"What are your thoughts, Master Dover, Master Gayett?" Admiral Siost asked the two Jedi Masters.
"Strategically speaking, if we cannot bring the Eriadu system back under the Republic's jurisdiction, then with this system controlling the transportation hub of the Rima Trade Route and the Hydian Way, it would be equivalent to losing the entire Western Reaches," Master Gayett said.
"But I have a very bad feeling about this battle." Master Dover, the Pantoran female Jedi Master, shook her head.
"I have a strong bad feeling as well, but we must still take the offensive," Master Gayett said. "At the meeting before our departure, Mr. Little Kuat, Kuat Drive Yards' representative, said he would rather lose both Commander II-class ships than fail to test the limits of the Xuanwu."
"Though I hate to admit it, he has a point." Master Dover sighed. "If we remain ignorant of the Xuanwu's capabilities, we will suffer even more devastating losses."
Admiral Siost nodded and said to the staff officer, "Compile the strategy with the highest chance of victory. We'll use fast warships to tie up their formation, then fight a decisive battle across a relatively broad area! We must not give the Xuanwu a chance to protect their entire fleet!"
"Move the flagship back to your original warship," Master Dover said. "These two dreadnoughts may never get another chance to return to Coruscant..."
Early morning, September 13, 21 BBY.
After several hours of sublight travel, the Galactic Republic fleet arrived in the outer orbit of Eriadu, facing off against the Fourth Civilization fleet from afar.
Then the Republic fleet launched the first attack!
Their fleet split into four groups and charged in from four directions in a Claw Formation, with the two Commander II-class Dreadnoughts positioned alone at the center!
The hangar platforms