**Chapter 770: Victory's Shadow**
**Scene 1: Bridge of the Devastation – Mygeeto Orbit**
Dagon POV
So I decided to take on some of the headquarters' organizational responsibilities and, at the same time, keep an eye on how the new equipment was performing. Yeah, right. I'm on a roll. It's amazing how much needs to be done to keep something like a system-based army functioning properly. And the amount of paperwork and waste paper that goes into it — words can't describe it. Combat operations leave their mark on this, and I had to sift through a mountain of information before I could even begin to form a coherent picture.
Dozens of cargo ships arrive daily: new clone trooper equipment from Rothana; spare parts and consumables for ships and walkers from Kuat; tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles, and shells from Alland; fighters from Corulag; fuel from Malastare; medical supplies from Thyferra; food and rations from Salliche... And these are just the well-known large corporations. And how many smaller firms there were supplying the armies and navies with various materials and equipment!
Moreover, the Eighth Sector Command continued to implement the plan to take control of Mygeeto. Our auxiliary troops and droids had been withdrawn from a couple of cities and replaced with other units, including specialized "militia" units tasked with maintaining law and order. Which was good, because the "police" of the military wasn't exactly stellar. The battle stations delivered to orbit were already operational. The first-model Golans were ready to repel an attack, and the Firestar was just finishing replenishing its air wing. After all, two hundred and forty vehicles aren't just lying around. Naturally, these weren't new models: the hangars were filled with light A-6s and obsolete Kuat Cloaks. Furthermore, Moff Michael Sol promised to deploy two more battle stations in the next three weeks, and seven in five. The total battle station complement was expected to reach twenty units. An impressive number... But only in peacetime, when even a single station could deter small pirate squads. Now, even fifty can't provide adequate protection without an allied fleet nearby, and the enemy fleet is right there...
Although none of this was so important: it was just the usual military routine. The most discussed topic was the "Citizenship" bill passed by the Senate. Six thousand votes in favor — that's quite telling... This decree granted all clones serving in the GAR full Republic citizenship and all the rights and privileges that came with it, including the right to names, a fair trial, and so on. It was established that any clone — not just those "made" from Jango Fett's materials — would receive citizenship upon joining the Republic Army, or those already serving there. The status of the unborn Fett clones on Kamino was also clarified. While in vitro, they were considered a thing; as soon as they were "born" and began training, they automatically received citizenship. This rule did not apply to other clones.
However, not everyone understood the essence of this innovation, especially the clones themselves. That same Blam, approaching me in the cafeteria, asked me to explain "why the hell do we need this?" The Senate's shortsightedness is clearly evident here: they couldn't have published some kind of brochure or something like that... I had to take it upon myself and explain it as best I could. They said it was nothing more than recognition of your service to the state you defend.
The only thing I know is that many clones simply don't need it. They don't understand what it is or what to do with it. And they're reluctant to talk about the "post-war" time. Very reluctant. But for some people, this law will be a thorn in the side. You know, the ones who considered clones "meat droids"...
"Yes sir, General," Sumeragi nodded. "We did a good job."
"Then we'll call it a day. Everyone off duty, get some rest, otherwise you're about to drop dead. If anything important comes up, let me know." I saluted the officers and headed for the turbolift.
The last of the fighting was finished. After we returned, Atroxa along with Aayla, Shin, and Kayla managed to finish up the campaign. Now we got to return since the Muun plea to launch the offensive earlier was lost due to their fleet being destroyed even before it reached Mygeeto.
**Scene 2: Coruscant – Riyo Chuchi's Senate Apartments**
"And now on to the economic news. The Confederate credit has fallen again in the last 24 hours, now trading at seventy-one point forty-two percent of one Republic credit. This latest decline — this time by sixty-five percent — is attributed to news of another batch of nova crystals mined on Mygeeto, which is now under Republic control. Against this backdrop, the whoopiup has strengthened slightly within the Republic. The druggat, on the other hand, has shown negative momentum. The eighth-ranked third-rate currency has lost one tenth of a Republic credit..." the news announcer continued.
Riyo Chuchi heard the news while currently at a victory party. The news of the victory at Mygeeto in five weeks had brought great joy to the Republic since the failed campaign earlier in the year.
The three planets — the focus was on the military, from the Mern-13 system army, which had taken Mygeeto — one of the worlds Palpatine had dubbed the "Triad of Evil." But everyone understood perfectly well that of these three worlds — Mygeeto, Felucia, and Saleucami — the Muun world was the most important. After all, it was their second most important world after Muunilinst, called "the Pearl" by the founders of the Banking Clan themselves. Lorian agreed with this opinion.
"So what, Saleucami. Just one of the Techno Union's production sites. They have plenty more like it; Metalorn, for example, is even more important. And Felucia is basically the Commerce Guild's resort... No, really, capturing Mygeeto is a very serious achievement."
And the fact was Saleucami fell to Dagon, then Felucia, and now Mygeeto. And apparently local Coruscant and Core Worlds citizens are journeying to Alsakan to sign up for the Republic military army. Why Alsakan? The main reasons are the fact it's one of the few Core Worlds that keeps a military on par with the current clone army and they have a direct line to the Dark Star fleet — Dagon's personal fleet.
"Well, the party might go on for the rest of the week. Kuat will soon bring their ship and Dagon will bring his, then Anaxes officials will inspect both. Then we get a ship battle and see who wins the 'Dragon Wager'," Lorian smiled.
Riyo nodded but she didn't smile. Dragon or Demon of the Shield, she hadn't forgotten the recording from Geonosis when Dagon in his armor shifted to something like a beast of darkness that haunts nightmares.
But still she had Cal, her long-time friend, lover, and husband. Still, she kept wondering: *Is there a way to get Dagon to become hers?*
---
The victory at Mygeeto was complete. The Pearl had fallen. The Confederacy's economic backbone in the Outer Rim was shattered, and the Dragon's gamble had paid off once again.
But as celebrations swept Coruscant, Dagon knew the real war was only beginning. The CIS offensive was coming — and he would be ready.