Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 271-273 - The Jedi Expeditionary Fleet
Merian Sector, Bandomare System.

The massive array of the Jedi Expeditionary Fleet surged into Bandomare orbit, the dense exhaust plumes of their engines and the dura steel hulls tearing through the magnetic field of this war-torn planet.

The Victory-class Star Destroyer sailed at the forefront, its hull shimmering faintly in the distant light of Bandomare's star. On either side was a sentinel network of escort ships and light frigates, their sensors fully activated, vigilantly scanning for signals from the remnants of the Separatists or any possible reinforcements.

The "Cheerleader-class" assault ships and the "Dreadnought-class" heavy cruisers successively traversed the planetary plane, their engine flames flickering above the planet's dusty surface.

On the bridge of the battlecruiser HMS Hyperion, Proud Conjun stared intently.

Assault transport ships and gunboats broke through the atmosphere one after another, while squadrons of ARC-170 starfighters and Y-wing bombers descended in unison, neatly cutting into the separatist defenses.

Below, the mining area was filled with smoke and flames, and the remnants of the separatist forces continued to resist stubbornly, relying on fortified positions.

From the high vantage point of Procon, the planet's surface stretched into the distance, a desolate and ravaged landscape dotted with deep mines, giant refineries, and a skeletal conveyor belt system that stretched for kilometers.

Bandomare was once a verdant agricultural planet, but the discovery of its rich mineral resources completely changed its fate.

Even so, Bandomare still belongs to the Republic, only temporarily in enemy hands.

“General,” the clone commander Wolfley reported, “General Windu and General Kenobi have captured two major mining centers. The resistance around the third is fierce, but armored reinforcements are on their way.”

“Tell them to proceed cautiously,” Prokhor’s voice, coming through his breathing mask, sounded increasingly low. “The separatists may have set traps in the mine.”

"Yes, General."

“Master,” Jedi Knight Burta Swan approached from behind, “could I have a moment of your time?”

Prokhor turned his gaze from the viewing window back to his former apprentice.

Having parted ways at the Battle of Geonosis and not reunited until near the end of the war, the elderly Jedi Master couldn't help but feel the twists and turns of fate.

But he was pleased to see that the young Quarter woman had grown into an excellent and respected Jedi Knight.

"No need for formalities, Swann the Warrior."

Burta led him to the operations room, where Jedi Knight Lissah was already waiting.

The sharp eyes of the Trandosa man were fixed on the intricate network of icons on the holographic projection platform.

The projection flashed continuously with updated information: blue markers represented formations preparing for hyperspace jumps, yellow markers represented units that had not yet escaped the planetary gravity well, and red markers represented fleets that had not yet arrived.

“Master Pro,” Lisach hissed beside the tactical console, “I need your confirmation. The ‘Wanderer Task Force’ reports that it has exited the gravity well, and seventy-eight ships will enter hyperspace along the 2-6-3 vector.”

“Confirmed,” Pro Kong’s steady voice cut through the background noise of the bridge. “Make sure their path to the Harron system is clear, and have the ‘Wanderers’ report their status along the way.”

"Yes, Master."

“The 91st Support Squadron has sent a message,” Burta continued. “They have entered the system and are standing by in the designated assembly area. Their cargo ships have requested additional cargo transfer permits and will then follow the main force.”

“Request approved,” Pro Kong glanced at the message, “Inform Master Jaro Tapal of the progress and adjust the voyage plan of the ‘Albedo Brave Task Force’ accordingly.”

"Understood, Master."

The holographic projection changed again, showing a group of green icons moving toward the planet's asteroid belt.

"The 'Selfless Task Force' reported engaging enemy remnants near the asteroid belt," Lisach added. "They are pursuing them to ensure no enemy ships escape."

“Order Master Kyliwyn Royce to speed up the cleanup,” the Jedi Master said. “There are a large number of ships gathered here, and we cannot afford any delays.”

"Yes, General."

Prokhor's gaze swept across the bridge, where officers were methodically coordinating fleet operations and navigation updates—a scene of bustling activity.

Commanding a force as large as an expeditionary fleet is extremely challenging, even for the most experienced commanders, not to mention the threat of enemy forces and time pressure.

The Merian Sector and its surrounding areas were recently taken over by Grievous's offensive against the core world. Although the resistance here is relatively weak, the battle will inevitably intensify as the fleet advances into the outer ring.

"How is the situation with the Seventh Auxiliary Squad?" Pro Kong asked Burta.

“They are still traveling in the inner orbit,” Lisach replied. “The advance force is expected to leave the gravity well in twenty minutes, but the large transport ship has reported a slight delay in its engines.”

Lisach's hoarse voice betrayed a hint of impatience.

Perhaps, the responsibility of guiding the entire expeditionary force to the next stop, Harron, made her feel somewhat frustrated.

Prokhor felt a subtle fluctuation in the Force, echoing the tension in her voice.

The Jedi Master didn't blame her.

The Jedi Knight Lissah was also his apprentice, and he understood that not all Jedi could completely rid themselves of their racial nature.

He taught her a great deal about patience and responsibility, but ultimately, for a race whose instinct was to hunt, this work of coordination and supervision inevitably felt like an endless, tedious exercise.

Master Proud couldn't help but chuckle to himself; this was not much different from the predicament Obi-Wan Kenobi faced when he was with Scout.

The Trandosha and Togruta are both hunting peoples, and their keen senses make any form of calm and patience a test. This is why masters like Shakti are so revered.

“General,” Commander Wolf strode into the operations room, his expression grave, his helmet tucked under his arm, “we’ve encountered a situation.”

Procon turned back, “The resistance is stronger than expected?”

The clone commander nodded vigorously. "Requesting permission to send the 'Wolf Pack Battalion' to the surface."

“Approved,” Prokhor turned to his former apprentice, “Knight Lisach, you will command the ‘Wolfpack’.”

Lisa suddenly straightened up, his pupils dilating in surprise. "Master? But..."

“We are honored to be under your command, Commander,” Wolf said, saluting.

“Your mission is to seize the mining center before rendezvous with the Seventh Sky Legion,” Pro Kong commanded. “Any further instructions will be given by General Kenobi. Understand?”

Jedi Knight Lissach bowed hastily. "I will not let you down, Master Pro."

"I have no doubt about this. May the Force be with you."

Prokhor and Burta Swan watched the two leave, while the Trandosha Jedi was already intently listening to Wolf's mission briefing.

Lisach could hardly hide her desire for a change in rhythm.

"I'm afraid you'll have to take over her job, Burta."

Jedi Knight Burta Swan bowed respectfully. "I have no problem, Master Pro. I have no desire to fight."

“This is a noble stance that all Jedi should uphold,” the Kael-Doll master said, clasping his clawed hands behind his back, “but it’s not quite applicable in the present moment.”

Burta Swan grew up in an era where simply lighting a lightsaber was enough to quell conflict.

However, in these turbulent times, the opposite often happened: lightsabers became weapons of war, rather than tools of peace.

Despite Burta's hopes, Pro Kong felt that the era when lightsabers would return to their original purpose still seemed far off.

Besides bringing Count Dooku to justice, too many bottom lines have been crossed and too many bridges have been destroyed in the galaxy.

Everyone was well aware that, despite Speaker Palpatine's good intentions, the reunification of the galaxy would not be easy.

Just as many boundaries have been broken, battle lines have long been drawn in the sand, and trenches have been dug in the soil.

The front line has been established, and the national borders have been marked on star charts and maps.

The separatist alliance can no longer be simply viewed as a rebellion or an unrecognized regime.

This has been the case ever since the talks between Ondron and others.

The Republic agreed to negotiations, effectively acknowledging the sovereignty of the Independent Galaxy Confederation.

Perhaps this has always been the Pantora's strategy: to lure the Republic to the negotiating table, secure the Confederation's legitimacy, and then tear up the agreement to regain the initiative.

“…Lift the blockade,” Burta said into the communicator. “Understood, Master Peel. May the Force be with you.”

"Have they arrived in Talis?" Pro Kong asked.

“Yes, Master,” she replied, “the ‘Arrogant Battle Group’ should be lifting the siege of Taris right now.”

“…Master Peel must not underestimate his opponent,” the Jedi general straightened his shoulders. “We must never forget that Grievous is the source of many of the troubles that have plagued our Jedi Order.”

Confederate General Grievous... After capturing Bandomare, his fleet weighed whether to attack Talis or Mandalor.

Although both were strategically important, Grievous ultimately decided to continue along the Haidian route and invade Talis.

This is a reasonable choice.

Talis is a city-world loyal to the Republic, while the surface of Mandalors is a neutral wasteland.

In any case, this means that the Republic's army has a responsibility to liberate Taris.

If Grievous had attacked the neutral Mandalorian, they could have absolved themselves of this responsibility.

As the Jedi Expeditionary Fleet advanced along the Hydian route, the task of liberating the planets conquered by Grievous naturally fell to them.

However, the Talis system is located a thousand light-years north of the Hydia route, so it was decided to allow the expeditionary fleet to continue advancing towards the edge of the system, while sending a battle group to repel the Griffith forces of Talis.

This battle group will be commanded by Master Evan Peer and Master Luminara Onduli of the Jedi Council.

As for Grievous… after distinguishing himself in Operation Flanking, Grievous slaughtered the Republic’s planetary forces during the Campaign of Christophersis, killing nearly six Jedi Masters and Knights in the process.

When General Severn Tann rushed to the Bossane Space, it was his fleet that had crushed the Republic's 13th District army across the southern part of the galaxy.

(End of this chapter)