**Chapter 505**
**False Trails and Hidden Teeth**
**Gray Wolf – Bridge**
**Dagon POV**
The *Gray Wolf* hung in the quiet void of the Rial Kroon system, her sensors sweeping empty space. I stood on the command walkway, arms crossed, staring at the tactical holodisplay that showed… absolutely nothing of value.
"Sir, these are the exact coordinates provided by the Council," Fleet Admiral Kinaun reported from his station. "But there's nothing here. No modified Vultures. No CIS presence at all. Just empty space."
Shin Wren stepped up beside me, her white hair catching the soft bridge lighting. "Looks like the Council got fed false intelligence again. At least the remaining systems in this sector are free of problems."
I let out a slow breath. "We did liberate a sector the old-fashioned way — from pirates and slavers. Normal Jedi business, I suppose."
The weeks of crisscrossing the Noonian sector hadn't been wasted. We had cleared out multiple pirate nests, broken up smuggling rings supplying the CIS, and even disrupted a few slaver operations. But this particular lead on Valahari-modified Vultures had turned into another dead end.
"Still," I muttered, "better safe than—"
"Contacts!" the sensor officer shouted. "Five droid carriers dropping out of hyperspace at five hundred meters! They're launching fighters!"
The bridge erupted into controlled chaos. Red icons bloomed on the display as five Lucrehulk-style droid carriers materialized far too close for comfort. Almost immediately, thirty quad light turbolasers opened fire while their hangar bays spat out waves of Vulture droids — fifty of them materializing from micro-jumps.
"Well," I said, a dark smile tugging at my lips, "looks like we found our fight after all."
"General?" Kinaun asked.
"All ships, weapons free. Lancer frigates, screen the formation. Piett — take your Valiant and *Necrosword* in for a broadside. Gray Wolf will provide covering fire."
The task force responded instantly.
The ten Lancer-class frigates surged forward like wolves, their quad laser cannons and missile batteries tearing into the Vulture swarm with ruthless efficiency. Explosions bloomed across the void as droid fighters disintegrated by the dozen.
Admiral Firmus Piett's *Knull* and Admiral Brom Titus's *Necrosword* executed a perfect pincer. Their heavy turbolaser batteries lit up the darkness, ripping into the exposed flanks of the droid carriers. One carrier exploded in a brilliant fireball after a full broadside from *Knull*, its reactor going critical in spectacular fashion.
"Target the remaining carriers," I ordered. "Finish them."
Within minutes, the ambush was over. The five droid carriers were reduced to expanding clouds of plasma and scrap. The surviving Vultures — less than ten — attempted to flee, only to be hunted down by TIE squadrons.
"Sir," a tactical officer reported, "ion cannons captured several intact droids. They're being brought aboard for analysis."
"Very well," I said. "Open a secure line to Coruscant. Priority to the Chancellor's office."
**Scene 2**
**Chancellor's Office, Coruscant**
My holographic form materialized in the center of the chamber. Chancellor Palpatine sat at his desk, flanked by Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Master Windu, Master Yoda, and a few other senior advisors.
"General Marek," Palpatine greeted warmly. "Your report?"
I nodded respectfully. "The scans confirm Valahari-modified engine parts on the Vultures — identical signatures to the ones we destroyed earlier. Given what we've accomplished in this sector, it appears the Separatists are preparing to mass-produce these upgraded fighters. They're using neutral or pirate proxies to test them."
Anakin leaned forward, eyes sharp. "The Valahari build some of the best ships in the galaxy. If they've joined the Separatists…"
"They claim neutrality," Master Windu cut in, voice grim, "but this many incidents involving their technology in active combat clearly suggests an alliance with Dooku."
Palpatine steepled his fingers, his expression thoughtful. "The noble houses of that sector have always been trouble. They believe their wealth and influence grant them special status — above the laws of the Republic."
Obi-Wan spoke carefully. "With respect, Chancellor, a blockade could push neutral systems directly into the Separatists' arms. I recommend Anakin and I approach as a diplomatic envoy first. We may still be able to bring them back to the Republic."
Palpatine considered this, then nodded slowly. "Very well. Try diplomacy. But if it fails…" He turned his gaze directly to my hologram. "I will deploy General Dagon. The Separatists are afraid of him. His presence alone may end their aggression quickly."
I inclined my head. "I stand ready, Chancellor."
The transmission ended. I exhaled slowly as the holoprojector powered down.
Shin appeared at my side, squeezing my hand. "You handled that well."
I smiled faintly. "We'll see. Diplomacy first. But if Valahari has truly thrown in with Dooku…"
Aayla stepped closer, her expression serious. "Then we'll be ready."
I looked out at the stars through the viewport, the fleet holding formation around the *Gray Wolf*.
Another lead. Another battle.
The war never slept.
But neither would we.