**Chapter 651**
**Scene 1**
**Hyperspace – Starcrusher, En Route to Kothlis**
**Admiral Kirst POV**
Admiral Kirst stood on the command bridge of the *Starcrusher*, his hands clasped behind his back as he stared into the swirling blue tunnel of hyperspace. The massive 2,500-meter-long Separatist battleship hummed with power beneath his feet, its reinforced hull and advanced weapon systems a testament to Caramm V's engineering brilliance. As a human male serving in the Confederate Navy, Kirst had risen through the ranks with ruthless efficiency. The *Starcrusher* was his pride — the flagship of his homeworld's contribution to the CIS in exchange for their alliance against the Republic dogs.
With General Grievous dead, the position of Supreme Commander of the CIS army was wide open. Dooku's apprentice, that witch Selena, had failed time and time again. Admiral Dua Ningo was competent but lacked vision. The other generals were unimportant pawns. If Kirst could take Kothlis and destroy the Republic fleet stationed there, his promotion would be guaranteed.
"Status report," Kirst ordered, his voice cold and commanding.
A tactical droid stepped forward. "All systems nominal, Admiral. Thirty Providence-class dreadnoughts are fully armed and ready. Ten Lucrehulk-class battleships are loaded with fighter squadrons and a one-billion-strong droid army for planetary invasion. Forty Recusant-class heavy destroyers, eighty Munificent-class frigates, ten Dauntless-class heavy cruisers, and two hundred and twenty Techno Union frigates armed with twenty heavy quad cannons each are in formation."
Kirst allowed himself a thin smile. This fleet was more than enough to crush whatever pitiful defense the Bothans and their Republic allies could muster. The *Starcrusher* itself was specifically designed to tear through Venator shields and hulls with its dual heavy plasma cannons and linked ion/plasma systems. Forty heavy plasma cannons and eighty twin heavy turbolasers would make short work of anything the Republic sent.
"Prepare for combat drop," Kirst commanded. "Kothlis will fall today. And with it, my destiny."
**Scene 2**
**Venator-class Star Destroyer Defender – Dorin System**
**Dagon POV**
The fleet emerged from hyperspace in tight formation near Kothlis. One hundred and fifty Venators formed the forward line, supported by twenty Nebula-class Star Destroyers. The Accumulators would join later from a secondary vector. I stood on the bridge of the *Defender*, my white hair catching the glow of the tactical displays.
"No CIS fleet yet," I muttered, scanning the sensors.
"Sir, incoming transmission from the planet," Admiral Grace reported from beside me, her voice professional but carrying a hint of warmth from our recent encounter.
"Put it through."
A holographic Bothan official appeared, looking surprised but relieved. "Ah, Jedi Knight! Welcome to our world. We didn't think you had received our message so fast for negotiations regarding access to our Spynet."
I raised an eyebrow. "Uhm… we are not here for negotiations. We are here to protect you."
The Bothan blinked. "Protect us? From what—"
Alarms suddenly blared across the bridge as scans lit up like fireworks.
"A large CIS fleet has just appeared!" the sensor officer shouted.
I turned sharply to the viewport. A massive enemy armada materialized out of hyperspace — led by a strange, heavily armed warship that dwarfed most standard vessels.
"From that… got to go," I said quickly, cutting the transmission. I activated the fleet-wide comms. "All ships, battle stations! This is not a drill. Prepare for immediate engagement."
I closed my eyes for a moment, reaching out with the Force. *Okay… time for battle meld.*
The familiar web of connection spread across the fleet, linking thousands of minds under my command. Clones, officers, and pilots felt my presence and steadied themselves.
**Scene 3**
**Starcrusher – Bridge**
**Admiral Kirst POV**
"What? How?" Kirst snarled, staring at the tactical display in disbelief. "Our orders were hidden! How did the Republic know about this?"
A super tactical droid turned toward him. "Sir, I recommend a tactical retreat."
"Why?" Kirst demanded.
"Sir, scans indicate several unknown Star Destroyers. Reports indicate those ships belong to Dagon Marek."
Kirst's eyes narrowed. Dagon Marek — the so-called Demon of the Shield. The man who had been carving through CIS forces like a lightsaber through butter. "He just used those ships in his fleet. Those aren't his command ships. Remember — look out for Resurgent-class, Terminus, or Olympus Mons."
He paced the bridge, mind racing. "We still have a reserve fleet of two hundred Munificent-class frigates loaded with new gunships. Have the signal ready for the right moment. We will not retreat. We will crush them here and claim Kothlis."
The droid nodded. "As you command, Admiral."
Kirst gripped the railing, staring at the incoming Republic fleet. "which ever Admiral or jedi is here… today, you die."