"Dispatch reconnaissance craft to survey Akiva!" Mace Windu ordered.
"Yes, sir!"
Mace Windu waved a hand, then looked at Master Ki-Adi-Mundi standing beside him. "Where do you think the Destruction battleship is right now?"
Ki-Adi-Mundi said, "If we keep the pressure on Planet Fandal, that warship will expose itself sooner or later. The worst-case scenario is that it is on Akiva, because that would mean we have entered a standoff with it. That would not help us destroy it quickly and shift our focus back to the Neutral Alliance's territory."
"If the Destruction is still in Neutral Alliance space, trying to attack our transport fleets, then we can cut off its retreat and destroy it outright!" A terrifying light flickered in Mace Windu's cybernetic eye. "The Destruction does not have many ships with it. Once our main force closes in, it will have nowhere to hide!"
Ki-Adi-Mundi nodded. "Before dealing with external threats, we must stabilize our rear. We desperately need a secure rear area. Destroy the Destruction as soon as possible. Better still, seize its secret base on Akiva in one stroke. A planet capable of supporting such a large battleship must have a highly developed logistical supply network. That would resolve our most urgent needs."
"Continue the reconnaissance," Mace Windu said. "Also, have Master Ray-Gul keep applying pressure to Mandalore. Tell Pre Vizsla that apart from our Second Systems Army, no one in the entire galaxy will recognize their legitimacy! If they do not want to become a band of wandering terrorists again, they had better obey!"
"Understood." Ki-Adi-Mundi nodded.
Planet Fandal was not particularly suitable for stationing a fleet, but at least it had several spaceports they could use. Mace Windu could send officers and crew from some of the warships down to the planet for