**Chapter 629**
**Scene 1**
**Senate Building – Main Rotunda, Coruscant**
**Senator Reactions**
The Senate Rotunda was in absolute chaos. Holographic feeds from Mandalore had been broadcast across the galaxy without warning, and every senator, aide, and journalist in the chamber was glued to the massive central display. The image of the ancient Mythosaur rising from the Living Waters beneath Sundari replayed on loop — its massive skeletal form glowing with ethereal blue energy as it nodded in acknowledgment before sinking back into the sacred pool. Dagon Marek and Master Yoda knelt before Duchess Satine Kryze, the unified cry of "This is the Way" echoing from thousands of Mandalorian warriors.
Bail Organa stood near his pod, eyes wide with disbelief. "Mandalore… has aligned itself with the Jedi? The Mythosaur… it's real. This changes everything for the Outer Rim."
Mon Mothma's voice cut through the rising noise from her platform, calm but urgent. "Duchess Satine has declared reinforced neutrality. Any attack on Mandalore will now be considered an attack on the Council of Neutral Systems. This is a major diplomatic victory for peace — or a dangerous consolidation of power under Dagon Marek."
Padmé Amidala sat frozen in her pod, her hands gripping the edges so tightly her knuckles were white. "Dagon… what have you done?" she whispered, barely audible over the commotion. The image of him holding the Darksaber before casting it into the Living Waters haunted her. His influence was spreading faster than she could track, and the implications terrified her.
Garm Bel Iblis slammed a fist on his console, his Corellian temper flaring. "The Outer Rim is slipping from Republic control! First the Hydian Way, now Mandalore. If we don't act, the entire Rim will become Dagon's private empire!"
Arguments erupted across the chamber like wildfire. Some senators cheered the stabilization of the sector and the potential for peace. Others saw it as a direct threat to Republic authority.
"The Jedi are becoming warlords!" one Kuati senator shouted. "Mandalore was neutral for centuries — now they bow to a Gray Jedi and an ancient Master?"
A Rodian representative countered loudly, "This is progress! The Mythosaur's appearance proves the old ways can coexist with peace. Dagon Marek has done what the Senate could not!"
The name "Dagon Marek" was shouted in both praise and accusation. Security droids moved through the aisles to prevent fights from breaking out as the debate grew more heated. Bail Organa exchanged a worried glance with Mon Mothma. The balance of power in the galaxy had just shifted dramatically — and no one was prepared for the consequences.
**Scene 2**
**Coruscant – Lower Level Cantina**
**Bar Reactions**
The cantina was packed to capacity, every table and bar stool occupied by spacers, mechanics, off-duty clones, and smugglers. The main holoscreen showed the Mandalore footage on repeat — the Mythosaur rising, Dagon and Yoda kneeling, the unified cry of Mandalorian warriors.
A burly Trandoshan mechanic slammed his mug down, ale sloshing over the sides. "Did you see that? The Demon of the Shield just made Mandalore bow! That's the kind of leader we need in this war!"
A clone trooper at the bar laughed loudly, raising his drink. "General Marek's doing it again. First Ryloth, then Felucia, now this. The man's a walking legend!"
An old smuggler shook his head, nursing a glowing blue drink. "Legends get people killed. Mandalore's been neutral for years. Now they're tied to the Jedi? This war's about to get uglier than a Hutt's backside."
A young waitress stared at the screen, eyes wide with awe. "He threw the Darksaber into the water… and a Mythosaur came. The old stories are real. He's changing everything."
The bar erupted in a chaotic mix of cheers, curses, and heated debates. Glasses clinked. Fists slammed on tables. One group of spacers toasted Dagon's name while another muttered darkly about "Jedi overreach." The name "Demon of the Shield" spread like wildfire through the crowd, equal parts fear and admiration.
**Scene 3**
**Jedi Temple – Council Chamber**
**Dagon POV**
I stood in the Council Chamber, surrounded by the remaining Masters and Knights, when the emergency feed from Mygeeto came through. The holographic display showed Republic troops retreating in chaos — gunships lifting off under heavy fire as the fleet pulled back from the planet in disarray.
Mace Windu's voice crackled through the transmission, strained and exhausted. "We are retreating from Mygeeto. Separatist reinforcements overwhelmed our positions. Heavy losses. Falling back to regroup."
The chamber fell into stunned silence. I stared at the feed, my fists clenching at my sides. "What just happened on Mygeeto?" I muttered, worry gnawing at my chest. The campaign had been going according to plan — until now. Something had gone terribly wrong.
Shin stepped closer, her hand resting on my arm through the Force bond. "We need more information. This retreat… it's too sudden."
Ahsoka's face was pale. "Master Windu wouldn't pull back unless it was dire. Something's wrong — very wrong."
I turned to the group, my voice steady despite the rising concern. "Prepare reinforcements. We may need to stabilize the sector before the peace conference. This war isn't over yet."
The weight of leadership pressed down harder than ever. Mygeeto had just become a new flashpoint — and I feared it was only the beginning of something far worse.