The data pad suddenly emitted a series of urgent beeps, followed by a piercing combat alarm that echoed throughout the entire command center.
"General!" Commander Kamino's voice came through the communication channel. "Enemy forces have been detected! We've already deployed troops in the water, and the aquatic clone trooper battalion has been fully deployed and is ready to engage at any moment."
"Good," Obi-Wan replied, simultaneously connecting to all communication channels to issue orders. "All Republic forces, immediately enter combat status... The enemy has arrived at our doorstep. Lieutenant, what's the situation on your end?"
"Master... you really need to see this with your own eyes!" Commander Yularen's voice carried an unmistakable panic. "What... what in the name of the Force is this thing?!"
A lieutenant answered, "We don't know, Commander! The energy sensors are completely malfunctioning—the readings are all over the place..."
Obi-Wan strode into the command center and rushed to the holographic tactical console, casually redirecting the communication signal to the main screen.
"Transmit the sensor images to the communication channel!"
The command center's internal ship cameras provided real-time footage, specifically designed for monitoring the battlefield from the windowless deep-level backup bridge.
The screen lit up, revealing a bizarre ship. Its irregular shape faintly resembled a *Providence-class*, but its structure suggested a heavily modified and extended *Defiant-class*.
What was most shocking was the ship's bow. Instead of the characteristic spear-like prow of Separatist vessels, it had been damaged and widened, with a massive circular ring embedded at its center.
What was this?
A weapon?
Obi-Wan asked gravely, "Lieutenant, what are the energy readings?"
"Sensors show negative values... It's likely an ion weapon, Commander!"
"Absurd!" Obi-Wan frowned deeply. "That's a modified *Defiant-class*! Even with the extended hull, it couldn't possibly carry a weapon on the scale of an ion cannon..."
"Damn it!"
The Jedi Master cursed for the first time. "Emergency order! All squadrons in its flight path, execute evasive maneuvers immediately!"
"But General..."
"Carry out the order, Commander!"
"Yes, sir! All ships, execute evasive maneuvers immediately...!"
But it was too late.
On the screen, the bizarre ship's circular weapon began charging. After a slight adjustment of its hull, a massive energy ring erupted, instantly swallowing the Republic squadron ahead.
The pulse didn't penetrate the planet's atmosphere, but it completely severed the power to an entire fleet.
Now, the Separatist landing craft, its outline faint in the distance, was approaching the surface of Kamino.
"All undamaged ships on the first line of defense," Obi-Wan ordered, his voice steady as he regained his composure, "concentrate fire on that alien vessel. Break formation and destroy it!"
"Master... *static*... Master!"
Wolf Yularen's voice came through, heavily distorted by electrical interference.
"Commander Yularen? How are you holding up?"
"Communications... severe signal interference... *static*... According to Lieutenant Valen's report, some systems are malfunctioning, but the main structure remains intact... Some compartments... *static*... life support systems have shut down. The *Venator*-class Star Destroyers *Loyalty* and *Pride*... have been disabled... *static*... lost contact!"
"Captain Dodonna," Obi-Wan switched communication channels immediately, "launch your ships and take command of the second line of defense. Hand over responsibility to Captain Rettal. Commander, do everything you can to get the *Justice* out of the danger zone. If possible, immediately deploy Gallia's fighter squadron. Report the situation to me at any time!"
***
At the Third Clone Production Base, Solo watched the battle unfold on the channel and saw the bizarre warship that had instantly destroyed two *Venator*-class vessels.
"A *Defiant*-class refit!"
This ion pulse weapon clearly wasn't the same model Grievous had equipped on the *Conqueror*-class heavy cruiser *Venomfang*. This meant it was likely a prototype, either incapable of sustained fire or plagued by other fatal flaws.
But the two *Venator*-class vessels that had been hit were likely in dire straits.
"Master Rancisis," Obi-Wan suddenly said over the communication channel, "I'm handing overall command here over to you. Proceed with the battle deployment as planned. I've ordered Captain Dodonna's *Hunter*-class ships to launch in support. Hopefully, Commander Yularen can secure enough power to release Master Gallia's fighters."
To conserve fuel and avoid unnecessary pilot fatigue, Obi-Wan had originally planned to hold off on launching the fighters until the enemy approached. But with the situation rapidly deteriorating, he could only hope that the *Justice* had already successfully launched some squadrons.
Master Kenobi paused before continuing over the communication channel: "Master Victor, pilot a fighter with me to the second line of defense. Do we really need to take apart that pile of junk ourselves?"
"Understood, Master," Solo replied, his gaze settling on the Delta-7 fighter parked on the outer platform. "Ahsoka, we've got work to do!"
But he knew that a squadron under Master Gallia's command was stationed aboard the *Loyalty*, a ship within the ranks of his Legion, carrying a full fighter battalion. Meanwhile, Master Gallia himself, along with another battalion, remained on the Republic flagship.
Solo strode out of the Command Center, Ahsoka following closely behind. They braved the torrential Kamino rain as they headed straight for the yellow-and-red-painted Delta-7 fighter.
"Alright," Solo said, lifting the cockpit cover and leaping inside, a cold smile curling his lips. "Time to stretch our wings in the sky..."
***
"Truly astonishing," Passele Argonaut said, his voice brimming with self-satisfaction as he watched the screen.
The flagship of the Republic Fleet, along with two *Venator*-class Star Destroyers, was tilting uncontrollably as its safety systems completely failed.
This assault on Kamino stemmed from Passele's pure, selfish ambition.
He coveted the position of leader of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, yearning to supplant Count Dooku.
But the elderly former Jedi, whose prestige remained undimmed, remained unshaken even as the Separatist forces suffered repeated defeats at the hands of the Republic. Instead, these defeats only served to strengthen the Confederacy's resolve and unify them more closely around Dooku's leadership.
Passela had long grown resentful of this. He was convinced that only a victory capable of shaking the entire galaxy could elevate him to the pinnacle of power.
And what kind of victory would make him the undisputed leader of the Confederacy?
There was only one answer.
Destroy the core of the Republic's armed forces: Kamino's clone trooper production system. What did Count Dooku matter compared to such a feat?
Such a triumph would surpass all others and secure his position as the Confederacy's supreme leader.
To achieve this plan, Passele took the initiative to contact Meraji.
Meraji hailed from Mon Cala and was one of the Confederacy of Independent Systems' most distinguished commanders, often compared to General Grievous.
Though direct cooperation with Grievous proved elusive, Meraji proved to be an excellent substitute.
Their agents had long since uncovered a critical strategic energy facility hidden beneath Tipoca City. Destroying it would render Kamino's planetary shield ineffective, allowing their ships to bombard the entire city with the concentrated firepower of turbolaser cannons and eradicate the Clone Troopers once and for all.
Unfortunately, the Ion Pulse Cannon—jointly developed by the Techno Union, the Dark Volunteer Engineering Corps, and engineers from Pammant Shipyards—failed to achieve the expected high-frequency firing rate.
Even after comprehensive upgrades, the power core of the modified Defiant-class cruiser struggled to sustain the weapon's continuous demand.
According to Meraji, the Lucrehulk-class vessel was originally intended to serve as the ideal test platform for this weapon. However, the shipbuilders failed to complete the modifications in time. Since the existing structure of the Defiant-class cruiser happened to be compatible, it was hastily pressed into service as a temporary substitute.
At that moment, Lady Luck finally smiled upon Passela. The Republic's flagship, *Justice*, though less severely damaged than other *Venator*-class vessels—its power core hadn't been completely crippled—was now slowly withdrawing sideways, clearly no longer capable of sustaining major combat operations.
"Exactly," Meraji said, nodding with satisfaction. "Eliminating the enemy's strongest weapon is a fundamental principle of warfare. The Jedi learned this lesson well at Atraken. Even in his worst nightmare, Obi-Wan would never have imagined we'd possess a weapon capable of taking out his flagship."
The Mon Calamari's voice was steady and authoritative. "Unfortunately, this weapon can't fire again for the next day, but that's irrelevant now. Issue the order... initiate the landing operation. All escort vessels are to provide full support to the landing forces."
After the Ion Pulse Cannon fired, the Republic Fleet had nine remaining *Venator*-class vessels, and all *Acclamator*-class ships had vanished.
The Confederacy of Independent Systems forces consisted of eleven *Defiant*-class vessels and seven *Lucrehulk*-class ships.
"However, they still seem capable of launching fighters," Passela noted.
"It's irrelevant," Meraji said calmly. "Focus on the *Venator*-class ship and destroy it. Ignore any disabled *Venator*-class vessels for now."
"Understood!" The officer commanding their *Defiant*-class flagship immediately acknowledged the order.
Although their main weapon was temporarily out of commission, the ship's turbolaser cannons were sufficient to complete the mission.
Just then, an urgent report came over the comms channel: "Commander! Enemy fighters have appeared directly ahead, covering the *Justice*'s retreat!"
"Launch *Vulture* droid fighters! Maintain our speed—do not slow down! Let their flagship crash into Kamino's ocean!" Passela barked.
Meraji frowned at the order. This was the fifth time he had to modify Passela's plans. The man knew nothing of actual combat but was obsessed with defeating Republican commanders far superior to him to earn the empty title of "Great General."
"We've entered range!" reported a *Lucrehulk*-class ship captain loyal to Meraji.
"No further orders needed. Attack their flagship with full force," Meraji reiterated. "I want to watch its wreckage sink into Kamino's waves with my own eyes."
***
The central formation opened fire immediately.
After enduring the Ion Pulse Cannon's barrage, a massive gap had opened in the Republic Fleet's formation.
Near Kamino's orbit, the Republic had assembled twelve *Venator*-class star destroyers, nearly seventy percent of the Thirteenth Sector Fleet's combat power.
Intelligence indicated that Obi-Wan had even recalled two patrol detachments from their duties, underscoring the importance he placed on this defensive battle.
The *Acclamator*-class ships were not deployed in orbit, likely positioned within the atmosphere, ready to intercept Confederate landing craft at any moment.
The Republic's formation consisted of three triangular formations positioned above Tipoca City. The central formation was composed of three *Venator*-class ships.
The left formation comprised five *Venator*-class ships, while the right formation had only four.
Meraji immediately saw through Obi-Wan's deployment strategy. He had deliberately weakened the right flank, forcing the Confederate landing craft to choose the longest route to attack Tipoca City.
With the fewest *Venator*-class ships, this flank appeared to be the weakest point and the ideal breakthrough point.
However, if the Confederacy concentrated its forces to attack the right flank, the central and left formations would swiftly flank and encircle them.
Meraji thought to himself that if Passela's Ion Pulse Cannon hadn't disrupted their deployment, he would likely have fallen into this trap.
After all, his unit's sole objective was to break through to the planet's surface at any cost and destroy the power core beneath Tipoca City.
But now, the situation had completely reversed.
He couldn't wait to see Obi-Wan's expression when he witnessed this.
However, he might not have to wait long. They would likely have a direct confrontation soon.
Meraji was well aware that if his Mon Calamari elite landing squad faced these Jedi Masters head-on, their chances of survival were negligible.
Even ordinary Jedi Padawans were difficult to handle, let alone these Masters—the elite of the elite, the most powerful warriors.
But then he considered another strategy: instead of engaging them directly, they could launch an orbital bombardment once Kamino's planetary shield failed, or simply destroy the ship they were on...
Meraji didn't believe even these powerful Jedi Masters could survive the extreme conditions of a reactor explosion, a disintegrating ship, exposure to vacuum, or the collapse of Tipoca City's platform into the ocean.
Unless they acted at the last moment, the Jedi Masters would be unable to escape in their Delta-7 starfighters.
Meraji's gaze was fixed on the screen, watching the raging flames erupt from the hull of the *Justice*.
"Commander! The enemy *Venator*-class ships are initiating evasive maneuvers! They're attempting to protect their damaged flagship..."
"If they do that, their formation will collapse, leaving their flanks completely exposed," Meraji observed, his eyes locked on the enemy vessels. "Obi-Wan is willing to sacrifice the integrity of his formation to protect that clumsy toy of his. This will make it much easier for our landing craft to deploy. The plan is working."
He crossed his arms, his voice confident.
"Report! Another *Acclamator*-class ship is launching from Kamino's atmosphere!"
"Is this a reserve unit? Or is the captain coordinating ground forces within the atmosphere?" Meraji analyzed the situation gravely. "Regardless of the answer, we can't slow our advance. The Vulture droid fighters are engaged with enemy fighters, but their entire squadron is clustered around the damaged flagship..."
Sometimes, turbolaser cannons aimed at the flagship would accidentally hit enemy fighters, instantly breaching their shields. The Confederacy's robot fighters would then seize the opportunity to launch a fierce assault... However, this also meant that the Lucrehulk-class command ships had to get closer to the enemy.
But Meraji had deliberately kept these ships at the flanks of the formation, a decision that soon led to the first unforeseen complication.
In each formation of the Republic Fleet, there were two *Venator*-class ships. Using the maximum speed their size allowed, they sharply turned and charged straight toward the Confederacy's formation.
Their target was... the command ship?
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