**Chapter 696: Silence in the Bond**
**Scene 1**
**Venator-class Star Destroyer, Talon**
**Hyperspace, En Route to Coruscant**
**Dagon POV**
The hum of the *Talon's* engines filled the observation lounge as I stood near the viewport, arms crossed, staring into the swirling blue of hyperspace. Behind me, two of my old instructors from the Balance Corps — Master Hiram Mardin and Master Nhon Artu — were reviewing the after-action reports from Dromund Kaas.
Hiram's sharp gaze flicked toward the three sealed Mandalorian containment vaults secured in the corner of the room. The faint blue glow of their life-support systems pulsed steadily.
"So," Hiram began, his Feeorin features stern but curious, "any reason why you collected — forgive me for saying — three Sith tattooed hotties?"
I let out a long breath. "On a scale of one to ten… how screwed am I?"
"Oh, I'd say one hundred and twenty. Or more," Nhon laughed, leaning back in his chair. "Assuming they don't kill you the moment they wake up."
"They were prisoners," I replied. "Experiments. Tools. Atroxa was supposed to be dead centuries ago. Talon was being groomed. The Chiss clone… she's barely a person. Just a weapon with a face."
Hiram studied me for a long moment. "When you conversed with actual Sith Lords in the past, they always asked the same question. 'How are you so dark… yet still kind?'"
I gave a tired smile. "One part brave. Three parts fool. The exact kind the Order needs right now. A hero."
Nhon chuckled. "Don't sell yourself short, kid. You're more than that."
The conversation drifted toward the haul we had recovered — dozens of Sith holocrons, ancient relics, and forbidden knowledge. We discussed Tulak Hord at length. The legendary Sith Lord's holocron had proven surprisingly benign. Unlike most dark side artifacts, it didn't attempt to corrupt the user. Instead, it copied the practitioner's own combat experiences and techniques, allowing pure mastery through reflection.
"Not all Sith were monsters," I said quietly. "Some were warriors who believed in strength above all. Hord respected skill, not mindless cruelty. That's why I allowed limited access for the Balance Corps and a few trusted Jedi. The everyday Sith of old were like soldiers — they took what they could gather from their surroundings. Only the greatest had entire planets as resources."
"At least the Sith healers among the relics are useful," Hiram noted. "The few healers who remained at the Temple have already accelerated their techniques beyond standard Jedi training."
I nodded. Progress. Small, but meaningful.
**Scene 2**
**Venator-class Star Destroyer, Talon**
**Dagon POV**
Later, alone in my private quarters, I sat cross-legged on the floor and reached out through the Force bond.
*Girls…*
Nothing.
Total silence.
A cold wave of dread washed over me. The bond — that constant, warm presence I had grown so used to — was gone. Not blocked. Not distant. Simply… absent.
I activated the comm system immediately. "Contact the Jedi Council. Priority channel."
Half an hour later, Obi-Wan Kenobi's hologram appeared, looking mildly surprised.
"Master Dagon," Obi-Wan greeted warmly. "How can I assist you?"
"The girls," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Ahsoka and the rest. Where are they?"
Obi-Wan blinked. "Aren't they on the secret mission you assigned them?"
*Secret mission.*
My stomach dropped.
"When did they leave?" I asked.
"About three days ago. They departed on their personal starfighters," Obi-Wan replied, frowning slightly. "Is everything alright?"
I forced myself to stay calm. "I understand. Contact High Command immediately. Schedule an emergency meeting. A major campaign will take place soon."
The hologram faded.
I sat in silence for a long moment, the weight of the galaxy pressing down on my shoulders.
*Ahsoka. Zule. Flare. Stella. Kayla. Visenya. Shin. Erictia. Aayla. Sakura. Grace.*
Every single one of them was now beyond my reach. Their lives — their safety — depended entirely on the choices I would make in the coming days.
I closed my eyes, clenching my fists until my knuckles turned white.
*Wherever you are… hold on.*
*I'm coming for you.*