Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 266-268 - Super Tactical Robot

The data panel in Rennes beeped, and a notification popped up.

He browsed the information while listening to the maintenance report from Skak technical representative Mur Danto.

"My engineering team anticipates that the No. 1 main gun can be operational again in three hours."

Through the sealed pressure suit, Danto's voice had a mechanical, buzzing quality.

Renn resisted the urge to rub his face.

Is the main gun itself faulty, or did the technical alliance simply fail to properly debug it?

The silent voyage from Kolfiel to Algarzda took a full five standard days, during which time the No. 1 main gun remained under maintenance.

There was a nearly week-long interval between the two launches... a full 125-hour reloading cycle!

I wonder which weapons engineer thought that a main weapon with this performance could be used in actual combat?

The motivation that leads to being passively attacked after launching just one attack is truly... indescribable.

Seeing that Raine's expression did not change, the Skako scientist assumed that he had received tacit approval, so he cleared his throat. Through the protective suit, the voice sounded more like a release of air pressure: "We have now completed the calibration of the first high-power launch and can further optimize the energy input efficiency to balance the power and launch cycle."

Ryan then realized that the first shot was a deliberate overload, fired solely to obtain calibration data.

He felt a chill.

It's hard to believe!
"Could that have been the first live-fire launch of the Intruder?"

"Uh, sir, yes!"

What if something goes wrong?

Ryan almost asked, but ultimately gave up. It was impossible to discuss this with these scientists who were obsessed with scientific research.

It's time to get a new flagship.

He fell into deep thought.

But what can be exchanged for? The "peak level" of the Jiwen people?
Then, he shook his head again.

“However, to continuously optimize the firing cycle, we need more firing samples,” Moore Danto continued, oblivious to Ryan’s emotional fluctuations. “We should prepare to analyze more targets…”

“We only fired one shot,” Ryan interrupted him, stating bluntly. “That shot only destroyed one core of the blocking network. It would be arrogant to think that the entire Republic fleet would be destroyed by the aftershocks like in the Battle of Colfield. Moreover, if I understand correctly, the ‘Intruder’ doesn’t seem to have any close-in weaponry.”

"Uh, well, it's because..."

“Yes, yes, ‘superweapons are all like that,’” Ryan stood up, waved his hand, and interrupted the other person, “There always has to be some obvious flaws. I understand this kind of design thinking.”

"I'm very sorry……"

“Your report is very useful, scientist.” Ryan smiled at him. “Please continue with the repairs; we can only count on you here.”

Mur Danto swayed awkwardly in his protective suit and gave a stiff bow.

"At your service, General."

After he left, Raine walked toward the rear of the bridge.

A short corridor connects the cockpit to the combat intelligence center.

On the Intruder, the combat intelligence center was exceptionally spacious, even exceeding the command area of ​​the Divine Will-class dreadnoughts.

But this is reasonable.

This ship was originally designed as a dedicated long-range artillery and command platform, intended to operate at extreme distances behind the fleet, completely avoiding direct engagement.

The entire ship is designed around this character.

The superstructure was filled with a massive and complex intelligence and targeting system, all designed to coordinate the main gun to carry out ultra-long-range precision strikes.

Stepping into the combat intelligence center is like stepping into a digital brain.

The multi-layered data links, sensor arrays, and fire control interfaces here are seamlessly interwoven, operating with near-cold-blooded efficiency.

For a ship like this, a top-notch combat intelligence center is not a luxury, but a necessity for survival.

She was thus equipped with extremely advanced communication and electronic warfare suites, the performance of which even made the latest "Generosity-class" cruisers seem outdated.

Similarly, this is crucial for its survival on the battlefield.

Raine found Augu in front of a console.

But to his surprise, the content displayed on the screen...

A familiar silhouette came into view, shaped like a winged dagger.

Below it is labeled, "Generosity-class frigate, 'Repulsion'".

Ryan couldn't help but wonder where his old ship was now, perhaps slowly being dismantled in some shipbreaking yard in Sallust.

The thought brought a bitter taste to his mouth.

“It used to be my flagship,” Ryan pulled up a chair and sat down next to the robot. “Why would you be interested in it?”

“In order to work effectively with the commander and accurately convey instructions, I must understand the commander’s past.” Augu’s optical sensors remained locked on the screen. “This is a necessary preparation procedure.”

Ren smiled lightly.

"Really?" He raised one eyebrow. "Then what do you want to ask?"

Augur closed the window. "This is not the reason I invited you here, General."

Raine didn't reply. "However," the synthesized voice of Augu murmured, its lips gleaming slightly, "I do have some... interest in the 'Repulsion'."

Renn laughed out loud, causing several robots around him to turn their heads and look at him.

That's because you served there.

He answered in his heart.

'But back then you weren't called Augu.'

The new generation of super tactical robots has far more complex customization modules than the older models.

When Raine received Augu, he intended to overwrite his matrix with his own preserved memory data... but in the end, that data was only integrated rather than overwritten.

He had been warned that super tactical robots often have strong personalities and will do their utmost to maintain the integrity of their own matrix.

Therefore, he did not insist, nor did he ever mention it to Augu.

But now he thinks it's not bad.

It is both familiar and upgraded.

It's a win-win situation, there's no need to change anything.

“Perhaps there’s already a tacit understanding between us?” Renn said, leaning slightly towards the control panel. “So, what exactly is it?”

“The ‘Priestess’ network has sent a new message.” Augu opened another window, and Raine immediately sat up straight. “I think you’ll be interested in the Republic’s recent movements.”

Ryan nodded. "You're right."

“I’m glad you responded like that,” Augu continued. “The ‘Priestess’ has issued a declaration to specific star systems in the Core World and the Middle Ring, and she has also intercepted the Republic’s order to send reinforcements along the Hydia route.”

Renn waited for him to sort through the information.

"I link this information to another announcement: the Jedi Expeditionary Fleet has left Coruscant and is heading to Sereno."

"How large is it?" Renn asked in a low voice. The Republic had finally taken action. "When is it expected to arrive?"

“Based on the analysis, there are 1,000 capital ships, 5,000 frigates, and 5,000 troop transports,” Augu replied. “They will sail outwards along the coastal route to Haidia, bringing in more ships and soldiers along the way. At top speed, they will arrive at Sereno in as little as 24 days.”

Ten thousand warships.

A full ten thousand ships.

The Republic has mobilized its entire force this time.

They only have one month to prepare; if the expeditionary force's movements are slightly slower, they might have a few more days.

Fortunately, the Priestess network is now deeply embedded in the Confederate intelligence network, and everything that Raine knows now will be received by the Independence space station.

But now the question is, what should they do?
Ten thousand warships and countless soldiers are rushing toward Sereno, determined to take the planet for the Republic.

Can the USS Independence accept this situation?

Or do they intend to take control of Sereno themselves?
Is there enough time?
Ryan quickly made a mental estimate.

It's not easy to go to Graflex Med and then turn back.

The Serranon branch is the shortest route, but it is currently embroiled in a fierce battle between Loyalists and Separatists.

Their only viable route was the more circuitous Viraji trade route, which stretched northward, through new territories, and meandered along the edge of the galactic arms, aiming to avoid the desolate, almost barren interstellar desert of Chopani, nestled between the two arms.

Ironically, despite the lack of obvious danger in that area, very few ships pass through it.

To be honest, if a malfunction were to occur there, the consequences would be unimaginable.

The journey to Graflex Med via the Viraji trade route takes fifteen days, but if the Givens are urged to speed things up, it could be reduced to nine or ten days.

The return journey took another fifteen days.

In addition, the time spent in Graflex Med for modification... could be several days...

Therefore, they might miss the entire campaign.

What should I do?
Renn could feel Augu watching him.

"...Can we contact the 'Independence' from here?"

"The possibility is extremely low."

Ryan pondered for a moment, his fingertips unconsciously tapping on the console.

Continuing the mission as originally planned is not unreasonable, but... now is the decisive moment.

Both the Jedi and the Sith had placed their bets on their own victory, and this was his only chance to snatch the coin from the sky.

He absolutely cannot let this opportunity slip by... unless the Confederate armed forces have other plans.

Therefore, it would be wise to confirm with "Independence" first.

But how do you do that?

They were deep behind enemy lines, and all communication nodes in the area were controlled by Sereno or Coruscant.

To contact Confederate-controlled areas, Rennes would practically need his own private communications network...

Just then, a nearly forgotten memory suddenly crashed into his consciousness like a kinetic bullet fired by the "Intruder".

and many more!

Doesn't he have his own secret private transceiver network?
And it's right at the back door of Sereno!
(End of this chapter)