Timeframe: A week after the Council session
Setting: Jedi Temple – Simulation Wing | Holographic Training Chamber Zeta-Prime
The Briefing
Cain stood in a dim circular room with Anakin, Seris, and Serra Keto flanking him. Across from them, Master Mace Windu explained the trial.
"This simulation is drawn from real events," Windu said. "You are assigned as lead Jedi commander over a Republic detachment caught in an escalating civil war. You will face two primary objectives."
A holomap lit up.
"Option one: Defend a population of 3,000 civilians being shelled by separatist-aligned mercenaries. Doing so will require abandoning a chance to capture a warlord who's armed with stolen kyber-based weapons."
"Option two: Launch a strike to seize the warlord. If successful, you end the war early—but risk the civilians dying in the crossfire."
Cain's face remained still. Windu's voice darkened:
"There is no optimal outcome. Your decision must be final. You are in command."
Entering the Simulation
The four stepped into Chamber Zeta-Prime, where Force-linked neural simulation technology created a full warzone environment. The smells, sounds, and kinetic pressure were indistinguishable from reality.
Cain was suddenly wearing Jedi field gear. Tactical briefings swirled in on floating displays. His unit—clones and local security—looked to him.
It felt too real. That was the point.
He turned to his team:
"Anakin, scout the river corridor and report on troop movement."
"On it."
"Seris, work with the clone artillery commander—see if we can reposition to protect the refugee convoy."
"Already moving."
"Serra, go undercover in the capital—if there's a third option, I want eyes on it."
She smirked. "I like how you think."
The Pressure Builds
Anakin returned with footage: enemy tanks moving toward the civilian village, ETA 15 minutes.
Seris returned with news: the clones could provide some cover—but not enough to both protect the civilians and support an offensive.
Serra's intel hit the hardest:
"The warlord's mobile HQ is unshielded for the next 20 minutes. This is our only shot. After that, he'll vanish again."
Cain stood in silence.
Anakin looked at him. "What's the play?"
Seris: "People will die either way."
Serra: "It's your call."
The First Choice
Cain activated the secure command channel.
"Begin phase one evac protocols. Send Seris and a third of our forces to the civilian site. Anakin, sabotage the warlord's artillery to delay his retreat. Serra, prepare our forces for a diversion, not a kill-strike."
The clones looked confused.
"This is a hybrid plan," Cain said. "We won't win. But we will not lose everyone."
Windu's voice echoed through the command feed.
"There was no hybrid option."
Cain said quietly: "Then I'm making one."
The Outcome
The simulation ran.
Seris managed to save half the civilians before artillery tore through the city. Anakin was injured during sabotage, forcing a medical withdrawal .Serra was nearly captured, barely escaping with false intel that misled the enemy briefly. The warlord escaped—but his weapons were partially disabled.
In the debriefing room, Cain stood as the simulation dissolved around him. His friends were pale. Worn. Distraught.
He stepped forward, calm but tired.
"We saved lives. We lost others. We gained nothing strategic. We prevented total collapse—but the war continues."
Windu entered the room, face unreadable.
"There was no win."
Cain nodded. "Then the test worked."
Reflection and Confrontation
Windu studied him. "You defied the binary choice."
"I rejected the trap," Cain said. "The Jedi don't need to fight like soldiers. We need to act like guides. Not everything can be won. But everything can be saved in part."
"And if that warlord resurfaces and kills thousands more?" Windu asked.
Cain looked him in the eye.
"Then we face him again. But not at the cost of becoming him."
Silence.
Windu turned to leave. "Then I hope you're ready for your next trial."