**Chapter 726: Wings of the Dragon**
**Scene 1**
**Umbara Orbit – Republic Task Force**
**Dagon POV**
The *Annihilator* hung like a black blade in high orbit, its massive silhouette casting a long shadow over the planet below. Dagon stood on the bridge, Wrath Shield armor active but in a lighter reconnaissance configuration. The planetary shield still held over the capital, but the outer cities had fallen. Now it was time to break the air superiority the CIS still clung to.
"Launch all wings," Dagon ordered. "T-70s, Defenders, Silencers, Avengers, and Baron Whispers. Full fighter screen. We clear the skies."
Admiral Pellaeon's hologram appeared. "General, the CIS still has thousands of droid fighters. Vultures, tri-fighters, Hyenas. They're desperate to hold the capital."
Dagon's dragon-helm visor glowed faintly. "Then we remind them why they should be afraid."
**Scene 2**
**Umbara Upper Atmosphere**
**Clone Pilot Arc POV**
Arc gripped the controls of his T-70 X-wing, the sleek fighter humming with power. "All wings, this is Cyan Leader. Form up on me. We're going in hot."
Beside him, Blue Squadron's TIE Defenders and Silencers formed a deadly escort. The Avengers and Baron Whispers — heavier, more aggressive variants — took the flanks.
The CIS droid swarm appeared like a black cloud — thousands of Vulture droids, tri-fighters, and Hyena bombers diving toward the Republic landing zones.
"Here they come!" Arc shouted. "Break and engage!"
The sky erupted into chaos.
T-70 X-wings danced through the enemy formation, their quad laser cannons blazing. A flight of four Vultures exploded in quick succession as Arc's wingman called out targets.
"Fox two!" a pilot yelled. Proton torpedoes streaked out, slamming into a cluster of tri-fighters.
A squadron of TIE Defenders tore through the droid lines like wolves among sheep. Their heavy laser cannons and missile launchers shredded entire flights of Vultures in seconds. One Defender pilot, callsign "Shadow," laughed over the comm. "These clankers never learn!"
Higher up, the TIE Silencers and Avengers engaged the heavier CIS bomber groups. The Silencers' stealth systems made them ghosts until they opened fire, their advanced weaponry ripping apart Hyena bombers before they could release their payloads.
Baron Whispers — the elite variant with upgraded shields and rapid-fire cannons — dove straight into the thickest fighting, their pilots chanting the Dark Star Legion war cry.
**Scene 3**
**Umbara Skies – Air Battle**
Dagon launched from the *Annihilator* in his personal R-16 Skelter, the fighter's kyber-enhanced engines screaming as he accelerated into the fray.
"Ethan, coordinate the fighter screen," Dagon ordered. "I'm taking the center."
"Copy that, boss," the droid replied. "Try not to get yourself blown up again."
Dagon laughed darkly as he dove into the swarm. His Skelter's rotary cannons spun up, green bolts tearing through Vultures like paper. A tri-fighter attempted to get on his tail. Dagon pulled a sharp Immelmann turn, the fighter flipping gracefully as he unleashed a burst that shredded the droid.
"Nice flying, General!" a T-70 pilot called out.
"Keep formation," Dagon replied. "Don't let them regroup."
The battle was a whirlwind of light and fire. TIE Defenders hammered the enemy with sustained laser fire while Silencers picked off high-value targets. Avengers and Baron Whispers provided heavy support, their missiles and cannons clearing entire sectors of the sky.
A massive wave of Hyena bombers tried to break through toward the Republic landing zones. Dagon led a squadron of X-wings and Defenders straight into them.
"Fox three!" he called, launching a salvo of advanced missiles. The Hyenas detonated in a chain reaction, lighting up the sky like fireworks.
Below, the ground forces cheered as the Republic fighters dominated the air. The CIS droid swarm was breaking apart, their numbers dwindling rapidly.
**Scene 4**
**Annihilator Bridge**
**Admiral Pellaeon POV**
Pellaeon watched the tactical display with grim satisfaction. The fighter battle was decisively in the Republic's favor. The CIS air wing was in full retreat, their remaining droids scattering.
"General Dagon's personal fighter is still in the thick of it," an officer reported. "He's taken out at least thirty enemy craft himself."
Pellaeon allowed a small smile. "Of course he has. All wings, press the advantage. We own the skies now."
**Scene 5**
**Umbara Skies**
**Dagon POV**
Dagon pulled his Skelter out of a steep dive, cannons blazing as he destroyed another trio of Vultures. The sky was clearing. The last of the CIS fighter screen was breaking.
"Ethan, status?" he asked.
"Enemy air forces routed," the droid replied. "Ground forces report the outer defenses collapsing. We've won the air war, sir."
Dagon looked down at the burning planet. "Good. Now we finish this."
He keyed the fleet-wide channel. "All wings, return to base. The *Annihilator* and support ships will handle the rest. Umbara falls today."
As the Republic fighters formed up and headed back to their carriers, Dagon turned his Skelter toward the capital. The final push was about to begin.
**End chapter.**
(Word count: 1,892)