**Chapter 821: Shadows of Monopoly**
**Scene 1: Hyperspace – En Route to Coruscant**
Dagon Marek stood in the private command chamber of the *Nightfall*, the Resurgent-class battlecruiser's blue hyperspace tunnel swirling beyond the viewport. The hum of the massive ship's systems provided a constant, almost soothing backdrop to his thoughts.
"I understand, Lyra. Just remember—keep the requests safe," Dagon said to the flickering hologram of Lyra Blissex. The engineer looked exhausted but determined, surrounded by the organized chaos of the *Annihilator*'s command deck.
"Understood, Supreme Commander. The first batches of kyber and alloys are already being routed. Kuat's trying to insert themselves into the processing chain, but we're keeping them at arm's length," Lyra replied.
Dagon ended the transmission with a nod. *So Kuat is attempting to seize the monopoly on the modified Alaskan fleet,* he thought, a faint smirk crossing his scarred face. *Even though I won the bet and we're currently using their facilities to arm and modernize the ships Alsakan donated… Oh well. Time to teach them responsibility.*
He activated another channel. The holograms of Ahsoka and Zule appeared, both still dressed in elegant but practical attire from their time overseeing operations at Kuat.
"Ahsoka, Zule—tell the others to return to the Jedi Temple immediately. There is to be a military meeting," Dagon ordered.
Ahsoka tilted her head, montrals twitching slightly. "But Master, I thought we were maintaining Kuat work ethic here. The production lines are finally running smoothly."
"Don't worry about it for now," Dagon replied. "Everything is on schedule, but you girls are needed for the planned offensive. The conference on Coruscant will decide the next phase."
"Yes, Master," both women said in unison, bowing slightly before the holograms faded.
Dagon leaned back, staring into the hyperspace tunnel. The girls had become more than just companions—they were extensions of his will, his family, and sometimes his conscience. Kuat's maneuvering was predictable. They had lost the wager, but old habits died hard. He would remind them exactly who held the reins now.
**Scene 2: Kuat Orbit Shipyards – Chief Command Room**
The chief command room of the Kuat orbital shipyards was a fortress of privilege. Onara Kuat sat in the central command chair, surrounded by only the most loyal: Kuat nobles, her immediate family, chief engineers sworn directly to the family, and a ring of elite Kuat security guards in ornate armor.
"The Jedi have left," Loukas Kuat reported, checking a datapad. "Apparently they were recalled for urgent business."
"The Alsakans are greedy with their requests and materials," Derris Skaut, a senior noble, grumbled. "This funding is outrageous. Even though we're expecting payback, the amount of capital invested in those ships won't even be ours."
"This is a serious problem, Madame Kuat," a Kuat senator added. "Due to the deal with Dagon, we could possibly lose our control of the monopoly."
Onara listened silently as more voices chimed in.
"We poured resources into modernizing those Alsakan relics, and now they want exclusive rights to the upgrades?" another engineer protested. "Dagon's bet victory was a technicality at best."
"If we allow this precedent, every backwater world with a few credits will demand the same," a cousin warned. "Our dominance in capital ship production is at stake."
Onara Kuat finally raised a hand, silencing the room. "While yes, my bet with Dagon has been… fulfilled, we must remember he is still a Jedi first and foremost. While we support the Republic, we can begin by helping those Dagon considers enemies to the Jedi—but not to the Republic. The Loyalists."
A murmur of approval rippled through the nobles. Subtle support for figures like Amidala and Organa could create friction without open defiance. Backroom deals, delayed shipments to Dagon's pet projects, quiet funding for moderate voices in the Senate—it was the Kuat way.
"Discreetly, of course," Onara added with a cold smile. "We are shipbuilders, not warriors. Let the Dragon fight his wars. We will ensure the Republic pays handsomely for every bolt and barrel."
**Scene 3: The Dragon's Warning**
The doors to the command room hissed open. A nervous accountant stumbled in, clutching a holo-projector.
"There is an important message," he announced, voice trembling as he placed the device in the center of the room.
"What is the meaning of this? You were not allowed—" Jared Kuat began, rising angrily, but the accountant paid him no mind. His eyes were glassy, movements mechanical.
The projector activated.
A dark armored figure appeared—Dagon Marek in his full Wrath Shield configuration. The armor, influenced by the ancient Sith Lord Warb Null's Knight Hammer design, resembled a terrifying mechanical Shredder: spiked pauldrons, jagged edges, and an imposing silhouette that radiated pure menace.
"Thank you, messenger. You are released," Dagon said calmly.
The accountant collapsed to the floor, unconscious.
"Don't blame him," Dagon continued, his voice distorted through the helmet. "He was under my control. Thanks to the Force… and a subtle tracker. Now, what do we have here? A bunch of cowed and frightened leaders of the greatest shipbuilders in the galaxy."
With a casual gesture, Dagon raised his arm. Every guard in the room suddenly stiffened, their blasters rising involuntarily under invisible Force pressure. Barrels swung toward nobles, engineers, and even Onara herself.
"Now listen," Dagon said, voice low and dangerous. "As Supreme Commander, I could have you all killed and no one would be the wiser. As you may or may not have heard, with the Hutts being invaded, this war is no longer a simple conflict. Third, fourth, fifth galactic war—I don't really know and don't care. But if I find even a whiff of treason… well, we don't need to be reminded, do we?"
The room was deathly silent. Guards' hands shook as they held their own weapons to the heads of their employers.
"No, General Dagon," Onara Kuat said steadily, though her eyes betrayed fear as a guard's blaster hovered inches from her temple. "Kuat stands firm with the Republic."
"Good." Dagon's helmet tilted slightly. "I leave you to your own business."
The hologram faded.
For several long seconds, no one moved. Then the guards collapsed, released from the Force grip, gasping and dropping their weapons. The unconscious accountant was quickly attended to.
Onara Kuat slowly sat back down, her hands trembling only slightly. The message was crystal clear. Kuat would toe the line—for now.
**Scene 4: Aftermath**
In the stunned silence that followed, Loukas Kuat finally spoke. "He… he controlled them all. Without even being here."
Derris Skaut wiped sweat from his brow. "We must be more careful. Dagon is no ordinary Jedi. He is becoming something else."
Onara stared at the empty projector. "Then we play the long game. Support the Loyalists quietly. Delay where we can. But never openly defy him. Not yet."
The Kuat family nodded in agreement. The greatest shipbuilders in the galaxy had just received a warning from the Dragon—and they would not forget it.
Far away, aboard the *Nightfall*, Dagon allowed himself a small, satisfied smile as the ship continued toward Coruscant. Kuat had been reminded of its place. The war machine would continue turning.