Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 243, Section 235 - Plot!

P.S.: Thank you to the patron of Lazy Panda for the generous donation. I have no way to express my gratitude but to add more chapters. In addition to the regular updates, I will add 2 words within five days!

The atmosphere at the table became somewhat awkward, and a brief silence fell.

“I… understand.” Master Gallia nodded slightly, his voice low. “We owe you a favor, really.”

“No, not at all.” Raine shook his head gently. “What you have undertaken is a blood-stained mission, for the well-being of the entire galaxy. No one will thank you… not even those who may never have to live under the oppression of the Sith Empire will know what you have done. To be honest, I didn’t have high expectations for this bold attempt, but the results have far exceeded my expectations. However… allow me to confirm one thing: does the Jedi Temple, and even the Core World, have enough support to fight Palpatine?”

"No matter how dishonorable it may seem, I have decided to operate outside the Supreme Council," the Jedi intelligence chief answered frankly. "I will win over those apprehensive senators and factions... and there are quite a few. Odran, Chandella, Kamas... Humbalin and Corellia... and if we're lucky, Brentar and Hosnia may join us, even Alsakan..."

She paused for a moment, then continued, “It’s because they’ve always longed to challenge Coruscant’s authority again, and the same goes for the Outer Ring. Queen Neyutne of Naboo is inclined to form alliances, as is the Senex-Jowwex Sector. Through diplomatic efforts, Dorin and Iso are not out of the question, and the Neutral System Council… such as Duchess Satin of Mandaloro, might be willing to reach an agreement to end the war.”

Paris was a little dizzy from the string of names of galaxies and worlds.

For the first time, she realized with such clarity how real and dangerous what Master Adi Gallia was planning was.

This is not bluffing, but true treason!
To incite another secession throughout the core world and even the wider star system!
Some of these star systems have been part of the Republic for thousands of years, yet Master Gallia believes they could potentially break away again.

All of this was simply to overthrow a Sith Lord.

“Most importantly,” the Trosman lowered his voice, “is the Tapani Federation and its free world. If I can get their support, it means the entire southern core region… from Barosar to Kittel-Fard, and then to Tefra… will be out of the Republic’s control.”

"Is it enough to simply convince them that the Speaker believes in the dark side?"

“No,” Gallia shook his head, “but his long-standing corruption and constant overstepping of authority have already made him many enemies. Although our Jedi Order’s reputation has been damaged recently, we still have influence in many parts of the galaxy… Barris, Iscart, do you remember that satellite terrorist attack? The first fake program was…”

“A separatist broadcast,” Barris recalled of one of the operations Gallia gave them, “but it was intercepted by the security system.”

“The real program still exists, and we can still broadcast again,” Master Gallia said firmly. “And I, not only a member of the Jedi High Council, but also one of the most well-known Jedi both inside and outside Coruscant through long-term diplomatic work, what I need to do…”

“It’s about completely destroying the Speaker and his government’s credibility with evidence and statements,” Master Prokone said seriously. “That way, the Supreme Council will be unable to turn back, Adi, and you might be in trouble because of this…”

“Execution, disgrace, exile… whatever the outcome,” the Trojan man frowned, “if it has to be paid for, I’ll accept it; otherwise, I can’t forgive myself. And what about the Separatists? Major General Bontri, Count Dooku…”

“Reputation is like a rope,” Renn smiled slightly, his smile growing more genuine as Master Gallia spoke. “It can be woven into a lifeline, or it can become a noose… it all depends on how the person who possesses it uses it. As for Count Dooku’s reputation… well, our divisions are far less pronounced than yours, but the final arrangements are complete. I think that Pantora man always thinks the time is ripe. Don’t worry about us; worry more about yourselves.”

“Ahem.” Princess Ella Lota suddenly cleared her throat.

Paris then realized that they had almost ignored their host, and her cheeks flushed.

The princess spoke, “All of this… is indeed very exciting, but what about me and my people? Didn’t the Jedi come here to solve the Titan problem? Or… is the Senate’s invitation just a malicious joke? I don’t care if the galaxy is destroyed, but I care about the fate of my people. You should at least spare some attention for us, shouldn’t you?” “I’m terribly sorry, Your Highness,” Raine bowed slightly to the princess, his purple cloak fluttering slightly, “we will now deal with the Titan’s secession. I will try to keep it as simple as possible… Since the Jedi need to enhance their reputation in the coming months, I am willing to cooperate, but… there will be a ’battle’.”

The Jedi knew perfectly well that things were never that simple.

“Please explain in detail,” Master Prokhor said.

“The Mining Guild, as a subsidiary of the Merchant Guild, supports Dooku’s Sereno government… and is a thorn in my side as well,” Raine’s eyes flashed, his pupils slightly contracting. “We will negotiate for several days, during which time my fleets abroad will gradually return, and then the situation will become clear. Those separatists are merely stalling for time, waiting for reinforcements. However, Jedi General Prokon will once again defeat me on the battlefield, and I will be forced to retreat.”

“Seeing the situation reversed,” Princess Ella Lota continued, a sharp and composed smile beyond her years appearing on her innocent face, “I will use this opportunity to launch a coup against the Mining Guild and request the support of the Jedi Fleet.”

“In this way we will eradicate the influence of all mining guilds in the Queen Titan system,” Master Kyle Dole commented. “This will be very effective, I’m sure of it, but the timing must be precise.”

“I have been preparing for this moment my whole life, Jedi Master!” The princess’s eyes gleamed. “It will be perfect, because I am the princess of the Titania system, and this system will obey my every command.”

“Your confidence gives me even more assurance, Your Highness,” Master Pro responded gently, then turned to the fighting Hydra, “but you must have other conditions, don’t you, Major General Bontri?”

With his fingertips touching, Ryan calmly said, "Did you know that I entered this system through a hidden Givenian hyperspace passage?"

“We don’t know, but what you’ve said explains a lot.”

“The Queen Titan system is rich and resource-rich,” Raine continued, “and the Sereno government has bought off many large corporations. Queen Titan and her Koros space factory… would be an ideal alternative. My forces are currently operating deeper into the core, eliminating any remaining loyalist fleets that might threaten this route. Once completed, I intend to use this route to achieve our objectives.”

“In return,” Ella Lota added, “your Jedi faction will gain the loyalty and power of Queen Titan, the Koros Sector, and our affiliated systems, who will support you in your war against Coruscant. In short, we are very wealthy. Once we are free from the Mining Guild’s relentless exploitation of our planet’s wealth, we have ample resources to share with both sides.”

Everything was understood without being spoken; no one said it aloud, yet they both knew it implicitly.

Gallia's earlier polite remark now seemed surprisingly sincere: "I hope this is a purely diplomatic matter, so that both sides can leave without any loss."

This is indeed the best outcome.

In these difficult times, a glimmer of peace is more precious than an entire treasure trove of Keber crystals.

Strangely, sitting among their so-called "enemies," Paris felt a sense of peace she hadn't felt since returning to Coruscant.

“But why?” Master Adi Gallia finally spoke, breaking the unspoken silence. “Why would you take such a huge risk and go to such lengths? Please forgive me, Rear Admiral, you are just a separatist naval commander. What makes you so concerned about the internal struggles of a virtually unknown religious faction?”

“These Sith Lords,” Raine pointed to the data chip, and for a moment, the young man looked much older than his actual age, “the conspiracy they revealed in their communications… is so terrible that even today, I still fear I cannot fully comprehend its scale and depth. To ensure that such a future never comes… for myself, and for all others… I am willing to destroy all those who stand in my way, whether it be gods, the Empire, or all the armies in the galaxy.”

(End of this chapter)