Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 156, Section 158 - Summit Observer

The fall of Kira Fortress and the bombardment did not affect the holding of the peace summit.

Padme Amidala tried to remain calm.

She and the members of the Republic's delegation followed an assistant into the lobby of Of Taraba University.

This is the largest and oldest school in Weng Delun.

A profound sense of history permeates the walls.

A gentle breeze rustled through the intricately carved stone arches, its sound drifting and ethereal.

The murals and busts of ancient kings and heroes look down on them as if scrutinizing their qualifications.

Unlike her, Jedi Knights were far less adept at concealing their unease, and Anakin was no exception.

Although it was not their fault, security personnel from both sides suspected something might go wrong at the start of the summit, that someone might sabotage it.

Logically, the risk is highest during prisoner exchanges, simply because it is a public event.

However, everything went smoothly during the process.

As the summit enters its final days, the window of opportunity for potential problems is narrowing, and everyone is on edge.

“Have you tried to relax a bit, Jedi Master?” Padmé’s words were partly directed at himself, though they were directed at the mysterious Jedi Knights in charge of security. “Too much pressure is bad for your health. I heard that Master Skywalker helped the Royal Army take down a terrorist organization in the city. Doesn’t that mean the threat has been eliminated?”

“Even so, Senator,” Obi-Wan said gently, with a smile on his face, “we cannot let our guard down until all parties sign a ceasefire agreement.”

“So far, the separatists, as hosts, have been very cooperative,” Padmé quietly expressed his dissent. “This distrust is one of the reasons that prevented the galaxy from ending the conflict before the war even started. Can’t we trust that the separatists are genuinely here to negotiate?”

“I think the Jedi Knights are referring to the intervention of a third party, Padmé, not the separatists themselves,” Bell said at this point. “There are many forces, whether we know them or not, that want the war to continue.”

“There is absolutely no indication of this at the moment,” Bana Brim noted. “I need to remind everyone that there is a reason why Ondron was chosen as the venue. Any provocateur would not only have to cross the airspace of the Republic and the Separatists, but also break through the orbital patrol zone before finally landing at the planet’s only interplanetary port, which sees no more than a hundred ships docked each day.”

“That only distinguishes between amateur bounty hunters and mediocre professionals,” Anakin snorted softly.

“Please don’t do that,” Procon mediated. “As security personnel, it is our duty to worry. The sooner the ceasefire agreement is signed, the sooner our worries will be proven to be unnecessary.”

“On this point, we are completely in agreement, Jedi Master,” Bail Organa straightened up as the door opposite him opened. “It seems we can begin.”

The entrance of the separatist delegation was similar to theirs.

At the heart of the group were several members of parliament, surrounded by accompanying officials and some third parties with their own interests in peace affairs.

The refugee relief movement was one of them, along with numerous journalists and correspondents from both sides, among whom the people from the Supercommunity were the most prominent.

The two sat on either side of a long stone table, which was laden with a sumptuous spread of snacks and gleaming glass bottles filled with wine and water.

“I think we can skip the introductions,” Mina Bontri said bluntly, in her usual style. “We’ve gotten to know each other quite well these days, and it suddenly occurred to me, friends, the less formality the better. We’ve abandoned all those exaggerated performances… Ouf Taraba doesn’t have cameras. If you don’t believe a separatist, believe the stubbornness of the Ondron people… The Dean is very insistent on this.”

After these words, the tense atmosphere at the summit eased somewhat.

“I do have a process in mind,” Mina continued, pulling out a chair, “but if you all agree, I would prefer that all participants have an open and honest discussion, rather than following standard procedures and repeating their official positions over and over until we stop being at odds with each other and reach the desired outcome.”

“We agree, Congressman Bontri,” Bell Organa said with admirable composure and aristocratic bearing, “and we hope our efforts will not disappoint.”

Just as everyone was seated, a tall man standing behind Mina stepped forward slightly, his purple cloak sweeping the ground. "Will the Jedi Masters be seated at the table?"

Padmé noticed that the Jedi Knight tensed up the moment he saw this person.

She looked him over carefully and realized that he had to tilt his head back.

This is a fair-skinned Ongderen man with a somewhat unique demeanor.

“Ah!” Mina exclaimed, her voice carrying a hint of deliberate apology. “Please forgive me, I forgot to introduce you… This is Rear Admiral Ryan Bontley of the Confederate Navy. He has been busy outside Izzz City and is joining the meeting today on behalf of our Supreme Commander’s Office.”

Padmé can tell.

Ryan Bontry looked tired, and his eyes were somewhat unfocused. This strangely reminded her of... something lifeless.

Nevertheless, he is easily overlooked if one does not pay special attention.

Padmé thought to himself that the name Ryan Bontley was more famous than he was.

This applies to all the guardians of Kolmogoth.

There is only a name, but no matching face.

René Bontri, Kari Trierm, Diderich Greshad.

Their achievements were overshadowed by figures like General Tann and General Trench.

However, if it weren't for their valiant defense, she wouldn't be sitting here today.

For a long time, the military's top ranks have always been occupied by the core world, but in the outer ring, countless outstanding talents and soldiers have been buried and never had the opportunity to shine.

War changed many things.

"Are they related by blood?" Bana Brim raised her carefully manicured eyebrows.

“No,” Mina replied briefly, without further explanation.

“You’re the one who held out in Kolumex until the Pantora reinforcements arrived,” Senator Dasana of Gerry Anselm leaned back. “Could you satisfy my curiosity? Were you angry when you discovered that General Tann had arrived late, largely overshadowed your efforts, and used your involvement in the battle to elevate his own position?”

A faint smile flickered across Ryan's face: "General Tann promoted me to major general, so you can understand that there are some things I can't say..."

As the officials whispered the words, a soft chuckle rippled through the room.

Padmé relaxed a little and began to observe her surroundings.

Some senators had already begun to eat the food on the table, while the reporters standing nearby looked somewhat puzzled.

Without cameras, the Milky Way cannot react in real time and can only rely on articles written by these journalists afterward.

Undoubtedly, they are looking forward to a fierce, fiery debate, a clash that will spark the imagination and capture attention.

Rather than the quiet, friendly atmosphere we have now, this feels more like a family gathering on Hanukkah night than a meeting between mortal enemies.

Padmé was happy to disappoint these journalists.

However, while those seated shared a relaxed atmosphere, Senator Dasana remained expressionless, like a stone statue outside the hall.

“Of course, Major General,” he said, resting his elbows on the table, “would you mind if I asked why the separatist army needs a representative? Surely the separatists’ egalitarian principles don’t apply to the armed forces?”

The words ended with a distinct hint of sarcasm, prompting Bana Brim to sigh slightly.

Padmé recognized the dangerous glint in Mina's eyes, the same glint that appeared whenever she received an attack from her opponent.

Bell pretended to wipe the sweat from her face, but from the position Padmé was sitting, she could tell that he was clearly hiding a smile.

“Oh, that’s a very good question, my dear,” Mina drawled. “May I remind you that just now, Major General Bontri politely asked if the Jedi Order wished to be seated at the table? Ah… I dare not presume why you would think that bringing some children would bring meaningful discussion to our negotiations… or perhaps you’ve mistaken this meeting for a school trip?”

Senator Dasana sat stiffly in his chair, his eyes fixed on Mina, his face expressionless, as if all life had been drained from him.

If it weren't for the slight rise and fall of his chest, one would easily mistake him for an Ondron stone sculpture.

The Jedi Knights glared at him, and the two apprentices standing behind him felt a deep sense of humiliation; their cheeks flushed red, and their breathing quickened.

“The Confederate armed forces will not participate in the negotiations,” Raine’s voice was not loud, but it carried clearly to everyone’s ears. His gaze remained fixed on the Jedi Knights. “They will not make any demands either. Whatever the outcome of the armistice, we will carry it out without objection. I am here merely as an observer and to provide military insights when questioned or if necessary.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the Jedi Order. "So, will the Jedi Masters be seated at the table?"

“There’s no need,” Pro Kong’s voice rang out calmly. “The Jedi Order is not involved in the negotiations either. We are here only to observe.”

(End of this chapter)