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Phase 4: A taste of war

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Part 3

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Jedi Temple

Coruscant

Two pyres burned with crackling flames within a secluded courtyard in the Temple. Most of the Jedi on Coruscant were present, including everyone from the Old Republic. They were quietly paying their respect to the fallen.

In the end, all Obi-Wan could do was bring the dead back home so they could get a proper funeral. While Kenobi knew he would be no match for the Sith who murdered his little brother and took Windu apart in the end, simply walking away ate him from within. The realization that the Sith let him go made it worse.

"As you are, Jedi, you are more of a threat and a headache for your side than me or mine," the Sith happily declared before simply turning away and leaving the arena while tens of thousands of bloodthirsty monsters cheered him on. At that moment, Obi-Wan wanted to charge the butcher and cut him to pieces.

Even now, within the dubiously peaceful atmosphere of the Jedi Temple, Kenobi felt apart from everyone else. Doubts and dark thoughts plagued him because, in the end, he didn't leave Nar Shaddaa without fighting. After all, it was the Jedi way or because it was the smart thing to do. He did it because he knew he stood no chance as he was. Kenobi burned to be the one to end the Sith for good, and he needed more training and experience. He had to be better, stronger, faster, more dangerous. Simply more.

The Sith was right about him.
That treacherous realization clung upon Kenobi like a label, proclaiming he was unworthy of being a Jedi. Obi-Wan knew many of his comrades could sense the change in him, and none of them knew how to handle it.

It was Perrion who finally dared to approach him after all the painful debriefings were over while he was helping build Anakin's funeral pyre.

"Master Kenobi, I can sense your pain and thirst for justice, or perhaps it is vengeance you seek?" There was no judgment in the Ancient Jedi's tone.

That somehow made it all worse, and it took a supreme effort of will for Obi-Wan not to prove the Sith right.

"Stereotypical Sith are easier to handle. As I've said before, dismissing them as mere monsters is easy. One of them would have killed or captured you so they could turn you instead of sending you back to us," the old human continued.

"As I am now, I am a liability. He was right about that," Obi-Wan spat in vexation. "I was of no use!"

"You all were unprepared to face the likes of Vael. That is not on you. While I greatly respect Master Yoda for what he has achieved over the past thousand years and for his moral character, his stance on training today's Jedi is flawed," Perrion paused briefly and took up another armful of wood, then continued aiding Kenobi in building Anakin's funeral pyre. "I understand where he is coming from. I've seen the records and know that his intent worked to ensure no Jedi who falls might be too great of a threat. However," the ancient one sighed and shook his head in frustration.

"The Sith weren't extinct as we believed. I can understand no one could have foreseen your presence or that…" Obi-Wan bit off a vile curse that should not leave a Jedi's mouth. Then again, did it matter anymore?!

"There would always be Darksiders, fallen Jedi, or Force Sensitives who stumble upon ancient artifacts and holocrons. I sometimes wonder if it is the will of the Force that we keep forgetting such a simple fact or mere arrogance. We are the good side in this tale, Master Kenobi. We should win, and that has to be the will of the Force, right?"

Obi-Wan could only nod numbly. Anakin was supposed to restore balance to the Force by destroying the Sith. How could ending such monsters be anything but good and just? How could the Force wish for anything less!?

The simple answer a good Jedi would give was obvious, just like the will of the Fore should be obvious in that regard.

"Outside of a Jedi Temple, the galaxy is a complicated place," Perrion stated the obvious. "Further, claiming to fully comprehend the Force, its intentions, and will, as much as it might have a will, is a folly. No matter if it is a perversion, a mere tumor, or something fundamental, the Dark Side exists. We know that. We can feel it. We can easily use it if we so desire. It exists, and if the Force has a will of its own, the Dark Side gets a vote, too. It took me decades to learn that harsh lesson, Master Kenobi."

"What are you getting at, Master Perrion?" Obi-Wan finally asked. He was getting tired of these word games, yet they were something he would have greatly enjoyed just a few days ago.

"Do not blame the Light or the Jedi for what happened. There is only one man at fault, and you've met him. You must find a way to temper your emotions before they destroy you. There will be no justice or vengeance if you fall to the Dark Side, Master Kenobi."

"Justice…" Obi-Wan muttered. "Can you offer me justice, Master Perrion?"

"I can offer you a friendly hand when you are in need. I can offer you training and all I know about Vael. You know he will be coming for me. I can also offer you a chance to help me bring him to justice. But first, let us send your friend on his journey. He is one with the Force now, unbothered by worldly concerns."

Justice or vengeance? What was the difference? "Do I care about it?" Obi-Wan wondered. All he knew was he would be taking Perrion up on his offer. The next time he met with Vael, things would be different, Kenobi swore.

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Council Chambers, Confederate Senate Building
Raxus Secundus

While it was satisfying to have a seat on the table and have my voice heard, my current position was a testament to the kind of mess the war and the CIS military were right now.

Grievous was here, still on light duty, and trying to figure out who exactly he was now.

An imposing Hatch Admiral sat nearby on a seat made specially for one of his species. His multiple eyes, cybernetic and organic alike, roamed over the room, studying everyone. Beside him sat a miracle of miracles, a competent Neimoidian fleet commander with a staring match with a large blond human sitting across the table from him. A group of tactical droids of various models stood near the walls, ready to offer their input.

Of the Separatist Council, only those who mattered most were here – Hill, Gunrey and Tambor, with Dooku at the head of the table, ready to herd this particularly ornery group of nexu.

"We will have to handle the political side of the conflict. Today, the Senate had to consume a large dose of reality, and I am certain they didn't enjoy the taste," Dooku opened the meeting. "I will ask you all to do your best not to make our work any harder than you must to win the war."

Dooku waited for everyone to confirm we understood where he was coming from before the meeting could continue.

"We have a single item of business to deal with today," Dooku declared gravely. "It is essential for our survival. Our new commander," he nodded at me, "could see it clear as a day as soon as he had a rough overview of the strategic situation. For reasons I should not go into again, we had no strategy to win the war. That must change, and we will make it so today."

The other Confederate Commanders sent their political leadership loaded stares. I could work with that, especially after I proved my credentials as a commander in a more spectacular fashion.

"There is no need for me to sing your prizes again, my friend," Dooku told me. "Your actions will speak for themselves. Tell us how you see us winning this war."

I used the Force to activate the room's main holotank. A map of the galaxy formed in high resolution, making it look like we were floating in the void like immense giants.

"Your former Master can shut down our droid armies with a single transmission. Until that is handled, we can't go directly for the Core," under my ministrations, the map zoomed, showing the Republic's industrial heartland and highlighting dozens of critical systems we had to take and neutralize the dispersed industry of. "This is our ultimate prize. If we can't destroy or, better yet, take and hold those industrial centers, we will lose a long war, and it will be a long war if we don't deal with them."

I waited until I got various sounds of agreement.

"Before contemplating how to cripple the Core, we will focus on different strategies aimed at shaping the battlefields across the galaxy in preparation. First, we will use our numbers to force engagements of limited scope. Their purpose will be to neutralize as many enemy naval assets as possible. The nature of the operations should be left to competent theater and fleet commanders who would know the local conditions best."

"You want to weaken the enemy and improve our chances when we go for their throat. I agree," Grievous voiced his agreement.

"I concur," Trench noted. "However, we must be careful to ensure favorable attrition rates."

"Second," I focused the map to the western part of the galaxy, "We must secure our internal lanes of communication, cut off the Core from as many parts of the galaxy as possible to deny it resources, and finally, neutralize or subvert loyalist systems that will fall within our grip."

"Kamino," the Neimoidian Captain, Tandin, pointed out.

"If feasible, we will assault and neutralize that system directly. If not, we will cut it off and blockade it before dealing with the enemy forces there at our leisure. Much will depend on what reinforcements the Republic will send and where they'll send them after our intention in this part of the galaxy becomes clear."

"Kamino should be our primary target there, should it not?" Grievous asked. "Without their Clones…"

"The Republic has virtually unlimited manpower when taking into account logistics. The same is true due to our droid armies. Shipping is the limit, not bodies. While a serious blow, losing Kamino won't stop the Republic or make all the deployed Clone units suddenly disappear,"I pointed out. "We must secure the Triellus Trade Run and the Llanic Spice Run, securing our logistics and denying those routes to the enemy," multiple dots lit up in orange as I manipulated the projector's controls. "Depending on the enemy's reaction, we will explore whatever opportunity they offer by attacking where they don't heavily reinforce. Kamino is one option. Taking Naboo and denying its plasma exports to the Republic, as well as using it as a stepping stone for further operation, is another thing we might do. Such an operation will have the added benefit of hitting the Chancellor politically. What can he protect if he can't keep his homeworld safe?"

"He won't care, as you know," Dooku reminded me.

"Others will, especially if we use our propaganda to add the right spin. Either way, we need to secure Enarc. It is a lynchpin on the Triellus Trade Run. If we are fortunate, by threatening Naboo, we can force the enemy to expose some naval elements that we can destroy at a time of our choosing. The real prize is Eriadu. Taking that system will break the heart of the Republic defenses in the region, allowing raiding elements to run unchecked through the western parts of the galaxy controlled by the Republic. Further, if Eriadu falls, it will free a tremendous number of forces needed to keep it blockaded, unraveling the enemy's defenses in multiple sectors. We can potentially secure our left flank for good and access vital resources and small-scale industry. The Republic's loss there can be our gain."

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Part 4

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After weeks of consolidation and no new offensive operations, the Confederate Navy launched a series of limited operations across the Outer Rim. At the same time, due to intelligence retrieved by the Bothan Spy Net, GAR High Command deployed its reserves and newly incorporated SDF fleets to hold critical hyperlane junctions, while heavily reinforcing Kamino and the Republic holdings in the region.

For the Republic military, which was heavily outnumbered in manpower and material, it was time for hard choices. In contrast, after it ceased striking worlds of marginal to no strategic importance, the Confederacy enjoyed a significant numerical advantage and the ability to choose from a large set of objectives to pursue.

The first blows fell in the far eastern reaches of the galaxy, aimed at entirely cutting off and besieging the Corporate sector. The strategic goal there was to force the whole region into the fold so its industry, manpower, and resources could serve the Confederate war machine. To achieve this, CIS fleets launched a three-pronged assault.

The first fleet struck up the Hydian Way, going for Ruuria, Oshtetti, and finally, the Cadomai system, which would put it in striking distance of the Corporate Sector's heartland.

A second fleet went for Sikurd and Gigor, carefully timing their attacks to stagger their arrival, with a third fleet going up the Shaltin Tunnels aimed at Zygerria. Meanwhile, Count Dooku entered negotiations with Queen Miraj Scintel. One way or another, the Confederacy would secure the Zygerian system and complete the isolation of the Corporate Sector, setting up the stage for its incorporation by either diplomacy or military might.

Two more fleets launched from Botajet and Lucarez, aiming at Phindar. The Confederate navy did attempt to take the world earlier in the war. However, strong resistance from the local SDF forces and GAR Naval elements managed to repulse that attack. However, later, CIS strikes left the system isolated, and the Republic could not reinforce it further. While the Phinaran navy and its GAR allies fought valiantly, the Confederate Navy threw two fleets at them, each vastly outnumbering the defenders, which were overwhelmed after a short but bloody engagement.

On the face of it, the fall of Phindar had little strategic importance, for the CIS had multiple options to facilitate travel between its holdings in the east, using what used to be Sith Empire territory thousands of years ago. Now, to be clear, by taking control of the system, the Confederacy did ease up its logistics, shaving off about a day of travel times, thus saving time, fuel, and maintenance debt, which was indeed necessary, if not critical, at that point of the war.

However, Phindar's fall had two strategic consequences that weren't immediately apparent. First, it was a clear sign of a radical change in tactics and strategy that the Republic military could point at. Phindar fell to fleets commanded by Tactical Droids, which used their numbers ruthlessly to crush all opposition in space, demonstrating the Confederacy had been learning how to wage galactic war at a frightening pace.

Second, taking Phindar neutralized the last major Republic stronghold in the region, allowing the CIS to rapidly gain control of the core territories of the long-defunct Sith Empire. This was an often overlooked fact that should have been of no consequence, save for the reappearance of Darth Vael, now serving as an Admiral within the Confederate military…

The final operation in the east the CIS launched at that time was aimed squarely at Mon Calamari. Smaller fleets went through Hutt space, converging on the Calamari Sector, ensuring that any loyalists willing to flee or reinforce the area would have to avoid hyperlanes and do it the slow way, practically neutralizing such forces for months. The CIS had one of its finest commanders on the job, giving the overall command to Riff Tamson. At the same time, Confederate diplomatic efforts bore fruit, leading to an uprising on Mon Cala between the Mon Calamari and the Quarren, with Chief Nossor Ri siding with the CIS.

The Tides of War: The Clone Wars, Volume II: The Outer Rim Campaigns

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Malevolence, Subjugator class heavy cruiser
Admiral Vael's flagship, Geonosis

Fighting for the side that right now had the superior numbers and firepower, without a bunch of Sith playing their typical games, messing things up was different in a good way. The sheer scope of options that opened was incredible, and I couldn't wait to take full advantage of it.

Spies, scouts, probing and pinning attacks, as well as reconnaissance in force lit up most of the front, yet doing so involved a mere fraction of the forces massing for the current, 'limited' offensives, much less those building up for our eventual strike at the Core. Just reining it, operations against regions and systems that had no strategic bearing on the war effort released an incredible number of ships and material. Doing so also significantly lessened the logistics strain, allowing us to build up reserves for operations that might eventually win us the war.

Dooku was in the east, coordinating operations and diplomacy there. He had a singular, overreaching goal – end the Republic threat behind our lines, ensuring we could commit more forces when it was time to strike at the Core.

In a sense, we were doing the same here, with less diplomacy due to what had happened earlier in the war and before it. Almost anyone in the regions I was responsible for taking or neutralizing as threats who was sympathetic to our cause already was on board or in no position to contest the enemy's presence in their territory.

"We have confirmation. The Republic heavily reinforced Bothawui and Kamino. They are using Bothan space as a staging ground for sending convoys through Hutt Space," Poggle The Lesser explained while a nearby protocol droid translated. The Geonosian Archduke was eager to see nearby Republic bases and holdings taken to ensure there would be no second invasion of his homeworld. "Minor reinforcement fleets are heading for nearby enemy systems to prevent us from reversing Republic successes at Christophisis and Rodia. They've also sent token assistance to Eriadu, mainly the surviving enemy ships you faced at Ryndellia, Admiral," the insectoid alien pointed a brown, chitinous finger at me. "A battle group under the command of Admiral Yularen is to join them and reinforce their forces at Bith, shielding Eriadu from that direction."

The holographic map between us is updated with the latest intelligence and fleet dispositions.

"Archduke, your task is simple in concept and possibly not so simple in execution. The Regency Worlds have been playing the neutrality card so far. You will treat them with their Empress and secure them for the Confederacy. Arkanis is a key junction in this part of space. We need it opened for our use and to deny it to the enemy," It was time to prove myself to anyone within the Confederacy doubting my abilities.

"I will speak with the Empress. If she sees reason, their forces would come in useful. Otherwise, I will see them removed as potential threats to my people!" Poggle promised.

"Commander Tandin, your fleet will conquer Christophsis. In conjunction with forces striking down the Corellian run from Mon Gazza you are to secure that vital section of the hyperlane. When combined with the Archduke's efforts, your success would tremendously ease up our logistics in this region of space and allow us an uncontested move between most of our territories using Hutt space,"

"Admiral Trench, our end goal is going to be Eriadu. However, before striking it directly, we will first secure our logistics and dispose of Republic naval elements that might fall back to reinforce our ultimate target. To achieve this, we will take our fleets down the Tirellius Trade Route, passing through Arkanis and reminding the Empress there of the might of the Confederate fleets. At the same time, the Archduke either brings the Regency Worlds into the fold or crushes their military. We will take Tythe, while a second fleet from Mon Gazza will secure Llanic for us, allowing us to bypass any surviving enemy forces there. We must fight through the Republic garrison in the Curlan system."

"Didn't that place declare independence? Commander Tandin asked.

"It did and was a brief one. The Senate had their Clones arrest Curlan's Senator and have a strong garrison in the system. Due to its disappearance and reappearance shortly before the war, it was of interest to the Senate. Its stellar geography makes navigation and hyperspace transit through the system challenging. That was why the Sith used it as a fortress world during the New Sith Wars. The place is perfect to act as a shield securing the Tirellus Trade Route," Trench explained.

"What do you mean the system disappeared?" I asked, sensing the Force's hand in this.

"It was gone for two centuries until it reappeared a decade or so ago, with the locals unaware any time had passed. That even caused quite a stir locally, though it was overshadowed by the Trade Federation invasion of Naboo and its fallout that happened shortly after that," the Archduke elaborated.

That was certainly new. Exploring the place when I had the time and reliable personnel to do it might be worth it.

"Meanwhile, our forces from Enarc and New Gov will launch two operations aimed at opening our way after Curlan and securing for good the section of the Duros Trade Run between those worlds. Taking Ryndellia should not be an issue. Due to its location, Farstine was reinforced early in the war by GAR naval squadrons and Clone Forces. Taking it with Llanic will cut off many Republic-aligned sectors and the resources they provide to the Core. While beneficial, doing so is of secondary importance and merely a side-effect of securing the Tirellius Trade Run. If needed, we will aid our forces attempting to take Farstine before moving to Enark, where we will consolidate, rearm, and refuel before launching the second phase of our offensive. Any questions?"