So this chapter is basically filler but I wrote it pretty fast cause I had three days off work, but I liked this clone war episode for Riyo simping purposes, so just bear with me. This next chapter will be much better, and FUUUUUUUUCK I want to go to sleep cause after writing this before editing while watching the episode twenty or so times was tiring.

Senator Padme Amidala worked hard to prevent herself from sighing as she had heard about this new threat to the Republic.

What was worse was that, once again, her efforts to reach out to any of the Separatist-controlled worlds would either sway them to their side or pursue a peace treaty. Both failed. Either the planet leaders had rejected all of her messengers before they even had the chance to bring it up. It was almost as if they wanted the war to keep going.

"Work bringing you down, my angel?" she heard a voice ask. Smiling despite herself, she looked and saw Anakin Skywalker, her husband—it still felt wonderful to say that—enter her office.

He had that trademark smirk on his face, the one that could both infatuate and infuriate her, much like the man himself. She realized that it was curiously the same as Christen's last name, though she couldn't tell her best friend that she spoke that out when highly intoxicated, the two men did have similarities, but then again, the universe was large... surely there was another family with the skywalker name totally unrelated to her Ani...right?

"You could say that. The hearings in the Senate have come to a standstill regarding any minimizing of the war. It's pretty much everyone shouting at each other over and over until the session's over. Even Abigail and Christen are beginning to grow angry at the absolute recklessness of these proposed bills. Ugh, I feel bad for how many men he has to go after to keep me safe. It's been what twenty or so plots of assassination attempts he's uncovered. He even gained us back Rodia and saved my uncle Ono. I rarely see him anymore, and neither does Avigail from what she's told me, but then at the end of the night, I'll know he does his job by the body bags at the front door, crates of data logs, pads, and every piece of evidence we need...if they were alive, which I've asked him to do since he kept killing them," Padme rambled on.

Anakin nodded. "So, I've heard...the council hasn't been too positive on him, dear. But certainly, Gunrey being murdered by the Savior and his sith would have made the peace talks easier?" he asked curiously.

Padme shook her head. "You would think it would, but no, in fact, that probably only made things worse. Ever since his death, representatives from both the Trade Federation and his home planet of Cato Neimoidia have been lobbying the Senate to take a firmer stance in the war, demanding further weapons testing and experimenting, further clone reproduction by millions. They want revenge against the Empire for what happened"

"Abigail has had to go out so often for meetings that are too dangerous for me to go to, then Christen has these missions all the time on top of his watching over me, and whenever he can't, I simply have my friend rising companion HK-70-9478 or as I like to call him Xavion" Anakin crooked his head to the far left corner and was surprised to find two glowing red eyes glaring back at him. The barrels of two blastors were barely visible in the darkness, to have a droid who even he couldn't notice his presence being the security of his wife was both angering yet relieved that someone capable was looking after his wife. "...It's incredibly exhausting to be me, but when I think about that, I feel...weak," she explained. Anakin frowned.

"Then they're going to be shouting for a while. The search for the Savior's Empire has revealed that it isn't anywhere from the inner Core out to the unknown Regions. Even then, that still leaves most of the galaxy for them to be hiding in," he said.

"Exactly, and we've been trying to tell them that, but they won't listen. They want blood, money, and entertainment, and the longer it takes to spill it, the less they're going to care who it's from," Padme said, the sight of her world crumbling apart. Her best friends putting their lives on the line, along with the cold fact she saw her best friend with another man, the memory of such a sight and what it will do to their friendship, to the bonding she had tried to do with Christen, she could tell something had changed him. Still, she could see the spark of his old self whenever the three of them got together for dinner, read datapads, or even just talk. It made the tears she had been fighting back finally escape her.

Anakin moved behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. Without saying anything, he merely began moving his fingers and massaging the muscles there. Padmé blinked in surprise but didn't stop him. It felt great.

Unknown to her, Anakin was using the Force to send healing energy from his hands into her. He wasn't nearly as good at it as some of the other Jedi; he much preferred fighting. But it got the job done, as he felt the tension slowly melt away from Padmé's shoulders and neck. Eventually, he had managed to remove all the stiffness, and Padme leaned back into her chair, this time sighing in relaxation.

Looking up at him, she said, "Thank you. I needed that."

Anakin leaned down and kissed her slowly, taking the time to enjoy the touch. It was always worth it to spend time with his angel, no matter what time. Just being in her presence was enough to fill him with warmth.

And where he was going, he was going to need it. As it was, the moment had to end, and he pulled back. "I should go. Obi-Wan and I are supposed to investigate an attacked outpost on some ice planet. We leave soon, stay safe, love" he told her. Padme grunted, just as unhappy as he was at not continuing but accepting it all the same. "Take care not to get any frostbite while you're there," she said teasingly. Anakin's laughter was the last she heard of him as he left, and she returned to her work with a smile on her face.

The surface of Orto Plutonia

It was freezing, and lots of snow and winds cut through them like invisible knives. The cold was what hit the Jedi first.

The moment the ships had landed on the surface of Orto Plutonia, they were graciously greeted by waves of ice and snow thanks to the storm that surrounded them. Anakin and Obi-Wan, along with the legion of clone troopers, had worn full thermal gear with thick padding to keep themselves from freezing. Their escort, on the other hand, did not need such protection.

Both of them were humanoid-like aliens, save for blue skin and yellow eyes. The first was a young woman with long purple hair held up in a headdress, wearing a set of formal robes. The other was an elderly male with white hair beneath his cap, more stern than soft characteristics, and a worn-out military uniform. These were Senator Riyo Chuchi and Chairman Chi Cho, who had been assigned to lead and the nearby moon of Pantora. Anakin quivered as the winds hit his face. Obi-Wan managed only a tiny bit better, commenting, "And this is supposed to be the planet's tropic region!"

"It's not Tatooine. That's for sure," Anakin replied before turning back to his troops. "Rex, have your troops unload all the gear and place as many ion sensors around as possible. It'll look as if it will be dark soon," he ordered.

"Right away, sir! You heard him, men! Move it!" Rex replied, saluting him before walking off.

Behind them were C-3PO and R2-D2, having been brought due to being a diplomatic droid. And the moment he was off the gunship, he started complaining. "My word, it is frigid out there. Why would the Republic want an outpost all the way out on this planet?" he thought aloud. When R2 responded in a series of beeps, the droid stared.

"Because the Chairman requested it? Why would he do something like that?" he asked. Looking over at the Chairman and the Senator, Obi-Wan said, "Until the area is secure, it would be best for you two to wait here." Chairman Cho snorted in disdain. "I respect your judgment, General, but this is sovereign Pantora territory. I will go where I choose," he stated.

"Wait. Sovereign territory? I thought this planet was uninhabited? If it is, that means it's not aligned with any government," Anakin said.

It was the wrong thing to say. Cho stepped closer to Anakin and bent down so that they were at eye level. "Our moon of Pantora is the only civilized planet in this system, and I'm the one who asked the Senate to protect this planet. It belongs to us," he said, making it clear that he wasn't taking no for an answer. Unfortunately, that was precisely the answer Obi-Wan had. "With all due respect, Chairman, that's for the Senate to decide, not us," he said. "Ah, but the Jedi reports to the Senate, one of which is Senator Chuchi here," the Chairman countered, waving a hand at the Senator.

At being put on the stand, the Senator spoke up. "Technically speaking, Master Kenobi, he is correct. Since Ord Plutonia is uninhabited, Pantora has the right to act as its territory and will maintain that right," she said. Yielding the point, Kenobi left to join up with the troops and began making their way towards the nearby outpost. The outpost itself had been the entire reason for coming here. It had only been recently installed, and yet the communications with it had stopped overnight.

This usually meant one of two things. Either the entire outpost itself had been destroyed… or it was still standing, and whoever it was had killed everyone there.

Once they reached the outpost, the fact that there was no wreckage confirmed the latter probability. However, once they had opened the main doors, they were treated to a rather strange sight. In front of them was a series of spikes set into the ground in a semicircle.

Sitting on top of each end was the helmet of a clone trooper. No bodies, just the helmets. The further into the outpost, they ventured, only encountering more helmets on spikes they kept seeing. The bodies of the clones they belonged to begin appearing halfway through the base. Even stranger, however, was that there were no blaster marks on any of the bodies. It looked as if the troops had been fought with more primitive melee weapons.

Looking around at the destruction, Chairman Cho said, "Savagery like this can only be the work of the Separatists. Get the weapon systems back online and the shields operational. There's no telling what they have planned." Riyo looked at him. "Chairman, what makes you so certain the Separatists are the ones behind this attack?" she asked hesitantly.

Cho looked at her as if she had just asked whether the snow was cold. "Look around you, Senator. Isn't the damage before us proof enough? For all we know, they could be planning to make a forward base to attack Pantora," he said. "Yes, I'm aware that it's possible. But there are no dead droids here, no blast marks on the bodies. It's not consistent with what-" she said, only for the Chairman to interrupt her.

"So, you're an expert on warfare now, are you, Senator Chuchi?" he demanded. Riyo lowered her gaze. "No, Chairman, please, I was only-"

"Let me tell you something, Senator. I've been in the position I am in for longer than you've been alive and seen over a hundred governments fall through Force of arms. I will not let Pantora become one of them, even if it costs me my life. Are you willing to make that sacrifice?" he asked bitingly. The Senator was silent, thoroughly cowered by her senior's tirade. However, Obi-Wan spoke up. "I don't think we're dealing the Separatists here. Nor does this look like the actions of the Empire," he said.

As if to confirm this, Anakin appeared. "Master, the sensors are in place. Our forward scouts also found an abandoned droid base nearby, and-" he began. "A droid base! See, I told you this was Separatists!" Cho interrupted again, glaring at the Jedi. Anakin glared right back and continued, "And their base had been attacked just like ours. Droid heads on spikes and everything. Their comm logs placed this as the last transmission they received." Taking out a holoprojector, he replayed the message. In front of them appeared the hologram of a droid soldier, who was firing at… something.

"Unit 675 to command. Our departure has been blocked, and we need reinforcements!" it said imperatively. After a few moments of firing, the droid added "It's no good! They've overrun the base! Ahh!"

Just then, the droid was tackled from behind by a large mass. It struck too swiftly for them to get a good look at it, but they saw that it was wrapped in white fur and had a set of large claws, as evidenced by the fact that it used them to shear the droid's head off. And with that, the message ended. Obi-Wan ran a hand over his beard, thinking. "Whatever that thing was, it's a strong warrior. Where did the transmission come from?" he asked.

Rex answered, affirming, "According to the comm logs, that droid was part of a squad investigating the southern canyon." "Then that's where we'll start looking for whoever's responsible for this. Rex, stay here and guard the Senator and Chairman. We're going to take a look," Anakin ordered.

After getting their speeders to warm up enough to take the cold of the outside world, the two Jedi raced through the snow-covered landscape. The coordinates for where the droid had fallen were already registered, and they arrived in little time.

Once there, they found the droid squad's headless remains, with the missing heads once again on spikes next to them. Beyond that, there was no other evidence as to who had attacked them. However, once he took out a pair of macro binoculars, Obi-Wan saw something strange. "I'm seeing reflections of light coming from several of the cliffs. Anakin, can you see it?" he asked. Taking out his own set, Anakin looked and saw the same thing. "Yep. Whoever it is, they know we're coming," he said, swiftly putting them away and getting back in the speeder. Obi-Wan did the same, and they rushed further into the canyon. Near the end of it, across an ice bridge, they finally found their unknown assailants.

It was a small village composed of primitive huts, built into the cliff's wall and filled with aliens. Each of them was large, bipedal, and covered in shaggy white fur with five-fingered clawed hands. They each had four black eyes, one pair more petite than the other, and small proboscis tubes for mouths. Accompanying them were a set of cat-like mounts, who growled at the Jedi, came closer. Anakin and Obi-Wan went to a stop in front of the village and slowly got out. The Talz slowly came closer, several of them holding sharp spears. Anakin began to reach for his lightsaber, but Obi-Wan said "Steady, my former Padawan. We haven't done anything to provoke them, unlike the droids or our troops must-have. Let's try to resolve this peacefully."

Slowly, Anakin let go of his lightsaber and nodded, looking at the Talz's spears cautiously. Letting Obi-Wan take the lead, the two approached the village and were stopped by a pair of guards. However, one of the Talz, taller than others and wearing a sort of headdress, waved them aside. The guards complied, and the lead Talz walked away, gesturing for the Jedi to follow. Doing so, Anakin commented "Too bad we didn't bring 3PO with us. How exactly are we going to communicate with these things?" "I'll think of something," was his former Master's reply. The Talz leader led them inside one of the huts, several others around a fire.

The two Jedi sat opposite of them, and the lead Talz began talking. However, what he was trying to say was entirely unintelligible for the Jedi, having no idea what the series of chirps, buzzes, and snarls meant in Basic. Trying to get their message across, Obi-Wan said "We come to you in peace. We mean you no harm."

Anakin blinked as an idea came to him, and he picked up one of the cloths on the ground before grabbing a piece of charcoal from the fire. Quickly, he drew a picture of two stick figures shaking hands and showed it to the Talz. "Peace," he said slowly. The Talz stared at the sketch, but the lead one shifted his gaze to the Jedi. The two sides didn't speak for almost a minute until, eventually, the Talz nodded his head and yowled to a nearby door which then opened to reveal a TY droid of the Savior's Empire.

"Greetings Jedi, I am TY-72-049 of the Empire's containment and exploration fleet." it spoke in a light tone that burst with false emotions, though it was only because it was all too happy to tell the Jedi the news.

It only took an hour for Obi-Wan and Anakin to return to the outpost just as it was getting dark outside. However, their expressions did not speak of success. Instead, their faces were grave, and Rex could tell something was terrible even before he spoke. "Glad to have you back, sir. It's getting dark out there, and the storm's picking up as well," he said.

Anakin nodded. "You don't know the half of it," he said glumly. Before Rex could ask what the problem was, the two Jedi were approached by Chairman Cho and Senator Chu Chi. "General. What did you find?" Cho asked. "It would seem, unlike what we first thought, that this planet actually is inhabited. By a tribe of Talz nonetheless," Obi-Wan said.

The Chairman's eyes widened before he sneered. "That is completely impossible. Our explorers have spent much time here over Pantora's history and never found anyone living here. These creatures must be trespassers," he stated. Anakin shook his head. "Actually, Chairman, the Talz aren't advanced enough as a species to master space travel. Which would mean that they've always lived here, even longer than Pantora has been around," he explained. Senator Chuchi added, saying "Your majesty, if there are lifeforms here, then it the Senate who must decide jurisdiction." But the Chairman wasn't taking no for an answer. "Then those creatures belong to us, just as this whole system belongs to us. Besides, they're savages. Look at what they did to this place; they massacred our troops! Captain Rex, prepare your troops for battle!" he commanded.

Anakin waved his hand, belaying the order. "The Talz only want to be left alone. Even if we're on different sides, they don't want to fight, and we promised that we wouldn't retaliate," he said regrettably.

The Chairman was about to go on another tirade when he paused, processing what Anakin said. "Different sides? What do you mean?" he asked. Obi-Wan sighed, hoping that this wouldn't come up until later. "We spoke with the tribe's leader, who had a translator droid that they should not have access to with them. The droid was a gift from the ones they've pledged their allegiance to the Savior's Empire, upon contact with their exploratory fleet, which even we the Jedi had no clue about" For a moment, there was silence, and both Cho and Riyo stared at them in shock. Until, however, that shock gave way to rage. "WHAT?! You mean to say that these beasts not only attacked our troops, wrecked our outpost, and are living on our planet, but work for this Barbaric and murderous zealot empire as well?!" he shouted before looking at Rex. "Captain, prepare your troops to purge them this instant! We are going to find those animals and wipe them from the face of this wasteland! that Empire will not have a hold on this Stsyem!" he commanded.

"No!" Senator Chuchi shouted, causing the Chairmen to look at her. "Chairman, if the Jedi can communicate with them, and they don't wish to fight, this can be solved diplomatically. There's no need to force the issue into something violent," she said. "Be silent, Senator. The Convention of Civilized Systems doesn't cover these creatures. The Jedi Council has no say in this matter, and I will not let an enemy of mine just sit at its doorstep," Cho said firmly.

Obi-Wan sighed. It was taking all of his considerable patience to stay calm right now. "We managed to arrange a meeting with Thi-Sen, their leader. If we wish to make it at the arranged time, we should leave soon," he said. The Chairman agreed with that, and they began preparing alongside half of the clones that had arrived with them.

The moment they reached the fallen droid station, Chairman Cho took charge. "Captain, place your men along that ice ridge. We will attack the Talz as soon as they arrive," he said. "You will do no such thing!" Obi-Wan said firmly.

"I will do, and you will do as I command! This planet is under my jurisdiction!" Cho screamed "On the contrary, Chairman, you have no power here. The Talz have had their scouts following us for some time and are already here. Apparently, Thi-Sen trusts you just as much as your trust him." Anakin said.

Indeed, the Talz began appearing from beyond the same ice ridge Chi had wanted the troops stationed at, sitting on their mounts. Several unmounted ones had been hiding in the snow and burst out from underneath without warning.

The clones reacted and pointed their blasters but didn't fire. And the Talz raised their spears but didn't rush.

Their point is proven, the Jedi walked into the droid outpost, C-3PO, Riyo, and a steaming Chairman Cho following them. The one known as Thi-Sen, a tall silver, black hues droid, and several other Talz waited inside and tensed once they approached. However, upon seeing the Jedi, they calmed down though the droid seemed to take a defensive position. Obi-Wan and Anakin bowed their heads. "Your highness, we have returned, as promised," Anakin said. C-3PO stepped forward and repeated their words in Talzzi. Thi-Sen responded, and the droid translated. "Chieftain Thi-Sen welcomes you to his home a new addition to the gracious Empire of his Emperor Savior and hopes that you come in peace.

While he cannot speak for the other Talz tribes amongst the galaxy, he does wish to be good neighbors regardless of your allegiance. Still, he requests that you leave his planet or else the Empire will see it as an act of trespassing and war" Obi-Wan blinked; other tribes? "Wait. You mean to say that other Talz tribes have joined the Saviors Empire?" he asked.

"Indeed. The Talz are not only on this planet but also on Hoth and Alzoc III, with around fifty thousand warriors in number from what their droid tells them. They have all joined their new Lord in exchange for being given the status of a free and equal people once Lord Savior conquers the galaxy. Protecting us against a future of slavery, however, should the Republic be willing to offer the same, there is no reason my tribe cannot change sides," 3PO told them.

Seeing the Chairman's expression flash with anger, Senator Churchi quickly said, "Perhaps I should represent Pantora in this matter." "Not on your life, Senator. Droid, you will translate my exact words," the Chairman responded before stepping in front of the Talz. "Listen to me, you brute. This planet is under the rule of the moon of Pantora. As Pantora's exalted ruler, you will not command me to leave this planet or go anywhere! And even if you could, I would never heed any words from someone allied with an enemy of the Republic!"

There was silence, and the 3PO muttered as the droid now equipped his weapons. The droid's eyes glowed like mini suns as it took a more aggressive stance and moved in front of the chief, who now stood confused.

"Oh dear," before relaying that message to Thi-Sen. As predicted, the Talz began snarling and waving his arms around, pointing a clawed finger at the Chairman. Once he was done, 3PO said, "The great Thi-Sen, 'Son of Suns,' asks again that you leave. If you do not, they will declare war."Before the Jedi or the Senator could stop him, Chairman Cho said, "Then war it is." C-3PO hesitated before saying as such in Talzzi. The droid let out what could be made as a chuckle. Thi-Sen stared for a moment before grunting and walking past them along with the droid tailing the back, the sensors it uses as eyes never leaving them. By the time the Jedi and their escort exited the outpost, the entire tribe was already gone.

Chairman Cho led the group of thirty clones back to the outpost in a team of fifteen speeder bikes and five squads. Deciding that the usual route would leave them too open, they had decided to take another path through the canyon to get around. Unfortunately, the Talz knew the environment like the back of their hands, and three of them were already lying in wait along with five HK-69 droids. The Chairman's eyes narrowed.

"Here they are. Once you're in range, open fire," he said. Rex was about to respond that they were only there for protection when suddenly, over a dozen Talz and TY droids burst out of the snow, clubs in hand. "Ambush! Defensive formation!" he yelled. The other troopers responded by opening fire on the charging dozens of fleshy and metallic enemies. Only twenty remained from the twenty-five who ambushed them, three Talz and two droids down before contact was even made, along with seven clones.

The droids who avoided it used their rifles to send waves of blaster fire and cover for the talz to get up close to use their clubs to knock the clones off their bikes as they sped past, denting armor and breaking bones while their speeders kept going and crashed, over half the original team was still alive.

Rex's own speeder was knocked over by a leaping droid, who instantly started stomping the windshield to try and break through. Rex ejected himself from the speeder and drew a pair of dual pistols. He knocked the droid back a few feet, but was quickly overrun by the droid's gunfire before using the fallen speeder bike as cover. The other clones managed to stop their bikes and form a circle with them. However, hundreds of Talz and droids seemed to emerge on the cliffs surrounding them and began throwing spears and blaster fire. One such spear was about to impale Chi when one of his bodyguards yelled "Chairman, get down!" and tackled him. The move saved the Chairman from being hit. The cost was that the spear stabbed the bodyguard through the spine.

More of them began falling, even as the troops' more advanced weapons cut down on the Talz's numbers. But more of them kept coming to replace the ones that had fallen, quickly putting the clones at a disadvantage. "We can't fall here. The first squad, cover the retreating squad four, five, and three are down!" Rex ordered, shooting one more Talz down as he spoke before having to throw himself down as a droid set his sights on him. The Chairman had drawn his own blaster pistol and was also fighting. He had a useless left arm not as it dangled with blaster bolts riddle throughout. However, upon hearing Rex, he looked over at the clone commander with a face mangled with pain and snarled in shock. "Retreat? Are you mad? We can't retreat from these animals!" he yelled. His other bodyguard was also struck down with a spear. And less than a second later, his own world erupted in pain once more when a spear hit the Chairman in the back, the tip of it going deep enough to pierce his stomach. "Savages…" he managed to mutter before falling over, his body fidgeting as it was riddled with three bolts of the lower body.

"Chairman!" Rex yelled, running towards him. Several Talz managed to break their deformed and mangled bikes' perimeter, but he shot them down once they were close enough. The other clones covered for him once he picked up the dead Chairman and slung him over the front of one of the bikes. Then got on and, without waiting for the others, sped off.

Along with only five clones of the thirty, he brought right behind him, with the Talz and droids hot in pursuit.

Back at the Republic outpost, Senator Chu Chi tried to establish contact with Pantroa's Speaker of the Assembly. Apparently, due to this being an internal affair of Pantora, the only way the Jedi would be allowed to intervene was if they were petitioned to. And the Speaker was the only one who could grant that petition. Thankfully, fate was kind enough to let the storm begin passing up, which enabled them to connect. "Senator Riyo Chu Chi, the Assembly has concluded that the actions of Chairman Chi Cho are indeed out of order. You are at this moment given the authority to negotiate a peaceful settlement between the Talz of Orto Plutonia and the sovereign planet of Pantora," the Speaker declared. "Thank you, sir. I will not let you down," Riyo said firmly. The Speaker nodded but spoke once more before ending the call.

"Senator, you say they have been allied with the Empire, correct? He spoke calmly, yet she could see the worry in his wrinkles.

"Yes, they have allied with them and have even spoken of other tribes amongst the galaxy...why speaker?" she questioned with her voice cracking slightly, having a sinking feeling in her gut.

"well, I'm asking because unknown to you, a majority of the government and the people, the Empire has... contacted us for peace talks, as they wish to take the sector, which worries me as the amount of space between their hold of the northern sectors if what I fear is true, they have some level of control of the wilds of unknown space beyond the borders, the news that they already have a hold of the planet, I fear they will have a hold of us before the republic and even send the number of ships we would need to keep them at bay, the footage of their fleets and weaponry is already worrying enough, we will need to prepare a receding from the republic or face the wrath of the empire" he spoke gravely and defeated to the now shocked and teary eyes senator as he then ended the transmission.

"...well, at least we can this problem senator... Pilot, get us moving!" Obi-Wan said in a solum tone, the news that the Empire was actively taking over the sector, on the literal another side of the galaxy, a fact that simply boggled him. Now that the storm was less intense, the other gunships could also fly, and they raced to catch up with Rex and other others before they were all dead. The news that only five clones had survived was a hard blow.

"Here they come!" Rex called in excitement, trying to get his bike to go faster. Another group of droids and a few Talz, this one led by Thi-Sen, was descending the cliffs in front of them to reinforce the ones behind the clones, cutting them off on either side. He had lost another two brothers. Only three of them remained as they fought valiantly for their lives.

They were able to speed right past the ambush. They had lost another two clones. Only three of them remained as they fought valiantly for their lives. And just as they were about to cross the ice bridge, several Talz suddenly pulled out sets of thermal detonators, threw them past the clones, blowing the bridge apart. 'I'll bet you the Savior's Empire instructed them on these tactics, ' Rex thought, coming to a stop before he could drive right over the edge. Now it was just him and three other soldiers, while dozens more Talz were right behind them. The Chairman had managed to regain consciousness by this point, though that wasn't good for him sense his vision was a world of pain as his mangled arm and lower abdomen destroyed his pain receptors, and yet all he could do was groan in agony.

Thi-Sen roared in victory and lead the charge. His club held high as they came closer to the clones. Even as several of their numbers were shot down, they did not pause or falter.

Just as the situation looked hopeless, the sound of gunships filled with dozes of clones began filling the air. From above, the Jedi and their reinforcements descended, ready to assist. Seeing the ships' massive size and their turrets, Thi-Sen slowed his troops to halt, and the droids took defensive stances, though they were prepared to attack if needed.

Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Riyo exited one of the ships and were treated first-hand at how much their numbers had been cut down, the result, three troopers, one with a missing arm, and one with blaster bolts riddled his shoulder, along with a half-dead chairmen including Rex remained of the original thirty-two.

"Rex, are you okay? Give me a sitrep," Anakin said.

"I'm fine, sir. But we've got twenty-eight of us dead... and the two surviving are heavily wounded, including a critically wounded Chairman," he said in pain, as said alien slumped to the ground against one of the bikes. Senator Chu Chi quickly knelt in front of him. Not bothering to ask if he was okay, she asked,

"Chairman, are you still with us?" Cho looked up at her, breathing harshly as he could feel his life leave him.

"Senator, good. You… must avenge me. As my final command… as Chairman of Pantora… I order you to destroy the Talz and wipe the Empire from this surface," he said.

The Senator closed her eyes. "I'm sorry, Chairman, but I cannot do that. Your actions have been called out of order. I am to negotiate peace with both the Empire and the Talz," she told him. The Chairman looked at her in horror. "No…! Impossible! Peace? There is no peace. And I died… for our people," he said before falling forward as he breathed his last.

There was a moment of silence as those present stared at the body. There had never been any doubt that Chi Cho cared about his people and had probably been a wise leader. But he was also arrogant, and arrogance diminishes wisdom.

The moment passed, and Riyo knew she still had a job to do. She gently relieved the Chairman of his helmet and then grabbed one of the spears the Talz had thrown. Looking back at C-3PO, she said, "Protocol droid, come with me."

He obeyed, and the two walked halfway between their side and the Talz's. Thi-Sen urged his mount forward, surrounded by twelve bronze and black plated HK droids, and did the same. Now that they were face-to-face, the primal alien could see firmness in Riyo's gaze where there hadn't been before. But with that firmness, he didn't see any hostility. He got off his mount, and to which the droids allowed him a safe passage to her, and came closer. Riyo raised her spear, and he tensed, only for her to stab that spear into the ground and place Chi's helmet on it.

"Chieftain Thi-Sen. Our Chairman was a good man, and to die for one's people is a great sacrifice. However, to live for one's people is even greater. I choose to live. What do you choose?" she said, which 3PO translated. Thi-Sen stared, snarling under his breath. He raised his own spear, and Riyo's eyes widened.

Then, slowly, he stabbed it into the ground as well. 3PO almost cheered in relief, saying, "He chooses for you to live as well!" Riyo nodded. "From this day forth, we will leave Orto Plutonia under the watchful eyes of the Talz and if need be...your parental Empire and recognize your sovereignty as a free and equal people," she announced.

Thi-Sen nodded and bowed his head, an action both she and 3PO copied. Standing, he said, "Thi-Sen says that he is thankful and that, as a show of good faith, but that his tribe will not dissolve any loyalties to the Savior's Empire, he had shown their people the way of technology and is currently bringing their people to new heights." His piece said, the Talz walked back to his mount and climbed on, slowly leading the rest of his forces back sadly returned to her side, where she and the others began to get onto the gunships.

"Impressive work, but it still saddens me that they are still with the Empire, Senator. I am sorry for how the Empire is forcing your hand in the safety and security of the Sujimis Sector, me and Master Obi-Wan will bring this up to the council" Anakin congratulated and informed her awkwardly.

"Indeed. But now that your people and the Talz are at a mutual peace, remember one crucial thing," Obi-Wan said. When Riyo looked at him, he said, "Make it last. For however long you can, make this peace last and be an example to others so that not only this war but all other wars can also come to an end. Perhaps the Empire can be reasoned with, but hopefully, that can happen faster with people like you entering his domain." She nodded.

"I will. I promise you," she said. And with that, they boarded the ship and left. What Obi-Wan didn't say was one thing that had kept appearing in his mind ever since the fighting started. Thi-Sen had been told that it wasn't just the Talz here on Orto Plutonia that had declared their loyalty to their Saviors army, but the ones on Alzoc III and Hoth as well. And even if this tribe was still not willing to remove that loyalty, what about the others? Worst still was another question. What other sectors' were the Empire planning to take over, what planets had they ALREADY infiltrated, how many beings in the galaxy had the Savior's Empire managed to recruit and control as well?

One week later

inside One of the old Jedaii temples upon Tython… in the centermost of the temple sat a throne with an armored man atop it.

'Ah, the time of war has begun, and with several sectors in control after a month of waring against the galaxy was a significant success, the clone had been integrated well, most of the sith traitors were dead, either by the yashan squads or Kal and his boys. Just hope we can keep the order hidden inside the deep Core. he hated fighting his brother, almost killing his padawan's friends, slaughtering clones like they were paper in front of his padawan. He never wanted to hurt them. Still, he had a sense of what the future held. It was a time where force users would need to be warriors or die.

He would follow the forces will, no matter what, for the greater good of this galaxy and the Force. He knew worse was to come, his brother's supposed fall and the death of hundreds of billions' from some invading force that keep his nightmares and visions feeling too surreal,' Christen thought. Before having his attention diverted by one of his soldiers approaching.

"Emperor my Lord Emperor!, we've received word from our agents in the Senate. The Chairman of Pantora has fallen, and the planet has reached peace with the Talz of Orto Plutonia, along with plans to try to buy them into not coming into our Empire. On the other hand, the Speaker and senator will be arriving in a few days upon Odession for peace talks," his officer told him. Christen thought that over and laughed.

"he would have made a good puppet, and the Talz are fierce allies to have. We are lucky they have stayed with us. What about the other tribes?" he asked.

"Their hate remains unchanged. However, we had seen that the Jedi are attempting to bring mutual peace between the planets of Trandosha and Kashyyk.

Both of which we had allies for a couple of months when a sect of Alpha fleet freed most of the Wookiee slaves in the past two weeks on undercover missions in Hutt territory, along with their killing of most outer rim and fur and scale traders. Not only that, but the,e Separatists are pushing for further control over Ryloth, and more slavery has been happening upon the planet. If the Republic or we don't stop them, they'll completely enslave the planet and its Twi'lek population." he told him.

Christen nodded. Much like the Talz, both the Trandoshans and the Wookies were fierce warriors, and if they ever managed to work together—such as the ones in their own forces had—then they were a force to be reckoned with. A power that he did not want siding with the Republic. "Very well. Send a message to the Bowdarr and Fess clans on both planets to rally opposition to the peace talks. If they can't be swayed, eliminate them. The longer the two planets remain in conflict, the less benefit either of them will be to the Republic," he ordered. He hated to do this, but it was needed. The soldier bowed down to him once more.

"It will be done, my lord, and what of Ryloth?" It was then that Christen smirked.

It was a look any member of the Empire knew far too already. It was a grin that meant he was scheming something. "Put me in touch with the sectoral punishment fleet, I want their beats five divisions, I want each captain and Adrmial to gather up our forces and round them up on the fringes of the gree sector by tomorrows time on noon. It's time we brought that planet some well-needed peace and control ."

HEY, GUYS, FAST UPDATE, RIGHT! WELL, HOPE IT WAS OKAY FOR YOU GUYS, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO RELEASE THE NEXT TWO CHAPTERS, WHICH WILL BE COVERING RYLOTH!