Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 172, Section 174 - Troop Deployment
Sallust is approaching, Sallust Galaxy.

Braymar Sector.

Outside the main viewport of the bridge, the iconic silhouette of Salustna, the volcanic planet, is clearly visible in the starlight, its orange-red surface texture seemingly within reach.

A hologram of General Horn Ambigine stands in the center of the tactical platform; he himself is a living fossil of the separatist movement.

He was tall and lean, his broad shoulders supporting his crisp military uniform, conveying a sense of composure that had weathered many storms.

Although his arms were not thick, they had well-defined muscles, and his skin was etched with the marks of time and war.

His striking silver hair and deep wrinkles at the corners of his eyes made no attempt to conceal his age.

Judging by his appearance alone, he might just be an ordinary old man, and his high position in the Fourth Fleet seems to be entirely based on seniority.

But in Severn Tann's army, experience alone is not enough.

Talent and skills are both indispensable.

After decades of accumulating experience behind a desk, there's absolutely no way one could sit on the throne of one of the four fleet groups commanders in the largest army in the galaxy.

Horn Ambigine was no ordinary separatist.

He was a pioneer of separatism.

Long before the word "separatism" was invented, long before Severn Tann was born, and even before Count Dooku embraced the dark side, he was already fighting against the Galactic Republic.

When Dooku set out to create the separatist alliance, Horn Ambigine was one of his earliest and core supporters.

He can provide the league with the most much-needed practical experience.

He was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Organic Forces Training Corps, where he personally forged the backbone that would later become the core of the Confederate Citizens' Soldiers.

It is no exaggeration to say that the Militia Act, which reshaped the Confederate armed forces, was the culmination of Horn Ambigine's life's work.

This old man, known as the "First General of the Confederation," was well aware of his prestige, and his words and actions carried an undisguised sense of pride befitting it.

"I hope that by the time I arrive in Salust, there will be no troops loyal to the Republic left on this planet, Major General." General Ambigine's voice was loud and penetrating, echoing in the quiet bridge. "Your reputation is stellar, and your record against Jedi commanders is quite impressive. Can you assure me that General Alrix will become another name on your honor roll?"

Every word he uttered was like an unquestionable command.

Ryan could already clearly sense the old general's style of doing things.

General Tann and Admiral Trench, their authority was contained in their aura.

They disdain shouting; their way of expressing dissatisfaction is to quietly dismiss you and attach a cold, administrative penalty notice.

They were exemplary professional officers, wielding authority with unparalleled skill.

General Ambigine, on the other hand, is more like an instructor who has worked his way up from the bottom, a tough guy who is used to directly commanding his squad.

His authority was established through coercion.

This may stem from his lifelong experience of organizing and training militia.

Many people find this style more down-to-earth.

People like Trench and Tann, who graduated from top military academies and were ready to command fleets right out of school, carried a certain kind of elitist expectation.

Horn Ambigine learned how to command amidst the smoke and fire of battle, and beneath his stern exterior lay a clear understanding of the limitations of reality.

Whatever orders he gave, Ryan was certain they would be far more practical than Tann's wildly imaginative plans.

There will be no "surprise attack on the core world along a mythical hyperspace route that does not exist at all," nor will there be any absurd demands such as "resisting the entire Republic Navy for two months by willpower alone, without any fleet support or logistical supplies."

As long as it gets reasonable orders in return, Ryan felt that enduring some loud reprimands was entirely worthwhile.

“I can’t make any guarantees, General,” Ryan said, his voice calm and restrained. “I can only assess my opponent after we have actually clashed on the battlefield.”

General Ambigine thoughtfully stroked the stubble on his chin.

Usually, at times like this, Ryan would hear questions like, "You could do it before, why can't you do it now?"

Making tactical predictions based on data is not wrong in itself, especially given that Raine has indeed achieved brilliant results, but war... has always been a chaotic system full of variables.

To be honest, Raine himself wasn't quite sure why he always had the upper hand when dealing with Jedi Commanders.

Jedi generals' tactical thinking is often very direct, even seemingly simple, but for some reason it is extremely effective.

Even the complex "rotating spearhead" tactics of Procon were based on a core idea as primitive as a troop charge.

Breaking the rules and doing unexpected things always seems to disrupt their rhythm, although it is generally believed that Jedi Knights always maintain their inner balance.

Therefore, for any opponent, whether Jedi or others, Raine's strategy is to confront them directly on the battlefield, observe their reactions, and then make his own judgment.

He would treat the "Force" as an unpredictable weather factor on the battlefield.

If it suddenly comes into play, then he'll wait and see; he knows there's nothing he can do about it.

Before that, he only focused on what he could control.

“Alright,” General Ambigine finally made his decision, his voice still booming, “I believe you will give it your all no matter what.”

Raine straightened his back instinctively. "I will do as always, General."

General Ambigine's lips twitched upwards for once, revealing a barely perceptible smile. "Remember, Rear Admiral Bontri, provoke, but do not attack. We need the Republic to take the first step. Unless General Alrix loses his temper and strikes first, your fleet must remain in place until the Supreme Command officially announces the start of 'Operation Stormgate'."

Meanwhile, my forces will complete the encirclement of the Seswinner sector, and I hope that before we march north, the two strategic strongholds of Eliadu and Sallust will be firmly in the hands of the Separatists.

We will show the Republic our resolve!

“Understood, General!” The two men saluted each other with perfect precision across the holographic image. “We’ll meet in Yagdul.”

Before the communication was cut off, the last thing Renn saw was General Ambigine's weathered face, revealing a fierce smile that showed a full set of teeth.

"Target detected!" The calm electronic voice of the tactical robot, Little Tower, broke the silence on the bridge. Rein immediately turned his gaze to the nearest tactical display screen.

The screen clearly showed a Republic fleet of 110 warships, which was gathering near the hyperspace jump point south of Salust.

Further ahead, some distance from the jump point and cleverly concealed in the shadows of the dense asteroid field, were another 74 warships.

Rein quickly imported the coordinate data into the galaxy hologram and confirmed that the asteroid belt was indeed the Sulurub field marked on the navigation map.

“It must be Ventress’s fleet that’s trapped inside,” Raine said in a deep voice, his brows furrowed slightly.

“General, our current position is not conducive to quickly supporting Commander Ventress,” Little Tower quickly analyzed. “The asteroid belt of the Sulurub Field is orbiting the third orbit of the star, while Salust itself is in the fourth orbit. The Republic fleet’s position in the middle is very clever. It not only blocks the exit to the edge of the star system, but also completely cuts off the route for Commander Ventress’s fleet to try to evacuate the Salust system.”

The Republic Fleet did indeed occupy an excellent interception position.

Raine racked his brains but couldn't understand how Ventress, with her shrewdness and experience, could have put herself in such a passive situation.

The Sulurub Field is an asteroid belt that orbits a star, and it is closer to the star than the Sallust planets themselves.

"Can you plan a route to Ventress's location while avoiding the risk of being intercepted by the Republic's fleet?" Raine turned to the navigation robot Taylor, speaking faster.

Taylor's head assembly rotated slightly, emitting a faint servo motor hum, before he shook his head. "We can plan an approach along a path that runs in the same direction as the star's main plane, but the final leg of the journey into the Sulurub Field must be retrograde. By the time this retrograde maneuver is completed, the Republic Fleet will have sufficient time and angle to effectively intercept us."

The crux of the problem lies in the fact that Ventress chose a location almost directly opposite Salust's star.

This was originally a wise move, allowing for simultaneous monitoring of the planet and her adversary, Alrix.

But now this has had a serious negative impact on Rennes.

The planet Salust itself, along with the main Republic fleet deployed nearby, lies directly between the southern reinforcements Reyn's fleet and Ventress.

Unless Ventress actively changes course, shifting the fleet's position by millions of kilometers, this blockade cannot be reversed.

“Ventress can see us coming, right? Can we establish communication with her?” Renn pressed, his fingers unconsciously tapping the edge of the tactical console.

“If our large ships’ energy signals can be detected by her detectors, then she must have detected us as well,” Taylor confirmed. “However, as long as the main force of the Republic Fleet remains in the line of command between our two fleets, any direct, uninterrupted communication is virtually impossible.”

“General, our total strength is more than three times that of the Republic’s interception fleet ahead,” Little Tower interjected, his electronic eyes flashing with the light of analyzing data. “The fastest and most direct way to rendezvous with Commander Ventress’s fleet is to forcefully break through the Republic’s interception line.”

Rein's gaze swept quickly across the real-time fleet status report on the main screen.

The combat readiness status of each combat division, the status of energy shields, and the preparation progress of carrier-based aircraft.

He briefly weighed the options in his mind.

Heed Little Tower's advice: Engage the Republic Fleet immediately and finish the battle quickly to rendezvous with Ventress.
Or should we prioritize preserving our strength and seeking a safer way to regroup?
The core contradiction lies in the fact that the primary mission of the 28th Mobile Fleet is to carry out "Operation Starburst".

This means they must protect the most critical and vulnerable force in the fleet at all costs.

Commander Jom's 286th Auxiliary Division.

This auxiliary division consisted of five extremely slow-moving, mobile deep-water docks, which were the lifeline for the fleet's long-term survival and operations behind enemy lines.

We must not risk getting involved in a direct battle now.

"Connect Brigadier General Greshad to narrowband encrypted communication," Rein ordered decisively, his voice regaining its usual calm.

Diedrich Greshad was the commander of the 283rd Combat Division, or simply the "Third Combat Division".

The division has 75 warships of various types, although only 24 of them are true capital ships. However, its firepower should be enough to deter Alriques and prevent it from taking any rash actions.

"Major Admiral?" Diedrich Greshad's face appeared on the communications screen, with the busy scene on his bridge in the background.

“Diedrich, order the entire division to first-level combat readiness.” Rein spoke clearly and quickly. “I want your 3rd Combat Division to form a starboard echelon, reinforced at the stern, and deploy 200,000 kilometers from the starboard bow of the ‘Aurora’. Our objective is to reach the Sulurub Field and rendezvous with Commander Ventress, which means we must brazenly pass right under the noses of the Republic Fleet.”

If Aleksz tries to pressure your lines, remember your mission: refuse to engage in combat and keep your distance.

If she applies more pressure or even launches an attack, the Fourth Combat Division will immediately come to your aid. Your most important task is to ensure the safety of the Sixth Auxiliary Division!

"Roger that, sir!" Brigadier General Greshad's voice was crisp and clear, typical of a soldier.

Ryan immediately turned to the communications officer: "Now, connect me to Brigadier General Vinok."

"Sir?"

Vinok's face appeared on another screen.

"Venok, all divisions to first-level combat readiness," Rein ordered. "Your 4th Combat Division, form port echelon, reinforced at the bow, and deploy 200,000 kilometers from the starboard stern of the 'Aurora'."

In the horizontal cross section, your position should be mirror-symmetrical with that of the Third Combat Division.

If Alex launches an attack, your highest priority will still be ensuring the safety of the Sixth Auxiliary Division, without exception!

"Understood, sir!"

Brigadier General Vinok responded crisply and decisively.

The 28th Mobile Fleet was subdivided into seven tactical sub-formations.

The third and fourth are the main combat divisions, and the sixth is Commander Jom's auxiliary division, consisting of five giant mobile docks.

The flagship of the 6th Division was the massive "Aurora II," a giant mothership with an astonishingly vast interior space, whose hangar could even accommodate the original fuel supply ship "Aurora."

No amount of emphasis can be overstated; the success of "Operation Starburst" depends entirely on whether the Sixth Auxiliary Division can reach its destination unscathed.

The fleet began to move cautiously along an orbital vector roughly in the same direction as the rotation of the star Sallust, attempting to bypass the Republic fleet's main operational radius.

If intelligence hadn't clearly indicated that General Alrix had defeated enemy forces three times her size on several occasions, Raine would have preferred to launch a direct attack and end the conflict quickly.

But until he fully understands how she did it, it is best for him to remain highly vigilant and avoid rash confrontation.

“Little Tower,” Raine said, his eyes fixed on the Republic Fleet’s movements on the tactical screen, “order the Third and Fourth Combat Divisions to use all available detection methods to closely monitor the Republic Fleet’s every move, and report any slight movement immediately. At the same time, have the Second Attack Division establish a perimeter on our port side to guard against possible flank attacks. We don’t know what tricks Alrix will pull right now.”

(End of this chapter)