596. Punishment
22BBY, June 21, a month has passed since the clone outbreak.
Confederacy of Independent Systems's army can be said to be unstoppable. Out of the 17 directions in which they launched their first attack, 11 have been victorious. The fleets that were freed up immediately launched larger-scale assaults.
With a series of early victories, Confederacy of Independent Systems's actions became bolder, and the robot army launched a larger-scale attack under the command of General Grievous. Sometimes they don't even need escort warships, and directly send a team of transport ships to force a landing, and then a large number of robot legions launch a ground invasion of that planet.
This trick is very effective, because many Outer Rim planets actually don't have much defensive power. Those who usually just pretend to be on a certain planet in the 21st century may have less combat effectiveness than Upper City. It is impossible for them to withstand the attack of the robot army.
As a result, these planets can only throw a flurry of letters for help at Coruscant, which puts Republic Supreme Strategic Command in a dilemma.
On the one hand, they have limited strength. After Battle of Geonosis, only about 110,000 Clone Army were able to continue fighting. In the subsequent battles, more than 40,000 people were sent out one after another. The remaining more than 70,000 Clone Trooper needed to deal with the battles in hundreds of thousands of places, which was obviously impossible.
In the previous military expansion bill signed by Speaker Sheev-Palpatine, the 1 billion additional natural soldiers are already in place and are being trained on more than 1,000 planets. However, it will take at least half a year for these soldiers to become combat effective.
So Republic Supreme Strategic Command could only ask Palpatine for instructions, requesting to shrink the defense line and give up part of Outer Rim planets.
But Sheev-Palpatine flatly rejected this proposal. He strictly ordered Republic military to fight for every inch of land. Of course, his reason was also high-sounding, "I will never let go." Give up every inch of Galactic Republic's territory, every citizen, and even every planet! In Galactic Republic's eyes, there is no such thing as giving up! Because every planet and every person is equally important!"
"But we must find a way to deal with it... We now simply don't have the strength to defend like this Draon Planet at the same time..." Galactic Republic Chief of Staff had no choice but to spread his hands and said.
Palpatine shook his head, looked at Master Windu and asked, "Master Windu, do you have any suggestions?"
Master Windu was also in a dilemma. He looked at the holographic star map in the center, on which the planets under attack were marked in red. They looked dense and shocking. He took a deep breath and said, "Jedi Order will fully cooperate with Republic army's actions. Maybe we can refer to the situation of Battle of Naboo."
"Battle of Naboo?"
Master Windu nodded, "Yes, Battle of Naboo was in the same situation 10 years ago. Naboo was helpless against Trade Federation's robot army, but the final victory belonged to Naboo."
Chief of Staff groaned. "Naboo's air force destroyed the robot control ship, while Jedi Master Qui-Gon-Jin and his apprentice Obi-Wan-Kenobi captured Newt Gunray, turning the tide of the war in one fell swoop."
Palpatine sighed and said, "I understand what you mean, Master Windu. But this also means that the leader Jedi Knight will be in great danger."
"Jedi Knight has been walking in danger. It is our mission to give everything for Galactic Republic and the people." Master Windu said.
Palpatine was already smiling in his heart at this moment, but he looked very heavy on the surface, "On behalf of the trillions of people in the galaxy, I would like to thank Jedi Knight for his contribution."
At the same time, the planet Len-Var.
Bravo Base has been completely compromised, but the result is not perfect.
Led by Count Dooku himself, 6 Luukri-Hok-class battleship and 1.6 million robots were dispatched, but in the end at least half of the Galactic Republic soldiers escaped.
Anakin-Skywalker and Obi-Wan-Kenobi fought bravely. They destroyed all HAG self-propelled mortar and more than 20 AAT assault tank with just their two Delta-7 fighters, creating the last chance for the defenders to evacuate.
However, when covering the evacuating transport ship, Obi-Wan-Kenobi's fighter jet was shot down. Fortunately, he jumped out in time, and then Anakin-Skywalker made a very difficult move in the air, opening the canopy to catch Obi-Wan.
Then the two people crowded together in the cockpit, which could only accommodate one person. Their faces were pressed tightly together, and they could smell the sweat on each other's bodies even when they breathed.
They kept doing this for a full hour, until they were out of danger, they returned to the transport ship, and then went straight to the bathroom in unison.
But Confederacy of Independent Systems's fleet did not chase these escaped transport ships. They had more important things to do.
A golden Geonosian solar sailer landed next to an iceberg 30 kilometers north of Bravo Base. Count Dooku stepped off the spacecraft and entered a very secret cave.
After walking for a long time, Count Dooku found a frozen coffin in the deepest part of the cave. This coffin is very delicate, but it is simply placed in the cave. There is no decoration around it. There is only a large stone that looks like it was flattened by Lightsaber as a tombstone, with a very brief line of words engraved on it -
Ulic-Qel-Djoma (Ulic Qel-Droma), Sith Lord, Jedi Knight.
Count Dooku had read the deeds of Ulic in ancient books, and he knew that the former Sith Lord returned to the light before his death. The words Jedi Knight on the tombstone also show Jedi Order's final recognition of him.
Count Dooku stood very devoutly in front of the coffin, maintaining the posture of bowing and saluting. After a long time, a shadow slowly floated out from the coffin - the heroic spirit of Ulic-Qel-Djoma appeared here.
It is unknown what happened after that. Count Dooku talked with Ulic here for more than an hour. When he came out, his face was filled with joy and he said to T-series tactical robot who was waiting aside, "Leave half of the robots here to guard, we will set off immediately and go back to Luks Major Planet!"
"Yes."
Count Dooku has jumped on his ship Geonosian solar sailer, sat in the cab and fastened his seat belt, muttering to himself, "I didn't expect that what I long for is actually right under our noses. Huh! It's time to give Galactic Republic a fatal blow!"
He took a deep breath, his expression gradually became solemn, and he rethought the conversation he had just had with the heroic spirit of Ulic. After a while, his eyes were filled with perseverance again. He started the engine, ignored the fleet that was loading robots, and left alone.
On June 22, Tang Xiao was working in the office. At this time, the door opened and Sefrans-Tann walked in.
The transformation of her right arm has been completed. Starting from the shoulder blade to the right clavicle, the entire arm has been replaced with a black mechanical arm. It is not known whether it was her intentional choice. The fingers of the mechanical hand are very sharp and even shine with a cold light. Just looking at it makes people feel a little scary.
"Are you here to report your thoughts on this new robotic arm?" Tang Xiao said calmly, "Don't worry, when you want to take your arm back, I will naturally be able to remove the mechanically modified parts and let your hand grow back."
"I received news one hour ago that Sarabin Planet was recaptured by Galactic Republic." Sefrans-Tann said.
"Unexpectedly, the fall of Sarabin Planet caused a power outage in one-fifth of Galactic Republic's Core Worlds. With such a bad impact, Republic military will risk his life to recapture the planet." Tang Xiao said.
"Edra-Kestis, this ignorant guy, actually left a prototype of Extractor to that idiot Qian-Phineas! She should obviously know that that stupid civil servant can be a yes man, but he has absolutely no military capabilities!" Sefrans-Tann's expression was a little ferocious, "Jedi Master, Shen-Qiaoen took back Sarapin in just one day, and captured the Decimator prototype! The stupid guy Qian-Phineas didn't even have time to destroy the prototype, and he himself became a prisoner of Galactic Republic! I'm going to solve this matter!"
"If that's the case, I think you can't solve it. Now Extractor and Qi'an-Phineas might already be in Coruscant." Tang Xiao said.
"No, according to the information sent by Madam M, Extractor and Qi'an-Phineas were not sent to Coruscant, but in turn headed towards Umbara (Umbara) planet is advancing. We still have a chance to intercept them! I need the cooperation of an elite force, I want Fourth Legion!" said Sefrans-Tann.
Tang Xiao pushed the documents on the table aside and said, "Now your Fleet B is preparing for the next plan to attack Christophsis. Fourth Legion will also participate in this, which can be said to be the most important plan since we started the war. At this time, I don't want to get involved. The original plan was for you to command the battle of Christophsis. You just ran away with the Fourth Legion. Do you want to hand over this battle against 35 billion people to Lin Nanyi, a recent graduate of the military academy?"
"This won't take long! It would be best if the Jedi named Shen Qiaoen is there too! I will personally chop off his head!" Sefrans-Tann said viciously.
"You are not suitable to go to the battlefield now. Even looking at your mental condition, I don't think you are suitable to command Battle of Christophsis. If necessary, you can switch defenses with Matt-Hona, and let him command this battle." Tang Xiao said coldly.
"No! I'm calm now! But the prototype of Extractor must be destroyed! According to the current intelligence, Galactic Republic also knows nothing about the Extractor project, so we must destroy this prototype to ensure that this technology is exclusive to us!" Sefrans-Tann said.
Tang Xiao smiled coldly, stood up and said, "Then, leave this matter to Archangel of Death."
"Archangel of Death? Are you going to..." Sefrans-Tann certainly knew who Archangel of Death was, but before she could finish her words, her neck was suddenly grabbed by an invisible force, and then she was lifted up!
The expression on Tang Xiao's face gradually became ferocious, "Yes, Archangel of Death. You know nothing about power, Tann, this time, I will tell you personally what the irresistible power in the galaxy is like!"
He raised his hand and waved, and the tender neck of Sefrans-Tann fell into his hands. His strength gradually increased, and Sefrans-Tann struggled. "I'm tired of seeing you showing off your strength like a three-legged cat! I thought I would let Edra be with you. You should have calmed down a bit, but it turned out not to be the case. Why did I ask you to be promoted to Admiral of the Navy just after joining? You should know that I never asked you to compare with Jedi Knight to see whose Lightsaber dances better!"
After saying that, he pushed hard and threw Tann against the wall with a bang.
"Poof!!" Sefrans-Tann spat out a large mouthful of blood. The mechanical arm that the right arm had just hit also malfunctioned and made a creaking sound. It was obvious that Tang Xiao had used the Force to destroy the mechanical arm just now.
Tang Xiao walked over and grabbed Tann's hair, dragging her from the office to the elevator, and then straight to his secret Hangar Platform.
Bang! He kicked Tann into Sith Infiltrator-Red Comet, then took off his coat, revealing the tight-fitting combat uniform he always wore underneath, and covered his figure and face with a black hood.
The person standing in front of Tann at this moment is no longer the Governor of Dawn Star Planet, but...
Sith Lord, Das-Malthael!
Now Sefrans-Tann looked extremely miserable. She fell to the ground with her hair disheveled. Her right arm, which had just been replaced with a robotic arm, was damaged and could not move at all. Her originally neat clothes were in a mess. Blood flowed from the corners of her mouth and nose, leaving it along her neck and dyeing her collar red. Looking like this, there is no trace of the high-spirited and famous general demeanor that he had when Sarabin Planet was just captured. She is clearly a little woman who has just suffered domestic violence.
However, even so, she was so arrogant that she did not dare to resist at all in front of Darth-Malthael. When she followed Malthael to learn Dark Side Force's skills, the powerful Dark Side Force left an extremely terrifying impression in her heart.
It can be said that in the entire galaxy, Darth-Malthael is the only person who can scare her.
"What are you still doing? Stand up! Fly the spaceship! Are you still waiting for me to find Decimator prototype's location?" Das-Malthael kicked Tann.
Sefrans-Tann had no choice but to stand up shakily while holding on to the bulkhead, fell down on the driver's seat, and started the spacecraft engine with difficulty with his only left hand.