The Flames of War on Malastare
March 7, 21 BBY.
Commander of Fourth Civilization Fleet B, Admiral Sefrans Tann, secretly departed with 35 Dreadnought-class heavy cruisers, vanishing into the vastness of space.
To support the operation, the Fourth Civilization Intelligence Department provided the highest level of intelligence cover. Besides arranging for a T-850 robot identical to Sefrans Tann to wander around the naval base, they also adjusted the departure times of numerous large cargo convoys, disrupting hyperspace fluctuations and concealing the movements of that small fleet.
At the same time, they sealed off the entire dockyard where the Blade Fleet was stationed under the pretext of extensive repairs, preventing anyone from approaching the fleet and noticing the discrepancy in its numbers.
In addition, Madam M had the Intelligence Department send out a large amount of false intelligence, including having Fleet A at Terminus Planet and Fleet B at Gerrenthum Planet begin feint maneuvers, creating the impression that they were about to attack Eriadu in the near future.
Because General Grievous had already begun operations on Antar, Dawn Star Planet's actions immediately put Wilhuff Tarkin, governor of the 18th Army, on alert. He promptly placed all subordinate forces on combat readiness.
And that was only the beginning.
Gabriel Tosh and the Selurite Special Operations Forces had been operating throughout the 18th Army's territory, and recently they had accelerated the pace of their operations. Officers and administrative officials at every level of the 18th Army were constantly targeted for assassination. In just one month, more than 200 people had fallen victim to them.
Wilhuff Tarkin had no choice but to swallow his pride and seek help from the Jedi Order. He also placed all regions under martial law, requiring anyone entering or leaving a planet to undergo strict screening.
At the same