[20 BBY]
[Executive Security Solutions City-ship/Capital-class Warship Stormcrow {II}, Republic 19th Sector Army, In Orbit Javin, Javin Sector, Outer Rim Territories]
"It is abandoning Naboo"
I nodded to myself as my former Master spoke from her couch while I made myself a spiced mug of kaff at the bar area "Effectively, along with Ryndellia and anything Core-ward of them. But, I can understand why"
"The planetary shield and the losses suffered" she answered just as I finished my caffeine drink, and took the sandwich on its plate beside it into the other hand before turning back towards the couch. Again I nodded, this time at least to her as I walked back to sit down again and have a brief snack before the joys of the Republic war effort call me back to it Something that wasn't going overly well right now, though the setbacks in our area of operations were too bad in the wider scheme of things.
"Yes, Naboo has a modern planetary shield installed, and can resist an assault and invasion. We can reinforce swiftly, at least relative to an invasion, and so, with our limited numbers, relying on system defences, and so allow us assemble mobile forces...it makes sense after recent defeats. Which is the problem...we can't risk a repeat of the devastation inflicted on two whole fleets"
Stass sipped her own drink as I sat back down "We are making efforts to replace losses Daron"
"I know, but raising troop numbers is easier than assembling starships capable of replacing losses, even with captured and salvaged Confederate vessels. It's just taking time, oft time we don't have considering, to get them up to operational readiness. Kenobi's fleet took a battering, but we salvage a fair amount of it...but Anakin's..." I sighed taking a sip, then shaking my head "...Skywalker's fleet over Naboo took a pounding, and Grievous made sure to destroy as much as possible amongst the ships left in orbit. We've only the three Acclamators that landed planet-side along with half the escorting Pellas and Consulars"
"I had heard...General Geen is to assemble them into one force?"
I shrugged "Looks like, and robbing starships from the rest of us too of course. It's not as if we aren't reinforcing Naboo either, a whole Legion, squadrons of starfighters, and a few Ion Canon batteries to assemble planet-side"
It wasn't much, especially with Fleet coverage being removed from the system, but I could understand Geen's decision to do so. Naboo, the world was well protected, but the system itself didn't have orbital defences or deep space defences that the likes of Eriadu, Javin, or Ryloth at the moment, had. Especially in the wake of the attacks, so we were back into 'fortifying' certain systems and expanding the attack/counter-attack strategy we'd used back when we were based out of the Talaan system. Not ideal, and I'd have to go back to more mobile system myself, but there wasn't many options available that were any better.
"I agree, but Senator Amidala might not be so inclined..." Stass replied as I bit into my sandwich "...and I do believe Naboo is critical to swift movement of supplies"
I nodded, replying after swallowing "We're back to irregular, heavily escorted, convoy runs, along with shifting less urgent supply runs through the edges of wild space and smugglers routes..." I took another quick bite before continuing "...noth ike whe not..."
"You shouldn't speak with your mouth full Daron"
"Uffmh" I uttered swallowing and taking a sip of the hot kaff "...sorry, been a long, long, day again. But it's like we're staying on the defensive, just moving to a fighter-bomber-raider strategy. Only risking big fleet engagements when the odds favour us...in theory anyway, rarely works that way I know"
She sighed now, shaking her head "You've grown my Padawan"
"One would hope so, war tends to be somewhat nasty to those that don't..." the mixed herb Kaff helped restore some energy to weary brain cells, and the hunger eased off a bit as well "...and what is the Council going to do now are my questions for you? Something needs to be done about Krell firstly, secondly Anakin is best kept away from commanding anymore fleets, and finally are we going to have other problems crop up because of idiotic Council commands?"
Stass started to chuckle for a moment, shaking her head "Ah, yes, there it is, the reverence for tradition. You do know I am on the Council these days correct?"
"Yes, so I'm sure you've got an opinion on these things"
"Heh, heh, perhaps I do, but there is only so much I can say and you that my old Padawan..." she replied as I ate the rest of my small meal "...but yes, with Skywalker at least a similar point has been mooted by others, and I suspect I shall have to take charge of this new mobile fleet. Obi-wan would perhaps be best to take charge of his own former Padawan, and seek to hunt down these dangerous Dark Jedi we know to be causing mischief within these regions"
'Ah, well, can't contradict her, and say the danger as passed' I thought without reacting as she continued with an apologetic look on her face "As to Master Krell...Daron, he's merely implementing Republic law as best he understands it. I can say I and one or two others have raised some concerns over this, but has retained the confidence of the Council, and the Chancellor's Office apparently, so there is little I can do I'm sad to say...beyond my recent conversation with Master Krell"
"Fine, it's just...it's a problem, and something is going to give if he keeps this up..." I replied when I'd finished my small meal, sitting back on the couch across from her with my mug of kaff in hand "...but I'm just letting you know it is. If you need some veteran crews to help train up any recruits you find I can scrounge up a few from within my ranks to..."
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[20 BBY]
[Dooku's Palace, Serreno, Serreno System, D'Astan Sector, Outer Rim Territories]
The Force screamed a warning just before the first explosion ripped through the Security Bunker on the outside of his Palace. His lightsaber was in his hand, the blade igniting to deflect the blaster bolt the came towards him the second the shield generator went down, then the second shot, and the third as he calmly stepped back inside from the balcony. With a flick of the Force the blast shutter slammed down as he felt another explosion rip through somewhere else in his home.
"Security" he demanded calmly using his free hand to touch his communicator, keeping the fury from his voice as he stood ready "Report"
"We're under Attack!" a robotic voice, and idiotic robotic voice, replied indicating the primary security communication channel had gone down or the primary monitoring station had been neutralised. Using the anger to draw strength from he walked forward, towards where...
His blade slashed up into the air, once, twice, deflecting the blaster shots from what appeared to be suborned Commando-droids as green and blue lighstabers ignited above him to reveal cloaked and masked figures coming in through the roof. With a gesture he ripped two metal candle stands from the stone floor with the Force, and flung them like spears at droids as the three, Jedi obviously, jumped down. Neither Commando-droid survived the attack as they were impaled against the roof behind them, but Darth Tyrannus could take no pleasure in it two lightsabers reached for him.
He blocked, throwing the down figures backwards with a blast of the Dark side before turning and facing the third white masked robed Jedi Shadow. Skilled, deadly, and attempting assassination, it could be none other than his former compatriots attempting this method to 'deal' with him while claiming innocence. They were skilled, the third one he as now engaged clearly skilled in blade techniques, almost expecting his attacks before he launched them.
It was no matter, he was now a Sith Lord, and they merely Jedi, and within seconds he was driving the masked robed figure backwards. He frowned as they appeared to go invisible as he Force slammed the one in front of him into the far pillar and activated the alert for immediate reinforcements. Though they were only somewhat invisible, distortion outlines, and the lightsabers gave away their position anyway; they should have started with the sneak attack.
Block, Parry, Block, Block, Parry...
They were good, not as skilled as he, but three on one was a nuisance when facing Shadows, who had none of the usual soft heartedness about the Jedi Code. It was a dance of sorts, a spinning dervish of duelling blades as he matched their relentless attacks with graceful blocks of his own. While their energy and numbers prevented him striking them down easily they lacked the ability to break his own defence; whether they attempted to surround him, or facing him directly to tire him out.
Moving in a controlled manner he led them towards main doors at a familiar but barely audible buzzing sound, which opened seconds later and dozens of battle-droids strode in, blasters firing. It was only a moment's distraction...but it was enough he Force pushed the three figure away, but close together, before lashing out with Force Lightning as he dug deep into his rage at been so targeted. Screams followed, modulated by rebreathers on those masks, or simply devices to hide identity, but the one of the three pushed their way into the full force of his wrath to shield the other two.
"DIE!" he shouted, commanded, to no avail as the scream increased in agonised volume from the lead Shadow, but the other two were free, one blocking the battle-droids attacks, while the other...he was forced to break off his attack as the blaster shutter as ripped from is hinges and flew towards him. It was an easy dodge, his lightsaber cutting the hardened metal apart as he slammed a blast of the Force into both so they were flung away from him. Not quick enough though as he watched the three flee, two carrying the third badly injured one, moving as fast they could with the Force to jump out the window...
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