Escalation

~~~(POV: Grandmaster Satele Shan)~~~

~~~(Location: Republic Fleet)~~~

I stop meditating, and I stand up. I leave my quarters and head for General Garza's meeting room. There is a discussion about a secret mission today. Why she's asking for my presence is unknown to me. However, the force is guiding me in all my actions. I enter the meeting room, and there are many different people from multiple branches of the government. Many special forces soldiers, and there are senators as well. General Garza sees me enter the room. "Grandmaster Shan, I'm glad you could make it today." She walks up, and we shake hands.

Military greetings are different than Jedi ones. So a handshake is normal between Jedi and Military officials. Some give salutes, and others give bows. It really depends on who you're talking to. "Why have you requested my presence, General Garza?" My voice is calm and even. She raises a single eyebrow and indicates for me to sit in one of the chairs. This is a meeting room, after all, and there is a holoprojector in the middle of the table. Everyone finds their seats, and I also take one. General Garza takes the seat at the head of the table.

The hologram lights up, and there is an image of someone I haven't seen in a long time. He's grown up so much in the time I haven't seen him. "This is Nathan Opal, aka, The Apex superweapon." The first time I learned about the declassified documents regarding Nathan, I was ready to pull the order out of the Republics' war with the Empire, but I didn't. Simply because many billions more would die without us than with us. "Our mission regarding Nathan isn't one of assassination or execution. We are going to try and bring him back to our side of the war." I close my eyes and think.

None of them know Nathan and after all this time. I don't know him anymore either. His powers have grown beyond my imagination. He can crush starships and move planets with the wave of his hands. "I have removed the bounty on Nathan Opal. We are going to try and start open communications with him. He's currently on his homeworld of Tatooine. There is a graveyard of ships, dreadnaughts, and many other things. Form both sides." I'm betting the reason General Garza asked me to be here is for my help.

I don't know if I can help. Nathan might now want to see me after I hide the truth from him. Not to mention the death of his parents and the destruction of Ryloth in the process. "We are sending a single transport cruiser in with our best senators. His aunt from Alderaan has agreed to help us in this endeavor. With her presence on the ship, he won't destroy it like the rest." That's one way to do it. Use a family member as a shield. "Grandmaster Shan, I'd also like you to accompany the transport and speak to Nathan." I open my eyes and look at the General.

I agree that having Nathan on our side can really win this war, but I don't feel that he wants anything to do with the Republic. "I'll go, General. Only because I want to see my old padawan. In my opinion, I don't think this plan will make him come back to the Republic's side. I think leaving him to his own devices is the best thing." General Garza nods her head in acknowledgment of my words, but her plan takes priority. I'm not a soldier, which means I can refuse this mission if I want to, but I want to speak to Nathan.

The hologram switches to the planet of Tatooine. "Nathan is in league with the Hutt Cartel and was recently spotted on Nal Hutta reports are concerning, to say the least. He's protecting a specific Hutt by the name of Kemro. I'm sending a separate unit to speak with the Hutt." I don't know what Nathan is doing with such evil beings, but I'll have time to ask him when I get the chance. The meeting goes on to discuss Nathan's allies and enemies. After a few hours, it ends. I stand up and get ready to leave, only to be stopped by General Garza again.