"Master Unduli, I'm glad you, your Padawan, and the 41st Elite Corps could join us in the attack," Galahad said as he approached the Jedi Master, her Padawan, and Commander Gree.
"I received word from Master Yoda that you requested support," Luminara said with a calm smile. "Since we hadn't received any other orders, I thought it wise to reinforce your attack."
"No matter what, I'm grateful for this," Galahad replied.
Just after Galahad's fleet exited hyperspace, another fleet appeared at the same time—the one led by Luminara, containing the 41st Elite Corps.
The 41st Elite Corps had just finished a long mission securing three planets. They succeeded, but suffered heavy losses. While they were resupplying and waiting for reinforcements, Luminara received Galahad's request for help. The Council had sent it to all available forces. Seeing the importance of Foerost, Luminara decided to help.
"How do you plan to secure the shipyards?" Luminara asked, standing around the holotable. "The shipyards are heavily defended. Without a proper plan, we can't take them."
"Well," Galahad said as R4 connected to the holotable, displaying the Foerost Shipyards and its defenses, "according to the blockade fleet's reports, the shipyards' defenses are concentrated at four main points."
Four red dots appeared on the hologram: two close together in the south section, one in the northwest, and one in the east. Each dot marked a heavily defended area with battle droids, turbolaser turrets, and shield generators. These points also had the largest landing ports, allowing Galahad to deploy the 10th Corps quickly. They formed the core of the shipyard's defense and connected to the rest of the facility.
"The plan is simple," Galahad said. "I will lead most of my forces to attack the south section." The hologram showed three Venators facing the two southern defense points. "I will draw their attention and make them think I am the main attack force."
"Master Unduli," Galahad turned to Luminara, "you will lead the attack on the east section." Another Venator appeared on the hologram. "Your mission is the same as mine—draw their attention and hold it as long as you can."
"Master Fay," Galahad then addressed Fay, "you will lead the 31st Legion to attack the northwest section." The hologram highlighted that area. "With me and Master Unduli keeping the enemy busy, their defenses there should be weaker."
Fay hesitated. "So this is your plan to secure the shipyards? You do know I don't have much experience leading soldiers."
"You don't need to worry about that," Galahad said, pointing to a clone commander. "Commander Talon will assist you. And if you want," he added with a small smirk, "he can teach you how to lead them properly."
"Don't worry, General," Talon said, standing at attention beside Fay. "The men of the 31st Legion are ready for anything. We'll keep up with you."
"I didn't doubt that," Fay said with a small smile.
"If you're still worried, don't be," Galahad added, noticing her lingering concern. "You're not really the main part of my plan to secure the shipyards—at least, not entirely."
"As we begin our assault," Galahad continued, bringing up a hologram of a Consular-class cruiser, "Foxtrot Group and the ARC team will infiltrate the shipyards with Senator Padmé Amidala."
The hologram shifted, highlighting a damaged section of the structure.
"They will enter through Area B-09. That sector was hit earlier by the blockade fleet. The hull is unstable, and their scanners there are limited."
He adjusted the display again.
"Foxtrot Group's mission is to destroy the power generator supplying the northwest quadrant. That should shut down part of their shield grid and reduce turret coverage."
The map zoomed inward.
"The ARC team will escort the Senator to the main R&D wing. Their task is simple—protect her while she speaks to the designers. If she can convince them to join us, we might gain more detail information about the shipyards."
Luminara listened carefully, then gave a calm nod.
"A direct strike combined with internal disruption," she said. "an efficient plan for the amount of information we have."
Commander Gree studied the projection. "If the generator falls, our advance becomes much easier."
"It will," Galahad replied.
Beside Luminara, Barriss Offee spoke softly. "And if the scientists refuse?"
Galahad's expression hardened slightly.
"Then the ARC team will split into two squads of five," he said. "One squad will extract Senator Padmé Amidala. The other will continue with a secondary mission I've prepared."
Luminara raised an eyebrow. "And the designers, if the Senator leaves?"
For a moment, Galahad said nothing. He stared at the hologram.
"I've heard rumors from my contacts in the Outer Rim," he said slowly. "The shipyard designers are working on a new class of warship. One that could break through blockades with ease—and be produced in large numbers."
The others exchanged glances. They understood what that meant.
If true, such ships could shift the balance of the war.
Galahad finally looked up.
"If they refuse to stand down," he said in a colder tone, "they will be arrested and detained for aiding the Separatist war effort."
Hearing this, Luminara nodded, seemingly agreeing to what Galahad proposing.
"If there are no objections," Galahad said, scanning the room and hearing none, "we proceed with the plan."
No one spoke.
"Good," he continued. "10th Corps will launch the attack first, then follow by 41st Elite Corps, then finally Master Fay's attack. Finally, the infiltration group will begin their mission when I give the signal."
He deactivated the hologram.
"May the Force be with you all." Galahad and Luminara said at the same time.
With that, all of them begin to exit the chamber and return to their starships.
"You have become a well trained Knight, Galahad," Luminara said with a small smile as she walk beside him.
"From a certain point of view," Galahad said. "I did become better than when I first arrived at the Temple."
Luminara laugh a bit.
"It's seem your humor didn't leave you," she said.
"If you said so," Galahad said neutrally.
"Well, I don't both of you have meet," Luminara continue to said as she pointed at Barriss. "This is my Padawan, Barriss Offee."
"Nice to meet you, Master Galahad." Barriss said as she bowed slightly.
"Nice to meet you too." Galahad said, nodded towards her.
After than, they continue to walk silently for a while until reaching the hanger of the 2nd Sector Army Headquarter.
"Well," Luminara said lightly, "it seems General Galahad is fully in his working mindset and unable to enjoy conversation. I hope we may speak again after the battle."
"Of course, Luminara," Galahad replied after a quiet breath.
"Good," she said with a nod. She turned to Barriss and Commander Gree. "Come. We return to the Tranquility. It is time to prepare."
As they parted ways, Galahad watched them board their gunship.
Then he turned toward his own, where Fay and the others clones already waiting for him.
"I didn't know that you know Master Luminara," Fay said the moment Galahad step into the gunship.
"I met her during my Initiate years at the Temple," Galahad said as the LAAT lifted off, the doors sealing shut with a metallic hiss. "She gave several lectures to my clan. Because of my… exceptional academic performance, she took notice."
Master Fay tilted her head slightly. "Exceptional?"
"In theory," Galahad clarified dryly. "Meditation forms, lightsaber theory, battlefield logistics."
Fay didn't said anything at his words, instead give Galahad a strange look, which the man receiving it ignore.
The gunship shuddered slightly as it exited the atmosphere and begin to approach the Galahad fleet, which currently identify as Task Force Silver.
Task Force Silver is comprised of the five newly received Venators, twelve Acclamators, six Dreadnoughts, twelve Arquitens, twenty-six DP20s and five Consulars.
The Task Force Silver is one of the few large fleet formation in the Republic currently.
It existed because of House Black. Their money and influence secured more ships, more fighters, more clones. Officially, it was for the Republic.
In truth, Galahad was preparing for what was coming.
The inhibitor chips had already been removed from every clone under his command. Using medical inspections as an excuse. The surgeries were done by trusted doctors and droids under House Black. No records led back to him.
The Sith Lord will not suspected him without deep investigation.
The clones were loyal to the Republic above all. So Galahad carefully shaped their loyalty. He did not control them. He did not break their minds.
He simply made sure that when they thought of the Republic—
They thought of him first.
When the LAAT landed, Galahad turned towards Fay, who still in the LAAT with Talon and couple other clones.
"I will assign one Venator, five Acclamators, three Dreadnoughts, four Arquitens and ten DP20s to you," Galahad said as the LAAT begin to levitate, "this will be fleet that you will use to attack the shipyards."
"You think this fleet will have the firepower for the mission you give me?" Fay said with a small smirk.
"The remnants of the blockade fleet will also under your command," Galahad continue with a speechless expression, "even though many of the starships are damaged, but they get the job done."
"That's more like it, my Padawan," Fay finish before the LAAT side door slide and close.
Galahad sigh as shake his head because of Fay behavior.
"General," Vorn said as he stepped beside him, "the fleet is ready to depart. General Luminara's fleet is also standing by."
"Good," Galahad nodded. "Bring us to battlestations. Begin the attack."
"Yes, sir."
Vorn activated the communicator on his wrist. "All ships, move to battlestations. Operation begins now."
One by one, the ships of Task Force Silver aligned. Then, in flashes of blue light, the fleet jumped into hyperspace.
As the stars stretched into lines, Galahad's thoughts returned to the battle that had forced High Command to send him here.
The previous admiral had commanded three Venators, two Acclamators, four Dreadnoughts, and several escort ships. Confident in his numbers, he launched an unsanctioned assault on the shipyards, hoping for a swift victory—and glory.
When he attack, he is meet with twenty Munificents which have been secretly place at the shipyards.
In the end, he successfully destroy about seven of them and damage another six, but with a pretty high cost.
He lose one Venator, two Dreadnoughts. Another one Venator and all two Acclamators suffer heavy damage. The escorts have been virtually wipe as they're just about five corvettes left.
As the result of his rogue and fail attack, the admiral was stripped of his rank. The remaining capital ships were reassigned to Galahad's command. The surviving Dreadnoughts and corvettes were ordered back to Coruscant to await reassignment.
On the other side, the fleet of Luminara was far more balanced.
Her task force consisted of three Venators, five Acclamators, three Arquitens-class command cruiser, and ten DP20 gunship.
It was a standard and reliable fleet composition, the kind usually given to Jedi commanders during the early stage of the Clone Wars.
"So, you don't believe I can convince them to return to the Republic?" Padmé said. She stood beside Galahad as they watched the preparation for the infiltration.
The hangar was busy. Ten ARCs and four clone commandos were checking their weapons and gear. Commander Thorn would also join the mission with a squad of ten clone troopers. Their job was to guard the Consular-class cruiser and make sure no battle droids could reach it.
"Padmé," Galahad said calmly, turning to look at her. "Even with the video you showed me, I doubt all of them plan to leave the Separatists and return to the Republic."
Padmé crossed her arms but did not argue.
The reason she believed her plan could work was because she had received a secret message from one of the main ship designers inside the yard.
In the video, the tired-looking scientist spoke quickly.
"To anyone received this transmission, I'm one of the designers that the Separatists have forced to work for them."
The man looked around nervously before continuing.
"The droids control everything here. Security, communications, even our living quarters. If we try to escape, we will be executed. But if the Republic arrives… we may have a chance."
The message ended there.
Padmé looked back at Galahad.
"You see?" she said. "Some of them want to leave."
Galahad stayed silent for a moment as he watched the clones loading equipment into the transport.
"Some," he finally said. "Not all."
Padmé frowned slightly.
"And if the others refuse?"
"Then we will detained them and lock them till the war ended," Galahad said firmly.
Before Padmé could reply, Appo approached and saluted.
"General, the infiltration team is ready."
Galahad nodded and picked up his helmet.
"Good," he said.
Then he looked at Padmé one more time.
"Let's see if your diplomacy works."