For now, there is only light skirmishes taking place within the territories under the control of Palpatine. Nothing like a full scale invasion or an invasion force at all from Palpatine, as he tries to regather and create an army from barely anything at all.
His forces had been stripped from him by others, more specifically stripped from him by the Empyrean.
Anakin had decided that today is the day that the clones from the Republic may fully reveal themselves now, and choose to live freely within the Empyrean if they so desire. In doing this, not only will the clones be free, but any remainder of clones left in the Republic turned Empire would probably abandon it.
Palpatine has no control over the clones anymore, so he wouldn't care either way. What he would care about was the affront to his 'face,' as Anakin had destroyed his plans for the Galactic Republic as soon as they started.
Coughing, a person speaks to Anakin. "... Sir. Are you really sure about this?" It was Rex, the person with whom Anakin had put in charge over the clones.
They were and are basically all still children, even when they are physically adults, and this could be seen within their mentality of wanting to play. Not that adults didn't want to play as well, but it was also the way some clones behaved.
"I am sure. With you taking to the stage like you were meant to, I would finally be put at ease. There is much within the Empyrean all of the clones can do if they so choose, but I am not forcing you guys to stay." Anakin replied.
"What will happen...? I mean what will happen once I, you know, go on stage and speak out?" Rex couldn't help but ask, for this is an important event. What happens next could be something big or something small depending on a variety of things.
"Well... Various factors included... Palpatine would probably be angry, but it wouldn't change his direction for now and instead he would still focus on recouping the Republic into his Empire. It would encourage others to seek refuge within the Empyrean, to escape the war outside and all of that." Anakin explained.
"It would show the rest of the now independent systems, along with the Jedi and whoever else that is of importance that you clones are living beings. Capable of your own choices and decisions. Thus, transforming you all, hopefully from indentured slaves to full on free people. Of course you already have that here on Tatooine, but all of you would most likely be looked down upon anywhere else, simply because you are a clone." Anakin continued.
"There may be a place that you guys could thrive on, that being Mandalore with all of those Mandalorians. Of course, there isn't exactly a place I would recommend to anyone or even recommend to you guys, the clones, as there is a problem I foresee." Anakin was referring to something Rex didn't seem to understand.
"What problem?" Rex asked, now confused about what problems there would be.
"Well, I am sure you are all aware of how genetics work, and have even gone through some sex education classes I set up right?" Anakin inwardly cringed at this, for it wasn't exactly something he wanted to do but knowing the clones, he would have to be careful if they were not already sterilized by the Kaminoans.
There could also be mutations that occurred which would allow a few to be able to do things like 'that.'
"Yes, sir. You have allowed us to see that there is more things for myself and my brothers to discover." Rex replied awkwardly, knowing what Anakin was talking about.
"Then, you must know that all of you start wanting to have a family, the genetics of the situation would pretty much change alot of things. Staying within the Empyrean, things could be better controlled for those of you that are capable. Of course this should only be for those capable, while everyone else can still do whatever you want." Anakin replied.
"Right... Anyway. I think I can do it now." Rex finally said.
"Really? Doing this isn't exactly dangerous, but it would expose you and the clones to the galaxy at large. Some may even resent you guys for coming to the Empyrean, or resent me but I am ok with that. The problem is whether you guys are ready for whatever backlash there may be from the leftover people from the Republic and even those within the Galactic Empire." Anakin replied.
"Yes, I am sure." Rex nodded his head in confirmation.
Anakin didn't say anything else and let Rex go and do his thing, specifically he would be going towards a broadcasting station within the Empyrean. Announce himself, create a situation where he could be interviewed by anyone, whether that be reporters from Anakin's, Skywalker Industries subsidiary or someone else within the entertainment business doing news.
In the end, it didn't matter who and only exposure mattered for this would be going out to everyone within the galaxy. Even the Yuuzhan Vong, as hateful towards technology, machine based technology as they may be, would even know of this.
In fact, Anakin is taking a small risk here, however because of his current political and economical power, others would be forced to rely on him just as people were forced to rely on the Republic before.
There would probably some small outrage, but not from Anakin's people, but instead for those that are outside of his domain.
Anakin returned to Sky Palace and had decided to watch everything from home, as he had no need to go out and do things other than just watch what happened. He would also be looking out for the response from others, and more specifically he had also given Rex some rehearsed lines to say as well.
Rex could say whatever he wanted, as long as he said some other things as well to better promote the Empyrean but also because he wanted those in higher positions to see the Empyrean as someone that wouldn't get involved in the civil war.
If Anakin or Empyrean started to make moves, people would be suspicious of what he wanted to do. They could see it as a threat and people may very well create a defensive pact against the Empyrean, where he would be against everyone else outside of the Empyrean.
It was a problem that Anakin took into account and relied on Rex to perfectly create a situation where people would see the Empyrean as strong enough to defend itself but not have the ability to take advantage of the situation.
People were desperate, and desperate people are not the best to get along with in situations like this. Security and stability are important in times like this, so alot of people would be coming to the Empyrean exactly for that.
"Hello everyone." Rex appeared on screen and started. "My name used to be CT-7567, and now I go by the name Rex. I am a clone, and this is my story..."
[]
"You didn't tell us this important and vital piece of information!" Jedi Master Mundi, along with alot of other high ranking Jedi members walked into the throne room.
Anakin wasn't doing anything except going through the system since he had a little bit of work to do, but he was also here because he knew Rex would bring the attention of the Jedi onto himself. He had after all quite possibly harmed the Jedi and the Republic with his hostile takeover of their troops in their war against the Separatists.
"Vital piece of information?" Anakin raised an eyebrow as the Jedi barged into his throne room, even if he knew they were coming because of Rex, they should of at least shown some level of respect.
He had after all saved their lives, or more importantly gave them a place to stay safe for a while as they tried to deal with Palpatine. "Yes! You taking the clones from the Republic has doomed us all! Do you not understand the severity of your actions!" It would seem that Mundi was mad, but going off of the looks from other Jedi within, he assumed they were mad as well.
"My actions? I am afraid I disliked what the Jedi and Republic had done, creating indentured slaves for themselves." Anakin replied calmly.
"Really!? You also compare them to how the Jedi work dont you!" Mundi exclaimed.
There was no one else within the throne room of importance, other than Mundi along with other high ranking Jedi. No other Council Members, and this is when Anakin was surprised as he thought he could be confronted by everyone but instead he was only confronted by the more zealous bunch of the Jedi.
"I would. The Jedi, all of you are kind of like indentured slaves as well. You just do not realize it, and even if you were free from the Jedi, you would all still be slaves to the Force and its will. You are foolish for coming here like this." Anakin replied.
"Foolish? Do we look like we care about any of that! We have seen what goes on in that academy of yours, and have seen all of the evil you are doing! You cannot fool us." Mundi still continued to shout aloud to make sure he was heard by everyone.
Specifically so he could rally all of the Jedi that he had brought along with him as he had a plan. A plan that involved multiple Jedi facing off against Anakin.
"How am I evil? What have you seen that would go against what you believe in?" Anakin asked, knowing full well what may be irking them all.
"Are you playing dumb? Ignorant to the things happening with that Academy of yours? Are you really the Chosen One? Jedi Master Qui-Gon-No, he isn't a Jedi anymore. Qui-Gon Jinn believed you to be the Chosen One and so to did the others as well, however I am now certain that you are not." Mundi replied, igniting his lightsaber in preparation for what is to come next.
Everyone was reaching their limit for how much talking they wanted to do and Mundi didn't exactly come here to talk.
"Do you not know what the Chosen One prophecy is all about? Have you not heard about the variations of such a prophecy as well?" Anakin asked, getting up from his seat as he knew that this would probably not end well. "How about we go outside instead, I dont want to be damaging anything within here."
Not that Anakin could really use the Force what with the Sands of Time interacting with his body and further messing with his ability to use the Force. It is both a boon and a negative, because even though he doesn't lose the ability to use the Force, his very overpowered abilities to destroy planets using the Force alone is tempered with the Sands of Time.
Control is one thing, but if his energy-field continued to grow without some measure against it, he didn't want to be unable to touch his lovers and family anymore.
"Damage? You are worried about the harm that would come to your precious assets more so than the damage done to those whom are innocent. Your actions has condemned many!" Someone other than Mundi exclaimed from behind Mundi and this lead to all of the other Jedi within, also chiming in themselves.
"And so have the actions of the Jedi as well. Lets not play the blame it game anymore. Let us finish this here then." Anakin was still extremely powerful, and no one here would be able to even directly mess with him through the Force.
Exclaiming their agreement with this persons words. "Surrender now. Or die as the Sith you are." Mundi said the final words.
Everyone else started to ignite their lightsabers as if they already knew what Anakin's answer would have been, or is going to be. "I refuse to surrender, and I also refuse to die." Anakin started to emit an energy around himself that started to shift and transform into lightning.
Pure electricity started to surge and it cloaked him before be sent a mental command to Siri to...
"Let's go down." Anakin said aloud as he looked at everyone, the lights went off and the floor below everyone opened up, making everyone drop down.