"That's what the Senate was discussing just now," Palpatine said coldly. "Under my firm orders, the Republic fleet has always maintained a powerful force in the Darkknell system near the Eriadu system. It was never deployed, not even when General Grievous attacked the Delon system, nor when the suddenly appearing Machinery Civilization Geth attacked the Ord Mantell system."
He paused, a mocking smile curling across his lips. "At today's Senate session, Bail Organa, Padmé Amidala, and the others tried to pass a bill to save civilians. They hoped to reach an agreement with the Separatists and immediately begin civilian relief efforts once the hyperspace storm ended... Hehehehe, how naive! The moment the hyperspace storm subsides, the only things entering the Eriadu system will be powerful warships!"
"The Separatists, Sefrans Tann, and Tang Xiao are responsible for the deaths of most of those civilians. Why should the Galactic Republic pay for the Separatists' mistakes?" Tarkin sneered.
"Exactly. I told them in the Senate, when fully armed Separatist warships flood into the Eriadu system, do they expect us to send in grain freighters instead?" Palpatine said. "Those people still preaching peace are utterly foolish! Hehehehe... Rest assured, my friend. You will surely leave the Eriadu system unscathed."
"I have never doubted your promises, Chancellor. What I care about is how to reclaim everything I lost on Eriadu!" Wilhuff Tarkin said viciously.
"That day will not be far away... it will not... Hahahahaha! Everything is proceeding according to my plan!" Palpatine laughed loudly and cut off the transmission.
July 31, 21 BBY.
After leaving over 500,000 troops on the outskirts to hold off reinforcements arriving from every direction, the Fourth Civilization Army assembled more than 700,000 troops and launched an assault on Eri-Xiang City, the capital of Eriadu.
For a time, cannon