Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 276-278 - The Undying Cockroach
During this brief respite, the Garland Task Force is speeding toward the exit of the hyperspace passage to the Halmad system.

Although they are still some distance from Bandommel, they still have enough time to rejoin the main force.

The battered ships formed a neat retreat formation and sped forward under the cover of escort vessels.

Luminara Unduly stood ramrod straight on the flagship's bridge as the hyperspace jump countdown began. She took a deep breath and used the Force to steady herself.

But it seemed as if even the stars were against her, as the tactical control console suddenly emitted a sharp and urgent alarm.

“General,” Commander Gerry’s voice was taut, “we’re locked on, and the signal source is unknown.”

The holographic screen refreshes rapidly, and the virtual star map rotates and scans frantically, attempting to capture signal characteristics.

The air on the bridge seemed to freeze. Everyone held their breath, and before the alarm sounded again, a silent question hung in everyone's mind.

Orientation 0 - 2 - 4, Marking 0 - 1 - 1!

distance……

Luminara looked away from the readings and focused intently on the far end of the display screen.

In the darkness just beyond the visible range, an unusual area lurks.

The starlight was completely swallowed up by a colossal object, and only an active scanner could barely capture its outline.

"Signal signature detected!" the sensor officer shouted. "Comparing with registration information...confirmed to be the Star Dreadnought 'Destruction'!"

Immediately afterwards, a blazing red light suddenly shone from the darkness.

"The last recorded system... the Serranon Galaxy! Further back... the Kolmogoks Galaxy!"

The Conqueror-class dreadnought destroyer "Destroyer".

The Republic had long been aware of these separatist superweapons.

Intelligence indicates that only three ships of the same class have been confirmed to exist in the entire galaxy, and after the Battle of Kolumex, only the "Destroyer" remains traceable.

If the intelligence is accurate, it was in Seranon that it dealt a heavy blow to Dan Wessex’s Ninth District Fleet, ruthlessly crushing all attempts to capture it.

This giant ship is eight kilometers long and is equipped with a bow gun capable of destroying satellites.

At that moment, the cannons were pointed directly at the "Garland Task Force".

Luminara knew that at this distance, any evasive maneuver was pointless.

If that shot were fired, it would be enough to turn half of the surface of the planet Talis into a sea of ​​fire.

To accurately aim at such a massive cannon, the entire eight-kilometer-long ship must be meticulously maneuvered, tracking the retreat route of the "Galan Task Force" throughout the entire process... until they finally converge at the exit of the hyperspace passage.

Moreover, using such a weapon in close-quarters combat could very likely result in friendly fire incidents.

However, the pursuers have been temporarily stopped, and accidental injuries are no longer a problem.

Luminara couldn't help but wonder if this was a premeditated trap or just an unfortunate coincidence.

"Enemy main gun is charging!"

The distant "red sun" grew brighter and brighter, its light dazzling.

"All shields move forward to initiate evasion maneuvers!"

The red light continued to intensify, its brightness even surpassing that of the surrounding stars.

"General, please give your instructions!"

Luminara was about to speak when she was interrupted by another frantic blaring of alarms.

"More signals detected on the port bow!"

"There are separatists too? Did they come from the far side of the planet!?"

"Large-scale gravitational anomaly detected!"

"Another interceptor mine?"

"No...Sir, I've never seen this signal before!"

An object suddenly swept past the viewing window, leaving only a blurry gray afterimage on the surveillance screen.

There was no light, just a matte metal cylinder. One moment the path ahead was empty, and the next an object flashed by at an unimaginable speed.

No one even had time to blink—

The dazzling red "sun" in the distance was extinguished instantly, like a flame that had been suddenly extinguished.

No one on the bridge of the "Garland Task Force" could react in time, not even the Jedi Master.

Everything happened in an instant... Just moments ago they were confronting the eternal destruction through the Force, but in the blink of an eye the situation had completely changed.

"What was that just now?" someone asked in a trembling voice.

Data analysts frantically sift through the information.

"What on earth is that thing?!"

"It looks like a small asteroid!"

"Asteroids aren't made of polished metal, you idiot!"

"Where did it come from!?"

"How is the 'Destruction' doing!?"

The Destroyer is still in place, but it is no longer stationary... Sensors show that it is activating all sixteen sub-light-speed engines in an attempt to turn and evacuate.

The only indication that it had just been attacked was that the center of the bow main gun had been completely pierced, leaving a huge hole. Whatever the object was, it pierced straight through the gun barrel from right to left, exited from the other side, and did not explode, but disappeared straight into deep space.

Subsequent analysis indicated that it was likely a super-large kinetic energy projectile launched by a mass accelerator, or possibly some kind of gravity-propelled projectile.

“Another separatist superweapon,” Luminara whispered. “They’ve used similar equipment in Kolumex and Comenor.”

Commander Gerry immediately responded: "But this is different from anything we've seen before, General. Now that the threat has been averted, should we try to analyze the weapon's characteristics before the jump?"

The Jedi Master shook his head. "We can't take any risks. The entire fleet is in sync, preparing to jump to Halmad. We're lucky to have escaped death today. Let's not test our fate any further."

"As ordered..."

"General!" the communications officer suddenly stood up. "We've received a communication!"

This is enough to make everyone vigilant again.

The Miriam Jedi stopped moving: "Source?"

"Unknown, but it's using an open channel, sir!"

Luminara could feel the eyes of everyone on the bridge focused on her, filled with intense curiosity and a thirst for answers.

She reached out to the Force and, after receiving a response, decided to listen to the message despite her reservations.

"...Bring it in, listen, and immediately jump."

"Yes!"

—Sizzle—

"--that--"

It was General Griffiths.

Although Luminara had never met this person in person, she knew it just by hearing his voice.

She didn't know what she was going to hear, but she already had a feeling about it.

"—We've finally met—"

It was a hoarse, guttural growl.

It was almost like a whisper, as if speaking loudly would bring excruciating pain.

"—The so-called 'Hydra'—"

Luminara froze, her hand stopping on the lightsaber.

The voice seeped from the communicator like venom.

Hydra.

Fighting Hydra?
That man was clearly dead; he died in Rendili.

All reports and sensor data are absolutely accurate.

But now Griffiths brings up the name again with a chillingly certain tone.

She felt a surge of energy from the Force, a chilling wave washing over her consciousness.

Death should carry a unique final mark that even the untrained can perceive.

But this time, a void appeared in that place that should have been silent, a void shrouded in mystery and fear.

Griffiths continued, his harsh tone revealing a cruel pleasure.

"—I've been looking forward to—this day—"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Click—communication was suddenly cut off.

A heavy silence enveloped the bridge like a blanket, filled with uncertainty and fear.

Is he still alive?

How can this be?

Did Grievous survive the explosion?
Was he just saying "fighting Hydra"?
Is this a trap?
Countless questions churned in everyone's minds, but no one voiced them aloud; they only echoed in the uneasy glances exchanged among the bridge crew.

Each officer remained steadfast at their post, gripping the control panel or railing tightly with both hands, as if it could ward off the chill creeping up their spines.

"General, what are your instructions?" Commander Gerry's voice broke the silence, revealing an undisguised tension.

Luminara slowly exhaled, forcing herself to concentrate. "Maintain the original course and continue the jump to Halmad. If this is a trap, deal with it after the fleet is safe."

She turned to the communications officer and said, "Keep monitoring the open channels. If he sends another message, I want to record it all."

"Understood, General." The communications officer swallowed hard.

A profound silence hung in the air as the spaceship emitted a low hum as its hyperspace drive gathered energy.

Luminara closed her eyes for a moment, then reached for the Force again.

She could feel the unease spreading like ripples among the "Galan Task Force," affecting everyone.

Click——

The communication was reconnected, but static appeared!

"...So you survived that destruction," a hoarse, low voice came through the open channel. "You really are an unkillable metal cockroach, Griffiths."

(End of this chapter)