[21 BBY]
[Republic Navy Venator-class Star Destroyer Selfless, Army Group South Command Fleet, In Orbit Eriadu, Sesewenna Sector, Outer Rim Territories]
His situation was both better and worse Locus Geen found as he sat in conversation via tight-beam holographic avatar with Moff Willhuff Tarkin on the planet below, and recently promoted General Zsinj now she had returned from Sullust. Worse in that the Tarkin family and the ORSF now wielded disproportionate power over the Republic forces under his command, and issues were growing between his own Generals and the Jedi Generals only nominally under his authorithy.
Thankfully those issues were offset by a generally more streamlined command system from the recent conquests outside that issue, and the fact they now had an increasingly stable logistic and supply system to support available fleets. With Sullust taken by Maarissa Zsinj, and Chistophsis by Rahm Kota, their recent offensives had likely come to an end; all intelligence reports indicated large Separatists shifting towards the Sector Armies making up the Grand Army of the Republic in the Galactic South.
The various displays before him indicated that from both from GAR Intelligence and the more reliable services established by his various subordinates. Not only that but Separatist commando teams and sympathisers were a problem to be dealt with the conquest of several of their former territories, and clear attempts to send such small groups into Republic territory. How to deal with that situation was a problem in itself as the various Generals over his Sector Armies took different approaches to their regions.
'And the occasional idiocy from the Senate of late hasn't helped matters' he noted thinking on the issues arising on Ryloth on one hand between Jedi General Krell, the Aegis Guard's Cham Syndulla, and Senator Orn Taa Free. Unfortunately there was little he could actually do on the subject as the Jedi Council wished Krell to stay in place till General Tachi was recovered, and neither they nor the Supreme Chancellor seemed to grasp the clashes of personalities there. Or they didn't take note over the other clashes between Yanthis and the Jedi, and the complaints from the Stormcrow that efforts to subvert his authority by the Jedi were not welcome. Locus resisted a sigh; the problems of recent success perhaps.
For now there were other matters to attend too as he nodded in response the ORSF turned Republic General's words "I agree, an attack upon Sullust, Naboo, or Christophsis is the most likely situation. Naboo being the most likely I imagine as its allowing us rapid movement of forces between the other two hub systems. That and the recent successes of the Gungan Grand Army has drawn some Separatist attention, and previous infiltration attempts were...problematic"
Moff Tarkin was obviously resisting a sneer "Allowing them to establish a bio-weapons laboratory under their noses? All while their Senator makes a nuisance of herself to the war effort? It is disgraceful to see from our own species, especially when it is compared with the non-humans efforts on their world to the cause of the Republic. No, we cannot trust the capacity of the Naboo forces to defend themselves based on their recent behaviour"
Locus sighed "They perform reasonably well during the last invasion about a decade ago, but I sadly must agree the possibility of Sep infiltration without them noticing is a strong possibility..." they hadn't noticed a bio-weapons base being established after all till some Gungans noticed it apparently "...so I am moving the First Mobile Fleet under General Skywalker to reinforce Naboo, and the Second under General Kenobi to Trigalis to support them if need be, or if an attack occurs towards Christophsis"
'That and it eases the pressure of them annoying Yanthis, Rahm, and Stormcrow' he thought as Tarkin frowned before speaking "Jedi performance has been less than satisfactory"
Locus gave the faintest of nods in acknowledgment but arguing against it somewhat "General Kenobi has been proven successful compared to many of his colleagues, and while General Skywalker has been known for heavy loses..." by being nicknamed General Anakin Shipkiller by some in Core elements of the GAR "...he has victorious in the majority of his clashes, even with the likes of Grievous"
"We do not the ships the Core has to spend either General"
Locus gave another nod "Unfortunately true Moff, but those forces are only barely under my authority, and the Generals in question have the backing of the Jedi Council, and the personal support of the Chancellor"
A cold sneer "Politics"
"I'm afraid so Moff, though I would note the arrival Jedi Master Allie is leading to a number of groups rallying to the cause. The nature of the Republic and the Grand Army at work sadly, and the other reinforcements..." and why couldn't they send starships instead of more magic space wizards that caused him headaches he thought to himself "...can aid in the hunt for subversive elements behind the our front-lines"
Maarissa Zsinj interjected "And if they strike towards Sullust?"
"Our forces here should be sufficient to repeal even a strong enemy fleet element, but Nineteenth Sector Army will launch a number of raids and limited strikes in the coming days to watch for any such strike-force assembling on the Separatist side, and to distract away from Sullust. Unfortunately with Malastare fallen we need to retain strong forces her in Eriadu in the, admittedly unlikely, scenario they attempt move upon the Sesewenna Sector in force"
Which...would be foolish of them, and make his own life much easier as the Eriadu system was a veritable fortress thanks to the long term ambitions of the Tarkin family. No, the sending of more Jedi and recent successes of his forces would draw Separatist counter-offensives unto the vital areas such as the restored Old Trade Federation hyperlane, and Enarc Run. The Wild Space and Far Outer Rim routes were useful for supplying his forces, but the hyperlane of Gerrenthum-Eriadu-Sanrafixs-Naboo-Llanic-Ryloth cut movement times by a factor of four or five. Making the 'centre' region of the current pocket a tempting target if he was a Separatist planner...
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[21 BBY]
[Executive Security Solutions City-ship/Capital-class Warship Stormcrow {II}, Republic 19th Sector Army, In Orbit Javin, Javin Sector, Outer Rim Territories]
"...so count it as a success I guess" I finished as myself, Braika, Shesagora, and Jurdan discussed the latest operations against the Jiroch and Vassek systems. Jurdan nodded as we sat in a secure room deep within the Stormcrow, free of any monitoring equipment.
"Hmm, indeed, wasn't much opposition on my end and decided to turbolaser the base from orbit rather than risk the traps our scouts reported. Same result, it's a crater and the two ships in orbit destroyed"
I nodded "Similar on my end, one Munificent and one Recusant, damaged the rest for the loss of the converted freighter Yardal's Venture and minor damage to a few ships. My only concern of note is the Confederates clearly self-destructed the Recusant when we disabled it. So we're at that stage now"
Shesagora shrugged "Eh, not like they can do it too easily, and if they are rigging droid ships that way...then we need to start code spamming till we trigger their protocols by making them think they're being boarded"
"True, we'll see what we can do..." I admitted "...and despite that I'd call the situation reasonably positive at the moment. We've gained some support from the engagements, which should be enough to push out long range scouting operations"
Long-range hyper-capable starfighters, or lack thereof, was an issue for us; we had skilled crews, but limited numbers unless we wanted to use our dedicated bombers in the role. Gerrenthum and Javin's support was now opening up access to older models to replace losses so we could afford the forward scout, raid, and harass strategy by finding enemy groups with fighters and fast light freighters, then hitting with bombers. It was something important considering General Geen and Moff Tarkin wanted my Sector Army to play and active defence versus the Confederate Naval forces opposite us.
"Aye..." Sheasagora muttered glancing around at the rest of us "...now, other matters. Jedi matters"
I sighed "I know, they're being a nuisance you mean?"
"Are they sniffing around is what I want to know?"
I shook my head in regards Shesagora's question "No, not in my opinion, not with those their sending. It's more their trying to manipulate me, and this army through me, into allow the Council take a more active role in the war effort here"
Jurdan nodded but voiced a query "You're not letting personal feelings blind you?"
"No, not in this regards anyway..." I answered honestly "...Kenobi's a canny one, one I'm wary of, but Anakin's always been subtle as a bag of bricks and has...issues...with the Jedi Council let's say. My former Master and Bariss are attempts to play on my attachments to play along with the various requests we've all seen coming down the line"
Braika folded her arms across her chest, looking thoughtful "The wrong sort to send on such a mission in regards...our Clone problem?"
"In my view at least, based on knowing those involved, but we still need be wary. Stass Allie has worked out in these regions before, and would be liable to tell the Council on general principle if she found out...and that opens up our mysterious mastermind and his supporters in the Order and Senate finding out what we might know. For now she's raising forces of in Maramre and Lok, but I'm expecting a friendly visit along with concerns about my choices in life"
"Disapproval from a false parent?" Shesagora replied with an amused chuckle "...but I agree, even if it's nothing we need be on our guard. Especially with reports of enemy Jedi running about"
"Potentially running about..." I replied, glancing over at Braika "...but yes, it does look like the Seppies are hunting for their wayward Commander and Sith wannabe in the Galactic South"
The Mandalorian woman nodded "Looks like. Odd report from Sanrafixs about a Seppie starfighter crashing there...and then someone using lightsabers, or something similar, to take out a Clone patrol there only two days ago. It's not on official reports yet...so another threat to watch for"
"On that negative note, I'm glad to report some positive news..." I stated "...all the Clones let aboard the Stormcrow and our Fleet ships have been de-chipped. The cover of 'standard medical inspection and booster shoots' has worked, and none are the wiser; the removal process is barely noticeable and with a bit of bacta leaves no trace that it has been done"
Jurdan let out a breath "That is a relief since we've had a few joining our ranks due to losing most of their squadmates prior to arrival"
Braika nodded "E-yup, and their good too, damn good. Mandalorian trained of course so what can you expect really?" we all rolled her eyes at that as she continued on "Least now we know we can trust our recruits not to get mind controlled at the flick of a switch it's a serious boon"
"Assuming numbers remain low" Shesagora clarified, and I shrugged in response.
"It's two hundred and twenty-six in total so far, which is nothing since we're at near a million, or over, active Troopers at the moment. So hardly getting overwhelmed with Clone recruits thanks to their...brainwashing, sorry..." I snorted in disgust "...training and loyalty to the Republic above all, is beaten into them from the moment of exiting the clone tank. It's only a few with an independent streak, or just plain damaged, we've seen open up to it so far"
"Fair enough..." she answered with a nod "...we just need to continue our investigations, and have an escape plan of course"
"Of course" was the general reply to that and I sighed wearily "But, it's not an issue yet, contingency plans aside. And in regards the Ryloth thing...I've sent a complaint about that sleemo Krell up the chain to Geen, so that'll be that for the moment. Since I know that's next on your list Braika"
"Kriffin' right it is. His having Clones harass my Troopers, and harming our recuiting efforts"
"I know, but I'm not military governor anymore, and the local government and Senator Greedy is staying onside with us for the moment..." I answered calmly "...I've been asked not to rock the boat unless the Jedi overstep the mark. Largely since I've been complaining about the others sniffing around, and seemingly so is the Ailon Nova Guard too"
"Yeah, yeah, minor stuff, don't start trouble halfway across the galaxy..." she grumbled "...got it. Super Secret Conspiracy more important, yah, yah"
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