AN: Just for clarification, these events take place shortly after the Swarm War in the Star Wars universe.
The Third Trial: Diplomacy
Suffice to say, my conversations with Luke Skywalker, the ambassador sent to negotiate with us, were very interesting and engaging. However, due to the private nature of our discussions, and Skywalker's insistence on privacy, there are no transcripts or records of our conversations, so you will have to take my word and honor for what happened during this period of time.
Much of our opening dialogue involved us each talking about our respective homes and experiences. Coincidentally, Skywalker was a native of the very planet we had occupied (though looking back on this now, I've come to think that it probably wasn't so coincidental after all). As standard procedure dictated, I refrained from exposing any sensitive information, though I was able to glean many useful facts about what we were getting ourselves into.
Apparently, the galaxy we had arrived in was in a state of constant conflict and upheaval. A multitude of wars, battles, a galaxy-wide revolution, and major incursions of alien forces (including the despicable Yuuzhan Vong) have left civilizations within this galaxy ravaged and war-weary. Please view the additional files contained within this database for additional detail.
Unfortunately, as discussions continued, I came to the ugly realization that there was little chance that we could convert these people to the magnificence of the Great Journey. These people had become desensitized after centuries of open war, and it was doubtful that they would believe in such a holy cause. Also, even more troubling was the fact that there was already a very well established and entrenched belief system in place. They believed in some heretical power dubbed the Force. Apparently, those that believed and worshipped it were able to access peculiar abilities. These individuals who possessed such powers were called "Jedi".
However, this unnerved me, since such beliefs would contradict and undermine everything the Prophets had worked so hard to achieve. It would be unacceptable to let any knowledge of the Force to reach the normal troops or our home galaxy. Such thoughts would put others under the delusion of an alternative to the Great Journey, and the ramifications of such an action would be unimaginable.
Needless to say, I was beginning to distrust this Jedi more and more. His belief and use of heretical powers unnerved me to no end. Skywalker could obviously sense my discomfort through his heretic magic and inquired me if something was wrong. I merely dismissed him, not wishing to deal this any further.
However, I made the gross underestimation that there would be only a single Jedi on this mission. Unknown to me, Skywalker had two other Jedi aboard, a fact that he had neglected to tell me. As this video footage will show you, the entire conflict was instigated by one of these two Jedi, whom I believe was the one named "Jacen Solo".
Video Record Case Number CROSS-45396(The feed starts in the hangar room, which is under heavy guard. The three alien ships are seen docked in the background, with several other humans milling about around them. The camera focuses on two robed figures. One of the figures has been positively identified as the Jedi "Jacen Solo". The other figure's identity is as of yet unknown. The two are already in an argument before they can reach sound recorder range.)
Unknown: …I'm telling you Jacen, what you're doing is madness! You should at least consult Master Skywalker before-
Jacen: (cuts off Unknown) There's no time for that. Besides, we don't need Master Skywalker's advice about this matter.
Unknown: That's madness! What gives you the authority to do such a thing?
Jacen: I know what will happen if we let this continue. I've seen it happen.
Unknown: (stands in front of Jacen) Seen what, exactly? Convince me, Jacen. Tell me what's gotten you so worked up that you feel you need to provoke the guards!
Jacen: (clearly agitated) I've seen a galaxy plunged in chaos. Countless planets and people locked in an eternal war that will end badly for everybody, because nobody was prepared for it. I've tried, I really have, but I've seen every possibility, and they all end the same way, except for this one. This way, if we provoke the conflict, we can guarantee that we will prepare the Galactic Alliance for the war to come.
Unknown: Stop it, Jacen! It'll be the Swarm War all over again!
Jacen: Exactly.
(Jacen abruptly pulls out an energy blade, similar to our plasma blades and immediately beheads a nearby Unggoy. The scene becomes chaotic as troops from both parties begin firing at one another. The unknown Jedi yells something, but her voice is drowned out by the weapons fire, and pulls out her saber. Jacen slays several more guards before staring directly at the camera, and the entire image bursts into static.)
End Feed
The aftermath of the battle was terrible. After the initial skirmish, six of our troops were dead and two wounded, with one casualty on the opposing force. The unknown Jedi was wounded and captured during the fighting while the rest of her companions made their escape. Since we had no idea how to hold such a creature in captivity, we decided to err on the side of caution and lock her inside of a cryogenic pod.
Meanwhile, our naval forces responded with haste and efficiency that would have made any naval commander proud. Within seconds of the news being relayed to the rest of the fleet, our vanguard did not hesitate to push out and punish the heretics. While many ships contributed to the battle, a squadron being led by Junior Commander Selan Kezanee of the Holy Rapture by far was the most bold of them, as this account will tell you.
An excerpt from the historical account Purge the Weak! By Shazz Karalee
After the treacherous attack by the heretical Galactic Alliance, our pious and diligent forces responded in a swift and vengeful manner. Once word of the betrayal had reached the bulk of our glorious battlefleet, many commanders immediately began exacting punishment on the heretics.
By far, the most successful retaliation was carried out by Junior Commander Selan Kezanee's squadron, which consisted of the destroyer Holy Rapture and the frigates Pious Watcher and Justified Rage. Communications records showed that just seven seconds after his ship was notified, Kezanee had already thrust his squadron deep into the enemy fleet, all batteries ablaze. When the damage was done, Kezanee diverted all power, including his shields, to engines and managed to boost out of range of the enemy guns before they could retaliate in any organized fashion. In total, Kezanee's squadron destroyed four ships, damaged five, and crippled two, with two of the kills being attributed to Kezanee himself.
After the overall battle, the final tally for both sides was three ships lost on our side, and nine ships lost on the heretic side. Our fleet managed to force the enemy fleet to withdraw. After the battle, with our forces still brimming with righteous fury, the order was given to burn the planet and strike out and spread our influence to all corners of the galaxy, if it meant burning it to a cinder.
Karalee makes the whole account of burning Tatooine sound very dramatic, but in reality, there wasn't much to burn in the first place. The planet was basically sand with the odd population center scattered about. However, she was right in the fact that we would spread out rage to the far corners of the galaxy in a way that will be felt of generations to come.