2403. Death of Mal-Tuk (Part 2)
Luminara-Unduli breathed a sigh of relief and said, "The supply of this fleet is now very problematic. We should first abandon Palanci Planet and return to Bilbrin Planet. After the supply line is completely opened, we can then consider it."
"If this is the case, then this opportunity will be wasted!" Mal-Tuk's expression turned gloomy. "The entire army will turn back to Palanci Planet, complete supplies as much as possible, and then march eastward to attack Arkania Planet (Arkania)!!"
"Arkania Planet? That mining planet?" Luminara-Unduli was stunned.
Obviously, it is impossible for Mar-Tuk to give up the current results and withdraw his troops. However, it did not continue to pursue Thrawn's fleet, nor did it risk going deep into the hinterland of the Empire to attack Borleias Planet southward to open the passage to the Empire financial center Scipio.
Instead, he chose Arkania Planet, which seemed like a compromise.
"This may still be a bit risky." Luminara-Unduli said.
"No! This is the safest plan at the moment!" Mal-Tuk said loudly, "Although Thrawn's fleet has sufficient supplies, the repair equipment provided by those temporary military bases is not enough to truly repair his damaged warships! In other words, the condition of his fleet is actually not good, and he still does not have the ability to fight me head-on!"
He turned around suddenly, looked at Luminara-Unduli and said viciously, "Don't Thrawn want to attack my supply? Then, I will solve the supply problem on the spot!"
He raised his hand and poked hard at Arkania Planet on the holographic star map with his finger. "By taking Arkania Planet, I will get the rare metals they store, and I can also use the factories on the planet to prepare warships! Moreover, this planet has a large number of mining ships and transport ships, so there is also a lot of Coaxium and Sublight fuel stored!"
"But Thrawn's fleet will still threaten our rear." Luminara-Unduli said.
"That's right! I just want to force him to fight me decisively!" Admiral Mar-Tuk shook his fist fiercely and shouted angrily, "The longer the time is delayed, the worse it will be for me! If he is allowed to delay for another ten days and a half, maybe we really have only one way to retreat! But now, my fleet still has the advantage!"
Luminara-Unduli looked at the furious Mar-Tuke and hesitated to speak. From her current position, she has said everything she should and shouldn't say, and she has no reason to stop Mar-Tuk's decision. After all, they are just a cooperative relationship.
10BBY, February 11, Mal-Tuke led Commerce Guild Fleet to begin withdrawing troops, preparing to return to Palanci Planet.
However, before the army could set off, a piece of bad news came!
Palanci Planet was attacked by Galactic Empire fleet, and the remaining fleet encountered the superior force Imperial fleet, so they could only fight and retreat. Then the Empire's warships took advantage of the retreat of the remaining fleet and destroyed several spaceports and space stations. Countless supplies that had been transported from Bilbrin Planet with great difficulty were destroyed!
Only then did Mar-Tuke know, Lieutenant General Thrawn, he had also divided his forces! And he divided his forces very cleverly, leaving all the damaged warships behind and repairing them as much as possible, and also leaving behind most of the small and medium-sized warships.
In this way, most of the fleet directly under Thrawn are capital ships with high self-sustainability, and they can easily command this fleet to accompany Mal-Tuk in circles. The remaining damaged warships can get more time for repairs. Those small and medium-sized warships can continue to harass Palanci Planet because of their mobility advantages.
As a result, those damaged warships had nearly a month and a half to repair and have restored most of their combat effectiveness. And now, these battleships and those small and medium-sized battleships joined forces and launched a fierce attack on Palanci Planet! However, the fleet left by Mar-Tuk was not strong enough, and Imperial fleet finally succeeded.
This also made his plan to return to Palanci Planet to resupply and then attack Arkania Planet in the best condition completely ruined!
On February 18, the main force of Commerce Guild Fleet returned to Palanci Planet. Looking at the devastated outer orbit of the planet, Mar-Tuk could no longer suppress his anger. He cursed on his bridge and smashed everything he could.
Then he categorically ordered to attack Arkania Planet immediately!
Luminara-Unduli finally couldn't stand it anymore, and she and Mar-Tuke had a fierce quarrel, but the end result was that Mar-Tooke called the guards in a rage and used dozens of Blackhole-hole guns to tell the respected Jedi Knight not to meddle in his own business.
Of course, Maltuk did not completely lose his mind in making this decision. According to his simulations and discussions with the tactical robot, with the current strength of his fleet, it would be easy to capture Arkania Planet. So as long as Arkania Planet is captured and supplies are obtained, Imperial fleet can indeed be forced to fight him.
Next, as long as Galactic Empire's mobile fleet is annihilated, he can calmly return to Palanci Planet and reopen the supply channel.
The reconnaissance plane sent to Arkania Planet also confirmed this - Arkania Planet has not been evacuated. There are still a large number of transport ships and mining ships operating on the planet. The warehouses are full and the factories are operating at full capacity. It is a bustling scene.
On February 20th, after simple repairs and receiving a batch of supplies from Bilbrin Planet, Admiral Mar-Tuke took the entire fleet and marched eastward to attack Arkania Planet!
Yes, the entire fleet! Palanci Planet, he doesn't want it anymore! Anyway, as long as the the Empire mobile fleet can be annihilated, this planet will still be his sooner or later.
Moreover, Palanci Planet cannot be saved in the first place. Because during this period of time, even if Commerce Guild Fleet was retreating, Thrawn's fleet was like a spirit behind him, following Commerce Guild Fleet like a shadow, maintaining a certain distance without engaging in combat or contact.
Instead of doing this, it would be better to just stud them all!
On February 21, Commerce Guild Fleet entered Arkania Planet in three waves. Admiral Mar-Tuk did not launch an attack immediately, but waited very patiently for half a day. After all the warships arrived, he carefully reorganized the fleet.
On February 22, Mal-Tuk gave an order, Commerce Guild Fleet 1 super aircraft carrier, 50 battlecruisers, 380 Heavy Cruiser, and a huge force of 3,000 small and medium-sized warships launched an attack on Arkania Planet!
The defensive fleet outside Arkania Planet was simply vulnerable. It was defeated by the concentrated bombing of the first wave of Yamato Cannon from Minotaur-class Heavy Cruiser. 14 Light Cruiser and 2 Heavy Cruiser were sunk. The remaining warships entered the planet's atmosphere to take shelter.
However, when Mal-Tuk was about to send Marines to land on Arkania Planet, a light blue light curtain suddenly enveloped the entire planet!
Planetary Shield!! And it looks like a very high-end Planetary Shield!!
"This is impossible!! Planetary Shield was not installed before Arkania Planet!!" Mal-Tuk saw this scene and yelled, "How is it possible to install Planetary Shield on such a mineral planet!!??"
At the same time, Lieutenant General Thrawn, who had just recovered Palanci Planet, showed a satisfied smile, "That's right... Admiral Mar-Tuk. Attacking Arkania Planet is the only decision you can make. Do you like my gift?"