Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 312-316 - A Nation! A Country! A Destiny!
(P.S.: To explain why the protagonist was forcibly given dark side powers, a month ago, while reviewing the plot of the Clone Wars, I realized that without powers in the new conflicts, it would be difficult to continue writing. If the protagonist didn't gain powers at this stage, the book might have stopped at the Clone Wars. Since the Battle of Rendelli was being written, I arranged a desperate battle, thus leading to the fall into the dark side, which was a forced explanation. Without them, the story might have ended with the Clone Wars, and forcing it to continue would have resulted in a bad ending. So, I forcibly added the powers.)
With the home fleet's mission over, Raine returned to the bridge of the "God's Punishment" and sat directly in the command chair, feeling somewhat empty inside.

"General, the Supreme Commander and the Republic have reached a ceasefire agreement. Now, let us withdraw from the Core World and return to Corelia!"

During the communication, Major General Diedrich's voice came through, his expression completely calm.

"Sir, Laxus II has transmitted its third communication!" Immediately following, the communication bot reported, "It's the Confederate Supreme Commander requesting..."

"Get in!"

The holographic projection unfolded, revealing not just the figure of General Tann, the Supreme Commander of the Confederation, but the entire Confederation Parliament.

General Tann addressed all the Confederate members of parliament and all the names present, delivering the Declaration of Independence with composure and power!
"For years, we have fought and bled, giving everything to resist tyranny. The Republic has tried to bind us and drain our planet's wealth, power and future."

“They call us separatists, traitors… These are all lies, simply because we dare to pursue what they would never give us.”

"free."

"We have never betrayed anyone; we are the ones who have been betrayed!"

"When the powers of the Core World came to plunder the future we had built with our own hands, we did not yield! They said we couldn't build a fleet, that we couldn't summon an army, but we did it anyway!"

"Today, I stand before you no longer as a rebel, no longer as a soldier struggling for survival, but as a free man, a citizen of a free nation! This nation belongs to us... a confederation we can call home! The Independent Galaxy Confederation!"

"With our determination, strength, and weaponry, we have reclaimed everything that is rightfully ours! Our wealth, our freedom, our future... no one will ever take them away again!"

"Our army, fleet, and people have long since broken free from the shackles of the core world. Look at Coruscant, look at the ruins of the Republic! Only a bunch of broken remnants are left fighting for power, fighting amongst themselves in the ruins they dug themselves, and being completely swallowed up by the decay we are desperately trying to escape."

"But don't think we're safe just because they've been destroyed. Even on the brink of destruction, the greed of the core world is still insatiable. A dictator sits on the shattered throne of Coruscant, commanding a war machine that once sought to destroy us and still looms large today."

“And look at Chandela, Humbalin, Odran and those so-called ‘revivalists’... They are obsessed with the old days when they could rule us from their ivory towers and treat our people as resources to be exploited.”

"If we are unprepared, they will come back sooner or later!"

“They will smear us as warlords, extremists, and criminals, and they will talk about peace, compromise, and reconciliation... These are all lies!”

"What they want is not peace, but the destruction of everything we have won with our blood! They want to regain their rule, force us into submission, and turn our hard-won independence into another shameful page in their history of conquest!"

"Today, we declare to the new galaxy that they will never again enslave us! We have broken free from their control and will never bow down!"

"Our independence was not won by words or treaties, but by strength! By the fleet we built, the army we forged, and the unbreakable will of this confederation!"

"This victory proves a simple truth: the Outer Ring is not a weak and vulnerable lamb, nor is it a disorganized mess. The Outer Ring stands shoulder to shoulder with all independent star systems, united as one!"

"We will never waver or hesitate, nor will we be complacent when the enemy is sharpening their swords and assembling their fleet. This victory is not the end of the struggle, but only the beginning!"

“Countless compatriots sacrificed for our freedom today. We should remember them with determination, not sorrow! We cannot let their sacrifice go to waste, and we must not allow the enemy to divide us at this time.”

"We will fight until our borders are impregnable, our fleets invincible, until every separatist planet is safe, and every Confederate citizen can march fearlessly under our banner. We will fight until our fleets are the unchallenged guardians of our borders, and our armies can ensure that no foreign power can control our destiny. We will fight until all voices advocating surrender are utterly drowned out by the roar of our unyielding people!"

"Let the core worlds fight over scraps! Let them scramble for scraps on the ruins of their broken empires! We will rebuild our homeland and make the Confederation stronger and stronger. Until the Outer Ring, from the Southern Sector to the Tyngel Arm, from the Tion Cluster to Sector 77, from the hidden routes of the unknown to the lost planets of the wilderness... can proudly fly the hexagonal shield banner of the Separatist Alliance!"

"We still have many enemies, and one day they will lead their armies to reclaim our lost territory. And we must say to them—!"

"We will never allow this!"

"We have overthrown a republic, and we will never allow another regime that enslaved us to rise. We are united now, and we will always be united in the future!"

"Our strength comes from each other: the fleet along the Rima Channel, the armory of Peremian, and the commercial planets along the Corellian trade route! Only by uniting can we defend our independence!"

“To those who are still wavering and still doubting, listen up: the era of capitulation is over! The era of appeasement is over! The outer ring is ushering in a new dawn! We did not start this war, but we have already won... We have no need to apologize for our victory.”

"Our cause is just, our goals are clear, and our strength is undeniable."

"Today, we are the masters of our own destiny and the creators of our own future."

"The future will be seized by our own hands!"

"We are of one nation, of one country, marching toward the same destiny! This is our future! By our will, by our strength, and by the blood and sacrifice of all those who fought for freedom, our Confederation will endure for generations to come!"

……

As the heart of the Confederation, the land of Laxus II was trembling with the roar of the Legion's march.

The capital's wide avenues were adorned with flags bearing the hexagonal shield of the Independent Galaxy Confederation, and the bustling crowds and the awe-inspiring military spectacle of the victory parade were truly breathtaking.

The streets were packed with people, countless fists and flags were raised high, and the air was filled with the orderly footsteps of organic soldiers and the perfectly synchronized mechanical clang of the robot army.

At the head of the parade were organic soldiers, warriors from hundreds of species dressed in uniforms dyed with the colors of their home planet, their flags fluttering in the midday sun.

Confederate soldiers, both flesh and blood and metal, gathered here to witness this victory.

The Parliament Palace stands majestically, its colonnades draped with dark blue flags, each bearing the hexagonal symbol of separatism.

On the magnificent terrace, Severn Tann stood before the crowd, her voice, amplified by loudspeakers and holographic screens, along with the powerful will that had sustained her to this day, resounding throughout every corner of the city.

She recounted the cruelty of war, the blood shed in the struggle against the dominance of the core world, and the victory snatched from the dying hands of the Republic.

When her speech ended, when her final declaration resounded throughout the capital, the whole world seemed to tremble.

One nation! One country! One destiny!

The slogans spread like wildfire.

From plazas to avenues, from open-air balconies to towering towers, every mouth is roaring.

The roar of the engines drowned out the rumble of the hover tanks as these steel behemoths slowly advanced in formation, their armor gleaming in the sunlight, their turrets rising in salute.

The walking machine strode forward like a steel giant, casting a long shadow in the jubilant crowd. Its footsteps on the cobblestones of Laksulon Street sounded like the steady, powerful beat of a war drum.

The sky is the stage for pilots.

Various interstellar fighters, bombers, and interceptors flew past in neat formations, tracing graceful arcs, and then tilting and turning in perfect synchronization, performing a grand "dance of war."

The cheers on the ground grew louder and louder, but were almost drowned out by the deep roar of the capital ship's engines overhead.

One nation! One country! One destiny!

The Confederate Second Fleet stood in parade formation outside the stratosphere, the silhouettes of massive warships contrasting against the planet's upper atmosphere.

They hovered on the tracks like victorious Valkyries, their images projected onto giant holographic screens throughout the city.

Even in the deepest alleys of Laksulon, people can see these symbols of power when they look up.

The public cheered wildly, because they knew the significance of these warships.

They are the forces that repelled the resistance of the Galactic Republic, the powerful pillars that expanded the Confederation, and the security guarantee in the event of future wars.

They all knew that war would inevitably come again.

One nation! One country! One destiny!

The sound surged like a rising tide, converging into a single thunderclap that carried on the wind to every corner of the capital.

Organic soldiers pounded their chests, combat robots raised their guns in unison in salute, and thousands of hands raised flags high on the terrace, as if praying to the leaders who had won them independence.

Behind the terrace, in the shade inside the Parliament Palace, General Trench and more than fifty other officers waited quietly, while some generals on the front lines witnessed the moment through holographic projection.

After the crowd outside celebrated for what seemed like an eternity, Trench noticed the Supreme Commander turn and return to the Council Palace. The Second Fleet Admiral surveyed the assembled crowd and nodded in satisfaction.

Trench deliberately stepped forward and blocked Tann's way as she entered.

“Admiral Trench.” Tann smiled faintly as she saw the old spider’s massive body blocking her way. She glanced to the other side of the room, her gaze quickly sweeping over the people present. “Is there something you need?”

A long silence fell over the room, and for a moment, only the continuous roar of the crowd outside on the terrace could penetrate in.

"Could I take a moment of your time, Supreme Commander?" The old spider's voice was deep and hoarse.

Tann met his six eyes, expressionless: "Fine. Those warships in orbit, are they your fleet?"

“We would like to discuss the future of the Confederation with you.” Trench stepped aside to let the Supreme Commander into the room. “Would you like us to elaborate on our concerns?”

She stopped abruptly, her voice calm yet heavy: "The Confederation's existence is not yet secure."

"When will things be stable?" Trench smacked his lips sharply, his tone tinged with urgency. "We have crushed the Republic's main force, and the core world can no longer withstand our united front. Our fleet has achieved victories on all fronts, and the rebels in the north cannot shake our foundations."

“The war is over.” He pressed on. “You confirmed this yourself when you ordered the frontline fleet to cease fire! Clearly, we have reached an agreement with Coruscant! So, what exactly do we need to accomplish to ensure the survival of the Confederation?”

“As long as Count Dooku is alive, we must remain vigilant.” The Supreme Commander of the Confederate Armed Forces turned around, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, and then specifically looking at the holographic projection of General Bontri. “There will always be people who are loyal to him and willing to die for him… He has no regard for the best interests of the Confederation. We must eliminate him, but we encounter numerous obstacles at every step, making it impossible to carry out the execution.”

Major General Mele could no longer contain himself.

The Moncal officer stepped forward, his voice filled with disbelief: "Excuse me for speaking frankly, sir, are you really going to plunge our nascent nation into trouble because of... because of your personal feud with Count Dooku?"

It was as if the noise outside had been instantly shut out, and a cold chill enveloped the already oppressive room.

Trench remained expressionless, with only the subtle movements of his mouthparts indicating that he was staring intently at the Moncala officer.

Tann remained motionless, turning completely to face Melley, her expression as cold and hard as an ice sculpture, making it impossible to guess her thoughts.

Although she was the supreme commander of the Confederate armed forces, General Trench always treated her as an equal.

In fact, he is the only person in the Confederacy who can rival her now, and it is thanks to his continued support that the Pantora has been able to completely control the various factions within the Confederate armed forces.

But Mehre is not Trench; he is only a junior general, with a lower rank and a far lower status than the former.

He crossed the line.

Nobody knows how Severn Tann will react.

Trench instinctively stood up, trying to protect his subordinate.

At that moment, a cold voice suddenly rang out.

“Supreme Commander,” Ryan Bontri said calmly, as if unaware of the tension in the air, “we all understand the danger of leaving Dooku as a threat. He is indeed a burden, but at the same time, he is also the founder of the Confederation.”

Tann turned his gaze to him, but not with the same sharpness he had shown to Melley.

Although Ryan Bontri also held the rank of junior general, his status was comparable to that of this Pantola man.

He was not only one of Severn Tann's earliest supporters, but also a key figure in the "Battle Hydra".

Many captains in the Confederate Second Fleet who were of Peremian descent held him in high esteem, and even idolized him.

Even though he had faded from public view for a time, he was still widely recognized as an indispensable general for the Confederacy.

“His crimes are undeniable.” Ryan nodded slightly and continued, “You’re right. Even now, there are still people willing to die for him, but there are also people who are not loyal to him personally, but to the ‘independence’ dream he represents, which existed long before all of us.”

In the holographic projection, he raised his hand and pointed to the huge window overlooking the city.

Below, the victory celebrations were still in full swing, and the people of the Confederacy were immersed in their newfound freedom.

“These are the people we need to consider first,” Ryan explained. “Not the enemies, not the lurking loyalists, but those who see their own reflection in our banner… the workers, soldiers, politicians, and citizens who fight for this dream. To them, Count Dooku is not just a person, but a symbol.”

His gaze grew increasingly solemn: "And symbols do not easily disappear, especially those that still live in people's memories."

Ryan paused. "Even if we execute him, even if we erase his name from all records, the Confederation will always be inextricably linked to him in the eyes of history. If he dies as a criminal, it will cast a shadow over our future and become an indelible stain on our legitimacy."

"Then what do you want me to do?" Severn Tann exhaled slowly through his nose, a hint of weariness in his voice. "Leave him alive? Let him continue plotting in the shadows you control?"

"I've already had the Jedi escort him back to Coruscant!" Raine said without hesitation. "He's probably already outside the Republic Senate building!"

These words shocked and bewildered everyone.

Severn Tann stared at Raine, silent, his expression unreadable.

Raine knew that the Supreme Commander was waiting for him to continue explaining, "Our greatest enemy is not the Republic, but Palpatine, Sidious, the Sith Lord!"

Although he didn't know what other tricks Sidious had up his sleeve, Dooku could no longer serve his master once he betrayed Palpatine.

Moreover, in order to survive, Dooku had no choice but to help the Jedi kill Palpatine.

What if Dooku comes back again?

“The plan is simple,” Raine explained smoothly. “Dooku has already been implanted with the FSP-Besh device. After the Coruscant incident, if he is still alive, he will be banished from the civilized world. This will ensure that his followers cannot find a martyr to rally their loyalty to. The place of exile will be an uninhabited planet on the edge of the Secessionist territory… isolated from the world, forgotten, but under close surveillance. The Confederate armed forces will be fully responsible for supervising his exile, and to the outside world… we will declare that he has retired.”

General Tann fell silent.

“Then!” she finally spoke. “How do you plan to persuade Parliament to agree?”

Ryan's lips twitched slightly, revealing a cold smile: "As long as they agree, the Confederate armed forces will relinquish control of the government, Parliament will resume operations, elections will be held, and the Confederation will officially return to civilian rule. What they really care about is not executing Dooku... Exile is obviously a more acceptable option for them."

Trench nodded in agreement, but did not speak. Instead, he looked at the Supreme Commander.

Silence enveloped the room once again.

Severn Tann did not respond immediately, and during that brief pause, every officer present could feel the immense pressure.

At first they thought she had fallen into that famous premonition again, but her red eyes kept blinking, overturning that guess.

Clearly, she would not allow herself to be exposed to vulnerability at such a delicate moment.

Every second of hesitation is a carefully calculated decision.

Even Trench couldn't help but grip the handle of his cane tightly.

Refusal means civil war.

It wasn't a battle of fleets or a clash of armies on the battlefield, but a division behind the scenes.

Would Severn Tann allow this to happen?
No, she won't.

“There will be no trial.” The Supreme Commander looked at Admiral Trench and finally made his decision. “I will not give Dooku the opportunity to speak in court, neither in a public trial nor a secret trial. I will not allow him to sway anyone’s mind. If you can persuade the Congress to accept this plan, I guarantee that the Independence space station will be evacuated from Laxus II, military control will be lifted, and the Confederation will resume civilian rule.”

Trench nodded slightly, his expression still unreadable: "Of course."

The old spider responded in a low voice, exchanging a knowing glance with Admiral Bontley.

Agreement reached.

With the old deadlock broken, this nascent nation has finally taken its first step toward the future.

P: There's also a free chapter, the final chapter about Palpatine's storyline. The timeline for this part wasn't handled well. The Confederate offensive timeline, Serenore, the Jedi Temple, the Factory District, the Senate, the Baldur intelligence network, the Titan Queen's rescue, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin, Luminara... Raine's revenge on Coruscant, and then the Confederate Declaration of Independence—these timelines weren't handled well, showing a lack of experience, resulting in fragmented little plots. So, if there are similar side stories later, I'll connect them directly, just like I did with Anakin's storyline!
(End of this chapter)