[17 BBY]

[Command Bridge, Mandator II-class Star Dreadnought, Heart of the Core, Alliance to Restore the Republic First Fleet, exiting hyperspace near orbit of Zeltros, Zel System, The Slice, Inner Rim, Crossroads of Three primary Hyperlane routes]

"Count is complete Admiral" Captain Alterad, his Kuati aide announced, coming back as the tactical displays updated "Analysis is this is likely the entirety of the Seppie Fifteenth Fleet"

Jan Dodonna nodded hands on the displays, eyes studying the enemy formation as his own exited hyperspace and began its advance in realspace "Good to know intelligence is correct captain…proceed to engage, all batteries open fire with Mandators and Victories to press at these points in the enemy line. Venators to launch per Sigma-Nine-Two operational plan"

He paused, studying the readings "And get me communications with the resistance on the planet. We need to confirm they are in control of the planetary shield generators"

"Aye Admiral" the Kuati captain responded, gesturing, and calling out orders as Jan watched the situation as his intended attack vectors flashed up, Z-95s and ARC-170s deploying in numbers from the Venators. Republic Intelligence, or what had been Military Intelligence and the Judiciary Investigative Branch, now…worked, mostly, since the Supreme Chancellor had taken charge of it after the Coup. Now Jan could largely trust what MiltInt told the Republic Navy, and here, again, it was correct as they found the expected Separatist Quick Reaction Force come to try to suppress the uprising on Zeltros. It was an opportunity that couldn't be turned away, not with an unfair peace likely the only chance to secure the Republic so the tyrants on Couscant, and traitors on Corellia, could be dealt with.

The Mid and Outer Rim traitors too, but that was a more long-term goal as the Seppie setback at Naboo had made the greatest danger to the Republic weak for a time. Many long hours discussing matters with the Supreme Chancellor, who had taken the destruction of his homeworld in a dignified stride, had detailed to all senior officials that accepting peace with the traitorous murderers was the only way. Hard choices had to be made to restore the Republic, to focus the strength of Kuat and its allied worlds to freeing the rest of the Core and the Colonies region. Otherwise the Separatists would take them down in time….but if left alone the divisions and greed of the traitorous Seppies would tear them apart. Jan hoped that would be case.

'Which is why we must liberate what worlds we can now, before we must focus our strength once more on freeing those rising up for democracy in the Core' he thought as his Star Destroyers pressed into the two weak points in the Separatist formation. His own fleet was superior in firepower than what opposed him, but the whole operation was only feasible now with the planet under resistance control and the Seppie's fleets in disorder after Naboo. The Supreme Chancellor had insisted they wait to launch any counteroffensives till the KDY fleet projects entered final phase, and that the Seppies grand offensive be allowed exhaust itself. Such a blow as they'd taken…well, that was just an extra benefit now that the Republic Navy was on the offensive once more.

"Admiral, we have contact with loyalist forces planetside" he was told as his super dreadnoughts tore into the Lucrehulks and escorts that had been caught in the midst of attempting to get more droids unto the planet to put down the revolt "They have control of the planetary shield generators"

"Excellent Captain Alterad, have them lower the shield in these quadrants…" Jan responded indicate zones to the 'rear' of his formation "…and then signal General Veers and have his Legions prepare for landing operations and linking up with the loyalist militias"

They were on a time limit after all, and while they had retained a significant number of loyal Clone Legions the new Stormtrooper Corps had mostly newly trained human and near human recruits trained and led by the Clones due to Kamino being cut off. So, while they were loyal to the cause, well equipped, and often fanatical if he was honest, they were still green legions in many cases. Somewhat like with the Navy, but at least here they had plenty of veterans from the Kuat Defence Fleets to form the command cadres alongside the clones currently peppered amongst his bridge. He watched the Separatist fleet elements retreat, not having any reinforcements like he'd feared they might, and then turned his mind to securing the world below…

--

[17 BBY]

[Headquarters of the InterGalacticBankingClan (IGBC), Muunilinist, Muunilinist System, Obrexta Sector, Outer Rim Territories]

Lo Vaapet was an…unhappy Muun to say the least. Not that there were many reasons to be happy of late, but recent weeks had been particularly problematic. Especially after listening to another, very lengthy, analysis from analysts of the various Muun Banking Clans, as well as other shareholding worlds of the IGBC. Not that he could trust these particular minions to be unbiased in their analysis of course, but the underlying conditions were unfortunately similar to his own clan's analysts' views on the subject. It was rather hard after all not to notice that the IGBC had seen significant losses year after year due to the War, and the chaos that the war had caused on galactic markets.

"…and those we, as recorded in all notes, the policy of San Hill, and full approved by the Board of Shareholders, indeed, encouraged by the Board as the record states. That such investments have not only not borne fruit but have proven problematic in end result is a situation we cannot turn back time to change, nor is it worth lingering upon the decisions of a dead Muun either"

He paused for effect, the various holographic avatars hovering like the vultures they were around him "Instead we can but focus on rectifying the situation as best is feasible to prevent further catastrophic losses to our interests within the galaxy at large. We are so far beyond the situation of a severe recession and such hardships to piracy everywhere, even within the realms of galactic governments. Your own analysts have merely confirmed this point, losses are now inevitable. Our only options are the extent to which those losses can be mitigated and counteracted"

Lo Vaapet already knew he had the support to press for such measures, largely as he had limited option himself but to push for such peace measures. The loss of the systems, though, in truth, it was the loss of the shipyards, mines, and various other industrial nodes within those systems that were of primary concern. Much as it was to the Commerce Guild and Trade Federation, but it had been the IGBC which had been footing the continued cost of this war to recover those commercial interests. Now it was time to admit they were sunk costs and must be written off as recouping the latest material losses were yet another unpaid bill. All while piracy had come roaring back to the hyperlanes, even in those areas that were not active warzones.

It was the representative from the Tonith family, who were increasingly invested in the Confederate Northern Galactic Fleetworks that spoke unsurprisingly enough "Losses from such an action would be beyond significant, and that is not discounting the fact our clients industries within Republic territory have been outright stolen by the various claimants to the Republic's legitimacy. But, yes, it is best we acknowledge that complete victory by overthrow of the Republican factions is now beyond us within an acceptable timeframe for our shareholders"

"The war has gone on long enough, yes" Lo Vaapet agreed, hands together on the table "Conquest would envision further, unacceptable, burdens upon the IGBC, and unlikely to see much restitution after any conquest as we have seen at Chardaan and multiple other systems. This is without mentioning the sheer cost of hyperlanes being closed or raided when open. Instead, our focus should be on ensuring restitution for ourselves for the loans granted on the facilities, such as Sluis Van to use as an example"

It was the Damask holdings representative who interjected, again unsurprising as their losses had been the most dramatic since the death of the Patriarch Hego Damask many years ago "They have formed their banking system in the Outer Rim, and the Corusca…simply seize businesses and put it under military control! This is unacceptable!"

Lo Vaapet merely nodded "We are beyond capacity to deal with such unacceptable actions unfortunately. Our best option now remains in negotiations, in ensuring the acceptance of debts, or at the very minimum recoup by some acceptance of some debts and continued trading within the IGBC system. Corellia, Kuat, and Eriadu, have been judged as at least open to considering such terms. Negotiations have been arranged at Bothawui, sponsored by the Hutts if we are not careful"

"They have as much interest in seeing a peace settlement as we" Tonith's representative ventured "But only in regard to ensuring the reopening of hyperlanes for trade. They will oppose us as competitors now that our position has been weakened"

"Indeed" Lo Vaapet stated "Which is why we ensure our efforts are successful, and by that, I mean that the peace talks are successful achieved. It will, further, inconvenience our relationships with the Commerce Guild and Trade Federation, which will require spending credits to minimise losses as a whole…"

--

[17 BBY]

[Republic Commando Special Operations Unit Delta, ruins marked as Target Alpha, Odacer-Faustin, Odacer-Faustin System, Esstran Sector, Outer Rim Territories]

RC-1138, Boss, wasn't overly enthused by this particular mission as Delt Squad remained mission ready, expecting whatever horror might lurk out amidst the frozen ruins…despite nothing having happened. The other clones assigned to the mission were a little too at ease for his liking, even if all that had been happening had been a bunch of clankers digging into ice and snow. Occasional rock and metal, but mostly just snow…

But they were behind enemy lines, deep behind enemy lines at that, and the fact their base camp, just like their armour, had biohazard seals and they'd been run through Rakghoul protocols…just in case…did not leave much pleasant thoughts in his mind. They were the hardened spearpoint of the Republic, of the Grand Army, and they'd been sent to…babysit some scientists from here back to another secret base in Republic territory for something. That made RC-1138 on edge as it were, and again he motioned for the supporting commando team to do another sweep, just as he ensured the kiriffin clankers they were using still came up clean. This Op was Top Secret, and they weren't going to lose security because of poor wiring.

An alert pinged in his helmet, and RC-1138 tapped his helmet comm unit "Sir"

"Captain" it was one of the eggheads then, the senior one, accent snooty as ever, but he was practical to deal with at the worst "Bring up your squad, our droids have contained a specimen for transport. I require your squad's services"

"Of course, Sir" he replied into the helmet, and he gestured at the others "Form up, escort duty"

There was no grumbling at that, this time anyway, as it was, hopefully, a way off this frozen icy hell planet and back to the frontlines. No enemies appeared, but they still moved as if hidden foes could be anywhere, another squad forming an outer cordon while a third patrolled. And, coming into the ruins that had been excavated, they moved inside the clanker cordon, to where the scientists in their own armoured suits awaited, along with two jet black hover crates, highly secure ones. The one that had summoned them, and older human male with greying hair and that snooty voice, nodded at them "Excellent. Now, gentlebeings, your job is now to ensure that myself, my team, and these specimens are escorted safely back to the Star Destroyer and then to a secure facility…"

The scientist paused, looking irritated "Under full quarantine protocols I'm afraid, so it will be a rather depressing few days, but needs must as they say. Code is Black Ultra Two"

RC-1138 wanted to groan at that. Well, this looked to be a dreary few days at the best with fully sealed suits, constant decontamination when moving from bunk to guard area, and being cut off entirely from the entirety of the rest of the Star Destroyer. Let alone the gunning down any of the eggheads that tried to breach quarantine or attempted any unordered communications "Confirmed Sir. Black Ultra Two in effect till arrival at secure facility"

"Good, I know we can count on you captain" the scientist with no official name beyond 'Project Blackwing Lead Scientist' replied as a pair of shuttles descended towards them from the Star Destroyer "This operation is vital for the future of the Republic"

RC-1138 merely gave a nod at that. There was work to be done after all, and an unhappy squad to ride herd on most likely "Sir"