**Chapter 563**
**Scene 1**
**Dagon POV**
**Grey Wolf Bridge**
The Listehol Run was now firmly under Republic control.
With Quell's CIS fleet reduced to nothing but burning wreckage and molten slag across the planet's surface, our rear was secure. The Corporate Sector's ability to strike at us from behind had been shattered. That left only one major objective in this phase of the campaign: Felucia.
But first, I had a visit to make.
I rose from the command chair and addressed the bridge. "Fleet Admiral Dittmar, you have command while I'm gone. Continue salvage operations and reinforce the orbital perimeter. I'll be taking a small detachment to handle some… personal business."
Dittmar nodded sharply. "Understood, General. Safe travels."
I headed for the hangar bay where four Braha'tok-class gunships waited, engines already warm. The girls had wanted to come, but I insisted on keeping this small. Only Ethan accompanied me aboard the lead ship, along with a handpicked squad of Dark Star commandos in full beskar armor.
As the gunships launched and jumped into hyperspace, I leaned back in the co-pilot's seat, the new Krayt Dragon armor humming faintly with power. The horned helmet rested beside me. Florrum wasn't far — a backwater pirate haven known for its lawless dunes and even more lawless inhabitants.
Time to deal with pirates.
**Scene 2**
**Florrum – Ohnaka Gang Territory**
The four Braha'tok gunships dropped out of hyperspace and descended through Florrum's dusty atmosphere. Three remained in high orbit as escorts while mine headed for the coordinates Hondo's people had reluctantly sent after I broadcasted on an open channel.
The pirate base was exactly as I remembered from old intelligence — a ramshackle collection of ships half-buried in sand, surrounded by jagged rock spires and makeshift fortifications. As my gunship touched down in the central clearing, a large group of Weequay pirates emerged, weapons raised but not yet pointed.
Hondo Ohnaka himself sauntered forward, twirling a blaster pistol with theatrical flair. He looked every bit the flamboyant pirate captain — gold jewelry, colorful sash, and that unmistakable roguish grin reminiscent of ancient seafaring legends.
"Ah, the mysterious armored warrior who broadcasts on open channels!" Hondo exclaimed, spreading his arms wide. "Welcome, welcome! I am Hondo Ohnaka, captain of the Ohnaka Gang! And you are…?"
I stepped down the ramp in full armor, the spiked black-and-chrome Krayt Dragon suit gleaming under Florrum's twin suns. The dragon emblem on my chest plate seemed to almost breathe.
"Someone who wishes to speak business," I replied, voice modulated slightly through the helmet. "I come bearing gifts, Captain Ohnaka. And I believe you'll find them very interesting."
Hondo's eyes narrowed with greedy curiosity. "Gifts? Oh, I do love gifts. Especially when they come from heavily armed strangers who don't announce their names. Come, come! Let us talk in my… office."
We followed him into a large, somewhat dilapidated hall filled with loot from a hundred raids. Crates were opened at my signal. The pirates' eyes widened as they beheld the contents.
Several tons of Polstine spice.
Several tons of Sansanna spice.
Crates upon crates of high-grade Glitterstim.
All taken from destroyed Separatist and pirate vessels whose owners were now "one with the Force."
The room went dead silent for several seconds before exploding into excited chatter. One Weequay actually fainted.
Hondo stared, mouth agape, before recovering with a dramatic flourish. "You… you do know this is worth billions of credits, yes?"
"I am aware," I said calmly. "There is also a crate of E-5 blaster rifles and vibro-blades — droid-grade, but perfectly serviceable."
Hondo circled the crates like a man in a dream. "Yes, very generous… but I know this is not charity. What do you want, mysterious armored friend?"
I activated a secure communicator and tossed it to him. "You will report to me on any major underworld developments — especially alliances with the Separatists, Hutt rivalries, or movements in the Thanium Worlds and Felucia sector. In exchange, you will not target Republic shipping. You will hand over any Republic hostages you capture. And once per year for the next five years, I will return with more spice shipments. A fair offer, I believe."
Hondo weighed the communicator in his hand, then grinned widely. "More than fair! We have a deal, my friend!"
He leaned in conspiratorially. "Since we are now business partners, I should tell you something interesting. There is currently a 'ghost' attacking ships belonging to one of the major Hutt families — the second strongest after Jabba. There is to be a meeting soon between that Hutt, the Black Sun, and the Pyke Syndicate."
I raised an eyebrow. "Black Sun and the Pykes hate each other. Only Jabba could force them into the same room."
"Exactly," Hondo said, lowering his voice. "There is talk of a grand alliance between the Hutts and the Separatists. And Ziro the Hutt — still in Republic custody — apparently had a secret holodiary. It contains every dirty deal, every betrayal, every secret the Hutts have made for centuries. Enough information to plunge Hutt Space into endless civil war. Even their loyal client species and planets would have to choose sides."
He handed me a data crystal. "And here is what little I know about Felucia. The local Felucians are being armed and trained by the CIS. You should be very careful there."
I accepted the crystal. "Thank you, Captain. One last piece of advice — you really shouldn't use so much spice. It isn't good for your health."
Hondo burst into loud, theatrical laughter. "Stabbed by three ex-wives! Shot at by hutts ! Spice is the least of my worries, my friend!"
I allowed a small smile beneath the helmet and turned to leave. The pirates watched me with a mixture of awe and fear as I boarded the gunship.
The *Braha'tok* lifted off, rejoining its escorts before jumping back toward the fleet.
Another piece on the board moved.
The Hydian Way campaign was far from over — but the underworld was beginning to shift in our favor.