[14 BBY]
[Druckenwell, Druckenwell System, Doldur Sector, Mid Rim, Corellian Run Hyperlane, Reena Trade Route Hyperlane, Confederacy of Independent Systems]
Arkhan Brem'tu, Lieutenant in the Bothawui Defence Corps, watched and waited. It was the Bothan way in many regards, though the proceedings he was watching were rather dull in his opinion. Unclad human females weren't very attractive to his mind, nor those of his fellow Bothan Defenders, so it was easier to pay attention to the actual targets of this operation as the indulged in various levels of debauchery. Arkhan would have liked to be able to use blackmail….but this group were so inured to their corruption and debauchery, and local planetary citizens so accepting of such, that it just wouldn't work. It was an unfortunate scenario, but one they could still take some degree of advantage of for the glory of Bothawui.
'More like the survival of Bothawui' he thought calmly, watching as their targets drank and groped the dancers, a twi'lek female entering and further adding to the plan despite lack of knowledge. The local Trade Federation leadership were, mostly, human, and in this case largely female, and causing delays to the Trade Federation was the name of the, very dangerous, game now. Normally it might be a simple matter of eliminating the enemies of Bothawui…but, even more unfortunately, the subordinates were far more competent and better at security, so killing the woman was off the table. A problem, but not an insurmountable one for Arkhan and his team as they went about achieving their mission objectives.
Someone had assassinated a number of the Trade Federation's Council. His own clan, and non-clan, contacts backed up the details from Command that Bothawui had had no involved in such a thing. Arkhan, for now, till told otherwise, was inclined to believe such likely lies. It did not change the fact the Trade Federation had taken it as truth though, and, due to that, was mobilising forces to likely strike at Arkan's homeworld in a wrathful manner. That, clearly, was unacceptable, so the Defence Corps had been mobilised to do what they could to mitigate such a threat. Given time…the Trade Federation and Commerce Guild would have other problems to worry about, and the galaxy would burn. As long as Bothawui endured, prosperous and strong, then Arkhan was content with such an event.
Dealing with the situation in Druckenwell was the first step in any such plan then, for a fleet had begun to assemble in orbit even as news of the explosions on Neimodia spread to the Outer Rim. Druckenwell had been the Confederacy's great fortress on the Corellian Run during the war against Republic, and now remained a vast naval hub of the Confederate Fleet. That would normally be a good thing, but, again unfortunately, it was a Trade Federation loyalist world first and foremost, and that partisan bias was true now as all investigations revealed that the OverSector Fleets had ben subverted. Subverted or would soon be forcibly brought under control of the enemies of Bothawui.
There was no getting around that he mused, watching as the targets drank deeply of the poison on the monitors within the private. Slow acting poison, and entirely non-fatal in intent, but it should knock out these organisers for several days with 'food poisoning' due to general inconveniences. In conjunction with his tactical teams striking at the hyperfuel depots and engaging a more widespread, but subtle, strike on the component factories for the droid army….it should buy the Protectorate several weeks' worth of time. And, with events moving as the were, time was what Bothawui both needed and demanded. And what Bothawui needed, the Defence Corps provided, regardless of the cost.
"She is….an idiot" his subordinate, Takran Yret'uk muttered as their primary target drank and groped her way like there wasn't a war brewing "Perhaps it would be best not to bother?"
"Disgusting as a person, but talented at business, if not much at war. Also, a manager that seeks to control everything within her grasp" Arkhan pointed out watching as the first blow was struck in the as yet undeclared civil war "Their temporary removal will be a boon, especially as we cause some chaos before evac should us gain several days at the least"
'Which one would be hope would be enough to ensure wider problems draw this fleet away from engaging the Protectorate's Defence Fleet' he thought turning and focusing his attention on the intercepts into the local defence fleets communications. The results weren't great to see, with Trade Federation control at worrying levels mixed with confused demands and signals from Raxus. Worse the Feddies had changed all their shutdown codes and been incredibly paranoid about such things. That was the Imperial fault Arkhan knew, and his concern there was that there an Imperial Op running on Drunkenwell currently even if he didn't know the current location, same as there was a Corellian Op…doing something.
"Prepare for phase two" he announced as he confirmed the targets had been 'hit' and would likely be showing symptoms by tomorrow, and then be out of play the day after. If they were correct in their readings of the local security, they should at least have that timeframe to initiate some sabotage before they happened to notice anything. Ideally, they'd get the blame on either the Corellians or Imperials, but that was secondary to ensuring they got out alive and safe, ready and able to deal with the fallout that was coming down the line…
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[14 BBY]
[Trade Federation Subjugator II-class Star Dreadnought Zephyr of the Hyperlanes, in orbit Cato Neimoidia, Cato Neimoidia System, Quellor Sector, The Slice, Colonies Region, Confederacy of Independent Systems]
Marath Vooro strode imperiously through the decks of the flagship of the Trade Federation's fleets, past Trade Federation Marines rather than droids, mostly cybernetically enhanced Neimoidians, though a few other aligned species were present. He was, technically, only a Trade Vizier on the Trade Council like his colleagues, but with Viceroy Findos current incapacitated after the bombing attempt, and dozens of other, lesser, ranks, dead there was chaos in the ranks. Chaos that he intended to bring order to as she moved swiftly in the days since the assassination attempt by the Bothans.
Oh, they had yet to discover any proof it was the rancid furry kriffers…but they would, eventually, and for now they had found two Bothans sufficiently close to use as scapegoats. The duo had been spies anyway, so Marath figured they likely had some supporting role and deserved their fate. Their whole species were wretched spies, murderers, and thieves at heart anyway, and the will of the people was with them now. For the whole Trade Federation was united in outrage at such an effort, even down to the reintegrated non-Neimodian clans as it struck too close to the prior 'malfunctions' that led to so many deaths long ago. The result of the Republic Marath now knew from accessing Gunray's records, the filthy coward and traitor to the Federation!
So, with the heavy weight of the Federation on his shoulders Marath stomped into the Council room aboard the new flagship to the expected scene of disorder. Thankfully his allies were already in place, calling for order as he arrived, and immediately moved to slam his hands down unto the table "ENOUGH!"
Before the others had time to react "My fellow Viziers! Look at us! We do NOT HAVE TIME FOR SUCH CHAOS!"
He waved his hand at the galaxy map "Our enemies strike directly at us! They assassinate our regional commanders! They sabotage our shipyards! THEY TRIED TO MURDER ALL OF US HERE! YET YOU ALL BICKER! WE MUST STRIKE! NOW!"
"Vooro is right!" one of his allies, though not a public one called out, banging his heavy wooden walking cane off the floor "We cannot wait any longer! The Bothans and their allies seek to cripple us so they can gain control of the Confederacy!"
That was the general agreement of all the Security Analysts of the Trade Defence Fleet along with those agents of the ancillary non-official defence contractors of the Trade Federation. Elections were set to begin in mere weeks, and had already begun on many worlds, and now sectors that should have been solidly controlled were thrown into risk because of the disorganisation from the attacks. Clearly this was a bid by the Hutts, through their Bothan and other proxies to bring a more 'friendly' government into being within the Confederacy, one more inclined towards mass slavery legalisation he expected. Droids were vastly superior for such drudgery, and while they had been forced to tolerate certain exceptions for pleasure slaves within the Trade Federation, Marath expected that problem could be solved with certain droid models or, if not non-person clones.
'Better than making clone armies at the least' he thought as an air of calm returned as he and his allies pressed forward with what must be done as other voices died down. Fear was the problem, but also the solution as Marath sat, the centre of attention, pounding his hand on the table "We have our Veto! So, we use it! No elections till we are granted recompense! Let Bothawui burn for this insult!
"But, they…the others on the Separatist Council…"
He thumped his hand off the table again, ending the Clan Yaar representative's hesitant objections "The Commerce Guild stands with us! The IGBC stands neutral at worst! Even the HyperComms cabal will back us against the Bothans! I say NO MORE! NO MORE insults! NO MORE bowing and scrapping! WE built the Confederacy! OUR FLEETS paid the price! OUR WORLDS were besieged! Yet we must take murder and insults from some furry kriffers that never found a cause they did not betray! First they betray the Republic in it's darkest hours and now the betray US! I say NO MORE! Isay JUSTICE FOR THE TRADE FEDERATION!"
He slammed his hand down for emphasis "ARE YOU WITH ME IN THIS?"
Silence was the immediate result, but soon followed by hands raising as if in a vote, his allies first and foremost with "Aye/Affirmative/Yes!"
With Viceroy Findos out of commission, and his immediate successor dead, Marath made his move for power and seniority. For, as he feared he would, Findos recovered, Marath would have positioned himself sufficiently as being indispensable cause, as well as forcing long needed action. As the Council de-facto voted him into the Acting Viceroy position Marath made himself sit calmly, and then, now calm and focused rather than emotional and aggressive, began to lay out their course of action.
"…as such we formally Veto, in alliance with the Commerce Guild, the validity of the elections till the current crisis has been resolved! The Supreme Court of the Confederacy will vote in our favour…" with sufficient bribes at least "…in ensuring justice will be done, and that resolving the crisis is delayed long enough for our fleets to bring the Bothans to heel! With such a veto and our withdrawing our fleets and armies from the High Command the others will have no choice but to agree to our legitimate demands…"
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