**Chapter 557**
**Scene 1**
**Tey-Zuka POV**
**Silent Wolf – Geonosian Dreadnaught Pennance-class**
**Adivy Orbit**
Tey-Zuka stood motionless on the bridge of the *Silent Wolf*, its crimson photoreceptors scanning the tactical display with relentless precision. The absence of Republic ships in orbit troubled the tactical droid. No burning wreckage, no fleeing transports, no signs of orbital bombardment on the planet below.
"Sir, we are detecting a ship on the surface near the capital," a B1 droid reported. "Energy signature matches the Resurgent-class battlecruiser used by General Dagon Marek."
"Sir, we have just been hit by debris," another droid added. "Scans show a solid object near the ship, but visual feeds are empty."
Tey-Zuka processed the anomalies instantly. Something was wrong. The Geonosian Dreadnaught's powerful sensors should not be so easily fooled.
"Geonosian vessels are full of faults," Tey-Zuka stated coldly. "Contact command and prepare to deploy our bombers—"
An alarm screamed across the bridge.
"Commander! We have intruders! They are moving fast — cutting down the Geonosian workers onboard!"
Before Tey-Zuka could issue new orders, the bridge doors exploded inward in a shower of sparks. A figure in spiked black armor stormed through the smoke, red crossguard lightsaber blazing. In one fluid motion, the intruder's blade whipped across, severing Tey-Zuka's head from its shoulders in a shower of sparks and fluid.
The last thing the tactical droid registered was the glowing red starburst eyes of General Dagon Marek staring down at its falling body.
**Scene 2**
**Dagon POV**
**Silent Wolf Bridge**
The bridge fell silent except for the dying sparks and the hum of my lightsaber.
"Ship slave system uploaded," Ethan reported from the Scimitar's remote link, his voice calm and efficient. "Thirty thousand crew droids now under our command. The remaining thirty of six thousand Geonosian crew that are still alive have retreated toward the hangar. Shin and Erictia are closing in on them."
"Very well," I said, stepping over Tey-Zuka's severed head. "Reposition the guns right now. This ship has firing arcs in every direction. At this range, those Dauntless-class cruisers should fall quickly. Good thing they didn't notice us yet."
"Yes, sir. Positioning guns… opening fire."
The *Silent Wolf* — now fully under our control — came alive with terrifying power. Even though its turbolasers were only Class Seven (standard for most CIS capital ships), the sheer volume of fire at point-blank range was devastating.
Streaks of red and purple energy lanced out in every direction. The twenty Dauntless-class heavy cruisers escorting the Dreadnaught were caught completely off guard, their shields still down after the surprise arrival. One after another, the cruisers were torn apart. Massive explosions bloomed across their hulls as turbolaser batteries, engines, and reactors detonated in chain reactions.
"Beautiful," I muttered, watching a Dauntless break in half, its two pieces tumbling away in flames. "Ethan, keep the pressure on. Target their command ships first."
The remaining CIS vessels tried to return fire, but the *Silent Wolf*'s thick armor absorbed most of the punishment while its overwhelming broadsides continued to shred them.
**Scene 3**
The battle lasted thirty minutes — longer than I would have liked, but still a decisive victory.
With the *Silent Wolf* now fully slaved to our systems and the last Dauntless cruiser exploding in a brilliant fireball, the system belonged to us. The armor of the Geonosian Dreadnaught was weaker than I had hoped for a ship of its size, but still remarkably effective against standard CIS weaponry. We would simply report that we had escaped a surprise ambush and captured the vessel intact.
I stood on the newly secured bridge, watching the tactical display update. Ethan's voice came through the comm once more.
"General, intelligence confirms the Confederacy has three more Geonosian Pennance-class Dreadnaughts and three Subjugator-class heavy cruisers being prepared specifically to hunt you."
I allowed myself a dark smile beneath my helmet. "Let them come. We'll test how effective this capital ship really is against its own kind."
Shin and Erictia entered the bridge, their lightsabers still humming faintly. A few Geonosian workers had been taken alive, now under guard.
"The hangar is secure," Shin reported. "Most of the crew surrendered once they realized their droids had turned on them."
"Good work," I said. "Prepare the ship for departure. We'll link up with the rest of the fleet and continue the Listehol Run campaign."
Through the Force bond I felt the girls' satisfaction and readiness. Another system taken. Another powerful warship added to our growing arsenal.
The Hydian Way was falling into our hands, one bloody step at a time.