Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 8 - General Tann
For some reason, they still believe that the war has not yet begun.

But since Ryan decided to transfer from the Royal Army of Ondron to the Confederate Navy and had a falling out with Mina, he hasn't spoken to her again, so what does he know?

He always says the same thing whenever these idiots bother him with parliamentary matters.

“I’m afraid I’ve been estranged from Representative Mina for quite some time now,” Ryan said apologetically. “My involvement may only make your chances of persuading her… worse.”

“I’m sorry, Captain Bontri,” General Worm finally conceded, “I was unaware of your situation.”

"It's okay—"

"—Uh, sir?" Taylor tried to speak in a low voice, but failed. "'Invincible' received a hypersonic transmission signal and is forwarding it to us."

A savior has arrived! Every second of this conversation has become more awkward.

Ryan glanced at the general sheepishly, but General Worm graciously told him to leave, and the image disappeared.

“Okay,” Ryan cleared his throat, “bring it in.”

The holographic imager lit up again, bursting out with a bright blue-white light against the green backdrop of the cockpit—to Renn's secret horror, it revealed a stereotypical woman in a neat and crisp uniform.

In fact, if it weren't for her flat, monochrome eyes, she would look just like a human.

Her eyes were solid, opaque, and without irises; staring into them was like gazing into a soulless void.

Ryan swallowed hard and quickly stood up from his chair to salute.

Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives...

"General Tann."

“You are not General Trench,” General Tann said, a slight smile playing on his lips.

“This is Ryan, sir,” Ryan said, maintaining his salute. “Admiral Trench was incapacitated in battle with the Republic forces two rotation cycles ago. He is currently stable, and I will temporarily assume command of his flagship—”

"How is Christopher Sith?" General Tann interrupted him.

“General Lotharmon has completely occupied the planet, sir!” Raine reported. “We repelled a Republic relief force, but the enemy is very likely to return with a counter-offensive.”

"...And you didn't request reinforcements, Captain?" General Tann raised an eyebrow.

Raine resisted the urge to frown.

How can he say that he wanted to accumulate more military achievements to ensure his promotion?

“I… don’t think it’s necessary, sir,” Ryan said.

“Whoever controls the Christophersis controls the Outer Ring, Captain,” Admiral Tann replied curtly. “We have detected a military buildup of the Republic in the Outer Ring, a task force far exceeding your current command capabilities. Do you understand that your arrogance could jeopardize our collective efforts throughout the region? I don’t want that to happen again—your entire career depends on this, am I clear?”

General Tann's expression tightened into a cold, restrained anger.

Her eyes narrowed into burning icy cracks.

Ryan could sense deep down that his chances of promotion were slim.

“Understood,” Ryan swallowed hard. “Sir.”

“Very well,” General Tann said sternly. “At ease, Captain.”

Ryan's arm hung limply at his sides.

“Everything will be detailed in your post-war report, and I’m sure some people will be interested in reading it,” perhaps it was Raine’s imagination, but General Tann’s expression seemed to soften slightly. “Your outstanding performance after the commander was incapacitated will be documented. I have already dispatched Admiral Tony to reinforce the system.”

“Thank you,” Ryan said, his throat dry and his gaze deep. “Sir.”

“I have another new task for you, Captain,” General Tann continued.

"Is it for General Trench, sir?" Ryan confirmed.

“No, it’s for you,” General Tann smiled slightly. “This mission is too insignificant for a fleet commander… but too important for someone I don’t trust.”

Holy crap! This is just as bad as the Battle of Sarapindo, isn't it?
This kind of task pleases neither side.

Ryan could even imagine that he couldn't put this in his service record.

“This… mission,” Renn said cautiously, “won’t be recorded in the file, right?”

“I’m afraid not,” General Tann said with a smirk. “The official explanation is that the ‘Repel’ squadron is on rest and repair, but I believe that if this mission is completed successfully, we will consider promoting you.”

"I will obey your command, General."

At this moment, Renn truly had no choice.

“Very good. Once Admiral Tony arrives and takes command of the blockade, you will escort Admiral Trench to Farin aboard the Invincible,” General Tann ordered. “Afterward, lead your squadron to the Morava system and await further orders.”

"Is there anything else I need to know, sir?"

General Tann paused for a moment, “...I think this is an important detail; you will be working with Asagi Ventress.”

When she said that name, it seemed like Ryan should know it, but he didn't.

However, he admitted that the name sounded like something an important character would have.

Just from the name "Ventris," he could picture their characters, so they must be very important.

Perhaps they appeared in a TV series or comic.

"Will they be my commanders in this operation, sir?"

“I am your direct superior,” General Tann corrected, his tone carrying an emotion that Raine could only call professional aversion. “Any orders you receive from me take precedence over those from her. She is an… independent agent, and I will make sure Ventress doesn’t lay a finger on you.”

This information was enough for Raine to deduce that Asagi Ventress was a Force user.

A space wizard.

She might play for Dooku, just like the boss's daughter.

It doesn't entirely belong to the hierarchical system, but it's too important to ignore.

He was growing increasingly disgusted with the task.

"Understood, sir." Renn saluted again.

General Tann returned the greeting, "I will send you the mission briefing once you arrive at Moravall, Captain Bontri. I look forward to hearing good news."

The holographic display flickered and disappeared, leaving only Raine and the robots filling the bridge.

He slumped into the chair like a bag of bricks, feeling utterly exhausted.

General Tann had a certain... aura... that made him listen with all his heart.

She spoke in a way that was both precise and persuasive, urging him to carry out her orders without fail.

He didn't know if it was the Force at work or simply because of her behavior.

this is too scary.

No wonder Christopher Lee chose her as his nominee.

“Little Tower,” Rein waved his hand, “do me a favor and delete the relevant records from the spaceship's files.”

Little Tower: "Which records, sir?"

“Those records of Severn Tann and Worm Losamon,” Ryan muttered. “If these records get leaked, I’m doomed. God help me not to.”

He put his hands on his head and let out a long sigh.

At least there's still some hope for a promotion.

(End of this chapter)