**Chapter 588**
**Jungle World Hidden Healer – Part 5**
**Scene 1**
**Felucia – Niango Command Center**
**Tactical Droid POV**
The tactical droid stood motionless in the dimly lit command center beneath Niango, its photoreceptors glowing red as it processed the final contingency protocols. Shu Mai had fled hours earlier, leaving it with explicit orders: if the Republic forces breached the inner defenses, activate the poisoned well.
"Planetary water distribution system compromised," the droid intoned mechanically. "Initiating toxin release."
It extended a metallic arm toward the control console, its claw hovering over the activation rune. The canisters — hidden deep within Felucia's natural aquatic network — were primed. A single command would flood the planet's water supply with a highly poisonous biological agent. Within four days, the entire world would be uninhabitable. The Republic would inherit a dying planet.
The droid pressed the rune.
Nothing happened.
It pressed again. Error codes flashed across its internal display. The canisters were not responding. The toxin — a carefully engineered dark side-infused biological weapon — was not dispersing. Instead, the system reported the substance had been neutralized, converted into plain, harmless water.
"Anomaly detected," the droid stated. "Toxin transformation complete. Poisoned well protocol has failed."
Alarms began to blare across the city. The native Felucians and remaining Gossam population — already suspicious after weeks of harsh Guild rule — had intercepted fragments of the plan. Word spread like wildfire through the fungal streets. The Commerce Guild had tried to poison their world.
Rebellion erupted.
Felucian warriors, armed with skullblades and Force-enhanced spears, stormed the remaining droid positions. Gossam commandos, realizing they had been betrayed by their own leaders, turned on the battle droids with savage fury. Blaster fire echoed through the city as organics and droids tore into each other in chaotic close-quarters combat. A squad of B2 Super Battle Droids was overwhelmed by a group of Felucians who used the planet's own vines to ensnare and crush them. Gossam militia fired on fleeing droids, screaming curses at the Commerce Guild's betrayal.
The tactical droid's last transmission before its chassis was ripped apart by enraged locals was a single line:
"Contingency failed. Felucia is lost."
**Scene 2**
**Niango City – Felucia Surface**
**Admiral Piett POV**
Admiral Firmus Piett stood on the bridge of the *Knull*, his Valiant-class Star Destroyer hovering in low orbit above Niango. The city was a chaotic battlefield — fungal spires burning, droid positions collapsing under combined ground and air assault.
"Valiant group, commence light bombardment," Piett ordered. "Target only military emplacements. Precision strikes. Do not hit civilian zones."
The *Knull*, *Necrosword*, and supporting Venators opened fire with controlled turbolaser volleys. Green bolts rained down, hammering droid strongholds and shield generators while sparing the populated districts. Clones, Wookiees, and regular infantry poured out of Accumulator-class assault ships, rushing the city's chaotic defenses.
Wookiee warriors roared as they charged, their bowcasters and ryyk blades carving through B2 Super Battle Droids. Clone troopers in dark gray armor advanced in disciplined fireteams, F-11D blasters flashing as they suppressed enemy positions. The local Felucian militia — now in open rebellion against the Guild — joined the assault, their skullblades and Force-enhanced attacks turning the tide in several sectors.
Piett watched the feeds with quiet satisfaction. "Ground forces report Niango's outer districts secured. Moving on the water treatment facilities."
On the other side of the planet, Admiral Brom Titus led a similar assault on Kway Teow. His Valiant-class *Necrosword* provided orbital support as clones and Wookiees stormed the capital city's defenses. The Commerce Guild's remaining forces were crumbling.
"Felucia is falling," Piett murmured. "General Marek's plan is working."
**Scene 3**
**Forward Base Camp – Felucia Surface**
**Sakura POV**
The forward base camp was a hive of organized activity — clones unloading supplies, medics treating the wounded, and technical teams analyzing captured Guild data. Sakura stood with the other girls near the command tent, watching as a squadron of TIE Defenders returned from a successful bombing run.
Then they saw it.
Dagon was asleep in the lap of a strange, ethereal girl. She looked like a living embodiment of the jungle — an 18-year-old appearance with long green hair that flowed like vines down to her feet. Her skin was bare, glowing with soft bioluminescence, and flowers strategically covered her most private parts, leaving little to the imagination. She stroked Dagon's helmeted head gently, her expression a mix of confusion and deep affection.
The girls froze.
"Who…?" Ahsoka began, eyes wide.
The Dryad looked up at them, her voice soft and melodic, carrying through the Force. "I am the guardian of this world. I asked Dagon for help… and he helped. The wound is healing. But he seems exhausted, so I let him sleep. He seems… cute."
Dagon stirred, slowly waking. He sat up, blinking, then immediately raised his hands defensively. "I did not sleep with her!"
The Dryad's cheeks flushed a faint green. "We connected in other ways," she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of embarrassment. "He poured his power into the heart of the world. It was… intimate."
She leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to Dagon's lips. The bond flared with surprise and warmth from the girls. The Dryad smiled at them all.
"While I cannot come with you," she whispered to Dagon, "I at least ask — when you die, come back to me. We can live forever."
With those words, she dissolved into a swirl of glowing leaves and petals, vanishing into the jungle breeze.
Dagon sat there, stunned, as the girls stared at him with a mixture of amusement, jealousy, and affection.
"Well," Shin said, crossing her arms, "you really do collect interesting friends."
Dagon rubbed his face. "This galaxy keeps making my life more complicated."
The girls laughed, pulling him into a group hug. The bond glowed stronger than ever.
Felucia was healing. And so were they.