**Chapter 511**
**The Hidden Pinnacle**
**Dagon POV**
**Aboard the Scimitator – Approaching the Veil Nebula**
The *Scimitator* sliced through the glowing clouds of the Veil Nebula like a predator stalking prey. No CIS warships appeared on sensors — only the massive, concealed orbital station hidden among the massive neebray creatures that drifted through the gas clouds like living shields.
"Valahari's hidden pinnacle," I murmured, studying the holographic scan. "Their most guarded secret. This is where they perfect their engines."
Shin stood beside me on the bridge, her expression focused. "No CIS presence detected. They're trying to keep this clean — deniability."
I nodded. "We each take a section. Minimal casualties if possible. These are workers and technicians, not hardened soldiers."
The teams split quickly:
- Zule and Ahsoka took the basement levels.
- Kayla and Flare headed for the reactors.
- I would secure the main security hub.
- Shin and Erictia targeted communications.
- Aayla, Visenya, and Stella would secure the shuttle depot.
I looked at them all one last time. "Water Breathing forms if you can — we want control, not destruction. Move fast. Stay linked through the bond."
The boarding ramps extended as the *Scimitator* docked with one of the station's secondary airlocks. We moved like shadows.
**Scene 1**
**Valahari Hidden Orbital Factory**
The fighting was swift but brutal.
I took the central security hub alone. Valahari guards in ornate armor met me with blaster rifles and vibro-blades. I moved through them like a storm — Water Breathing forms flowing seamlessly into lightsaber work. Non-lethal where I could manage, lethal when forced. Over eighty guards died in the opening minutes. The rest — nearly two hundred — surrendered when they realized resistance was futile.
In the reactor levels, Kayla and Flare reported minimal resistance after securing the engineering crew. Zule and Ahsoka cleared the lower decks with surprising efficiency. Shin and Erictia locked down communications before any distress signal could fully transmit. Aayla's group secured the shuttle depot with only light casualties.
Two thousand civilian workers and technicians were gathered in the station's large leisure lounge under guard. Most looked terrified.
I stood in the central command chamber, wiping blood from my beskar sword, when Shin's voice came urgently through the bond.
*Dagon. We have a problem.*
I moved fast.
**Scene 2**
**Communications Hub**
Dooku emerged from the shadows like a ghost, his cape billowing, lightsaber hilt already in hand. His presence filled the room with cold authority.
"Ah, Master Shin," he said smoothly, a faint smile on his lips. "How unexpected."
Shin ignited her purple blade, Erictia beside her with twin blue lightsabers. "How the mighty have fallen. My brother Zhao, the Warden of the Prism — if he were here, he would be ashamed of what you've become."
Dooku's smile didn't waver. "Yes… Zhao. I have no quarrel with him. Your family will remain in control even after the Jedi and the Republic fall — but only if you surrender now."
Erictia didn't hesitate. She lunged forward with both blue blades spinning in a deadly arc.
Dooku raised his hand and unleashed a powerful bolt of blue Force lightning. The crackling energy surged toward her — only to slam into an invisible shield that flared to life around Erictia's body, originating from the ring on her finger.
The lightning dissipated harmlessly.
Dooku's eyes narrowed. "Hmm. Fancy toys. Who gave you that?"
Erictia didn't answer. She pressed the attack, blades flashing. Shin joined her, the two fighting in perfect sync.
I arrived just as Dooku parried Erictia's strike and Force-pushed her back several meters. He looked at me, eyes cold with recognition.
"Dagon Marek," he said. "Still playing the hero."
I ignited my red crossguard lightsaber. "Count Dooku. Still pretending this is about freedom."
The air crackled with tension as we faced each other. The fate of Valahari — and perhaps much more — hung in the balance.