Chapter 286
The Jedi Council chamber felt heavier than usual, as if the very air carried the weight of the decision they were about to make. The hologram of the galaxy still flickered faintly at the center of the room, highlighting the vast expanse of Hutt-controlled territory—uncharted dangers, criminal networks, and shifting allegiances that no one in the Republic truly trusted.
For a long moment after Palpatine's proposal, no one spoke.
Mace Windu finally exhaled slowly, his gaze fixed on the projection. "We are being drawn into something beyond a simple rescue," he said, his voice measured. "The Hutts do nothing without purpose. If Jabba has come to us… then there is more at play."
Ki-Adi-Mundi nodded faintly, his long fingers stroking his beard. "Agreed. A kidnapping of this scale—bold enough to provoke Jabba into requesting Republic assistance—suggests either desperation… or confidence."
"Confidence, I sense," Yoda murmured, eyes half-lidded. "Bold, the enemy is. Certain, they are, of what they do."
Palpatine folded his hands calmly, though his eyes gleamed faintly with something deeper. "All the more reason to act swiftly. If we delay, we risk not only the life of the child… but the stability of our relations with the Hutt clans."
Windu's gaze shifted toward him. "Our 'relations' with the Hutts are already questionable."
"And yet necessary," Palpatine replied smoothly. "War demands… flexibility."
Silence returned briefly.
Then Luminara Unduli stepped forward slightly, her voice calm but firm. "Regardless of politics, a child is missing. The Jedi cannot ignore that."
That settled it.
Windu inclined his head slightly. "Very well. We will act."
He turned toward one of the holoterminals. "Status report on available forces."
A moment later, a soft chime echoed, and a clone officer's voice responded through the system. "Most Jedi units are currently engaged across multiple fronts, Master Windu. General Skywalker and General Marek have recently secured Christophsis. Their forces are the closest to the indicated sector."
At the mention of those names, several Council members exchanged subtle glances.
"Of course," Windu muttered under his breath.
Yoda tapped his gimer stick lightly against the floor. "Decided, it is. Skywalker, hold Christophsis must. Marek… to this mission, assign we shall."
Ki-Adi-Mundi frowned slightly. "Dividing our most effective commanders so soon after a major victory… is that wise?"
"It is necessary," Windu replied. "Christophsis must be stabilized. The population will need protection, infrastructure must be restored, and the CIS remnants eliminated. Skywalker is capable of holding the system."
"And Marek?" Luminara asked, though she already knew the answer.
Windu's expression hardened slightly. "Marek specializes in… unconventional operations. If this situation involves deception, hidden forces, or manipulation, he is the most suitable."
Yoda nodded slowly. "Adaptable, he is. Walks paths others do not."
Palpatine's faint smile returned. "Then it is settled."
He gestured toward the holoprojector, and a new transmission channel opened.
"Contact both generals immediately."
—
Christophsis – Republic Command Center
The city of Chaleydonia was still scarred from the battle.
Columns of smoke rose in the distance, though most fires had been extinguished. Clone troopers moved through the streets in organized patrols, securing positions, assisting civilians, and establishing defensive perimeters. Engineers had already begun reinforcing key structures, while supply lines flowed steadily from orbit.
Inside the command center, Anakin Skywalker stood over a tactical display, his arms crossed.
"Seven days," he muttered. "Could've done it in five."
A nearby clone officer hesitated. "General, we—"
Anakin waved him off. "I know, I know. Crystals, terrain, limitations… still doesn't mean I have to like it."
Before the officer could respond, a signal chimed sharply.
"Incoming transmission from Coruscant. Priority—Jedi Council."
Anakin straightened immediately. "Put it through."
The holographic forms of Yoda, Windu, and several other Council members flickered into existence.
"Masters," Anakin said with a slight nod. "Christophsis is secure. Remaining CIS forces have been neutralized or captured. We're beginning stabilization operations."
Windu inclined his head. "Your report is acknowledged, General Skywalker. You've done well."
Anakin blinked slightly—praise from Windu was rare.
"However," Windu continued, "your mission is not yet complete."
Anakin's expression sharpened. "What's happened?"
Yoda stepped forward slightly. "Remain, you must. Hold Christophsis. Secure the system. Reinforcements, we will send—but time, it will take."
Anakin frowned. "You're not sending me out?"
"No," Windu said firmly. "The planet must not fall back into chaos. You will oversee occupation, reconstruction, and defense."
Anakin exhaled quietly, clearly not pleased—but he nodded. "Understood."
Palpatine's hologram appeared beside the others, his tone warm. "This is a critical responsibility, Anakin. Few I would trust with such a task."
That softened the edge of Anakin's frustration slightly.
"I won't fail," he said.
"I know you won't," Palpatine replied.
The transmission shifted.
"General Marek," Windu said, "is to be reassigned."
—
Orbit – Aboard the *Terminus*
Dagon stood at the viewport, watching Christophsis slowly rotate beneath him.
Victory.
Clean. Efficient. Decisive.
And yet…
The Force was uneasy.
A sharp chime interrupted his thoughts.
"General," Sumeragi said from behind him, "incoming transmission from the Jedi Council."
Dagon didn't turn immediately.
"Put it through."
The holograms appeared in front of him.
"Master Yoda. Master Windu."
"Marek," Windu said, getting straight to the point. "You are to depart Christophsis immediately."
Dagon raised an eyebrow slightly. "That was fast. I assume something serious?"
"A kidnapping," Ki-Adi-Mundi said. "Jabba the Hutt's son has been taken."
Dagon blinked once.
Then he sighed.
"…Of course it has."
Ahsoka, standing nearby, frowned. "Jabba? As in the Hutt crime lord?"
"The same," Windu confirmed.
Dagon rubbed his temple briefly. "And you want me involved… why?"
"Because," Windu said flatly, "you are closest. And capable."
Yoda added, "Hidden, this matter is. Twisted, the currents of the Force around it are."
That got Dagon's attention.
"…Not a simple kidnapping," he murmured.
"Correct," Windu said.
Palpatine's voice slipped in smoothly. "This mission may determine our future relations with the Hutt clans. Success would grant the Republic… considerable advantages."
Dagon gave a faint, humorless smile. "So I'm rescuing a crime lord's son to secure political leverage."
"Put simply," Windu said, "yes."
A brief silence followed.
Then Dagon nodded once.
"Understood."
Ahsoka crossed her arms. "And what about us?"
Yoda's gaze shifted to her. "Go with him, you will. Learn, you must."
Dagon glanced at her, then back at the Council.
"…Fine."
Windu gave a final nod. "You leave immediately."
The transmission ended.
—
The room fell quiet.
Ahsoka looked at Dagon. "So… Christophsis done, and now we're chasing kidnappers for the Hutts?"
Dagon exhaled slowly.
"No," he said. "We're stepping into something much worse."
She tilted her head. "You can feel it?"
He nodded.
"The Force doesn't react like this over a simple crime."
Ahsoka's expression became more serious.
"So what do you think it is?"
Dagon turned back to the viewport, eyes narrowing slightly.
"A setup."
A pause.
"Or the beginning of something bigger."
Behind him, the *Terminus* began to shift, engines humming to life as preparations for departure echoed through the ship.
Christophsis was secured.
But the war…
Was far from over.