Laxus

The capital planet of the Union of Independent Systems was surrounded by five orbital shipyards built in a ring around the planet. Nearly ten fleets were either in the hangars or flying around the planet.

Starfighters are constantly in rotation, though now nearly half are manned craft. There are also droid starfighters, such as the Vulture and the Tri-Droid Starfighter, though they are always accompanied by a squadron of sentient manned craft.

On the planet's surface, a meeting was held in the Separatist Senate building.

"I am tired of just standing there waiting to be attacked." Vo Alter, leader of the Separatist Council War Faction, shouted in frustration. "We sit here like a wounded Banta while the Republic is undoubtedly gathering their forces and Ultron is waiting for another opportunity to attack."

"So what do you want us to do?" asked the man who was demanding the newest members join the Separatist movement. "Marshall leads an army and marches to the Republic's doorstep, demanding their surrender?"

"Yes!" Voi raised his hands as if this was the most obvious thing in the galaxy. "We need to strike hard and swiftly against the Republic. Take out a familiar enemy first, then focus on the unknown."

"Make yourself vulnerable?" Mina Bontry asked back. "Are you crazy, Voi? The entire galaxy is still recovering from Ultron's declaration of war. He has taken Jabium as a statement. This came from the Republic and our Confederacy. Why would you wish to further escalate the situation among the military?"

"Stop egging on, end it!" Atel snapped back fiercely. "The Republic is weak and vulnerable right now. If we were to attack Shenye and take him out, we would at least have one less enemy to worry about."

“Perhaps there is another way to solve our problem,” said a Quaren senator.

"I'm willing to listen to anything except Voy's opinion." The other female senator said with a bored look on her face, completely ignoring the look Atel gave her.

“People might block trade routes, cut off supplies, or even blockade a planet. But how long can that last? These problems can be solved in time,” Woj said passionately.

"No, I think the damage to the Republic is much greater than they realize. It will take years for it to recover, and perhaps this could even be its fatal blow." Mina eyed her main rival in the Confederacy with a wary and worried look.

"What are you talking about?" Voi's eyes became fanatical and fierce. "To seize a place that the Republic currently values ​​very much. Their army is supplied from Shenye."

Many exclamations and cries of shock echoed through the separatist parliament chamber.

"Are you crazy?"

"Attacking Shen Ye? That would be suicide."

"If you want us to destroy Jinno, you're basically asking us to lose half our forces."

"We have a brand new system that's willing to help us do this job," Woj said, pointing to a haggard, pale man who had a lifeless aura about him.

"He has abandoned the Republic, and because the Republic has abandoned him, as it has abandoned all of us."

"He abandoned the Republic out of fear," Mina said in a pertinent tone. "Lest you forget, Voi, some of our own people have done the same thing, some have gone independent, others have rejoined the Republic."

"Cowards," the green-skinned senator spat. "Traitors, there are plenty of them."

"Some would say that's what we are," a teal-skinned, bald male alien said with a sigh. "It's not just my system that's willing to help with this," the newest member of the Confederacy said with an air of arrogance.

"What did you say, Count Dooku?"

Everyone's eyes were focused on the head of the CIS standing in front of the podium. He appeared in person instead of remotely. Now, Count Serenno's personal presence has become a very shocking scene in the eyes of everyone, but it is also a necessary move in this era.

He stood quietly for a while, thinking and weighing. Soon, he began to speak to the crowd. "It sounds like all the proposals are reasonable, but once they are put into practice, their weight will be even greater."

The former Jedi Master spoke calmly and forcefully, "In view of this, I think Voi's proposal has merit." His words revealed wisdom and determination. Seeing that he had the upper hand in the political competition, the Sayid Separatist Senator could hardly suppress his smile.

"Lord Dooku," Mina said pleadingly, "I firmly believe that there is another way for us to go. Perhaps peace cannot be achieved overnight, but a ceasefire, a truce for a while, and focusing on the greater threat - Ultron, isn't it a greater enemy?"

Count Dooku looked at Mrs. Bontry with a look of deep sympathy. "My dear Bontry," he began, "I completely understand and agree with your point of view." His voice was as kind as a wise man, but there was a firmness in his words. "I understand the danger you are talking about," Dooku continued, "which is why I partially agree with you."

There was a glimmer of hope in Mina's eyes and she smiled.

"However," Dooku's tone became firm, "I cannot stop this idea from being implemented."

Senator Onderon's expression turned from sadness to disbelief.

"Mina," Dooku's voice became soft but firm enough for everyone present to hear, "if there is another way, I will support and participate wholeheartedly. If necessary, if they perceive an opportunity to strengthen themselves, they will not mind taking more drastic measures. You only need to look at what they did to Mandalore."

Although he wishes to put these painful memories behind him, he knows that some things must be faced for the sake of "galactic peace."

"I'm sorry, Mina," Dooku said, "but I cannot allow the Republic to attack a weak animal."

He turned to the other members of the council. "So, who's against it?"

Finally, only one-third of the CIS Senate raised their hands. He looked around at the other two-thirds, "Do you all agree?" They raised their hands silently. "It seems to be the decision of the majority." Dooku announced calmly, "The attack on Shenye will inevitably begin."

This was the parliamentary scene at that moment, and every decision and every word concerned the fate of the galaxy.

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