Engines of Heaven: Blessed are the Warmakers
Posted on Sat Mar 15th, 2025 @ 9:51pm by Jundal Quellus & Thane & Bomoor Thort
Edited on on Tue Mar 18th, 2025 @ 9:28pm
2,181 words; about a 11 minute read
Chapter:
Additional Stories
Location: JSD Great Manifest (Boundary of the Nea Glarist Blockade, Yutani System, High Promise Sector, Mid Rim
Timeline: After "Renunciated" and "A Terrible Glare"
This post takes place in 1,213 ABY, around four years before Thane and Bomoor encountered the Cult of Axion on Nar Shaddaa, during their earliest years as Jedi Knights.
"Blessed are the warmakers, for they will be called the Chosen of the Goddess."
Seripture: Centax Revised Edition
— Tessebok 20:1-4OLD
“There, you see, Polt,” Mehkala gestured towards his Human fellow-senator, now regaining some of his self-assurance, for better or for worse, “You can be reasonable. Now perhaps we can resume our diplomatic discussions and you can set aside this non-Human prejudice and stand down the unlawful militia you are developing here.”
"Yes," Rakhesh began sadly, nodding quickly, his chin dipping into the folds of his neck as he offered a sad expression to the other senator and the three Jedi. He offered a couple of glances to the Glarists who were now looking to move ahead of him, the grips on their weapons tight and their eyes locked on the others across the room. "Yes, I can be reasonable. But-"
"But," Master Dunrar concluded softly as he placed the lightsabers upon his belt, "the discussions appear to be at an end." Offering a mournful look to his colleagues, he offered one final expression to Senator Rakhesh, who now looked surprisingly small beside the zealots flanking him, despite his portly build. "Goodbye, Senator. May the Force be with you."
NEW
"The Dark Side's grip tightens with each conflict in the Outer Rim."
The baritone voice of the stately Grand Master of the Reborn Jedi Order reverberated across the bridge of the Great Manifest. The holographic depiction of Jundal Quellus had captured the Chagrian's impressive stature perfectly, and the shimmering blue of the hologram did nothing to dampen the steel in his grey, piercing gaze, which shifted with cool ease between the gathered sentients on the Judicial flagship.
He raised a large thoughtful hand to his chin, faint wrinkles creasing about his eyes as he contemplated the additional report he had received from Master Hale Dunrar and Admiral Broolf-Swial. Quellus seemed to pay no mind to the hubbub that surrounded the gathered parties, as the command crew of the Star Destroyer prepared for what they assumed was an inevitable deployment against the Ord Yutani blockade. There was a dark glower to the powerful Jedi, yet his energetic movements and precise manner were that of a being at least half his age.
"The Jedi Council and Supreme Chancellor agree with your assessments, gentlemen," he finally added, withdrawing his hand and standing at his full distinguished height, a slight shimmer in the intricate weave of his formal attire reflecting the far-off sun of Coruscant where Quellus stood. "To save the lives of the citizens of this sector, in the interests of peace and prosperity of the Third Republic, a military engagement is inevitable - and timeliness is paramount."
Dunrar bowed his olive-green head. His expression betrayed nothing of any internal thoughts, and his hands remained clasped within the folds of his robes. "Thank you, Master. I regret we could not have brought you happier news."
Quellus inclined his head in turn to the Neimoidian before angling towards the Herglic flag officer. "Admiral, you have the full support of both the Council and Chancellor Paralles to take action against these terrorists. The Jedi Knights, as ever, stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Judicials. May the Force be with you."
Admiral Broolf-Swial leaned forward, his massive frame somehow not quite matching the holographic grandeur of the Grand Master. "I may not know much about the Dark Side, but I certainly agree that the evil influence of these radicals represents a growing threat in this sector that we should engage now, before more systems fall under their sway," he rumbled his agreement, his deep voice echoing through the bridge.
“We appreciate your support Grand Master, as well as the support Master Dunrar has provided thus far,” he added, omitting the two younger knights and their more reckless efforts that led to the current escalation in conflict, “May the Force be with you as well.”
The hologram faded away and Broolf-Swial and Dunrar were now left looking out of the main viewport at the Judicial and Glarist fleets poised before the planet below.
The admiral straightened, his large hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. "We must act swiftly and decisively. These so-called Glarists threaten the very foundation of the Republic. It is our duty to protect our citizens and preserve the rule of law." He turned to his crew, his voice rising. "Prepare for engagement. We will not allow these extremists to hold this sector hostage any longer."
No time was wasted by the assembled officers and staff. Dunrar's dark bulbous eyes glistened as they turned from reflecting the stars outside the viewport to observing the efficient deployment of the Great Manifest's bridge crew. As was appropriate, the ship's executive officer, without requiring consultation with the admiral, began relaying orders to junior officers. Whilst the Star Defender had been operating at a battle-readiness since its deployment to the system, it was still jarring for the Jedi Master to see these young sentient beings assembling for combat.
He peered either side of the literal bridge that halved the viewing platform at the fore of the command centre into the trenches either side. Different species, different genders, all wearing blue-hued uniforms perfectly adapted to their various physiologies, appeared to show no sign of fear at the sudden shift in their activities. No visible nervousness interfered with their efficiency, and none quivered nor commented on the troubling developments facing them, even as they undoubtedly recognised the danger now looming over each of them.
Through the Force, however, Master Dunrar detected the terrible truth of the matter. Whilst there were small but perceptible variations in the emotions each of the officers experienced, often specific to their respective races, their fear, low-level and humming deep within nearly all of them, was plain to the Neimoidian Jedi. His right hand found his left within the folds of his robes and he carefully tugged at one of his knuckles, preferring to rely more on his mundane senses in this very moment. Unwelcome memories of the Outer Rim Conflict tugged at the edges of his own recollections, and whilst he would never deny the truth of his life and actions, even as an experienced Jedi Master and member of the Jedi Council - he was still a sapient being, after all - he had no desire to be subjected to the misery of war any more than was necessary.
"Admiral," he said quietly, his accented voice sounding papery and dry, like he had not spoken aloud in a long time, despite speaking just moments before. "It seems our quandary has truly developed into a necessary conflict. I do not doubt the righteousness of our decision; we do not invade due to local tithes, petty taxes or secular nose-thumbing."
He silently recollected his earlier thoughts around the pressure from the trading blocs and conglomerates and how failure for the Republic would result in High Promise becoming a pariah sector. Without ousting the sordid regime that had seized the world, Dunrar knew that a subsequent attempt by the Republic would be dire - the Nea Glarists would be hopelessly outgunned by a fuller Judicial fighting force, and the world would become another subjugated military bastion, resentment from the populace high, and the investment by the Republic, or their various partner agencies, crippling.
"There is no outcome I perceive where a Glarist-controlled Ord Yutani can prosper, with all of its citizens afforded the freedoms and opportunities all beings naturally deserve... but I know these zealots also do not doubt the righteousness of their own cause, and even many of their own number have been duped by false promises and misplaced confidence from their dark, indulgent order." Dunrar spoke quietly and carefully, but also quickly, now bringing a pale green hand from his robe to rest on the admiral's shoulder. "They do not all deserve death, but they will fight with a jealousy and conviction terrible to behold, going to lengths we would not, and should not, countenance. Our strikes must be precise and rapid. I believe Knights Thane and Thort, with myself, should lead the fighter squadrons."
Broolf-Swial had angled his body away from the preparations below him to hear the Neimoidian Jedi's words, his oily black gaze revealing nothing of his emotion, but clearly willing to listen.
"I would not turn this into a bloodbath, Master Jedi," he stated plainly, "Not if there is any better alternative. But if you offer yourselves in battle, I will allow you and your people to lead the charge like the ancient Jedi generals of old."
He turned away and Dunrar thought he caught the edge of a grin in the man's dark ruffled skin.
"As it so happens," the Herglic continued, padding at his command panel, "I always insist on bringing a handful of Starhoppers aboard all of my ships for just such an occasion. I trust those would be suitable."
The display beside Dunrar lit up with the specifications for the familiar Starhopper-class starfighter, although a slightly newer variant than the Jedi Master had flown in the Outer Rim Conflict. The iconic fighters were designed with Jedi pilots in mind, with a skewed emphasis on speed and manoeuvrability than the average non-Force aided fighter pilot could comfortably handle.
The appearance of the reliable and familiar starfighter should have posed no surprise to the Jedi Master; he had partially been selected for this operation due to his background, and had clearly opined in favour of such naval and military action in this conflict. Yet, the sight of the craft's nimble schematic still brought to mind the self-destructive war that laid the groundwork for this very situation they were now confronted with.
"Admiral, your wisdom is unquestionable, and I am grateful for your foresight. It is unsuitable for Starhoppers to serve as squadron leaders with the other craft and pilots; but I stand by the need for us to serve as the vanguard and leading tactical force. I will lead a small squadron alongside our brave knights, but we must rally every available pilot to pierce their blockade. What is the experience of your crew?"
The small smirk widened to an overt grin and the Admiral crossed his hefty arms, "You needn't worry, Master Dunrar. All my crew have at least two hundred hours of flight time logged before they come aboard and we hold regular drills to practice fleet manoeuvres and flight patterns for all scenarios. Even in peacetime, it is the responsibility of the Judicials to remain combat ready."
He freed one arm to type in a short sequence into the console and the Starhopper diagram disappeared, only to be replaced with a battle diagram, showing a white sphere surrounded by a series of coloured triangle clusters of varying sizes with a number of animated arrows between them.
The Herglic continued, bringing his arm back to rest upon his chest, "I have been thinking about the situation since we arrived and I think Blockade Pattern Delta One should provide the best cover against their flagship to allow our squadrons to break through and scatter their smaller fighters. We call it 'Scattering the Gundarks'."
Dunrar nodded, his mind racing with the intricacies of the strategy. The Glarist fleet was identified as utilising many heavy cruisers reclaimed from many yards and would-be mothballed Outer Rim Alliance ships, which meant that their fighter screen would likely be less robust than their larger vessels. If they could exploit this weakness with a swift and precise assault, the Jedi-led Starhoppers could create an opening for the larger Republic vessels to follow. Their fighters, whilst undoubtedly boasting veterans of the Second Outer Rim Conflict, would either be advanced in years or conscripts.
He stepped back from the console, allowing the admiral to continue his preparations. The bridge was now a symphony of activity, the hum of the ship's systems rising in pitch as it geared up for battle. The Jedi Master took a deep breath, centering himself in the Force. He felt the presence of his knights, ready, their anticipation palpable. The Starhoppers would serve as both a symbol of hope and a practical tool in this engagement. Their unique capabilities could disrupt the enemy's defences and allow the Republic to strike at the heart of the Glarist blockade.
Dunrar's gaze drifted to the side corridor where Thane and Thort would soon arrive. He hoped they understood the gravity of the situation and the delicacy of their task. The pair had shown valour, and no small amount of recklessness, in their previous encounters, but this was no mere skirmish. The fate of Ord Yutani and possibly the sector rested on their shoulders.
TBC
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