The Erasmus gambit represented an infiltration tactic employed by the Alliance to Restore the Republic. One particular form of this strategy involved clandestinely placing several Infiltrators onto a vessel belonging to the Imperial forces. These Infiltrators would then pilot the captured ship towards a pre-determined base. Upon arrival, their mission was to deactivate the base's protective deflector shields along with its offensive weaponry. Subsequently, they were to remain concealed until the arrival of the main invading force. A modified version of this gambit was put forth by Colonel Gharon as preparations were underway for Operation Cobolt. General Crix Madine gave his approval to the proposal, but he increased the number of infiltrators from an initial count of 10 to a revised total of 20.