Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 22 - Anakin's Choice (Please continue reading)

(The previous text included pictures and descriptions of various warships. Those interested can go back and check the table of contents. Pictures have been added to those marked with images, as well as some battle scenes. This is a transitional chapter. The Battle of Camino will gradually unfold from here. Please continue reading and give me some recommendation votes.)

Orbit of the Christophsis Galaxy, Christophsis.

Savarin sector.

Anakin immersed himself in the Force, allowing his senses to transcend the limits of what the naked eye could see.

He watched as Master Gallia and her Blue Squadron stormed the separatist cordon.

At the same time, they also saw wave after wave of robot starfighters and close-in defense lasers retaliating against them.

Admiral Wurtz's fleet cut into the enemy's front lines, launched a surprise attack from one angle, used the enemy's friendly firepower to reduce the damage it received, then fired a broadside salvo before maneuvering back and using the shields to contain the enemy's firepower.

This is a tactic commonly used by weaker fleets, using slow attrition to counter a superior enemy force.

Although slow and tedious, it is very effective in conserving resources and prolonging combat time.

Even so, the losses will still be severe.

But the plan is working, and that's the key.

They only need to buy enough time for the ground assault.

Suddenly, a torrent of grief and helplessness emanating from the planet's surface surged through his emotional bonds, drawing Anakin's attention.

He immediately severed his close connection with the Force and blocked his senses.

Something must have happened on the planet's surface.

He stood on tiptoe and peered through the viewing window, as if trying to get a clear view of the battle from the tracks.

Are Obi-Wan Kenobi and Master Mondial landing now?
Landing has always been the most dangerous part of a planetary assault operation. Soldiers are trapped in metal cabins and could be blasted into the sky by artillery fire at any moment.

Anakin detested this kind of unpredictable landing operation.

He hates the feeling of knowing nothing even more.

In order to comply with standard procedures for radio silence, their communications have been cut off.

After all, the Banking Alliance frigates, even after being modified for combat, are essentially still ships specially designed for communications.

This ship is essentially a mobile ultrasonic transceiver designed to replace the holographic network.

It would not be difficult to transform it into a terrifying communications and intelligence weapon.

Advanced communication arrays, jamming equipment, frequency scramblers, and listening stations.

These were originally tools used by the banking union to gain an advantage in business competition, but now they are being used to massacre the Republic's army.

“General,” Yularen said, creeping onto the deck like a hunting cat, “there is a situation that may require your attention.”

Around them, the bridge crew carried out their tasks with brisk and quiet efficiency.

There's usually some casual conversation in the crew's work area, with people speculating about wartime events or making jokes. Sometimes, officers will tell the clone soldiers stories about their hometowns to pass the time.

Anakin expressed his understanding.

This does not undermine discipline; on the contrary, it can greatly enhance camaraderie and boost morale.

But Jularen wouldn't think that way.

With this admiral present, Anakin knew that without the Force, all the crew members would remain silent and work in a dull manner.

"what's up?"

Anakin turned around.

Yularen quickly brought his heels together. "General, our passive scanner has detected biosignals near the satellite. I'm worried this might be a separatist ploy."

“Let’s talk in the operations room,” Anakin said quickly, keeping an eye out for anyone who might overhear. “Lieutenant, contact the Unyielding and the Coruscant Sky (Jester-class) and get them on yellow alert and ready to go.”

"As you command, sir!"

The communications officer quickly stood at attention and saluted.

“Tell me more, Yularen,” Anakin whispered as they passed through the blast door. “Was it an ambush? Didn’t our patrols scout this system beforehand?”

“It’s unlikely to be an ambush, sir,” the general replied immediately. “The number of biosignals is between six hundred and one thousand. Without active scanning, we can’t get a more precise number.”

Separatist warships are typically operated by robots.

One or two biosignals might indicate the presence of an organic commander, but up to a thousand...

“Then start active scanning. Enable it all,” he ordered. “We can’t take any risks.”

A cone-shaped beam of light shot out from the large holographic display table, and the projection of the local galaxy flickered and appeared.

Anakin ignored the flashing battle lights on the other side of the planet and focused his attention on the blue Lysis moon.

"We're adjusting the rectifier antenna, sirs," a sensor operator said.

As the "Pioneer" scanner calibrated its ranging, the coordinates were displayed on two plotting boards in the operations room.

One display shows the X-Y axis, and the other displays the Z-X axis.

Subsequently, a red sphere appeared on the hologram of the Lysis satellite.

“A second object has been detected near the satellite,” Yularen said, staring intently at the drawing board. “It’s surrounded by…it looks like an asteroid belt.”

Anakin pushed him aside, walked to the table, and leaned in to examine him closely.

“It’s not the asteroid belt,” he said gravely, “it’s a debris field.”

The air froze for a moment, but the atmosphere quickly returned to its rigid, disciplined state.

Everyone understood Anakin's meaning: the biosignals were prisoners, and the object orbiting the satellite was an abandoned prison ship.

Slowly, the object began to orbit the satellite until it was directly facing the "Pioneer".

“Visual confirmation,” an officer reported, “is a Rukri-Hook-class battleship.”

Anakin felt a pang of pain when he realized that he could still see the relatively intact bridge wreckage of the USS Resolute floating lifelessly in the sea of ​​debris.

Its two command towers had broken viewing windows, and the Durasteel superstructure was riddled with hundreds of bullet holes.

At that moment, someone whispered, "The separatists have taken prisoners?" Anakin turned sharply, glaring at the entire room and scanning everyone.

However, before it could be determined who said those words, a communication panel suddenly lit up.

This is the perfect time.

"General Kong breaks radio silence, sir."

Anakin gritted his teeth. "Bring him in."

“Get your men ready, Anakin,” Prokone said before his face was fully visible. “I’ll send you the landing coordinates now.”

"How is it, Master?" Anakin tried to mask his impatience with concern.

But it seemed that this Jedi master saw right through him.

“Master Koss and Master Barek have been killed.” Anakin’s anger vanished instantly, and his face turned pale. “Master Mandy is missing. They took the Industrial Zone with minimal casualties, but were subsequently surrounded by Separatists. We have lost contact with the 416th Starfleet, the 7th Legion, and the 481st Legion. Kruk and Tal Seyil are now commanding the survivors.”

Master Prokhor was very calm.

His voice was gentle, even calm, as if a military disaster of this scale was a trivial matter, as insignificant as a home-cooked meal.

Master Mondy is a member of the Jedi Council.

Who can defeat him?

Those were the most elite clone soldiers in the Republican Army, led by the best Jedi.

Anakin began by asking, "Obi-Wan Kenobi—"

“Master Kenobi’s forces are making steady progress,” Master Kong interrupted him, saying directly, “The 21st Nova Corps has now reinforced a row of refineries inside, temporarily holding off the enemy’s attack.”

He paused for a moment, then continued, “We are not reinforcements, Anakin, this is a rescue mission. Your task is to land at the last known location of the 416th Army and evacuate them… If it is confirmed that they have been annihilated, then launch a direct attack on the rear of the separatist forces until I can lift the siege.”

Anakin frowned and pressed, "...What about the others?"

“We don’t have enough manpower, and Master Kenobi can’t spare any troops either,” Master Kong said grimly. “We absolutely cannot let the Crystal Refinery fall into the hands of the separatists. Once we withdraw our troops, we will bomb the area from orbit.”

This means that thousands more people will have to sacrifice their lives.

A rebellious voice inside Anakin wondered, "Could this be the next Jabim?"
“Be careful, Anakin,” Master Kong warned, “our thoughts create our reality.”

That's right.

I will never let that happen again.

I can't.

“Understood, Master,” Anakin took a deep breath. “I will have my men ready.”

Prokhor nodded solemnly, then the image gradually blurred and finally disappeared.

"Sir?" Apo immediately stepped forward and asked, "What about the prisoners?"

Anakin leaned heavily against the table, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the edge.

Is he really going to abandon his subordinates again?
What about his mission? What about the people on the planet's surface?
Don't they deserve to be saved?

Anakin used the Force to subtly probe his subordinates' thoughts.

This is not spying.

He doesn't pry into other people's thoughts.

Apo looked closely at Rex through his resolute face.

This caused Anakin a sharp pain in his heart.

They all wanted to save their brother, but if he ordered them to give up, they wouldn't argue.

But that's just how it is, isn't it?
They are clones.

That's how they're born thinking...

At this moment, Anakin even loathed himself for having such thoughts.

How many more people will we have to abandon?
How many more times do we have to fail?
Why am I always caught in a dilemma?!
Mother, Master Quigand, Master Yadel, Aubrey, Tono... Rex.

Time and time again, someone died for him.

If this is the meaning of being the chosen one, then Anakin truly wishes Qui-Gon had never found him on Tatooine.

What should I do, Master?

Anakin felt like he had become that apprentice again.

"Sir?" Apo asked again, "Should I have the soldiers prepare?"

Po...like all clones, he is a loyal soldier, ready to carry out any mission at any time.

Anakin smiled wryly. Wasn't that exactly what Rex would say?
The task always comes first.

Why can't I have both at least once?

Anakin took a deep breath and commanded with difficulty, "Get the soldiers ready."

Apo locked the helmet in place. "Understood, sir."

As the clone commander walked past him, Anakin reached out and grabbed his arm, stopping him, and said gravely, “Select our most elite soldiers and prepare a boarding squad. Taking away one or two companies won’t have much of an impact.”

Apo remained silent for a long time before slowly nodding, "Yes, sir."

Through the helmet, Apo's voice was completely flat.

Anakin watched him leave, unsure whether the "Yes, sir" meant agreement or simply confirmation that he had received the order.

He realized he didn't want to know the answer.

　This article is more like an ensemble piece, enriching the portrayal of some of the characters from the original work.

　　Please read and recommend
　　

(End of this chapter)