Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 43 - Simulation Battle

Griffiths.

Aside from this general, known for his ruthlessness and efficiency, he couldn't think of anyone else who could have gotten Dooku to make such a move.

This will pave the way for Greaves to enter the core of power and become his most powerful bargaining chip in the election for supreme commander.

"Do you know who it is?" Renn's voice was low, as if he needed to confirm.

“I don’t know his exact name.” Carly’s voice was so low it was almost a whisper. “Dooku didn’t tell me, but I would never be so foolish as to interfere when his carefully planned scheme is about to succeed.”

Her eyes held a clear warning.

Carly reached for the tablet on the table, tapped it quickly a few times, and ordered another round of drinks.

He mumbled incoherently, the gist of which was that discussing this topic meant he really couldn't hold on without drinking more.

"You know that if his plan succeeds, the Clem Fleet will likely be directly incorporated into the newly formed First Fleet, right?" Rein pointed out, trying to sound casual to hide his inner urgency. "Aren't you afraid of losing independent command?"

“My ‘independent command’ was just two months of sitting in that godforsaken place of Salvara, watching a few old cruisers get moldy!” Carly retorted with self-deprecation and resentment. “If I could leave that hellhole and do something worthwhile, I wouldn’t mind losing my independent command.”

Ok!

Renn chuckled inwardly.

Since this is what you want...

"Then why not join me?"

"The idea is nice, but..."

Carly stared at Ryan, raising one eyebrow.

“Like you said, if you want to make a difference, Coles and Tann are the only two options.” Ryan leaned forward and took her hand on the table. “Trunky and Tony? They prioritize their sponsors, and you won’t have much room to maneuver with them. But Tann is different. You know her track record, her style, and you won’t even lose command of the fleet… Clem’s fleet can serve as a task force or support for the Second Fleet.”

Carly's shoulders tensed and shrugged instinctively at first, then slowly relaxed and fell back down.

She didn't immediately pull her hand away from Ryan's gentle touch; instead, she briefly and decisively squeezed it back before letting go.

“Dooku is a Jedi, Raine.” Carly’s voice was tense. “A powerful, experienced Jedi Master. He can sense Force disturbances, detect… disloyal thoughts. The Clem Fleet is the most crucial thorn in the side of the Peremian route. I can’t act without his direct approval. Next, he will appoint a new fleet commander and then transfer the Clem Fleet directly to him. Now… I can only go with the flow and wait for his arrangements.”

Her tone was filled with helplessness.

Ryan leaned back deeper into the sofa, lost in thought.

Looking through the huge porthole, he could clearly make out the distinctive outlines of his several interstellar escort ships. Their massive skeletal hulls made the surrounding luxury ships appear small and fragile.

He did not see the flagship of the Clem fleet, the "Star of Serenno," in his field of vision.

This means that Carly's trip to the Maldrud Sector, deep into this sector with the highest level of militarization by separatist forces, was a completely secret operation, without the use of her official identity.

Raine subconsciously pinched his cheek, lost in thought.

Prior to this, he was unaware of Carly's predicament within the Dooku system.

For a moment, he was even a little flattered.

She actually broke the rules just to see me.

Just then, the sliding door of the private room made a soft sound, and a minimalist service robot silently slid in, precisely placed several glasses of wine on the table, and then quickly slid out, the door closing behind it.

This efficient, silent interlude was like a bucket of cold water poured over Rennes, waking him up.

He suddenly remembered what kind of person Commander Carly Trilm was. This woman, who had spent years scheming to please Count Dooku and meticulously climbing the ladder of power, was definitely not someone who acted on emotion.

Her decision to come here on this risk must have been made after careful consideration and weighing of the pros and cons.

She wasn't there to reminisce or help him; she was there to get what she needed from him.

Having figured this out, Renn felt somewhat relieved.

It's a transaction; that's the essence of their relationship.

“You specifically asked me to make this trip and risk meeting you, so it couldn’t just be to talk to me about these…idealistic things.” Carly’s voice suddenly became sharp and restrained.

The feigned drunkenness and easygoing demeanor vanished completely, leaving only cold pragmatism.

"Tell me, what exactly do you want from me?" Her eyes were sharp as knives, and the subtext was all too clear.

What can you offer me in return?

“…I want to organize a fleet simulation battle.” Renn’s gaze turned to the dazzling starry sky outside the porthole, his fingers unconsciously sliding lightly along the cool edge of the porthole. “A…pure tactical exercise, to relieve the boredom of those naval commanders who are staying at the Lax Foundry. I’m going to Ringo Venda to give my fleet a complete overhaul, and the simulation battle will take place at Ringo Venda’s tactical center.”

“I guess it’s accessed through holographic communication?” Carly immediately grasped the key point.

Raine turned around and met her gaze. "That's right."

“If I personally invite them under the guise of ‘exchanging experiences’ or ‘evaluating the tactical plans for the Pelmian defense line,’ they will agree to participate.” Carly crossed her arms and leaned slightly forward, indicating that she was in negotiation mode. “But what happens after they join? How can you ensure that they are fully engaged and not just going through the motions?”

“The simulated battlefield setting would be like this,” Raine smoothly unfolded his conception, as if he had already rehearsed it many times in his mind. “Assuming the Republic launches a full-scale offensive, with the main attack direction being the Landilis system, spearheaded by the infamous Open Ring Fleet, and with the entire Blue Spear Command providing strategic support.”

Unfortunately, our crucial First Fleet was nowhere to be found and unable to return to provide timely assistance.

Between the Republic's massive army and the complete fall of the Confederate core, only the Peremian shipping route... and the pitiful forces you and the other commanders possess.

Ryan maintained a serious expression throughout his description of this "hypothetical" scenario.

But he could clearly see the disbelief and understanding that flashed in Carly's eyes.

She raised one of her meticulously groomed eyebrows, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Just... a hypothetical one?"

“Of course, it’s entirely a hypothetical tactical simulation.” Raine confirmed without changing his expression, then added, “Oh—by the way, the ultimate goal of the simulation is to delay the Republic’s offensive as much as possible under absolute disadvantage, to hold out until the First Fleet… and, very ‘coincidentally,’ the Second Fleet returns to support us after completing its mission. Do you think this scenario can arouse their competitive spirit and participation?”

Carly nodded slowly, her eyes becoming deep.

She stretched out a slender finger and unconsciously traced complex flight paths or formations in the air on the smooth tabletop.

Then she suddenly grabbed the newly served glass of wine in front of her, drank it all in one gulp, and slammed the empty glass back onto the table, her movements conveying a resolute determination.

As Ryan watched her move, a strong premonition arose in his heart that the plan was about to be accomplished.

“I… understand,” Carly said softly, her tone as calm as if she were merely discussing the weather. “Then, as part of the exchange…”

She abruptly changed the subject, "I know a girl named Klatara. She's an outstanding scientist and engineer, though she calls herself a doctor. Her expertise lies in cybernetics and advanced robotics. I heard she offended a powerful advisor in the Speaker's office in the Republic and, having nowhere else to turn, joined the separatists. Now she manages a deep space research station near the Salvara fortress..."

“Cybernetics?” Renn interrupted her sharply, his body tensing instantly. “Last week… or more recently, did her research station have any special visitors? Like a… hospital ship?”

Carly stared intently at Ryan's face, scrutinizing the subtle changes in his expression, displaying remarkable clarity and insight. "A ship registered for medical use did indeed dock at her research station last week, but the specific details... are highly classified, and I am not aware of them."

Renn understood.

This galaxy is sometimes surprisingly small.

(End of this chapter)