Project Ares

Replacements

Senate Building - Coruscant

Palpatine was almost having the best day of his life, the Jedi Order was in ruins, he had snatched the prized pupil from the clutches of the Council, and had seized almost complete power in the Senate. The only thing that was mildly bothering him was the scarred face thanks to Master Windu and the missing 501st cruiser. But those things could wait, right now Palpatine was going to sit back behind his desk and bask in his victory.

But when he found out that the not-so-dead Blue Team along with their spartan leader was on Coruscant and had raided both his office and the Temple, Palpatine immediately attempted to contact Lord Vader. But with every unanswered called, his patience grew increasingly thin.

So when a transmission came through that stated that Masters Kenobi, Yoda, Shaak Ti and Plo Koon were still alive, Sidious lost it. Calling for Commanders Fox, Thorn and Captain Fordo, only one of the clones showed up. Not even bothering to ask where the other two were, the Emperor ordered Commander Fox to find Lord Vader immediately.

When news finally reached Palpatine that Anakin had vanished along with Senator Amidala, he completely lost it. Sending a massive blast of Force lightning into the air so big that it lit up the whole Coruscant night sky. How could that spoiled brat leave him after every heartstring and trick Palpatine pulled. Decades of grooming and careful manipulation wasted in a matter of hours. 

Palpatine should have had that whore of a senator killed years ago, but for once his patience got the better of him. He wanted to wait till the dust settled before kidnapping her, having his way with that perfect Naboo body that had eluded him for years before finally killing her and blaming it on the Jedi. This would have cemented that gullible fool as his apprentice for life, but now that's all been WASTED.

Furious, Sidious called in both of his chief advisors; Admiral Tarkin and Mas Ameda. After explaining to them the situation with no lack of curses and outbursts, Palpatine wanted a full status report of just how bad things were. Following a few calls and heated messages, Tarkin got the numbers in. According to the logs, there were 2 Venator class destroyers missing, at least 20,000 clone troopers including 6 legion commanders. Not to mention the massive dent in their Special Forces arsenal with at least 6 Alpha class ARC troopers missing and of course, 117.

Ordering Tarkin to contact Commander Rampart, it didn't take even 2 minutes before the young officer appeared on the hologram projector. "Commander Rampart, what is the status of projects Orion and War Mantle?"

"My Lord, Project War Mantle is on schedule with 8,000 troopers ready across the galaxy. As for the other project, we expect the first squads to be ready in a month." Rampart briefed, he was in command of a secret military unit that aimed to phase out the clones eventually with a volunteer based soldiers. Palpatine had ordered this upon realizing the massive threat that the clones posed to the Empire once the chips lost their effect.

Suddenly, a clone officer ran into the room. After quickly saluting the Emperor, he informed his superiors that there had been a data breach on the main server with hyper-secret files being copied. Dismissing the clone with an angry wave of his scrawny hand, Palpatine didn't need to guess what the files were. "Commander, given recent events you are being promoted to Admiral. See to it that all troopers are moved to Daro immediately and increase production by 200%."

"It will be done my Lord." The newly promoted Admiral Rampart bowed before ending the transmission. Turning to Tarkin, Sidious wanted him to personally oversee the construction of Project Longsword over at Kuat Drive Yards. Telling him that the first ships will be ready by the end of the month, Tarkin departed for KDY.

As for Vader, or lack thereof, Palpatine had a backup plan but he would need some time. Tasking Mas Ameda with keeping the Senate occupied with boring administrative tasks, Palpatine put his bony fingers together as he thought through his next steps.