"To be honest, I have several criticisms about your equipment," Solo said, straightening up and adopting a serious tone. "First, the Hailfire-class attack ships have woefully inadequate anti-aircraft firepower, especially in their rear hemisphere. Even adding twelve or twenty-four more twin-barreled light laser cannons would significantly improve their defenses. Your new ship designs suffer from the same problem."
Jasmir froze, instinctively glancing around before lowering her voice to ask, "How do you know about our new projects?"
"I deduced it from the traces of leaked design schematics," Solo interrupted, continuing, "Second, the main hangar and lower hemisphere's anti-aircraft defenses also need strengthening. While the lower hemisphere has armor plating, adding a few more turrets wouldn't hurt."
He paused, gathering his thoughts, then continued, "As for the AT-TE walkers, the cockpit is their greatest weakness. I recommend improving its protection. Additionally, consider replacing the current main gun with missile launchers to enhance anti-armor capabilities. The AT-RT's mobility is decent, but I'd strongly recommend replacing it with your experimental AT-XT... the fully enclosed cockpit and proton grenade launcher make it far more valuable in combat."
"But the AT-XT is still in the experimental phase, and many technical issues remain unresolved..." Jasmir hesitated.
"Don't worry, its current performance already meets battlefield requirements," Solo waved dismissively. "By the way, we urgently need bombers. I recall that the Kovansara manufacturing plant should have already begun delivering BTL-B/S1 fighter-bombers, yet we haven't received a single one. Perhaps it would be better to transfer the production contract to Kuat Drive Yards; their capacity and quality are more reliable."
"Are you sure you want to recommend this?" Jasmir asked, surprised.
"Absolutely certain. I've already raised this issue with the Jedi Council, but progress is slower than a Bansa's walk," Solo said, removing a datacrystal from his belt and handing it to her. "These are my notes on equipment improvements, including detailed parameter suggestions and combat feedback. It's a copy; you can submit it to your superiors. I'd like to chat longer, but time is short—I need to get back to my ship."
Jasmir accepted the datacrystal and said solemnly, "Thank you for your feedback, General. I'll report this immediately."
***
"El, are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Elizabeth Marie-Novar asked, pointing at the *Dingyuan*'s hangar, her voice filled with astonishment.
"Exactly, Greg. You're not mistaken," Gregory El Johnson nodded, his eyes equally wide with shock.
As the commander and deputy commander of the *Brave Boys* Battalion, neither had ever witnessed the interior of such a massive warship.
Hundreds of clone troopers and robots bustled through the hangar, crates and cargo piled into small mountains, and equipment neatly arranged in rows.
Beneath the ceiling, dozens of gunboats and fighters hung from specialized racks, their metallic hulls gleaming coldly under the lights.
Even more surprising was the clone troopers' far superior weaponry compared to their own battalion's. The *Dingyuan* also carried hundreds of robots, including Separatist B-1 battle droids.
Their own battalion was already understaffed, consisting of only three companies instead of the standard four.
As soon as they were settled into their barracks, the two immediately set out to find Solo, only to encounter his apprentice, Ahsoka, first.
"Commander Tano?" Elizabeth asked, taking the lead.
"Yes, who are you?" Ahsoka turned, her head-tails swaying gently.
"I'm Elizabeth Marie-Novar, Deputy Commander of the Brave Boys Regiment. This is Regimental Commander Gregory El Jensen," Elizabeth introduced.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both," Ahsoka nodded.
"Do you have any news about our next mission?" El Jensen asked urgently.
"Not yet," Ahsoka waved her hand. "At least not until we reach Donovia. Once my Master returns, he'll give you specific instructions."
"Oh, right," Elizabeth smiled. "I heard you were involved in the battle over Togolia's orbital station?"
"Yes, it was intense. We barely managed to break through," Ahsoka recalled, her voice tinged with lingering fear.
***
"Finally got those logistics officers sorted out," Solo muttered, rubbing his temples and letting out a sigh of relief.
Despite the arduous process, the arrival of reinforcements had given him the leverage to secure substantial resources from the Logistics Department: a fully equipped Clone Trooper Battalion, six DS-150/AT self-propelled artillery platforms (equivalent in firepower to the Separatist J-1 gunboats), twelve Xillur-31 Hyperspace Rings, and a supply of maintenance parts and ammunition.
After receiving the patrol plan from Command, Solo immediately returned to the *Dingyuan*, which was still loading the remaining cargo containers from their previous mission.
Lieutenant Cherry greeted them at the boarding ramp. "General Viktor, Captain Ragnos! The crew is working tirelessly to complete loading. We expect to be finished in three hours."
"Excellent," Solo replied, turning to Lagnos. "Captain, I'll leave the rest of the loading to you. I need to rest. Wake me when we reach Donovia."
"Yes, General!"
Three hours later, the *Dingyuan* completed loading, ascended into Lantilles orbit, and activated its hyperspace engine, jumping toward Donovia.
Solo finally managed to get a proper night's sleep during the turbulent hyperspace journey.
Upon arriving in Donovia orbit, Solo observed that the system was remarkably orderly.
Escorted by the *Hunter* and *Beacon*, the *Dingyuan* made a smooth landing on the designated platform.
As soon as the unloading operations began, Solo led Ahsoka to the Command Center.
"General!" Commander Bram immediately greeted them and began his report. "During your absence, the enemy launched two attacks on Donovia, both by single *Munificent*-class frigates. The first attack targeted a freighter, but we successfully repelled it. The second attack targeted the fuel production facility. The pilots of the *Arsenin* performed admirably, destroying the enemy ship with torpedoes. We suffered no casualties."
"Well done," Solo nodded approvingly, then issued new orders. "Prepare the *Dingyuan* for immediate departure. Command has assigned us a new mission: patrolling a section of the Perlemian Trade Route. I'll lead the *Dingyuan*, *Hunter*, and another *Consular*-class frigate. Rename that frigate *Tranquility*."
He paused, then added, "For manpower, I'll take the Fourth and Fifth Clone Trooper Regiments, all space troopers, two battalions of robots, twenty-four LAAT gunships, and forty-eight V-19 Torrent fighters. Your task is to settle the newly arrived reinforcements, allocate heavy weapons to the *Brave Boys* regiment, and supervise their training. Make sure they don't slack off."
"Yes, Commander! Mission guaranteed!" Bram grinned and snapped off a crisp military salute.
The patrol deployment was straightforward.
The *Dingyuan* would cruise along the main trade route, providing fire support for the *Hunter* and *Tranquility*. The two *Consular-class* frigates would employ a scissor formation, patrolling the flanks of the route while simultaneously designating high-value targets for the *Dingyuan* and its fighter escort.
This patrol thoroughly spooked the merchants along the way.
One cargo ship was cruising smoothly, its crew relaxing and chatting, when suddenly the *Dingyuan* dropped out of hyperspace, dozens of gun barrels swiveling to point at the freighter. Several V-19 fighters swiftly surrounded the vessel.
Over the comm channel, Lagnos's stern voice boomed: "Present your navigation logs and cargo manifests for inspection."
"We need to remind these merchants that the Republic is serious about securing the trade routes," Solo chuckled on the bridge. "Besides, it'll give the crew something to do. Patrols can get awfully dull."
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