[17 BBY]

[Confederacy of Independent Systems Warship Hammerhead, Lucrehulk-class Battleship, Confederate 11th Fleet, in orbit Centares, Centares System, Malrood Sector, Mid Rim, on the Perlemain Trade Route, Trellius Trade Route]

Merai would prefer to be in his starfighter, his Shark, once again, rather than upon this bridge, studying charts and seeing problems, but limited solutions. But as an Admiral of the Confederacy, and the harsh nature of war, such days of heroic starfighter dashes were long done…barely survived at that. When he had gone into the bacta tanks things had seemed simple, strategically…by the time he had exited it, and had months of recovery, things were no longer simple. Such as the situation now before him, with his fleet almost welded to a fearful Centares at the demands, many, many, demands, of the government he served.

It was the more…frustrating…part of his assigned tasks. Yes, Centares needed to be defended, but anchoring his fleet here was not serving much use in hunting down the Stormcrow's raider squadron, nor in dealing with the Republic warlords. Lantilles had been relieved by said Republicans, Gizer overrun, and a dozen systems raided by the Stormcrow's starfighters…and the government's response had been to anchor his fleet here, and recall Trench to sit on Kashyyyk. After Naboo Trench's fleet wasn't in a position to do much of course, but now they were on the defensive they needed to be more mobile. Not this fearful fixation on industrial worlds that should be able to defend themselves till a fleet arrived.

"Commodore Hatha"

…all of which meant that Merai had to do what he could, within the limits of his orders anyway. So, he nodded to the Neimodian from the Trade Defence Fleet, and a half decent raider against the Republic throughout the war "I have a mission for you"

"Admiral" was the professional, albeit cold, response. Merai could understand, the last few weeks had been grating for all of them, but especially from the various Trade Defence Fleet aligned formations as they were ones having to do increased shifts and movements to guard against said raiders "How may we help?"

Merai gestured at the galactic map, trade routes highlighted, along with reported appearances of certain raiding groups "Recent attacks have been problematic as both well know by now, and, let us be honest amongst ourselves, our current counter-piracy strategy is insufficient to dealing with it"

He paused, waving his finned hand side to side unhappily "Make the public feel better, especially on worlds like Centares, but…"

Blox Hatha nodded "Actual raiding has increased significantly since Naboo, and they are avoiding getting the punishments they so rightly deserve. I would hope we are discussing a change in strategy?"

"Overall strategy? Unfortunately, not" the Mon Calamari added "High Command…" by which he meant the Council and Parliament "…are willing to overlook such damage as peace negotiations are occurring on Bothawui and the…"

He, barely, kept the bitterness out of his words as the traitorous wretches on his homeworld sold out their freedom for a Sith of all things "…treaty with my former homeworld's government bringing that conflict to an end to the Confederacy's benefit, much as with Kashyyyk. They are of the intent to keep our southern raiders bottled up as they view it and to avoid any embarrassing major raids….such as happened here earlier in the war"

The damage that the Stormcrow had done to Centares and Zygerria were still raw in the minds of the various systems whose defence fleets had been drained to support the grand offensive. Merai actually suspected the raiding force from Naboo was larger than believed…but, even then, there were other steps that could be taken to mitigate the dangers. Just like the opposite was true with Ohnaka and his 'ghost fleet' that seemed to appear and ravage vulnerable systems before vanishing back behind Republic defences at the resecured Lantilles. He, personally, was glad that siege had been abandoned as freeing up the fleet there had significantly improved the defenses against any further Republic probing. Especially after that debacle in Zeltros as the Chancellorists went on the offensive like several others.

'Posturing and demands via the battlefield for any peace I expect' he thought, gesturing further "But, within those strictures, we can perhaps engage in some more aggressive any piracy actions. Ohnaka is certainly using smugglers routes to avoid detection, and, after a blunder at Ruusan intelligence believes the Stormcrow is using similar, along with knowledge from the arch-traitor, Ventress"

"Ruusan?"

Merai nodded, tapping the system "It's not on Republic starcharts, nor most of ours, but there was a watch station there, a secret one. Unfortunately, it was detected, and destroyed, but it did catch arrival of our raiders squadron before it was detected. He managed to escape, raiding Roche two days later, but it does show knowledge that he shouldn't have had"

The Neimodian studied the starcharts, nodding, hand under chin "You are concerned he can circumvent efforts at securing the primary hyperlanes against him. Ohnaka too?"

Merai nodded "Yes, the traitor Ventress was privy to many of Count Dooku's secrets as his agent, and our deceased leader was both secretive, but also prone to trusting information on a need to know basis. Based on reports available, such an agent as the traitor may know hyperlanes not known to High Command, but known to Count Dooku and General Grievous"

Commodore Hatha gave a nod "My squadron's role?"

"I'm going to reinforce you with several droid control ships from the reserve, along with what long range starfighters and light freighters, with experienced pilots, we can spare. I want you to range up on patrols as far as Gallidraan, Colmex, even to the edge of the Gordian Reach. Be aggressive, burn as much hyperfuel as you need, but don't engage if you run into significant enemy forces. Locate and shadow them, harry them if needed, and call-in reinforcements so we can smash the larger pirate fleets when the pop up again…"

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[17 BBY]

[Temporary Ambassadorial District, Bothawui, Both System, Bothan Sector, Mid Rim]

"Jar Jar it is good to see you, no matter the cir…" Obi-wan Kenobi heard Padme greet their gungan friend…and currently counterpart and…

'Not enemy, no, but not ally either' he thought not showing any of the discontent he felt at their arrival, and at the various factions present. This was a 'friendly' meet and greet as it were by the Bothans, merely a gathering to ease the negotiations under flag of truce by all parties present. In truth Obi-wan suspected it was a deliberate effort on the part of the Bothans to disturb efforts to preserve what they could of the Republic by forcing all of them into the one dinner party. War by canapes and Corusca liqueurs as it were, and the very reason that Analkin remained on Corellia with his children, while he was part of the team with Padme.

"It is your fault you know Kenobi" the gruff, no-nonsense, voice of former Knight Rahm Kota stated as much as greeted, not hostile…but Rahm Kota in a nutshell really "You know that, don't you?"

"Oh? Which? You being here? Our current…differences?"

"All of the above" the other 'Grandmaster' of the 'Jedi Order' responded with as they stood in the bustling 'conference dining room', though it was certainly far more pleasant than meeting Palpatine's pet Darksider and her delegation, or the military officers and that angry young knight they'd enlisted "Though being here, having this task, I blame on you"

Obi-wan glanced at Padme and Jar Jar, then sighed as he turned his attention back to 'Moff' Rahm Kota, though he was currently clad in Jedi robes, just as Obi-wan was. Not that Rahm looked in anyway comfortable in them either "Yes, I'd gathered as much. Two from Naboo, and two Jedi"

"Binks was already assigned to the delegation. He doesn't talk much, he listens to what he's advised, and he's also a war hero" his counterpart responded blankly "Me on the other hand? That would be me getting dragged from relief efforts on Naboo because someone decided on fancy titles and being the Negotiator"

"Would you rather I'd have sent Anakin?" Obi-wan came with in amusement, the gruff other Jedi's face making a face as expected. Jar Jar…well, once upon a time he'd have been surprised, but war, terrible, terrible, war had forced them all to change and take on roles they had not before it. With the recent battle at Naboo, and Jar Jar's profile in the Senate before that, much like Padme's, Obi-wan couldn't be too surprised to see him being thrust into yet another unwanted role. Just like him. Just like Rahm Kota.

"Ugh, Skywalker…the room would probably be on fire by now" the other 'Grandmaster' grumbled, shaking his head, looking around "His padawan is okay, she just…"

"The good Senator and Commander Rex already informed us" Obi-wan replied, a faint, albeit bittersweet smile on his face at that "She is Anakin's padawan after all, Knight now or not. I've gotten the message…and it's annoyingly like others given to me in the past her master"

"True" his counterpart agreed, looking unhappily at the fancy glass in his hand "Somehow this is all less pleasant than what I was doing"

"Don't let Senator Amidala hear you say that" Obi-wan mused back, then nodded "We have other matters to discuss, you and I"

"I reckon so…but its less than pleasant you understand?" Rahm replied seriously, albeit quietly "We're holding on by a thread Obi-wan, even you and yours. I cannot acknowledge certain things, nor can you…"

He watched Rahm Kota give an unhappy snort "Not that I think you were right to take up that title, and that Corellia is a mistake…"

"I was unconscious when I was appointed" Obi-wan replied with muttered irritation "It was not by choice"

"Seemingly isn't here either, but we've all made our beds" Rahm Kota paused, sipping his drink, frowning faintly as their two parties awkwardly interacted, the Separatists now engaging with the Chancellor's minions as they had with Obi-wan's earlier upon arrival "You may be the only game of pazaak on Corellia, but, here, others have gathered"

"I've heard, and felt, it" Obi-wan wanted to say much more, but settled on partial details "And it is not all rule setting by our Council, there are….political pressures I suspect you don't have as much. Perhaps due to that situation. As long as certain parties don't win"

"Aye" Rahm was looking at the Chancellor's minions, just as Obi-wan was "Aye, very much so. I have also been permitted to tell you; it will be full independence done here. Gideon Tarkin is the primary negotiator, and the Seppies have their views, let alone the support for Not The Republic As It Was back in the Mid and Outer Rim"

"I imagine so" Garm Bel Iblis had already stated as much, as much as it pained Obi-wan to hear that…it did potentially remove some issues from the table in the short term "Well, I'm sure two stellar nations can reach agreements on matters then. Primarily that our padawans and knights…don't have violent disagreements, even if I shan't be able to recognise your title Knight Kota"

"Don't worry, I can't recognise yours either Master Kenobi" the other Jedi responded with, gruffly, but with equal mix of unhappiness and amusement "But, its for the best for now, Master Yoda also doing his thing, and, in time…perhaps the Order will heal, just like a Republic of sorts. On that note of peace and friendship we've had some…Dathomiri arrive"

Obi-wan's lips compressed together before speaking "Nightsisters? Mother Talzin? Mandalore is bad enough…"

"Not entire, Light Side Witches, eight, with four younglings…along with four nightsisters. They have gone to Eriadu…it will beyond my control there. Daron also has the ear of the Chancellor, and…" Rahm chuckled sadly, amused as well too "…like all of us, he has opinions on the matter. Though, I will say…he's made Ventress less…Sith"

Obi-wan frowned "Truly?"

"Truly, still Dark, but…" the other man shrugged "I'm unsure how to describe it. She's almost reasonable to be around now. And isn't that a fright?"

"Perhaps" Obi-wan agreed, shaking his head "But we have worse foes to deal with before such as her now I believe"

Such as Darth Sidious primarily, but also Maul and his brother on Mandalore with Nightssisters, rogue Jedi, and a host of others. Then the self-proclaimed Sith Lord on Mon Cala and the fallen Master Ti. And so many others Fallen to the Dark Side now as the Temple was destroyed. While, due to politics he loathed, he could not openly work with his colleague here, they could at least work towards mitigating the damage done, and minimise the dangers of the Dark Side that was building with each passing month…

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