**Chapter 573**
**Scene 1**
**Dagon POV**
**Grey Wolf Bridge – Approaching Felucia**
Felucia was a largely unsettled terrestrial jungle planet in the Felucia system of the Thanium Worlds in the Outer Rim Territories. Located near the junction of the Perlemian Trade Route and Shaltin Tunnels, the world featured a hot and humid atmosphere and significant water resources beneath a surface irradiated by ultraviolet light from the star Felix. Native plant, fungal, and animal life had evolved to dominate the environment in a deep symbiotic relationship, causing significant Force energy to permeate the ecosystem. The native species of sentient Felucians developed Force-based tribal societies in subterranean caverns, largely undisturbed by the greater galaxy until 27,000 BBY, when the planet was discovered by Gossam Couriver hyperspace explorers and colonists from Castell. After aggressive resistance from the native wildlife indicated that the world would not support large-scale colonies, the new arrivals established hard-fought, scattered resort settlements on the surface. Early populations, comprising only wealthy Gossams and their poor servants, knew the planet as Galuch and retained colonial control over it until around 25,126 BBY, when Xim the Despot absorbed the world into his empire as it expanded throughout the Tion Cluster.
Xim's dominion fell in 25,096 BBY, and although Felucia changed political loyalties throughout the millennia, the world and its meager settlements of mixed-species immigrant laborers were entirely controlled by the Gossam-dominated Commerce Guild by 700 BBY. These small settlements eventually developed into commercially administered cities like Kway Teow, Har Gau, Jiaozi, and Niango, pushing the native jungle-dwelling Felucians to retreat into the wilderness. Independent communities of escaped workers, fugitive labor organizers, and Felucian nysillin farmers maintained tenuous communities in the dangerous wilds, but the Commerce Guild retained economic and political control of their world. When the Guild allied with the anti-Galactic Republic Separatist Movement to create the Confederacy of Independent Systems in 22 BBY, Felucia became a vital strategic asset.
The planet itself was a living nightmare of bizarre beauty. Its diversity of plants — spike, spore, and enormous pitcher varieties — along with translucent, rubber-like fungi and animals, created an ecosystem that glittered like multicolored glass when the sun shone. Most of Felucia was covered by humid, fetid landscapes of huge fungal forests. Native gelagrubs, immigrated acklays, and a prodigious sarlacc made the surface deadly. The world radiated a sort of life force that the native Jungle Felucians could feel, and most plants and animals had adapted special defenses, making them particularly hostile to off-worlders.
Shu Mai had left a trap, just as in the original timeline. A "poisoned well" policy to keep the planet from being of worth to the Republic. She had ordered the unleashing of a highly poisonous biological agent into Felucia's natural planet-wide aquatic distribution system, capable of infecting the entire world in four days. Forces had been left behind to fortify the planet's major water-treatment facilities. They knew the only way to prevent the deaths of millions was to take over those facilities and contain the toxin.
From the data we collected from the fleets we destroyed, at least 1,500 capital ships and 400 smaller support ships remained, with nearly 1 billion droids on Felucia, plus around 400,000 local militia. Those militia were rather weak — very weak, in fact — but I had changed the timeline so much that they might be stronger than expected. Still, I had Wookiees and Lasat bred and trained for these conditions, and my clones wore Mandalorian armor.
In Vietnam and during the forest campaigns of the resistance, we didn't worry about destroying half a forest for victory. Our world was already poisoned, and what survived grew stronger. But it would be difficult this time. Felucia was alive in a way few planets were — the Force flowed through every root, spore, and creature. Poisoning it would be a crime against the Living Force itself.
I stood on the bridge of the *Grey Wolf*, staring at the tactical holomap. The fleet was arrayed in diamond formation, ready for the final push. Through the bond, I felt the girls' presence — Ahsoka's steady determination, Shin's calm focus, Zule's fiery readiness, and the others offering their strength.
"This won't be like the others," I said quietly. "Felucia fights back. We have to be careful."
**Scene 2**
**Dagon POV**
**Grey Wolf Bridge – Gordian Reach Oversector**
The Gordian Reach Oversector, also known as Sector 11, was the theater of operations for the Republic 11th Sector Army during the Clone Wars, also known as Blazing Claw Command. Moff Renau had been promoted and placed in command of the Eleventh Army. The 11th Sector Army was charged with protecting the Gordian Reach Oversector, an area that Renau effectively had complete power over.
I activated the secure hololink. Moff Renau's image appeared, looking tired but determined.
"Moff Renau," I said formally. "I am High General Dagon Marek of Mern-13. What is the status of Felucia right now?"
Renau straightened. "The status of the sector is way better than it was before you began your campaign. All offensives by the CIS have stopped, and we reclaimed most of the worlds. Just Felucia remains."
"What is the status of the fleet?" I asked. "I understand you are to provide me with forces to take Felucia and finish the campaign."
"Yes," Renau replied. "I can spare you 60 Venators, 20 Accumulators, 30 Arquitens-class light cruisers, 20 Consular-class light cruisers, and I have 10 Invincible-class Dreadnaught Heavy Cruisers that I wish to transfer to you in hopes of them receiving an upgrade like you did the others."
I considered the offer. I only had a month and two weeks left before the campaign reached its end date. I couldn't turn them into Allegiance or Resurgent-class vessels on short notice, but solar ionization reactors and other modifications were possible. It would take a week — enough time if we moved quickly.
"Very well," I said. "But be advised, do you have a shipyard?"
"Yes, Korphir has several shipyards capable of modification, but the materials are not here," the Moff replied.
"No worry. I will handle it," I assured him.
The link ended. I turned to the girls gathered on the bridge. "We have reinforcements coming. Ten Invincibles for upgrade, plus more Venators and support ships. We'll make them ready in time."
Shin stepped closer, her hand brushing mine. "You're planning something big for Felucia, aren't you?"
I nodded. "We have to be. Shu Mai left a poison trap. If we don't secure the water treatment facilities quickly, millions could die. The locals are being armed by the CIS. This won't be a clean fight."
Through the bond, I felt their resolve strengthen. We had faced worse. We would face this together.
The fleet prepared for the final jump. Felucia awaited — a living world that would fight back with every root, spore, and claw. But we were ready.