ARC—17 glided down the slope like a ghost, silently entering a dried-up ravine. Murky, muddy water instantly rose to his neck.
He wiped the sludge from his face and contacted his team members through an encrypted channel.
"What's the situation at the target area?"
"All explosives have been deployed, and the detonation device is calibrated properly," Chuck, his deputy, replied in a low voice. "How much time do we have left?"
"One minute!" The Seventeenth glanced at his tactical wristwatch and issued a stern order. "All units, upon detonation, immediately withdraw along the pre-planned routes."
"Roger!"
When the countdown reached zero, an ARC Clone pressed the red button on the remote control without hesitation.
A dull explosion echoed in the distance, followed by a deafening roar. A towering inferno erupted, piercing the rain-soaked sky and illuminating half the heavens.
The Separatists' ammunition depot had been successfully detonated. The shockwaves from the chain reaction were still palpable kilometers away.
"The frigate's power supply has been cut off!" Chuck, Seventeenth's deputy for this operation, observed the target area through a thermal imaging scope and nodded in report. "Nice work, Puck!"
Seventeenth frowned.
Though he had never officially accepted the nickname, his fellow clone troopers in the Legion all called him that. The one who had started it all was none other than General Viktor, and Seventeenth was somewhat displeased with the blind obedience of these clone troopers who only knew how to follow orders.
Overall, the clone troopers in the Legion held the Jedi General in high regard, and some soldiers even revered him deeply.
However, Seventeenth remained skeptical.
He knew too little about this unconventional Jedi to judge whether he was worthy of complete trust.
After arriving on Jabim, reconnaissance squads fanned out, and intelligence quickly flowed into Command.
Granite Base, where Republic forces were stationed, was located in the planet's northern hemisphere, situated on a landmass called Handuin.
This was only a relatively small elevated region on the planet's surface, yet even here, the landscape was riddled with muddy puddles, lakes, and even rivers.
Forty kilometers from the base lay a small town with a population of about sixty thousand. Nearby was an abandoned mine, but that wasn't the ice hockey team's target.
Their core mission was to destroy the "Generous"-class frigate docked at the landing field near the town.
According to reconnaissance intelligence, the Separatists had converted the frigate into a regional command center and communication hub, effectively making it the nerve center for the entire Northern Front.
It was precisely for this reason that higher command had resolved to completely obliterate it.
"Lucky" and "Black Ghost."
Puck realized he had unconsciously begun using these nicknames for his teammates.
The two Alpha clones, each leading their own squads, were carrying out separate missions. ARC-15 Black Ghost was tasked with blowing up a large power station near another mine to cut off the area's electricity supply, while ARC-22 Lucky led a team deep into enemy territory to locate and contact the Jabim Resistance, a group loyal to the Republic.
"Mission accomplished. Immediate withdrawal," Puck ordered, leading the way through the muddy terrain.
The clone troopers raised their weapons overhead to prevent the mud from seeping into their guns as they steadily waded through the neck-deep sludge.
Taking advantage of the complex terrain and the curtain of rain, they slipped out of the explosion zone undetected and swiftly moved toward their prearranged rendezvous point.
Each squad member was equipped with a sound wave interference device that effectively evaded the Separatists' radar detection. The entire withdrawal operation flowed smoothly, showcasing the professionalism of elite special forces.
Cordelia forcefully pushed open the municipal building's main doors and strode into the room with an aura that brooked no argument.
"Where is Alpha?" she demanded of the nearest Cloud Rain Assault Team member. These towering assault troops were the elite organic infantry forces of the Jabim Nationalist leader.
"Lord Stratus is in his office," the soldier replied solemnly.
Cordelia nodded and headed straight for the stairs.
Upon reaching the second floor, she arrived at the office doors. Without hesitation, she slammed them open and stormed into the room like a whirlwind.
"Cordelia." Stratus looked up, unsurprised by his cousin's abrupt intrusion. He knew her fiery temper all too well. "What brings you here?"
"I heard you're running into trouble on the front lines," Cordelia said, approaching the desk and leaning forward with her hands braced against the surface, her gaze sharp.
"Indeed," Stratus sighed, his voice weary. "Those damned Republican soldiers have dug in, fortifying their positions with remarkably robust defensive works and employing highly flexible tactics. Their combat vehicles are far more advanced than what the Confederacy supplies us. Four days have passed, and our offensive has made no progress. During the assault on Handuin, we've already lost three thousand militia and over seventy thousand battle droids. Now we're forced to issue another mobilization order to recruit more volunteers and urgently request reinforcements from the Confederacy."
"Dear cousin, leave this mess to me," Cordelia said, a fierce smile curling her lips. "In less than three days, I'll pack those Republican bastards into coffins and drive them out of Jabim for good."
"What support do you need?" A flicker of hope appeared in Stratus's eyes.
"Six hundred thousand battle droids, fifty thousand militia, and two companies of Cloud Rain Assault Teams," Cordelia stated without hesitation.
"Isn't that too much force to deploy against just over forty thousand Republic troops?" Stratus asked, sounding hesitant.
"You yourself said they're exceptionally strong," Cordelia replied firmly. "We must use all our strength to annihilate them before they get reinforcements."
"But remember, Cordelia," Stratus cautioned, "the Republic forces trapped in Handuin have no way out. They'll fight to the last man."
"I'll keep that in mind," Cordelia replied confidently.
"Very well. This is in your hands now." Stratus nodded, rubbing his temples wearily. "Begin preparations immediately."
In a dimly lit, sparsely furnished room, the only notable feature was the holographic projector at its center.
Palpatine slowly pulled the black hood over his head, shrouding his face in shadow as he instantly transformed into Darth Sidious.
He activated the holographic projector and contacted Count Dooku.
"Master!" Count Dooku's holographic projection appeared on the screen, kneeling on one knee in a formal salute.
"Darth Tyranus, what is the situation on Jabim?" Sidious's voice was low and raspy, carrying an intimidating authority.
"I've temporarily diverted the Confederate Fleet to another star system, and General Grievous has cooperated by redeploying some of his ships under his command," Count Dooku replied respectfully. "However, Gunray and the Techno Union's greed are well-known. I wouldn't be surprised if they mobilize their reserve fleet to protect the lucrative Jabim. Forcing the issue could arouse unnecessary suspicion."
"This is most displeasing news," Sidious said, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk. "How much time do we have left?"
"It has been five days since the Republic forces landed on Jabim," Count Dooku murmured. "Time is running out. At most, we have four days left, perhaps five."
"Any new information about the Republic forces on Jabim?"
"I'm very sorry, Master," Count Dooku replied. "Due to the ion storm interference on Jabim, all communications in the area have been completely disrupted, and I can't obtain accurate intelligence. However, according to Lord Stratus's report, he has already launched a large-scale assault on the Republic positions. Considering the disparity in forces, I'm afraid that by the time the Jedi rescue team arrives, the Republic forces will have already been annihilated."
Sidious sensed a pause in Dooku's words, as if he were weighing whether to say something more.
"Perhaps we can implement that plan on Jabim instead," Count Dooku finally suggested. "This would effectively tie down the Trade Federation and Techno Union forces, forcing them to invest more resources in that area. Fighting for this rainy planet will exhaust their manpower."
"That plan..." Sidious fell into contemplation. After a moment, he said slowly, "But doing so would mean temporarily ceding Munificent to the Republic—after all, we must maintain the power balance in the galaxy. However, your idea is valuable. Regardless, we must eliminate the Republic forces on Jabim as a threat."
"Yes, Master! May I begin preparations now?"
"Yes."
Count Dooku's holographic projection vanished, replaced by another figure.
"Dark Lord," the kneeling figure said, making a specific hand gesture in a respectful salute. "I pay my respects to you!"
"What has happened?" Sidious's voice remained icy.
"The Kuat Drive Yards Board urgently requests to report that there have been some minor issues with the development of the new warship project."
"One problem after another," Sidious scoffed coldly. "What is the root of the problem?"
"If you wish to maintain the original order quantity, we require additional funding, Dark Lord," the man replied cautiously, keeping his head bowed.
"What has caused the increase in warship costs?" Darth Sidious's voice was low and frigid.
"I will immediately transmit the relevant documents to you," the other replied respectfully. "In short, Ridex Corporation has implemented numerous structural and system optimizations to the warship, resulting in a seventeen percent overall cost increase."
Palpatine silently received and opened the documents.
Years before the war erupted, he had secretly ordered the development of a new class of combat warships, intended to serve as the core combat power of the Republic Fleet for decades to come.
Initially, only a few prototype units were produced. After participating in the Battle of Kamino, they received relatively positive feedback.
At that moment, Sidious compared the performance specifications of the new and old models in the documents. He clearly saw that the Venator-class Star Destroyer, scheduled for mass production, represented a qualitative leap in performance over the Acclamator-class.
The ship was equipped with a variety of newly developed turbolaser cannons of varying power, significantly enhancing both its firepower coverage and lethality.
At the same time, the thickness of the armor protecting the ship's critical areas had been significantly increased, greatly improving its ability to withstand damage.
Given the current battlefield dominance of the Confederacy of Independent Systems' fleet, this improved design was undoubtedly more practically valuable than the original.
"I'll allocate the required funds within a month," Palpatine declared. "Initiate mass production immediately!"
"Thank you, Dark Lord! We can begin mass production in half a month," the other voice replied, brimming with enthusiasm. "The first ships will use the new modular assembly technique. After laying the keel, they'll be ready for launch in two to two and a half months. Once the technology matures, we can reduce the construction cycle to just one and a half months."
"Excellent," Palpatine nodded. "If there's nothing else, let's proceed as discussed."
"As you command, Dark Lord!" The holographic projection vanished.
Shortly after, having shed the dark guise of the Sith Lord and resumed his customary Speaker's attire, Palpatine returned to his office.
On the surface, he remained the calm and wise Supreme Chancellor, tirelessly devoted to the Republic's affairs.
But in the depths of his unseen heart, the Sith Lord's thoughts raced, meticulously plotting the fate of the entire galaxy.
Years before the war erupted, he had drafted an initial operational plan, like a meticulously written script.
Although the war's unfolding events rendered parts of this original plan obsolete, its core concepts remained highly valuable in the present.
Munificent, a planet in the Outer Rim Territories, was the homeworld of the Muun people.
Located along the Braxant Run, a vital trade route connecting key planets such as Bastion, Agamar, and Malastare, it served as the headquarters of the Intergalactic Banking Clan. Here, not only was it the power center of its leader, San Hill, but also a gathering place for bankers, entrepreneurs, and merchants from across the galaxy.
More importantly, it was also the birthplace of his Master, Darth Plagueis.
Palpatine's original plan was to force the Intergalactic Banking Clan out of the war through military means, making it completely dependent on him, and ultimately gaining complete control over the galaxy's financial flows.
Originally, Munificent was supposed to become a brutal battleground, reduced to rubble after the battle, with the deaths of many powerful Muun leaders, thereby completely dismantling their internal resistance.
But the reality was that even after Kamino's Clone Army entered the fray, the military strength of the Confederacy of Independent Systems proved too formidable for the young Republic Army.
The Republic Fleet suffered consecutive setbacks on multiple fronts and desperately needed a "pressure release valve," and Jabim proved to be the perfect choice.
Regardless of the final outcome on the Jabim battlefield, Sidious would be the sole winner.
If the Republic Army triumphed, Jabim's rich mineral resources would fall into his hands, further enhancing the Republic's war potential.
If the Confederacy won, not only would it weaken their forces, but it would also deal a severe blow to the Jedi Order's prestige.
Then, with concentrated forces, the Republic Army would seize Munificent, greatly restoring public morale and military spirits.
Amidst the wave of public panic, he would push through several long-prepared centralization bills, and the Council, pressured by the war, would eagerly accept them.
Yes, to achieve this goal, it was necessary to temporarily weaken the troop deployments in some secondary theaters of war. But this short-term sacrifice was completely worth it for the ultimate victory.
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