Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 168, page 170 - Core Issues
“I understand,” Raine said, leaning forward slightly. “So, the 28th Mobile Fleet will operate in coordination with the 4th Main Fleet?”

“To be precise,” Tann’s voice came through the hologram, “after you successfully eliminate the forces of the republics surrounding Salust, General Ambigine will command the Fourth Fleet in a full-scale counter-offensive to reclaim the lost territory along the Rimma trade route. Until the Yagdul hub is recaptured, your fleet will be temporarily incorporated into the Fourth Fleet.”

Rein nodded, then turned to Hal and said in a low voice, "Send the preliminary operational parameters to Little Tower and order it to start the combat simulation immediately. I need to see at least fifteen simulation results under different preset conditions before the fleet sets sail."

Hal's vision sensors flickered. He glanced down at the processor load assessment on his data board, then raised his mechanical head. "Sir, confirm the order: fifteen copies, or fifty?"

Renn paused for half a second, a hint of consideration for the complex battle situation flashing in his eyes, "...fifty copies."

For the next period of time, Rein and Hal discussed the initial details of the fleet integration in hushed tones, with Commodores Diedrich Greshard and Vinok occasionally joining in to provide explanations about the performance of the ships they were familiar with.

The formation of a completely new fleet of more than 300 ships from various parts of the vicinity of Peremian, with different models, specifications, and combat habits, is far more complex than imagined.

Fortunately, Rein was familiar with many of these warships, but he still needed to carefully compare their detailed parameters and combat records in order to efficiently organize them into task forces and combat squadrons.

Raine knew that these tedious integration tasks had to be completed before the war.

He preferred to resolve these issues in the quiet staff room rather than to cram at the last minute on the battlefield amidst the roar of gunfire.

With his mind preoccupied with the enormous challenges ahead, the latter part of the meeting seemed somewhat hazy to Raine.

Fortunately, the meeting agenda no longer focused on him.

"All relevant operational instructions and detailed attachments will be transmitted to the flagships of each fleet via encrypted data links," the Supreme Commander finally concluded the strategic deployment. "For any specific questions, please consult your direct commanders. If there are no other matters... you may return to your respective ships and await orders. Bontri and Trilm, please wait."

……

Renn suppressed the complex emotions churning within him and took a silent breath.

He watched as Hal, Diderich, and the other officers disappeared behind the heavy blast door, a barely perceptible sense of loneliness passing through his heart.

Robots were not allowed to participate in the upcoming secret talks, and besides, HAL's computing power was more efficient at managing fleet affairs.

The oddly shaped robotic rabbit took one last look back with its red optical lens before the door closed.

In an instant, the once spacious briefing room, which was full of people, was now empty except for Tann's holographic image, the silent Trench, and the still languid Carly Trilm and Ryan himself.

Carly unceremoniously placed her boots on the polished table and clapped her hands loudly: "Alright, everyone else, leave. Now, let's talk about the core issue... the coup."

How can we overthrow Lax's current government? There's no way Duku would willingly and peacefully relinquish power.

In some distant corner of his consciousness, Raine vaguely remembered that this seemed to be the first time Carly had spoken up since the meeting began.

“Dooku’s power is built on three pillars,” Trench said, his voice low and hoarse, seemingly ignoring Carly’s somewhat flippant opening remarks, “namely, his absolute control over the economic lifeline, the military machine, and public opinion. If we want him to realize that resistance is futile, we must completely dismantle his control over these three areas.” Ryan immediately sat up straight, realizing this was no joke or test, but a genuine plot to overthrow the regime.

"His control over giant corporations relies on a 'shadow parliament' hidden behind the scenes of the government administration... Do we have solid evidence of its existence? This alone is enough to constitute the core charge for impeaching him."

“We don’t,” Carly snapped her fingers, her tone tinged with a hint of helplessness. “We can roughly identify which companies they control, but we lack solid evidence that directly links the Shadow Council to them.”

Those business tycoons knew perfectly well that once the existence of the Shadow Council was confirmed, the Lax government would carry out a swift and decisive purge.

They will invest huge resources in searching for such evidence, and the risks are disproportionate to the rewards, especially when we have a safer and more advantageous option: directly turning these companies to our side.

Making allies is always wiser than making enemies.

“Thanks to your previous mediation, the Technology Alliance has clearly stated its support for us,” Trench interjected, and General Tann nodded slightly in agreement in the holographic image. “The Technology Alliance has invested heavily in the military-industrial complex under General Tann’s leadership, so persuading the Alliance’s leader, Watt Temple, is not difficult. This means that the vast majority of the Confederation’s military production capacity and cutting-edge research and development departments will fall under our control.”

“The thorny issue lies with the Interstellar Banking Corporation,” Tann said calmly, arms crossed. “They are firmly aligned with the Serennos. Unlike the Technological Alliance, the Banking Corporation’s core assets and network of influence are deeply rooted in the new territory, where the political landscape leans more towards Count Dooku’s private sphere of influence than the Lax central government. I initially invited Admiral Pols Tonys, with his strong ties to the Banking Corporation, to take command of the First Fleet, but he declined. Ultimately, Admiral Coles, who hails from the Tion Cluster and is more loyal to Lax, took over.”

This is indeed a key and difficult problem.

Controlling the military-industrial complex but lacking the massive cash flow to maintain its operation is akin to holding a sharp blade but having no arms to wield it.

Corporate and industrial giants are not unpredictable.

They are loyal to profits and influence, and credit points are the core vehicle for both.

To date, the Interstellar Banking Group has been a major financial pillar of the Confederation, and even to some extent the Republic.

Without their support, the Confederation's budget would be riddled with an unfillable hole.

Ryan shared his thoughts: "It seems we need to develop new and stable sources of funding."

“The Corporate Alliance has made a clear commitment to support our faction,” Trench tapped the table with his knuckles, making a soft tapping sound. “Speaker Passel Argent and the Alliance Council are very willing to stand up and challenge Dooku’s authority, especially since they can use this to expand their own political influence. Even if the Corporate Alliance’s financial resources cannot match those of the banking groups, the financial support they can provide is quite considerable.”

Both General Trench and the current Major General Mele were long-time employees of the corporate alliance, and this connection clearly played a positive role.

After the Militia Act explicitly prohibited armed forces officers from maintaining direct employment relationships with corporations or specific planets in order to prevent favoritism and corruption, this connection was forced to undergo a... expedient "reorganization".

“Dooku has thwarted Passer Argent’s political ambitions on several occasions in the past, which is a major reason why the alliance has turned to us,” General Tann added. “However, we still need to win over the Trade Federation, the Business Guild, the Retail Federation, and the vital Hyperspace Communications Syndicate.”

(End of this chapter)