**Chapter 775: New Machines and Old Enemies**
**Scene 1: Techno Union R&D Center "Trinity" – Location Classified, Outer Rim**
Count Dooku sat at the head of a long table made of black metal polished so much that it resembled a mirror. His current apprentice and one of her henchmen took seats to his right, while a pair of heavily augmented humanoids sat on the other side.
"Foreman Kleo," the Sith Lord nodded politely. "Congratulations are in order."
"The Union leaders simply did what was logical," Kleo's modulated voice showed no inflection. "You aren't here for small talk." The cyborg stated.
"No. Our time is precious and the war still rages. That leaves little spare time for the more refined things in life." The Sith shrugged. "In the last few months, the Republic has unveiled a number of advanced technologies and weapon designs that played a key role in halting our advance. We can no longer consider this war winnable in short order. This poses certain problems."
"Isn't that the understatement of the century," Dooku thought.
"We're well aware." There was just a hint of annoyance in the Foreman's artificial voice. "Our R&D departments have worked hard to ensure our superiority. We have a number of technologies either ready for deployment or near completion." The cyborg paused. "However, they won't come cheap — producing them takes more time and resources than our current armies."
"Most of the B series of droids are practically useless in the field. The new shielded armor the Republic deployed on Geonosis made the B1 and B2s totally obsolete. Even the SB subtype are heavily outclassed," Lord Sidious stated.
"We know. Analysis shows that continued production of B series for anything but naval crew and maintenance units will be a strategic mistake," the second, so far unnamed cyborg stated.
"This is Ilreth — one of the Union's primary strategic planners," the Foreman introduced his companion.
Dooku gave the second cyborg a nod and waved him to continue.
"We've already ceased B1 and B2 type production and are shifting those lines into either SB subtype or BX Commando series. We're introducing gradual upgrades in armor and firepower to our SB droids though outfitting them with shields will be difficult in the short term — there are some design issues with using the components of our Destroyer lines and we don't currently produce another shield and power plant small enough to fit in their chassis," Ilreth stated.
"I trust you're solving that issue?" Dooku was less than pleased by that information.
"We have multiple teams working on the problem," Kleo interjected.
"Analysis on the data brought by agent Tann and her unit shows that our most effective counter in the short term will be to shift our ground forces composition into SB and Commando heavy ones," Ilreth continued. "However, our projections show that if we are to win, the Confederation will need new and more powerful types of droids."
"We all know the problems on the ground. Solutions?" Dooku frowned.
"We have plans for certain prototypes, though they were deemed too expensive and unnecessary by the council," the Foreman sounded smug.
"Enlighten us."
Kleo tapped a button on his right arm and a holographic image came to life above the table.
A streamlined humanoid droid was standing at attention. Its armor was all made of sharp angles and obviously made to resist blasters and slugs. While it had a superficial resemblance to the Commando droids, it had more in common with Grievous' Magna Guards and the SB series.
"This is the SBX-1 concept," Ilreth spoke in his bland emotionless voice. "It combines the best series of our current combat models with increased durability, agility and it's smarter than the Commandos. Its programming includes improved tactical analysis algorithms, strategic modeling as well as self-updating systems allowing them to actually learn, not simply extrapolate from previous data as our current BX units. In fact, programming wise, the SBX type are close to our tactical command droids though not as smart — that's simply not required."
"We only built a single prototype — it was deemed too expensive and too good for the role it was supposed to fill. According to everyone the BX series were more than good enough and the SBX were simply a waste of resources," Ilreth reported.
"We'll need them to replace the Commando droids in their roles across the board as well as a power multiplier attached to our more regular forces," Dooku said. "I want production to start ASAP."
"See to it, my Lord," Kleo stated. "Next."
The SBX image was replaced by a two and a half meters tall behemoth. This machine appeared to be hunched forward. It stood on two curiously shaped legs, which had a metal shield protecting the front side of their vulnerable joints. The arms were surrounded by built-in weapons — a flamethrower, a heavy repeater on the left and a laser cannon above the right. There was a missile pod above the left shoulder and a large cannon sticking above the right.
"This is the Titan concept," Ilreth started speaking. "It's protected by a prototype tank grade armor, three shield generators and built-in laser AMS." The cyborg sounded almost giddy. "This design is a direct answer to the new Republic gear — most of its internal components are off the shelf and we're already producing its weapons in one form or another. Its role will be two-fold. First assault — directly engaging enemy hardened positions and large groups of infantry. Second role is battlefield coordination and command. The Titan will have a modified Tactical Command droid programming allowing more efficient use of our forces in its area. We're already building a prototype. Once any major flaws are removed and we can field test it, we'll move into mass production if the Titan proves to be a practical design."
"The rest is incremental upgrades of our current units — more powerful weapons for the SB series and improved small arms for the rest of our droids and biological units," the Foreman answered.
"Analysis proved that we have an advantage in indirect fire artillery. The lack of sufficient such units on Geonosis is one of the main reasons the enemy suffered minimal casualties in comparison to our own. We recommend increase in production as well as focusing research on improving this type of technology," Ilreth added.
"Do so." Dooku nodded after a moment. "Space." He stared grimly at the cyborgs.
"The unexpected effectiveness of the Guardian system and its mass deployment rendered our current doctrine obsolete," Kleo actually grumbled. "As you know, we relied on massed droid-fighter swarms as a major power multiplier. That strategy is now rendered obsolete. Further analysis concludes that all existing small craft — from fighters and bombers to heavily protected assault shuttles — are unsurvivable in Guardian dominated environments. Further, long and medium range missile and torpedo strikes will be heavily degraded or neutralized before hitting a target."
"I'm aware of the implications. I need solutions," Dooku glared at the cyborgs.
"The mere fact that currently Dagon along with Sienar outproduces us in raw power and armor in their skill at capital ship building and the loss of Mygeeto may indicate a failure in the planned offensive," the Foreman stated.
A possible tactic is one demonstrated by the Republic above Felucia and Mygeeto. Pin-point hyper-jumps into point-blank range followed by massed torpedo strikes. Unless a hyperspace exit is calculated perfectly, the Guardian systems of a fleet will be able to significantly degrade such attacks. Other counters include a deployment of gravity well generators to ensure that any such strike is dragged into real space at a safe distance which failed during the last offensive in the 'Dragon ambush'."
"While we'll continue production of Munificent class ships, we won't be expanding it. With our fighter contingent neutralized, a trade of multiple Munificents for Republic cruisers will no longer be to our strategic advantage. We propose to shift the frigate's role back to their intended one — raiders and escorts. We propose increased production of our latest class command ships — the Providence class dreadnoughts as the main combat unit of our navy. We'll be modifying most of them to reduce or remove the carrier role and use that space for more weapons and armor."
"That's an idea I like," Dooku nodded. "What about small craft?"
"We're playing with various designs and upgrades that may make them of limited use against Guardian equipped targets but even prototypes are some time off. The good news is that we just finished testing our own version of that system — the Umbrella. Its production lines will be ready within the week and we estimate that in two months all our capital ships will be outfitted with it. Any new or still unfinished ship will be receiving it."
"That's the kind of effective news I want to hear," Dooku smiled for the first time since the meeting began. "What other plans to enhance our navy do you have?"
"Multiple, including two rather controversial strategies," Ilreth stated.
"I'm listening," Dooku leaned forward.
"First, our most powerful ships — The Subjugator class. We'll need more of them, especially after the Corellians entered the war. We're proposing some modifications so they can fit different combat roles. Second, we want to expand the production of Lucrehulk type — above Geonosis they did best, though the lack of Umbrella made them very vulnerable to small craft strikes — once our Vultures were torn apart by the Guardians and enemy fighters, our battleships were simply overwhelmed. We want to introduce a few distinct variants of the typical Lucrehulk for either system defense or assault of heavily protected systems."
"I want more information later. What else?" Dooku asked.
"There's a certain project that's in the prototyping stages right now," Ilreth started. "It's about a new type of battle cruiser which while quite expensive and relatively slow to build may prove a game changer, especially in view of the Republic Star Destroyer program."
"Speak," Dooku ordered.
"I'm talking about the Bulwark program and the Bulwark Mark I battle cruisers, which it has produced," Ilreth pressed a few buttons built in his arm and the image of the Titan was replaced by a ship that was a cross between a flying brick which had its edges rounded into sloped armor giving it an ellipsoid look. There were two stubby drive sections attached near the back of the hull, though they were dwarfed by the main engines of the behemoth.
There were a lot of turbolaser and ion cannon emplacements visible and those were just the main guns — there were scores of smaller weapons presumably for the Bulwark's Umbrella.
"The Bulwark Mark I is projected to be the most powerful ton-for-ton warship in known space. Most well protected too — it has enough armor to ram through smaller ships without shields and emerge with minimal damage," Ilreth actually sounded excited. "The first prototype will be ready within the month. I'm requesting authorization for mass production once all major problems are fixed."
**Scene 2: Secret Location – Sidious and Dooku**
"It seems that actions at Mygeeto may have an advantage for us after all," Sidious said.
"Long has the Sith Empire been built on the backs of slaves. To carry on this tradition, we will require millions. With Zygerria all but ash and Dagon's alliance with Ryloth and his continuous raids on any criminal cartel that appears, it seems we need allies and time," Sidious stated.
"You refer to the agreement with the other Hutt clans and the other syndicate leaders?" Dooku asked.
"Yes. An invasion and attack on Hutt space aimed at killing Jabba and taking over Nal Hutta resulting in total galactic war," Sidious stated.
"My lord you can't be serious. The attack on the Hutts, the death of Jabba — there will be war without end and it would result in the founding of your empire a lot harder," Dooku said worried.
"No matter. The offensive will not be directed at the Republic but rather at Hutt space. You will send messages to our allies to prepare. On the 3rd day of the new year I expect Hutt space to be CIS territory," Sidious stated.
"It will be done, my lord."
The Sith Lord's holographic form flickered as he ended the transmission, leaving Dooku alone with his thoughts. A war on two fronts — against the Republic and now the Hutts. It was madness, but in the hands of Darth Sidious, even madness could become a weapon.
The Dragon of the Republic thought he had the upper hand. Soon, the galaxy would burn brighter than ever before.