**Chapter 526**
**New Wings for a New War**
**Dagon POV**
**Lianna – Sienar-Jaemus Shipyards**
The *Gray Wolf* had dropped out of hyperspace hours ago, but my mind was still half with the girls back on the ship. Through the Force bond, I had caught fragments of their night — a drinking game sparked by Kayla's suggestion after Temple training, confiscated senator wine and mercenary spirits flowing freely while I was buried in fleet logistics. They had passed out in a glorious, chaotic cuddle pile.
*Apparently when the Jedi are drunk or their minds are cloudy, communication through the bond becomes difficult,* I noted mentally. *I should have gone in and healed them instead of sleeping in the office. Oh well… live and learn.*
Now I stood on the observation platform overlooking the massive Sienar-Jaemus shipyards on Lianna. The sight was breathtaking. What had once been a mid-tier facility had ballooned into a sprawling industrial powerhouse thanks to the credits, materials, and kyber technology I had funneled into it.
Raith Sienar stood beside me, hands clasped behind his back, looking every bit the proud industrialist.
"As you can see," he said with clear satisfaction, "fifteen Nebula-class Star Destroyers stand ready, fully crewed and armed. The second group of fifteen will be completed within a month."
I let out a low whistle as I surveyed the lines of sleek, powerful warships docked in their berths. "Impressive. I can see how much things have changed since our first meeting."
Raith smiled. "Well, I can safely thank you for that. So much in the way of ships, materials, credits… and with the kyber matrix you provided, we now have a full defense grid with your FS-PAR cannons deployed to protect our interests. Sienar has never been stronger."
I nodded, pleased. "Any word on the special guests? Have they arrived?"
"Yes, discreetly as requested," Raith confirmed. "Given the amount of credits you authorized me to offer, they accepted readily. Another group has also joined them. It appears Kuat and Corellia have largely taken over the starfighter market for the Republic with their designs. Luckily, their engineers are ready and eager to help."
I turned as a side door opened. A small delegation entered — Vors Voorhorian, chief designer of Sublight Products Corporation (Subpro), along with several senior Incom engineers. Subpro had once been a respected but second-tier manufacturer, working jointly with Incom on starfighters since 147 BBY. Their designs were solid, competitively priced, and found across backwater worlds, but they had never received full credit for their contributions.
Now they were here, looking hopeful but cautious.
"Gentlemen and ladies," I began, projecting calm authority, "I am General Dagon Marek, board member and co-founder of Sienar-Jaemus Fleet Systems. I wish to provide you with designs, equipment, and substantial credits in exchange for a new line of starfighter I wish to build."
There was a murmur of conversation among the engineers. Vors Voorhorian, a sharp-eyed human with a no-nonsense demeanor, stepped forward.
"You are already famous for your Skelter and TIE designs," he said. "Why do you need our help? Why not contact Incom or Kuat directly?"
I smiled faintly. "Most of those corporations don't care for the little guy. And I suspect politics plays a role as well. I want a fighter that is reliable, affordable, and versatile — something that can be mass-produced for the Republic while giving us an edge the Separatists won't see coming."
**Scene 2**
**Board Room – Sienar-Jaemus Facility**
The lights dimmed as a large hologram appeared in the center of the table. I activated the detailed schematics, the familiar cruciform shape rotating slowly.
"X-wings are reasonably maneuverable starfighters," I explained. "They have two pairs of wing-like strike-foils, or S-foils, mounted at the rear of the craft on opposite sides. The foils on each side lock in place flush against each other. During combat, however, the foils are folded out to increase the spread coverage of the laser cannons mounted at the tips of the foils. This gives the craft its distinctive X-like appearance when viewed from the front or rear."
I continued, highlighting key features. "The T-70 X-wing starfighter is a cruciform starfighter measuring 12.49 meters in length with a maximum capacity of a single pilot and a bottom-loaded astromech droid. The vessel's targeting computer, flight controls, and other essential piloting instruments are located inside an armored cockpit module. Four Sienar ion-modified 5L5 fusial thrust Split-engines allow the ship its noteworthy atmospheric and realspace maneuverability, largely due to calibrated retro thrusters with built-in electromagnetic gyros."
The engineers leaned in, clearly intrigued.
"The T-70 features four wing-mounted Taim & Bak KX12 laser cannons. In a single wing, power couplings allow an electrical current to power laser cannon charge cells. The beam travels down the barrel, entering a plasma combination injector, then a laser cooling sleeve, and is focused through a long laser blast condensing channel before firing. An integrated S-foil system allows two distinct flying profiles: cruise mode with wings retracted, and attack mode with wings scissored open."
I highlighted the ordnance. "It carries a standard configuration of eight miniaturized Krupx MG7-A proton torpedoes, concussion missiles, or mag-pulse launchers. A rotating underslung blaster cannon provides greater rearward defense. Sensor-scattering ferrosphere paint aids in avoiding enemy detection. The targeting system uses a Fabritech ANq 5.8 tracking computer with IN-622-A 'Sightline' holographic imaging system."
The room was silent for a long moment as the engineers absorbed the specifications. Vors Voorhorian finally spoke, eyes gleaming with professional excitement.
"This is… revolutionary. Affordable, versatile, and powerful. With our collaboration and Incom's expertise, we can begin production relatively quickly."
I nodded. "That's what I'm counting on. The Republic needs a new generation of starfighters. Something that can go toe-to-toe with upgraded Vultures and whatever else the Separatists throw at us."
After some discussion on timelines, costs, and production rights, they agreed. The deal cost me 2.5 billion credits — a significant sum, but a drop in the bucket compared to Sienar's resources, the Republic's budget, or Kuat's coffers. I still had 25 billion credits remaining — more than enough to keep operations stable.
As the meeting concluded and handshakes were exchanged, I felt a quiet sense of triumph. The X-wing was coming. A symbol of hope for the Republic, and a weapon that would one day help turn the tide.
I looked out the window at the shipyards, where the first Nebula-class Star Destroyers gleamed under construction lights.
The war was far from over.
But we were building something that would outlast it.