[14 BBY]

['Hammerhead' Refit Dreadnought-class Assault Cruiser Victorius Shadow, Taskforce Vigilant, Imperial Navy 1st Frontier Fleet, exiting hyperspace, G'rho System, Shiritoku Spur, Wild Space]

"That is an unfortunately high number of unknown vessels" was the first thing Commodore Yulen Darksails muttered to himself as his taskforce, now 'backed up' by the Bakuran Carrack entered the G'rho system, somewhat distant from the colony. G'rho had been the local concern to the Bakuran Senate, with rumours swirling, and he'd moved, eventually, to investigate as soon as the Bakuran's joined the Empire proper, and he could install a garrison. That had included a space force sent from the training forces at Rattatak, along with two old corvettes for the Bakurans to work up.

He'd had concerns about this Chandrillan colony, which had been largely cut off by Chandrilla since Chandrilla was currently occupied by the Kuatis according to latest reports he'd read. It was such an out of the way location, despite having a known hyperlane, one that they'd exited 'early' at a smugglers/raiders point, that it could have been months before anyone had noticed issues. Hence why he'd hoped it the rumours of unknown starships being glimpsed being just that…rumours, and all he'd have to do was bring the small colony into the fold with minimal effort. Even if they'd told him to kriff off the fact that Bakura was onboard made this voyage worth taking.

"Maintain formation and current course, reduce speed as follows and launch the Ready squadron" Yulen ordered immediately after as he saw a fleet in orbit of the small colony world. There were quite a few starfighters and various light vessels of unknown configuration in that fleet, and it was potentially only a portion of what as there. At least it might be, as it was scattered and moving in orbit, clearly maintaining a blockade, with the other side of the planet and moon shielding vision by simple presence and unknown interference from sensor baffles most likely "Comms. Put me on. Broadcast in the clear"

"Aye-aye Sir" the young human female replied immediately "You are…live"

Yulen gave the faintest nod, hand on his shock chair's armrest, resisting drumming his fingers nervously "This is Commodore Darksails of the Imperial Fleet, representing the United Federal Empire. Unknown vessels, we request you make clear the nature of your presence over G'rho. Please respond"

With a gesture the line was cut, and Yulen motioned at his bridge crew "Get me scans of those ships…oh, and signal the Bakurans to stay in position and stay quiet"

For now, he maintained a slow sub-light approach towards the planet, watching as the unknown forces began to move rapidly, more emerging from the 'dark side' of the planet. But…

"No reply?" he asked hand to his chin, watching with concern as a battleship sized almost head shaped vessel flanked by several just barely smaller versions came from around the planet's 'dark side' so to speak. They were launching a large number of starfighters, though whether they were droid or organic he wasn't sure as he watched the sensor readings. That and the negative gesture from his communications officer as energy readings continued to rise amongst the unknown vessels forming up in front of their approach vector to the planet.

Yulen began to write on his own three-dimensional holo-displays "Adjust our course as follows, increase speed by fifteen percent. Cataphracts to position per Fire Plan Deltha-Two"

"That is a significant force Commodore" his Executive Officer, and eager, young, but veteran human from Eriadu, Zonya Bahir said stepping up to him "Do we engage?"

"Not unless they prove hostile, or we get an answer that forces us to" he replied seriously, watching as the unknown fleet formation maintained position for now as he moved his own smaller taskforce to skirt the gravity wells of the moons of the gas giant they were nearest. They were very far out by sub-light, but he wanted to narrow their FTL approaches should they try to engage, even as long-range scans and feed was indicating powerfully armed force…

"Surrender!"

'Well…that answers that' he thought as a response came in one word, along with the ships at the planet moving into hyperspace, then energy spikes indicating intent to emerge near to them "Droid-fighters launch, all hyper-capable Z-95s launch. All batteries open fire if unknown forces cross point Alpha. All ships increase to max speed reverse engines, maintain formation, turn course, three-four-two"

"TIEs?"

He shook his head "No, nothing non-hypercapable"

Gesturing again as the enemy's starfighters formed up to charge towards them, activating comms briefly to signal back "No"

His four assault cruisers had plenty of forward firepower despite their smaller size and being outnumbered about three to one. At least he hoped they did as he turned them towards the enemy and then immediately began to have the taskforce 'run' backwards while facing forwards. In all the simulations and training that gave all the additional turbolaster and rapid-fire laser batteries on both the 'Hammerhead' and on the four 'fins' on the X-shape at the rear to have a full front firing arc. Since the unknowns were clearly determined to be enemies, Yulen was happy to oblige, manoeuvring his formation as if engaging a Confederate heavy element.

"Firing" someone announced as the solemite officer watched the initial vanguard of enemy starfighters charged forward, though they were looking increasingly like droid-fighters due to the speed and small size as he watched the gravity wells, the enemy heavy elements lingering back for now, testing them. Just he was doing to them as the recently installed Shilton star-fighter defence systems came active, missiles and light turbo-lasers firing, linking in with the three Cataphract-class frigates and his three gunships. All of which lashed out at the advancing swarm of droid-fighters…

"They have shields" his XO nodded with surprise, concern, and he nodded in agreement "Small, fast, and shielded?"

"Record everything" he instructed watched the staggered waves of destruction rip apart the droid-fighters…unless the aliens were very, very, small within. Shielded starfighters survived longer, and these were showing that, but not enough as the unsupported smallcraft were engaging systems designed to deal Confederate, late-war Confederate, swarm tactics. Those shields merely got the enemy attack-craft a little further forward before they were destroyed, the armour being minuscule at least as Yulen again adjusted course, ordering wreckage to be tractored as they pressed into, and through, the disoriented swarm.

'Time to run sadly' he decided noting the numerical imbalance, several hundred more of those deadly droid-fighters launching from the motherships, even as his defensive screens dealt with this wave. There was only one logical action now, as he'd been sent to investigate not slug it out and risk getting destroyed or captured. Not over a non-allied world like G'rho. Back they would head to Bakura and those planetary defences while giving over what information he could get to the Boss when he arrived or sent reinforcements "Signal taskforce – prepare to disengage and to enter hyperspace, as per Plan Beta…"

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[14 BBY]

[Office of the Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, Coronet City, Corellia, Corellian System, Corellian Sector, Core Worlds, Galactic Republic]

Garm bel Iblis did not like being Chancellor, and that was of a very much rump Galactic Republic as he sat with his Vice Chancellor, Mon Mothma, the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order, and two aides. It was hard to like this position when the galaxy was proving a darker place with each year, and, once again, dark news had served to grace his desk. Not that he could not admit some of that was due to his own mistakes, and those of his subordinates, from earlier operations in the civil war. Missteps that the Sith on Kuat had taken advantage of, driving both his allies and those of the Alsakans back several systems.

For now though, the concern was confirmation on yet another bout of madness from that Sith Lord who'd almost taken over the Republic. So Garm sat at his desk, hands together on the table, nodding at the information displayed from the from the holo-projector "This is confirmed?"

"As much as it can be Chancellor" the young officer from CorSec Intelligence, Colonel Madine, replied with a nod, confident in it at least "Our agents have come into possession of this information, and it corroborates other information we have accumulated on the traitors' efforts into such terrible weapons"

'Meaning what the Confederacy has leaked to us, and what little we can match against data from our own meagre resources' Garm recognised, though, in truth, the situation was not quite that bad. They had established a decent information network in the Core and Colonies, and even into the CIS, and into the UFE through back channels, but that was often through exiles like Mon and Bail. Or through the less savoury elements of Corellian society as was both usual historically and pragmatically. But, the problem remained, that Kuat, Palpatine, was, in most regards, much better at the game over recent months especially as the Kuat advances, after false information led to traps or unwanted engagements with the militarists.

Grandmaster Kenobi nodded slowly "It feels correct unfortunately, we have been aware of such efforts, so that is true, it is nor merely a question if this world is an actual laboratory, or if it is a trap waiting for us or others to spring"

Garm watched the Jedi sigh then, looking weary "The question is…do we have a choice? I think not"

"I do not think we do Master Kenobi" Mon Mothma said looking at Madine and the other officer from CorSec, then frowning at the data "He is attempting to gather these….Sithspawn Abominations as it were. That he knew of them existing, the only two living…and I use that word loosely in regards them…things on an ancient Sith world not even left on Republic star-charts. This is what we have been seeking since word reached us of the Imperial raid on that Dromund Kaas site. So, as you will say, the answer is no Master Kenobi, much as I would wish otherwise"

She looked at Garm "This would be an opportunity to continue our outreach to Alsakan-Coruscant, matters are…"

Garm sighed, sitting back into the chair "Yes, a new republic, a united front…I agree, a worthwhile effort…"

And this project of Palpatine's needed to be shut down before things like this, or some other disease spawned abominations, or even Rak'ghuls, were unleashed upon innocent worlds. No matter how good the propaganda of Kuat was, Garm would not fall for the lies and guise that man had put forward to the galaxy. Too many citizens of the Republic outside Corellia, far too many, had bought into those lies, but Garm would not let them win in the end. He waved it off "Even if it at least serves to increase our chances of eliminating this terror weapon before it can be created and used against us and the galaxy at large. Ideally if we can recover proof, it would be tool to try tear away the veil of lies Kuat has built around their cause"

"That would be in an ideal galaxy…so many die from believing those lies" Mon agreed unhappily, the last few years had been harsh on all them, especially idealists such as herself. Whole worlds had risen up in Palpatine's name, despite their own efforts, and while some resistance cells were loyal to their own true Republic….Garm was increasingly certain they needed to deal with Fird and the militarists or they'd find the entirety of the Core and Colonies taken over by Kuat by this terrible war's end "We need hope. This is as close to a righteous action as can be done in a war"

"I agree Chancellor" Grandmaster Kenobi said with a nod "Efforts to strike at Darth Sidious directly have failed, and here, at the least, we Jedi can be certain the lives we may have to take would not be in vain"

'Ah, yes, it was so much easier when it was the droids rather than organic fanatics' Garm knew, but Jedi, when they could be used without risking their mental balance, were a game changer. This called for a Jedi strike-team after all, and reaching out to have others attempt their own. The war had demands, and Corellia had demands, and Garm bel Iblis could only do his duty to Corellia and to the Galactic Republic he sought to preserve in some shape or form…

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