**Chapter 541**
**Scene 1**
**Dagon POV**
**Grey Wolf Bridge**
I stood at the center of the holographic command table, arms crossed, staring at the shifting star map of the Corporate Sector and its surrounding hyperspace routes. The edge of Wild Space loomed like a dark curtain on the display — untamed, unpredictable, and full of unknown dangers. That was exactly why it was useful.
"The advantage of hitting CIS worlds like those in the Corporate Sector and the Thanium Worlds," I said aloud, "is that they sit right on the edge of Wild Space. We need a target that will force the enemy to react. Draw them out. Best defense is a strong offense."
Fleet Admiral Dittmar's hologram flickered beside me. "You have something specific in mind, General?"
I zoomed in on a particular route. "The Authority Arc. It gives us a direct path to several key worlds, but the most important one right now is Orron III."
The agricultural planet appeared in greater detail — a fertile world covered in vast crop fields under strict Corporate Sector Authority control. An Authority Data Center sat at its heart, processing and storing massive amounts of logistical information. Incoming traffic was heavily restricted: mostly drone barges hauling crops and official Authority fleet vessels. The planet had three moons that could serve as excellent defensive or observation points.
"During the Freedon Nadd Uprising centuries ago," I continued, "the Senator from Orron III argued against Republic intervention on Onderon. Claimed the planet wasn't a member and the dark side threat was a Jedi matter. History has a way of repeating itself."
Dittmar studied the data. "Current regulations for captured agriworlds state we seize all food shipments bound for hostile CIS territories but leave the planet with enough reserves to sustain its population, plus any neutral worlds we trade with. Why Orron III specifically?"
I allowed myself a small, predatory smile. "Because it's a major supplier for Separatist forces along this corridor. Capturing it will hurt their logistics. We're going to Orron III. Admiral Piett, Admiral Brom Titus — take point with your Valiant-class Star Destroyers. Capture any drone barges and confiscate their cargo. I want the Authority to feel this."
"Understood, General," both admirals replied crisply.
I straightened. "Time to see how desperate Sidious and his CIS allies really are."
**Scene 2**
The fleet emerged from hyperspace in textbook formation. The grey wolf led the center, flanked by the powerful Nebula-class Star Destroyers and the Resurgent battlecruisers. The two Valiants — *Knull* under Piett and *Necrosword* under Brom Titus — surged forward like hunting hounds.
Ahsoka stood at my side on the bridge, watching the tactical display. "Only twenty Dauntless-class heavy cruisers and five Recusant-class heavy destroyers. They're not expecting a full fleet assault here."
The Force felt heavy — not with immediate danger, but with the quiet suffering of enslaved workers and the cold calculus of Corporate greed. I could sense the Colicoid auxiliaries we had brought along shifting restlessly in their assigned transports.
"All ships, weapons free," I ordered. "Focus ion cannons on the Recusants first. Nebula-class vessels — Abyssal Devourer, Noxian Sovereign, Stygian Serpent, Umbral Drake, Void-Ripper — engage at will. TIE Punishers and Avengers, prepare for bomber runs on the Dauntless line."
The enemy reacted too slowly.
The five 2-kilometer Recusant-class heavy destroyers tried to bring their forward heavy cannons to bear, but my Nebula-class ships simply outranged and outgunned them. Brilliant emerald turbolaser fire and blue ion streams tore into the enemy vessels. One Recusant exploded spectacularly after a concentrated barrage from the *Noxian Sovereign*, its reactor core breaching in a blooming sphere of plasma.
Meanwhile, the twenty Dauntless-class heavy cruisers (each roughly 1.3 kilometers long) attempted to form a defensive wall. They were solid capital ship killers, but their anti-starfighter armament was notoriously light.
"Launch bomber wings," I commanded.
Hundreds of TIE Punishers and TIE Avengers poured out of the Starkiller carriers and Resurgent hangars. The Punishers, laden with heavy ordnance, dove toward the Dauntless formation while Avengers provided escort with their superior firepower and shielding. The enemy cruisers had few effective point-defense weapons to fend them off. Proton torpedoes and concussion missiles slammed home in brilliant explosions — some yellow, some blue-white — as entire sections of the Dauntless ships disintegrated.
It was almost surgical. No casualties on our side. Exactly how I preferred it.
"Begin the blockade," I ordered once the last enemy capital ship went dark. "Secure the drone barges and redirect all food shipments. Inform the planetary governor that Orron III is now under Republic protection — and that the Separatists no longer control their harvest."
Through the Force I felt the shift across the planet — relief from the workers, panic from the Authority overseers, and the cold realization among distant CIS command centers that another vital artery had been cut.
I leaned on the command railing, watching the green-and-blue flashes of the dying blockade.
One more step closer to controlling the Hydian Way.
One more wound in Sidious's grand design.