**Chapter 749: Blue Dawn Over Alsakan**
**Scene 1: Galactic Herald Studios, Coruscant**
The familiar bright set of the *Galactic Herald* morning broadcast filled screens across the Core and beyond. Jeff Klyse, the veteran human anchor with his perfectly coiffed hair and practiced smile, sat at the main desk.
"Good morning, Galaxy! Your regular host, Jeff Klyse, is in the Galactic Herald studio, and we're beginning our morning segment. First, let's recap yesterday's events, then move on to current topics…"
The cheerful music cut off abruptly. A red "EMERGENCY BROADCAST" banner flashed across the screen.
"Breaking news — we have emergency reports from Alsakan. Just a few hours ago, a devastating plague broke out on the ecumenopolis world…"
The feed switched to a live — or rather, recently recorded — ground report. A young blue Twi'lek reporter stood in one of Alsakan's beautiful public parks, speaking urgently into her hovering cam droid.
"This is Lira Voss reporting from Alsakan Capital District. Early this morning, reports of a mysterious outbreak began flooding emergency channels. We are seeing rapid infection — victims are convulsing, their bodies twisting into—"
Her voice cut off in a choked scream as red-black tendrils erupted from a nearby civilian and latched onto her lekku. The camera shook violently as she dropped to her knees, veins turning dark crimson beneath her blue skin. The last image was her eyes glazing over with unnatural hunger before the feed cut to static.
Back in the studio, Jeff Klyse looked visibly shaken. "We… we apologize for that disturbing footage. We are receiving confirmed reports that Supreme Commander Dagon Marek and Republic forces have engaged the threat directly."
The screen switched to orbital and ground footage captured by various news drones and military observers.
**Scene 2: Orbit – Republic Fleet Perspective**
A female fleet reporter, embedded with Admiral Kinaun's task force aboard a Venator-class Star Destroyer, narrated live as the blue wave erupted from the surface.
"This is Mira Voss from the *Resolute*. We are in high orbit above Alsakan. The planetary shield is still active, but something massive is happening on the surface. We're detecting an enormous energy surge — wait, look at that!"
The camera zoomed in. A colossal blue-white wave exploded outward from the capital district, spreading across the planet at terrifying speed. It washed over the fleet, rocking ships and forcing crew members to their knees.
"By the stars… it's not a weapon," the reporter breathed. "It's… it's *healing* them."
**Scene 3: Surface – The Aftermath**
The final footage, captured by a surviving news drone, showed the climax.
Dagon Marek stood at the heart of the infected zone, his Wrath Shield transformed into an all-black void form, eyes burning crimson. The Megiddo Burst erupted — a blinding blue nova that swept across the city like a purifying storm.
Every infected individual convulsed as the virus was burned out of them. Grotesque tentacle monsters melted and reformed into terrified, sobbing civilians. The red biomass withered and disintegrated under the light.
The camera panned back to Dagon.
He stood for a moment longer, then collapsed forward into a growing pool of his own blood. The Wrath Shield flickered and failed, revealing the extent of the damage the backlash had inflicted on his body. His broken helmet rolled slightly away from him, the bloodied Jedi symbol on its forehead clearly visible against the scorched metal.
The screen faded to black for several long seconds before returning to a stunned Jeff Klyse in the studio.
"We… we are still receiving reports. Supreme Commander Marek appears to have single-handedly purged the entire outbreak on Alsakan using an unknown Force technique. Initial casualty estimates are… far lower than expected. The death toll is being revised downward as more infected victims are confirmed to have returned to normal."
Jeff swallowed hard, clearly emotional.
"Whatever just happened on Alsakan… the Dragon of the Republic may have just saved millions. Possibly billions, if that plague had spread. We will continue to bring you updates as they come in. Stay safe, Galaxy."
---
**Aboard the Devastation – Medical Bay**
Dagon lay unconscious on the operating table, body covered in severe burns, internal bleeding, and deep lacerations from the massive power feedback. Miaria, Atroxa, Talon, and Aubrie stood vigil around him, faces tight with worry.
"He pushed too far," Aubrie whispered, already channeling healing energy into his worst wounds.
Miaria's tail lashed. "He always does."
Atroxa placed a gentle hand on his scarred cheek. "But he succeeded. The galaxy watched their hero burn the darkness away today."
Talon leaned down and kissed his forehead softly. "Rest, Dragon. We've got you."
As the *Devastation* maintained orbit over the now-safe world of Alsakan, the legend of Dagon Marek grew once more — not just as a conqueror or warlord, but as the man who stood against an ancient horror and won.
The necessary monster had saved them all again.