Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 164-166 - A New Journey (Third update, please vote with monthly tickets)
Upon returning to the ground, Kavia immediately went on a mission to gather volunteers from the Royal Army.

Raine boarded a Sheathipede-class transport shuttle and flew toward his fleet, which was anchored in orbit.

It was now clear that the fleet had shrunk considerably since he left, with dozens of ships of various sizes now empty.

As the shuttle's hydraulic system hissed as it lowered the gangway, Ryan immediately spotted Little Tower's iconic, gleaming metal shell waiting at the other end.

"The bridge of the 'Repulsion' reports to you, sir. Control of the ship has been transferred." The tactical robot greeted him in a steady electronic voice.

Ryan stepped onto the familiar deck and took a deep breath.

A mixture of rust, cold steel, ozone, engine oil, and the various chemicals the engineers picked up while debugging equipment today wafted through the air—the unique scent of a starship.

The robotic crew members are moving efficiently between their various posts, meticulously conducting orbital stay status checks to ensure that the oxygen- and moisture-rich atmosphere of the ship does not corrode any critical components required to maintain its seaworthiness.

Corrosion is the most common threat to rail parking.

“It feels so good to be back.” Rein said sincerely, his gaze sweeping across the familiar corridor. “Connect the bridge communications. I need to have a secure call with the Supreme Commander.”

"Yes, yes."

Little Tower responded immediately.

On his way to the bridge, Raine didn't go directly to the cockpit, but deliberately took a detour, passing through the engine room and inspecting the gun deck... as if he were visiting old friends one by one, getting familiar with every corner of the ship again.

Or perhaps he was checking to make sure his "home" was safe and sound, and still looked the way it did when he left.

At this moment, the "Repel" truly felt more like home to him than anywhere else in Ondron or Lax; he knew every inch of its space and every pipe inside and out.

In the end, he returned to the bridge.

The holographic projector in the center was activated, and a conversation that he was both vaguely looking forward to and instinctively felt a little afraid of was about to begin.

He always had this complicated feeling whenever he received a new order.

"General Tann." Her figure was clearly projected onto the screen in front of the captain's chair. Raine stood at attention and saluted with perfect posture. "'Repulsion' is in position and requests operational instructions."

"We will adopt a defensive posture and await the Republic's next move." The Supreme Commander's voice was as direct as ever. "You will immediately proceed to the Nansri system, where Major General Trilm and I will meet with you for an emergency strategic meeting. Your newly appointed 28th Mobile Fleet has assembled and is ready to deploy in Nansri."

Upon hearing the name Carly Trilm, Ryan couldn't help but press, "Sir, please forgive my bluntness... how did you persuade Major General Trilm to... stand against Count Dooku?"

“I’m just as puzzled as you are, Major General.” Tann’s reply was surprisingly candid. “After she was promoted to Major General, she offered to work closely with me, and since then, she has been quite cooperative with my strategic requests.”

Ok……

Ryan thought to himself, Carly is still the same unpredictable Carly.

“Ah… I understand, sir.” He nodded understandingly, then steered the conversation back on track, “So, after departing from Nansri, I presume my fleet will be deployed to the Peremian trade route?”

“That’s not the case. Admiral Trench has been officially appointed to take charge of the entire Peremian theater of operations.” Tann shook his head. “Your 28th Mobile Fleet has unique… characteristics that make it unsuitable for deployment on the front lines for high-intensity frontal combat. Given the rapid evolution of the current situation, you will receive my follow-up instructions directly in Nansri.”

Renn sighed silently; the anticipated frontline mission had fallen through. "Understood, General."

“If you want to know the specific direction, Major General,” the Supreme Commander said, his hands behind his back, his tone carrying a deeper meaning, “your new war zone is in the south. General Rhys Alrix of the Republic is launching a fierce offensive, pushing our forces all the way to Salust. Now even our core territory is in danger. I judge that the Republic’s next strategic focus will be concentrated here. Your mission is to cooperate with Commander Asagi Ventress to lift the siege of Salust.”

Before ending the communication, Severn Tann's image seemed to reveal a... almost sympathetic smile.

Communication was cut off, and the holographic projection disappeared. Rein slumped heavily into the captain's chair, his body sinking into the soft cushions, his gaze somewhat blank as he looked out the viewing window at the rolling clouds of Ondron.

He raised his hand and vigorously rubbed his stiff cheeks.

That's why he always felt both anticipation and dread when he received new orders.

Collaborating with Ventress?

This task is extremely difficult.

……

South Sri Lanka Galaxy, South Sri Lanka Orbit.

Kroost Sector.

"'Repulse' is calling Yugoslav Rail Control," tactical robot TF-1726 communicated in a steady electronic voice, "requesting port clearance and berthing coordinates. Pass verification code is being transmitted."

Outside the porthole, South Sri Lanka appeared as a green and blue sphere.

The planet itself is unremarkable, even somewhat backward, and its greatest fame comes from naming the South Sri Lankan trade routes after it.

That might sound a bit harsh.

The South Sri Trade Route is a hyperspace route that winds its way through a volatile sector, serving as a shortcut between the Core World and the Middle Ring.

The South Sri Lankan galaxy happens to be located at the end of this route.

On the vast star map of the Milky Way, it is just an insignificant little dot.

However, in the landscape of regional trade, South Sri Lanka is a crucial hub situated on a lucrative trade route.

On the other hand, this star system has long been in the gray area, with the Hutts and the Republic constantly arguing over its ownership, leading to rampant piracy on the South Sri trade routes and making it a notorious lawless place in the Outer Ring.

However, the age of piracy has long since ended.

Peace has been restored here since the Confederation intervened with an iron fist and reshaped the order.

"'Repulsion', this is the battleship 'Crown Prince'," a familiar voice rang out in the communications channel, with a hint of barely perceptible ease, "planning your port entry route. Welcome back, Rear Admiral Bontri."

"'Crown Prince'?" Renn immediately stood up from the captain's chair and strode to the observation window.

He leaned over to examine a series of identification codes and repeater signals flashing on the "Repel" control panel.

The familiar transponder lights flashed rhythmically, confirming the identities of those giant ships to him.

The Kolmogorov battleship HMS Crown Prince, the Metalon-class battleship HMS Judgment, the Salvara heavy cruiser HMS Salissa, the Simirs attack aircraft carrier, the Ringo Venda destroyer squadron, the Atlantean frigate Khabarovsk II...

Familiar ships, commanded by familiar faces.

It seems that the elite forces of the entire Battle of Peremian have now converged on Yugoslavia.

(End of this chapter)