Chapter 84
Somewhere in the Cathar System
Quelli Sector
“Observation: the Expeditionary Fleet is crossing the Bandomeer-Harloen axis,” Augur tracked the progress of our quarry.
“So they’ve finally entered Serenno space,” I kicked back, resting my head against my hands, “What about Admiral Trench?”
The super tactical droid swiped at the holoprojection, “Our spy frigates have observed mass transit through Salin Corridor. Conclusion: Admiral Trench has crossed Phindian space.”
I eyed the starchart, tracing the winding hyperlanes with my eyes. Spanning the Trans-Hydian expanse, the Salin Corridor met and crossed the Hydian Way at the Botajef System, before continuing into the New Territories. I narrowed my eyes–it would be a race, then. A race to see which fleet captures Botajef from Serenno’s hands first. Botajef was a city-world, home of the Botajef Shipyards: formerly one of the most productive civilian yards in the galaxy, now one of the most productive military yards.
Considering its strategic location at the nexus of two major hyperlanes, and its sheer value besides, it would be safe to assume Count Dooku’s droid armies had fortified the star system to Firefist and back. If Botajef falls–and it will, that I had no doubt–then the fleet that captured it would dictate the pace of the rest of the campaign.
That, in turn, raised another concern. Convincing Phindar was one thing, but ensuring the Jedi Expeditionary Fleet and Confederate Armed Forces 2nd Fleet Group would cooperate was a different challenge altogether. I personally did not lack confidence in Trench’s means, as the Confederate Fleet Groups had been organized–intentionally or not–as vassals of their commanding admirals, securing their loyalty.
With Admiral Dua Ningo’s 1st Fleet taking up the post on the Perlemian Trade Route, the 2nd Fleet that Admiral Trench took with him through Phindar was utterly bent to his will. It helped that the old Harch was a somewhat legendary figure now. Nevertheless, his subordinates might grumble at his orders, even question his strategy, but they would fall in line when the time came. Phindar had proven that much.