The Eternal Emperor

The soft white glow of Tipoca City's corridors illuminated Researcher Velaun's graceful form as she hurried along the facility's curved pathways. The rain pounded relentlessly against the transparent walls, casting rippling shadows that danced across the sleek, sterile floors. Her slender hands clutched a datapad, its screen displaying vital cloning data that needed urgent updating after the day's chaos. 

The announcement reverberated through the halls. 

"Attention: Tipoca City lockdown protocols are now in effect. All personnel are to remain in designated zones until further notice." 

Velaun paused mid-step, her long neck craning upward to the embedded speakers. Her black eyes blinked slowly, the announcement sinking in. Around her, other Kaminoans exchanged uneasy glances, their serene demeanor masking subtle hints of concern. A few muttered softly to each other, their melodic tones blending with the rain's steady rhythm. 

"Lockdown? At a time like this?" Velaun murmured, her voice a whisper. "Surely this isn't standard protocol during an active battle." 

A pair of clone troopers marched past her, their boots echoing sharply against the floors. She hesitated, her long fingers tightening around the datapad as one of them turned briefly toward her. 

"Ma'am, please proceed to the nearest designated safe zone," the trooper ordered, his voice firm through his helmet. 

Velaun nodded silently, her elegant strides carrying her toward the research wing. The rain outside grew heavier, the distant hum of alarms and faint blaster fire creating an ominous symphony. Something isn't right. Lama Su would have informed us of this... if he could. 

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Shaak Ti moved swiftly through the rain-slicked pathways connecting the upper spires of Tipoca City. The downpour drenched her cloak as it billowed behind her, the harsh weather doing little to cool her rising unease. Her lightsaber was clipped to her side, the comforting weight a small solace amidst the growing confusion. 

Clones saluted as she passed, their helmets turning to track her movements. The temporary command center was stationed at the far end of the west platform, a makeshift setup inside one of the less-damaged barracks. 

The Jedi Master entered the dimly lit room, her keen eyes scanning the busy space. Holographic maps flickered on projectors, displaying the city's various sectors and the positioning of both GAR and CIS forces. The room was filled with clone officers coordinating troop movements and issuing commands. 

"General Ti," the acting Zero Legion commander greeted her with a crisp salute. His voice was steady, though his stance betrayed a slight tension. 

"Commander," Shaak Ti began, her voice calm yet probing, "I just heard the lockdown protocol announcement. Why wasn't I informed of this?" 

The commander's posture stiffened further. "Apologies, General. The directive came from central command. It was deemed necessary to ensure the safety of civilians and critical assets amidst the ongoing battle." 

Shaak Ti's lekku twitched slightly, a subtle sign of her unease. "Safety, you say? Locking down the city during an invasion may protect some, but it also limits our ability to counteract the enemy effectively. Who authorized this?" 

The commander hesitated, his gaze momentarily shifting toward the holomap. "The order originated from High Command. Specific details were not provided." 

Her eyes narrowed. "Very well. Continue your duties, but I expect a full update as soon as possible." 

As she turned to leave, she noticed several clones exchanging glances. Their hushed conversation ceased the moment she approached, their helmets snapping forward in feigned focus. What aren't they telling me? 

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The dimly lit maintenance corridors of Tipoca City were a world apart from its main pathways. Rustling pipes and the low hum of power generators filled the air, the walls stained with years of condensation and wear. CT-99 walked calmly, his steps deliberate and unhurried. 

The announcement crackled through the comms system, echoing faintly in the cramped space. 

"Attention: Tipoca City lockdown protocols are now in effect. All personnel are to remain in designated zones until further notice." 

CT-99 stopped mid-step, his sharp eyes glancing at the heavy doors in the distance. Slowly, they began to close with a mechanical groan, sealing off access points throughout the city. He tilted his head slightly, a wry smile touching his lips beneath the helmet. 

"Well, there goes the scenic route," he muttered to himself, shifting the heavy backpack on his shoulders. 

Behind him, a maintenance droid beeped nervously, its small form darting to avoid the closing doors. CT-99 chuckled softly, stepping aside to let the droid pass. 

"Don't worry, little guy. I'm not in a hurry either," he said, watching the droid disappear into a side tunnel. 

As the final thud of the lockdown doors echoed through the shaft, CT-99 adjusted his course, his boots crunching against the damp floor. He approached a service hatch, its worn edges barely visible under years of grime. 

Pulling a multitool from his belt, he worked quickly, prying the hatch open with practiced ease. The narrow passage beyond was dark and cramped, but he entered without hesitation, his movements fluid. 

As he crawled through the shaft, he could hear faint voices from above—the muffled chatter of clones coordinating defenses and the sharp reports of blaster fire from ongoing skirmishes. 

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The command room was awash with the glow of flickering holomaps, their translucent projections casting an eerie light over the gathered clones and the imposing figure of Jedi General Shaak Ti. Rain hammered against the outer walls, its relentless rhythm underscoring the tension in the air. Clone Commander Arko stood rigid, his arms clasped behind his back as Shaak Ti's voice rang out sharply. 

"This lockdown is jeopardizing our defensive efforts," Shaak Ti declared, her tone calm yet firm. "I demand you rescind it immediately. The confusion it is causing among the troops—and the civilians—is unacceptable." 

Arko met her piercing gaze, his helmet hiding his expression but his stance unyielding. "General Ti, with respect, the lockdown protocols are in place for a reason. I cannot authorize their removal without direct orders from higher command." 

"You are higher command, Commander," Shaak Ti countered, her lekku twitching slightly in irritation. "You were left in charge of the Zero Legion. These clones answer to you." 

"Yes, General," Arko replied, his tone measured. "But I must follow standing orders from the High General. The protocols are part of a broader contingency plan. I cannot explain further, but they are vital to our mission." 

Shaak Ti's lips thinned, her frustration palpable. "Vital? Locking down a city full of civilians and soldiers in the middle of an invasion? You are crippling our ability to respond effectively to this attack!" 

Arko's comm clicked softly in his ear, a notification that a runner had been sent to inform Hael of the situation. He nodded imperceptibly, stalling for time as he maintained his calm demeanor. "General, I assure you this measure is for the greater good. It is not my place to question the orders I've been given, only to see them through." 

Shaak Ti's hands flexed briefly at her sides, the tension between them thickening with each passing moment. Before she could press further, the sound of heavy boots echoed through the chamber as Captain Hael entered the room. His presence, clad in the unmistakable armor of the Zero Legion, immediately drew the attention of everyone present. 

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"Captain Hael," Shaak Ti began, her tone sharp, "perhaps you can explain the reasoning behind this lockdown. Commander Arko has been less than forthcoming." 

Hael paused, scanning the room. His visor lingered momentarily on the holomaps and the bustling clones before finally settling on the Jedi. He approached her with deliberate steps, his posture one of calm authority. 

"General Ti," Hael said, his voice steady but edged with something inscrutable. "The lockdown was enacted as a precaution against a potential biological attack." 

Shaak Ti blinked, momentarily taken aback. "A biological attack? You believe the Separatists would resort to such measures here?" 

Hael nodded, glancing at the holomap that displayed the current battle lines. "They've done so before, General. Their inability to capture Kamino through conventional means may push them to more... desperate tactics. Our intelligence suggests this is a possibility we cannot ignore." 

Her expression softened, her mind turning to the recent reports of CIS biological weapons deployed on other planets. Still, she shook her head. "Even so, a lockdown only ensures that any attack of that nature would trap civilians in an enclosed space, effectively signing their death warrants." 

Hael's gaze remained level. "But it also prevents mass panic. Panicked civilians running freely would only disrupt our defenses. The filtration units in our helmets give us hours of protection. Enough time to hold our ground or evacuate critical personnel." 

Shaak Ti frowned, folding her arms as she considered his words. "It's a temporary solution at best, and a costly one at worst." 

"Temporary," Hael agreed, his tone unwavering. "But it buys us time. Time we wouldn't have otherwise." 

She wanted to argue further, but the logic was difficult to dispute, at least nothing came to mind at the moment. Her hands tightened briefly before she sighed, her lekku curling slightly. "You've made your point, Captain. But know this—if this lockdown leads to unnecessary suffering, I will hold you accountable." 

Hael didn't flinch. "Understood, General." 

With a final glare, Shaak Ti turned on her heel, her robes trailing behind her as she strode toward the exit. Hael raised a gloved hand in a discreet gesture, signaling the soldiers blocking the door to step aside. They complied without hesitation, their movements smooth and deliberate. 

As the doors hissed shut behind her, Hael turned to Arko. "Skip to Phase III. Double the pace of preparations. Also... get me General Skywalker on the comms. Contingency Protocol 66 might need to be implemented in regards to Jedi General Shaak Ti." 

"Yes, sir," Arko replied, immediately relaying the order through his comm. 

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The sound of young voices filled the hallway as CT-99 escorted a small group of cadets. Their mismatched armor and wide-eyed expressions betrayed their inexperience, though they marched with determination. 

"Where are we going, sir?" one of the cadets asked, his voice muffled behind his helmet. 

CT-99 adjusted the heavy backpack slung over his shoulder, his steps slow but deliberate. "To safety," he replied simply. 

As they walked, the announcement crackled through his comms. 

"Phase III is now in effect." 

He paused for a fraction of a second, his posture stiffening. He reached for his comm and replied with a curt, "Understood." 

Turning to the cadets, he pulled a small chip from the compartment on his armguard and handed it to the nearest one. "Take this. It'll get you past the locked doors. Head to the hangar. A squad will be waiting to escort you." 

The cadets exchanged confused glances but nodded. "Thank you, sir," the leader said, his voice tinged with both gratitude and apprehension. 

CT-99 watched them leave, a faint smile touching his lips. "Good luck, little brothers," he murmured. 

Adjusting his backpack, he turned and headed toward the maintenance tunnels. His path led him to a dimly lit room, marked as a designated safe zone for Kaminoans. The sterile environment was filled with the quiet murmurs of its occupants, their long forms huddled in small groups. 

He set the backpack down with a tired huff, his armor clinking softly. Reaching inside, he pulled out a small cylindrical device, its smooth surface cool against his gloves. 

Without hesitation, he pressed the red button. 

The device emitted a sharp hiss before erupting in a controlled explosion, throwing his body and those of a few nearby Kaminoans like ragdolls, releasing a thick plume of blue smoke. The Kaminoans panicked, their melodic voices rising in fear as they scrambled toward the sealed doors, pounding on them in desperation as they refused to open. 

Outside, the clone guards glanced at each other, their expressions unreadable beneath their helmets. One nodded, and they began to move, collecting their gear and leaving the panicked Kaminoans behind. 

A.N: Your reviews and comments made me all happy and giddy so i found the energy to write a chapter today even though I had an emergency at work :) Also a thank you to the guys who constantly drop Power Stones, I'm writing this for fun so it doesnt really matter, but its a very nice show of support. Love you all, and im going to drop and sleep. Night-night.