Palpatine watched the Jedi Council's deliberations with inward disdain. A minor incident was brewing into a major crisis.
Amidala had lived up to his expectations. Upon hearing of "civilians suffering" and "democracy being trampled," the Senator from Naboo had pressed the Jedi Council to intervene. However, she clearly valued these moral grounds more than the mineral resources, and the Council's response left him deeply disappointed.
What could a single Jedi, even backed by an entire Clone Legion, accomplish on Jabim? The Separatists there numbered over a million, and the quantity of battle droids was incalculable.
"What additional deployments can we make?" Palpatine asked, feigning concern.
"At present, General Viktor's unit is the nearest and most deployable force within the sector, and they have the most combat experience," Shaak Ti replied. "We can later send more Jedi to Jabim. Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are likely to join them."
"What about those elite Clone Trooper units? Weren't we planning to distribute them across the sectors?" Master Windu perked up.
"Yes, some have already arrived on Coruscant," Shaak Ti nodded.
"Send them on the fastest ship available," Kit Fisto proposed. "They'll reach Lantilles within a day. Warrior Victor has just recovered from the battle on Royce VI, and I doubt he's fit for this mission."
At that moment, a new holographic projection joined the conference.
The projection revealed a confident-looking Jedi Knight, around twenty-three years old, his demeanor far surpassing his years. Beside him stood a young Togruta, clearly his Apprentice.
Palpatine's interest was piqued; this was the first time he had seen this Jedi in such clear detail.
Solo's gaze swept across the assembled figures. When his eyes met Palpatine's, a peculiar look flashed in his eyes before he began, "Mr. Speaker, esteemed Council members, I am prepared to present my report on—"
"General, you have a new mission," Master Windu interrupted, his tone crisp and decisive. "You must quickly replenish your forces with fresh recruits and the latest equipment. The necessary orders will be sent to Sector Command, and the Council will grant you full authority."
Solo tilted his head. Though he had already received some information from Master Yoda, he still found it hard to believe. "Where are we being deployed?"
"Jabim," Plo Koon's holographic projection said, shifting slightly.
"Jabim—" Solo paused, then suddenly erupted into a string of his native curses.
Judging by the others' reactions, none understood the words, only finding them a harsh, unpleasant noise.
Solo quickly switched back to the common tongue, his tone clearly disgruntled. "Are you serious? You're going to cram us into that godforsaken place?"
"Hmm, why do you call Jabim 'godforsaken'?" Ki-Adi-Mundi asked, surprised.
"You have the gall to ask?" Solo raised an eyebrow. "The atmosphere is riddled with ion storms. Miracles are needed just to land without losing ships, and aerial support is a pipe dream! Endless rain and mud mean most of our equipment will get stuck, leaving us with only a few highlands to establish bases. And to top it all off, they're in the middle of a civil war. Why should we get involved?"
"I believe Master Yoda already informed you that we understand your reservations, Warrior Victor!" Windu's tone was stiff. "This is an order!"
His words drew a displeased look from Shaak Ti. "Jabim has discovered rich deposits of rare minerals and is currently under Separatist control. You don't need me to explain the implications for the war."
Solo let out a cold snort, while Palpatine struggled to suppress a smile beside him.
"Oh, wonderful. More clones throwing themselves to their deaths for metal." His voice dripped with sarcasm. "What a noble mission."
Senator Amidala couldn't resist joining the discussion. "Warrior Victor, as a Jedi, you have a duty to intervene—the people there are suffering. It's your responsibility—"
"I respect your political insight, Senator," Solo emphasized the title with deliberate mockery. "But I deeply doubt your knowledge of warcraft."
He tapped his fingers on the table and added, "Getting involved in a civil war would only bring unnecessary trouble to the Republic."
Amidala shot him an icy glare. "Is protecting the Republic's people not the Jedi's duty?"
"You see helpless people," Solo retorted, raising an eyebrow. "I see survivors on an uninhabitable planet." He despised how these Senators always tried to manipulate others with moral grandstanding. In a low voice, he continued, "On Jabim, only the strongest survive. They don't need pity—they need to be left alone."
How intriguing, Palpatine mused. When did this Queen develop such animosity toward this Jedi? To openly defy a Senator like this... this is becoming increasingly interesting.
"You seem quite knowledgeable about the situation on Jabim," the Speaker remarked, observing the Council's reactions.
Master Windu frowned visibly, while Shaak Ti and Plo Koon wore expressions of sympathy. The others remained neutral, and Yoda remained impassive as ever.
Palpatine regretted that he couldn't use the Force to probe deeper at this moment.
"It's just bits and pieces of information I've gathered here and there," Solo replied stiffly, realizing he had said too much. "My Master mentioned some things in passing, and I learned a little in class."
"Warrior Victor, will you comply with the Council's directive?" Windu asked, his voice stern as he formed his fingers into a tower.
"Of course." Solo paused briefly before nodding. "I'll begin preparations. Even the fastest ship from Coruscant will take at least a day to reach Jabim."
As his holographic projection faded, Palpatine faintly heard him mutter, "Ah, I've boarded the bandit ship. Now there's no turning back."
Meanwhile, aboard the Pantora Satellite, Senator Leo Church gazed at his home planet through the observation window.
The red-and-white striped surface was partially obscured by thin cloud cover. As the spacecraft descended, the details became increasingly clear.
Neat rows of Bloku plantations stretched across the equator, while the spires of polar cities rose sharply against the horizon. A transport ship flew toward the capital, Zahira City.
The shuttle landed at the suburban spaceport, and Church stepped out, taking a deep breath of the cold, familiar air, exhaling a cloud of white mist.
Near the landing site, a flying boat waited.
"Senator Church, the Council awaits your report," a secretary said, bowing in greeting.
Inside the chamber, Speaker Qi'Jo was the first to question her. "What progress has been made regarding the deployment of a Corps or the establishment of a monitoring station on Pantora?"
"Mr. Speaker, the Republic currently lacks sufficient reserves," Church replied from the podium, her voice tinged with helplessness. "Chancellor Palpatine made it clear during a private meeting that he cannot provide assistance at this time."
Council members whispered among themselves, but Qi'Jo pressed on. "What about the Jedi Council? Surely they have the resources to support us?"
How could they not understand? During the war, the Jedi simply couldn't spare any attention for Pantora.
Church felt deeply wronged. She had done everything in her power to secure help, but all her efforts had been in vain.
Just then, a secretary rushed into the chamber. "Senator Church, we have an urgent communication request! Four unidentified vessels have entered the galaxy. They've been identified as Gozanti-class cruisers, but they bear no markings."
Everyone froze.
The combat power of four cruisers far surpassed what Pantora's self-defense fleet could handle. Their fighters couldn't even penetrate the enemy's shields, and the two outdated vessels in the fleet were even more vulnerable.
"Connect to the holographic projection," Church ordered decisively.
A few minutes later, a holographic image of a clone trooper materialized.
Church took a deep breath.
"Senator Church?"
"Yes, that's me."
"I'm Lieutenant ARC-56, sent here by General Viktor to provide assistance." The clone trooper spoke with a defiant air, looking down with contempt at those present. "I will be responsible for defending the Pantora Satellite and organizing patrols around the galaxy. You will need to provide us with supplies and landing facilities, and coordinate with local defense forces."
"Lieutenant, we will provide all necessary supplies," Church nodded. "Please contact Speaker Qi'Jo for the details."
The clone trooper nodded, and the communication cut off.
"Who is this General Viktor?" one Council member asked in astonishment.
"A Jedi Knight," Church said, looking at Speaker Qi'Jo with a hint of triumph. "I asked for his help, and as you can see, the Jedi responded."
"Excellent, Senator Church. The Council is pleased with your results," Qi'Jo said, his tone softening. "When do you plan to return to Coruscant?"
"In a few days," Church replied.
Evening had fallen by the time Church finally returned home.
"Mom, I'm so glad to see you! Where's Dad?"
"I missed you too, my little darling," Riot Church, a tall Pantoran woman with silver-white hair, said as she greeted her daughter at the door. "Graham went to Lanninik on business. I heard you succeeded?"
"It wasn't my doing," Church shook her head.
"What about this mysterious General Viktor?"
"We met during our failed mission in London. He was responsible for our delegation's security."
"You persuaded him to help?"
"Exactly the opposite!" Church laughed. "I barely said a word, and he agreed. I didn't expect the aid to arrive so quickly."
"He volunteered? It wasn't an order from the Jedi Order?" Riot asked curiously. "Why?"
"I don't know," Church shrugged. "Our conversation was very brief."
"Then why did he help?"
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