**Chapter 751: Gathering Storm**
**Republic Military Headquarters, Coruscant**
**Dagon POV**
"Ow. How many more of these bacta injections must I take?" I grumbled, wincing as the med droid pressed another hypo-spray against my neck. The needle stung more than usual — probably because my body was still rejecting half the repairs after the Alsakan purge.
The droid responded in its flat, mechanical tone. "Physically, you have only regained 50% of your current blood volume. Even with your enhanced regeneration and recent mutations, bed rest for at least one week is required. These injections are non-negotiable."
I sighed and waved it off. "Fine. Gentlemen, if we can take our seats…"
The secure briefing room was packed. Grand Admiral Valentra, Admiral Piett, Admiral Kinaun, and several other high-ranking officers sat around the massive holotable. Miaria, Atroxa, Talon, and Aubrie stood behind me — a visible reminder of the new power bloc I had forged. The girls had insisted on attending. I hadn't argued.
Valentra activated the main display. "We've compiled the latest intelligence on the Confederate Navy's current order of battle, incorporating Hapan and Mon Calamari contributions. It's… formidable."
**CIS Fleet Composition – Unified Command**
**Carriers**
- Providence-class carrier/destroyer (1km)
- Separatist Supply Ship
- Lucrehulk-class Droid Control Ship
- InterGalactic Banking Clan gun platform
- Lucrehulk-class battleship (standard variant)
- Vulture-class carrier
**Destroyers**
- Providence-class carrier/destroyer (2km)
- Subjugator-class heavy cruiser
- Recusant-class heavy destroyer
- Munificent-class star frigate
- Lucrehulk-class Droid Control Ship
- Lucrehulk-class battleship (variants A, B, C)
- Allocator-class Star Destroyer
**Frigates**
- Munificent-class star frigate
- Recusant-class light destroyer
**Cruisers**
- Munificent-class star frigate
- Providence-class carrier/destroyer
- Dauntless-class heavy cruiser
**Gun Platforms**
- InterGalactic Banking Clan gun platform
**Shuttles & Landing Craft**
- C-9979 Landing Craft
- C-9969 Landing Craft
- Droch-class boarding ships
- Sheathipede-class transport shuttle
- Class Type B Escort Shuttle
- Maxillipede Shuttle
**Fighters**
- Vulture Droid
- Hyena-class bomber
- Droid Tri-Fighter
- Belbullab-22 starfighter
- Belbullab-24 striker bomber
- Rogue-class starfighter
**Organizational Structure**
- **Section**: 2–4 vessels (+ support) — commanded by Captain
- **Flight**: 4–16 vessels — commanded by Commodore
- **Squadron**: 12–64 vessels — commanded by Commodore
- **Task Group**: 36–640 vessels — commanded by Rear Admiral
- **Task Force**: 72–1,280 vessels — commanded by Vice Admiral
- **Fleet**: 200–4,000 vessels — commanded by Admiral
- **Legion**: 900–8,000 vessels — commanded by Admiral
- **Armada**: 1,000–10,000 vessels — commanded by Head of State
Piett leaned forward. "Their organization is rigid but scalable. They've unified corporate fleets under a single command structure with High Admiral Lolouch at the top."
Valentra brought up the next set of holograms. "Their new allies make the situation worse."
**Hapes Consortium Contribution**
- **Hapan Battle Dragon** (500m diameter, dual saucer design with rotating weapon rings)
- 40 turbolaser batteries, 40 ion cannons, 10 proton torpedo launchers, 16 pulse mass mines
- 36 Miy'til starfighters
- Crew: 1,200 + 190 gunners + 500 troops
- **Nova-class Battle Cruiser** (400m)
- 25 Hapan turbolaser batteries, 10 heavy point-defense lasers, 10 ion cannons
- 24 Miy'til starfighters + 6 Hetrinar assault bombers
- Crew: 1,700 + 90 gunners + 600 troops
- **Beta Cruiser** (1,100m battleship)
- Heavy armament focused on broadside firepower and swarm tactics
Hapan doctrine emphasized walls of concentrated fire and swift alpha strikes. Their ships were fast and heavily armed, compensating for slower recharge times with rotating weapon systems.
**Mon Calamari Contribution**
- **MC30C Frigate** (380m)
- High-speed attack frigate with heavy proton torpedo launchers, medium turbolasers, and cluster bomb launchers
- **MC40A Light Cruiser** (500–600m)
- Strong shielding, redundant systems, 14 medium turbolasers, 18 medium ion cannons, 6 heavy tractor beams
- **MC75 Star Cruiser** (1,204m)
- Heavily armored city-ship conversion with reinforced battleship hull, 12 broadside turbolasers, 4 heavy ion cannons, 12 proton torpedo launchers, and room for 200 Vulture droids + Hyena bombers
Valentra concluded, "Mon Cala's contributions give the CIS superior shielding and carrier capacity in several key task forces. Combined with Hapan firepower, their numerical advantage in capital ships is now matched by quality in several categories."
I leaned back, ignoring the dull ache in my chest. "We expected this. The *Annihilator* and our upgraded Liberators remain our trump cards. Project Helldiver and Ascension will give us the edge on the ground and in special operations. We hold the Core trade routes and the Perlemian. They need a decisive victory to break us."
Atroxa crossed her arms. "And if they deploy Crimson-71 remnants during *Spear of Light*?"
"Then we burn it out again," I said flatly. "No matter the cost."
The meeting continued late into the night, refining defensive formations and planning counter-strikes. By the end, I was exhausted but clear-headed.
The girls were waiting for me when I finally returned to the Temple. Miaria immediately pulled me into bed, her tail wrapping around my waist. Atroxa and Talon joined without a word, while Aubrie curled up against my chest, still shy but growing bolder.
"You pushed too hard on Alsakan," Aubrie whispered, tracing one of the fresh scars on my torso.
"I know," I admitted, kissing her silver hair. "But I couldn't let that thing spread."
Ahsoka's voice came from the other side of the bed, soft but firm. "Next time, we go with you. All of us."
I closed my eyes, surrounded by warmth and loyalty. "Together, then."
One month and two weeks until *Spear of Light*.
The galaxy was holding its breath.
And the Dragon was ready to roar.