**Chapter 721: Shadows of Umbara**
**Scene 1: Aboard the Devastation – En Route to Umbara**
Dagon Marek stood on the bridge of the *Devastation*, his new 1,600-meter prototype Star Destroyer cutting through hyperspace like a spear. The durasteel mask felt heavier today, a constant reminder of Geonosis. Around him, clone officers moved with disciplined efficiency while a handful of organic crew from Sienar and Kuat backgrounds monitored the upgraded systems.
He had already made the strategic decision before departure: the *Annihilator* and its escort group of Liberator-class Star Destroyers had been dispatched to Endor. The dense forests and remote location made it the perfect hidden sanctuary. Thanks to the classified Sanctuary Pipeline — a network of secret hyperspace routes Dagon had quietly established — the massive 18-kilometer superweapon could reach almost any part of the galaxy in under thirty minutes, bypassing most CIS detection grids and ambush points. A vital insurance policy if *Spear of Light* hit harder than expected.
Now, his focus narrowed on the immediate target: Umbara.
Dagon studied the tactical holodisplay. The Umbarans were isolationist, technologically advanced, and fiercely independent. Their militia relied on exotic plasma and electromagnetic weaponry, ray-shielded vehicles, and highly specialized starfighters. Most of their technology had rarely been seen outside their system.
**Key Enemy Assets:**
- **Umbaran Support Ship / Silence-class Cruiser**
- Length: 700 meters
- Armament: 8 medium turbolaser batteries, 20 light turbolaser turrets, 30 point-defense laser cannons, 50 electromagnetic plasma cannon launchers, 15 large/heavy electromagnetic plasma cannon launchers
- Fighter complement: 20 Umbaran starfighters
- Hyperdrive: Class 2
The Umbaran militia's ground and air forces were equally dangerous — hover tanks, Impeding Assault Tanks, Mobile Heavy Cannons, and advanced body armor that used atmospheric chemical gas to boost aggression, reaction speed, and awareness. One broken visor, however, meant instant asphyxiation for the wearer.
The orbital blockade appeared formidable:
- At least 4 Providence-class Dreadnoughts
- At least 3 Recusant-class Light Destroyers
- At least 16 Munificent-class star frigates
- 18 Umbaran Support Ships
- 10 Dual Hemisphere-Omni Support Vessels
- 1 unidentified Separatist supply ship
- Mixed fighter screen: Zenuas 33 Umbaran starfighters, Vulture droids, tri-fighters, and Hyena bombers
"Once the blockade is broken," Dagon said aloud, "they'll pull back to the capital. Atmospheric positioning under their planetary shield, protected by long-range missiles. We hit them hard and fast. No prolonged siege."
A clone captain nodded. "Understood, sir. The 21st Nova Corps is ready for drop operations once orbit is secured."
Dagon's gloved hand tightened. Bacara's remaining Marines deserved payback for Mygeeto and Geonosis. This campaign would give it to them.
**Scene 2: Arrival at Umbara – Battle of the Blockade**
The fleet dropped out of hyperspace in tight formation. Twenty Venator-class Star Destroyers, the *Devastation* at the center, five Accumulators, five Arquitens Command Cruisers, and eight upgraded Invincible-class Dreadnoughts emerged like wolves entering the hunt.
"Contact! Multiple CIS signatures!" the sensor officer shouted.
Dagon's masked voice cut through the bridge like a blade. "All ships, engage. *Devastation* — open fire."
The prototype Star Destroyer's XX-9 heavy turbolaser batteries roared to life. Brilliant crimson bolts lanced across the void, slamming into the Separatist line. Two Munificent-class frigates disintegrated instantly as their bridges were vaporized. A third lost its entire forward section, tumbling out of control.
"Direct hits! Four frigates down!" a clone tactical officer cheered.
In the fighter bays, squadrons launched in waves. T-70 X-wings from the Venators streaked forward, their S-foils locking into attack position. TIE Defenders — elite craft with upgraded shields and ion cannons — formed escort wings.
**Clone Pilot Comm Channel:**
"Blue Leader to all wings — break and attack! Focus on those Umbaran fighters first!"
"Copy that, Blue Leader," replied Rook Seven, an organic Sienar pilot embedded with the squadron. "These Umbarans are fast. Their plasma bursts are no joke."
"Stay on my wing, Rook," the clone pilot replied. "We've trained for this. Watch your six — those tri-droids love to pincer."
A flight of Zenuas 33 Umbaran starfighters screamed toward them, their electromagnetic plasma cannons glowing. T-70 X-wings opened up with quad lasers, tearing through two of the sleek craft in brilliant explosions.
"Got one!" Rook Seven laughed. "These things handle like wet mynocks compared to our TIE Defenders."
Nearby, a TIE Defender pilot — callsign Shadow Three, a veteran clone — locked onto a Hyena bomber. "Ion cannons hot. Striking now." Blue ion bursts crippled the droid bomber's engines, sending it spinning into a Munificent's flank.
On the *Devastation* bridge, Dagon watched the battle unfold. The Invincible-class Dreadnoughts were proving their worth. Their heavy broadsides tore into the Providence-class Dreadnoughts. One Separatist capital ship lost its entire port side in a catastrophic explosion.
"Invincible One reports Providence down!" the comm officer announced. "Invincible Three and Four have destroyed two Umbaran Support Ships. Orbital security establishing."
Dagon allowed himself a grim nod. "Push the advantage. Arquitens squadrons — screen the Venators. Accumulators, prepare for ground support drops once we clear the capital shield perimeter."
A mixed comm channel crackled open between clone and organic pilots:
"Watch it, Hawk Four — you've got two Umbaran fighters on your tail!" a clone pilot warned.
"On it!" Hawk Four, an organic pilot from Corellia, banked hard. "These bastards' ray shields are tough, but their maneuverability drops when they overheat. Coming around — fox two!"
A proton torpedo streaked out, slamming into one Umbaran fighter and breaking its shields. The second was shredded by linked laser fire from a passing TIE Defender.
"Nice shot, Hawk!" the clone pilot called. "You organics fly crazy, but it works."
Hawk Four laughed over the comm. "Years of smuggling runs through asteroid fields will do that. You clones just make it look easy with those reflexes."
"Keep talking like that and I'll buy you a drink when we take the capital," the clone replied, destroying a vulture droid with precise cannon fire. "Just don't die before then."
The *Devastation* continued its relentless barrage. Its quad heavy turbolasers and tractor beams worked in tandem, pinning a Recusant-class destroyer long enough for a Venator's fighter wing to deliver the killing blow.
Within twenty minutes, the outer blockade had collapsed. Separatist ships began retreating toward Umbara's atmosphere, seeking shelter beneath the planetary shield and long-range missile batteries.
Dagon stood motionless, watching the burning hulks drift across the stars.
"Phase One complete," he announced. "Prepare for atmospheric insertion. The Umbarans think their shadow technology and gas armor make them invincible. We will show them otherwise."
He turned to the bridge crew. "Inform Commander Bacara — the 21st Nova Corps has the honor of the first drop. Let's finish what we started."
As the fleet tightened formation and began descent preparations, Dagon felt the familiar cold focus settle over him. The war grew darker with every battle, but each victory brought the Republic one step closer to surviving *Spear of Light*.
Umbara would fall. And its advanced technology would fuel the Dragon's growing arsenal.3