[18 BBY]
[Training Room, Personal Deck of Moff Daron Stormcrow, Eriadu Authority Republic Navy Capital-class Warship Stormcrow, Republic 5th Fleet, refuelling station in Dolla System, Videnda Sector, Outer Rim Territories]
It was good to spar, very good indeed, I found as I blocked and parried training sabers with Asajj under the watchful eyes of my droid bodyguards. I'd slept for nearly a whole day upon returning to the Stormcrow from the Conference, or Conclave…or whatever you'd call the long days of being given orders, and giving orders to of course. Things were in motion now, or they would be shortly….but it was good to move through the forms, my defence against her offence, as I used my muscles rather than sitting down all the time like the past week.
We were stopped at Dolla, which was rapidly becoming a significant Naval Supply Yard for the ad-hoc Navy that served the Republic I fought for. My small escort fleet had been preforming combat drills, as well as patrols, in my absence, beyond the Stormcrow itself, and it was best to refuel and restock before we started combat operations. And finally I got to see Barriss again beyond very brief holo-talks. So, between organising that, and another round of long-range order-giving, this effort could almost count as stress-relief as sabers met and separated yet again. I moved back, retreating a step as I used the lightsaber one handed, allowing the attack….
….then trying to counter-attack with a concealed 'shoto' training one…
….to be blocked and parried, flowing into a counterattack of her own from the Jar'kai using Asajj. Figured out my little trick it seemed after we'd agreed to restrict this spar to lightsabers only. Adjusting my stance to hold the shoto in reverse grip, downward pointing, I retreated again with my lightsaber outwards in the other direction. Asajj ended her assault though, retreating back a step herself….then another…adjusting her grip on the two blades as she widen her stance, watching me warily. After all I was a cheating cheater who cheated, even if I wasn't breaking the rules, nor would I actually 'cheat' beyond rule-lawyer within said agreed terms of the spar.
"You are as annoying as ever" Asajj stated as we began to pace each other in an odd circle of sorts as she spun her blades, moving muscles in her arms and legs. The Dark Side hummed around her...but only faintly, very tightly controlled, as she sought to fight this spar in a more controlled manner than she normally did. In many ways she was a better duelist at times than me, but defensive style badly stymied her I'd found, and she was too….acrobatic and movement oriented, without the needed planning and control, to pull it all together. She was good sparring partner….because she'd improved from an already high level, and was dropping the berserker rage agility attacks a little more…
"I aim to please" I replied back in polite tone moving myself with her, but at a slower pace, clicking off the shoto and adopting a two-handed stance again "But you saw through it sadly"
"You do not intend to stay at Gerrenthum and do as ordered?" she stated, changing the subjected as she momentarily probed forward with a fighting stance….the stepping back as my blade moved to block the would be attack…
I stepped forward now, attacking in a two-hand grip, being blocked with one blade, then blocking her attempted second strike as I stepped forward again as I pushed a little….
Sssshhhhh Sssshhhhhhhhhh Sssshhhhh
….and then stepped back, defensive stance up as I walked 'away', backwards, moving into a one-handed stance again at my failed breakthrough "Oh, I full intend to follow orders, hence the constant stream of them before this, but that'll take a little time to assemble, so for the next few weeks we'll deal with areas that I so rudely had to drag you away from. It'll be a good opportunity to 'blood' some of the new units…after we spend a likely very long…."
Sssshhhhh Sssshhhhhhhhhh Sssshhhhh
Sssshhhhh Sssshhhhh
Sssshhhhh Sssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
"…and boring few days briefing staff. That last thing I want to do is be predictable and give pirates and such time to get word of our meetings. We'll investigate the report of Wildspace and Unknown Region pirates, bring the fringe colonies in line…."
Sssshhhhh Sssshhhhhhhhhh Sssshhhhh
"….and go from there"
Then conversation stopped as she attacked, fast and furious and I found myself fully on the defensive, desperately blocking, but drawing the shoto again to block and stab as fought furiously. It was a familiar song and dance, and my muscles started to ache at the effort as we both started to pant faintly and show the signs of strain. That was the sign to end the bout, temporarily anyway, as this wasn't about burning myself, or her, out, but instead having an extended practice session with her and the droids, and then Karis and Naa'leth, while I had the chance. At least assuming they survived darksider hating drill-sergeant Celeste Morne's 'training' with them at the moment….
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[18 BBY]
[Command Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic, {formerly Academy of the Judicial Forces} Galactic City, Coruscant, The Core]
"It's almost certain the Separatist Fleet is working itself up for a major offensive…" Alara Tagge, General of the Galactic Republic, of the proud tradition of Tepasi's Finest, stated as she watched the holo-globe theatre map of the galaxy "…and might have an understanding of where it's aiming for"
Gentis nodded for her to continue, and she brought up a series of movement indicators showing a series of thrusts down 'secondary' hyperlanes "We've had some signal intercepts from that scum Onaka, and he's hinting about betraying us….and the indicators from our intelligence operations are that it'll be in the wake of a Seppie attack towards Denon, and beyond that most likely towards Chardaan and Malastare. We can't say for sure, as the Seppies still appear to be in organisational stages, but considering the efforts they've been going to, to hide their fleet movements…"
"I'm still wary of what information we receive from….less savoury sources let's say" Durant from Coruscant interrupted her hand on his chin as they all gazed at fleet concentrations "…but, to be honest, it wouldn't surprise me for some our auxiliary forces. Honda Onaka especially"
"Yes, our psychological profile of our pirate turned Admiral strongly indicated this likelihood, and we believe, but have little proof unfortunately, that he's also dealing with the Bothans as well"
Gentis, their leader amongst the new Chiefs of Staff of the GAR, nodded unhappily "I'm inclined to agree, nor are the Bothans all that loyal to the traitors cause either by all indications. The more concerning situation is that while we could attempt to blunt the offensive…there is the issue of Kuat or Corellia moving in afterwards to cut our supply lines. Or here…" icons flashed over Cato Neimodia "…they utilise this fleet to put pressure on the hyperlane"
The man frowned again, shaking his head as he rubbed his jaw "And I've only recently advised the Supreme Chancellor of the benefits of that connection to Eriadu"
Durant frowned, glancing from Gentis to herself "Are we thinking of retreating in the face of an offensive?"
Gentis waved him off "We don't know for sure that this isn't a lure either, but we are certain that both they, and Kuati, have gotten a lot hulls into action ahead of schedule in the next few weeks and months. Crews too, even if they'll be green. Alara?"
"Sector forces here, here, and here…" she started indicating the various concentrations of loyalist fleets 'south' of Bellasa "…are strong enough to throw back any major offensive from any one enemy fleet, but…"
"Not strong enough to deal with multiple attacks, or a follow-up offensive….or they could be attempting to get us to divert forces from my pressing areas of the Core and Inner Colonies"
Durant glanced to Gentis "Are we proposing to withdraw forces then?"
Alara shook her head…then nodded "Actually No, but Yes. We can't simply withdraw Sector Fleets without being noticed, but I think we have to make an analysis, and decision, about re-concentrating those forces and….allow the Separatists to make progress. If we can find a means for them to betray the one betraying us, and engage his forces, and the Chancellorist forces at Zeltros….and beyond that Eriadu, it would be useful to our counter-offensives. It's a dangerous situation, but if we can handle it correctly we can minimise damage and be ready to exploit the aftermath"
"Your recommendation?"
She nodded back to Gentis "We make it look like we're gearing up for a major attack ourselves, on the Alderaan-Caamassi Pocket, or on Kuat. That way we can withdraw forces from the likes of Byblos and Exodeen, concentrate near…say Humbarine for now…and try shuffle some of our better units back to the Core, and put….less reliable units in harm's way"
"It's those Victory-class that's worrying you?"
"Yes Chief of Staff. I think we could win the first battle, and then get hit afterwards before we can recover. If I'm reading our intelligence correctly the Seppies are aiming for the Bothan pocket, and for our allies on Eriadu. Or they are going after Kuat if the intel is wrong in my opinion, because fleet positions indicate likely strike zones"
Gentis sat back in his chair "So…we weaken our position opposite those Sectors, shore up our defences elsewhere, and allow the Seps to wreck the Chancellorists, our maybe-loyal warlords, and most likely gut GAR-South. I agree that it is the best of bad options should a large-scale offensive materialise"
Durant frowned….then sighed "Our own building cycle is looking better than it was, and losing that hyperlane will hurt, but less so than losing the fleets. So the main objective I think is to see where we stand on their fleet numbers, and find some means to ensure that we appear weaker in those Sectors that we are. Without being obvious about it…"
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