Overan – Facility Zero
The command terminal blinked softly, then roared to life as the order was processed:
BEGIN PHASE TWO – ACTIVATION PROTOCOL CONFIRMED
Deep within Overan's subterranean vaults, seven new clone vats hissed open, revealing rows of glowing incubation chambers stretching into the shadows. Shepard stood atop a reinforced control deck, arms folded behind his back, his eyes reflecting the silver-blue light of progress.
His new Seraphs were growing.
Unlike the first prototypes, Phase Two clones were not carbon copies—they were evolution. Each one was modeled after the original Seraph gene-set, but augmented with more aggressive neuromuscular balancing, refined reflex algorithms, and adaptive nanite integration woven into their bone marrow.
They were stronger, faster, more agile—and smarter.
Their growth cycles were embedded with live-skill training protocols. Shepard's neural upload system allowed each unit to learn in vitro—pilots practiced orbital combat in simulated environments while still floating in nutrient gel; special forces operatives memorized terrain tactics and hand-to-hand combat before they ever took a breath.
This was no longer a simple secret army.
It was a multi-role force, capable of starfighter support, sabotage, planetary assault, engineering operations, and covert recon. Each clone's spine housed an encrypted neural uplink for real-time command access.
Shepard watched the progress, his expression unreadable.
"I will not be caught off guard when the galaxy burns."
The factories roared above. The shipyards continued their work. Power surged across Overan. His fleet was weeks away from construction trials.
Soon… he would be ready.
Tatooine – Boonta Eve Classic
The twin suns burned brightly over Mos Espa as crowds gathered for the legendary podracing event. Aliens of all kinds cheered, bet, and shouted from the arena stands as the whine of repulsor engines filled the air.
In the middle of it all stood Anakin Skywalker, small in stature but radiating confidence.
"Are you sure about this?" Padmé asked.
Anakin grinned. "I'm the only human who can do it."
Hours earlier, Qui-Gon Jinn had made a deal with Watto, the Toydarian junk dealer. The wager was simple: if Anakin won the race, Watto would grant the hyperdrive components—and Anakin's freedom.
After testing the boy's blood, Qui-Gon had discovered something startling.
"Over twenty thousand… not even Master Yoda has a count that high…"
The midichlorians in Anakin's cells weren't just elevated—they were off the charts. Qui-Gon believed he had found the Chosen One.
The boy's destiny began now.
The podrace started with a thunderous roar.
Sublights flared. Engines screamed. Pods shot across the canyon-stretched circuit at breakneck speeds. Sabotage from Sebulba, a rival racer, nearly destroyed Anakin's pod early on—but he adapted quickly, guided subtly by the Force.
Qui-Gon watched with growing conviction.
"Feel, don't think," he whispered. "Use your instincts…"
Anakin did just that.
Maneuvering tighter, reacting faster than any other pilot, he surged ahead on the final lap—his pod straining, engines sparking—but at the last second, he surged past the finish line in a burst of flame and thunder.
He won.
The crowd erupted.
Later That Night
Watto, furious but bound by the bet, handed over the hyperdrive components. More importantly, Anakin was now free.
But celebrations were short-lived.
Far above Tatooine, the Sith Lord had arrived.
Darth Maul, his face a crimson mask of rage and precision, had tracked the Queen's ship to the Outer Rim. His modified Sith Infiltrator touched down quietly in the desert dunes. The time for shadows was over.
The Duel in the Dunes
As the Naboo ship prepared for launch, Qui-Gon and Anakin raced back through the open flats. The suns were setting. All seemed quiet—until it wasn't.
A sudden blur. A black shape. Red plasma igniting.
Darth Maul attacked.
Qui-Gon drew his lightsaber in an instant, the green blade meeting crimson as the two clashed beneath the falling sun. Sparks flew. Their battle was swift, brutal, and intense—Maul's movements were feral but focused. Qui-Gon fought defensively, trying to analyze the attacker, but Maul pressed the offensive.
Anakin screamed from the sand crawler. R2 beeped wildly.
With a final spin, Qui-Gon used the Force to leap onto the loading ramp of the ship as it passed.
Maul snarled but did not pursue.
The ship blasted off into the sky.
En Route to Coruscant
In the ship's quarters, Qui-Gon sat alone with Obi-Wan.
"There's no doubt," he said gravely. "That was a Sith."
Obi-Wan frowned. "But the Sith have been extinct for a millennium…"
Qui-Gon shook his head. "Then someone forgot to tell him."
Elsewhere on the ship, Anakin sat with Padmé, eyes wide with wonder. He was free now, but uncertain. A new galaxy awaited him.
And far from Tatooine… on Overan
The Phase Two Seraphs stood ready.
Their armor gleamed. Their minds sharpened.
Shepard Kael stood at the center of a rising storm—one he had no intention of avoiding.
Let the Jedi play with prophecies. Let the Sith play their games.
He would rewrite the rules.
In silence.
In steel.
And in time.