**Chapter 429**
**Aftermath – Ryloth Orbit**
**Dagon POV**
The tactical holomap slowly dimmed as the last pockets of resistance vanished. What remained of the CIS fleet was either burning wreckage or fleeing into hyperspace. I stood on the bridge of the *Gray Wolf*, arms crossed, reviewing the final damage and casualty reports.
**CIS Losses:**
- 1 prototype Starhawk-class Battleship (*Starhawk*) — destroyed
- 15 Lucrehulk-class battleships — destroyed
- 20 Providence-class Dreadnoughts (2km variants) — destroyed
- 50 Techno Union frigates — destroyed
- 30 Sabaoth Destroyers — destroyed
- 25 Munificent-class frigates — destroyed
- 50 Recusant-class heavy destroyers (2km variant) — destroyed
- 55 Dreadnought-class heavy cruisers — destroyed
- 15 Providence-class carriers (1km variant) — destroyed
Kul Teska was confirmed dead — his experimental flagship torn apart in the final minutes of the battle. Admiral Dua Ningo, however, had escaped aboard one of the surviving vessels. Three Providence-class carriers had also managed to jump away before the net closed.
It was an overwhelming victory. Still, I knew the truth — most of the CIS fleet was crewed by droids. They could afford these kinds of losses far better than we could.
I turned to the comm officer. "Signal the *Sovereign* under Grand Captain Wilhuff Tarkin, the *Independence* under Commander Ben Del-Dala, and the *Blackfire* with Captain Arten Su. They are to take five Venators and escort the damaged ships back to safe harbor at Rothana. Priority medical and repair support."
"Yes, General."
The three captains acknowledged the order promptly. Their ships, along with the escorts, began breaking formation to shepherd the battered Republic vessels away from Ryloth.
**Scene 2**
**Dagon POV**
**Gray Wolf – Bridge**
I had chosen the *Gray Wolf* as my new flagship. I had been jumping between ships too often lately — *Sovereign*, *Hood*, *Finalizer* — but the *Gray Wolf* felt right. Especially now.
The rescued crew from the *Endurance* had been transferred aboard. Over 1,300 of Master Wren's crew had perished in the battle. A heavy price. I wasn't sure how she and her Padawan, Erictia, were holding up. Their clones had mostly been kept in reserve and saw limited action until today.
I was reviewing repair estimates when the turbolift doors opened. Master Shin Wren and Erictia stepped onto the bridge. Both looked exhausted, their robes scorched and torn in places, but they were alive.
"Master Wren, are you oka—"
I was cut off mid-sentence.
Shin Wren closed the distance in three quick steps and pulled me into a deep, passionate kiss right on the lips. Her hands gripped the front of my beskar armor as if afraid I might vanish. The kiss carried desperation, relief, and something far deeper — the Force bond that had snapped into place when I saved her ship.
Before I could fully process it, Erictia stepped in as Shin pulled back. The younger woman pressed a softer but no less intense kiss to my lips, then blushed furiously and kissed my cheek as well.
I stood frozen for a moment, tasting blood and starlight on my tongue.
*Why do I keep getting emotionally entangled every time I try to pull away?* I thought. *I just got sort of dumped — or at least distanced myself from a harem — and now the Force decides to play another cosmic joke?*
Both women stepped back, faces flushed, and bowed deeply in unison.
"We are terribly sorry!" they said together.
I exhaled slowly, raising both hands. "It's fine. Calm down. I understand high-stress situations after battle. Just… stop bowing, please."
Shin Wren straightened first, cheeks still pink. "Yes, Master Dag— I mean, Dagon. Sorry again."
Erictia nodded quickly, amber eyes wide. "We didn't mean to… it just… the Force…"
I rubbed the bridge of my nose. "Look, you two are with me now. The *Gray Wolf* is massive. There are plenty of available quarters near the bridge section."
I gestured to my adjutants. "Stargazer, Zinj."
The two officers stepped forward.
"Escort the Jedi to their quarters and introduce them to the healing baths."
"Baths?" Erictia asked, blinking.
"You'll see. They're quite effective."
As the group left the bridge, I allowed myself a tired sigh. The Force clearly had a sense of humor. Or cruelty.
**Scene 3**
**Shin Wren POV**
The hot water felt like heaven.
Shin Wren sank deeper into the large, circular healing bath built into their private quarters aboard the *Gray Wolf*. Soft blue lighting glowed from beneath the water, infused with mild kolto and Force-attuned minerals. Steam rose gently around them. Erictia sat across from her, head tilted back in pure bliss, her brown hair floating on the surface.
"Master… it feels like the Temple baths," Erictia murmured. "I didn't know this was possible on a warship — other than luxury yachts."
"Apparently Dagon had these installed specifically for healing," Shin replied, eyes half-closed. "When he overuses battle melds or pushes himself too hard with the Force, he needs somewhere to cool his mind and recover."
Erictia smiled softly. "Yeah… and apparently he paid for these ships himself when they were upgraded by Sienar. He relies on them more than Kuat."
Shin nodded. She let the warm water soothe her aching muscles and the lingering emotional turbulence.
"He is very strange," she said after a long pause. "I thought he would be like a Sith Lord when I first met him. That armor, that presence… the red in his eyes. But he's actually very kind when you get to know him. He saved us. Moved an entire Venator with the Force while piloting a fighter."
Erictia's cheeks flushed again. "Yeah… and strong. Remember the stories? Clash of immortals. Malachor V. There are even rumors he freed the souls of Jedi and Sith trapped by the Thought Bomb on Ruusan."
Shin smiled faintly. "He did heal Naboo through a similar Force ritual. But did you feel it? When he saved us… that connection."
Erictia nodded slowly, sinking a little lower in the water. "Yeah. It was strange. Warm. Like… like it was pulling us toward him."
A long silence stretched between them, broken only by the gentle lapping of water.
"Um… the kiss," Erictia finally whispered, face turning bright red. "Why did we do that? It felt like the Force was… guiding us."
Shin Wren blushed as well, covering her mouth with one hand. Both women realized at the same moment what had happened. The Force bond that had formed in that moment of desperation and salvation wasn't just protective or grateful.
It was romantic.
"Oh no…" Shin whispered, half-laughing, half-horrified.
Erictia sank until only her eyes and forehead were above water. "We just kissed General Dagon Marek. Right after he pulled our ship out of certain destruction. While he was bleeding from the strain."
They looked at each other.
Then both started laughing — soft, tired, slightly hysterical laughter that echoed gently off the walls of the luxurious healing chamber.
"Well," Shin said once she regained control, "at least he didn't seem angry. Just… surprised."
Erictia smiled shyly. "He told us to stop bowing. And he gave us these quarters. And the baths…"
They both fell quiet again, the warm water soothing their bodies while their minds spun with new possibilities.
Whatever came next on Ryloth, one thing was certain — their lives were now tied to Dagon Marek in ways none of them had expected.