her to sit.
Happy to, Omega plunked herself down and that seem to tell Wrecker that he needed to rush over to her and fall into her lap.
Omega' used to the boisterous baby' took in stride.
Hunter' however' sat staring at Shaak Ti with his wide brown eyes. The Jedi stared back at him with an impassive face, assessing him.
"Nala Se has told me some of 9901's, abilities'…" Shaak Ti said softly, "Hunter? Was it? I assume blood tests were done."
"Of course," Nala Se came over and held out a data pad, "As you can see his levels are within reason for any non Jedi."
Shaak Ti nodded looking at the pad before turning back to Hunter. "He might not be a force wielder but he is sensitive in a way the other clones have not shown." She reached out a hand and held it out to Hunter. The baby looked at her confused for a moment.
"He is sensitive to Electromagnetic energies." Nala Se said, "I do not believe he has shown any indication to other…sensitivities."
Hunter who had been staring at Shaak Ti's outstretched hand fascinated, let out a high pitched squeal and fell back starting to cry.
Omega rushed to her brother's side and pulled the crying baby into her lap.
"I do not understand." Nala Se said with a frown.
"I was merely testing his sensitivities." Shaak Ti said. "He is not harmed, merely startled."
"What did you do?" Omega asked as she held Hunter close to her.
Shaak Ti looked at her, "I manipulated the force to pull on the energy around my hand." She did not tell them that she had been looking into the babies mind while doing so. She was intrigued, as she felt the wonder and suddenly fear as the power had given him a sharp pain between his eyes.
He had felt it and not in a passive sense, he actually felt the manipulation of energy as a physical sensation.
"He doesn't like droids very much either." Omega said as she patting Hunter on the back, he had curled up against Omega still whimpering.
The Jedi cocked her head to the side and looked to the service droid standing off to the side. "Droid," She ordered it, "come forwards."
As the droid complied with the order Shaak Ti looked into Hunters mind again and felt a different sensation, Pain again but this time deeper, it wasn't the sound but the small baby pulled his hands up to his ears and began crying again as if trying to block out the sound that was on the inside of his head.
Shaak Ti pressed her lips together as she felt different sparks of sensation fire inside the baby's brain. Unlike the force, which was never painful, this poor child was so sensitive to the world around him it literally gave him pain.
The Jedi suppressed the desire to take this clone off to a safe world without the painful energy fields. It would have to be an undeveloped world, somewhere that didn't use droids.
The Jedi signaled the droid to back off, who compiled. Shaak Ti could sense the pain in the little ones head ease and she nodded her head.
"He is' as you say, sensitive to the droids." She said, "It is possible he can be trained to distinguish between the differences."
"No other clone has exhibited this ability before," Nala Se said sounding proud.
"He would be a skilled tracker," Shaak Ti said with a nod of her head, "The other …Wrecker, is very strong."
"9902, yes, while 9901 was smaller when he was taken from his birthing tank, 9902 was almost too big for it." Nala Se said.
"You must keep an eye on his growth." Shaak Ti said.
"Of course, there are dangers with excessive growth and I hope to mitigate anything that might crop up." The Kaminoan said from a respectful distance.
"We cannot have a squad of just two however…" Shaak Ti said with a sigh, "While their bond is strong, I do not think it would be possible to put them on the same squad, it would be best to put them into different squads."
"You can't separate them." Omega said' shocked.
Shaak Ti looked at her and cocked her head to the side, "And you say this, why?"
"Because, didn't you see how Wrecker helped his Brother?" Omega asked holding Hunter close to her. "He couldn't reach the fist target but Wrecker came and helped."
Shaak Ti cocked her head to the side, "That is true, But I still do not think a squad of two is possible," she sighed softly, "They will have to find a place among the other clones."
"The benefits of having one enhanced clone in a squad will outweigh the detriments." Nala Se said with confidents.
"How can you be positive the mutation will be beneficial?" The Jedi asked, "What if the mutations are a detriment to the clone? What then will you do?"
"Then they will be decommissioned." Nala Se said.
Omegas little hart jumped in her chest.
"I do not think that will be necessary." Shaak Ti said with a frown. "We will find a use for them, as you found a use for 99."
"Of course," Nala Se said bowing her head.
Omega still held Hunter close to her, protective.
TBC
A/N- So, I had to include the young 'Domino Squad' after I read 'Dominoes' by Meridainpony a much longer story then then The Baby Batch but still a very good read.
I did not list this story as a Crossover because they only play a very minor role only for this chapter.