**Chapter 756: Heart of the Sparkling Diamond**
**Scene 1: Bridge of the Devastation – Ord Mantell System**
Commands rang throughout the wheelhouse with crisp precision.
"Attention! Exiting hyperspace in thirty seconds."
"Start the countdown!"
"All services — readiness number two!"
Fleet Admiral Kinaun allowed himself a quiet inward chuckle. Everything was proceeding exactly as it should. He had been wrong to doubt Admiral Grace O'Connor. When it came to duty, the Zeltron could be deadly serious and ruthlessly purposeful. The rest of the time, however… that was another story entirely.
The *Devastation* battle group emerged from hyperspace in tight formation at a safe distance of approximately five thousand kilometers from the planet. Ord Mantell — the self-proclaimed "Heart of the Sparkling Diamond" — orbited a brilliant blue star at the center of the Sparkling Diamond system. The locals (or whoever had first given the system its grandiose names) had clearly run out of imagination at some point. The name was as overblown as the planet's reputation.
Ord Mantell was surrounded by a dense cometary cloud that had served as a smuggler's paradise for over a thousand years. Venturing too deep into the cloud with capital ships was suicide — there were far simpler ways for pirates and rogue traders to destroy vessels. The Mern-Thirteen fleet had no intention of heading to the planet itself. Reinforcements and resupply waited near the massive cluster of Golan- and Sanctuary-class defense stations orbiting the enormous cylindrical station *Dastanhar*.
In truth, those stations were among the few places in the system where Republic law and order still held sway. The planet below was a notorious free port — a haven for criminal organizations, rogue traders, exiles, mercenaries, assassins, smugglers, and every other variety of outlaw. Over time, as wealthier planets and more convenient hyperspace routes diminished its strategic value, Ord Mantell had settled into its role as a lawless trading hub. Local conflicts still flared up from time to time. One of the most recent had been put down by Jedi shortly before the Clone Wars began. Now, a garrison of clones patrolled the major cities, and for a while, things had grown quieter.
"Sir!" Ensign Kror Kessler, Kinaun's young aide, spoke up. "What does the prefix 'Ord' before the planet's name mean? There are several of them, aren't there?"
"'Ord' is actually an acronym for 'Outer Rim Defense' and 'Intelligence Watch,'" Kinaun explained. "It dates back approximately twelve thousand years, when the Core Worlds began serious colonization of the Outer Rim. The Republic established military and intelligence bases on key planets. Over the millennia, the prefix 'Ord' became permanently attached to those worlds' names. And yes, Ensign — there are thirty-five planets with that designation. I recommend pulling up the nearest projector later and tracing the Republic's borders from that era to see how far we've expanded."
Dagon Marek approached from the rear of the bridge, his durasteel mask gleaming under the combat lighting. "So, Admiral, you're busy educating the younger generation? Training for the future, so to speak?"
Kinaun straightened. "What is he doing this for?"
"Have you already contacted sector command, General?" Dagon asked.
"Yes. We're cleared to dock at the station in ten minutes."
"Good. We're still on schedule. However, the element of surprise is now in serious question. Our arrival here caused quite a stir. A couple of small ships jumped into hyperspace almost immediately. Given the planet's… contingent, soon the entire galaxy will know that Mern-Thirteen is at Ord Mantell."
Dagon shrugged. "We have to sacrifice something. Fortunately, no one knows our exact target yet. And I hope the NSC won't be able to guess. Or at least won't have time to prepare."
Kinaun nodded. "The general is right. Much depends on surprise. But even the lowest midshipman understands this won't be a walk in the park. This battle will go down in history. Whether triumph or tragedy, it will be remembered. And to take part in such an undertaking… what more could one dream of? And if we win… I'll have a chance."
"And here are our Dreadnoughts," Admiral Grace O'Connor — the striking Zeltron woman — pointed out, drawing their attention to the right flank of the formation.
Dagon corrected her with a faint smile. "Actually, you're now looking at Assault Frigates."
**Scene 2: Converted Assault Frigates**
The vessels in question had once been classic Dreadnought-class heavy cruisers. Through extensive modifications at Lantilles shipyards, they had been reborn as something faster, leaner, and far more dangerous.
By equipping the old Dreadnoughts with extensive droid and automated systems, crew requirements had been slashed to just 5,000 beings, making the ships practical once again. Lantilles engineers had gutted much of the internal structure, exposing large sections to space while adding dorsal and ventral fins for superior maneuverability. Fuel efficiency had skyrocketed. Internal docking capacity had been removed and replaced with specialized umbilical docking fixtures similar to those on Nebulon-B frigates.
**Assault Frigate (ex-Dreadnought conversion)**
- **Length:** 700 meters
- **Hyperdrive Rating:** Class 2.0 (primary), Class 12 (backup)
- **Shielding:** Rated 2,240 SBD
- **Hull:** Rated 976 RU
- **Armament:**
- 45 Laser Cannons (15 fore, 15 port, 15 starboard)
- 55 Quad Laser Cannons (18 fore, 16 port, 16 starboard)
- 45 Turbolaser Batteries (15 fore, 15 port, 15 starboard)
Over a thousand Dreadnoughts had already been converted, freeing up enormous numbers of trained crew for other duties. These new Assault Frigates were faster, more efficient, and packed enough firepower that a single vessel could now reliably outgun two Munificent-class frigates in a straight fight.
Grace O'Connor studied the ships with open appreciation. "They look nothing like their old selves. Lethal."
Dagon nodded. "Exactly what we need for the coming campaign. Old steel, new fire."
**Scene 3: Docking Approach – Dastanhar Station**
As the fleet moved toward the massive cylindrical defense station, Dagon stood at the viewport, watching the converted Assault Frigates take up escort positions. The girls waited nearby — Ahsoka and Zule discussing tactics, Miaria's tail flicking lazily, Atroxa and Talon reviewing intelligence reports, and Aubrie quietly observing everything with her new pearlescent eyes.
The war was accelerating. Mygeeto loomed. *Spear of Light* drew closer with every passing day. But here, in the shadow of Ord Mantell's defenses, the Dragon's forces continued to sharpen their blades.
Dagon allowed himself one final glance at the converted warships before turning toward the briefing room.
"Prepare the task force commanders," he ordered. "We have a war to plan."
The necessary monster was ready.