Star Wars: Darth Nyx (Book 1)

Ch24: Cloning Project

The Kaminoans arrived successfully over Korriban where one of our destroyers received them and transferred them to Dromund Kaas to keep the bounty hunters unaware of our capital system should they potentially betray us in the future. Though I don't promote Thrawn for his work this time, when he asks if he can begin working on a project to improve his ISD TIE fighter's combat capabilities, I accept. 

The Imperial Scientists he brought as prisoners of war are all handed over to Darth Nihilus who still controls the academy and by extension the planet of Korriban. He's instructed to guarantee their loyalty by whatever means necessary as they will prove great additions to our research department. He smiles, pleased at getting more toys to play with.

Cad Bane: You said you had more jobs for us?

Me: I'd like to hire you both as full-time workers. You'll be paid well but in exchange, you'll work for me and no one else. Of course, I also expect your loyalty as long as the credits keep flowing.

Cad Bane: My price isn't cheap.

Me: Please. I am an Empress. Name your price.

He smiles but before he can speak, Fennec finally breaks her silence.

Fennec: What kind of jobs would we be doing?

Me: Anything I desire. Rescue ops, recon, bounty hunting, securing an asset, etc.

Fennec: Will we be working on our own or could we count on support from your Empire should the need arise?

Me: I take care of my own if that's what you're asking. However, should you betray me you might find that my hand is far reaching.

Cad Bane: Hmmm...I see no problem with settling down for a while. You have yourself a deal, Empress.

Fennec: I also accept.

Me: Great. Now-

We're interrupted as an officer enters the room carrying a tray with two identification cards on it. His timing couldn't be more perfect and as he places the tray before me, I turn to my new hires with a smile.

Me: These are for you. Keep them on you at all times as they will inform our people that you are working with us. It'll also give you access to the facilities you'll need to carry out your missions.

Both take the cards and pocket them while I continue explaining that their first mission will be to head to Bracca. Once there, they are to search for any Venator and Acclimator ships still in good shape and then contact us. We'll come in and take the ships along with any spare parts we might gain from the wreckage spread across the planet. We'll also use the opportunity to recruit engineers for service on Lianna to help with the continued development of the planet's shipbuilding industry.

As they both head off on their first assignment, my mind flashes back to the conversation Valles and I had surrounding the clones we'll be creating. It will take some time for the army to be ready as they'll need to be grown from birth, trained and cared for until they are ready to fight. However, once they are ready we'll find ourselves with a major problem as things stand now and that is the size of our fleet. While combined it makes for a formidable force, the more systems we control the more said fleet will be spread too far apart to reconvene each time there is a battle. To that end, we need more ships and while Lianna is capable of building them, it would prove more cost-effective to simply take the ships the Empire has abandoned and make them our own.

Sigh...

If only we'd brought the entire Sith Empire with us...

Shae: There you are...the Kaminoan scientist and Prime Minister are here to see you.

Me: Let them in.

Lama Su: We greet you, Empress Nyx. 

Me: Likewise.

They both take seats opposite me before continuing.

Lama Su: We have come to discuss the cloning project. Who do you wish to use as the primary benefactor?

Me: We'll use Madalorians. We'll take the best of their number and create 10 variants. One for each warrior chosen.

Lama Su: I see. Generally, it takes 10 years to gain an effective soldier. We could shorten this time to eight but it would mean separating the clones who will be soldiers from those who will operate starships thus personalising the training for each group.

Me: Ten years is fine. However, there is another set of clones I want you to create for me.

Lama Su: Yes?

Me: You'll create 30 clones of me. 

Lama Su: Of you?

Me: Yes. They will have slightly differing appearances, particularly where skin tone and hair colour are concerned and to that end, you'll be splicing my DNA with that of Shae Vizla. 

Nala Se: While it might prove challenging I do believe it is possible. Might we inquire what these clones will be for?

Me: They will be serving as my personal guard. The only alteration you need to make is the splicing of the DNA. Once the clones are "born" you'll care for them until they are able to walk and then transfer them to Korriban where Darth Nihilus and Darth Malak will oversee their training.

Nala Se: Will they need to be force-sensitive?

Me: Not necessary. Their training is mainly to instil a sense of devotion to the Empress they will be protecting and to provide them with elite military training. Should they also possess force-sensitivity then that'd simply be an added plus.

Nala Se: I understand. We'll get to work on both sets right away.

Me: As for your people who won't be aiding the project, they have the option between staying on Dromund Kaas or settling on any of the other worlds under our control.

Lama Su: Thank you. We'll give it some thought though I imagine most will desire to remain on Dromund Kaas.

They both rise, bowing their heads before taking their leave. As they exit the room, I receive a message via hologram asking for my presence in the Academy of Korriban.

Sigh...

The work of a ruler is never done, is it?