The Past

I live.

Sorry for the terribly late update. I try to get the chapters out on time but sometimes life gets in the way. Enough with the boring Authors note, On to the Fanfic!

***

Rows of Pristine armor.

I stand next to Nala Se on the balcony over looking the speech.

"...The attempt on my life has left me scared and deformed..." I contain a scoff. Scared and deformed is an understatement. He is an ugly creature now, void of any human traits. Palpatine's voice blares from the speaker below us. It fills my ears, but my brain isn't processing any of it.

Omega is standing next to me, her hand in mine. I sigh turning my head to stare at some point in the distance. Zoning out, I become lost in my thoughts. Omega tugs at my hand, pulling me out of my thoughts. I lean down so I can hear her.

"They're here," She says, her voice quivering with excitement. I instantly know who she is talking about.

"Where?" I say back, my eyes scanning the crowd of clones. She points, and I immediately see them. Five clones, all outfitted in dark grey armor.

Palpatine's voice raises to a scream, and I shudder. The clones start cheering. They shout and pump their fists. But my eyes remain on the 99th clone force, who give no reaction at all.

****

"Come on, Delta!" Omega yelps, dragging me down the crowded hallway.

"Omega, we are going to be in trouble." I halfheartedly reprimand. Truth be told, I don't want to stop her; she is so excited. I watch as she comes to a stop, her eyes scanning the crowd.

"If we are quick, we can talk to them before we return to the lab!" She picks up her pace again, making a left turn.

"Are you lost?" I ask. Her hazel eyes look around,

"No," She states. "This is a short cut." We turn onto a adjoining hallway, and I hear her let out a breath of relief. I follow her gaze, spotting dark armor and broad shoulders.

"There they are," she whispers. "Do we just walk up and say 'hullo' or..."

I shrug. "You're on your own for this one, love. But, you better make up your mind, 'cause they're moving fast." She pulls on my sleeve.

"Come with me." She pleads. I raise my eyebrows.

"Ha! No way." She looks sadly at me, and I sigh.

"Lead the way." I mumble. Omega weaves her way through the hallway. She falls in step behind the group, then hesitates. She looks up at me, and I give her a reassuring smile. My smile vanishes when the leading clone raises his fist, signaling the group to stop.

"Lads," he says. "We've got company." They spin around, and Omega gives them an awkward smile and wave.

"Hullo!" She chirps. "My names Omega, and this is Delta." I nod at them, suddenly shy. The tallest one of the group, Wrecker, leans down to Omega's level. He has a spiderweb scar that fans out from the side of his head.

"What are they?" He asks, quite loudly. The one with goggle-like-glasses, Tech, steps forward, scanning Omega.

"Adolescent Female. Origins, uncertain." I tilt my head, observing the other three members of the group. The shorter one, Echo, who's legs and left arm appear to be mechanical. The tall one with silvery grey hair and serious resting bitch face, Crosshair. And the Sargent, Hunter, who has a scull tattoo covering half of his face.

"I have been waiting a long time for you to return." Omega tells, her eyes bright. Hunter slides past Wrecker, glancing at me. I meet his gaze, and find that his eyes are a charming brown color. His attention turns back to Omega.

"You, know who we are?" He asks. Omega nods excitedly.

"Hunter, Echo, Tech, Wrecker, and Crosshair. You're clone force 99."

Hunter sighs. "What are you girls doing on Kamino?" I raise my eyebrows, before quickly lowering them. Of course they wouldn't know who she is. She is a secret.

A hand is placed on my shoulder, and I involuntarily jump.

"They are doing their jobs. Omega is my medical assistant who has a very curious mind. Come, Omega." Nala Se turns and starts walking towards the west side of the facility, Omega following closely behind her.

I smile at the group, giving them a two-finger salute.

"See you around, boys." I pivot on my heel, heading down the hallway after them.

Flashback:

I sigh, running my hand along the rooftop. Fennec always insisted that she would take the most dangerous part of any of our jobs, much to my distaste. I spent most of my time atop roofs, scanning the area for enemies.

   "Come on, Fenn, where are you?" I murmur to myself. The dark alley has been quiet, the light of the moon creating shadows that danced.

  We were retrieving a stolen package of spice for a customer, which was unusual for us. We usually retrieved people, not goods.

   I absentmindedly adjust my scope on my rifle, waiting. There is movement at the edge of the alley, and I look through my scope expectantly. But it was only a mouse, sniffing around at a pile of garbage. I huff, sitting back down.    "Del, I'm nearing you with the package." My comm beeps, and I immediately lay down, pointing my rifle at the street.

   "Are you bringing any friends?" I ask, pulling the safety back with a satisfying click. There's a huff on the other end as my sister responds.

  "There's three on my tail. I'll come to you, you need to pick them off."

"Roger that."  I say, before looking through the scope. I take a deep breath, positioning my finger over the trigger.   In a moment, Fennec runs around the corner into the alley, a large bag of spice tucked under her arm.   She flies past my spot, but comes to a dead end at the back of the alley.

   Three furious Chagrin turn the corner, shouting angrily as they raise their plasters. I release my breath, firing my blaster three times. Each bullet finds it's mark.

"Good job, sis." I say, standing and shooting her a smile. She tugs off her helmet, and in the moonlight I can see her face is damp from sweating.

  "Not too bad yourself." She remarks, tossing me the bag. I catch it, testing it's weight in my hands.

  "We should head back to the ship before any more of your friends show up."

She huffs, climbing up to meet me on the roof.   "How come they are always MY friends?"     "Cause."

    "Cause what?"       "Cause I said so."  My older sister huffs again, and I grin at her.

  ***

End of flashback.

   "Can we eat our lunch in the Mess Hall?" I look up from my book at Omega's sudden question.

"What's wrong with our bunks?" I ask, slowly shutting my book. We usually ate our lunch in our rooms, or in the Lab if we didn't have much time.

Omega clasps her hands behind her back, rocking forward on her toes. "It just gets boring after a while, don't you think?"

I raise my eyebrows, but Omega just gives me an innocent look. I sigh, not wanting to have to go deal with the clones.

"Fine, but only for today, got it?" She smiles, grabbing my hand and leading me out the door.

****

The Mess Hall is crowded with clones on break. They all talk to each other, occasionally laughing. I wonder if they know they are programmed. Omega is in front of me in line, her eyes trained on Clone Force 99's table. I tap my fingers on my tray in a rhythmic pattern, catching her attention.

"You could have just told me you wanted to see them." I point out, smiling. She rolls her eyes, picking up her food and walking away from me. I smile at her retreating figure.

There's a sharp poke to my shoulder.

"Hey!" I snap, turning to the man. "What's your problem?" He frowns at me.

"Your food is ready, and you are holding up the line." I grit me teeth at my own stupidity, picking up the bowl of greenish soup and striding away.

Omega is already eating when I reach the table. I place my tray down next to hers, giving the group a tight smile.

"Good to see you boys again." I say, giving them a polite smile. Wrecker grins at me.

"I like her already."

"That's besides the point." Tech states, glancing at me. "Why would you want to sit with us?" I open my mouth to respond, but Omega beats me to it.

"We like you guys. You don't fit in around here, either."

I ignore the group as I pick up my spoon, taking a bite of the soup. It's not very good; Rather flavorless actually. I look up when Hunter starts speaking again.

"What are you doing on Kamino, Kid?" Hunter addresses Omega. "Don't you have a family, parents?"

Omega gives him a strange look. "Parents?"

A dark chuckle erupts from behind us as three clones walk by. "Aww, would you look at that." One if them sneers. "The defect squad has some new recruits." I feel my anger flare, and I drop my spoon, standing to face him.

"That's a hell of a lot coming from you." I snap. I point at the table. "These boys did more to win the war then you have ever done."

The soldier returns my glare. "Know your place, lab scrubber." We stand there, sizing each other up, before he turns. I sit back down, letting out of huff.

"Coward." I mutter, picking my spoon back up. The soup looks even less appealing. Omega stands up next to me, and clambers on the table. I stand again, but I'm too late. She throws what looks like a burrito at the clones back, and it hits him with a 'Splat'.

"Omega!" I reprimand, but she ignores me.

"Apologize to my friends." She says angrily.

"Why you little—" the clone steps forward, and I step to meet him.

"Back off." I hiss. Hunter is next to me, gently pushing me behind him.

  "Woah, woah. Easy. I suggest you keep moving." He says to the clone, the ghost of a threat in his words. The clone hesitates, before his eyes trail to Wrecker's massive frame, towering from behind Omega. He frowns, making up his mind.

  "Know your place, Lab scrubber." He spits, turning and making his way back to his seat.       Just before another tray full of food hits him and his companions.     "Oh, YEAH!" Wrecker exclaims, throwing yet another tray at the clones.

   "Kriff," I mutter as the whole room explodes. My body goes into overdrive as a fist comes flying at my face. I duck, grabbing the attackers wrist and flipping him over.     Someone punches my shoulder, and I stumble forward. Planting my feet, I pivot on my heel, kicking the soldier in the face. As he steps back, I grab my forgotten soup bowl, slamming it across his face.

I frantically look around, before spotting Omega. She stands on the table, her eyes wide. I frown, turning to see a tray flying at my face. I hold up my arms, blocking the blow before sweeping my attacker's feet out from under him.

"You dropped this," I comment, dropping the tray on his stomach. He grunts in surprise.

A loud clang fills the mess hall, and everyone turns to the directing of the noise.

    The clone they call Echo is sprawled out on the floor, with a guilty clone standing over him, a tray in his hand.

Yep. I'm ending here..... I feel terrible.Anyways, my longest chapter yet, 1246 Words!

Question of the day/night/whatever time zone you are in:

Q: Ahsoka Or Fennec?

A: Ahsoka will always hold my heart. 😌

May our paths cross—

Kena