Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 83 - Political Vortex (Fourth Update)

"Admiral."

Tann stood still, his voice devoid of emotion.

"General Tann, what brings you to me in such urgent need?"

"Has the Rangnick system been captured?"

"We've got it." Tonis, who usually loved to boast and show off his achievements, gave an unusually brief and cautious answer this time.

“Very good,” Tann said calmly, concealing his inner doubts. “I have received a report from the Cortels Sector. Captain Carrock reports that he is encountering increasing resistance in the local airspace. I need you to immediately transfer the First Fleet to Cortels to support his squadron.”

“I’m afraid that won’t work, General,” Tony said, as if he had prepared his words beforehand. He straightened his back instantly, an arrogant expression appearing on his face. “While you’re wasting our precious manpower and resources in this quagmire of the Bosa system, getting entangled with these primitive city-states, our core territory is facing a direct invasion from the Republic! Count Dooku, with his unparalleled wisdom, personally ordered me to immediately withdraw the First Fleet to the Lax system to protect our homeland!”

"He didn't inform me of this change in orders." Tann's voice instantly turned several degrees colder.

On Tonis's long, narrow face, a malicious smile spread across his lips, revealing a row of teeth stained with purple. "He... has fully realized your shortcomings in certain key abilities, General Tann. You are no longer the Earl's most trusted and relied-upon general."

"So, is it you now?" Tann retorted sarcastically without any politeness. "Is this something you're so proud of? As a professional soldier, is your self-esteem only satisfied with listening to a politician's whims?"

"I don't know which uncivilized, barbaric race you come from in this unknown star system, Tann," Tonis chuckled coldly, "but you seem to have missed a fundamental truth: war is always an extension of politics. I obey the orders of political leaders precisely because they give the army a purpose and direction. You really should reflect on this, and see how reckless and impulsive your unauthorized invasion of the Bosa system was!"

Tony took a deep breath and straightened his banker's uniform. "I'm telling you this because we worked together briefly. The Republic fleet is heading full speed ahead of the Southsiri system! Soon, your Second Fleet will be completely trapped there. Don't worry, Tann, soon you won't have to worry about these political games you hate so much anymore."

After General Muen finished speaking, he glanced coldly to the side, and the holographic communication abruptly ended, leaving Tann alone in the center of the empty communications room, lost in deep thought.

The information revealed by Tony... makes no sense from either a political or military strategic perspective.

Is the Republic attempting to cut off the Second Fleet's retreat route?
This was unexpected, but it was indeed a logical action by the other party.

The First Fleet, stationed in the Lannick system, should have been the best force to intercept this Republic fleet and thwart its ambitions!
why?
Why would Dooku, as the supreme leader of the Separatist alliance, personally destroy the Confederation's closest, and perhaps greatest, strategic opportunity?
Integrating the Bosa system and neighboring war zones would not only free up a large number of tied-down troops, but also reopen trade routes between the major separatist sectors, stimulate the stagnant economies of backward sectors and the trans-Hydian corridor, and bring more systems into the Confederation's territory.

However, not only did he not support her, he also wanted to give up the results she had worked so hard to achieve!
"What do you think, Colonel?" Tann's voice was soft. "Tell me, what do you think of Count Dooku's true intentions in doing this?"

“Uh, sir,” Fasta swallowed nervously, “it looks like… Count Dooku, uh… wants to exclude you from the core decision-making circle. He transferred Admiral Tonis back to Lacus… this is clearly aimed at you.”

"His abandonment of the 'outflanking maneuver' will affect far more than just me personally; it will impact the entire Confederation's strategic landscape!" Tann's voice was icy cold. "We were on the verge of bridging the gaps between several key sectors, but he's going to tear them apart again with his own hands."

“I think… sir, he might not want to isolate the backward sector itself, but rather you and your Second Fleet,” Colonel Fasta struggled to organize his thoughts as he offered his analysis. “He wants to isolate you and your powerful fleet from what’s about to happen in the Lax system that he needs Tonis’s involvement in. As for that fake assassination attempt that was framed against the Bosas… from a political perspective, it was probably just to make your ‘accident’ look more plausible.”

Tann's heart skipped a beat!
It was as if a spacefaring cadet, after countless failed simulations, had finally grasped the key trick the instructor was explaining. Colonel Fasta might not have fully realized what that "key" was, but Tann understood instantly.

"How long is it expected that the Republic fleet will arrive in the Nansili system?" Her voice suddenly became urgent.

The sudden change of topic startled Colonel Fasta. "Sir, we need to send out a reconnaissance ship to confirm this..."

"No time!" Tann growled, turning abruptly and striding outside. "Prepare my shuttle immediately! Order the entire 'Ascension Task Force' to prepare for an emergency sortie! Is the 'Negotiator' under repair?"

"The 'Negotiator' and 'Carrion Spike' are both fully repaired and ready for combat!" Colonel Fasta quickly caught up with her, speaking rapidly, "General, where are you going?"

“Very good. I hereby appoint you to full command of all army and fleet forces in the Bosavui system, Colonel,” Tann gave the order as he walked, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “Execute according to our established operational plan and adapt to the battlefield situation. I have complete faith in your judgment and ability in this matter. If you complete the mission, I will personally recommend you to the council for promotion to general.”

They pushed open the heavy door of the command room, and were immediately met with blinding sunlight and deafening artillery fire.

The self-propelled artillery on the distant cliffs continued to roar, and the earth trembled slightly.

"This...this is an immense trust!" Colonel Fasta shouted amidst the thunderous cannon fire, his face filled with excitement. "I will never let you down!"

“I believe you,” Tann suddenly stopped and turned around, almost causing Fasta, who was following closely behind, to bump into her. “Find that assassin, and remember, I want him alive.”

"Understood!" Colonel Fasta immediately stood at attention and began hand signals to the nearby combat robot commanders to deploy the mission.

Tann lingered, striding across the courtyard, ignoring the noble representatives of the Bosa who tried to surround him to express their concern or inquire about the situation.

Politics... she may never understand its intricacies.

Count Dooku… his behavior at this moment is exactly like that of a calculating, scheming politician like Bosa.

It suddenly occurred to her.

No wonder some people call him the greatest politician of our time.

'To deal with me, he's willing to risk the entire Confederation's war future...'

'Now, I either have to be extra vigilant about the conspiracies and schemes of the dark side, or I have to believe that all politicians are a bit off their minds.'

At that moment, she missed Ryan Bontry a little.

(End of this chapter)