The journey felt less like driving and more like flying, taking only ten minutes in total.
Finally, the speeder bike delivered Solo and Captain Ragnos to a massive landing pad in front of a warehouse.
After confirming the location, they headed straight for the conference room.
The spacious room housed a large central holographic projector surrounded by conference tables with benches.
The tables were already filled with officers, both familiar and unfamiliar, their ranks no lower than Captain. Some even participated remotely through holographic projections.
Noticing Commander Rinuan at one of the tables, Solo walked over directly.
They exchanged friendly nods as a greeting.
"General, do you know what's going on?" Rinuan asked in a hushed tone.
"I'm not sure, Commander," Solo replied, his voice grave. "But I have a premonition that the news won't be good."
Their conversation was cut short by a flurry of footsteps.
A group of high-ranking officers, led by Governor Terben, entered the conference room.
Ilius Terben's appointment as Commander of the Twelfth Sector Army was no accident.
At sixty years old, he remained vigorous, though his face bore the marks of time.
Those who knew him understood that, to outsiders, he appeared taciturn, aloof, and perhaps short-sighted. In reality, however, his bold strategies and cool calculations had long since established him as one of the Judicial Forces' most distinguished officers.
His record boasted dozens of successful operations against interstellar pirates, slave traders, and smugglers, earning him a reputation for outstanding military achievements.
As he entered the conference room, Terben's gaze slowly swept across the assembled officers, confirming that everyone was present: the commanders of the Northern, Southern, Southwest, Southeastern, Eastern, Western, Northwest, Central Fleets, and the Reserve Fleet, along with the Chief of Staff and captains of each ship.
Since the war began, many young lieutenants and captains had been rapidly promoted to positions they would never have reached otherwise, taking command of warships and even entire fleets.
Terben himself was no exception.
But deep down, he harbored serious doubts about whether these officers' abilities truly matched their positions. This war was fundamentally different from any conflict he had experienced in his lifetime.
Once, the conflict between the makeshift force of police and customs agents and the merchants and industrialists was merely sporadic friction. Now, it has escalated into a full-blown war sweeping across the entire galaxy.
In Hutt Space, this conflict has long since broken free from its previous constraints. Nearly twenty thousand star systems are now embroiled, with no sign of abating.
The more reasonable assumption is that this is merely the beginning of an even greater storm.
And then there's this newly formed Republic Army and Navy... When news of the Republic rebuilding its military spread, many were ecstatic.
After a millennium of dormancy, the Republic was finally beginning to reclaim its former glory, finally capable of confronting the aggression that had previously been barely managed through diplomacy alone.
Terben could accept the fact that the army was being secretly assembled, but he couldn't understand why it was composed entirely of Clone Troopers—and why it had been created at the Jedi's behest.
After all, the Jedi were hailed as the "Guardians of Peace in the Galaxy." Their code seemed to explicitly prohibit the large-scale formation of armies.
Terben was well aware that the Jedi sometimes made unexpected moves, but he never imagined they would go to such extremes...
However, over the past two weeks, Terben had to admit the Clone Troopers' remarkable efficiency.
They were disciplined, skilled, and hardworking soldiers, pilots, and technicians, deserving of the highest praise.
Their combat equipment also reached the pinnacle of technological advancement.
The problem lay in the fact that their commanders were designated as Jedi... Of course, there were Jedi commanders with exceptional military talent, but Terben couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing—a certain iron-blooded warrior spirit inherent in true soldiers.
At that moment, several Jedi operating within his sector entered the conference room.
Terben nodded and strode directly to the central holographic projector.
The room instantly fell silent. Behind him, the holographic screen lit up, displaying a detailed map of the Twelfth Sector.
"Officers!" Terben's voice was steady and commanding. "The plan has changed! I must inform you that the situation has undergone a fundamental reversal. The Separatists' recovery has far exceeded our expectations. Confederate forces across the galaxy are now transitioning to full-scale offensive operations, and our sector is no exception."
With a wave of his hand, the map instantly switched, with the Kashyyyk system highlighted. "First, the Trandoshans launched an invasion, and their forces have already advanced into Kashyyyk and its colonies.
Although no combat robots have been discovered yet, we have reason to suspect that the Trandoshans are receiving support from the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Separatist forces may already be deployed on Trandosha or are about to be deployed.
According to intelligence, a large Separatist fleet is moving towards the Kashyyyk system.
The Senator of Kashyyyk has convened an emergency session of the Senate, requesting assistance from the Republic, and has also sent a distress signal to the Jedi Council. We have been ordered to carry out this reinforcement mission."
The officers immediately began murmuring among themselves, filling the conference room with a buzz of conversation.
"But that's not all," Terben's voice rang out again, cutting through the chatter.
All eyes refocused on him as the map of the Kashyyyk system switched to an image of Togoria.
"A coup has occurred on Togoria. The local ruler, Margrave Muriu Muriu, was assassinated by his brother, Muriul Muriu, who then declared himself the new planet ruler.
The former Margrave of Togoria had maintained a neutral policy, but the new king has clearly stated his intention to align with the Confederacy of Independent Systems.
Our analysts believe this is likely the result of bribes from the Separatists.
A significant portion of the male population on Togoria, who hold radical and warlike views, also enthusiastically support the new king's decision to enter the war."
The holographic projection switched back to a star map, now cluttered with arrows of various colors indicating the movements of different forces. "Furthermore, the Separatists have attacked a series of star systems, including Sarka, Martoria, and Diado."
Terben waved his hand and continued, "The situation is critical. The Little Lantilles Trade Route is under direct threat. The Separatists may launch attacks near Yute and Kashyyyk, originating from Togolia. If successful, they will cut off our connections to Hutt Space and the Thirteenth Sector, and even threaten our communication lines with the Fourth Sector Army. Therefore, we must respond to these threats immediately."
The holographic projector immediately displayed a detailed action plan.
"Commander Tirymaki, lead your fleet to the Kashyyyk system immediately. Jedi General Karl Plann and Ska'a'aprovi will lead their troops to support you." Terben marked the specific route and star systems on the map. "The Jedi Council has approved this decision, and Commander Eritau's Southwest Task Force will also coordinate with your operations."
"Who will be in charge of the ground operations?" Tirymaki asked.
"The ground operations will be under Jedi command. Your mission is to seize and maintain air supremacy."
"Commander Silent's Northern Task Force and Commander Velasquez's Eastern Task Force, proceed immediately to Sarka and Martoria. Jedi General Brom Truk will lead reinforcements to support Diado."
The named commanders nodded in acknowledgment. The Jedi participating in the communication also responded through their holographic projections: "I will depart immediately to support Master Skute."
Terben continued his deployments: "Commander Ditmar's Southeastern Task Force and Commander Rinuan's Southwest Task Force will operate jointly to blockade Togoria and prevent Separatist forces from landing."
He paused and looked at Solo. "General Viktor, can you provide support to Commander Rinuan's fleet?"
"I currently only have one capital ship," Solo said, rubbing his hands together earnestly. "I was originally here to receive reinforcements, but most of my forces are defending Donovia's fuel refinery. However, if you can allocate a few fighter squadrons, I'd be more than willing to cooperate."
"Good. Every ship and every resource is critical right now. How many squadrons can you accommodate?"
Before Solo could answer, Captain Ragnos interjected, "Our ship hasn't finished loading its cargo, and most of the cargo bay is still empty. We also jettisoned some non-essential equipment before takeoff, so we can carry up to ten fighter squadrons."
Terben immediately turned to the staff officer beside him. "Transfer ten fighter squadrons from the Reserve Fleet to General Viktor's command!"
Then, raising his voice, he addressed all the officers present: "The Jedi Council is closely monitoring the situation. They will be sending additional ships, troops, and equipment to our sector. But until reinforcements arrive, we must rely on ourselves. Our actions must be swift, decisive, and without error!"
After the brief deployment meeting concluded, Terben saluted the assembled officers and left the conference room.
The officers stood in unison, watching him depart.
Ahead lay a mountain of preparation work. An intense battle was now inevitable.
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