[21 BBY]
[Executive Security Solutions Facility, Greycliffs, Solem, Lipsec Sector]
"Oh hohoho, if only the galaxy could see the terrible and fearful General now"
I rolled my eyes at my elder sister as I sat down upon the sandy beach "I wear armour all the time Naia, of course I might be a little pale. Anyway, shouldn't you be minding your little hellraisers?"
She gave another little laugh, waving her hand off to where her two children were splash about in the water "Oh, don't be so grumpy, my Yaran is minding them see? And Shmi is only a few steps away swimming, so all's well Oh Mighty Captain-General!"
"Shush you, I'm attempting to relax a little from all that for a little while" I replied honestly, though with a smile, as I rested my arms on my knees and enjoyed the sea breeze blowing over the sunny beach here on our little corporate retreat. Fortified and private corporate retreat since, apparently, being one of the more famous and wealthy people on Solem meant such simple things as walking the streets of the capital were beyond me now. In part due to possible assassination attempts from any remnant Reformist clan loyalists, but mostly just to people wanting to hassle me due to status.
"It's the life you choose, and where's your girl? Hmm? Hmm? All those credits and still single?"
"Oh Gods you sound like Mother..." I groaned "...war, ya the big galactic one going on? Things get in the way of such things ya know?"
An amused snort "Oh, I never noticed that at all"
The Clone Wars were big business on Solem after all, the credits were flowing in, and the new industries to support it, and us, were booming planet-wide. Brief civil war aside things were looking up, always a dangerous thing, and that had meant getting a modern planetary shield, along with city-shield and ion battery, system installed from looted ones from former CIS worlds. Hardly the most heroic of methods, but that was just the nature of real world warfare and economics; sometimes someone had to lose for your side to gain. The CIS were a means to an ends, just as the dying Republic was as well.
For now though I would allow myself a few days rest and relaxation while our forces worked themselves or, to be more honest, move between Troopers arriving home on leave or to train the next batches while we took aboard new recruits. After the high level of training and activity I'd been driving my crews at on the journey here, and while we'd waited over Eriadu, it was good to unwind and to ensure they got to feast, relax, and revel as well. Building loyalty meant giving loyalty as well, even down to simple things like ensuring that there were rewards for good service;- and they'd certainly given that. For now though I rested back on the sandy beach and enjoyed the sun...
--
[21 BBY]
[Republic Venator-class Star Destroyer Negotiator, Rutan System, Hydian Way, Outer Rim Territories]
"We have recovered both infants safely Master Yoda..." Obi-wan Kenobi reported as the Negotiator hovered at the edge of the Rutan system, a world that would side with Republic due it's his story with himself and...Qui-Gon...after what seemed so many years past now "...though I am sorry to say we have failed to retrieve any information on the party behind these dark deeds. The facility was rigged to collapse upon our arrival, and it saving the infants was our priority"
"Of course, their safety is the most important priority Obi-wan..." Master Adi Gallia replied via her holographic avatar "...and it is good news, truly it is, as there has been precious little of such of late"
"More bad news?"
Master Gallia nodded, as did Grandmaster Yoda and the other three Masters of the Council present "Sadly yes, the Separatists have made a series of breakthroughs on the hyperlanes to the Galactic South, and it is now inevitable that their forces will be able to break the blockades and link up the southern and western pockets into a continuous zone of control"
Obi-wan stroked his beard, nodding faintly "That is deeply troubling, I would have hoped that the crumbling of their positions rimward of the Sesawenna Sector would have discouraged them a little. Mustafar for instance, now that our mission has been completed, should soon see occupation forces arrive for instance and secure the facilities we detected during our sojourn there"
"Stall soon, these attacks will..." Master Yoda's avatar voiced "...surprised the Separatists were, as blind we were at Kuat, and only now change. Only now new plans make they will"
Master Windu's avatar shook his head "As do we, to fall back in the Inner Rim and Core it seems. Only in the Outer Rim, in your sectors Obi-wan, and around Mon Cala have GAR forces seen any successes to counterbalance the troubles the destruction caused to the Kuati shipyards has wrought. And the Senate demands more of us till such losses of shipbuilding can be rectified"
'That is less than ideal I imagine' he thought to himself nodding faintly "Ship and Clone reinforcements?"
"None you shall have, none the other Sector Armies shall have..." Master Yoda announced sadly "...none there is too give. Trust in the Force we must, have faith in our abilities to stem the tide. To give of ourselves, is all that we can do"
Master Gallia nodded "Master Yoda is sadly correct, ships are being reassigned and movement of Clone Legions and other forces has been crippled by these reassignments in the short-term. I will lead a team to reinforce your presence, and of Master Krell till Knight Tachi is fully recovered. Master Windu will be leading another such strike-force to near Emberlane to rally the mercenary forces in that Sector to prevent linking up the forces there with other Separatist forces. Mon Cala will also be aided, but who will attend to such has yet to be decided"
'Oh Siri, the sooner you are recovered the happier I shall be' Obi-wan thought for a moment before pushing the thoughts away. Such attachments were flawed things, especially in times such as these, and not to be voiced in public. So he nodded again "I agree, it would be for the best if the situation is so dire, though I fear forces available here are less than adequate to take control of as Clone forces are limited, and allied forces are less than willing to accept our guidance"
'And understatement sadly' he thought as Masters Gallia and Windu exchanged a glanced, before Adi's avatar nodded before looking back to Obi-wan "Truth, but I have some contacts amongst the Lok and Mere for instance who would be willing to provide forces I believe, and the Temple will be releasing further funds to raise forces as Knight Rahm has done. Also..." she hesitated a moment before continued "...friendly faces we feel are best to ensure ease of communication and coordination in the wake of recent successes"
"Friendly faces?"
"Luminara Unduli and her padawan, plus Stass Allie will be assigned" Master Windu clarified and Obi-wan simply nodded folding arms across his chest. Mildly distasteful to attempt to prey upon attachments, but needs must it seemed and coordination of forces here was more vital than ever if the situation in the Core and Inner Rim was struggling. Still, this would likely generate a response once awareness of so many Jedi being isolated away from Coruscant outside of slipping through the lines via star-fighter.
"I can understand the choice, though this is likely to draw attention from Separatist forces, potentially even the likes of General Grievous?"
Master Yoda shook his head "From the Core, the Republic, we must distract. Time, buy we must"
"Ah, I understand Master Yoda..." he replied with a sigh. Drawing attention upon the suddenly reunified Sector Armies was less than ideal from their point of view, but bleeding off anything from the Separatists to gain time to reorganise the GAR would be a price worth paying. That and it would potentially lure in Grievous, or possibly even Count Dooku himself, with the presence of Jedi Masters "...though it will be a risk. Though one my former padawan will only be too happy to face head on"
"A risk we must take Obi-wan, as we shall against Emberlane, and in aiding the Mon Calamari..." Mace stated calmly "...mercenary and recruited planetary forces will supplement the GAR till the current difficulties have been improved upon. Though dealing with such villains as Grievous, or the Darksiders that Dooku seemingly has gathered to the Separatist cause, would strike blows to help undo the damage inflicted upon the Republic's war effort"
--
[21 BBY]
[Republic Outer Regions Security Forces Venator-class Star Destroyer Retaliation, Sullust System, Outer Rim Territories]
Admiral Maarisa Zsinj watched as the last of the Separatist forces fled the system now that their space forces had been solidly defeated. At long last their rival, Sullust, had been laid low before the strength of the ORSF and Republic forces, and she would have a good report to make to the Tarkin family later. Now they would have begin to siege and assault upon the world now the planetary shields had come online. Though thankfully there were plenty of ORSF, Ailon Nova Guard, and Republic Aegis Guard Troopers ready to spearhead that assault coming out of hyperspace shortly to do just that.
"A successful operation Admiral"
She nodded back to her recently promoted son, though keeping it professional, as they should in her opinion; to much of a danger of favouritism blinding you to faults "Yes Captain, indeed it was, though we took more damage than I would have liked and we have yet to begin the ground assault. And this is likely the extent of our offensive operations for some time"
He gave her a surprised glance and she shrugged "Or, to clarify, offensive operations beyond raiding and counter-attacks. Never push too hard when the odds start to turn against you Captain, push as far as your strength can go, and then grow your strength before the next stage"
Even the simple fact of her brand new Star Destroyer, and Flagship of the ORSF despite being technically a Republic Navy vessel, being the last one they would receive for months, or potentially years, was a sign of such things. Now they would have to fall back upon the Eriadu Shipyards, all the facilities either captured from the Separatists out in the rest of the Outer Rim, and anything from allied Republic worlds in those areas. Thankfully there had been a windfall of captured Separatist heavies during this offensive, so they would have reserves to fall back on for the time being.
"And what will the next stage"
She nodded at the world distant on the screen "Taking, then holding from the inevitable counterattack, the problem world yonder will be start. With Malastare gone here, Naboo, and likely Darkknell and Sanrafsix will be prime targets I imagine, then there will be heavy fighting in the triangle of Ryloth, Christophsis, Rodia, and Geonosis spinward of Greater Seswenna"
Both 18th and 14th Sector Armies were being reorganised now in the wake of the successful offensive, but Christophsis would likely see an attempt to retake into Republic hands before the CIS could divert significant reinforcements to them. If that would be done then the recently restored supply-lines all the way through to Hutt-space would be further secured, and less easily raided, from the Separatist fleets. Naboo was the likely weak point in that chain though, suddenly astride a fast hyper-lane route all the way from Lipsec, through Eriadu, Sanrafsix, through to Arkanis and Ryloth at the far end.
'Grand Strategy later Maarisa, taking Sullust first' she reminded herself sending forth a swarm of A-6 Interceptors to engage and test the outer defences...
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