Commander Ditmar reported,
"One CIS destroyer, sixteen frigates, and four Lucrehulks destroyed."
That had been the entire enemy fleet.
"Our losses were mainly in orbit," he continued. "Three Acclamators took moderate hull damage. Two Consulars were crippled and fell to the surface. Luckily, the General's ground forces rescued the crews."
"Ditmar, you will stay and protect the base while Kinaun and I go report and find out what happened to Sector Command," Dagon replied.
"Ragnos, contact **Midway**, **Akagi**, **Shinano**, and **Terminus**. They will jump with us."
Dagon's order was given calmly, but everyone on the bridge understood its urgency.
---
## **Elsewhere**
Count **Dooku** looked intently at the hologram of **Darth Sidious**.
"My lord, everything went according to plan. However, what happened during the battle is regrettable. Merai was talented."
"There are other talented minds who will serve our purposes even more willingly."
"Yes, Master. However, the Jedi were unable to completely destroy the Separatist fleet."
"It was foolish to expect that. Still, we will make the necessary adjustments." Darth Sidious nodded with satisfaction. "We are playing a very delicate game, Count. Absolute balance is required — and it has been restored. All the advantages of the Separatists have sunk into the waters of Kamino. Merai is dead, Kamino is still churning out clones… no, this war is far from over."
"This is only the beginning."
Darth Sidious ended the transmission.
Count Dooku smiled contentedly. Everything was going according to plan.
Yet there was no time for reflection — many urgent matters awaited the leader of the Separatists.
---
## **Jedi Temple — Coruscant**
The **Grand Master of the Jedi Order** listened silently to the hologram of **Master Windu**.
"...Adi Gallia is being too hard on herself," Windu was saying. "She believes she should have foreseen Merai's breakthrough, which ultimately led to heavy casualties. I advised her to take comfort in our victory. Kamino is safe, and I'm confident the Separatists won't risk attacking it again. We'll leave a large covering fleet there, which will soon be replenished with new ships."
"And yet, like her, dissatisfied you seem, my friend."
"It's because of Merai — the Mon Calamari commander." Windu frowned slightly. "I… knew him, and I knew what he was capable of. He was a competent soldier. Despite the fact that his attack was almost successful, it was still unlike him. Why would he launch such a poorly planned assault? And on whose orders?"
Yoda sighed heavily.
"Foggy, our future grows. Clouded by the Dark Side, our vision is."
"Master, what shall we do with these new clones?"
"Hmmm. Proven themselves, these clones have. Good warriors they are. Use their talents, we must."
"Then I'll inform Master Ti that these clones should be assigned to the sectors where such specialists are most needed."
"Approve of such actions, I do," Yoda said, nodding slowly.
---
## **Coruscant — Senatorial Apartments**
Padmé **Amidala** was awakened by the voice of her loyal secretary and companion, **C-3PO**.
"Lady Amidala! Lady Amidala!"
"What is it, C-3PO?"
"Lady Amidala!" the golden protocol droid exclaimed, flailing his arms excitedly. "News from Anakin!"
"Then why are you delaying?" Amidala's voice grew anxious. "What news?"
Moments later, she was viewing the recording Anakin had sent.
"Dear Padmé! I miss you so much — I want to hold you again! But I hope we'll see each other soon. Obi-Wan, the other Jedi, and I repelled the CIS attack on Kamino. Don't worry, nothing dangerous happened — except we had to take a dip in the local waters. The fauna here is almost like Naboo's… at least underwater. So we'll be arriving on Coruscant soon, and we'll finally meet."
"Kisses."
"Oh, Ani… always trying to reassure me," Amidala whispered softly, smiling.
He's still the same boy.
I worry about him — he always manages to get himself into trouble.
Nighttime **Coruscant** shimmered with thousands of colorful lights.
In her chambers, Amidala lay on her bed, smiling in her sleep. On the bedside table beside her, casting a soft glow across the room, stood a small hologram of **Anakin Skywalker**, smiling back at her.
---
## **Kamino — Tipoca City**
The **Prime Minister of Kamino** entered his office.
After making sure the door was securely closed, he pressed a hidden button that opened a secret passage.
Passing through, **Lama Su** found himself in a small chamber with a holographic projector at its center.
He activated the signal.
Soon, a figure cloaked in darkness appeared before him.
"Lord Sidious."
"Prime Minister."
"The Jedi repelled the Separatist attack, but some of the third-generation clones were damaged."
"I will compensate you for your losses," Sidious replied calmly. "And I can assure you that the Senate will soon vote to purchase an additional batch of **twenty million clones**."
Sidious raised his hand slightly.
"I trust that satisfies your interests?"
"Completely," the Kaminoan bowed. "I hope our cooperation will remain as fruitful as ever."
"Without a doubt."
The hologram faded.
And once again, the secret partnership behind the war continued in the shadows.