Rain watched silently as the pitiful Domino Squad struggled across the citadel court, frequently breaking formation and leaving themselves open to attack. Rain rolled her eyes. The only thing keeping her from screaming at these amateurs was the fact that they were the most entertainment she had got in a long time. It had been somewhat interesting to see firsthand the behind-the-scenes production and training of the Senate's impressive clone army, but after becoming familiarized with the routine of things, she had quickly tired of her stay there. She was currently avoiding Master Ti's eye and trying to ignore instructors El-Les and Bric. El-Les and Bric were both hired bounty hunters. Upon her arrival, Rain had been confused and sceptic as to why the likes of bounty hunters were being allowed anywhere near the Republic army's new recruits. Of course, the bounty hunters she had met in the past had mostly tried to kill her, kidnap her, or else just injure her. El-Les hadn't seemed so bad, but Bric had definitely rubbed Rain the wrong way. She didn't talk to them; they felt out of place to her.

So far, Shaak Ti had dragged her to every clone team practice session and stressed how they all worked together and according to orders. Rain had tried to argue that she was perfectly capable of working with others and following orders, she simply chose to follow her gut feelings when she believed there were more pressing issues to address, such as when her sister got kidnapped on the battlefield. However, every explanation she offered seemed to fall on deaf ears. Shaak Ti would merely remind her that the Jedi teachings said that 'gut feelings' could not be trusted. After a while, Rain had given up defending herself. But she could feel Master Ti's gaze on her now; no doubt it was saying, "See? If you don't work together and follow orders, chaos ensues!"

Sorry, Master Ti, but I have never experienced that 'chaos' you are so fond of mentioning. I got things done when and where they needed to get done. I brought back my sister. Keep on spouting your precious Jedi teachings. I won't be listening.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Aside from watching training sessions, Shaak Ti had insisted that Rain join her for meditation and even participate in some of the clone training activities. In her free time, Rain explored the facility; the Kaminoan technology was quite impressive, especially the cloning chambers and the accelerated aging process. One of her most interesting experiences so far had been when clones had approached her during her wanderings and asked her for advice. She had been so used to having advice forced on her that she found it refreshing to hand out some of her own. Even more refreshing still was the profuse thanks she had received in return.

Rain had always considered herself a decent strategist, and she welcomed a challenge that forced her to think. She had never had much opportunity to put this skill to use in the past, for obvious reasons. But after the first few times she'd been asked for advice, she started freely lending a hand where she saw some struggling. After what had seemed like an eternity under the thumb of Master Aayla and the Council, she was finally getting a taste of what it was like to be an authority figure. That was really the only shining beacon for Rain, and she made the most of it.

She never went outside. There was never any need, and never any want. She often wondered how anyone could stand living on a planet with such miserable weather.

My mother couldn't even handle one little storm. Imagine how she would cope with living in a place like this.

The idea might've been funny if it hadn't been for the fact that the subject was never funny to Rain.

She looked down at the mess below her. The Domino Squad had been picked off one by one until the last man standing had laid down his weapon and surrendered. Bric was chuckling darkly to himself while El-Les sadly shook his head. Rain could still feel Master Ti's intense gaze on her, and she couldn't help wondering how much longer she'd be stuck there.