**Gwori** — a planet in the Clacis sector of the Outer Rim, a few hyperspace jumps from Jabiim — was home to **Gwori Revolutionary Industries**, one of the Confederacy's largest shipyards on the surface. The orbital approach was eerily empty: no fleet, no patrols.
Three Pelta-class frigates and two Accumulator cruisers cut through the void, weapons primed. Their target: the shipyard's ammunition and fueling plants, not the entire facility. Over seventy Rhydonium fusion proton torpedoes and precision missiles streaked toward the surface, detonating in calculated bursts. The explosions rocked the sector, crippling essential supply nodes.
The commander of the strike force, known only as **Havoc** of General Dagon's forces, reported back to Ragnos:
"Sir, mission complete. Over two hundred Munificent-class frigates destroyed or critically damaged."
"Return to station," Ragnos ordered without hesitation. "We've done enough damage to delay the Confederacy's response."
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**Aridka**, a rocky Mid Rim world, was almost entirely abandoned. Cities lay in ruins, cradled by cliffs and the skeletal remains of temples and obelisks. Strange flora clung stubbornly to the cracks and crevices of both cliff and building alike. Beneath the surface, hidden droid factions manufactured missiles for the **Techno Union's Hailfire droids**, their covert operations centered in the **Hertae sector**.
Two Hammerhead-class cruisers and twelve H-6 bombers tore through the planet's orbit. Their assault was surgical: transport vessels docked in orbital yards were crippled, and a series of explosions briefly ignited a brilliant, star-like flash in orbit before fading into darkness. One orbital station was completely destroyed, debris scattered across the vacuum.
---
Back at the Thirteenth Legion's command post, **Ragnos** received Dagon's instructions: attack high-value targets to delay Confederacy reinforcements. Time was the commodity; every second mattered.
Unfortunately, a contingent of **five Recusant-class destroyers** accompanied by **two Lucrehulks** materialized in orbit. The strike group could not retreat fast enough. Within minutes, fire enveloped the Recusants; two Lucrehulks spiraled helplessly into the planet below. A single destroyer was deliberately crippled to crash a few kilometers from the Arc Base, a calculated risk: Dagon anticipated heavy reinforcements to converge there.
"Sir," reported a tactical officer, "fighter approaching. Call sign: Starkiller."
"Starkiller," ragnos murmured. "Send a feed — let's see what we're dealing with."
The report came back quickly: the attacking ship had expended every missile and required refueling and rearming. No high-ranking nobles were aboard — except **one survivor: Cordelia, Alto's cousin and strategist**.
"Not good enough for a political prisoner," clone officer noted.
Ragnos allowed a faint smirk. "Perhaps it will draw Alto into the field himself. That would be… entertaining."
"If only," officer muttered, his eyes fixed on the debris-strewn planet below. The battle was far from over.