Chapter 73 - Interlude: How the Naboo crisis changed the galaxy (1/2)
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”One of the most important events that set up the stage for the Clone Wars is often either overlooked or examined for the obvious consequences – Sheev Palpatine being elected as the new Chancellor and the Trade Federation facing investigations along with heavy fines. While those events are undoubtedly important, others equally vital political and military changes are often dismissed, especially in the Core Worlds.
That's understandable. Most of the events we'll be looking at happened on the Outer Rim or in the Colonies in the Expansion Region and to a much lesser extent in the Inner Rim. Most of those changes didn't really affect the Core Worlds with Corellia and Fondor being two notable exception – they would see a lot of business coming their way in the years leading to the formal formation of the CIS and the Clone Wars.
When examining the facts logically, what happened isn't a huge surprise to anyone. Or at least it shouldn't be. The whole galaxy saw a Republic member world be invaded by a Mega Corporation that had a representative in the Senate in its own right. It watched as the Republic government was tied up in legalities and procedures. Instead of dispatching aid to their occupied member world, the Senate chose to begin an investigation, to create a committee to examine the situation.
We all know the outcome – Naboo wasn't liberated by a Republic naval fleet. It had to fight on its own and only the aid of a pair of Jedi and a simply unreal amount of luck combined with a flaw in Trade Federation doctrine allowed them victory. The Senate acted only after the situation was resolved. Many believed that the consequences for the Trade Federation were little more than a slap on the wrist given the gravity of their actions. Yet that was enough to eventually drive them to become one of the founding members of the Confederacy.
All of the above is public knowledge that can be easily found in the holonet. The consequences of those events are harder to trace so a person can built a complete picture for themselves.
The galaxy saw the invasion of Naboo. Saw that peaceful world be abandoned by the Republic. It saw that only military action executed by the Naboo people led to their liberation...
Thousands of systems concluded that the only way to guarantee their security was to either build up sufficiently powerful armed forces from scratch or to significantly upgrade and expand their existing ones. Soon the demand for military hardware outpaced the supply. Production all over the Mid and Outer Rim expanded and even Corellia and Fondor were contracted to build more ships...
In ten years that military build up would see the worlds dis disillusioned with the Republic joining the expanding Confederacy one after another along with their military forces. Fondor which had become a huge arsenal supplying the colonies with all they needed would soon choose to become a part of the CIS and thus provide a large increase in industrial potential for the young alliance...
The political implications of the Invasion of Naboo for the galaxy are in fact more important than the military ones. They in fact created an environment where the latter became all but inevitable. Arguably, it was the Republic's impotency during the Naboo Crisis that made the creation of the CIS possible. It enabled the Confederacy's unexpected growth. Thousands of systems joined the CIS after losing faith in the Republic's ability and more importantly willingness to protect them, which has always been one of the large benefits of becoming a member world. That was especially true for the worlds one the Outer Rim where the economic benefits of being a part of the Republic were quite small in comparison to the benefits reaped by the Core and Inner Rim systems. The same environment if to a lesser extent existed in the Expansion Region...”
Extract from ”History of the Clone Wars, Volume I: The Calm before the storm”
published by Anaxes' military academy
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Phase 34: The Confederacy strikes back
Part 6
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MandalorianMilitary HQ
Location classified
The place was so new that it still smelled of fresh paint, plastic and metal from recently installed equipment. There had been no time to put any decorations besides a flag with the symbol of Mandalore which covered one of the walls in the briefing room.
The people who for all intents and purposes were the government were gathered inside discussing the impending Confederate attack and their readiness to receive it.
”We have confirmation that a powerful Separatist force left Phindar thirty six hours ago. They should be here before noon tomorrow.” Captain Trek informed the men in charge of Mandalore.
”We're as ready as we can be.” General Skirata said. ”The shield generators and power distribution network are a fortressesdefended by two Republic armored divisions, a Clone infantry division and First Army group. Second is spread among the major cities and industrial centers and backed up by every warrior on the planet not part of the army.” The man running things in Mandalorian space while Mandalore was away reported.
”We've got enough shelter for the civilian population to keep most of our people safe at every major population center. My people are confident that we've rooted out the majority of Death Watch true believers who are left. However we're equally sure that the Confederacy still has at lest a few agents planet side they can contact for intelligence or simply buy. We're working on finding them all and plugging up any leaks we can find.”
”The Protectors are back to seventy percent of authorized strength. With volunteers going primary to the army and navy, I'm not confident we'll be able to do our job properly everywhere. I'll might need to request aid from MP units in certain are depending on how things shape in the future.” Ordo reported.
”That covers the ground side affairs. Admiral Pellaeon?” Skirata asked.
”My fleet is ready and the devices provided by general Veil are operational. I've chosen to ȧssume a defensive posture and depending on the enemy fleet composition and the effect the devices have on them I'll either counter-attack or fall under the planetary shield.”
”While some people might disagree, we're aware of the strategic situation. It will be six to eight months before our light naval units are complete and between twelve to sixteen for the capital ships, if you can keep the shipyards intact.” Yomaget said. ”With no Republic reinforcements expected for at least two to four months, we would be glad if you can keep your fleet intact and the orbitals reasonably secure until that changes, admiral Pellaeon.”
”That's what I intent.” Gilad nodded. ”If that's all, I need to get back to the fleet.”
”Victory and glory, admiral.” Skirata said as goodbye.
”Same to you boys and girls, general.” Pellaeon saluted and headed to the hangars with captain Trek on his heels.
When they left, the Mandalorians continued their discussions.
”We'll need to properly present the situation to our more volatile members.” Bralor began. ”Some of our warriors, especially those who came back, won't like a defensive posture or the fact that we're dependent on the Republic for a navy.”
”I don't like it either even if they've been on the level so far.” Ordo added.
”While I agree, we can't make ships appear from thin air. We'll need the republic for at least the next two years.” Yomaget shrugged.
”How is incorporating the sector going?” Auwadasked. ”We can use the additional manpower and industry.”
”The Duchess has been in talks with their Senators and ambassadors on Coruscant and we've sent delegations to the most important planets. Those with large Mandalorian population are pleased by our offer, however others don't want to hear anything about falling under our influence.”
”What about our detractors at Coruscant? From what I hear, the Cathar are baying for our blood.” Bralor inquired.
”They're a problem. Unfortunately Sylvaris actually has the full backing of her government. The last thing they want to see is us getting stronger.” Horus answered. Dealing with diplomacy was a fourth hat he had to wear while that service was being restored after the attack and cleaned up from pacifists who might be against the resurgence of Mandalorian militarism.
”That might get unpleasant. Sylvaris and her cronies already managed to slow down certain equipment and technological transfers for the army.” Auwadgrumbled.
”The same is true for industrial equipment to speed up our shipbuilding.” Yomaget added. ”I'm pretty sure Mandalore has plans for dealing with that nuisance, unfortunately for the time being he's cut off from the centers of Republic power. ”
”At least he took care of Crimson.” Skirata said. He had seen the uncensored reports from Atrisia, the GAR's preliminary conclusions of how dangerous that thing was and his own theories aligned with them.