**Chapter 653: The Trap at Kothlis**
**Scene 1**
**Starcrusher – Bridge, Kothlis Orbit**
**Admiral Kirst POV**
The bridge of the *Starcrusher* was a maelstrom of flashing red alarms and frantic droid activity. Smoke curled from damaged consoles as another explosion rocked the massive battleship. Admiral Kirst gripped the railing, his knuckles white, as the tactical display showed his once-dominant fleet crumbling under the relentless Republic assault.
"Sir, we lost another Providence," a super tactical droid reported in its emotionless monotone. "Shields are at twenty-three percent. We are taking heavy damage across multiple decks."
Kirst's jaw clenched so tightly it ached. The enemy fleet — led by those cursed Nebula-class Star Destroyers and the mysterious *Olympus Mons* — moved with unnatural precision. Their formation shifted and rotated like a living organism, denying his gunners any fixed targets. Every time his heavy cannons locked on, the Republic ships had already moved, presenting fresh shields while their own firepower tore through his lines.
"Contact the second wave," Kirst snarled, his voice raw with fury. "We can't jump in this position. They will protect us as we escape."
"Acknowledged," the droid replied, transmitting the emergency recall signal. "Second wave entering hyperspace in thirty seconds."
Kirst stared at the viewport, watching another Munificent-class frigate explode in a brilliant fireball. "Marek… you will pay for this humiliation."
**Scene 2**
**Olympus Mons – Bridge**
**Admiral Grace O'Connor POV**
"Sir, a second fleet — mainly Munificent-class frigates — has just appeared from hyperspace!" Grace reported, her voice sharp as she monitored the tactical display. The new enemy reinforcements materialized in a desperate attempt to cover the retreating *Starcrusher*.
Dagon stood tall at the center of the bridge, his white hair catching the glow of the displays, crimson-black eyes focused and calm. "Very well. All ships advance forward. Second wave, approach."
Grace watched in awe as Dagon's battle meld spread across the fleet. Every captain, every gunner, every pilot moved as one. The Republic armada surged forward in perfect synchronization, the Drill formation spinning and striking like a coordinated predator.
**Olympus Mons – Bridge**
**Clone Commander Stryker POV**
Clone Commander Stryker stood on the secondary command deck of the *Olympus Mons*, his helmet tucked under his arm, watching the chaos unfold. The ship was his pride — a masterpiece of Sienar-Jaemus engineering, bristling with kyber-enhanced weapons and modular systems.
"Waiting for the signal," Stryker said quietly to his bridge crew.
The blue tunnel of hyperspace vanished as the *Olympus Mons* dropped out directly in the middle of the incoming CIS second wave. The massive strike carrier's weapons lit up instantly.
"F-SPAR cannon online!" the weapons officer shouted.
The Focused Spectral Array cannon — a retractable center weapon powered by a krayt dragon pearl and kyber matrix — unleashed a devastating beam of concentrated energy. It tore through three Munificent-class frigates in a single sweep, slicing their hulls like a lightsaber through butter. At the same time, the ship's cruise missile banks launched a devastating barrage. Tactical missiles streaked out in precise arcs, slamming into enemy Dreadnoughts and Lucrehulks, detonating deep within their armor.
"Target the enemy flagship!" Stryker ordered. "All batteries, fire!"
The *Olympus Mons* lined up on the *Starcrusher*, its weapons systems humming with lethal power.
**Scene 3**
**Starcrusher – Bridge**
**Admiral Kirst POV**
Kirst's eyes widened in horror as the *Olympus Mons* materialized in the heart of his second wave. "Olympus Mons… this was a trap!" he realized too late. "How did he know? Of course — Dooku betrayed me!"
The *Starcrusher* shook violently as the F-SPAR beam struck its shields. Alarms screamed as the powerful cannon burned through layers of armor. Secondary explosions rippled across the massive ship.
"Abandon ship!" Kirst roared, but it was too late. The final barrage from the *Olympus Mons* and supporting Republic vessels overwhelmed the flagship. The bridge filled with fire and debris as the *Starcrusher* broke apart in a fiery explosion, taking Admiral Kirst and most of his senior staff with it.
**Scene 4**
**Olympus Mons – Bridge**
**Dagon POV**
I watched the *Starcrusher* disintegrate in a brilliant fireball, its wreckage scattering across the void. The second wave of CIS reinforcements was collapsing under the combined assault of the Republic fleet and the *Olympus Mons*' devastating firepower.
"All ships — eliminate the reinforcements," I ordered through the battle meld. "No mercy. Push them back."
The fleet responded instantly. Venators and Nebulas poured turbolaser fire into the fleeing Munificents and Recusants. Skelters and Z-95s tore through enemy fighter screens. Warden dropships launched boarding parties onto disabled CIS vessels, securing them for the Republic.
Grace stood beside me, her voice filled with pride. "The enemy is in full retreat, sir. Kothlis is secure."
I nodded, feeling the strain of the battle meld beginning to ease. "Good work, everyone. Dorin and Kothlis are safe for now. Prepare for the next phase."
The battle for the Northern Dependencies had begun in earnest — and the Republic was winning.