Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 162, Section 164 - Escort!
The summit was interrupted by a sudden incident, and everyone looked very serious.

“So… the war must continue…” Padmé stared blankly at the documents scattered on the stone table, his voice low, the pain in his voice seemingly far exceeding his anxiety about his own political future. “We were once so close to peace… almost within reach…”

“Bad luck, hmm…?” Mina Bontri’s gaze shifted to the Jedi Knights, a hint of inquiry in her eyes. “So, does the Force also consider this simply…bad luck?”

“The Jedi Council will seek the answers,” Master Procon said, his calm voice reassuring through his breathing mask, his gaze fixed firmly on Raine. “I believe you will also seek the truth. But right now, our most urgent task is to ensure the safe return of the entire Republic delegation to the Republic-controlled area.”

"Our Confederate warships will escort your diplomatic vessel to Comeno," General Tann promised in the holographic projection.

Wait, Comeno?

Ryan Bontri felt a chill run down his spine.

That place extends deep into the heart of the Republic.

Normally, Confederate ships would not be allowed to enter... and currently, the only Confederate ships available in the Japrael sector are Raine's own fleet!

“Comeno?” Obi-Wan immediately questioned, his brow furrowing slightly. “General, we would be extremely grateful if you could escort us to the edge of the Japrael Sector.”

“I insist,” Tann said firmly, his tone carrying a businesslike toughness, “this is a necessary measure to ensure security, Rear Admiral Bontri. I believe your flagship and escort fleet are capable of completing this mission!”

This is clearly not a question, but a command.

Renn had no choice but to agree.

More subtly, Ryan could clearly discern that the order was the work of Carly Trilm, not Tann's own intention.

Tann himself would never offer to escort Republic members of parliament, much less waste valuable naval resources to send them into the core area of ​​pro-Republic forces.

But Kari Terrem is different; she is a master of public image.

Raine could almost picture the gray-haired, shrewd Major General Trilm standing right next to Tann, only not included in the hologram.

The purpose of dispatching Rennes' fleet for escort is obvious.

He was tasked with preventing any forces that might be disguised as "pirates" from attacking the Republic's mission en route.

With a hint of inquiry, Raine asked, "What will my fleet face after arriving in Comeno?"

“You must ensure that there is nothing on the fleet that poses any military value to the Republic,” Tann replied curtly, “then either scuttle it or let the Republic seize it.”

“…Understood, General.” Rein suppressed his dissatisfaction, let out a long breath, and took out his communicator. “Little Tower, please respond.”

"Sir, I'm here!"

"I need you to prepare a squadron immediately..."

Raine raised one hand and spread his five fingers.

The silent signal was immediately received by the surrounding combat robots, who retreated in unison, making way for the exit.

With tacit approval, the Republican Senate guards, clad in blue armor, swiftly moved to guide the still-shocked Republican representatives out of the hall.

While Ryan was on the phone with Little Tower to deploy the mission, he noticed Padme Amidala looking dejected as he packed up the documents on the table.

Her movements were slow, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the creases on the edge of the paper.

“Forgive me for being so naive as to think…one day we would need these documents,” she murmured to herself, as if speaking to the unfinished peace treaties.

She clutched the documents tightly to her chest, as if grasping at her last solace, then dragged her heavy steps away, following the backs of her colleagues.

"Bontry!"

Anakin Skywalker's voice rang out.

Renn tensed up instantly.

Anakin walked towards him. "It seems... we'll soon meet again on the battlefield."

Raine looked up and met the other person's gaze. "I really hope things don't get to that point."

Anakin shifted slightly awkwardly. "Um... about what happened before, I'm sorry, I mistakenly thought you planned this attack, but now it seems... it was just bad timing."

Raine turned his gaze to Pro Kong, his expression serious: "Master, I have a different opinion on this. I suggest that you go back and thoroughly investigate all communications related to Frost."

The elder Kelldor Jedi nodded slightly, his eyes sharpening beneath his mask. "I will personally oversee the investigation, and if necessary, I will personally travel to Frost."

“It’s best not to go in person…” Renn’s voice carried a warning, “Doing so would attract too much unnecessary attention from… people we don’t want to bother.”

He then looked at Anakin and pointed at him with his index finger. "There's one more thing, Skywalker. I want my fleet to return intact and undamaged."

"..."

……

The atmosphere in the negotiation hall did not ease after the Republic delegation and the Jedi Knights left.

Mina Bontri sighed deeply, exhausted, with a hint of childish frustration. She swept her hand across the table, knocking over a wine glass.

The deep purple liquid quickly spread across the stone table. Tereker Bremark merely grunted in displeasure and made to get up and leave.

Raine quickly adjusted the receiving and transmitting apertures of the holographic projector, enlarged it, and then casually tossed it onto the stone table.

"Fellow members of parliament," his voice carried an undeniable weight, "please wait a moment. Your attendants may leave now."

This is clearly not a request.

Bremark glanced around at the still-armed combat robots, hesitated for a moment, and finally sat back down in his chair. Mina waved for the council aides to leave.

The assistants filed out of the side door with a worried expression, glancing back anxiously before leaving.

"What's wrong, Renn?" Mina asked, her gaze falling on the enlarged holographic image of General Tann.

Ryan pointed to the projector.

Now, Tann's image is clear and massive.

“This is not just a matter of timing,” Raine said in a low voice after confirming that all irrelevant personnel had left. “Involving the council in this matter may be a risky move, but we believe it is worth the risk.”

Esu Rossinu raised his meticulously manicured eyebrows. "If it's not a matter of timing, then where is the problem?"

“We are certain that there is a person who has secret communication channels in the core world and the authority to directly command Admiral Dua Ningo,” Raine’s voice was icy as he dropped this bombshell, “that person is our head of state, Count Dooku.”

Ryan could have expressed himself in a more tactful way, but he chose to be direct at this moment.

At the very least, this would make the senators immediately realize the seriousness of the situation and understand that they were not exaggerating.

Mina turned sharply to Rein, her eyes filled with shock and warning. "Making such an accusation is tantamount to treason—!"

“We are not the ones who betrayed our country.” Raine’s voice was soft, but every word was clear.

He observed the reactions of each member of parliament, watching them process this explosive news.

Tereker stared in disbelief, Essu wore a playful expression, while Tauni fell into deep thought.

The more moderate Tawney Ames leaned back in her chair, her hands folded in front of her. "What's the basis? Accusing our head of state requires solid evidence."

Raine quickly took out his tablet and, with lightning speed, transferred encrypted files and intelligence reports to Mina's personal data board.

“Our…naval intelligence department,” General Tann continued, “intercepted multiple encrypted communications between the separatist world and the pro-republican world, particularly the communications between Lax and Coruscant.”

“Oh my God,” Esu Rossinu said with a smug smile, “how many members of parliament have the armed forces got their hands on?”

“But we also intercepted a special communication line,” the general said, ignoring her teasing, his tone more serious. “The source points to Sereno, or more precisely, to Count Dooku’s private residence in the Carania Castle District.”

Senator Bremark frowned, his fingers tapping nervously on the table. "This is far from enough to prove that Count Dooku personally orchestrated this attack—"

“This proves that our head of state lacks transparency and has failed to fulfill his responsibilities!” Mina suddenly interrupted her, abruptly lifting her gaze from the data panel, her eyes sharp as knives. “This proves that he has undisclosed contacts within the pro-Republican sphere of influence! More seriously, he has concealed classified mission information concerning the safety of the Confederation from his own government and the Supreme Military Command! Accusing him of treason may be too harsh, but these actions themselves constitute sufficient grounds to initiate impeachment proceedings!”

Renn inwardly agreed with Mina's judgment.

From a realpolitik perspective, it would be foolish and unrealistic to try the founders of the Confederation on charges of treason.

But he is accused of abusing his power and neglecting his duties?
This is a more feasible goal, and one that is more likely to achieve substantial results.

“Mina!?” Tereker Bremark exclaimed, clearly taken aback by Mina’s strong stance.

Mina Bontri silently and quickly forwarded the received documents to every colleague present.

After completing the operation, she looked directly at General Tann's image and asked, "General, what do you need us to do?"

Raine knew that if Tann could do as she pleased, she would demand the immediate impeachment or even trial of Dooku.

But this is absolutely impossible in the Independent Galaxy Confederation Council.

So she repeated what Carly Trim had prepared for her.

“I only request that an investigation be launched,” the Supreme Commander said with unusual restraint, “to be conducted by an impartial committee formed by the Senate, adhering to the principle that the Count should be considered innocent until there is conclusive evidence of his guilt.”

“This request… is reasonable,” Toni Ames nodded slowly, acknowledging, “and the materials you provided… are indeed sufficient to prove that holding a parliamentary hearing is necessary, but…”

She then shifted her tone, becoming more realistic: "Don't expect to easily assemble a 'fair' committee. Even after reviewing these highly indicative documents, I still have doubts. The difficulty of successfully indicting Count Dooku in Parliament is... unimaginable."

Senator Bremark pinched the bridge of his nose, looking exhausted. "Frankly, General, we are the most likely audience you can find to listen to your accusations, and even so, I personally have reservations. But I think you are already well aware of that."

The Confederate Congress was generally composed of two types of members.

One category includes veteran former republican senators such as Tereker Bremark, Mina Bontri, and Essu Rossinu.

They respected Count Doocu, but years of political experience made them more objective and level-headed in their view of him.

Another type is the pure separatist senators, most of whom come from planets and galaxies that had no representation during the Republic but were able to make their voices heard in the Confederation.

Taoni Ames and W. Attel belong to this category.

However, Toni Ames is an exception.

The vast majority of the newly elected senators were staunch supporters of Count Dooku, almost worshipping him as a god.

“Please… give this serious consideration,” Ryan said earnestly. “Ignoring these doubts would be a serious failure for the democratic system we are pursuing.”

“You’re right on the point of procedural justice.” Esu Rossinu’s expression suddenly turned serious, but then a cruel, almost mocking smile appeared on his face. “Dooku? The irony is just brilliant. Anyway, it’ll be very… interesting to see him fall from grace.”

Mina Bontri stood up stiffly, as if all her joints were rusted, and she had lost her usual elegance.

She picked up her data tablet, her voice low and heavy: "I only pray... that the Confederation will not fall into the abyss because of him."

In Ryan's eyes, this step she took, though difficult, was another step forward toward breaking Count Dooku's iron-fisted, invisible control over the Confederation.

(End of this chapter)