Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 274, Section 276 - Situation Update

Quili sector, Cassel system.

"Observations indicate that the expeditionary fleet is traveling along the Bandomall-Harron axis."

Augu reported calmly, its three mechanical eyes fixed on the shimmering points of light on the holographic star map.

Rein leaned back in his command chair, hands behind his head, and said in a relaxed tone, "So they've finally entered the Sereno-controlled area... How's General Trench doing?"

The super tactical robot smoothly operates the control panel, and the star map changes perspective accordingly.

"Our reconnaissance frigates detected a large-scale fleet jump signal in the Salin Corridor, which suggests that Admiral Trench has led the Second Fleet Group through the Fanta space."

Renn's gaze followed the winding hyperspace route on the star map.

The Salin Corridor traverses the Hydia airspace, intersecting with the Hydia route in the Botajev system, and then extends into the "new territory" of separatist forces.

He squinted...

This will be a race against time.

Whoever captures Botajev first will gain the initiative in the entire campaign.

Botajev, as a city-state planet, not only boasts the largest civilian shipyard in the entire galaxy, but is also a strategic intersection of two major hyperspace routes.

Count Dooku's mechanical legion must have already transformed this place into an iron fortress.

Once Botajef falls, the occupying side will completely control the pace of the subsequent battle.

But this has brought new problems.

Convincing the Fenders is one thing, but coordinating the Jedi Expeditionary Fleet with the Confederate Second Fleet Group to fight together is another challenge.

Trench's control over his fleet was beyond question; the Confederate fleet had been deliberately molded into a system of absolute loyalty to its commander.

Admiral Dua Ningo's First Fleet is stationed along the Peremian trade route, while the Second Fleet, directly under the command of Trench, has just completed its traverse of the Fanta Space.

This veteran Hutt general's prestige was enough to ensure that his subordinates, even if they had doubts, would ultimately carry out his orders.

The Fanta incident has proven this point.

The Jedi Expeditionary Fleet is completely different.

Regardless of the inherent conflict between the Jedi and the Navy, the Jedi themselves are also divided into numerous factions.

Some people knew about the impending coup, but many more were kept in the dark.

There are both staunch supporters of the Republic and moderates.

Some are willing to cooperate temporarily in the hunt for Dooku, while others believe that joining forces with separatists is an inviolable bottom line.

This is not a decision that Ryan makes, but a problem that Trench must face.

Fortunately, Fanta's Jedi general was indifferent to the Republic; if it had been someone like Mace Windu, the situation would have been very different.

That is why Trench had to reach Botajev before the Jedi.

Controlling this strategic location will provide a decisive advantage in negotiations.

The only question now is: can he succeed?

The Confederate Second Fleet possessed advantages in size and organization, and the Salin Corridor offered unimpeded passage.

Although the Jedi Expeditionary Force was large in scale, it was disorganized and had many factions. Furthermore, it had to conquer the star systems that General Grievous had fortified along the Haidian route.

Thinking of Griffiths.

Raine suddenly realized that he had completely overlooked the whereabouts of the cyborg general.

Given Count Dooku's style, he would surely save this trump card for a crucial moment.

In the upcoming standoff with Botadev, this variable must not be allowed to suddenly disrupt the proceedings.

Rein snapped his fingers, and Augu's mechanical head turned in response. "We need to investigate all of Count Dooku's active military forces."

"Statement: Our instructions are only to observe the situation."

Ryan calmly replied, "Wait and see is not my style. Time is the resource we cannot afford to waste... I think you would agree with that. Besides, General Trench has granted us the authority to act independently."

He could feel the tactical processor running at high speed behind the beak-shaped mask.

The three yellow optical sensors briefly went out of focus, apparently reassessing Ryan's "creative interpretation" of the Trench directives. The highest rank in the Confederate Armed Forces is general.

In fact, Ryan and Trench are now in the same class.

Since Rein is no longer directly under the Second Fleet Group, Trench is no longer his direct commander.

Of course, Ryan's influence was far less than that of the other party, but since Trench had clearly expressed his trust in his judgment, he believed he had the right to exercise his autonomy.

Otherwise, why would you grant him this military rank?
"If there are no formal objections, connect to the 'Priestess' network system and begin screening Republic observation reports."

The super tactical robot's posture stiffened almost imperceptibly, and a faint trace of dissatisfaction flashed across its mask.

"--confirm."

In an instant, the star map burst forth with a radiant green light, illuminating the entire cockpit.

The Scaco engineers on the lower deck all looked up at the sudden burst of light.

The light flow radiates from Coruscant as its core to the outer galaxies, forming a dense information network.

Although the "Priestess" can only intercept communications transiting through the Republic's capital, the whereabouts of such an important target as Grievous will inevitably be revealed in the intelligence.

As Augu efficiently streamlined the data flow, flashing markers and data trajectories continuously appeared on the star map.

Raine unconsciously straightened his back. Although he found it difficult to extract key intelligence directly from the massive amount of information, he still focused intently on every change.

After a long wait, Augu's calm voice rang out again: "Observation results: Pols-Tony's fleet has appeared in multiple recent reports."

Raine immediately focused his attention on the data clusters along the Villagh trade route.

Augu had begun cross-referencing the intelligence, and a deep red attack vector arc appeared on the star map.

“It seems Admiral Tony has the same idea as us,” Raine said in a low voice. “By using the Villagi trade route to bypass the Republic’s defenses on the Seranon branch… Now we’re glad we didn’t take that route. If we had encountered his fleet, our forces would have been no match for him.”

"Analysis of recent communications indicates a large-scale naval buildup in the Dubrylon and Jemus systems. Assessment: Admiral Pols Tonys is consolidating his territory in the northwestern galaxy with the intention of reclaiming the assets of the Banking Union."

"At the same time, we will outflank the Republic's army from the rear," Raine continued. "All attention is now focused on the expeditionary fleet's offensive along the coastal route, while the Republic's Eighth District forces will face Tony's fleet alone."

This move was indeed unexpected, but it made sense in terms of strategic logic.

The feint attack on Dantuin and Munirlinst gave Sereno a chance to catch his breath.

From the star chart, Tony's actions amounted to putting the Republic's Northern forces in a two-front war.

If the expeditionary force were to be diverted to the west to provide reinforcements, Sereno's pressure would be greatly reduced; if the Eighth District did not receive support, Tony would likely retake the Banking Alliance system.

In any case, Sereno is a beneficiary.

Dubrylon was too far away for Renn to handle, and Tony wasn't his primary target either.

However, this intelligence is of significant reference value.

Of Count Dooku's two main generals, Tony is far to the west, so Griffith must be nearby.

With practiced ease, Raine zoomed in on the star map, his gaze sweeping across the shadowed areas marking the Republic's lost star sectors, finally settling on the Talis system.

Dense signal markers covered almost the entire galaxy.

“This is it.” Raine’s voice sharpened. “Griffith is here, and this intelligence perfectly matches his recent reports on operations along the Coastal Diaz route.”

“Connecting to the transmission…” Augu tilted his head slightly. “Observation results: General Grievous launched an orbital bombardment and ground assault on Talis. The local garrison has been defeated, and communications have been completely cut off.”

"The expeditionary fleet neglected flank security in its pursuit of speed." Raine stood up. "From Talis, Grievous has far too many options."

Located a thousand light-years north of the Hydia route and seven thousand light-years southwest of Bandomare, Talis was an ideal springboard for cutting off the Republic's supply lines and encircling the expeditionary fleet.

The Republic is clearly aware of this as well.

The dense markings around Talis indicate that a fleet has been deployed to counter the threat from Grievous.

Renn frowned, trying hard to recall, but felt that his memories of his hometown were gradually fading.

A new worry began to grow in his heart, fearing that he would eventually forget where he came from.

Perhaps he should write something down while he still remembers, even though his memories are fragmented.

After the war ends...

(End of this chapter)