**Chapter 757: Heart of the Sparkling Diamond**
**Scene 1: Ord Mantell – Dastanhar Station, Main Briefing Hall**
Dagon Marek stepped into the large, utilitarian briefing room aboard the massive cylindrical defense station *Dastanhar*. The chamber was clearly designed for high-level military coordination — reinforced walls, multiple holoprojectors, and tiered seating for staff officers. The air smelled of recycled oxygen, caf, and the faint metallic tang of active machinery.
At the head of the room stood Moff Michael Sol — a short, plump man with a noticeable bald spot and a face that looked more suited to a merchant than a battlefield commander. Yet rumors painted a different picture: his temperament was far harsher than his appearance suggested. That made sense. The Eighth Sector Army, "Shining Jewel," had been locked in heavy, grinding combat since the earliest days of the war. Lee Noriega had briefed Dagon that the scale of fighting and the staggering losses had repeatedly forced the dispatch of entire fleets, corps, and legions from other sectors just to keep the line from collapsing.
Besides the Moff and his senior staff, several other officers were present, looking uncertain about why they had been summoned on such short notice. Dagon's gaze also landed on two familiar Jedi standing near the central holotable.
*Tiplar and Tiplee.* The twin sisters. An unexpected but welcome sight.
"I welcome you to Ord Mantell, Supreme Commander Dagon," Moff Sol stepped forward, extending a hand. His grip was firmer than his soft appearance suggested.
"Likewise, Moff," Dagon replied, shaking the offered hand. "Is everything ready?"
Sol nodded. "As ready as we can make it on short notice."
**Scene 2: Operational Briefing**
The officers took their seats as Lee Noriega activated the main holomap. The sparkling blue star and its cometary cloud filled the projection, with Ord Mantell and the *Dastanhar* station cluster highlighted.
"Commanders Severide and Petri," Lee announced crisply, "your squadrons will operate independently, cutting off enemy reinforcement routes between Garga and Ord Trasi. Coordination will be through me and fleet admiral palleon."
The two commanders nodded sharply.
"Commanders Shi and Dodonna's detachments will form part of the main attack force under Admiral Kobayashi," Lee continued.
"What about the ground troops?" Dagon asked.
Moff Sol stepped in. "We are transferring to you two clone legions under the command of Jedi Generals Tiplar and Tiplee — the 1,095th and 1,096th Legions." The twin Jedi smiled at Dagon in perfect unison. He returned a respectful nod.
Sol continued, "In addition, two auxiliary troop brigades: the 145th Auxiliary Brigade under Brigadier General Delkep Bella-Trapada, and the 241st under Brigadier General Ousan Nomablu. Also, the 39th Independent Rocket Trooper Regiment under Colonel Yves Vanko." Sol gestured toward a massive, heavily armored man standing at attention near the back. Even among clones, Vanko stood out — built like a Viking warrior in reinforced armor. He gave Dagon a single, respectful nod.
"Plus various auxiliary units — technicians, medical personnel, and supply specialists," Sol finished.
Dagon studied the roster. "Impressive. Thank you, Moff. We'll put them to good use."
Dodonna leaned forward. "Sir, what is the plan of attack on Mygeeto?"
"Good question," Dagon replied. He expanded the holomap to show Mygeeto and surrounding space. "We'll act according to the situation, but we do have a general framework. According to current intelligence—" he glanced at the scout officer, "—when will we have fresh data?"
"Forty minutes, sir," Santorini reported.
Dagon nodded. "Mygeeto's defenses are quite strong. Here's what we're looking at for the CIS defense fleet…"
The holomap updated with enemy strength estimates:
- 12 Droid Command Ships (1,500 Vultures each)
- 47 Allocator Battleships (1,200 Vultures each)
- 371 Munificent Frigates (400 Vultures each)
- 59 Munificent Frigates (no fighter complement)
**Mygeeto Orbital Defense Net:**
- 16 Golan Defense Stations (100 Vultures each)
- 1,000 Defense Platforms (light turbolasers + proton torpedo complements)
- 224,300 Vulture Droids in total
"The stations will be the first target," Dagon stated. "More precisely, they will be the focus of the central strike force. The left and right wings will engage the enemy fleet directly. A strike line of light ships will hit their rear. The goal is to strike as hard and fast as possible, inflicting maximum damage in the shortest time. Only then can we talk about further advances and the landing operation. Planetary assault should be relatively easier — Mygeeto lacks a full planetary shield, though all major cities are protected by powerful deflector energy field 'caps.'"
Dagon paused, letting the officers absorb the plan. "You will receive additional instructions from the coordination officers. I expect you to execute orders responsibly and remain steadfast in combat. That is all."
As the meeting broke up, Moff Sol dismissed most of his staff with a wave. He caught Dagon by the elbow before he could leave.
"I hope we were able to fulfill your wishes?" Sol asked, his tone surprisingly obsequious. "Interesting. What an obsequious tone… But I, Hutt, don't feel flattery."
"Yes," Dagon replied. "Frankly, I was expecting less. And certainly not an entire regiment of rocket-propelled gunners."
"It's in our interests, General," Sol said, using the title with clear emphasis. "Isn't that what they call you — with a capital G? My Sector Army has been fighting fiercely for almost ten months, but we haven't made any significant gains since the Jedi traitor Mace Windu's failed retreat. It was only because of your Outer Rim operations that we're still standing. Your presence here is a godsend. I have no interest in your failure, and I will do my best to support you."
Dagon studied the Moff for a long moment, then nodded. "Then we understand each other. Mygeeto will be the spark. Let's make sure it ignites the right fire."
**Scene 3: Private Corridor – Dastanhar Station**
Dagon walked with Lee Noriega and the Jedi twins toward the docking bays. Tiplar and Tiplee moved in perfect sync, their presence calm but focused.
"You have command of two full legions," Dagon told them. "I expect precise execution. Mygeeto's surface is cold and brutal. Your healers will be critical once we break orbit."
"We understand, General," Tiplar replied. Tiplee added, "We will not fail you."
As they reached the hangar, Dagon paused. "One more thing. If you sense anything… unusual during the fighting — anything that feels like the old darkness from Geonosis — report it immediately. We're not just fighting droids on Mygeeto."
The twins nodded solemnly and boarded their assigned transport.
Dagon watched them go, then turned to Lee. "Keep the fleet tight. We hit hard, we hit fast, and we make the Muuns bleed. The rest of the galaxy is watching."
Lee saluted. "As you command, Supreme Commander."
As Dagon boarded the shuttle back to the *Devastation*, he allowed himself one final thought:
*One week until Mygeeto. One week until we force the CIS to dance to our tune.*
The necessary monster was ready.