Hundreds of landing craft, like swarms of black locusts, descended onto the surface of Donovia, disgorging legions of robots like a mechanical tide. It was a scene of overwhelming force, and Solo knew this colossal army was directed squarely at him.
This time, the Separatists had not only equipped their Lucrehulk-class battleships with robot forces, but each Munificent-class frigate also towed four C-9979 landing ships.
"It seems they can't transport all their forces in one go," Solo observed. "More reinforcements will follow."
He delved deeper into the Force, his consciousness extending to the enemy flagship orbiting above. The image of a TX-07 tactical droid flashed through his mind before dissipating.
"So the Commander is a machine. That's fortunate. Compared to organic commanders, a tactical droid's logic is easier to predict."
Solo's focus remained fixed on the transport ships, watching them slowly approach the pre-set landing points and the proton cannon trap waiting in ambush.
Finally, the first shot shattered the silence.
The J-1 proton cannon deployed in the left-hand valley fired first. The orange-red proton shells, trailing flames, streaked across the sky and struck the engine compartment of a C-9979 landing craft with pinpoint accuracy.
The landing craft exploded instantly, its burning wreckage plummeting into the valley like fiery meteors.
The gunners didn't pause, firing three more rounds in quick succession and hitting another landing craft. But by then, the Vulture droid fighter escort had pinpointed their position. A torrent of laser fire pierced the proton cannon's shields, reducing the gun barrel to a fireball. The two gunners had no time to evacuate and were engulfed in the explosion.
The proton cannon in the right-hand valley performed even better.
Using the terrain for cover, the gunners alternated their fire, firing five rounds that precisely struck five landing crafts.
When the Vulture droids turned to attack them, the gunners swiftly dismantled the cannon's critical components, boarded waiting speeders, and successfully withdrew amid the explosions' aftermath.
"Good work. We've successfully thinned out part of the landing force."
Solo opened his eyes, his voice calm, but the Force still carried a trace of his regret for the fallen gunners.
Bram spoke with concern, "General, the enemy's reinforcements are closing in. This level of loss is unlikely to significantly impact the overall battle."
Inside the command bridge of the Providence-class Star Destroyer orbiting above, TX-07 listened to the Tactical Droid's report: "Enemy anti-aircraft fire is exceeding expectations. Two heavy proton cannons have been deployed at the landing site, resulting in the loss of six C-9979 landing craft."
"Disregard the losses and continue the landing operation."
TX-07's electronic voice remained utterly impassive.
"Ground forces will reach the outer perimeter of the base in seven minutes."
TX-07's core processor rapidly calculated. The enemy commander's unorthodox tactics had caught it slightly off guard.
It enjoyed holographic chess; past technicians often used the game to develop its intellect. The current battle situation felt like a chess game where the rhythm had been disrupted.
"If the opponent makes a risky move, I'll counter with two decisive moves."
"All Hyena Bombers—immediately launch and attack the Republic Military's forward positions."
The Hyena Bombers streamed out from the hangars of the Lucrehulk-class battleships in long strings.
The Hyena Bomber was a heavily modified version of the Vulture Droid Fighter, featuring an extended fuselage and a universal launch bay capable of accommodating missiles, torpedoes, or proton bombs.
It retained the rotatable sensor "head" and the ability to transform into a lightweight walker, while its propulsion system was upgraded to extend its endurance to two days.
Armed with two light laser cannons and six proton bombs, the bombers, targeting ground objectives, carried non-guided ordnance to maximize destructive effect.
Two Munificent-class frigates slowly turned, extending their wings and speed brakes as they began evasive maneuvers to provide cover for the bomber formation.
TX-07 stood calmly before the command chair, awaiting the operation's commencement.
Inside the Command Center, Ahsoka watched Solo, who remained seated cross-legged on a crate, his eyes closed, fully immersed in the Force.
Suddenly, his body convulsed violently, and a trickle of blood flowed from his nose.
"Master!" The Togruta girl rushed forward, trying to support him, but Solo raised a hand and pressed it against her shoulder.
His voice suddenly rose as he issued the command: "Attention! Enemy bomber formation incoming! All anti-aircraft weapons, open fire immediately! All personnel, enter anti-aircraft status—we have only seven minutes!"
Bram lunged toward the communication console, snatching the headset from the operator's hand and bellowing, "All personnel, attention! Air raid level three alert! I repeat, air raid level three! Complete anti-aircraft deployment within five minutes!"
Ahsoka swiftly approached the radar screen, with Sumelagi following closely behind and standing beside her. Leaning down near the Togruta girl, Sumelagi whispered, "Commander Tano, how did the General anticipate the enemy's move?"
"Hmm, we Jedi can foresee short-term attacks through the Force during battle. I can usually sense them about a second in advance." Ahsoka's gaze remained fixed on the rapidly approaching red dots on the radar screen, her voice carrying admiration. "But Master's predictive ability far surpasses mine, and it requires intense concentration."
"Enemy ground forces are initiating an assault on the outer defensive lines!" the operator shouted.
The group surged toward the tactical table, leaving Solo still seated in his chair.
Everyone watched as the blue dots representing Clone Troopers collided with the red dots representing robots on the holographic display.
Ahsoka watched excitedly as the robots' battle formations surged toward the defensive line like a tidal wave, only to be shattered.
"How dare they use such a dense formation? Aren't they just turning their robots into targets?"
But then, a shrill air raid siren blared at maximum volume, drowning out all other sounds.
"Targets approaching! Identified as Confederate bombers! Number—sixty—hundred—hundred and forty—two hundred and forty—!"
The operator's voice monotonously reported the situation, the numbers growing increasingly alarming.
"This is bad," Bram said gravely. "With so many bombers, our air defense systems won't hold out long."
Just then, Lieutenant Milo's voice came through. "Commander! Two Munificent-class frigates have detached from orbit and are heading toward the base! Their course—has changed—they're flanking us from both sides, descent angle sixty degrees!"
"What are they trying to do?" Bram exclaimed in surprise. "Are they planning to bombard the base with their ship cannons? But our anti-orbital defense systems are strong enough—they can't possibly break through!"
"No, their speed is too fast. They're not preparing for orbital bombardment." Sumelagi stared intently at the screen, his gaze sharp. "Wait—unidentified targets have detached from the enemy frigates! Twelve per ship—those are... escape pods?!"
"Confirmed, they're escape pods!" The operator stared in shock at the monitor. "Don't fire! I repeat, don't fire!"
"No! That's a trick!" Solo shot to his feet, interrupting their debate. "Those aren't escape pods—they're landing craft! Open fire and intercept them immediately!"
"The landing forces—the Hutts—" Bram finally reacted, bellowing orders. "Fire! All anti-aircraft weapons, prioritize attacking those escape pods!"
"It's too late!" Solo turned to Ahsoka. "Ahsoka, take two platoons of clone troopers and seal the gaps in the eastern and western defensive lines. Stop them from landing! Now!"
"Yes, Master!" Ahsoka drew her lightsaber, its blue blade snapping into existence as she spun and charged out of the command center.
Almost simultaneously, two hundred and forty Hyena Bombers reached the base's airspace, and proton bombs rained down like hail.
Explosions erupted in rapid succession, the ground shook violently, trenches were obliterated, and defensive fortifications collapsed with thunderous booms. The screams of Clone Troopers mingled with the deafening roar of blaster cannons.
TX-07 studied the tactical display, his electronic eyes flashing red.
The plan was a success.
Despite losing nearly half their bombers, they had successfully destroyed most of the Republic Base's defensive fortifications and infrastructure.
The two Munificent-class frigates had successfully deployed 24 disguised escape pods, which had landed without incident. The 42 BX-series commando droids and 42 B-2 battle droids within were now rapidly infiltrating the base interior.
Ground forces continued their fierce assault on the forward positions, and the Clone Troopers' lines were already showing multiple breaches.
"In less than half an hour, the Clone Trooper forces will lose command and control. The battle will be over."
TX-07 immediately issued orders: "Returning Hyena bombers, rearm with proton bombs. If the lines aren't breached within half an hour, initiate a second wave of air strikes."
Within a hyperspace channel, Rinuan stood on the flagship's bridge. The commander snorted, seemingly accustomed to having to bail out Solo Victor.
"Fleet, prepare to exit hyperspace! Five... four... three... two... disengage!"
The countdown ended.
Rinuan's flagship led the way out of hyperspace, followed by two Acclamator-class assault ships and two Venator-class Star Destroyers, forming a neat formation in orbit around Donovia.
Looking down at the Separatist fleet in low orbit, Rinuan smiled.
The days of being forced to retreat from the Separatist fleet were over. Now, with sufficient power and a powerful fist, he was eager to strike.
"This is Commander Rinuan! All ships, this is an order!" he shouted into the communicator. "Execute maneuver D-45! Form battle formations! Launch fighters! Target—the Separatist fleet! Attack at will!"
The Republic fleet swiftly spread out, with the Venator-class Star Destroyers forming the center and the Acclamator-class assault ships providing flanking cover. Hundreds of V-19 Torrent fighters and ARC-170 fighters swarmed out of their hangars like a bee swarm, charging toward the Confederate fleet.
The turbolaser cannon fire sliced through the vacuum, illuminating it with cascading energy waves and vibrant colors as it precisely struck the Confederacy's Munificent-class frigate.
The Venator-class Star Destroyer slowly advanced toward the Separatists' battle formation, firing methodically while the frigates provided cover from the rear, aiming to protect them from attacks while avoiding exposure to enemy fire.
The Confederate Fleet immediately counterattacked. The quad-turbolaser cannons of the Lucrehulk-class battleships fired, their shots colliding with the Republic Fleet's fire in mid-air, releasing massive energy shockwaves.
Vulture Droid Fighters tangled with Republic fighters, their laser beams weaving a web in space.
The Venator-class Star Destroyer steadily pushed forward, firing in orderly volleys, while the frigates provided supporting fire from the rear, shielding the capital ships from attack.
"Commander, we've identified the Confederate flagship—it's the same Providence-class Star Destroyer that commanded enemy forces in the Battle of Togruta!" the communicator reported.
"Excellent. What a coincidence." A fierce glint flashed in Rinuan's eyes. "Order all capital ships to concentrate fire on that Providence-class! This time, we'll settle the score for our previous defeat!"
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