Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 219-221 - Rescue?

Ultimately, Empatojejos Brand realized that the situation was not good for anyone.

He was the first to concede: "Okay, let's rendezvous with the 'Open Ring' fleet first."

Admiral Jegerod and the entire crew breathed a sigh of relief.

"But we don't go into the interior of the asteroid belt."

The general's heart pounded again. "So, what's your plan, General?"

“We’ll go around it,” General Brand drew a line along the northern edge of the asteroid belt on the data board, “counter-clockwise, against the enemy fleet. Forcing our way through the asteroid belt risks being intercepted. We’ll sail normally to shake them off, circle around to the west, and then contact ‘Open Loop.’ If they continue on their original course, we can pass through the gap between Yagdul and its first moon and rendezvous smoothly.”

Jegerod studied the flight path carefully, his expression revealing a greater suspicion than he had of his colleagues.

But before he could analyze the situation further, a report suddenly came from the data center: "The reconnaissance spacecraft has lost contact!"

Either they strayed behind the second satellite, or they were discovered and destroyed by separatist forces.

Regardless of whether "Combat Hydra" is still executing its original strategy or has adjusted its deployment, rendering all the newly acquired intelligence useless—

These have all become unknowns.

It was this unexpected situation that made the general make up his mind.

When faced with an enemy far superior in strength and with no information available, the only rational choice is to turn tail and run.

“Understood, General,” Jager Rod nodded decisively. “Helmsman, turn right to bearing 067 and proceed to the rendezvous point! Full speed ahead!”

The "Rapid Justice" task force quickly turned, leaving the asteroid belt on its port side, and Yagdul's second moon gradually disappeared behind.

They sped southwest, circling the planet counterclockwise.

Half an hour later, they detected the sharp exhaust plumes from the engines of the separatist battlecruiser—

They appeared from behind the satellite in battle formation.

……

Meanwhile, nearly 200,000 kilometers away, the tension that had just dissipated on the "Fast Justice" was now enveloping another flagship.

For the past hour, the flagship of the Open Loop Fleet, the Pioneer, has been trying to contact the 20th Fleet, but has received no response.

As General Octavian Grant consistently emphasized, communications are the lifeline in coordinated operations.

When finalizing the operational plan against "Battle Hydra," Ahsoka also wanted to confirm the specific execution details.

Because Octavian Grant values ​​communication so much, Ahsoka doesn't believe he would deliberately remain silent over a minor disagreement.

"Still can't get in touch with General Grant, Admiral," Ahsoka said, sweat beading on his forehead, regardless of the temperature. "Should we prepare for the worst?"

"Facing the Separatist Alliance's fleet, Commander?" Admiral Yularen stroked his beard. "We should always do this."

"If the 20th Fleet has already been annihilated..." Just saying this made Asoka feel nauseous.

If the 20th Fleet is truly annihilated, then it is my responsibility.

How many people have lost their lives because of my stubbornness and my refusal to listen to the advice of more experienced people?

She silently apologized to Octavian Grant.

She knew that Master Brand supported her, mostly because she was a Jedi, an apprentice of the Chosen One.

If we had listened to Grant's orders back then...would this battle have been over long ago?

At this moment, the "Open Ring" fleet is sailing at full speed toward Yagdul, completely unaware of what is happening on the other side.

Ahsoka suppressed his surging guilt and let the Force permeate his senses.

"Only when there is no emotion can one find peace."

Only without passion can one find peace.

This truth helped her calm down.

She hoped the bridge crew hadn't noticed her wavering, and even if they had, no one had shown it.

“If the 20th Fleet is indeed destroyed,” Ahsoka steadied his voice and continued, “then Hydra’s next target will definitely be Task Force Swift Justice. We will still have a chance to launch a surprise attack from behind the enemy and turn the tide of the war.” “That’s probably not going to work, Commander,” Admiral Yularen said calmly, but Ahsoka sensed a hint of disdain in his lion-like eyes.

"Why... why?"

“By the time we arrive, the battle may already be over,” Yularen calmly analyzed. “If the separatists can defeat the 20th Fleet so quickly, then the ‘Quick Justice’ is no match for them either. The enemy’s actions are faster than we expected, which is something we should have anticipated.”

"But the original plan—"

"The original plan was to have the 20th Fleet support 'Rapid Justice' first, and then have us deliver the fatal blow when we arrived. Now the situation is completely different."

"...Then what do you suggest we do?"

“Find and prepare a new battlefield,” Yularen said without hesitation, “a position that is advantageous to us. From the current positions of the enemy and ourselves, we have two options.”

First, 20,000 kilometers to our northwest, near the first satellite of Yagdul, there is intense atmospheric activity that will interfere with the targeting of separatist missiles, forcing them into close combat, which is advantageous to us.

Second, 100,000 kilometers northeast of us, near the site of the battle between Bontry and Grant, there is an astronomical corridor, with the asteroid belt on one side and the third moon of Yagdul on the other.

Yularen stared intently at the tactical hologram, but Ahsoka's attention wandered.

She was completely captivated by a possibility he hadn't voiced.

"Are you asking us to just stand by and watch Master Brand's fleet be annihilated?!" she blurted out suddenly, incredulous. "General Skywalker would never abandon his allies!"

“General Skywalker isn’t here,” Yularen’s tone turned cold, “and it’s too late for us to set off now.”

When Jedi generals and admirals share the bridge, the one with the stronger personality usually holds actual command.

When Ulf Ulaan was partnered with Anakin Skywalker, command naturally favored the latter.

But as Yularen said, Anakin is not here at this moment.

Ahsoka appeared remarkably inexperienced compared to Yularen's wealth of experience and powerful presence.

She was no longer under her master's protection, and the general's scrutinizing gaze was calmly assessing whether she could stand on her own.

Ahsoka once again felt that there were "right" and "wrong" options, but in reality, the general was just observing her reaction under pressure.

However, Ahsoka was already troubled by her own mistakes, and the unexpected performance of "Battle Hydra" further damaged her confidence.

She subconsciously craved guidance from a higher authority.

The dozens of eyes on the bridge made her feel extremely uneasy until Lieutenant Avre brought an unexpected communication that broke the deadlock.

"We've received... a signal from the 'Excellence'!" Despite the strict prohibition against noise on the bridge by Yularen, the communications director couldn't help but shout, "It's General Grant!"

More than fifty pairs of eyes instantly focused on them, including Ahsoka and Yularen.

The general was particularly eager, though he concealed it well.

“Content, Lieutenant,” he almost commanded.

"Currently engaged in combat with the enemy 70,000 kilometers northeast of Yagdul. Planetary absolute location: 031. Requesting immediate support."

Ahsoka's heart raced. "They're still fighting? But—"

Afre stared at the control panel, his brow furrowed. "I'm afraid not, Commander. This is a looping message, playing on repeat. I've seen this before. The 'Excellence' has probably lost the ability to send new messages, but it can still send stored ones. The system is damaged, but the communication tower is still operational. All it can do now is keep sending out the last message in its cache."

“This means—” Ahsoka swallowed hard, “there are still survivors.”

The communications officer nodded hesitantly. "Very likely."

Ahsoka turned to Yularen, his steps becoming firm again. "General, where did you say the second potential battlefield was?"

The admiral stood with his hands behind his back, calm and composed, saying, "Ten thousand kilometers to our northeast, right next to the last known location of the 20th Fleet."

"Set course, full speed ahead," Ahsoka turned to Avre, "Reply to the 'Excellence' and tell them reinforcements are on their way!"

“…Yes, Commander.” Admiral Yularen nodded silently to the helmsman, a barely perceptible smile flickering beneath his hairy upper lip.

"I can't save everyone," Ahsoka thought, "but I'll do my best to save those I can."

Trying is always better than giving up.

(End of this chapter)