**Chapter 442**
**Despair and a Handful of Hope – Part 2**
**Scene 1**
The bridge of the *Gray Wolf* felt colder than usual as Dagon stood before the secure holotable. One day. It had been one full day since the girls, Nox, and Ashara had been taken. Every second that passed felt like sand slipping through his fingers.
He activated the encrypted priority channel. The blue hologram flickered to life, revealing the unmistakable crimson eyes and sharp blue skin of Grand Admiral Mitth'raw'nuruodo — Thrawn.
"General Marek," Thrawn greeted, his voice calm and measured as always. "I assume this is not a social call."
"It isn't." Dagon's voice was rough. "The training complex on Lantilles was attacked. Nox, Ashara, and the girls were taken. The attackers left Yuuzhan Vong weapons and the signature of a Fosh dark sider named Vergere."
Thrawn's expression didn't change, but Dagon saw the slight narrowing of his eyes — the Chiss was already calculating.
"Based on what I remember," Dagon continued, pacing slowly, "the Yuuzhan Vong launched their invasion from at least one forward world — Helska IV was their primary beachhead in the original timeline. They use organic technology, view mechanical devices as abominations, and cannot be sensed in the Force. They capture slaves, shape creatures, and wage war as a religious crusade."
He paused, jaw tight. "Why take the girls specifically? It could be a mission by their Shapers — they experiment on Force-sensitives — but something else is in play. Vergere's involvement suggests coordination. I don't have time to wait for confirmation. It's been one day. Every hour increases the chance they're moved off-world or… worse."
Thrawn remained silent for a long moment, analyzing. "You believe this is the beginning of their reconnaissance or a targeted strike against you personally."
"Yes. They want me. The girls are bait."
"Then we move immediately," Thrawn replied. "I will bring the *Nightdragon*. Coordinates for rendezvous will be sent in one minute. Come alone with those you trust most. No larger fleet — not yet."
The hologram faded.
Dagon exhaled, gripping the edge of the holotable until his knuckles whitened. Shin Wren stepped up beside him, placing a gentle hand on his armored shoulder. Erictia stood on his other side, amber eyes filled with quiet resolve.
"We're with you," Shin said softly.
**Scene 2**
The *Nightdragon* — Thrawn's powerful Chiss battlecruiser — materialized with elegant precision. It was a sleek, menacing vessel of deep blue and silver, bristling with weapons that looked almost artistic in their lethality.
Only three figures left the *Gray Wolf* in a small shuttle: Dagon in his modified beskar armor, Shin Wren in her Jedi robes with the newly gifted Mandalorian sword at her side, and Erictia carrying her dual lightsabers. They docked in the *Nightdragon's* private hangar.
Thrawn awaited them on the bridge, hands clasped behind his back.
"Welcome aboard," he said. "I have already set course for Helska IV. We will arrive in twenty-seven standard hours. I assume you have a plan?"
Dagon nodded. "We do."
The three of them followed Thrawn to a secure briefing room. As the *Nightdragon* jumped into hyperspace, Dagon began the long explanation.
**Scene 3**
Dagon stood at the head of the holographic table, the starfield of the Unknown Regions displayed behind him. Shin and Erictia sat across from him, listening intently.
"The Yuuzhan Vong," Dagon began, "descended from an ancestral species from the planet Yuuzhan'tar in a distant galaxy. Physically, they resemble tall, heavily built humans with less hair. Their society is built on religious zealotry. They view all mechanical technology as blasphemy. Everything they use — ships, weapons, armor, even buildings — is genetically engineered and purely organic."
He brought up a reconstructed image of a Yuuzhan Vong warrior. "They respect pain to the point of sadomasochism. They improve themselves through organ grafting and scarification. Status is shown through how much pain one can endure and how extensively one has modified their body."
Shin's expression darkened. "And they cannot be sensed in the Force?"
"Correct. That's why the Gen'Dai I killed on Tatooine wasn't truly a Gen'Dai. It was a Yuuzhan Vong hunter — a specialized warrior bred for infiltration, assassination, and vanguard operations. They've been probing this galaxy for decades."
Dagon's red-and-black eyes grew distant. "In the timeline I remember, we have roughly forty-four years before their full-scale invasion begins. Thrawn already destroyed Outbound Flight to slow their scouts. The Chiss have been fighting threats in the Unknown Regions for years. The Jedi Council won't believe us without proof. The Republic certainly won't. So my plan is simple: Win this war. Gain enough power and loyal followers. Then take the fight directly to them before they can burn the galaxy down."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Shin Wren leaned forward, white hair framing her face. "Dagon… that plan means becoming something close to a dictator. Consolidating power across entire sectors. Risking everything we stand for as Jedi."
"I know," he said quietly. "That's why I pushed the girls away. I thought I had to walk this path alone. But I was wrong."
Erictia spoke up, voice soft but firm. "We don't like it. But… we understand why it's necessary. If the Yuuzhan Vong truly cannot be sensed in the Force and worship pain the way you describe, the Jedi Order as it stands would be slaughtered."
Shin sighed deeply, running a hand through her long white hair. "I hate it. But I trust you. We'll stand with you — even if it means walking a darker road."
Thrawn entered the briefing room at that moment, his glowing red eyes taking in the tension.
"What is the plan of attack?" he asked.
Dagon met his gaze without hesitation. "The three of us will take a stealth ship to the surface of Helska IV. We locate and eliminate the enemy leadership and free the hostages. You will remain in orbit with the *Nightdragon* and provide overwatch. No full planetary assault — not yet."
Thrawn raised an eyebrow. "That is not a good plan."
"It's the only plan that will work," Dagon replied. "They want me. If I show myself, they'll commit resources to capture me. That gives you the opening to strike from orbit once we've disrupted their command structure. Shin and Erictia will provide Force support where your sensors can't reach."
The Chiss Grand Admiral studied him for a long moment, then inclined his head slightly. "Very well. I will prepare a stealth insertion craft. We arrive in twenty-six hours."
As Thrawn left, Dagon turned back to Shin and Erictia. Both women stood and approached him. Shin placed a hand on his chest, right over his heart. Erictia leaned her head against his shoulder.
"We're afraid," Shin admitted. "But we're with you."
Dagon wrapped his arms around both of them, pulling them close. For a brief moment, the weight of the coming battle felt just a little lighter.
The *Nightdragon* streaked through hyperspace toward Helska IV — toward the first true clash with an enemy the galaxy refused to believe existed.
Dagon closed his eyes.
*Hold on,* he sent through the bonds, hoping the girls could still feel him. *I'm coming.*