Admiral Moreau had long and faithfully served both A’Nikori and the Chancellor by commanding the Grand Navy of the Republic. But Clones had never been bred for their longevity, and the responsibility of his position, and how uncompromising he was in carrying out his duties had only accelerated the aging process for him.
He passed away soon after the liberation of Salluria Prime.
While Opalwan had never liked Admiral Moreau next to clones like Ruiz, he would not celebrate the man’s death. Not only would that be highly improper, he knew that A’Nikori had shared a close bond with Admiral Moreau and his fellow clone brethren.
But what hopes Opalwan might have had for Moreau’s replacement were quickly dashed.
“We are, of course, saddened by the passing of Admiral Moreau,” Admiral Jamshidi, who at times served as a military governor supervising occupied Separatist sectors, said in his clipped, Coruscant accent, though the way he carried on told Opalwan he cared little for the clone at all, “but the war goes on. We shall soon appoint another admiral to command the Grand Navy. But for the time being, I will assume responsibility for its operations."
Admiral Jamshidi was one of the highest-ranked admirals in the navy, but it had been some time since he had been seen on the front lines. He was said to be handling crucial administrative tasks for the navy back at Coruscant. But Jamshidi was very well politically connected, and had been a serious contender for the position of Supreme Chancellor before Eerabik’s upset electoral victory those years ago. Yet while one might have thought that this would make Jamshidi a bitter enemy of Eerabik’s, she had raised him to a position of even greater prominence within the navy, and he was now said to be one of her favorites.
Jamshidi also embodied everything that Opalwan had disliked about Admiral Moreau, only far worse.
Jamshidi was a rather unpleasant individual who had little tolerance for failure, and had long believed that the Republic needed to centralize its authority and expand its military forces to strike fear into pirates, marauders, and other criminal elements. Shows of military might were the most effective deterrence against those who would destabilize the Republic, and would eventually render the actual application of force largely unnecessary, or so Jamshidi believed.
His ideas were increasingly gaining traction among the Republic’s military theorists, who pointed to the effectiveness of the Grand Navy as a hammer against the Separatists as evidence in favor of them. Some were even starting to call Jamishidi’s ideas the “Jamshidi Doctrine”.
Opalwan could not agree with Jamshidi’s approach. Diplomacy would be the only way to forge a lasting peace. Jamshidi’s doctrine would only inspire fear instead.
“Continue to press the attack against the Sallurians who continue to collaborate with the Separatists,” Jamshidi instructed. “They will soon see the error of their ways."
Under Jamishidi’s direction, the navy had nearly doubled in size since the start of the campaign against the Lokken Mechanist Guilds, but the logistics of maintaining such a large force had been starting to put a strain on the GAR.
Fortunately, the loyal mercenaries of Daedalus United were ready to accept a contract to set up, maintain, and guard supply depots as the Republic’s fleets advanced deeper into Separatist territory, relieving some of the burden from the GAR itself.
While the Grand Navy of the Republic was away, a Separatist force led by General Dolorous, who had already managed to return to action, launched a surprise attack to retake the space around Salluria. Meanwhile, Admiral Taranch led a Separatist fleet to capture Sal’Tzynn, the capital system of the Tzynnia Sector.
“You must realize, you are doomed!” General Dolorous sneered as his activated his lightsabers, taken from Jedi he had personally killed, and dueled Master Stalk of Gold.
Dolorous didn’t have the Force, but he was utterly implacable, with computer and servo-enhanced reflexes that allowed him to move at blinding speed and execute multiple attacks at once.
Stalk of Gold fought valiantly, but fear started to creep up on him. The bio-droid seized on it, and with a pair of vicious simultaneous strikes, General Dolorous felled him. Dolorous’s blades cut through bark and connective tissue, before Stalk of Gold fell to the ground, sliced into four pieces.
Bending down, Dolorous retrieved the dead Pelisimus Jedi Master’s lightsaber.
“Another fine addition to my collection,” Dolorous laughed.
Chancellor Eerabik appointed Admiral Giorgio of Strike Force Ceberus to become the new Grand Army Marshall following Stalk of Gold’s death at the hands of General Dolorous. Admiral Giorgio was of an aggressive disposition, and agreed that expanding the navy was essential for the Republic’s continued success in the Clone Wars. He had also aligned himself with the politics of the Free Citizen Center, the faction that Eerabik had belonged to at the time of her election to the position of Supreme Chancellor. Eerabik still was influential in the Center, but its membership had started to fracture, with a handful of senators believing that Eerabik was gradually straying from its principles.
The death of Stalk of Gold had also left another opening, one in the Jedi Order.
Word was sent out in a holographic transmission from Master Yodex Grogem to the Sallurian front.
“Master Opalwan Ben’itoite, raise you to the Jedi High Council, we do. But first, remember, we must."
