**Chapter 570**
**Scene 1**
**Olympus Mons Bridge – Belderone Orbit**
**Clone Commander Striker POV**
Clone Commander Striker stood at his station on the bridge of the *Olympus Mons*, reviewing the final status reports from the surface teams. The bridge hummed with quiet efficiency as officers coordinated the last stages of the operation. General Dagon Marek stood at the center, his new Krayt Dragon armor gleaming under the bridge lights, the dragon emblem on his chest plate almost seeming alive.
"Sir, the five cities and ten industrial sites have been secured," Striker reported crisply. "Fortunately, they were not used for droid production. Their main equipment seems to be missiles and booster fuel for rocket droids. Five transports have been sent to Sienar so far. Soon the last three will be loaded."
Dagon nodded, his red-star eyes scanning the tactical display. "Very well. Once we finish up, prepare for jump and load starfighters for anti-capital ship combat."
Before Striker could acknowledge, a sensor officer suddenly straightened. "Sir, we are detecting hyperspace jump signatures. A sizeable fleet of CIS warships incoming!"
Dagon's expression hardened instantly. "Very well. Prepare for battle and contact the *Grey Wolf* and the other Resurgent-class vessels to activate their gravity wells."
The bridge exploded into controlled activity. Alarms remained silent — this was expected now. Striker watched as Dagon's hands moved across the command console, the Force bond linking him to the girls and the fleet flaring with focused intensity.
"Battle stations," Dagon ordered calmly. "All groups to diamond formation. This is going to be a big one."
**Scene 2**
**Grievous POV**
**Bridge of the Invisible Hand**
General Grievous's mechanical lungs hissed with barely contained rage as his fleet surged through hyperspace. Vengeance consumed every circuit and thought. Dagon Marek had humiliated him too many times. No more.
The massive armada he had secretly assembled was impressive even by Separatist standards. The *Invisible Hand* led the charge, flanked by the monstrous *Malevolence II* — modified without its ion cannon but bristling with over a thousand quad flak guns across its five-kilometer length. Hundreds of other vessels followed in tight formation, ready to crush the Republic forces at Belderone.
"Sir, we are being pulled out of hyperspace," a tactical droid reported suddenly.
"What?" Grievous snarled, slamming a clawed fist onto the console. "No, it's too early!"
The fleet shuddered violently as powerful gravity wells yanked them back into realspace far sooner than planned. The blue tunnel of hyperspace collapsed, replaced by the cold void of the Belderone system. They were still a significant distance from the planet — a clear disadvantage for close-range boarding tactics Grievous had hoped to employ.
"Gather the fleet around the *Malevolence II*," Grievous rasped. "Concentrate forward batteries. We will push through their lines."
"Sir, three Munificent-class frigates and two Providence-class carriers have been destroyed," a droid reported. "Two Lucrehulks have engine damage in front of the main fleet. Do we go around?"
"No," Grievous snapped. "That is what Dagon expects us to do — to expose ourselves. Destroy those ships."
"But sir, there are thousands of droids on board, not to mention the starfighters. Why—"
The tactical droid's sentence ended in a screech as Grievous's lightsaber flashed, cutting the droid in half. Sparks flew from the bisected chassis as it collapsed.
"No questions," Grievous growled. "Open fire."
"Roger, roger," a nearby B1 droid muttered nervously. "Gee, I hope I don't end up like him…"
The Separatist fleet opened fire, but they were still too far for maximum effectiveness. Grievous's yellow eyes burned with hatred as he watched the distant Republic formation. This time, he would not fail.
**Scene 3**
**Dagon POV**
**Olympus Mons Bridge**
"They are firing on their own ships," I observed coolly as the tactical display updated. "Well, two Lucrehulks less is not a bad deal."
The enemy fleet had emerged earlier than expected thanks to our gravity wells, but Grievous was pushing forward ruthlessly, sacrificing damaged vessels to maintain momentum. Through the battle meld, I felt the heightened focus of every crewman across our four battle groups.
"Prepare *Olympus Mons* — full engines forward and ready all batteries," I ordered. "Time to take Grievous out for the hunt. All Venators, target Munificent-class frigates. Nebula-class vessels, focus on the Providence-class Dreadnoughts. Allegiance and Resurgents, target Lucrehulk-class battleships. Marauders and Arquitens, focus on escorts and light ships. Braha'tok gunships, full speed — fly under the fleet and target their rear. Devote your hearts!"
The command rippled across the fleet. The diamond formation tightened as our ships accelerated. The *Olympus Mons* surged forward like a spear, its kyber-powered shields glowing brightly as it led the charge into the heart of the enemy armada.
"F-SPAR charged!" Stella called out.
"Fire," I commanded.
The massive cannon unleashed a devastating beam that speared straight through a Providence Dreadnought's shields and carved its core open. The ship detonated spectacularly, sending debris flying in all directions.
"All ships, open fire!" I transmitted. "Show them what real power looks like!"
The Republic fleet answered with overwhelming force. Six Nebula-class Star Destroyers unleashed coordinated broadsides, their heavy XX-10 turbolasers ripping through multiple Providence Dreadnoughts in rapid succession. One enemy carrier tried to launch its fighter complement, only for a Resurgent-class battlecruiser to obliterate it with a single sustained volley. Allegiance-class battlescruisers *Dominion* and *Eclipse* focused their ultra-heavy batteries on the Lucrehulks, tearing massive holes in their spherical hulls.
Lancer frigates and Braha'tok gunships dove beneath the main lines, their rapid-fire lasers shredding engine sections and exposed weak points. TIE Punishers and Avengers screamed through the chaos, torpedoes and lasers picking off damaged frigates.
Grievous's fleet fought back desperately. Vulture droids and Tri-Fighters swarmed in waves, but our point-defense networks and escort fighters tore most of them apart before they could reach the capital ships. A damaged Lucrehulk attempted a desperate ramming run toward the *Grey Wolf*, only for three Nebulas to focus fire and vaporize it mid-charge.
The *Olympus Mons* continued its rampage at the forefront, its F-SPAR cannon recharging every ten seconds and claiming another heavy vessel with each shot. Cruise missiles streaked from its launch bays, hammering enemy escorts and finishing off crippled ships.
Through the bond, I felt the girls' focus and exhilaration. Ahsoka coordinated fighter wings with pinpoint precision. Shin maintained shield integrity while directing fire. Zule's lightning-like aggression flowed through targeting solutions. Sakura's bright determination burned steadily beside them.
Grievous's flagship, the *Invisible Hand*, tried to push forward, but the *Grey Wolf* and *Resurgent* met it head-on. Their combined firepower hammered the Providence Dreadnought, stripping its shields and carving deep wounds into its hull.
"Target the *Malevolence II*," I ordered. "Do not let that monster get close."
The battle raged for nearly an hour, a brutal symphony of turbolaser fire, explosions, and dying ships. Grievous's fleet was being systematically dismantled. What had once been a powerful armada was reduced to burning wreckage and desperate stragglers.
"Sir, enemy flagship is heavily damaged," Blam reported. "Grievous is attempting to retreat."
I smiled coldly beneath my helmet. "Not today. All ships, pursue and destroy. Grevious dies here today."
The Republic fleet closed in for the kill.