Responding With Fear

22BBY, on May 25, three days after Count Dooku announced the independence of the Confederacy of Independent Systems from the Galactic Republic, the news of the fall of Bespin reached Coruscant, the Capital Planet of the Galactic Republic.

This is also the first planet to be captured by Separatism after the outbreak of the war, and it is very bad that it is a Neutral Planet.

The so-called Neutral Planets at this time were still within the administrative scope of the Galactic Republic, but some Planets refused to participate in the war. They will neither help the Galactic Republic nor the Confederacy of Independent Systems and unilaterally declare neutrality.

In fact, they just want to be a fool.

Just like Planet Bespin, they just want to do business, not fight.

But it was clear that war would not give them that chance.

The Baron Administrator of the Bespin, Lando Calrissian, and the Military Commander, Santamaria, discarded everything that could be discarded, and only led the Remnant Fleet to flee to the Dolla, and sent a message for help to Coruscant.

The Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Council, Sheev Palpatine, looked at the message for help in the office, and at a Star Map Projection on the corner of the desk. His gaze fell on the Endor System in an inconspicuous corner.

"Dawn...hehehehe..." A distorted voice came out from his original kind and kind expression, and then he let out a terrible low laugh.

After a while, he returned to the way he should be the Supreme Chancellor, turned on the communicator and said, "Help me ask Master Shaak Ti to come over, there is something important to discuss."

Then, he changed a channel, and a 40-year-old man appeared in the Holographic Projection, with a thin and dark face, and his hairline had receded to the top of his forehead, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.

"Well, my friend, Governor Wilhuff Tarkin, you must have known the news of Bespin's fall. This is really a frightening change." Sheev Palpatine said.

"Your Excellency Supreme Chancellor." Wilhuff Tarkin bowed slightly, and said, "I am indeed paying attention to the battle situation on Bespin's side, but I am also powerless. The Agomar System is under siege. I can't lose the Agomar System or it will give the Separatists the opportunity to cut off the Corellian Trade Spine, however, I do have some opinions on the Bespin ."

"I think that's why I came to you, my friend. In the Military, you will always be the most trustworthy person I can trust." Palpatine said with a smile.

"Just like the Military theory I have always insisted on, war is not as simple as pulling the trigger and shooting. Fighting and killing on the battlefield is only the appearance of the end of the war, and the essence of war is often hidden in the depths, and I want to say, yes, it is the human heart." Governor Tarkin said.

"I'm all ears." Palpatine heard the door knock and saw that Master Shaak Ti had walked in. He smiled at Shaak Ti and motioned her to come and sit down and listen together.

"The Separatist Movement is very rampant. Now our war situation on Geonosis is in a state of anxiety. Master Yoda and 200,000 Clone Troopers are trapped there. After that, the Separatists attacked 17 directions at the same time. At this time, the Galaxy, the hearts of the trillions of people under the Republic...are fearful. They are afraid of Separatism, and have fear of war." Tarkin said.

"But we have just decided to accept the war," Palpatine said.

"So if it continues like this, fear will overwhelm everything. Under fear, the people will oppose the war. At this time, they will not oppose the Separatism that brought them fear, but will oppose... us." Governor Tarkin looked stern, and said slowly: "And the failure of Bespin will exacerbate this."

"So, what's your opinion?" Palpatine said.

"Fear should be our weapon! It should be the shackles we impose on the hearts of the enemies, not our shackles, and this beginning is Bespin!" Tarkin said.

"Why Bespin?" Master Shaak Ti asked beside him.

"Because they are a Neutral Planet, and they are a Neutral Planet that has been attacked by Separatism." Tarkin said proudly, "When the Republic was in danger, they abandoned the Republic and declared neutrality. In fact, neutrality at this time is equal to betrayal! This is very bad behavior, and such behavior must not be allowed to spread, but in fact, with the continuous victory of Separatism, there are now more than 6,000 Systems in the Galaxy that have declared neutrality. Is this normal? Can we allow this?"

"Of course not!" Palpatine had already got the answer he wanted, with a grim smile on his face.

"So, we must respond strongly on Bespin! Not only against Separatism, but also against those so-called 'Neutrality Planets' who want to be fools!" Governor Tarkin said firmly.

Palpatine turned to Shaak Ti with a warm smile, "What do you think? Master Shaak Ti."

Although Shaak Ti felt that there was something wrong with Tarkin's words, but now that the Republic had fallen into a completely passive state just after the war started, she had to admit that at least Tarkin's countermeasures made sense. Now that Master Yoda and Master Windu are not here, Master Depa-Bilaba leads the Fleet to Geonosis to rescue them from the siege. Now she is the highest one in the Jedi Order to preside over the overall situation here temporarily, and she really has no way to give more suggestions and programs.

"I agree to launch a counterattack in the direction of Bespin if we have the ability to do so," Shaak Ti said.

"As long as we think about it, we can do it." Palpatine said, "Kuat Drive Yards have corrected their previous mistakes, and 60 of the latest warships—Venator-class Star Destroyers are ready to go."

"But we don't have enough Soldiers." Shaak Ti frowned.

"Hehehehe..." Palpatine stood up, "Naturally, such a big Republic has no shortage of passionate men who are willing to fight bravely for the unity of the Galaxy, but on this matter, I also hope that the Jedi Order can guide the march of this Army."

Shaak Ti thought for a while and said, "Jedi Master Glynn-Beti and her Padawan Ulu Ulix can participate in this expedition."

Palpatine bowed slightly to Shaak Ti, and said, "I can feel the determination of the Jedi Order. Here, I represent the billions of people of the Galactic Republic. Thank you."

Shaak Ti didn't doubt him, she got up and saluted, then turned and left.