**Chapter 646**
**Scene 1**
**Olympus Mons – Bridge, Coruscant Orbit**
**Dagon POV**
The bridge of the *Olympus Mons* hummed with quiet efficiency as the massive strike carrier hung in high orbit above Coruscant. Through the viewport, I could see the scarred but resilient planet slowly recovering from the recent attack — emergency lights flickering across entire districts like distant stars fighting to stay alive. The jump to Dorin would take two hours. That gave me just enough time to finalize the fleet composition and issue the final orders before we began the campaign.
I stood at the central holotable, the massive 3D map of the Northern Dependencies and surrounding sectors rotating slowly before me. Officers and tactical droids waited in respectful silence as I made the final assignments.
"Commander Jan Dodonna," I said, highlighting five vessels on the display. "You will take command of five MC80A Home One Type Heavy Star Cruisers. These will serve as your primary strike and carrier support."
**MC80A Home One Type Heavy Star Cruiser**
- Length: 1,800 meters
- Engine Units: Sienar-Jaemus Sublight Thrusters (10)
- Hyperdrive Rating: Class 1
- Armament: XX-7 Light Turbolaser Batteries (175), XX-9 Quad Heavy Turbolaser Batteries (36) — Fire arc: 40 front, 15 each left/right/back
- Heavy Ion Cannon Batteries (55) — Fire arc: 10 front, 10 each left/right, 5 back
- Heavy Proton Torpedo/Missile Tubes (6) — Fire arc: forward, Ammunition: 66 missiles each
- Tractor Beam Projectors (8)
- Complement: 10 squadrons of starfighters (T-70 X-wing starfighters), 20 Warden-class Dropships
- Crew: Over 6,000
- Power Plant: 4 Internal Solar Ionization Reactors
The five ships materialized on the display:
- *Independence*
- *Defiance*
- *Republic*
- *Nautilus*
- *Liberation*
"These vessels will give you significant carrier and long-range firepower," I told Dodonna. "Use them wisely."
Dodonna nodded sharply, his beard making him look every bit the seasoned commander. "Understood, Grand Master. They will not fail you."
I turned to the next officer. "Commander Shi Shi. Your Dreadnoughts each have a crew of 13,000 for such a relatively small ship. I am scrapping all of them and reassigning you twenty-five Liberator-class Battlescruisers — also known as Liberator-class Star Destroyers. These are essentially the older brothers of Kuat's modern Praetor-class Star Battlecruisers."
The Liberator-class appeared on the display — sleek, powerful vessels built from modified Invincible-class Dreadnought hulls over 150 years ago. They had originally run into power and overheating problems, leading to their repurposing as guard ships. Thanks to my agreements with Kuat, I had secured them for this campaign.
"These will give you the heavy hitting power you need," I said. "Your squadron will be the spearhead for breakthrough operations."
Shi Shi bowed slightly. "It will be an honor, Grand Master."
"Commander Valerian Severide," I continued. "Your recent tasks indicate escort and patrol duties. You will be in charge of thirty Arquitens-class Command Cruisers and twenty-five new Tartan-class Patrol Cruisers."
**Tartan-class Patrol Cruiser**
- Length: 250 meters
- Hyperdrive Rating: Class 2.0 (Class 12 backup)
- Armament: Laser Cannons (30)
- Crew: 70
- Passengers: 50 troops
- Cargo Capacity: 1,000 tons
- Consumables: 1 year
"These are designed specifically for anti-starfighter and pirate interdiction," I explained. "They will protect our supply lines and provide escort for the heavier vessels."
Severide saluted crisply. "My squadron will hold the line, sir."
Finally, I turned to Commander Taylor Petry. "You will be in charge of landing forces. Twenty-five Dauntless-class Accumulator variants and twenty Gozanti-class Cruiser/Carriers. Your role is critical — securing planets and supporting ground operations."
Petry nodded. "We will deliver the troops where they are needed most."
I stepped back from the holotable, surveying the full fleet composition. Two hundred and fifty Venators, fifty Accumulators, twenty Nebula-class Star Destroyers, the *Olympus Mons*, and the newly assigned support vessels. It was a formidable force — one of the largest single fleets the Republic had assembled under one commander since the war began.
"Yeah," I muttered under my breath. "This is a good plan."
**Scene 2**
**Olympus Mons – Bridge**
**Dagon POV**
As the final preparations were made and the fleet began to form up for the jump to Dorin, I allowed myself a moment of quiet reflection. The officers dispersed to their stations, and the bridge crew worked with focused efficiency. The weight of command pressed on me, but so did the hope that this campaign could stabilize the Northern Dependencies and relieve pressure on the collapsing sectors.
"Grand Master," Admiral Grace said softly from beside me, her voice laced with concern. "The fleet is ready. We jump in thirty minutes."
I nodded, staring out at the assembled armada. "Let's end this madness before it consumes everything."
The stars outside the viewport seemed to wait in anticipation. The war was calling, and we were answering with fire and resolve.