Republic fleet commander Xiost heard Master Yoda say this and calmed down as well. "No, Master Yoda. In this battle, our enemies were simply too cunning. They were actually willing to expose their own people to our guns, using civilians as shields to delay us!"
"Willingly, their people did." Leaning on his cane, Master Yoda walked toward the viewport, his steps somewhat unsteady. Xiost hurried forward to follow behind him, but did not dare reach out to support him.
To plan and organize this operation, Master Yoda had forcibly opened a hyperspace route and led a full thirty Hunter Class Battlecruisers into the Modell Sector. Such a feat could only be called extraordinary.
Even Master Tholme, who had first proposed this theory, was nowhere near his equal.
But it had also taken an enormous toll, leaving Master Yoda still unable to recover his fighting strength.
"Indeed, at least eighty percent of the Modell Sector's residents are immigrants from other regions. They came here to escape war and famine. Here, they built their own homes and found a place to belong, so their loyalty to the Separatists is beyond doubt." Having calmed down from his anger, Xiost was still a commander with keen judgment. "But likewise, as I just said, loyalty has a price, and it has limits."
"The Galactic Republic, we represent. War, for justice and peace." Master Yoda said gravely. "If, for victory, we raise butcher's blades against civilians, betray our original hearts, we will."
Xiost's gaze dimmed slightly. "Then, we should..."
"Kuna's Eye System, the crisis comes from. Face hardship, confront the crisis. Our final chance, it is."
"Yes." Xiost nodded, turned around, and called out, "Adjust formation and redeploy the warships! Leave ten thousand troops behind to maintain order on the planet. All other warships, prepare to