Ahsoka burst into the command center to find Solo and other officers huddled around the tactical table, engrossed in a discussion.
"Ahsoka, you're just in time," Solo said, nodding toward her.
"Master, do we have a new mission?" the Togruta girl asked, somewhat surprised.
"Exactly. Look here." Solo stepped aside to make room, pointing to the holographic map on the table. "There's a canyon seven kilometers from the base. We're here, and it's only a few minutes' drive. Reconnaissance reports indicate that a robot convoy will soon enter the canyon, including four proton cannons. If they reach the front lines, they'll pose a grave threat to our positions."
"The canyon's passage is too narrow for our vehicles, right?" Ahsoka quickly identified the key problem.
"Correct. The passage is too cramped," Solo confirmed. "The Dominator Tanks can't fit, and sending in light vehicles would be pointless. The tight terrain would completely negate their mobility, turning them into sitting ducks."
Ahsoka asked, puzzled, "Then what's our plan?"
"We'll infiltrate the canyon area in speeders, plant explosives at these two points, and set up an ambush. This mission requires precise snipers, and you're just the person for the job."
"Are we going to join the battle?" The Togruta girl's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Absolutely. Quickly, prepare your gear. We're leaving in five minutes."
Below in the canyon, explosions echoed in rapid succession. Separatist battle droids careened wildly through the smoke, while the Jabim Nationalist soldiers were even more panicked, their formations completely disintegrating.
Ahsoka lay prone on the slope, hidden behind a massive boulder. Her blaster pistol locked onto targets with deadly precision, taking down one robot after another as they attempted to break through.
Beside her, Solo wielded his DS-15 blaster rifle with equally lethal accuracy. Whether the target was a robot or an enemy soldier, once within his sights, escape was impossible.
"Alright, detonate the final charge and we're out of here!" Solo's command came through the headset. "Our mission is accomplished. No need to linger."
"Roger, Master!" Ahsoka quickly pressed the detonator. A final, deafening explosion erupted deep in the canyon, completely blocking the enemy's retreat route.
The two swiftly retreated up the slope, sprinting toward the parked speeder.
"Ahsoka, you performed admirably today, though—"
"What is it, Master?" Ahsoka asked curiously, jogging to keep up with him.
"Your face paint is smudged."
Ahsoka stopped abruptly, hastily pulling out a small mirror from her pocket to inspect her face. "Where? Where is it smudged?"
Seeing her flustered expression, Solo sent a wave of amusement through the Force.
Ahsoka immediately caught on and protested, "Master, this isn't funny at all!"
Despite her words, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve into a rare smile.
"That's better," Solo said gently, flicking her nose with his finger. "You've been so gloomy all day. This is much better. You're really doing great."
The Togruta girl's smile grew even brighter.
The confidence and warmth radiating from her Master filled her heart with a sense of security.
Commander of the Renown emerged from Fleet Command, breathing in the cool night air of Rendili.
He had just submitted the detailed report on the Battle of the Rosh Asteroid Cluster, a fiercely fought engagement in which most of the Republic's ships sustained varying degrees of damage. Nevertheless, they had ultimately repelled the enemy forces and destroyed three Confederate frigates.
Now that another squadron had taken over the garrison duty, he was leading the fleet to a base for repairs and resupply.
He glanced sideways and saw two young officers following closely behind. Recognizing them as members of General Viktor's staff, he spoke first.
"Lieutenants, are you with General Viktor's Corps?" he asked.
"Yes, Commander," one of the officers stepped forward and saluted. "I'm Lichtendal Seri, and this is Grace O'Connor."
"Where's General Viktor? I didn't see him at Command. And what happened to Captain Entor Ragnos?"
"Commander, you haven't heard yet?" Seri's voice carried a heavy tone. "We were ordered to Jabim to deliver General Viktor's Legion to the planet's surface. During our withdrawal, we were ambushed by enemy forces. A Pelta-class frigate was instantly destroyed, and a damaged Confederacy frigate rammed into us. Our other two ships engaged the Separatists, but ultimately, due to heavy damage, we had to force a retreat. Captain Ragnos's ship suffered damage to its hyperspace drive. He insisted on staying behind to cover our retreat. After we safely withdrew, he engaged the enemy in a final confrontation."
"I'm deeply saddened to hear this news," the Renown Commander said, his expression grave. "Entor Ragnos was an exceptionally skilled commander."
"Yes, Commander," Seri and O'Connor replied in unison, their eyes filled with admiration and regret.
"Is your ship currently undergoing repairs?"
"Yes, Commander. Preliminary estimates suggest we'll need to remain here for at least a month to complete the repairs."
"I'll go to Command to inquire about subsequent arrangements and see if any units from our jurisdiction will be deployed to support Operation Jabim."
O'Connor said helplessly, "We tried asking before, but our access permissions aren't sufficient to obtain that information."
"If I get any news, I'll inform you immediately."
"Thank you, Commander!" The two officers saluted again and hurried toward the speeder dock, clearly eager to return to their ship and await news.
The Renown Commander watched their retreating figures and thought to himself, "General Viktor has trained them well, and they're deeply loyal to their commander."
He turned and strode back toward the entrance of the command center, eager to gain further insight into Jabim's war situation.
Alto Stratus stood on the raised platform in the square, gazing down at the gathered crowd below.
The square was surrounded by dense trees and rustic stone houses. This was Joal, the capital of Jabim, often hailed as the pearl of this planet.
The people here cherished their city and had always cared for it meticulously.
Now, Stratus was here to ignite the crowd's hatred toward the Republic.
At the center of the square, members of the Cloud Rain Assault Team stood in solemn formation. Clad in state-of-the-art armor and armed with advanced weapons, they were the pride of both Stratus and Jabim.
On either side of the assault team were soldiers of the National Self-Defense Force, while the perimeter of the square was packed with thousands of ordinary citizens.
Before the assembled crowd, rows of coffins were arranged neatly on the ground. Each coffin was adorned with a wreath woven from Aglai, the delicate flowers native to Jabim.
The families of the fallen stood beside the coffins, their faces streaked with tears, their eyes burning with grief and fury.
Stratus stepped forward, raising his sword high above his head, while his other hand gripped a simple, ancient shield.
These were heirlooms passed down through generations of the Stratus family, said to be over ten thousand years old.
Legend held that no weapon could pierce this shield, and the sword required no sharpening. Despite its age, the vibrating blade remained razor-sharp and fully functional.
A year ago, he had used this very sword to execute the corrupt and incompetent senators in the Congress, proving its power through their blood.
"Compatriots and fellow citizens!" Stratus's voice boomed through the amplification system, echoing across the entire plaza. "We gather here today to honor our brothers who fell in battle against the Republic's invaders! Our planet, your home, lies soaked in blood!"
"For three thousand years, we Jabim people have remained loyal to the Republic, unwavering in our devotion!"
"But when the plague ravaged our planet, claiming countless lives, what aid did the Republic offer?"
"Nothing!"
"When the Trandoshan slave traders invaded, kidnapping our loved ones and friends, where was the Republic?!"
"When the Liss Pirates brutally murdered your loved ones—and my parents—where were those so-called guardians of justice, the Jedi?!"
"The Republic ignored all our pleas for help, turning a blind eye to our suffering!"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the angry crowd, before roaring, "And now, when the Confederacy of Independent Systems extends a hand to us, allowing us to stand tall and look to a hopeful future, the Republic grows jealous!"
"They learned of the rich mineral resources buried beneath our planet and intend to seize them by force!"
"They forbid us from trading with the Confederacy, scheming to monopolize all profits and condemn us to eternal poverty and starvation!"
The square erupted in furious shouts, fists clenched in the air, emotions running high.
The soldiers raised their weapons, letting out angry roars.
"Let the Republic's invaders hear this!" Stratus pointed his sword skyward, letting the icy raindrops fall on his face. "We will fight for our planet, for our homes, and for our children's future! We will send every last one of them back to Coruscant—in coffins!"
The final words were practically shouted, instantly igniting the crowd's fury.
The air above the city reverberated with the deafening roar of hundreds of thousands of voices:
"Death to the Jedi!"
"Down with the Republic!"
"Revenge for our fallen!"
Anakin Skywalker stormed into the room, striding directly toward Obi-Wan Kenobi, who stood by the large tactical table. Beside Obi-Wan stood Master Shaak Ti, surrounded by dozens of Jedi Knights and Apprentices. R2-D2, Anakin's loyal droid, followed behind, humming cheerfully as he rolled along.
"Obi-Wan!" Anakin called out.
"Oh, Anakin, you're back?" Obi-Wan turned, his face breaking into a gentle smile.
"Yes, Senator Amidala has safely returned from Ryloth." Anakin nearly slipped and called her "Padmé" before quickly correcting himself. He grinned and congratulated his master, "Well done on your promotion to the Jedi Council, Master!"
Obi-Wan humbly replied, "There's no need for such praise. This achievement belongs to many."
Anakin persisted, "Come on, Master. No one deserves this position more than you."
"You're too kind. You're making me blush," Obi-Wan chuckled, then grew serious. "But let's get down to business. You've arrived at the perfect time. We have a critical mission to undertake together."
"A new mission?" Anakin glanced around at the gathered crowd of Jedi. So many of us gathered here... this can't possibly be a simple task.
"Indeed, but first, allow me to introduce everyone present." Obi-Wan began the introductions, listing off the names of over a dozen Jedi as if reciting his family treasures.
"Master Kenobi," Jeb Graff's deep voice boomed, cutting through the chatter. His imposing frame, muscles bulging beneath his standard Jedi robes, radiated authority. "We've been waiting here for some time, yet we still don't know the details of our mission."
"Yeah," Park Nocuna said, shaking his braided hair, "why are we being pulled off the front lines? And why are they gathering so many of us here?"
"Alright, everyone, take a look at this." Obi-Wan tapped the tactical table's control panel, and a holographic image of a planet materialized before the assembled officers. "As you know, the Separatists suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Kamino. Now they're desperately trying to regain their military advantage.
They've discovered a planet rich in resources—a planet that could quickly help them overcome their losses at Kamino. This planet is Jabim, located in the Outer Rim Territories.
Recently, Jabim was found to contain vast reserves of minerals and metals. Alto Stratus, the local leader, has publicly supported the Confederacy and granted them full rights to exploit these resources.
The Republic cannot allow this to continue. Moreover, some of Jabim's population still loyal to the Republic need our support. All relevant data has been transmitted to your tactical tablets."
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