A Drop in the Bucket

by Mechalich

Following the Battle of Geonosis, Jedi Doctor Rig Nema is dispatched to the Coruscant Underworld to monitor. Alone and overwhelmed, she must find a place in the community and face down a deadly threat that could destroy the heart of the galaxy.

58. Entry Fifty-Three

Entry Fifty-Three – Days after Geonosis, Three Hundred Sixty-One

We approach a full year of war now and news has come of a significant victory. After over two hundred days of blockade, occupation, and resistance, a combination of Republic forces and Twi'lek resistance fighters have seen Ryloth liberated. The usual Jedi names fill the news reports, and the usual clone numbers populate endless casualty listings, but this time Twi'lek names accompany both.

The latter has greater purchase in the Bucket than any Jedi. Cham Syndulla is the hero of the hour, and enough toasts have been raised in his name to fill a Star Destroyer.

It is a good time for Twi'leks generally. The miscaf vaccine has gone into production for them this week, with millions of doses distributed already. I am seeing a significant reduction in cases in my clinic, hopefully in a month there will be none. They've raised toasts in my name too, assuming I can believe Morne's reports regarding the cantina scene. It's very embarrassing.

But I suppose it is good to celebrate progress. The victory at Ryloth is strategically significant. Perhaps it marks a turning point and Republic forces will switch from defense to offense now. Liberate the galaxy bit by bit.

I suspect I will defeat miscaf first, but I suppose a simply fungus has not the tenacity of an entire Separatist coalition.

This is a moment of victory, an achievement that, considered logically, I am unlikely to ever exceed, or even match. A disease defeated, it ought to be enough for anyone. A year ago I would never have believed I could have accomplished this, certainly not with the curious collection of resources cobbled together for the project.

But it all feels hollow in this moment.

The Clone Wars rage on. Ryloth is a milestone, perhaps even a turning point, but it is not peace. And the enemy waits down below. Whatever that foe's true nature, I do not think it a creature of the Separatists. Yet it could deliver victory unto their hands all the same. For a lineage of ancient provenance, I can only note that YH-life chose its moment well. Perhaps that was inevitable, the will of the Force.

May the Force see that the end comes soon. I am tired of waiting. I suspect I am doomed to fail, but I stand ready to fight.