Capítulo 23: What remains of the Confederation
Two months had passed since the start of the war against the Covenant, and many in the galaxy were wondering how the Confederacy of Independent Systems, with an army of hundreds of millions of droids, had been destroyed so quickly. The answer, though stark, was simple: the Covenant struck with a brutal precision that no one had anticipated.
The Confederacy had fallen due to the Covenant's overwhelming tactic of simultaneous destruction. Dozens of key Confederate planets, including its capital, were attacked at the same time. Droid factories were targeted first, destroyed before a response could be coordinated. Next, the Confederacy's robotic armies were disabled en masse. With no droids, no leaders, and no communications, the Confederacy crumbled in a matter of days.
The Banking Clan, which had always been the financial backbone of the Confederacy, was now on the brink of bankruptcy. With almost no resources to cover the damage and its economy collapsing, it was barely surviving, with no hope of sustaining a prolonged war. What had once been an economic empire of nearly three centuries was practically in ruins.
The Techno Union was also on the verge of extinction. Its factories, which had once mass-produced all manner of weaponry and technology for the Confederacy, were destroyed or rendered useless. Only the Banking Clan managed to sustain some of its operations, but just barely. The organization, once an industrial powerhouse, now relied on outside funding to avoid complete extinction.
The Trade Federation suffered a similar fate. Its trade routes and dealings in the galaxy were shattered. The Covenant took over its major planets, destroyed its merchant fleets, and ruined its business connections. Within weeks, its entire network of clients was dissolved, and it now only subsisted on the few dealings left in the Mid Rim.
The entire vast power of the Confederacy had been crushed. What had once been an unstoppable coalition was now little more than scattered fragments in a desperate attempt to stave off total extinction.
The few remaining leaders of the Confederacy, the most staunch and survivors of the Covenant's brutal onslaught, were in a secret facility on the barren planet Tatooine. The structure had been built in the early days of the Clone Wars, a remote and inaccessible base, ideal for a meeting that the leaders would have wished to avoid under other circumstances.
Around the operating table were gathered some of the most feared names in the galaxy: Wat Tambor of the Techno Union; Count Dooku, strategist and leader of the Separatists; Asajj Ventress, his lethal assassin and apprentice; Nute Gunray of the Trade Federation, along with his assistants; Bec Lawise, a Confederate diplomat, and finally the imposing General Grievous, standing, watching each member with his cold, calculating robotic optics.
The countenances were grim, faces of defeat and frustration predominating in the room. Countless worlds had been lost, and the Covenant seemed intent on finishing what they had started. What had once been a powerful force had become a collection of isolated strongholds and refuges, its armies decimated and its leaders cornered.
It was Count Dooku who broke the silence.
"Let us begin," he said in a firm voice, looking around at the audience with his piercing eyes. "On the day the Republic and UNSC claimed Naboo, we were discussing a desperate possibility: to join them and bring what remains of our droid army. But, as we all know, the proposal was unanimously rejected."
Wat Tambor, in his characteristic metallic, distorted tone, spoke resentfully.
"They have left us vulnerable. They promised us neutrality if we gave up some of our control, and yet we are watching Confederate worlds fall one after another. The Covenant is merciless, and now our droids are powerless in many areas."
Nute Gunray nodded, his hands shaking slightly as he spoke.
"The Trade Federation is on the verge of collapse. My trade routes have been devastated and our profits nonexistent. If the Covenant takes more territory, there won't even be resources left to sustain a defense in the Mid Rim."
Dooku nodded, knowing that Gunray was trying to calm his own anxiety. "The Republic is not the only enemy in this war, Gunray. The UNSC has proven effective and surprisingly powerful, but neither they nor the Republic will lift a finger for us. They see us as a threat and potential traitors."
Asajj Ventress, who had been silent until that moment, let out a dark smile. "And what did you expect? The Republic wants us destroyed. Even in his desperation, the Supreme Chancellor will not lend us a helping hand. Our only option is to regroup, survive, and find a way to resist."
General Grievous slammed his metal arm on the table, filling the room with a metallic echo.
"We must gather what's left of our forces," he declared in his raspy voice. "We have thousands of droids scattered across the galaxy, inactive, but if we regroup them, we can still fight back."
Dooku leaned toward the table, looking at each of them with a mix of determination and coldness.
"We have no allies and no abundant resources. However, we need to make smart and quick decisions. If the Republic and the UNSC are common enemies of the Covenant, we can take advantage of their distraction. We will protect our territories and seek alternative alliances in the corners of the galaxy where neutral forces still remain."
The discussion took an unexpected turn. The Confederate leaders, who had never considered any other faction as anything but enemies, now faced a completely different reality. As Dooku looked from one to the other, the topic of a temporary alliance with the UNSC came up in whispers and uncertain glances.
Wat Tambor spoke first, his metallic voice echoing in the room. "We know that the UNSC was formed with the sole purpose of eradicating the Covenant. We are not in a position to choose allies at will. If their technology is as advanced as it appears, we might consider negotiation."
Nute Gunray snorted, clearly uncomfortable. "And how could we even think of negotiating? It's not like they would trust us. After all, we support the Confederacy, and their goal, like the Republic's, is to neutralize us."
Count Dooku, with the calm of someone who has faced desperate situations before, raised a hand, demanding attention. "We must not underestimate the power of a strategic proposal. The UNSC is not the Republic. They have appeared in the galaxy for a reason and are here for the same enemy. We could propose to them our willingness to support their war in exchange for certain benefits. They have no need to destroy us if we prove to be a useful asset."
Asajj Ventress, who normally opted for direct confrontation, let out a cynical laugh this time.
"Do you really think they'll want anything from us? We're nothing more than a shadow of our former selves. But if this gives us a chance at survival and not being forgotten, it may be worth it."
General Grievous grunted, still reluctant to rely on an outside force. "If we truly want to negotiate with them, we must find something they want. The advanced technology of battle droids might have value. And with our experience in mass manufacturing, we might have a bargaining chip."
The group fell into a thoughtful silence. None of them liked the idea of approaching another power in this way, but they understood that their options were slim.
Finally, Count Dooku, his voice low but authoritative, concluded:
"Then, it is time to explore this possibility. We will keep the Republic at a distance, but approach the UNSC with caution. The alternative is extinction."
The debate over how to establish contact with the UNSC was intense. The risks were high, and approaching without a strategy could end in disaster for the Confederacy. The tension in the room increased with each passing minute.
Wat Tambor, ever the calculating one, was the one who proposed sending someone skilled in both negotiating and surviving a potentially dangerous mission.
"We cannot simply arrive at their base and ask to talk. Any attempt to approach without a peace signal could result in immediate attack. We need someone who can handle the situation skillfully."
Count Dooku nodded thoughtfully.
"Asajj Ventress. You have the skill and experience to carry out this mission. We need you to go with a clear message and no hostility. You will be our ambassador of peace and alliance with the UNSC."
Ventress frowned, but nodded without hesitation. She knew that her position in the Confederacy depended on her ability to execute complicated missions.
"I will do what is necessary, although I have little trust in those human soldiers. But if this is the only way to ensure our survival... so be it."
Nute Gunray, visibly tense, intervened.
"We cannot show any weakness. Let it be clear that we are still strong, even if we want this alliance."
Count Dooku gave the final instructions.
"Go, Ventress, and offer our collaboration against the Covenant. The key is to make them see that together we can be a formidable force. The Confederacy still has resources that could interest them. Do not rush; gauge their responses. And, above all, come back alive."
The room filled with icy tension as the hologram of the Covenant Queen appeared without warning, illuminating the center of the table with her sinister presence. Her figure was projected with a smile of absolute satisfaction, as if each of those present were prey caught in her net.
"My, my, my little lambs..." the Queen's voice echoed through the room, with that sensual and menacing tone that only intensified the fear among the leaders of the Confederacy. "I couldn't help but listen to their conversation. It's interesting how they seek protection like frightened children, while the true power already controls their worlds."
The leaders exchanged worried glances, but none dared to speak. Count Dooku gritted his teeth, visibly upset, but maintained his composure.
"What do you want?" he finally asked, breaking the silence. "Haven't you had enough with the destruction you've sown in our territories?"
The Covenant Queen let out a soft laugh.
"Oh, destruction?" she replied, half mockingly delighted. "I've barely begun. You have no idea the extent of my plans. But you... you're just insects who think you can survive the storm. Pathetic."
Grievous, annoyed by the humiliation, slammed his metal claw on the table.
"You underestimate us, witch!" he roared. "The Confederacy still has resources, and we will not allow you to reduce us to ashes so easily."
"Ah, Grievous, dear..." the Queen gave him a look as if it were mere entertainment. "They still don't understand how irrelevant they are. And now they want to seek help from that strange human force that appeared, the UNSC. Do they really think they can save them?"
Ventress crossed her arms, her steely gaze fixed on the hologram.
"Perhaps. But unlike you, they do not seek to enslave the galaxy. At least they have a clear purpose."
The Queen tilted her head, amusedly interested.
The Covenant Queen looked at each of them with a cruel and dangerous smile, which chilled their blood.
"Do you think you can defy me?" she said in a voice full of contempt. "You try to seek help like the cowards you are. But there will be no escape. You will not leave this place alive. You will all die here, your worlds will be ashes, and your existence will be forgotten."
The eyes of those present widened in helpless terror. The threat felt like a death sentence, something inevitable. Before anyone could respond, the hologram of the Queen abruptly faded, leaving the room in complete silence, permeated with a sense of impending defeat.
Suddenly, a tremor shook the ground, followed by several explosions in the distance. The leaders exchanged desperate glances, and just then, a B1 droid ran into the room, arms flailing.
"Alert! Alert!" the droid shrieked. "A Covenant fleet has just appeared in the sky!"
The tremors grew stronger, and the bombings began to be felt ever closer. From the windows, the shadows of assault ships could be seen rapidly descending towards the surface.
Nute Gunray, on the verge of hysterics, raised his hands as he shouted,
"We're finished! Is there nothing we can do to save ourselves?!"
Grievous cast a cold, calculating glance at the others, not showing a hint of fear.
"We have approximately five thousand battle droids in this base," he said in an unfazed voice. "They're deactivated, though. I'll order their activation immediately. We also have armored vehicles and several light ships. It's a small army, but it will be enough to hold a defense while we look for a way to escape.
Wasting no time, Grievous began coordinating the droid assistants to begin activating all combat units. Wat Tambor and Asajj Ventress exchanged a look; although the situation was critical, they still had a chance, however slim.
"We have no room for error!" Count Dooku ordered, his voice firm. "Everyone must prepare. Have the droids form a perimeter and have the tanks take up strategic positions at the main entrance. I will not allow that... Queen to reduce us to ashes without a fight."
Asajj Ventress observed the scene while sharpening her gaze. She knew that the Covenant was no ordinary threat, but she also knew that surrender was not an option.
End of Chapter 23.
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