Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 57 - Following Your Heart's Guidance (4.3k)

Instead of entering the makeshift town, they headed towards a vast area outside the town, comprised of countless tents and makeshift shacks.

It was a refugee camp, and under the gray sky of Trelos, the flames of war raged like a spreading scar.

The makeshift shelters, made of canvas tents, metal plates, and plastic sheets, were crammed together, stretching as far as the eye could see.

The striking red "Refugee Relief Movement" sign is visible everywhere.

On tents, fluttering atop flagpoles, and sewn onto the uniforms of staff and local volunteers.

Paris let her senses sink into the Force, and was instantly overwhelmed by a vast, suffocating torrent of sorrow and resilience.

The voices, memories, and emotional fragments of countless individuals are interwoven into a vast and heavy tapestry.

Each thread tells a story of loss and struggle for survival.

The survivors bore the marks of suffering on their faces. They gathered at distribution points to receive meager rations or leaned on each other in makeshift public areas. A tenacious will to rebuild their lives from the ruins temporarily bound them together.

In this camp filled with despair, she heard voices calling out the names of loved ones, interspersed with the faint joy of occasional reunions.

But not everyone is so lucky.

Many young figures, with vacant eyes, wandered among the tents like lost lambs, futilely searching for their parents' faces.

And then there are the mothers, whose heart-wrenching cries pierce through the noisy air, yet often receive no response.

Despite the pervasive yearning for survival and hope, Barris keenly sensed another cold, dormant undercurrent within the deep pulse of the Force.

That was a desire for revenge.

It was temporarily suppressed by its survival instinct, like a dormant volcano, but she couldn't predict how long this suppression would last.

Paris immersed herself in this sensation.

To feel the pain of others is a form of spiritual practice in dire straits.

Compassion is the Jedi's creed.

These people in front of her were not her enemies.

Inside the largest medical tent in the center of the camp, two holographic projections awaited them.

One was a woman dressed in a magnificent purple silk robe, exuding an air of authority; the other was a tall, ordinary man with features typical of Coruscant city dwellers.

“Lieutenant Carroll,” the woman said with a smile, “I hope you’ve brought good news!”

“Very good news, Ms. Organa,” Carroll straightened her back and her voice became lighter, “It’s a rescue mission sent by Ringo Venda! Two starships fully loaded with food, basic supplies and critical medical supplies have arrived.”

Organa?
The royal family of Auderon?

Paris quickly searched her memory.

If so, then this woman is very likely... Sally Organa, the leader of the famous "refugee relief movement".

"A warship?" Sally Organa's smile vanished instantly.

“Excuse my bluntness, Ms. Organa,” Barris stepped forward and interjected, “this is an active war zone, and, if Lieutenant Carroll’s report is true, the Republic forces do not seem to regard the right of passage of humanitarian vessels bearing red markings as legitimate.”

A look of pain flashed across Selena Organa's face, while the tall Coruscant man beside her let out an undisguised, contemptuous snort.

“Well said, officer,” he muttered in a low voice, his tone laced with sarcasm. “Whichever Jedi is in charge over there, their actions are not what one would expect of a Jedi, are they?”

"The Republic forces are commanded by the Jedi?" Barris's voice rose involuntarily, completely unwilling to believe it.

“Intelligence indicates that this is indeed the case,” Ms. Organa said wearily, rubbing her temples. “Anyway, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Sally Organa, president of the ‘Refugee Relief Movement.’ You may have heard of us; we are an intergalactic humanitarian organization spread throughout the galaxy.”

The man nodded to her: “Felice Palbert, Acting Chairman of the People’s Investigative Corps, our job is to oversee the actions of the Jedi Order, investigate cases of overstepping or abusing their authority, and then send journalists to conduct independent reporting… The civilian government of Atlantis invited us here, and we are working with the Refugee Relief Movement to bring the terrible tragedy that is happening here to the galaxy. The public has the right to know the truth, and we look forward to cooperating with you.”

Paris had heard of the "People's Investigation Team".

Just a few months ago, they were embroiled in a custody battle with the Jedi Temple over "Baby Rudy," and the dispute may still be ongoing.

That case caused quite a stir on the Holographic Network.

She heard that someone even made a feature film about it.

The incident began after a devastating earthquake struck Odessound. Jedi rescuers mistakenly believed that the baby girl Rudy's parents had died, and took her back to the temple to raise her as was customary.

However, the girl's biological mother was actually still alive. After searching through the ruins of Odessoden, she discovered that the Jedi had taken her away. So she bought a one-way ticket to Coruscant and was determined to get her child back.

The "People's Inquiry Group" and a large number of students in Coruscant stood up to support her.

However, the Jedi Council rejected her request on the grounds that the baby, now renamed Aris-del Vary, was undergoing Jedi training, and returning her to her untrained, ordinary mother could pose a potential danger to the baby and those around her.

This case has sparked enormous controversy across the Milky Way.

From Alsakan to Oderran, from Corellia to the distant Eriadu, anti-Jedi demonstrations erupted on the major planets of the Core Worlds. Angry students even stormed the Jedi Temple on Coruscant and vented their anger by graffitiing the temple's exterior walls.

“I am Lieutenant Orpheus, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Paris said, suppressing her surging emotions and forcing herself to remain calm. “Please give me a brief overview of the current situation.”

Lieutenant Carroll immediately straightened up: "From a purely military perspective, our strategic situation is hopeless and beyond saving..."

“I need to know the whole story,” Paris interrupted him. “How did things deteriorate to this point?”

Mr. Phyllis Palbert raised his long, thin eyebrows, a hint of scrutiny in his eyes: "Didn't the media reports on the holographic network tell you that, officer?"

Paris looked directly at him, expressionless. "Are you saying I should believe the media, not your reports?"

Lieutenant Carroll visibly flinched, appearing somewhat uneasy: "Excuse me, sir! Please wait a moment..."

He frantically fiddled with a handheld holographic projector, pressed a button, and a holographic image of Atlas was projected from the top of the projector, hovering in front of everyone.

“Decades ago, an exploration team discovered the Duonium vein, which has astonishing reserves, in this star system,” Carol licked her dry lips and began to recount. “The Atlantean government at the time quickly extended mining invitations to several large mining groups in the Republic.”

“The most precious resource in the Milky Way today,” Palbert suddenly interjected, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

“When Atlantis seceded from the Republic in support of the Confederacy’s Trade Independence Act, these companies used their private military contractors (PMCs) to seize control of the mines and call in the Republic’s regular army for support,” Carroll continued. “Of course, the Confederate fleet reacted faster and recaptured the mines before the main Republic forces arrived, but the Republic army still came, and the entire planet was forcibly divided into eastern and western hemispheres.”

The fleet commander at the time judged that enemy reinforcements were about to arrive, and in order to blockade the system, he ordered this minefield to be laid. Because their supply lines were cut off and they were waiting for reinforcements, we were able to suppress them in the western hemisphere for a time.

“Operation Katabati was their counterattack,” he said, pointing to several locations on the holographic planet that were emitting red light. “At that time, we controlled the capital city of Katalin, most of the Duonim mining area, and orbital control in the eastern hemisphere, so they used heavy intercontinental ballistic missiles, first attacking our military bases and mines in the western hemisphere. After realizing the strong resistance of the Atlantean people, they… began indiscriminately bombing cities.”

The fleet commander ordered a full-scale attack to stop them, and the result... we lost our entire fleet, and the commander's life... Both sides suffered heavy losses, and neither was capable of launching another decent battle. This is our current predicament.

"How is the evacuation of civilians progressing?" Baris turned her gaze to Organa.

“This is precisely why we desperately need your assistance, Lieutenant Orfie,” Organa’s voice was heavy with pressure. “Atlan’s water sources and marine ecosystems have been completely contaminated by deadly radioactive fallout. The entire planet’s environment has collapsed and is no longer suitable for any life. We are constantly receiving thousands of distress signals from the planet’s surface, but the problem is that the Republic firmly controls the orbital airspace in the western hemisphere, and we cannot reach the designated rendezvous point.”

"You didn't even try to negotiate a ceasefire with them? Not even for humanitarian passage?" Barris asked incredulously.

"You think we haven't tried?!" Phyllis Palbert suddenly raised his voice, roaring, "Quite the opposite! Every time we communicate, they threaten to shoot down every ship that enters their airspace!"

Paris looked at Carol, who simply shook his head with a grave expression.

Not right.

Barris sensed something amiss in her Force perception.

The matter is far more complex than simply rescuing refugees.

There must be deeper, more unknown reasons behind the Republic's attack on humanitarian ships.

They, especially the Jedi Order, should not have done this.

However, at this moment, Barris, amidst the subtle flow of the Force, did not detect that they had lied about the evacuation operation.

Moreover, what reason would the chairman of the "Refugee Relief Movement," the leader of an organization whose highest principle is humanitarianism, have to lie about such a matter?

just now.

This has nothing to do with the republic or separatists.

Whether or not it's a Jedi.

This is about saving innocent lives.

I swear to the Force that when I return to Coruscant, I will find the answer.

She felt she owed an explanation to every life lost in Atlas, every soul that perished in the nuclear hellfire.

If she has to don the cloak of the enemy and fire on those who should be allies...

If it means correcting injustice, Barris will do it.

Even if they are unwilling.

But as a Jedi, this is her duty.

Whoever was commanding the Republic fleet at that moment... Baris firmly told herself that they were no longer true Jedi.

“Understood,” Barris took a deep breath, her voice regaining the composure befitting a commander. “So, what is the action plan?”

“The main force of the Republic Fleet is currently in planetary synchronous orbit,” Carroll said. “Every day, the planet Trilos passes beneath its orbit through the western hemisphere of Atlantis, which is our evacuation window. We send out camouflaged or forced-break refugee transport ships, which the Republic Fleet intercepts. Our warships try to resist, but with little effect… we are forced to retreat. But now, your squadron has arrived… Frankly, sir, we have no chance of retaking Atlantis. My late captain agreed before his sacrifice to dedicate all our remaining military forces to assisting the ‘Refugee Relief Movement.’ I intend to do the same.”

“Our network of agents and volunteers on the planet has already gathered the remaining survivors at pre-designated rendezvous points,” Organa added. “In short, we need your warships to escort our transport convoy and protect it from interception by the Republic fleet as we evacuate.”

"What is the actual situation of the Republic Fleet?" Barris asked calmly.

“Just as bad as us,” Carroll said bitterly. “They haven’t received any supplies since the battle began six months ago. They’re running low on fuel and ammunition, their capital ships are generally in poor condition, and more importantly, according to reconnaissance, almost all of their small fighters have lost their combat capability. That’s why they recently sent assassins to sabotage our command system. Now, with the Unicorn and Centaur here, they’re practically superweapons.”

Paris closed her eyes, and a few seconds of silence were filled with an unbelievable heaviness.

She couldn't believe the decision she was about to make, and she couldn't comprehend the absurd reality presented by the entire Atlas galaxy.

This war... defied her understanding of common sense on almost every level.

Why are separatists leading humanitarian aid efforts here?

“…I’m sorry, sir,” Carol slowed her pace, her tone hesitant as if choosing her words carefully, “no offense intended…you look very young, sir. Is this…your first time commanding an operation of this nature?”

Yes.

Paris sighed inwardly.

Phyllis Palbert sighed softly, her gaze lowered as if studying the illusory holographic outline of her own feet.

Sally Organa gave her a smile full of understanding and sympathy.

This smile, however, made Paris feel uncomfortable.

The royal representatives of Auderon are actually working closely with separatists.

Things have come to this point.

Why can't we just let them hate?

Paris quickly dismissed the thought.

This is not the kind of thinking a Jedi should have.

“I’m sorry, sir,” Carroll repeated, his voice lowering, “war is never ‘clean.’ Behind every glorious battle recorded in history lies hundreds of ugly, chaotic, and suffering quagmires like Atlasken. This… is perhaps the price we should have understood when we put on this uniform.”

I understand now.

Paris silently recited in her heart.

She remembered her master's teachings.

Detached.

Forget the glory of the Republic, and let go of your prejudices against separatism.

I'm sorry, Master.

She whispered to herself.

In this quagmire, I must follow my heart and do what I believe is right.

(End of this chapter)