Chapter 306
For the first time in many months, the leaders of the Confederacy of Independent Systems gathered in one place to discuss outstanding issues and decide on the future strategy for waging war against the Republic.
The planet Gwori — an otherwise empty world in the Outer Rim — had been transformed into a powerful Separatist stronghold. A dozen massive factories churned out battle droids around the clock. A fleet of three hundred warships orbited the planet, constantly being replenished by fresh arrivals from hidden shipyards. On the surface stood a heavily fortified base, its long-distance communications tower rising like a dark needle into the sky, providing reliable encrypted links to virtually any corner of the galaxy.
The Separatist Council met in a large circular chamber on the upper floors of the tower. The atmosphere was tense, the air thick with the scent of ozone and machine oil.
General Grievous was the last to arrive. The cyborg's mechanical footsteps echoed heavily as he entered. Several sentient beings shuddered involuntarily at his appearance — the skeletal mask, the glowing yellow eyes, the constant wet cough that accompanied every breath. A tactical droid standing against the wall saluted him silently.
Count Dooku appeared only as a hologram, as did the Archduke of Geonosis, Poggle the Lesser. The latter explained his physical absence by citing urgent preparations for the trial run of the first fully automated battle droid factory. Dooku, however, had an even more compelling reason for his absence.
"My apologies, my friends," the Count began, his holographic form flickering slightly. "I was busy meeting with Lord Sidious. He has provided vital information that will enable us to wage this fight more effectively."
Dooku's voice carried calm authority as he addressed the assembled leaders.
"The Separatist Council has once again found a safe haven from which to direct the war and manage the distribution of vital resources among our thousands of worlds. Though we have suffered defeats on planets we desperately needed — Muunilinst, Jabiim, Boz Pity, Saleucami, and Metalorn — we will surely avenge those failures. Our droid armies are tireless, under the watchful guidance of our most proven generals. Our flesh-and-blood soldiers possess an iron will, fortified by the knowledge that they fight for truth and independence. Almost seven and a half months of war are behind us, but our fighting spirit has not faded. We do not trust the Republic, for it has proven its incompetence. It is depriving us of our independence and the right to self-determination, free from corruption. The Republic itself unleashed this needless carnage, sowing death on countless planets that only wished to decide their own destinies."
"What about the failure to negotiate with the Hutts?" Poggle the Lesser rasped, his wings twitching.
"This is a temporary setback," Dooku replied smoothly. "We will soon take the initiative back into our own hands."
Nute Gunray shook his head, the Neimoidian's eyes narrowed with worry. "But the Jedi are very strong. Especially after they received those new ships. And your General Grievous turned out to be not so invincible after all."
The cyborg coughed violently, glaring angrily at the Neimoidian, and was about to launch into a furious tirade when Dooku's sharp gaze silenced him.
"The Republic has branded us cowards for our constant redeployments," Dooku continued diplomatically. "And this is being said by those who sit under the protection of the Security Service on Coruscant, while we are increasingly establishing ourselves on planets scattered across the galaxy. But this only makes such chatterboxes an easy target. Mark my words — Coruscant will fall into Confederate hands sooner than we think."
"What do you mean?" Shu Mai asked, leaning forward.
"The coming months will be the dawn of our victory — the time when the Republic ceases to exist. Changes are coming that will root out the rot of the old regime, and a new order will bring justice to the galaxy. As I said, my master has provided vital information. Soon we will be ready to launch a direct attack on Coruscant."
The CIS leaders began to whisper and exchange uneasy glances.
"To Coruscant?" Wat Tambor asked, surprised.
Grievous intervened, his mechanical voice rasping with eagerness. "We'll make those lying, corrupt senators tremble in fear! Count Dooku! Allow me—"
"My friend, you will have a different mission. As will the others. In addition to the attack on Coruscant, there will be invasions of Rodia and Ryloth. You, General, will distract the Jedi elsewhere, using a new weapon."
Passel Argente raised a hand. "Who will carry out the attack on Coruscant?"
"This will be a diversionary strike, but the Jedi must believe we are serious. Therefore, we will entrust command of the fleet to one of our tactical droids." The droid standing by the wall stepped forward. "TX-01 has proven himself in many operations. He will lead the assault."
"My Lord," TX-01 bowed its head respectfully, "I am ready to set out immediately."
"But what do we do about the superiority of the new enemy ships?" San Hill inquired. "We don't have many Providences. We need three or four Recusants for every Republic Venator; the same goes for the Munificent frigates. And Coruscant is well guarded…"
"Don't worry," Dooku said with a thin smile. "Our engineers do not earn their credits for nothing." A new hologram appeared before the assembled leaders — a sleek, deadly-looking warship. "Allow me to introduce you to the Recusant-class 2, also known as the Recusant-class heavy destroyer. Our friends the Quarren," Dooku nodded toward Tikkes, "have done a magnificent job modernizing the design."
The Quarren senator shook his facial tendrils and stood. "The Insurgent will be a worthy adversary for Republic ships. Two and a half kilometers long, it is manned by a crew of three hundred sentients and thirty thousand droids. Class II hyperdrives provide acceptable mobility. Its armament consists of four heavy forward turbolasers, twelve heavy turbolaser cannons, twenty-four heavy turbolaser turrets, twenty medium turbolaser cannons, ninety dual laser cannons, ninety-six dual light laser cannons, and two hundred and forty light rapid-fire laser cannons. The ship's hangar can accommodate up to five hundred and forty Vulture fighters and two hundred Hyena bombers."
As soon as the Quarren finished, Count Dooku took the floor again.
"The attack on Coruscant will involve the first twelve ships of this class, currently being completed at the Hannikau and Krennemonnen shipyards. In addition, the operation will also involve eighty Lucrehulk-class ships, forty Recusant-class light destroyers, twenty-eight Providence-class carriers, and one hundred and forty Munificent-class frigates."
"Impressive," Wat Tambor responded, his pressure suit hissing softly.
"Certainly," Dooku smiled. "As for the capture of Ryloth… This operation will be entrusted to you, Archduke Poggle."
"What are the deadlines for its implementation?"
"In a month and a half."
"We've had enough time," the Skakoan turned the valve on his suit. "Acceptable. By that time we will have gathered sufficient forces and also commissioned the first Wavebreakers." Tambor explained amidst puzzled looks. "This is a new development by our Skakoan technologists."
"Excellent," Dooku turned to Nute Gunray. "What does the Trade Federation have in store for us?"
The Neimoidian made a sign to his aide.
"We've focused on developing smaller ships. Soon our fleets will be joined by six-hundred-meter-long Traitor-class frigates and two-hundred-meter-long Strela-class corvettes. We've also begun production of the Nest security station: twenty meters tall and ten meters in diameter. It has a crew of four B-1 droids, a twin medium blaster cannon, and carries six Vulture fighters in folding pods. It has no engines, but this allowed us to equip the station with a powerful deflector shield. It is completely autonomous and can be deployed in planetary orbit or deep space."
The holographic images of the new warships and stations rotated slowly in the center of the chamber, casting eerie blue light across the faces of the Separatist leaders.
Count Dooku's eyes gleamed with quiet satisfaction.
"The tide is turning, my friends. The Republic believes it has gained the upper hand with its new ships and its treaty with the Hutts. They are wrong. We will strike where they least expect it — and when we do, the galaxy will remember who truly holds the future."
The meeting continued late into the night on Gwori, plans for conquest, new weapons, and the eventual fall of Coruscant taking shape in the shadows.
The war was about to enter a far more dangerous phase.