**Chapter 603**
**Scene 1**
**Malachor I – Orbit**
**Dagon POV**
Class Four Container Transports, also called Class Four Freighters, Imperial Class 4 Cargo Ships, or simply Imperial cargo ships, were tetrahedral, hyperspace-capable bulk freighters built by Kuat Drive Yards.
The massive ship hovered in perfect formation with the rest of the salvage fleet. Shaped like a tetrahedron resting on its longest edge, the vessel had its bridge module positioned at the narrowest forward vertex, giving it a sleek, predatory profile reminiscent of the Arquitens-class command cruisers. A typical load consisted of 230 large containers attached to the rear triangular face, nestled securely between the three massive sublight engines mounted at each angle. For this operation, we had removed several containers to create a reinforced hangar bay at the rear, allowing direct loading of the most valuable salvage.
I watched from the observation deck of the Olympus Mons as the final enormous crate was maneuvered into position. The container was colossal — easily the size of a Jedi Delta-7 starfighter. Inside it rested a fortune in kyber crystals harvested from the shattered remains of Malachor's ancient temples and battlefields. One single crystal the size of my forearm pulsed with contained power; the rest were smaller but no less valuable.
"Secure the final locks," I ordered through the comm. "Prepare for hyperspace jump back to Lianna."
The crate connected with a heavy *thunk* as magnetic clamps engaged. The Class Four transport's sublight engines flared briefly as it adjusted position, its hyperdrive already spooling up. Six escape pods along its bow remained ready in case of emergency, though I doubted anything would dare interfere with this convoy.
I allowed myself a small, satisfied nod. Another successful extraction. These crystals would fuel new reactors, new weapons, and new ships for the Darkstar fleet.
"Jump when ready," I transmitted.
The transport vanished into hyperspace in a flash of pseudomotion, carrying its priceless cargo toward Sienar's secure vaults.
**Scene 2**
**Malachor V – High Orbit Salvage Zone**
**Aayla Secura POV**
Even after Dagon had deactivated the ancient superweapon at the heart of Malachor V, the planet still felt… wrong. The dark side clung to everything like oil on water.
Aayla floated in the void, her modified beskar suit gleaming under the distant light of the system's dying star. The armor was specially reinforced for zero-gravity work — lightweight plates layered with doonium and kyber weave, allowing full mobility while protecting against the harsh radiation and debris fields. Around her, hundreds of ancient warship hulls drifted silently — relics from wars fought thousands of years ago.
Another Force ghost flickered into existence near a shattered Kandosii-type dreadnought, whispering incoherently about "doom" and "eternal night" before vanishing again. Aayla sighed inside her helmet. They had grown annoyingly persistent.
She grabbed a massive section of hull plating with the help of her jetpack and began guiding it toward one of the waiting freighters. The work was backbreaking, even with the Force. Moving half a Kandosii-type dreadnought — nearly 900 meters of scarred, ancient Mandalorian warship — through zero gravity required perfect coordination between muscle, jetpack, and telekinesis.
"Hey! How much more of this are we supposed to do? I'm getting bored," Kayla complained over the shared comm channel, her voice echoing inside Aayla's helmet.
Dagon's amused chuckle came through next. "Bored? Then how about a little wager? Whoever completes the most individual hull extractions gets me all alone for one full night back at the Temple."
The effect was immediate.
All the girls suddenly moved with renewed purpose. Even Visenya, who had the weakest connection to the Force among them, used her jetpack and limited telekinesis to push massive pieces of wreckage toward the cargo ships. Aayla grinned fiercely and redoubled her efforts, guiding another enormous chunk of a Kyramud-type battleship into position.
They worked like demons.
In the end, Kayla won by a narrow margin. Over one hundred and twenty ancient warship hulls — ranging from 900 meters to nearly 3,000 meters in length — had been successfully extracted. Kandosii-type dreadnoughts, Kyramud-type battleships, Jehavey'ir-type assault ships, dungeon ships, Q-Carriers, Teroch-type gunships, and even several Davaab-type starfighters now floated securely in the holds of the waiting transports.
Aayla floated beside the others, breathing heavily inside her suit as the last freighter sealed its bay.
"Training in zero gravity is definitely more effective than anything the Temple ever taught us," she admitted, laughing softly.
Dagon's voice came over the comm, warm and teasing. "Good work, all of you. Let's head home."
As the fleet prepared to jump, Aayla glanced back at the broken world below. Malachor V had given them a fortune in ships and kyber.
But more importantly, it had given them each other.