Rex would always be loyal to his squadron and General Skywalker, but now they were headed for Kamino. They had heard that the Emperor might be using cloning on himself, and they couldn't allow that. He knew that the General and Senator Skywalker would never propose such an idea; they valued the lives of the clones too much to do so. He himself knew that this idea was reckless, that many of his brothers would die because of it, but it was the only way to stop Palpatine from continuing to use Kamino for his plans.
"We must find him. He's on Kamino. It will be a difficult mission," Anakin said, his hands behind his back, walking among the squadrons that had joined them on the journey. "We have to get in and out with minimal casualties," Anakin said, and Padmé nodded.
"We have to get in and out with minimal casualties." "Sir," Rex said, clearing his throat, "You've asked for my opinion many times, but this time I'd like to give it."
"Of course, Rex," Anakin said, smiling at his friend.
"I love my brothers, the clones. Each one of them is my family, but we won't win this war without using at least some violence."
"What do you mean, Rex?" Anakin asked.
"I don't think Palpatine started this plan now. He must have been working on it for a long time. Kamino has always been at his disposal."
"Are you saying there might already be clones of him?" Padmé asked. It made sense.
"I'm saying it's very likely, Senator Skywalker," Rex said. "But it would be much easier to find those clones if we had access to Kamino's databases."
"We can't enter Kamino's bases," Ahsoka said. "That's why we must be cautious when we go in."
"That's why I suggest violence. Don't misunderstand me," Rex said, looking at the Surprised faces – If we had control of Kamino, we wouldn't just have access to the databases, we'd also have access to cutting-edge technology that would allow us to save my brothers.
"Are you talking about invading Kamino?" Anakin asked, curious.
"I'm talking about taking Kamino by force. The Empire has attacked many of the planets that joined us, the Rebellion," the man said. "They don't expect a violent attack from us. They can't imagine we would attack them."
"It certainly would be a surprise," Padmé said, weighing the idea.
"Are you considering it?" Anakin asked, puzzled. Padmé had always opted for peace.
"General," Rex said, "I have fought with you in many battles. Today, I betray a part of myself by suggesting attacking my brothers, but I know it is for the greater good. We will save them. The medical bases are already working on it thanks to Senator Skywalker, but on Kamino, we can prevent thousands of them from being born to kill Jedi and…" "Being just pawns of the Empire, you taught me that we were more than just clones born for general war," Rex said with a smile. "Listen to what I'm saying, I wouldn't suggest it unless it was a reasonable option."
"I agree with you, Rex," Anakin smiled. "By invading Kamino, we'll have the opportunity to save many lives."
"But we'll lose too many," Obi-Wan said, and everyone fell silent.
"Everyone here is willing to give their life for the Rebellion. We all want to change the future," Luke said.
"In the Rebellion, we often make decisions like this in the future, like when we destroyed the Death Star. It's for the greater good," Leia said, and Anakin nodded. They were all still worried about Leia.
"I can assure you that Satine won't be happy with this idea," Padmé said, and Obi-Wan smiled nervously. "Don't worry, I'll tell her," Padmé smiled.
"Thanks to the Force," Obi-Wan said, making them laugh.
"Thanks to the Force," Obi-Wan said, making them laugh.
"In the Rebellion, we often make decisions like this, like when we destroyed the Death Star. It's for the greater good," Leia said, and Anakin nodded. "I know this is difficult for you, Rex," Anakin smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"It's the right thing to do, General," Rex said, putting on his helmet.
The orders were issued quickly. Anakin and Rex took charge of leading the squadrons, while Padmé convinced the politicians that it was the right decision. Everyone agreed.
The invasion of Kamino wouldn't be easy, and if they were lucky, they could capture the Emperor.
Padmé and Leia returned with a squadron to Dantooine. Anakin was in charge now and wasn't going to put them at risk.
"Are you ready, General?" Rex asked from one of the ships.
"Ready," Anakin said. "Obi-Wan?" he asked.
"Ready," Obi-Wan replied.
Ahsoka was with her master, while Luke and Mara led another squadron together, feeling honored to be doing so. They would surround Kamino's main military strongholds until they succeeded. Han continued using the Millennium Falcon to transport supplies between Dantooine and other planets to Kamino.
This wouldn't take a day, or even a few weeks; it could likely last more than a month, and the twins knew their time was running out. Han's situation was different, as he was already coexisting with himself in the same spacetime but physically separated, and Mara's was different as well, having used a different method to reach the past. Knowing how much time Mara and Han had in the past was unpredictable; it could be a month or an hour. That's why they made the most of every minute in the past, and that's why Padmé had insisted Mara stay closer to Luke, because they all had the feeling that the visitors from the future were running out of time.
Padmé and Anakin closed their eyes at the same time, separated once again by distance. Padmé prayed with all her might that everything would turn out alright and that there wouldn't be too many casualties. Anakin prayed to see his beloved Padmé's eyes again, to see her smile.
"It has begun," Obi-Wan said, and Anakin nodded.
And so the invasion of Kamino began. Just as they had predicted, no one expected the invasion, yet numerous support ships arrived immediately. Anakin sighed; the number of casualties would be high. He watched Rex advance resolutely and knew how much the man was suffering because of this decision. Everyone died a little in each battle, but they could save the future.
When a week had passed, and the Emperor realized the great power the rebellion held, he had no choice but to request reinforcements through an official statement.
"I knew this would happen if we didn't take action against these terrorists," Palpatine said, addressing the Senate. "They have attacked us, proving that their intentions are not peaceful, as Senator Skywalker tried to imply," Sidious said, feeling the cheers of his supporters in the Senate. "I am forced to send troops to stop this invasion. I will regret every life lost at the hands of these terrorists," he said, and the audience applauded.
But Padmé and Satine knew this would happen, so using an amplified signal on Mandalore, they managed to project a hologram onto every planet—ally, Imperial, or Separatist.
"Chancellor Palpatine has called us terrorists," Padmé said seriously. "We are not," she insisted. "We are carrying out this invasion to save the galaxy, to save our friends from being mere numbers in the Emperor's squadrons. We have information from close sources indicating that Chancellor Palpatine may have used cloning on himself. What kind of ruler would do that? How great is his ambition for unlimited power? You are placing your trust today in a Sith Lord who tried to destroy the Jedi, who tried to eliminate all the politicians who opposed his tyranny, his nefarious rule, and who also tried to eliminate the Separatists. We do not seek destruction, we do not seek to invade cities by force. We have a motive: to stop this man who calls himself Emperor," Padmé said, and Palpatine glared at her.
A second transmission was projected, surprising both Palpatine and Padmé.
"The Emperor has betrayed us," Dooku's calm, grave voice appeared in the hologram. "I will never join the Rebellion, I will never support their cause, but we stand with them in this crusade," Dooku said, surprising Padmé, who simply stared at him seriously.
"What is this?" Palpatine asked.
"The Rebellion will have free passage through our systems," Dooku said, staring intently at Palpatine. "No one will attack them until this battle is over. They will be able to transport supplies more easily, without having to go around the Outer Rim. It's what a good ruler would do," Dooku said, challenging Palpatine.
"I do not share your methods or your evil, Count Dooku," Padmé said. "But I appreciate your action," she said formally.
"I hope all of this is for the good of the galaxy," Dooku said, cutting the transmission.
"Traitors! You are all traitors!" Palpatine shouted, losing control. Padmé gave him a mocking look and cut the transmission, savoring her victory over Palpatine.
"He's going to be furious with you. He'll want personal revenge," Satine said, laughing along with Padmé.
"He will," Padmé said, laughing. "But we've managed to get them some support." She smiled, taking Satine's hands.
Both had done this because they knew how difficult the war on Kamino was. It was hard to sleep at night, worrying that something might have happened to the people they loved.
Leia and Bail Organa dedicated themselves to creating treaties that would facilitate the entry of supplies to the different systems experiencing problems due to the war.
Just as had happened in the Clone Wars, it was the people who suffered the most. The Emperor only imposed tyranny and obedience, but he didn't care about the suffering of the people. Many planets lacked resources and supplies, and they needed to reach them. Padmé had led a meeting where they agreed that they wouldn't act like the Republic. They wouldn't deny aid to those who didn't belong; they would help everyone they could. It was now that a new system of government was beginning, one based on peace and on the people.
The invasion took longer than anyone had anticipated. The squads on Kamino had to split up to fight nearby planets under attack from the Empire. Three months had passed, and Satine watched Padmé gaze at the horizon with tears in her eyes. Anakin could rarely communicate with Padmé, and sometimes he appeared wounded. Other times he would simply call for Luke. Padmé knew that was when Anakin was injured or unconscious. Ahsoka had called once, on the verge of tears, just to report that they were safe. Even Lux suffered seeing Ahsoka not return. Padmé's pregnancy was in its final stages, so protecting her was the order Anakin had given the squads on Dantooine. Padmé had performed incredibly well as a leader; she had drafted and defended numerous peace treaties. They had even had to deal with Dooku on several occasions, despite the hatred he harbored, which they sincerely reciprocated. When the war reached its peak, even the Emperor had to accept peace treaties to transport supplies. The three rulers of the three factions knew that blockades wouldn't always be best for the people, and the Emperor knew he was beginning to run out of strength. He couldn't take any risks; he needed to keep his allied systems strong.
But one day, after long discussions via holograms between Padmé, Dooku, and Darth Sidious, something terrible had happened. Dooku had been captured by Darth Maul. Darth Sidious smiled, using this to his advantage.
"This is the work of the Rebellion," he said, feigning grief. "They couldn't withstand the pressure and have captured my former ally." Padmé closed her eyes. Many would believe Sidious. She didn't know the reasons why Maul had kidnapped Dooku, but they couldn't worry about that while the war was raging. Peace treaties were more difficult from then on, and many blockades were put in place, but thanks to Padmé's efforts, they managed to maintain good relations. However, now with her pregnancy nearing its end, she couldn't exert herself too much. She was carrying two Force-sensitive twins and looked exhausted. Leia had replaced her as the leader of the rebellion. Satine knew how busy they both were. Her own pregnancy was already advanced, not as far as Padmé's, but her figure now displayed a beautiful baby bump that she looked at with pride every day, imagining Obi-Wan smiling down on her.
"I have to do it," Satine said to herself.
She announced that she had to return to Mandalore and asked that Obi-Wan not be informed. She didn't want to cause him any more worry. Padmé, puzzled, agreed, but she knew Satine was hiding something.
"Please, take good care of yourself," Padmé pleaded.
"I will," Satine smiled.
She took her ship, and a squadron of Mandalorian soldiers joined her. Satine knew they weren't enough, but she had to do it. She had to rescue Dooku, otherwise the Separatists would never support them in the war again, and they would all die on Kamino. The Empire was too powerful. She couldn't watch Obi-Wan die; she couldn't bear it. She couldn't watch Padmé raising two twins alone, without Anakin; she couldn't allow it. She closed her eyes, knowing she was risking too much, and that this was by no means a peaceful solution, but her soldiers would be with her. This was difficult for them too; they all supported peace, but they understood they had to fight for it. The ship moved forward, and suddenly, another ship joined it.
"You won't be alone, Duchess," a familiar voice smiled.
"Lux? Lux Bonteri?" Satine asked, surprised.
"Someone important to me told me one day to make the right choices and stop acting like a child. I can't let that person die because of this trap," Lux smiled. Ahsoka fought bravely every day in the war, while he merely watched. It was time to take matters into his own hands. It didn't matter if Ahsoka didn't love him, or if she loved her master; he had to do something for her.
"I'm glad you're here, Lux," Satine smiled, watching as Lux brought several squads with him.
"We're going to rescue our enemy," Lux grinned.
But they weren't the only ones searching for Dooku. The Emperor also wanted to find him, and even better if Maul had him. He would kill them both. The Rebellion and the Separatists were powerful enemies, but working together, they had the power to destroy him, and he wouldn't let them raze his empire. He was more powerful; his power was limitless.
Padmé gazed at the horizon, missing Anakin terribly. Would he return when she gave birth? Could they go to Naboo by the waterfalls? Could she say goodbye to Luke when he had to leave? Leia, too, longed to leave with Luke when it was time to return to the future, an unknown future because of all the changes they had made. A small pain in her lower abdomen made her squirm in her seat. She knew there were only a few weeks left; she knew what that pain meant. Tears streamed down her face.
"Anakin, please come back to me," she sobbed, touching the japor necklace he had given her when he was just a boy.
He had given it to her so she would never forget him, and she had replied that she didn't need a necklace to remember him. And it was true; she thought of him every minute, and she longed for him every second.
Despite Leia and Senator Organa's insistence, Padmé needed a distraction and continued working. She needed to weaken the Imperial government; many neutral systems remained, which would undoubtedly be of great help.
On Kamino, Anakin gazed at the stars. Giant waves were expanding across the land; everything was restless. He longed to see Padmé again, but this war had dragged on for far too long. However, thanks to Padmé's help, they had managed to transport supplies without having to circumnavigate the Outer Rim. Only longing remained within him. He hoped to be present when his children were born, even though he knew that would mean the end of Leia and Luke's time in this past. But they would remain with him. He watched Mara and Han; they had become good friends. They, too, would soon have to leave. He smiled wistfully, remembering his family. He only hoped to be able to say goodbye to Leia when the time came.
"Anakin," said Obi-Wan, who had slept a little, "Enemy troops are approaching from the left flank."
"Is Ahsoka already on her way?" Anakin smiled, and Obi-Wan nodded. "Good, let's not keep her waiting then," he smiled.