**Chapter 860: Shifting Alliances**
**Scene 1: Oba Diah – Lom Pyke POV**
Oba Diah.
Lom Pyke POV.
'Well that was dramatic,' Lom thought as he closed off another emergency communication coming from Naboo this time.
What was it, Coruscant, Naboo, Alaskan, Corellia with the White Worms or dead worms now. So far 200 planets in the Core and the Mid Rim where Pykes dealt with their spice trade were seized and either arrested or killed.
"I didn't know we had so many operations boss, but who do they all have this contact information," a subordinate asked him.
"Beats me, some of these were not activated in more than 50 years but hey we just use drop off from Oba Diah not direct deliveries," Lom said.
"But boss what do we do now the Republic is under Dagon control and out for blood, what do we do, should we evacuate," another subordinate asked.
"Probably load up the spice, send them to Foster Haven it's secured enough in the Outer Rim and neutral away from the syndicates. In the meantime call in our people with the Hutts and Confederacy, this alliance is no longer profitable," Lom said.
Lom Pyke leaned back in his reinforced chair deep within the fortified spire on Oba Diah, the Pyke Syndicate's hidden stronghold. The communications center was a whirlwind of activity—subordinates scrambling to shut down compromised networks, delete records, and reroute shipments. The leaked data from Dagon had exposed hundreds of Pyke operations across the galaxy, from spice dens in the Core to hidden warehouses in the Mid Rim.
Lom rubbed his elongated forehead, his sharp eyes scanning the holographic reports. Two hundred planets compromised. Entire networks dismantled overnight. The White Worms on Corellia had been wiped out. Naboo's operations were under heavy Republic scrutiny. Even Alaskan and Coruscant cells were being raided.
The Republic under Dagon was moving with terrifying efficiency. The Dragon had turned the exposure into a weapon, using it to justify sweeping arrests and martial law. The Pykes' once-thriving spice empire was collapsing.
"Boss, the Hutts are in full retreat. Their leadership is gone. Should we cut ties completely?" one lieutenant asked.
Lom nodded slowly. "Load the remaining spice onto the fastest ships. Send them to Foster Haven. It's neutral enough and far from the main fighting. As for the Confederacy… tell them the partnership is dissolved. We survive on our own terms."
The Pykes had always been survivors. They would adapt. But the age of open criminal empires was ending. The Dragon's shadow was too vast.
**Scene 2: Mandalore – Sundari Royal Palace**
Mandalore.
Sundari Royal Palace.
Duchess Satine POV.
"What is the status of the investigation," Satine asked tiredly to Prime Minister Almec.
"Over 30 systems are in civil war and unrest now, they may start joining the Separatist or the Republic based on how the reports are coming in," Almec said.
"So much for the Honorable bunch of the Republic and these allies the Jedi," said Senator Tal Merrik.
"Yes Tal, in the meanwhile Duchess we have received reports of numerous Pyke, Black Sun and Hutt ships moving at various planets in the territory," Deputy Minister Jerec said.
"Grave conflict I fear this could lead to, how much of the fleet is rebuilt," Mand'alor Yoda asked.
"We have at least, 350 capital ships, 250 large, 100 medium and army of 33 million active though they are spread far and wide as for local defense. We have at least 100,000 soldiers ready, 190,000 police and royal guards and 30 Keldabe Battleships," Jerec said.
"Hmmm, not enough for a full scale invasion by the CIS, and this galactic war had already consumed the Hutts, how much longer do you think we have," Almec asked Yoda.
"Grave times we are in, right now the decision rests on our Duchess," Yoda said.
"Dagon made me, the official rule of all our people in the sight of the Mythosaur. He said what I do now is my own choice. While our people have embraced both warrior and peaceful ways, I am not inclined to bring unwanted war right now. We don't engage unless we are attacked first," Satine said.
Duchess Satine Kryze stood on the balcony of the Sundari Royal Palace, the domed city gleaming under Mandalore's pale sun. The news from across the galaxy was dire—civil unrest in thirty systems, criminal syndicates fleeing, and the Hutt empire crumbling under Dagon's assault.
Prime Minister Almec and Deputy Minister Jerec delivered their reports with grim efficiency. The rebuilt Mandalorian fleet was formidable—three hundred fifty capital ships, including thirty Keldabe-class battleships—but it was spread thin across their territory. Thirty-three million active warriors stood ready, but full-scale war would stretch them to the breaking point.
Satine turned to Yoda, the ancient Jedi Master who had become an unlikely advisor. "We remain neutral unless provoked. Our people have suffered enough from endless conflict. Let the Republic and Confederacy exhaust themselves. Mandalore will endure."
Tal Merrik's skeptical voice cut through the discussion. "The Jedi and their Dragon have brought chaos. How long before they turn their eyes on us?"
Satine met his gaze steadily. "Dagon gave me true rule in the eyes of the Mythosaur. I will not throw our people into unnecessary war. We defend what is ours. Nothing more."
The decision was made. Mandalore would watch, wait, and prepare.
**Scene 3: Hapes Cluster – Hapes Royal Palace**
Hapes Cluster.
Hapes Royal Palace.
Palpatine, Darth Sidious POV.
"Ah so the foolish boy Dagon has decided to take my place as galactic emperor. So be it, but right now I need more souls, and right now Dooku was no longer necessary, right my master," Sidious said to the holocron of Darth Andeddu, also referred to as the Immortal God-King of Prakith, was an ancient humanoid male who reigned as Dark Lord of the Sith.
"Yes my apprentice we now know how to return me to land of the living, but more sacrifices are needed," Prakith said.
Andeddu stored all of his wisdom within a holocron which also contained his most arcane secret: the ability to cheat death by transferring one's essence into another vessel.
"From this rock, we will restore the Sith to its true power and then we would live as immortal twin Sith god emperors as old," Andeddu said to a smiling Sidious.
Darth Sidious stood alone in the shadowed chambers of the Hapes Royal Palace, the opulent surroundings a stark contrast to the dark rituals he performed. The holocron of Darth Andeddu floated before him, its ancient Sith runes glowing with malevolent energy.
The boy Dagon had made his move—seizing control of the Senate and exposing decades of corruption. Sidious allowed himself a cold smile. The fool thought he could replace him. But the game was far from over.
"Dooku has outlived his usefulness," Sidious murmured. "His failure at Utapau and the loss of Hutt space have made him a liability."
The holocron pulsed. "More sacrifices are needed, my apprentice. Essence transfer requires power. Blood. Souls."
Sidious's yellow eyes gleamed with anticipation. "From this rock, we will restore the Sith to its true power and then we would live as immortal twin Sith god emperors as old."
The ancient Sith Lord's knowledge would be his. With Andeddu's secret of essence transfer and the gathered dark side energy from Hapes' fallen nobles, Sidious would achieve true immortality. Dagon's empire would be short-lived. The Sith would rise again, stronger than ever.
The shadows lengthened in the palace as Sidious began the ritual. The final war was only beginning.