**Chapter 523**
**Threads of Fate**
**Gray Wolf – Bridge**
**Dagon POV**
**Coruscant Orbit**
The *Gray Wolf* hung in high orbit above Coruscant, a silent guardian amid the endless flow of traffic. The girls had finally gone to their quarters to rest after the long day of meetings and preparations. I remained on the bridge, leaning over the central holotable as I went over the final checks for our return to Lantilles.
First order of business: prepare the fleet for the push into the 11th Sector.
I zoomed in on the strategic map, studying the Gordian Reach. The region was bounded Rimward by the Radama Void and broadly divided into two regions: the Loop Worlds along the Junction-Tierell Loop near the Hydian Way, and the Back Reach to the galactic east, beyond the Roil nebula.
The Gordian Reach's most important worlds were located along the Junction-Tierell Loop just off the Hydian Way, including Pinoora, Jovan III, Presbalin, and the sector capital of Torque. Rimward of the Loop Worlds were the rarely-traversed Wetyin's Way and the Pinooran Spur, which included the planets Vaal, Glade and Wetyin's Colony, Krylon, Betshish, Marrovia, and Kushibah. The two hyperroutes were linked by the Yavin Bypass, passing by the gas giant Yavin.
The Korphir Trace crossed a nebula known as the Roil to link the Back Reach and the worlds of Arda II and Feena. The Back Reach had little historical connection to the Loop Worlds.
I rubbed my chin thoughtfully. *A large number of grassworlds… basically Vietnam-style warfare. And damn, I remember the native Felucians. Oh wait — the CIS already had stable bases there, so we'll just take those over. But the key will be in the orbital battles.*
I pulled up another file. Sullust was officially allied with the Republic, but their massive corporation, SoroSuub, was still doing quiet work for the CIS.
*SoroSuub Corporation was a massive Sullustan conglomerate that specialized in mineral processing, but due to its ancient and wide success, it also became an industrial giant that produced a vast array of technological goods, even including the capability to produce larger ships like the Marsheem-class heavy cruiser, after their many years producing the highest quality Luxury Yachts, such as the Personal Luxury Yacht 3000 and Peregrine-class Star Yacht.*
And it seemed they had also started building a new type of ship for the Confederacy. Intelligence had nothing concrete, but I already knew what it was — the Dauntless-class heavy cruiser.
The Dauntless-class was the second-largest cruiser that saw service with the Rebel Alliance fleet during the Galactic Civil War. The class featured a formidable array of weapons, heavy plating, and strong shields. It also featured an excellent sensor package and countermeasures system. Originally built as a luxury vessel, it was converted into a combat ship during the war.
The ship had most of its guns along the sides, so the best way to attack was to order it to move alongside an enemy capital ship and give the attack order. If possible, ensure it had targets on both port and starboard sides to maximize damage output. It would need escort since its focus on heavy guns meant it would struggle to hit anything smaller than a cruiser. Another important thing to note was that it needed to get in close to the enemy to maximize damage, which left it vulnerable to being focused down by a front-firing ISD. As far as defense went, this ship had heavy armor and most of its health was in the hull, so it could take quite a beating after its shields went down. It also had the sensor jammer ability, which helped with torpedo and missile defense. Overall, this ship was pretty simple: get it in range of another capital ship and watch the fireworks as it tore it apart.
Length: 1,200 meters.
Hyperdrive: Equipped.
Shielding: SoroSuub ISO-204 shield generator.
Armament: 100 Turbolaser cannons, 80 Ion cannons, 80 Point-defense laser cannons, 10 Heavy turbolaser cannons.
Complement: 4 Starfighter squadrons.
Crew: 16,500 crewmembers + 2 Troop regiments (or 120,000 battle droids).
Minimum crew: 1,200 (or 30,000 droids).
It made sense. The CIS Bulwarks were nowhere near ready, even with the Foerost Siege lifted. Luckily, the CIS were smart enough to listen to Sidious and not launch any major attacks from that planet right now.
I leaned back in the command chair, rubbing my eyes. *Man, I need a rest.*
A faint disturbance in the Force brushed against my senses. Not danger — something softer. Two more sensitive emotions, young and vibrant.
I reached out with the Force, gently locating the source.
"Ah… huh!"
I was surprised to find Kass Tod and Mack Lotor in a cleaning closet, making out with the kind of desperate passion only young love could produce.
*Oh right — these two were supposed to fall in love on Jabiim,* I thought, a small smile tugging at my lips even as worry flickered in my mind. *But looks like fate really has a way of messing with you.*
I quietly stepped back, leaving them to their moment. Some things were better left undisturbed.
**Scene 2**
I returned to the bridge, the weight of command settling back on my shoulders. The *Gray Wolf* was preparing for the jump to Lantilles, where the full might of the 12th Sector fleet awaited reorganization.
The Gordian Reach and Felucia loomed ahead. Grassworlds, dense jungles, native Felucians — it would be brutal, close-quarters warfare. But the CIS already had stable bases there. The key would be winning the orbital battles first.
I pulled up the latest intelligence on SoroSuub's activities again. Their quiet support for the CIS was troubling, but not unexpected. Corporations rarely cared about sides — only profits.
"Set course for Lantilles," I ordered. "Full fleet preparations upon arrival. We move on Felucia within the week."
As the stars stretched into hyperspace, I allowed myself one quiet thought:
*The war never stops. But neither do we.*