These were difficult days for the Jedi High Council.
It had been generations since the Order had directed military operations on such a scale. Now the twelve Masters bore the weight of an interstellar war. Sleep came in brief intervals. Meditation was rationed like supplies. Four of the Council members attended only as holograms, dividing their time between Coruscant and active battlefronts.
There was a shortage of everything—soldiers, ships, medical facilities, trained officers. The Grand Army's logistics division was still embryonic, forcing Jedi Masters to oversee supply chains themselves. Fresh clones from Kamino barely reached staging areas before being redirected to collapsing fronts.
The Confederacy, leveraging overwhelming numerical superiority in both fleet and ground forces, pressed the attack relentlessly. Only through costly counteroffensives and sheer resolve had the Republic prevented catastrophic breakthroughs.
In the Senate, debate dragged on. Funding for additional clone batches, warships, and matériel stalled amid political friction. Senator Padmé Amidala's pacifist bloc, supported by Senator Bail Organa and others, urged caution and negotiation. Meanwhile, battle reports grew darker by the hour.
Another Jedi general's plea for reinforcements faded from the holoprojector.
"Hmm. Help we will send… when we can," Master Yoda concluded, ending the transmission.
Before the chamber settled, a new hologram flickered into view.
"General Dagon Marek reporting."
Several Masters straightened subtly. Shaak Ti did not—she recognized him immediately.
"The Council's mission has been accomplished," Marek continued. "The planet Va'art and the fuel production station along the Parlemian Trade Route are under our complete control. Construction of a fortified base is nearing completion. Peace has been negotiated with the local inhabitants. Fuel shipments to Lantilles fleet headquarters have begun."
A brief murmur passed among the holographic figures.
"In addition," he went on, "Separatist droid bases and defensive fleets in our sector of the Roche system have been eliminated."
That drew sharper attention.
"However," Marek added, "three Jedi Knights—Kayla of Zeltron, Flare of Pantora, and Stella, human—appear to have suffered severe battle fatigue. When I arrived, they had fallen into instability and were attacking their own troops. With assistance from a Republic captain, I detained them. After rest and treatment, the immediate aggression has subsided. The dark influence affecting them has receded, but they remain disoriented and fearful. I request medical transport to return them safely to Coruscant for proper recovery."
Several Council members exchanged concerned looks.
"Dark influence?" Even Piell pressed sharply. "Explain."
"A temporary psychological fracture under extreme stress," Marek replied evenly. "No lasting corruption detected. But they require Temple-grade care."
Mace Windu folded his hands before him.
"Not a bad result, General," he acknowledged. "Securing Va'art and restoring fuel supply lines is strategically significant."
"What are your losses?" Even Piell asked.
"Several starfighters. One Consular-class light cruiser. Some ground equipment during rescue operations. Full details are in the attached report. I've also included recommendations to improve combat effectiveness."
That drew interest.
"We are listening, General," Windu said.
"We face an acute shortage of fleet combat vessels," Marek began. "Consular-class cruisers are effective for transport and light escort but cannot challenge Separatist heavy warships. While constructing additional capital ships will take time, we can strengthen auxiliary forces immediately."
The hologram shifted to a rotating image of a sleek corvette.
"I recommend acquiring Marauder-class corvettes produced by Sienar. They mount eight twin turbolaser cannons, three tractor beam projectors, and carry one to three fighter squadrons plus multiple cargo shuttles. Originally designed for the Justice Department, the contract was terminated due to funding issues. Reopening procurement could significantly reinforce our mid-tier fleet capabilities."
Several Masters leaned forward.
"We were unaware of this option," Windu admitted. "Your timing is fortunate."
"There is more," Marek continued. "We lack dedicated bombers. A suitable candidate already exists: the H-6 Scurrg heavy fighter-bomber."
A new projection appeared.
"Shielded, hyperdrive-equipped, capable of independent operations up to two weeks. Six laser cannons, turret, bomb launcher, ten-ton cargo capacity. It can serve as both strike bomber and long-range heavy fighter."
Adi Gallia frowned slightly. "Why was it not adopted earlier?"
"As I understand," Marek replied carefully, "Naboo's leadership at the time deemed it excessively armed."
A faint flicker of restrained irony touched his expression.
Ki-Adi-Mundi interjected, "Though Chancellor Palpatine holds emergency authority, Senate budget approval remains necessary. Procurement may not be immediate."
"Oh," Marek muttered quietly, "the Senate."
A subtle tightening of Windu's jaw suggested the sentiment was not entirely isolated.
Yoda lifted his hand.
"Good work on Va'art you have done. Medical transport, we will send. Care for the Knights, the Temple will provide."
Shaak Ti inclined her head. "You acted decisively and with restraint, General. That prevented further tragedy."
Marek bowed slightly. "Thank you, Masters."
"But idle you shall not remain," Yoda continued. "Support General Squater's assault on Diado you must. Five Acclamator-class ships will join your command. Capture the system, together you shall."
"Understood, Master Yoda. Orders will be executed."
His hologram faded.
Silence lingered for a moment.
"What was that?" Oppo Rancisis finally asked.
"A Jedi Knight," Shaak Ti replied calmly.
"An unconventional one," Adi Gallia observed.
Windu considered the empty projection space.
"In any case," he said at last, "he appears to be exactly where he needs to be."
Yoda's ears twitched slightly.
"Strange, the currents of the Force are," the Grand Master murmured. "But flow in the right direction… they may yet."