Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 72 - Trap
Outside the bridge of the Republic's "Intrepid".

Master Seth Tear piloted his Jedi Starfighter like a falcon, relentlessly pursuing the reconnaissance ships sent by the Separatist commanders to harass them.

The point defense laser turrets surrounding the "Dauntless" were spewing out dense nets of fire, flashing with sparks.

It is not surprising that Sith-backed separatists are coldly abandoned once they lose their value.

Prokhor speculated that the reconnaissance ships were likely controlled by robots, which might make it easier for people to accept the order to abandon them.

"They are changing tactics."

Commander Wofi watched the changes in the tactical map with vigilance.

“This is not a simple change of formation,” Master Pro Kong added calmly, his deep gaze fixed on the void. “The opponent made a subtle tactical adjustment at the last moment before contact. Warfi, we’ve seen this kind of tactic before, haven’t we?”

"General, do you believe this is one of Ryan Bontry's tactics?" The clone commander turned his head with slight surprise. "Intelligence indicates he should be in the Southern Theater."

Pro Kong did not answer immediately; his brows gradually furrowed.

For an experienced commander like Bontri, spreading the fleet out in such a way was undoubtedly a risky move.

This would stretch the battle lines, making it difficult for different units to support each other.

In this situation, Master Seth Tion could have used his flying skills to lead the fighter squadron, exploit local advantages to destroy these scattered units one by one, and then quickly move on to the next target.

However, it was impossible for Ryan Bontri not to understand this principle.

Based on what the Jedi Master knew about him, this Undren was known for his ability to spread out his formation and lure opponents into using a "divide and conquer" tactic.

The dispersed formation also brings greater tactical flexibility, and the core main fleet is located in the center, maintaining a mutually supportive posture with the surrounding squadrons.

Therefore, the central core force is the key hub of the entire defense system.

Once the central core is destroyed, the three outer squads will be isolated and fighting their own battles due to their distance from each other.

"General Tien reports that all separatist reconnaissance ships have been cleared," a communications officer reported.

“Very good,” Pro Kong tapped his fingers lightly on his arm. “Inform him that we will launch the main attack as planned.”

"Understood, sir."

“Captain,” Pro Kong turned to the clone captain who had been patiently waiting, “order the fleet to adjust to the predetermined assault formation, all forward turrets, focus on the direction of the ‘Revenge’s’ advance, and be ready to correct our interception course at the appropriate time.”

The massive Republican task force quickly contracted, coalescing into a cone-shaped array with a sharp front and serrated sides.

This formation effectively concealed the true outline of the fleet from the front, making it look like a giant arrow covered in spikes.

The core of the attack will unleash all firepower on the "Revenge" and its escort ships, aiming to instantly tear open the heart of the defenses and create a passage for subsequent warships to penetrate the core of the enemy's defensive formation, completely dismantling it from within and giving the enemy no chance to breathe or regroup.

Once this "arrow" successfully penetrates the enemy lines, it can immediately turn around and force the remaining enemies into a desperate situation.

"The group of frigates below the main Separatist fleet will likely harass us with 'Hydra tactics'," Wofi predicted, pointing to the tactical map of the "Generosity-class" and "Disobedience-class" frigate squadrons that were quietly gliding below the "Revenge".

“Notify all flank gun positions,” Pro Kong’s voice was unusually calm, “to remain on standby and await my order to fire.”

He silently counted the time in his mind, calculating the precise moment when the enemy ships would enter the optimal firing range.

At that moment, the energy readings of hundreds of ships representing the First Basic Squadron on the tactical display screen suddenly spiked! All the warships of the Separatist main fleet activated all their deceleration thrusters at the same time!

Their entire formation burst into a blinding light on the screen in an instant, like a newborn star!

……

On the bridge of the Separatist fleet's 'Conqueror-class' command ship 'Revenge', Raine looked calmly at the fleets about to clash in space.

Unlike the three forward divisions surrounding them, the first basic division consisted mainly of a group of heavily armored battleships and heavy cruisers.

The "Revenge" emitted a low, metallic groan as its deceleration thrusters were fully engaged, and the hull trembled slightly as it struggled against the immense inertia.

Ryan even felt a brief moment of weightlessness.

Some of the larger warships had to turn 180 degrees in an emergency and use their main engines to reverse propulsion and brake. Each ship precisely adjusted its output power according to its own mass to ensure that the speed of the entire formation was strictly synchronized.

"They're biting, sir!" the gunner robot in charge of fire control cried out urgently in an electronic voice. "Should we fire!?"

Ryan immediately focused all his attention on the tactical hologram and instantly understood the opponent's intentions.

The Republic's starfighter fleet was rapidly assembling at a point directly in front of their formation, clearly preparing for a concentrated assault.

"Immediately push all our 'Vulture Robot Fighters' forward!" Ryan commanded rapidly. "Objective: Disrupt the enemy fighters' formation and prevent them from forming an effective attack wave!"

"Yes, yes!"

"Order relayed! All 'Vulture' robots, advance and intercept!"

Undren does not use starfighters, so Raine is not a starfighter tactics expert.

Ondron's defense system relies more on orbital monitoring platforms and light cruisers, and its operational concept is closer to that of main battle gun warfare.

His knowledge of starfighters was limited to basic principles.

Moreover, the "Vulture" fighter jet is entirely controlled by robots.

Therefore, Reyn could not expect the commanders of each flight squadron to be able to adapt to changing circumstances and make brilliant decisions independently in the ever-changing air combat.

Given these limitations, he could only rely on the most basic swarm charge and interception tactics.

Fortunately, this is part of the standard procedure for the "Vulture" fighter jet.

His objective was achieved as long as the Republic's fighter squadrons were unable to launch an effective concentrated bombardment of his warships.

The "Vulture" squadron immediately abandoned its defensive perimeter and, like an enraged swarm of bees, charged forward fiercely and fearlessly.

Rein could imagine the airspace instantly filled with the shrieks of fighter jet engines and crisscrossing laser beams, forming a chaotic and deadly death zone.

With the first basic detachment halting its advance, the three forward detachments, which were originally positioned at the rear, have now extended to the front of the main fleet.

Meanwhile, the Republic fleet, which was pursuing the First Basic Squadron, was being led step by step into this pre-set trap.

Rein forcibly suppressed the victorious smile that was almost showing on his face and continued to issue orders: "First basic squad, stop braking and resume the planned forward route! We'll meet them head-on right here! Second, third, and fourth vanguard squads, begin the attack immediately!"

(End of this chapter)