C1P6

Trade Federation Missile Cruiser Profitable Risk

Bridge, One Hour Later.

The bridge crew had been predominantly organics. Now there were only droids. I had the neimoidian crews shipped off under the pretense that the mission would be suicidal. I appealed to their pride as valuable crew, to be wasted in the suicide run would be wasteful. Still, their captain murdered by the Dark Jedi and their posts taken by droids, the crew left their posts with their dignity intact.

In a span of an hour, I had a basic plan set up. Using powers granted to me by Asajj Ventress, I could demand and gain supplies and droids to add to my ship. Requisitioning several hundred Vulture droid starfighters was my first task, shifting complements of battledroids and vehicles to concentrate within ten ships was another. The fighters would be magnetically placed upon the hull of all my new ships, effectively quintupling my total initial fighter force to a grand total of exactly five thousand four hundred fighters.

While the Republic had far more, over five thousand fighters was nothing to sneeze at.

A fourth of the fighters would serve as escorts for the cruisers, the other three fourths would go cause as much damage to the Republic's fighters and capital ships as possible.

Twenty of my ships would be sacrificial fireships, packed to the gills with explosives and missile ordnance. They would serve an effective vanguard and distraction while the main force made a beeline for Khorm.

With reinforcements and ample fire support from the cruisers, any landing republic force would stand no chance. Just in case, however, I had mining equipment and the droids to use them added to the cruiser's complements.

Ventress was oddly surprised at my deviousness, telling me that I was not like the 'worthless droids' she had come to expect of and that she was 'glad that I did not disappoint.' With a smile filled with cruelty and malice, she approved the plan and idly removed the restraining bolt from my chest.

"A smart droid like you shouldn't have such things impeding your thinking. Serve me well, Unit Seven-One-One," she had said demurely, crushing the bolt in her hand. "Do not disappoint me."

Quietly, I nodded. Without a word, I gave the order to jump.

As the ships jumped into hyperspace, I idly wondered with morbid curiosity what would have happened if I had disappointed her.

The trip didn't take long. Khorm was only two to three hours out, nearly six sectors away from the main strongholds of the Separatist Alliance and away from the well traveled hyperspace lanes.

As we fell out of hyperspace and into realspace, we emerged right into the unprotected rears of several dozen Acclamator-Class Star Destroyers. Just beyond them were three Venators. Patrolling fighters found themselves careening into the shields of my warships as I gave the mental order throughout the network to begin phase one of the plan.

The Republic transport frigates ran at full burn, away from the missile cruisers as my entire fleet accelerated to attack fleet. Two thirds pushed their engines to flank speed, launching salvo after salvo of heavy missiles into the fleeing transports, aiming for the engines. My own ship shuddered as a volley of missiles left their launchers, impacting the surprised Republic forces in a blossoming cascade of miniature suns.

Thousands of droid starfighters clashed with republic clone pilots in their V-19 Torrents as the Republic commander finally reacted with the launching of all his fighters.

The second phase began, now that we had their attention.

Already it was about to end, as one of my fireships rammed a Venator head on into it's main superstructure, it's missile banks emptying it's magazines at an impressive rate as it struck out in it's final moments. The resulting conflagration managed to force the viewscreen to automatically polarize itself in order to prevent any organics present from burning out their retinas. All that remained was a burned out husk of a former star destroyer. All other fireships were making a beeline to capital ships closest to them.

The Republic battlegroup suddenly realized what was happening and they scattered away from my fleet as fast as they could, to prevent any more casualties from fireships trying to ram themselves into them. The dwindling swarm of Vultures began to add their fire into the fray, launching torpedoes before throwing themselves into suicide runs.

Thus phase three began.

Nineteen light cruisers kept the numerically superior enemy occupied as my main force made a full burn at the planet. Codes were transmitted and I ordered the weather control station to only lessen the storm intensity of my entry point instead of simply opening a hole.

"I do not wish to allow the enemy any clues to figure out we have a weather-control station on Khorm," I explained to Ventress, "If they were to destroy or even damage it, they would be able to land additional forces and provide air support, something we will lack."

"Well reasoned," she murmured, nodding.

The Republic star destroyers finally noticed what was happening, but dealing with suicidal cruisers seeking to touch their hulls in uncomfortable and vulnerable places kept them too busy to catch us. By the time they destroyed the fireships and lost several more of their precious transports and the remaining two Venators suffering heavy damage, it was far too late.

Extreme turbulence shook the ships, but aside from burns on the hull and minor deviation from our flight path, my little fleet emerged from the storms unscathed.

"Incoming transmission from Warlord Gout," I said to Ventress.

She waved her hand in assent, looking irritable.

Warlord Gout, as it appeared, was a stout creature with a massive mustache and pale brown skin covering his rolls of fat. Despite the rolls of fat that made up his 'neck', he wore an impressive purple cloak and held himself in a way that seemed almost majestic.

Oh, and he was also not happy with our arrival to help him.

"I must protest, we are handling the situation!" He barked, looking very upset. Though he did amend hastily upon seeing the expression on Asajj's face. "Not that I am not ungrateful, but the Republic has landed only a small force of soldiers and several Jedi. They cannot defeat my defenses!"

"Statistically, Jedi have proven uncanny in their ability to survive insurmountable odds, Warlord," I remark pointedly. "The fact that the Republic has managed to land any troops on Khorm at all is a cause for concern."

Gout blubbered in response.

Though Ventress didn't look at me, I noticed the a slight twitch of the corner's of her normally disdainful lips.

"Count Dooku merely wishes to ensure that our supply of agrocite is not cut off," Ventress interjected smoothly, giving me a glare, though it had no bite in it. "I am Asajj Ventress, Acolyte to Count Dooku. I will be assisting you in removing the Jedi specifically. This is Commander Seven-One-One. He will assist you in defeating the clone army invading your world."

"Ah...well, erm...I see," replied Gout lamely.

"We will begin landing procedures shortly, my lord," I said blandly. "We have fresh troops and can provide support for your forces."

"Excellent," replied the Khormal warlord, regaining his composure. "Land at these coordinates. I appreciate the assistance."

"Commander?" I asked, turning my head to my the Sith Acolyte.

"It seems I have underestimated your capabilities," she replied with a shrug. "Besides, you are amusing."