**Chapter 475**
**Summons from the Temple**
**Dagon POV**
**Aboard the Gray Wolf – Command Briefing Room**
The holomap of the galaxy shimmered above the central table, but my attention was fixed on the encrypted transmission from the Jedi Council that had just arrived.
I exhaled slowly, rubbing the bridge of my nose with my flesh hand. "Apparently we are being requested at the Jedi Temple."
The girls, gathered around the table in various states of post-mission relaxation, reacted immediately.
"Why?" Zule asked, tilting her head, her lekku twitching with curiosity.
Kayla crossed her arms, her pink skin flushing slightly with irritation. "Because we interfered in a sector outside our jurisdiction."
"But we saved a planet!" Erictia protested, looking to Shin for support. "Right, Master Shin? Dagon literally dropped a Krayt Dragon on the enemy to stop them from poisoning the whole world!"
Shin Wren, ever the picture of composed elegance even in casual robes, exchanged a quick glance with me. Her purple eyes carried the weight of someone who understood Temple politics far better than most.
I nodded to her, letting her take the lead.
Shin sighed softly. "Technically, yes, we saved Atraken. But the Council sees it differently. We operated far outside the 12th Sector without prior approval. The Senate is already nervous about Dagon's growing influence. This gives them ammunition to question our methods."
Dagon leaned back in his chair. "Shin will handle most of the talking. She's the most experienced among us in Temple politics. The rest of you… remember to keep our relationship secret. No lingering touches, no long Zeltron kisses, Kayla. No obvious affection in public."
Kayla pouted immediately. "But—"
"No chances," I said firmly, though my tone was gentle. "If the others can't experience it openly, then none of us can. I don't want any of you getting kicked out of the Order. Not yet."
The girls collectively pouted — even Ahsoka and Zule, who usually had more fire in them. Stella looked particularly disappointed, fiddling with the hem of her tunic.
Visenya sighed. "This is going to be awkward."
I stood up, stretching my black armored arm. "It's necessary. For now."
**Scene 2**
Later, in the quieter corridor leading toward the hangar bays, I found Nox and Ashara waiting.
"You two can come if you want," I told them. "But it might still be hard for you, Nox. The Temple has changed a lot in three thousand years."
Ashara smiled softly, slipping her hand into Nox's. "I haven't seen the Temple since I left with him. Even then, it was during wartime — three thousand years ago. I'd like to see what's become of it."
Nox grunted, arms crossed. "I'm more curious how they'll react to *me*. A former Sith Lord walking their halls again. Should make for interesting conversation."
I chuckled. "Just try not to start any duels in the archives."
Ashara laughed lightly. "We'll behave. Mostly."
The group gathered in the main hangar as the *Gray Wolf* prepared to dock at one of Coruscant's orbital stations. The girls were in their formal Jedi robes, though a few rebellious touches remained — Kayla's necklace, Ahsoka's favorite pair of boots, Shin's subtle Mandalorian bracelet hidden under her sleeve.
I looked at all of them — my family, my strength, my greatest vulnerability — and felt a surge of protectiveness.
"Remember," I said quietly as the shuttle ramp began to lower, "we present a united front. Professional. Controlled. The Council doesn't need to know everything yet."
Shin nodded, falling into step beside me like the seasoned diplomat she was. "We've got this."
As we stepped onto the shuttle, the weight of the coming confrontation settled over us. The Jedi Temple awaited — along with whatever political storm the Senate and Council had prepared.
But after everything we had faced — Yuuzhan Vong hunters, fallen heroes, ancient dragons, and a machine god from another reality — a tense meeting with the Jedi Council felt almost… manageable.
Almost.