**Chapter 569**
**Scene 1**
**Grievous POV**
**Bridge of the Invisible Hand**
Vengeance was the only thing going through his mind.
General Grievous stood on the bridge of his flagship, the *Invisible Hand*, his mechanical claws clenched so tightly that the metal creaked. Defeat after defeat. Humiliation after humiliation. All at the hands of Dagon Marek. Even when the accursed Jedi was nowhere near the battlefield, Grievous still suffered crushing losses. No more.
He had spent weeks secretly gathering this armada, pulling ships from hidden reserves, redirecting patrols, and calling in every favor owed to him across Separatist space. This time, he would strike without Dooku's interference or Sidious's games. This time, he would personally eliminate Dagon Marek.
The fleet was formidable:
- 25 Providence-class carrier/destroyers, led by the *Invisible Hand*
- 10 Lucrehulk-class battleships
- 30 Hardcell-class transports
- 40 Diamond-class cruisers
- 35 Fantail-class destroyers
- 50 Munificent-class star frigates
- 70 Vanguard pickets
Thousands of droid starfighters filled the hangars — Droid Tri-Fighters, HMP Droid Gunships, Vulture Droid Starfighters, Nantex-class starfighters, and more. And at the heart of it all was his pride and joy: the *Malevolence II*, heavily modified without its original ion cannon array but bristling with over 1,000 quad flak guns across its 5,000-meter length.
Grievous's yellow eyes glowed with murderous anticipation as the fleet surged through hyperspace toward the Belderone system. "Marek," he rasped, voice like grinding metal, "your end is coming. I will rip your heart out and mount it on my command chair."
The droid crew worked in perfect silence around him, knowing better than to interrupt their general when he was in this mood. Grievous flexed his four clawed arms, imagining the moment he would finally face the Jedi who had humiliated him so many times.
This was his moment.
**Scene 2**
**Serenno – Castle Serenno**
**Dooku POV**
Count Dooku stood in the shadowed depths of his private office, the grand tapestries and ancient Sith relics watching silently as the holographic form of Darth Sidious flickered before him.
"Are you certain of this news?" Sidious hissed, his voice laced with dark amusement.
"Yes, my lord," Dooku replied, bowing deeply. "As we speak, Grievous is on his way to eliminate Marek. He has gathered a substantial fleet in secret."
Sidious leaned forward, the hood casting deeper shadows over his face. "Very well. Let him do it… but send no help. Let Grievous fall."
Dooku straightened, a flicker of hesitation crossing his features. "Are you certain? He has suffered many defeats, but he may still be useful."
"No," Sidious replied coldly. "The clones of Grievous we will use as training tools, as well as the other Kaleesh warriors from his world. Also, the cloned dark acolytes seem to be effective, though only if they last longer. How many did you send to Felucia?"
"Over fifty, my lord, as requested," Dooku answered. "But your prophets seemed eager to accompany them to test the acolytes."
"The ones that accompanied them are not worth saving," Sidious said dismissively. "They are expendable."
Dooku remained silent for a moment, processing his master's cold calculus. Grievous had been a powerful weapon, but his repeated failures against Dagon Marek had made him more of a liability than an asset. If the Kaleesh cyborg fell on Belderone, it would be… convenient.
"As you command, my lord," Dooku finally said, bowing once more.
The hologram of Darth Sidious faded, leaving Dooku alone in the dimly lit chamber. He turned toward the large window overlooking the stormy skies of Serenno, his expression unreadable.
The game continued. Pieces were moved. Sacrifices were made.
And somewhere out in the stars, General Grievous raced toward what might very well be his final battle.