The next six hours kept Solo incredibly busy.
Equipment, newly arrived units, combat forces, and massive quantities of supplies and cargo continuously streamed onto the landing pad, overwhelming him with endless tasks to manage.
Ships gradually returned to the fleet. The Dawn Blossom landed first, followed by the Dingyuan an hour later. The Beacon was expected to arrive within another hour.
After two days of emergency repairs, all ships capable of self-repair had regained their combat capabilities. The shipyard had only replaced damaged armor panels and hull sections.
After consulting with Bram, Solo decided to use the Overlord tanks to accelerate the unloading process.
Type A5 tanks would transport soldiers, ensuring they could immediately establish a defensive perimeter upon landing. Type A6 tanks would specialize in transporting base construction materials and various reserve supplies.
However, he specifically ordered one Type A6 tank to remain empty, already envisioning a special use for it.
Although each Overlord tank could only carry 300 tons, sixty tanks combined could handle 18,000 tons.
Adding large equipment like defense turrets, which couldn't fit into tanks or anti-gravity platforms, greatly eased the transportation burden.
After completing the ground logistics distribution, Solo took Ahsoka to the flagship Dawn Blossom to discuss the flight plan details with Captain Jejerod.
The Captain was already waiting on the bridge. Seeing them arrive, he gestured toward the neatly arranged equipment outside the viewport. "General, it seems you're fully prepared."
"Correct. We're ready to depart at any moment," Solo nodded. "Once the Beacon arrives, we'll immediately initiate full crew loading."
"How will the supplies and troops be distributed?"
"Some small cargo containers have already begun being transferred to the light frigates. The Pelta-class frigates will be converted into medical ships," Solo explained methodically. "The remaining supplies will be evenly divided between the two Acclamator-class assault ships and the Hunter-class Star Destroyer. Each ship will be loaded with twenty Type A6 and thirty Type A5 Overlord tanks, twenty AT-TE Walkers, and four AT-AT Walkers. Additionally, miscellaneous equipment like the S-130 will be allocated to each ship as needed."
In terms of personnel, sixteen clone trooper battalions and four independent battalions boarded the ships, along with thousands of tons of cargo, combat robots, and maintenance robots. Each ship was assigned ten robot companies, with the Dawn Blossom receiving two additional companies. The maintenance robots formed ground work teams, with two hundred DUM-series robots allocated from each ship.
"Understood, Commander," Jejerod replied, swiftly recording the deployment orders.
Solo continued, "Has the flight path been planned?"
"Completed," Jejerod answered, gesturing. The holographic display at the center of the bridge lit up with a sector map, a thin red line marking the planned route. "We'll follow the Perlemian Trade Route, then transfer to a branch channel and pass through the Safe Corridor to enter the midsection of the FT-17 Route, ultimately reaching the Jabim System. The entire journey will take seventeen hours, and the detour will help us evade enemy sensor detection."
"That timeline is acceptable," Solo nodded approvingly. "Additionally, I have a proposal I'd like to hear your thoughts on."
"General, I'm listening!"
Meanwhile, four young officers were riding a turbolift toward the bridge.
In the cramped space, O'Connor broke the silence first. "What exactly did they summon us here for?"
"I have a rough idea, but I'm not certain," Seri said thoughtfully.
"Miro, spill it. Did you get yourself into trouble again?" Grace teased.
"Don't pin it on me!" Miro protested, waving his hands. "Why is it always my fault? What if it was Sumelagi this time?"
"Absolutely not," Lichtenwald retorted. "You're the infamous troublemaker."
"Traitor! Heartless wretch!" Miro hissed dramatically, feigning indignation.
"We've heard that a hundred times," the group chuckled.
"Quiet down. We're here," Li Norega announced sternly, stepping out of the open elevator first.
In the main cabin behind the bridge, Solo and Captain Jejerod had been waiting for some time.
"Commander, you summoned us?" Li Norega saluted first.
"We're pressed for time. Skip the pleasantries," Solo said, approaching the line of officers. He first handed a new rank insignia to Miro. "Congratulations, Ensign. You're now a Second Lieutenant and will serve as the Legion's Communication Officer."
"Commander—" Miro accepted the insignia in a daze, his eyes wide with surprise.
"O'Connor, you're also promoted to Second Lieutenant and officially become the Star Falcon's Captain."
"Thank you, Commander!" The Zeltren's face lit up with excitement as he saluted vigorously.
"Li Norega, you are promoted to First Lieutenant and appointed as Chief of Staff of the Legion."
"Commander, I—" Li Norega began, but Solo cut him off.
"No need for words. Prove yourself worthy of this rank through your actions."
Solo then turned to Seri. "Lieutenant, you are promoted to First Lieutenant and appointed Captain of the Hunter."
"Yes, Commander!" The Atonian saluted solemnly, clutching the rank insignia tightly.
At that moment, a 00M-type B-1 battle droid approached Solo.
"General, the Robot Squad has completed the allocation of droids to each ship," the droid announced in its emotionless, synthesized voice.
"Good," Solo nodded, turning to the four young officers with a smile. "You may proceed to your missions, gentlemen!"
As the elevator doors closed behind them, Miro excitedly danced a victory jig, while Grace threw her arms around Sumelagi's neck.
Sumelagi simply smiled happily, fully understanding her friends' excitement.
Count Dooku knelt on one knee, his head bowed slightly, awaiting the Dark Lord's instructions through the holographic projection.
"Master?" His voice carried a respectful steadiness.
"I am deeply dissatisfied, my disciple," the Sith Lord's voice rang with icy authority. "The situation on Jabim is slipping from your control, disrupting the power balance in the galaxy and risking catastrophic consequences."
"My Master, I will address this matter immediately," Count Dooku replied, a hint of helplessness in his tone. "The Separatist leadership is shortsighted and stubborn, making communication difficult, but I will exhaust all efforts to turn the tide."
"I hold you to this."
The holographic projection faded, leaving Count Dooku alone on the bridge, his expression grave.
Meanwhile, a small, high-speed spacecraft quietly entered orbit around Lantilles.
This vessel was essentially an enhanced 0.9-grade hyperspace drive engine, augmented with a pair of auxiliary thrusters, a small cargo bay, and a single-person cockpit. Such craft were typically used for urgent messenger missions or transporting perishable goods.
But at that moment, it was carrying special cargo and several special passengers, rushing urgently toward Twelfth Sector Command.
The cargo bay doors opened, and a clone trooper clad in specialized armor emerged, leading a contingent of clone troopers.
One clone slung a high-capacity backpack over his shoulder and adjusted the DC-17m grenade launcher strapped to his chest. He spoke first: "Commander, do you think General Viktor is a competent leader?"
Alpha-17 stroked his enhanced blaster, a weapon exclusive to the Special Forces, his tone dripping with disdain. "I once believed the Jedi were better prepared for war, but they've proven disappointingly inept. The Force they rely on may be miraculous, but without tactical acumen, even the most powerful strength is useless. You've read the battle reports—they're sacrificing men in vain every day."
"General Shaak Ti holds him in high regard," another clone interjected, carefully cradling a case containing a sniper variant of the standard weapon systems. "And Fifteen, Twenty-Two, and Sixty-Five serve under him!"
"Then let's see firsthand just how competent he is," Alpha-17 replied coldly.
"I heard Jabim is a hellish planet," another clone added. "I checked the data—the ion storms there are exceptionally violent, making stable atmospheric flight impossible."
"Regardless of the weather, we're trained to fight in extreme conditions," Alpha-17 said firmly, his voice resolute as he strode toward the distant military base.
A group of clone troopers crossed the vast landing field. Nearby, a Hunter-class Star Destroyer, two Hailfire-class assault ships, and several light frigates were docked. Their boarding ramps were already lowered, and various equipment and neatly formed clone trooper battalion formations were boarding in an orderly fashion.
They intercepted a clone trooper rushing by. Alpha-17 noticed the distinctive camouflage on the trooper's armor and the badge on their shoulder. "Soldier," he asked, "is this General Viktor's unit?"
"Yes, Commander!" The clone trooper snapped to attention and saluted. "Are you here to reinforce us?"
"Correct. We're from Kamino. Where can we find the General?"
"The first ship on the left. Ask at the bridge."
"Let's go."
Alpha-17 nodded, and the squad headed in the indicated direction.
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