**Chapter 426**
**Orbital Battle of Ryloth – Part 4**
**Dagon POV**
**Skelter R-16 Cockpit**
The tide of the battle had shifted again.
I pulled the Skelter into a sharp evasive climb as another wave of Vulture droids tried to swarm me. My miniguns never stopped chattering, green bolts ripping through droid after droid while the Force bubble around my fighter crackled with dark side energy. On the main tactical feed relayed from the *Gray Wolf*, a new signature emerged from hyperspace — massive, heavily armed, and completely unexpected.
A Starhawk-class Battleship Mark I.
I remembered them well from New Republic records. The Nadiri Mk I Starhawk. I had always assumed those powerful vessels were inspired by old Republic and Rebel Hammerhead cruisers. Seeing one painted in Separatist colors — deep blue and gray with bold CIS markings — sent a flicker of dark amusement through me.
*Oh joy.*
The front of the massive warship was shaped like a forward hatchet, giving it an aggressive, cleaving appearance. At 2,400 meters long and towering nearly 900 meters at the bow, it was a true battleship. Its interior featured bright, clean curves with docking bays lit by warm glow lighting and scalloped white ceilings. But its exterior was built for war.
It carried octuple turbolaser batteries, forward-mounted heavy turbolasers, battleship-grade ion cannons, concussion missile launchers, and point-defense lasers. Most dangerously, it mounted magnite crystal tractor beam arrays — powerful enough to trap and move ships many times its own size. The Starhawk was more heavily armed than even an MC80A Star Cruiser and capable of going toe-to-toe with a Star Destroyer.
And now it flew under CIS command.
Along with it came twenty more Recusant-class heavy destroyers and fifteen Dreadnaught-class heavy cruisers. The enemy fleet, which had started at around 120 warships, was now down to just over 80 after we had destroyed roughly 40 of their vessels. But they were consolidating.
The entire remaining CIS force began gathering into a tight defensive perimeter around the *Starhawk*. Smaller ships — Munificents, Sabaoths, Techno Union frigates — formed layered walls, protecting the massive battleship while it positioned itself at the center like a deadly fortress.
I recognized the tactic immediately. The CIS had used their ships to form a strong defensive shell. Throughout the coming minutes, the smaller warships would repeatedly open gaps in the formation to allow the *Starhawk* to unleash its formidable firepower while its powerful tractor beams reached out like invisible claws.
"Well… this just got interesting," I muttered.
My own fleet maintained formation at long range. The Resurgent-class vessels were specifically designed for orbital assaults and brutal slugging matches. The Valiants and Allegiances still held the range advantage with their ultra-heavy batteries. We could punch through this formation eventually.
But not if complications arrived early.
"No… no, no—" I snarled as new hyperspace signatures flared across the tactical display.
**Scene 2**
**Anakin Skywalker POV**
**Resolute – Bridge**
Anakin paced the command walkway of the *Resolute*, tension coiled tight in his shoulders. He needed this victory. Padmé needed proof that the Jedi — that *he* — could win this war decisively. Even after everything, after the Blue Shadow Virus crisis on Naboo, she still clung to hopes of peace. Dagon's brutal methods, especially the complete devastation of Zygerria, made that path harder. Yes, the slavers had deserved it — Anakin knew that better than most after what they had done to his mother — but it complicated everything.
The Chancellor had promised him a chance to shine. A chance to prove the Jedi could end this war with honor and strength.
"Anakin, Dagon didn't send the signal yet," Obi-Wan's calm voice came through the holo. "As far as we know, his fleet is still maneuvering into final position."
"It's been ten minutes," Anakin shot back. "He needs help. Ryloth needs to be saved *now*."
Master Shin Wen's voice joined the channel, measured and cautious. "Master Skywalker, it has only been ten minutes. We received updated communications from Captain Pellaeon and Grand Captain Tarkin. The offensive is proceeding well."
Anakin's jaw clenched. "I don't care. We're jumping. Ryloth's people have suffered long enough under Tambor's occupation."
"Anakin, wait—" Obi-Wan started.
But Anakin had already cut the transmission. He turned to the bridge crew, eyes blazing with determination.
"All ships, prepare for hyperspace jump to the updated coordinates. We're entering the fight."
**Scene 3**
**Dagon POV**
The *Resolute* and its accompanying Venators, along with Master Shin Wen's forces, tore out of hyperspace far closer to the CIS formation than planned. Anakin had jumped early — way too early.
"Damn it, Skywalker," I growled.
Before I could issue new orders, the *Starhawk* reacted with terrifying speed. Its magnite crystal tractor beam arrays locked onto one of Anakin's Venators. The massive invisible grip seized the Republic ship and began dragging it — and by extension, pulling elements of Skywalker's entire formation — directly into the heart of the CIS defensive perimeter.
My own ships had to immediately adjust fire patterns to avoid hitting friendly vessels. Turbolaser batteries fell silent or shifted targets as the risk of friendly fire skyrocketed.
The CIS formation opened like a hungry maw. Gaps appeared between the escorting Recusants and Dreadnaughts. The *Starhawk* unleashed a devastating broadside — octuple turbolaser batteries and heavy ion cannons hammering the trapped Venator. Concussion missiles streaked out in salvos while the tractor beam continued reeling the Republic ship deeper into the kill zone.
"Ethan!" I snapped over comms. "Order all Resurgents, Valiants, and Allegiances to switch targeting priority. Focus on the escorts opening the formation. Do *not* hit Skywalker's ships if you can avoid it. Lancer frigates and Starkillers — provide fighter cover for the trapped Venator. Get them breathing room!"
The battle had turned chaotic in seconds.
My Skelter streaked toward the *Starhawk*, dodging flak bursts and point-defense fire. Even from this distance I could see the bright clean curves of its interior docking bays through open hangar shields — now swarming with fresh droid fighters launching to capitalize on the disorder.
The CIS commander — likely that Sullustan admiral — had regained some initiative thanks to Anakin's impatience. The *Starhawk* was living up to its reputation, acting as both anchor and spear for the remaining eighty-plus Separatist warships.
I poured more power into the Skelter's engines, lightning crackling along its wings.
"Skywalker, you'd better not get yourself killed before I can yell at you," I muttered darkly.
The orbital battle, which had been firmly in our favor, had just become significantly more complicated.