### **Chapter 189**
Riyo Chuchi adjusted the soft folds of her senatorial robes as her speeder descended toward the Republic Military Command complex. The towering structure rose like a monument of steel and authority, far different from the elegant spires of the Senate District. Here, everything felt heavier—purposeful, disciplined, and edged with war.
She hesitated for only a moment before stepping out.
The first thing she noticed was the sound.
Not the hum of speeders or distant chatter—but the rhythmic march of machinery.
Juggernaut tanks rolled slowly across reinforced lanes, their massive wheels crushing dust and stone beneath them. Lines of AT-AT walkers stood like silent giants, their armored frames casting long shadows across the platform. Troopers moved in perfect formation, their white armor reflecting the harsh daylight.
It felt less like a command center…
…and more like the heart of a war machine.
Riyo swallowed slightly. *This is his world…*
She had spoken to generals before. Admirals. Even Jedi.
But Dagon Marek felt different.
There was something about him—something she couldn't quite define.
And for some reason, she chose to come here herself instead of sending a simple message.
She didn't question it.
Not yet.
As she walked forward, the presence of armed clones became more noticeable. Their helmets turned slightly as she passed—not in suspicion, but awareness. Recognition.
Still, none stopped her.
That alone told her something about her position.
And his.
She paused at the entrance, glancing around briefly, unsure where to go.
"That's… not ideal," she muttered softly.
"Lost, Senator?"
The voice was rough.
She turned to see a Zabrak male standing nearby, arms folded, expression unreadable. His presence alone carried authority—scarred, hardened, and clearly not someone easily impressed.
Riyo straightened instinctively.
"I'm looking for General Dagon Marek."
The Zabrak studied her for a moment before replying.
"You found the right place."
He turned slightly.
"Devil."
A clone trooper stepped forward immediately.
"Escort the senator to the operations room."
"Yes, sir."
Riyo blinked.
That was… easier than expected.
She glanced back at the Zabrak.
"And you are?"
"Ragnos."
That was all he said.
No rank. No explanation.
Just a name.
Riyo nodded slowly before following the clone trooper.
As they walked, she became increasingly aware of the environment. Officers stood around holotables, discussing fleet movements. Engineers worked on schematics. Tactical displays flickered with battle projections.
Everyone was busy.
Everyone had a purpose.
And she…
…felt slightly out of place.
She glanced at the clone beside her.
"Commander," she began.
"Captain," he corrected calmly.
She blinked.
"Right… Captain. What can you tell me about General Marek?"
There was a brief pause.
"All information regarding General Marek is classified under military reports submitted to High Command," the clone replied in a steady, neutral tone.
Of course.
She sighed lightly.
"I'm not asking for classified data. Just… what kind of person he is."
Another pause.
This one slightly longer.
"He is… effective."
Riyo frowned slightly.
"That's it?"
The clone continued walking.
"He wins battles. Minimizes Republic losses. Maximizes enemy losses. Troopers under his command show increased survival rates and combat efficiency."
"That sounds like a report."
"It is the most accurate answer, Senator."
She studied him for a moment.
"You respect him."
This time, the clone answered immediately.
"Yes."
That single word carried more weight than anything else he had said.
Riyo looked forward again, thoughtful.
*Respected by clones… feared by enemies…*
*And debated in the Senate.*
Interesting.
Very interesting.
They continued in silence until the clone stopped before a large doorway.
"Operations room."
He stepped aside.
She hesitated for just a second before stepping inside.
And froze.
Dagon Marek stood at the center of the room.
White armor. Clean. Controlled.
Nothing like the dark warrior she had seen in the holonet broadcasts.
But there was no mistaking him.
Not when he turned slightly.
Not when she saw the scar.
Her breath caught.
It cut across his face—sharp, defined, unmistakable.
For a moment, she forgot why she was here.
Then she noticed something else.
He wasn't alone.
Ahsoka stood nearby, her posture relaxed but alert. Beside her was a Pantoran woman—blue skin, white hair, striking presence.
Then two Zeltrons.
And a human girl.
All of them…
Close to him.
Riyo blinked.
*Are those…?*
Her mind immediately went somewhere she did not expect.
*No—wait—are they his companions? Apprentices?*
*Or…*
Her thoughts spiraled for a second before—
"Senator Chuchi."
Dagon's voice cut through her thoughts.
Calm. Grounded.
Focused.
She straightened instantly.
"General."
He stepped closer, his presence commanding without being overwhelming.
"What can I help you with?"
Right.
Focus.
"I—yes. I came to personally invite you…" she began, regaining composure, "to a formal meeting. A discussion regarding the current state of the war."
Dagon studied her briefly.
Then nodded.
"That sounds acceptable."
Relief flickered across her face.
"I will have my aide send the time and location. Transportation will also be arranged."
"Understood."
She hesitated.
Her eyes briefly flicked toward the others again.
Then back to him.
"And your… companions are also invited."
A very slight pause.
Dagon didn't react outwardly.
But internally—
*Companions…*
*That's one way to put it.*
He gave a small nod.
"They will attend."
Riyo smiled politely.
"Then I'll take my leave."
She turned quickly.
A bit too quickly.
And walked out.
The moment she exited the room, her composure cracked slightly.
She moved faster.
Then faster.
Until she reached her speeder.
Only then did she stop.
"…What just happened?"
She placed a hand over her chest.
Her heart was racing.
Not from fear.
Something else.
"…Why did I go there myself…"
She exhaled slowly, sitting in the speeder.
"And why… does he have that many women around him…?"
Her face flushed slightly.
"…Focus, Riyo."
She shook her head.
"You're a senator."
Still…
Her thoughts lingered.
—
Dagon watched her leave.
Then turned back to the holotable.
But his mind wasn't fully on it.
*Riyo Chuchi…*
*Interesting.*
Behind him—
"You're popular."
Ahsoka's voice carried a hint of amusement.
Dagon didn't turn.
"Senators tend to seek results."
Kayla crossed her arms.
"She was staring at you."
Flare smirked slightly.
"Not just him."
Stella tilted her head.
"She seemed… nervous."
Visenya remained quiet—but her eyes lingered on the doorway.
Dagon sighed internally.
*This is going to get complicated…*
He refocused.
Because right now—
War came first.
—
Later, in the operations chamber, Dagon stood before a group of engineers and officers.
A holographic projection hovered above the table.
A massive walker.
But not a standard AT-AT.
"This," Dagon said calmly, "is an adaptation of the All Terrain Armored Transport."
An engineer frowned slightly.
"It looks… different."
"It is."
Dagon gestured.
"This variant is designed for aquatic environments."
That got their attention.
"Aquatic?" one of them repeated.
"Yes."
The hologram shifted, showing submerged movement.
"Sealed joints. Reinforced pressure hull. Modified propulsion for underwater traversal."
Another engineer leaned forward.
"You're proposing… an amphibious assault walker?"
"Yes."
Dagon's expression didn't change.
"Future campaigns will require versatility. Not all battlefields are land-based."
A murmur spread across the room.
One officer spoke up.
"And where exactly would we use this?"
Dagon paused.
Just slightly.
"…Planets like Mon Cala."
The room went quiet.
Some recognized the name.
Others didn't.
But the implication was clear.
Dagon continued.
"This is not a suggestion. It is preparation."
One of the engineers exchanged a glance with another.
"…This would require coordination with Kuat Drive Yards."
"And Sienar Fleet Systems," another added.
Dagon nodded.
"Which is why I requested this meeting."
Right on cue—
A figure stepped forward.
"Well… this is certainly ambitious."
Dagon turned.
*There he is.*
The man studying the hologram had a sharp, calculating gaze.
Raith Sienar.
He circled the projection slowly.
"You're proposing designs that… don't exist yet."
Dagon met his gaze.
"They can."
A pause.
Then—
A faint smile.
"I like that answer."
Sienar looked back at the hologram.
"…And this propulsion system?"
Dagon didn't hesitate.
"Solar ionization reactor."
That made Sienar stop.
Completely.
"…You're serious."
"Yes."
Silence.
Then—
Sienar laughed quietly.
"…You just handed me the future."
Dagon said nothing.
Because he already knew.
—
Later—
Dagon stood alone for a moment, looking out over the command deck.
The war map flickered before him.
Boz Pity.
Mygeeto.
Muunilinst.
Hypori.
All victories.
All calculated.
All necessary.
But now—
Coruscant.
Politics.
Expectations.
And something else entirely.
He exhaled slowly.
"…I'll go."
The decision settled.
Not just as a general.
But as something more.
Behind him, footsteps approached.
Ahsoka.
"You're going, aren't you?"
"Yes."
She smirked slightly.
"Good. I want to see how you handle politicians."
Dagon allowed a faint smile.
"…Probably worse than droids."
And for the first time in a while—
The war felt like it had shifted.
Not ended.
Not slowed.
Just…
Changed.