**Chapter 846: Fractured Alliances**
**Scene 1: Hapes Cluster – Hapes World**
Ta'a Chume POV.
'Chains. Interesting how fitting, given my position and my foolishness,' Ta'a thought as she was escorted by battle droids and even her own Hapan royal guard.
But it was expected. Their alliance with Sidious, a Sith, had backfired dearly. Her mother and her entire family had been killed, even though they were relatives.
Sidious had managed a coup by capturing the heirs of all the noble families spread out through the Hapes, and droids were now in control.
While she was being escorted to a ship to transfer her to a secure area, she watched as the Hapan fleet—consisting of hundreds of Battle Dragons and Nova-class battle cruisers—be prepared to go to war to their deaths. The pride of the Hapes to die at the hands of the Republic. Oh well, as she entered the ship.
The royal palace of Hapes had once been a place of unparalleled beauty and power. Crystal chandeliers, flowing silks, and the melodic voices of the Consortium's elite had defined its halls. Now, it was a prison of cold durasteel and mechanical precision. Battle droids marched in lockstep beside the remaining loyal Hapan royal guards, their blasters trained on Ta'a Chume as she was led through the corridors.
'Chains,' she thought bitterly, the word echoing in her mind like a curse. Her alliance with Darth Sidious had seemed a masterstroke at the time—a way to secure Hapes' future and eliminate her rivals. But the Sith Lord had played them all. Her mother, the Queen Mother, and most of her family were dead. The noble houses had been decapitated, their heirs taken hostage. Droids now patrolled the streets and controlled the fleet.
As she was escorted toward a waiting shuttle, Ta'a watched through the grand windows as the Hapan fleet prepared for war. Hundreds of Battle Dragons and Nova-class battle cruisers hung in orbit, their elegant designs belying the doom that awaited them. They would be thrown against the Republic in a desperate gamble, their crews ordered to fight to the death.
"The pride of the Hapes," she whispered, "to die at the hands of the Republic."
The shuttle doors closed behind her. Ta'a Chume, once a power behind the throne, was now little more than a prisoner. The Dragon of the Republic had won another victory without even setting foot in the Cluster.
**Scene 2: Naboo – Royal Palace**
Collapsing onto the soft sofa, Nuitni stretched out her legs blissfully.
"How difficult it is to be a queen."
She had only recently been elected queen, succeeding Queen Jamillia. From the very first day, she faced difficult times, and like her predecessors, the very thought of war abhorred her. Memories of the conflicts with the Gungans and the Trade Federation invasion were still fresh among the people. Therefore, immediately upon ascending to the throne, Nuitni declared to the people of Naboo that war would not come to their planet. However, the young queen understood the gravity of the situation, and therefore strengthened the authority of the Royal Advisory Council in every way possible and increased the strength of the Royal Naboo Security Forces. Nuitni also strengthened her relationship with Gungan boss Rugor Nass, who advocated trade with the Republic. The Grand Army was interested in certain types of weaponry from the swamp people, and they were happy to provide them. As were the noble families of Theed, who had long traded in weapons.
"Inform Senator Amidala that we expect her to meet with us for consultations as soon as possible."
"The senator will be busy on Coruscant for a while and won't be able to arrive until after the holiday week," one of the maids replied.
"Okay. We'll wait," Nuitni nodded. "How's the work on Oma-Dun going?"
"The Gungans have sent another batch of colonists. Their total number on the moon has reached one hundred thousand…"
'The work has been increasing since Dagon Marek saved the moon from a poison attempt. The Gungans and Naboo also looked for Dagon as a hero who saved Naboo from the Blue Shadow virus,' Nuitni thought as she looked up to the shipyard now in orbit—a thanks from Dagon as protection.
Queen Nuitni gazed out the grand windows of the royal palace, the rolling green hills of Naboo stretching toward the horizon. Theed's waterfalls sparkled in the sunlight, a peaceful contrast to the war raging across the galaxy. Naboo had remained largely untouched, thanks in no small part to Dagon Marek's interventions. The Blue Shadow virus, the protection of Oma-Dun, and the new orbital shipyards—all gifts from the Dragon of the Republic.
Nuitni sighed, rubbing her temples. Being queen was exhausting. She had strengthened the Royal Security Forces and deepened ties with the Gungans, but the war's shadow loomed. Senator Amidala's peace efforts were faltering, and the Republic's victories—particularly the destruction of Yag'Dhul—had sent ripples of fear through the Core.
"May the Force protect us all," she whispered, watching a Republic transport descend toward the new shipyards. Dagon's protection had bought Naboo time. She only hoped it would be enough.
**Scene 3: Neimoidia – Anakin POV**
Neimoidia was ruled by a trade monarch, reflecting the Neimoidian's obsession with trade, commerce, and money. That was also present in the Neimoidian Inner Circle, a cabal with the Trade Federation. The Neimoidians established purse worlds on nearby Cato Neimoidia, Deko Neimoidia, and Koru Neimoidia. Neimoidia was populated by the less capable and aggressive members of the species, all others moving off-world as soon as possible. Many low-level worker drones were kept malnourished so as to never reach full mental maturity. Combined with the planet's natural unpleasantness, it was usual for Neimoidians to choose not to return home unless absolutely necessary.
The bridges of the planet, the Republic UT-ATs, AT-APs and clone troopers fought against the Separatist droid forces to find a way into the cities.
The Republic was very fortunate in its clones. After the war began, the service's ranks were significantly expanded thanks to them, particularly in the effectiveness of the Bureau's reconnaissance and sabotage operations. A Special Operations Brigade was formed, consisting of ten thousand elite clone commandos under the command of Jedi General Iri Camas. Six months later, Senior Jedi General Arligan Zey assumed command. Isard praised his performance, as well as that of the clones. These highly trained clones, wearing the most advanced Katarn-class armor and armed to the teeth, operated throughout the galaxy, conducting deep reconnaissance, sabotaging Confederate planets, assassinating Separatist officers, and blowing up droid factories, thereby undermining the enemy's power. However, it was often necessary to act in reverse, suppressing similar activities by the Separatists, who could afford to use "disposable" squads of droid commandos or simply battle droids.
Still the effect was instant as Skywalker watched another Providence-class carrier explode in orbit, crashing into a mountain.
Three-quarters of the Neimoidian purse worlds have so far fallen and just two cities remain. Then hopefully he can return to Coruscant with his new girlfriend Arden and propose to her.
Anakin Skywalker stood on the bridge of the *Devastation*, watching the orbital battle unfold. Another Providence-class carrier exploded in a brilliant fireball, its wreckage tumbling toward the planet's surface and crashing into a distant mountain range. The Republic fleet was winning, but the cost was still high.
The bridges and chasms of Neimoidia were scenes of brutal fighting. Republic walkers—UT-ATs and AT-APs—advanced alongside clone troopers, pushing against endless waves of battle droids. The Neimoidians' purse worlds were falling one by one. Only two major cities remained.
Anakin allowed himself a small smile. The war was turning. With Yag'Dhul's shipyards destroyed and Cato Neimoidia nearly secured, the CIS was crumbling. He thought of Arden Lyn, the ancient Jedi woman who had entered his life so unexpectedly. Her strength, her wild passion, and her golden eyes had captivated him. When this offensive ended, he would return to Coruscant and propose. A new chapter, perhaps, amid the chaos of war.
"General," a clone officer reported, "the 95th and 96th Legions have breached the outer defenses of the final city. Victory is near."
Anakin nodded. "Push them hard. Let's end this."
The Dragon's shadow continued to spread, and Anakin Skywalker was proud to fight beneath it.