**Chapter 597**
**Scene 1**
**Lianna – Sienar Orbital Shipyard Complex**
**Jasmill Selanno POV**
The viewport offered one of the most breathtaking views in the sector — thousands of lights from the sprawling Sienar-Jaemus shipyards stretching across the void like a metallic constellation. Jasmill stood with her hands clasped behind her back, watching the stars.
Then a new signature appeared.
Not the expected command ship. Not the Grey Wolf. Instead, a sleek, aggressive-looking vessel emerged from hyperspace — an Arquitens-class command cruiser that had clearly undergone extensive, almost obsessive modification. Even from this distance, the ship radiated power. Its hull gleamed with the distinctive dark sheen of beskar alloy reinforced with layered doonium. Kyber matrix emitters pulsed faintly along its spine, and she could just make out the faint crystalline glow of what had to be a krayt dragon pearl integrated into the reactor housing.
The Olympus Mons.
She had studied the classified recordings. This "miniature Mandator," as some whispered, had torn through Separatist fleets at Quell and Felucia. Its modified solar ionization reactor, combined with Sith-forged lightning enhancements and kyber focusing arrays, gave it firepower and shielding far beyond anything of its size should possess. One recording showed it shrugging off direct hits from a Subjugator-class heavy cruiser before retaliating with devastating effect.
Jasmill's pulse quickened slightly as the ship maneuvered gracefully into the designated docking lane. Dagon Marek had arrived.
Beside her, Raith Sienar shifted nervously. Lyra Blissex stood a few steps back, arms crossed, an amused but wary expression on her face.
"He's here," Raith muttered.
Jasmill reached over and squeezed his hand. "It will be fine."
She wasn't entirely sure she believed it.
**Scene 2**
**Lianna – Sienar Family Private Residence**
**Dagon POV**
The Olympus Mons docked smoothly. I chose to arrive in the modified Arquitens rather than the Grey Wolf for a reason — subtlety. Thirty Nebula-class Star Destroyers sitting in orbit would have sent the wrong message. The last thing I needed right now was the Senate panicking about a "private navy."
A small honor guard of Sienar security met me at the airlock. I wore my updated armor — the Krayt Dragon motif still prominent, though toned down for a formal visit. The Wrath Shield rested comfortably on my back, its form currently dormant.
"General Marek," the lead attendant bowed slightly. "Lord Sienar extends his personal invitation for dinner with the family before business discussions."
I raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Lead the way."
The Sienar family residence on Lianna was elegant without being ostentatious — wide windows overlooking the shipyards, minimalist décor with subtle technological flourishes. When I entered the dining hall, Raith, his wife, and several family members were already seated.
I had brought gifts — several bottles of Toniray, the sparkling teal Alderaanian wine. I'd "acquired" them during security sweeps of smuggler and corrupt senatorial vessels. Rich people never expected their hidden stashes to be confiscated.
The reaction was immediate.
"Is that… genuine Toniray?" Raith's sister asked, eyes widening.
I smiled faintly. "Spoils of war. Senators tend to carry the good stuff when they travel. They rarely miss a few bottles."
A stunned silence fell over the table. A Jedi General casually admitting to confiscating luxury goods from corrupt officials was apparently not what they expected. Raith recovered first, laughing nervously as he accepted a bottle.
The dinner itself was pleasant enough — good food, careful conversation about shipbuilding progress, the new Nebula-class vessels, and minor fleet upgrades. But I could feel the tension underneath. Raith kept glancing at me, clearly working up to something.
Eventually, the evening shifted to the main meeting room. Raith dismissed most of the family, leaving only a few trusted advisors.
He wasted little time.
"Dagon… we've been approached by Kuat," he said carefully. "Jasmill Selanno and Lyra Blissex made a compelling case for an alliance. Shared designs, materials exchange, joint projects. With your permission, I'd like to—"
I held up a hand. "Raith. Easy way first."
I walked him through it point by point.
"First — our kyber. It's rare. Not just the crystals themselves, but the way we harvest and stabilize them. One mistake with a kyber reactor and you're looking at an explosion capable of cracking a continent. The Jedi and Republic can never know about the ancient worlds we pull them from."
"Second — our turbolasers. The xx-10 and ultra-heavy variants come from very specific, very dangerous stellar nurseries. That advantage is one of the main reasons we've been winning battles against superior numbers. We maintain it by keeping the source secret."
"Third — Malachor 5. That should be self-explanatory. Ancient Sith technology, dark side remnants, and enough cursed artifacts to make a Sith Lord nervous. We don't share that lightly."
Raith looked increasingly uncomfortable. He finally sighed.
"I understand. But… they're already here. I invited them to meet with you."
I gave him a long, flat stare. "Of course you did."
Raith gestured. The side door opened, and two women entered — Lyra Blissex and Jasmill Selanno.
Jasmill met my gaze steadily, professional but clearly curious. Lyra looked more cautious, as if expecting me to ignite my lightsaber at any moment.
I stepped forward, raising my left arm. "Wrath Shield — Prison Mode."
A shimmering cage of dark energy and translucent force barriers snapped into existence around Raith and me, completely soundproof and opaque from the outside. The two women outside could see nothing but a black, crackling sphere.
"Now," I said calmly, turning back to Raith, "it's time to talk real business."