**Chapter 558**
**Scene 1**
**Silent Wolf – Geonosian Dreadnaught Pennance-class**
**Hyperspace**
**Dagon POV**
The massive Geonosian Dreadnaught hummed through hyperspace like a predator on the hunt. I stood on the newly secured bridge, the spiked black armor of Warb Null still humming with residual Sith energy against my skin. The girls were gathered around the central holotable, reviewing the final approach vectors to Quell.
Quell — the principal planet of its system in the Outer Rim, lying along the Salin Corridor. During the Clone Wars in the original timeline, a major battle had been fought in its upper atmosphere. Aayla's fleet had been ambushed there en route to Felucia. I had originally planned to take this campaign slowly, system by system, but with this captured super-heavy warship now under our control, we could strike the ambush point directly and turn the Separatists' trap against them.
The ship suddenly shuddered as it collided with another hyperspace mine. The inertial dampeners absorbed most of the impact, but the deck still vibrated beneath our feet.
"Sir, we sent the signal," Ethan reported from his remote link. "The Confederacy forces at Quell believe our story — that we were ambushed but managed to escape with heavy damage."
"Good," I replied. "Once we reach Quell, wait until we're close enough, then open fire with everything. I'll be down by the reactor, feeding it what power I can. The moment the ship reaches critical overload, we board the *Scimitar* and escape. Then contact the fleet for the real battle."
Aayla shifted uncomfortably, her lekku twitching. "You sure this is a good idea? It feels… wrong. Using their own ship to destroy them like this."
"They are planting mines and enslaving civilians," Zule reminded her firmly. "Remember what we saw on Xifal. This is war, Aayla. They don't play fair."
Aayla exhaled slowly, then nodded. "Oh yes… right."
Sakura stepped closer to me, her purple eyes steady. "We'll be ready when you give the word."
I placed a hand on her shoulder, then looked at all of them. The bond between us pulsed with shared resolve. "This Dreadnaught is one of their few remaining heavy offensive assets. Destroying it — and the ambush fleet waiting at Quell — will send a clear message. The Hydian Way belongs to us now."
The stars continued to streak past as we barreled toward the trap the Separatists had so carefully laid.
**Scene 2**
**Quell System**
**Super Tactical Droid Auto POV**
Super Tactical Droid Auto stood on the bridge of the central command vessel, crimson photoreceptors glowing as it oversaw the massive ambush fleet positioned throughout the Quell system.
"Are you sure this is necessary?" Auto asked the flickering hologram of Shu Mai.
"Yes, I am sure," the Gossam Presidente of the Commerce Guild replied coldly. "You will keep all the super ships under your command, as well as the ambush fleet, safe. The hyperspace mines I provided will stop Dagon Marek. Even if he is powerful, no ship can jump safely through those mines."
"Very well, Magister," Auto replied mechanically. The hologram faded.
The fleet assembled around Quell was truly formidable — nearly half of the remaining operational strength in the Felucia theater and along the Hydian Way:
- 400 Munificent-class frigates
- 150 Recusant-class heavy destroyers
- 100 Recusant-class light destroyers
- 120 Providence-class Dreadnoughts (2km variants)
- 90 Lucrehulk-class battleships
- 150 Techno Union frigates
- 80 Dauntless-class heavy cruisers
- 250 Sabaoth-class Destroyers
- 50 DH-Omni Support Vessels
- 90 Providence-class carrier/destroyers
Plus the three brand-new Subjugator-class heavy cruisers of the advanced Malice variant — *Devastation*, *Revenge*, and *Unconquerable Will* — and the four Geonosian Pennance-class Dreadnaughts, one of which was the *Silent Wolf*, currently en route.
"Remember," Auto ordered its subordinate droids, "keep the mines deactivated until the *Silent Wolf* arrives. We cannot risk the loss of our own ships."
"Yes, sir," the droids responded in unison.
Auto calculated the probabilities again. With this much firepower and the minefield, even General Dagon Marek's growing legend would end here.
The trap was perfect.