Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 233-225 - The Force Blank
Adi Gallia had reason to believe that Palpatine, even if not the Sith Lord, was at least one of their pawns, just like Sly Moore.

And she believed he was indeed sensitive to the Force.

Ironically, it was Hydra that helped her confirm this.

The man named Ryan Bontley was an anomaly in the Force; he was born with a "Force void," meaning he seemed to exist entirely within the Force.

This is a rare phenomenon, with only one instance in the last century, in the form of the fallen Jedi son Granta Omega.

It took eight Jedi to capture him.

Having this trait means that Force-sensitive individuals often easily overlook his presence and name.

Of course, there are ways to get around it, such as remembering an unrelated nickname like "Hydra," or taking notes like an amnesiac.

But to achieve this, one must first recognize the significance of such a "blank" figure.

"Rain Bondri" is no stranger to the Republic's Navy or intelligence agencies.

In the naval world, he was known for commanding fleets specifically to defeat Jedi.

Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Prokhor, Sasse Ting, and even Oppa Lensis... Now, Rhys Alrikes and Empatojejos Brand have also made it onto his "records" list.

However... Palpatine couldn't remember the name "Rain Bontri".

Gallia first noticed this before the Seven Battles of Salost, when she tested Palpatine's reaction to the name and warned Skywalker and his apprentices about the threat Hydra posed to the warriors of Alex.

Adi Gallia, the Jedi Master, bowed respectfully before the Supreme Chancellor and everyone present, revealing nothing of his inner thoughts.

Among the dignitaries present were regulars such as Slee Moore and Mas Ameda, as well as Armand Isad.

And other members of the Loyalists Council: Sheila Page-Takin, Jenny Hanuk, Mon Mosma, Kenny Bethal, and Bel Organa.

"Sorry I'm late." She smoothed her robe and walked to the side of the office, observing everyone's expressions and the atmosphere.

The atmosphere was tense, just as people had anticipated when they heard that a second separatist fleet had broken into the core system.

Or... it could also be because of the presence of Governor Cole Seddon, commander of the Third Military District.

“I don’t understand what’s there to argue about!” Senator Jenny Hanuk of Grisnow was clearly furious, her face flushed red with anger and panic, barely noticing the arrival of the Jedi Master. “We must recall the reserve fleet! If we wait for them to return, the core system will be gone, what’s the point of the attack!”

Grythnos is the core world, located on the Hydia Channel, north of Fedal.

It is located on the advance route of the 19th Mobile Fleet...

In fact--

"Just as we're speaking, separatist ships have entered the Griesnos system!" Gallia glared at Armand Isad, "First the Barrier Fleet, and now the Peremia Alliance! What on earth is the Republic's intelligence service doing?! I have the right to demand an answer!"

"This is a failure of both the Republic's intelligence services and the 'Open Ring Fleet' or the Comeno Navy," Armand Isad calmly replied. "Or do you, Congressman, expect me to personally lead the combat fleet against Carly Trilm? We provide intelligence, Congressman, not orders. After the Battle of Sarapin, we recommended equipping Comeno with everything it needs to prevent a similar invasion from happening again."

“Clearly, your suggestions are not enough,” said Senator Mon Mosma of Chandela, drawing a sneer from her compatriot, Cole Selden.

Annoyance flashed across the intelligence chief's face. "We didn't expect the separatists to equip battlecruisers with gravity superweapons."

"Isn't this precisely the responsibility of the Republic's intelligence department?" Adi Gallia joined in the accusation, showing no mercy. "As far as I know, separatist ships have been observed in more than twenty core star systems along the Comeno route and the Hydia route. Or perhaps, sir, you're too focused on internal intelligence? Oh, speaking of which... how's the investigation into the military satellite attack going? Have you caught the perpetrators?"

Some might say it's unwise for the mastermind to mock the investigators, but Adi Gallia believes it's equally unwise to avoid discussing an issue that should have drawn the Jedi's attention. "Didn't the preliminary investigation already indicate that the main suspect is a lightsaber user?" Gallia pressed. "Isn't that a reason for the Jedi to participate in the investigation? After all, it's almost certain that this attack was carried out by Dooku's Dark Cultists."

“The Republic’s intelligence and homeland security agencies will eliminate the separatist organizations that are assisting in terrorist attacks,” Armand Issaad met her gaze. “We have tracked down the cargo ship that was transporting terrorists and found the owner. Now we just need to get the separatist organizations to tell us who they lent the ship to, and we will find out Dooku’s pawns in the underworld.”

With the investigation progressing to this point, Gallia confirmed in his mind that his previous speculation that the informant inside the Jedi Temple was neither Bode Akuna nor Iscart Akaris was correct.

After all, she had launched a black market operation, delivering contraband lightsabers and separatist weapons to every gang, warlord, and shadow organization she could reach.

Thanks to his decades-long, global network, Adi Gallia has a hand in almost every aspect of the underworld.

In addition, there were captured data files, including a separatist broadcast advocating a revolution in the core galaxy.

The images presented to the Republic's intelligence services will be highly indicative.

One of Dooku's agents in Coruscant contacts separatist groups and underworld leaders, providing them with weapons and equipment to wage war.

Then came the terrorist attack, which was originally planned to broadcast an inflammatory speech, targeting all scattered organized crime groups and simultaneously launching a global uprising.

At least, local security agencies will be busy cracking down on crime in underground cities.

"Enough!" Chagrian Speaker Mas Ameda shouted. "We cannot afford to split now. Clearly, Kari Trilm has taken advantage of our disarray and is maneuvering freely around us!"

“One option is to let Carly Trilm continue to maneuver,” suggested Senator Bell Organa of Auderon, a statement bordering on treason, “She will have a hard time finding a core world without a planetary shield.”

Speaker Palpatine shook his head sternly, and Mas Ameda replied, "Your pacifism won't work here, Representative Organa."

“I object, Bell,” even Mon Mosma of Chandela disagreed. “You can say that because Auderan is too powerful to be a target of the Peremia Alliance. We can hide and wait for Carly Trilm to run rampant on our trade routes and space facilities. Besides, planets have shields, but shields can’t protect orbital and systemic facilities. Coruscant has proven that the value of a system lies not only in its capital planet, but in all the infrastructure and credits invested over hundreds of years.”

“Carly Trilm wants our planet to have a shield,” Cole Ser echoed his planet’s senator. “That’s what she’s aiming for in Comeno. Planetary shields are two-way systems; if nothing can get in, nothing can get out.”

“We must respond,” said Senator Sheila Page-Tagin, her voice hoarse but powerful.

After Eliadou's destruction, her voice "never recovered" after that fiery speech in the Republican Senate.

These days, she is rarely seen even in the Grand Council Hall.

When Senator Page Tarkin is awake, he often contacts survivors of Eliad and exiles throughout the galaxy to establish an exiled government, hoping to one day return home.

Adi Gallia felt both sympathy and admiration.

Given Eliadu's current situation, frankly speaking, finding another planet to settle on is more practical.

“Even if…the media is controlled,” Senator Page-Tarkin continued cautiously, “it cannot eliminate public anxiety, it can only alleviate it.”

Two separatist fleets have now infiltrated the core system, right in our backyard, and loyal citizens live in constant fear. We cannot hide this forever.

The holographic network can be censored at will, but if even one curious citizen looks through a telescope and discovers a separatist warship in orbit, it will all be over.

The fates of Coruscant and Eliadou remain vivid in the minds of everyone in the core area. Everyone feels they could be next.

Representative Page-Tarkin took a deep breath; “If we don’t respond quickly and effectively, this administration won’t last long. We must recall the fleet from the border, we must prioritize the defense of our core bases, and we cannot fight on the brink of collapse.”

(End of this chapter)