I waltz into the conference room for the Tion Theater and glance about. Not a whole lot of officers present. Not entirely unexpected with so many of the HONO’s flag officers needed to patrol contested sectors and ensure stability in my absence. Maker I wish that Faxe or Luis were here. Sure they’d bitch and moan, but at least I wouldn’t be drinking alone.

  I take a seat in the back and take a swig of my flask as the Republic Intelligence officer steps up to the small podium. A middle aged man, probably forty five give or take a year. Uniform’s well pressed and he’s scanning the room well enough, taking in the presence of the almost equal number of GAR, Republic Navy and Jedi officers throughout the room.

  “Good morning. I am Captain Partagaz of the Senate Bureau of Intelligence. I am sure you’re all aware of the broad situation in the Tion Theater, however I am here to bring everyone’s information up to standard.”

  The man clears his throat as a mediocre map of the Tion Cluster and the surrounding systems appear. The map is mostly shaded in the shades of purple the Republic enjoys using to represent the Seps. I glance around the map for inaccuracies and find a couple. Some worlds are left out, mostly poorly inhabited ones in the Ash Worlds and worlds slightly too far outside the map, though they should at least be hinted at with their hyperspace routes. Routes that were absent. I frown. They left out Targonn, the Centrality, Drongar and multiple worlds in the Chorlian, Mortex and Sertar Sectors.

  “The south of the theater not only holds our largest presence, with the North West Slice Command, but also the biggest weakness, with the siege at Randon. As previously decided, Randon will be prioritized, so that that weakness can be … eliminated. We have a couple exclaves as well, however they only exist because the Separatists don’t wish to bother with them. New Holstice and Ord Tiddel being the only ones of much note, with Ord Tiddel currently falling under the Perlimian Theater due to her importance in acting as a repair base for our convoy raiders in the region.”

  I release a small sigh. Of course the only notable exclaves would be an old Pius Dea fortress like Ord Tiddel and a Jedi monastery. If it was one thing the two religious organizations were both known for, it was having planets located in strategic enough positions to be useful to an aggressor while being too out of the way and too hostile for any invaders to find it worth the expense. Ord Tiddel especially with the relatively recent stone-mite infestation would be a tough nut to crack. The place was essentially a death sentence to any droids and any current infrastructure was entirely plant based and or coated to hell and back in a not exactly inexpensive mite repellent.

  “We are continuing to supply the Corporate Sector through Zygeria, despite their … willingness to act as a shadow port for the increasingly aggressive pirates acting against our regrettably lightly armed convoys. It is fortunate, that the Corporate Sector is rather self sufficient when it comes to maintaining their population and arms industry.”

  Because they need their arms industry to keep the people in line. Exploitation was rife in the Corporate Sector. It was as if they were a couple thousand years behind the path Fondor took. It made turning a blind eye to Ohnaka’s piracy there so much easier.

  “Next up. The North East Slice Command proper. The Eastern reaches of the command are rather secure and have been providing a solid industrial base for most supplies and the expansion of military shipyards and factories willing to sell to the Republic should increase local numbers alongside the addition of further Republic forces over the course of the next couple months. The more contested areas of the Command would be the Ash Worlds and Jubilar Sectors. However both have had an increased Republic presence and according to plans provided by Admiral Dericote, who is with us today, should be almost entirely in Republic hands by the time he returns.”

  I nod in agreement. The last minor worlds in Jubilar were already in Republic hands, leaving only Jubilar herself, which was a bit too well defended for Commodore Jim to seize by himself. The Ash Worlds meanwhile were more of a battleground with Commodore Abelard’s squadron and temporary detachments of various other formations having secured most major worlds, excluding a few near the northern Triellus Trade Route, while either pressuring lesser systems into compliance or leaving them behind to send their own delegations of compliance, as the front advanced against the Separatist raiders, Sep patrols and privateers in the sparsely inhabited sector.

  “The center of this theater holds the Tion Cluster. A pesky place of anti-Republic agitation since its first colonization. We temporarily managed to get a hold of Dellalt at its southern tip, but lost it to a Separatist counter attack. However a Jedi lead taskforce managed to seize Pakuuni around the same time, which we still hold to this day. We believe a large concentration of Separatist fleets can be found in the Tion Cluster, able to respond to any incursion. However the Cluster seems to be mired in a sense of calm after Dellalt’s recapture by the Separatists, which has lead to these fleets remaining in their place of mooring. Quite similar to the Core, which we have only recently managed to jolt into action.”

  And how long would it take for the backfooted Separatists to do the same in the Tion Cluster? I wonder if they’ll require another kick in the balls. I suppose the inevitable siege at Dellalt will do well enough for that.

  “Another area of concern in the theater is the Greater Halla Sector Command. The Halla Sector is an area bitterly contested between a handful of remaining Republic exclaves, such as Danuta and multiple Separatist strongholds, from Boz Pity, Saleucami and Wobani to Bimmisaari. Worlds which we must seize to ensure further supply lines into the North West Slice Command and ensure a total encirclement of the Eastern Theater. Not to mention the damage such an attack would do to the Separatist war effort by occupying or destroying so many major industrial worlds in their hold.”

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  The intelligence officer pauses a moment before speaking again: “And now, we must choose which worlds would be best suited for the first target.”

  I tap my holster a few times as I consider the options. The map zooming in on the Greater Halla Sector Command. There were maybe five small blue dots within a swath of red. Not a whole lot of choice there. You’d need to break a way through Sep lines to make any of the current loyalist worlds into strongholds and forward operating bases. Military access with the Hutts made it possible to move into more areas than first suspected, but not many suitable worlds either.

  “Commodore Minx, Greater Kashyyyk Command. I believe Boz Pity would serve well. With military access through the Hutts it could serve as an excellent jumping off point for further incursions towards the Forge of the Confederacy and the Tion Cluster.” A young looking Gotal speaks up first.

  “Colonel Barris, Military Governor of Chalacta. If we’re considering that we might as well start off at Boonta. It is closer to many of our preexisting bases and is quite a bit closer to the enemy stronghold at Saleucami.” A middle aged man offers.

  “Admiral Dericote, North East Slice Command. My sources have detected a considerable number of Sep ships there in drydock. We have little choice but to wait on the capture of the world until aftef we have forced the Seps into committing those ships elsewhere. That is unless we manage to gather a large enough force to seize the world in a single, decisive, strike.” I offer, it was unlikely we could muster such numbers with forces already allocated to both the siege at Randon and Lantilles.

  “Which will not be possible with local forces..” The Colonel says.

  “Master Agen Kolar, 23rd Rapid Response Squadron. Then I support Boz Pity, it could easily serve as a good staging ground for further advances into Separatist territory. I believe it would be a prudent target for seizure and the establishment of a forward operating base.” A Zabrak Jedi offers.

  “Major Green, Republic Intelligence. Maybe we should also attempt a rapid move to Saleucami. A quick breakthrough through Boonta, leaving it as a possible supply base if necessary, and we’ll have one of the Sep’s main strongholds in the region under siege.”

  I frown slightly. What was suggested entirely depended on when this attack on Saleucami would happen. My North Triellus campaign was scheduled for a couple months in the future, pending the finished production of the current round of ships ordered by the Navy and the raising of another Corps worth of Regiments. We were quite annoyingly stripping our reserve pool to the bone.

  “That entirely revolves on how you gather the forces for such an operation.” I say slowly.

  “Probably start assembling forces in a month, green ships and whatever the Open Circle can spare most likely. After Randon at the earliest and after whatever happens with the Perlimian at the latest.” Green answers, tilting his head, a finger on his chin.

  I frown slightly. Boonta was a thorn in my side, but was I willing to risk operational security and command security for this? I slowly nod my assent: “If you can gather the forces, without interfering in my own mustering I believe I can assent to the proposed plan.”

  “Relax, sir.” A familiar voice teases quietly. I turn to see Clover approach from the side, a bottle and a sandwich in hand.

  “Now is not really the time, Sergeant Clover.” I reply quietly, taking the offered bottle as the Clone sits down beside me.

  “Vice Admiral Wieler, temporarily stationed at Kashyyyk. I believe we should commit to both Boz Pity and Boonta through to Saleucami. A breakthrough from Boz Pity to Boonta, or the reverse would not be overly difficult if one world requires assistance from the other and booth can be supplied from local Republic forces.” A blond man with a well groomed beard offers.

  “It may cause for confusion if we stagger the launch of both assaults. If we strike Boz Pity an hour or two before Boonta we could take the enemy in the rear.” Major Green says excitedly.

  “The plan has merit, but be aware, the enemy may have sensor buoys in the region and any attack with such a level of coordination requires our forces to spend a lot of time at hyperspace egress points. However as I said before, if you can marshal the forces, you’ll have my support.” I offer.

  “Then we shall smash the enemy like a hammer and bash their nose with a shield!” A young, but decently scarred, man barks. That was a man from an un-uplifted world if there ever was one. A recent recruit.

  “Names please.” Partagaz insists.

  “Rear Admiral Bruce, 257th Mid Rim Squadron stationed along the Durkteel Loop and I’ll say it again! We smash the enemy at Boz Pity and beat them bloody at Boonta. From there, establish a siege at Saleucami and connect our forces between Boonta and Boz Pity through the Halla Sector. Either by circumventing Bimmisaari, by connecting our exclaves and seizing lesser Sep worlds, or stabbin at the enemy’s heart by taking the sector capitol and the worlds on the Lesser Lantiillian Route. Hells below I’ll lead it myself if I may!” The definite tribal barks.

  “Let’s not get overeager now.” An older Yinchorri admonishes, “Admiral Meade, 15th Battlegroup, Fishhook, mustering for the Randon Run.”

  “We’ve been cautious too long.” Bruce growls.

  “General McClellan, Marshal Administrator of the Greater Kashyyyk Command. Don’t press it Bruce. We’re already thinly spread and the Seps could make a run along the Randon Run if they seize Lantillies. A conservative and defensive stance will serve us best.” A middle aged man counters.

  “Now now,” Meade says, “We’re mustering the Core’s forces and soon shall have the security you’ve long desired. I believe striking at Boz Pity, and Boonta will be well within our capabilities.”

  “If I may, if worse comes to worst.” Green interrupts the two officers, “With the recent wartime production rates there should be another two battlegroups, one squadron and five supporting sections available for the Cerulean spear, filled with fresh troops.”

  “Which will be as green as a swamp!” McClellan objects, “Who will be willing to use such untested forces?”

  “Better green than none at all.” I admonish angrily. I’d have strangled a Senator on the floor of the Senate for even a tenth of such forces a year ago.

  “True that!” Bruce barks, “All of use were once green as grass. Now look at us! Bloodied and ready for more!”

  “Then it is decided?” Partagaz asks.

  McClellan stands nodding slowly: “We shall gather forces and attack both Boonta and Boz Pity, linking the two through the secondary lanes and our exclaves in the Greater Halla Sector Command. We will also make siege on Saleucami, under the guidance of the Greater Halla Sector Command and the Jedi. Once this is done, further strikes into Separatist territory and strikes to connect our territories in the Greater Halla and Greater Kashyyyk commands, without Hutt military access, can be considered on a case by case basis.”

  “Seconded.” Meade says.

  The vote passes easily. As the next topic is brought up, logistics and musterings and recruitment drives in the boarder regions. Organizing militias and turning desperate fighters within our exclaves into proper soldiers and regiments once they’ve been reconnected with the rest of our territories. I could almost see it in my mind’s eye. A thousand tentacles of an unknown beast swarming out from the core to wrap around some hundred thousand systems, booth inhabited and not. And this arm was starting to question its orders. I frown. What will we have actually won?