Chapter 16 - The First Victory Of The War

In the makeshift command center at the Theed palace, UNSC communications buzzed as reports on the situation in Keren poured in. Arnet, his expression serious and emotionless, listened to every word of the report given to him by one of his officers.

"Admiral, the operation in Keren was a success," the officer reported. "The Covenant has been completely eradicated from the city. Our marines have had minimal casualties, though the Republic clones suffered slightly more. Morale in our ranks is high, and the rescued civilians are being cared for in our facilities."

Arnet remained silent for a moment, absorbing the words. To him, this victory was a clear sign of the UNSC's resolve and what they could accomplish in this galaxy. Though the devastation of Keren was visible around every corner, he knew that sacrifices like these would be necessary until the Covenant threat was completely eliminated.

"What is the status of the wounded and resources at Keren base?" Arnet finally asked, his voice firm and authoritative.

"The most seriously injured are being moved to the medical facilities in Theed, but we have platoons securing the outlying areas for possible Covenant stragglers. Republic Pelicans and LAATs are working together to conduct evacuations and transport supplies," the officer reported.

Arnet nodded. "Perfect. Maintain high security protocols in the city and continue with the mopping-up operations. I want no surprises."

From a nearby console, another officer added, "UNSC clone troopers and marines are on base celebrating, Admiral. Coordination with local forces has improved with this victory."

At the palace in Theed, Padmé Amidala, listening to the transmission, felt a mix of relief and sadness. Naboo had suffered a devastating blow, and though she celebrated Keren's liberation, the destruction was overwhelming.

"Admiral Arnet," Padmé interrupted, addressing the UNSC leader. "This victory brings us hope, but... at what cost? Naboo is wounded."

Arnet, in his usual resolute tone, replied, "Senator, we have fought wars in which far more has been lost. But the Covenant is an unrelenting threat. Every city reclaimed and every citizen rescued is worth the sacrifices necessary. This is a war that does not forgive caution."

Obi-Wan Kenobi, also in the room, watched Arnet with respect and some trepidation. This victory, while necessary, reminded him that the UNSC had different methods than the Republic, more direct and without room for hesitation.

Suddenly, alarms blared across the Theed base, alerting the arrival of new ships exiting hyperspace. In the command center, everyone tensed briefly, until the alert ceased when the signals of the ships were identified. Finally, the Republic fleet had arrived, and the voice of Jedi Master Luminara Unduli was heard over the communications channel.

"Republic fleet, identified," a communications technician reported, then opened the line for the welcome transmission.

From the command center, Obi-Wan Kenobi breathed a sigh of relief and stepped up to the console to communicate. "Master Unduli, it is good to hear your voice. The situation has been difficult, but your arrival makes the mission more bearable," he said, his voice reflecting a contained peace.

"Master Kenobi, we are ready to assist you in whatever way you need," Luminara replied calmly. "We bring reinforcements and resources. We know you have resisted with what you could, and I understand that you have achieved an important victory."

"Indeed," Obi-Wan said, glancing at the UNSC soldiers around him, "although we could not have done so without the support of... our new allies."

Luminara remained briefly silent upon hearing that. Even with her characteristic calm, she could not deny that the situation was complex and that the presence of unknown forces in the conflict gave her doubts. However, her confidence in Obi-Wan's judgment prevailed.

"The Republic fleet and our Jedi on board are at your command to clear the planet of any remaining Covenant forces," Luminara continued. "With this combination of forces, we will be able to liberate the planet."

Arnet, who had been silently observing the conversation, intervened. "Jedi Master, we will make our ground teams available to move forward and clear the remaining regions. The Covenant forces still on Naboo will be no match now that we have this backing."

The next five days on Naboo were an intense combat campaign. The combined UNSC and Republic forces fought side by side, eradicating the remnants of the Covenant hiding in various regions of the planet. The battles were brutal and devastating, with fighting in razed cities, refugee camps, and makeshift Covenant strongholds.

Platoons of clones, UNSC Marines, and Spartans secured each area with precision. Each engagement felt like a hell of its own, with Covenant resistance spreading the conflict to nearly every corner of Naboo. Though the Jedi led a few detachments in the most critical points, the constant pressure and intensity of the war weighed on every soldier on the planet. Yet the momentum of this unusual alliance between the Republic and the UNSC proved unstoppable.

Finally, on the sixth day, the last group of Covenant Elites was neutralized in one of the most remote regions. The news reached the command centers with a sigh of relief; the soldiers knew they had accomplished the unthinkable. Naboo, despite its scars, was free of the Covenant.

At Theed Palace, Obi-Wan stepped away from the communications area and established contact with the Jedi Council. Seeing the holograms of Masters Yoda, Mace Windu, and other Council members appear, he exhaled in relief before giving his report.

"Masters, I am happy to report that Naboo has been liberated from the Covenant," Obi-Wan began. "We have lost much, but with the help of our allies, the UNSC, we have accomplished what seemed impossible. The situation on the planet is under control."

Mace Windu nodded, and with a serious expression, he replied, "We heard about those allies... and it is unprecedented. Their capabilities against the Covenant have been remarkable, even beyond what we have seen with the clones."

"They possess much power," Yoda added, his face thoughtful. "Unexpected allies, but useful ones, yes."

Obi-Wan, still exhausted from days of combat, explained the UNSC's readiness and capabilities, its strategy, its technology, and how that collaboration had turned the tide of the war on Naboo.

"We will continue to watch this alliance with caution," Mace Windu said. "But your assistance has been invaluable. Keep us informed, Obi-Wan, of any movement by the Covenant or our new allies."

Obi-Wan bowed his head, grateful for the Council's support. "I will, Master Windu. Naboo will rise again... though the galaxy still has much to fight for."

Communiqué from Supreme Chancellor Palpatine:

"Citizens of the Galactic Republic, today I bring news of great importance in the midst of this dark conflict. As many of you know, our beloved planet Naboo has been under brutal siege at the hands of the enemy known as the Covenant. But today, we can announce with hope that, thanks to the valiant resistance of our soldiers and the intervention of an allied force, Naboo has been liberated.

A force of unknown origin—who identify themselves as the UNSC—has shown extraordinary capability on the battlefield. Against all odds, the UNSC engaged and destroyed a fleet of 49 Covenant ships, which until now we had considered unbeatable. In addition, they managed to defeat millions of enemy troops on the surface of Naboo, working alongside our soldiers, Jedi, and Mandalorian allies.

It is true that this victory has come at a high price. The cities of Naboo have been devastated, its landscapes transformed by violence. The war has been raging, and many of our beloved citizens have suffered and lost their homes. But though Naboo has been scarred, today it stands as a symbol of hope for the entire Republic.

I call upon each of you, in every system and every world: let us keep hope alive. This war is hard, the enemy is formidable, but today we have seen a light. The Republic, together with our new allies and the unwavering bravery of our Jedi and soldiers, will stand firm and continue to fight.

Always remember that the Republic is not alone, and that each of you contributes to maintaining peace and freedom in our galaxy. Today it is Naboo; tomorrow, we will fight for other worlds. Keep hope and know that we will fight tirelessly to bring peace back to the galaxy.

"May the Republic prevail! And may freedom and justice continue to be our guiding star!"

The halls and chambers of the Senate were filled with murmurs and debate. Senators from systems that had remained safe until now seemed divided: some celebrated the victory and the arrival of an unexpected force that had successfully confronted the Covenant, while others expressed concern and misgivings at the sudden appearance of the UNSC. How had this powerful faction emerged? Why did they appear at such a critical moment?

Palpatine, sitting in his central place in the Senate, watched the situation in silence as the senators argued heatedly. The noise in the great chamber was deafening. Some senators, like Bail Organa of Alderaan, tried to calm things down and asked for more time to analyze the situation, while others, like the senator of Taris, made no secret of their distrust of the UNSC.

"How can we be sure of their intentions?" the senator questioned, raising his voice above the rest. "What if they are simply a different threat looking to take advantage of our weakness?"

"The UNSC's presence on Naboo was, without a doubt, a miracle for the Republic," the senator of Pantora, Riyo Chuchi, interrupted. "But that does not excuse us from understanding more about their goals. Who are they really? And what do they want from us?"

Other senators began to voice theories, some bolder than others, about how the UNSC had come to be. Some suspected that this faction had long been hiding in some unknown corner of the galaxy, waiting for the right moment to make its presence felt. Others believed that the UNSC might be part of a covert plan by the Jedi or even the Confederacy of Independent Systems to reconfigure the balance of power.

Palpatine raised a hand, calling for silence. The crowd slowly quieted until only a murmur remained in the chamber.

"Esteemed senators," the Chancellor began, his voice calm and firm, "the appearance of the UNSC is, without a doubt, an unexpected and unprecedented event. I understand your concerns and your doubts. However, we have seen the effectiveness of these allies in battle, and Naboo is proof of their commitment to the defense of our galaxy against the Covenant. The UNSC's assistance has allowed the Republic to save lives and buy crucial time to reorganize our forces."

"But can we trust them, Chancellor?" asked a senator from the Corellian system. "What do we really know of this faction that is reported to possess unknown weaponry and tactics that outclass our own?"

"We are taking the necessary precautions," Palpatine continued. "The Jedi Council is cooperating closely with the UNSC to assess their intentions. In the meantime, it is our duty to maintain a united front and take this opportunity to protect the Republic in its time of greatest need."

As Palpatine finished his remarks, the Senate regained its voice, and the murmurs turned into an even more heated debate. The question of accepting the UNSC as a formal ally of the Republic quickly became the main topic of discussion, with opinions sharply divided.

"We cannot let another foreign military force simply enter our territories!" Senator Taris exclaimed. "First we must know their intentions. What do we really know about them, beyond what we saw on Naboo? They could be hiding something even worse than the Covenant."

Other senators nodded, as the senator continued, "Our sovereignty is at stake! This faction came at just the right time, yes, but that gives us no guarantee that their interests coincide with those of the Republic."

Bail Organa stood up to contradict, "Senators, I know your doubts are valid, but let us not forget the critical situation we find ourselves in. The UNSC did not just fight the Covenant on Naboo; they did so with bravery and a level of skill we have not witnessed before. We must not turn away possible help when the Republic is in danger of falling."

Senator Riyo Chuchi nodded in support of Organa: "The Covenant has already destroyed entire planets and millions of lives. If the UNSC becomes a key player in confronting that threat, perhaps we should see it as an opportunity. Perhaps… learn from them."

The response was not long in coming. "An opportunity? When do we allow an unknown army to patrol our skies?" the Senator from the Bothan system replied. "This alliance could threaten the integrity of our own fleet and its operations."

"The power of the UNSC is evident," interjected Senator Amidala of Naboo, who was attending remotely due to the reconstruction of her planet. "They were instrumental in saving Naboo from utter destruction. However, like many of you, I agree that we must be cautious. Knowing our allies is necessary if we are to accept their help."

The chamber fell into a tense silence. Then Senator Mon Mothma spoke with her characteristic calm: "I propose that we take a middle course. We formally summon the UNSC to present themselves before this Senate. If they have good intentions, they will be willing to engage us and demonstrate it. This will allow us to learn their true intentions and establish clear terms."

Murmurs of approval grew among the senators. Mon Mothma's suggestion seemed balanced and fair, offering a path between prudence and the need for cooperation.

Palpatine nodded, acknowledging the consensus that was forming. "So be it, then. We will extend a formal invitation to representatives of the UNSC to present their intentions and capabilities to the Galactic Senate. The Republic will be built on transparency and mutual agreement."

With tempers calming, discussion in the Senate turned to the status of the clone army. Victory on Naboo had been a momentary relief, but everyone knew that the Covenant remained a threat, and that the Republic was not equipped to face another campaign of that magnitude on multiple fronts.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate," Palpatine began, "as we have seen, our forces have been stretched to the limit. It is imperative that we strengthen our military, both in numbers and resources. I propose a motion to increase the war budget and, with it, improve clone production and our weaponry."

Senator Ask Aak of Malastare was one of the first to speak. "With all due respect to the Chancellor, are we really going to rely on clones alone? I have received detailed reports of the efficiency of UNSC soldiers on Naboo, and comparing them to our clones is troubling to me. With all due respect to our brave soldiers, we need to rethink our approach if we want a solid defense."

Murmurs of support soon began to emerge. "The victory on Naboo was largely the result of the intervention of the UNSC, whose tactics and efficiency exceeded our expectations," Senator Chuchi said. "While we appreciate the sacrifice of the clones, I believe that the efficiency of our soldiers must be thoroughly evaluated."

Other senators nodded, and soon a series of questions arose about the training and readiness of the clone army. The idea that they might be insufficient against powerful enemies, or that an alliance with the UNSC could backfire, created palpable unease.

The ever-critical Senator from Taris intervened. "And what happens if the UNSC decides to turn against us? We've already seen that they can defeat the Covenant with smaller fleets, with a military force comparable to our own. If we come to rely on them and they turn against us, the Republic could be left defenseless. Our resources are exhausted."

Senator Padmé Amidala, also remotely connected, spoke in defense of the clones: "While it is true that the UNSC demonstrated superior skill in combat, we must not forget that the clones have fought faithfully since the beginning of this war. What they need is not just comparison or criticism, but the resources and support to improve. Their loyalty to the Republic is unquestionable."

Palpatine, ever astute, interjected. "Senators, your points are valid and reflect the concerns of all of us. The additional budget will be used to reinforce the clones and optimize their abilities. Their performance will also be evaluated, especially in comparison to our new allies. If the UNSC chooses to work alongside us, we can learn from them to strengthen our forces and ensure our defense."

With this, the Senate agreed to debate the budget increase and evaluation of the clone army, pending the UNSC being able to be formally convened.

End of Chapter 16.