TX-07 studied the map displayed on the tactical table. The landing on the planet Nadiem was nearly complete, and the deployment of ground infrastructure was now in full swing. Transport barges were unloading the remaining troops and equipment…
The primary task of his rather large detachment was to take control of the planets located along the Barab–Formos hyperspace route, as well as those to the east of it. Because resistance in the region was weak, Zero-Seven decided to divide his unit into six independent squadrons in order to cover as much territory as possible. Thus, within a month, he had managed to take control of twenty-eight inhabited planets and two asteroid belts. However, other detachments were also operating in these sectors.
Not all planets, however, needed to be captured outright. Often, a so-called soft occupation took place, in which a small garrison—usually a regiment of droids with assigned equipment—was deployed on the planet, and that was all. The value of such worlds was low; only a few could ever recoup the costs. Nevertheless, TX-07 did not question the orders of command. He simply carried them out.
And now, the Republic had responded to these actions by sending several squadrons into the region. A clash was only a matter of time.
This planet would become the site of the first battle. The Jedi would surely act according to their usual pattern, attempting to protect the civilian population. It is worth noting that on Nadiem, the population was concentrated closer to the equator, where the climate was mild and suitable for agriculture, while the polar regions were far less hospitable. This had its drawbacks. The equatorial zone was dotted with low mountain ranges, whereas the rest of the planet was almost flat and covered in dense coniferous forests. It was there that Zero-Seven had deployed his ground bases.
The droid intended to test a new tactic. When the Jedi landed with their bags of meat—and they would obviously land closer to the settlements—he would commit forty-five percent of his forces to that area: primarily B-1 and B-2 units, supported by AATs, NR-N99s, and IG-227s, as well as OG-9s and DSD-1s. The total number of troops would reach three hundred thousand droids, supported by twelve thousand armored vehicles. After this attack—which would undoubtedly fail—the Jedi would shift their forces to destroy the enemy bases. And then it would be time for the second phase of the plan.
The fortified bases—standard five-hundred-by-five-hundred-meter squares equipped with walls, towers mounting turret cannons, and powerful shields—were arranged in a checkerboard pattern, encircling the main base. In total, the tactician had deployed sixteen such installations, with a combined garrison of five hundred thousand droids. However, Zero-Seven did not place his faith in fortifications alone.
When assembling his forces, he paid special attention to several unusual combat units, both new and outdated. For example, to guard the close perimeter of the bases and prevent saboteurs from approaching, two hundred T4 turret droids had been assigned. These four-meter giants were armed with twin blaster cannons and a grenade launcher, and were also equipped with deflector shields. The T4, a fourth-class combat droid, had been created by the Colicoids several years before the blockade of Naboo. According to the designers' intent, it was meant to serve as a mobile defensive platform on potentially dangerous worlds—an automated, self-propelled turret capable of independently selecting targets and delivering devastating anti-personnel fire.
Another "novelty" was now being rapidly deployed along the outer perimeter of the bases: LR-57 combat droids. These large machines were impossible to miss—when they were above ground. Their operational doctrine was simple. They burrowed into the soil, leaving only a thin, almost invisible antenna protruding from the surface to actively search for enemies. During this time, the droid's power systems operated in sleep mode, shutting down all functions except the sensors. When a potential threat was detected, the droid transmitted a request to the control center, and only after receiving authorization would it emerge to engage the target.
Zero-Seven ordered them to be deployed in small groups. Once the enemy was drawn into the trap, these slow but heavily armed machines would be able to inflict severe losses on the Republicans.
In addition to these measures, the tactician established several thousand more ambush sites, where even deadlier combat units lay in wait.
Alongside B-1 and B-2 units, these positions included droideka snipers. Standard droidekas were effective on relatively flat terrain and at short range, thanks to their twin double-barreled rapid-fire blasters and deflector shields that reliably protected them from light blaster fire. The sniper variant, however, was suited for combat in almost any conditions. Instead of dual rapid-fire blasters, the droideka sniper was equipped with a single long-barreled, long-range blaster. The power of each shot was comparable to that of a heavy blaster rifle, allowing it to reliably penetrate clone armor and the hulls of light vehicles at considerable distances. A powerful bronze-coated frontal armor shield protected the droid and could withstand sustained fire from light small arms.
The most lethal of all were the Scorpenek annihilator droids. Even Jedi feared these machines, to say nothing of clone troopers and the numerous non-clone formations that also fought alongside the Republic Army. Originally developed by the Colicoids for "internal needs"—namely, the defense of their homeworld against alien invaders—the Scorpenek was designed as a larger, better-armed, and more heavily protected evolution of the droideka, which by that time was already well known on the galactic arms market. Two rapid-fire dual laser cannons created an impenetrable wall of fire. According to statistics available to TH-07, a single such droid could annihilate up to a company of clone troopers without sustaining damage.
It was unfortunate that Zero-Seven possessed only thirty-six of these droids…
"Sir, we are detecting ships exiting hyperspace… Scanning… They are not ours, sir," reported the OOM droid.
"Deploy a squadron of ships to repel the attack," Zero-Seven ordered.
***
The flight to Nadiem took several days. Throughout that time, Williams was bored out of his mind. The battle in Exkarga's orbit shook him a little, but… it was far too brief, and the enemy fled outright. He wanted a real fight. As soon as they entered the system, Koro sensed that something was about to happen. And when the scanners detected enemy ships in orbit, the captain's spirits immediately lifted.
Two dozen vessels were clearly visible on the screen—one Recusant, five Lucrehulks, and eleven Munificent-class frigates, along with several Hardcell transports.
"Report to command—enemy detected, ready to engage!"
The enemy had also spotted them and began to maneuver.
"They're closing in!"
"How long until we reach firing range?"
"About six minutes, sir!"
Lichtendal Cerri, the fleet commander assigned to their formation, came over the comm.
"Fleet, combat readiness! M-7 formation! Launch fighters!"
***
The dispatcher's voice echoed through the Bannager's hangar:
"Z-95 squadrons, prepare for launch! Departure in the established order! I repeat—squadrons…"
Technicians hurried to finish their final preparations, locking proton torpedoes into place.
"Colonel, I'm flying with the first squadron!"
Shirainyu turned and spotted his deputy, Colonel DeClann, who was just rushing to hisstarfighter.. Donno grinned. Niall, true to form.
"I'm right behind you, Colonel. I'll give you a head start—make it count out there."
***
The fleet, formed into a wedge, advanced toward the enemy, who were moving in a frontal formation—two lines, one above the other. Soon the ships entered firing range, and the first turbolaser bolts tore through the emptiness of space…
I stood on the bridge, trying to decipher the enemy commander's moves. The situation was complicated by the fact that the opposing force didn't have a single organic being in the entire unit.
"Enemy missile salvo! Bearing four-seven-two!"
"Attention! Lupus-class missile frigates!"
Right… yes, missile frigates. What were they again… ah, of course—designed for anti-starfighter operations. At a length of one hundred and fifteen meters, they're armed with four missile launchers and six light laser cannons… Hutt, they've locked onto our bombers!
By now, I had learned not to let my focus slip. I quickly sank into meditation.
"Maintain course! Begin jamming! Barrage fire at five-five-zero! Prepare to launch interceptors!"
***
Zero-Seven monitored the progress of the engagement.
Squadron… ship identification… match probability—19.45%. Flagship of the Acclamator-class . Hull number… missing. Designation: Akagi. Sightings confirmed at Lantilles, Donovia, and Togoria. Commander—Jedi General Mikore Vikt.
"Report LAU losses," TH-07 ordered.
"Ratio: one to forty-seven. The enemy holds a clear advantage. The Lupus-class frigates failed to prove themselves, inflicting only minor damage."
"The enemy has changed formation! Fire is concentrated on the right flank."
The tactician calmly observed the enemy's assault. Their actions were precise, their maneuvers optimal. At the cost of only a single frigate, they destroyed eight Munificent-class frigates and two Lucrehulks.
"Fleet losses are at forty-seven percent! Remaining vessels are damaged. Continue the battle?" The captain of his flagship, the Recusant, came over the comm.
"No," Zero-Seven replied. "Withdraw to join up with the rest of the squadron."
Turning to the B-1 OOM droids surrounding him, he issued his next command.
"Begin preparations for the offensive."