the KN clouds from R136, based on corroboration from multiple independent sources in the literature, we find that the line of sight distance to the KN clouds from R136 is $\lesssim$20pc. The molecular clouds in the stapler nebula lie between 2-14pc in projected distance, and $\lesssim$20pc in the line of sight distance from R136.

Near-infrared emission line imaging
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The H$_2$ 2.12$\mu$m emission line image is shown in Fig.\[fig:COa\]c, with the CO(2-1) contours overlaid. Strong H$_2$ emission is spatially coincident with the CO(2-1) emission of the molecular clouds, and shares similar morphology. The H$_2$ emission is clumpy, with numerous knots and a reticulated pattern. In contrast, detected ionized gas (Br$\gamma$) at the position of the CO(2-1) molecular clouds is weak and diffuse (see Fig.\[fig:COa\]d). This diffuse Br$\gamma$ emission is associated with filaments and arc-like structures of ionized gas vivid in H$\alpha$ (brown in Fig.\[fig:COa\]a). This convinces us that the strong H$_2$ nIR emission is the warmer component of the cold molecular gas traced by the CO detections, whereas the diffuse Br$\gamma$ emission lies slightly beyond the ionized surface of the molecular cloud although no clear demarcation is noted. The Br$\gamma$ morphology is not spatially coincident with the H$_2$ and CO(2-1) 