Chapter 593
Scene 1
Grey Wolf – Dagon's Private Office
Dagon POV
I sat alone in my private office aboard the Grey Wolf, the lights dimmed to a soft, focused glow. The large tactical holomap hovered above the central table, its three-dimensional projection rotating slowly as I fed it more data from ancient Sith and Jedi holocrons. Thousands of years of hyperspace route knowledge, forgotten battles, hidden nexuses, and strategic choke points filled the display. The map never ceased to surprise me — especially when layered with information lost to time.
The Nexus Route remained the same as in the old records. I wondered if the Jedi would still send Master Evan Piell to collect whatever artifact or data they sought there. But I had already destroyed the Citadel and captured the Loya Soy system, so there were no worries on that front — as long as fate didn't decide to surprise me again.
My thoughts turned to Kuat. Raith Sienar had sent a message earlier: Kuat Drive Yards wanted to discuss a formal alliance. Onara Kuat herself was interested, particularly in the Annihilator-class Super Star Destroyer project I had proposed long ago. They were bringing significant shipyard capacity and resources to the table. It was tempting — Kuat's industrial power was unmatched in the galaxy. But I had to bring something substantial in return.
I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples as I reviewed the current fleet status. The ships I had salvaged from Malachor 5 for raw materials were still being processed. Sienar would need new hulls soon. The Annihilator-class Dreadnought — my version of the Super Star Destroyer — was being built at the secret Bethany shipyards by the rescued Ugnaughts. Its hull was already laid, thanks in large part to the ancient Mandalorian Dreadnoughts we had recovered. The projected length was 16 kilometers. It would be a monster, but it still needed an enormous number of turbolasers and kyber crystals to reach full potential.
Right now, I could give Kuat a few tons of kyber from Malachor I — I needed to stop there anyway. As for turbolasers, the news was that Taim & Bak had started designing their version of the XX-9. I already had XX-10s and ultra-heavy variants, far superior to anything in current production. My ships used kyber-powered systems combined with nebula gas and stellar nursery materials mined by Sienar. The result was devastating: optimum range of 35 kilometers, maximum 100 kilometers, capable of shredding any CIS vessel we encountered.Still, helping Kuat catch up in the arms race might prevent them from getting desperate enough to sneak into Sienar or beg Palpatine for help. I could give them the plans for the Valiant-class — it was essentially a fusion of an Accumulator and a Venator with extra systems, most of which were Kuat and Rothana designs anyway. How they hadn't replicated it yet was a surprise. I would also offer the Imperial-class Star Destroyer (an older, broader version) and the Rejuvenator-class. That should be enough to entice Lyra Blissex and Onara Kuat without giving away my most advanced secrets.
I exhaled slowly, zooming out on the holomap. The war was entering a new phase. Felucia was secured, the Hydian Way was ours, and the Corporate Sector was crippled. But the real battles were still ahead.
I opened the encrypted message from Admiral Kinaun at Lantilles. His face appeared, looking grim but professional.
"General Marek," he said without preamble. "We intercepted a transport from Mandalore heading toward Raxus. Senator Padmé Amidala was aboard. She was attempting to circumvent the Senate's ban on communication with the Separatists. She's currently in a secure holding cell on Lantilles. No one else knows yet. Your orders?"
I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temple. Padmé Amidala — the idealistic Senator from Naboo, secret wife of Anakin Skywalker, and one of the leading voices in the Delegation of 2,000 pushing for peace. She was heading to meet with Separatist representatives, likely Bonteri or someone similar, in a misguided attempt to broker negotiations.
This was dangerous. Not just for her, but for the entire war effort. If word got out that a prominent Republic Senator was secretly meeting with the enemy, it could fracture the Senate, embolden the peace faction, and give Palpatine more ammunition to consolidate power.
"Keep her isolated," I replied. "I'll handle this personally. Prepare a secure hololink. No recordings. No leaks."
"Understood, General."
The transmission ended. I stood up, adjusting my Krayt Dragon armor. This needed to be handled carefully. Padmé was influential, connected to Anakin and Obi-Wan, and a symbol for many in the Senate. But she was also playing a dangerous game that could undermine everything we had fought for.
I activated the secure hololink to the holding center on Lantilles. The image resolved into a small, reinforced cell. Padmé Amidala sat at a simple table, looking composed but clearly tense. Three clone commandos stood guard inside the room. A protocol droid had already removed her hidden blaster and tracking devices.
I kept my helmet on, voice modulated through the dark armor. "Well, well, Senator Amidala. How interesting it is to see you here."
Padmé froze, her eyes widening as she recognized the armored figure. She tried to stand but found herself unable to move — held in place by a subtle application of Force Stasis through the hololink. A trick I had learned long ago to prevent unnecessary casualties and detain troublesome individuals.
"Force Stasis," I said calmly. "A trick Jedi learn to prevent casualties. It also helps detain troublesome individuals. And yes, your 'husband' Anakin does know this trick, but he is too impatient to use it properly. I have patience and experience."
The clone commandos efficiently removed her hidden blaster and any remaining communicators. Padmé's face paled. The main thing racing through her mind wasn't how I was able to do this through a hololink — it was the realization that I knew about Anakin.
"You know I consider myself a quiet individual," I continued, my voice low and controlled. "Not getting into trouble, just following instructions. You know — normal, everyday stuff."
I let out a short, dry laugh.
"But you… tsk tsk. Traveling to enemy space for a possible meeting with collaborators to plot the Republic's destruction. After the Separatists — let's see — led a bio-attack on your homeworld, which I risked my life for and nearly died. Allied with Zygerrians, enslaving thousands of beings who I also rescued. And a lot more acts I won't mention, but I trust you know."
Padmé remained frozen, her eyes wide with shock and fear.
"I don't mind what you do in your spare time," I said, removing my helmet so she could see my face clearly. "Your secret marriage to Anakin, a Jedi. I could report you and have Anakin expelled, but since he is a general and at least capable, I think Chancellor Palpatine would have mercy to keep him employed in the Republic army. But you… your political career would fall. Your Loyalists would fall. This meeting would expose you as a traitor sabotaging your fellow Senators. What was it — the Delegation of 2,000 for peace?"
I leaned closer to the hologram, my red-star eyes locking onto hers.
"But I won't do that. I am giving you a chance no one gave me. I will allow you to go to your meeting. You have your chance for peace. But make no mistake — the moment your plan blows up, and it will, you are mine. Your allegiance, your connections, your political power — everything. And should I hear one more word on either Anakin or Obi-Wan's Jedi military matters ending up as fuel for peace efforts… well, they won't even find your bones. Or your family's bones. Or your hidden home on Naboo."
I let the threat hang in the air for a long moment before releasing the Force Stasis.
"Your ship is ready," I said as the cell door opened. "Don't return here. Stay on the ship. It's your choice."
The hologram faded. I sat back in my chair, exhaling slowly. Padmé Amidala was a idealist, but her actions were reckless. I had given her a chance — more than most would have. Now it was up to her whether she would learn from it or destroy herself.
Lantilles – Secure Holding Center
Padmé Amidala POV
Padmé Amidala sat frozen in the reinforced cell long after the hologram disappeared. Her heart pounded in her chest. The armored figure — Dagon Marek — had known everything. Her secret marriage to Anakin. Her plan to meet with Separatist representatives on Raxus. The hidden tracking device her handmaidens had placed on her for protection. He had seen through it all.
The clone commandos returned her belongings except the blaster and communicator. One of them spoke in a neutral tone. "Your ship is ready, Senator. Don't return here. Stay on the ship. It's your choice."
Padmé stood on shaky legs, her mind racing. She had risked everything for peace — for a chance to end this senseless war. But Dagon's warning echoed in her mind. He wasn't bluffing. The cold certainty in his voice, the way he had casually mentioned her family and hidden home on Naboo… he had the power and the will to follow through.
She boarded the transport, her thoughts heavy. The meeting with Bonteri was still possible. Peace was still possible. She would risk it. For the Republic. For Anakin. For the future.
But deep down, a small voice whispered that Dagon Marek was not someone to cross lightly.