**Chapter 683: New Pawns on the Board**
**Scene 1**
**Serenno, Castle Serenno**
**Dua Ningo POV**
The grand audience chamber of Castle Serenno felt colder than usual. Dua Ningo stood rigidly before Count Dooku's ornate throne, the weight of failure hanging heavy in the air like smoke after a battle.
"Dua," Dooku began, his voice smooth but laced with clear disappointment, "I am disappointed in you. The Confederacy had placed great hope in you as one of our most excellent admirals. And yet the offensive has failed."
Dua's fists clenched at his sides. "The offensive failed because I warned you not to risk challenging Dagon directly! The *Malice* — our pride, our greatest flagship — has been destroyed by that monster ship. Larger than anything the galaxy has ever seen."
Dooku remained silent, watching him with those cold, calculating eyes.
"And what's worse," Dua continued angrily, "it's fast. As we speak, Dagon has it launching deep raids into our territory — destroying fleets, supply bases, and outposts. How long before it strikes one of our few remaining shipyards?"
Dooku listened patiently, fingers steepled beneath his chin. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
"Selena. You and Admiral Ningo will lead a fleet to Sullust. We expect the planet to begin shifting allegiances soon. You will deploy forces to support the loyalist factions on the surface. This is your last chance before I change my mind."
Dua bowed stiffly, though resentment burned in his chest. Selena, standing beside him, offered only a cold, silent nod. Both knew this assignment was a test — and possibly a death sentence if they failed again.
**Scene 2**
**Serenno, Castle Serenno**
**Dooku POV**
As the two figures departed the chamber, Dooku rose from his throne and moved toward a smaller, more private meeting room. A tall, green-skinned Harch awaited him there — Lolouch, from the same ruling nest as the late Admiral Trench.
The Harch species, native to Secundus Ando in the Lambda sector, had long been governed by powerful ruling nests. During the Andoan Wars, they had sided with the tyrannical Spiverelda government against the Andoan Free Colonies. When the Republic intervened and crushed Spiverelda, the Harch never forgot. When the Clone Wars began, they eagerly joined the Confederacy.
Now, with Trench dead, Lolouch represented a new opportunity — a fresh alliance of skilled, ruthless officers.
"Do you consider yourself as capable as the late Admiral Trench?" Dooku asked, studying the multi-limbed alien.
"Tsk, tsk," Lolouch clicked, his mandibles twitching. "Trench? You consider him interesting, yes? But let us not forget he only fought two major campaigns against significant fleets… and he lost both. The last one killed him. Tsk, tsk."
Dooku's expression remained neutral. "That does not answer my question. In the first campaign, Trench eliminated a number of Republic ships. The second time he faced Dagon and his new vessel."
"Yesss… tsk, tsk. Dagon is a most interesting fellow," Lolouch replied, his multiple eyes gleaming. "His ship technology, I believe, comes from those solar ion reactors Sienar produced… and tsk, tsk, Jedi Force-forging. Dangerous combination."
Dooku nodded slowly. "Very well. Take some ships and begin your mission to the Hapes Consortium. See if you can convince them to at least hear us out."
"At once, my lord," Lolouch hissed, bowing deeply before scuttling away.
Dooku remained alone in the chamber for a long moment, staring at the ancient stone walls. The war was shifting. Dagon's power was growing too quickly. The *Annihilator*, the alliances with Corellia, and now the looming threat of Kuat falling under his influence — it was all becoming dangerously unbalanced.
But Sidious had given new orders. Mon Cala and Hapes would be the next targets. If the Confederacy could secure those naval powers, even Dagon's monstrous flagship might finally meet its match.
Dooku allowed himself a thin, cold smile.
The game continued.