NOBLE: The Bad Batch

𝟏𝟏: Anaxes - 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟑 (𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟏 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐄)

19 BBY | Month 2, Day 27-30
Skako Minor, Wat Tambor's Workshop
Hours Before - Previously

"Sir, the attack force has failed to recover your experiments," the droid droned, its voice flat and nearly emotionless.

Wat Tambor kept his back to the droid, his fingers—encased in metal and circuitry—interlocking thoughtfully. His shieled eyes narrowed as he processed the news. "Aw," he breathed, a distorted, modulated sigh escaping his vocalizer. "The loss of those clones is a devastating blow to the Techno Union's profit margin."

He moved forward as he approached his fellow Skakoans. Then, turning his gaze back to the droid, he continued, "But setbacks are merely opportunities for innovation... such as..."

The droid remained silent for a beat, then spoke again, its tone devoid of concern as he accidently interjected. "Shall we inform the Separatists of our loss?"

Tambor's mask-like face betrayed no emotion, but the gears of his mind were visibly turning. He considered the question, weighing his options carefully. "All in good time," he replied with a wave of his hand, his voice filled with calm resolve. "For now, we must find a way to recoup our investment."

He turned to face the sprawling landscape of Skako, the ever-present mist of the planet swirling around him, and the stormy clouds below. Tambor's mind raced with schemes and strategies.

"Perhaps we should reach out to Madam Ru once more," one of the other Skakoans suggested, his purple skin nearly blending into the twilight around them. "Given the... complications with her creation, SC-000-1, she may have insights. Those clones ended up with that one, after all."

The mention of Madam Ru piqued Tambor's interest. His eyebrows rose slightly, a subtle gesture of intrigue. "Yes, yes," he murmured, a calculating gleam in his eyes. "We should arrange that accordingly. Her allies will know what to do with this information."

Fort Anaxes | Several hours later
Medical Bay

Noble stands at one of the examination tables, her gaze shifting between Echo and Flash as they sit side by side, testing the functionality of their new scomp arms. The harsh lights overhead cast long shadows on the clones' pale and battle-worn faces. Their designated red medical tunics on individually.

Echo's right arm has a more cylinder-like design with the scomp link he has, much like his legs also baring enhancements, while Flash's left arm is in a more rectangular design, both distinct yet tragically similar.

"They did a good job on the repairs," Noble says softly, attempting to inject some optimism into the atmosphere. Her voice is a gentle murmur, as if she's afraid to break the fragile peace they've found in the aftermath of so much trauma and forced order.

"Repairs..." Flash mutters dryly, the corner of his mouth twitching into a sardonic smile. He twists his new scomp arm, watching the mechanical piece move with eerie fluidity. "Like we're nothing but droids."

Noble winces at his words, but there's no denying the bitterness in them. "I know, Flash... but you're free. That's what matters."

"Free?" Echo repeats. He moves his scomparm, then lets it fall limply at his side. His skin is ashen-like and pale, and the dark circles under his eyes make him look even more gaunt than he did before. His eyes are not as brown as they used to be. "Look at me, Noble. Look at us. I don't even have my arm anymore. My real arm. It's a scomp now, no hand..."

Flash gives a soft, humorless laugh. "Yeah, and I don't have mine either. But at least I'm not hooked up like some kriffing machine anymore. Guess that's a win."