"When the mercenaries came, we couldn't defend ourselves," explained the underground leader. "Lur's atmosphere was always sufficient protection for us. And also the Imperial blockade..."
"You thought the Imperials would protect you?" Ventress clarified.
"There was such an opinion," the Lurrian admitted. "But... The Imperials acted together with them. Our people were captured, forced to work for them..."
"Well, as I see, some managed to escape," the Dathomirian witch noted, looking at the good dozen furry Lurrian natives sitting behind the leader.
Apparently, some advisors.
Or close associates.
"Very few," the leader explained. "We live in families, so some who lived in remote regions managed to avoid capture. A little later, others joined them. Mainly—bioengineers who somehow managed to hide in the tunnels. That's how we founded this underground city for all who are not captured... The others, like our equipment for genetic manipulation, they captured and forced our brothers to create clones for themselves. Tens of thousands, but likely even more, clones of ruthless soldiers, enhanced with our knowledge and skills."
"Yes, that's all a very sad story," the Dathomirian witch said impatiently. "Judging by everything, you're not exactly fighting the planet's occupation here. And the 'occupiers' aren't bothering you that much, since you're still alive and able to move openly."
"We live in the most inaccessible part of the planet," explained the leader of the Lurrians. "No ship can reach here. No soldier can make it. And digging tunnels through the skarn requires an enormous amount of time. Our captors are satisfied that we cannot interfere with their actions to create a clone army. They leave us alone, and we are forced to accept the existing realities to survive."
"We bred animals that will protect us..."
"Can they also reclaim the planet from the mercenaries and Imperials?" the witch clarified.
"No," he admitted. "I thought you would help us. Since you came in response to our distress signal."
"Signal?" Ventress was surprised.
"Yes. We've been sending it since the beginning of the occupation," the Lurrian leader pointed to the huge collection of spare parts standing next to them. "But so far, no one has responded except you."
Even without being a technician, the Dathomirian witch needed only a few studying glances to deliver a verdict.
"Judging by everything, you handle genetics better than mechanisms," she said.
Then she added:
"This scrap metal can't even punch through atmospheric interference," she shook her head. "No one and nothing has heard you."
"But... How did you end up here then?"
"Those who seek, find," Ventress vaguely explained.
She didn't miss the ripple in the Force, bringing a sense of wariness felt by the fur-covered sentients opposite her.
Several armed Lurrians appeared from the corridor.
What simpletons.
"No, I am not one of your invaders," she said, taking a small holoprojector from a hidden pocket in her belt. "Let's say I am among those who have a great and unbridled desire to deal with those who hold you against your will. However, the recording will explain everything itself."
The device landed on the tabletop surface.
After which a three-dimensional white-and-blue image of a humanoid formed above it.
In a Grand Admiral's uniform.
"People of the planet Lur," addressed the Supreme Commander of the Dominion. "I am Grand Admiral Thrawn, ruler of the Dominion. Your planet has ended up in territory controlled by our enemy, the 'Zann Consortium.' As I understand, you have suffered from their actions. I offer you assistance in liberating the planet from enemy occupation. In exchange, Lur will become part of the Dominion. With the preservation of your own political structure, system, and so on. No oppression based on race or any other grounds. Your activities will not be restricted within the laws of the Dominion. Moreover, I can promise active support for your activities as bioengineers in service to the state. My representative—Lady Ventress—will convey to you more detailed terms of the alliance treaty. I hope that from today, the future of the Dominion will be intertwined with the further fate of your planet and your people."
After these words were spoken, the hologram faded.
Silence reigned for several seconds.
The Lurrians exchanged glances, quietly discussing something among themselves in their native language.
Finally, their leader came to some conclusion and addressed the bored Ventress opposite him:
"Your leader calls himself a 'Grand Admiral.' Are you the Empire?"
The witch didn't even consider hiding her irritation at the voiced question.
"We are former Imperials who came to the conclusion that the New Order is the worst thing that could have been created in a galaxy with such diversity of sentient races," she practically quoted verbatim from the manual Thrawn had forced her to memorize before sending her on this mission.
Though her patience lasted only for that one phrase.
The subsequent boring text, written by some unimaginative propaganda writer, frankly irritated her, so the woman decided to recount everything in her own words.
Laying out before her the data chip with information about the alliance treaty, standard for the Dominion and the planets it absorbs.
"But we don't oppress anyone," she said, trying to keep at least a remnant of goodwill on her face. "And we ourselves aren't against giving our enemies a good thrashing. Whoever they are. The Empire included."
There's no point in telling the locals about the New Republic, the Alliance, or anything else that formed after Endor.
If they were under a blockade by Imperial forces, who, moreover, switched sides to the "Zann Consortium," it's unlikely they understand anything about galactic politics.
And, as far as she knew, the Lurrians generally don't care about what happens beyond their homeworld.
Just think!
To love some snowy ice ball on the outskirts of the galaxy to the point of blind adoration!
"Do you guarantee that no more members of our families will be abducted or taken by slavers?" asked the leader. "Our families are breaking apart from such actions. It's unacceptable."
"Me?" Ventress was surprised. "No, the Dominion guarantees that. Its legions and thousands of warships."
"Warlord Zsinj also promised us comprehensive support," grumbled the Lurrian. "And instead, he captured our best scientists and took them off-planet in an unknown direction. For years, families have been separated, and no one knows each other's fate."
"And none of them have returned to Lur to this day," one of the leader's "advisors" added.
"And they likely never will," thought Ventress.
Most likely, Zsinj kept them on his ship.
Which was destroyed by the New Republic a couple of years ago.
And it was done by the well-known heroes.
Who now lead the Alliance.
Or perhaps they were in laboratories somewhere in Zsinj's Empire.
And if so, they are now working full-time for the "Zann Consortium" in the Corporate Sector.
For the Lurrians, separation is like an unhealing wound.
They live in large families, essentially work groups.
And separation caused them great inconvenience—as the Lurrians themselves let slip.
Ventress barely managed to suppress a smile.
It seems she figured out how to motivate the locals to agree to an alliance with the Dominion.
If she can do that—she'll have a reason to ask Thrawn to change Shohashi's decision to send her to the Hutt from the front.
Sitting somewhere in the Order's headquarters reading dreary texts didn't appeal to Ventress.
But fighting...
Why not?
Killing is her profession, hobby, life's creed.
"Your compatriots are likely in the hands of the Dominion's enemies," she said nonchalantly. "Like many other representatives of advanced races who are specialists in one field or another. We've encountered this before. And we've taken upon ourselves the duty to investigate each abduction and search for the abducted."
"In that case, we are ready to study the Dominion's proposal," announced the Lurrian leader.
"Wonderful," Ventress snorted. "Now, tell me in detail what you know about the clones your kin were making for the 'Zann Consortium.' My superiors and I will be extremely interested."
"But you said yourself that our communication system can't punch through interference," the Lurrian reminded.
"Of course," Ventress snorted. "That's why I delivered a pulse transmitter in emergency containers. Send someone to the crash site—I need all the salvaged containers."
* * *
Pulse communication is a very expensive but sometimes vitally necessary "pleasure."
It cannot be localized due to the short operating time of the device needed to send a message.
For example, the pulse transmitter used in the "Delta Source" could not be detected by the New Republic, no matter how hard they tried.
Leaving Coruscant, they never progressed in solving this fundamental problem.
The Pentastar Alignment, which captured Coruscant, according to the data received, doesn't even know what the ch'ala trees planted in the Imperial Palace Vestibule actually are.
Information from the mouths of Alignment military personnel discussing this or that went straight to the Dominion Armed Forces headquarters as long as the "HoloNet" functioned.
This, in fact, helped understand the scale and weaknesses of Grand Moff Kaine's military campaign.
Based on the data received from the Imperial Palace, I planned the operation to extract Kaine and his "Reaper" from under the control of Palpatine's puppets.
Unfortunately, the plan failed.
The Grand Moff is dead, Fe'liia refused to fulfill the remaining part of the agreement.
Well, that was expected.
The backup plan to free Kaine's ships will soon be implemented—when its time comes.
Right now, it's necessary to deal with the planet Lur and complete operations in the Aparo sector.
And Lady Ventress's mission plays the primary role in this.
Unlike data transmission and exchange based on "HoloNet" technologies, a pulse transmitter, like sending information via laser beam, is one-way.
It's impossible to establish message exchange or conference calls in the same communication session.
To oversimplify the working principle of this technology, it's almost like the first telegraphs, sending messages in one direction.
But for the plan to capture the planet Lur, this was enough.
When the playback of the Dathomirian witch's message ended, I needed some time to sort everything out.
So, the Lurrians are indeed engaged in cloning.
And also—specialists in a wide range of biotechnologies and biological engineering.
That's good.
Such "narrow" specialists are vitally necessary for the Dominion.
On the planet, there is a group—several thousand natives—who managed to avoid capture by the mercenaries of the "Zann Consortium" and the Imperial deserters who joined them.
They are ready to support the Dominion and join my state under the proposed terms.
The text of the alliance treaty was developed considering the mentality and psychology of the Lurrians.
Understanding which took me three standard weeks.
Ventress also reported that the locals have several types of genetically modified animals.
But none of them are suitable for combat.
Asgant, for example, is an organic digging machine capable of digging multi-kilometer tunnels, consuming and processing soil, stones, and more with its body.
That is, in fact, it's a "construction droid."
Incidentally, from a strategic initiative standpoint, a very valuable little creature.
The Dominion needs to build a large number of underground facilities—both military and civilian.
Yes, the state includes races that feel perfectly fine working underground.
But even they aren't as numerous as desired, because they lead mostly sedentary lifestyles and aren't keen on leaving their worlds.
But having such "living machines" could greatly accelerate the work of equipping everything necessary.
Especially if Ventress's data is correct, and with genetic engineering, asgants can be "configured" to work in any conditions except vacuum, then the prospects become truly fantastic.
Also, among the widely spread products of Lurrian genetic engineering, a special place is occupied by hounds—guard creatures created for search, security, sentry purposes, as well as tracking and pursuit.
The Empire had experience using certain types of animals for base security, but it wasn't widely adopted.
For example, in the forests around Mount Tantiss on Wayland, creatures biologically reacting to the frequencies of grav-cycle and repulsorlift engines are dispersed.
But they aren't suitable for every terrain, gravity level, climate, latitude, and so on.
Lurrian hounds, however, can be bred in huge volumes with strictly defined parameters.
As a source of meat, the local natives have long and successfully bred animals like grebnars.
And yes—the meat parameters of these animals can also be set using genetic engineering.
Essentially, Lur and its inhabitants are a treasure trove of genetic creation, thinking, and technologies.
Which could be useful in almost any application—demand always justifies supply.
Not to mention that Lurrian specialists will provide invaluable efforts in studying cloning, in which they also specialize, and studying Yuuzhan Vong technologies.
Experiments to create effective weapons against the latter are still ongoing and progressing slowly.
In my opinion—the more specialists are involved, the easier it will be to achieve positive results.
We have time to prepare for the invasion.
And to repel it not from a position of "patching holes" and "enduring," but to have ready and effective weapon samples.
But that's a strategic goal.
Right now, the tactical component is most important.
Namely—Lur's cloning laboratories.
Though, it would be more correct to call them bioengineering planning centers, because cloning on Lur is not an end in itself or a necessity for survival.
It's mostly a byproduct of bioengineers' work.
The Lurrians once concluded that with the same types of orders for their bioengineering creations, growing them from scratch is slow and costly.
Which, under conditions of metal and other resources we consider common being scarce, strongly affects the final product's price.
They turned for help to the population of the planet Khomm in the Deep Core, each of whose inhabitants is a clone.
Somehow, previous generations of Lurrians, several hundred years before the fall of the Old Republic, managed to obtain about twenty thousand cloning cylinders from the Khommites.
And that's already quite interesting.
Because it's precisely Khommite technology that underlies the Spaarti cloning cylinders created on Cartao and used by us to replenish the Dominion Armed Forces with experienced personnel.
The Lurrians invited Arkanian and directly Khommite specialists to modernize the installations.
And that's a rather interesting fact.
Because Spaarti cloning cylinders can create full-fledged human clones if all cloning technologies are observed.
No matter how much you try to create clones of other species from them—they soon go insane.
What exactly the Lurrians wanted to modernize in their installations, the current generation doesn't know.
But their history has facts that the first cloned organisms did not obey the embedded genetic programs.
Aggression, attacks on owners, failure to follow commands...
These insane creatures partially damaged, partially destroyed the equipment.
Somewhat reminiscent of the insane Wookiees created by the insane clone ×1 on Mustafar using Arkanian copies of Spaarti cylinders.
It becomes logical why the Lurrians first called specifically Arkanian geneticists.
They thought there was some problem with genes and clone maturation in their incubators.
Or perhaps, under the legend of this, they also wanted to engage in corporate espionage and gain access to Arkanian science, which is generally advanced in the field of genetic manipulation.
The Sephi wouldn't lie.
Why didn't they invite Kaminoans?
Because until the Clone Wars, not much was known about the latter to the galaxy's inhabitants.
And those who knew preferred to keep quiet.
I even have a theory that until the order to create the Grand Army of the Republic, Kamino didn't have a huge number of laboratory-factory-cities engaged in manufacturing clones.
Because it's unprofitable to keep even some volume of unique technologies idle.
It's logical to increase production capacity (and for Kaminoans, clones are precisely products, goods) upon receiving a "fat" order.
As far as I know, before the creation of the Grand Army of the Republic, Kaminoans mainly manufactured small batches of servants, slaves, genetically modified workers for mines, and so on.
Probably, it was with the appearance of the clone army order that they built new cities.
Otherwise, if they had, say, millions of cloning cylinders even before then, some of which were used for their own needs, why wasn't talk about Kaminoan clones discussed by every first inhabitant of the galaxy?
The name of a planet that produces thousands, tens, or even hundreds of thousands of clones for various needs should have been known.
But no.
In the second episode of the prequel trilogy, even the Jedi Order Archives hadn't heard of such a planet.
But that's a digression.
Let's note the thought.
The Lurrians invited Arkanians.
And only after them—the creators of the technology, the Khommites.
Probably, this sequence is also due to the fact that the Lurrians eventually got an answer from the Arkanians.
The appearance of insane creatures instead of obedient ones is due not to problems in genetics.
But to the settings of the cloning equipment.
But then the question arises—why didn't the Khommites configure the export equipment to the owners' requirements?
Perhaps it's due to the secrecy of the Lurrians, who didn't explain or didn't want to explain to the sellers what they needed these technologies for in principle.
Be that as it may, after the Khommites' visit, the Lurrians' affairs went uphill, and their products began to reach the worlds of the Outer Rim.
Why specifically there?
Because in more "civilized" regions of the galaxy, there's always the opportunity to buy expensive and time-tested mechanical equipment and tools.
Be that as it may, it all ended with the Empire blockading Lur.
Which, by the way, didn't prevent smugglers and slavers from "visiting" the planet to abduct Lurrians.
Each of whom, mind you, like the Kaminoans, is a specialist in biotechnology.
To one degree or another.
Then Endor happened, the Emperor died, Imperials scattered to their own states, a period of fragmentation began.
Tyber Zann, having subjugated the criminal underworld, lost everything as a result of Silri's betrayal and the consolidated efforts of the Empire and New Republic against him.
Losing Kamino, Rothana, and most of his forces, territories, and wealth, he subjugated what he could.
And, as someone closely tied to the criminal underworld and, especially, the slave trade, he turned his attention to the Lurrians.
It turns out quite interesting.
Zann had, in fact, two cloning laboratories.
One—the "Black Sun" base on Smarck, where he used Kaminoans to manufacture "Vultures" and copies of prominent aristocrats, officials, and so on for himself.
The second—Lur.
I wouldn't be surprised if there are more.
Be that as it may, most Lurrians are engaged in producing clones for the "Zann Consortium."
Sometimes the "free" manage to rescue some of their kin, sometimes they escape themselves.
It's from them that it becomes known what's happening in the occupied part of the planet, less prone to climatic disasters.
The locals report that on Lur, the "Zann Consortium" was engaged in manufacturing and genetically modifying soldiers.
And if earlier this was done leisurely, recently—this activity has accelerated.
If we compare the story, it turns out that the order to accelerate work on creating genetically modified soldiers on Lur came right after we captured the planet Smarck.
And the cloning laboratory located on it.
It turns out Tyber Zann didn't just "feed" me one of his laboratories hoping I'd latch onto the prepared "trail" for war with the "Silri Syndicate."
He was also building up his own forces.
Not only quantitatively—but qualitatively.
Judging by the specifications of the cloning equipment, we're dealing with technologies similar to Spaarti cloning cylinders.
At the same time, Zann clones not only sentients—strangely enough, humans—but also ysalamiri.
The lizards don't leave the planet and are located near the cloning cylinders in underground cities.
No one explained to the Lurrians what they are needed for, but the fact remains.
Instead of a year-long cloning cycle, "duplicates" appear within fourteen to twenty standard days.
Short terms—for soldiers.
Longer—for fleet officers.
And this has been happening for several years.
It's not hard to calculate that with a production cycle of fourteen days, there are twenty-six batches per year.
If all twenty thousand cylinders are involved in each—Zann can produce five hundred twenty thousand soldiers per year.
And this has been happening for several years...
And besides this, he has mercenaries, Corporate Sector forces, slaves, droids...
Even though he's my enemy, one can only applaud Tyber Zann for the scale of restoring his "Consortium."
The man lost practically everything he had.
And managed not only to restore almost all of it but also develop it along several vectors.
Whether he did it himself, or he was initially controlled by Cronal, and through him—Palpatine—is no longer important from a hypothesis standpoint.
The fact remains.
Cloning exclusively humans at the moment indicates the dominance of human-centric politics in the "Zann Consortium."
And that's already Palpatine's and his inner circle's agenda.
Everything is clear here without extra speculation.
The "Zann" forces won't surrender Lur.
Not for anything.
I think the planet has a large number of clone reserves that were supposed to be transferred to Zann.
I have no doubt this entire group is under Cronal's control, as he controlled the Moffs in the Korva and Mieru'kar sectors.
This can also explain the reasons why the fleet in the Aparo sector, as soon as communication was lost, didn't rush to break through to other sectors but was recalled to defend Lur.
Other systems in the sector were guarded only nominally.
A similar tactic was already used during the assault on Pho Ph'eah, when demonstration forces were left in the sector's systems, and the main ones were concentrated to defend the key planet.
Yes, we disrupted communication between sectors by blowing up the central hub of the Intergalactic Communication Center.
Which doesn't cancel the very possibility of establishing communication between "subscribers" using the Force.
Now the "Zann" forces decided not to disperse forces and throw everything available into holding Lur.
And that's also a very telling position.
Why hold a system into which you cannot deliver reinforcements for de-blockading?
No reason.
Because sooner or later, such a fortified area will fall or be forced to capitulate.
It's like a naval blockade of an island, where all possible convoys approaching it are intercepted — carrying food, weapons, ammunition, reinforcements for units, medicine, raw materials, and so on.
Objectively, there isn't much point to such actions.
But there is a point.
More precisely — there are only two logical probabilities for the development of events in the Lurr system.
The first — holding Lurr with all available forces is aimed at delaying our offensive potential.
The enemy is trying to force us to concentrate a sufficiently large number of forces on this axis to prevent a breakthrough.
Something similar already happened during the Clone Wars.
The blockade of the Foerost system by the Republic fleet, where one of the largest CIS shipyards was located.
To contain a large enemy group, an even larger Republic group was required.
And this tied up significant Republic forces at a time when ships and crews were needed on other fronts.
This tactic works where the enemy has the capability to break the blockade — from the outside or from within.
The latter is out of the question in principle, because the number of enemy ships inside the Lurr system is not increasing, as was the case with Foerost, which even under the Republic blockade continued to produce warships for the Confederacy and accumulated reserves for a breakout.
No cloning facilities will allow the enemy to increase the number of warships.
Lurr is poor in terms of natural resources, and there are no shipyards or factories producing military equipment here.
Only one option remains.
The blockade is expected to be broken from the outside.
The only places from which the enemy can now strike at Lurr specifically and the Aparo sector in general are, first and foremost, the Corporate Sector itself.
As well as the adjacent territories of Wild Space under the control of the "Corporates" and used by them for their own purposes: as a market for goods, as testing grounds, and so on...
The Corporate Sector and its "neighbors".
Triani Space.
Koboti Space.
Morellian Commonwealth.
Partovian Cluster.
Farana Region.
Faarl Empire.
And several star systems suitable for habitation by oxygen-breathing beings.
However, it should be noted that these territories, despite their proximity to the Corporate Sector, are poorly explored.
There are mentions that they have been studied to some extent, and even that contact with the local population has occurred.
However, the information is superficial and hasn't been updated in the central archives for a long time.
The Library on Obroa-skai wasn't brimming with specific details relating to this region of the galaxy.
Imperial Intelligence possessed only fragmentary data that the "Corporates" had managed to push their business interests on some of them and subjugated considerable territories.
Given that the reports contain relatively detailed mentions of contact with races possessing hyperdrive technology and energy weapons, it must be understood that since the settlement of the territories bordering the Corporate Sector to the north, the local population has been productively working on their own development.
It is precisely these "northern territories" that currently cause me healthy concern.
Because the second logical justification for holding Lurr by any means, to preserve control over the cloning base, is the possibility of a swift breakthrough through the minefields separating Aparo from the Corporate Sector.
And the "northern territories" could very well be that "key to happiness" for Tyber Zann.
The only widely known and actively used hyperlanes leading to the aforementioned poorly studied territories passed through the web of regional routes within the Corporate Sector.
But, are there other, "roundabout," routes that lead from these regions of Wild Space, for example, to the Hydian Way or the Shaliti Tunnels, and consequently — to Dominion territory?
The enemy clearly indicates his readiness to hold Lurr.
Observers report that attempts to break through the mine barriers between the Corporate Sector and the Aparo and Vil sectors, which limit the "Corporates" from the south, are gradually dying down.
I don't believe the enemy has resigned himself to the fate of the blockade.
Just as I don't believe that the commander of the group defending Lurr is confident he won't be dislodged from his position.
Ten orbital defense stations, built by both the "Golan" corporation and the "Zann Consortium" itself.
Five Star Destroyers of each type: "Venator", "Victory" and "Imperial".
Ninety-eight assorted corvettes, frigates, and cruisers, many older than the stars themselves, standing out against the darkness of deep space in their light.
To break through the mine barriers, Zann will need a huge number of starships.
After each breakout attempt, the minefields are renewed, reinforced, supplemented, and densified.
Accordingly, his "reconnaissance in force" should have already reported that we are monitoring our mine positions.
And the possibility of "weakening" the mine barriers with periodic "interdictors" is minimal.
If he wants to break the blockade, he will need to throw several hundred ships to certain death at once.
Large ships.
Of course, he won't do that — at least not using combat starships.
Requisitioning transports from the civilian population and corporations — quite possible.
For these purposes, the "Red Star" was the first in the entire Dominion to receive the updated "Threes".
An equal number was sent to protect the Kessel system in exchange for the recalled twin of the "Guardian".
Only in the Karthakk sector under Commodore Brandei are there more, and even then, only because of the sector's distance from us and its great proximity to the territories of the "Silri Syndicate".
In Aparo and Vil, large forces will soon be permanently stationed to eliminate possible breakthroughs — both through the "northern territories" and through the mine barriers on the hyperlanes.
But that's not yet Lurr's problem.
Whoever commands the forces there is clearly no fool.
And is using our own tactics against us.
No, we don't yet have confirmation of the presence of minefields in the system — only logical assumptions.
The enemy is not keeping "Vengeance-class" ships, and possibly "Aggressors", cloaked on the system entry vectors for no reason.
And not out of the goodness of their hearts, not by mistake or oversight, did they destroy specifically the ion cannons, not the armor on the "Dragons".
The enemy is acting economically.
We currently have about fifteen "Venators" equipped with ion cannons in service.
First-generation "Sunburn" project ships, armed with various ion cannons, were lost during the first phase of the counteroffensive.
Now we only have second-generation ships.
They are equipped with w-180 model ion cannons, connected to solar ionization reactors and having additional generators providing the guns with sufficient power.
These guns need just one shot to not only knock down an enemy ship's shields but also damage its power system, disabling it.
And the enemy clearly understands that we have plenty of both "Venators" and ion cannons with solar ionization reactors.
And that there was time to build a large number of such starships earlier.
Therefore, under blockade conditions, where there's nowhere to replenish ammunition and ships, they are not eager to sacrifice their "trump cards" in the form of cloaked starships.
No matter how many they have in reserve, it's much easier to destroy the ion cannons and deprive us of the long-range strike advantage than to sacrifice cloaked ships, trying to shoot through the thick armor of the solar ionization reactor or blow up the "Dragon" itself.
Yes, the destruction of any Star Destroyer would be a heavy loss for us.
Primarily due to the loss of the crew.
But we have more ships of this type.
And the enemy understands that he clearly has fewer ships with cloaking fields in reserve than we have starships with ion cannons capable of firing at enormous range.
Therefore, he tries to eliminate the threat to his positions with minimal damage to his military strength.
This is readable.
As is the fact that such tactics should provoke us to attack with available forces.
The loss of long-range ion cannons on ships that have this armament should undoubtedly have led, as I already said, to us moving forward without the cover of this weapon.
Leaving behind an indeterminately large number of cloaked enemy starships.
What is the enemy hoping for, having such forces at his disposal and having no contact with the main base?
Having no reserves?
For a trap that will disrupt the order of the advancing forces, reduce their numbers, and unequivocally lead to the collapse of the offensive.
What does the failure of the offensive threaten us with in such a situation?
That the enemy can go on the counterattack.
By any logic, we cannot commit all our regular fleet starships to the blockade group in the Lurr system.
Consequently, we will attack with the forces of the operational formation concentrated in the Aparo sector.
With the forces of the "Red Star", of course.
That's right.
This was already clear by the time Shohashi stopped attacking the enemy position in the system and switched to tactics of containing enemy forces and intercepting any attempts to break out of the Lurr system.
For these purposes, single ships were sent along the system exit vectors.
Outdated designs.
Which fell into ambushes by our forces blocking the hyperlanes leading from the Lurr system.
The enemy should already understand that his attempts to break the blockade with reconnaissance ships have yielded no results in terms of breaking the blockade and reaching operational space.
Even without contact with these starships, the enemy must realize that the plan has failed and all routes are blocked.
He must understand this doubly so if we accept the fact that this group is controlled by Cronal through the Force.
We wouldn't know about this possibility, where a gifted one takes full control of a non-gifted one, if not for the feat of Operative Steben, who recorded the last moments of his life.
Consequently, the enemy proceeds from the position that we do not know about external control.
And about Cronal's ability to take control of any of his soldiers at any time.
However, perhaps not any.
We only know that he subjugated clones.
But the enemy has an entire base engaged in producing copies of living people.
Consequently, any of these thousands of sentients could be a "puppet" of the former Director of Imperial Intelligence.
Anyone on board the ships that either remain in Lurr or break out of the system and die under our guns.
And we supposedly shouldn't know this.
Let's note this thought.
But a question arises — why does the enemy continue with manic persistence to send single starships on breakout attempts even now?
What is he achieving?
No, not hoping that at least one starship will break through.
Cronal is probing our "interdiction squads".
By regularly sending ships there, he can see scanner data firsthand through the eyes of his puppets.
See the starships blocking this or that route.
Can count them.
Understand which squad is stronger.
Which is weaker.
What does he need this for?
Clearly, for an attack.
But he perfectly understands that we have a large number of ships that will stop him if he leaves the Lurr system and rushes in one of the directions.
He doesn't have enough strength for a full-fledged battle with Vice Admiral Shohashi's squadron.
He knows what ships the Alderaanian has for the assault — Erik demonstrated them to him in previous assault attempts.
And should also understand that he has additional forces with which the Vice Admiral controls the sector's territories.
If not by quality, then by the quantity of his fleet, Shohashi's assault forces are capable of destroying him.
And understands that he will request reinforcements to break through to the planet Lurr.
The most obvious solution is to gather all forces — both assault and sector guard — into a single fist.
And strike.
If Shohashi falls into a trap in the Lurr system, he loses part of his fleet.
And poses a lesser threat.
The enemy needs to weaken the forces of the "Red Star" to have a chance at a breakout.
If he can defeat us during another attempt by our forces to break into the Lurr system — he gets a chance at superiority over our "interdiction squads".
Attacks any of them.
Even if Shohashi throws some of his remaining forces after the defeat to help — Cronal will easily finish them off with the ships he has.
Undoubtedly, it's not profitable for him to abandon the planet where the cloning laboratory is located.
Retreat to save a fleet doomed to destruction, but leave a strategically important planet with technologies on which the "Zann Consortium's" ability to further resist depends?
Of course not.
He won't do that.
Cronal is cunning enough to foresee the outcome of events where he needs to retreat.
And he will leave Lurr only with all the trump cards up his sleeve.
But then a question arises.
Where will he go?
Wherever he remains in the Aparo sector, one way or another we will find him and give battle.
Consequently, he needs to leave here.
Deeper into the new territories of the Dominion?
No, that's foolishness.
We'll find him there too.
The only possible option is to go to the Corporate Sector via the Hydian Way.
On which stand the mine barriers that our enemy has been diligently trying to study all this time.
Attempts to break through the minefields laid between the Corporate Sector and the Aparo sector — that's exactly what Cronal is doing with the attempts to break out with single ships from the Lurr system.
This is — studying our defenses.
And a distraction at the same time.
If there is a passage through the "northern territories", why didn't the enemy use it immediately?
Why didn't he bring troops here, or withdraw them as soon as he realized he was blockaded in the sector?
After all, we only blocked the Hydian Way.
If there is a passage from the Aparo sector to the "northern territories", then we, not knowing its coordinates, couldn't block it.
The enemy could easily check this by sending a lone scout.
If the flight succeeded — reinforcements could be sent to the Lurr system.
Even an attack by half a hundred "Victory"-type Star Destroyers would be more than the "Red Star" could withstand.
In fact, Zann could deliver for the defense of his cloning center even the entire Corporate Sector fleet.
If he had a free passage to the Aparo sector bypassing our mine barriers on the Hydian Way.
The impression is that, even if such a passage exists, it is clearly not under the control of the "Zann Consortium".
And if so, then if Cronal does catch us in a trap, breaks through one of the "interdiction squads", then to flee to the Corporate Sector he will need a massive attack on our mine barriers between Aparo and the territory of the "Corporates".
Considering the value of his squadron's ships, his own starships — at least the destroyers — he won't throw onto the minefields.
So he can send his available light forces to clear the way.
This method can provide him with a "fairway" among the mine barriers between the sectors.
But for greater confidence, "interdictors" are also needed from the Corporate Sector side.
If you break a wall from two sides, the destruction process will proceed quite quickly.
If from one side — longer.
In war, you can never rely on the enemy not having reserves you don't know about.
And consequently — Cronal will hurry.
So the attack on the minefields will be from two sides.
And, most logically — from the territory of the "Corporates", covering ships will be waiting for them.
A sufficiently large group to provide support in case of an attack on the retreating forces.
I leaned back in my chair and looked at the projection of the galactic map hanging in the center of the apartment's work area.
If I knew what race Cronal belonged to, I would try to analyze him.
But I don't have that information.
Have to rely on logic.
So far, it hasn't led me to the brink of failure.
I hope it doesn't fail me this time either.
I had three weeks to prepare.
The meeting with Shohashi allowed me to adjust the plan.
Now all that's left is to wait.
"Sir," the comlink came to life with the voice of Captain Pellaeon. "The expected ships, including freighters, have arrived at the rendezvous point."
No, the wait won't be long.
"Excellent, Captain," I replied. "We proceed to preparation. Let the technical brigades begin installing the trap."
"Yes, sir."
With a dry click, the comlink disconnected.
I looked at the galaxy map again.
Every Lurrian is a specialist in the field of bioengineering.
A considerable number of representatives of this species live on the planet.
They are literally — an invaluable resource.
And even in case of victory and part of Shohashi's fleet falling into the trap in the Lurr system, the "Zann" forces, during a subsequent counterattack and retreat, won't be able to do several things at once.
First — they won't be able to remove their space stations from here.
They will remain in orbit around Lurr.
Second — they won't be able to evacuate the entire planet's population on the available large ships.
Because all the small ones will be sent as "interdictors".
Having Lurrians on them during the breakthrough through the barrier between sectors would subject them to mortal danger.
Obviously, there won't be any Lurrians there.
So, Cronal needs to evacuate as much valuable material from the planet as possible — and for this, only Imperial and Old Republic-design Star Destroyers are suitable.
Not cloaked ships.
Because he will leave them as cover for the defensive stations in Lurr's orbit.
Yes.
Now the picture is coming together.
Cronal does not intend to leave Lurr for good, leaving us the genetics masters on the planet.
Destroying them is a useless waste of valuable specialists.
Cronal intends to break out of the system and flee to the Zann Consortium, to deliver the most valuable resources and technologies there.
Simultaneously, a counteroffensive attempt from the Corporate Sector will be undertaken.
Some — there, others — back.
How interesting...
"Captain," I opened a communication channel with the commander of the "Guardian". "Connect me with Vice Admiral Shohashi."
"It will be done, sir."
Well then...
This will be interesting.