I’m Star-Lord (SW Xover)

C245 Clones Revealed!

Check out early access chapters on my Patréon, currently 14 chapters ahead! 

——————

The Senate building on Coruscant loomed before the Jedi Council, its towering spires casting long shadows over the bustling plaza below. The atmosphere was electric, thick with tension and urgency. 

Senators and their aides hurried through the grand halls, their faces etched with worry as they whispered about the Separatist declaration and the looming threat of war.  

Peter walked alongside Yoda and the other Council members, his black coat standing out amidst the sea of Jedi robes. The weight of his new role pressed heavily on his shoulders, but he kept his expression neutral, his mind focused on the task at hand.  

As they entered the Senate Chamber, they were immediately surrounded by thousands of floating pods, each one occupied by senators from a planet across the galaxy. The hum of conversation fell silent as the Jedi Council entered.  

Chancellor Valorum stood at the central podium, his expression grim as he watched the Council approach. His usually composed demeanor was frayed, the stress of the situation evident in the lines on his face.  

“Masters of the Jedi Council,” Valorum began, his voice carrying through the chamber. “Thank you for coming on such short notice. The galaxy stands on the brink of war, and we must act swiftly to protect the Republic.”  

The Council members exchanged uneasy glances, their unease growing as Valorum continued.  

“The first batch of the Republic’s army will arrive in a week’s time,” Valorum announced, his tone resolute. “But an army is only as strong as its leadership. That is why I am appointing the Jedi to key positions within our military. Your wisdom, your courage, and your connection to the Force make you uniquely suited to lead us through this dark time.”  

He paused, his gaze sweeping the chamber. “To that end, I am appointing Master Yoda as the Grand Marshal of the Republic Army. His leadership will be instrumental in guiding us to victory.”  

The chamber erupted into murmurs, the senators reacting with a mix of approval and concern. Many, like Bail Organa and Mon Mothma, nodded in agreement, their support for the Jedi evident. Others, however, were less enthusiastic.  

Count Dooku stepped forward from his pod, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of disapproval. “Chancellor, while I respect the Jedi’s abilities, I must question the wisdom of granting them such power. The Jedi are peacekeepers, not soldiers. Placing them in command of our military is beyond risky.”  

The chamber fell silent, the weight of Dooku’s words hanging in the air. Peter’s eyes narrowed as he watched the Count, his suspicion growing.  

‘This doesn’t add up,’ Peter thought, his mind racing. ‘If Dooku’s working with the Sith, he should want the Jedi in power. That’s how they’d frame us for the war and take us down. So why is he opposing this?’  

Before Peter could dwell on it further, other senators began to voice their opinions. Some supported Dooku’s concerns, while others vehemently defended the Chancellor’s decision. The debate grew heated, the chamber echoing with raised voices and impassioned arguments.  

Finally, Dooku called for a vote, his tone calm but insistent. “Let the Senate decide. If the Jedi are to lead our armies, it should be with the full support of this body.”  

The vote was swift, and the result was clear. Despite Dooku’s objections, the majority of the Senate supported Valorum’s decision. The Jedi would lead the Republic’s military, with Yoda at its helm.  

As the chamber erupted into applause, Peter’s gaze remained fixed on Dooku. The Count’s expression was unreadable, but Peter could sense the tension beneath his calm exterior.  

‘Whatever game you’re playing, Dooku,’ Peter thought, his resolve hardening, ‘I’m not going to let you win.’  

But before the chamber could settle, Count Dooku seemed to sense Peter’s glare, his voice cutting through the noise like a blade.  

“Chancellor,” Dooku said, his tone calm but laced with pointed curiosity, “I couldn’t help but notice an unfamiliar face among the Jedi Council.” He glanced at Peter. “Might I ask who he is and why he is present at such a critical and classified meeting?”  

All eyes turned to Peter, who stood among the Council members, his black coat a stark contrast to the muted tones of the Jedi robes. He met Dooku’s gaze, his expression calm. 

Yoda stepped forward, his small figure commanding the attention of the chamber. “Knight Peter Quill, this is. A member of the Jedi Council, he has just been appointed.”  

The chamber erupted into murmurs, the senators exchanging shocked glances. Dooku’s eyebrows rose, his surprise evident. “A Knight? Appointed to the Council? Forgive me, Master Yoda, but this is highly irregular. There has never been a Council member so young, nor one who has not yet attained the rank of Master. Are we to believe this is wise?”  

Yoda’s ears twitched, his expression serene but firm. “Unprecedented, it may be. But the will of the Force, it is. Rules against it, there are none. Trust in the Council’s decision, you must.”  

Dooku’s lips tightened, but he said nothing further, his sharp eyes lingering on Peter. The young Jedi could feel the weight of the Count’s scrutiny, but he refused to flinch.  

Sensing the need to seize the moment, Peter stepped forward, his presence commanding the attention of the chamber. The murmurs died down as the senators turned to him, their expressions a mix of curiosity and skepticism.  

“Senators of the Republic,” Peter began, his voice steady and confident, “my name is Peter Quill. I may be young, and I may not wear the robes of a traditional Jedi, but I stand before you as a member of the Jedi Council, appointed not by ambition, but by necessity.”  

He paused, his gaze sweeping the room. “The galaxy stands on the brink of war, and the Jedi are ready to answer the call. I agree with Chancellor Valorum’s decision to place us in leadership roles within the Republic’s military. Our connection to the Force, our dedication to peace, and our unwavering commitment to justice make us uniquely suited to guide the Republic through these dark times.”  

Yoda stepped up beside Peter, his presence a calming anchor. “Protect the Republic, we will. Serve its people, we shall. Trust in us, you must.”  

The chamber fell silent, the weight of their words hanging in the air. The senators’ reactions were mixed. Some nodded in approval, their respect for the Jedi evident. Others exchanged skeptical glances, their expressions dubious.  

A senator from the Core Worlds leaned forward, his tone dripping with condescension. “With all due respect, Knight Quill, you are… young. What makes you think you are qualified to lead us in a war of this scale?”  

Peter met the senator’s gaze, his voice calm but firm. “Age does not define wisdom, Senator. And war is not won by experience alone. It is won by courage, by unity, and by the willingness to adapt. The Jedi have always been guardians of peace, but in times of crisis, we must also be defenders of justice. I may be young, but I am ready to stand with my fellow Jedi and fight for the Republic.”  

Another senator, this one from the Outer Rim, spoke up, her tone more respectful. “If Master Yoda and the Council have placed their trust in you, Knight Quill, then you have mine as well. The Jedi have always been a beacon of hope for the galaxy. We need that hope now more than ever.”  

The chamber erupted into murmurs again, the senators divided in their reactions. Some saw Peter as a young man talking big, his confidence bordering on arrogance. Others saw him as a prodigy, a genius Jedi whose early appointment to the Council was a sign of his extraordinary abilities.  

As the murmurs in the Senate chamber began to settle, Peter’s mind was already racing ahead. The Chancellor’s mention of a Republic army arriving in a week had piqued his curiosity—and his concern. If this was the clone army he remembered from the movies, then the stakes were even higher than he’d thought.  

Stepping forward again, Peter addressed Chancellor Valorum directly, his tone respectful but probing. “Chancellor, if I may—this army you mentioned. Could you tell us more about it? Where did it come from? Who trained it? And how can we be sure it’s ready to serve the Republic?”  

The chamber fell silent, the senators turning their attention to Valorum. The Chancellor hesitated, his expression guarded. “Knight Quill, I understand your concerns. But in times like these, secrecy is paramount. The less we reveal about our forces, the less our enemies can prepare against them. You will see the army for yourself in a week’s time, when it arrives.”  

Peter’s jaw tightened, but he nodded, masking his frustration. “Of course, Chancellor. I only ask because the success of this war depends on trust—trust between the Jedi, the Senate, and the soldiers who will fight alongside us. If we’re to lead this army, we need to know what we’re working with.”  

Valorum’s expression softened slightly, though his tone remained firm. “Your dedication is commendable, Knight Quill. But rest assured, this army has been prepared with the utmost care. It will be a formidable force in the defense of the Republic.”  

Peter exchanged a glance with Yoda and Windu, his unease growing. If this was indeed the clone army, then the Sith’s plan was already in motion. The chips implanted in the clones—the ones that would force them to turn on the Jedi—were a ticking time bomb. He needed to find a way to neutralize them, but without more information, he was flying blind.  

As the Senate session came to an end, Peter’s mind was elsewhere, already strategizing. If the clones were coming, he would need to act quickly. The fate of the Jedi—and the galaxy—depended on it.  

———— 

Timeskip: One week

The week that followed was a whirlwind of activity. The Jedi Temple, usually a bastion of calm and reflection, was now a hive of urgency and preparation. Jedi moved through the halls with purpose, their robes swishing as they carried datapads, supplies, and training equipment. 

The weight of the coming war hung heavy in the air, and the mood among the Jedi was a mix of determination, unease, and outright fear.  

Peter stood in the center of it all, his crimson coat a stark contrast to the sea of Jedi robes. He had thrown himself into the preparations, working tirelessly to ensure the Order was ready for what lay ahead. But as he moved through the Temple, he couldn’t help but notice the tension among his fellow Jedi.  

Many of them were peacekeepers at heart, their training focused on diplomacy, healing, and understanding the Force. The idea of leading armies into battle was foreign to them, and the fear of failure—or worse, death—was palpable. Peter overheard hushed conversations in the halls, Jedi expressing their doubts and anxieties.  

“I’ve never even held a lightsaber in combat,” one Knight confessed to another. “How am I supposed to lead soldiers into battle?”  

“The Force will guide us,” another replied, though their voice lacked conviction.  

Peter frowned, his mind racing. Not all Jedi were soldiers, and throwing them into a war unprepared would only lead to disaster. He needed a solution—a way to ensure that only those capable of leading and fighting would be sent to the front lines.  

…

After some deliberation, Peter brought his idea to the Council during their next meeting. “We need a system,” he explained, his tone firm. “A way to determine which Jedi are ready for the battlefield and which ones would be better suited to support roles. Not everyone is cut out for war, and sending unprepared Jedi into combat will only get people killed.”  

The Council members exchanged thoughtful glances. Yoda’s ears twitched as he nodded. “Wise, your suggestion is. A test, we shall create. Determine readiness, it will.”  

With the Council’s approval, Peter worked with Masters Windu, Plo Koon, and Shaak Ti to design the exam. It was comprehensive, covering everything from combat skills and military strategy to leadership and decision-making under pressure.  

The exam was implemented quickly, and the results were telling. Some Jedi, like Obi-Wan Kenobi, excelled, their combat experience and tactical minds making them natural leaders. Others, particularly those who had focused on scholarly or diplomatic pursuits, struggled.  

Peter watched as the Jedi were sorted into roles based on their strengths. Those who passed the exam were assigned to lead soldiers and serve as generals, while those who didn’t were given support roles—medics, strategists, or liaisons with the Senate.  

The system wasn’t perfect, but it was a start. And for the first time since the war was declared, Peter felt a glimmer of hope.  

…

Amid the chaos, Peter found time to sit down with Natasha, Mikaela, and Padmé. The tension between them had eased, but there was still a lingering sense of unease.  

“I owe you all an explanation,” Peter began, his tone earnest as he laid everything out. He detailed his recent appointment to the Jedi Council, the weight of being labeled the Chosen One, and the looming reality that he would soon be heading to war. 

He admitted his own doubts about whether he truly was the Chosen One, though he carefully omitted any mention of Anakin’s supposed role in the prophecy. 

Peter didn’t believe they would betray his trust, but he wasn’t willing to risk the information slipping out. It was better to stay on the side of caution.

“I’ve been so caught up in everything—the Council, the war, this whole ‘Chosen One’ thing—that I forgot to talk to you about it. And I’m sorry.” He took a deep breath, his gaze shifting between the three women. “The truth is, I don’t know how all of this will go. The galaxy is on the brink of war, and I don’t know if I’m ready for what’s coming. But I do know that I can’t do this alone. I need you—all of you—by my side.”  

Natasha was the first to speak, her voice softer than usual. “We get it, Peter. You’ve been carrying the weight of the galaxy on your shoulders. But you don’t have to do it alone. We’re here for you.”  

Mikaela nodded, her expression thoughtful. “You’re not just our boyfriend, Peter. You’re our partner. And partners don’t shut each other out.”  

Padmé reached out, gently placing a hand on Peter’s arm. “We understand why you’ve been so stressed, and we forgive you. Just don’t shut us out anymore. It hurts to see you struggling like this, especially when we can’t be there to help.”

Peter smiled, a genuine warmth spreading through him. “You’re right. I shouldn’t carry everything on my own. Not when I have all of you…”

…

..

.

The week came to an end with the arrival of the Republic’s mysterious army. Peter stood on the landing platform of the Jedi Temple, his arms crossed as he watched the massive battleships descend from the sky. The ships were sleek and imposing, their hulls gleaming in the sunlight.  

As the ships touched down, the ramps lowered, and the soldiers began to disembark. Peter’s heart sank as his suspicions were confirmed.  

Clones.  

Row after row of identical faces, clad in white armor, marched out in perfect formation. They moved with precision and discipline, their presence both impressive and unsettling.  

Peter’s mind raced as he watched them. The chips—the ones that would force them to turn on the Jedi—were already in their heads. He needed to find a way to neutralize them, but how?  

As the clones assembled on the platform, Peter took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. The war was here, and with it, the fight for the future of the galaxy.

A/N: 2644 words :)