Chapter 18 - Differences

DISCLAIMER: We (unfortunately) do not own Star Wars. :P

Author's Note: In which Omega meets her brothers, Anakin meets the Chancellor, and Sidious schemes... ;)

Many thanks to loldelegate here on ff. net who has been giving us advice and suggestions for this fic! We never could have made so many unique plans without you! :D

~ Amina Gila

"What will happen now?" Omega – the only female clone, to the best of her knowledge – asks, standing opposite her droid, AZI-3.

Nala Se is dead. That knowledge is overwhelming, and the implications aren't sinking in. Growing up in a lab, apart from all her endless brothers, very much isolated her from the outside world, she doesn't know anyone. Even Clone Force 99, her little brothers who were altered genetically in the lab her and AZ are in now, don't remember her. She was going to become Nala Se's lab assistant when she was old enough, but now...

The only world and life she's ever known is gone. It's left her feeling lost and alone, and she doesn't know what to do. It doesn't help how most others don't even know of her existence. "What's going to happen to me?" She's afraid - terrified - that the Kaminoans will decide to decommission her. She knows what that means, and Omega is very scared of dying.

"Do not worry," the droid attempts to assure her. "I spoke with a superior, and seeing as you have not undergone the genetic modifications as the other clones, you have been deemed too genetically different for the training they receive to work with you, so you will be sent to stay with Clone Force 99. They are to assist in your training, and you will become one of them."

"Thank you, AZ!" Omega cries, leaping to her feet, excitement flooding her. Ever since she helped with the modifications to the so-called "Bad Batch" of clones, she had longed to meet them in person, hoping that she would be able to get to know some of her brothers, instead of forever being doomed to the fate of a medical assistant.

She scurries around the room, gathering together her few possessions as she prepares to move from the only quarters she's ever known.

As soon as the Kaminoan, who explained the situation to rest of the Bad Batch, is gone, Omega turns to the other four. She's bursting with excitement, hardly able to believe this moment has finally come. She wanted to find her brothers for so long, and she can't believe she's finally here. They're a couple years younger than her biologically, but they've already been aged to the point that they look a few years older instead. "Hi!" she greets them finally, "I'm Omega."

The four boys seem to be feeling a little awkward, like they aren't sure how to respond. Hunter and Tech are looking at her uncomfortably, and Crosshair is leaning against the wall looking almost bored. Wrecker is the first to finally step forwards, staring down at her curiously.

"What's this?" he blurts finally.

Hunter gives him a look, then turns back to Omega. "What are you doing on Kamino?" he asks finally. "Don't you... have parents?" he finishes awkwardly. Parents?

"I'm a clone like you," she tells them. Maybe it would have been best if the Kaminoan had let her explain the situation herself.

The others exchange glances. "How is that possible?" asks Tech. "All clones are the same gender as their host. That is how genetics works."

"There was a mutation," she explains, "And Nala Se decided that I could help her in her lab. Now that she's dead, I have nowhere else to go. It was either this, or I would be decommissioned." She gives them a smile, wondering how they'll react when she eventually tells them why she's so happy to be here with them.

"So, you have no training at all?" Hunter clarifies.

"No," Omega replies, shaking her head. "I'm not modified either, so I age like normal humans do."

"And the Kaminoans expect us to take a little girl with us when we go on missions?" Crosshair asks dubiously.

"That's why you're supposed to train me," she chirps. "You have plenty of time still, right?"

The four exchange looks. "At least a year or two," Tech tells her.

"We can do this!" Wrecker declares exuberantly.

The others clearly don't share his enthusiasm. Omega doesn't care. She's simply glad to finally get the chance to know her brothers. It's all she's ever wanted, and she's determined to prove to them how quickly she can learn.

**w**

"Why does the Chancellor want to see me?" Anakin squeaks, eyes going wide as he stares at his Padawan sister.

"Calm down," Ahsoka chirps, amusement playing on her lips. "He doesn't bite."

"Oh, I had no idea! Thanks for the reassurance."

"What happened with Ventress has impressed a lot of people, including him," she replies after a moment, "It's nothing you need to be too nervous about."

"Oh," Anakin mumbles awkwardly. The amount of attention that he's been getting because of that incident make him a little uncomfortable at times. He's not really used to it. He never had many friends at the Temple growing up, so he's not used to a lot of attention. Many of his classmates were jealous of how fast he could learn, of how far ahead of them he usually was, and others often tended to keep a distance because they didn't want to get on some class-bully's bad side. So, yes, this attention is making him squirmish and highly uncomfortable.

He only did it because he was trying to help her. It's not like he was trying to be heroic. "Are you sure he has time?" Anakin blurts as the speeder touches down outside the Senate building.

"Positive, or he would've called me to come over," Ahsoka replies. "Just relax. I've known him for years."

She has? That seems a little... weird, but he supposes with how important Master Kenobi is, it's not surprising he would have been around the Senate and the Chancellor a lot. Falling silent, Anakin trails after Ahsoka as they head to the Chancellor's office. He welcomes them inside immediately, a warm, disarming smile on his face.

"I'm glad you were able to make it, Ahsoka," Palpatine greets.

"Of course, Chancellor," Ahsoka replies, nodding, "And I brought Anakin with me." She motions to him.

Palpatine turns his attention to Anakin. "I'm pleased you were able to take the time to come see me, Padawan Skywalker. I know you've been very busy, especially with the war."

"Yes, sir," Anakin murmurs awkwardly.

"So tell me, what is it like for you to fight on the front lines? I heard that it was your plan which enabled the Republic to capture the Malevolence." Palpatine smiles again, this smile wider, filled with something akin to pride.

Despite how flattered he feels, Anakin can't help but squirm inwardly. He isn't used to this. He doesn't know how to handle it either. He's met people before, but now, it's as if he no longer knows how to talk or what to say, for fear of making a fool out of himself, so he settles for a simple nod. That can't be misinterpreted, can it?

"And you were able to convince that ruthless, dangerous assassin to help the Republic!" the Chancellor adds. "I cannot imagine how you were able to do it, but we are in your debt. Had she remained with Dooku, many more lives would have been lost."

"It... was not easy, sir," Anakin replies carefully, thinking back to when he had spoken to Ventress. A part of him would almost like to see her again. She's a lost soul who is in desperate need of guidance and support. He might be young, but he can still help her. "She has suffered a lot, and that is why she chose the Dark Side," he says awkwardly. "I helped her understand that working for the Sith is not her only choice."

Palpatine inclines his head in understanding. "I can imagine." He pauses, looking towards Ahsoka for a moment. "Well, I've kept you long enough. Would you mind waiting outside while I speak with Knight Tano?"

"Of course, Chancellor," Anakin manages, bowing his head before hurrying from the office.

**w**

"You said there was something else you wanted to speak with me about?" queries Palpatine once Anakin has disappeared out the door. Everything is proceeding even better than he had planned fourteen years ago. It was fourteen years ago that he had done a Sithly ritual to create a being with a power unmatched by any other.

And so Anakin was born. He had intended to leave him to grow up with his mother, and retrieve him for Sith training once he reached his teenage years, after he'd already been sufficiently hardened by his life as a slave. But this is even better, in so many ways. Unwittingly, Ahsoka brought Anakin right to him, and neither of them are the wiser about what they've walked into.

"Yes," she acknowledges, "After we destroyed the Malevolence, I got permission to crack into the codes to see if there was any information I could still retrieve. But while I was on the ship, I realized that it is still very much intact. If the Republic could take it, it could probably be rebuilt and turned against the Separatists."

Well, the girl certainly is clever. He never intended for the Malevolence to be destroyed, but it was still an acceptable loss seeing that the Separatists' business is literally manufacturing weapons. He definitely never wanted a weapon like that to end up with the Republic.

But to think that Ahsoka was able to come up with an idea like this on her own, one she obviously knows that the Jedi would never approve of, or she wouldn't be coming to him... No, it's not something he's going to refuse, at least not outright.

"That would definitely be a massive blow to the Separatists," muses Palpatine. "It is not a bad idea, my dear, but I can imagine the Jedi would not like it."

Ahsoka scowls. "I doubt they would. That's why I haven't spoken with them yet."

He nods understandingly. "I do not imagine the Senate would be willing to fund such a project either," he confides thoughtfully. Oh, he has no doubts that he could push such a thing through, but he's admittedly curious to see how Ahsoka will handle the situation. She could use the push to be more independent of the Jedi and Senate.

She hesitates for a moment, and he can almost see the gears turning in her mind. Truly, the girl is a marvel, and he is so very proud of his handiwork. Ahsoka is everything she is because of him, because he pulled her onto the path of the Dark Side. She's walking it willingly, and by the time the Jedi realize it, it will be too late. "I'm sure I can figure something out on my own then," Ahsoka says decisively. "If I repair the Malevolence, it would be mine to use as I see fit."

He suppresses the sinister smile that demands to be set free, instead lightly resting a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure you will find a way," he replies.

"I was thinking..." she comments after a brief pause. "I know you don't know much about the Force and how it works -" You have no idea, my future apprentice, no idea at all. "- But I've begun to realize that what the Jedi call the 'will of the Force' is not so detached as they believe. I've done some meditating, and I'll have to explore this further, but I... I think that the consciousness and desires of those throughout the galaxy determines how the Force flows." She frowns slightly, before gesturing with one hand. "For example, if the Separatists were invading a planet and the people were against them, the Force would act to ensure that they lose."

"That is very interesting and insightful, my dear," Palpatine murmurs, mind already working to determine how to best put this new information to use. If he can learn how to manipulate the Force itself through the people... oh yes, that would be splendid. She takes her leave shortly thereafter, leaving him with much to think about.

Darth Sidious paces the the room of the Chancellor's office once Ahsoka has disappeared out the door. The Jedi are foolish for believing that she is truly the Chosen One. She may be very powerful, but even with extended training, her power could never match that of Anakin. Still, she serves her purpose. He hasn't spent the last ten years grooming her to fill the role of a future apprentice for nothing. And Kenobi has made it so much easier for him to lure Ahsoka over to his side. Likely, he'll do the exact same thing for Anakin.

It's perfect, having both of them so high within the ranks of the Jedi. Once the time is right, they'll be betrayed from within in the worst way possible, and they'll never be able to stop him. Ahsoka is already so much closer to the Dark Side than even she realizes. He needs to play it right, and she'll be Galling on her own accord in no time. Of course, if she appears as a danger to the Jedi too early, they'll undoubtedly try to neutralize her, since they fear her power. But that doesn't concern him. She knows how to take steps to be careful, especially as he continues to plant seeds of doubt in her mind about how the Jedi have treated her.

And then there's Anakin. Now that he's established contact with him, it won't be hard to speak with him again. He'll lead him to the Dark Side, in due time. The obvious attachment between Anakin and Ahsoka will undoubtedly work to his benefit. Perhaps when she Falls, she'll drag the boy with her.

But if not, Sidious will find his own way to have Anakin on his side. And then the galaxy will be his. Forever.

Dooku is most displeased with the report on his former assassin. Asajj Ventress betrayed him. While treachery is the way of the Sith, it was not a move he had foreseen or planned for. The Council and Republic pardoned her, which is relatively unsurprising, and he will eliminate her if she proves to be a liability in the future. He would do it now, but he has no reason or forces to waste in tracking down the girl. "It would be best if you find a replacement for her," Darth Sidious commands. "An assassin would help our cause greatly."

"I will see to it immediately," Dooku declares. Grievous may serve his usefulness, especially in brute force, but he will need someone else to replace Ventress' abilities of stealth. Ventress was his most successful acolyte. With thousands of Jedi across the galaxy, more are needed to combat them. Besides, he is looking for a way to overthrow his master, as all Sith do. Now that Ventress is gone, she can no longer fill that role. He'll have to start over, looking for someone else.

"Also," Sidious continues. "Ventress betrayed you on the word of a Jedi she encountered, someone named Anakin Skywalker."

"I have not heard of him," Dooku replies.

"He is a Padawan," his master relates. "The padawan of Obi-Wan Kenobi. He is strong in the Force, even more so than Tano."

Sidious has long since spoken to Dooku about his interests in Tano, and how they will make her their apprentice, though he has his doubts as to what Sidious' true plans are. The girl is young, but she's well-known among the Jedi for her skills. She is well on the path to the Dark Side already. The girl has little faith in the Republic, and it would take her little to break away from the Jedi entirely. The path she's walking isn't entirely unlike the one which Dooku himself took, and he has wondered on more than one occasion on the chances of making her his apprentice. It would be unlikely for Tano to turn on Sidious, which is the only reason he hasn't pursued that idea.

"He could be a great ally to our cause as well," Sidious adds. "His powers are wild, but he is young and contains much darkness."

To hear that someone else has caught the attention of his master, let alone is more powerful than Tano, is truly impressive. Tano will, perhaps, never side with him, but Skywalker? He has no loyalty to the Chancellor, and if Sidious is correct - how could he not be? - then perhaps Dooku should attempt to sway the Padawan to his side.

Final Notes: If you want to join our Discord to receive updates or just hang out, here's the invite link, and please delete the spaces! :) discord . gg / nqSxuz2

We also have a tumblr account (and delete the spaces): fanfictasia . tumblr . com

And! We have a YT channel for tributes! Please delete the spaces in the link. :D youtube channel / UC_g1M5rSCxJUzQCRS29B6pA

Finally, if you're interested, you can submit a SW gift fic request via the following form (delete the spaces): forms . gle / rmXWtRomMMaULuPa6