**Chapter 790: The Fall of Serenno**
**Scene 1: Serenno Orbit – Bridge of the Nightfall**
**Dagon POV**
The fleet emerged from hyperspace in perfect formation, a wall of steel and death hanging above the lush green world of Serenno. The homeworld of House Serenno and Count Dooku himself.
My fleet was overwhelming:
- 5 Resurgent-class Battlecruisers
- 8 Allegiance-class heavy cruisers
- 12 Nebula-class Star Destroyers
- 8 Bothan Assault Cruisers
- 12 standard Venators
- 8 Silencer-equipped Venators
- 20 Arquitens-class command cruisers
The CIS blockade was pitiful by comparison:
- 9 Providence-class carrier/destroyers
- 20 Recusant-class light destroyers
- 50 Munificent-class star frigates
- 15 Separatist Supply Ships
"Contact," a clone sensor officer reported. "Enemy fleet is forming defensive line. They're hailing us."
"Put it on," I ordered, standing tall in my Wrath Shield armor on the bridge.
A panicked Separatist commander appeared on the main holoscreen. "Republic vessels, you are violating sovereign Serenno space! Withdraw immediately or we will open fire!"
I leaned forward slightly, voice calm but carrying the weight of absolute authority. "This is Supreme Commander Dagon Marek. Serenno has harbored a Sith Lord and traitor to the Republic. Surrender your fleet and planetary defenses or be destroyed. You have thirty seconds."
The Separatist commander's face paled. "You wouldn't dare— the Count will—"
"Time's up," I said coldly. "All ships, weapons free. Focus fire on the Providence carriers first. Silencers, target their command ships. Nightfall — open fire."
The bridge erupted into coordinated action.
One of the Silencer-equipped Venators fired first. Its massive spinal-mounted weapon charged with a deep thrum, then unleashed a brilliant blue-white beam. The shot speared straight through two Munificent frigates in a single devastating line, vaporizing both in expanding fireballs.
"Direct hit!" the gunnery officer cheered. "Two frigates down with one shot!"
A Resurgent-class Battlecruiser followed, its ultra-heavy turbolaser batteries roaring to life. Concentrated fire ripped into a Providence-class carrier/destroyer. The massive ship's shields collapsed in seconds, and the follow-up salvo struck its proton torpedo magazines. The resulting explosion consumed half the vessel in a blinding white flash, debris scattering across space.
"Enemy formation breaking!" another officer reported. "They're trying to scatter!"
"Pursuit pattern Delta," I ordered. "Don't let them reach the planet. Bothan Cruisers — flank and harass. Venators — launch starfighter screens. Ahsoka, you have the fighter wing. Keep their vultures off our capital ships."
Ahsoka's voice came back crisp and eager over the comm. "Copy that. All squadrons, form up on me. Let's clean house."
The battle was hopelessly one-sided. The CIS fleet was outgunned, outmaneuvered, and outclassed. Munificents tried to close for their signature ramming tactics, only to be torn apart by concentrated broadsides. Recusants attempted hit-and-run attacks, but the Bothan Assault Cruisers' speed and firepower cut them down before they could escape.
"Nightfall to all ships," I broadcast. "Priority targets eliminated. Begin planetary approach. Ground forces prepare for drop. Dooku's castle is the primary objective. I want him alive if possible."
**Scene 2: Serenno Surface – Castle Serenno**
**Dagon POV**
"Wrath Shield, Rocket Nova," I activated as the drop pod doors opened.
The armor surged and expanded around me once more, growing to its full 19-meter form. Dark thrusters ignited as I launched from the pod, soaring over the beautiful forests and mountains of Serenno toward the ancestral home of House Serenno.
The castle loomed ahead — an imposing fortress of stone and steel perched on a mountainside. I crashed through the massive outer gates like a meteor, stone and durasteel exploding outward.
"Must you be so dramatic?" Sakura's voice came over the comm as she and the rest of the girls landed nearby in their own shuttles.
"What? It's not often I get to do this," I replied, voice booming through the armor's vox.
"He's not even here," Talon said dryly, scanning the ruined entrance hall with her lightsaber drawn.
"Yeah, but just in case," I said. I raised both arms and fired three dark-energy missiles down the main corridor. The explosions cleared any potential traps in a storm of fire and debris.
"Great, just ruins now," Aayla sighed as she stepped over broken masonry. "Bly, start scanning everything," she ordered Clone Commander Bly, who immediately directed his troops to fan out through the castle.
We moved methodically. The girls covered each other with practiced precision — lightsabers humming, blasters ready. I led from the front, the massive armored form clearing hallways with sheer presence. Dooku's personal quarters were empty. His war room abandoned. The castle had been evacuated in haste.
"He ran," Miaria growled, tail lashing. "Coward."
"Expected," I said. "But he can't run forever. Serenno is ours. Transmit to Coruscant — the Count's homeworld has fallen."
**Scene 3: Utapau – Modified Droid Core Ship Base**
**Dooku POV**
Dooku stood in the dimly lit command center of the hidden base, watching the reports from Serenno with a heavy heart. The loss of his homeworld stung more than he cared to admit.
"My lord, are you sure of this plan?" Nute Gunray asked nervously. "Without the CIS Parliament, what legitimacy do we have left in this war?"
"Don't worry, my friends," Dooku replied smoothly. "The losses are temporary. Now you have uninterrupted access to mine and mobilize your forces on the various worlds we now hold in Hutt space."
Gunray bowed and hurried away, clearly relieved to be given new purpose.
Dooku turned and entered the private chamber where his Master waited. He knelt deeply.
"My lord, are you certain of this plan?" Dooku began carefully. "The odds are against us right now. Only the neutral worlds allied with the Council and Mandalore remain truly neutral. If we attack them, they would join the Republic and there would be no—"
Lightning erupted from Sidious's hand, slamming into Dooku and sending him crashing to the floor in agony.
"Questioning my orders is an act of treason, my apprentice," Sidious hissed, voice dripping with malice.
"Yes… I am sorry, my Master," Dooku gasped, forcing himself back to his knees despite the pain still coursing through his body.
"Don't worry. After all, shouldn't you be glad you are not getting replaced?" Sidious said with a cold smile.
Dooku bowed lower, hiding the flash of fear and resentment in his eyes, and left the chamber as quickly as dignity allowed.
Alone in the corridor, he straightened his robes and clenched his fists. The war was spiraling out of control. Raxus fallen. Serenno lost. Hutt space in chaos. And now his Master spoke of replacement.
Dooku's eyes hardened. He would not be discarded so easily. The Count of Serenno still had cards left to play.
**Back on Serenno – Dagon POV**
I stood on the shattered balcony of Castle Serenno, looking out over the burning world as the sun set. The girls gathered around me — silent, supportive.
"Serenno is ours," I said quietly. "Dooku is on the run. The CIS leadership is fractured. One more push and this war ends."
Ahsoka leaned against my armored side. "Then let's end it."
The Dragon of the Republic looked toward the stars. The final hunt had begun.