**Chapter 561**
**Scene 1**
**Auto POV**
**Bridge of the Providence-class Dreadnought *Vindicator***
The tactical droid known as Auto stood motionless on the command bridge, crimson photoreceptors flickering as the slaughter unfolded around him.
The once-mighty fleet of nearly 1,500 vessels was being systematically torn apart.
Auto's processors ran at maximum capacity, calculating escape vectors, counter-fire solutions, and reinforcement probabilities. Every simulation returned the same result: defeat was inevitable.
The last Subjugator-class heavy cruiser, the *Devastation*, limped through the upper atmosphere on its final functioning engines. Its once-formidable hull was a burning wreck, entire sections missing, fires raging across its superstructure. Only one hundred Munificent-class frigates and twenty Providence-class Dreadnoughts remained combat-effective. The rest were either destroyed, crippled and drifting, or breaking apart as they fell toward Quell's surface.
"Status report," Auto demanded, his mechanical voice flat despite the catastrophe.
"Enemy TIE Punisher bombers have breached the outer screen," a subordinate droid replied. "They are launching missiles at close range. The *Devastation* reports critical reactor damage. Shields at twelve percent."
Through the viewport, Auto watched another Providence explode in a brilliant blue-white sphere as three Nebulas focused fire on it from extreme range. The Republic fleet's diamond formation was merciless — their overlapping fields of fire creating kill zones that no Separatist ship could survive for long.
Then the *Olympus Mons* appeared.
The modified Arquitens-class command cruiser descended into the upper atmosphere like a predator, its kyber-enhanced turbolasers glowing emerald as it unleashed devastating broadsides. Cruise missiles streaked from its launch bays, slamming into already damaged vessels and finishing them off in spectacular fireballs.
"Priority target: *Olympus Mons*," Auto ordered. "All remaining ships, concentrate fire—"
It was too late.
A flight of TIE Punishers screamed past the *Vindicator*, their proton torpedoes ripping through its port side. The bridge shuddered violently as secondary explosions tore through the deck below.
Auto's photoreceptors dimmed slightly as he processed the final data streams. Communications were collapsing. Hyperspace jumps were blocked by gravity wells. Boarding attempts had failed. The Republic fleet under General Dagon Marek had executed a near-perfect trap.
"Victory probability… zero percent," Auto calculated aloud.
He turned toward the viewport one last time, watching the *Devastation* break apart in a slow, fiery death spiral toward the planet below. Munificents tried to flee, only to be hunted down by Lancer frigates and TIE Avengers. Providences attempted desperate ramming runs, but the Republic ships simply maneuvered aside and destroyed them at range.
The droid's final command was simple.
"Transmit all remaining data to Serenno. Tell them… General Dagon Marek is more dangerous than projected."
Then the bridge of the *Vindicator* disappeared in a storm of green turbolaser fire.
**Scene 2**
**Dagon POV**
**Olympus Mons Bridge**
The *Scimitar* docked with the *Olympus Mons* with a solid thud. The moment the ramp lowered, I stepped onto the command deck with the girls right behind me. Ethan followed last, his chassis still smoking slightly from the chaos aboard the dying *Silent Wolf*.
"Status?" I asked immediately.
"Fleet is in position," Fleet Admiral Dittmar reported from the *Grey Wolf*. "The CIS formation has collapsed. They're attempting desperate ramming runs, but our Lancers and Avengers are picking them off."
I nodded, taking my place at the center of the bridge. The *Olympus Mons* was already descending into Quell's upper atmosphere, its powerful shields glowing as it braved the heat and turbulence. Through the viewport, the burning remains of the Separatist fleet were clearly visible — dozens of ships trailing fire and smoke as they fell toward the planet's surface.
"Target the largest remaining clusters," I ordered. "Use the F-SPAR and cruise missiles. Let's end this cleanly."
The girls moved with practiced efficiency around the bridge. Ahsoka coordinated fighter wings, Shin managed shield integrity, Zule handled weapons targeting, and the others rotated between stations. Sakura stayed close to me, her presence a warm anchor through the bond.
When CIS ships grew desperate, they always tried to ram. It was their final, predictable move. Several damaged Providences and Lucrehulks angled toward us, engines flaring in suicide runs. The *Olympus Mons* simply sidestepped with graceful power, its point-defense lasers and turbolasers tearing them apart before they could close the distance.
One Malice-variant Subjugator tried a final broadside as it burned up in the atmosphere. Its heavy turbolasers raked across our shields, but the kyber matrix held strong. We answered with a full broadside that split the massive ship in half. The two burning sections spiraled downward, crashing into a remote mountain range far from any civilian population centers.
"Good," I muttered. "At least we're not polluting the ecosystem too badly."
The battle had become a slaughter. Green turbolaser fire from the *Olympus Mons* and the orbiting fleet ripped through what remained of the enemy. TIE Punishers made another devastating bombing run, their missiles finishing off crippled frigates and destroyers. The sky over Quell was filled with falling debris and bright explosions.
"Enemy fleet reduced to less than eighty effective vessels," Stella reported. "Most are attempting emergency landings or crashing."
I watched the tactical display as the last major resistance crumbled. The CIS had thrown everything at us — and we had broken them.
"Cease long-range fire," I ordered. "Use the Lancers and gunships to mop up the survivors. Secure the repair station if possible. I want prisoners and any intact data cores."
Through the bond, I felt the collective relief and satisfaction from the girls. Sakura squeezed my hand, her purple eyes shining with pride. Ahsoka gave me a small, tired smile. Shin simply nodded, ever the calm commander.
The Battle of Quell was over.
We had won.
**Aftermath**
It took another six hours for the last pockets of resistance to be neutralized. The repair station, heavily damaged but still intact, surrendered after we disabled its remaining defenses. Salvage teams from the fleet began moving in immediately, escorted by Lancer frigates and TIE Defenders.
I stood on the observation deck of the *Olympus Mons*, looking down at the burning mountain range where many CIS ships had made their final crash landings. Smoke rose in thick columns, but the damage was localized. Quell's ecosystem would recover.
The girls gathered around me — ten bonds, ten hearts, all connected through me and to each other. Sakura leaned against my side, still wearing the floral Jedi robes. Zule stood on my other side, her hand resting on my armored shoulder. Ahsoka smiled softly from across the room.
"You did it," Ahsoka said quietly. "Another decisive victory."
I exhaled slowly. "We did it. All of us."
The Hydian Way campaign continued, but today… today belonged to us.