The Eternal Emperor

Tipoca City was a symphony of chaos. Alarms blared across the spire, their shrill wails blending with the distant crackle of blaster fire. The once-gleaming corridors now bore scorch marks, debris littering the polished floors, and the rhythmic pounding of rain against the translucent walls underscored the calamity. Tipoca's defenders fought valiantly, but their efforts felt like an uphill battle against an unrelenting tide. 

In the command post, Shaak Ti adjusted her breath mask, her serene face betraying no emotion despite the weight of the situation. Beside her, General Kenobi stood resolute, though his posture carried the weariness of a man forced into impossible choices. 

"The Blue Shadow Virus," Kenobi remarked grimly, his voice muffled slightly by the mask. "We're running on borrowed time now." 

Shaak Ti nodded, her lekku curling slightly. "If it spreads unchecked, Tipoca City will be a tomb. Every life here depends on the Republic Navy reaching us in time." 

Kenobi's brow furrowed. "The Separatists know this. That's why they've redoubled their efforts. They've pushed us out of the central spire, and though it has little strategic value for our evacuation, it's a clear sign they're closing in." 

A sharp chime interrupted their conversation. The holocommunicator on the nearby console flickered to life, and Captain Hael's visage appeared, his helmet removed to reveal his weathered face. His voice was calm, but the urgency was unmistakable. 

"Generals, this is Captain Hael. Our air defenses have been overwhelmed. The CIS has begun landing troops across the city. Hangar 3 is now their primary target. If it falls, we lose our main point of evacuation." 

Kenobi's eyes narrowed. "How long can your men hold it?" 

"Not long, sir," Hael admitted. "We've deployed additional squads, but we're stretched thin. I recommend you and General Ti make your way there immediately. Your presence may rally the troops." 

Shaak Ti exchanged a glance with Kenobi. "Understood, Captain. We're en route." 

As Hael signed off, Shaak Ti gestured to the two squads flanking them. "Double time, troopers. We don't have a moment to waste." 

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The journey to Hangar 3 was fraught with tension. The corridors echoed with the distant rumble of explosions and the faint cries of the wounded. Clone troopers hurried past, their chatter a mix of tactical updates and clipped acknowledgments. 

"Squad Delta reporting heavy resistance near Junction Besh. We're holding but could use reinforcements." 

"Copy that Delta, permission to collapse the junction granted. Fall back immediately and seal it." 

"This is Squad Romeo. We've secured the west entrance to the auxiliary hangar. Awaiting further orders." 

"Roger that Romeo, you are to use any available equipment to collapse the main spire, we are in full retreat." 

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Kenobi and Shaak Ti moved swiftly, their robes billowing behind them as the squads kept pace. Every turn revealed more signs of the city's dire state—fallen debris, flickering lights, and the occasional glimpse of Kaminoans hurrying to secure their precious cloning facilities. 

"General, up ahead!" one of the clones called out, his voice sharp. 

At the far end of the corridor, a towering figure stepped into view, his metallic form gleaming in the dim light. General Grievous. 

The clanking of his mechanical limbs reverberated through the hall as he advanced, his cape shifting to reveal the hilt of a lightsaber at his side. The mechanical voice grated through the air as he stopped, pointing one talon-like finger. 

"Ah, General Kenobi." 

Kenobi exhaled slowly, his hand instinctively reaching for his lightsaber. "Hello there." He said in mock politeness. 

Shaak Ti's presence beside him was a steadying force, but the danger radiating from Grievous was palpable, a dark void in the Force that seemed to draw the air from the corridor. Kenobi knew the situation was untenable. Facing Grievous would take precious time they didn't have, yet retreating wasn't an option. 

"Obi Wan," Shaak Ti said quietly, her tone measured. "We can't go around. The detour would take too long." 

"I know," Kenobi replied, his voice low. 

Grievous didn't wait for further pleasantries. With a flourish, he pulled two lightsabers from his cloak, igniting them in a brilliant clash of blue and green. "I've been waiting for this moment, Jedi." 

Kenobi adjusted his stance, slipping into the familiar form of Soresu. His mind went through the scenarios in a split second. Grievous was faster and stronger than before—there was a weight in the Force surrounding him that hinted at enhancements, and the malevolence in his movements confirmed it. 

"Stay close to the clones," Kenobi said to Shaak Ti. "I'll clear the path." 

Before she could protest, Kenobi dropped his stance and surged forward in a rush, his lightsaber igniting with a snap-hiss. He stretched out with the Force, sending a wave of energy crashing toward Grievous. The cyborg merely shifted, the wave washing over him harmlessly as he opened his cloak wider and advanced. 

Kenobi didn't falter nor question, at the moment he didn't have such luxury. Drawing on the Force once more, he yanked chunks of the ceiling, walls, and floor, hurling them toward Grievous. The towering cyborg swung his lightsabers in a flurry, slicing through debris with precision, though he was forced to step back under the relentless barrage. 

"Go!" Kenobi shouted over his shoulder, accelerating and rotating his lightsaber, swinging it from the side to catch Grevious's who attempted to block it in a lock, pulling on the force to keep the blades together and using the force to push his strength beyond that of the cyborg. 

Shaak Ti hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding, motioning for the clones to follow her. The squad moved swiftly, keeping their blasters trained on any potential threats as they pushed past the duel. 

Grievous was surprised as he was slowly pushed sliding from his position, but only for a moment as his feet locked onto the floor. 

Blades clashing in a shower of sparks, each strike from Kenobi was augmented by the Force, his movements faster and stronger than usual, driving Grievous back step by step. But the cyborg recovered quickly, planting his legs firmly on the ground and halting Kenobi's advance with sheer mechanical strength. 

"You've improved, Jedi," Grievous sneered, his voice dripping with venom. "But it won't be enough." 

Kenobi didn't respond, his focus solely on buying time. Behind him, the sounds of Shaak Ti and her squad's footsteps grew fainter until they disappeared entirely. 

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The clash of lightsabers became a distant echo as Shaak Ti and the clones pressed onward. The hangar loomed ahead, its wide doors sealed but operational. 

The sleek corridors leading to Hangar 3 stretched out before Shaak Ti, her footfalls accompanied by the rhythmic clatter of her clone escort. The polished floors reflected the flickering emergency lights, and the faint hum of the city's power grid pulsed beneath the chaotic echoes of battle from distant parts of Tipoca City. Her breath came heavy through the filtration mask, though not from exertion—there was something else, a tension clawing at her consciousness, warning her that something was terribly wrong. 

The doors to the hangar hissed open, revealing… serenity. 

The hangar floor was intact, pristine. No scorched metal, no shattered droids, no blaster marks on the walls. Clone troopers moved with an eerie calm, loading supplies and securing transports. The air was oddly still, save for the soft whine of repulsorlifts and the muted chatter of troopers relaying logistical updates. 

"Sector five secure, all transports prepped for departure." 

"Confirming supplies aboard Transport Aurek-Four. ETA to readiness: five minutes." 

Shaak Ti's steps faltered. Her keen eyes swept the hangar, seeking any sign of a skirmish, but she found nothing. It didn't make sense. The CIS forces were relentless—this hangar should've been a war zone. Her tension eased slightly as her gaze landed on Anakin Skywalker, standing at the center of the hangar. His back was to her, hands clasped behind him in his characteristic posture. 

Skywalker was garbed in his black combat uniform, his presence commanding as always. Relief bubbled in her chest. Of course. Anakin must have driven off the droids. But the feeling was fleeting, replaced by a growing unease. 

Every step toward Skywalker felt heavier than the last. The Force screamed at her, each warning sharper than the previous. She came to an abrupt stop, her hand instinctively brushing the hilt of her lightsaber. Her Lekku twitched as her senses sharpened, and she turned to take in the scene once more—this time with more scrutiny. 

The clones. 

The realization struck her like a physical blow. The Force didn't lie, and the hostility radiating from the troopers hit her in a suffocating wave. She scanned the faces of the clones working on the transports. Their actions were methodical, outwardly professional, but the undercurrent of aggression was unmistakable. 

"General," one of the escorts said, stepping behind her. The doors to the hangar slid shut with a loud thud. 

Her heart sank. Slowly, she turned her attention back to Skywalker. He remained still, though she felt his presence shift. The air grew heavy, oppressive. Shaak Ti steadied herself, her grip tightening on her lightsaber. 

"Skywalker," she called, her voice even but laced with suspicion. "What's going on here?" 

He turned. 

Her breath hitched as her gaze locked onto his eyes—no longer the vibrant blue of her friend and comrade, but blazing yellow, a storm of fire and hatred. The suffocating presence of the dark side rolled off him in waves, each one heavier than the last. It drowned the room in despair. 

Anakin's voice was calm, yet it carried an overwhelming authority. "Under Contingency Order 66, you, Jedi General Shaak Ti, have been found guilty of treason." 

The words struck her like a physical blow, but she masked her shock with defiance. A scoff escaped her lips, and she unclipped her lightsaber, igniting the blade with a sharp snap-hiss. The familiar hum filled the air as she gave the weapon a twirl, adopting a defensive stance. 

But the Force around her didn't waver. The oppressive pressure intensified, crushing down on her like a tidal wave. Her fingers trembled, and her breathing quickened despite her Jedi discipline. This was no ordinary darkness—this was the Chosen One, consumed by the dark side, his power magnified to a terrifying degree. 

Anakin took a step forward, his boots clicking against the floor with deliberate precision. "This is no duel, Shaak Ti," he said coldly, his gaze boring into hers. "It's an execution." 

The weight of his words hit her just as the Force itself bore down upon her. She gasped as her knees buckled, the sheer pressure pinning her in place. Her lightsaber flickered, then deactivated entirely as it was wrenched from her grasp, clattering uselessly to the floor. Even the floor beneath her began to crack, spiderweb fractures forming under the invisible weight. 

Shaak Ti gritted her teeth, trying to summon the strength to rise, to resist. Her heart pounded as she glanced around the room. The clones had stopped their tasks, every blaster now trained on her. Their faces were determined, and their intent was clear. 

The sound of blasters charging filled the room, a symphony of death. Shaak Ti's lekku twitched as she fought against the overwhelming despair. She was a Jedi Master, one of the most skilled in the Order. But here, now, before the power in the force of the chosen one, she was utterly powerless. 

The clones opened fire. 

A cascade of red bolts lit up the hangar, their impacts tearing through her robes and flesh. She screamed as pain engulfed her, but it was brief. The darkness of unconsciousness claimed her swiftly, and her body slumped to the ground, lifeless. 

Anakin released his grip on the force as his eyes returned to normal, though occasionally still flashing a bright yellow. 

"Signal the High General. All preparations have been completed." 

A.N: Ok... This attack on Kamino is taking forever.... i thought it'd just be 1-2 chapters max and we're already at 4... Then again i thought star wars clone wars would take at max 20 chapters but we're nearly at 60... though i am having a lot of fun, can't complain, and liek to ehar you guys are enjoying it as well. Anyway, any ideas after Kamino? I naturally have a small list of events i'd like to go through but we are nearing the end of the clone wars so I'd like to see if you guys can think of smth that would be intersting to see before their conclusion. Anyway, hope you enjoyed :)