"So what's the situation with the equipment?"
"You see, we're being sent to Jabiim urgently, and you seem to have exactly what we need. By the way—what can you boast about? What equipment samples did you bring? I haven't been particularly well informed…"
"What are you interested in?" Jasmill asked.
"Well… some new **Juggernauts**."
"Oh—you mean the **A6 heavy assault armored tank, Juggernaut**?" Jasmill asked.
"Exactly." The Jedi nodded.
"It's an excellent machine, a modification of the well-proven **A5 series**. By the way—there they are." She nodded toward a column of vehicles rolling onto the airfield. "Are you taking them too?"
"Yes."
"And over there, in the distance—are those **SPHAs**?"
"You're right, Jasmill. That's exactly what they are."
"What was it you didn't like about them?" she asked.
Meanwhile the transport ships were settling slowly onto the landing pads; ramps lowered and unloading began.
"What are you talking about?" Marek said. "The equipment is fine—excellent, even—but **not for Jabiim**."
"Mud. Terrible mud. And there aren't suitable targets for them there."
"Then our **wheeled armored vehicles** are an excellent choice," Jasmill said, gesturing toward the massive machines rolling down the ramps.
"So what's the story with the new modification?"
"The **A6 Juggernaut** is an improved and enlarged version of the A5. It's exactly **twice the size**.
Length: **fifty meters**.
Height: **thirty-one meters**.
Width: **twenty meters**.
Crew complement: **twenty clones**, eight of whom are gunners.
Troop capacity: **fifty fully armed soldiers plus thirty tons of cargo**, or up to **three hundred soldiers with five tons of cargo**.
Speed: **100 kilometers per hour**, with a maximum of **160**.
Range: **thirty thousand kilometers**.
Armor protection is far superior to the previous model.
Armament includes:
* **One heavy laser cannon**
* **One rapid-fire laser cannon**
* **Two anti-personnel laser cannons**
* **Two twin light blaster cannons**
Additionally, the vehicle mounts **two universal launchers**, each capable of firing **seventeen grenade rounds and four missiles**.
Ammunition reserves amount to **forty-two missiles and grenade rounds per launcher**."
"Impressive," Marek said, pressing a hand briefly to his forehead as he watched the convoy.
His Togruta companion moved closer, tilting her head back in obvious admiration.
"The wheels alone are **fourteen meters high**," Jasmill continued. "These are among the largest vehicles in the Grand Army of the Republic. Only the **SPHAs** surpass them in size."
"Our designers did well. The new **three-segment wheel system**, with independent suspension for each segment, provides excellent stability."
"The interior is divided into **three decks**, and there's an **infirmary** equipped with medicines and three medical droids."
She looked back at the Jedi.
"General—how many vehicles do you need?"
"I'll take **all sixty**."
Jasmill blinked.
"Ahem… very well. What else are you interested in?"
"Do you have **AT-XTs**?"
"The walkers? Yes—**one hundred and fifty units**. Production has already started, so there will soon be plenty more."
"I'll take **one hundred and twenty**."
"Anything else?"
"Repulsor tanks?"
"Unfortunately not. They won't arrive for another week."
She pointed toward another unloading ramp.
"But we do have a **new development**."
"The **AT-AT**."
"No, thank you," the Jedi said immediately.
"What's wrong with them?"
"I'm not saying the concept is bad," Marek replied. "But the armor is still a little thin, and their stability needs work."
"And again—**the mud**."
"They'll get stuck."
Jasmill hesitated, then decided to press her advantage.
"General… a small request. Take a few units anyway. I'd like another **report** from you."
"Seriously?"
"Yes," she said with a faint smile. "**Lira Blissex herself** liked your previous comments."
"That's…" Marek frowned, trying to recall the name.
"She's the chief designer for the **Venator-class Star Destroyer**."
"Ah."
Marek thought for a moment.
"Alright. I'll take **six dozen AT-ATs**."
"Let's see what they're worth."
"Although," he added thoughtfully, "I might start modifying them using **captured droid vehicle components**."
"When can I expect your report?" Jasmill asked.
"I'm afraid it will take some time," Marek said. "It's war, after all."
"I can wait," she replied calmly.
---
For the next **six hours** I was busy as a bee.
Equipment, replacement parts, cargo, and construction materials arrived in an endless stream.
Soon the ships began landing.
The first to arrive, oddly enough, was the **Terminus**.
An hour later came the **Akagi**.
The **Shinano** was due next, followed by **Midway**, **Kaga**, **Ryūjō**, and **Independence**.
The **Pelta frigate** would arrive shortly. That ship would be converted into a **hospital vessel**.
"We'll distribute the vehicles evenly," I ordered.
"Load **twenty A6 Juggernauts and thirty A5s** onto each **Acclamator**."
"Next—**twenty AT-TE walkers** per ship."
"Then divide the **six dozen AT-ATs** equally across the fleet."
"Distribute the smaller equipment—**TX-130 tanks and similar vehicles**—between all ships."
"Infantry strength: **twenty-five regiments and four independent battalions**."
"In addition, several thousand tons of cargo will be loaded separately—materials that can't fit inside vehicles or onto gravity platforms."
I glanced at another datapad.
"Load **two hundred and fifty builder hex-bots** onto the **Hardcell transport**. That ship will make the **first landing**."
"Yes, sir."
I turned toward the captain.
"Captain, have you calculated our course?"
"Yes, General."
He gestured toward a nearby **tactical display**. A holographic map of the sector appeared.
"Our route will be as follows," he said, tracing a red line across the map.
"First we follow the **Parlemian Trade Route**."
"Then we break off here, pass through this corridor, and enter the central section of the **FT-17 route**, which leads directly to the **Jabiim system**."
"How long will the journey take?"
"**Seventeen hours**, General."
"We'll need to **zigzag** to minimize detection by enemy sensor nets."
"That's acceptable."
I studied the map for a moment.
"By the way, Captain… I have a suggestion."
"But I'd like your advice first."
"I'm listening, General…"