𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙎𝙀𝘾𝙍𝙀𝙏𝙎 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙃𝙔𝘽𝙍𝙄𝘿, clone wars ² ✔

Chapter Eight: Act One; Beneath the Canopy of Trust

"In the darkest of woods, even the smallest light can guide you home."

☠⚡⛓

Anakin's brow furrowed as Rex approached him, his posture tense and his voice edged with worry. "Sir, it's Nyx," Rex said, his tone heavy. "It's been issued as an order to kill her. All clones who don't follow are to be terminated."

Anakin's heart skipped a beat, a surge of disbelief and anger flooding his chest. Nyx—the one he had vowed to protect—was now marked for death by their own brothers. He could feel his grip on his emotions tightening, but Rex's expression showed that he, too, was struggling with the weight of the situation.

"Rex, you know what this means," Anakin said, his voice cold and filled with urgency. "We can't let this happen. We have to stop them."

Rex looked at Anakin, his loyalty never wavering. "I know, sir. I'm with you. But it's not just the clones we have to worry about. The order is coming from higher up."

Anakin's eyes narrowed as his mind raced. Tarkin, of course. The same person who had sent them on countless missions without a second thought, the same person who saw no value in those like Nyx. Anakin clenched his fists, ready to take action, but he knew they couldn't do it alone.

"We'll need to rally the others," Anakin muttered, his voice low. "Prepare for a fight. We're not losing her. Not this time."

Obi-Wan entered, his steps measured and heavy with the weight of the news he was about to share. His face, always calm, was now drawn with an unmistakable gravity that told both Anakin and Rex that this wasn't just another battle—it was a decision that could change everything.

"We need to find Ahsoka, then gather our troops," Obi-Wan said, his voice firm but filled with the urgency of their situation. "We need to retake the citadel, and we need to help them." He glanced at Rex and Anakin, the flicker of concern in his eyes barely perceptible. "We can't let this go unchallenged."

Rex winced, his posture stiff as the weight of the situation settled on him. "I..." he began, his voice faltering slightly as his thoughts spun, struggling to find the right words.

Before he could finish, Commander Cody entered, the familiar hum of the hologram projector accompanying his arrival. The image flickered to life, showing the chilling order now in effect. General Tarkin's cold, calculating face filled the space before them, his voice cutting through the air like a knife.

"There is a grand award for those clones and bounty hunters who can take care of the former Jedi General Nyx. She has betrayed us, joining the dark side. Please, kill her, and do not engage unless ordered to. These creatures are truly dangerous." Tarkin's words echoed through the room, his tone dripping with disdain for Nyx and anyone who might defy his command.

Anakin clenched his fists, the pulse of anger throbbing through his veins. The betrayal cut deeper than he had anticipated. Nyx, once an ally—one of them—was now marked as an enemy by the very people she had fought alongside. The thought of her being hunted like an animal, her life hanging by a thread, drove him to the brink of fury.

Obi-Wan's expression hardened, and his eyes met Anakin's, the silent understanding between them speaking volumes. They couldn't wait any longer. If they were going to stop this, they had to act now.

"We'll move quickly," Obi-Wan said, his voice steely. "Rex, Cody—gather the troops. Ahsoka will have to wait, but we can't afford to let this go any further."

Anakin nodded, his jaw set in determination. "Tarkin is making a mistake," he muttered, his voice low. "I won't let him turn us against each other."

Rex looked at him, his loyalty unwavering. "We're with you, sir," he said, standing straighter.