Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 59 - Anti-Jedi Robots (4.6k)

Metalon, Metalon Galaxy

Tarsenai Sector.

The Metalon system is located in the central ring zone, relatively close to Wabani and Salka.

"...War is about to break out here, we must evacuate!"

Looking at this land, Renn thought that in the distant future, Earth would become like Metaron.

This is an abandoned jungle planet, completely replaced by industrialization.

The sky is no longer a free realm; it is now obscured by dense industrial facilities.

The land that once held abundant mineral deposits has been replaced by massive factory cities.

As the spaceship passed through the smoky, polluted atmosphere, it could even discern the location of the underground city by looking at the deep pits spewing industrial lava and the toxic fumes rising from the huge exhaust vents.

In some areas, these exhaust gases resemble artificial volcanoes.

In other places, they rise from the polluted sea surface, forming areas of rolling, boiling water.

However, unless it attracts the attention of a galactic behemoth, such a hellish scene is unlikely to occur on Earth.

Somehow, despite a host of companies having interests in Metalon, the Technological Alliance had acquired most of the planet's assets on the eve of the war.

It was not because of its formidable defenses, but because of its sheer size, which made it difficult for any conqueror to easily digest.

Once upon a time, Metalon's industrial power continuously supplied the core world with resources and luxury goods.

Today, licensed shipyards are mass-producing warships in batches of hundreds.

The arsenal produces enough explosives every hour to raze an entire city to the ground, and the foundry churns out thousands of combat robots every day, their mission to conquer world after world.

For the Confederation, Metalon must not fall.

Ryan pondered to himself that perhaps that was why the planet's board of directors didn't take his warnings seriously.

“I’m sorry, Brigadier General!” said Inspector Unbrak, his voice coming through the heavy pressure suit with a deliberately soothing tone, but without a trace of genuine apology. “But we have not seen any concrete evidence of the impending attack you mentioned.”

Like all Skakovs who have left their home planet, Umbrag must rely on a pressure suit to survive in this alien environment.

Unlike most Skakos, the environment on his Forge planet was extremely harsh, requiring the pressure suit to completely cover his head and body.

This equipment had a side effect: every time he turned his head, the huge helmet would emit a dull metallic scraping sound.

His voice, filtered through layers, sounded colder, more rigid, and more like a robot than most of his kind.

Ryan thought this was quite good; at least he didn't have to look directly at that face, which he found extremely ugly. He tentatively asked, "So, if there is solid evidence before you, are you willing to negotiate?"

In fact, Renn had a plan in mind.

But that's not the point.

His primary task now is to preserve and strengthen the Combined Fleet.

Carly Terrell, a politician who is half military, has taken a remarkable step.

She somehow managed to persuade the Salvadoran government to hand over the entire defense fleet to her command.

Rennes now has to do the same for Metaron.

The harsh reality is that Metalon's fate of being invaded was simply unavoidable, a fact clearly demonstrated by the "Arena" strategic simulation system.

This planet is of too high strategic value and too close to the front lines of the conflict; it will certainly become a target for the Republic.

Ryan was not a strategic mastermind like General Tann; in fact, just a few months earlier, he wasn't even qualified to make any strategic decisions.

Most of his military skills came from his years of service in the Ondron Space Force, and the core of that experience was learning how to fight the ferocious Drex Beasts on the Demon Moon.

Secondly, he needed to do everything possible to cut off the Republic's logistical lifeline.

This goes without saying.

Therefore, his plan, which could barely be called a plan, was to destroy all the key strategic assets on Metalon before the Republic arrived, and then evacuate with all the available warships in the system.

Perhaps they will organize some symbolic resistance again, so that they can have an explanation afterward.

“Your personal speculation, officer,” Inspector Unbrak’s voice rang out again, “is far from sufficient to warrant such drastic action from the Technological Alliance…”

"And what about Commander Trilm?" Rein decisively changed the subject, throwing out his trump card, "Does her word carry enough weight?"

The name Carly Trilm stirred a ripple in the air.

She had extensive connections in the foundry region, managed Salvara like her own private fortress, and was even more known for her ability to speak directly to Count Doocu.

Every word she wrote was worth a fortune.

Ryan seized the opportunity to play this card.

“Commander Trilm, why would she…” Anbrak’s words were interrupted by a piercing buzzing sound.

Renn's communicator rang sharply at an inopportune moment.

Through the reinforced glass goggles on his helmet, Renn could clearly feel the undisguised anger in the other man's eyes.

“Uh, sir?” a Tech Alliance-standard robot reported in a high-pitched electronic voice, “We have just received an emergency signal from the Salvara early warning system.”

One of Salvara's most important strategic roles is to issue an early warning the moment an enemy fleet enters the star system.

Every major planet along the Peremia route will receive this signal.

The board members first looked at the robot in shock, then their eyes all focused on Raine.

“I think… I no longer need to explain why Metalon has become a target of the Republic,” Raine said slowly, secretly relieved. “You should understand what it means for Commander Trilm to issue this alert.”

“…Our planetary security forces are strong enough to deal with any threat.” An official tried to convince himself, and perhaps others, by trying to remain calm.

Hal, who had remained silent all along, handed a data panel to Renn at the opportune moment. "The vanguard consists of one hundred warships," Renn read the data clearly, his voice echoing in the silent hall, "fifty of which are capital ships, and there are twelve unidentified large warships, each at least 1,600 meters long. Furthermore, another three hundred ships have been detected in the directions of Tarsene and Aurelion. Are you still willing to take this risk?"

One of the directors looked at Angbrugge in horror, "What...what should we do?"

Inspector Unbrak leaned forward, the joints of his pressure suit creaking slightly. "Brigadier General, if we now authorize you to command the entire security forces of Metalon, will you defend this planet?"

“No. My proposal remains unchanged,” Raine replied succinctly and firmly. “Metallon’s strategic location is too poor. I do not want to fight the Republic’s fleet here. All of you should board the ships and evacuate immediately. Commander Vinok will escort you to Kolumex. The combat robot legion will put up a resistance after you leave and wage a war of attrition.”

They may not be able to prevent the Republic from eventually occupying Metalon, but they can certainly make the enemy pay a heavy price.

The planet's surface is covered with endless industrial parks, each consisting of dazzlingly complex complexes of buildings and transportation hubs.

Even if these places fall, there are still labyrinthine factory cities underground.

They are so large and highly automated that no single map can fully capture their entirety.

Supervisor Angbrak sat high on his throne, pondering Rein's words. After a moment, he slowly shook his head: "That's impossible. Metalon's value is immeasurable. We must not let it fall into the hands of the Republic."

“Metallon is just one of hundreds of forging planets owned by the Separatist Alliance,” Raine said calmly. “It is undeniably the most productive, but… it is just one of many. Once my allies have gathered enough strength to launch a counterattack, it can be returned to our hands, and you can continue your business.”

“You don’t understand, sir,” another director cried out, his synthesized voice filled with panic, “We cannot let Metalon fall into the hands of the Republic! Absolutely not!”

"The only reason we are standing here to offer protection is for your contribution to the cause of separatism," Commander Vinok finally spoke, his tone cold and firm, with an unquestionable resolve. "This is our only offer. Time is running out. Commander Trilm is fighting a battle in Salvara that is almost impossible to win. We must get there to support you as soon as possible. If you refuse to cooperate now, we will immediately lead our troops to withdraw, leaving you alone to face the Republic's fleet."

Ryan felt that Vinok's words were too blunt, but he had to admit that they effectively conveyed the urgency of the matter.

“You can’t leave!” Another director stood up abruptly, his voice trembling with excitement. “There are…there are some weapons! The Republic must not be allowed to discover them!”

Supervisor Angbrak shouted sternly, pulling him back to his seat: "Shut up, you idiot!"

Renn crossed his arms and stared sharply at Onbrak: "What, Inspector?"

Angbrak interlaced his fingers, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force: "This is a top-secret project. Can we trust your ability to keep it confidential?"

“Sure,” Ryan replied, a strong sense of curiosity ignited within him.

The Skako gestured to an assistant: "Bring in the Kotosis combat robot."

Vinok and Ryan exchanged a glance.

A seemingly standard B2 super combat robot was brought into the audience hall.

But upon closer inspection, Ryan discovered some key differences.

Firstly, its outer shell is made of a darker, heavier metal.

Secondly, its arms are not flexible hands, but are directly equipped with two laser cannons side by side.

“Commander Vinok,” said Supervisor Onbrak, “could you please try attacking this robot with your lightsaber?”

Vinok raised an eyebrow, shrugged, and glanced at Raine.

Renn nodded and took two steps back.

Without hesitation, Vinok swiftly drew the hilt of his lightsaber, and a dazzling blood-red plasma blade instantly extended with a buzzing sound.

Swish!
Without hesitation, he swung his sword at the robot's torso.

Ryan instinctively tensed up.

However, unexpectedly, the plasma beam from the lightsaber emitted a loud hiss and an overload of electric sparks the instant it touched the robot's shell, before instantly extinguishing and retracting into the hilt.

Vinok quickly tried to rekindle the lightsaber, but the hilt only made a few faint crackling sounds and emitted a few wisps of smoke; the plasma blade failed to re-form.

“Black Cortosis coating,” Onbrack was clearly extremely satisfied with the result, his voice tinged with pride, “Its tensile strength is slightly weaker than that of Dura steel, but its unique crystal structure gives it extremely strong energy absorption capabilities… More importantly, it can resist lightsabers. Once it is successfully blocked by this coating, the lightsaber cannot be relit for several minutes. This is the weapon that Metalon is secretly producing: the anti-Jedi robot.”

Vinok's expression turned serious as he repeatedly and in vain pressed the ignition button on his lightsaber, trying to restart it.

And Renn... had an unprecedented light in his eyes.

"How many people know about the existence of these robots?" Renn's voice was filled with eager excitement. "Can these combat robots be mass-produced?"

“It was foreman Tambo who secretly commissioned us to produce it,” Ambrugg revealed. “Unless he leaked it to the Republic himself, only a few people at the highest levels of the Technological Alliance knew of its existence. Due to the extremely high cost of refining Kotosis ore and the extreme scarcity of the mineral resources, this anti-Jedi robot could not be mass-produced.”

“Now you understand, sir?” a director interjected eagerly, his tone pleading. “These robots can tip the scales of war! They don’t need to be mass-produced; just a few elite assault squads are enough to precisely hunt down Jedi commanders on the battlefield. We guarantee their combat effectiveness will be outstanding.”

Rein licked his suddenly dry lips, and a bolder idea took shape in his mind: "Act immediately, dismantle all non-core facilities unrelated to the production of this robot, and transfer all necessary, irreplaceable or difficult-to-rebuild equipment, data and samples to the transport ship. I will arrange for you all to be transferred to Bozpiti in the Hutt space."

He paused for a moment, then continued, “Hala, Suorlip, and the Caster sector all sympathize with us separatists. It will be difficult for the Republic to find you there. If we’re lucky, the new branch of the Technological Alliance in this region might be able to win over more areas in northern Hutt Space. Is this proposal acceptable?”

Inspector Angbrak's eyes gleamed behind the pressure suit helmet, gradually becoming interested in the plan: "We need some time to make the transfer, Brigadier General. On behalf of the Technology Alliance, I thank you for your timely assistance."

“You have plenty of time before the Republic fleet arrives, and my fleet will provide you with cover in the meantime,” Raine assured them. “Now… Hal, hand them the agreement.”

Hal took the data panel from Ryan, lightly leaped onto the heavy conference table, and handed the documents to the directors, his mechanical eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"What is this?" Anbulak cautiously took the data panel.

“Until the main fleets of the generals are able to return to the foundry region, we in the peripheral sectors will have to rely on ourselves,” Raine explained. “I and more than thirty other officers in similar situations have drafted a joint defense agreement to coordinate actions more effectively in crises like the one we are in now to protect our home planet. Salvara, Centares, Ringo Venda, and Lax sub-sectors are already signatories of the Peremia Alliance, and I hope Metalon will be next.”

Supervisor Angbrak carefully reviewed the contents of the document.

The agreement is quite concise.

It was essentially just a gentleman's agreement not to betray each other until the end of the common battle.

This is because no one would agree to any overly restrictive terms.

After a brief, hushed discussion among the board members, Angbrugge cleared his throat, and a muffled echo came from inside the pressure suit.

“Alright, Metalon will agree to join your alliance.”

“Thank you, Inspector.” Rein’s tense nerves finally relaxed, and he let out a long sigh of relief. Then he turned to Vinok and said, “Contact Commander Trilm immediately and tell her that there has been a major change to the plan.”

(P.S.: Today's update of 30,000+ words is complete. Tomorrow's update will be before 9 PM. Please vote with monthly tickets. If we reach 1,000 monthly tickets this month, I will add an extra 10,000 words. Thank you!)

　The Restored Order's Priest, a powerful figure, donated 3000.
　　The "Master of Four Seasons Flowers" tipped 3000
　　The top player "Shadow of Slaughter" donated 1500.
　　Lonely Wanderer donated 100.
　　QwQ, please tip 100.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)