Private From Sea to Shining Sea

[Kama Nu]

Location: Tipoca City, Kamino
Tags: Hester Shedo

With the hastened growth of the nearby Confederacy on Rothana, it only felt natural that they would soon seek out Kamino and its prestigious genetics program. Eager to showcase the capabilities of Tipoca City's newest facility, the Kama Nu Clone Works, Prime Minister Nu accepted a private meeting with Scarif's representative Hester Shedo the moment she made her interest known.

Awaiting patiently in the reception hall, Kama's inky eyes skimmed over a handheld datapad. Lines of information scrolled along at a comfortable as he read about Lady Shedo and the tropical world she represented. It seemed the stark opposite to stormy, turbulent Kamino, but there was familiarity in their shared heritage among the waves. He exited the dossier once he was satisfied, then passed the device along to one of the nearby administrative assistants. It wouldn't be long now until Hester would arrive.

Kama was unfamiliar with the Confederacy's policies on cloning; the Dark Empire and Sith Order were all too eager to accept batches from anyone willing to grow them, while the Galactic Alliance and nearby League of Autonomous Worlds had either illegalized or were too wary of the ethics to proceed. If Lady Shedo and the Confederacy were likewise unenthused with Kamino's cloning program, perhaps genetic modifications for their organic soldiers would be enticing. Faster, stronger, smarter troopers for the growing Confederate military. The corners of Kama's lips hinted at a smile.

Yes, he was certain the new CIS would have use of his talents.

 

[Hester Shedo]

The shuttle dipped lower through the dense curtain of rain, the rhythmic beat of the droplets against the windows intensifying with each passing moment. Hester's gaze remained fixed outside, where the storm blurred the horizon, merging the turbulent ocean and overcast skies into a single mass, interrupted only by the occasional flash of lightning. Kamino's spindly, metallic structures emerged from the storm like ancient sea creatures, barely visible against the swirling darkness. Despite her years, the thrill of returning to this isolated world stirred something deep within her.

Her fingers moved absentmindedly over the back of her hand, tracing small circles into the slightly rough skin, a comforting habit picked up over decades of solitary journeys. The texture reminded her of time's passage, of the memories she carried—both joys and losses—that had shaped her. Yet in this small, confined space, the familiar sound of rain and the isolation of Kamino brought her a sense of calm. Perhaps, like Kamino, she had weathered her own storms and endured.

The click of instruments in the cockpit interrupted her thoughts, followed by the pilot's steady voice over the intercom: "Final descent in progress. Crew, prepare for landing."

Hester glanced forward, watching the pilot's hands deftly guide the shuttle through the turbulence, the co-pilot beside him making quiet adjustments as needed. Though they operated with calm precision, the subtle tension in their movements hinted at the respect Kamino's unpredictable weather always commanded.

In the cabin, the staff moved with practiced efficiency, securing loose items and checking that everyone was strapped in. One attendant, her face composed despite the turbulence, paused briefly by Hester's seat, offering a reassuring nod before continuing her rounds.

As the shuttle finally broke through the clouds, the view of the landing platform sharpened. The rain-slicked pad gleamed in the storm, illuminated by the soft glow of landing lights. Hester allowed herself a final moment of quiet contemplation. Kamino, with its unchanging rain and sterile halls, waited below, along with the work that had brought her here. For now, she savoured the calm before the storm of meetings and decisions.

The shuttle jolted gently as the landing gear made contact, pulling her back to the present. Hester exhaled, her moment of reflection passing. Kamino awaited, and she was ready.

She began her descent, the moisture and biting chill enveloping her. It was dark and she was looking forward to the warmth of the new facility. She began to walk towards the facility, flanked by her protectors.


Kama Nu

 

[Kama Nu]

Location: Tipoca City, Kamino
Tags: Hester Shedo

Kama greeted Scarif's representative with a graceful bow of his head and an outstretched arm. "Greetings, Lady Shedo. Welcome to Kamino," the Prime Minister said with a faint smile.

"I hope that your journey was pleasant. Scarif is not far, but I understand that this sector has been long without a proper force to protect it; perhaps this new Confederacy of Independent Systems shall remedy this." Luckily for Kamino, the water world was of little use to most forces in the region. Its endless oceans allowed for little resource exploitation, and while the cloning labs would make for an impressive jewel in the crown of any invading faction, it would also be of little use if they lacked the knowledge to use them.

It was a deeply intriguing topic of discussion, but Kama was more interested in how he could be of service to the Lady of Scarif. He regarded her with curious eyes. "Do tell me, Lady Shedo, how Kamino and Scarif can support one another? Have you needs of our cloning labs, or perhaps our research and development teams?"

Kaminoan Engineering was branching out beyond genetics. Perhaps their new lines of ships, armor, and personal defense weapons would be of interest. Kama looked to Hester with stoic eyes that mostly hid his curious nature.

 

[Hester Shedo]

"Prime Minister Kama, thank you for your warm welcome." Hester inclined her head slightly, her voice calm and measured. "The journey was a smooth one, though it serves as a reminder of the vastness of our galaxy. Kamino remains as ever—enigmatic and resilient, a place that stands apart, yet one which offers great potential for those who seek its wisdom. As for Scarif, you are right—security has become a central focus for us, and our new Confederacy's growing influence brings hope of stability where it has long been absent."

She paused, glancing briefly at the serene but distant oceans stretching beyond the horizon. Kamino had much to offer, but Hester knew the need for practicality in her response.

"Your engineering capabilities, particularly in shipbuilding and defense technologies, are of great interest to us. Scarif's growth and security hinge on the advancement of these sectors, and Kamino's expertise could be pivotal in strengthening our defenses. While cloning remains a fascinating prospect, it is your innovations in engineering—ships, armor, and personal defense—that might most immediately benefit Scarif. There is always room for progress, and I believe there is much we can achieve together."

Her tone softened, but her gaze remained steady. "Scarif, too, can contribute. Our planet is rich in resources, and our strategic location within the Confederacy's expanding influence makes us a valuable partner. Together, we can ensure that both Kamino and Scarif emerge stronger, united in purpose."

Hester offered a faint but sincere smile. "I look forward to exploring the full breadth of what we can achieve, Prime Minister. Our worlds, each unique in their own right, have much to offer one another. You will recall that once our two worlds stood together in the declaring of the Abrion Pact, a profound trading collaboration within the past Confederacy. I hope as neighbours we can better achieve that same sense of unity."

Her words hung in the air for a moment, leaving the conversation open for deeper collaboration.

Kama Nu

 

[Kama Nu]

Location: Tipoca City, Kamino
Tags: Hester Shedo

The Kaminoan nodded carefully, digesting Lady Shedo's interest in Kamino's emergent engineering projects. "Scarif's offering of raw materials is quite appealing," Kama Nu said with a smile. It was no secret to anyone that the oceanic world lacked steady supplies of natural resources of its own - they lay at the bottom of endless, churning seas from which the Kaminoans have spent generations living above and away from rather than within.

"We would be very eager to produce new technologies and equipment for Scarif, in exchange for enough resources to do so, plus a small surplus to maintain our stores. Kaminoan Engineering is making strikes in the fields of personal defense and shipbuilding specifically, with additional focuses placed on agrarian development and biomedical technology." As both the Prime Minister of Kamino and one of his people's prominent scientists, Kama Nu had immense pride in the strides his society had made over the last few decades. No longer were the Kaminoans solely peddlers of clones, but now a well-rounded producer of many influential and reliable technologies.

The Prime Minister led Hester Shedo into the facility as they spoke, wishing not just to bring her in from the rain and winds but to show her some of Kaminoan Engineering's current projects. "What might you like to see first, Lady Shedo? Many of our projects are proprietary, but there are a great many yet that could certainly be previewed by business partners and clients such as yourself." Kama thought for a moment, then settled on a selection of Kamino's proud products.

"Our research and development labs are making wonderful progress on a range of security armaments. We have the kel'silket, a potent heavy blaster pistol capable of delivering both lethal electromagnetic blasts as well as nonlethal stun rounds meant to incapacitate and detain. In the field of starships, we are developing a versatile starship, the Kahnoh-class mining craft. Finally, an advancement in biological sample containment." The pair and her attaché reached a junction in the facility's sterile corridors, where Kama slowed his pace until they came to a comfortable halt in the center. From here, they could go one of three directions, with the fourth leading them back to the reception area.

Hester's immediate interests would guide the next segment of Kama's tour.