Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 56 - Commander Barris (4.7k)

Catalin System, Atlantis Route.

The Loryon Sector.

Paris often felt like a puppet, being manipulated by Ryan's invisible hand.

She couldn't understand why the separatist who had captured her would leave her alone on the Unicorn.

What puzzled her even more was that, like all the mysteries surrounding Raine, the Force remained silent on this matter, offering her no guidance whatsoever.

The Star Frigate "Unicorn" is navigating at high speed through the orbital minefield of the Atlantean system, carefully avoiding deadly traps.

In her view, the wreckage of abandoned warships floated silently between the satellites.

This former battlefield has now been transformed into a man-made ring of debris encircling the planet.

Cold and dangerous.

At that moment, out of the corner of her eye, Paris caught a blinding flash of light from an explosion in the distance.

A damaged light frigate struck a landmine and instantly transformed into a raging fireball. Fragments scattered across the starry sky, and countless high-speed metal particles, carrying the scent of death, hurtled toward the Unicorn.

She felt a pang of anxiety through the viewing window.

But then, the voice of that separatist human clearly rang in her mind.

"Remember, the scanner is your helper; with the scanner, you don't need to rely on the viewfinder."

Paris took a deep breath and forced herself to focus her attention on the control panel.

On the monitoring screen, the outline of the "Unicorn" flashed, and the offset bar representing the shield strength fluctuated violently.

The spaceship's particle shield absorbed the impact of the explosion fragments, causing the hull to tremble slightly.

"2200!" The synthesized electronic voice of the tactical robot TF-1726 carried a commanding tone, "Have 'Centaur' report its status!"

“The shield is stable!” OOM-2200, also known as “Taylor,” quickly looked up from the console, his voice flat. “Sir, Gallo suggests we find another path through the minefield.”

"Notify him that the recommendation is to reject it," TF-1726 replied at Ryan's signal, his voice booming. "This minefield is our best barrier against enemy interception."

TF-1726, also known as "Little Tower".

The new captain of the "Unicorn Squadron," which consists of the "Unicorn" and its sister ship "Centaur."

He is also Baris's current nominal commander.

After the simulated battle, Raine regrouped the newly acquired warships and dispatched them to various important star sectors to carry out missions.

A tactical robot became Baris's commander, which left her with mixed feelings, a mixture of absurd relief and the humiliation of being looked down upon.

She was captured by Raine, who, as a Jedi, believed that an ordinary tactical robot could monitor her.

This seemed to be a clear indication to her that Ryan didn't care whether she would run away.

She never seemed to need special attention from the other party.

Looking back now, it all started with the first time I met Ryan, and then the series of events that followed.

This is why Ryan sent her to Atlaken.

Thinking of this, Paris felt only bitterness in her heart.

In Atlaken, Raine didn't need to keep an eye on her personally.

Even if Barris manages to pull off a miracle and escape to the vicinity of the Republic's front, breaking through the deadly orbital blockade and escaping the galaxy is nothing but a pipe dream.

This vast minefield was deployed by Separatist minelayers and equipped with special trackers to ensure the safe passage of Confederate ships.

Its original intention was to prevent the Republic's reinforcements from entering, but by a twist of fate, it turned this war-torn star system into a death trap abandoned by the main forces of both sides.

"Sir, we have received a communication from Trelos."

A communication robot emitted a high-pitched notification sound.

Little Tower commanded, "Transfer the call."

“Unidentified fleet, this is the Trelos Control Center,” a slightly tired humanoid voice sounded. “Warning, you are entering the Atlantean restricted area. Please identify yourselves and purpose immediately, and wait for transponder verification.”

“Trellis Control Center, this is the Confederate Navy ships ‘Unicorn’ and ‘Centaur’,” Little Tower responded calmly. “We were dispatched by Ringo Venda to assist in the rescue efforts and are transmitting transponder codes.”

Little Tower nodded to Taylor, signaling him to send the code.

Paris glimpsed a string of characters flashing across the screen: CNF-2.11.4931.51-1310RV.

"Received, 'Unicorn' and 'Centaur', verification passed, entry permitted," the voice in the control center was noticeably more relaxed. "Please strictly follow the designated space route we transmitted, avoid landmines and enemy interception, and report again immediately after entering the Trilos orbital area."

The Unicorn's engines smoothly reduced power as it carefully traversed the inner boundary of the minefield.

The navigation computer quickly accessed the data sent from the orbit control center and planned a precise and safe flight path.

The target is Trelos, a satellite orbiting Atlas.

As the only one of Atlas's three satellites with a breathable atmosphere, Trelos was known to Baris through "Shadow Feed" and "Holographic News" that survivors of the war had been transferred there.

However, what she did not expect was that the satellite was currently under the control of separatists.

“Lieutenant Orpheus,” Rein’s voice suddenly came through the communicator, “You will be the captain of the ‘Unicorn’ and will be in charge of the entire Unicorn Squadron.”

What kind of trick is this?
"Why?" Paris asked, surprised and puzzled.

A sense of vigilance instantly tensed her up, making her suspect that Ryan was setting some new trap for her.

Although she and Ryan hadn't known each other for long, every move he made carried an indescribable meaning.

A person who is not perceived by the Force, a person who often makes strange decisions, this decision is not as simple as it seems on the surface.

Moreover, Barris knew that this tactical robot, known as Little Tower, was one of Rein's most trusted confidants.

Whatever Ryan's plans are, this robot will inevitably be involved and execute all his decisions.

“This is a humanitarian relief mission,” Xiaota also reminded at this point. “Based on the inherent social concepts of organic life forms, robots cannot effectively represent humanitarian actions.”

Barris cannot fully trust this claim.

Little Tower continued, “In addition, senior commanders of the Confederate forces on the Trilos satellite usually prefer to communicate with commanders of the organic life forms. While you are negotiating with them, I will be responsible for overseeing the unloading of medical supplies and provisions.”

This explanation... seems to make some sense.

Sweat gathered on the back of Paris's neck, and she felt her collar was a little tight, so she subconsciously tugged at it with her fingers.

She was about to say something when, just then, the dim light of Atlas outside the porthole illuminated the entire bridge.

Paris involuntarily opened her mouth slightly, then gently closed it again.

Atlas may have once been a beautiful planet, with vast oceans and fertile continents.

But now, its ocean has solidified into a gray-green, nauseatingly thick swamp.

The once vibrant continent now presents a sickly, lifeless, and scorched yellow color.

A violent weather system raged and churned over the planet.

On the planet's surface, a bizarre and enormous structure resembling a water lily blooms, spewing forth tongues of fire from its center, scattering burning dandelion seeds and violently ravaging the already fragile atmosphere.

On the planet's midnight hour, the lights of civilization stubbornly flicker.

From the distance, these glimmers of light appear like fireflies hiding in the bushes during a forest fire, gradually dying out one by one.

“This is…” Paris murmured, her voice a little hoarse.

"This is the masterpiece of the Republic's atomic weapons."

Xiaota's voice was flat and emotionless.

“You…you can’t be sure!” Paris retorted immediately. “Any side could launch such an attack!”

“Atlantis is the capital world of the Rolyon Sector, which unanimously voted to secede from the Republic,” Raine’s voice came through the communicator, unusually cold. “When the Republic realized they couldn’t take over the planet, they chose the most despicable method. They made sure neither side could get it, so they systematically destroyed the entire planet.”

“I didn’t expect you to… care about these things,” Paris mumbled weakly, as a sharp headache struck.

“This is an extremely hasty and inefficient tactic,” Raine commented with a contemptuous tone. “A pure waste. Little Tower could easily devise a hundred more tactically valuable solutions instead of completely destroying the entire planet’s ecology and value just to prevent resources from falling into the enemy’s hands.”

If this is true...

Paris didn't dare to think about it, feeling powerless, and remained silent.

She was not speechless, but rather focused her mind on resisting the overwhelming, pain-soaked collective lament from Atlas.

The lament was like a tangible wave, violently crashing against the doors of her heart.

The sky collapsed, cities burned, warheads rained down like hail, and massive columns of smoke and dust, like menacing mushroom clouds, obscured the stars...

Countless images flashed uncontrollably through her mind.

However, deep within the torrent of the dark Force, she keenly caught a faint glimmer of hope, like a candle flickering in the wind.

She could vaguely sense the source of the light.

“The civilians here have been evacuated to Trelos,” Raine continued to explain. “At this moment, your mission is not to defeat the Republic’s army, but to do everything possible to save the remaining lives on this planet.”

"..."

After passing through a dense minefield, the red dots representing landmines on the sensor display screen became sparse.

The Unicorn's engines picked up power, and it steadily entered orbit around Trelos.

Barris guessed that on the other side of Atlaken, there must also be a similarly battered Republic fleet stationed there, confronting the separatist forces on this side.

Both sides were clearly exhausted and unable to continue the direct confrontation.

As the Unicorn Squadron approached Trelos, the Unicorn and Centaur joined the massive fleet orbiting the satellite.

Before them were countless cargo ships and merchant ships that might be temporarily requisitioned, with several frigates patrolling like guards.

A massive Lukri Hook-class warship is like a mobile fortress, making all other ships seem insignificant in comparison.

On the habitable surface of the satellite, patches of golden lights spread out across the desolate capes.

This is a temporary home established by an exiled government and a group of displaced people.

"Notify the Trilos control center that we have arrived at our designated position and request further instructions," Little Tower ordered.

"Unicorn, Centaur," the communication channel in the Trilos control center crackled again. "Please shut down all engine power and await the traction beam for docking. Welcome to Neo-Catallin."

The surface of the satellite Trilos is rocky, barren, and desolate.

But it's barely enough for humans to survive here.

New Catalina is a hastily built small town, mainly consisting of densely packed prefabricated apartment buildings.

Two murky streams cut through a desolate headland, brutally dividing the city.

The massive open-pit mine resembles a scar on the planet's surface, its edges winding like the starting point of a giant highway, disappearing into the shadows of distant mountains.

Paris gave a bitter, disgusted smile, feeling deeply helpless about the role she was about to play as a separatist.

She took a deep breath, suppressed all her true emotions, put on a calm yet slightly aloof mask, and walked down the spaceship's gangway.

A man in a worn gray uniform greeted her at the landing area.

His face was a mixture of barely concealed fear and a near-exhausted sense of relief.

As the warship's engines shut down and white steam billowed from the decompression valves, enveloping the gangway, Paris wrinkled her nose in disgust.

Upon seeing her appear, the man hesitated slightly before giving a salute, his movements somewhat clumsy, as if he had forgotten the details of the gesture.

"Sir, Lieutenant Rem Carroll reporting for duty!"

Upon hearing the title "commander," Paris felt a wave of nausea wash over her.

I am a Jedi.

How did he become the commander of the separatists?
Ryan didn't say anything or offer any advice; he simply closed the communication.

He believed that Paris would make the right choice.

Where is your commander?

Barris tried to keep her voice steady, which was easy for a Jedi to do.

Lieutenant Carol hesitated for a moment, but straightened her back and mustered her courage to answer: "Killed, sir... All the officers above me... are gone... I am now... the highest-ranking officer in our unit in this system... I think you are now my direct superior."

His words carried a sense of desperate resignation.

Paris blinked, momentarily speechless; the shock of the news had exceeded her expectations.

“My captain was assassinated by Republic saboteurs a week ago,” Lieutenant Carol added, her gaze involuntarily drifting past Barris’s shoulder to the droids busily unloading supply crates at the Unicorn’s hatch. “Fortunately, one of our distress signals broke through the Republic’s jamming network.”

“I’m just a lieutenant,” Barris said slowly, trying to draw a line. “Lieutenant Orpheus, I don’t have… the authority to command an entire sector or base.”

Carol's expression instantly fell, a shadow of frustration and shattered hope looming over him: "But...but you command this squadron, right? I only have one light frigate that's about to fall apart, and according to regulations...you are now my superior commander."

His tone was pleading.

Paris felt a sharp pang of unease, but she didn't show it, and compromised, saying, "I think... that's indeed the case right now. Take me to see what's going on."

Along the way, they passed the Coruscant AA-9 cargo ship, which seemed out of place on this planet.

The ship was painted with a common red symbol representing humanitarian work, which protected it from military attack.

Nevertheless, many ships still bear the marks of battle.

Burn marks, partially melted ship planks...

On these ships, Barris did not see any gun emplacements.

She didn't know if she wanted to see it.

“These are ships from the Refugee Relief Movement,” Lieutenant Carol nodded to her. “When the government evacuated this planet, they contacted the Refugee Relief Movement for help. After that, volunteers from Coruscant, Naboo, and Alderaan came here, but… that didn’t stop the Republic from firing on them. Now, they’re stuck on this rock like the rest of us. Hopefully, your ship can change something.”

I don't think they can change anything.

Paris thought bitterly.

But she didn't want to appear too pessimistic.

Moreover, she still refused to believe that the Republic would fire on humanitarian ships.

Just like not believing they would raze a planet to the ground just because they were defeated in a war.
But inside her, a voice kept echoing.

Child, this is no longer the republic you know.

(End of this chapter)