**Chapter 638**
**Scene 1**
**Jedi Temple – Council Chamber**
**Obi-Wan Kenobi POV**
Two days had passed since the attacks on Coruscant, and the scars were still fresh.
Obi-Wan Kenobi stood near the tall windows of the Council Chamber, staring out at the darkened sectors of Galactic City. Emergency lights flickered like dying embers across the vast metropolis. The planetary grid was still struggling to recover from the massive EMP. No major radiation had spread across the surface, except around the impact zone where Dagon had crashed. That entire district had been locked down. No one could approach except specialized medical droids. Even the girls were being kept out despite their frantic attempts to reach him.
"43 million beings in the city have died when their speeders and shuttles lost power and fell," Cin Drallig reported, his voice heavy with sorrow. "20 million more injured. On a planet with trillions, it seems small… but significant."
Obi-Wan closed his eyes, feeling the echo of that pain through the Force — a planetary cry of suffering that had washed over the Temple like a dark tide. Many Jedi had felt it deeply. But it seemed Dagon's tree — the massive dryad guardian growing within the Temple grounds — had helped absorb and soothe some of that collective agony, easing the burden on the Order.
"The girls are frantic," Nhon artu said softly, standing beside him. "They have a certain way of healing Dagon, but now they can't even get through the lockdown. They're… not taking it well."
Obi-Wan nodded slowly. That was not the worst news.
"Mace Windu has disappeared," he said gravely. "The Mygeeto fleet returned, but 70 Jedi Knights and Masters, and 7 Padawans that accompanied him, weren't there. Along with 70 Venator-class Star Destroyers."
The chamber fell into stunned silence. The implications hung heavy in the air. A potential coup? Defection? Or something far worse?
**Scene 2**
**Senate Rotunda, Coruscant**
**Chancellor Palpatine's Day of Infamy Speech**
The Senate Rotunda was packed to capacity. Every pod was filled with senators, aides, and anxious journalists. The mood was one of outrage, fear, and barely contained panic after the nuclear attack on Coruscant.
Chancellor Palpatine stood at the central podium, his expression grave yet resolute, his voice amplified across the entire chamber and broadcast to every corner of the Republic.
"Two days ago, the Separatists committed an act of pure evil. They attacked the heart of our democracy — our beloved Coruscant — with nuclear weapons. Millions are dead. Millions more injured. This was not an act of war. This was terrorism. This was a crime against all sentient life."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle over the stunned audience.
"Today, I denounce the Separatists as war criminals. I vow to bring about their complete destruction. The Republic will not rest until every last Separatist leader is brought to justice. We will fight on — for freedom, for peace, for the future of our galaxy!"
The Senate erupted in thunderous applause and chants of support. Padmé Amidala sat in her pod, her face pale, tears glistening in her eyes. Her hopes for peace had died with the attack. Just like Dagon had warned her. The Republic now had only one choice: victory or death.
**Scene 3**
**Dathomir – Nightsister Village**
**Mother Talzin POV**
Deep in the misty swamps of Dathomir, Mother Talzin stood before the ancient stone altar, green magick swirling around her skeletal fingers like living smoke. Feral, her youngest son, knelt before her, his head bowed in reverence.
"Feral, my son," Talzin said, her voice echoing with dark power, "take this talisman and go. Find your brother, Darth Maul, and return him to us."
Feral took the glowing talisman, rising with determination. "Yes, Mother." He boarded his ship and vanished into the night sky.
Two Nightsisters approached Talzin from the shadows, their pale skin glowing faintly under the moonlight.
"Mother, your will is done," one said. "We have attacked Coruscant, but it seems Dagon prevented most of the damage. Still… the attack worked."
Talzin smiled, her sharp teeth glinting with malicious satisfaction. "Good. Excellent. Soon my revenge on Dooku and Sidious will be complete."
The dark side whispered promises of vengeance as the Nightsisters prepared for the next phase of their ancient grudge.