During the conflict known as the Clone Wars, which pitted the Galactic Republic against the Confederacy of Independent Systems, a significant fleet operating far into Separatist space was under the command of Aut-O, a Commander and ST-series tactical droid. This fleet included a Providence-class Dreadnought, a minimum of five Recusant-class light destroyers, and at least three Separatist Gozanti-class cruiser variations. In 19 BBY, a Republic droids squad, under the leadership of Colonel Meebur Gascon of the Zilkin, infiltrated this fleet. Their mission was to pilfer an encryption module from the Providence-class Dreadnought flagship to decode an intercepted, encrypted message from General Grievous and uncover the Confederacy's plans.
The fleet's initial, though unconfirmed, appearance occurred in "Secret Weapons," the tenth episode from Star Wars: The Clone Wars' fifth season, an animated television series. This episode was originally broadcast on November 30, 2012.