Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 218-220 - Fear
Harlem Sector.

"General, reconnaissance aircraft report: the 20th Fleet has been defeated." Admiral Jegerod's voice was slightly tense as he reported. "By the time the reconnaissance aircraft arrived, the battle was already over. The enemy is now attempting to bypass the satellite and maneuver towards our port side and rear."

“It seems General Grant’s judgment was correct after all,” Jedi General Empatojejos Brand said in a low voice. “Has the reconnaissance plane been detected?”

“Obviously not.” Jager Rod straightened his shoulders. “They are continuously tracking the enemy fleet’s movements. That’s an advantage we have right now.”

"Is it possible to contact the Open Ring Fleet?"

“No, General, Commander Esterházy’s troops are on the other side of Yagdur; without the 20th Fleet as a relay… we are cut off.”

Even with such a crucial shift in the situation, there was no time for shock.

General Brand took the data panel and traced the separatists' route; he could only come to one conclusion.

"Battle Hydra" did not intend to use the newly opened gap to escape, but instead circled around to the back of the second satellite of Yagdul, attempting to attack the "Rapid Justice" task force from the port rear.

Just as Skywalker's apprentice Ahsoka predicted, she simply misjudged the enemy's primary objective.

In any case, the enemy will be closing in soon, and we must react immediately.

Jedi General Brand analyzed the enemy's expected actions and then made a decisive decision based on his own judgment.

“Order the fleet to turn 180 degrees,” Empatojejos Brand ordered. “When the separatist fleet rounds the satellite, ambush them.”

"An ambush?" Admiral Jegerod asked, his tone clearly opposed. "We're going to launch an attack?"

“Hydra didn’t expect that we had already discovered their intentions,” the Jedi General slammed his fist into his other hand. “It’s clear that they want to use the satellites to cover their flank maneuvers, force us into the asteroid belt, and eliminate us one by one there. But in order to stay in our blind spot for as long as possible, they will fly close to the satellites.”

"You intend to imitate their tactics?" The general quickly understood what he meant.

“That’s right.” General Brand grinned. “We need to seize the initiative and the terrain. When they get around the satellite, what they’ll see won’t be an unprepared, vulnerable fleet, but our well-prepared and powerful frontal firepower.”

Admiral Jegerod did not agree with the Jedi's optimism.

The reckless naiveté in this Ondron Jedi both annoyed and annoyed him.

The crew of the USS Fast Justice felt the tension between the two supreme commanders.

They wavered between their judgments, and the atmosphere on the bridge was almost frozen, filled with silent tension.

“Speak your concerns, Admiral.” The Jedi General had also noticed this. “I don’t bite.”

Empatojejos Brand joked in an attempt to ease the tension, but Admiral Jegerod didn't take the bait, or rather, in his deep anxieties, he probably didn't even realize it was a joke. "Don't try to fool me with your mysticism, Jedi," was probably his main thought at the moment.

“Indeed, a preemptive strike can provide an advantage,” the admiral retorted loudly. “However, the separatists have two hundred warships, while we have only half of them. We may be able to launch a surprise attack, but that is not enough to make up for our huge numerical disadvantage.”

“We are not fighting alone,” General Brand reminded his colleagues. “The Open Ring Fleet is on its way. You must remember the ultimate objective of this battle: to destroy the Pelmian Alliance fleet. If we can cripple them here, even if not annihilate them, the Open Ring Fleet will surely win! We just need to hold them off until Commander Esterházy arrives, and she is doing just that.”

“However,” Admiral Jegerod stamped his foot, jabbing his finger hard at the data panel screen, “you can’t deny that we will be destroyed in the process. The original plan was for the 20th Fleet to come to our aid first, and the possibility of the Open Ring Fleet arriving in time is extremely slim!”

The crew of the "Fast Justice" are caught between two leaders, struggling with a desire for victory, a thirst for revenge against separatism, and an instinct for self-preservation.

Neither the general nor the admiral clearly realized that the crew's support was wavering with every word they uttered and every argument they made.

"Are you afraid of death, General?" General Brand asked provocatively. "If so, then there is no need to be afraid, for this is not the end, but a joyful return to the Force. Do not let your loyalty to the Republic be limited to your life. If we can deliver a heavy blow to 'Fighting Hydra' here, we will shake the foundations of the Separatist Alliance and nip their new offensive in the bud!"

The balance of influence began to tip in favor of the Jedi General.

For many young souls who aspire to become heroes, the prospect of becoming a martyr holds a powerful allure in this moment of uncertainty.

However, Admiral Jegerod reiterated his objection. "...General, do you have family?"

If Empatojejos Brand was surprised, he didn't show it; the confident smile on his face never disappeared. "The only woman who can be considered family is already with the Force."

“But I do.” Admiral Jagerrod’s eyes were cold. “You might think that someone my age would be more willing to give up his life, but I do have family. I have a grandson, and my only thought is to see him again.”

"What's his name?"

“Tian, ​​you should be 14 now.” Admiral Jegerod opened his mouth slightly, his voice low but firm. “I promised to go back, Jedi, and I am determined to keep that promise. A transcendent mystic like you may not be able to understand this feeling, but do not regard my responsibility to my family as a betrayal of the Republic. Go and seek your home, Jedi, but do not force those of us who cherish our earthly ties to go with you.”

The scales of influence have swung back to their original position.

The Jedi general instinctively knew that his control over his crew's confidence was extremely fragile.

"...Orderman, how much time do we have left?" Brand's tone was indifferent, which particularly annoyed the general.

"—About two hours, sir."

“Very good.” The Jedi General crossed his arms over his chest, his hands clenching and unclenching where no one could see. “So, what are your suggestions, General?”

“We’re moving to a more advantageous combat airspace,” Admiral Jegerod slammed his fist on the data panel. “We’re accelerating, taking the Separatists by surprise, and forcing our way through the asteroid belt. Once we emerge on the other side, we might be able to re-establish contact with the Open Ring Fleet. The Separatists will have no choice but to follow us through, because any attempt to detour will give the Open Ring Fleet time to rendezvous. The asteroid belt will naturally disrupt their formation, and their numerical advantage will be gone.”

"You mean, we can defeat them once they emerge from the rubble behind us?"

"This is undoubtedly a more prudent course of action compared to your almost reckless 'ambush' plan."

The unease that had been building on the "Fast Justice" had almost reached its peak.

Like many relationships between the Jedi Order and the Republic Navy, the relationship between General Brand and Admiral Jegerod was never “friendly,” and even at its best, it was close to “tense.”

But at this critical moment, the two stubborn men were on the verge of breaking up, and an invisible thundercloud loomed over the crew caught between them.

So, what will break first?

This idea unconsciously surfaced in the minds of many people.

When the Jedi Command and the Republic Strategic Command initially decided to have the Jedi cooperate with the Navy, a fundamental question remained.

Between a Jedi General and an Admiral, who has a higher rank?

This is not a simple problem, especially when it comes to parallel command systems.

In most cases, the answer depends on whose personality is more assertive.

For example, the more reserved Admiral Ulf Yularen usually follows the strong and charismatic personality of Jedi General Anakin Skywalker.

On the other hand, Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi preferred to let the experienced Admiral Brock command in actual combat, especially after he himself made a mistake in the Battle of Christopher Heath.

But what if the general and the Jedi general are equally stubborn?
Sometimes, this can also foster rare friendships that are complementary in personality.

The late General Said Wheeler and General Rhys Alrikes are examples of this, which is one of the reasons why the latter went to great lengths to avenge him.

Another unexpected example is General Mace Windu and Admiral Shawn Killian, both of whom were tough in their methods but maintained a certain degree of respect for each other.

Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the supreme command to coordinate, such cases remain extremely rare.

Conversely, the cold, conflicted relationship between Admiral Jegerod and General Empatojejos Brand is a microcosm of the larger inter-service competition that plagues the Republic's Navy.

(End of this chapter)