**Chapter 575**
**Scene 1**
**Dagon POV**
**Grey Wolf Bridge – Felucia System**
The fleet emerged from hyperspace in perfect diamond formation, the stars snapping back into sharp points of light. Felucia hung before us like a living jewel — a vibrant, bioluminescent world of massive fungal forests, glowing spore clouds, and dangerous beauty. The planet's surface shimmered with an unnatural blue glow: a planet-wide energy shield, no doubt erected by the Commerce Guild to protect their holdings.
I stood at the center of the *Grey Wolf*'s bridge, my Krayt Dragon armor humming with restrained power. The girls were spread across the fleet, but their presence was strong through the bond — Ahsoka's steady focus, Shin's calm calculation, Zule's burning readiness, and the others offering their strength.
The 15 Nebula-class Star Destroyers took their positions at the forefront, their names glowing on the tactical display like a roll of honor:
*Abyssal Devourer*
*Noxian Sovereign*
*Stygian Serpent*
*Umbral Drake*
*Void-Ripper*
*Erebus Maw*
*Blight-Scale*
*Eclipse Wing*
*Malefic Wyrm*
*Obsidian Terror*
*Void-Gazer*
*Cinder-Dark*
*Midnight Bane*
*Tartarus Leviathan*
*Dusk-Fire*
The 10 upgraded Invincible-class Dreadnought Heavy Cruisers formed the second line, their new armaments bristling:
*Emancipator*
*Rebel Dream*
*Galactic Voyager*
*Endurance*
*Defiance*
*Hope's Dawn*
*Independence*
*Resolute*
*Liberty*
*Viscount*
The Valiant-class Star Destroyers held the flanks under their commanders, while the Dark Star fleet — 25 Starkiller-class light carriers, 75 Lancer-class frigates, 90 Arquitens light cruisers, 50 Arquitens command cruisers, 95 Braha'tok gunships, 70 Marauder corvettes, 80 Accumulator assault ships, 85 Venators, and 310 Aegis Hammerhead light cruisers — provided the screening and escort layers. The two Allegiance-class battlescruisers *Dominion* and *Eclipse*, along with the six Resurgent-class battlecruisers (*Blossom, Ranger, Grey Wolf, Resurgent, Fortitude,* and *Fulminatrix*), anchored the formation.
It was the largest fleet I had ever personally commanded.
"Enemy fleet detected," Blam reported. "They're arrayed in defensive clusters. Massive numbers."
The CIS fleet was indeed formidable, gathered in several large groups around the shielded planet:
- 400 Munificent-class frigates
- 200 Providence-class carriers
- 100 Providence-class Dreadnoughts
- 300 Recusant-class light destroyers
- 100 Recusant-class heavy destroyers
- 100 Lucrehulk-class battleships (Type B)
- 100 Lucrehulk-class battleships (Type C)
- 200 Dauntless-class heavy cruisers
- 100 Techno Union frigates
- 200 Captor Droid Carriers
- 100 Sabaoth Destroyers
Hundreds of thousands of droid starfighters waited in their hangars. The blue planetary shield shimmered below them like a defiant wall.
I gave the order without hesitation. "All ships, open fire. Long-range bombardment. Target the lighter ships first — Munificents and Recusants. Allegiance, Resurgents, and Nebulas — lead the barrage. Maintain distance. Do not let them close."
The fleet answered with overwhelming force. The heavy XX-10 and ultra-heavy turbolaser batteries of the Nebula, Resurgent, and Allegiance-class vessels opened up from extreme range. Brilliant emerald lances sliced across the void, slamming into the forward ranks of the CIS formation. Munificent-class frigates — lightly armored and designed more for anti-fighter work — exploded in rapid succession as their shields collapsed under the concentrated fire.
"120 frigates destroyed in the first salvo," Ahsoka reported from the *Olympus Mons*, her voice steady through the bond. "They're trying to push forward, but we're backing off and maintaining range."
The CIS fleet attempted to close the distance, but every time they accelerated, our ships simply reversed thrust, keeping the engagement at long range where our superior firepower and targeting systems gave us the edge. Providence Dreadnoughts tried to bring their heavy forward cannons to bear, but the Nebulas and Resurgents tore into them before they could effectively reply.
For thirty minutes, the slaughter continued. Over 120 Munificent-class frigates were reduced to expanding clouds of debris. Dozens of Recusant light destroyers followed, their lighter armor no match for the Republic's heavy batteries. The blue planetary shield below flickered as stray shots impacted its surface, but it held for now.
Then the CIS made a desperate move.
**Scene 2**
"New contacts!" Blam shouted. "Seventy Dreadnought-class heavy cruisers just dropped out of hyperspace. They're linking up with the Dauntless line and charging at full speed!"
I watched the tactical display as the heavy cruisers — older but sturdy Rendili designs — accelerated hard, forming a spearhead with the Dauntless-class vessels. They were trying to close the distance, hoping their heavy armor and forward armament could weather the storm long enough to reach our lines.
"Reverse formation," I ordered. "Maintain distance. All ships, target the charging heavy cruisers. Olympus Mons — prepare to break the center."
I left the *Grey Wolf*'s bridge and made my way to the *Olympus Mons* via shuttle. The girls were already there, waiting. Ahsoka, Shin, Zule, Erictia, Stella, Flare, Kayla, Visenya, Aayla, and Sakura stood ready, their presence a unified front through the bond.
"Time to end this," I said, taking the command chair. "Full engines forward. Break their center. Devote your hearts!"
The *Olympus Mons* surged ahead, its kyber-powered shields glowing brightly as it led the charge into the heart of the enemy formation. The upgraded Invincible-class Dreadnoughts followed, their new heavy turbolasers and missile batteries adding to the devastation. The fleet adjusted, maintaining long-range fire on the flanks while the center pushed forward to meet the CIS charge head-on.
The battle for Felucia had truly begun.