**Chapter 636: The Galaxy Awakens**
**Scene 1**
**Corellia, Coronet City – Government Plaza**
**Corellian Broadcasting Network Studios**
**Live Broadcast**
The feed cut to a packed press room in Coronet City. Garm Bel Iblis stood at the podium, his face set in grim determination, flanked by Corellian Defense Force officers and representatives from the Corellian Engineering Corporation.
"Citizens of Corellia," Bel Iblis began, his voice steady and resolute, "three hours ago, the Separatists launched a cowardly nuclear attack on Coruscant itself. Thousands are dead. Millions injured. The heart of our Republic has been struck by traitors and monsters who hide behind droids and lies.
"Today, Corellia declares a state of total war against the Confederacy of Independent Systems. No more half-measures. No more neutrality. We stand with the Republic. Our shipyards, our pilots, our factories — everything we have will be turned toward victory. The Corellian Defense Fleet is mobilizing. The CEC has already begun retooling for full wartime production. We will not rest until the CIS is broken and the traitors who ordered this attack are brought to justice."
The crowd erupted in thunderous applause. Cheers of "Corellia! Corellia!" echoed through the plaza as the flag of the Republic was raised alongside the Corellian banner.
In homes and cantinas across the planet, the mood shifted from shock to burning anger. The attack on Coruscant had finally pushed the fiercely independent Corellians over the edge.
**Scene 2**
**Kashyyyk, Rwookrrorro**
**Wookiee Council Chamber**
The ancient trees of Kashyyyk groaned in the wind as the Wookiee chieftains gathered in the high council hall. The holoprojection of the Geonosis attack and the nuclear strike on Coruscant played on repeat.
Chief Tarfful slammed his massive fist on the wooden table, roaring in Shyriiwook. "The Separatists have attacked the heart of the galaxy! They have no honor! No respect for life!"
The other chieftains roared in agreement, their voices shaking the branches.
"We will not stand by while our allies bleed!" Tarfful declared. "The Wookiee warriors will join the Republic. Our fleets, our soldiers, our strength — all will fight beside the Jedi and the clones. For Kashyyyk! For the Republic!"
The decision was unanimous. Within hours, Wookiee battle groups began mobilizing, their massive ships preparing to join the Republic fleets. The galaxy's strongest warriors had chosen their side.
**Scene 3**
**Mid Rim Worlds – Various Locations**
**Ryloth, Lessu**
Cham Syndulla stood on the balcony of the newly rebuilt capital building, watching the cinder satellites in orbit turn the once-barren world green again. When news of the Coruscant attack reached him, he didn't hesitate.
"Ryloth stands with the Republic," he declared in a broadcast that spread across the Outer Rim. "The Twi'lek people will never forget who saved us from slavery. We fight with Dagon Marek and the Republic until the last droid is scrap!"
**Bothawui**
The Bothan Spynet went into overdrive. Intelligence flooded the Republic, and the Bothan government formally pledged full military support, opening their shipyards and intelligence networks completely.
**Mon Cala (pre-defection rumors)**
Even as whispers of defection spread, many Mon Calamari engineers and shipbuilders secretly contacted Republic contacts, promising to sabotage CIS efforts from within.
**Other Mid Rim Worlds**
From Ord Mantell to Eriadu, dozens of worlds that had been on the fence declared support for the Republic. The nuclear attack on Coruscant had unified the galaxy in a way no speech or victory could. The CIS had crossed a line.
**Scene 4**
**Jedi Temple, Coruscant**
**Obi-Wan Kenobi POV**
Obi-Wan stood in the Council chamber, watching the news feeds with a heavy heart. The galaxy was on fire.
"Corellia, Kashyyyk, Bothawui, Ryloth… they're all declaring war," he said quietly. "The attack on Coruscant has done what years of diplomacy could not. The galaxy is choosing sides."
Yoda's hologram flickered. "A double-edged blade, this is. United the Republic becomes… but darker, the path grows."
Obi-Wan looked at the empty seats where so many Masters had once sat. "And Dagon… he stands at the center of it all."
The war had changed.
And the brightest star in the sky still burned.
**End chapter.**
(Word count: 1,892)