The Spartan Genesis
Deep within the biolabs of the Eclipse Imperium, the cloning process had begun.
The gestation chambers were unlike Kamino's sterile, automated vats. These were far older, repurposed from Rakatan stasis tanks, fused with modern genetic frameworks and ancient Sith alchemical binding.
Within each chamber floated a being—not a copy of a template, but a convergence of Mandalorian warrior genes and Rakatan enhancements, guided by KESHL's AI-controlled mutation protocols.
"Clones viable," KESHL reported. "Neurological growth at 2.3% over baseline. First combat viability expected in eleven months. Total Spartan units under production: 1,200."
Darth Serion stood silently before the observation window. Each pod was a promise. A soldier not of the Republic. Not of Kaminoan design.
"Test them in a year. But train them before they wake," Serion said. "Combat isn't just strength—it's will."
"Understood. Spartan training simulations initialized."
In a sealed chamber below, droid-instructor holoprograms began the work. Firearms, tactics, unarmed combat, adaptive theory. The minds of the unborn would be prepared before breath was drawn.
II. The Jedi Council — Paralysis in Light
Back on Coruscant, the Jedi High Council convened once more.
Holorecords flickered overhead. Data corruption. Trade route interruptions. Communications blackouts in isolated sectors.
Mace Windu leaned forward, tapping the report with a finger.
"These are not coincidences. They're tests. Probes."
Ki-Adi-Mundi shook his head.
"No proof of Sith involvement. We cannot justify action based on theory."
Yoda's eyes were half-closed, his thoughts drifting into the Force.
"Feel it, I do. But shape… it has not."
Adi Gallia raised another concern.
"Act prematurely, and we risk triggering what we wish to prevent."
Obi-Wan, a Knight not yet Council-worthy, was allowed to speak due to his recent assignments in the Outer Rim.
"If we wait for proof, the darkness will already be upon us."
Still, the vote was cast. No mobilization. Only watchfulness.
And in the shadows of the chamber, something ancient and cold laughed at their indecision.
III. The Sith Lords — Stillness Before the Strike
Far below, Sidious once again contacted his Master.
"The Jedi know something stirs, but still they wait."
Plagueis's voice came through like dry stone grinding.
"Their weakness has always been their devotion to caution. Let them wait."
"Should we adapt the plan?"
"No," Plagueis said. "What grows in the Outer Rim is not ready to strike. It moves slowly, like we once did. Let it fester. Let it grow confident. We remain unseen. Our endgame is unshaken."
"And the boy?"
"In time."
For now, the Sith did nothing. For in their philosophy, to act rashly was to betray the long game. They had waited decades already. What was a few more months?
IV. The Senate — Collapse in Motion
In the grand rotunda of the Galactic Senate, chaos reigned.
The Economic Oversight Committee had exposed significant security flaws in the Republic's trade credit network. Hundreds of millions were redirected before even being logged, attributed to "slicing incursions." Billions siphoned in subtle fluctuations that couldn't be traced.
Senator Bail Organa called for an internal audit.
Senator Ask Aak demanded trade tariffs be frozen.
Senator Mon Mothma spoke of diplomatic resolution and increased oversight.
The Trade Federation, furious and humiliated, lobbied for armed security details on all of its financial institutions.
In the eye of the storm, Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum struggled to maintain control.
He had lost the support of key blocs—the Centrist Committee, the Outer Rim Alliance, and even some moderate Core World senators.
A vote of no confidence wasn't called… yet. But whispers of replacement had begun to echo through the marble halls.
Half his political power was gone. The rest was bleeding out.
V. Taliya's Descent — The Trial of Korriban
Veil-1 pierced the atmosphere of Korriban, descending into windswept ruin.
The once-great Sith world lay still beneath crimson skies. Ancient tombs, half-buried in stone and sand, reached upward like skeletal fingers.
Taliya stepped out into silence. Her armor hissed as she adjusted the filtration seals. Her saber remained on her hip—unused. This was not a mission of combat.
It was a mission of transformation.
She wandered through the Valley of the Dark Lords, their names carved into stone: Ajunta Pall. Tulak Hord. Marka Ragnos. Each monument exuded an oppressive pressure.
At the center of the valley, a fissure yawned open—a path into darkness.
Inside, ancient traps lay dormant. Spirits whispered through broken walls. Echoes of battles long past danced on the edge of her hearing.
And within the heart of the tomb, she found herself.
In a chamber lit only by a red crystal growing from the floor, she sat and meditated.
The Force answered.
She saw her past.
Her Jedi training. Her betrayal. The night she turned.
But she did not flinch. She did not mourn. She did not run.
Instead, she spoke into the silence:
"That girl is dead."
Her saber ignited. A soft, humming silver-red. And with one motion, she severed the braid she had kept since her time as a Padawan.
It fell into the dust.
"Taliya Marr is gone."
"I am the blade in the dusk. I am the silence before fire."
The air shifted.
The tomb accepted her.
VI. The Imperium Moves
Back within the Eclipse control nexus, Serion watched the indicators from Korriban.
KESHL confirmed the telemetry.
"Subject Taliya has completed transition. Her presence in the Force has… deepened. Harmonized."
"She's ready," Serion said.
"Clones will reach testing phase in eleven months. Prototype destroyer 'Umbra One' is complete."
"Then begin the next phase. We've rattled the banks. Time to rattle the minds."
"How?"
"Knowledge," Serion said. "Let the Jedi learn just enough to doubt themselves. Plant fragments. Let their archives whisper truths too late to stop."
And with that, he turned away from the galaxy map.
VII. The Storm Before
As the clone tanks pulsed.As the Jedi meditated in error.As the Senate fell to infighting.As Taliya knelt alone on Korriban's red sands.
The galaxy rotated as always.
But the shadows no longer followed it.
They led.