Capture of Omega

Following the conclusion of the Clone Wars, the newly established Galactic Empire moved almost immediately to terminate all agreements with the cloning experts from Kamino. These were the individuals who had been responsible for the creation of the clone army for what was once the Galactic Republic. While the Empire viewed the ongoing cloning of soldiers as a costly and unnecessary endeavor, the primary motivation stemmed from Emperor Palpatine's ambition to gain complete control over the cloning technology possessed by the Kaminoans. After a series of unsuccessful negotiations, the Empire officially ended its contracts with Kamino. Following the seizure of critical cloning technology from the Kaminoans, they proceeded to bomb Tipoca City, leading to its eventual collapse into the ocean.

The majority of the Kaminoan technology that was seized was transported to Mount Tantiss on the world of Wayland. This location served as the central base of operations for the covert Imperial Advanced Science Division. Under the direction of Doctor Royce Hemlock, the Empire initiated its own series of cloning experiments. However, these experiments yielded minimal progress due to the absence of the Kaminoans' specialized knowledge. In an attempt to accelerate progress and fulfill the Emperor's objectives, Hemlock sought to convince Kaminoan scientist Nala Se to contribute to the Imperial cloning program. After receiving information from former Kaminoan Prime Minister Lama Su that Se had a particular fondness for the female clone Omega, Hemlock initiated a search to locate the young clone. Furthermore, Hemlock attempted to extract information through torture from clone marksman and commando CT-9904, known as "Crosshair," who was previously a member of Clone Force 99, a group of renegade clones that Omega was known to be associated with.

During his confinement at Mount Tantiss, Crosshair was successful in transmitting a distress signal to his former squad after briefly escaping captivity. This prompted Clone Force 99 to search for their former comrade. Upon discovering that Crosshair was being held by the Advanced Science Division, the "Bad Batch" infiltrated Wilhuff Tarkin's private facility on Eriadu after discovering that a shuttle belonging to the Advanced Science Division would be stationed there. Although the renegade clones managed to attach a tracker to the shuttle, their plan was disrupted by an unexpected assault from Saw Gerrera and his Partisans, resulting in the destruction of a portion of the facility. During their escape attempt via the facility's aerial tram, Clone Force 99 suffered the loss of Tech. Wounded and defeated, the renegade clones retreated to Ciddarin Scaleback's establishment on Ord Mantell, their contact. Unbeknownst to the renegade clones, Scaleback had informed the Empire of their location in exchange for a substantial payment of credits.

While in hiding and recuperating from their unsuccessful mission, the renegade clones Hunter, Wrecker, and Omega were unaware that Imperial forces had arrived in Ord Mantell City to initiate the raid and seize control of the planet. All Terrain Armored Cannons were deployed in the streets to enforce Imperial authority. Echo, who was stationed outside the establishment guarding the renegade squad's vessel, the Marauder, attempted to contact his team but was unable to do so due to the Imperials jamming all communications. Shortly thereafter, a team of clone commandos from the Imperial royal guard breached Ciddarin's establishment and immediately incapacitated and subdued Wrecker, who was seated at the establishment's bar. Two commandos advanced further into the establishment and briefly exchanged weapon fire with Hunter, who retreated into a room with Omega. After assisting Omega in escaping through a hatch built into the floor, Hunter blasted his way out of the room, eliminating the two clone commandos who were breaching the door in the process.

Upon entering the main room of Ciddarin's establishment, Hunter was confronted by Doctor Hemlock and additional clone commandos, who held Wrecker at gunpoint. Hemlock, who had personally taken command of the raid, presented Scaleback with her payment for the information she had provided before instructing the Trandoshan to depart. Hemlock then taunted Hunter with the shattered goggles he had recovered from the deceased Tech before threatening to kill Wrecker as well, unless Hunter surrendered peacefully. Seeing no alternative, Hunter dropped his weapon before being handcuffed and escorted out of the establishment by clone commandos.

While escorting Hunter and Wrecker through the streets of Ord Mantell City, Hemlock and his commandos were ambushed by Omega herself, who demanded the release of her brothers. Hemlock cleverly stalled Omega, allowing commando Scorch to move behind the young renegade clone and render her unconscious with a stun blast. Hemlock ordered half of his commandos to transport Wrecker and Hunter off-world to Eriadu for personal interrogation by Wilhuff Tarkin, and to capture the remaining renegade clone Echo. As Hemlock departed with Omega and Scorch in a separate shuttle, Hunter and Wrecker were escorted to a LAAT/i gunship. Echo, who had captured and commandeered an AT-AC walker, destroyed the gunship and distracted the Imperial escort team long enough for Hunter and Wrecker to break free from their restraints. As Echo's walker was destroyed by Imperial reinforcements, the team was unable to prevent Hemlock's shuttle from departing, and instead retreated back to the Marauder. The ship was fired upon by clone commandos as it lifted off, sustaining damage and leaving a trail of smoke as it sped past the Venator-class Star Destroyers orbiting Ord Mantell before jumping into hyperspace.

Although Clone Force 99 narrowly escaped with their lives, Omega had been captured by Imperial forces. Despite being demoralized by the raid, Hunter reassured his remaining squad members that they would search for Omega and would not rest until she was found. Meanwhile, Imperial forces solidified their control over Ord Mantell, occupying it and bringing it under the authority of the Galactic Empire.

Simultaneously, Hemlock returned to his facility on Mount Tantiss with Omega in his custody. After presenting Nala Se with the young clone, Hemlock falsely claimed that he had found her as a gesture of goodwill for Se, and that he now expected her full cooperation. Although Se asserted that what Emperor Palpatine sought to achieve on Mount Tantiss was not feasible, Hemlock demanded that the Kaminoan make it possible, and threatened that Omega would face the consequences if Se failed to do so.