Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 241, Page 233 - The Meeting
The Republic fleet remains stationary in the approach airspace of the Queen Titan system.

“He must still remember our previous battles,” Jedi Master Pro Kong said calmly while waiting for a reply. “If Metalon were not a planet with full shipbuilding capabilities and could not provide so many usable resources, the Battle Hydra would probably have been helpless at the time. Unfortunately, back then he only had one ‘head,’ but now… he seems to have many.”

“There’s no point in dwelling on assumptions, Master Pro,” Jedi Master Adi Gallia reminded him from the side.

“On the contrary,” Master Kyle Dole said in his still gentle tone, “looking back, it is a long road to progress. Contests of words and wisdom may at most hurt pride, but the confrontation between warships and soldiers can take millions of lives. Exercises and simulations have their value, but the real lessons… always come from the battlefield. Therefore, we should learn more from actual experience.”

"So what do you think 'Battle Hydra' is thinking right now, Master?" Paris Orpheus couldn't help but ask curiously.

“He’s assessing whether the peace I’m proposing is credible,” Prokhor replied, “and how to defeat me.”

The tall Iscart Akari shifted his weight slightly. "But we're already surrounded."

“He knows that’s not enough.” The Jedi Master clasped his hands together.

Sure enough, the observation screen showed that the separatist fleet was rapidly moving—

Clearly, the other side has no intention of engaging in diplomatic dialogue before completing its tactical arrangements.

Paris stared intently at the tactical hologram.

Just as Master Pro had predicted, dozens of warships were emerging from the shadows of planets and satellites on the outer edge of the Titan system, quietly entering the battlefield.

In addition to two fleets approaching from the flanks, a formation also appeared on the starboard rear, which included the Trade Federation's large warship known as the "Fortress".

Furthermore, another fleet was pressing in from directly behind, clearly the same force that had previously attacked the Republic's food supply lines in the core area.

However, the four divisions under the command of "Battle Hydra" did not completely lock down the encirclement, but instead bypassed the stationary Republic fleet and reorganized directly in front of it.

Master Pro tacitly approved of all this, his gaze remaining calm beneath the filter mask.

The Peremian Alliance fleet eventually formed their iconic battle array.

Eight by ten, with double-layered depth.

The entire formation is slightly concave, with thick flanks and a central shape that tapers backward, resembling a bent metal net.

“I see,” Pro Kong said, a hint of admiration in his voice. “Very clever. I think we’ll get a reply soon.”

As if in response to his deduction, the Separatist flagship finally sent a message: "State your terms, Jedi Master."

The voice that responded was both familiar and unfamiliar, its tone gentle yet elusive.

“We only hope to negotiate a treaty with the Teta Monarchy that is beneficial to all parties,” Prokon said calmly. “As you know, the Republic is currently facing difficulties both internally and externally, and all of this is somewhat related to the Pantora’s strategy. I think you wouldn’t refuse our… somewhat desperate proposal?”

"What makes you think such a desperate proposal will work?" Ryan retorted. "And why should I give in to a republic that's determined to destroy my homeland?"

Pro-Kon gave Gallia a meaningful look and took a half step back.

Adi Gallia then stepped forward and stood in front of the communicator.

“What you are trying to appease is not the Republic, but the Jedi Order,” the Trossian master said. “I am Master Adi Gallia, and I am not representing the Prime Minister’s Office of the Republic, but a purely diplomatic communication. I hope that both sides can end this standoff without suffering any losses.”

“Excuse me, Jedi Master, but it seems unlikely to me,” Raine paused slightly, then added, “...especially amidst the war raging across this galaxy today.”

Master Gallia remained silent for a moment.

The bridge of the Hyperion was silent, all eyes focused on the communication interface. "...If you agree, we are willing to hold talks on Titan territory. Our representatives are myself, Master Pro Kong, and Iscart Akari and Baris Orfie."

A long silence fell on the other end of the communication.

Paris suddenly realized that Master Gallia had specifically mentioned her name, perhaps in an attempt to move him.

“In exchange for a temporary ceasefire,” Master Gallia continued, seeing that the other side did not respond immediately, “we accept any temporary demands you make in exchange for your commitment to a sustained truce.”

“…You may send only one ship, and only one,” Raine finally replied. “The same applies to us. We will depart for Sinnagar immediately. Both fleets must remain here. Except for attitude control thrusters, no main engines may be started. Any ship of either side that violates this rule, regardless of the reason, will be considered to have broken the oath.”

"Regardless of the reason?" Master Gallia confirmed.

"Whether it's due to a rogue asteroid or the sudden appearance of pirates... the side that starts the main engine first is at fault." Raine's tone was clear and cold. "Please immediately convey this agreement to all your captains. I have informed my men that we will meet under the truce flag."

Master Prokhor immediately instructed the captain of the Hyperion to broadcast the agreement via the entire fleet channel.

"agree."

Master Gallia confirmed this with the warlord of Peremian.

Subsequently, the Hyperion fearlessly sailed towards the Separatist battle formation.

"Slight adjustment to port!" the captain of the Victory-class Star Destroyer ordered. They quickly discovered a gap in the enemy formation, cleared by a warship that had just moved away.

The observation equipment identified it as the "Chimera".

As the Hyperion drew ever closer to the Peremian Alliance's formation, which resembled a gaping maw waiting for its chance, the entire ship seemed to fall into silence.

They sailed into the enemy formation, where separatist warships stretched endlessly in all directions, their cannons barely visible.

Paris could almost hear the tense heartbeats of the people on the bridge.

Many of the crew members and officers were from the Republic’s reserves or recruits and had never been so close to the enemy, let alone facing one of the most feared warlords in the outer ring.

The "Divine Will" class cruiser had a bow with a beak, and its hull was painted with various scars and hexagonal markings, some indicating the number of sorties and kills, and others being symbols of its home planet.

The Hyperion quietly passed through the gap, skimming under the concealed gun barrels on both sides, and gradually caught up with the Chimera.

Someone behind him breathed a long sigh of relief.

Paris herself also felt a brief moment of relaxation.

The Jedi Masters remained outwardly calm, but Master Gallia's shoulders slumped slightly before tensing up again as the two ships sailed side by side.

Paris and Iscart followed her gaze and their eyes fell on the insignia on the side of the Chimera.

It was a standard hexagonal symbol of separatism, but a curved, serpentine neck extended from each corner, rotating clockwise to form a vortex of scales and fangs.

Paris noticed a line of smaller print next to it: "Craftsman".

She held back her laughter.

It seems he still retains that unique sense of humor.

Before long, the two ships were sailing side by side, entering the capital system of the Titan Monarchy, passing over the massive orbital dock of the Koros Space Factory, and finally landing in the center of Sinagaal.

They quickly transferred to a shuttle, which roared towards the Royal District.

Below, the nine golden spires of Sinnagar stand majestically, symbolizing the nine planets of the Queen Titan star system, seven of which are inhabited.

The shuttle eventually hovered over the luxurious landing area of ​​the Tita Royal Palace.

The spire resembles a burning flame in the sunlight, and dozens of auxiliary towers and ecological buildings form a continuous urban network.

As soon as they stepped onto the helipad, they were quickly escorted into the palace complex by a squad of Titan guards.

The guards did not confiscate the lightsabers, nor did they check if the person was carrying any other weapons.

“The Titans have long been allies of the Jedi Order,” Master Gallia explained in a low voice to the two knights. “This relationship dates back to the time of Queen Titan. Although the Mining Guild now effectively controls the system, we may still have friends within the Titan Monarchy.”

“I hope so.” Iscart said cautiously, still gazing up at the gilded hall and the high, cloud-shrouded ceiling.

The wide corridors lead to the magnificent throne room, with narrative murals covering the floor and the air filled with the scents of metal and spices.

At the far end of the hall was an empty throne, while in the center there was only a negotiating table that was obviously set up temporarily, with a gilded vase filled with local flowers in the center of the table.

Ryan Bontley waited at the table.

Two robots stood beside him: the tactical robot Little Tower and the servant robot Hal.

The longsword he wore at his waist immediately caught the attention of the two Jedi Masters.

“That’s a sword forged from Kotosis alloy,” Barris whispered to Iscart, who leaned down to listen attentively. “It can temporarily disable a lightsaber upon contact, and there are probably guard robots made of Kotosis alloy as well.”

“That’s why they didn’t ask us to deactivate our lightsabers.” Iscart straightened up, his calm blue eyes quickly scanning the surroundings. “I understand.”

Raine stepped forward, his Ondron eyes slightly narrowed.

He was dressed elegantly, with a subtle lavender scent, but his hair was much more disheveled than usual.

Paris still remembers that when they first met, he still had his neat short hair and reserved demeanor.

Now, he has grown his hair long, but it is still messy and disheveled, with a few strands falling down his cheeks. He clearly has no time to care about his appearance.

“Welcome to the Queen Titan System,” Raine’s voice was clearer and deeper than in the communications. “Please allow me to introduce you to our hosts.”

(End of this chapter)