**Chapter 803: The Ukio Ambush**
**Scene 1: Triellus Trade Route – Republic Staging Area Near Ukio**
**Dagon POV**
The Triellus Trade Route — sometimes nicknamed the "Hutt Highway" — was the most notable hyperspace trade route of the Outer Rim Territories. It was a hyperlane that connected the Sisar Run with the area near Tatooine. Beginning in the Mid Rim and dipping rimward of Hutt Space before emerging onto the Corellian Run, it spanned more than 75,000 light-years. Due to its proximity to Hutt Space, it was a vital artery — and now a critical chokepoint in the war.
Ukio, a well-known agriworld in the Ukio system of the Abrion sector, served as one of the top producers of foodstuffs for the Core Worlds. The world was governed by the Overliege, a hereditary monarch, and was defended by planetary shields operated by the Ukian Defense Service. When the CIS abandoned the sector, they hadn't fully abandoned Ukio. It had proven to be the perfect staging ground for attacks into Hutt Space — a quiet, fertile world with strategic value and relatively light defenses.
Now, it would become a trap.
I stood on the bridge of the *Ionic*, my modified Venator-class flagship, watching the fleet assemble in the staging area. The ships under my direct command for this operation were formidable:
- 30 Triumph-class Star Destroyers
- 25 standard Venators
- 10 Silencer-equipped Venators
- 30 Carrack-class light cruisers
- 18 Assault Frigates Mark 1
- 8 Nebula-class Star Destroyers
- 15 Vector-class Star Destroyers
- 7 Resurgent-class battlecruisers
Enough firepower to shatter any CIS reinforcement fleet that tried to use Ukio as a stepping stone.
"Fleet is in position," Fleet Admiral Palleon reported. "Scans show minimal CIS presence on the surface — one militia battalion and roughly two dozen fighters. They're using it as a supply depot."
"Good," I said. "We take the orbit first. No ground invasion unless necessary. I want Ukio secured as a forward base. Cut the Hutt Highway here, and the CIS loses another major supply line."
The fleet jumped.
**Scene 2: Munificent-class Frigate Generosity – Ukio Orbit**
**Tok Ashel POV**
Tok Ashel, a young Neimoidian assigned to command one of the support operations, grimaced with displeasure. The chair in the *Generosity*'s control room was, to say the least, uncomfortable. Perhaps some people might have liked it, but not him — accustomed to the plush, ergonomic Neimoidian furniture back home.
However, this was not the only thing that upset the young commander.
It should have started with the fact that during this offensive, he wasn't commanding any large detachment of ships, as his status would have dictated. He wasn't commanding a detachment at all — just a single ship, and one of the weakest at that: a mere frigate.
And the worst part was, a droid had been appointed his superior! Well, not exactly his superior — a tactical droid commanded a large detachment of ships, including his. However, it had to be admitted — this droid was earning back the credits spent on its production. The breakthrough to the Triellus Trade Route was thanks to this droid.
True, during that attack, Ashel's ship was far behind the lines. As it was now, though: while the main forces advanced for another attack, he was tasked with occupying a small planet somewhere in the outskirts — the name of which he had heard for the first time.
In fact, the matter was simple. According to intelligence, there was only a militia battalion and twenty-four fighters on the planet, while under his command was the frigate *Generosity*, carrying two C-9979 landing barges and four squadrons of Vulture fighters. This should have been enough to put the natives in their place.
"Sir, there is one minute left until exiting hyperspace," the OOM droid announced.
"Well, finally," the Neimoidian muttered, lazily looking at the running stars.
True, a minute later, when the frigate came out of hyperspace, all the laziness instantly vanished from Tok's head.
"Sir, there are unidentified ships in orbit," the OOM droid announced bluntly. Ashel himself could clearly see three wedge-shaped ships hovering twenty kilometers away. "These are Republicans. What are your orders?" The B-1 command droid managed to finish this sentence before the first turbolaser rounds spread across the ship's hastily raised shields. The barrage, however, was very powerful.
"Three ships? Venator-class? No, too much fire. Something new? Never mind," Ashel muttered.
"Sir, the ships have been identified as Republic. Their unit affiliation points to the Mern-Thirteen Systems Army."
"Release the Vultures!" the Neimoidian commanded. "Land the barges — let them head down to the planet…"
"Sir, excuse me…" the droid began.
"What do you want, you useless piece of iron?" Ashel cried.
"Torpedo salvo, sir," the droid said, a hint of despair in its voice. "Shields down. We're doomed, sir."
However, the Neimoidian had already seen the deadly projectiles heading straight for them.
"Send an emergency signal to the main forces!" Despite his words, Ashel rushed to the terminal himself, pushing aside the B-1 standing there, and tapped out a message, appending the scan data. And then the torpedoes reached the ship.
The *Generosity* shuddered violently as multiple heavy proton torpedoes slammed into its hull. Alarms screamed. Bulkheads buckled. Fire and decompression tore through the corridors.
Tok Ashel barely had time to scream before the bridge was consumed in flame.
**Scene 3: Ukio Orbit – Republic Fleet Assault**
**Dagon POV**
"All ships, weapons free!" I ordered from the bridge of the *Ionic*. "Triumphs — torpedo salvos on the Munificents. Venators — launch fighters. Carracks — screen the flanks. Ionic — main batteries target the Lucrehulks."
The Republic fleet surged forward like a coordinated predator. The 30 Triumph-class Star Destroyers opened the assault with devastating torpedo barrages. Heavy proton torpedoes streaked across the void, slamming into Separatist frigates and shattering their shields. One Munificent after another exploded in brilliant fireballs as the Triumphs' advanced fire-control systems locked on with merciless precision.
X-wings, TIE Advanced, TIE Silencers, and Skelters led the fighter screen, tearing through waves of Vulture droids. Clone pilots filled the comm channels with confident chatter.
"Blue Leader, got three vultures on my tail — scratch that, they're gone!"
"Keep pushing! Those Recusants are trying to flank the Triumphs!"
"For the Supreme Commander! Light 'em up!"
The *Ionic* surged forward, its engines glowing bright as it barreled toward the nearest Lucrehulk-class battleship. Its super-heavy XX-10 turbolaser batteries charged and fired in unison. Brilliant green lances ripped into the massive donut-shaped vessel, carving deep glowing wounds across its hull. Secondary explosions rippled along its length as the *Ionic* continued its relentless advance, engines surging as it closed the distance.
"Finish it," I ordered.
The *Ionic*'s main batteries fired again. The Lucrehulk broke apart like an egg under a hammer, its reactor detonating in a spectacular explosion that lit up the entire battlefield.
Carrack-class light cruisers darted through the chaos, their XX-9 turbolasers and ion cannons picking off stray droid fighters and damaged frigates with surgical efficiency. Assault Frigates and Nebulas provided heavy fire support, their broadsides tearing through the remaining Recusants and Providence carriers.
The CIS fleet was crumbling. What had been a respectable defensive force was reduced to burning wreckage in under ten minutes.
"Ukio orbit is secure," Fleet Admiral Palleon reported. "Ground forces report minimal resistance. The planet is ours."
I allowed myself a small, satisfied nod. "Excellent. Establish a forward base. Ukio is now Republic territory. Send word to Coruscant — the Hutt Highway is cut."
The Dragon had struck again.
And the path into Hutt Space — and the heart of the remaining CIS forces — was now wide open.