Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 255, Section 257 - The Future Scalpel Bearer

Roche Galaxy, Roche Asteroid Belt.

Commander Trench, commander of the Second Fleet of the Independent System Confederation, harbored no illusions about the daunting task before him.

Although the Republic's army failed to inflict a fatal blow on the Confederate core world in the early stages of the war through Operation Trident, they still pushed the separatist regime to the brink of collapse.

Thanks to the Peremian Alliance's obstruction, the Republic was unable to reach the Tyon Sector as originally planned. They then established a foothold on the outer border, built a defensive line, and consolidated their gains.

For Operation Stormgate to succeed, Trench and his fleet must break through this formidable defense.

Using Kolmogoks as its base of operations, the Confederate Second Fleet Group is planning its upcoming offensive.

First, a powerful fleet of five hundred warships will advance westward along the Salin Corridor, with its sights set on Fanta, the Republic's fortress planet that spans the space route.

Secondly, a force of a thousand warships, commanded by Rear Admiral Melley, including the dreadnoughts HMS Conqueror and HMS Venom, will launch the main attack along the Peremian trade route.

This central assault will draw the attention of the Republic's 12th and 3rd Sector Fleets within the theater.

Their battle will be the most difficult, as the Republic has secretly established a series of deep-space fortresses, shipyards, and bases along the border, from which covert fleets can launch surprise attacks on hyperspace routes.

Despite the best efforts of the Confederate naval intelligence, most of the fortresses remained hidden.

But as long as they remain operational, their immense strategic threat means that any protracted war waged by the Confederacy in the Republic's Peremian region will ultimately fail.

Therefore, these fortresses must be destroyed.

This is precisely the starting point for our main attack.

Trench will personally lead 1,500 warships to make a wide-ranging detour from Salukami in the south, bypassing the entire front line and heading straight into the Roch system, deep within the Republic's loyalist-controlled territory, effectively completing the encirclement of the front line.

Through this operation, the hidden republican fortresses will eventually be cut off from food and supplies, and the Confederate "foundry" will be liberated.

The timing of the attack is crucial.

It had to be launched immediately following "Operation Starburst," which aimed to draw the main force of the Republic's loyalist fleet away from the front lines.

Trench essentially split his massive fleet of three thousand warships into three smaller, more easily consumed divisions.

If the 3rd Sector Fleet can easily return to attack him, who is trapped in enemy territory, then attacking the Roch system would be pointless.

But first, we need to conquer the Roch Galaxy.

"How's it going, General?" came the stern voice of Supreme Commander Severn Tann from the communicator.

The Hedgehog general clicked his jaw and shook his head. “The Welpins…are more difficult to deal with than expected.”

“This is a strategy you devised yourself,” the blue-skinned alien pointedly reminded him, his opaque red eyes fixed on him. “We cannot fail here.”

“I know this better than anyone, General,” Trench tapped the deck with his cane. “However, we have still made considerable progress. The Roach asteroid belt has been successfully blocked, and the Republic’s loyalist supply fleet can no longer reach the front lines.”

"So where is the problem?"

“It’s the nature of this ‘battle’,” Trench replied without a hint of shame, “or, more accurately, it would be more appropriate to call it a ‘campaign’.”

The Roche Galaxy is unique in that it has no planetary structure; the entire galaxy is dominated by a giant asteroid belt.

It is an endless deposit of rocks and interstellar metals orbiting the star.

It was this asteroid belt that became the home of the loyalist Welpin people of the Republic.

These insectoid beings, like the separatist Geonosisians, are among the most outstanding engineers in the galaxy, particularly skilled in the construction of interstellar spaceships.

Since integrating into galactic society, the Velpins have remained steadfastly loyal, transforming the asteroid belt into an industrial and mining center and continuously multiplying through asteroid colony cities.

One can imagine the challenges that would be involved in conquering such a star system.

Attempts to force them to submit through a prolonged blockade also failed, as the Welpins' diet depended entirely on a unique fungus cultivated on the asteroid's agricultural colony in that galaxy.

Thus began one of the most arduous and brutal military operations of the war, and it was entirely concentrated in this star system.

To the loyalists of the Republic, each asteroid is a fortress, filled with hidden defenses and dangerous terrain.

For the separatists, every advance was a nightmarish close-quarters battle, with warships navigating narrow, rocky tunnels, their shields scraping against jagged surfaces, while enduring the relentless barrage of Verpin weapons.

With their profound understanding of the asteroid belt, the Velpins launched attacks from all directions, appearing and disappearing swiftly and unpredictably.

Its advanced starfighters traversed the wreckage with astonishing precision, while larger warships camouflaged themselves among the black rocks to launch surprise attacks, shattering the entire separatist squadron.

As the battle continued, Trench's fleet was caught in a brutal war of attrition.

The capture of each asteroid came at a heavy price; the loss of warships and personnel stemmed from both the resistance of the Welpins and the harsh environment.

The robot army, though ruthless, had no choice but to adapt to the harsh reality of the Roch Galaxy.

They attempted to force out the Welping garrison hiding within by blowing up the entire asteroid.

But with each asteroid destroyed, the Welpins moved further into the asteroid belt, and their resistance showed almost no signs of weakening.

Field Marshal Trench never expected the Battle of Roach to be a quick victory, but the cost of this protracted battle far exceeded his expectations.

Every step forward came at the cost of blood and debris, yet the Welpins held their ground, their colonies safely hidden in the ever-changing labyrinth of the asteroid belt, clearly determined to resist until the last rock was shattered.

The Welpins are known for their idealism and peace, but this ideal seems to have its limits when it comes to the safety of their homeland.

"But can you take the Roch system?" the Supreme Commander pressed sharply. "If not, I suggest you retreat. There are indications that the 3rd Sector Fleet will soon return to the front lines as the Republic Senate wishes. Many of their units have already begun resupplying and repositioning." The threat of "Operation Starburst" has drawn the 3rd Sector Fleet back to the core area for two or three months.

Trench had hoped for more time to carry out the operation.

Rear Admiral Melley has driven the remnants of the 12th Sector Fleet back to the ravaged Euceron, lifted the siege of Ringo Venda en route, and is preparing to relieve the siege of Metalon.

Given that the Republic's army had melted down Metalon's crust, Trench was unsure how much value the planet still held for the Confederacy, but he believed that with its self-replicating factories, nothing was beyond repair.

“It’s faster than I expected,” Trench admitted, a hint of unease rising in his coccyx. “Where did you hear that?”

Severn Tann's expression was grim. "The Republic makes no secret of this. The HoloNet is broadcasting the Republic's loyalists' great victory at Rendelli to the entire galaxy. It has been reported that Honor Salima's home fleet, along with the Jedi fleet led by Prokon and Obi-Wan Kenobi, defeated the Pelmian Alliance fleet at Rendelli. I think you will soon see footage showing the Separatist flagship in the wreckage."

"Can you confirm that the debris is authentic?" Trench asked cautiously.

"Regarding the video footage," the Supreme Commander confirmed, "analysts believe it to be highly authentic. The Republic's army is extremely confident, even dismantling its sub-light-speed engine to obtain the complete transponder code... It can be confirmed as the 'Star of Serenno,' and the 'Chimera,' the flagship adopted by Raine Bontri after Agdur."

The captain's cabin of the ship was silent. He gazed out the porthole at the vast cluster of asteroids, his chest rising and falling slightly.

A blinding flash of light suddenly erupted from an area deep within the G147 corridor.

Sixteen separatist warships are passing through the area, heading towards a suspected Wilpin Industrial Colony.

Similar battles are unfolding simultaneously across the entire galaxy.

A full thousand warships are fully engaged in the operation to clear this asteroid belt.

"Are there images of Ryan Bontley or Carly Trilm on the holographic network?"

Tann shook his head, his long black hair swaying as he did so.

“So they weren’t captured,” Trench muttered to himself, “or the Republic, for some reason, is unwilling to announce their capture.”

"Not very likely."

Have any survivors from this battle contacted us?

“Not yet.” Tann paused briefly. “Our agents reported that the Lundli Home Defense Fleet sided with the separatists from the very beginning of the battle. According to this, there are four separatist fleets involved: the Lundli Fleet, the Barrier Fleet, the 19th Fleet, and the 28th Fleet. But none of them have contacted us yet.”

“This means that either they escaped successfully,” Trench gripped his cane, “or they have perished and the Republic has not yet found their remains.”

“I believe the fleet survivors are currently on their way back to separatist-controlled territory, and we shouldn’t jump to conclusions before confirming the truth,” Tann said firmly. “I need your support in this matter.”

“You will have my support,” Trench promised easily. “The separatist regime is already politically divided and cannot afford another military split. We can announce that Carly Trilm, Ryan Bontri, and Dua Ningo are missing in action and await further notice; at least that will quiet Parliament down for the time being.”

“However,” Trench continued, “didn’t you foresee this? I’ve heard that Jedi can sense a person’s life or death even on the other side of the galaxy.”

“I’m different from most Jedi.” Tann scrutinized him. “And I could hardly have foreseen the situation with Raine Bontri. What I foresaw was that Operation Starburst would succeed, which is why I approved General Ambigine’s bombing of Ariadne.”

Is your prediction still accurate?

“What I see are possible futures, and they are always changing,” Tann replied with a hint of disdain. “Because there is no such thing as a predetermined future. War is full of variables, and even if I knew these futures, they would still change. If I were to say them out loud, the changes would be even greater.”

“I can imagine,” Trench scoffed, having no interest in delving into metaphysical questions of time and causality. “Tell me, will we win this war?”

Four pairs of red eyes stared at each other.

The Supreme Commander told him with the unwavering conviction he had been waiting for: "Yes."

“That’s what I wanted to hear,” Trench replied with satisfaction. “You allowed Horn Ambigine to wreak havoc on the Rimma trade route, portraying him as a huge threat and forcing Anakin Skywalker to be redeployed to deal with him. Otherwise… Anakin Skywalker would likely have been in Rendelli as well. His absence only shows that the fate of our fleet is not yet decided.”

The Pantora's stern expression softened slightly, revealing a faint smile. "If you could see through me so easily, what use would your precognitive abilities be?"

“I’m getting old,” Trench chuckled. “And I have four more eyes than you… At least Operation Starburst achieved its main objectives. They attacked the richest planets and disrupted key supply lines for the agricultural world. Their sacrifice allowed us to liberate planets we thought we had lost.”

“Is that so?” Tann’s smile faded. “I prevented Skywalker from appearing in Lundiri, putting him against Ambigine. The Fourth Fleet has launched eight attacks on Agdul, all of which were repelled by the Open Ring Fleet. In the north, Marshal Coles was forced to retreat to Sereno’s doorstep. Aksila and Vensos are besieged, and the Republic Fleet is preparing to attack Seranon… Dooku’s henchman, Griffiths, is stationed there, and due to the Sereno communications incident, we have no way of knowing what this cyborg will do.”

“Dooku wouldn’t do something so reckless and radical.” This time it was Trench’s turn to frown. “This isn’t the man I know.”

“This is the man I know,” the Pantora man murmured. “Someone who torments his apprentices at the slightest provocation, but it doesn’t matter. I will deal with him the same way I deal with the Republic.”

"General, have you lost faith?"

In response, Severn Tann closed his red eyes and entered a meditative state.

Trench waited patiently.

About five minutes later, Tann opened his eyes.

"The outcome of the war will hang by a thread. I am not sure who will wield the sword, but I do not know the galaxy of the future... I hope this is a good omen."

“Indeed.” Trench clicked. “A galaxy without the Republic as its dominant power is something no one could have imagined in the last thousand years. Whatever has happened, this galaxy has been turned upside down and it can never go back to what it was before.”

“I…our legacy will be preserved.” The Supreme Commander finally made up his mind. “General Trench, I trust you to handle all matters on the home front with confidence. You can continue to carry out operations based on your own judgment.”

Trench straightened up and said solemnly, "Thank you very much, General. In view of the current situation, I will withdraw from Roach's failed operation and consolidate our gains in the vicinity of Peremian. I will make full preparations to ensure that Operation Trident will never be repeated."

"General!" Tann smiled and nodded at him. "Keep up the good work for the Confederation."

"For the Confederation."

Everything for the Confederation.

If it requires four fleets and a million experienced crew members, then so be it!
(End of this chapter)