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Phase 32

=RK=

Part 5

=RK=

Kachircho, Wawaat Archipelago

Kashyyyk

Kashyyyk's capital differed from most cities I've been to, no matter the planet. Due to its nature, it felt alive in a way that regular settlements couldn't hope for. This was a zone far away from the depths of the Shadowlands, yet their primal nature was easy to sense through the Force. It was an odd reflection of all the Wookies gathered to greet me during my surprising state visit. Rows of warriors lined the approach from the landing platform. They all carried traditional bow casters and had their fur tended into colorful braids. The same was true for the delegation of particularly large aliens waiting for me. Their fur shone in the morning sun. A fresh breeze ruffed braids bound with polished stones.

I recognized the King and the local Chieftain, who was the de facto ruler of the capital, Tarfull. The latter had darker fur with lighter spots around his face. He stuck out due to wearing a semblance of armor – some kind of stripped leather shoulder guards, which had to be ceremonial in nature. Those things wouldn't be able to protect from a near miss, much less a glancing hit from a military weapon, and looked positively tiny on the Wookie's massive form.

A cacophony of happy roars and growls greeted me after disembarking the shuttle. HK walked dutifully beside me to ensure there would be no misunderstandings.

"Welcome, Mandalore!" HK translated. Thankfully, my assassin droid knew when to play the role of a simple protocol droid in order not to piss off people. "This is a proper warrior's welcome," my assassin sounded smug and happy in a way I usually associated with the prospect or immediate aftermath of wholesale slaughter. "It almost feels like home!"

We spent the next hour exchanging empty platitudes for all the gleeful spectators, which reminded me why I did my best to have other people deal with most politics when possible for decades. It was unfortunate I would be stuck being a head of state for years to come, with all that entailed. The flow of happy emotions from the gathered Wookies somewhat made up for the tedious political spectacle. Their elation and vindication were quite tasty and helped keep my mood from becoming particularly foul.

The Wookies gave a grandiose speech about the dawn of a new era, an end to the constant Trandoshan raids and prosperity like Kashyyyk hadn't experienced in many generations. It was a typical political stunt, just with more gleeful roaring, which soured my mood due to the reminder of what I had to look up to in the future. Nevertheless, I kept smiling and nodding at the right moments.

It was nearly noon when we retreated into a cozy room carved out into the massive trunk of the wroshyr tree that the city was built around and more importantly, within. Almost all furniture was hand-crafted and made of high-quality wood. I knew many worlds in the Core, and even back in the Empire with its preference for functionality and technology, where every piece within the room would cost a fortune. Now, that was an idea…

We sat on oversized chairs made of woven branches and solid wood. Furs and leather covered them like puzzle pieces, forming various symbols. A few of them even looked vaguely familiar, though I couldn't recall any details.

Notably, when we sat down to talk, all but the King and Chieftain Tarfful left. Whatever Grakchawwaa wanted to speak of might not be a waste of time then. Good.

"Times are changing," The Kind said in a no-nonsense tone. His growls were short, sharp, and to the point. "Our representative on Coruscant was clear that a new order would inevitably arise due to the war. The only questions are what it will be and what place we will have in it," HK translated without his usual sas. "We are grateful for what you did for our people, Mandalore. We also know you didn't do it out of the goodness of your heart. Your agent here made it quite clear!" A huge paw pointed at my assassin.

A subtle shift in posture ensured HK-117 appeared as smug as a droid of his type could be.

"Removing or stabilizing chaotic factors that would threaten the future of my people was the primary reason I sent my representative here," I told the Wookies. "We are in a situation where the Republic can't waste resources to keep you and the Trandoshans from killing each other, or worse, find itself in a position where one side invited the Separatists to aid them. We would rather have you coexist and be on our side instead of spending the resources and effort to solve the problem your ancient feud could have become in a permanent fashion. No matter what some fools on the holonet proclaim, this is not a war of secession. It never was. We all fight for survival. The victor of this conflict will be the new galactic hegemon. This is a war for the control of the galaxy. Those ready to fight to the bitter end on both sides are fully aware of what is at stake with all that entails."

Watching the two Wookies carry out a conversation with just body language was fascinating.

"We wish to be on the willing side," the King said. "We also want to have a voice heard and considered in the new order you and your allies are attempting to build. We were concerned when your Chancellor got elected in the way she was. It took us a long time to fully comprehend what it meant for the galaxy and us. Chancellor Kenobi gaining power like she did was an obvious sign in hindsight."

"We can speak freely here. My people swept the room for listening devices right before we arrived. I am sure your droid is ensuring we are not recorded as well," The Chieftain noted. "The Republic fell with Palpatine. You are right, Mandalore. Those who wish to fight to the bitter end despite that are the ones still in the field of battle. We owe you a boon. We know our location within the galaxy means Kashyyyk and our people are vulnerable if we stand alone."

"We can not stand alone in the long run, and the Confederacy is an unacceptable option," King Grakchawwaa continued. "No matter what their propaganda says, they already allied themselves with the Hutts once. Thanks to you, we just put an end to Trandoshan raids. I won't see them replaced with Hutt slavers."

Anyone dismissing the Wookies as barbaric beasts should eat their damn hearts. I was seeing more political acumen from those two than from many damned Senators back on Coruscant.

"You need a military industry then, King Grakchawwaa. You need shipyards and a navy that could protect Kashyyyk when outside powers are unable or unwilling to do so. The nature of this war proved that fact beyond doubt. And if that is not enough your world, or at least system, needs to be important enough to be worth protecting even when the military situation is nearly catastrophic," I spoke slowly, running through options in my head.

"We have seen how the rest of the Republic is greeting your people and the alliance you made possible," Grakchawwaa rumbled in displeasure. "We fear the same treatment without factions caring about the power we might wield. For all our prowess as warriors, we are one world. Our people are relatively few. We can't stand alone."

"I can potentially offer introductions with members of the Mid-Rim Alliance. Mandal Motors, among other entities I have sway over, might be able to provide know-how as well so you can establish a proper system defense navy in the future. Due to its location, this system can potentially serve as a shield against Hutt space and the Confederacy. There is the possibility that this war won't end with a clear victor, ensuring a new conflict in the not-so-distant future," I suggested.

"What would you want in exchange?" the Chieftain asked after a brief, non-verbal conversation between the Wookies.

"I would require you to fully back the New Order we are attempting to build from the ashes of the Republic." That was the fundamental point on which anything else would be based. I glanced pointedly at HK.

"Jamming is in full effect, Master. I detect no listening or other observation devices," My assassin confirmed.

"To be clear, I mean our New Order, the one the Kenobis, our other allies, and I are attempting to build, not the order many factions within the Core want."

The Wookies glanced at each other, and Grakchawwaa gave me a fang-filled smile.

"As long as we sit on the table, we are with you, Mandalore."

"That much I can promise."

=RK=

Part 6

=RK=

Council chambers, Confederate Senate building

Raxus Secundus

A quiet whine coming from his servos was the only sound Admiral Trench could hear when he walked into the conference room where the Confederate Council met. A handful of people were present in the flesh. Holograms sat along a long table in the middle of the room, leaving a single free seat custom-made for the Admiral's species. So he was about to speak in front of the whole Council and observers – that was the next best or worst thing compared to being in front of the Confederate Senate.

"Admiral, it is good to see you in person! We all feared for you and your fleets when the Sith and the Core revealed their latest treachery!" Ilroth greeted him with aplomb.

Despite what happened recently, the unusual Neimoidean was obviously in high spirits. Did he know something Trench was unaware of, or was it the other way around? The Admiral wondered.

"Do take a seat, please, and make yourself comfortable. We have much to discuss!" Ilroth eagerly waved at the free seat.

Trench shuffled forward and carefully maneuvered his bulk over the seat. With his body containing more cybernetics than flesh these days, even something as simple as sitting had to be a measured or deliberate affair.

"I am at the Council's disposal," Trench declared.

"We gathered here today to decide on a war-ending strategy," there was no mistaking San Hill, the Confederacy's primary contact with the 'neutral' Banking Clans, for anyone else. "It seemed that our attempts to weaken the Republic didn't pay out. Their recent successful offensive appears to be proof of that. However, our Bothan friends are of a different opinion."

All beings in the room turned their attention to Borsk Fey'lya. The Bothan's well-groomed fur bristled at the attention. His eyes shone with wild determination, bordering on fanatism.

"All information gathered by the Bothan Spy Net leads to a singular conclusion. Jedi Master Perrion was more right in his warnings than any of us dared fear. For all intents and purposes that matter, the Republic is gone. Congratulations, my friends, you won that much, and it doesn't matter!" Fey'lya's whiskers twitched in agitation.

Those words sent a wave of disbelief throughout the Council and observers alike. It was no secret that everyone banked on causing the Republic to fracture or force it to the negotiating table from a position of strength because continuing the fight would be an existential threat.

"Senator Fey'lya, please elaborate," There was not even a hint of surprise or agitation in the voice of the Techno Union's leader.

A closer look revealed that the three most powerful beings in the room were not surprised by the Bothan's words. The same was true for a few more Councilors, though not all of them. This kind of political theater was troublesome and potentially counter-productive. However, due to focusing on the war effort, Trench could admit he wasn't as familiar with the political realities within the Confederacy as he should be.

"Our military strategy was working until Veil's return. Due to how the current Chancellor got elected and all the obvious failures of the Republic, it was falling apart before our eyes. Various powers in the Core were contemplating reaching out to us to explore the possibility of separate peace because they did not see a credible path forward," Fey'lya scowled. "That murderer's return changed things. His campaign of butchery boosted the enemy's morale. More importantly, he offered them a path forward," the Bothan bristled. "Their so-called New Order. Skyfall and its immediate aftermath hid a key element from our agents. The Sith have subverted Kuat Drive Yard's leadership and, through it, have Kuat and its allies in their corner. Veil's murderous actions and Kuat's backing allowed Veil to use his pet Chancellor to offer many powers in the Core a bargain. A New Order where those who back it would rule uncontested and unrestrained, at our expense, in exchange for the support needed to win the war."

"All intelligence sources we have left in the Core are backing what Senator Fey'lya told us. In light of this, we need to reexamine our goals and strategies," Ilroth concluded. "We won our war against the Republic, for it is no more. Now we need to survive the Sith and Mandalorians who are subverting the Core and using its resources in their bid for galactic domination."

Trench spent the next half an hour wondering if this chaos was any better than the ineffective Republic Senate. The arguments, disbelief, and demands for further explanation, not to mention demands for more proof, were headache-inducing. However, compared to the joke that was the Republic Senate as of late, the key Council members managed to get the meeting back in order to focus on why the Admiral was here.

"Defeat is not an option," Trench began as soon as everyone else shut up, and Ilroth gestured at him. "It is clear that if we lose, we are looking at subjugation at best and destruction at worst. "I can offer a few different strategies that can offer us the possibility of victory, depending on how you define victory. The recent enemy offensive will have moderate long-term consequences. The material lost by the enemy mostly mitigates our losses in ships. Due to the recent loss of industrial capacity, a prolonged war no longer favors us. We are back into looking at a window of opportunity governed by industrial realities," the Admiral nodded in respect to the Bothan. "Thanks to the Bothan Spy Network and the invaluable information its agents brought us, we have an unprecedented insight into the number of ships the enemy can build and, more importantly, their ongoing construction cycles."

"It takes eighteen months to build a Venator Star Destroyer. Thirteen months for an Acclamator," Kleo Vombra's mechanical voice elaborated. "We both are constantly completing ships or repairing damaged vessels so they could return into service. Most of those hulls replace losses or ships leaving the front due to needing repairs. What has governed most major offensive and counter-offensive actions in the war so far are periods when many construction orders are completed in relatively short order, giving a boost in available assets to use in offense or to replace critical losses and shore up defenses."

"Skyfall bought us precious breathing time, severely crippling the enemy's production capabilities. However, their latest offensive ensured we don't have the luxury to try and rely on a victory bought by our industry," Trench explained. "The loss of ships, industry, and mines ensures we are not in a good position for a long war. The issues are compounded by Veil reinforcing the Mid-Rim Alliance."

A lot of people grumbled at that. Trench himself wasn't happy. Things would be different if it weren't for many powers in the Core releasing so many ships for Veil's offensive. Then the offensive wouldn't have been so successful, and Trench might have dared roll the dice and faced the fleets that Kenobi was about to bring to Corellia. One way or another, the war would have been decided before the Mid-Rim Alliance became a decisive factor. The war had to be resolved before that alliance and the Republic's access to resources from it could become a decisive factor, further boosting the enemy's industrial output.

"We have twelve to sixteen months before ongoing construction within the Core brings us to rough parity in naval assets. At that point, assaulting their key industrial centers would become an expensive way to commit suicide. In three years, the enemy will be able to launch escalating offensive operations without compromising the defenses of the Core or those in the Mid-Rim," Trench paused briefly to ensure all politicians would comprehend what he was telling them. "In twelve to fourteen months, depending on ongoing combat operations, we will have a moment of culmination, where our available naval assets, new technologies, and upgraded fleets will have maximum advantage compared to the enemy. That advantage will rapidly decrease as new enemy construction comes online in increasing numbers. We have eight to ten months to shape the battlefields across all combat theaters in preparation for an all-out offensive that will decide the war's course. At that point, we will need a few months to consolidate our assault fleets and logistics in preparation for the coming offensive."

"What do you mean by shaping the battlefield, Admiral?" Shu Mai of the Commerce Guild asked.

"We will map and weaken enemy defenses. We must force the enemy into engagements under circumstances that will give us favorable attrition rates. We must further ensure the enemy is distracted and forced to dedicate as many assets as possible in engagements that will not give them better odds in surviving the onslaught we must unleash upon them," Trench continued.

"We can deploy army groups to more loyal worlds to the Republic, then pull our fleets back, forcing the enemy to try and liberate them, further stretching their logistics!" Fey'lya exclaimed. "From what we gather, the Sith knows that going for such bait is of no military strategic value. However, it is a political necessity for his New Order. We can stretch their logistics and navy to the breaking point before you launch your offensive, Admiral!"