Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 135, Section 136 - Momentum
These ramps are enormous engineering marvels. As their name suggests, they are like suspended bridges, winding and twisting above the chaotic rooftops and towers, extending all the way up to the mountain peaks.

From a distance, they look like several giant gray pythons, silently coiled above the city.

“There will be a welcome reception upon arrival at the temple,” Raine continued, explaining the process. “The formal prisoner exchange is scheduled for tomorrow, followed by peace negotiations… The exchange will proceed as planned, right? The Refugee Relief Movement is very insistent on this.”

Anakin gritted his teeth and suddenly took half a step forward.

Pro Kong reacted quickly; a firm and strong hand landed steadily on his shoulder, stopping him.

"Is there a man named Rex on your prisoner list?" Anakin's voice was tense.

Raine's face showed genuine bewilderment. He stared at Anakin, his previously relaxed hand instantly gripping the hilt of his saber tightly. "...Who?"

“He’s a clone captain!” Anakin explained impatiently, raising his voice several decibels. “He was on my ship during the Battle of Christophersis! You were there, I know you were!”

“If he had survived, he would have been transferred to Battlecruiser No. 53,” Ryan replied rather briefly. “If you didn’t find him on that ship, then he most likely died in your so-called ‘rescue operation’.”

“A rescue operation?!” Anakin’s face flushed crimson. “It’s an operation to rescue our trapped people! Who knows how you’ll treat my men—”

Obi-Wan sighed silently and heavily, pinched the bridge of his nose hard, and shook his head, his expression clearly saying, "I knew I shouldn't have brought him."

Raine's expression instantly turned extremely furious, his anger clearly visible, as if he had heard some utterly absurd accusation: "Jedi Master, I will give them the treatment they deserve as prisoners of war, in accordance with basic morality and the laws of war! If you hadn't raided my warship, you would all be in Ondron right now! I know this galaxy is rife with barbarity, but please don't assume we are all inhuman monsters just because we stand on the side of separatism!"

“Anyone can become a monster. It’s a choice we make, not a label imposed on us by others!” Renn continued. For the first time, Ahsoka realized that someone could stand in front of her tall and strong master without losing any of their imposing presence. “Even in the most brutal killings of war, civilized people should follow the rules. Until I am completely desperate and believe that there is no honor in war, I will work twice as hard to uphold it… It is not the battle itself that creates monsters, but what happens after the battle!”

Anakin remained silent, but his body trembled slightly with anger.

Ahsoka had expected Prokhor or Obi-Wan to immediately step in and mediate, but both masters seemed to simply observe the confrontation in silence.

Moreover, throughout this process, they all carefully observed Ryan Bontry's reactions...

Has he always been like this?

Ahsoka found himself unable to remember some things again.

"Jedi Masters, the 'monsters' you need to be wary of are those who trample on the rules, those who disrespect their opponents, refuse to surrender, confuse the guilty with the innocent, and punish the entire group for the crimes of a few!"

Ahsoka suddenly realized that Ryan Bontry's words were not just casual remarks, but were aimed at Anakin.

“I won’t lie. There are indeed many people in this galaxy who condone the killing because they are blinded by anger and grief, or simply because they are sadistic, or simply because they are indifferent and numb. We don’t call such people ‘human’... we call them savages.”

Anakin was trembling violently, and fine beads of sweat were seeping from his forehead.

Every word Ryan said felt like an invisible blade, piercing his heart.

To be fair, Ahsoka also felt that what this separatist said was not wrong.

But whatever he said, it clearly struck at the deepest, most painful wound in his master's heart.

“It seems you know a lot about barbarians,” Anakin’s voice was deep, tinged with cold sarcasm, “don’t you, Ondron?”

“Yes, that’s why we understand the preciousness of life even more, whether it’s human life or the lives of those you call ‘monsters’,” For some reason, despite their similar heights, Raine’s posture seemed to be looking down at Master Skywalker.

"Enough, Anakin."

Obi-Wan's voice carried an undeniable, stern warning. Anakin took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his turbulent emotions. "I'm going to see those prisoners and confirm with my own eyes whether they are being treated humanely, as you say."

“No, Anakin,” Obi-Wan grabbed his arm. “You’re coming with me. Go do what you’re supposed to do and protect the senators.”

Congressman!

This word was like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing most of Anakin's anger.

Filled with resentment and anger, he exhaled heavily, forcing himself to calm down.

Finally, he slowly nodded, backing away while apologizing in a low voice.

“I will visit the prisoners,” Prokhor broke the deadlock at the opportune moment. “I am also very concerned about the conditions of the prisoners of war. Of course, in return, we will invite you to send a representative to inspect the separatist prisoners we are holding.”

Ryan's expression softened somewhat. "I agree to this arrangement."

However, to everyone's surprise, Pro Kong then lowered his head and looked at Scout and Ahsoka, "So, apprentices? Will you choose to go to the reception with your masters, or come with me to visit our compatriots?"

On one hand, there's the prospect of being stuck in a somber room for the next few hours, dealing with politicians.

So this is hardly an option.

Of course, this is on the premise that she, as an apprentice, is not obligated to stay by her master's side...

Moreover, Ahsoka had heard from Apo that Captain Rex was a very close friend of his master.

If she could check on Rex's condition for her master, it would at least make her master feel a little better.

"And these two are...?" Raine looked at the two young Jedi apprentices, but before he could finish speaking, Obi-Wan began to introduce them.

“These two are our apprentices, Ahsoka Tano and Scout Nwandon.”

Renn was taken aback.

He blinked rapidly, looked at the two young girls, and then looked incredulously at their Jedi Master.

Then he looked at them again, his eyes seeming to doubt whether there was something wrong with his eyes or his brain.

“You are…” Renn narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze locking onto Ahsoka as if scrutinizing some strange creature he had never seen before, “Anakin Skywalker’s apprentice?”

“Apprentice Ahsoka Tano, awaiting your orders.” Ahsoka bowed slightly.

“Apprentice Scout Nwandon, it’s a pleasure to meet you!” Scout greeted him cheerfully.

“Okay…of course,” Renn smiled at them, but the smile clearly meant he was treating them like children who needed to be coaxed. “In any case, you can make your decision after we arrive at the temple. For now, we’d better not keep our distinguished councilors waiting any longer.”

He gestured with his hand, indicating "please," and pointed to the row of gilded carriages that gleamed in the sunlight.

At this moment, the winding, upward-reaching aerial ramp leading to the cloud-shrouded mountain peaks appeared exceptionally long and treacherous to everyone.

(End of this chapter)