With the Republic fleets spread throughout the Outer Rim Territories, and the Coruscant Home Fleet depleted and off guard, the Confederates had an opportunity to deal a mighty blow to the Republic by attacking Coruscant. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, leader of the Republic, was aware that the Jedi were searching for a Darth Sidious, a mysterious Sith Lord who they believed had both started and maintained the war. Unbeknowest to them, Palpatine was Sidious, and he was controlling both sides, in hopes of achieving his true objective—utter control of the galaxy. Palpatine orchestrated a lightning attack on the planet, led by General Grievous, Supreme Commander of the Droid Armies. Grievous put together an armada of thousands of destroyers and frigates—led by the Providence-class destroyer Inv