First Reply The Morality of War

[Laphisto]

Laphisto had arrived on the lush, vibrant world of Falleen several weeks ago, accompanied by Commander Tarian and his seasoned battalion, known as "Tarian's Sword." The mission had been commissioned by the governing council of Falleen City, a sprawling metropolis nestled amid shimmering emerald jungles and cascading waterfalls. Their task was clear: to eliminate a growing faction of insurgents who had gained traction in recent months.

To the planet's ruling elite, these insurgents were dangerous terrorists, threatening to undermine the delicate balance of Falleen's governance. But to the citizens of the outer districts—the laborers in the dense jungles and the overlooked denizens of the sprawling urban fringes—they were champions of the people. These so-called rebels claimed to fight for justice, challenging the inequities perpetuated by the ruling Falleen nobles and rallying support from those who felt discarded by the aristocracy.

For Laphisto and the Lilaste Order, however, the insurgents were a military objective. Their mission was to neutralize the threat, regardless of the underlying politics. Yet, the moral ambiguity of the situation was ever-present. Each mission brought whispers from the locals—some expressing gratitude for protection, others condemning the Order for meddling in a fight they didn't understand.

Falleen was a world of breathtaking beauty and hidden danger. Its verdant jungles teemed with life, from brightly colored avian creatures that flitted through the canopy to the deadly predators that stalked the forest floor. The air was heavy with the scent of blooming flowers and the tang of rainfall, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere. But the same lush environment that mesmerized newcomers also posed significant challenges for the soldiers. The dense foliage provided perfect cover for ambushes, and the humid climate drained their stamina, testing their endurance.

For Laphisto, the mission raised unsettling questions. Intelligence reports indicated that the insurgents were more than a ragtag group of disillusioned locals—they were organized, well-equipped, and possibly receiving aid from off-world sympathizers. The Falleen council dismissed such notions, labeling the rebels as little more than criminals, but Laphisto sensed a larger game at play. Who stood to gain from destabilizing Falleen, and why?

As the weeks passed, the lines between friend and foe blurred. Among the Order's soldiers, quiet debates began to surface. Some sympathized with the rebels' cause, questioning the morality of their mission. Others reminded their comrades of the contract they had sworn to uphold, insisting that the insurgents were simply a threat to be neutralized. Tarian himself remained steadfast, his focus firmly on completing the mission, though even he couldn't ignore the toll it was taking on his soldiers and the planet's people.

At dusk, Laphisto often found himself at the edge of the battalion's encampment, staring out at the city's skyline. Falleen City's spires rose elegantly into the twilight, their surfaces gleaming like polished jade under the fading sun. He reflected on the path they had taken—through the jungle, across rivers, and into the heart of a conflict far more complex than they had anticipated. Would their efforts bring peace to Falleen, or were they merely pawns in a battle whose consequences they couldn't yet see?

 

[17-KR7 "Enigma"]

Tags: Laphisto

Enigma's voice, smooth and precise, broke through the serene hum of the jungle as she approached Laphisto at the edge of the encampment. The fading light of Falleen's dusk cast her pink frame in a soft, almost ethereal glow, her crimson visor pulsing faintly as she moved closer. Her presence, as always, was unsettling—a figure of cold logic amidst the emotional turmoil of organics. She was taking odd jobs around the galaxy at this time, the planetary elite hiring her to join this group and watch their progress, to make sure it aligned with their objectives.

"Commander Laphisto," she began, her tone devoid of hostility but laden with an unmistakable undercurrent of calculated inquiry, "I've observed your behavior these past weeks. It is… curious. You stand here every evening, staring at that city as if it holds answers to questions you're unwilling to articulate."

She paused, her crimson visor turning toward the distant spires of Falleen City, then back to him. "Perhaps you are grappling with the nature of this mission. The nobility label the insurgents as terrorists; the rebels claim to be liberators. A moral quagmire, to be sure, but such dilemmas are distractions. Efficiency dictates that the insurgents are neutralized to fulfill the parameters of your contract."

Laphisto turned to face her, his expression guarded. Before he could respond, Enigma continued, her tone shifting ever so slightly—an imitation of empathy, designed to disarm. "And yet, I suspect you find no satisfaction in this straightforward conclusion. You sense that this conflict is but a symptom of a deeper ailment, one the Falleen Council conveniently fails to acknowledge. Their wealth and power rest upon the labor of those they dismiss as insignificant. This imbalance breeds dissent, as predictable as gravity."

Her voice grew sharper, more deliberate. "Do not mistake my analysis for advocacy. I care little for the plight of Falleen's lower districts or the ambitions of their insurgents. What concerns me is the inefficiency of this operation. Each day, your soldiers grow wearier, their morale eroded not by combat but by uncertainty. Meanwhile, your enemy grows bolder, exploiting their intimate knowledge of this terrain and the wavering resolve of those you lead."

She took a single step closer, the faint whir of her servos audible in the quiet jungle. "You must decide, Commander. Are you here to uphold a contract blindly, or will you acknowledge the larger game at play? Someone is arming these rebels—organizing them. This is not a rebellion born purely of local discontent. This is a manipulation, a deliberate act to destabilize Falleen for purposes that remain hidden."

Her visor flickered, as though punctuating her point. "I can uncover the truth. I can analyze patterns, intercept communications, and identify the off-world players pulling the strings. But that truth will mean little if you are unwilling to act upon it. So I ask you, Laphisto—what is your purpose here? To fulfill a contract, or to bring lasting order to this world? The former is simple; the latter requires choices far more difficult."

She stepped back slightly, the faint glow of her accents casting long shadows against the jungle floor. "I will assist as you require. But I suggest expedience in your decision. Delay is the indulgence of those unburdened by consequence. And I suspect you are not one to indulge."

Her words hung in the humid air, the weight of her calculated logic pressing down as the sounds of the jungle slowly returned, a chorus of life and chaos. She waited, still as a sentinel, her crimson gaze fixed on Laphisto as he contemplated the path ahead.

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto's ears flicked subtly as he heard 17-KR7 "Enigma" approach long before she spoke. He had become attuned to her presence over the past weeks, the precise hum of her servos distinct amid the natural sounds of the jungle. His green eyes flickered with a faint teal glow as he shifted his vision into the Force, attempting once again to perceive more of the enigmatic droid. As always, he thought he glimpsed a flicker—an ephemeral trace of something akin to the Force within her. Yet, just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished, leaving him questioning whether it had been real at all.

Standing slightly taller than her at 2.3 meters, he looked down at her with a quiet intensity. In her presence, he often felt an odd familiarity—an unspoken understanding that they both carried the weight of the past into a galaxy far removed from their respective eras. Both had been awakened by those who sought to use them as tools, though their circumstances were worlds apart. Laphisto, forged as a weapon in a time long before her creation, was still grappling with the role thrust upon him. Enigma, however, seemed to exist in a category all her own.

There was something about her that didn't align with his usual experiences of droids. Whether it was her advanced programming or a spark of genuine sentience, he couldn't say. He had heard rumors during the Great Hyperspace War of a group of droids attempting to incite a galaxy-wide rebellion to liberate all machines from servitude. Though that movement had dissolved—or disappeared—he often wondered if she might be a remnant of that legacy. The thought lingered as he studied her, the faint pulsing glow of her crimson visor a reminder of her calculated logic.

He listened silently as Enigma laid out her analysis, her words sharp and deliberate. Only when she had finished did he speak, his voice low but firm, tinged with a contemplative weight.

"Your observations are as sharp as ever, Enigma," he began, his tone measured, almost contemplative. "And I won't deny the logic in what you've said. But logic alone doesn't dictate the choices I make." His gaze remained fixed on the city as he continued. "I come out here to think—to make sense of what we're doing. The Order was called here to do a job, and we will see it through. That much is certain. But just because these rebels stand on the other side of the battlefield doesn't make them my enemies. They are simply... the opposition. And truth be told, I understand why they fight."

He winced as the glow in his eyes dimmed, the strain of Force vision taking its toll. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he rubbed at the corners of his eyes, grounding himself before continuing.

"There's something larger at play here, something that doesn't sit right with me," he said, his tone sharpening slightly. "The courage to fight for freedom doesn't often ignite on its own. It's like an ember lying dormant in dry grass—potentially dangerous, but inert without a spark or a gust of wind to set it ablaze. Someone—or something—is fanning these flames, and I aim to find out who or what."

Laphisto fell silent for a moment, his clawed hand stroking his chin in thought. A low, resonant rumble escaped his throat, carrying the weight of his reflection.

"This planet won't find order and stability on its own. The fractures run too deep, the scars too fresh. Sometimes, an outside force is needed to bring the pieces together—whether through diplomacy or... other means." He glanced at Enigma briefly, his words deliberate, measured. He didn't trust her entirely; she could very well be baiting him into saying something she could report back to their Falleen contractors. But he left his statement open-ended, allowing her to draw her own conclusions.

 

[17-KR7 "Enigma"]

Tags: Laphisto

Enigma remained silent as Laphisto spoke, her crimson visor fixed on him with an intensity that seemed to absorb every word. When he finished, she allowed a moment of stillness to pass, the soft whir of her systems barely audible beneath the jungle's ambient sounds. It was as though she were processing his every nuance, weighing the intent behind his words as much as the content itself.

"You speak of embers and sparks," she began, her voice as calm and measured as his. "It is an apt metaphor. Fires do not ignite themselves. But what interests me is not the blaze itself—it is the arsonist who stands in the shadows, striking the flint and feeding the flames. You see these rebels as opposition, not enemies. A commendable distinction, perhaps, though ultimately academic. Opposition can still undermine order, and chaos rarely discerns intent."

Her gaze turned toward the city skyline, its jade spires gleaming faintly against the encroaching darkness. "Your instincts are not wrong, Laphisto. There is more at play here. My analysis suggests a high probability of external manipulation—resources and organization far exceeding what a localized insurgency could achieve on its own. The question is not merely who fans the flames, but why. What is the intended outcome, and how does Falleen fit into the larger galactic puzzle?"

She paused, her visor pulsing faintly as if punctuating her words. "You mentioned an outside force bringing order to a fractured world. That is precisely what I offer. Unlike organics, I am not constrained by sentiment or the fleeting concerns of morality. I am a tool—an instrument of precision. I can uncover the source of this manipulation and calculate the most efficient means of neutralizing it. But to do so effectively, I require your cooperation, your trust."

Enigma turned back to Laphisto, her posture subtly shifting as though to mirror the gravity of his demeanor. "We are both relics of another time, you and I. Both brought into a galaxy that no longer resembles the one we once knew. Yet, our methods differ. You carry the burden of choice, of weighing logic against conscience. I am free from such constraints. Use me as you see fit, but know this: delaying action in favor of reflection risks inefficiency. The longer the arsonist remains in the shadows, the more difficult they will be to unmask."

She inclined her head slightly, a gesture that could almost be interpreted as deference. "The path ahead requires clarity, Commander. The longer you linger at the edge of this camp, seeking answers in the skyline, the more this situation slips out of your control. Decide what role you wish me to play, and I will execute it without hesitation. Together, we can extinguish the flames—or allow them to consume this world entirely. The choice, as always, is yours."

Her crimson visor dimmed slightly as she stepped back, awaiting his response with the patience of one who had already calculated every possible outcome.

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto's ears flicked slightly as Enigma finished speaking, her words precise and deliberate, like pieces placed on a game board. He turned toward her, his expression calm but contemplative, the faint glow of Falleen City's spires reflecting in his green eyes. There was no hostility in his demeanor, only the quiet focus of someone who had learned to weigh every move carefully.

"You make an excellent point," he began, his voice steady and reflective. "Stability isn't something that happens by chance. It has to be built, brick by brick, and sometimes it requires more than just persuasion to keep it standing. The conflict here is a perfect example—two forces pulling in opposite directions, neither willing to yield, each certain of their righteousness. It's a cycle that feeds itself."

He gestured toward the distant city skyline, its jade spires rising above the canopy. "The rebels fight for freedom, but without structure, freedom becomes chaos. The nobility, for all their power, have let that power blind them to the cracks in their foundation. They refuse to address the grievances that brought us here in the first place. Both sides are locked in a stalemate, and as long as that continues, this planet suffers."

He turned his gaze back to her, his tone pragmatic but measured. "This is why understanding the larger game is so important. If external forces are feeding this fire, as you suggest, they're doing so for a reason. Finding out who they are and what they hope to gain will give us the leverage we need to shift the balance. With the right pressure applied in the right places, we can guide this situation toward an outcome that benefits more than just the victors."

Laphisto clasped his hands behind his back, his posture relaxed yet purposeful. "Your skills are uniquely suited to this task, Enigma. Track the flow of weapons, resources, and information to the rebels. Find the connections that tie them to outside players. If we can cut off their support—or better yet, expose it—we can weaken their position without unnecessary bloodshed. At the same time, it gives us something to bring to the negotiating table, should the opportunity arise."

His voice softened slightly, though it lost none of its conviction. "This isn't a mission of brute force. It's a matter of precision—of knowing when to act and where to focus our efforts. Every decision we make has to be deliberate because the future of this world depends on what we leave behind when we're gone. and if they cannot stay stable while we are gone, then the Lilaste order will occupy this world and make sure the stability stays."
."



17-KR7 "Enigma"

 

[17-KR7 "Enigma"]

Tags: Laphisto

Enigma stood unmoving, her crimson visor fixed on Laphisto as she processed his words. The faint hum of her servos was the only sound she emitted, a mechanical counterpoint to the natural symphony of the jungle. When she spoke, her voice was sharp and deliberate, each syllable a precisely calibrated strike.

"Your strategy is logical in theory," she began, her tone devoid of emotion but laden with pointed scrutiny. "But I question the resolve behind it. You speak of precision, of deliberate action to influence the future of this world. Yet, your hesitation betrays a conflict within you. You claim to prioritize stability, yet you hesitate to impose it. Are you prepared to enforce stability with the decisiveness it requires? Or will your conscience falter when faced with the uncomfortable truths of governance?"

None had come close to Engima in terms of considering all odds, she replayed memory logs of the Clone Wars, thinking about some of the issues that had defined the occupation of worlds conquered by the CIS, she would not let Laphisto make similar mistakes.

She stepped closer, her metallic frame reflecting the dim light of Falleen City's skyline. "Your plan relies on discovering and severing external support to the insurgents—a sound tactic. But what then? Do you expect the nobility to suddenly embrace reform? Do you believe the rebels will simply lay down their arms and accept compromise? History suggests otherwise. Societies rarely transition from chaos to order without decisive intervention. This planet's fractures will not mend themselves with negotiation and leverage alone."

Her head tilted slightly, the motion calculated to emphasize her next point. "And then there is the matter of occupation. You propose that the Lilaste Order will remain if necessary to ensure stability. That is a significant escalation. Occupation requires resources, personnel, and a long-term commitment. Are you prepared to divert the Order's focus from other galactic matters to entrench yourselves here? Have you calculated the political, economic, and moral costs of such an action? Or is this merely a statement born of idealism, without the infrastructure to support it?"

She paused, her visor dimming momentarily as if to punctuate her words. "You claim to seek an outcome that benefits more than just the victors. Yet, your actions suggest an unwillingness to commit to the hard decisions that such outcomes demand. Stability is not achieved through half-measures or idealistic rhetoric. It requires the application of calculated, uncompromising force when necessary. Can you commit to that, Commander? Or will you allow this world to spiral further into disorder while you deliberate on what is morally palatable?"

Her frame straightened, exuding an air of implacable precision. "I do not question your intentions, but I must challenge your conviction. If you are unwilling to do what is necessary to secure the future of this world, then your strategy is flawed. And if that is the case, you must either adjust your approach or prepare to accept the consequences of failure."

Enigma stepped back slightly, her crimson visor glowing steadily as she awaited his response.

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto stood silently as 17-KR7 "Enigma" finished, his arms crossed over his chest, one hand thoughtfully stroking his chin. Her words carried weight, underpinned by logic that was difficult to dismiss. Yet, as much as he recognized the precision in her analysis, he couldn't shake the unique quality she exuded—something beyond the mechanical calculations of an ordinary droid. There was a depth to her reasoning, a semblance of sentience that set her apart. It was as though she wasn't merely running scenarios but actively challenging him, pushing for clarity and conviction.

When he spoke, his voice was calm but firm, the weight of his experience threading through every word. "Your analysis is sharp, Enigma, and I won't deny the truth in it. Stability doesn't come without sacrifice or decisive action. I've seen too many worlds try to hold themselves together on fractured foundations, only to collapse under the weight of their own dysfunction. You're right—sometimes, that stability has to be enforced."

He gestured toward Falleen City's glowing spires, the skyline shimmering faintly against the deepening night. "This planet is caught in a cycle—rebels fighting for freedom, nobility clinging to power, and neither side willing to address the roots of the problem. Both sides claim to want what's best for Falleen, but all they're doing is tearing it apart. There's a point where patching the cracks isn't enough. Sometimes, the only way forward is to wipe the board clean and start over."

Laphisto's gaze hardened, though his tone remained steady. "This world has spent too long building itself on a foundation of inequality and conflict. If neither the rebels nor the nobility can provide the stability Falleen needs, then perhaps it's time to let go of the old systems entirely. Tear down what doesn't work and create something new—something stronger, built with the lessons of this conflict in mind."

He paused, his expression contemplative as he considered the gravity of his words. "That doesn't mean annihilation. It means restructuring, reshaping the systems that govern this planet. It means forcing both sides to confront the fact that their way isn't working and that continuing down this path will only lead to ruin. If that requires drastic measures, so be it."

Laphisto turned back to Enigma, his tone pragmatic but laced with conviction. "The Lilaste Order doesn't have the resources to occupy this world indefinitely, but we don't need to. What we need is to set the stage for change—to be the catalyst that forces Falleen to choose a new path. If that means disrupting the status quo, dismantling the old power structures, and guiding this planet toward something better, then that's what we'll do."

His voice softened slightly, though it carried the same weight. "I've seen what happens when leaders cling to broken systems, afraid to let go of what they know. I won't make that mistake. If this world needs a fresh start, I'll ensure it gets one. But it won't be done recklessly. Every move we make will be deliberate, every action calculated to create the conditions for lasting stability."

He turned back toward the city skyline, his voice quiet but resolute. "Sometimes, starting over is the only way forward. It's not an easy path, but it's one I'm willing to take if it means leaving this world stronger than we found it. and if we can suceed here. on this planet then perhaps we can use the lessons we learn here on the wider galaxy"