**Chapter 644**
**Scene 1**
**Republic Military Headquarters, Coruscant**
**Dagon POV**
The strategic command center of the Republic Military Headquarters buzzed with urgent activity. Holographic maps floated above the central table, displaying shifting frontlines across the galaxy. Officers and aides moved between consoles, their faces tense under the harsh emergency lighting that still lingered after the recent attack.
I stood at the head of the table, studying the latest tactical reports. The Northern Dependencies — a long-settled region of the galaxy north of Coruscant and the Perlemian Trade Route — had become a critical flashpoint. It consisted of locations north of Coruscant on the galactic plane, stretching only to the far reaches of the Inner Rim. Inclusive in the area were Nouane, Inner Rim worlds along the Hydian Way such as Bogden, and planets such as Bilbringi and Carratos on the Namadii Corridor. The western boundary was known as The Negs.
Inhabitants of the Northern Dependencies did not think much of the Core Worlds from which they originated. Stereotyped as mighty spacers, merchants, and businessmen, they held in contempt the Core's preoccupation with bureaucracy, politics, and self-importance. Their focus looked outward, along the Hydian Way and toward the New Territories.
Officially, with Mace Windu and the missing Jedi now in the wind — along with 70 Venators, 3 fleet admirals, 8 admirals, and 12 generals — the situation had deteriorated rapidly. Mygeeto had been heavily reinforced by the Separatists. Due to that effect, the 8th Sector had been pushed back to its core base at Ord Mantell and a few remaining strongholds, resulting in the 7th Sector being attacked in an attempt to completely isolate the 8th. That would put the 9th, 10th, 3rd, and 6th sectors at severe risk.
I pointed at the map, outlining the campaign. "The plan is for me to go on the offensive and pull out the forces in the Inner Rim such as the Northern Dependencies, then to Lantilles, then back through the sectors before beginning another push into the 8th."
I continued, "So far, thanks to my Supreme Commander status, I have managed to relocate 80 Invincible-class Dreadnoughts to Lantilles and Sienar to begin Allegiance conversion, and the use of Centax Station not far from Coruscant for another shipyard for Allegiance-class vessels."
High General Valentra studied the board carefully. "General, are you sure you still need my approval? No disrespect, but you are basically now the highest ranking and most successful — also now Hero of Coruscant — here."
"While it is true most of my successes still come from me fighting alone and then my main force bringing up the rear, this campaign I am about to launch is not purely offensive but defensive — at least until our worlds are secure," I replied.
Valentra nodded and gestured to four naval officers standing at attention nearby. "Here are the four new naval officers. With so many high-ranking personnel missing, you will need them for a fleet this size."
The four officers exchanged glances. Despite wearing identical ranks and being practically the same age, they were strikingly different: a dark-haired, stately man of typical Slavic appearance stood next to a frail, purple-haired man with Mongoloid features. The third was a dark-skinned man — almost anthracite-colored — with short yellow hair. The fourth was a completely ordinary-looking man of about forty, save for his dashing beard.
- "Commander Valerian Severide. My squadron consists of six Venators, four Dauntless Accumulator variants, six Endorser Accumulator variants, two CR-90s, and six Consulars."
- "Commander Taylor Petry. I have six Venators, two Dauntless Accumulator variants, four Marauder-class corvettes, eight Pelta-class frigates, and four more Marauder-class corvettes."
- "Commander Shi Shi. Under my command are two Venators, 8 Dreadnought-class heavy cruisers, two CR-90s, four Pelta-class frigates, two Arquitens-class light cruisers, and nine Corellian DP-20 gunships."
- "Commander Jan Dodonna. Twenty Dreadnoughts and four CR-90 frigates, plus 2 Invincible-class Dreadnoughts."
*Hmm… Wow! Dodonna! That one!… Two 'hmms'. Not at all like the 'white old man'. Maybe a namesake? No, definitely him, just still young — look, his beard isn't gray. Incidentally, he looks a bit like Kenobi, though his face is a bit sharper,* I thought.
Valentra continued, "Two auxiliary troop brigades: the 145th Auxiliary Brigade, commanded by Brigadier General Delkep Bella-Trapada, and the 241st, commanded by Brigadier General Ousan Nomablu. Oh, and the 39th Independent Rocket Trooper Regiment. They are commanded by Colonel Yves Vanko. In addition, you have been assigned some auxiliary units: technicians, medical personnel, and supply personnel."
*What? Vanko? Funny name. He's probably that massive man in armor. Even slightly bigger than the clones. And he commands the clones. A stern character — looks like a Viking.*
"Excellent," I said. "You four will need an upgrade in ships for now. Since your ships are slower, you are to proceed to Lantilles where I will then reinforce you with ships."
The four commanders nodded sharply and left to prepare their forces.
**Scene 2**
**Jedi Temple – Council Annex**
**Dagon POV**
Back at the Jedi Temple, I stood in a smaller annex room reviewing the latest reports with Stella and Aayla. Saesee Tiin had left his personal modified Delta-7 starfighter behind when he departed the Order. The sleek fighter had been heavily customized — in-flight removable hull panels, four additional quad-pulse laser cannons, and a small Class 3 hyperdrive of his own making.
"So, what do you want to do with it?" Stella asked, running a hand along the fighter's smooth hull.
"We are selling it," I replied. "To Kuat. They will most likely pay good for the designs and modifications. The Order is essentially broke, and while I don't mind paying for the Jedi, I at least need to think about the future."
Stella blushed slightly at the casual mention of my financial support for the Order. "But seriously, only 20 billion in the Jedi Temple accounts? I thought we had more, given the Temple's various contracts with so many worlds."
"Well, officially Sifo-Dyas did pay for the clone army and navy initially, and then the Republic started paying," I explained. "The last login was 25 years ago — that is when the first contracts were placed for everything. So I guess none of the Masters ever noticed anything."
"Still… how could the Order not know about it? Like, what happened?" Stella asked, frowning.
I shrugged. "The Jedi were never good with money. Too focused on the Force and philosophy. Now it's biting us."
The conversation shifted as we walked back toward the main Council Chamber. The weight of leadership felt heavier with every passing hour, but the path forward was becoming clearer