The scanners ran for a third cycle, but brought no clarity to the situation.
There was not the slightest hint of the rebel forces detected by the scouts in the system.
And on the planet—not a trace of armed forces.
The local governor was desperately proclaiming his loyalty to the Baroness, almost bursting with eagerness.
"And then they'll say we're fighting for Flintarian tobacco sticks," grumbled Hedge Spar as the 'Rottaran' exited hyperspace near a planet known for its production of elite tobacco sticks, wildly popular among the galaxy's wealthy middle class.
"If you don't want it, you can give me your wonderful ship," suggested Martok, scraping his right horn with his combat blade. "I assure you, it will be far more effective under my command."
"Over my dead body," Hedge retorted categorically, making it clear to the arrogant Devaronian that he wouldn't see the battleship.
"We're at war," the lieutenant shrugged, taking a swig from a flask that smelled of lumin-el. "I'll just wait."
He said the last part with a satisfied burp.
The leader of the Kol-Atorn
"Yes," it seemed he had been given quite a few stimulants, and patched up while the lieutenant was unconscious, as he could speak almost without problems despite his injuries. "Everyone should have a dream. Mine is to have my own dreadnought."
"We'll discuss it when you've recovered," the Mandalorian promised.
"To hell with you, then," the Devaronian said, not offended at all by Hedge's words. "Do you have any Lumin-el?"
"We have something better," Spar assured him, placing a metal flask in his hands. "Virren Aged. We found it with the local commanders – they'd grabbed a few crates when their command fled. I figured you wouldn't mind getting a replacement for your favorite Lumin-el."
"A poison for aristocrats," the Devaronian smiled. "I've always dreamed of tasting it."
"You'll have time," the Mandalorian promised, taking the flask and taking a sip. "Divine taste."
The Devaronian gave him a withering look.
"Don't worry, a couple of bottles were set aside for you," Spar assured him. "Mandalorians remember those who helped them."
"That's good, so I don't have to worry about the drinks," the Devaronian beamed.
"Don't worry about anything, friend," the Mandalorian said, but his voice already sounded as if through cotton wool. "We owe you our lives…"
The first day of the enemy attack on the Dominion was drawing to a close.
Only a few minutes remained before the new day began.
But that didn't mean it was time to stop thinking.
On the contrary, now was the time to intensify it.
The information received from Thalassia was both pleasing and thought-provoking.
The fact that the plan to lure the pirates out of their den had worked, and a significant portion of the slavers and their accomplices, both in space and on the planet, had been destroyed, was undeniably good news.
We had solved a serious problem – we had routed the pirates, captured and would free their slaves, and also eliminated a lion's share of the radicals on the planet itself.
Undoubtedly, no one had planned a further ground operation against Thalassia aimed at total cleansing.
We had already tried it once – the enemy retreated into the underground.
Which there were a great many of on the planet.
If we repeat the landing idea, we will again encounter unfriendly locals.
No, Thalassia would not be subjected to orbital strikes or total cleansing – at least not at present.
But that didn't mean this outpost would be abandoned or forgotten by us.
The planet would be blocked from any visits.
Minefields would remain and would be supplemented in such a way as to block any attempt to slip onto the planet.
There were no valuable resources in large quantities on Thalassia.
There were fertile lands, and therefore the local population would have the opportunity to feed themselves.
Yes, it was cruel, as it would condemn the local population first to starvation, and then to operations to restore agriculture and ensure the functioning of facilities previously controlled and managed by slaves.
But there was one "but."
When our troops retreated from the planet, the local population was informed that anyone who wished could evacuate with us – after our departure, life on the planet would significantly worsen.
Those who believed – several thousand – were now undergoing filtration and would soon be integrated into Dominion society.
As for the rest…
Well, they were relatives, as well as direct accomplices in the slave-owning activities of their population.
Both adults, and children, and the elderly.
Their choice was to live off slave labor.
The law was the same for everyone.
Since they didn't want to abide by it, in the hope that their pirates would return and drive out the Dominion, let them solve their problems themselves.
Defense stations would also remain in orbit, and their number would be increased over time.
They would control the execution of the order that no one should descend to the planet without proper authorization.
And even more so – not to try to leave it.
Records of ships and sentences against local criminals on Kessel would, if possible, be demonstrated as a visual aid to answer the question: what will happen to those who intended to violate the norms of reason.
My interest in Thalassia is exhausted, except for its strategic importance as a point near the border, a junction of several hyperspace routes of sectoral significance.
But there was another point.
Initial interrogations of captured pirates and slavers, not to mention the slaves themselves, indicated that the attack was financed by officers of the "Black Sun," who coordinated the attack.
The cells of the Thalassian slavers were gathered in the Nembas sector, bordering the Meram sector.
There they were prepared, armed, their ships underwent repairs, and from there they were unleashed on Thalassia.
And it was this very fact that made one ponder the reasons why the "Zann Consortium" decided to involve external forces in their attack on the Dominion.
If they had enough troops and ships, then why did only slave owners participate in the attack?
Yes, one could say that the enemy clearly lacked starships for the first wave, so they preferred to block the secondary direction – Thalassia – with the help of mercenaries.
But this was just a hypothesis, unconfirmed by anything.
It was the most obvious, but without facts, it was no better than other hypotheses about what happened.
And as we know, delusion is the path to defeat.
Much more interesting was the fact that the current attacks were largely preemptive.
The enemy could have sent reinforcements to the D'Astan sector to crush the loyalist forces, but they did not.
Instead, they consistently attacked the northeastern and eastern borders of the Dominion metropolis.
Which was somewhat strange.
Considering that their interest lay in the heart of the Dominion.
Apart from the attack on the "Red Star," the efforts that Tyber Zann put into the breakthrough were more demonstrative than effective.
And here it was important to understand that this was not due to a lack of ships.
But precisely to distract attention.
I think the most obvious would be an attempt to break through in several more places in the northeast and east, possibly – southeast.
Each of them originated from sectors adjacent to ours.
I think the main blow would occur in completely different directions.
I knew the enemy's interest, I myself demonstrated it to him, but he still does not attack these systems.
Why?
Most likely, they are testing our reaction speed, and also – trying to draw Dominion forces away from the central sectors towards the borders of the metropolis.
Thus – weakening us as much as possible.
Well, we will observe.
The "Chimera" was located on the most advantageous route to the first of the major targets in the Dominion.
And very soon…
The sound of the commlink rang out.
"Listening," I replied without delay.
"Sir, scout drones and early warning systems are reporting cross-confirmation of an invasion in our area of responsibility. The enemy fleet has been forcibly brought out of hyperspace in full strength," reported Captain Tschel. "It's… It's an armada, sir."
"We're not made of flimsies either, Captain," I reminded him. "Continue observing the situation."
"Yes, sir."
"Raise the alert level to 'yellow'," I ordered. "I'll be on the bridge in a few minutes."
"Yes, sir," Captain Tschel's voice sounded relieved. "We look forward to seeing you."
When the commlink went silent, I felt myself smiling.
Well, that was it.
The second, most "hot" phase of the enemy's attack had begun.
Our forces had checked, localized, assessed – and moved forward the main units of the "Zann Consortium" fleet.
As Anakin Skywalker used to say:
"Now the fun begins."
Everything that came before was nothing more than a warm-up for the fight.