**Chapter 468**
**The Atraken Gambit – Part 1**
**Dagon POV**
**Aboard the Gray Wolf – Hyperspace**
The journey to Atraken would take four hours.
I stood on the bridge of the *Gray Wolf*, arms crossed behind my back, watching the swirling blue tunnel of hyperspace streak past the viewport. My fleet for this operation was modest but potent — 1 Resurgent-class Star Destroyer (*Gray Wolf* herself), 2 Valiant-class vessels under Admirals Brom and Piett, 5 Venators, 8 Lancer-class frigates, 4 Accumulator-class assault ships, 8 Braha'tok-class gunships, and 5 Arquitens-class command cruisers. And, of course, the Leviathan Krayt Dragon secured in the largest Accumulator's hold.
It wasn't the largest force I'd ever commanded, but it was enough for what I intended.
In the original timeline, the Battle of Atraken had dragged on for months, ending in planetary devastation. The Separatists eventually deployed chemical and biological weapons that poisoned the world for over fifty years. I refused to let that happen again.
I felt a soft presence behind me. Shin Wren stepped up to my side, her white hair glowing faintly in the blue light of hyperspace. Erictia followed close behind, still adjusting the fit of her light blue armor.
"Four hours," Shin said quietly. "Plenty of time to second-guess yourself."
I allowed a small smile. "I'm not second-guessing. I'm calculating. Atraken is a critical mining world. If we lose it the way history says we will, the Republic loses valuable resources and millions of lives. The CIS gains a poisoned victory that serves as propaganda for decades."
Erictia leaned against the railing. "And the Krayt Dragon? You really think moving that monster to Atraken will balance the ecosystem?"
"I hope so," I replied. "Its presence should stabilize the biosphere long enough for us to drive out the Separatists without glassing the planet. The pearl alone carries unique biological properties. If we can integrate it properly…"
I trailed off. The plan was risky. Introducing an apex predator the size of a small starship to a war-torn world could backfire spectacularly. But doing nothing guaranteed a worse outcome.
Nox approached from the tactical station, Ashara at his side. "You wanted to speak with us?"
I nodded. "While we're en route. Walk with me."
We moved to the private briefing room adjacent to the bridge. Once the door sealed, I activated a secure holomap of Atraken and began.
"The Cult of the Screaming Blade," I said, looking at Nox. "It was formed by the renegade Sith Lord Paladius during the reconstituted Sith Empire. Based on Nar Shaddaa. That was *your* cult, wasn't it?"
Nox raised an eyebrow. "I was dead for three thousand years, Dagon. I have no memory of founding any cult. My… previous self may have left quite the mess behind."
Ashara crossed her arms. "And yet they keep calling you the Black Dragon. Why?"
I flexed my black armored right arm, the runes on the Shield of Wrath glowing faintly. "My armor is black. On Naboo, I created Force lightning chains shaped like dragons that healed the planet of the Blue Shadow Virus. The name stuck. But I think there's more to it. The Hutts have been hiding something from both the Jedi and the Sith for a very long time. I intend to find out what."
Shin frowned. "You think the Hutts are connected to this cult?"
"Possibly," I said. "Or to something older. Either way, we need to stay alert. Atraken is going to be messy."
The conversation continued for the remainder of the flight — strategies, contingencies, concerns about the Krayt Dragon's temperament once released. By the time the fleet dropped out of hyperspace above Atraken, we had a solid plan.
The planet below was already a war zone. Separatist forces had dug in deep around the major mining cities. Republic troops were holding several beachheads but were slowly being pushed back.
"General," Captain Piett reported, "the Separatists have reinforced their positions. They're preparing something big — possibly chemical or biological agents."
I clenched my black armored fist. "Then we move now. Launch the Accumulator with the Leviathan. The rest of the fleet provides cover."
**Scene 2**
**Atraken – Orbit**
The Accumulator-class ship carrying the Leviathan broke formation and began its descent, escorted by Ravens and MAAT gunships. I stood on the bridge, watching the telemetry.
"Release the dragon when it reaches two thousand meters," I ordered. "Let it choose its own hunting grounds."
The girls gathered around me. Ahsoka looked tense. "You're really just… dropping a two-hundred-meter dragon onto a battlefield?"
"It's an apex predator," I replied. "It will naturally target the largest threats — which right now are the Separatist droid armies and their commanders. Its presence should also help stabilize the ecosystem against whatever poison they're planning to deploy."
Shin placed a hand on my shoulder. "We trust you."
Below, the Accumulator opened its massive front ramp. The Leviathan Krayt Dragon emerged like a living nightmare, roaring as it plummeted toward the surface. Its sixteen limbs spread wide, catching the air as it glided down on powerful membranes. The moment it hit the ground, it unleashed a earth-shaking roar that echoed across the battlefield.
Separatist droid lines faltered. Even battle droids hesitated at the sight of the colossal beast charging toward them.
I allowed myself a grim smile. "Let's go. The real work begins now."
The *Gray Wolf* and the rest of the fleet moved into assault formation. The Atraken campaign — the one that was supposed to end in planetary ruin — was about to be begin.