**Chapter 690: Statement of Power**
**Scene 1**
**Sluis Van Orbit**
**Annihilator Bridge**
**Grace POV**
The bridge of the *Annihilator* was bathed in the soft green glow of tactical displays. Grace stood beside Dagon, watching as another wave of turbolaser fire raked across what remained of the Sluis Van orbital shipyards. A full third of the massive complex had already been reduced to twisted, burning wreckage drifting in orbit.
Then the surrender signal finally came — a desperate, repeating broadcast from the planet and the surviving defense platforms.
But Dagon wasn't finished.
He stared down at the ecumenopolis below, his crimson-black eyes cold and calculating. "Fire several shots over the main population centers. Low yield. Make it visible."
Grace felt a flicker of hesitation, but only for a moment. She had long since accepted that Dagon's brand of mercy was often delivered at the tip of a sword.
The *Annihilator*'s super-heavy batteries spoke again. Brilliant green streaks lanced through the atmosphere, exploding high above the sprawling cities in massive but controlled detonations. Shockwaves rolled across the sky, visible from the surface as terrifying displays of power.
"I guess a few thousand just died on the planet," Dagon said quietly. "A small figure. And a mercy statement."
Aayla Secura, standing nearby with her arms crossed, nodded slowly. "The Chancellor and the Senate declared 'victory or death' after the nuclear attack on Coruscant. This… this is mild in comparison. You're showing the Republic you're following their rules — without wiping them out."
"Yes," Dagon replied. "We can't kill too many innocents. Not yet. These aren't slavers. Just enemies." He turned slightly. "Grace, send the signal."
Grace stepped forward to the comm station, her voice clear and professional as she opened the channel.
"This is Overlord to Sovereign. Tarkin, the fleet is destroyed and the shipyards are vulnerable. You may begin occupation and redeployment."
The reply came back almost immediately, crisp and disciplined.
"Copy, Overlord. Fleet arriving."
Grace allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. The Zeltron part of her thrilled at the scent of victory in the air.
**Scene 2**
**Sluis Van Orbit**
**Allegiance-class Battlecruiser, Sovereign**
**Wilhuff Tarkin POV**
Tarkin watched from the bridge of the *Sovereign* as twenty Accumulator-class troop carriers emerged from hyperspace in tight formation. The heavy transports moved carefully through the expanding debris field of destroyed CIS warships and shattered shipyard sections, their escorts clearing paths through the wreckage.
"Begin landing operations," Tarkin ordered. "Priority is securing the remaining functional shipyard platforms. Ground forces are to establish control over key industrial zones on the surface. Any resistance is to be met with overwhelming force, but unnecessary civilian casualties are to be avoided."
He observed as the Accumulators docked with the surviving sections of the orbital shipyards. Clone troopers in pristine white armor poured out, securing landing zones and moving deeper into the damaged facilities. Other transports began their descent toward the planet's surface, where Sluissi officials were already broadcasting surrender messages.
A priority comm channel opened. Dagon Marek's face appeared on the main holoscreen.
"Tarkin," Dagon said without preamble, "this should now provide a stable hyperlane route for the 18th Sector Army. Use these shipyards as a new forward resource and repair hub. I expect them operational within the month."
Tarkin straightened slightly. "Yes, sir. I will see to it personally. The Sluissi are pragmatic. With their leadership decapitated and their defenses shattered, they will cooperate."
Dagon gave a short nod. "Good. Secure the sector, Tarkin. The 18th is yours to command fully now. Prove that my faith in you was not misplaced."
The transmission ended.
Tarkin allowed the faintest trace of a satisfied smile to touch his lips. Acting Moff of the 18th Sector. The title felt… right. The destruction of the previous command staff had been a tragedy for the Republic, but an unprecedented opportunity for him.
He turned back to his officers. "Status on surface operations?"
"First wave has landed, sir," an aide reported. "Resistance is minimal. The Sluissi leadership is requesting formal terms of surrender."
"Accept them," Tarkin said. "But make it clear — Sluis Van now answers directly to the Supreme Commander and the 18th Sector Army. There will be no half-measures."
As the bridge crew moved with renewed purpose, Tarkin looked out at the burning remains of the CIS fleet and the damaged but still valuable shipyards.
The war was shifting in their favor.
And Wilhuff Tarkin intended to be at the very center of that shift.