Sayori exhaled sharply, the familiar hum of her lightsaber crackling through the chaos. Another wave of droids collapsed before her in smoldering heaps, yet more seemed to take their place. Her muscles ached, her robes were singed, and her patience had long since worn thin.

Does this never end?

She scanned the battlefield, her sharp eyes narrowing at a group of figures moving through the smoke. At first glance, it looked like a battalion of reinforcements. But no — it wasn't a legion. It was just five clones, charging into the fray with blasters blazing, cutting down droids with ruthless efficiency.

Her brow furrowed. Who were they?

Pushing the question aside, Sayori turned on her heel and made her way toward their ship. She needed to find Captain Rex. He would know more.

When she reached the familiar form of the captain, he was standing alongside Ahsoka near the gunship, both of them winded but alive. Relief flickered across Sayori's face as she approached.

"Captain," she called out, bounding over. "Are you all right?"

Rex glanced at her, nodding as he wiped a smear of dirt from his helmet. "Yeah, just a few scrapes here and there. Ahsoka's fine too."

Sayori sniffed the air, her senses sharpening. There was something different. A scent that didn't belong. Her gaze flicked back toward the five clones in the distance — the ones cutting through droids like they were born for it.

"There's a new scent," she said, nodding toward the group. "Those clones."

Rex followed her gaze and smiled faintly. "Ah, them. That's Clone Force 99."

Sayori's eyebrows rose. "Defective?"

"They prefer 'enhanced.' But yeah. They work." Rex's voice softened. "They work a lot. They do what they're supposed to — even when no one else can."

Sayori chuckled quietly. "In a way that I'm not, I suppose," she muttered. Her smile was faint, distant. "I could get to know them."

Her gaze flicked around. "Where's Cody?"

Rex shrugged. "Probably with General Kenobi or Skywalker. I don't really keep track of him anymore. He knows how to handle himself."

Sayori stiffened suddenly, her entire body going rigid. A low growl rumbled in her throat.

"The battle..." she whispered, her voice laced with something primal. "No."

"Sayori?" Ahsoka stepped forward, concern etched across her face. "What's wrong?"

Sayori's six eyes flared open, glowing with ethereal light. "Something is happening. My Six Eyes... they don't like this."

Without warning, she spun around and lashed out her tail, wrapping it around Ahsoka's waist.

"Ahsoka, run!" she hissed, throwing her into the trees just as blaster fire echoed through the air.

"Sayori, what—"

Rex's voice cut in. "Why did you do that?" He leveled his blasters at her, eyes wide with confusion.

Sayori's gaze locked on him, her heart sinking. His hands trembled slightly on the triggers. "You're not affected," she murmured. "Not yet."

"Sayori..." His voice was a warning. "What order?"

Her voice dropped to a growl. "Order 66."

Rex stiffened. His grip on the pistols tightened, and when he spoke again, his voice wasn't his own.

"You have done wrong by the Republic."

Sayori's heart broke in that moment. "I knew it..." she whispered.

Before Rex could fire, she moved faster than thought, striking him with the Force and sending him crumpling to the ground. She caught him before he fell, lowering him gently onto a stretcher. Her fingers moved quickly, weaving a protective sigil in the air around him.

"Infinity spell," she murmured. "No droids. No clones. No one can harm you now."

Her comlink crackled to life. "Sayori?" Ahsoka's voice came through, panicked, breathless. "Why did you throw me? What's happening?"

Sayori pressed the comlink to her lips. "Ahsoka, listen to me. The clones will turn on you. They'll try to kill you."

"What?" Ahsoka's voice wavered. "Why?"

"There's no time to explain. Run. Don't go back to Coruscant. Don't trust anyone. Go to Westeros. It's the only safe planet I know. No clones, no facilities. You'll be safe there."

There was a pause. "Are you sure?"

"I'll find you." Her voice softened. "I promise."

The comlink cut out. Sayori turned, surrounding herself in another infinity shield just as movement caught her eye.

"Commander," a voice called.

She turned to see the five clones approaching cautiously. They raised their hands, showing they were unarmed.

"Don't come any closer," she snarled, lightsaber raised.

The one with glasses, Tech, adjusted his lenses. "We heard the order."

"What does it mean?" Wrecker — bulky, scarred — frowned deeply.

Sayori grimaced. "Execute the Jedi."

The sniper, Crosshair, cocked his head. "Execute the Jedi? Why?"

"Apparently... we've been framed for treason."

Tech frowned. "Jedi wouldn't commit treason. It doesn't make sense."

"No," Sayori growled. "It doesn't. It was never about us. The Sith — he's been hiding in plain sight this whole time."

Hunter, their leader, stepped closer, his tone calm but firm. "The Sith?"

Sayori's eyes burned with anger. "The one we've been searching for since the start of the war. He's the one who orchestrated this. And we've been working with his cronies the entire time. We've been fighting the wrong war."

Her voice trembled with frustration, her fists clenched at her sides. "I was blind to it. We all were. And now... the veil is falling."

Hunter reached out, gripping her arm gently. "Hey. We're going to figure this out. Together."

Sayori, towering over him, nodded slowly. Her Six Eyes flickered with warning, but she shoved the sensation down.

"I know where Ahsoka is," she said. "I sent her to Westeros. It's the only safe place I know."

Tech pushed his glasses up again. "We should find Master Billaba and her padawan."

Sayori blinked. "Caleb?"

They nodded.

"Her clones would have killed her by now." Sayori's gaze darkened. "She's dead. But Caleb... he's alive. And scared."

Hunter straightened. "Then we go after him."

Sayori took a deep breath, her form shimmering as her body shifted into her eagle form.

"I'll find him," she said, her voice now a low croon. "Stay here."

With a powerful leap, she spread her wings and soared into the sky.

As she disappeared, Wrecker muttered, "That woman keeps scaring me."

Crosshair crossed his arms, his expression unchanging. "Agreed."