**Chapter 459**
**Hammer of Liberation**
**Scene 1**
**Dagon POV**
Baktoid Armor Workshop had once been a respected Trade Federation design firm, specializing in rugged, all-terrain ground vehicles for civilian use. Their products were known for heavy armor plating and smart placement of delicate components near the rear of the craft. Early models rarely came with built-in weapons, but they featured standard emplacements that allowed easy combat modifications after purchase.
Wat Tambor had been one of their executive officers.
Now, under full Separatist control and fueled by Ugnaught slaves captured during the early stages of the war, the factories ran nonstop. Day and night, the massive assembly lines churned out armored transports, combat walkers, and repulsor tanks destined for CIS forces across the Corellian Run.
That was where we came in.
The *Gray Wolf* dropped out of hyperspace with six escort vessels, emerging right on top of a CIS defensive flotilla guarding the primary Baktoid facility on the industrial moon of Vulpter. Before the enemy could fully react, our Lancer-class frigates and Starkillers tore into their formation.
I led the boarding assault personally.
My harem — now fully bonded and fighting as one unit — moved with me. Shin Wren's Mandalorian sword flashed beside Erictia's dual blue blades. Ahsoka and Zule carved through droid lines with lethal grace. Flare, Visenya, Stella, and Kayla provided devastating support, their combined Force presence amplifying every strike.
We breached the main factory complex in under twelve minutes.
Inside, the horror was immediate. Thousands of Ugnaughts and other enslaved species — Rodians, Twileks, humans — worked in brutal conditions, chained to assembly lines, many bearing fresh wounds from overseer punishment. Droid guards opened fire the moment we entered.
They didn't last long.
Dagon's black-armored arm slammed into a B2 super battle droid, crushing its torso. Red lightning chained from him to three more droids, frying their circuits. Shin spun through a squad of B1s like a white-haired storm. Ahsoka's green blades danced as she protected a group of terrified Ugnaught children.
"Get them out!" I shouted. "All civilians to the Ravens!"
The liberation was swift and merciless. Over 40,000 sentient beings were evacuated in waves while my forces planted thermal charges throughout the factory's critical infrastructure. When the last transport lifted off, I gave the order.
The factory disappeared in a series of massive explosions that lit up the moon's sky.
This became our pattern.
For the next week, we struck hard and fast along the Corellian Run. Factory after factory fell. By the time we reached the 11th month, we had destroyed 25 major Baktoid and related Separatist production facilities. Over 1,200,500 slaves and prisoners — mostly Ugnaughts, but including many other species — were freed and relocated to safe Republic worlds. More than 100 CIS warships were destroyed or captured in the process.
The Separatist supply lines along one of the galaxy's most vital trade routes were in chaos.
**Scene 2**
**Coruscant – Galactic News Network Studio**
Jeff, one of the most trusted field reporters, stood in front of a massive holographic display showing footage of burning Separatist factories and cheering crowds of liberated slaves. His voice carried across the galaxy.
"Breaking news from the Corellian Run! In what can only be described as a bold new offensive, Republic forces under the command of General Dagon Marek have struck a devastating blow against Separatist industrial power. Over the past week, more than twenty-five enemy production facilities have been destroyed, with estimates of over one million two hundred thousand sentient beings liberated from brutal enslavement."
The footage switched to clips of Ugnaught families being helped onto Republic transports, children waving small flags, exhausted but smiling workers embracing clone troopers.
"Among the liberated are thousands of Ugnaughts who were forced into nonstop labor producing armored vehicles for the CIS war machine. Sources close to the operation credit the success to coordinated strikes by General Marek's elite Darkstar Legion and allied forces."
Jeff's expression grew more serious.
"While the Senate continues to debate new emergency powers, actions like these are reminding the galaxy what decisive leadership looks like. General Marek's forces have not only freed countless lives but have severely disrupted Separatist supply lines. This reporter wonders how long the Senate can afford to ignore such results in favor of political maneuvering."
In the background, crowds on Coruscant cheered as the footage played on massive public screens. Twi'lek refugees waved banners. Ugnaught families wept with joy.
Visenya's carefully cultivated news contacts had done their work perfectly. The narrative was shifting — slowly, but surely — away from fear and blame toward hope and results.
**Scene 3**
**Aboard the Gray Wolf – Observation Deck**
Dagon stood watching the stars as the *Gray Wolf* prepared for its next jump. Shin Wren leaned against his side, her white hair glowing softly in the dim lighting. Erictia sat on the arm of his chair, legs swinging playfully.
Ahsoka approached from behind, wrapping her arms around his waist. "You did good out there."
"We all did," Dagon replied, pulling her closer. "But this is only the beginning. The Separatists will reinforce their remaining factories. Tambor's replacement will push harder."
Zule joined them, resting her head on his shoulder. "Then we hit them harder."
Flare, Stella, Kayla, and Visenya gathered around as well, forming a tight circle of warmth and resolve.
Dagon looked at each of them — his loves, his warriors, his reason to keep fighting.
"The war is changing," he said quietly. "The Senate is scared. The Jedi are under pressure. The people want results. We're going to keep giving them results."
Shin kissed his cheek. "Together."
The *Gray Wolf* jumped into hyperspace, carrying them toward the next target, the next victory, and the next step in a long, dangerous road.