**Chapter 633**
**Scene 1**
**Senate Building – Chancellor's Office, Coruscant**
**Chancellor Palpatine POV**
The Chancellor's office was bathed in the soft glow of Coruscant's setting sun, casting long shadows across the polished floor. Sheev Palpatine sat behind his grand desk, fingers steepled, his expression one of measured concern as he listened to Senator Padmé Amidala.
"Well, well, well. This is quite a stunning development," Palpatine said, his voice smooth and thoughtful.
"Your Excellency, we would be remiss — if not irresponsible — to reject the Separatists' proposal," Padmé replied, standing tall before him, her voice filled with conviction. "This could be our best chance to end the suffering."
Palpatine leaned back slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Of course. An end to the fighting would mean there's no need to borrow money for more clones. I can see why you would want so badly to believe that the Separatists desire peace."
Padmé frowned, stepping closer. "I don't understand."
"In the past, whenever we've reached out our hands in peace, they've been slapped away," Palpatine continued, his tone laced with feigned weariness. "Can we believe that they're ready to sue for peace so easily?"
Padmé's eyes flashed with determination. "If I might speak with you confidentially, I know that this is sincere. I've been in contact with my old friend Mina Bonteri, and the origin of the proposal is with her."
"Bonteri?" Palpatine raised an eyebrow, his interest seemingly piqued. "How was the dialogue established?"
"Does it matter, Chancellor, if the result is an end to the war?" Padmé asked, her voice steady.
Palpatine smiled warmly, though his eyes remained cold. "I see your point, my child. Then we shall put the vote to the floor."
As Padmé left the office, Palpatine's smile faded into something far darker. The peace proposal was a useful distraction — but he knew the truth. The war was far from over.
**Scene 2**
**Grey Wolf – Orbiting Coruscant**
**Admiral Grace O'Connor POV**
Admiral Grace O'Connor stood on the bridge of the *Grey Wolf*, her arms crossed as she watched the viewport. Dagon was out there in his advanced rocket armor, rocketing through space like a living comet. The Krayt Dragon suit gleamed under the starlight, its thrusters leaving trails of blue fire as he performed high-speed maneuvers.
It was interesting watching him test the full power in open space. Grace felt a pang of jealousy — they had only shared one night together, a gift from a Zeltron who only gave herself to those she deeply trusted. But the girls seemed happy, especially her fellow Zeltrons, Kayla and Visenya.
Suddenly, Dagon's voice crackled over the comms, sharp and urgent.
"Grace! Emergency! Raise shields! Ready cannons! Anti-radiation code Delta Black!"
Grace's eyes widened. "All hands! Battle stations! Raise deflector shields to maximum! Arm all turbolasers and point-defense cannons! Execute anti-radiation protocol Delta Black, now!"
The *Grey Wolf* shuddered as its powerful shields snapped into place. Alarms blared across the bridge. Grace gripped the railing, her pink skin flushing with adrenaline. "What's happening out there? Dagon, report!"
Through the viewport, she saw streaks of incoming projectiles — warheads deploying from unidentified ships racing through the system. Explosions bloomed in the distance as the *Grey Wolf's* cannons opened fire, intercepting several threats.
Dagon's armored form rocketed back toward the ship, his voice steady despite the chaos. "Incoming Separatist stealth drones. They're targeting orbital infrastructure. Hold the line, Admiral!"
Grace's heart pounded. The war had just come to Coruscant's doorstep.
**Scene 3**
**Republic Military Headquarters, Coruscant**
**General Valentra POV**
The Republic Military Headquarters was in pandemonium. Red emergency lights flashed across every corridor as alarms blared like no tomorrow.
"What is happening? Why are the alarms blazing like this?" General Valentra yelled, storming into the central command center.
"Sir, this came in from orbit — ongoing!" an officer shouted, handing him a tablet with shaking hands.
The color immediately drained from Valentra's face as he read the report. Multiple unidentified vessels had emerged from hyperspace near Coruscant, deploying swarms of warheads aimed at key orbital stations and power relays.
"By the Force… how many? And damage?" he asked, his voice shaking.
"We've confirmed several ships shot down in orbit, but more are racing in, deploying additional warheads," the aide replied. "We can't deploy the planetary shield — it would kill millions of civilians on ships currently in transit!"
Valentra slammed his fist on the console. "Signal the Senate — evacuate now! Get the Chancellor and all key personnel to secure bunkers! Scramble all available fighters and alert the Darkstar fleet!"
The room erupted into frantic activity. Valentra stared at the tactical display, watching red threat markers swarm Coruscant's orbit. The war had finally reached the heart of the Republic.