**Chapter 520**
**Operation Sword and Shield**
**Coruscant – Jedi Temple War Room**
The Chancellor nodded approvingly, his expression warm yet calculated. "By the way… Master Dagon… I've been unable to express my gratitude to you personally for your decisive actions in the protection of Naboo. Although that's not your only service to the Republic."
Dagon inclined his head respectfully. "It's not worth mentioning, Chancellor. I was just doing my duty."
"Oh, come now, my friend," Palpatine replied with a benevolent smile. "It's a shame there are no official rewards for Jedi… But you won't refuse my invitation to tonight's performance at the Galactic Opera, will you? Naturally, your students are welcome to come along with you."
Dagon considered it for a moment. *It'll be an interesting experience. I've never been there before.*
"You won't regret it," Palpatine continued smoothly. "A performance featuring the Naboo Royal Theater was created to celebrate the New Year's festivities, but as you can imagine, mourning for those killed on Naboo forced them to postpone the performance. It promises to be an unforgettable spectacle."
Yoda and Windu entered the room at that moment, cutting the conversation short. After the usual greetings — Sheev greeted them warmly — the assembled group moved to the large tactical table. However, there were some oddities. Dagon, rather pointedly, stood on the side where the officers, not the Jedi, were gathered.
"So," Oppo Rancisis activated the table, displaying a galactic map. "We are gathered here to discuss and implement a new military strategy. Its first operation, developed by the Jedi and General Staff, will be Operation Sword and Shield. As its name suggests, it will involve at least two phases. The first phase includes three operations, which will begin immediately after the conclusion of this war council."
"First, we've learned the Separatists' next targets. Malastare and… Kamino. By driving us off these planets, they'll deprive the Grand Army of the Republic of fresh clone reinforcements, and the Southern Sector Fleet of fuel. Therefore, we're beginning to deploy forces to defend these planets."
"High General Mace Windu will handle the defense of Malastare. We've already notified the Gran and Dugs, so you'll receive not only technical but also military assistance. Doge Urus has promised to deploy up to fifty thousand infantry and ten thousand cavalry if we provide military assistance. A cargo convoy is already en route to the planet. Senior General Jeisel will accompany you. You'll have three squadrons of the Seventeenth Sector Command at your disposal, as well as several independent units led by Jedi."
"The Republic will support him, so High Generals Ki-Adi Mundi and Luminara Unduli will be dispatched there with their units. You must restore Republic authority on the planet as quickly as possible, preventing an escalation."
"I think we can handle it," the Cerean said, exchanging glances with the Mirialan.
"If there's a shield, then what does a sword mean?" the Chancellor asked politely.
"You're right," the Thisspiasian bowed in his direction. "The second phase of the operation will be our response to the Separatists' actions at Naboo — that is, an attack on the Separatists' most important worlds. We've selected three planets that are most important to the Confederacy."
"I think you'll need some help, Master. Your former Padawan, now Jedi Knight Nadarr Vebb will join you on Lantilles."
"Oh. He's already been knighted? Too bad I didn't attend the ceremony," the Nautolan muttered.
Rancisis took the floor again. "Master Gallia, Master Secura. Your target is Felucia, which belongs to the Commerce Guild. It is also home to numerous military factories and the Guild's headquarters. Your first priority will be to capture the cities of Kwei Teow, Har Go, and Niango, as well as capture Shu Mai herself, the head of the Commerce Guild. While the Guild's actual contribution to the CIS military might is not that significant, its monetary infusions could rival those of the InterGalactic Banking Clan."
"Felucia… It's also quite far away," the Twi'lek frowned. "We might have supply problems. Especially since the local flora and fauna aren't exactly friendly."
"The Twelfth Sector will endeavor to meet all your needs," another officer assured her. "Within reason, of course."
"So, what will the third planet be like? And who will they send to storm it?" The Thisspiasian had just begun to speak.
"Master Billaba, Master Dagon…"
"I suppose we got the Pearl? Well, Mygeeto?" Dagon interrupted.
"How did you guess?" one of the officers in the red uniform perked up.
"Intelligence." Dagon spread his hands. "By process of elimination: you've already named the other two lousy planets."
"I see you're not showing any enthusiasm," Fisto asked mockingly.
"Are you kidding me? What enthusiasm is there? I'd rather storm Cato Neimoidia! Or Skako, at worst."
"Do you think there will be difficulties?" Shaak Ti asked worriedly.
Dagon hesitated to answer.
"You're right, Magister. There will be problems. Mygeeto is a jewel in the Muuns' hands. Yes, we captured Muunilist, but… It's their home, but not the last place where the Muuns rule. There are dozens of worlds, developed over millennia, that they could call home. But Mygeeto… no, they won't give up Mygeeto so easily. It's their greatest treasure. I'm afraid the battle will drag on… And it's not the last planet for the Confederacy. It seems most of the crystals in the Separatists' turbolasers come from Mygeeto? Well, at least half of them. The same goes for Felucia and Cato Neimoidia. I don't think we'll be able to capture all of these planets quickly at all."
"We were planning to take these planets within a month. What timeframe can you meet? What timeframe are you considering?"
The Jedi shrugged. "It depends on what specific task is set before me."
"Are there any options?" Plo Koon asked, amazed.
"Two. The first is to drive the enemy off the planet and deprive the CIS of its production base. In that case, I can accomplish this in five standard days."
"So little? What's the tactic?" Rancisis looked at the man with interest.
"It's very simple. We enter orbit, clear a small area, and then begin orbital bombardment. We don't even need to worry about specific targets; we can just strike seismically active zones — there are plenty of those on Mygeeto. Nature will do the rest for us… Although, given the complexity of the operation, I wouldn't mind a 'Base-Delta-Zero' order…"
"That's unacceptable!" Windu snapped. "There are twenty million civilians there!"
"I'm afraid the Republic will need the crystals supplied by Mygeeto. It would be foolish to lose such a planet, and its production facilities as well," Ki-Adi Mundi agreed.
"Great casualties must be avoided," Yoda concluded.
Unexpectedly, Dagon was supported by Palpatine.
"While your proposal is ideal from a military standpoint, I'm afraid it's unacceptable from other perspectives, Master Dagon. I understand your desire to reduce casualties among your soldiers, but sometimes sacrifices must be made. Besides, the Senate would not approve the implementation of such an order…"
"Then I suppose we need to take over the planet with minimal destruction?" Depa Billaba chimed in.
"Exactly. Particular attention should be paid to the capital, Jigat."
"Well… Then we're no longer talking about days or even weeks… And your deadline of a month seems unrealistic," Dagon drawled, looking thoughtfully at the map.
"If only… Six months," Dagon snapped. "And that's on the condition that they give me another fifty thousand clones, five or six squadrons from the Eighth Sector reserves…"
"But… you already have almost half a million sentient beings in the system army! Two hundred thousand in infantry units!"
Dagon sighed heavily and looked somewhere at the ceiling.
"I seem to be speaking the common language, but they still don't understand… We'll have to operate practically without heavy weapons, given your demands… Although there's not much room for expansion there, given the city's architecture… And the Muuns will cling to the Pearl to the last… Jabiim will seem like a cakewalk compared to this meat grinder. There will be a million or two of potential organic fighters there, depending on the effectiveness of the CIS propaganda — and it will be, I assure you. So, either you give me reserves, or we'll spend a whole year messing around there, not six months, but without any guarantees… There's also Gwori right next door," Dagon pointed at the map, "the CIS shipyards. And our bases are quite far away. So, look at the picture. We could be cut off here, at Gargon, and here, at Ord Trasi. Therefore, we'll need two or three squadrons to block these routes. Two more if we capture the planet."
"We'll think about what can be done," assured Oppo Rancisis. "Thankfully, there's still time."
"Then about a better idea since this one currently sucks," Dagon said.
"Master Yoda, it is no surprise apart from you and Master Fisto, unlike battle meditation that you use, my battle meld is superior due to I can actually see the forces I command." Dagon said.
"Now so far the 12th sector is all secured, except for a few CIS core worlds that we can't attack due to the current talks in the Senate, but that didn't stop the terror attack on Naboo. Therefore the 11th sector with Felucia is the next bet for me. The reason is you all are not seeing, as I highlighted various worlds such as Quell and Mandalore — these worlds and systems are key to the CIS large plan to take neutral worlds. Therefore it would take a systematic effect to take these worlds," Dagon explained.
"I suspect you have a better plan, High General Marek — one that is better than ours," Mace Windu smirked, thinking Dagon was in over his head.
"Yes, I do. The original plans with Malastare and Kamino continue, but Mygeeto takes Kit Fisto, Plo Koon, Eeth Koth, Depa Billaba, Knight Nadarr Vebb and Adi Gallia while Secura and I handle Felucia," Dagon explained.
"Are you certain that your forces — and we all know your battlecruisers and new ships that you acquired through unknown funds — can handle that sector alone?" Oppo Rancisis asked.
"Certainly, but I suspect my plan is mainly a diversion for you, the rest of the Jedi, to take out Mygeeto while I distract certain enemies," Dagon explained.
"Hmm. Grievous, Selena and Dooku. Each of them you personally injured and humiliated. Dooku may have restraint, his apprentice will not, and with word of the *Malevolence* still in the wind, you expect them to hunt you down while the key planet Mygeeto slips from their hands," Yoda said.
"Indeed, Master. Mygeeto is the only real target of strategic value in the long term. Felucia is bacta — not much more. Droids need it, but organics need it more. But Mygeeto crystals will be the key," Dagon said.
"Very well. Go ahead with Dagon's plan, we will," Yoda said, and everyone agreed.