🐺 ~PROJECT SAC-1~ ⚔️

Chapter 53 - Ambivalent 🤷🏻‍♀️

As promised, two weeks (and two days) later!

Enjoy these 24,400 words!

- Ella

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✨ PRESENT TIME ✨

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(RONAY ATMOSPHERE)

It was clear as day what needed to be done to everyone in the room save for one man who couldn't tear his eyes away from the viewport and watch a cataclysmic event unfold that would cause devastation long past the borders of Kuat's main continent... and he wasn't strong enough to prevent it.

"This is a battle we are unlikely to win today," Zaan stated, "I believe we all must return to Coruscant at once."

"We are in agreement on that," Obi-Wan said.

Anakin's head snapped toward him. "What?"

Zaan turned to his clone Captain off the holo, "Captain, establish a secure communication with my Padawan and instruct her to execute a tactical retreat, and escort the ruling families to the Kuati Embassy." He left right away.

It was anticipated that Skywalker, eager to protect and a readiness to engage in battle, would object. "We cannot abandon the civilians! We are well aware of the atrocities Dooku commits when a planet falls under Separatist occupation."

Moreover, there were troops deployed on the ground. Behind him, Jesse, Kix and Tup wore similar expressions of determination.

While Cody returned to stand by his General, professional and pragmatic as always.

"You would be wise to consider the broader picture at stake, young Skywalker," Zaan admonished in a way that Anakin always took as condescending.

"There are tour shuttles and yachts that brought the civilians to Zevlee Pass still there. They can be used to evacuate them to safety once again." Anakin seethed. "We can have them dock in the Hangar Bay and transport them through hyperspace."

"Engaging in battle when we know the outcome will be unfavorable significantly increases the likelihood of both troop and civilian casualties," Zaan stated with resolve. "However, by choosing to retreat, there remains a substantial chance that while civilians may endure a harsh occupation, they will remain alive, and whatever troops are unable to evacuate in time, though facing severe imprisonment, will face similar chances of survival. If they try to leave the planet's atmosphere now they will be annihilated. But if they stay, we can heal them in due time."

"You can't guarantee that those trapped in the highlands will even survive the impact once that segment of the space station crashes," Anakin kept up. "It's heading straight for the main continent, and it's massive - as large as dozens of dreadnoughts combined. It might not hit with the same force as a meteor of that size, but it will still vaporize everything within hundreds of kilometers from the sheer heat and shockwaves!"

"Strike Zone is projected to hit 479 kilometers from their position, General!" A clone technician reported from below.

That meant the civilians seeking refuge in Zevlee Pass might be far enough to escape total annihilation - but Anakin was far from reassured. There would still be effects that they feel.

"Victory is never assured, because the tides in this war are constantly changing," Obi-Wan preached, "And the Force flows beyond our command. But if we attune ourselves to its will and act in harmony with its guidance, we may improve our chances of success."