Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 77 - 77-Zero Base Agreement
This day was unusually long.

The Republic's warships put up a valiant resistance, but the situation became increasingly unfavorable for them as new separatist frigates joined the battle.

Ultimately, the sustained firepower from the Sanctions and Uralula tore apart the already vulnerable midsection of the Rebel, cleaving the Star Destroyer in two.

The two massive pieces of wreckage tumbled and plunged into the endless sea of ​​clouds.

Thousands of lives were lost in an instant.

The fact that the starship was so fragile still shocked Barris.

A sense of pressure welled up in her mind.

This is the Force warning her of an approaching threat.

“Kronau radiation detected at coordinates 227 on Quill,” Taylor calibrated the sensor. “It’s the Pioneer…and two others, the Redeemer and the Defender.”

"Unicorn Squadron, retreat!" Little Tower abruptly swung down his stiff arm, then turned to the other side: "Captain Chom, how's it going?"

“There are still four ships in the system,” Captain Chom replied. “The ‘Tradewind’ is seriously behind schedule, and we need more time.”

Xiao Ta paused for a moment, silently calculating the solution.

Suddenly, he turned and stared at Paris, as if she had become a new variable in the calculation.

The Unicorn suddenly turned, its thrusters roaring as it struggled to break free from the planet's gravity.

Paris stumbled, and the pressure in her mind continued to rise.

“Carol,” Little Tower made his decision, “have your light frigates escort the remaining auxiliary ships to Corde. I guess you won’t be coming with us, will you?”

“I’m sorry!” The Atlantean’s voice sounded genuinely apologetic, “but I cannot lead my men into an area that is almost certainly occupied by the enemy.”

“Very good,” Little Tower responded briefly. “From this moment on, ‘Havoc’ Squadron will be under independent command.”

The image in the sky gradually blurred, like watercolors being washed away, and the sound also disappeared, plunging into a deathly silence.

The roar of the turbo laser cannons and the howl of the ion engines were like distant murmurs, and the vacuum of space once again swallowed all sounds.

"The Pioneer is approaching us from our starboard bow," Taylor announced.

General Skywalker's Victory-class Star Destroyer is heading in a straight line towards the location where Master Sekula fell, its course slightly angled to the evacuation route of the Unicorn Squadron.

Paris was on edge.

They fully expected that the Unicorn and Centaur would immediately open fire and finish the battle that should have ended in Atlantis.

However... they did not fire.

Even though the five warships came within firing range of each other, they passed each other unharmed.

Although the turrets were already aimed and ready, they all remained eerily silent.

Paris asked, puzzled, "Aren't we going to stop them?"

"The 'Havoc' squadron is still on the planet's surface."

"I mean...won't they go after the support ship?"

Xiao Ta stopped and looked at her in surprise.

He tilted his head like a cat, then shook it.

“I have calculated all the possibilities. The Jedi’s compassion makes their actions predictable. Anakin Skywalker would rather rescue Ella Sekula than sink four support ships in exchange for an easy strategic victory.”

Paris frowned, pondering Little Tower's words: "But the 'Freedom' is destined to be destroyed, and General Skywalker won't be able to get there in time, not to mention he has to break through the 'Havoc' squadron's interception."

“He will take the risk, even if it means fighting the ‘Havoc’ squadron!” Little Tower said confidently. “From a purely rational point of view, attacking the support ship is undoubtedly the wiser choice. As you said, the probability of Ayla Sekura surviving is extremely low. However, due to the existence of the ‘Aura,’ even if we go all out, Ayla Sekura will still survive. Based on this cognitive pattern, the Jedi will always be more inclined to abandon strategic objectives to rescue their comrades… simply because the probability of a successful rescue is much greater than logically.”

'Jedi players are more likely to abandon strategic objectives to rescue their comrades.'

Little Tan's cold, mechanical words echoed repeatedly in Paris's mind, like an incessant tolling of a bell.

The ever-increasing pressure felt like a hammer and chisel, trying to split her skull open.

What exactly is the Force trying to tell me?
Did Luminara make a mistake a few months ago in Tais?
Barris knew that her master had always been one of the more detached Jedi, and had always taught her to rely on both the Force and her own wisdom.

In some situations, sacrifice is a last resort, and Jedi must always be prepared to let go.

'If I were in your position, would I have made the same choice, Master?'

Is it your fault that I'm now trapped and fighting for the enemy?

Paris didn't know which answer was more heartbreaking.

It was she who made her master leave.

The value that Lota Huttite could bring to the Loyalists far exceeded what she could contribute.

Her sacrifice is where her value lies.

'Are you wrong, Master? Am I wrong?'

'Why...why can't I be saved?'

A feeling of ugly jealousy churned in her stomach.

"Just as our definition of victory is not killing a Jedi, but ensuring the safety of the Aurora support fleet, General Skywalker's definition of victory is ensuring the lives of his comrades, not destroying the support fleet."

Xiaota took her silence as objection and continued, "Since our methods and goals are not contradictory at this moment, there is no reason for conflict. Your proactive thinking is commendable, but it is really unnecessary at this time."

'I really wish I had never had that thought.'

Paris thought sadly.

Tranquility is the way of the dead, yet she constantly struggles with rebellious and suffocating thoughts. Master Luminara will know what to do… she always does.

Does she really know?

……

The Metalon system, orbit of the planet Metalon.

Tarsenai Sector.

Admiral Brock, barely suppressing a sigh, said to Obi-Wan, "General, though I hate to say it, Metalon is a tough nut to crack. In my opinion, the trouble this planet has caused far outweighs its value."

Obi-Wan Kenobi agreed with this.

Metalon is one of the top forging planets in the Outer Rings, boasting a vast underground factory city, fully automated armory foundries, and countless robotic command centers...

Every trench and every abandoned camp was riddled with traps, and every tunnel was impregnable.

Worse still, the underground robot foundries are continuously producing fearless, unsupplied soldiers.

"What suggestions do you have, General?"

“The Zero Base Protocol,” Admiral Brock said directly. “I know it’s extreme, but this protocol was prepared for the current situation. Under the current circumstances, we have no chance of capturing Metalon. As for… civilian casualties? We don’t need to worry about that. Besides, the enemy is all holed up deep underground. We can melt through the planet’s crust from orbit and let the magma flow into the underground complexes to destroy any form of resistance.”

Obi-Wan closed his eyes.

The Base Delta Zero Protocol, though ostensibly for planetary liberation, was actually used in a large-scale extermination operation.

A thorough orbital bombardment would indeed be the simplest way to prevent the Separatist Alliance from taking control of Metalon.

“It could take us months to break their planetary shield,” Obi-Wan noted, not out of opposition, but more out of curiosity about the admiral’s thoughts on the matter.

“But it could take several years to conquer this planet,” Admiral Brock replied professionally. “In my opinion, we have no other choice. With Metalon’s standing fleet destroyed, we have complete control of the orbit. We can leave a few Cheerleader-class assault landing ships in orbit to carry out bombing missions and free up the rest of the fleet.”

From both a moral and rational standpoint, implementing the Zero Base Protocol is a reasonable choice, and those traitors in the Senate will certainly argue about it.

Obi-Wan Kenobi didn't care about the Senate's attitude, but deep down he felt some resistance; he didn't want to be one of the Jedi Masters who approved such a terrible operation.

However, his inherent military principles ultimately led him to compromise.

The faster this war ends, the faster the galaxy can return to peace.

Obi-Wan swallowed hard and steadied his voice: "Alright, I approve."

A hint of relief flickered across Brock's lips; this was only a consideration of the course of the war.

As a professional soldier, he, like Obi-Wan Kenobi, would not be pleased with such a brutal method as orbital bombing.

"General Kenobi!" At that moment, a messenger hurried up from behind. "General Kenobi is awake!"

In this increasingly gloomy atmosphere, this news was like a glimmer of light.

Tell them I'll be there soon.

"Yes, sir!"

The messenger turned and left.

Obi-Wan turned around, his gaze sweeping across the viewing window, looking at the wreckage left by the fierce battle outside.

He had read the report and was really curious about who that separatist commander was.
They actually managed to destroy their flagship using a combination of fire and self-sinking.

Unfortunately, everyone who knew what happened on the Intrepid was dead, and they probably didn't even understand how they died.

Therefore, the only way to find out the answer is to ask the few clone soldiers who narrowly escaped the explosion and are still unconscious.

And there's also Master Procon.

At that moment, Obi-Wan Kenobi ran into Master Seth Tion at the entrance to the flight deck.

The Jedi Master Iktoch's face was ashen, as stiff as the horns on his head.

The Iktochi are naturally sensitive to the Force, and have a unique talent for foreseeing the future.

Before the explosion, Master Tien sensed the danger and led his fighter squadron to take cover behind a battleship.

Even so, he still lost half a squadron.

“It’s rare to see such a meticulously calculated scheme that could catch Master Pro off guard,” the usually taciturn Jedi Master said. “Something must have happened on that Conqueror-class flagship, the Vengeance, that shook him to his core.”

“It’s not often that you can encounter an opponent as ruthless as yourself,” Obi-Wan agreed. “Even tactical robots have some kind of self-preservation program.”

Prokhor is one of the most senior members of the Jedi High Council, having been promoted in the same year as Master Windu.

If anything were to happen to him, it would be a devastating blow to the samurai order.

Obi-Wan Kenobi felt that this was truly a close call.

The medical cabin of the "Vigilance" was spotless, with rows of beds and bakta treatment pods capable of treating hundreds of people at the same time.

Pro Kong had already sat up, and there were no visible signs of injury.

“Master, it’s so good to see you’re alright,” Obi-Wan said.

Prokhor slowly raised his head, looked at Seth Tion, and said slowly, "The loss of the 'Dauntless'..."

“It’s nothing compared to your safety, old friend,” Tien interrupted him. “The important thing is that you’re still alive.”

"But it's something I entrusted to you..."

"No one could have imagined that the enemy would be so ruthless."

(End of this chapter)