Alto Stratos knelt dejectedly in the mud, oblivious to the grime staining his luxurious robes.
He reached out his hands, carefully helping the dying Cordelia up.
The once beautiful woman was now a broken shell. Her left face was still intact, but the right half had been charred by flames, huge blisters covering the blackened skin. Her right eye had burst, and the scabs of burned flesh had cracked open, revealing raw, red muscle that continuously seeped blood.
"How did this happen?" Stratus's voice was hoarse as a broken bellows, shattering the surrounding silence.
A Cloud-Rider Commando stepped forward. His combat suit was extensively scorched, and his helmet had melted and warped, revealing a face covered in burn marks.
"Sir, as planned, we were preparing to launch a full assault on the Republic camp, but they suddenly broke through to the south. This mobile tactic is their usual trick. We were prepared, but they outsmarted us again.
They concentrated all their forces for a single-direction assault, with over two hundred combat vehicles charging simultaneously. We couldn't adjust our deployment in time, allowing them to escape successfully.
We thought they had completely abandoned the camp, but when we sent scouts to investigate, we met resistance. Miss Cordelia decided to flatten the camp before pursuing the enemy and immediately ordered the troops to attack.
Forty minutes later, we broke through all defenses. The remaining Republic soldiers retreated to a giant crater blasted by their frigate, making a desperate stand.
Miss Cordelia ordered a full advance, and our mobile command post also approached the base perimeter.
The Droids launched a final charge, attempting to annihilate them, but just then, an extremely violent explosion suddenly occurred ahead.
Thanks to the helmet's filter lens, we weren't blinded by the intense light, but many militiamen experienced temporary blindness, and several were permanently blinded.
All the troops on the base perimeter were killed; it was a huge plasma cloud, sir.
The shockwave flattened everything. Miss Cordelia was outside the command post at the time, and we followed her as per duty. The command post was completely destroyed by the shockwave, followed by a wave of intense heat. Rain evaporated before hitting the ground, and all flammable materials instantly burst into raging flames. People—they all became living torches."
The soldier's voice trembled uncontrollably. "I'm sorry, sir, we failed to protect Miss Cordelia."
At that moment, a faint, raspy gasp escaped: "Al—to—"
Cordelia's fingers struggled to scratch at Stratus's robe sleeve.
"Cordelia!" Stratus quickly grabbed her hand. Where his fingertips touched, the scorched flesh instantly peeled away, revealing the white bone beneath.
"Al—to—" A stream of dark red blood flowed from Cordelia's mouth. Her body convulsed violently once, then completely went limp.
"No! Cordelia!" Stratus held her lifeless body tightly in his arms, cold rainwater mixing with tears as they rolled down his cheeks.
"I will avenge you! I will kill them all!" His roar echoed through the rain, filled with endless hatred.
Shaak Ti stood silently before the bridge's observation window, gazing at the endless star river outside.
A group of Jedi Knights gathered on the bridge of the flagship, the venator-class star destroyer Steadfast. Obi-Wan Kenobi was conversing in low tones with Master Dara Leska and Master Bac Sirus. Beside them stood Master Jeb Glef and his apprentice, Zul Khesis, while Master Flinka observed the bridge crew's operations with interest.
"Nevertheless, Master Ti, it is still regrettable that you cannot participate in this battle. Your experience and abilities are crucial to us," Master Glef said regretfully again.
"Regrettably, I must remain in the Third Sector to carry out other missions. I will escort you to Jabim orbit and oversee the completion of the landing operation, after which I must lead the fleet away," Shaak Ti responded calmly.
"Ten minutes until hyperspace exit!" Captain Akni reported loudly.
"Get ready, Anakin," Obi-Wan contacted his apprentice through the comms.
"I'm ready, Master, are you?" Anakin's lively voice came through the comms.
He was currently in the landing craft hangar, or more precisely, in the cockpit of the Twilight.
He would lead a squadron of A-wing starfighters to provide air cover for the landing operation, then rendezvous with his Master and descend to the planet's surface together.
"I'm ready too." Obi-Wan asked, "How many enemy ships do you think will be in orbit?"
"Enough for all of us to get a good workout," Anakin's tone was full of confidence.
Shaak Ti turned to Obi-Wan: "Master, have you made a decision regarding the arrangement for those apprentices?"
Obi-Wan sighed softly: "It is indeed a difficult problem."
The togruta nodded understandingly.
The Jedi Council had mobilized all relatively free Jedi for the Jabim operation, but the numbers were still limited.
It was ultimately decided to conscript five apprentices whose masters had died in battle to participate in the operation.
The initial plan was to assign them to the Jedi Commanders of various units, but either the Commanders already had their own apprentices and refused to take them, or they simply refused outright.
Ultimately, it was decided to form them into an apprentice squad, but Obi-Wan always believed they needed a suitable master to supervise them.
Suddenly, a flicker of insight crossed Shaak Ti's eyes: "Master Kenobi, I think I have found a solution."
"I'm listening," Obi-Wan immediately became alert.
"You know, I believe these apprentices can be entrusted to Victor Knight Solo."
Master Dara Leska shook his head: "It seems you still firmly believe that he and his troops are safe and sound?"
Shaak Ti responded, "We should always hope for the best."
"Master Ti, do you think Victor will agree? After all, the other Commanders haven't shown enthusiasm for taking them in."
Obi-Wan still had doubts about this.
"I don't think he will refuse—please tell him it is my request."
"Alright, Master Glef, can you ensure these apprentices are safely delivered to General Victor?"
"No problem, Kenobi. I've been wanting to meet this legendary Jedi Knight anyway," Master Glef nodded.
In orbit above Jabim, a fierce space battle was raging.
Nearly a hundred ships were embroiled in intense fighting. The Republic fleet held a numerical advantage, but the Confederacy of Independent Systems had a clear upper hand in starfighters and bombers.
—
During several hours of battle, the tide of war swung back and forth like a scale, with ships from both sides constantly being destroyed and starfighters falling like meteors.
The prospect of the landing operation was once precarious, but at a critical moment, the situation gradually clarified, reaching a temporary stalemate.
The Separatists fleet retreated to the far orbital side of the planet, while reinforcements continuously arrived.
A Republic landing craft formation, escorted by two starfighter squadrons, began its landing mission.
The fleet simultaneously launched torpedoes carrying special warheads. These torpedoes precisely glided into the planet's atmosphere, spraying special reagents into the air a few seconds later.
Huge gaps quickly appeared in the dense, global cloud cover, opening a safe passage for the landing operation.
Obi-Wan and Shaak Ti closely monitored the progress of the operation.
Due to changes in the orbital battle, Obi-Wan's planned landing had to be urgently modified. The far orbital side of the planet, the Southern Hemisphere, was completely controlled by the Separatists fleet and inaccessible for landing, so all four ship formations were adjusted to land in the Northern Hemisphere.
Admiral Akni quickly approached the Jedi: "Generals, we successfully established brief communication with General Victor's forces. Due to severe interference, the communication was very short, but we received General Victor's battle report and informed him of our operational plan."
"Please elaborate," Obi-Wan said.
"Yes, General Victor reported that he has approximately twenty thousand remaining Clones and about two hundred combat vehicles under his command. The temporary base he previously established was located here—" Admiral Akni pointed to a spot on the holographic map, "—but it fell four days ago. The General specifically warned us not to go to that area, quoting him: 'You'll find nothing but melted rocks there.'"
Currently, his forces are moving south along this plain.
We have advised him to proceed to Landing Point Two, where General Leska's forces will air-drop. After they rendezvous, they plan to establish an advance base codenamed 'Sanctuary' at the designated location.
Additionally, General Victor requested that we be prepared to receive casualties, numbering around two thousand.
Obi-Wan nodded, "Yes, Master Xilus's troops will also be landing at Landing Point Two, correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"Although Master Xilus's apprentice is young, she has extensive experience in battlefield medical treatment and has shown great potential. Her help will be very timely," Saesee Tiin added.
"How many troops have successfully landed so far?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Over sixty percent of the landing forces have safely reached the surface."
"Then, Master Tiin, I should also head to the surface to command the battle." Obi-Wan adjusted his Jedi robes.
"Good luck, Master Kenobi. May The Force be with you." Saesee Tiin bowed slightly.
Four hours had passed since Zul followed his master, Jeb Glef, and other Jedi onto the surface of Jabim.
Republic forces had successfully occupied a vast highland, controlling an area of over twenty square kilometers, and were now fully engaged in constructing fortifications.
Technicians raced against time to set up communication lines, connecting power to various command rooms and defense towers, and the temporary command post had already begun operations.
In the lobby on the first floor, Clone soldiers were busy calibrating various combat equipment.
In an open area sheltered by a massive military tent, Jedi Knights and apprentices gathered to discuss subsequent action plans.
Additionally, an hour ago, the local Republic loyalist leader, Oliris Gilmang, arrived at the camp with a considerable force of nearly two thousand adequately equipped warriors loyal to the Republic.
Obi-Wan Kenobi nodded in satisfaction and asked Master Xilus beside him, "What's the latest battle report?"
"We encountered a small group of Jabim nationalists resisting at the landing point." Sirus gestured towards the medical tent nearby. "There are several wounded prisoners being treated by medical personnel, but these people harbor strong hostility towards us."
Anakin Skywalker said with a helpless expression, "These prisoners aren't afraid of us at all; instead, they're full of fear. One even told me I was a child-eating demon!"
Obi-Wan patiently explained, "Anakin, you must understand that the Republic encompasses over a million inhabited planets, and we Jedi number only a few thousand Knights and a few hundred Masters. Billions of beings have never seen a Jedi, and millions have never even heard of the Jedi Order and The Force. When we suddenly appear on their planet, in their eyes, we are no different from invaders or murderers."
"But we are also saviors and healers," Master Xilus retorted, nodding towards Aubrey, who was bending over to tend to another Jabim casualty.
"By the way, I've read the relevant reports, but is Jabim always this humid?"
"Unfortunately, yes, Buck. Since the window we created in the clouds with cloud-dispersing explosives closed, the rain hasn't stopped. In an emergency, the fleet in orbit wouldn't even be able to evacuate us or send reinforcements. Our supply of cloud-dispersing explosives has run out, and new supplies, being quite rare, are of unknown arrival time."
Obi-Wan sighed.
Then, the Jedi turned their attention to Olis, the leader of the Jabim resistance: "Tell us about the specifics of your civil war."
Olis nodded and placed a small holographic projector on the table.
Once the projector activated, a holographic image of a man appeared, his shield and saber particularly striking.
"He is the leader of the Jabim nationalists, a lackey of the Separatists, Alto Stratos." Oliris's tone was filled with hatred. "Last year, he launched a coup, killing most members of the Congress. Fortunately, some of us managed to escape. Since then, Jabim has completely changed.
Families who consistently supported the Republic were brutally persecuted, and we are constantly pursued by assassins.
Alto Stratos is an absolute tyrant. He replaces law with his personal will, doing as he pleases. His collusion with the Separatists alone constitutes a betrayal of the people of Jabim."
At this moment, a voice from the Jabim crowd spoke up: "Captain Gilmang is the only one who dared to stand up against Stratos. But, we have a question: why didn't the troops who arrived on the planet earlier eliminate Stratos? He is the biggest threat we face!"
Obi-Wan responded in a deep voice, "We Jedi never participate in political assassinations."
Just then, a Clone wearing a Commander's insignia quickly ran up to them, saluted, and handed a datapad to Master Dara Liska.
Leska quickly scanned the information on the datapad and nodded, "Excellent."
Then, she wiped the rain from her face, "The defensive perimeter is fully established, Clone troops are reinforcing fortifications, and communications with other combat teams are all connected. Master Xilus, your troops can begin preparing for action."
The Clone Commander was about to turn and leave when he suddenly stopped, hand on his helmet's comms unit: "Generals, speeder bikes approaching! This is a transmission from Clone Alpha-17; he says it's the vanguard of General Victor's column."
"Excellent!" Obi-Wan ordered, "Let them in."
A moment later, three speeder bikes slowly approached the command post.
Two Clones in dirty green armor remained by the bikes on alert, while the third Clone walked towards the tent.
"Generals." A Clone wearing distinctive armor with blue stripes and additional reconnaissance equipment on his helmet walked up to the group. "You've finally arrived."
His gaze swept over the Jabim people present, then he glanced in a certain direction, pointing at four nationalists stumbling along under the escort of two Clones, and asked, "Who are these people?"
It was clear that these Jabim people were injured.
"They are wounded prisoners, and they will receive proper medical treatment now—"
,7
Obi-Wan had just started speaking when he was interrupted by the Clone.
Ignoring Obi-Wan's words, he walked directly towards the medical tent.
At this time, the four wounded individuals had been escorted to the side of the tent, and one of them was helping the others lie down on low cots.
The Jedi followed with interest, and Master Folinka also followed closely behind.
Aubrey was bending over to tend to an injured nationalist when she suddenly felt a tap on her shoulder.
The Clone asked, "Are you a doctor?"
"Yes."
Aubrey nodded in surprise.
"Then be ready; our wounded will arrive soon.
"I'll finish treating these patients and then—"
"I'll handle these people."
The Clone directly interrupted her.
Before anyone could react, the Clone quickly raised his blaster, and four precise blaster bolts struck the heads of the four wounded individuals, killing them instantly.
All the Jedi froze in place, unable to believe what had just happened before their eyes.
Meanwhile, the Clone walked to the corner of the tent, where several other wounded individuals lay.
A few seconds later, the tent fell completely silent.
Master Leska angrily rushed towards the Clone, grabbing his shoulder: "What are you doing, Clone? They are all wounded! I order you to hand over your weapon immediately! You are under arrest!"
"First, my name is Clone Gasha."
"Second, my direct commanding officer is General Victor."
"Third, I don't give a damn about your orders."
"Fourth, these Separatist scum blew up our medical station, which was full of our wounded. Therefore, our principle is: no prisoners, and certainly no treating the enemy."
Gasha responded coldly.
Master Leska recoiled a few steps in shock.
Gasha silently slung his blaster over his shoulder and walked out of the tent.
"Who exactly are they?"
Zul gasped in shock.
"I don't know." Her master, Jeb Glef, shook his head. "But I think we'll get an answer from General Victor soon."
Gasha shook his head in annoyance: "Damn it, it seems I'm too used to the General's sensibility, which is why I'm so disappointed when I see other Jedi. Why can't they all be as clear-headed as the General? I hope the General doesn't get into trouble because of this, but with his wisdom, he should be able to handle it properly."
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