Commander Cody: Generals, commander first glance, after accounting for the differences between clones and droids, they're roughly equivalent to a clone force with three times our numbers, all else being equal. On an open plane they'd decimate us. But our garrison has a shield generator, and if we can keep their big guns on the outside of the shields we should be able to hold out as long as our supplies last. As you know slowly moving organics, droids, and vehicles can just push through it with a little resistance, but having our big guns inside the shields gives us good odd at eradicating the clankers as fast as they can push through our shields. However, we won't get resupplied as long as an occupying force is camped out just beyond our shields, and they could get reinforcements to push through our shields and overwhelm the garrison, so I would recommend preemptive action.

"Thank you, Commander," says Ker'see. "Do we know if this droids use a control signal or not?"

"You mean a centralised control signal?" asked Mireska.

Camouflage shakes his head, "Sorry, Generals. No such luck. The clankers don't link to a central command signal anymore, too vulnerable."

If there isn't a centralized signal from a computer core, what is the command structure for the Separatist forces in this area? Jorin asked, gesturing towards the head. More of these tactical droids acting as field commanders?

"Well B1s are little more than walking guns, if we can get to their commanders they'll be useless. Commander, do we have a location?"

"Walking guns or not, I wouldn't underestimate the B1s' efficacy in large groups, particularly when entire phalanxes start marching in," Mireska commented.

So we'll have to be creative again.... Jorin said, letting the sentence trail off as he pulled up a map on his data pad.

"Maybe sabotaging the CIS's 'big guns' would be a good start, either to destroy them or at the very least so that they can't be moved," Mireska suggested. "For maximum disruption, it could be done in combination with taking the local CIS leader out of the picture somehow. That would be General Whorm Loathsom, according to the lastest reports."

Jorin leaned closer to the map, trying to glean some inspiration. Basically a repeat of the bridges...

Camouflage straightens up and cracks his neck, a plan starting to form. "If we wait for them to stick their necks out, we can cut their head off. Better to have them confused and in our gun sights than confused with time to reorganize before launching an attack. They've also got a shield generator guarding their headquarters. They might be able to use it to cover their advancing ground forces, which will make our job a lot harder. Best not to commit too many resources before we know what they are needed for. And their 'person of interest' has me worried... Might be nothing... Might be everything. Never assume a best case scenario."

He resumes thinking and starts drumming his fingers on the holotable, then speaks again, "Ideally, we take out the Kerkoiden and, if they use it like I think they will, their shield generator in quick succession. This gives us the maximum opportunity to take advantage of their confusion. That 'person of interest' is an unaccounted for variable, however. If it's a mole or infiltrator, we may be in for a whole lot of trouble."

Thinking back to the knife training with Jorin, he nods to himself. The droids approach cautiously, looking for an opening, before darting in with the blade and striking at a perceived opening in the Republic's defenses. The GAR neatly sidesteps and the rubber blade glances off their shoulder plate as they grab the droid army's wrist in their left hand, pressing the tip of their own knife up into the droid army's chest, just under one of the concealed armor plates.

He shakes his head reluctantly, "It's a gamble though. Without foreknowledge of where their general is going to be during the attack, he may be less vulnerable during the offensive than before... You Jedi are good at foresight, any idea where he's going to be?" He picks up the datapad, scrolling through what information they know about the Separatist general.

"I might be able to home in on Loathsom," Mireska says hesitantly. "Assuming that GAR Intelligence has enough visually-based media and general information about him. It's not fool-proof, though. Also, from the sound of it, I wouldn't be able to find the 'person of interest' at all, due to not having any information about him - or her, or it."

" If we can get me close enough I could meditate and look into the force..." starts Ker'see wistfully. "It often allows me to perceive things at distance but the force has its limits."

Camouflage mentally chides himself for asking and shakes his head, "Forget it. I shouldn't have asked. Bad intel can be worse than no intel. We're better off trying to predict based on past behaviors."

"When I said that it's not fool-proof, I meant that either I get an answer - incomplete or not - or I get nothing. The result is not misleading or 'bad intel' in and of itself. What could be misleading is our interpretation of the results." Mireska stated. "Normally, I've used it to help search and rescue services to find victims of mudslides, avalanches, collapsed buildings, and the like."

6 minutes ago, Bellona said:

"When I said that it's not fool-proof, I meant that either I get an answer - incomplete or not - or I get nothing. The result is not misleading or 'bad intel' in and of itself. What could be misleading is our interpretation of the results." Mireska stated. "Normally, I've used it to help search and rescue services to find victims of mudslides, avalanches, collapsed buildings, and the like."

"I think putting our faith in the force here might help us greatly," assures Ker'see. "What do you need Mireska?"

"As much information as possible about Loathsom," Mireska replied. "And definitely some visually-based media, preferably with audio. Then some peace and quiet for a minute or two while I trance down to meditate and see what the Force can find. If I were more in practice, I'd probably be able to do it more quickly. ... Well, I guess that I'll be getting that practice now!"

"I'll see what I can do, General. Shredder, get everything you can on the Separatist general for General Tanohdi."

The clone salutes, "Yes sir, Lieutenant. I've already got some of the information you requested earlier, but it isn't complete. I'm waiting on a data transmission with more, but it might take a couple hours." He holds out a datastick, which Camouflage accepts and plugs into the datapad, giving a brief scan of the information. Picture, brief history, typical biography stuff.

The ARC nods, satisfied for his own needs, but guessing it probably isn't enough for Mireska. "They're trying to pull up A/V on him now, but here's the beauty queen's picture." He flips around the datapad, showing Mireska a picture of a blue-skinned reptile, with an oversized, elongated head, close-set eyes, jutting fangs, and a hunched posture. "Ugly even for a kerkoiden."

Mireska looked over the information, and spent a few minutes absorbing the details of the picture. She then stood by the holo-table, left hand on the datapad and the right one moving slowly over the displayed holo-map.

She closed her eyes.

So many thread of life around me ... but not the one whom I seek ... he is to be found ... THERE!

When Mireska opened her eyes again, her right hand was pointing in a specific direction away from the displayed GAR garrison on the map. She was surprised at how easily the Force had answered her call.

"Loathsom is in that direction from our garrison," she stated.

"Well done Mireska," says Ker'see. She pauses and looks at her companions.

I don't want them endangered.

She steps back quietly and leaves the room.

Jorin strokes his chin in thought for a moment, examining the map as Cody illuminates a line on the projection in the direction that Master Mireska provided. Might I suggest a strategy? Master Mireska, you and Master Ker'see are proficient in this technique correct? If each of you take a small force on either side of this bearing, you could triangulate on Loathsom's location.... Jorin turned slightly towards Cody. Commander, do we have any navigation equipment to aid us? Even simple compasses would be a great help.

"Actually, I don't know if she uses the Force in this manner," Mireska replied to Jorin. A sudden prickling up the back of her neck made her turn. "Ker'see, what do you say?" She turned to look at the devaronian woman, only to see her slipping out of the command centre's door with the Duchess slinking after her.

"Ker'see, where're you going?!?"

"The armoury," she replied curtly before sighing. "As good as this bow is it won't do what I need at range. I need a rifle."

The Jedi Sniper turned to her colleague and met her in the eyes. "You know what I do, Mireska. I'm a sniper, I take the shot. That's what I need to do now, I feel. I'm not sure I can bring you all with me."

She felt the mane of her partner under her hand and looked down. "You'll have to stay as well girl. This isn't something wild we are tracking it's a person. I can't risk you on this." The Nexu grumbled and turned with a flick of her tail before stalking off.

"Lead them well Mireska..." The Devaronian turned away and continued to the armoury.

"Wait, Ker'see!" Mireska hurried after her.

"You know that we have clone teams who are specialised in infiltration and the like. Take one of them with you. If you're worried that their presence will give away yours, then they don't have to be right on top of your location. But keep them nearby. A military sniper shouldn't operate without any form of back-up whatsoever."

Mireska paused, wondering whether her final argument would prove her point or make Ker'see too angry to listen.

"Our recent encounter with Fett only serves to underline my point. Snipers need back-up."

Ker'see narrows her eyes at Mireska in contemplation.

"I suppose that makes sense," she concedes. "I'll take my team." She pressed a finger to her commlink. "Squad Ker'see, get ready we are moving out."

The devaronian continues to the armoury and requests a new rifle.