Chapter 61
The Rebel Alliance gathered together in their War Room to discuss the events that had just occurred, but for now they all just stared in horror at the holographic images showing hundreds of burning buildings on Carida. The Empire had done a surprise attack, and Rebel forces stationed on the planet had not stood a chance against the Empire's overwhelming forces. Now, the Empire was landing hundreds of ground troops to forcefully retake the cities, and no one was able to stop them. Commander Oliss Zephyr of the Carida guard had been one of the first casualties of the attack. His entire military base was shot to pieces before any attack was even noticed by the planet's inhabitants, and after that, the planet was mostly defenseless. Carida's government officials were being publically arrested or killed, and no one had even been able to put up a fight. Confirmed reports suggested that the Empire didn't lose a single fighter in their assault, and people all across the galaxy were starting to lose hope once again.
The Rebel Alliance was in an uproar. Some were discussing fighting back, others were insisting that they all should run away while they had the chance. Obi-Wan watched it all for a time and finally decided to stop the chaos. He wasn't really the type to yell often, but he knew that it would get their attention, so he yelled out, "Rebels!" There was some jostling and shushing when they all saw who was trying to get their attention, but eventually it all finally quieted down. "Now, I know that this event has shaken us, but we cannot allow it to cripple us," Obi-Wan said. "The Empire did this to scare us, to attempt to break us, scare us, tear down all that we have done. But please, we can't let them win. Everyone, look around this room." The rebels gave each other tentative glances and Obi-Wan continued, "I can guarantee that there is not one person in this room that has not lost something, or someone, to the Empire. We've all had losses. But those sacrifices will mean nothing if we give up now."
Mon Mothma, an Alliance leader, turned to Obi-Wan and asked him, "Then what would you have us do, Master Kenobi? We cannot challenge the Empire in our current state. We would be massacred, and we cannot just order our men to run needlessly and their deaths." Obi-Wan argued, "And I would never ask you to. That is why I say that we must increase our strength. We must recruit, find others that will fight, and we will lead them. Ezra Bridger gave a speech across several systems a few months ago, and dozens answered the call to battle. Before that, an increase in Jedi activity created uprisings in several more systems and gave you even more fighters. And before that, the Fall of Valor caused questions of the Empire's power to be asked by the entire galaxy. Each event has shown us, we only need to give people hope, and they will come to us. They only need to be lead to victory."
Leia looked around the room and could see that her Master was convincing many, but not all. To save his argument, she stood up and announced, "We need to restore the Jedi's reputation!" Everyone looked at her, but Leia refused to back down and explained, "My Master told me stories about how the Jedi used to be the primary defensive force in the galaxy. Back when they were just peacekeepers, the Jedi represented peace and stability. The sight of their lightsabers signaled hope, it gave people something to rally behind. If we restore what the Jedi used to be, the people will tally behind them again!" Mon Mothma considered it and took a moment to converse quietly with the other Rebel leaders before she announced, "Well said, young Kenobi. All who wish to leave may leave, but the council is unanimous in the decision to take the war to the Empire, starting with recruitment and the restoration of the Jedi." Perhaps to everyone's surprise, no one left.
Mon Mothma's eyes were wide. "No one is leaving? Welcome, but unexpected." One of the younger Rebel soldiers stood up and announced, "If I may, Senator, many of us were around, either as adults in the Republic or just kids that were told the stories of the Jedi. And I'm sorry to say, but many of us also believed it when we were told that the Jedi had betrayed us. But when the Empire showed us its true colors, we started to look to our past protectors for the reassurance that the Empire didn't give us. We regained our faith in the Jedi, and if they say that they'll lead us out of this dark time… Personally, I believe them, and I'll follow them anywhere." All Jedi present in the room looked at the soldier gratefully. Obi-Wan smiled and announced, "All right, then! We'll handle bringing in some of our own. Everyone else, contact connections on every planet we can reach and get out the message. The Rebellion is taking the fight to the Empire."