**Chapter 460**
**The Dragon Gambit**
**Scene 1**
**Aboard the Gray Wolf – Private Quarters**
Dagon lay on his back in the large bed, one arm behind his head, the other gently stroking Shin Wren's long white hair. The Jedi Master was curled against him, her head resting comfortably on his stomach, breathing slow and peaceful in sleep. The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast gentle shadows across her flawless pale skin.
He was reviewing encrypted Republic military updates on a hovering datapad when Shin stirred, nuzzling closer.
"Hmm… what?" she mumbled sleepily, purple eyes cracking open.
Dagon smiled softly. "So cute."
He set the datapad aside and ran his fingers through her hair again. "If I introduce a new species to a planet — one that doesn't reproduce but acts as a sort of temporary protector or balancer — is that okay?"
Shin blinked, still half-asleep. "Hmm… probably. As long as it doesn't disrupt the natural ecosystem too badly." She yawned cutely and stretched against him, her bare breasts pressing warmly into his side. "I still don't know how you're capable of doing all of us until we pass out… and you're still ready."
Dagon chuckled, a low rumble in his chest. *Yeah… my sex drive is rather high due to my Sith abilities,* he thought.
He kissed the top of her head. "There's a Krayt Dragon on Tatooine right now. That massive pearl it carries might help balance Atraken. The original timeline saw the planet devastated during a long, brutal campaign. We still have a chance to save it."
Shin hummed in agreement, already drifting back toward sleep. "Just… be careful."
**Scene 2**
**Bridge – Gray Wolf**
Dagon stood at the central holotable, the red star in his black left eye glowing faintly as he reviewed fleet status. The scars of recent battles were still fresh, but morale was high after the string of victories along the Corellian Run.
"Comms, open a secure channel to Fleet admiral Dittmar."
The officer nodded. A moment later, Dittmar's face appeared.
"Yes, sir?"
"I need an empty Accumulator-class assault ship prepped for immediate transport. Load three Pelta-class frigates with maximum water supplies and emergency foodstuff. Also prepare three Venators and four Lancers for escort. Set course for Tatooine. We're bringing back something… large."
Dittmar didn't even blink. "Understood, General. We'll be ready in two hours."
Dagon nodded. "Good. And contact Admiral Kobayashi. Tell him to prepare his forces. Once we finish on Tatooine, we're going straight into battle."
"Affirmative, sir."
The channel closed.
Dagon turned toward the viewport, staring at the distant stars. Atraken was a ticking time bomb in the original timeline — a long, grinding campaign that left the planet uninhabitable. If he could transplant a mature Krayt Dragon and its pearl, the creature's natural territorial instincts and the pearl's unique properties might stabilize the ecosystem long enough for the Republic to push back the Separatists without turning the world into a wasteland.
It was a gamble. A big one.
But after everything he had seen and done, Dagon was willing to bet on the impossible.
Shin's soft voice came from behind him as she entered the bridge wearing a light robe. "You're really going to do it?"
Dagon turned, pulling her gently against his side. "Yes. Atraken doesn't deserve to die like it did in the old timeline. If one angry dragon can buy the planet time… then we'll give it that chance."
Shin rested her head on his shoulder. "You always find the strangest solutions."
He kissed her temple. "Worked so far."
Two hours later, the task force — three Venators, four Lancers, and a fully loaded Accumulator — jumped toward Tatooine. Dagon stood on the bridge of the *Gray Wolf*, watching the blue tunnel of hyperspace streak past.
Behind him, his bonded lovers waited — some resting, some training, all ready for whatever came next.
The war was far from over.
But for once, Dagon felt like they were finally getting ahead of it.