I take a sip of caf as I consider the past couple days again. A Corellian CR70 had been impounded yesterday for carrying battledroids. The Merchant fleet had boarded the ship after it failed to respond to dockyard command hailing them. It was the second ship we had caught, but from what Elix had gathered before his return to Fondor there were about three ships a week at this point. We never seemed to catch all of them, let alone most of them. At this rate there may be enough droids on world to take over Dac and most of the shipyards within the month, unless we improved our efforts dramatically.

  The bridge was slightly emptier than usual, with many of the supporting officers busy training up the Targonnian Fleet to as close to Navy standards as possible. The Prince’s Duty and the Falchion were still on orbital support duty over Targonn, under the temporary command of Senior Captain Jim and his Pride of Toong’l. To make up for it the Toong’l garrison had received a DP20 Corvette to support the Arquitens Shining Star. The small Corellian ship did pack a decent punch for its size and would be deployed to the Munto Codru garrison after the Pride of Toong’l returned to its usual duties.

  The light cruiser the Mon Cala Shipyards had been making for my 97th was also almost finished. It would be christened with ocean water from the world below in a couple days. It would mean some crew shuffling, but I believe I can manage that until, especially with an extra recruitment drive at Toong’l, Dac and Munto Codru, it should be relatively easy to gather some two thousand crew and arms-men for the ship.

  A Clone passes me a datapad. I thank the Sergeant, glance at his armor, Fourth Platoon. I glance down at the datapad and see the title. It was Hondo’s most recent intelligence report, though report is being used very broadly for anything the pirate sends in. The synopsis says something about more shipments heading in from the Gordian Reach and a couple shipments of battledroids heading for Dantooine. A shipment of aqua droids heading towards Mintooine. That could very well be the next shipment of droids for whoever plans on revolting on Dac. I mark the passage for further note. A recommendation that the Merchant Fleet should also inspect any incoming … Gazonti. Well that will never happen, damn ship was more widespread than any other ship this side of the Corellian Run.

  A convoy of ships spotted heading north towards the Tion Cluster from … Mimban. Probably whatever the droids managed to mine from the world last month. Another convoy heading towards the Tion Cluster from Hypori. Probably new ships shuffling into the other defensive units. Convoy towards the Tion Cluster from Mechis. Mechis is only a short jump away from Bestine, but also a manufacturing hub, it could just as easily be more B1s for garrisons. I take another sip of my caf as I look over the next couple shipments. One last convoy passing through Junkfort Station heading to Lola Sayu.

  That grabbs my attention. Wasn’t that a prison world? Why would a Separatist convoy head through the edges of Hutt Space when they had their own, safer, corridor? It was like they were trying to hide any shipments by avoiding going through Gyndine.

  I look at the star map. If I was moving to Lola Sayu after passing through Junkfort Station while avoiding any possible Republic patrols how would I? Through Boonta, over to Ultaar, then Anzat and Sy Mirth. From there rejoin the primary hyperspace routes. Then again I would also use as many smugglers routes as possible. Maybe after Ultaar head to Metalorn and up through the Perlimian Trade route?

  “Sergeant Slas, I need you to pass this information package to Republic Intelligence, Navy Intelligence and the Senate Bureau of Intelligence without editing. I’ll add my notes in an addendum, send them to the same parties within the hour. Actually see if you can send the report and my notes to the Jedi Council as well. This may prove fruitful.” I order, receiving a nod from the Sergeant as she starts punching in the codes.

  I should go ahead and prepare the 347th for a rapid advance. We may need to break through the front lines soon.

  It hadn’t even taken an hour. About forty eight minutes after having sent my notes after the report the Jedi Council and Navy Intelligence had responded. The Jedi had demanded I move as many of my ships as possible, meaning all of them, to Saleucami, while Naval Intelligence recommended, meaning ordered, I move my full squadron to Junkfort Station. So now I was stuck unable to follow either order until I had clarification from Naval Operations. I would not risk my ships, my men and possibly my career for acting on the orders of two separate institutions I only partially fell under.

  I did order the Little Revenge to finish restocking any rations and supplies we may need and calling any personnel back from any shore leave. I only had the Lucky Kelp alongside my Little Revenge, as the Buckler and Dagger were escorting the 159th back from Hutt space, with stops at Targonn and Toong’l to unload war material to raise a new regiment of trenchdiggers from Toong’l and the Dominus sector and for new military units to be deployed on Targonn. Hopefully that would help move that war along.

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  How the kark did they even expect me to send half my forces to Junkfort Station while sending all my forces to Saleucami in the first place? Were the two command structures not communicating with one another? Maker preserve me if they weren’t. Though it might explain why I still did not have a Jedi General assigned to the North East Slice Command.

  Finally karking finally, after three hours of wondering about the conflicting orders we receive a holotransmission. I order it to be put up and I give a salute when the star map is replaced by General Kenobi.

  “General.” I say in greetings.

  “Commodore. I am sorry about the mix up. After many hours of discussion we have decided you are to deploy the entire 97th to Saleucami for possible interception.” The General says.

  “I am sorry, sir but that is not feasible. I only have two ships currently available.” I reply.

  “How is that possible?”

  “Sir, I have been requesting reinforcements since the first day of my command. I only have a total of one heavy cruiser, four frigates and three corvettes alongside a total of three transports. I am attempting to secure my supply route fully, so I am down two frigates and two corvettes to escort my transports. Then I have a corvette and a frigate conducting orbital support alongside half of the 599th Outer Rim Section over Targonn. Unless I am given temporary command over the entire 598th and 599th Outer Rim Sections, I will be unable to fight off a full Separatist convoy with the level of priority that would be required for transporting such highly valued prisoners of war.” I say, letting a bit of my anger seep into my voice.

  “Isn’t there another section on patrol at Iego and Jabiim? The 409th Outer Rim Section under Senior Captain Thorr?”

  “Sir, do you want me to leave every single world with Republic operations undefended or not? The 409th is in charge of defending one and a half Sectors from Separatist raids-” I ask exasperatedly.

  “Is that section in the area?”

  “Yes, sir. Two Dreadnought class heavy cruisers on patrol.” I say.

  “Then I will reconvene with the council. Your ship and frigate are to head to Saleucami immediately. The 409th and the ships of the 97th you have stationed over Targonn will rendezvous with you there.” General Kenobi says.

  “Yes, sir.” I say as the hologram goes out. I take a moment to breathe. This was not the time to lash out.

  “You heard the General, punch in the coordinates for Saleucami.” I order as I watch the Lucky Kelp come up alongside us. A few minutes later we were in hyperspace racing towards a world I did not wish to visit again.

  “Exiting in five, four, three, two, exiting.”

  “Shields to front.” Mi-Kus barks.

  As hyperspace spits us out we are greeted by the engine blocks of two more Dreadnoughts, their armor pristine and gray, unblemished. I scoff at that as the Lucky Kelp joins us in real-space.

  “Hail the Captains. I would speak with my temporary subordinates.” I say.

  “Yes, sir.” Sergeant Slas says and a moment later the hologram projector depicts two Humans. Senior Captain Thorr was a bit older than myself, mid thirties, well trimmed whiskers and sideburns adorning his face, no officer’s cap on his head. On the other side Junior Captain Price was in full dress uniform, her badge well polished and her officer’s cap almost perfectly adorning her dark hair.

  “Commodore.” The two officers greet in chorus.

  I clear my throat before replying: “Captains, it is a pleasure. Our objective will be to intercept a Separatist convoy within the area. They are transferring multiple prisoners of war, our comrades in arms. Our objective is the reclamation of Senior Captain Tarkin and Jedi High General Even Piell as well as any other POWs we can find. We will be meeting up with a further frigate and corvette which will be supporting us in this endeavor. There Is a privateering force in the area which may support us in action, however they may be engaged when we intercept the convoy. We are to disable the ship’s engines, hyperdrive systems and preferably the command ship’s bridges alongside as many point defense batteries as possible to allow my men to begin a boarding action. Hopefully this will be enough to gain control of the POWs. Any questions?”

  Captain Thorr speaks up first: “Do we have any numbers on the convoy?”

  “Last we know there were two Munificent class cruisers and a Providence class battleship. Intelligence suggests the POWs are on the Providence. However it is quite likely that they have gained further escort ships, with Intelligence leaning towards maybe two additional corvettes. We expect the enemy to have fighter superiority, unless the Jedi send us more reinforcements.” I say.

  Captain Price speaks up next: “Sir, will there be reinforcements?”

  I sigh before answering: “I do not know. We will be staking out a couple areas for possible interception. I am leaning towards a couple jump points before Ultaar. It seems to be the best possible location, however it is difficult to tell as intelligence hasn’t gathered their route. Hopefully we will have reinforcements from the Jedi, but it is looking increasingly unlikely.”

  I receive a pair of nods and the briefing ends there. An hour later the Prince’s Duty and Teardrop enter realspace. My new formation assembles before jumping. Hopefully on track to meet our prey and to set our trap.

  The terrain would have to do, any closer to a jump point and the enemy would be able to retreat before we even fire off a single shot. We were two jumps out from Ultaar, where there was a large nebula between the two jump points. I am planning on taking full advantage of it. It was dangerous, the static would limiting shields and sensors, but I was counting on the Separatists wanting to be fast. My now reinforced two squadrons of fighters and bombers should be able to surprise the enemy while we pummel them from the other side.

  It was simple. The only reason I was even tempting this was because we had time to prepare the terrain by deploying the few sensor buoys I still had within the nebula. They would be our primary eyes and ears for this battle. Thank the Maker the last intelligence report mentioned they had finally pinned the Separatist route through here.

  “The Jabiim’s Justice and the Baros’ Fist are in position. The Lucky Kelp, Prince’s Duty and Teardrop are at the edge of the nebula near the enemy exit jump point. Our bombers and Little Squadron are with them. Fist Squadron is still around Baros’ Fist and prepared for rapid response.” Mi-Kus says.

  “Then we are as prepared as possible.” I reply.

  “Sir, our sensor buoys outside the nebula are detecting incoming ships.” Sergeant Welder reports.

  “Keep our energy output low, we don’t want to scare them off until it’s too late for them.” I order.

  A moment later the tactical display begins depicting five new ships entering the area.

  “Sir, one Providence class battleship, four Munificent class cruisers and three Gazonti class corvettes.” Sergeant Welder says.

  “Ah, lizardick.” I mutter.