Stellaris Wars: A Clone Wars Ironman Saga

[Arithmetician]

The fleet that Opalwan, A’Nikori, and Admiral Ruiz departed with was much larger than the one they had taken to Scyldaria. Fourteen Acclamators, of both the carrier Acclamator I variant and the heavier Acclamator II variant anchored their strike force, along with a Dreadnaught. Sixteen Arquitens-class light cruisers escorted the fleet, in addition to two Pelta-class destroyers to provide additional point defense to the fleet, numerous CR70 Chargers and several Light Assault Cruisers (LACs), though they would be more accurately classified as frigates.

A second, smaller fleet with another eight cruisers and its own set of escorts followed shortly behind them.

The first real clash of the Chinorr campaign occurred in the Ginam System, with two Separatist fleets jumping out of hyperspace on opposite sides of the system after the Republic strike force had taken its starbase.

The CR70 Chargers rushed forward to engage the Chinorr frigates that were closer to the fleet.

On the other side of the system, five Munificent-class cruisers and their escorts closed in. Their main guns weren’t as heavy or as long-ranged as those of the Recusant, but they were designed to carry more numerous smaller and medium-sized guns that could better track Republic corvettes, frigates, and destroyers, while still dealing a sizable broadside punch to other cruisers.

With most of the enemy frigates neutralized, the fleet turned to face the incoming Separatist cruisers.

Autocannons burst to life, spraying rapid-fire projectile rounds at the fleet.

But while the trusty Amoeba Flagella were slower and less agile than traditional starfighters, they soon managed to get in close to the enemy fleet, bypassing the shields of the Separatist cruisers and delivering their heavy organic payloads, which were remarkably effective at eating through armor. Guided even more precisely through the Jedi and their connection to the Living Force, the Amoebas made quick work of the Munificents.

“That was easy!” A’Nikori said after the last of the Munificents had either been destroyed or made an emergency hyperspace retreat.

“Too easy, in fact,” Opalwan said. “I sense a trap."

Separatist Cruiser, Deneb System...

“Um, Sir, those fleets made contact with the Republic’s strike force in Ginam like you ordered,” a B1 droid reported to the Tactical Droid that served as its commanding officer, “but was it really necessary to throw away so many ships? Each of those cruisers had over two hundred droids aboard!"

“I don’t care,” the Tactical Droid replied, a touch of imperiousness in its electronic monotone. “The ships are with acceptable losses, and their droid crews are statistically irrelevant. We have probed the Republic strike force and assessed its defensive capabilities. Now our victory in the coming battle is all but assured. Their chances of success against us are 742 to 1."

The Chief Executive Officer of the Chinorr Industrial Combine, who was listening to the conversation via holotransmitter, told the Tactical Droid, “You had better be right."

“I am a droid,” it responded. “I am always right."

 

[Arithmetician]

“General Starflier, three Separatist fleets, on the far side of the gas giant Olympus,” Admiral Ruiz reported. “They’re in position to try to flank and encircle us as we approach."

“I told you I sensed a trap,” Opalwan said.

“But that also means their forces are spread apart from each other!” A’Nikori countered. “As long as we keep ours together, and take out one at a time, we should have the advantage!"

“Each of their fleets are about equal in strength,” Admiral Ruiz said. “We may not be able to fully rout one of them before the others close into attack range. But that still my thought, General Starflier. Even weakening one or two of their fleets before the last one can engage us will tilt things in our favor. We’ll stay on the near side of Olympus, and let them come to us."

That was a bit more passive of an approach than A’Nikori would have liked, but Opalwan agreed that it was sound, and privately she knew it was as well.

“Very good, Generals,” Ruiz told them. “I’ll transmit the battle plan to the other clone captains."

The Separatist fleets began their attack.

The rightmost fleet was led by a Recusant-class cruisers, with three Munificents, eight Diamond-class destroyers, and dozens of Geonosian-manufactured Kolivex-class corvettes.

The leftmost fleet was the heaviest in terms of cruisers, with seven Munificents. Besides its Diamond and Kolivex escorts, it had a number of Hardcell-class frigates from, armed with torpedoes that were ready to punch through the hulls of any Republic cruisers that they got too close too.

In contrast, the central fleet in the rear had the least cruisers, with only three Munificents, but it had the largest number of corvettes and frigates, meant to bog the Republic down and keep them from escaping once the other two fleets had moved in.

“Fire on my command!” Ruiz ordered.

Heavy laser cannons shot from the Acclamator-IIs at the incoming Separatist fleets, while the Republic’s lighter vessels rushed to keep the enemy from crossing the Orbit of Olympus. A small number of Centax-class cruisers also rushed forward with their powerful engines, ready to deliver their own torpedoes into the hull any Separatist cruisers that got close.

“Left and right Separatist fleets engaged,” Ruiz reported. “Our cruisers are still in defensive formation."

The main battle line of the left Separatist fleet, which was the closest to the Republic strike force, steadily approached.

“They’re almost at Olympus! Things are abut to get hairy if we don’t take out more of those cruisers!"

Swarms of Separatist destroyers and corvettes reached the gas giant, clashing with the Republic’s front line there.

With the main Separatist line so close, the Republics' Acclamators began advancing as well, so they could bring more of their weaponry to bear.

Now at point-blank range, Acclamator and Munificent cruisers began to exchange broadside volleys with each other.

One Acclamator, the Screeching Gull, valiantly fought against three Munificent cruisers at once. It was taking a pounding, but it was holding on, carrying out its duty without flinching.

A’Nikori made a mental note to make sure that the Screeching Gull's crew was commended for their bravery after the battle.

More Acclamators crossed Olympus themselves, providing much-needed support to the Screeching Gull. Together, they began pushing the Separatist fleets back, even as the third one tried to reinforce the middle.

Before long, the Separatist lines were collapsing, with the Republic in hot pursuit.

“Does not compute. Does not compute. Does not compute,” the Tactical Droid repeated on the bridge of his cruiser, moments before it exploded.

The Chinor’s highest ranking surviving organic fleet officer, Glosch, took command of the remaining Chinorr squadrons, and retreated before they could suffer any further losses.

The Republic had significant casualties among its corvette and frigate contingents, and lost three of its Arquitens light cruisers in the battle, but all of its Acclamators and Centax cruisers had survived.

And so the fleet would press on toward Al Dabaran, while transports for ground forces were given the go-ahead to move in behind them.

 

[HistoryDude]

A victory is won.

A'Nikori being encouraged to hate... not good. Not good at all. Mind, hatred is natural, but it can still lead to the Dark Side, especially if it overtakes a sapient being.

Yodex mistrusts the Chancellor? Good. Let's hope he doesn't move too quickly, though. A coup before the Clone Wars end would be a disaster...

Eerabik's salivating at the Sword of the Huntress, isn't she?

 

[Arithmetician]

@HistoryDude

(Yodex has noticed how Eerabik is increasingly ordering the Jedi around, which is overstepping her official authority over the Jedi, at least for the present moment, which is what he privately objects to. That said, their assigned missions are at least understandable in the context of defending the Republic, for now. And Yodex has volunteered to go to Salluria of his own accord, rather than being told to go there by the Chancellor. Still far off from any coup or Jedi Rebellion though. The Chancellor would need to do something far more blatant for the Jedi to contemplate such a drastic step.)

(Among the elites of Coruscant, Eerabik, like her late political mentor, Mynach Konning, has a well known interest in collecting relics and other minor artifacts for their artistic and historic value. There could not possibly be any ulterior motives there, nor is the fact that a handful of Dark Side artifacts ended up among them particularly unusual for avid collectors who are not themselves publically known to be Force-sensitive, considering how prevalent the ancient Sith Empire used to be before it was defeated by the Jedi. Of course, the Jedi try to keep the public from acquiring such artifacts when possible, recognizing that they are dangerous, but there they cannot entirely stop their trade in practice, especially not with a war going on.)

(Darth Vidia, of course, has a vested interest in acquiring such artifacts for herself.)

 

[Macavity116]

This battle at Deneb seems to be a... proportional... response to the initial hostilities at the Ginam System.

 

[Arithmetician]

“General Ben’itoite,” Admiral Ruiz reported. “A Separatist fleet has entered the Orantes Shroud, and has ambushed supply convoys, cutting off our reinforcements."

“They would have had to go through the Tezekian Sector to do that,” Opalwan said, surprised.

“That’s the thing, General,” Ruiz replied. “They appear to be mercenaries operating out of Tezekian space, hired by the Industrial Combine to make up for their losses at Deneb."

“We’ll need to dislodge those mercenaries, then,” Opalwan said.

“But Master,” A’Nikori said, a mark of respect toward him even if he was not technically her Master any longer, “we’ve almost finished pacifying the Deneb sector of its Separatist presence, and were about to start moving on so we could liberate Al Dabaran. Doubling back to the Orantes Shroud now will stall the momentum of our offensive! We can retake Al Dabaran with the ships and troops we have!"

“A’Nikori, the hyperlanes through the Orantes Shroud are our only route of resupply without pushing deep through Separatist territory, or having the supply convoys go all the way around through the Core of Tezekian space and then link up with us once we reach Al Dabaran. Logistics wins wars, my old apprentice. We will retake the Orantes Corridor."

A’Nikori grumbled slightly at being overruled, but she knew the decision had been made.

Their fleets met the mercenaries at the southwest terminus of the Orantes Corridor, the Etsceron System, which was not technically part of the Orantes Shroud itself, but situated just along its outer edge.

“Those are Republic vessels!” A’Nikori shouted angrily when she saw the enemy’s ships on the view screen. “And dozens of them! Either someone in the Tezekian Sector Defense Forces has sold us out, or they’re just so incompetent and corrupt that they can’t even keep track of their own ships!"

“But they don’t have any cruisers or strike craft,” Opalwan said. “As long as our own can get through, and we can keep our cruisers safe, we should outlast them."

A barrage of long-range missiles fired from Opalwan and A’Nikori’s ships, while their carriers began deploying their Amoeba squadrons.

The nimble mercenary corvettes and frigates easily evaded many of the missiles, and it wasn’t long before both fleets were clashing in close quarters.

“Watch out for friendly fire,” Opalwan cautioned. “It can hard to tell friend from foe in the thick of this fight."

“I know, Opalwan!"

It was a short but intense fight. A’Nikori’s instincts proved true, and she was both able to avoid causing unnecessary casualties. She then, aided by Admiral Ruiz, directed a series of strikes that disabled the Arquitens light cruiser that served as the mercenaries’ command vessel, which she was able to identify by reaching out with the Force.

With their fighting cohesion rapidly collapsing, the mercenaries routed and fled in an hasty retreat to hyperspace.

“The Orantes Corridor is once again secure," Opalwan said. “Good work, A’Nikori!"

Opalwan’s approval filled her with warmth.

“They’ll need more surprises than that to stop us, Master” she replied.

 

[Arithmetician]

Once against advancing deeper into Chinorr space, A’Nikori and Opalwan encountered a pair of Separatist fleets in the Ojlars System that were attempting to reinforce their hold over the nearby Al Dabaran System.

If they had been just a bit slower with dealing with the mercenaries in the Orantes Corridor, the Separatists might just have succeeded.

“They’re almost ready to jump,” Opalwan said. “We’ll never reach their cruisers in time."

“I beg to differ,” A’Nikori said. “Admiral Ruiz specializes at long-range barrages. All we have to do is... divert full power to the engines!"

“Right away, General,” the clones on the bridge said.

Just before the Separatists could get away, missiles launched from the fleet triggered safeguards that abruptly aborted their jump to hyperspace before it could begin. Turning to face the threat, sixteen Munificents, two Recusants, and their Kolivex escorts began flying toward the Republic fleet.

The Separatist cruisers unleashed withering crossfire as the Republic’s smaller vessels attempted to engage them, quickly causing two of the leading Arquitens light cruisers to explode.

As the Acclamators and the Amoebae closed in, the Separatist cruisers began taking casualties themselves. But by now the second Separatist fleet in the system had rushed to the assistance of their cruisers, bringing in more corvettes, destroyers, and a squadron of Hardcell-class frigates.

A portion of the Republic’s fleet, under Ruiz’s command, hung back and continued whittling away at the Separatist fleets with sustained missile and laser fire, while Opalwan and A’Nikori kept the enemy busy.

The strategy proved effective, and soon, the Separatist fleets at Ojlars were destroyed.

With the loss of the fleets meant to reinforce it, the Grand Army of the Republic was able to take the space around Al Dabaran nearly unopposed. Then, it was just a matter of sweeping away the droids on the surface with the clone soliders and shutting down the Separatist droid factory on the planet.

“That was child’s play,” A’Nikori said. “If we keep this up, the Separatists won’t stand a chance in this war."

Meanwhile, on Salluria IV....

Yodex’s detachment of Clone Soldiers were fighting valiantly from defensive positions, alongside the plantoid Raxycodians of the Sector’s Defense Forces, but the droids storming the harbor had them badly outnumbered. And when General Dolorous began indiscriminately bombarding both their positions and the civilian centers of the nearby planetary capital from orbit, it was as good as over.

“Failed, I have,” Yodex said as the Separatists stormed the beaches, beginning to slaughter what remained of the defenders below. He turned to his surviving clone soldiers. “What civilians we can, evacuate, we must. But return, I will."

On the bridge of his cruiser, Dolorous watched as shuttles and escape pods blinked away from the besieged ocean world and into hyperspace.

“Run, Jedi, run. You have only prolonged the inevitable,” General Dolorous laughed.

The Jedi Grand Master may have eluded him today, but there would always be more Jedi to kill, and more lightsabers to for him to collect as trophies.

And with the Hazbuzan Syndicate subjugated as well, the entire eastern half of the galaxy, save for the Unknown Regions and their Fallen Empires, was under the Confederacy's control.

 

[HistoryDude]

The GAR wins a nice pair of victories, but Dolorus remains an ever-present threat. Will Yodex ever achieve his revenge?

Is Eerabik just being less subtle and passing it off as the incompetence of the local sector? If she gives Republic ships to the Confederacy, it increases fear... and makes the sector governments look incompetent, so the public will be more likely to support a proposal to centralize power around the Chancellor...

 

[Arithmetician]

@HistoryDude

(Jedi Masters like Yodex, who are firmly aligned with the Light Side of the Force, do not seek revenge. Revenge comes from anger, which is a path to the Dark Side.)

(That would be a pretty good explanation for things. In-game, it’s because the Tezekians founded a Mercenary Enclave, which does not discriminate between potential customers when renting out fleets.)

 

[Arithmetician]

“We can’t let the Separatists get away with this!” A’Nikori said when the news of the Sallurian Sector’s fall came. “If they took one of our sectors, we’re going to take one of theirs!"

“A’Nikori, our mission was to secure Al Dabaran,” Opalwan replied. “We have succeeded in that. The loss of the fuel supplied by its exotic gas refineries will greatly hamper General Dolorous’s ability to advance further for now. And without their chemical plants or the ability to mine Al Daraban’s rare kyber crystals, the Separatists will be not able to field as many advanced weapons systems against the Republic."

“We have our fleet in position! The Industrial Combine is still vulnerable! We can push our way to Chiconaph, and take them out of the war! Or are we just going to let the opportunity slip by?” She paced back and forth. “Yes, Dolorous’s fuel supplies will be interrupted, for a time. But if we relent now, the Industrial Combine will just rebuild its refineries and chemical plants elsewhere, or find new worlds to mine kyber crystals on. They might not be as rich as Al Dabaran, but we’ll soon find ourselves right back where we started!"

“What a commendable show of initiative, A’Nikori!” said the holographic visage of Supreme Chancellor Eerabik, who had been listening to their debate. “Indeed, if you believe that your forces are up to it, I encourage you to strike while the iron is still hot! The Pelismus and the Ymorz have dealt another blow to the B1 army to the galactic north, and in the unlikely event that General Dolorous seeks to attack the Core Worlds so soon after his Sallurian campaign, when he must surely spend time resupplying and refueling, they are pledged to come to our aid. And thanks to your efforts, Dolorous will find it much more difficult to keep his forces on the move, at least in the short term."

“Thank you, Chancellor!” A’Nikori replied.

“As always, I continue to watch your career with great interest,” Eerabik said.

The hologram flickered out as the transmission ended.

“Admiral Ruiz, lead us to Chiconaph!” A’Nikori said.

“Right away, General Starflier!"

Opalwan shook his head as the fleet began plotting its course.

“I have a bad feeling about this,” he murmured.

Chiconaph was only a few hyperspace jumps away from the fleet’s current location. Following a path of least resistance, they would encounter only light Separatist outposts, and pass by a colony at Dulshi, before moving on to Chiconaph itself.

The Separatists had also recognized the strategic importance of Dulshi, and had thus amassed a fleet of cruisers of light escorts there.

Driving forward relentlessly, the Republic’s fleet smashed through the enemy line.

But then there was an unexpected problem. A major Separatist fleet had appeared along the hyperfine protecting the most direct route to Chiconaph. There was another route, but it would mean breaking through the Chinorr’s bastion at Zithri.

“They won’t stop us that easily!” A’Nikori declared. “Attacking through their bastion will be the last thing they expect!"

But as they arrived at Zithri, Opalwan found that he had a VERY bad feeling about it.

“A’Nikori, there are more Separatist ships in the system than expected!” he called out.

But the Separatist’s forces had already moved to engage them.

“I’ll have our escorts cover our cruisers!” Ruiz said, quickly issuing orders like the professional he was.

But the Separatists continued to close in, cutting through the CR70 Chargers, LACs, and Arquitens-class light cruisers that were protecting the Acclamators.

“We’re going to start losing our cruisers any moment now!” Opalwan said, a remark punctuated as a Centax-class torpedo cruiser exploded under Separatist fire in the distance.

“It’s alright, General Ben’itoite,” Ruiz responded. “We’ll have the fleet fall back and retreat to Holding Sector MD-7."

“Admiral!” one of the bridge crew shouted from their station. “We have enemy ships in Sector MD-7!"

“It’s a trap!” Opalwan exclaimed.

“Corvettes and frigates coming in!"

“There’s too many of them!” the voice of an Arquitens captain shouted before his ship vanished in a volley of enemy fire.

“All of our escorts are down!” Opalwan said. “We’re sitting ducks out here, A’Nikori!"

“I-“ she started. “This isn’t supposed to be happening!” she raged.

“it’s not your fault, General Starflier,” Ruiz told her. “I speak for all of my brothers that we were glad to follow you, and you led us to many victories. The Republic needs both you and General Ben’itoite. We’ll buy the rest of the fleet time to make an an emergency jump."

“We’re not leaving you and your men, Ruiz!” A’Nikori protested.

“You’ve done your duty, General. Now let us do ours."

“He’s right, A’Nikori,” Opalwan said. “He has a job, and we have to let him do it. Otherwise, everyone in this fleet will die."

“But that doesn’t mean I have to like it!”

A’Nikori shook her head, and took several deep breaths. “Don’t you go dying on me,” she ordered.

“We’ll always have your back, General Starflier,” Ruiz replied.

“May the Force be with you,” Opalwan said as he and A’Nikori toward to evacuate.

“It’s been an honor, Generals."

That sounded far too much like a goodbye to A’Nikori’s ears.

xXx​

It was funny, Ruiz thought. Clone soldiers like himself were trained to not believe in superstition, lest it compromise their combat effectiveness. Yet his time serving with the Jedi had shown him a glimpse of something far greater than any of themselves. He may not understand it, but he knew that in the Force, the Jedi had an ally, and a powerful ally it was, binding them together.

And so he believed not only in Opalwan’s parting words, but what he had told A’Nikori, even as Separatist torpedoes ruptured his ship’s main reactor, causing an explosion that rapidly filled his vision and made everything go white.

They would be with General Starflier, always.

xXx
​

Even aboard their escape pod in hyperspace, A’Nikori didn’t need to be told that Ruiz was dead.

Through the Force, she felt it as Ruiz’s life was extinguished, along with those of all the other clones on his ship.

“I failed them,” she said. “It’s my fault they died!”

Her talons shook. “No... it’s T’Duku, the Separatists, and their stupid war! I HATE them! I will become the most powerful Jedi ever, so that we can END this war, Opalwan! And one day... I’ll even learn how to stop people from dying!"

“A’Nikori, listen to yourself!” Opalwan scolded. “You are treading right into the Dark Side as you speak! That is where hate flows from! And for our bodies to die, and our spirits to pass onto the Force is part of life itself, no matter when or how that time comes! No one can, or should seek to stop death forever!"

A’Nikori looked like she had been slapped, but then began crying.

“I’m sorry, Opalwan. I know I’m better than that. I’m a Jedi Knight. I don’t know what came over me."

Opalwan heard the clear remorse in A’Nikori’s voice, and knew that she had just stepped back from the brink of plunging headlong into the Dark Side.

But it wouldn’t be a moment that either of them would ever forget.

xXx
​

Just under half of the Republic’s cruisers that had gone into the battle of Zithri managed to limp back to Al Dabaran, and then to Coruscant.

The Republic was able to maintain its hold on Al Dabaran, but with the losses it had sustained, it was unable to keep the Chinorr Industrial Combine from reclaiming the Deneb Sector.

Admiral Moreau, a clone like Ruiz, who thus shared his face, save for the fact that Moreau had begun growing a small beard, was appointed by Chancellor Eerabik to assume command of what remained of the fleet. Moreau was noted by many to be particularly loyal to the Chancellor, even among his brethren.

xXx
​

“Lady Vidia!” General Dolorous said, briefly bowing before the hooded hologram. “The war goes well! In spite of some momentary... interruptions in our supply lines, we are poised to crush the Republic!"

“You have done extremely well, General Dolorous,” Darth Vidia’s smooth voice said softly. “I am most pleased. But do not mistake the Republic’s defeat in the Zithri System for a sign of weakness. Your focus should now be on consolidating your gains."

“And give the Republic a chance to recover?! You must be joking, Lady Vidia!"

“The Confederacy is far larger than what remains of the Republic now. You can build your strength far more rapidly than theirs, so that when the blow finally falls against them, it is sure to be decisive. You need not worry, General. Already, I foresee that the Republic will have other concerns to deal with on their doorstep. They will be quite occupied for some time. "

“As you wish, Lady Vidia,” Dolorous said with another bow.

But he was clearly in a bad mood, for he smashed the skull of one of his organic bridge crew in after skulking out of the holoprojection chamber.

 

[HistoryDude]

Yep. A'Nikori is still slipping too close to the Dark Side. That can't end well.

Great. A commander personally loyal to the Sith chancellor... that's... not amazing.

 

[Arithmetician]

@HistoryDude

(Whatever do you mean? )

(And a Sith chancellor?! Now you’re talking like a Separatist! )

 

[Arithmetician]

In times of tragedy, war rages on, and a new crisis threatens the very survival of the already beleaguered Republic!

The barbarous Pictlings have suddenly united under a common banner, and have sworn vengeance against the Republic for the alleged destruction of one of their void dwellings!

Leading the Pictling Horde as their Khan is the enigmatic Wheil Wavemaker, a being whispered to be unrivaled in his military genius and strength in the Force!

Advancing swiftly, the Pictling Horde has devastated the Republic’s Sector Defense Fleets, with none seemingly able to stand against the mighty Khan and his wrath!

Rebuilding its navy after the debacle at Zithri, the Grand Army of the Republic must face its greatest challenge yet! But for A’Nikori Starflier, facing the Khan seems far easier than her newest responsibility...

 

[Macavity116]

The barbarous Pictlings have suddenly united under a common banner, and have sworn vengeance against the Republic for the alleged destruction of one of their void dwellings!

Oh, that's bad. The Republic still isn't finished with its first war!

 

[Arithmetician]

The Great Khan, Wheil Wavemaker, announced his campaign against the Republic in a transmission that was rebroadcast across the HoloNet. He claimed that the Ymorz Sector Defense Forces had senselessly murdered millions of his people without provocation by destroying one of their Void Dwellings, which the Office of the Chancellor denied. But while most of the surviving Pictlings were driven primarily by a desire for revenge, Wavemaker himself seemed to have grander ambitions. Looking out at the galaxy, he saw it in turmoil, with the ongoing Clone Wars posing no safe haven for his people within the crossfire between the Republic and the Confederacy. And so while the Republic was his primary target, he was prepared to fight the Separatists as well to ensure the future of Pictlings and their place in galactic history.

The Great Khan’s armada flew forth from the Raigunoth System, and while its ships may have appeared to be a haphazard collection of scrap metal and asteroids welded together that had little right being spaceworthy, a great many had been assembled in a short time, or retrieved from hidden anchorages. And the combination of Wheil Wavemaker’s leadership skills and the zeal of his followers was more than enough to make up for any shortcomings in their vessels.

Supreme Chancellor Eerabik used the imminent threat of the Pictling Horde to push through legislation increasing the centralization of the Republic’s sector defense forces under the Grand Army of the Republic.

Once that passed, the Republic Senate approved further legislation proposed by Eerabik that directed each Sector to contribute a greater portion of their fleet personnel and ships to the ‘Grand Navy of the Republic’, which would be the spaceborne counterpart of the Grand Army of the Republic and better provide for a common defense. Both would remain under the Chancellor’s supervision, and the Jedi would continue to lead both the Grand Navy and the Grand Army in the field.

The Senate also began to debate what some referred to as the ‘Enemy of My Enemy’ resolution, which would further increase funding for the maintenance and logistics of the navy, and prepare member states to counterattack against outside threats.

Eerabik also saw to it that construction began on an orbital ring around Kuat, to house extensive new shipyards that would be essential to not only building the Grand Navy of the Repubilc, but quickly replacing any losses it might incur against the Khan or in the ongoing Clone Wars.

But in the meantime, the Great Khan was cutting a wide path through the Ymorz Sector, and moving to the Wacegi Sector as well, with no signs of slowing down.

It was imperative for the Jedi to lead a force to stop the Pictling Horde before the Khan’s fleet could take more star systems and threaten the Core Worlds themselves.

Jedi Temple, Coruscant

“A’Nikori Starflier, someone for you to meet, there is,” Master Yodex Grogem said.

“Who is this?” A’Nikori asked, seeing a young female of the aquatic Thamesian species, white tattoos on her face. Most Thamesians, back on their distant homeworld, did not wear clothes, whether young or old, but this one had donned a blue top and a skirt, likely to better fit in with Coruscant’s norms.

“A youngling?” Opalwan murmured quizzically.

“Your new Padawan, this is, Starflier."

“My name is Akkano, Master Starflier,” the young Thamesian said. "I look forward to continuing my Jedi training with you!"

Opalwan’s crystalline eyes lit up. “Ah, yes, that makes sense now."

“What are you talking about?” A’Nikori said.

“I spoke to Master Grogem after the last campaign, A’Nikori,” Opalwan explained.

“The fear of loss, you have,” Yodex continued. “Reckless, you are. But teach responsibility to you, teaching and looking after her will. Treat her life carelessly, you will not. And the responsibility of all Jedi, teaching to the next generation is."

So being saddled with a Padawan was meant to teacher her a lesson for her failure at Zithri, A’Nikori realized. It was a punishment.

“She’s just going to slow me down! I can’t take her with me... especially not against the Khan!"

“Fear, do you?” Yodex asked.

“No! I-“ A’Nikori started, struggling to find an adequate reply. “A Jedi Knight is supposed to choose their own Padawan learner anyway!"

“Few Jedi to spare, we have,” Yodex said. “To the front lines, even Padawans are being called. Protect the Republic, we must. But learn, she will, just as learn, you once did, and keep learning, you will."

“I think that if you give Akkano a chance, you will find you are a better teacher and a Jedi than you give yourself credit for,” Opalwan added.

“Fine,” A’Nikori replied. “But for the record, this is a mistake."

“A’Nikori!” Opalwan scolded.

“Don’t worry,” Akkano said. “You might not believe in me now, Master Starflier, but I’ll show you what I can do!"

“You’re going to have to.” A’Nikori shook her had. “There are the Trials, but you’re diving right into the fire."

 

[HistoryDude]

That isn't going to end well.

The threat of the Khan is new... but I can't help wondering if it was somehow planned, given the power that Eerabik managed to gain from it. I just don't understand how the Sith would manage to manipulate a nomadic people...

 

[Arithmetician]

@HistoryDude (Easy... just murder millions of them by deliberately having one of the Sector Defense Forces attack their Void Dwellings, then deny the atrocity to the Republic’s own citizens.. Revenge is a powerful and predictable motive.)

(The Separatists are taking a pause from further expansion in the name of ‘consolidating their gains’, much to General Dolorous’ resentment, thanks to Darth Vidia, but the Khan’s threat ensures that the Republic continues to militarize and centralize its power.)

 

[Arithmetician]

The development of more advanced starfighters saw the faithful amoeba flagella, which had served the Republic in the Scyldaria and Chinorr campaigns, phased out on newer carriers. Opalwan felt a bit sad to see them go, but A’Nikori was excited to to take a more up-close and personal approach to space combat, even if that meant she had to train Akkano how to fly a starfighter as well.

At least Akkano seemed to pick up the basics quickly, though only time would tell how she would actually perform in a real battle against the Khan.

xXx​

Some among the Separatists saw the Great Khan as an opportunity to try to extract concessions from the Republic, offering an end to hostilities in return for the return of all occupied Confederate worlds and recognition of their independence and territorial claims, reasoning the Republic could not afford to fight both the Khan and the Clone Wars at the same time.

The envoy never had the chance to formally present her proposal to the Senate.

Darth Vidia saw to it that the envoy met an untimely end.

She didn’t even have to kill the envoy herself.

A handful of the Republic’s loyalists, notably from in its military-industrial complex, only needed the slightest bit of nudging before they took it upon themselves to assassinate the Separatist envoy, while thinking it had been their own idea all along.

Poki B’Donag’s body was disposed of and immolated in the foundries of one of Coruscant’s industrial districts.

But most of the Republic's senators did not know that, and the Jedi remained unaware of the plot.

Officially, Poki B’Donag was still a missing person, and the circumstances of her disappearance were still unknown.

It was a case that would never be solved.

 

[Arithmetician]

As preparations were still underway for the Grand Navy of the Republic, scientists reported the discovery of Yuhtaan Majoris, the homeworld of an ancient precursor civilization. While the world itself had been damaged beyond repair by an extensive orbit bombardment, caches of valuable resources could still be found, which could be used to fund the Republic’s war efforts, while an abundance of scrap metal and derelict hulls still floating throughout the system could be reprocessed into new and stronger alloys.

A research station would be established over Yuhtaan Majoris itself, and one of the gas giants in the system had a wealth of exotic gas in its thick atmosphere, turning the system into a major refueling depot for the GAR and the navy.

Also of note was the ancient Yuht Cryo Core discovered on Yuhtaan Majoris. The field technology used to maintain cryostasis quickly led Republic scientists and engineers improve the cooling systems of turbolasers and blaster cannons, allowing them to fire approximately 20% faster. There was also the possibility of using the Yuht's cryogenic technology to greatly reduce the expense of transporting large numbers of Clone Soldiers across the galaxy, by keeping them in stasis until they were needed.

Meanwhile, the northern sectors were doing extremely poorly against the Great Khan. Word reached Coruscant that the Ymorz Sector had just officially surrendered to the Khan, taking one of the Republic’s largest sector economies and the battered remnants of the Ymorz Sector’s defense forces with them.

Now, the Great Khan was ravaging the Wacego Iftlar Sector, and moving toward the Pelisimus Sector, which had been responsible for the former’s administration after the defeat of the Separatists there. Without help, the Pelisimus were sure to fall as well in time.

And then the Great Khan would be on the doorstep of the Core Worlds.

However, the GAR’s scientists had just developed a new capital ship, a combination battleship-carrier that promised to become the workhorse of the navy.

The Venator-class Star Destroyer, from an ancient word meaning “Hunter”, was 1,137 meters long, to the Acclamators 752 meters, with eight hardpoints where its main cannons could be attached, and a long dorsal hangar that could hold over three times as many starfighters as the Accalamator’s carrier variant, along with smaller hangar doors on its port and starboard sides. Depending on its particular loadout, the Venator could also boast missiles or point-defense guns, and it could endure significantly more punishment than an Acclamator.

Venator would serve as the Jedi’s new flagships in fleet operations going forward.

The Clone Wars had led to the formation of many mercenary companies, offering their fleet and logistical services to both sides in the conflict. They had become prevalent enough that they had come to the attention of the Galactic Senate, which was now debating whether they should be employed to provide an emergency response against the Great Khan.

The Great Khan realized this, and began destroying the stations from which mercenary companies in Wacegi space operated, so that they could not assist the Pelisimus or GAR as he continued his advance.

These attacks and others sent planet of Wacegins fleeing toward the Core Worlds. And while they had been former Separatists, the Jedi saw that what resources could be spared were set aside for badly needed relief.

But true relief, thought A’Nikori, would only come once the Great Khan had been defeated and the attacks were stopped altogether.

And so, she traveled alongside her Padawan, Akkano, with the fleet as it made its way toward Wacego Iftlar, where the Great Khan’s fleet had been massing...

 

[Arithmetician]

In the distance, across the Wacego Iftlar system, an armada of ramshackle-looking ships, metal crudely bolted to asteroids, appeared on the Republic’s vliewscreens.

“That’s the Great Khan’s personal fleet, dead ahead!"

“Launch fighters!” Admiral Moreau ordered. “For the Chancellor!"

At once, the dorsal hangar doors of the Venators opened, letting strike craft take off en masse.

“Are you ready, Squirt?” A’Nikori asked Akkano. It was nickname that she had once used during a particularly frustrating training session with her Padawan, who had taken it as a challenge to keep pushing herself.

“Of course I am, Starfly!” she replied, impudently shortening her Master’s epithet, but there wasn’t any real ill will behind it, just a competitive spirit and a desire to prove herself.

A’Nikori knew that Opalwan would probably say she was being a bad influence on Akkano. And he may well be right. But this was what she had been training Akkano for; her first real space battle.

Their starfighters, Delta-7 Aethersprite light interceptors, took off, accelerating to high speeds.

The quickly caught up to the CR70 Chargers and Arquitens that formed the first line up the Republic’s forces as they met the Great Khan’s advancing fleet.

“There it is, Squirt! Wavemaker’s Galleon!” A’Nikori said her her comm channel.

“It’s huge...” Akkano murmured.

“We’ll take out their raiders and cruisers, so the rest of our fighters can move in. Try to keep up!"

The Khan’s forces fired on the Republic’s smaller ships, while the Venators took up the rear, accompanied by two old, cylindrical-shaped Invincible-class Dreadnaughts, relics of the Old Republic that had been restored and pressed back into service. 2,011 meters long, they were armed with heavy, long-range cannons, which could still do significant damage to the Khan’s forces if kept intact.

“General Starflier, our corvettes are engaging their cruisers at point-blank range!” Admiral Moreau reported.

“Keep those cruisers busy for a few moments,” A’Nikori replied. “My Padawan and I are about to start our attack run!"

But as they flew closer, A’Nikori and Akkano felt a powerful presence reach out to their minds.

“You think you can resist me, Jedi?” the voice of Great Khan Wheil Wavemaker. “The tides of history are on my my side."

“You’ve caused so much death and destruction already,” Akkano’s voice replied, surprising even A’Nikori with how quickly she did so. “We will defeat you, in the name of peace!"

“Peace? What peace can there be when your Republic sought to commit genocide against my people?"

“The Republic would do no such thing!” A’Nikori said vehemently.

“A’Nikori Starflier... the famous Jedi...I have heard much about you. And your Padawan... she has some spirit, but to spout such platitudes at me... they are secondhand beliefs. What does she, what do you stand for? I reject not only your Republic and the Confederacy, but the Jedi and the Sith as well, who keep the galaxy locked in an eternal recurrence of conflict! I shall sweep it all aside, and then my people, and the galaxy, will know true freedom!"

“We came to fight you, not debate philosophy!” A’Nikori shouted back. “I am judgment, brought upon you!"

Great Khan Wavemaker laughed. “So you fight not as the Republic or the Jedi’s judgment, but judgment itself? Very well, then. Let us fight like legends, freed of the Light and the Dark! But your will cannot match my own! My wave of conquest is inexorable!"

Flak erupted around A’Nikori, Akkano, and their clone wingmen dove in toward the Great Khan’s galleon.

“Get low, and take out the guns!” A’Nikori ordered. “Shields, double-front!"

“I’m on it, Starfly!"

Akkano damaged one of the flak batteries, but their clone wingmen had still taken casualties on the approach.

“Master, we need a new plan!” she said, dismayed. “We can get through that fire, but they can’t!"

“Loop around, and use that habitat for cover!” A’Nikori said as the remaining flak batteries took out another of their clone wingmen. “Then attack from the other side!"

“Right away, General Starflier,” the clone pilots replied.

“General Starflier and Commander Akkano, the fleet is taking heavy casualties,” Admiral Moreau reported. “We’ve just lost an Acclamator and one of the Invincibles, along with many of our escorts."

“Just buy us some more time!” A’Nikori said.

Obliging, Admiral Moreau sent the fleet's Arquitens-class light cruisers and LACs to attack the Great Khan’s galleon from the side, trying to divert attention from the fighters as they came around for another bombing run.

Meanwhile, the Great Khan’s galleon unleashed barrage after barrage of powerful turbo lasers at the fleet’s capital ships, destroying or heavily damaging several of them.

“That thing’s a fleet-killer, General Starflier!” Admiral Moreau said over his channel. “Where are you and your apprentice?!"

“Don’t worry... Starfly and I are going in now!” Akkano’s voice cut in.

“Torpedoes away!” A’Nikori ordered.

Dozens of proton torpedoes rocked the Khan’s galleon, penetrating its shields and blasting holes in its armor.

Meanwhile, Republic cruisers and frigates that had managed to get behind the Khan’s galleon drew its fire, while targeting its engines and weapons magazines.

Explosions rent the side of the enormous Galleon.

“I did not foresee this, Starflier...” the Great Khan murmured. “But the wave of history can only be slowed, not stopped. We will meet again."

“He got away!” Akkano said, as a small Pictling shuttlecraft flew from the doomed Galleon and blinked into hyperspace.

“Well, so much for his supposed infallibility and ‘military genius’,” A’Nikori replied. “We’ll make sure he doesn’t get away next time."