Important Transportation Area

Nute Gunray looked horrified, "Do you want to... do you want to..."

Darth Malthael said calmly: "You have never understood one thing all this time. The Confederacy of Independent Systems relies on the Trade Federation, the InterGalactic Banking Clan, the Fourth Group... etc. Without them, there would be no chance of fighting against the Republic based on the Industrial capabilities of the Outer Rim."

Nute Gunray was speechless.

"Accordingly, Count Dooku also relies on you to have the power he has today. Indeed, his powerful personal charm has united countless Planets in the Outer Rim, but this is just the result of taking advantage of the situation, isn't it? Without him, do you think those Outer Rim Planets would dare to rebel against the Republic? No, that's not the case," Darth Malthael said.

"You want me to...replace Count Dooku?" Nute Gunray finally said these treasonous words.

"Why?" Darth Malthael asked, "Don't want Count Dooku to step down? Hehehehe..."

He sneered for a while and said the last sentence, "We will meet again, Nute Gunray. At least now, your life is saved."

After turning off the communication, Darth Malthael opened the cockpit and jumped out. Xiao Guanghua and the group of Soldiers had been waiting for a long time.

But they didn't show any impatience. They just stood up straight immediately, raised their chests and performed a Standard Military Salute, "Lord Angel of Death!"

Only the Highest Level of the Fourth Civilization knew that Tang Xiao = Angel of Death. Under normal circumstances, when he appeared like this, he was the Angel of Death. Tang Xiao's substitute will also be arranged at the same time.

For example, right now, the T-850 which looks exactly like Tang Xiao is watching Annaq Isabella's song and dance at the Dawn Theater.

Of course, as one of the High Ranks, Xiao Guanghua naturally knows.

Xiao Guanghua is completely different now than when he was captured due to his impulse during the Battle of Naboo 10 years ago. He has grown a beard, and his weather-beaten face has many traces of the vicissitudes of life.

However, his eyes were as bright as ever, just like they were ten years ago.

"How is the Battle Plan prepared?" Darth Malthael asked.

"Admiral Matt Horner has led the Fleet to the predetermined hiding location. Once something happens in the target area as planned, our Fleet can arrive as soon as possible and launch an attack." Xiao Guanghua said while heading to the Command Center.

"Now that the Fleet has been prepared, why is the Army still delaying here?!" Darth Malthael asked gloomily, pointing to the Tanks, Armored Vehicles, and the Goliath and Warhound Mechas [Note 1:] still parked in the Vehicle Armory.

Xiao Guanghua quickly explained: "Because our Lucrehulk-class Battleships used to load Troops were monitored by the Republic Outposts when passing through Hyperspace. They were making detours and disguises to prevent the Republic from judging our true direction of attack."

"Without further delay! The Republic won't stay in the panic of General Grievous's festival offensive for long! Terminus must be captured!" Darth Malthael said sharply.

"Yes!"

Darth Malthael nodded and walked slowly along the Military Base, looking at the mountains of Weapons and Supplies inside the Armory, as well as the Groups of fully Armed Soldiers.

Walking all the way to the deepest point, there is a Huge Steel Gate blocking a large Warehouse. On the Steel Gate, there is an Umbrella-shaped logo - Umbrella Corporation.

The Umbrella Corporation is a new Pharmaceutical Group headed by Annette Birkin.

Not many people know what this name and this mark means.

…

22BBY, October 3, Terminus.

As the intersection of two Hyperspace Lanes, the Hydian Way and the Corellian Trade Spine, Terminus is still prosperous despite its remote location, and commercial trade has become the Planet's main source of income.

And because it is located in the Western Reaches near Wild Space and the Unknown Regions, you can also see many Races and Spaceships that are very different from the Galactic Republic.

The Planetary Government nominally joined the Galactic Republic, but retained most of its autonomy. In fact, the Galactic Republic did not want to pay too much attention to such a remote place. So what if it's a traffic artery? It's still remote.

Like most Trading Planets in the Outer Rim, it is a mixed bag of Smugglers, Bounty Hunters, and Gangsters.

And of course, the Power of the Hutt's has also penetrated into this Planet - the Gorensla Kajidic, which is a Clan under the Hutt Oruba Gorensla, and it is also enough to make Gorensla Kajidic a Powerful Clan that occupies a seat in the Grand Hutt Council.

Oruba wants to build this place into a Smuggling and Criminal Empire similar to Jabba's Tatooine, but his plan has just begun, and the Hutt's are far from controlling the entire Planet.

After the outbreak of the Galactic Civil War, Terminus declared Neutrality and refused to allow Fleets from both warring parties to pass through the Hyperspace Lanes intersecting Terminus.

Of course, this Neutrality is relative.

In order to pursue higher interests in the war, Terminus is actually still smuggling a large amount of various materials, including Weapons, Spices, Food, etc.

In order to withstand the huge pressure and defend Eriadu, Wilhuff Tarkin, the Governor of the Republic's 18th Army closest to Terminus, has been quietly importing large quantities of Weapons from Terminus at high prices. These War Preparation Supplies even include Spaceships and Mercenaries.

Wilhuff Tarkin has the secret help of the Galactic Republic Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine. The funds allocated to the 18th Army by the Galactic Republic Treasury also rank at least in the top five among all 20 Armies. It can be said that It is second only to those Planets guarding the Core Worlds of the Galaxy.

Therefore, the concern of the Fourth Civilization Supreme Command for Terminus is not groundless.

But after all, these things are underground activities and cannot be exposed, and what Tang Xiao wants is such a light.

On the night of this day, an Inconspicuous Spacecraft landed in a Spaceport on the Outskirts of Fermos, the Capital City of Terminus.

The hatch opened, and a large group of people wearing Black Cloaks came out and walked toward the City in silence.

A Manager of the Spaceport came over and wanted to ask, but was stopped by the leading Man in a Black Cloak. He quietly stuffed a Bag of Credits and whispered: "You'd better leave these people alone, they are believers..."

-

[Important: For those who aren't on the Fourth Scourge Discord and were wondering why there haven't been any chapters for a while, I have been recovering from an injury and was unable to use a computer. Now that I'm able to use a computer, translations will continue. ] 

[Note 1: I have been translating the Mechas wrong the entire time. They are not the Starcraft 2 Thor Walker and Odin Walker but the Starcraft 1 Goliath Mech and Warhound Mech. This will be fixed going forward.]