The dimly lit room was small and the setting is ascetic. The only thing that stood out was the holographic projector in the center.
Palpatine pulled the hood of his cloak over his head, hiding his face and transforming into Darth Sidious, then summoned Count Dooku.
"My lord!"
"Darth Tyranus. What is the situation with Jabiim?"
"I managed to divert the ships to other destinations for a short time. General Grievoushelped me with this by taking the ships for his own purposes. However, knowing Gunray's greed, I would not be surprised if they found internal reserves to secure such a lucrative prize. If I press them too hard, unnecessary questions will arise."
"That is… unfortunate. How much time do we have?"
"My lord, a week has already passed, and I fear we have little time left—four, perhaps five days."
"What news of the Republic troops that landed on the planet?"
"Unfortunately, communication with that region is impossible, so I lack definitive information. However, based on Stratus' reports, he has launched a major offensive, and considering their numbers, I fear that by the time the Jedi arrive to support them…"
Dooku hesitated for a heartbeat—Palpatinecaught it immediately, sensing the count weighing whether to speak further.
"My lord… perhaps we should move that plan to Jabiim. It would distract the Trade Federation and the Techno Union, forcing them to send more and more troops into the region. The battle for this rainy world will bleed them dry."
"That plan, you say…" Palpatine paused, considering. "But then Muunilinst would have to be handed over to the Republic—balance must be maintained, after all. Still… I like the direction of your thinking. One way or another, we must eliminate this threat."
"Yes, my lord! Shall I begin preparations?"
"Yes."
Count Dooku's hologram faded, replaced by another.
"My lord." A kneeling human figure made a pass with his hands. "I greet you!"
"What has happened?"
"The board of directors wishes to report several minor complications regarding the new warship."
It worsens by the hour.
"What is the nature of the problem?"
"We need additional funding if you wish to maintain the previously ordered number of units, my lord."
"What has caused the increase in the ship's cost?"
"I am transmitting a file now. In short: Blissex revised the ship's design and internal mechanisms. This resulted in a seventeen-percent increase in production costs."
Palpatine opened the file silently. Quite some time ago, he had ordered the development of a warship intended to become the backbone of the Republic Navy for many years. Venator-class Star destroyer—that was the name of the new ship. Now, comparing the updated schematics to the earlier ones, Palpatine immediately saw that the design was vastly improved. New weapons of varying power had been added, and the armor protecting key sections of the ship had been reinforced. In the current reality of CIS supremacy, this option looks much better than the previous one.
"I will provide the necessary funds within a month. When can you begin production?"
"In a month, my lord. The first ships will be launched two and a half months after the keel is laid—we will be using a new sectional assembly technology—and once the process is perfected, we will be able to reduce construction time to a month and a half."
"I'm glad to hear it. Is that all?"
"Yes, my lord!.."
After a while, Darth Sidious—once again wearing the mask of the Chancellor—found himself in his office. Thoughts about the current situation were firmly lodged in the Sith's mind.
A few years before the war began, he had sketched out an initial plan of military operations, a kind of scenario that had, naturally, ceased to be relevant once the conflict truly began. However, some of those early ideas could still be used now.
Muunilist was a planet in the Outer Rim, the homeworld of the Muuns. It lay on the Braxant Trade Route, which also included worlds such as Bastion, Agamar, and Mygeeto. The planet housed the headquarters of the Intergalactic Banking Clan and the residence of its leader, San Hill. It was a birthplace of bankers, entrepreneurs, and merchants—as well as his own teacher, Darth Plagueis. Palpatine intended to remove them from the war, make them completely dependent on him, and ultimately seize control of the Banking Clan's financial flows. Muunilist was to become the site of a fierce battle, after which its cities would lie in ruins and many influential Muuns would be dead.
But even after Kamino, the CIS remained too strong an opponent for the young Republic Army, and it was necessary to "let off steam" urgently. Jabiim could be a suitable place for this. Moreover, Sidious would benefit regardless of the outcome. If the Republic won, all the mineral deposits would end up in his hands. If the CIS prevailed, it would weaken both the Separatists and the Order, and the subsequent capture of Muunilist would allow the people of the Republic to "lift their spirits." In the wake of the panic, it would be possible to push through several necessary laws that the Senate would gladly accept.
Yes, this would require weakening somesecondary areas, but it would be worth it.